Page 21 - Ministry Of External Affairs

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

New rule to improve requirements for H-1B, H-2 visas takes effect today

H-1B final rule modernizes the H-1B program by streamlining the approval process, increasing its flexibility to better allow employers to retain talent workers and improving the integrity of programme

Indian national sentenced to 8 yrs for attempt to attack White House

Indian national Sai Varshith Kandula, 20, on Thursday was sentenced to eight years for an attempted attack on the White House with a rented truck on May 22, 2023. The attack aimed to overthrow the democratically elected American government in order to replace it with a dictatorship fuelled by Nazi ideology, the Department of Justice said. Kandula had pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024 to a charge of willful injury or depredation of US property. Born in Chandanagar, India, he was a was a lawful permanent resident of the US with a green card. In addition to the prison term, District Court Judge Dabney L Friedrich ordered Kandula to serve three years of supervised release. The Indian national flew on a commercial flight from St Louis, Missouri, to Washington D.C. on the afternoon of May 22, 2023, connecting through another airport on a one-way airline ticket, according to court documents, and arrived at Dulles International Airport about 5:20 pm, wherein he rented a truck at 6:30 pm. He .

India welcomes Gaza ceasefire agreement with release of hostages: MEA

India on Wednesday welcomed the announcement on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal which would halt the war in Gaza and see the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the US and mediators Qatar have said. The deal between Israel and Hamas came after months and it is expected to come into effect on Sunday if both sides fully approve it. In its reaction, India hoped that the agreement would lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. "We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza," it said in a statement. The MEA added: "We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy." The full details of th

MEA welcomes Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel, Hamas

India on Thursday welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. The announcement on the deal comes after 15 months of conflict in Gaza. In its reaction, India hoped that the agreement will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. "We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "We have consistently called for release of all hostages, ceasefire, and return to a path of dialogue and diplomacy," it said.

Singapore President T Shanmugaratnam arrives on 5-day India visit

President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam arrived here on Tuesday night on a five-day visit that aims to further boost bilateral ties in a range of areas. Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was received at the airport by Union Minister Jitin Prasada. It is his first visit to India as the Singapore president. "A special celebration of 60th anniversary of #IndiaSingapore diplomatic relations. President @Tharman_S of Singapore arrives in New Delhi on a State Visit," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'. On Thursday, Tharman will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In the evening, he will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu following which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet him. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Tharman's visit is expected to provide further momentum to the bilateral relations. "President Tharman's visit is expected to provide further momentum to bilateral relatio