Page 3 - Bilateral Ties

India, UAE target to double non-oil trade to $100 bn in 3-4 years

India and the UAE have set a target to double bilateral trade in non-oil and non-precious metal to USD 100 billion over the next 3-4 years, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday. Currently, the bilateral trade in non-oil and non-precious metals stands at about USD 50-55 billion. The minister also said both sides have decided to work on modalities to invest in regions, such as Africa and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), in various sectors like infrastructure, by leveraging the UAE's investment strength and India's talent pool. These issues were discussed during the 13th meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments here. It was co-chaired by visiting Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, MD of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. "We have set a new target to double bilateral trade in non-oil and non-precious metals to USD 100 billion in the next 3-4 years," Goyal told reporters here. He said both sides also explored new frontiers fo

PM Modi speaks to Nepal's PM Karki, supports efforts to restore peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Sushila Karki and reaffirmed India's steadfast support for her efforts to restore peace and stability. In a post on X, Modi said that during his conversation with Karki, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the recent tragic loss of lives during violent protests in the neighbouring country. "Had a warm conversation with Mrs. Sushila Karki, Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Nepal. Conveyed heartfelt condolences on the recent tragic loss of lives and reaffirmed India's steadfast support for her efforts to restore peace and stability," Modi said. "Also, I extended warm greetings to her and the people of Nepal on their National Day tomorrow," he said. Last week, Nepal witnessed violent protests that led to the ouster of prime minister K P Sharma Oli. During the agitation led by the Gen Z group, protesters set fire to houses of political leaders, important government buildings, including the ...

India, Mauritius to facilitate bilateral trade in local currencies: PM Modi

India on Thursday announced an over USD 655 million special economic package for Mauritius and signed seven pacts to further expand bilateral ties in several critical sectors with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing the two countries as not just partners but a family. Following talks with his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Modi said a free, open, stable and prosperous Indian Ocean is a shared priority for both sides and India remains fully committed to strengthening the security of Mauritius's exclusive economic zone. Modi also said that both sides will work towards enabling bilateral trade in local currencies following successful launch of UPI and RuPay cards in Mauritius. Under the special economic package, India will assist Mauritius implement at least 10 projects that include strengthening key infrastructure like port, airport, and roads and to set up new schools and hospitals. "This package is not an assistance. It is an investment in our shared future," Mod

India's authoritative voice vital in peace efforts: Ukraine FM Sybiha

Ukraine FM Sybiha said that they rely on India's "authoritative voice" and active support in broader international peace efforts

India and Singapore unveil roadmap to expand strategic partnership

India and Singapore have unveiled a roadmap to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on trade, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and collaboration in sectors like space and civil aviation

'If West ignores India, global influence at risk': Finland President Stubb

Stubb appeared to take a dig at US President Donald Trump's policies, especially the high tariffs imposed on India

India counting on Germany's support to expedite EU FTA: Jaishankar

Welcoming Wadephul on his first visit to India, Jaishankar said that India and Germany share a strong history of multilateral cooperation

Sitharaman meets Singapore PM, discusses boosting strategic partnership

Ministry of Finance stated that the discussion centred on enhancing cooperation in critical areas, including trade and investment, fintech, skill development

Hugs & handshakes: PM Modi, Russian President Putin send out a message

The Modi-Putin-Xi huddle, that took place before the start of the plenary session of the SCO summit, had Western media interpret it as a message to US President Donald Trump

China on mind, India and Japan deepen economic security partnership

They also proposed annual dialogue of their national security advisers to take stock of security situation facing India and Japan, and have increased consultation between their military leaderships

Capital doesn't just grow in India, it multiplies: PM Modi to Japan Inc

At the India-Japan Economic Forum, PMs Modi and Ishiba vowed deeper cooperation in semiconductors, AI, green energy, infrastructure, and skill development

Dinesh K Patnaik appointed India's new high commissioner to Canada

Senior IFS officer Dinesh K Patnaik has been appointed India's high commissioner to Canada as both countries move to reset relations after years of tension over the Nijjar row

FM Sitharaman meets Qatar trade minister to strengthen bilateral trade

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday met Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed and discussed bilateral trade and investment, among others. During the discussion, Sitharaman highlighted the transformative steps taken by India to attract foreign investments in the last decade. "Both the Ministers reiterated the commitment to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations under the 'strategic partnership' between India and Qatar," the finance ministry said in a post on X. The Qatari delegation conveyed that they see good opportunities for investments in India, given India's economic growth and technological development. Separately, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary participated in a bilateral meeting with Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the State of Qatar, and his accompanying delegation. "This historic bilateral engagement witnessed in-depth discussions aimed at opening new avenu

Pakistan foreign minister meets Bangladesh party leaders to strengthen ties

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held back-to-back talks with leaders of various political parties of Bangladesh, hours after his arrival in Dhaka to boost bilateral ties. Dar, also the deputy prime minister of Pakistan, on Saturday met with the leaders of former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami. He also met with the leaders of student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), floated recently with interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus's blessings. A six-member BNP delegation led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir held a meeting with Dar at the Pakistan Embassy in Dhaka. Shama Obayed, one of the BNP delegates, said their discussions focused on deepening bilateral ties. Obayed added that the talks also covered reviving the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), while Pakistan expressed its wish to see fair elections in Bangladesh. The meeting was .

Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka begins 4-day India visit to boost bilateral ties

Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a four-day visit, accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka.He was welcomed at the airport by Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar.In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Rabuka and said that his visit will deepen the India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors"Warm welcome to PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji as he arrives in New Delhi on his first visit. PM Rabuka was received by MoS Education & DoNER Sukanta Majumdar at the airport. The visit will further deepen the India-Fiji partnership across diverse sectors," Randhir Jaiswal said.Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, accompanied by his spouse, Suluweti Rabuka, will visit India from August 24 to 27, the Ministry of External Affairs said.The visit will begin in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister Rabuka will be received at IGI Airport, after which he will have a meeting with a ..

India, Saudi Arabia set up joint group to boost maritime cooperation

India and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen bilateral maritime relations, an official statement said on Wednesday. Both countries have formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) on maritime cooperation in the shipping and logistics sectors, marking a new chapter in the strategic partnership, the statement said. This decision was taken during a high-level virtual meeting between Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. According to the statement, Sonowal underscored the historic and growing relationship between the two nations. India and Saudi Arabia share centuries-old economic and socio-cultural ties, he said. The establishment of the strategic partnership council, co-chaired by the leaders of both countries, has elevated bilateral cooperation to new heights. Sonowal pointed to recent developments, including the launch of the JeddahMundra/Nhava Sheva route by Saudi Arabia

Jaishankar holds 'productive' talks with South Korean foreign minister Hyun

India and South Korea on Saturday resolved to expand their strategic partnership by boosting cooperation in the areas of semiconductor, clean energy, defence and artificial intelligence. Ways to ramp up the overall bilateral cooperation figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his visiting South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyun. "Held productive discussions on advancing our bilateral cooperation in trade, manufacturing, maritime and people-to-people exchanges as well as new opportunities in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and defence," the external affairs minister said in a post on X. Jaishankar said he and Hyun also exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region and contemporary global developments. "Appreciated our deepening convergences and growing engagement as our Special Strategic Partnership completes 10 years," he added. In his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar also thanked Seoul for its condemnation of the horrific Pahalgam

China confirms talks with India, to share Wang Yi visit details soon

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, China and India are maintaining interactions at various levels

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong likely to visit India next month to sign MoUs

India and Singapore are looking at finalising nearly 10 memorandums of understanding in areas such as advanced technology, connectivity, skilling and digitisation during a meeting of their top ministers on Wednesday, people familiar with the matter said. The two sides are also in the process of finalising an ambitious proposal to lay an undersea cable to carry solar energy from India to Singapore that will also provide data connectivity, they said. The new initiatives are set to be firmed up at the third India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) to be held here on Wednesday. The ISMR is also expected to make preparations for Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's likely visit to India next month, the people said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will hold the ISMR with six Singaporean ministers. The Singaporean delegation will be led

India, Singapore to hold 3rd ministerial roundtable in Delhi on August 13

The 3rd round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) will be held in New Delhi on 13 August 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.Indian Ministers who will participate in the 3rd ISMR are Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs; S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs; Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry; and Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology.Ministers from Singapore who will participate are Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry; K. Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs; Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information; Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower; and Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport.Envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ISMR is a unique mechanism for setting .