Page 72 - S Jaishankar

S Jaishankar holds talks with Austrian counterpart; inks number of pacts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Monday held "open and productive" discussions with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg on a range of regional and global situations and the two sides inked a number of agreements, including one on migration and mobility for Indian students and professionals. Jaishankar, who arrived here from Cyprus on the second leg of his two-nation tour, also said his extensive conversation with Austrian leaders, including President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer, was very valuable in understanding Austria's viewpoint, both "about our relationship as well as on current global issues." "We had open and productive discussions on a range of regional and global situations. By and large, I would say, our approaches are similar, though obviously we are located in different regions...I appreciate the exchanges we have had both today and yesterday on Ukraine, on the Middle East, on South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. They have brought

India views Austria as 'serious, consequential partner': EAM S Jaishankar

Jaishankar thanked Schallenberg for inviting him to the New Year's concert of the Vienna Philharmonic

Effects of cross-border terrorism can't be contained within a region: EAM

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday asserted that the effects of cross-border terrorism cannot be contained within a region, especially so when they are deeply connected to narcotics and illegal weapons trade and other forms of international crimes. Addressing a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg here, Jaishankar said they had an open and productive discussion on a range of regional and global situations and by and large, the approaches of both the nations are similar, "though obviously we are located in different regions and we have our particular compulsions". He said they spoke at some length on the threats to international peace and security that are posed by terrorism, including its cross-border practices, by violent extremism, radicalisation and fundamentalism. The effects of terrorism, Jaishankar said, cannot be contained within a region, especially so when they are "deeply connected t

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Relations with Indian diaspora bolstered due to Sushma Swaraj: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has praised his predecessor late Sushma Swaraj, commending her for being at the forefront in bolstering relations with the Indian diaspora. Jaishankar made these comments while addressing members of the Indian diaspora here in the Austrian capital on Sunday. When the minister was asked what foreign policies have changed since Swaraj took over as India's External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar said: "I'm very glad that you mentioned my predecessor the late Sushma Swaraj ji. The fact that our relationship with the Indian communities abroad are strong and will remain stronger, she led from the front. "I would say in those five years when she was the minister as she was the face and the voice of that message," Jaishankar said. "And of course we created a system for that to happen but I still feel that she was so symbolic of that change that I'm personally very grateful that you have recalled her at a time like this," he added. Swaraj passed away on

77-year-old organisation like the UN needs a 'refresh': EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said a 77-year-old organisation like the United Nations needs a "refresh", asserting that pushing for a major overhaul in the top global body is an important part of New Delhi's foreign policy. Jaishankar made these comments while addressing members of the Indian diaspora here in the Austrian capital on Sunday. When asked how Jaishankar was planning to undertake the reforms in the UN, and if India would take the leadership in bringing about this change, the minister said:"The UN system was invented in 1945. Now, I tell people to show me something which is 77 years old and you feel doesn't need a refresh. People refresh themselves, institutions need to be refreshed by other people. We need change. Large parts of the world do not believe anymore that the UN system speaks fairly for them." The United Nations (UN) officially came into existence in October 1945, after its Charter was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the UK, the US an

Russia's war could make it India's world

The invasion of Ukraine, compounding the effects of the pandemic, has contributed to the ascent of a giant that defies easy alignment. It could be the decisive force in a changing global system

Millets solution to food shortage, healthier than rice, wheat: Jaishankar

Millets are far healthier than rice and wheat one eats daily and offer a completely different value proposition at a time when there is a worry about a global food shortage, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said. Addressing the members of the Indian diaspora here in the Austrian capital on Sunday, Jaishankar said India can grow millets which offers a solution to the growing food demands across the globe. The government announced on January 1 it has lined up a series of millet-centric promotional activities across the country as the International Year of Millets (IYM) kicks in. Millets are far healthier for all of us than the cereals, rice and wheat we eat every day. It was the food that was most prevalent in our societies till it was displaced. It requires much less water and is much more carbon friendly, Jaishankar said. Today in a world where there is worry about food shortage, millet offers a completely different value proposition. In fact, today for almost every five

India's G20 Presidency 'very big deal': EAM Jaishankar to critics

Terming India's G20 Presidency a very big deal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said the country has taken up the responsibility to host the meetings of the powerful grouping at a time when there is great economic stress on the global supply chains and strong political polarisation in the world. India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1. The next G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi. Addressing the members of the Indian diaspora here in the Austrian capital on Sunday, Jaishankar said India intends to use its presidency for the benefit of the international community. I sometimes get the question, you can imagine from which quarters, saying, well, it was bound to come your way anyway. So, what's the big deal? It is a very big deal. Because in our diplomatic history, we have never had this many powerful nations, the top 20 economies of the world who among them today account for

Russia-Ukraine conflict: India is on the side of peace, says Jaishankar

Emphasizing that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is a matter of "deep concern," External Affairs Minister said that India is on the side of peace

Problem with China an 'intense challenge' for India, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the problem with China as an intense challenge and took a dig at Pakistan on the problem of cross-border terrorism from Islamabad

Mediterranean region will see more of India in future: Jaishankar

The EAM also mentioned that given how comfortable India and Cyprus are with each other, both countries can also plan on working together in third countries

Jaishankar lauds role of Indian peacekeepers under UN during Cyprus visit

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has lauded the role of Indian peacekeepers under the flag of the United Nations as he visited a street here in Cyprus named in memory of General K S Thimayya. Jaishankar is currently on his first official visit to Cyprus as India and this Mediterranean country celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations. "So nice to see the street in Larnaca named after General K S Thimayya. Indian Peacekeepers serving under the UN flag are appreciated around the world," Jaishankar tweeted on Friday along with pictures. Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has also praised and thanked India's substantive contribution throughout the years for its participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). India is the second largest contributor to UN missions with 5,887 personnel. Kasoulides made these remarks during his meeting with Jaishankar, who is on his maiden trip to Cyprus. "I expressed my appreciation for India's substantive contribu

India to take up affordability of energy, foodgrains issue at G20 strongly

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday underlined that during its G20 presidency, India intends to take up the issue of affordability and accessibility to energy, foodgrains and fertilisers "very strongly" as the economies of the Global South have been impacted. India formally assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1. The next G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10 next year in New Delhi. Addressing a business event here, Jaishankar, who is on his first official visit to Cyprus as India and Cyprus celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations, noted that the efficiency and the delivery of global supply chains is a common concern today for all countries in the world. Today the affordability and accessibility to energy, foodgrains and fertilisers is "not just our concern...it's a larger concern in the Global South. And it's certainly a worry that we intend to take up very strongly during the presidency of the

EAM pitches for India becoming manufacturing hub, $5 trn economy by 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday told investors in Cyprus that India is on the path of becoming a manufacturing hub for the global community and intended to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. Addressing a business event organised by the High Commission of India in Cyprus, Jaishankar said New Delhi and Nicosia had a lot of potential to increase the bilateral trade between the two countries. Jaishankar who is on a three-day visit to Cyprus, while addressing the business event said India and Cyprus last year had bilateral trade of about USD 214 million and were confident to reach the last year's figure much earlier this year. He said India and Cyprus had an active institutional mechanism in economic cooperation. The minister stressed that Cyprus is the 10th largest investor in India with an accumulative investment of USD 12 billion during the last 20 years. India exported pharmaceutical products such as hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol, iron, steel, ceramic ..

Jaishankar meets house of representatives prez of Cyprus Annita Demetriou

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met Annita Demetriou, the President of House of Representatives of Cyprus, and had "an interesting conversation on our parliamentary practices." Jaishankar arrived here earlier in the day on his first official visit to Cyprus, as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations. "Great to meet President of House of Representatives @AnnitaDemetriou. An interesting conversation on our parliamentary practices," Jaishankar said in a tweet. During his meeting with Demetriou, Jaishankar had "a useful exchange on our bilateral relationship and in the context of the EU." "They also discussed regional issues and Ukraine conflict," Jaishankar tweeted. The minister also said that the two countries have released commemorative stamps on Thursday on the occasion of 75 years of India's Independence and 60 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Earlier in the day, Jaishankar joined Demetriou to pay homage to Mahatma ..

Jaishankar signs defense cooperation agreement with Cyprus on visit

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides here and discussed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and issues of mutual and global interests like the Ukraine conflict, as the two sides signed three agreements, including an MOU on defence and military cooperation. Jaishankar arrived here earlier in the day on his first official visit to Cyprus as the two countries celebrate the 60 years of diplomatic relations. During his visit, Jaishankar met his Cypriot counterpart Kasoulides and signed an agreement on defence and military cooperation, another Letter of Intent on immigration and mobility, as well as the agreement on Cyprus joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The two leaders also shared their vision for world peace, freedom, and democracy. Kasoulides said India and Cyprus were driven by their partnership to diversify and deepen the people to people contact. Jaishankar and Kasoulides also took an opportunity to

EAM Jaishankar to visit Cyprus, Austria from Dec 29 to Jan 3: MEA

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit the Republic of Cyprus and Austria from December 29 to January 3, an official statement said on Wednesday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in the statement, said the minister will be in Republic of Cyprus (RoC) from December 29 to December 31, 2022. This year marks 60 years of the diplomatic relations between India and Cyprus. During his visit, Jaishankar will meet Minister of Foreign Affairs of RoC, Ioannis Kasoulides and also call on President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou. He will also address the business and investment community of that country, and interact with the Indian diaspora. In Austria, the external affairs minister (EAM) will meet Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, the statement said. This will be the first EAM-level visit from India to Austria in the last 27 years, and it takes place against the backdrop of 75 years of diplomatic ...

S Jaishankar beefs up preparations for G20, all ministries on board

Aiming for the success of G20 summit next year, Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar especially addressed the Spokespersons, Panelists and media coordinators on G20

Rajya Sabha passes bill to deal with maritime piracy with voice vote

Parliament on Wednesday passed the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill, which provides for stringent punishment to those convicted of such crimes. The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed by voice vote the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill-2022 which was moved for consideration and passage by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. In the bill, the government has added provisions for death penalty and life imprisonment for those convicted of maritime piracy. Replying to a debate on the bill, Jaishankar said it will help the country in having international cooperation to deal with piracy. He also told the House, "We will have jurisdiction on foreign ships (which would indulge in piracy)." About the members' suggestions about having standard operating procedures (SOP) for have better enforcement, he stated that the suggestion is well taken as it would help in its enforcement. He appreciated the members' views that authorised persons -- armed forces dealing