Page 32 - Ministry Of External Affairs

Made contribution to diplomacy: Leaders condole Natwar Singh's demise

Congress leaders on Sunday condoled former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh's demise with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailing his profound contribution to India's diplomacy and external affairs. Singh passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 93. He breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi, where he had been admitted for the past couple of weeks, they said. "Our deepest condolences on the passing away of Former Union Minister, Shri K. Natwar Singh ji. An acclaimed intellectual and a Padma Bhushan recipient, he made a profound contribution to India's diplomacy and external affairs," Kharge said in a post on X. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and followers," he said. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "A hugely engaging political personality. A distinguished foreign service officer. A cultured man of letters and noted author with a few classics to his credit. A .

Former EAM K Natwar Singh: A man who wore many hats and spoke his mind

K Natwar Singh wore many hats as he straddled the worlds of diplomacy, politics and writing but what remained consistent across decades was his sharp-wit and plainspeaking. The former Congress leader had a love-hate relationship with the party as while he had a great equation with the likes of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, he had a fallout with Sonia Gandhi after allegations were levelled against him when he was part of the UPA-I Cabinet. Singh passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 93. He breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi, where he had been admitted for the past couple of weeks, they said. Singh was born in 1931 in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. He was a career diplomat, who brought a wealth of experience in diplomacy to his political career, and also a prolific author on subjects ranging from the life of a maharaja to nuances of foreign affairs. Singh was selected into the Indian

EAM meets President Muizzu, says India- Maldives relation top priority

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and other top leaders and assured them that New Delhi attached top priority to its multifaceted relationship with Male and was determined to further its developmental cooperation with the country. Jaishankar's visit to the Maldives is the first high-level trip from New Delhi after the island nation's pro-China president, Muizzu, assumed office in November last year. "This visit is an opportunity to take stock of what our countries have achieved together as well as to chart out an aspirational blueprint for the coming years of what we are confident, will be a truly multifaceted partnership, Jaishankar said after talks with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer. "The bedrock of our partnership is the mutual benefit of our peoples," he said, noting that this is manifested in diverse sectors of our cooperation health, education, large infrastructure development, defence, maritime, agriculture, ...

MEA, NSIL sign agreement to assist launch of Nepalese Munal satellite

The Ministry of External Affairs and ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) signed an agreement on Saturday to grant assistance for the launching of the Nepal-built Munal satellite, according to an official statement. Munal is an indigenous satellite developed in Nepal under the aegis of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the MEA said. Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN), a Nepalese space startup, has assisted Nepalese students in the design and fabrication of this satellite. The satellite aims to build a vegetation density database of the earth's surface, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the statement. The MoU was signed by Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from MEA and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, Secretary, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Surendra Thapa, Charg d'affaires of Nepali Embassy and Abhas Maskey, Founder, Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN) were also present on the ...

Influx of people from Bangladesh cause for concern: Manipur CM Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said the influx of people from Bangladesh in the wake of unrest in the neighbouring country is a cause for concern, and his government has imposed night curfew in some districts to check infiltration. I am in touch with the external affairs ministry. As for our security, we have imposed night curfew in Pherzawl and Jiribam districts to check the influx, Singh told reporters here. Over 230 people were killed in Bangladesh in the incidents of violence that erupted across the country following the fall of the Hasina government on Monday, taking the death toll to 560 since the anti-quota protests first started in mid-July. The chief minister was speaking at a function to mark the Centre's Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative. "I appeal to all legislators to organise lunch at different relief camps across Manipur on Independence Day, as well as interact with the inmates to address their problems and grievances," Singh said. "Har Ghar Tiranga is

Bangladesh chief justice, central bank governor resign amid protests

Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder has also resigned but his resignation has not been accepted given the importance of the position, finance ministry adviser Salehuddin Ahmed told

President Murmu conferred with Timor-Leste's highest civilian award

President Droupadi Murmu was conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country's highest civilian award, by her counterpart Jos Ramos-Horta on Saturday. Murmu, 66, received the award for her achievements in public service and dedication to education, social welfare and women empowerment, her office said in a post on X. President Murmu said that the honour is a reflection of the ties of friendship between India and Timor-Leste. Murmu arrived in Dili on the last leg of her three-nation visit on Saturday after concluding her trip to New Zealand and Fiji. Murmu's trip is the first-ever presidential visit from India to the Southeast Asian nation. She was warmly received by President Ramos-Horta at the airport, her office said. Cheerful children greeted her on the way from the airport. She was also accorded a ceremonial reception and guard of honour in the Presidential Palace, Dili. President Murmu held extensive discussions with her counterpart Ramos-Horta on enhanc

President Murmu holds discussions with Timor Leste prez on boosting ties

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday reached Timor-Leste, on the last leg of her three-nation visit, after concluding her visit to New Zealand and Fiji. This will be the first-ever presidential visit from India to Timor-Leste, a Southeast Asian nation. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Furthering the Delhi-Dili connect! President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn arrived in Dili for the first-ever Head of State level visit from India to Timor-Leste. In a special gesture, President @JoseRamosHorta1 of Timor-Leste warmly received President Murmu at the airport" During the visit, apart from the bilateral meeting with President Jose Ramos-Horta, there will also be a meeting with Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao who will call on Murmu. The president will also attend a community reception with the Indians in Timor-Leste and Friends of India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Ahead of the visit, MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar told reporters in

Bangladesh's opposition party says Sheikh Hasina must face criminal charges

Hasina, one of Asia's longest-serving leaders, resigned and fled Bangladesh on Aug 5 under pressure from millions of protesters who had taken to the streets for weeks to demand she step down

Foreign minister S Jaishankar reaches Maldives to reset bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here on a three-day official visit to reset the bilateral relationship with the Maldives, the first high-level trip from India after the archipelago nation's pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu assumed office last year. Jaishankar's trip to the Maldives comes weeks after President Muizzu's visit to India in June to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians by May 10, the mutually agreed date. This is the first official visit of Jaishankar to the Maldives since assuming office for a second term in June 2024. His previous visit was in January 2023. Jaishankar's three-day v

Prez Murmu lays wreath at Pukeahu War National Memorial Park in New Zealand

President Murmu will hold a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and will address an education conference

India always cares for, looks after interests of Global South: Piyush Goyal

India has always looked upon itself as a responsible nation, which cares for and looks after the interests of the Global South, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. He also said that the welfare of all the people of the world is a collective responsibility of every nation. The Global South broadly includes developing and least developed countries of regions such as Africa and Asia. "We do believe that we would like to be a friend to every country in the world, more so the member states of BIMSTEC, the seven nations who collectively make up a very large number of people, almost 22 per cent of the world population," Goyal said. The minister was speaking at CII's BIMSTEC Business Summit 2024 here. The remarks assume significance as India's neighbouring country Bangladesh is facing political turmoil. "We are all deeply concerned about the evolving situation in Bangladesh and we wish the people of Bangladesh well. We will all collectively convey our best wish

Bangladesh dissolves national parliament, paving way for new government

Thousands of jailed protesters were freed, as well as Hasina's rival and opposition leader Khaleda Zia - a former prime minister herself

Bangladesh unrest: Cabinet Committee on Security meets to assess situation

The meeting came as Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled her country and landed in India on her way to London

Sheikh Hasina lands in Hindon; EAM briefs PM Modi on Bangladesh situation

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned on Monday following unprecedented anti-government protests, landed at the Hindon airbase near Ghaziabad on her way to London, diplomatic sources said. Hasina arrived in India in a C-130J military transport aircraft of the Bangladesh Air Force, they said. It is not immediately clear whether the military transport aircraft will take her beyond India or she will travel to London in a different plane. Hasina is likely to meet her daughter Saima Wazed, who is based in Delhi. Wazed is working as the World Health Organisation's regional director for South-East Asia. There is no official word or confirmation on Hasina's stopover in Hindon yet. India decided to provide a safe passage through the Indian airspace to Hasina's aircraft following a request from Dhaka, the sources cited above told PTI. Indian government sources said New Delhi is closely following the fast-paced developments in Dhaka. There is no reaction yet from India on t

Security tightened at Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi: Police

The Delhi Police has beefed up security at the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri here in the wake of developments in the neighbouring country, an officer said on Monday. Police have also made tightened security outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in case Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lands in the national capital. Hasina has resigned and an interim government is taking over, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman announced on Monday. There were unconfirmed reports that she was headed to a city in India. "More barricades have been placed outside the commission and the number of police personnel deployed there has been increased," a Delhi Police officer said. More than 100 people have been killed in the protests against the Hasina government in the last two days. The country has been witnessing fierce demonstrations over the controversial quota system that reserves 30 per cent of jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation

CM Mamata urges all to maintain peace in Bengal after Bangladesh crisis

Amid the ongoing unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and avoid provocation. Declining to comment on developments in Bangladesh, the chief minister said it is a matter for the Ministry of External Affairs to respond. "I would appeal to all citizens of West Bengal to maintain peace and avoid all forms of provocation," Banerjee told reporters at the West Bengal assembly. "Whatever decision the Centre takes on this issue, we will abide by it," she said. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday resigned and left the country, several news reports said, amid massive protests against her government that claimed more than 106 lives in the last two days.

Over 1.3 mn Indian students pursuing higher studies abroad in 2024: Govt

Over 13 lakh Indian students are currently pursuing higher studies abroad in 2024, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh shared data in a written response in Rajya Sabha to queries on whether the government maintains data of emigrant students going abroad for studies. In his response, Singh shared country-wise details of Indian students studying abroad, spanning 108 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Singapore, Russia, Israel and Ukraine. According to the data shared, as on date, 13,35,878 Indian students are pursuing higher studies abroad in 2024. For 2023, the figure was 13,18,955, while it was 9,07,404 for 2022. In the current year, of the 1,33,5878 Indian students 4,27000 were studying in Canada and 3,37,630 students in the US, 8580 in China, eight in Greece, 900 in Israel, 14 in Pakistan and 2510 in Ukraine. "Indian Missions/Posts abroad constantly engage with Indian ..

Over 210,000 Indians renounced citizenship of India in 2023: Govt

More than 2.16 lakh Indians renounced their citizenship in 2023, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written response to queries on Indian citizens who have renounced their citizenship in the last five years. In his response, he also shared the corresponding data for 2011-2018. In 2023, the number of Indians who renounced their citizenship stood at 2,16,219 (2.16 lakh). The corresponding figure for 2022 was 2,25,620 (2.25 lakh); 1,63,370 (1.63 lakh) in 2021; 85,256 in 2020; and 1,44,017 (1.44 lakh) in 2019, according to the data. The query from AAP member Raghav Chadha was also on whether the government had taken steps to find the reasons for such "high number of renunciation" and "low acceptance of Indian citizenship" and, if so, the details thereof. He also sought to know whether the government had tried to determine the "financial as well as intellectual drainage" and loss to the country

Indian embassy advises citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Lebanon

Tensions have further escalated after the rocket attack at Golan Heights, allegedly fired by Hezbollah