Foreign Affairs

Op Sindoor shows deep China-Pak strategic bond: Ex-foreign secy Shringla

The military conflict during Operation Sindoor was indicative of a deeper China-Pakistan strategic partnership, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Monday. He also noted that China's involvement has extended beyond defence supplies to include intelligence and diplomatic support, forming an 'all-weather' alliance intended to constrain India's rise. Shringla spoke on India's foreign policy and strategic affairs during an interaction organised by the Pune International Centre (PIC) and moderated by former Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale. He stated that India's foreign policy reflects a balance between realism and idealism, guided by developmental imperatives, strategic autonomy, and an inclusive global outlook. Shringla, who also served as India's Chief Coordinator for the G20 Presidency, shared his perspectives on India's evolving foreign policy, regional dynamics, and strategic priorities in a rapidly changing global order. The discussion spanned ...

Watch | Jaishankar meets Canada's FM Anita Anand, vows to boost bilateral ties | India-Canada

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday welcomed Canada's new Foreign Minister Anita Anand on her first official visit after taking charge and said that India looks forward to advancing ties

Afghan FM Muttaqi to visit Deoband today, Agra on Oct 12 during India trip

Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will visit Deoband in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district on Saturday and Agra on Sunday as part of his six-day India trip, officials said. According to Saharanpur police, during his day-long visit to Deoband, Muttaqi will tour Darul Uloom Deoband, one of the most influential Islamic seminaries in South Asia, and meet senior clerics, scholars and administrators of the institution. He is expected to arrive around noon and return to Delhi by evening. Superintendent of Police (Saharanpur Rural) Sagar Jain said police and intelligence units have been deployed and "comprehensive security arrangements" have been made ahead of the visit. The district administration has also coordinated with the Darul Uloom authorities to ensure a smooth programme. Darul Uloom's office in-charge Mufti Rehan Usmani confirmed the visit and said preparations are being made for the Afghan minister's reception. "Earlier, we expected him to stay for two days but d

India pushes for reforms in Commonwealth to reflect contemporary realities

India has pushed for reforms in the Commonwealth grouping to make it more reflective of the "realities of contemporary times", as it emphasised its commitment to the organisation's core values and principles at a ministerial meeting held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly here. Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting (CFAMM) 2025 on Monday. At the meeting, George spoke about India's "commitment to the core values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter as well as reform of the Commonwealth to better reflect the realities of contemporary times", the MEA said in a social media post on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Samoa Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo. The CFAMM is a high-level forum that brings together foreign ministers of Commonwealth member states to deliberate on ways to strengthen collaboration and develop

The US has spent its alliance capital; its friends won't trust it again

Trump's foreign policy has left allies anxious, weakened trust in US commitments, and pushed nations to seek new security networks, raising fears of lasting damage to America's global standing

Trinidad & Tobago says will back India's bid for permanent UNSC seat

India and Trinidad and Tobago on Friday inked six agreements to shore up their cooperation in several sectors, including infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and culture following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar. The two leaders also explored potential collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and digital transformation, unified payments interface (UPI), capacity building and people-to-people exchanges. Modi landed in Port of Spain on Thursday in the second leg of his five-nation tour. It is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to this Caribbean island nation since 1999. In her remarks during the delegation-level talks, Bissesar noted that Prime Minister Modi's "landmark visit" to Trinidad and Tobago will reinvigorate the deep-rooted bilateral ties between the two countries. On his part, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for Trinidad and Tobago's strong support and solidarity to the people of

PM Modi departs for Argentina after concluding visit to Trinidad & Tobago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for Argentina in the third leg of his five-nation tour after concluding his two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago during which the two countries inked six agreements to expand bilateral ties. Following talks between Prime Minister Modi and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the two countries inked six agreements to shore up their cooperation in several sectors, including infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and culture. The two leaders also explored potential collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and digital transformation, unified payments interface (UPI), capacity building and people-to-people exchanges. Modi landed in Port of Spain on Thursday in the second leg of his five-nation tour. It was the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to this Caribbean island nation since 1999. Prime Minister Modi is travelling to Argentina on a two-day visit at the invitation of Argentina President Javi

Trinidad and Tobago PM praises PM Modi, calls him transformational force

While addressing Indian community event in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, Bissessar hailed the relationship between two nations, calling them 'ties of ancestry, kinship, sacrifice and love'

PM Modi thanks Trinidad and Tobago, says 'visit will cement bilateral ties'

PM Modi was welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Piarco International Airport, where he was received by PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, 38 ministers and four MPs of the Caribbean nation

India not just partner but co-traveller in Ghana's growth journey: PM Modi

India and Ghana on Wednesday elevated their ties to the level of comprehensive partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirming that New Delhi is a co-traveller in the African nation's development journey. Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. In his media statement, Prime Minister Modi said both sides have set a target of doubling the two-way trade in the next five years and that India is not just a partner but a co-traveller in Ghana's development journey. The delegation-level meeting between the two leaders took place hours after Modi arrived in this capital city of the West African country on the first leg of his five-nation tour. In a special gesture, the prime minister was received at the airport by President Mahama. It is the first prime ministerial visit from India to Ghana in three decades. Following the Modi-Mahama talks, the two sides inked four pacts that will provide for cooperation in several are

We shouldn't expect smooth sailing always: EAM on neighbourhs, volatility

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India "should not expect smooth sailing" all the time when it comes to its ties with the neighbouring countries, but asserted that New Delhi has tried to create a "collective interest" to build an inherent stability in relationships, irrespective of the regime. At the end of the day, "the logic every one of our neighbours must realise" is that working with India will "give you benefits", and not working with India "has a cost", he said, without elaborating. "Some take longer to realise, some understand it better. One exception of course is Pakistan, because it has defined its identity under the army, in a way it has an in-built hostility in it. So if you put Pakistan aside, the logic will apply everywhere else," the EAM said during an interactive session hosted on DD India. Jaishankar shared a link to the nearly hour-long interaction on his X handle on Saturday night. In conversation with a strategic expert, he was also asked about the ..

IAS body, politicians defend Foreign Secy Misri after social media trolling

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who led briefings on the India-Pakistan conflict, received support from the IAS Association and leaders after facing unfair online trolling

Singapore passes new law on racial harmony, to check foreign interference

A new law consolidating existing statutes to preserve racial harmony and providing safeguards against foreign interference has been passed unanimously in the Singapore Parliament. New safeguards against foreign interference will be introduced in multi-racial Singapore where some 300 clan and business associations are to be designated as race-based entities subject to disclosures, such as receiving foreign donations. The law was passed on Tuesday. While the authorities already had powers to deal with conduct that threatened racial harmony, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said the Bill brought these powers together in one place, while affirming the importance of racial harmony in the multi-ethnic city-state. The new law empowers the authorities to issue restraining orders against individuals involved in making content that prejudices Singapore's racial harmony, taking close reference from the existing Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA). It also introduces a commu

China expanding military infra along LAC despite Oct pact, diplomatic talks

The expansion of Chinese infrastructure, including new roads, bridges, helipads, and gun positions, reportedly follows a similar pattern across all three sectors of the LAC

Trump team holds first meetings with Jaishankar, signals India top priority

Following US President Donald Trump's inauguration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NSA Mike Waltz held their first bilateral and international meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

As Trump takes over, Ukraine eyes peace with 'world leader' India's help

Donald Trump took the oath of office as the 47th US President during an indoor ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Monday

Donald Trump's inauguration: What a front-row seat for Jaishankar means

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Special Envoy

Bangladesh moves to drop secularism from Constitution: What we know so far

The existing principles-nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism-were established in the 1972 constitution, drafted after Bangladesh's independence during the 1971 India-Pakistan War

Pakistan, Bangladesh armies meet, say outsiders can't harm 'brotherly' ties

In a rare high-level meeting in Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Bangladesh's militaries stressed that their 'enduring partnership' must 'remain resilient against external influences'

South China Sea: China deploys 'monster ship' in Philippines maritime zone

Manila calls the presence of the Chinese vessel 'illegal' and 'unacceptable', deploying two of the Philippine Coastguard's largest ships to drive it away