Explore Business Standard
Ministry Of External Affairs
India has airlifted a movable modular bridge system and hundreds of water-purification units to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka as part of its ongoing humanitarian support to reconnect isolated communities and restore essential services in the island nation, the Indian mission here said on Thursday. Sri Lanka has been grappling with widespread flooding, landslides and severe infrastructure collapse triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, leaving several districts isolated and severely straining the country's disaster-response capacity. At least 479 people have been killed and 350 are missing as of Wednesday evening due to catastrophic floods and landslides caused by extreme weather conditions since November 16. A C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force flew in the Bailey Bridge system along with 500 water purification units on Wednesday, following a request from Colombo, the Indian High Commission said in a statement. The massive structure can be installed within a few hours to repl
An Indian national from Kerala, who was in detention of Houthi rebels in war-torn Yemen since early July, has been released. Anilkumar Raveendran was among the crew members of cargo ship MV Eternity C. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India welcomes the release of Raveendran, who was under detention in Yemen since July 7. "He reached Muscat yesterday and is expected to travel back to India soon," it said. The MEA said the government had been coordinating efforts with various parties to ensure his safe release and return. "The government of India would like to thank the Sultanate of Oman for facilitating the release of Anilkumar Raveendran," it said in a brief statement.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday addressed the inaugural conference on the occasion of '50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)Speaking to experts and representatives from over 80 countries, Jaishankar discussed the need to modernise the BWC and the critical role of the Global South in shaping its future. He outlined India's record of ensuring non-proliferation of sensitive and dual-use goods & technologies, the vaccine Maitri initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic and the proposal of a National Implementation Framework that covers the identification of high-risk agents, oversight of dual-use research, domestic reporting, incident management, and continuous training.Jaishankar highlighted in his remarks that they strive to modernise the BWC, the Global South must take ownership--preparing wisely for future challenges.In a post on X, he emphasised the need for ensuring that BWC remains the guardrail between innovation and misuse in the life sciences ..
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin along with other heads of delegation of SCO member states. Jaishankar is here to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting. "Called on President Putin along with other Heads of SCO Delegations this afternoon," Jaishankar said on social media. The meeting in the Kremlin was also attended by Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Prime Ministers Alexander Turchin of Belarus, Oljas Bektenov of Kazakhstan, Adylbek Kasymaliyev of Kyrgyzstan, Kokhir Rasulzoda of Tajikistan and Abdulla Aripov of Uzbekistan, as well as Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev. On Monday, Jaishankar held extensive talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The meeting comes as the two sides prepare for President Putin's visit to India for the 23rd annual summit. The Russian president is expected to visi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met with Bhutan's former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and said he appreciated his extensive efforts over the years towards further cementing ties between the two South Asian neighbours. Had a wonderful meeting with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Appreciated his extensive efforts over the years towards further cementing India-Bhutan ties, Modi said in a social media post. During the meeting, they discussed cooperation in energy, trade, technology and connectivity. Lauded the progress in the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, which aligns with our Act East Policy, Modi added. Modi also thanked His Majesty for his wise counsel and guidance in further enhancing the special India-Bhutan friendship, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The prime minister conveyed best wishes of the government and people of India for the former king's continued good health, well-being and a long life, the ministry added. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to t
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Canada on Wednesday to participate in the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, in yet another step to normalise bilateral ties. Jaishankar will join the outreach session of the meeting for G7 partners in Ontario at the invitation of his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. "The external affairs minister's participation in the G7 foreign ministers' meeting reflects India's continued commitment to working with international partners in addressing global challenges and bolstering the voice of the Global South in international fora," it said. Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 meeting including with Anand. The outreach partner nations that Canada has invited for the G7 meeting include Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Ukraine. Canada last week said the G7 gathering will discuss pressing global econom
India on Thursday rejected certain remarks on Jammu and Kashmir by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), saying it does not have any locus standi to speak on internal matters of the country. In a statement, the OIC on Monday expressed its "full solidarity" with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in what it called their "legitimate quest for the right to self-determination". India trashed the remarks. "We reject those statements. They don't have any locus standi to speak on matters which are internal to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. To a question on reports of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's planned trip to Dhaka next month, Jaiswal said India expects action against him wherever he goes. "He is a fugitive. He is wanted in India. So, we expect that wherever he goes, those people will take due action against him, and meet our security concerns," Jaiswal said. Naik is wanted by the Indian authoritie
Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, will be leading the Indian delegation for the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) being held in Kampala, Uganda, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement.The theme of the Mid-Term Ministerial is "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence"According to the statement, the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) will be held in Kampala, Uganda, on October 15-16.MEA noted in its statement that Uganda is the Chair of NAM for the period 2024-26. The Mid-Term Ministerial under the theme of "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence". India is a founding member of the movemen,t which brings together 121 developing countries on a platform of historical significance. India remains committed to the principles and values of the movement.At the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) being held from October 13-14, ..