Ministry Of External Affairs

SC directs MEA to trace Indian seafarer missing after Black Sea attack

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Ministry of External Affairs to use its diplomatic channel and trace a seafarer missing after his cargo ship was struck by drones on July 25 in the Black Sea. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to seek instruction from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine and Embassy of India, Bucharest, Romania and enquire about the whereabouts of Deepak Kumar Gupta, who was onboard cargo ship, MV AGN Ragnar. The matter is listed for hearing on Friday. The top court was hearing a plea by Sandeep Kumar Gupta, elder brother of the missing seafarer, seeking directions to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to coordinate with Indian embassies in Ukraine and Romania to undertake search and rescue operations. The plea was filed by Gupta after his family's persistent requests to the Union of India and Indian embassies in the two countries went unheard. The plea contended that the fam

MEA should have a 'polar ambassador', purchase polar research vehicles

A parliamentary panel has recommended appointing a dedicated polar ambassador, acquiring ice-breaking research vessels and pursuing full Arctic Council membership to strengthen India's polar diplomacy

Govt issues advisory for sailors after five seafarers killed in Black Sea

The MEA has advised Indian nationals to assess security risks before accepting jobs on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea region

MEA appoints Dr. K Srikar Reddy as India's next Ambassador to Qatar

The Indian government on Friday appointed Dr. K Srikar Reddy as its next envoy to Qatar as both countries push ahead with a strategic partnership focused on energy, trade and investment

India summons Russian envoy over killing of 4 Indians off Ukrainian coast

India on Tuesday summoned the Russian charge d'affaires (CDA) and lodged a strong protest over the killing of four Indian seafarers aboard a Guinea Bissau-flagged merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine. Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told the Russian diplomat that the attack on the merchant vessel, which killed Indians, was unacceptable. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia attacked the civilian vessel navigating Ukraine's maritime corridor on Sunday and its crew included citizens of Syria and India. It is the first instance of death of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said. The vessel -- MV Golden Leo -- had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA. India condemned the attack and reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members is "deplorable and should be ...

President Murmu departs for three-nation European tour to boost ties

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday embarked on state visits to Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania to further relations with the three countries in a range of sectors, including trade and technology, and to boost people-to-people ties. The first leg of her tour will start with a visit to Moldova on Monday. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the Eastern European country. Murmu will meet and hold delegation-level talks with her Moldovan counterpart, President Maia Sandu. She will also meet the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu. The President is also scheduled to interact with members of the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address a Business Forum, and meet with members of the Indian Community. "India and Moldova enjoy warm and friendly relations. This visit would mark a significant and historical milestone and elevate bilateral ties to a broad-based partnership," a statement issued by the Ministry of External .

India stresses US cooperation on organised crime after Bishnoi indictment

Responding to the US indictment of Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates, India said New Delhi and Washington continue to deepen cooperation against organised crime and terrorism

India condemns Iran attacks on two vessels carrying 30 Indian sailors

India on Tuesday strongly condemned the attacks on two merchant vessels in Strait of Hormuz, in which one Indian national was killed and 10 others were injured. The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran was summoned this morning by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him. India said it is "deeply concerned" by the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the strait. "Both the vessels were carrying 30 Indian seafarers, among their combined crew of 46. Of the 12 Indian nationals onboard MT Al Bahiyah, one has tragically lost his life and another has been injured," the MEA said. "Of the 18 Indian nationals onboard MT Mombasa, nine have sustained injuries, including two who are reported to be seriously injured," it said. The MEA said India strongly condemns these attacks and "acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international

Govt announces one-day national mourning for former Qatar Amir Sheikh Hamad

India will observe a one-day national mourning on Monday to honour former Qatar Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, recognising his contribution to India-Qatar ties

India-Australia PACTS: What the new tech partnership means for India

PACTS replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation, which served as the main platform for bilateral engagement in cyber and critical technologies

India, Indonesia to jointly develop Sabang Port; sign BrahMos, Astra deals

The agreements, signed during PM Modi's visit to Jakarta, span defence, Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation, critical minerals, and industrial supply chains

MoS External Affairs Singh to lead India at UN AI governance forum

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh will lead the Indian delegation that will participate in the inaugural United Nation's Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva from July 6-7, the MEA said on Sunday. The Global Dialogue is a unique opportunity to advance international governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in ways that complement international, regional, national and multi-stakeholder efforts, it said. Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Singh, will be leading the Indian delegation to Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Dialogue on AI Governance is a universal, multi-stakeholder UN forum established under General Assembly Resolution 79/325, following the Global Digital Compact adopted as part of the Pact of the Future in September 2024. "Together with the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI that promotes scientific understanding, transparency, accountability and robust human oversight, the ...

India focuses on skilled mobility as NZ tightens immigration rules: MEA

MEA says India's priority is facilitating the movement of high-skilled professionals through trade agreements, ahead of PM Modi's visit to New Zealand

Hasnain, Margherita to represent India at Khamenei's state funeral: MEA

Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain will travel to Iran on Friday to represent India at the burial ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced this on Thursday. Hasnain and Margherita will visit the Islamic Republic of Iran on July 3 to attend the funeral ceremony of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it said. "The high-level representation in the ceremony underscores the importance of civilisational ties, including people-to-people connection, between the two countries, providing a robust foundation to political and economic engagements," the ministry said in a brief statement. Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the funeral. Khamenei, who ruled Iran for last three decades, was killed on February 28, the first day of massive US and Israeli air strikes on ...

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri gets one-year extension till July 2027

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was given a one-year extension on Wednesday, till July 14 next year. Widely regarded as an expert on China, Misri was appointed to the post in June 2024. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension for a period of one year beyond July 14, 2026, that is, up to July 14, 2027, under the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56(d). The rule has a provision for extension in service for the defence secretary, foreign secretary, home secretary, director of the Intelligence Bureau, secretary of Research and Analysis Wing, and a few others beyond the age of retirement of 60 years. Career diplomat Misri, a 1989-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, was working as the Deputy National Security Adviser (Dy NSA) before his appointment as the foreign secretary. He has the rare distinction of serving as private secretary to three prime ministers -- Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi. Before he was appointed as the deputy NSA, Mis

Datanomics: Passport vs citizenship debate via court rulings and MEA stand

While the MEA says a passport is only a travel document, court rulings and official rules indicate a much stronger link between passports and Indian citizenship

MEA asks Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims to secure all China travel documents

The advisory came after reports of pilgrims being stranded in Nepal and urged travellers to use authorised tour operators and ensure all required documentation is in place before starting the journey

Private sector key to India-US AI, critical minerals push: MEA official

The private sector will play an indispensable role in transforming India-US cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies and critical minerals into real-world outcomes, a senior Indian official said, as the two countries deepen collaboration in strategic technologies. Speaking at a roundtable on "Securing the Foundations of AI Together: USIndia Cooperation from Minerals to Microchips", Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs K Nagaraj Naidu said recent initiatives between India and the US were laying the foundation for long-term collaboration across strategic technology sectors. "India and the United States have built a comprehensive strategic partnership fit for the 21st century. Through initiatives spanning AI, quantum technologies, critical minerals, advanced energy, and trusted supply chains, we are now moving from principles to projects. The private sector will play an indispensable role in transforming these frameworks into ...

Gifts from abroad over the years via diplomatic channels up for auction

The first public Toshakhana e-auction features around 300 gifts received by Indian diplomats, with proceeds going to the Consolidated Fund of India

Rolex, daggers, dragon sculptures: Inside India's diplomatic gift auction

Luxury watches, artworks, ceremonial objects and cultural artefacts gifted to Indian dignitaries are being auctioned through the MEA's Toshakhana, offering a glimpse into the 'gift diplomacy'