Ministry Of External Affairs

India, UK sign social security agreement to avoid double contributions

India and the UK have signed a social security agreement to avoid double contributions for employees on temporary assignments, supporting worker mobility under the proposed trade pact

National interest is guiding factor: Vikram Misri on India's energy imports

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India's energy import decisions are driven by national interest, diversification and price stability, amid scrutiny of Russian oil imports, global market volatility

Energy security top priority as India plans to diversify sourcing: MEA

After Goyal sidestepped a query on Russian oil imports, MEA said energy security for 1.4 billion people remains India's top priority

MEA trashes Pakistan's claims of Indian link to Islamabad mosque bombing

India on Friday categorically rejected Pakistan's allegations of an Indian link to the suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), describing the attack as "condemnable", said it is unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan chose to "delude" itself by blaming others for its home-grown ills. At least 31 people were killed and 169 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Islamabad. The powerful explosion took place at Khadijah al-Kubra mosque-cum-imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, police said in a statement. "The bombing at an Islamabad mosque earlier today is condemnable and India condoles the loss of life it has caused," the MEA said. "It is unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan should choose to delude itself by blaming others for its

'Commercial viability key': MEA says open to Venezuela, other crude sources

The MEA said India is open to sourcing crude from Venezuela and other countries based on commercial viability, adding that energy security for 1.4 billion people remains its top priority

India-US trade deal: NSA Doval did not meet US State Secy Rubio, says MEA

MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed a report that claimed Ajit Doval met Marco Rubio, saying no such meeting or no such visit has taken place

EAM meets Canadian, Peruvian counterparts at Critical Minerals Ministerial

Jaishankar's meetings come amid the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington DC, during which the EAM called for structured international cooperation to "de-risk" critical mineral supply chains

Confident of realising 'vast' opportunities with US: EAM Jaishankar

India welcomes the India-US trade deal as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets Marco Rubio, but New Delhi remains cautious on US-Pak ties, visas and Quad plans

Jaishankar set to visit US to participate in critical mineral summit

The summit will be significant for India, which is trying to strengthen domestic supply chains

India pavilion: A sizzling culinary experience in freezing Davos

From rajma chawal to filter coffee tiramisu, Chef Manu Chandra showcased India's culinary soft power at the India pavilion amid sub-zero Davos

7 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka Navy for alleged poaching

The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested seven Indian fishermen for allegedly fishing in the island nation's territorial waters. The fishermen were arrested and and their two trawlers seized on Tuesday off Kovilan, in the northern Jaffna peninsula, the Navy said in a statement. Those arrested will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna, for legal proceedings, it said. Fishermen from both countries are arrested frequently for inadvertently trespassing into each other's waters. The fishermen issue is a contentious one in the ties between India and Sri Lanka, with Lankan Navy personnel even firing at Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and seizing their boats in several alleged incidents of illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters. The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries. In 2025, the Sri Lankan Navy apprehended 346 Indian fishermen for alleged poaching and seized 4

India engaging with US on Chabahar port sanctions waiver, says MEA

Given the rapid developments in US-Iran tensions and India's own strategic interests in the port, experts believe India will have to walk a tightrope on the issue for the foreseeable future

India remains engaged with the US, says MEA on Chabahar port project

India is mulling various options on its engagement in the development of the strategically-located Chabahar port in Iran against the backdrop of the Trump administration threatening a 25 per cent additional tariff on countries doing business with Tehran. India is a major partner in development of the Chabahar port, located in the Sistan-Balochistan province Iran's southern coast. In September last year, the US imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran but had granted India a six-month exemption from the punitive measures on the Chabahar port project. The waiver will come to an end on April 26. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said New India is engaged with the US on the issue. His remarks in answering a question came amid reports that New Delhi is looking at withdrawing from it in view of fresh American tariffs on nations having trade relations with Iran. "As you are aware, on October 28, the US Department of Treasury had issued a letter outlinin

India readies citizens' evacuation from Iran, first flight on Friday

In view of the evolving situation, the Ministry of External Affairs has begun preparations to assist Indian nationals who wish to return home from Iran

Communal incidents in Bangladesh need to be dealt with firmly: MEA

India on Friday called on Bangladesh to firmly deal with communal incidents in that country. New Delhi's reaction came against the backdrop of the killing of at least five Hindu men in hostile circumstances in Bangladesh in the last few weeks. "We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities as well as their homes and businesses by extremists," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly, he said. "We have observed a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, political differences, or extraneous reasons," Jaiswal said. "Such disregard only emboldens the perpetrators and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among minorities," he added.

India, Europe can bring stability into global economy, politics: Jaishankar

India is strengthening its relationship with Europe and both sides can bring more stability into the international economy and global politics, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. His remarks, after holding talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, came in the face of a factitious geopolitical environment, including global concerns over the way the United States has carried out a military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro. The external affairs minister said Europe is an important player in global politics and it is necessary that India strengthens its relationship with it. "I think it was a very conscious choice. It was a choice which reflected our belief that this relationship with Europe is really poised to grow, grow to the next level," Jaishankar said at a media briefing when asked why he was in Europe. The comments also came amid New Delhi's frosty ties with the US after President Donald Trump slapped a whoppin

'No threat to Indians in Iran': Tehran's envoy after MEA travel advisory

After India advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, Tehran's envoy said the situation is under control and that Indian nationals face no threat

India has every right to defend its people from 'bad neighbours': EAM

The Union minister said it is important to communicate with other countries to avoid a situation where India's intentions are misread

India among few ancient civilisations to become modern nation-state: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was speaking at the launch of IIT Madras Global and the inaugural session of the IIT Madras tech fest Shaastra

MEA trashes Pakistan's comments on condition of minorities in India

India on Monday said Pakistan's "horrific and systemic victimisation" of minorities of various faiths is a well established fact and no amount of "finger pointing" will "obfuscate" it. New Delhi said this while strongly trashing Pakistan's comments on the condition of minorities in India. "We reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "Pakistan's horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well established fact. No amount of finger pointing will obfuscate it," he said. In Islamabad, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, responding to media queries on alleged vandalism during Christmas celebrations in some places in India, said "persecution of minorities in India is a matter of deep concern". Andrabi referred to what he called "recent condemnable incidents" of vandalism during Christmas, as well as campaigns allegedly targeti