Page 22 - Ministry Of External Affairs

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

VP Dhankhar meets Armenian delegation, discusses strengthening ties, trade

They also discussed the importance of parliamentary exchanges in further consolidating India-Armenia relations

Prez Xi stressed improving ties during meeting with PM Modi: Chinese FM

Chinese Foreign Minister added that Beijing is working with New Delhi to find the right and bright path for big, neighbouring countries to live in harmony and develop side by side

Norway-India ties at their very best and growing: Norwegian envoy Stener

Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener expressed support for the 10-point peace plan and said that India is contributing towards conflict resolution just like Norway

Sri Lanka President's India tour: Energy, defence ties to be ramped up

The proposal for establishing a pipeline between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka is expected to ensure an affordable and reliable supply of fuel to Sri Lanka

RITES shares up 4% on Rs 298-cr order win from Ministry of External Affairs

The rise in RITES share price came after the company announced that it has secured an order worth Rs 297.67 crore from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

Opening of Moldova's embassy in India will deepen ties: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the opening of an embassy of Moldova in New Delhi opens a "new chapter" that will further the partnership between the two countries and help in advancing collaboration in key areas. "Let me express the expectation, hope that in the not very distant future, you will see an Indian embassy in Moldova as well," the minister said in his address at an event held here to mark the opening of the embassy. Jaishankar termed the opening of the embassy a "significant milestone" in the relationship between India and Moldova, an east European country. "Every time an embassy opens here, I know we have done something right," he said. The opening of various new embassies or consulates of India abroad in the last few years is "a reflection of India's growing engagement with the world". And in this particular case, a statement of a deeper friendship between the two countries, he said. "This moment reflects the shared commitments of our nations si

Sri Lankan prez Dissanayake meets FM Sitharaman to discuss economic ties

Earlier on Sunday, Dissanayake also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval

Foreign policy changes are vital for India's growth: EAM S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said there must be "a foreign policy for Viksit Bharat" as he underlined that changes in foreign policy are needed amid a changing landscape. In his address at the launch of 'India's World' magazine here, he also said "when we speak about changing foreign policy, if there is talk of a post-Nehruvian construct, it should not be treated as a political attack". Foreign policy expert C Raja Mohan chairs the editorial board of the magazine. The external affairs minister said there are "four big factors" which should cause people in India to actually ask themselves as to "what are the changes which are necessary in a foreign policy". "One, and I happened, by coincidence, to speak about it yesterday, for many, many years, we had what someone else very pithily summed up as the 'Nehru development model'. That was book released yesterday by Dr Arvind Panagariya," he said. A 'Nehru development model', inevitably produced a 'Nehru foreign polic

Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi arrives in India for first official visit

Mihail Popsoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, arrived in India on Sunday, on his first official visit to India.Sharing a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson wrote, "Warm welcome to Deputy PM & FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova on his first official visit to India.""His visit will deepen India-Moldova bilateral ties and foster a stronger partnership," the post added.Popsoi will be on an official visit to India from December 15 to 17.The MEA earlier in a press release said that the official schedule of Popsoi will begin on Sunday, December 15, with him arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal 3, at 05:15 am (IST).Later in the evening, at 08:00 PM, he will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hotel ITC Maurya.On Monday, December 16, Popsoi will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat.The visit will conclude on Tuesday, December 17, with Popsoi's departure from Delhi.Notably, ...

India dispatches 60 tonnes of emergency medical assistance to Jamaica

India has dispatched a fresh consignment of around 60 tons of emergency medical equipment, generators, and other utilities to Jamaica which will support the country's healthcare needs and enhance their disaster preparedness.Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal shared the details of the humanitarian assistance on Saturday."India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Jamaica. A consignment of approx 60 tons of emergency medical equipment, Gensets & other utilities has departed for Jamaica. This assistance will support health care needs and rehabilitation of medical infrastructure as well as strengthen the disaster preparedness of against Hurricanes," Jaiswal stated in a post on X.India and Jamaica share strong historical and cultural linkages, reflected in their shared colonial past, values of democracy and freedom, and passion for cricket.Recently, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness paid his first-ever visit

Indian nationals return from crisis-hit Syria, recall panic situation

A batch of Indian nationals, who returned to their homeland on Saturday after being evacuated from crisis-hit Syria, recalled the panic situation they faced in that country but praised the Indian Embassy there for being in "constant touch" with them. Some of the returnees, soon after landing at the Delhi airport late evening, shared with media their experiences of the last week. Sunil Dutt, a native of Chandigarh, and a mechanical engineer, alleged that there were some "anti-social elements" too in the streets who were also "looting stuff". It was a very bad situation and sights of fire and sounds of bombarding made it worse, he said. However, the Indian Embassy was in "constant touch with us" and its personnel" asked us to be calm, not open doors" to ensure safety, Dutt told reporters at Delhi airport. India has evacuated from Syria all its nationals who wished to return home after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar Assad's authoritarian government in the Arab nation. The S