Page 4 - External Affairs Ministry

Parag Jain, who led Pakistan desk, appointed as new R&AW chief for 2 years

Parag Jain, a senior IPS officer with decades of R&AW experience and expertise on the Pakistan desk, has been appointed as the new chief of India's external intelligence agency for a two-year term

MEA rejects 'illegal' tribunal's supplemental award on Indus water dispute

India has rejected the supplemental award by a so-called Court of Arbitration on Indus Waters Treaty, calling it 'illegal' and 'void', and denouncing its authority over hydroelectric project disputes

India praises US, Qatar role in Iran-Israel truce, urges stability

India says there is no alternative to diplomacy to resolve conflicts and expresses readiness to support peace efforts following Iran-Israel ceasefire reports

After evacuation from Iran, Indians express relief; 827 brought back so far

The evacuees, including students and pilgrims, shared their experiences of the tense situation in Iran and praised the efforts of the Indian embassy and government

Operation Sindhu: Iran opens airspace for Indian evacuation flights

Iran opens airspace exclusively for Indian flights as India begins evacuating students from conflict-hit nation under Operation Sindhu

India to organise Yoga Day events in 191 countries on Jun 21: ICCR

India will organise thematic events and programmes in 1,300 cities across the globe to mark the International Day of Yoga on Saturday, showcasing the nation's ancient tradition and soft power. The Indian High Commission in Pakistan is also organising a yoga event in Islamabad on the occasion, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the cultural arm of the Ministry of External Affairs. "On the 10th anniversary of International Day of Yoga, we will practically cover every country in the world where yoga events are being organised. In some countries like the US, we are hosting multiple events across various cities," ICCR's Director General, K Nandini Singla, was quoted as saying in a statement. The ICCR will organise various yoga events and programmes in 191 countries on June 21 to mark the IDY, with more than 2,000 events to be hosted at 1,300 locations, covering multiple cities in various nations, it said. Additionally, the ICCR

Operation Sindhu: After Iran, India to evacuate citizens from Israel

Under Operation Sindhu, India will evacuate citizens from Israel amid rising tensions with Iran. MEA has urged Indians in Israel to register with the embassy and follow safety guidelines

PM Modi-Carney talks: India, Canada to post envoys; stabilise relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney have agreed to pursue "constructive" steps to restore stability in India-Canada ties including the early return of envoys to each other's capitals, signalling their intent to repair the strained relations. Modi and Carney held bilateral talks on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis focusing on resetting the bilateral ties that plummeted to an all-time low following a diplomatic spat over the killing of a Khalistani separatist. The two prime ministers also underscored the importance of restarting senior ministerial as well as working-level engagements across various domains to "rebuild trust" and "bring momentum" to the relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of India-Canada ties, based on shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law and commitment to upholding the "principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity", it ...

India, Canada to resume diplomatic services, name new High Commissioners

India and Canada have agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held bilateral discussions on the margins of the G7 Leaders' Summit here Tuesday. A statement issued by the office of the Canadian Prime Minister said that Carney and Modi reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties based upon mutual respect, the rule of law, and a commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The leaders agreed to designate new high commissioners, with a view to returning to regular services to citizens and businesses in both countries, the statement said. The two leaders also discussed strong and historic ties between the peoples, partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and significant commercial links between Canada and India including partnerships in economic growth, supply chains, and energy transformation. Carney .

India issues security alert for seafarers, vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Amid rising tensions in West Asia, DG Shipping urges Indian vessels and crew to exercise caution while navigating Iranian waters and the Strait of Hormuz

Israel-Iran conflict: India urges both countries to avoid escalatory steps

India expresses concern over Iran-Israel tensions, monitors reports of attacks on nuclear sites and urges both sides to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis

India, China discuss rare earth curbs amid auto industry concerns

The fact that India has now raised the rare earth issue with China in a diplomatic forum signals to automakers that a resolution may be in sight

Looking to deepening ties, centrepiece is FTA: EAM on India-EU relations

Jaishankar stated that India gives "pretty high priority" to its relations with the EU, highlighting the growing interest in Europe over the past decade

MEA takes up ill-treatment of Indian man at Newark airport with US

India has raised with the US an incident of an Indian man being handcuffed and allegedly treated like a criminal at the Newark Airport, official sources said on Wednesday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) raised the matter with the US embassy in New Delhi, they said. Videos of the Indian youth being pinned to the ground by US authorities at the Newark airport have gone viral. The Indian embassy in Washington DC and the Indian Consulate in New York have also been in touch with the US authorities to ascertain the details of the case, the sources said. "We have so far not received any details about the incident or the circumstances under which he was restrained, the flight he had to board or boarded and his final destination," said a source. India is continuing to follow up on the matter, the sources said. The incident of the Indian man, being "handcuffed and allegedly treated like a criminal" was filmed by an Indian-American, Kunal Jain, who said he felt "helpless and

EAM welcomes European Parl members' backing for stronger India-EU ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has met leaders of the European Parliament and welcomed their support for "stronger" India-EU relations. Jaishankar, who met the leaders on Tuesday during his visit to Belgium and Luxembourg, also praised their understanding of India's right to defend itself against terrorism. He had a "pleasure interacting" with European Parliament members Angelika Niebler, Urmas Paet, Pilar del Castillo, Vladimir Prebilic, and Winkler Gyula, the minister said in an X post. "Welcomed their support for stronger India - EU ties. Also appreciate their understanding of India's right to defend itself against terrorism," he said, adding that they "exchanged perspectives on global developments and regional issues." Earlier in the day, he also called on Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever and met King Philippe of Belgium. Jaishankar also met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and praised her "strong condemnation" of the Pahalgam attack and solidarit

India central to supply chains; must be part of G7 discussions: Canadian PM

Canadian PM Mark Carney said he invited PM Modi to the G7 Summit, citing India's role as the world's fifth-largest economy and its central position in global supply chains and key global issues

Jaishankar, Uzbekistan counterpart discuss ties in connectivity, trade

Uzbekistan FM Saidov stated that they signed the Programme of Cooperation between Foreign Ministries for 2025-2026

India thanks Iran for rescuing 3 nationals kidnapped in south Tehran

India on Wednesday thanked Iran for safely rescuing its three nationals who went missing in the country last month, saying Tehran's support reflects the "true spirit of friendship" between the two nations. They were "freed in a police operation against the hostage takers in Varamin in south Tehran," the Tehran-based Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday. "The 3 kidnapped Indian citizens have been safely rescued & are now under the care of the Embassy of India, which is facilitating their early repatriation," the Embassy of India in Iran posted on X. "We sincerely thank the Government of Iran for their swift and effective efforts in securing their release. Your support reflects the true spirit of friendship between our two nations," it added. The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi confirmed the recovery of Indian nationals on Tuesday. "Three missing Indian citizens freed by Tehran police," the Iranian embassy said in a post on X. Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it

PM, EAM 'quiet' on Indian students being affected by Trump's actions: Cong

Expressing concern over the US' decisions affecting foreign students, the Congress on Wednesday said China has reacted strongly regarding their students but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have remained "totally quiet" on how Indian students are being affected by the move. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh pointed out that according to the Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 3,37,630 Indian students went to the USA for higher studies in 2024 and about a third of the foreign students on American campuses are from India. This means that some three-and-a-half lakh Indian families invested their hard-earned savings or borrowed for the education of their children in the US, he said. "These students, plus those who went in earlier years, face an uncertain future. Large numbers of students planning to go in 2025 may never get to see their aspirations fulfilled," Ramesh said on X. "President Trump has made his

Rajasthan govt employee arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan

A Rajasthan government employee who was earlier detained on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan has now been arrested, the police said on Tuesday. Shakur Khan, an Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) posted at the Jaisalmer employment office had allegedly been passing sensitive, strategic information to Pakistan, they said. The government employee had been under surveillance for suspicious activities over an extended period. During monitoring, agencies discovered that he was in regular contact with individuals linked to the Pakistan High Commission, particularly Ahsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish and Sohail Qamar, Inspector General (CID-Security) Vishnu Kant Gupta said. "Khan was taken into custody for questioning a few days ago and was interrogated extensively at the central interrogation facility in Jaipur by multiple intelligence agencies," Gupta said in a statement. He further shared that Khan had obtained Pakistani visas on several occasions and travelled to Pakistan, allegedly wi