Page 12 - Ministry Of External Affairs

Brics group shows internal rifts as ministers fall short of joint statement

Brazil said the group's foreign ministers expressed "serious concern at the prospect of a fragmented global economy and the weakening of multilateralism"

India slams BBC for calling terrorists 'militants' in Pahalgam reportage

BBC reports on Pahalgam terror attack carried words such as "militants" and "gunmen" to describe terrorists, who fired indiscriminately at the batch of tourists

PM Modi to discuss Hajj quota with Saudi Crown Prince, sign 6 pacts

India and Saudi Arabia are set to sign at least six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jeddah, with talks ongoing late Monday to finalise a few more agreements, according to sources. Highly placed sources told PTI that Modi will also discuss issues relating to Hajj including the quota for Indian pilgrims during his meeting with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in the evening. Among the deliverables, the two sides are expected to sign agreements in the fields of space, energy, health, science and scientific research, culture and advanced technology. "Meetings in Riyadh continued late Monday to finalise details, with over a dozen MoUs under discussion, some to be signed at the official level," an official told PTI. Sources added that efforts were underway 24 hours before Modi's arrival to conclude additional trade, investment, and defence agreements. Modi will arrive on Tuesday aftern

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to resume on June 30 after five-year gap

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will begin on June 30, after a gap of five years, an official statement said on Monday. The yatra will pass through the Lipulekh Pass located at an altitude of 17,000 feet in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district, it said. The pilgrimage, which is organised every year, was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and since then it could not be conducted. But, due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, it will be conducted this year, it said. A meeting was held in New Delhi on Monday regarding the yatra under the aegis of the Uttarakhand government and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. During the meeting, the responsibility of conducting the pilgrimage was handed over to the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, it said. The yatra will commence from Delhi on June 30 in which there will be five groups of 50 people each, a total of 250 devotees, will take part. The first group for Kailash Mansarovar Y

Big boost in mutual ties in recent years: Foreign Secy on PM's Saudi visit

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a special briefing held by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday, highlighted the significance of the upcoming trip and reaffirmed the strong ties

Focus on own minorities: India rejects Bangladesh's comments on WB violence

Rejecting Bangladesh's recent remarks, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Dhaka to prioritise safeguarding the rights of its own minority communities rather than issuing 'unwarranted' statements

'It's their prerogative': MEA on Australia's visa crackdown on Indians

New data from February 2025 showed that India became the top source country for student visas to Australia, surpassing China

Working closely with Belgium on Mehul Choksi's extradition, says MEA

India on Thursday said it is working closely with Belgium for extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi. Choksi was arrested in Belgium's Antwerp on Saturday based on a formal request from the Indian government. "Based on our extradition request, he was arrested. We are working closely with the Belgium side on his extradition so that he can face trial in the country," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Choksi is wanted by Indian probe agencies in connection with a Rs 13,500-crore bank loan fraud case.

Waqf law: India rejects 'motivated, baseless' comments made by Pakistan

The Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill in the budget session after which it was given assent by President Droupadi Murmu

EAM Jaishankar, Omani FM discuss regional issues in telephonic talks

The conversation between EAM Jaishankar and the Foreign Minister of Oman come after the two had held a bilateral meeting in February earlier this year

Indian Navy's AIKEYME participation a matter of happiness: Admiral Tripathi

The inaugural edition of AIKEYME, which means 'Unity' in Sanskrit, began on April 13 and will run till April 18

Germany wants better ties with India on defence, skilled labour: Ambassador

Germany's incoming government has outlined plans to deepen its partnership with India, particularly in the areas of defence and skilled labour migration, German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann has said. Ackermann highlighted that the coalition treaty agreed upon by the two parties forming the next German government explicitly references India multiple times. "The most significant point is that this government wants to enhance cooperation with India and strengthen bilateral ties," Ackermann told PTI on Friday, adding that the incoming government specifically highlights defence and skilled labour migration as key areas of focus. The new German government is yet to be officially sworn in, pending the election of a chancellor and the appointment of ministers in parliament over the coming two weeks. However, Ackermann expressed optimism about the trajectory of Indo-German relations under the new administration. "We can expect the new German government to be very active and very

India extends aid to diaspora in quake-hit Myanmar under Operation Brahma

As part of ongoing outreach efforts following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, India, under Operation Brahma, extended its support to the Indian diaspora in Myanmar's Yangon region, delivering essentials.According to the Embassy of India in Myanmar, Ambassador of India to Myanmar Abhay Thakur handed over 15 tonnes of rice, cooking oil and food stuff to a community relief group there.Meanwhile, the Consulate General of India in Mandalay provided a genset, water purifier and cooking oil for the Ambika temple kitchen serving 4000 pax daily."Giving a helping hand to our diaspora. This week, Ambassador Abhay Thakur handed over 15 T rice, cooking oil & foodstuff to the community Relief Group in Yangon, and the Consulate General of India in Mandalay gave a genset, water purifier & cooking oil for Ambika temple kitchen serving 4000 pax daily," the Embassy of India in Myanmar stated on X.India has been actively engaged in the relief efforts following the ...

EAM hails India-US counter-terror ties after Tahawwur Rana extradition

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Rubio confirmed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India, where he will face charges for his role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks

Slovakia 'fully' backs India's bid to become new permanent member of UNSC

President Murmu acknowledged Slovakia's "unwavering support" in evacuating Indian students from Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, strengthening the bond between the two nations

Russia invites PM Modi to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9

Russia has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the May 9 celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Germany in World War II, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has said. Moscow is expecting the Indian Prime Minister at the May 9 parade. The invitation has already been sent, and the visit is being worked out, Russian news agency Tass quoted Rudenko as saying. "It's being worked out, it should be this year. He has an invitation," Rudenko said on Tuesday. Russia has invited leaders of several friendly nations to attend this year's Victory Day parade. In January 1945, the Soviet Army launched an offensive against Germany. The commanders-in-chief on May 9 signed the Act of Unconditional Surrender of Germany which ended the war. Prime Minister Modi visited Russia in July 2024, his first trip to the country in nearly five years. He had visited the far eastern city of Vladivostok in 2019 to attend an economic conclave. During the last visit, Modi invited Rus

India aims to negotiate US trade deal by fall: Jaishankar on Trump tariffs

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar noted that as every country is tariffed, each is fashioning its own strategy to deal with the US

President Murmu arrives in Lisbon for 4-day Portugal, Slovakia visit

President Murmu will visit Slovakia from April 9-10, the first by an Indian President in 29 years, at the invitation of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini

Sri Lankan President confers Mitra Vibhushana, highest honour, on PM Modi

PM Modi arrived in Colombo on Apr 4 for his first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019, on a three-day State visit at the invitation of President Dissanayake

India sends 442 tonnes of food aid to quake-hit Myanmar on INS Gharial

In a gesture of solidarity, India delivered 442 tonnes of food aid to Myanmar on Friday, as part of its ongoing humanitarian response following the devastating earthquake that struck the country last month.The consignment, comprising rice, cooking oil, noodles and biscuits, was transported aboard the Indian Navy's landing ship tank INS Gharial and handed over at Thilawa Port by Ambassador Abhay Thakur to Yangon Chief Minister U Soe Thein and his team.The official page for the Indian Embassy in Myanmar posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Meeting needs of affected people. A large 442 T consignment of food aid (rice, cooking oil, noodles & biscuits) carried by the Indian Navy landing ship tank INS Gharial arrived today at Thilawa Port & was handed over by Ambassador Abhay Thakur to CM Yangon U Soe Thein & team."The aid is part of Operation Brahma -- India's comprehensive relief mission launched after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28, which left thousands dead and ..