Page 2 - External Affairs Ministry

EAM Jaishankar calls for cooperation with Bahrain in space, fintech

External Affairs Minister also highlighted the steady growth of bilateral trade and investment, encouraging Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in India

Cyprus sees India as natural partner, ally in current situation: FM Kombos

India is emerging as a "leading voice" in an increasing multipolar world and Cyprus sees New Delhi not only as an "old friend", but also as a "partner" for future cooperation, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said here on Thursday. In his address at an event, Kombos also said the "successful conclusion" of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will not only strengthen the EU-India ties, but will also unlock "immense economic opportunity" for Cyprus, India and all European countries. Kombos delivered the 55th Sapru House Lecture on the topic of "Cyprus and the World". "India is a global powerhouse, this is a fact.... It has the richest of history and culture and potential that is unrivalled. This is a fact," he said and also spoke on how Cyprus and India can be partners. At a time like this, marked by fragmentation, instability and uncertainty, Cyprus believes in building "networks of cooperation" rather than walls of division, he said. "We are meeting here today in t

EAM S Jaishankar slams UN's inaction on terrorism, calls for reform

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday criticised the UN's decision-making, calling it polarised and gridlocked, and raised concerns over its credibility and response to terrorism

Will deepen multilateral dialogue with India, says Japan's new PM

In an effort to fight inflation, Takaichi said she aims to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate, which has been in place since 1974

UN today still reflects realities of 1945, not of 2025: EAM Jaishankar

The United Nations today "still reflects the realities of 1945, not of 2025", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, even as he asserted that for the UN to be effective, it must reform, becoming more inclusive, democratic, participative and representative of the current world. In his address at the concluding day of the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave here, he also said the nature of conflicts have transformed with the "rise of non-state actors" and with asymmetric warfare. The EAM underscored the need to "recalibrate" global peacekeeping efforts in tune with evolving realities. He also called for decisions on peacekeeping mandates to be taken in close consultation with all stakeholders, including troop-contributing and host nations. In his address, he recalled about his recent visit to New York to attend the 80th UN General Assembly. "Let me share with you some key insights of that experience. One, the United Nations today st

BLS International bags MEA contract to run Indian visa centres in China

BLS International Services Limited on Thursday said it has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish and operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China. The contract will be valid for a period of 3 years, effective October 14, 2025. In July, India announced the resumption of issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals, a move that comes as part of efforts to mend bilateral ties that came under severe strain following the military clashes in Galwan Valley. India had suspended issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals in 2020, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the restrictions continued in view of the eastern Ladakh border row. Under the terms of the agreement, BLS International will be responsible for establishing and managing IVACs in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, offering visa services. The IVACs will incorporate enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology, and multi-lingual staff to ensure a seamless experience

Sri Lankan PM Harini Amarasuriya arrives in New Delhi on maiden visit

The visit continues the tradition of regular and close engagement between the two countries, strengthening the deep-rooted bonds of friendship

Modi government's packed diplomatic calendar signals intensified outreach

New Delhi hosts a flurry of high-level visits from Sri Lanka, Brazil, and others as India prepares for Putin, Albanese, and Macron's trips amid global trade and security shifts.

A new beginning: Geopolitical shifts drive the reset in Indo-Canadian ties

For all the visible diplomatic affability, hard geopolitical realities have dictated the swiftness with which both sides have worked to revive relations

India has special responsibility as Global South looks to us: Jaishankar

Jaishankar highlighted in his remarks how for a society like India, when it comes to responsible AI

Tech, self-reliance part of one basket: Jaishankar on global developments

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke about the responses to global developments, the changing approach towards a workforce for the global economy and different trade arrangements which will arise globally. He shared how nations must build capacities and how they can be transposable to people who relate to them.The EAM made the remarks at a panel discussion by the ORF on 'At The Heart of Development- Aid, Trade & Technology'.Speaking about the response to the challenges in the evolving world, Jaishankar said, "Technology, multi-polarity, self-reliance, south-south cooperation are part of one basket, which is a response to what is happening."He said that it is important for large countries to build capacities, be more self-reliant, and that it is the focus for India."You have to build multi-polarity by building national capacities. When you build national capacities and have national experiences, some of it is transposable to people who relate."Jaishankar gave the example .

Jaishankar stresses 'Atmanirbharta, Atmaraksha, Atmavishwas' at UNGA

India will always maintain its freedom of choice and will always be a voice of the Global South, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday, asserting that the nation remains determined to protect its people and secure their interests at home and abroad. Addressing world leaders from the iconic podium of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar highlighted the three key concepts of Atmanirbharta' or self-reliance, Atmaraksha' or securing oneself and 'Atmavishwas' or self-confidence that guide India's approach in the contemporary world. Jaishankar began his address to the General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly with the salutation Namaskar from the people of Bharat". Underlining that 'Atmanirbharta' means developing our own capabilities, building our own strengths and nurturing our own talent," Jaishankar said that the results of India's progress are already visible across manufacturing, space programmes, pharmaceutical production and digital technology

Global South must boost supply chain, promote South-South trade: Jaishankar

At a Global South countries' meet in New York, EAM S Jaishankar called for resilient supply chains, fair trade, and stronger South-South cooperation amid global conflicts and trade uncertainties

Diaspora's silence on US' policy change targeting India surprising: Tharoor

A parliamentary panel on Tuesday raised the recent adversarial decisions taken by the US aimed at India with a visiting delegation of lawmakers from that country and the "silence" of the Indian-American diaspora over these developments came up during the discussion. All five Congress members from the US are Democrats, who are in the opposition and have been broadly critical of US President Donald Trump's policies. The chairman of the Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, said after the meeting that one of the points the panel members, who are drawn from the ruling as well as opposition parties, raised was why the Indian-American diaspora has been "so silent about all this". Some members of the US delegation headed by Ami Bera, who is of Indian origin, shared the view. Tharoor said, "I do want to stress that one of the points we raised is why the Indian-American diaspora has been so silent about all this. One of the Congressmen said not one phone call has come to h

Jaishankar meets Iowa Governor Reynolds, discusses India-US economic ties

Reynolds, a member of the Republican Party, is on an eight-day visit to India to discuss trade and investment

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

EAM Jaishankar holds phone conversation with Finnish counterpart Valtonen

India should not be "unfairly targeted" in the context of the Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said after a phone conversation with his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen on Saturday. The remarks are seen as a reference to Washington's allegations that New Delhi is helping Moscow's "war machine" by procuring Russian crude oil at a discounted price. "Our discussions centred around the Ukraine conflict and its ramifications. India should not be unfairly targeted in that context. We have always advocated dialogue and diplomacy," the external affairs minister said in a social media post. White House trade advisor Peter Navarro this week said President Donald Trump's 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods are not just about India's "unfair trade", but they are also aimed at cutting off the "financial lifeline" New Delhi has extended to Moscow's "war machine". India has already rejected the charges. Surprisingly, the US has not been criticising China, the largest ..

India, US hold 2+2 dialogue on trade, defence after tariff tensions

India and the US held a 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue to advance trade, defence, and security cooperation after weeks of strained ties over Washington's new tariffs on Indian goods

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 ..