Page 22 - Ministry Of External Affairs

EAM expresses grief over passing of auto industry leader Osamu Suzuki

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid his condolences on the demise of Osamu Suzuki

EAM Jaishankar meets US NSA Jake Sullivan, discusses bilateral ties

As per a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs, S Jaishankar is visiting the United States of America from December 24 to December 29

UP man's body returns home 6 months after death in Russia-Ukraine war

Kanhaiya Yadav, a resident of Bankata village here, left for Russia in January to work as a cook. Almost a year later, he returned home in a casket. Soon after arriving there, Yadav, 41, was enlisted in the Russian army and sent to the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war where he was injured. Days after fighting for his life in a hospital, Yadav died on June 17, according to his family. His mortal remains were finally brought home on Monday. Yadav left for St. Peter's Square, Russia on January 16 after securing a work visa through an agent. He underwent training as a cook and was subsequently enlisted in the Russian army, said his wife Geeta. "On May 9, Yadav informed us that he was injured in the fighting. He was in touch with us till May 25, but there was no communication after that," she said. On December 6, the Indian embassy in Moscow informed the family that Yadav died on June 17 while undergoing treatment at a hospital, she added. Yadav's body was brought back on ...

Indian Army Chief, personnel condole death of 5 soldiers in Poonch accident

Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi and members of the Indian Army on Wednesday expressed grief over the death of five soldiers in a road accident in Poonch district.The deceased have been identified as Subedar Dayanand Tirakannavar, Lance Havildar Anoop, Naik Ghadge Shubham Samadhan, Sepoy Nikure Digamber and Sep Mahesh Marigond.Taking to social media X, ADG PI posted, "General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army express profound grief on the loss of Subedar Dayanand Tirakannavar, Lance Havildar Anoop, Naik Ghadge Shubham Samadhan, Sepoy Nikure Digamber, and Sep Mahesh Marigond in a tragic and unfortunate road accident while on operational duty in Poonch, J & K.""The Indian Army extends its deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," the post added.Indian Army extends its deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," the post read.Earlier today, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar

STF of Assam Police arrest 2 more members of Ansarullah Bangla Team

On December 21, the STF had arrested eight members of ABT, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) terrorist organisation

EAM Jaishankar to visit US from Dec 24-29 for key bilateral talks

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay a six-day visit to the US beginning Tuesday. It will be the first high-level visit from India to the US after Donald Trump won the presidential election. "External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the United States of America from December 24-29," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "He will be meeting counterparts to discuss key bilateral, regional and global issues," it said in a brief statement. The MEA said Jaishankar will also chair a conference of the Consul Generals of India in the US.

Gaza war to Ukraine nuclear fears: Conflicts that shaped 2024 geopolitics

Wars in Europe and West Asia intensified in 2024, exposing the failures of global peace mechanisms, deepening crises, and straining alliances, with Trump's return adding fresh uncertainty

India, Kuwait ink defence pact after PM Modi meets top Kuwaiti leaders

India and Kuwait on Sunday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and inked a key pact for defence cooperation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other top leaders of the Gulf nation. Besides the Emir, Modi held separate talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah with a focus on giving new momentum to the overall bilateral ties. The two sides signed four agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence. The other pacts will provide for cooperation in areas of sports, culture and solar energy. In their delegation-level talks, the two prime ministers discussed a roadmap to strengthen the strategic partnership in areas of trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education, technology, cultural, and people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MoU on

PM Modi heads home after wrapping up two-day 'successful' visit to Kuwait

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday left for home after wrapping up his two-day "successful" visit to Kuwait during which the two countries elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, marking a new era of bilateral cooperation and growth. "A historic & successful visit to Kuwait concludes! PM @narendramodi emplanes for New Delhi," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. Modi's visit to Kuwait was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. During his visit, Modi held extensive talks with the country's top leadership, including Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with whom he discussed boosting ties in information technology, pharmaceuticals, fintech, infrastructure and security. "In line with the close ties between our nations, we have elevated our partnership to a strategic one and I am optimistic that our friendship will flourish even more in the times to come," Modi said in a post on X. Modi

Jaishankar receives 'Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi' award for leadership

Speaking about the contributions of Maha Periyavar to the international fora, Jaishankar highlighted Periyavar's Maithreem Bhajatham, a musical composition that promotes universal brotherhood

India can never permit others to have veto on its choices: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India can never permit others to have a veto on its choices and will do whatever is right in the national interest and for the global good without being intimidated to conform. In a video message for a function in Mumbai, he said when India is etched more deeply in global consciousness, its repercussions are truly profound. In a world grappling with unhealthy habits, stressed lifestyles or recurring climate events, there is much learning to be gained from India's heritage. But the world will only know when the countrymen take pride in it, he said. In an age of globalisation, technology and tradition must march together, said Jaishankar. Bharat will inevitably progress but it must do so without losing its Bharatiyata. Only then can we truly emerge as a leading power in a multi-polar world, he said. Jaishankar was conferred the 27th SIES Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati National Eminence Award. The awards are given in four fields Publi

India closely monitors developments impacting security: MEA on Pak missiles

India on Friday said it "follows all developments" that have a bearing on its security "very closely" and New Delhi "takes action, as appropriate". MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this when asked about India's stance on Pakistan's ballistic-missile programme. Two days ago, the US slapped sanctions on four Pakistani entities, including state-owned flagship aerospace and defence agency -- National Development Complex (NDC) -- on charges of contributing to Pakistan's ballistic-missile programme. At his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal was asked what New Delhi's stance was on the neighbouring country's ballistic-missile programme. "As you know that we follow all developments that have a bearing on our security and our interest very closely, and we take these things very seriously, and take action as appropriate," he told reporters. Asserting that Pakistan developing sophisticated missile technology would give it the capability to strike targets well beyond south Asia, including in

Maldives Speaker accompanied by delegation to visit India from Feb 10-14

India on Friday said the Speaker of People's Republic of Maldives accompanied by a parliamentary delegation will visit the country from February 10-14 next year. Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita informed the Lok Sabha in a written response to a query. He was asked whether a number of parliamentary exchanges have been conducted by the government recently in alignment with the emphasis on the 'Neighbourhood First' Policy adopted in the recent years. The query also sought details of all parliamentary exchanges held in the recent years with special reference to the People's Majlis of Maldives. "In keeping with the objectives of the 'Neighbourhood First' Policy for enhancing people to people relations, regular parliamentary exchanges with our neighbouring countries have been taking place over the years," he said. In his response, he also shared details of the recent parliamentary exchanges with the neighbouring countries including with the Maldives. "At the ..

Defence ministry inks Rs 7,628 cr contract with L & T to procure Vajra guns

The defence ministry on Friday sealed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd for procurement of K9 Vajra artillery guns for the Indian Army at a total cost of Rs 7,628 crore that is expected to significantly bolster the force's strike capability. The gun, equipped with cutting-edge technology, is capable of delivering long-range lethal fires with high accuracy. It is learnt that the ministry is procuring around 100 Vajra guns largely for deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "The defence ministry signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore," an official readout said. The procurement of K9 Vajra-T will catalyse the artillery modernisation and enhance overall operational readiness of the Indian Army, it said. "This versatile artillery gun, with its cross-country mobility, will play a pivotal role in ...

2024 sees 2,200 cases of Hindu violence in Bangladesh, 112 in Pak: MEA

The Indian government has raised concerns and urged both countries to take action to protect their minority communities

Total 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus, minorities in B'desh: Govt

A total of 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities have been reported in Bangladesh this year till December 8, and India's expectation is Dhaka will take necessary measures to ensure their safety, the government said on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh gave the information in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha, citing data from minority and human rights organisations. In Pakistan, the number of cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Pakistan this year stood at "112 till October 2024," the MoS said. The corresponding figures for 2022 were 47 in Bangladesh and 241 in Pakistan, while in 2023 the figures were 302 in Bangladesh and 103 in Pakistan, according to the data he shared. The minister said the Indian government has urged "Pakistan to take steps to prevent religious intolerance, sectarian violence, systemic persecution and attacks on minority communities and ensure their safety, security, and ...

India-Liberia review bilateral ties, plan next round of talks in New Delhi

During the visit, Mude also called on Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President and Louise M Kpoto, Minister of Health and Social Welfare amongst other ministers

We have close partnership with our Indian counterparts: Vedant Patel

Over the course of our time in the Biden administration, India has been a key partner in the Indo-Pacific on a number of shared issues, and we look forward to working together, he added

India, China reach six-point consensus to promote peace and stable ties

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wednesday held "substantive discussions" during the Special Representatives dialogue here and reached a six-point consensus, including continuing to take measures to maintain peace at borders and promote healthy and stable development of relations. During their meeting, the first after a gap of five years, both sides positively evaluated the solution reached between the two countries on border issues and reiterated that the implementation work should continue, according to a press release by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Both officials believed that the border issue should be properly handled from the overall situation of bilateral ties so as not to affect the development of relations, it said. Both sides agreed to continue to take measures to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border area and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, it said. The two sides reiterated their commitment to

China ready to work with India to strengthen ties: Chinese ambassador

He also stressed that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is a prerequisite for the development of India-China ties