Page 19 - Ministry Of External Affairs

MoS Margherita meets Ambassadors of Thailand, Myanmar, Dominican Republic

Margherita held talks on further deepening the relations of India with these countries

India, China agree to resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in 2025: MEA's secy

India and China on Monday decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra as the two sides agreed to take certain people-centric steps to "stabilise and rebuild" ties. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said this following Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's talks with his Chinese counterpart Sun Weidong in Beijing. It said the two sides also agreed in principle to resume direct air services between the two countries. "As agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at their meeting in Kazan in October, the two sides reviewed the state of India-China bilateral relations comprehensively and agreed to take certain people-centric steps to stabilize and rebuild ties," the MEA said. "In this context, the two sides decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025," it said. The MEA said the two sides also agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China expert level mechanism to discuss resumption of provision of hydrological data and other

EAM Jaishankar begins three-day UAE visit to strengthen bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday embarked on a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to further enhance India's comprehensive strategic partnership with the influential Gulf nation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Jaishankar will meet the leadership of the UAE to review the close partnership between the two countries. "The external affairs minister will meet the leadership of the UAE to review the close partnership between the two countries and explore avenues to further enhance the bilateral relationship," it said. It said the visit will provide an opportunity to "advance" the India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership and "add new momentum" to the ties. During Jaishankar's trip, the two sides are also expected to review the situation in Gaza following the coming into force of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. India-UAE bilateral ties have been on an upswing in the last few years. Following the landmark visit of Prime Ministe

India, Indonesia to boost defence, trade ties, jointly counter terrorism

India and Indonesia on Saturday agreed to give a new momentum to the overall bilateral ties and especially concurred on working jointly in the areas of defence manufacturing and supply chains, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto for wide-ranging talks. Subianto, on a three-day visit to India, will be the chief guest at the Republic-Day celebrations at Kartavya Path on Sunday. In his media statement following the talks, Modi described Indonesia as an "important partner" of India in the 10-nation ASEAN bloc as well as in the Indo-Pacific, noting that both countries are committed to a rules-based order in the region. "We agree that the freedom of navigation should be ensured in line with international law," Modi said amid growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region. "We held extensive discussions on various aspects of our bilateral ties," the prime minister said, adding that India and ...

Updates: Proud to honour extraordinary achievements of Padma awardees, says PM Modi

Latest news updates: Catch all the major news updates from around the world

Keeping a close watch on neighbours: India as ISI officials visit B'desh

Against the backdrop of an increase in engagement between Bangladeshi and Pakistani military officials, India on Friday said it keeps a close watch on developments in the neighbourhood having a bearing on national security and takes "appropriate" action if required. Pakistani spy agency ISI's Director General of Analysis Maj Gen Shahid Amir Afsar and certain other officials are currently visiting Bangladesh, according to reports. The visit to Dhaka by the Pakistani military officials came after a delegation of Bangladeshi military officials toured Pakistan and held meetings with the three service chiefs. "We keep an eye on all activities around the country and in the region, as well as all activities affecting national security, and the government will take appropriate steps," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a question at his weekly media briefing. He said India's approach towards Bangladesh has been to maintain friendly ties. "We support

Looking for bolder, bigger and more ambitious relationship with US: India

India on Friday said it is looking for "bolder, bigger and a more ambitious" relationship with the US and indicated its readiness to work with the Trump administration to address issues like illegal immigration and trade. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India's approach has always been to address issues in a constructive manner in line with interests of both the countries. Like in many countries, there have been some concerns in India as well over the Trump administration's approach on immigration and tariff. President Trump has already talked about slapping "100 per cent tariffs" on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well. We remain in close communication with the US administration and would like to continue to work towards strengthening our economic partnership further, Jaiswal said. India is focused on building "bolder, bigger and a more ambitious" relationship with the US, he added. Referring to India's ongoing dialogue with the US

Will take back Indian illegal immigrants, says MEA amid Trump crackdown

During a weekly press briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We are against illegal immigration, especially because it is linked to several forms of organised crime"

EAM Jaishankar meets Indonesian president Subianto ahead of Republic Day

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gracing the upcoming Republic-Day celebrations as the chief guest will be a fitting celebration of the cherished friendship between India and Indonesia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. Jaishankar made the comments after meeting the visiting leader. The Indonesian president arrived here on Thursday night on a three-day visit, primarily to attend India's 76th Republic-Day celebrations at Kartavya Path on Sunday. "Pleased to call on President Prabowo Subianto @prabowo of Indonesia at the start of his State Visit to India," Jaishankar said on X. "Value his guidance and positive sentiments for the development of our multifaceted bilateral ties. President @prabowo's participation as Chief Guest in India's 76th Republic Day will be a fitting celebration of our cherished friendship," the external affairs minister added. The Indonesian leader will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. The entire

Indonesian President Subianto arrives in India to attend Republic Day

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrived here on Thursday night on his first visit to India as the head of state. Subianto is in Delhi primarily to grace the 76th Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest. The Indonesian president was welcomed at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. "A warm welcome to President Prabowo Subianto @prabowo of Indonesia as he arrives in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'. "This visit will further strengthen India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he said. Both sides are expected to firm up several pacts to expand cooperation in a number of areas during Subianto's visit. He will be the fourth Indonesian president to attend India's Republic Day celebrations. Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day celebrations in 1950. A 352-member marching and band contingent from

Committed to Quad, open to return of illegal immigrants: Jaishankar in US

Initiatives spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump have matured, paving the way for an ambitious future US-India partnership, said EAM S Jaishankar

We didn't stop trading, concerned about MFN status: EAM on Pakistan ties

He also reiterated India's longstanding concern regarding the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, which India had extended to Pakistan but which Pakistan didn't reciprocate

Quad opposes any unilateral actions seeking to change status quo by force

After the hour-long meeting, the four ministers reconfirmed the Quad Leadership Summit in India later this year

Trump team holds first meetings with Jaishankar, signals India top priority

Following US President Donald Trump's inauguration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NSA Mike Waltz held their first bilateral and international meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

As Trump takes over, Ukraine eyes peace with 'world leader' India's help

Donald Trump took the oath of office as the 47th US President during an indoor ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Monday

Makes sense to give Russia multiple options, says EAM S Jaishankar

"Russia is turning more towards Asia and other parts of the world. It makes sense to give Russia multiple options," Jaishankar said at a panel discussion at the ongoing Raisina Dialogues

India-US ties need shared values, not only be transactional: Richard Verma

Richard Verma, the highest-ranking Indian-American official in the State Department, has expressed optimism about the future of US-India ties and emphasised the need to base the relationship on shared values rather than mere transactional dealings. Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, said he is not worried about the differences between the US and India as they make the relationship more dynamic. "What I don't want this to become, though, is a transactional relationship where we're just looking to sell things or you're looking to have us buy things, Verma told PTI in an interview on Friday, as he prepares to leave office. "That is not a deep, consequential relationship built on values. I think staying true to those principles is really...important, said Verma, who previously served as America's Ambassador to India, making him the first Indian American in that position. President Joe Biden will cede power to President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, marking .

India, US sign agreement for cooperation in cybercrime investigations

India and the US have inked an agreement to enhance cooperation in cybercrime investigations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The signing of the pact comes days before the Biden administration hands over charge to the Trump administration. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Washington DC on Friday by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and Acting US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristie Canegallo, the MEA said. It said the agreement allows the respective agencies of the two countries to step up the level of cooperation and training with respect to the use of cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics in criminal investigations. From India, the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Home Ministry is responsible for the execution of the MoU. On the US side, the DHS and its constituent agencies US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center are tasked with implementing the

India's High Commission in London hosts film screening, celebrates cinema

The screening, attended by over 250 guests, including members of the Indian diaspora and a diverse international audience, highlighted India's growing prominence in Indian cinema

Trump administration to convene Quad foreign ministers meeting on Jan 21

The foreign ministers of QUAD countries Australia, India, Japan and the US will meet in here on January 21, a day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th US President, making it one of the first foreign policy acts of the new administration, a media report said Friday. Trump will be sworn in for a second term on Monday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya would be representing their respective countries at the presidential inauguration. The QUAD ministerial meeting is intended to signal that the US commitment to the Indo-Pacific won't change under the new administration, Politico reported, quoting a person familiar with the matter. This is expected to be the first major interaction and meeting of the new administration with foreign leaders. Marco Rubio is expected to be confirmed by Congress as the new US Secretary of State by then and is likely to be sworn in on Monday evening. Thi