Page 7 - Mea

India takes security inputs from US seriously: MEA on plot to kill Pannun

India on Wednesday said it takes inputs on security matters from the US seriously since they impinge on its own national security concerns as well. The remarks from the Ministry of External Affairs came on a day British daily Financial Times said that the US had thwarted an attempt to kill Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. "During the course of recent discussions on India-US security cooperation, the US side shared some inputs pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and others," Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in response to queries on the British media report. He said the inputs were a cause of concern for both countries and they decided to take necessary follow-up action. "On its part, India takes such inputs seriously since it impinges on our own national security interests as well," Bagchi said. The spokesman said issues in the context of US inputs are already being examined by relevant departme

Chinese Premier Li to attend virtual G20 leaders' summit convened by India

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the virtual G20 Leaders' Summit at India's invitation on Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced here on Tuesday. The G20 virtual summit will take forward key outcomes and action points firmed up at the annual conclave of the grouping in September under India's presidency, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi said in a statement. The summit will also delve into the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is also expected to push for the effective implementation of various decisions taken at the bloc's annual summit in New Delhi over two months back, the statement said. Li will attend the meeting at the invitation of the Indian government, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Leaders of all G20 Members, including the Chair of the African Union, as well as nine Guest countries, and Heads of 11 International Organisations, hav

Appeal process in case of 8 Indians on death row in Qatar underway: India

India on Thursday said the appeal process against the death sentence handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel by a Qatari court is under process and it was hopeful of a positive outcome from it. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter and that the government will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance to the Indian nationals. The eight Indians were on October 26 given death sentences by Qatar's Court of First Instance. India described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case. Days later, an appeal was filed against the death sentence. "The case is currently in a legal process there. As we mentioned, an appeal has been filed in Qatar's Court of Appeal. We are also engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter and we will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance (to them)," Bagchi said. "I would again urge everyone not to enga

Appeal filed against judgement: MEA on 8 Indians on death row in Qatar

An appeal has been filed against the death sentence handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel by a Qatari court last month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Indian embassy in Doha received another consular access to the detained Indians on Tuesday and that New Delhi will continue to extend all legal and consular support to them. The eight former Indian Navy personnel were on October 26 given death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance. India described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case. "As we have informed earlier, the Court of First Instance of Qatar passed a judgement on October 26 in the case involving eight Indian employees of Al Dahra company," Bagchi said. "The judgement is confidential and has only been shared with the legal team. They are now pursuing further legal steps, and an appeal has been filed. We will also remain engaged with the Qatari ...

India rejects Australian court's order asking ex-envoy to pay compensation

India on Thursday strongly rejected an Australian court's ruling ordering former Indian high commissioner to Canberra Navdeep Singh Suri to pay a former domestic employee thousands of dollars in compensation after she accused him of unfair working conditions and exploitation. Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said the Australian authorities do not have any locus standi to adjudicate on matters concerning India-based service staff of its high commission and called on Canberra to uphold its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Justice Elizabeth Raper of the federal court had ordered Suri to pay Seema Sherghill more than 136,000 dollars plus interest, within 60 days after she alleged that she was forced to work in unfair conditions, Australian media reported on Sunday. In his weekly media briefing, Bagchi said the service staff "wilfully deserted" her post in May 2016, a day before her scheduled return to India and .

India calls for immediate release of Israeli hostages, de-escalation: MEA

Bagchi, in a response to the question on reports of India workers' replacement in Israel, he informed that they are working to ensure the safety of Indians working in the world

Participation their decision: MEA on Canada Parl speaker skipping P20 meet

Despite extending invitations to every country, including Canada, for the Parliamentary Speaker's Summit (P20), the Canadian Speaker was unable to attend the event, according to the MEA

Operation Ajay: First batch of Indians expected to return home on Friday

The first batch of around 230 Indians are expected to return to India from Israel on a charter flight on Friday morning, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. India launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of those Indians who wish to come back home as a series of brazen attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants over the weekend triggered fresh tensions in the region. "The first charter flight will reach Tel Aviv later tonight to pick up Indian citizens and is likely to return to India tomorrow morning," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing. He said around 18,000 Indians are currently residing in Israel while about a dozen odd people are in the West Bank and three-to four are in Gaza. "The external affairs minister took a preparatory meeting earlier in the day. We are in touch with our embassy in Tel Aviv, our representative office in Ramallah as well as with our missions in the neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan, .

MEA sets up 24-hour control room, helpline amid Israel-Palestine conflicts

The Ministry of External Affairs has asked Indian citizens to remain vigilant and reach out to its control room for any assistance in light of the ongoing developments in Israel and Palestine

3 athletes from Arunachal Pradesh denied visa to China; MEA responds

India condemns China for discrimination against its athletes based on 'domicile or ethnicity'. States, 'Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India'

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar and why his murder has led to a diplomatic row

Situations between India and Canada have escalated, with both nations expelling high-ranking diplomats from their respective countries

India lodges protest with China showing Arunachal as its territory in map

India on Tuesday lodged a strong protest with China over its so called "standard map" laying claim over Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin, and asserted that such steps only complicate the resolution of the boundary question. The External Affairs Ministry also rejected these claims as having "no basis". "Just making absurd claims does not make other people's territories yours," External Affairs Minister Jaishankar told NDTV while reacting to the Chinese move. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said,"We have today lodged a strong protest through diplomatic channels with the Chinese side on the so called 2023 'standard map' of China that lays claim to India's territory." "We reject these claims as they have no basis. Such steps by the Chinese side only complicate the resolution of the boundary question," he added. India's strong reaction came a day after China officially released the 2023 edition of its "standard map" that claimed Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chi

Pak cricket team at ICC World Cup to be treated like any other team: MEA

India on Friday said the Pakistani cricket team will be treated just like any other squad participating in the upcoming ICC World Cup in the country. India is hosting the tournament from October 5. "The Pakistan cricket team will be treated just like the cricket team of any other country participating in the ICC World Cup," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. On Pakistan seeking better security for its team, he said the questions should be better directed towards the security agencies or the organisers. "Of course, we would hope that all necessary security will be provided not just to them but to all other participating teams." "I hope that there is a good match and I hope this is not war as it seems to be made out to," Bagchi said when asked about Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's reported comments that Islamabad does not mix sports with politics and that was the reason why it decided to send the team to the tournament and defeat India in

India advises its citizens to leave violence-hit Niger as soon as possible

India on Friday advised its nationals residing in violence-hit Niger to leave that country as soon as possible in view of escalating violence there. At present, around 250 Indians are living in Niger that has witnessed widespread protests and violence following last month's coup, according to officials. In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs said those who may be planning to travel to Niger should reconsider their plans until the situation normalises. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing that India is closely monitoring the ongoing developments in Niger. "In light of the prevailing situation, Indian nationals whose presence is not essential are advised to leave the country as soon as possible," he said. "They may bear in mind that air space is currently closed. When departing through a land border, utmost precautions may be taken to ensure safety and security," he added, reading out the advisory. "All those Indian natio

Niger crisis: Govt asks Indian nationals to leave 'as soon as possible'

The central government is closely monitoring ongoing developments in Niger, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Friday

India to attend Jeddah conference on Ukraine's peace plan on Aug 5-6

India is among a select group of countries invited by Saudi Arabia to a two-day conference on Ukraine's peace plan that will take place in the coastal city of Jeddah from Saturday. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday that India's participation in the meeting would be in consonance with its long-standing position that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Several European nations, the US, China and India are among the countries invited to the conference. "Yes, India has been invited to a meeting being hosted by Saudi Arabia on Ukraine in Jeddah," Bagchi said, replying to a question in his weekly media briefing. "India will participate in this event and our participation is in consonance with our long-standing position that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward," he said. The MEA spokesperson, however, did not mention who will represent India at the conference. "We will let you know (about level of participa

Environment free of terror imperative for normal ties: MEA on Pak PM

India on Thursday said an environment free of terror and hostilities is imperative for normal ties with Pakistan, days after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his willingness to hold talks with New Delhi. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India wants normal ties with all neighbouring countries including Pakistan and it is incumbent upon that country to create the environment. He was responding to queries relating to comments by Sharif. "We want normal ties with all the neighbouring countries including Pakistan, but for that an environment free of terror and hostilities is imperative," he said.

Foreign Secy Kwatra holds talk with visiting Bhutanese counterpart Choden

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra held wide-ranging talks with his visiting Bhutanese counterpart Aum Pema Choden on Saturday and conveyed India's commitment to partner with Bhutan based on the priorities of the Himalayan nation. The top Bhutanese diplomat paid an official visit to India from July 28 to 29, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. "The two foreign secretaries reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, and discussed ways to further strengthen it across diverse sectors," it said in a statement. Both foreign secretaries co-chaired the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks. The MEA said the visit of the Bhutanese foreign secretary reinforced the "long-standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries to discuss all issues of mutual interest". It said the Bhutanese side shared details regarding Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan during the talks. "Foreign Secretary Kwatra conveyed India's commitment to partner with Bh

Unauthorised sites trying to issue India e-visa via fraudulent means: Govt

Some unauthorised and unrecognised private websites try to intermediate and facilitate issuance of India e-visa through fraudulent means and the government has taken several steps to check it, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said with respect to e-Visas, from time to time, it has come to the notice of the government that some unauthorised and unrecognised private websites try to intermediate and facilitate issuance of India e-visa. "Some of them also appear similar to official Indian visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in) and also appear through the search engines. The government of India has taken several steps to minimise such a practice. In this regard, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has coordinated with Google search engine to ensure that Indian Visa official link appears prominently in the search engine," he said, replying to a written question. Secondly, Rai said, the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) refers from time to

Investigations underway, says MEA on Pakistani national Seema Haider

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said investigations are underway on the matter relating to Pakistani national Seema Haider, who crossed over to India over two months ago. Thirty-year-old Haider, who hails from Sindh province in Pakistan, entered India illegally along with her four children in a bus via Nepal on May 13. "We are aware of this matter as she has appeared in court. She has been granted bail. She is free on bail. The matter is being investigated," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. "We will let you know more when there are developments. It is a judicial matter and investigations are underway and I would not like to say anything more," he said. Bagchi was responding to media queries on the case at his weekly press briefing. Haider says she had come to live with his Indian lover Sachin Meena who stays in Rabupura area of Greater Noida. While Seema was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India without a visa via Nepal with her four children, al