Diplomacy

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri gets one-year extension till July 2027

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was given a one-year extension on Wednesday, till July 14 next year. Widely regarded as an expert on China, Misri was appointed to the post in June 2024. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension for a period of one year beyond July 14, 2026, that is, up to July 14, 2027, under the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(d). The rule has a provision for extension in service for the defence secretary, foreign secretary, home secretary, director of the Intelligence Bureau, secretary of Research and Analysis Wing, and a few others beyond the age of retirement of 60 years. Career diplomat Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was working as the Deputy National Security Adviser (Dy NSA) before his appointment as the foreign secretary. He has the rare distinction of serving as private secretary to three prime ministers -- Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi. Before he was appointed as the deputy NSA, Mis

Gifts from abroad over the years via diplomatic channels up for auction

The first public Toshakhana e-auction features around 300 gifts received by Indian diplomats, with proceeds going to the Consolidated Fund of India

Datanomics: The collapse and return of Venezuela oil trade with India

Venezuela's return as a top crude supplier highlights how oil alone has shaped India-Venezuela trade, from a $14-billion peak to near-collapse and revival

India summons top US diplomat again to protest strikes on ships off Oman

India lodged a second diplomatic protest in three days after US strikes on vessels off Oman affected ships carrying Indian crew members

AI reshaping diplomacy: Can technology replace human understanding?

As global tensions rise, governments are turning to AI to analyse data, model negotiation outcomes and identify compromise options, reshaping modern diplomacy

The rise of transactionalism and how middle powers might reverse it

A coalition of middle powers, similar to the NAM, may be the only viable path to reviving collective action on global challenges

Operation Sindoor showcased growing jointness among our forces: PM

India has intensified diplomatic engagement after Operation Sindoor, focusing on counter-terrorism, trade partnerships and global support against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism

A high-wire diplomacy month for India amid packed global engagements

The marquee engagement will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four-nation Europe tour, which includes the India-Nordic Summit and a brief stop in the United Arab Emirates

PM Modi guides Indian envoys on trade, tech, tourism to boost diplomacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday provided "valuable" guidance to heads of India's diplomatic missions abroad on promoting the country's national interests. The prime minister was addressing the 11th Heads of Missions Conference on the theme 'Reforming Indian Diplomacy for 2047'. The three-day conference, held in New Delhi, primarily focused on charting a roadmap for a "future-ready" Indian diplomacy. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said presentations were made to the prime minister on promotion of the 3Ts -- trade, technology and tourism and on amplifying the "Bharat story". PM Modi also heard insights from heads of missions, and perspectives from senior and young diplomats on strengthening India's global engagement, he said on social media. The prime minister also shared his thoughts and ideas and provided guidance on India's diplomatic engagement in order to achieve Vikshit Bharat by 2047, he said. In a post on X, Modi said, "Attended the Heads o

Navel-gazing, in national interest: India balances both sides in war

It's easy to understand why the government can't speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India's interests will lie with both the winner and the loser

PM Modi stresses safe navigation in Hormuz in talks with Kuwait, UAE

Modi discusses West Asia situation with Kuwait Crown Prince and UAE President, emphasising maritime security and diplomatic engagement for regional stability

Strategic setback to India's diplomacy: Cong slams govt on Chabahar port

The Congress on Sunday said the Chabahar port now not being "on the horizon" for India is the second "strategic setback" to the country's Central Asian diplomacy after the closure of its air force base in Ayni in Tajikistan. Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that continuity in governance is an essential reality that is never acknowledged by the "self-obsessed" PM. Beginning in the late 1990s, India began to explore possibilities of making investments in Iran's Chabahar port as part of an India-Afghanistan-Iran cooperation strategy, Ramesh said on X. "Finally, after attending the 16th Non Aligned Summit in Tehran, Dr Manmohan Singh gave a fresh impetus to these plans and in May 2013, the Union Cabinet approved an investment of USD 115 million to begin with in Chabahar. It bears recalling that this decision was taken even as India was taking major steps to implement the India-US nuclear agreement that

From 'values to value': Raisina Dialogue highlights pragmatic diplomacy

This year's Raisina Dialogue underscored the importance of pragmatic diplomacy in a fractured world

France bars US ambassador from meeting officials amid diplomatic row

The summons came after wide-ranging criticism from the US administration over the killing of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon earlier this month

US envoy arrives in Venezuela to reopen diplomatic mission after 7 years

US Ambassador Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas on Saturday to reopen the American diplomatic mission in Venezuela after seven years of severed ties. The move comes almost one month after a military action ordered by US President Donald Trump removed the South American country's then-leader Nicolas Maduro from office. "My team and I are ready to work," Dogu said in a message posted by the US Embassy in Venezuela 's account on X. It also posted pictures of her upon her landing at Maiquetia airport. Venezuela and the United States broke off diplomatic relations in February 2019 in a decision by Maduro and closed their embassies mutually after Trump gave public support to lawmaker Juan Guaido in his claim to be the nation's interim president in January of that year. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, one of Venezuela's most powerful politicians and a Maduro loyalist, said earlier in January that reopening the US embassy would give the Venezuelan government a way to oversee the treatment

World leaders turn to China as Trump's tariffs reshape global diplomacy

With Xi, 72, traveling abroad less - he skipped the recent G-20 leaders' summit in South Africa, for example - the impetus is on foreign leaders to subscribe to his home-court diplomacy

Elections and diplomacy set to shape New Delhi's packed 2026 calendar

As India enters a busy election year in 2026, Archis Mohan explains how domestic politics and foreign engagement will intersect

Putin in India: The real agenda behind the summit

Vladimir Putin’s two-day India visit is packed with symbolism — but the real story is what’s being negotiated: defence upgrades, nuclear energy, oil and payment routes, and a plan to rebalance trade.

Taiwan's Pacific influence dwindles as China gains ground in island nations

From six diplomatic alliances in the region in 2019, Taiwan now only has three: The Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and Tuvalu