Page 4 - Mea

Reports by various foreign entities often found to be biased: Govt

The government is aware of reports issued from time to time by various foreign entities, including in the US, about the situation of human rights in India, but such reports are often found to be "subjective, misinformed and biased in nature", the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha. He was asked whether the government is aware of the recent US Congressional Research Service report which "highlights concerns" over India's human rights record, particularly regarding religious freedom and communal violence; and the steps being taken by the government to ensure that India's secular constitution and pluralistic values are upheld, both domestically and internationally. The government is "aware of reports issued from time to time by various foreign entities, including in the US, about the situation of human rights in India. Such reports are often found to be subjective,

India Post, MEA sign pact for 600 new Passport Seva Kendras at POs: Scindia

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of External Affairs have signed an agreement to set up an additional 600 passport seva kendras at post offices, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Friday. Speaking at the India Economic Enclave 2024, the minister said India Post has about 6,40,000 points of sales across the country and no one in the world can match its scale. "In the next 3-4 years, we will become a citizen-centric service. We have signed an agreement with the MEA today where we will set up 600 more networks for passport seva kendras, hopefully servicing one crore citizens per year through our network," the minister said. Launched in 2017, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) service has been instrumental in facilitating passport-related services to over 1.52 crore citizens. The network of POPSKs has grown significantly over the years, with 442 centres operational nationwide. According to an official note, the 600 POPSKs centres will be set up acr

India has evacuated all nationals who wished to return from Syria: MEA

India has evacuated from Syria all its nationals who wished to return home after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar Assad's authoritarian government in the Arab nation. The Syrian government collapsed on Sunday as the rebels seized control of capital Damascus after capturing several other prominent cities and towns. India evacuated its nationals from Syria on Tuesday. "We have evacuated all Indian nationals in Syria who wished to return home following recent developments in that country. So far, 77 Indian nationals from Syria have been evacuated," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. Our embassy personnel in Damascus accompanied them to the border, after which our mission in Lebanon received them and facilitated their immigration, he said. He was replying to a question at his weekly media briefing. Jaiswal said the embassy made arrangements for their boarding and lodging in Beirut and for their travel back home. "Most of our nationals have

India, Kuwait sign MoU to establish Joint Commission for Cooperation

The JCC would also oversee existing working groups in areas such as hydrocarbons, health, and consular matters

India needs stronger partnerships in global economy: EAM Jaishankar

Jaishankar also stressed the importance of domestic development to strengthen India's credibility and attract international collaborations

Deeply regrettable: MEA on breach of premises of B'desh mission in Agartala

India on Monday described as "deeply regrettable" an incident of breach of premises at the Bangladesh assistant high commission in Agartala and said consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances. The comments by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came hours after thousands of people took out a massive rally around the Bangladeshi mission in the capital city of Tripura protesting the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh as well as attacks on minorities in that country. Over 50 protesters reportedly entered the premises of the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala, triggering concerns among those present at the complex. "The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable," the MEA said. It said the government is taking action to step up security for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and other missions of the country in India. "Diplomatic and consular proper

Indian Consulate in Chicago demands action against killers of T'gana youth

The Consulate General of India in Chicago on Saturday demanded immediate action against the culprits responsible for killing a youth from Telangana and said it will extend all possible help to his family and friends. Sai Teja Nukarapu, 22, from Khammam district of Telangana was shot dead at a gas station near Chicago, where he was working. He was attacked by the assailants in the early hours of Saturday India time (late Friday US time), an elected representative Madhusudan Thatha said citing preliminary information received from the US. We are shocked and deeply sad at the murder of Indian Student Nukarapu Sai Teja. We demand immediate action against the culprits. Consulate will extend all possible help to the family and friends of the victim, the Consulate General of India in Chicago posted on X. Sai Teja completed BBA in India and was pursuing MBA in the US. One of the relatives of the victim told media persons in India that he was doing a part-time job. External Affairs Minister

Adani saga: Govt steps aside, says matter between pvt parties and US

Foreign ministry spokesperson says India has not been consulted by America

Interim govt in Bangladesh must protect all minorities, says MEA

India on Friday said the interim government in Bangladesh must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities as it expressed serious concern over the "surge" of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence in the neighbouring country. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladeshi government the threats and "targeted attacks" on Hindus and other minorities. "Our position on the matter is clear -- the interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities," he said. Jaiswal was replying to a question on the situation at his weekly media briefing. "We are concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggeration," he said. "We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of minorities," he added. On the arrest of Hindu m

Legal matter involving private firms and US justice dept: MEA on Adani case

Legal matter involving private firms and US justice dept: MEA on Adani case

MoS Margherita holds bilateral talks with Fiji's Deputy PM Manoa Kamikamica

This development comes after India committed to invest $2 million in new solar projects in these Indo-Pacific countries under the Quad Climate Working Group initiative

Govt signs pact for solar projects in Fiji, Comros, Madagascar, Seychelles

This development comes after India committed to invest $2 million in new solar projects in these Indo-Pacific countries under Quad Climate Working Group initiative

PM Modi visits Guyana: Why South American nation is crucial to India

South American nation has become a significant contributor to world crude supply

As fellow democracy, India celebrates people's mandate in US: MEA

With the result of the closely fought presidential election in the US declared, India on Thursday said as a fellow democracy it celebrates the expression of people's mandate in America and wants to further strengthen the partnership. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a question at a media briefing here a day after Donald Trump registered a remarkable political comeback to win a second term at the White House. "India-US partnership is a very special and a multi-faceted partnership," Jaiswal said. Trump, 78, won the race to the White House to become the 47th President of the US, trouncing his Democratic rival Kamala Harris. The Republican leader has also served as the 45th President of the US after his first victory in the election in 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had a telephonic conversation with Trump and warmly congratulated him on his "re-election as the president of the United States of America as well as Republican Party's success in t

India celebrates expression of people's mandate in US: MEA's Jaiswal

With the result of the closely fought presidential election in the United States declared, India on Thursday said it celebrates the expression of people's mandate there and wants to further strengthen the partnership. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a question at a media briefing here a day after Donald Trump registered a remarkable political comeback to win a second term at the Oval Office. India celebrates this expression of people's mandate in the US, Jaiswal said. "We want to further strengthen our partnership." Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President-elect Donald Trump in a telephonic conversation on Wednesday "reaffirmed their commitment" to working together to further strengthen bilateral ties across a range of sectors, the MEA said earlier in the day. In a statement on the phone conversation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the prime minister highlighted that the US leader's "spectacular and resounding victory" in the election ...

Jaishankar opens new Indian consulate in Brisbane, pays homage to Gandhi

Jaishankar articulated the importance of these democracies and the significance of Quad

Hope to deter illegal immigration with cooperation from US, says MEA

Days after the US authorities deported a batch of Indian nationals who were staying in that country illegally, New Delhi Saturday said it hopes that with India-US cooperation on mobility and migration, "we will be able to deter illegal immigration". At his weekly briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India engages in "regular dialogue" with the United States on migration and mobility. "On October 22, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a large-frame charter removal flight to the Republic of India of Indian nationals who did not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States," the DHS said in a statement last week. This week's flight demonstrates the department's continued commitment to pursuing "sustained cooperation" with the Indian government and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration and jointly work to counter human smuggling, it had said. Jaiswal, in .

In touch with US to clarify issues: MEA on sanctions on Indian entities

In the wake of the US imposing sanctions on several individuals and entities, including from India, for allegedly supporting Russia's military-industrial base, the MEA Saturday said New Delhi is in touch with Washington to clarify issues. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to a query during his weekly briefing, also said India has a "robust legal and regulatory framework" on strategic trade and non-proliferation controls. "We are also a member of three key multilateral non-proliferation export control regimes," he added. "In keeping with India's established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all relevant departments and agencies to sensitise Indian companies on applicable export control provisions as also inform them on new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances," Jaiswal said. The US has imposed sanctions on 275 individuals and entities, including 15 from India, for allegedly supporting Russia's ...

26 extradition requests pending with Canada; shared Bishnoi gang info: MEA

The MEA said there is a gap between Canadian words and actions, saying it has shared information about various gang members

We continue to monitor situation closely: MEA on West Asia conflict

India Friday said it was "concerned" at the "deteriorating" security situation in parts of West Asia, amid reports that United Nations peacekeepers have been caught in the intensified fighting in southern Lebanon. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs also said New Delhi continues to monitor the situation closely. "We are concerned at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. We continue to monitor the situation closely," the MEA said. The 120-km Blue Line is a United Nations-recognised demarcation line to indicate that Israel had withdrawn its military from southern Lebanon. It separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights, but it is not an official international border. "Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate," the MEA said in its statement. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the UN peacekeeping mission in ..