Page 45 - S Jaishankar

Concerned about IMEC delay amid West Asia situation, says Jaishankar

The delay in implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) in view of the current situation in West Asia is a matter of "concern" and the expectation generated following firming up of the initiative in September last has to be "adjusted" a bit now, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Jaishankar said all the stakeholders of the IMEC -- a ship-to-rail transit network -- are committed to it as they feel it is a "great" initiative. "It has definitely been a source of concern for us and the kind of expectation we had when the agreement was signed in September, we have had to adjust it a bit," he said when asked whether the ongoing crisis in West Asia would delay the project by at least a few years. "On the other hand, all the parties to the agreement have reconfirmed that 'we think it is a great idea' and all are committed to it," he said. Billed as a path-breaking initiative, the IMEC envisages a vast road, railro

Ladakh row: Hope there is resolution of remaining issues, says Jaishankar

As the eastern Ladakh military standoff entered its fifth year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India hopes for a resolution of the remaining issues with China and asserted that a return to normal bilateral ties hinges on peace and tranquillity at the border. In an exclusive interview to PTI, he said the remaining issues mainly pertained to "patrolling rights" and "patrolling abilities". Specifically asked when a resolution to the row can be expected in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks to Newsweek magazine last month, Jaishankar said he only provided a "big picture" viewpoint on the matter. "We would hope that there is a resolution of the remaining issues out there. These issues mainly pertain to patrolling rights and patrolling abilities there," he said. "I would not link it to the prime minister's interview per se. I think the prime minister was giving a big picture viewpoint and his big picture viewpoint was a very reasonable viewpoint which is

Global order witnessed re-balancing in recent decades, says Jaishankar

In the last few decades, the global order has witnessed a "re-balancing" that is shaping its new directions, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday. Addressing a gathering here at the launch of the Arbitration Bar of India, Jaishankar also said the requirement to harmonise, mediate and settle differences and disputes will be even more "as we progress on that journey towards Viksit Bharat". This is a "very significant step" in the emergence of India as an arbitration venue, he said. "I know that all of you appreciate its significance more than I do. But let me, as a foreign minister, today really place it in a larger context and a context that I will borrow again from the AG's (attorney general's) reference to a triangle, a Greek triangle. The triangle I use here is really one of law, business and diplomacy," he added. In his address, Jaishankar said, "In the last few decades, the global order has witnessed a re-balancing that is shaping its new directions." "One f

G20 summit satisfying, forging friendships most significant: EAM Jaishankar

If closing out the G20 Summit was the most satisfying moment of his career, the most significant was being associated with "enormous changes in some crucial relationships" such as the US, Australia, UAE and Japan during the last five years, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar says. "These relationships have really changed tremendously in the last five years, last decade. And, the growth of the Quad, again that is something that we tried a decade and a half ago, not succeeded, did it a second time. This time it actually, really worked," Jaishankar told PTI in an exclusive interview at the news agency's headquarters. Jaishankar spoke on a range of issues in the nearly hour-long interview including his view of the world in 10 years from now, the challenges faced by India, and the rising profile of the country in the international arena under his watch. Hosting the G20 Summit last year "wasn't just the hard work", because in many ways the "prestige of the country" was riding on it, he said.

India needs to have stable leadership amidst global turbulence: Jaishankar

The world will witness a "very, very stormy" churn because of conflicts, power shifts and sharpening competition in this decade, which makes it all the more important for India to have a stable and mature leadership, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. In an exclusive interview to PTI late Thursday, Jaishankar painted a picture of the world radically different from the one we are living in now by the end of 2020s when asked to draw on his nearly 50 years of experience in diplomacy and politics to give an assessment of the global power balance. "Multiple conflicts, tensions, divides! With all these variables that I am putting to you, I am painting to you, actually, a very, very stormy international scene for the balance of the decade," said Jaishankar, a former ambassador to China and the United States, who was tapped for the political role by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. Jaishankar especially referred to the declining influence of the United States, the conflict in

Development of India-Maldives ties based on mutual interests: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer that the development of India-Maldives ties is based on "mutual interests" and "reciprocal sensitivity". Jaishankar's remarks came amid a downturn in the bilateral ties between the two countries since pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu assumed office six months back. "As close and proximate neighbours, the development of our ties is obviously based on mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity," the external affairs minister said in his opening remarks in his meeting with Zameer here. "As far as India is concerned, these are articulated in terms of our Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) vision. I hope that our meeting today will enable us to strengthen the convergence of our perspectives in various domains," Jaishankar said. The relations between the two countries came under severe strain in view of Muizzu insisting on withdrawal of ..

We benefited from debt received from India: Maldivian foreign minister

Earlier today, Jaishankar held delegation-level talks with Maldivian Foreign Minister Mossa Zameer, who had arrived in India a day earlier

India-Maldives ties based on mutual interests, sensitivity: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer that the development of India-Maldives ties is based on "mutual interests" and "reciprocal sensitivity". Jaishankar's remarks came amid a downturn in the bilateral ties between the two countries since pro-China president Mohamed Muizzu assumed office six months ago. "As close and proximate neighbours, the development of our ties is obviously based on mutual interests and reciprocal sensitivity," the external affairs minister said in his opening remarks in his meeting with Zameer here. "As far as India is concerned, these are articulated in terms of our Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) vision. I hope that our meeting today will enable us to strengthen the convergence of our perspectives in various domains," he said. The relations between the two countries came under severe strain in view of Muizzu insisting on withdrawal of Indian ...

India supports a homeland for Palestinians eventually, says EAM Jaishankar

Jaishankar mentioned the continuous efforts to engage with the neighbouring countries to ensure the students' safe evacuation of the student while highlighting the Vishwa Bandhu foreign policy's role

India seen as 'friendly, fair' as well as 'firm, fiery' nation: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India today is not only seen across the globe as "friendly and fair" but also as a "firm and fiery" nation that cares for its people and fends for them in crisis situations. Jaishankar made the remarks while speaking on the topic "Viksit Bharat @2047-The Voice of the Youth" at an event at the Delhi University's Hansraj college. He was referring to the rescue operations run by India to bring back its citizens from war-torn countries such as Ukraine. "Viksit Bharat" is not a mere slogan to motivate the people but is the foundation built in the last 10 years upon which the future of India's next 25 years will be built, Jaishankar said while addressing students. "The next 25 years of the 'Amrit Kaal' are your future. It is the journey towards 'Viksit Bharat', and it is you who will make this journey possible," he said. The external affairs minister said that he sees these 25 years as "a period of opportunity and new challenge". "

Indians make 10-12 billion cashless payments: Jaishankar on digital infra

Jaishankar said that India will play a big role in global economic development due to the strength of its structural soundness

Secularism doesn't mean you deny your own religion, culture: EAM Jaishankar

His remarks came during an interactive session in Odisha's Cuttack while campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amid Lok Sabha elections

PoK is very much a part of India, we were made to forget about it: EAM

Asked about India's plans for PoK during an interactive session in Cuttack, Jaishankar responded, "PoK has never been out of this country

Canada incidents mostly due to their internal politics: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said what is happening in poll-bound Canada over the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is mostly due to their internal politics and nothing to do with India. Jaishankar said this while replying to a question on why Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is criticizing India. While interacting with senior journalists during a visit here, he also said the country needs a strong and active Prime Minister like Narendra Modi in order to bring further reforms in various sectors to make a Viksit Bharat (developed India). India's image globally is now actually much much higher than it had been ever Canada is an exception. You see the different country heads are praising Bharat and its Prime Minister, the external affairs minister said. He said a section of pro-Khalistan people are using Canada's democracy, creating a lobby and have become a vote bank. The ruling party in Canada has no majority in Parliament and some par

India not xenophobic: Jaishankar dismisses US President's comments

US President Joe Biden stated that India, Russia, and Japan's 'xenophobic' attitudes were the cause of the countries' economic troubles

India-B'desh ties could be key contributor to regional connectivity: Envoy

The destinies of India and Bangladesh are intertwined and the relationship between the two countries could be a valuable contributor to regional connectivity, Bangladeshi envoy Mustafizur Rahman said on Tuesday. In an interactive session at a think-tank here, Rahman also said South Asia is one of the least integrated regions in the world and a "synergistic approach" could ensure regional integration. "The destinies of our two countries and people are intertwined, not only due to our geographical proximity, shared history, culture, heritage and value system, but also because of the indelible bond that was forged when we stood together, shedding blood together in 1971 for the independence of Bangladesh," he said. The Bangladeshi high commissioner also referred to the common vision of India and Bangladesh to build a stronger South Asia. "In recent years, the leaders of Bangladesh and India have emphasised the significance of building a stronger South Asia," he said at the Ananta ...

Within 6 yrs, India achieved 80% financial inclusion: Ruchira Kamboj

'Within six years, India has achieved an 80% financial inclusion rate, a feat that would have taken decades without such digital infrastructure,' she said

EAM Jaishankar slams Western media, says 'games being played with us'

"Now I read that article and I wanted to say listen, in that heat my lowest turnout is higher than your highest turnout in the best run," Jaishankar said

India challenging ratings that influence sense of stability: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India has started challenging a lot of ratings and reports that influence the "sense of stability in India". According to him, these exercises of bringing out ratings and reports are "doing real harm" to the country. Jaishankar also expressed his surprise over the "complete coincidence" of the "same set of people" allegedly bringing out ratings and reports on India and expressing their opinion on the country repeatedly and consistently. It's very interesting in many cases, when you have these ratings. If somebody actually bothers to go through it, you will find the names of people who've been consulted and you'd be amazed how many reports are produced in the world about India, and how the same set of people are consulted -- complete coincidence. They just happen to express their opinion again and again consistently to different people, he remarked. The EAM was replying to a question by Aarin Capital chairman and former Infosys .

Iran responsive to call for release of 17 Indians aboard seized ship: EAM

India has urged Iran to release 17 Indians onboard a Portuguese cargo vessel seized by the Iranian military, and Tehran was quite responsive, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday. He said there have been some follow-up conversations between the Indian embassy and Iranian authorities. "Yesterday night, I spoke to my Iranian counterpart (Hossein Amir-Abdollahian). I pressed him. I told him there are 17 crew members from India. We are making the point with the Iranian government that these people should be released, that they should not be detained," he told reporters here. On Saturday, the Iranian military seized the cargo ship with Israeli links near the Strait of Hormuz. The ship has 17 Indian crew members. "I'm getting some reports but I want our embassy people to actually go there and meet these people. That will be my first point of satisfaction," he said. "Secondly, I would absolutely press for the people to come back to India as quickly as we can and my colle