Page 4 - Mea

'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' convention to kick off in Odisha on Wednesday

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention will kick off in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday with the Odisha government leaving no stone unturned to showcase the state's rich culture and heritage in front of the NRIs who are coming here from 50 countries. The convention will begin with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event being organised by the Odisha government in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the inaugural session on Thursday, while President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the valedictory session on Friday, they said. Murmu will also confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman upon members of the Indian diaspora to recognise their achievements in various fields. Trinidad and Tobago President Christine Carla Kangaloo is the chief guest of this edition, which is being held on the theme 'Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat'. She will address the convention virtually. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja

Relevant T-word is terrorism, not tango: MEA on Pak's '2 to tango' comment

India on Friday said Pakistan must effectively tackle the issue of terrorism for the two sides to move forward in ties as it highlighted Islamabad's policy of using terror as an instrument of state policy. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this when asked about Pakistani deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar's remarks on Thursday about the need for joint efforts for the resumption of bilateral trade. "The relevant T-word is terrorism, not tango," Jaiswal said when asked about Dar's remarks at a media briefing. Asked at a press conference on Thursday about the possible resumption of trade between India and Pakistan, Dar said: "As far as India is concerned, it takes two to tango." Dar is also Pakistan's foreign minister. "I think it cannot be one-way, that we will do everything. If there is goodwill from India, then we are ready. But it has to be both sides," the Pakistan deputy prime minister said. The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain af

Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel begins 3-day visit to India

Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel arrived here on Thursday on a three-day visit to explore ways to bolster bilateral ties in several key areas including maritime security, trade and investment. Khaleel's trip to India comes nearly three months after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu visited India. On Friday, the Maldivian foreign minister will hold wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar covering almost all aspects of India-Maldives ties. "Working towards India-Maldives joint vision of a 'Comprehensive Economic & Maritime Security Partnership'. Warm welcome to FM @abkhaleel of Maldives on his first official visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male. The ties between India and the Maldives .

Govt announces $500,000 relief assistance to earthquake-hit Vanuatu

India on Thursday announced an assistance of USD 500,000 to the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu to help it deal with destruction caused by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake last month. New Delhi conveyed to Vanuatu its readiness to extend all possible support to people of the country in this time of "difficulty". The earthquake struck near Vanuatu's coast in the South Pacific Ocean on December 17 causing major destruction and loss of lives. "As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Vanuatu, the government of India extends a relief assistance of USD 500,000 to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said India has firmly stood by Vanuatu during times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters. "An important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nove

India condemns attack on German Christmas market; Indians among injured

India on Saturday condemned the "horrific and senseless" attack on a Christmas market in eastern German city of Magdeburg that left at least five people, including a nine-year-old, dead and nearly 200 injured. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian mission in Germany is in contact with the Indians injured in the attack and is rendering all possible assistance. According to local authorities, a 50-year-old man drove his car into crowds at the Christmas market on Friday evening. "We condemn the horrific and senseless attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "Several precious lives have been lost and many have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims," it said. "Our Mission is in contact with Indians who are injured, as well as their families, and rendering all possible assistance," the MEA said in a statement. It is not clear how many Indians have been injured in the attack.

PM Modi begins Kuwait trip with visit to labour camp, to meet Emir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited a labour camp here, a visit described by the External Affairs ministry as symbolic of the importance he attached to the welfare of Indian workers abroad. Modi is visiting Kuwait at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His visit to Kuwait is the first for any Indian Prime Minister to this Gulf nation in 43 years. As the first programme of his visit to Kuwait, Modi visited a labour camp in Mina Abdullah area of Kuwait with a workforce of around 1,500 Indian nationals. He interacted with a cross-section of Indian workers from different states of India, enquired about their well-being, also sat at a table with some of them at the Gulf Spic Labour Camp when snacks served. On Modi's planned visit to the labour camp, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier said that the idea was to express the amount of importance the government of India attaches to our workers. That is the prime purpose. Modi

India closely monitors developments impacting security: MEA on Pak missiles

India on Friday said it "follows all developments" that have a bearing on its security "very closely" and New Delhi "takes action, as appropriate". MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this when asked about India's stance on Pakistan's ballistic-missile programme. Two days ago, the US slapped sanctions on four Pakistani entities, including state-owned flagship aerospace and defence agency -- National Development Complex (NDC) -- on charges of contributing to Pakistan's ballistic-missile programme. At his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal was asked what New Delhi's stance was on the neighbouring country's ballistic-missile programme. "As you know that we follow all developments that have a bearing on our security and our interest very closely, and we take these things very seriously, and take action as appropriate," he told reporters. Asserting that Pakistan developing sophisticated missile technology would give it the capability to strike targets well beyond south Asia, including in

India has signed 31 bilateral pacts on transfer of sentenced persons: Govt

India has signed 31 bilateral agreements on transfer of sentenced persons by virtue of which the Indian prisoners lodged in foreign countries can be transferred to India to serve the remainder of their sentence and vice-versa, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha. He was asked whether the government has put in place a robust mechanism to transfer the Indians languishing in jail in foreign countries to India so that they can serve the remaining sentence in the country. "The government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indians in foreign countries, including those in foreign jails," he said. The minister said India has "signed 31 bilateral Agreements on Transfer of Sentenced Persons by virtue of which Indian prisoners lodged in foreign countries can be transferred to India to serve the remainder of their sentence and ...

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