Page 42 - Ministry Of External Affairs

India convicted before probe completed: Envoy on Nijjar killing allegations

India was absolutely and decidedly not involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and Ottawa has "convicted" New Delhi even before the completion of the investigation, India's High Commissioner here Sanjay Kumar Verma has said. Verma's remarks came during an interview with CTV News, Canada's largest privately owned television network. Canada and India witnessed strains in ties following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India has rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated". During the interview which will be aired on Sunday, Verma was asked why India was not cooperating with Canada in the investigation. To this, he said, "...even without an investigation being concluded, India was convicted." "Is that the rule of law?" Verma asked. When asked h

India, Bangladesh vow to strengthen ties in security, connectivity

India and Bangladesh on Friday vowed to bolster cooperation in key areas such as security, trade and regional connectivity. At the foreign secretary-level meeting here, the two sides also discussed the Teesta river dispute and other water-sharing treaties. The deliberations happened during the 'India-Bangladesh Foreign Office Consultations', with India being represented by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and the Bangladesh side by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen. The Indian side appreciated its neighbouring nation's participation in the recently held virtual G20 summit and the Voice of Global South Summit 2.0, said a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. Besides trade and security, both sides held comprehensive discussions on people to people ties and development cooperation in Bangladesh, the statement said. The two countries also exchanged views on sub regional, regional, and multilateral issues, it said. A statement issued by the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry sai

UN peacekeepers from 16 countries undergo military training in India

The Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping-India conducted a course for military officers of 16 friendly foreign countries and the Indian Army to enhance leadership skills, tactical thinking and operational effectiveness, according to a statement. The United Nations Pre-Deployment Course (Training of Trainers) was conducted under the aegis of the Indian Army from November 6-24, it said. The course, themed on the UN framework and designed as an empowering and collaborative training programme, was organised jointly in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, a defence statement issued on Friday said. The event underscores India's commitment to fostering greater international cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations, it said. The course aimed at enhancing leadership skills, tactical thinking and operational effectiveness among officers, creating a platform for cross-cultural exchange and professional growth, the statement said. Participants engaged in a series of dynamic

India-Armenia hold bilateral talks during 10th Foreign Office Consultations

Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the multilateral fora

'Waiting for the thank you': S Jaishankar on India softening oil markets

At an event in London, Jaishankar said that India's approach to oil purchases prevented a surge in global oil prices, preventing potential competition with Europe in the market

India to hold second Voice of Global South Summit virtually on Nov 17

The Global South refers to nations regarded as having a relatively low level of economic and industrial development, and are typically located to the south of more industrialised nations

India is fastest growing large economy today: EAM Jaishankar in London

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, who is on a four-day official trip to the UK, celebrated Diwali by offering prayers at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) in London

India-Japan cherish strategic ties based on shared values: MoS MEA in Tokyo

MoS Muraleedharan is paying an official visit to Japan from November 8 to 10. During the visit, MoS Muraleedharan is expected to hold meetings with ministers, business leaders, academia.

EAM speaks to Israeli counterpart, reaffirms commitment to counter terror

The discussion centred on the prevailing situation in Gaza and the significance of finding a solution that ensures regional stability and peace

Bhutan King Wangchuck to begin 8-day India visit on Friday, to meet PM Modi

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will begin a eight-day visit to India on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said the visit would provide an opportunity to both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and further advance the "exemplary" partnership. The King of Bhutan will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to deliberate on various aspects of close India-Bhutan ties. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and senior officials of the government will call on the King of Bhutan, the MEA said on Thursday. "The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, accompanied by senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan, will be on an official visit to India from November 3 to 10," it said in a statement. The King will also visit the states of Assam and Maharashtra. "India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by understanding and mutual trust," the MEA said. "The visit wou

EAM S Jaishankar meets family of 8 navy personnel, assures support

The eight former Indian Navy personnel were involved in providing training services to Qatar's armed forces

The Qatar espionage case: Unanswered questions

The truth in matters of alleged espionage, especially involving third countries, however, is often like peeling an onion. Each layer uncovers another layer of truth

We must find a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, says MEA

India continues to condemn terror attacks on Israel, but says they would support the formation of a viable state of Palestine

EAM Jaishankar to meet top Singaporean leaders to strengthen bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet Singapore's newly-elected President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and other senior leaders and review bilateral cooperation and explore opportunities for further collaboration, the foreign ministry said here. Jaishankar will visit Singapore from October 19 to 21, the ministry said in a statement. Jaishankar's visit reaffirms the close and longstanding ties between Singapore and India, which are built on a strong foundation of strategic trust, the Singapore Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. During the visit, Jaishankar will call on President Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, and Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. Tharman assumed office as Singapore's president on September 14. Jaishankar will also meet Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam and ..

Arindam Bagchi appointed India's Permanent Representative to UN in Geneva

A 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, Bagchi is an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs

Participation their decision: MEA on Canada Parl speaker skipping P20 meet

Despite extending invitations to every country, including Canada, for the Parliamentary Speaker's Summit (P20), the Canadian Speaker was unable to attend the event, according to the MEA

India always advocated for free Palestine living at peace with Israel: MEA

India sees attack by Hamas on Israel as terrorist attack, says MEA

Operation Ajay: First batch of Indians expected to return home on Friday

The first batch of around 230 Indians are expected to return to India from Israel on a charter flight on Friday morning, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. India launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of those Indians who wish to come back home as a series of brazen attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants over the weekend triggered fresh tensions in the region. "The first charter flight will reach Tel Aviv later tonight to pick up Indian citizens and is likely to return to India tomorrow morning," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing. He said around 18,000 Indians are currently residing in Israel while about a dozen odd people are in the West Bank and three-to four are in Gaza. "The external affairs minister took a preparatory meeting earlier in the day. We are in touch with our embassy in Tel Aviv, our representative office in Ramallah as well as with our missions in the neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan, .

India supports establishment of independent state of Palestine: MEA

On the humanitarian situation in Israel and Gaza, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that there was a universal obligation to observe humanitarian law

230 Indians expected to be brought back from Israel in 1st chartered flight

Around 230 Indians are expected to be brought back from Israel on Friday in a chartered flight under Operation Ajay, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. India launched the operation to facilitate the return of those Indians who wish to come back home as a series of brazen attacks on Israeli towns by Hamas militants over the weekend triggered fresh tensions in the region. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing on Thursday that the chartered flight is expected to reach Tel Aviv this evening and it will bring back the first batch of around 230 Indians on Friday. We are closely monitoring the situation, he said. On the attacks by Hamas on Israeli cities, Bagchi said India considers them as terrorist strikes. To a question on India's position on the Palestine issue, he said New Delhi always advocated resumption of direct talks towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living side-by-side and at peace with Israel.