Page 7 - External Affairs Ministry

MEA slams Pakistan's misuse of OIC, calls it 'longstanding habit'

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was asked about Pakistan's repeated misuse of the OIC, where Saudi Arabia is regarded as a leading voice

Follow the law or face deportation: Trump admin warns int'l students

Students attempting to go against US laws will face the consequences, including deportation, the country's state department has warned. In a virtual interview with PTI, US Department of State spokesperson Margaret MacLeod said the Trump administration was rigorously enforcing immigration laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Alien Registration Act. "If you follow the law, America offers opportunities. But those who violate the law will face the consequences," MacLeod told PTI Videos on a question related to the issues faced by Indian students in various US universities. Indian students in the US are grappling with a growing threat of deportation as authorities cancel F-1 visas over a range of issues -- from participation in pro-Palestinian protests to minor legal infractions. During his weekly press briefing on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We are aware that several Indian students have received communication from t

Dhaka's actions prompted India to halt transhipment facility: MEA

India on Thursday said its decision to withdraw the transhipment facility for Bangladeshi exports to third countries was in response to certain measures initiated by Dhaka that impacted bilateral trade. Though New Delhi did not elaborate on the steps by Dhaka, it is learnt the decision by Bangladesh's interim government to halt import of Indian yarn and closure of three land ports triggered the Indian response on the transhipment facility. "We stand for a democratic, for an inclusive, and for a prosperous Bangladesh. As far as trade issues are concerned, last week we had made an announcement regarding trans-shipment facility," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "We had taken that measure because of the congestion that we see on our Ports and our Airports. But I would also remind you, please do have a look at the developments that have happened on the Bangladeshi side prior to us announcing these measures," he said. The spokesperson was responding to questi

Indian missions in US in touch with students facing visa issues: MEA

Indian missions in the United States are in touch with Indian students facing issues relating to revocation of visas and extending possible support to them, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. The comments by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came amid instances of Indian students in the US receiving communications from local authorities on possible revocation of their visas. "We are aware that several Indian students have received communication from the US government regarding their F-1 visa status, which happens to be the student visa," Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing here. "We are looking into the matter. Our embassy and consulates, they are in touch with the students to provide support," he said. Jaiswal was responding to a question on several Indian students receiving communications from US authorities under the Donald Trump administration on possible revocation of their visas. According to reports, an Indian was among four students at Michigan .

India strongly trashes Pak Army chief's 'jugular vein' remark on Kashmir

Islamabad's only link with Jammu and Kashmir is the vacation of illegally occupied parts of the Union Territory, India said on Thursday, strongly trashing Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir's remark that Kashmir is "jugular vein" of his country. New Delhi also rejected Pakistan's assertion that the Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana is a Canadian citizen and it has nothing to do with him. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan may try very hard but its reputation as the "epicentre" of global terrorism will not diminish. Addressing a conclave of the Overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad on Wednesday, Munir said Pakistan will not forget the issue of Kashmir and will stand by the Kashmiri people in the "struggle against the Indian occupation". "It was our jugular vein, it is our jugular vein, we will not forget it," he said. At his weekly media briefing here, Jaiswal said, "How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein?" "This (Jammu and Kashmir) is

'It's their prerogative': MEA on Australia's visa crackdown on Indians

New data from February 2025 showed that India became the top source country for student visas to Australia, surpassing China

India now engages the world with growing confidence, says Jaishankar

Jaishankar emphasised a shift in the national mindset--from one of apprehension to one of assertive optimism

Jaishankar urges envoys to explore northeast, share insights with govts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said northeast India's relevance will grow with time, as he urged foreign envoys to "familiarise" themselves with the region and share its qualities with their government and industries. Virtually addressing a meeting of ambassadors for the upcoming North East Investors Summit 2025, organised by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jaishankar said the northeast region is at the heart of many key Indian policies -- Neighbourhood First, Act East or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). "The northeast adjoins five of our neighbours on land, its boundaries are the interface between the Indian subcontinent and the ASEAN," he said. The EAM said many recent initiatives involving India's immediate neighbours emanate from this region. Others such as the Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan project are equally important, he said. "In every sense, it is a hub, whose

Indians want to conquer hearts, not countries: President Murmu

Indians do not want to conquer countries but want to conquer hearts, President Droupadi Murmu said while interacting with Indian researchers here on Tuesday. During an interactive session with Indian researchers at Champalimaud Centre for Unknowns, the president told them to be the best ambassadors of India as they are identified by the name of their country. "You will excel in education. You will excel in research. You will become a good scholar but you will contribute to the economy and society, and follow rules and regulations here. Move ahead and make India proud," Murmu said in response to a question from a researcher. The president could not hold back the teacher in herself as she stood up from her seat to respond to every question directed at her by the researchers. "I had gone to a country where a senior leader asked me if Indians want to conquer the world. I said Indians do not want to conquer countries, they want to conquer hearts," she said. When asked about the strides

India sends more aid to Myanmar in C-17 aircraft under 'Op Brahma'

India on Sunday sent 31 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including replenishment stores for an Indian army field hospital unit deployed in Myanmar, to augment New Delhi's efforts to provide succour to the quake-hit neighbouring country. The aid was sent in a C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift aircraft. It took off from the Hindon air force station in Ghaziabad early Sunday, a senior official said. "#OperationBrahma@IAF_MCC C> C-17 plane departs for Mandalay with 31 tons of humanitarian aid, including replenishment stores for the Indian army field hospital unit," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X and also shared a few photos. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted Myanmar last week, with the toll rising to over 3,000 even as rescuers continue to search through the rubble for signs of life. India mounted its relief mission named 'Operation Brahma' as a swift response to the devastation caused by the earthquake that hit Myanmar as well as Thailand on March 28. The field hospital,

Jaishankar, Dutch FM discuss new opportunities in semiconductor sector

Jaishankar expressed his delight at meeting Veldkamp, highlighting the growing cooperation between India and the Netherlands in various sectors

India can't change fanatic mindset of Pakistan, says Jaishankar in LS

The minister said New Delhi is tracking very closely the treatment of minorities in Pakistan and making its position well known

Jaishankar calls India optimistic society, contrasts it with global outlook

Jaishankar also emphasised India's technological embrace, underscoring the characteristic of the youth in India in embracing technology

India, China trying to rebuild ties damaged by Galwan clash: EAM Jaishankar

In October, India and China firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok, the last two friction points in eastern Ladakh

'India believes in inclusive, just order', says MoS Pabitra Margherita

Highlighting India's commitment to the LAC region, he mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Guayana recently and attending the India-CARICOM summit

Kashmir invasion was made into dispute: Jaishankar demands strong, fair UN

In his remarks at Raisina Dialogue 2025, termed sovereignty and territorial integrity the "bedrock of global rules," and highlighted the need for an international order

Pakistan terms as 'misleading and one-sided' PM Modi's remarks on J&K

Pakistan on Monday rejected as misleading and one-sided the remarks made on Jammu and Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a podcast. The Indian leader said during the interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman on Sunday that every attempt to foster peace with Pakistan was met with hostility and betrayal and that he hoped that wisdom would prevail on the leadership in Islamabad to improve bilateral ties. Pakistan Foreign Office issued a statement in response to media queries regarding the remarks made by Modi and rejected his assertions. The remarks are misleading and one-sided. They conveniently omit the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which remains unresolved for the last seven decades despite India's solemn assurances to the United Nations, Pakistan and the Kashmiri people, according to the statement. It alleged that India was involved in fomenting trouble on Pakistani soil and carrying out state-sanctioned oppression in Jammu and Kashmir. It also accused India of orchestrat

Jaishankar meets Swedish minister Stenergard, Slovenian Dy PM Fajon

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, as part of his diplomatic engagements, met Swedish Minister for Migration Maria Stenergard and Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon on Monday.Jaishankar discussed the deepening of India's ties with the European Union with the Swedish Minister.In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to meet FM Maria Stenergard of Sweden this morning. Discussed deepening our engagement with the EU."Jaishankar also met Slovenian Deputy PM and FM Tanja Fajon and discussed the current global challenges. The EAM also appreciated Fajon's assessment as a current UN Security Council member."Started the Raisina 2025 engagements, meeting DPM & FM Tanja Fajon of Slovenia. Appreciated her assessment, as a current UN Security Council member, of global challenges," he stated on X.Earlier on Sunday, Jaishankar also held talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to India from

PM Modi to begin Raisina Dialogue today; New Zealand PM to be chief guest

Nearly 3,700 attendees and over 800 speakers and delegates from around 130 countries worldwide will attend the Raisina Dialogue

PIL in HC challenges MEA, Indian embassy in Oman for consular services

The petition argues that the RFP mandates service providers to charge a single contract price for application filing and support services, irrespective of whether applicants utilize services