Ministry Of External Affairs

India joins the France, UK-led summit on securing Strait of Hormuz shipping

India Friday joined a summit of dozens of countries that was hosted by France and the UK to deliberate securing the Strait of Hormuz for unimpeded shipping. New Delhi attended the summit as an observer. It is learnt that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India. Misri had participated in a similar meeting through virtual mode that was organised by the UK on April 2. Hours before the summit began, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has been invited to participate in it. The summit was held at the Elysee Palace in Paris and chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Iran's foreign minister says the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire It took place shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire. "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, t

India, China hold SCO bilateral consultations in Delhi, says MEA

India and China held bilateral consultations under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here on April 16-17, during which the two sides exchanged views on implementing the SCO leaders' decisions, and the future-course of the organisation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. India's SCO national coordinator Alok A Dimri and China's national coordinator Ambassador Yan Wenbin led the delegations, the MEA said in a statement. "Republic of India and People's Republic of China held Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral consultations in New Delhi on 16-17 April," it said. The two sides "exchanged views on implementation of SCO leaders' decisions, and the future-course of the organisation", it added. Both sides agreed to continue and consolidate mutual-cooperation and consultations in SCO matters, the statement said. The two sides jointly called on MEA's Secretary (West) Sibi George to review cooperation within the SCO framework, including in areas of secur

India pulls out of hosting COP33, but committed to climate goals: MEA

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there were several issues that were taken into account, but "India remains fully committed to meeting its climate change commitments"

Conflict cannot resolve global tensions: PM Modi on West Asia, Ukraine

Modi emphasised need for reform of global institutions, stating that it is essential to effectively address growing int'l challenges and reiterated that eliminating terrorism remains global commitment

PM Modi meets Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker to boost bilateral ties

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who is on his first official visit to India

Vikram Misri meets German foreign minister, agrees to deepen strategic ties

The two leaders discussed the bilatreal ties and agreed to broaden and deepen cooperation across key sectors

West Asia crisis: EAM Jaishankar speaks to Israeli, Australian counterparts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar and discussed various aspects of the West Asia crisis amid a US naval blockade of Iran's ports. The external affairs minister also held a phone conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and exchanged views on the situation arising out of the war between Iran and the US-Israel combine. After his call with Jaishankar, Sa'ar said Iran's action harming freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz requires "action". "Had a telecon this afternoon with Israel FM @gidonsaar. Our discussion covered different aspects of the West Asia situation," Jaishankar said on social media. The phone conversation between the two foreign ministers came amid reports of efforts by the US and Iran to hold a fresh round of negotiations after the collapse of the initial dialogue in Islamabad. "We discussed Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and Lebanon. I said that the firm American stance in the ...

West Asia war: EAM Jaishankar speaks to counterparts from Kuwait, Singapore

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke to his counterparts from Kuwait and Singapore, focusing on the West Asia crisis as the US blockade of Iranian ports takes effect. In his conversation with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Jaishankar also discussed the "well-being of the Indian community" in the Gulf nation. "A good conversation with FM Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of Kuwait. It focused on the regional situation and the well-being of the Indian community," the external affairs minister said on social media. Jaishankar said he and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan exchanged views on the West Asia conflict and its implications. "Always nice to speak to FM @VivianBala of Singapore. Our discussions were about the conflict in West Asia and its implications," he said. Hours after the Iran-US talks in Islamabad ended without any outcome, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the US military will begin a blockad

India rejects China's 'mischievous' move to rename places in Arunachal

China's false claims and manufacturing of baseless narratives cannot alter undeniable reality, MEA added

Energy, defence, and trade on agenda as Foreign Secy Misri heads to Europe

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will undertake a three-day visit to Paris and Berlin beginning Sunday for high-level talks on energy, trade and defence -- sectors that have become increasingly critical amid a fractured geopolitical landscape. Misri's visit to France and Germany comes at the end of his trip to the US, where he met Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a number of other senior officials of the Trump administration. The West Asia crisis and its impact on energy security are expected to figure prominently in Misri's talks with the interlocutors in Paris and Berlin. In Paris, the foreign secretary will co-chair the India-France Foreign Office Consultations along with Martin Briens, the secretary general of the French Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Saturday. Both Misri and Briens will discuss a wide range of issues, including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, artificial intelligence and initiatives ...

Misri wraps US visit with talks to deepen nuclear ties, explore LPG exports

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri discussed furthering energy cooperation with the US in nuclear power and new areas such as coal gasification and LPG exports in his meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Wrapping up his three-day visit to the US, Misri's discussion with Wright focused on advancing energy security, deepening bilateral energy trade and identifying new avenues to strengthen the India-US Energy Partnership, the Indian Embassy in the US said. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Energy Secretary Chris Wright @SecretaryWright @ENERGY. Discussions focused on advancing energy security, deepening bilateral energy trade, and identifying new avenues to strengthen the India-US Energy Partnership," the embassy said. US Ambassador to India, Sergei Gor, who was also present at the meeting on Friday, said the US was ready to cooperate with India on civil nuclear cooperation in addition to other areas, such as coal gasification and US LPG exports. "Great to spend

840K Indians returned from Gulf since Feb 28, airspace curbs remain: MEA

Mahajan said the government continues to closely monitor the evolving situation across the Gulf and West Asia, with a dedicated mechanism in place for rapid coordination

Misri, Rubio discuss trade, Quad; US state secy set to visit India in May

Misri also met FBI Director Kash Patel and discussed cooperation in countering terrorism, organised crime and narcotics

EAM S Jaishankar calls on Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday called on Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool and conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Our conversation reflected the warmth of our friendship and the steadfast commitment to further advancing India-Mauritius partnership," he said in a post on X after meeting President Gokhool. Jaishankar, who is in Mauritius to attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, also met Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, the former prime minister and leader of the MSM Party. "Value his strong commitment to India-Mauritius partnership," he said. The minister also met his counterparts from Nepal, Bhutan and Seychelles and discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interests. "Glad to meet FM Shishir Khanal @shisir of Nepal this afternoon. Congratulated him on his appointment. Discussed realising the full potential of the India-Nepal partnership by deeper collaboration in different sectors," he posted on X. Jaishankar, w

MEA says deeply concerned by reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon

Israel invaded Lebanon last month in pursuit of Hezbollah after the group fired into Israel in support of Iran, as the US-Israel war on Iran raged

India elected to key subsidiary bodies at UN Economic and Social Council

India has been elected to various subsidiary bodies at the UN Economic and Social Council, one of the six main organs of the United Nations. The Permanent Mission of India to the UN said on Wednesday that India has been elected by acclamation to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) subsidiary bodies, including Commission on Science and Technology for Development (2027-2030); Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations (2027-2030); and the Committee for Programme and Coordination (2027-2029). Indian Ambassador Preeti Saran has been re-elected to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2027-2030). The UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) holds an annual intergovernmental forum for discussion on issues affecting science, technology and development. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations is a standing committee of the ECOSOC, and among its main tasks are consideration of applications for consultative status and reques

India welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, hopes access through Hormuz will continue

India welcomed the US-Iran two-week ceasefire and hoped it would ease tensions in West Asia, stressing dialogue and calling for smooth global trade through the Strait of Hormuz

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit US, review bilateral ties

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will undertake a three-day visit to Washington DC beginning Wednesday to review the full spectrum of India-US ties. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Misri's April 8-10 trip will provide an opportunity to advance ongoing bilateral cooperation across key areas. "The visit will provide an opportunity to review the full spectrum of India-US bilateral relations and advance ongoing cooperation across key areas," it said in a statement. The MEA said the foreign secretary will hold discussions with senior officials of the US administration on a wide range of issues, including trade, defence, science and technology, as well as regional and global developments of mutual interest. "The visit follows the External Affairs Minister's visit to Washington DC in February and is in keeping with the regular high-level exchanges between the two sides," it added.

Over 1,700 Indians exit Iran via land borders amid West Asia conflict: MEA

Over 1,700 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. "Our embassy in Tehran has so far facilitated the movement of 1,777 Indian nationals to exit Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing. The Indian nationals are flying back home from Armenia and Azerbaijan. Jaiswal said the Indians who returned home included 895 students and 345 fishermen. "The Indian fishermen were employed by various companies in Iran and they flew home from Armenia on March 4," he said.

India delivers relief supplies to flood, earthquake-hit Afghanistan

The death toll from natural disasters across 25 provinces of Afghanistan has risen to 35, with 52 people injured over the past two days, authorities said