Page 3 - External Affairs & Defence Security News
EAM S Jaishankar, Swift's CEO discuss facilitating smooth commerce
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets SWIFT CEO Javier Perez-Tasso in New Delhi to discuss global commerce and geopolitical challenges
 "EAM S Jaishankar, Swift's CEO discuss facilitating smooth commerce")
US is 'very close' to finalising a trade deal with India: Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says India and the US are close to finalising a trade deal, with Russian oil purchases and tariff waivers among the key considerations
 "US is 'very close' to finalising a trade deal with India: Marco Rubio")
Naval platforms worth ₹2.41 trn accorded AoN, RFP out for four LPDs: VCNS
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff flags AI, advanced propulsion and quantum tech as focus areas ahead of navy's Swavlamban 2026 innovation and indigenisation seminar
 "Naval platforms worth ₹2.41 trn accorded AoN, RFP out for four LPDs: VCNS")
Russia sanctions waiver a 60-day pause: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that India remained heavily reliant on Russian oil even as it had diversified its energy sources
Trade to trust: India steps up neighbourhood play with economic support
India is strengthening ties with South Asian neighbours through high-level diplomacy, trade negotiations, financial assistance and connectivity projects amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
 "Trade to trust: India steps up neighbourhood play with economic support")
Rajnath Singh to represent India at SCO Council of Heads of Government meet
In April, Singh attended the SCO defence ministers' meeting at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
 "Rajnath Singh to represent India at SCO Council of Heads of Government meet")
Hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi not a new practice, says MEA
The ministry said hosting foreign dignitaries in different Indian cities has been a longstanding practice, rejecting Congress claims that the US had 'summoned' Jaishankar to Mumbai
 "Hosting foreign dignitaries outside Delhi not a new practice, says MEA")
EAM Jaishankar will hold talks with Marco Rubio in Mumbai on Oct 20: MEA
The discussions are expected to cover key areas of bilateral cooperation, including energy, critical energy issues, and regional and global developments, the MEA said
 "EAM Jaishankar will hold talks with Marco Rubio in Mumbai on Oct 20: MEA")
PM Modi, Canadian foreign minister discuss concluding CEPA by year-end
The two sides discussed expanding trade and investment ties across energy, education, tech and security, with a Canadian trade mission to India as a step towards deeper Indo-Pacific engagement
 "PM Modi, Canadian foreign minister discuss concluding CEPA by year-end")
The Mecca agreement is fuelled by regional concerns, say experts
India to watch how the Saudi Arabia-Turkiye-Pakistan agreement shapes, experts say
 "The Mecca agreement is fuelled by regional concerns, say experts")
Closer trade ties with India remain top priority: US envoy Sergio Gor
US Ambassador Sergio Gor said that US views sanctions as a means to end the Ukraine war, not to punish countries buying Russian oil, ahead of Marco Rubio's India visit next week
 "Closer trade ties with India remain top priority: US envoy Sergio Gor")
Jaishankar calls for urgent multilateral reform amid changing global order
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue's Middle East edition in Abu Dhabi, the external affairs minister said countries must explore new partnerships and move beyond traditional comfort zones
 "Jaishankar calls for urgent multilateral reform amid changing global order")
India asks UN human rights office to seek answers from Pakistan on PoK
At the UNGA, India cited the UN human rights office's calls for investigations into killings in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and due process for detained Joint Awami Action Committee leaders
 "India asks UN human rights office to seek answers from Pakistan on PoK")
We seek Indo-Pacific where nations make their own choices: Rajnath
Rajnath Singh calls for stronger India-Asean cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, stressing regional peace, strategic autonomy and cooperation between regional forums
 "We seek Indo-Pacific where nations make their own choices: Rajnath")
Rubio to visit Jamnagar, Mumbai as US trade deal near 'landing point'
Marco Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar to discuss energy cooperation as S Jaishankar says India-US trade talks are nearing a landing point, with a few issues unresolved
India working to develop relations with China 'once again', says Goyal
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India is working to develop relations with China again, but stressed that the journey remains unfinished and must ensure fair, stable engagement
 "India working to develop relations with China 'once again', says Goyal")
LAC must be stable for normalisation of ties with China: EAM Jaishankar
Jaishankar also linked expansion of trade and investment ties between the two countries to peace and tranquillity along the border
India-US trade deal talks nearing 'landing point', says Jaishankar
India and the US have been in talks since early 2025 on the proposed trade pact to address tariff friction, eliminate non-tariff barriers, and boost bilateral market access
 "India-US trade deal talks nearing 'landing point', says Jaishankar")
India working to rebuild its relations with China, says Piyush Goyal
He also said India is open for joint ventures with any country, provided it gets a fair deal
 "India working to rebuild its relations with China, says Piyush Goyal")
India-US relations 'very good'; don't see any problem: Piyush Goyal
Goyal said that the bilateral relationship goes beyond trade and encompasses defence, technology, critical minerals and people-to-people ties
 "India-US relations 'very good'; don't see any problem: Piyush Goyal")