Page 9 - Ministry Of External Affairs

US Ambassador Sergio Gor, deputy secretary Rigas begin 6-day visit to India

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary Michael J Rigas are kick-starting a six-day visit to India this week. The US State Department said this on Friday. "US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor and Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J Rigas will travel to India from October 9 to 14," it said. It said Gor and Rigas will meet with Indian government counterparts to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues. "The United States will continue to work with India to strengthen our strategic partnership and promote a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region," the US state department said in a readout.

Afghan FM arrives in Delhi on first high-level visit since Taliban takeover

Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi landed in the national capital on Thursday, in the first high-level trip from Kabul after the Taliban seized power following the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani government over four years back. Muttaqi will hold extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his six-day trip to India, people familiar with the matter said. "Warm welcome to Afghan Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi on his arrival in New Delhi," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media. "We look forward to engaging discussions with him on bilateral relations and regional issues," he said. Muttaqi's engagements include a visit to the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary and the Taj Mahal, the people cited above said. The Afghan foreign minister was scheduled to visit New Delhi last month but it was called off in view of a travel ban that he faced under UN Security Council ...

India has to be go-to option for any crisis in subcontinent: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday emphasised that India has to be the go-to option for any crisis in this subcontinent. Speaking at the Aravalli Summit on 'India and the World Order: Preparing for 2047' at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), he said India has to itself "underwrite the infrastructure for cooperation" in a scenario of political volatility. "This is the essence of neighbourhood first policy. India has to be the go-to option in any crisis in this subcontinent. "The strategic diminishing of India as a result of Partition has to be overcome," Jaishankar added. Analysing the global world, the External Affairs Minister said the world is witnessing more competition with the needle shifting away from the promise of cooperation. "It is driven by weaponisation of everything. All nations face predicaments. India has to strategise and continue rising amid such volatility. The challenge is to read this complex landscape," he said. The JNU alumnus stressed safeguar

Pakistan must be held accountable: India slams attacks on civilians in PoK

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are a natural outcome of Pakistan's oppressive rule and exploitation of resources in the illegally-occupied territory

India-China direct flights to resume by late Oct amid normalisation efforts

The MEA said that the agreement to resume flights will further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges

Jaishankar slams Pak at UNGA, calls it 'epicentre of global terrorism'

India has confronted the challenge of terrorism since independence, with a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday, in a sharp attack on Pakistan. In his address to the General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar said that the most recent example of Pakistan's cross-border barbarism was the Pahalgam attack. Jaishankar began his address to world leaders from the UNGA podium with the salutation Namaskar from the people of Bharat. He said that for decades now, major international terrorist attacks have been traced back to that one country, a clear reference to Pakistan. "India has confronted the challenge of terrorism since independence, having a neighbour that is an epicentre of global terrorism, he said, amid applause from those present in the UNGA hall. He added that the UN's designated lists of terrorists are replete with Pakistan's nationals. "The most recent example of its cross-b

Brics must defend multilateral trading amid tariff volatility: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called on BRICS to defend the multilateral trading system amid increasing protectionism and tariff volatility during a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers here on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. When multilateralism is under stress, BRICS has stood firm as a strong voice of reason and constructive change, Jaishankar said in a social media post. In a turbulent world, BRICS must reinforce the message of peacebuilding, dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law, he said. As rising protectionism, tariff volatility and non-tariff barriers impact trade flows, BRICS must defend the multilateral trading system, he said. Jaishankar's remarks come weeks after the US slapped 50 per cent tariffs on India, including an additional 25 per cent penalty for its purchase of Russian oil, among the highest in the world. The external affairs minister also called on the bloc to amplify its collective call for a comprehensive .

Incorrect, baseless: India dismisses Nato chief's claim on Modi-Putin call

The MEA dismissed Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte's claim that PM Modi had called Putin to discuss its Ukraine strategy after being hit by US tariffs over purchase of Russian crude

Global South must boost supply chain, promote South-South trade: Jaishankar

At a Global South countries' meet in New York, EAM S Jaishankar called for resilient supply chains, fair trade, and stronger South-South cooperation amid global conflicts and trade uncertainties

Jaishankar joins EU foreign ministers in New York, discusses Ukraine, Gaza

In a press remark following the meeting, Kallas underscored the importance of partnerships with India, Brazil, and Mexico in protecting the rules-based international order

India pushes for reforms in Commonwealth to reflect contemporary realities

India has pushed for reforms in the Commonwealth grouping to make it more reflective of the "realities of contemporary times", as it emphasised its commitment to the organisation's core values and principles at a ministerial meeting held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly here. Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers' Meeting (CFAMM) 2025 on Monday. At the meeting, George spoke about India's "commitment to the core values and principles enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter as well as reform of the Commonwealth to better reflect the realities of contemporary times", the MEA said in a social media post on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by Samoa Deputy Prime Minister Toelupe Maoiautele Poumulinuku Onesemo. The CFAMM is a high-level forum that brings together foreign ministers of Commonwealth member states to deliberate on ways to strengthen collaboration and develop

India, Brazil chartering path for future ties in next 10 yrs: Brazil envoy

At Maitri 2.0 Agri-Tech event, Brazil envoy called India, Brazil "agriculture powerhouses," stressing the initiative's focus on joint research and collaboration in farming and agri-innovation

Govt studying implications of proposed US curbs on H-1B visas: MEA

The ministry said the implications of the measure are being studied, including by Indian industry, which has already issued an initial assessment

Exercise 'strictest vigilance': MEA warns Indians over fake jobs in Iran

India on Friday cautioned its nationals seeking employment in Iran to exercise "strictest vigilance" in view of recent cases of fake job offers. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said there have been a number of recent cases of Indian citizens being lured to travel to Iran on false promises of employment or with assurances that they would be sent further to third countries for jobs. "Upon reaching Iran, these Indian nationals have been kidnapped by criminal gangs and ransoms have been demanded from their families for securing their release," it said. "In this context, all Indian citizens are strongly cautioned to exercise the strictest vigilance regarding such employment promises or offers," the MEA said. "In particular, it may be noted that the government of Iran allows visa-free entry to Indians only for tourism purposes. Any agents promising visa-free entry into Iran for employment or other purposes may well be in connivance with criminal gangs," it added. Indian citizens

India sees Pak-Saudi defence pact as response to Israel's Doha strike

India reacted to the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defence pact saying Riyadh should respect mutual interests and sensitivities, while officials view the deal as accelerated by Israel's Doha strike

Indian techie shot by US police; family seeks MEA's help to bring back body

In a statement, the Santa Clara Police Department in the US identified the deceased as Mohammed Nizamuddin, who hailed from Mahabubnagar in Telangana

Nepal unrest: Bus carrying Indians 'attacked' near Kathmandu; many injured

An Indian tourist bus returning from the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu was allegedly attacked by protesters amid the ongoing unrest in Nepal, leaving several passengers injured, the bus driver has claimed. The alleged incident took place on September 9 near Sonauli on the India-Nepal border, when the agitators targeted the bus carrying 49 Indians. Stones were reportedly pelted, shattering windows and injuring passengers, including women and the aged, the driver claimed. According to reports, the local authorities admitted the injured to a hospital in Kathmandu, while the remaining passengers were flown back to India on a special plane arranged by the Indian Embassy with the help of the Nepalese government. Talking to reporters in Sonauli here, bus driver Ramu Nishad said: "We were returning after having darshan (at the Pashupatinath temple), when suddenly a mob surrounded our bus and attacked without reason. There were women and elderly people among the passengers, but the ...

Govt cautions Indian nationals after 'forced deployment' in Russian army

The government's response comes after reports emerged that Indians were reportedly deceived by agents and being forced to build bunkers in a Russian army camp along the Ukrainian border

Nepal unrest: Ex-PM's house set ablaze, Parliament torched; key updates

Nepal is witnessing large-scale protests by young people over corruption, rising unemployment, and a temporary social media ban imposed by the government

MEA urges Indians to avoid non-essential travel to Nepal amid unrest

The ministry shared emergency contact numbers for assistance, stating that the Embassy of India in Kathmandu can be reached at +977-980 860 2881 and +977-981 032 6134, both also available on WhatsApp