Page 7 - External Affairs Ministry

India's retaliatory tariff proposal to feature in trade talks with US

India to discuss proposed retaliatory tariffs on US goods during trade talks starting May 17, amid efforts to finalise a broader bilateral trade agreement targeting $500 billion by 2030

Centre enhances EAM Jaishankar's security with 2 new bulletproof vehicles

The security cover of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been strengthened with the addition of two bullet-resistant vehicles following a review of his Z category armed central protection recently, official sources said on Wednesday. The move comes days after a military conflict between India and Pakistan, and amid New Delhi's punitive diplomatic measures against Islamabad following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives. Jaishankar, 70, has been helming the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) initiatives in this regard. He has been speaking to various world leaders and foreign ministers of various countries about Operation Sindoor carried out by India in response to the Pahalgam attack. The sources told PTI that a recent review of Jaishankar's armed security was undertaken by central intelligence agencies and they recommended the addition of bullet-resistant vehicles to his Z category convoy. The security requirements necessitated the addition of tw

Pakistan breached military agreement hours after it was reached, says MEA

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Pakistan violated the military agreement reached earlier on May 10, adding Indian forces are responding and remain on high alert

US hails India-Pak understanding; House panel calls Trump 'Prez of peace'

India and Pakistan have reached an understanding after US mediation, says Marco Rubio. However, India has clarified that no broader talks are planned

Afghan defence ministry rejects Pak claims about Indian missile strikes

Afghanistan and India reject Pakistan's claims of Indian missile strikes on Afghan territory, calling them baseless and part of a broader misinformation campaign by Pakistani state agencies

Russia's Victory Day Parade: MEA backs multilateralism, flags terrorism

MoS Defence Sanjay Seth represented Russia's Victory Day in Moscow. The MEA statement highlighted India's WWII contributions, backed multilateralism, and flagged terrorism as a shared global threat

Indian children missing in San Diego boat mishap; Consulate aiding family

A panga-style boat capsized off California on Monday, leaving an Indian couple hospitalised at Scripps Memorial, while their children are still missing

Jaishankar highlights India's expanding engagement in Arctic region

Emphasising the importance of the Arctic, Jaishankar said that as one of the world's youngest countries, India's future is closely tied to what happens in the region

Pahalgam terror attack: India bans all maritime access to Pakistan

India's shipping regulator, the Directorate General of Shipping, said in a notice on Saturday that the direction has been issued 'keeping in view of the present situation'

Pahalgam terror attack: EAM S Jaishankar speaks to EU counterpart

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday spoke to his counterpart from European Union Kaja Kallas and discussed the Pahalgam terror attack. Following the phone conversation, Jaishankar welcomed European Union's strong condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations. "Good to speak with EU HRVP @kajakallas this evening. Discussed the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Welcome European Union's strong condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations," Jaishankar said on X. Kallas also spoke to Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. "Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming. I urge both sides to show restraint and pursue dialogue to ease the situation. Escalation helps no one," he posted on X. "I spoke to both @DrSJaishankar and @MIshaqDar50 today to convey these messages," he said.

EAM Jaishankar calls for revival of traditions to counter colonial legacy

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said pluralism has been in the past suppressed by colonialism and big power dominance, and it was essential to give voice to traditions, heritage and ideas amid attempts to democratise the world order. Addressing the Global Media Dialogue along with Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) here, he also made a strong pitch for smoother mobility for talent to contribute to stronger creativity. Jaishankar also highlighted the enormous possibilities that the era of artificial intelligence (AI) holds and asserted that "technology and tradition must go hand in hand". Amid increasing influence of artificial intelligence, the External Affairs Minister cautioned that irresponsible use of emerging technologies will be an increasing preoccupation and reducing bias, democratising content, and prioritising its ethics were all part of the emerging discourse. "The truth is th

India-China ties: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to resume from June, says MEA

After a gap of five years, India on Saturday announced the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from June. The resumption of the Yatra is seen as a part of efforts by India and China to improve ties after the two countries completed the disengagement of troops at the two remaining friction points of Demchok and Depsang under a pact sealed in October last year. "Kailash Manasarovar Yatra organised by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is set to take place during June to August 2025," said an Indian readout. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has not happened since 2020. "This year, five batches, each consisting of 50 Yatris, and 10 batches, each consisting of 50 Yatris, are scheduled to travel through Uttarakhand State crossing over at Lipulekh Pass, and through Sikkim state crossing over at Nathu La Pass, respectively," the MEA said in the readout. The applications for the Yatra can be submitted at the website kmy.gov.in, it noted. "The Yatris will be selected from among applican

We stand with India in times of need: Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson

Israel is a "friend" of India and friends stand with each other in times of need," Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said on Wednesday. Marmorstein's remarks, made during a virtual interaction with journalists, comes against the backdrop of a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday in which at least 26 people, most of them tourists, died. "Israel is a friend of India. That is a constant. Friends stand with each other in times of need. And, we stand with India," he said. The message of solidarity with India had also come from Israel hours after the attack. "Deeply saddened by the heinous terror attack on tourists in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Israel stands united with India in the fight against terror," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar posted on X on Tuesday. Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar had said on Tuesday that he was appalled by the attack. "Sad and appalled .

US V-P JD Vance, family reach Jaipur; to visit Amber Fort Tuesday

US Vice President J D Vance reached Jaipur from Delhi along with his family on Monday night and is set to visit the Amber Fort in the city the next day. He is set to deliver a lecture on US-India relations at Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) on Tuesday. The US vice president, his wife Usha Vance, and their three children -- Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel -- are staying at Hotel Rambagh Palace. They are scheduled to leave for Agra on Wednesday morning and then return to Jaipur in the afternoon as he is scheduled to visit the City Palace here. The Vance family will depart for the US early Thursday morning. Tight security arrangements have been put in place across the city for the vice president's visit. A Rajasthan government official said Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reviewed the preparations for the visit in a meeting on Saturday. He had directed officials to make all preparations to make the Vace family's Jaipur visit memorable. The official said the family will be welcomed in .

JD Vance, wife to visit Akshardham Temple; PM Modi to host dinner for them

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for US Vice President J D Vance and Indian-origin Second Lady Usha on Monday evening, after holding talks with the American leader that are set to focus on trade, tariff and several other key issues, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The US vice president, his wife, Usha, and their three children -- Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel -- are scheduled to land at the Palam airbase here at 10 am on Monday on a four-day India visit. The Vances will be welcomed on their arrival by a senior Union minister. Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra. Vance is expected to be accompanied by at least five senior officials, including from the Pentagon and the State Department, the people cited above said. Hours after arriving in Delhi, Vance and his family are scheduled to visit the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple and could also go to a shopping complex selling traditional Indian handcrafted goods, they said. At 6:3

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