Page 4 - Ministry Of External Affairs

India-Jamaica ties characterised by 'continuity and change': EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the ties between India and Jamaica are characterised by "continuity and change" as he emphasised that this relationship is rooted in a shared history, energised by current cooperation, and aimed at a future filled with greater possibilities. In an interview with The Jamaican Gleaner, Jaishankar also said that both countries "must continue to work together to build a deeper and more resilient partnership that works for both our people and contributes to a more just world." On Saturday, Jaishankar arrived in Jamaica on his first visit to the Caribbean nation to boost bilateral relations between the two countries. He said that the Indian diaspora, which has a link with Jamaica for 180 years, "gives our ties a special flavour". He further mentioned that, for many Indians, the mention of Jamaica will immediately elicit thoughts of the cricket of Michael Holding and Chris Gayle, the music of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff, the athletics o

Govt announces Kailash Mansarovar yatra 2026 schedule, registrations open

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 will take place from June to August, according to the MEA. The pilgrimage resumed last year after a long gap. Applications are open with a May 19 deadline

Vikram Doraiswami ends UK tenure, set to become Indian ambassador to China

Vikram Doraiswami wrapped his tenure as India's High Commissioner to the UK this week to head over to Beijing, where he will take up his new post as Ambassador to China. UK Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra hailed Doraiswami's role in taking the bilateral partnership to a "new level" during the course of his over three-year assignment in London. The British Indian minister referenced his "unflappable nature" and charm in overseeing the successful conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as one of the key highlights of the bilateral relationship last year. "You've taken the partnership between our countries to a new level, playing that central role in bringing the Free Trade Agreement to its conclusion and been part of making sure that the trade agreement dealt with every challenge in its way," said Malhotra, at a farewell gathering in London recently. "Your work has helped unlock new investment through the UK-India Infrastructure Financing ...

Trade talks with US remain constructive after Washington visit: MEA

The comments followed a three-day ​visit to Washington by an Indian trade delegation led by senior commerce ministry official ‌Darpan Jain for talks with US counterparts

'Inappropriate, in poor taste': MEA on Trump's 'hell-hole' post for India

After the post sparked outrage, Christopher Elms, spokesperson for the US Embassy in New Delhi, said Trump had spoken warmly of India and called it a great nation

Africa occupies central place in India's foreign policy today: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that Africa occupies a central place in India's foreign policy today, and New Delhi's engagement with it is guided by a clear vision, rooted in the principles of equality, mutual respect and shared progress. ddressing a gathering at the unveiling of the logo, theme and website for the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit-IV, Jaishankar said, "We gather here to mark the next chapter in the enduring partnership between India and Africa through the India-Africa Forum Summit framework." he India-Africa relationship is rooted in "our civilisational linkages", nurtured over centuries through cultural exchanges and human interactions, the external affairs minister said. Our bonds were further strengthened as India stood in solidarity with the African nations in their struggle against colonialism," he said. he minister underlined that the story of India's freedom struggle is also closely linked with Africa, Our shared history of strugg

India, Japan hold first AI Strategic Dialogue, seek to boost cooperation

Top officials of India and Japan have held discussions on strategic cooperation with a view to promoting co-creation, enhancing policy convergence and encouraging development of solutions in industrial domains to foster a robust, innovative and trustworthy AI ecosystem, the MEA said on Wednesday. The inaugural India-Japan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategic Dialogue was held on April 21 in Mumbai. "Both sides engaged in substantive discussions on strategic cooperation across the entire AI stack, with a view to promoting co-creation, enhancing policy convergence and encouraging the development of AI solutions in industrial domains to foster a robust, innovative and trustworthy AI ecosystem," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The dialogue was co-chaired by Amit A Shukla, Joint Secretary (Cyber Diplomacy), MEA; and Hanada Takahiro, Deputy Assistant Minister for Cyber Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The dialogue was attended by stakeholder .

India in touch with Iran for safe exit of ships via Strait of Hormuz: MEA

India is in touch with the Iranian authorities for the safety of its ships and for their safe exit through the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday. The comments by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation came in response to a query on two Indian vessels having reported a firing incident recently while transiting the critical maritime sea lane. Details were also sought about the steps New Delhi has taken to ensure safety of Indian vessels. "In the past 48 hours, two Indian vessels, VLCC Samnar Herald and Bulk Carrier Jag Arnav, reported a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, following which they returned to the Persian Gulf. There has been no injury to any crew reported," the Indian government said in an official statement after the briefing. The safety and security of Indian seafarers is the top priority of government of India, it said. "We have several of our ships in the Pers

India joins the France, UK-led summit on securing Strait of Hormuz shipping

India Friday joined a summit of dozens of countries that was hosted by France and the UK to deliberate securing the Strait of Hormuz for unimpeded shipping. New Delhi attended the summit as an observer. It is learnt that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India. Misri had participated in a similar meeting through virtual mode that was organised by the UK on April 2. Hours before the summit began, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi has been invited to participate in it. The summit was held at the Elysee Palace in Paris and chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Iran's foreign minister says the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire It took place shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" to commercial ships for the remainder of the ceasefire. "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, t

India, China hold SCO bilateral consultations in Delhi, says MEA

India and China held bilateral consultations under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here on April 16-17, during which the two sides exchanged views on implementing the SCO leaders' decisions, and the future-course of the organisation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. India's SCO national coordinator Alok A Dimri and China's national coordinator Ambassador Yan Wenbin led the delegations, the MEA said in a statement. "Republic of India and People's Republic of China held Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral consultations in New Delhi on 16-17 April," it said. The two sides "exchanged views on implementation of SCO leaders' decisions, and the future-course of the organisation", it added. Both sides agreed to continue and consolidate mutual-cooperation and consultations in SCO matters, the statement said. The two sides jointly called on MEA's Secretary (West) Sibi George to review cooperation within the SCO framework, including in areas of secur

India pulls out of hosting COP33, but committed to climate goals: MEA

The MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there were several issues that were taken into account, but "India remains fully committed to meeting its climate change commitments"

Conflict cannot resolve global tensions: PM Modi on West Asia, Ukraine

Modi emphasised need for reform of global institutions, stating that it is essential to effectively address growing int'l challenges and reiterated that eliminating terrorism remains global commitment

PM Modi meets Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker to boost bilateral ties

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who is on his first official visit to India

Vikram Misri meets German foreign minister, agrees to deepen strategic ties

The two leaders discussed the bilatreal ties and agreed to broaden and deepen cooperation across key sectors

West Asia crisis: EAM Jaishankar speaks to Israeli, Australian counterparts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday spoke to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar and discussed various aspects of the West Asia crisis amid a US naval blockade of Iran's ports. The external affairs minister also held a phone conversation with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and exchanged views on the situation arising out of the war between Iran and the US-Israel combine. After his call with Jaishankar, Sa'ar said Iran's action harming freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz requires "action". "Had a telecon this afternoon with Israel FM @gidonsaar. Our discussion covered different aspects of the West Asia situation," Jaishankar said on social media. The phone conversation between the two foreign ministers came amid reports of efforts by the US and Iran to hold a fresh round of negotiations after the collapse of the initial dialogue in Islamabad. "We discussed Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and Lebanon. I said that the firm American stance in the ...

West Asia war: EAM Jaishankar speaks to counterparts from Kuwait, Singapore

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday spoke to his counterparts from Kuwait and Singapore, focusing on the West Asia crisis as the US blockade of Iranian ports takes effect. In his conversation with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Jaishankar also discussed the "well-being of the Indian community" in the Gulf nation. "A good conversation with FM Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of Kuwait. It focused on the regional situation and the well-being of the Indian community," the external affairs minister said on social media. Jaishankar said he and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan exchanged views on the West Asia conflict and its implications. "Always nice to speak to FM @VivianBala of Singapore. Our discussions were about the conflict in West Asia and its implications," he said. Hours after the Iran-US talks in Islamabad ended without any outcome, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the US military will begin a blockad

India rejects China's 'mischievous' move to rename places in Arunachal

China's false claims and manufacturing of baseless narratives cannot alter undeniable reality, MEA added

Energy, defence, and trade on agenda as Foreign Secy Misri heads to Europe

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will undertake a three-day visit to Paris and Berlin beginning Sunday for high-level talks on energy, trade and defence -- sectors that have become increasingly critical amid a fractured geopolitical landscape. Misri's visit to France and Germany comes at the end of his trip to the US, where he met Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a number of other senior officials of the Trump administration. The West Asia crisis and its impact on energy security are expected to figure prominently in Misri's talks with the interlocutors in Paris and Berlin. In Paris, the foreign secretary will co-chair the India-France Foreign Office Consultations along with Martin Briens, the secretary general of the French Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Saturday. Both Misri and Briens will discuss a wide range of issues, including defence, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital, artificial intelligence and initiatives ...

Misri wraps US visit with talks to deepen nuclear ties, explore LPG exports

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri discussed furthering energy cooperation with the US in nuclear power and new areas such as coal gasification and LPG exports in his meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Wrapping up his three-day visit to the US, Misri's discussion with Wright focused on advancing energy security, deepening bilateral energy trade and identifying new avenues to strengthen the India-US Energy Partnership, the Indian Embassy in the US said. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Energy Secretary Chris Wright @SecretaryWright @ENERGY. Discussions focused on advancing energy security, deepening bilateral energy trade, and identifying new avenues to strengthen the India-US Energy Partnership," the embassy said. US Ambassador to India, Sergei Gor, who was also present at the meeting on Friday, said the US was ready to cooperate with India on civil nuclear cooperation in addition to other areas, such as coal gasification and US LPG exports. "Great to spend

840K Indians returned from Gulf since Feb 28, airspace curbs remain: MEA

Mahajan said the government continues to closely monitor the evolving situation across the Gulf and West Asia, with a dedicated mechanism in place for rapid coordination