Ministry Of External Affairs

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'

Centre hikes passport fees; 36-page passport to cost ₹2,500 from July 1

Under the revised fee structure, an ordinary fresh passport or reissue of a 36-page passport for applicants aged 18 years and above will cost ₹2,500

Jaishankar calls for reformed multilateralism amid global fragmentation

EAM Jaishankar said the world cannot rely on a few countries to uphold global rules, calling for resilient supply chains, stronger cooperation and greater representation for the Global South

Jaishankar holds key meetings in Mongolia to deepen strategic partnership

Jaishankar said he met the Speaker of the State Great Khural, Sandag Byambatsogt, and welcomed his support for India-Mongolia parliamentary exchanges and friendship

'Crew of MT Liaki Freedom safe': MEA dismisses reports of fresh strike

Clarification by the Ministry of External Affairs comes shortly after it was falsely reported that several media outlets that Indians had been killed in an overnight attack on the vessel Liaki Freedom

India lodges strong protest after US strikes kill 3 sailors off Oman coast

India on Thursday said three merchant ships with Indian crew members came under attack from American military off the coast of Oman in the last four days, resulting in the death of three nationals, and it has lodged a strong protest with the US over the strikes. It was New Delhi's first public acknowledgement that the US Navy targeted the three ships with Indian crew members. New Delhi asserted that these attacks must stop. A Palau-flagged oil tanker, Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers, was disabled by US forces on June 8. All crew members were safely rescued. On June 10, the US struck another Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, killing three out of the 24 Indian sailors on board. Another vessel, Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker with 20 Indians, was attacked on Thursday. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a news briefing that the three separate strikes on Settebello, Marivex and Jalveer "came from the US Navy". In a social media post, the US Cen

Attacks must cease, says MEA as 3 Indians die in strike off Oman coast

India summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks and conveyed its strong objection over an attack on a commercial tanker carrying 24 Indian crew members off the coast of Oman

Avoid Iran travel, exit immediately: Indian Embassy issues urgent advisory

The emergency communication comes on the heels of major military escalations over the last 24 hours, which have seen multi-city kinetic engagements and airstrikes on strategic installations

PM Modi meets Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, reviews ties

MEA had indicated that both sides are expected to review the entire spectrum of India-Venezuela relations and explore avenues to deepen cooperation in key sectors