Mea

About 260,000 passengers returned to India from West Asia since Feb 28: MEA

Amid the escalating West Asia conflict, the government on Wednesday said around 2.6 lakh people have returned from the region to India since February 28. At an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, Additional Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Aseem R Mahajan, said that on Wednesday, around 70 flights were expected to operate from various airports in the UAE to different destinations in India. The flight situation is "reassuring," he said. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke about a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday. "The two leaders discussed the current situation in West Asia. The prime minister reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure," he said. The two leaders agreed on the importance of "ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strai

India has not discussed Hormuz ship transit with US bilaterally: MEA

India on Monday said it hasn't engaged in bilateral talks with the US to ensure safe transit of merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks by the Ministry of External Affairs came against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump calling on several countries to send warships to keep the strategically key shipping route open. Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). In a social media post, Trump hoped that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and other countries affected by Iran's attempted closure of the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships to the region to keep the shipping route "safe and open". There has not been any concrete response by the leading countries. In its reaction, China called on all sides to immediately stop military operations in West Asia to help k

India warns citizens in Iran not to cross borders without embassy clearance

India on Monday asked its citizens currently in Iran not to approach or attempt to cross any land border for onward travel without prior and explicit coordination with the Indian Embassy in Tehran. In an advisory, the Indian Embassy further said that Indian nationals who attempt to leave Iran via land borders without its knowledge and guidance are highly likely to encounter serious logistical and immigration difficulties. "...All Indian nationals currently in Iran are strictly advised not to approach or attempt to cross any land border of Iran for onward travel without prior and explicit coordination with the Embassy of India," the advisory said. It said the embassy will not be in a position to provide assistance once individuals move outside Iranian territory without prior coordination. "The Embassy is in regular contact with members of the Indian community, and coordinated arrangements are being undertaken wherever necessary. Uncoordinated movement toward land borders is strongly

India, Chile agree to boost ties in trade, investment, mineral exploration

India and Chile have agreed to boost cooperation in trade, investment, health and pharmaceuticals, science and technology and other sectors. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Chile from March 10-12, and represented the Government of India at the inauguration ceremony of new President of Chile, Jose Antonio Kast Rist, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. During the visit, Singh held a bilateral meeting with President Kast, and also interacted with outgoing president, Gabriel Boric Font. "During these meetings, the two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in key areas including trade, investment, health and pharmaceuticals, traditional medicines, science and technology, mining and mineral exploration, education, space, agriculture and people to people exchanges," the MEA said in a statement. The two sides also expressed satisfaction at the progress in the ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement .

India examining requests from neighbours for energy supplies: MEA

Government says requests from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives for oil supplies are under review, with decisions to factor in India's refining capacity and domestic demand

Two Indians dead, one missing after attacks on vessels in Gulf region: MEA

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the incidents involved Indian nationals working on merchant ships and that authorities are monitoring the situation

MEA, EU hold state engagement program with Assam government on migration

The CDMM project is being implemented by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

K'taka seeks MEA help after 22-year-old student goes missing in California

The Karnataka government has requested the Ministry of External Affairs to extend all necessary assistance, coordinate with local law enforcement, and provide support to the family of a 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student who has gone missing in the US state of California. Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a student at the University of California, Berkeley, hailing from Karnataka, has been reported missing in Berkeley, California, since the morning of February 12, it said. In a letter to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh said Saketh is currently enrolled in the Master of Science program at the University of California, Berkeley. According to information received from his family and housemates, his whereabouts remain unknown despite a formal complaint being lodged with the Berkeley Police Department, the letter dated February 13 stated. Given the gravity of the situation and the mounting anxiety of his family residing in the state, she requested the

Fact sheet changes reflect joint statement: MEA on US interim trade pact

Foreign ministry says amendments to White House fact sheet align with February 7 joint statement, which remains the framework for interim trade pact

India asks officials' families to return from Bangladesh ahead of polls

The step comes weeks ahead of Bangladesh's parliamentary elections, as authorities review safety arrangements for Indian personnel stationed there

India readies citizens' evacuation from Iran, first flight on Friday

In view of the evolving situation, the Ministry of External Affairs has begun preparations to assist Indian nationals who wish to return home from Iran

Closely tracking developments: India on US bill on tariffs over Russian oil

India on Friday said it is closely following developments relating to a proposed American legislation that seeks to impose up to 500 per cent tariff on countries procuring Russian crude oil. India and China are among a handful of countries which are procuring a significant volume of crude oil from Russia. US Senator Lindsey Graham, the author of the bill, said this week that President Donald Trump has green-lighted the proposed legislation. "We are aware of the proposed bill. We are closely following the developments," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing here. "Our position on the larger question of energy sourcing is well known." "In this endeavour, we are guided by the evolving dynamics of the global market and by the imperative to secure affordable energy from diverse sources to meet the energy security needs of our 1.4 billion people," he said.

Avoid travelling to Iran, stay alert: MEA issues advisory for citizens

The advisory asked Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin currently in Iran to exercise restraint and remain alert

Avoid travel to Venezuela, Indians there should exercise caution: MEA

MEA on Saturday advised all Indian nationals in Venezuela to exercise extreme caution and restrict their movements in view of the prevailing situation

MEA trashes Pakistan's comments on condition of minorities in India

India on Monday said Pakistan's "horrific and systemic victimisation" of minorities of various faiths is a well established fact and no amount of "finger pointing" will "obfuscate" it. New Delhi said this while strongly trashing Pakistan's comments on the condition of minorities in India. "We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "Pakistan's horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well established fact. No amount of finger pointing will obfuscate it," he said. In Islamabad, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, responding to media queries on alleged vandalism during Christmas celebrations in some places in India, said "persecution of minorities in India is a matter of deep concern". Andrabi referred to what he called "recent condemnable incidents" of vandalism during Christmas, as well as campaigns allegedly targeti

India flagged H-1B visa delays with US amid cancellations, holiday shutdown

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the matter remained under active discussion with US officials in New Delhi and Washington, DC

MEA debunks fake letter falsely linked to EAM Jaishankar on Rafale deal

The fake letter, falsely attributed to Jaishankar, claimed that details of the Rafale naval aircraft delivery schedule had been leaked and that the disclosure had caused unexpected complications

Uranium deal important part of India-Canada bilateral ties, says MEA

The MEA said it is reviewing Dhaka's extradition request for Sheikh Hasina, stressing its commitment to Bangladesh's people

India committed to Bangladesh's interests, says MEA on Hasina verdict

The MEA response comes hours after Bangladesh urged India to extradite Hasina, who fled the country during violent student protests last year and has remained in India since

5 Indian nationals abducted in Mali, embassy working for safe release

Five Indian nationals were abducted in Mali last week in an "unfortunate incident", the Indian mission here has said. The kidnapping took place on November 6 in the West African nation, the Indian embassy said in an X post on Sunday. "The Embassy is aware of the unfortunate incident of kidnapping of five of our nationals in Mali on 6 Nov 2025," it said. The embassy has been "working closely with the authorities and the company concerned to secure their safe release as quickly as possible," it added.