Page 7 - Ministry Of External Affairs

Foreign Secy Misri begins Nepal visit on Sunday ahead of Oli's India trip

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will pay a two-day visit to Nepal beginning Sunday as part of the preparations for Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's planned trip to India next month. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Misri is travelling to the Himalayan country following an invitation from his Nepalese counterpart, Amrit Bahadur Rai. "India and Nepal share strong and friendly ties which have seen concrete progress in recent years in diverse areas of cooperation," it said, announcing Misri's August 17-18 visit. Nepal is important for India in the context of its overall strategic interests in the region and the leaders of the two countries have often noted the age-old "Roti-Beti" relationship. Land-locked Nepal relies heavily on India for the transportation of goods and services. Nepal's access to the sea is through India and it imports a predominant proportion of its requirements from and through India. The MEA said India attaches high priority to its relations with

EAM greets South Korea, Liechtenstein and Congo on their national days

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday extended his warm greetings to the governments and people of South Korea, Liechtenstein, and the Republic of Congo on the occasion of their respective national days.In a series of posts on X, Jaishankar conveyed his regards and extended greetings to these nations.Notably, the national days for these three countries also coincide with the Independence Day of India, with the nation celebrating the 79th Independence Day this year.In his message to South Korea, Jaishankar conveyed his congratulations to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, stating, "Heartfelt congratulations to FM @FMChoHyun, the Government and the people of the Republic of Korea on their National Liberation Day. Look forward to welcoming you to India."Marking Liechtenstein's National Day, Jaishankar extended greetings to their Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sabine Monauni, saying, "Greetings to DPM & FM Sabine Monauni, the Government and the people of the ...

De-dollarisation is not part of India's financial agenda, says MEA

The remarks came in response to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's recent comments that BRICS members could "discuss" creating a trade currency among themselves

India rejects Arbitration Court ruling on IWT, questions legitimacy

MEA also rejected Pakistan's references to the award as "misleading", adding that IWT stands in abeyance as part of India's response to Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism

India-US ties rooted in shared values, have weathered challenges: MEA

The statement comes amid rising tensions between the two nations, with the US imposing 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, including a 25 per cent penalty for Russian oil purchases

Atmanirbharta mindset needed to deal with global turbulence: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said the world is facing a "volatile and uncertain era", having experienced the successive impact of the Covid pandemic, multiple conflicts and "trade upheavals", and asserted that 'atmanirbharta' (self reliance) is the mindset needed to deal with "global turbulence". In his address at a conclave here on Wednesday, Jaishankar also said that in an era of globalisation and urbanisation, "traditions are often lost with time". But, by nurturing them, "we have made Indian tourism even more attractive", he said. Pointing to the theme of the event -- 'Invincible Spirit of India' -- the minister said, "We are a civilisational state, a state, a society that has withstood the tests of time, and nurtured its culture, traditions and heritage." "Our real strengths have been our people. Our people and their self-belief. We have overcome adversities and we have addressed multiple challenges in the journey towards progress and prosperity." The event was .

'With China's rise in South Asia, India's neighbours have greater demands'

Beyond the hard and more visible dimensions of trade, investment, or defence supplies, we show that China's engagements also operate on softer dimensions that shape the governance

From illness to violence: What's behind 1,203 lost Indian lives in Canada?

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that most deaths in Canada between 2020 and 2024 were caused due to medical illness or old age

Taken note of reports of China building dam on Brahmaputra: Govt tells RS

India has "taken note" of reports about China commencing the construction of a mega dam project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River (upper reaches of Brahmaputra) in Tibet, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. In a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, said the project was first made public as far back as 1986 and since then, preparations have been underway in China. The government of India has "taken note of reports about commencement of construction of mega dam project by China on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) River in Tibet," he said. The government "carefully monitors" all developments relating to the Brahmaputra River, including plans by China to develop hydropower projects, and "takes necessary measures to protect our interests, including preventive and corrective measures to safeguard life and livelihood of Indian citizens residing in the .

India hit with 50% tariffs: How countries are reacting to Trump's trade war

India slammed Trump's 50% tariff as unjustified; Canada, Brazil, and China also face new US trade actions, prompting strong backlash, WTO threats, and fresh retaliation

Indian Embassy in contact with Niger for Ranjit Singh's safe release: MEA

Indian workers Ganesh Karmali and Krishna Gupta, who were killed in the attack, have had their mortal remains repatriated to India, according to the MEA

Strategic bond with US, time-tested Russia ties: MEA amid tariff tensions

Speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed growing concerns over the impact of Trump's comments on bilateral ties

Has Yemen cancelled Nimisha Priya's death sentence? Here's what we know

After years in prison and last-minute interventions, Nimisha Priya's execution originally scheduled for July 16 was stayed just a day prior

Nimisha Priya's death sentence overturned: Grand Mufti Muslaiyar's office

According to a statement issued by the Grand Mufti's office, the decision was made after a high-level meeting held in Yemen's capital

Indian mission in Thailand issues travel advisory amidst ongoing unrest

The Indian embassy in Thailand on Friday issued an advisory for its nationals in the country, urging them to avoid travelling to seven provinces amid ongoing unrest along the Thailand-Cambodia border. Clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia along the border between their countries on Thursday, killing at least 11 people and injuring several others, according to the state-run Thai Public Broadcasting Service. "In view of the situation near Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travelers to Thailand are advised to check updates from Thai official sources, including TAT Newsroom," the Indian embassy said in an X post. Attaching a post by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, it said that the places mentioned "are not recommended" for travelling. The tourism authority said that "several attractions" in Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces are not recommended for visiting.

India calls for ceasefire in Gaza, says pauses not enough to ease crisis

Voicing concern over the persisting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, India asserted that a ceasefire must be put in place, emphasising that intermittent pauses in hostilities are "not enough" to address the scale of challenges facing the region's people. Today's meeting takes place against the backdrop of a persisting humanitarian crisis in Gaza," said India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressing an open debate in the UN Security Council on Wednesday. "Intermittent pauses in hostilities are not enough to address the scale of humanitarian challenges confronting the people, who grapple daily with acute shortages of food and fuel, inadequate medical services and lack of access to education, Harish said at the open debate on the 'Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'. Underlining that the way ahead is clear, and highlighting India's consistent position in this regard, Harish said the ongoing human suffering must not be ...

MoS Margherita holds talks with Eswatini energy minister Lonkhokhela

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita held talks with Prince Lonkhokhela, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Eswatini, on Saturday.The two held talks on increasing cooperation in the energy sector.In a post on X, Margherita said, "Glad to meet HRH Prince Lonkhokhela, Hon'ble Minister of Natural Resources & Energy, Kingdom of Eswatini. Discussed ways to increase cooperation in the energy sector."Earlier, in an attempt to increase energy cooperation, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Senator Peter Bhembe, with a three-member delegation consisting of the Managing Director of Eswatini Electricity Company, Acting Chief Geologist and Chief Mining Engineer, visited Delhi, Kolkata and Ahmedabad to study iron and steel production units in India in November 2019.Earlier in the day, Margherita met Mandla Tshawuka, Minister of Agriculture of Eswatini.The two leaders held talks on enhancing relations in the agricultural ...

India criticises EU sanctions on Russia, including Gujarat refinery

The "Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens," said MEA

US designation of The Resistance Front 'timely and important' step: MEA

India on Friday welcomed the US designating The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a global terrorist outfit over the Pahalgam attack with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar describing it as a "strong affirmation" of India-US counter-terror cooperation. New Delhi said the designation of TRF is a "timely and important" step and asserted that it has consistently emphasised the need for global cooperation in the fight against terrorism. India's reaction came hours after the US State Department announced adding the TRF as a "designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)" and cited its claim taking responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India remains committed to a "policy of zero tolerance" towards terrorism and will continue to work closely with its international partners to ensure that terrorist organisations and thei

Execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya in Yemen stayed: Centre tells SC

The Supreme Court was on Friday informed that the execution of Indian nurse Nimisha Priya, who is on death row for murder in Yemen, has been stayed. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that "efforts are on" in the matter. The top law officer said the government wants Priya to come back safely. "They (government) are taking good care of whatever is possible," the bench observed. The counsel appearing for the petitioner said they have to first get pardon and then the issue of "blood money" would come. The petitioner informed the court that the execution has been postponed. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on August 14. The apex court was hearing a plea seeking a direction to the Centre to use diplomatic channels to save Priya, 38, facing execution in Yemen. The execution was earlier scheduled for July 16. Priya, a nurse from Palakkad district of Kerala, was convicted of murdering her Ye