Page 5 - Diplomacy

India pushed for dialogue, diplomacy as conflicts raged around world in '23

As wars and conflicts raged around the world this year, India pressed for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve them and gave a consistent clarion call for reformed multilateralism amid failures by a polarised UN Security Council to maintain international peace. India, which became the world's most populous country in 2023, emerged as the voice of the Global South as it presided over the G20, the grouping of the world's largest economies, throughout the year. At a time when the world, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pointed out, was witnessing sharp East-West polarisation and deep North-South divides, India brought its G20 thematic message of One Earth, One family, One Future' to the global stage, including at the United Nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading an unprecedented Yoga Day celebration at the UN headquarters on June 21, urged the international community to use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world, and a cleaner, greener and ...

2023: A year when G20 helped India solidify its place on world stage

India's focus to be the voice of Global South has earned it support in region. Some experts believe it has even changed the structure of G20 into a development organisation and not just an elite club

2023 Rewind: India helps Sri Lanka reel out of its debt-trapped economy

As Sri Lanka and India marked their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023, New Delhi has again emerged as a steadfast ally of Colombo, playing a pivotal role in the debt-trapped island nation's steady economic recovery. When the unprecedented economic turmoil struck Sri Lanka last year, India swiftly extended a lifeline to the country with assistance of over USD 4 billion, surpassing the International Monetary Fund's 48-month bailout of about USD 3 billion. The timely financial support from India was a testament to the strong bond between the two countries. Sri Lanka, acknowledging India's role, successfully navigated the IMF negotiations in March this year, crediting India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her role during the early stages of discussions with the global lender. A significant development was Sri Lanka's decision to utilise the first tranche of USD 330 million of the IMF bailout to repay Indian loans. This underscored India's patience and generosity

Indian diplomacy successful in forging ties with competing powers: EAM

He said, "It has been a significant achievement of Indian diplomacy that we have been successful in forging relationships with multiple and often competing powers."

India's 2023 rise: G20 success, space feats, global 'Naatu Naatu' craze

From hosting a successful G20 Summit to rewriting the annals of space exploration and making the world dance to Naatu Naatu, 2023 saw India establish itself as more than a soft power

French President Emmanuel Macron to be chief guest for 2024 Republic Day

He will be the sixth French leader to grace the event

Cabinet approves pact between India, US to enhance innovation ecosystems

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and India to enhance innovation ecosystems. The two countries are working together to strengthen the startup eco- system in deep tech sectors and promote cooperation in initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). "The MoU would contribute significantly to strengthening Commercial opportunities in the high tech sector," an official statement said. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the MoU between the two countries to enhance innovation ecosystems through an innovation handshake, it said. Further, it said that the scope of cooperation would include a series of India-US Innovation Handshake events, round tables with the private sector, including hackathon and Open Innovation programmes, information sharing and other activities. The pact laid the groundwork for two future Innovation Handshake events scheduled to take place in India and the US in early 20

India's approach to Afghanistan continues to be guided by historical ties

In the past two years, some Afghan diplomats have left India as they obtained residency in third countries but the remaining diplomats have taken over the responsibility for continued functioning of the diplomatic missions of that country, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, he said India's approach to Afghanistan continues to be guided by its historical relations, friendship with its people and relevant UN resolutions. "The diplomatic presence of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New Delhi and the Consulates of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Mumbai and Hyderabad continue to function in India," he said in his reply. "During the past two years, some Afghan diplomats have left India since they obtained residency in third countries. However, the remaining Afghan diplomats based in India have taken over the responsibility for the continued diplomatic functioning of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," he ...

S'pore committed to foster world where dialogue a path to resolve conflicts

Singapore is deeply committed to fostering a world where the rule of law is upheld and where dialogue and negotiation are the chosen pathways to resolving conflicts and disputes, the country's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has said. The prosperous city-state also supports stronger international cooperation to prevent crises from occurring, and to be prepared in advance for any shocks to the system when they do occur, the president on Saturday told 460 newly minted officers of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). In a speech at the officer cadet commissioning parade, the president noted that the foundations of the international order were under strain, just when the need for global cooperation and the rule of law was greatest. "On its part, Singapore continues to be deeply committed to fostering a world where the rule of law is upheld, and where dialogue and negotiation are the chosen pathways to resolving conflicts and disputes," he said. However, this ability to engage with other

Kenyan President William Ruto pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi welcomed William Ruto at Rashtrapati Bhavan. William Ruto was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan

India, US have established mature relationship, says US Deputy NSA Finer

The US and India have established a mature relationship that enables both sides to identify opportunities and work through differences, US Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer said on Monday. In an address at a conclave, he said the US and India have a "complicated history" and they have not always been "wholly aligned". Finer said there are many "difficult issues" that remain in the relationship "right up to the present day". At the same time, he said there is a bipartisan view in the US that both countries must seize some important opportunities that the world presents to the two sides, both geopolitically and economically. The senior White House official is on a visit to India that comes days after American prosecutors linked an Indian official to a man charged with conspiring to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil. "I think the US and India have a complicated history. We have not always been wholly aligned. We have not always found it easy to work ...

India achieved the extraordinary during its G20 presidency, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted that India achieved the extraordinary during its G20 presidency as it revitalised multilateralism, amplified the voice of the Global South, championed development, and fought for the empowerment of women everywhere. With Brazil set to take over the presidency from December 1, Modi highlighted the elite group's journey under India and expressed confidence that his country hands over the charge with the conviction that our collective steps for people, planet, peace, and prosperity, will resonate for years to come. In an opinion piece which appeared in several newspapers on Thursday, Modi said India's approach was defined by being "inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive" and the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration (NDLD), unanimously adopted by all G20 members, is testimony to our commitment to deliver on these principles. Noting that it has been 365 days since India took the Chair, he said the global landscape grappled with multifacete

India to build 10k more houses in Sri Lanka in extension of housing project

India will build 10,000 more houses in the plantation areas of Sri Lanka in an extension of its housing project in the country. The High Commission of India signed two significant agreements for the construction of 10,000 houses in plantation areas of Sri Lanka under Phase-IV of the Indian Housing Project on Tuesday, a statement said. Separate agreements with the two Implementing Agencies namely National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) and State Engineering Corporation (SEC) are aimed at early rollout of the construction of the 10,000 houses. Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation Wing, Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Chairman of SEC, Rathnasiri Kalupahana, and General Manager, NHDA, Kankanamalage Ajantha Janaka were the signatories to the two agreements. Phase IV of the Indian Housing Project is spread across 11 districts and 6 provinces of Sri Lanka. It may be recalled that the overall commitment of the Government of India under the Indian Housing Project currently stands a

Cooperating with US investigation as info legally tenable: India to Canada

Earlier in September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding India's involvement in Nijjar's killing

Indian envoy Sandhu heckled by pro-Khalistani elements in New York Gurdwara

The Indian envoy could be seen leaving the premises in his vehicle, while a lone protestor raised the Khalistani flag outside the Gurdwara

India is diplomatically able to mediate in global conflicts: Amb Kamboj

India's strategic position enables it to engage with various power blocs constructively and its ability to navigate complex diplomatic waters showcases the country as a potential mediator in international conflicts, the country's envoy to the UN has said. "In an era marked by rapid changes and complex challenges, India emerges not just as a nation of immense diversity and cultural richness, but also as a key player on the international stage, embodying the principles of cooperation, peace and mutual respect, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said here. Kamboj delivered a special address on the topic India in the Emerging Global Order' at the India: The Next Decade' conference hosted by the Deepak and Neera Raj Center at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs last week. Kamboj said India's ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' the world is one family - positions the country uniquely as a mediator and conciliator in

Afghanistan embassy announces closure in New Delhi, issues statement

Despite "limitations in resources and power", the Afghan embassy said it has worked "tirelessly for their betterment and in the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul"

Hope to work with China in upgrading shipyards and ports says Fiji leader

Fiji's leader says that after meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, he hopes to collaborate with China on upgrading his nation's shipyards and ports. Sitiveni Rabuka made the remarks to lawmakers in Parliament on Wednesday. Rabuka is generally viewed as leaning less toward China than his predecessor Frank Bainimarama, and in a visit to Australia last month, Rabuka emphasized he was more comfortable dealing with traditional friends such as Australia. But in his Wednesday remarks, Rabuka highlighted the economic ties his small South Pacific island nation has forged with China over 50 years of diplomatic relations. Rabuka said that in his meeting with Xi last week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in San Francisco, he discussed how China's assistance was pivotal to Fiji's post-COVID-19 economic recovery. Rabuka said China's Belt and Road Initiative aligned with Fiji's development agenda and that China had contributed toward a number of grants a

China prods Bhutan to establish diplomatic ties and settle border issues

China has asked Bhutan to establish diplomatic ties with it and resolve the boundary issue as soon as possible to transform the relations between the two neighbours into legal form. Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji who is currently visiting Beijing to take part in the boundary talks between the two countries met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday during which Wang said restoration of diplomatic ties will serve the long-term interests of both countries, a Foreign Ministry press release here said. The conclusion of boundary negotiations and the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bhutan fully serve the long-term and fundamental interests of the country and nation of Bhutan," Wang said. China is ready to work with Bhutan in the same direction, seize the historic opportunity, complete this important process as soon as possible, and fix and develop China-Bhutan friendly relations in legal form," Wang, also a member of the powerful Political Bureau of

India rejects Canada's accusation of violating norms amid diplomatic row

The Indian government on Friday rejected any notion that it had violated international law in asking Canada to recall diplomats so that both governments have roughly the same number stationed in each country. Canada said Thursday it was recalling 41 of its 62 diplomats in India after what it said was New Delhi's warning that it would strip their diplomatic immunity something Canadian officials characterised as a violation of the Geneva Convention. The back-and-forth comes amid a spat between the two countries over Canada's allegation that India was involved in the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada. India had not publicly stated it would withdraw diplomatic immunity from the Canadian diplomats, nor did it give a deadline for their departure. But it said it wanted Canada to reduce its number of diplomats in India to match the amount that India has in Canada. We reject any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms, India's Minist