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India and Ethiopia are "natural partners" in regional peace, security and connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday in his address to the Ethiopian Parliament. Modi, who arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday on his maiden bilateral visit, addressed a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament. This was the 18th parliament in the world that Prime Minister Modi has addressed. "Ethiopia sits at a crossroads of Africa. India stands at the heart of the Indian Ocean. We are natural partners in regional peace, security and connectivity," the prime minister said. As developing countries, India and Ethiopia have a lot to learn from and offer to each other, he said. Modi added that the two countries also share warmth in climate and in spirit. At the conclusion of his speech, he got a standing ovation from the members of the Parliament. Modi is on a four-day, three-nation visit. He arrived here on Tuesday from Jordan and will depart for Oman from here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a visit to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman -- countries which enjoy civilizational ties and exceptional bilateral relations with India. "First, I will be visiting Jordan, on the invitation of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein. This historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," the prime minister said in his departure statement. Modi will hold detailed discussions with Jordanian King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, and will also meet Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah. In his first visit to Ethiopia, the prime minister will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South. The prime minister will also hold discussions with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and meet the Indian diaspora. "On the final
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (local time) held a series of meetings with his counterparts from Egypt and Europe on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum in the UAE.Sharing details in a post on X, Jaishankar said he was pleased to meet Egypt's Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty at the forum."Nice to catch up with FM Dr Badr Abdelatty of Egypt at Sir Bani Yas Forum," he said.In a separate post, the EAM said he also met with several European leaders during the event, including Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers from Luxembourg and Poland, as well as the Foreign Minister of Latvia."Great to be with European colleagues DPM & FM Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, DPM & FM Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland and FM Baiba Braze of Latvia," Jaishankar said.Earlier, Jaishankar met with UK Deputy PM and Foreign Secretary David Lammy on the sidelines of the forum.He announced his interaction with Lammy in a post on X, stating, "Good to see UK DPM David Lammy on the
India on Monday advised its nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China. New Delhi's move came over two weeks after an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai airport after the authorities refused to recognise her Indian passport as valid during a transit halt. "We expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He was responding to a query about the November 21 incident involving the woman from Arunachal Pradesh. "The Ministry of External Affairs would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China," Jaiswal said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed measures to strengthen the longstanding multifaceted partnership with Bahrain during a phone call with his counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. Good to speak with FM Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain over the phone, Jaishankar, who is currently visiting New York, posted on social media on Saturday (local time). The two ministers also discussed regional and global developments. Discussed ways to further deepen our longstanding multifaceted partnership. Also exchanged views on current regional and global developments, Jaishankar said. The two ministers held extensive talks earlier this month in New Delhi when India and Bahrain announced commencing negotiations for an ambitious trade deal, inching closer to sealing an investment pact. They also agreed to develop a common understanding to commence negotiations for a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA). This would help eliminate double taxation, provide tax ...
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) Outreach Session on Energy Security and Critical Minerals in Canada, and put forth India's perspective, Jaishankar, in a social media post, said he spoke about the need on both issues to "mitigate dependence, strengthen predictability and build resilience". Greater international cooperation is the only way forward, he added. Jaishankar is in Niagara to attend an outreach session with the G7 partner nations. "Noted the unpredictability and market constrictions in global supply. More policy consultations and coordination are helpful. The key however is to translate that on the ground. India is open to working constructively with international partners in this regard," he said. Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Jaishankar held separate meetings with his Ukrainian, Saudi and European Union counterparts on the sidelines of the G7 FMM Outreach session, discussing recent developments and regiona
India is emerging as a "leading voice" in an increasing multipolar world and Cyprus sees New Delhi not only as an "old friend", but also as a "partner" for future cooperation, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said here on Thursday. In his address at an event, Kombos also said the "successful conclusion" of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will not only strengthen the EU-India ties, but will also unlock "immense economic opportunity" for Cyprus, India and all European countries. Kombos delivered the 55th Sapru House Lecture on the topic of "Cyprus and the World". "India is a global powerhouse, this is a fact.... It has the richest of history and culture and potential that is unrivalled. This is a fact," he said and also spoke on how Cyprus and India can be partners. At a time like this, marked by fragmentation, instability and uncertainty, Cyprus believes in building "networks of cooperation" rather than walls of division, he said. "We are meeting here today in t
The United Nations today "still reflects the realities of 1945, not of 2025", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, even as he asserted that for the UN to be effective, it must reform, becoming more inclusive, democratic, participative and representative of the current world. In his address at the concluding day of the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave here, he also said the nature of conflicts have transformed with the "rise of non-state actors" and with asymmetric warfare. The EAM underscored the need to "recalibrate" global peacekeeping efforts in tune with evolving realities. He also called for decisions on peacekeeping mandates to be taken in close consultation with all stakeholders, including troop-contributing and host nations. In his address, he recalled about his recent visit to New York to attend the 80th UN General Assembly. "Let me share with you some key insights of that experience. One, the United Nations today st
BLS International Services Limited on Thursday said it has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish and operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China. The contract will be valid for a period of 3 years, effective October 14, 2025. In July, India announced the resumption of issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals, a move that comes as part of efforts to mend bilateral ties that came under severe strain following the military clashes in Galwan Valley. India had suspended issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the restrictions continued in view of the eastern Ladakh border row. Under the terms of the agreement, BLS International will be responsible for establishing and managing IVACs in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, offering visa services. The IVACs will incorporate enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology, and multi-lingual staff to ensure a seamless experience