Page 76 - S Jaishankar

Politics of the day must not lead our borders to be vulnerable: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that the politics of the day must not make the country's borders vulnerable or harm the larger interest of the nation. The union minister, while interacting with the students at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, said that the temporary provision given under Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir continued for more than 70 years due to the "politics of the day". "It is important to put the national interest first. Politics of the day should not hamper the larger interest of the nation. All politicians should have that approach in the first place. But it is easy to say. But politics of the day should not lead our borders to be vulnerable," he said. On the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Jaishankar asked what was the reason for a temporary provision to continue so long other than the politics of the day. "The fact that we had such a messy issue there... the whole world used it," he said. Jaishankar said there is a

Jaishankar underlines territorial integrity while pitching SCO connectivity

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday pitched for better connectivity in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region, but at the same time underlined that such projects should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states. In an address at a virtual meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG), Jaishankar said the Chabahar port and the International North South Transport Corridor could become enablers for connectivity in the region. "Represented India at the meeting of SCO Council of Heads of Government which has just concluded. Underlined that we need better connectivity in the SCO region built on centrality of interests of Central Asian states," he tweeted. The external affairs minister said "connectivity projects should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states and respect international law". His remarks are seen as a reference to China's Belt and Road initiative. "Our total trade with SCO Members is only $

US Secretary of State Blinken discusses Ukraine war with EAM Jaishankar

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and discussed the ongoing Ukraine war, counterterrorism and other regional and global issues. Jaishankar thanked Blinken for his "strong and clear message" on counter-terrorism as well as his call for holding those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accountable. The two leaders spoke on Saturday. The two discussed regional and global issues, including counterterrorism cooperation and Russia's continuing aggression against Ukraine, Ned Price, spokesperson of the State Department said in a readout of the call on Saturday. "Good to speak to US Secretary of State @SecBlinken. Thanked him for his strong and clear message yesterday on counter-terrorism and 26/11 accountability. Discussed the Ukraine conflict and other regional issues," Jaishankar tweeted on Saturday. Blinken, while addressing an informal session of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (

S Jaishankar speaks to Blinken, thanks him for message on counter terrorism

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and thanked him for his "strong and clear message" on counter-terrorism as well as his call for holding those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accountable. In a tweet, Jaishankar said the Ukraine conflict and other regional issues also figured in the meeting. "Good to speak to US Secretary of State @SecBlinken. Thanked him for his strong and clear message yesterday on counter-terrorism and 26/11 accountability. Discussed the Ukraine conflict and other regional issues," Jaishankar tweeted. Blinken, addressing an informal session of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) in Mumbai via video message on Friday, said allowing the architects of the Mumbai attacks to go unpunished will send wrong message. "We have a responsibility to the victims and to people everywhere to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, including

S Jaishankar meets British counterpart Cleverly, discusses Ukraine war

The Ukraine conflict and the situation in Indo-Pacific figured prominently in talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and visiting British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Cleverly arrived in India on Friday on a two-day visit primarily to attend a special meeting of the UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee. "Delighted to welcome UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly on his first India visit; shortly after our meeting in New York last month," Jaishankar tweeted. "Noted the progress in our Roadmap 2030. Also discussed the Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific," he added. It is the first visit by a top-ranking official from Britain after Rishi Sunak took charge as the UK's first Indian-origin prime minister on Tuesday. During the visit, the British foreign secretary announced further collaboration between the UK and India through British International Investment. This included 11 million Pound of UK funding invested in Kinara Capital, a woman-led fintech comp

India to contribute $500,000 for UN Trust Fund for Counter-Terrorism

Jaishankar said that India will contribute USD 500,000 to the United Nations Trust Fund for Counter Terrorism this year to aid capacity-building support to member states in combating terrorism

Key conspirators of 26/11 terror attacks remain protected: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said the key conspirators of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks continue to remain "protected and unpunished" even today. When it comes to sanctioning terrorists, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been "regrettably" unable to act in some cases because of "political considerations", he said, in an apparent swipe at China which has blocked the UNSC sanction of Pakistan-based terrorists on several occasions. The minister was delivering inaugural address at the special meeting of the UNSC's Counter-Terrorism Committee on 'Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes.' The first leg of the event is being held at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of the targets of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The second leg will take place in New Delhi on Saturday. "Terrorism may have plagued several regions of the world, but India understands its cost more than others," Jaishankar said. "But with that ...

Key conspirators of 26/11 attacks continue to remain protected: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished. Speaking at a special meeting here on 'Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes', he said, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has "regrettably" been unable to act in some cases when it comes to proscribing some terrorists because of "political considerations". "The key conspirators and the planners of 26/11 terror attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished," he said. This, Jaishankar said, undermines the collective credibility and collective interest. Jaishankar, along with Michael Moussa, Gabonese Foreign minister and president of the UNSC, paid tributes to the victims who lost their lives in the 26/11 terror attack at Taj Mahal Palace hotel here. Jaishakar said the "shocking" terror attack was an attack not just on Mumbai, but on the international community.

Efforts on for Hindi's inclusion in official languages at UN: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said efforts are on to get Hindi recognised as an official language at the United Nations and progress has been made in that direction but it will take some time. He made the remarks at an event in Delhi where it was announced that the next World Hindi Conference will be organised in Nadi, Fiji from February 15-17 next year. Asked about efforts to include Hindi among the official languages at the UN, Jaishankar said, "You would know Hindi is being used in UNESCO. As far as the use of Hindi in its headquarters is concerned, we have an MoU with them, they are using it in social media and newsletters. It will take some time in expanding this, it is not so easy that a language is introduced in the UN process." "Work is being done on it, progress has been made and it is our expectation that this will move forward," he said. The UN has six official languages English, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and French. Speaking at the event,

Jaishankar, Lavrov to hold talks in Moscow on Nov 8: Russian ministry

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Moscow to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on November 8, a Russian foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday. The proposed visit comes amid a fresh wave of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine following a huge blast in Crimea nearly two weeks ago. "Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will have talks with External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar on November 8 in Moscow," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "The ministers will discuss the current state of bilateral relations and the international agenda," she added. There is no comment yet from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the proposed visit of Jaishankar. Since the Ukraine conflict began in February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a number of times. In a phone conversation with Zelenskyy on October 4, Modi said

Peace and tranquillity at border essential, says EAM to Chinese envoy

Peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential for normal ties between India and China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed to outgoing Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Wednesday. Jaishankar made the remarks when the envoy called on him. India and China are locked in a lingering border standoff in eastern Ladakh for over 29 months. The bilateral relationship came under severe strain following the deadly clash in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh in June, 2020. "Received Ambassador Sun Weidong of China for a farewell call. Emphasized that the development of India-China relations is guided by the 3 Mutuals. Peace and tranquility in the border areas is essential," the external affairs minister tweeted. "The normalization of India-China relations is in the interest of both countries, of Asia and the world at large," he said. India has been asserting that the Sino-India ties must be based on three mutuals: mutual sensitivity, mutual respect and mutual interest. In

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar speaks to British counterpart Cleverly

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday spoke to his British counterpart James Cleverly on a day Rishi Sunak took charge as the UK's first Indian-origin prime minister. In the Cabinet reshuffle being effected by Sunak, Cleverly is set to stay as the foreign secretary. In a tweet, Jaishankar said he and the British foreign secretary discussed counter-terror cooperation, bilateral ties and the Ukraine conflict. "Received a call from UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Discussed counter-terrorism, bilateral relations and the Ukraine conflict," Jaishankar said. On his part, Cleverly said, "Great to speak with India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today." "We discussed the Russia-Ukraine crisis and that the UK will be challenging Russia's rhetoric and allegations during the UNSC today," he said. In his first address at the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London, Sunak said that he takes over at a time when the UK is facing a "profound economic crisis" as it dea

India will always stand with the Global South, says Jaishankar on UN Day

India will always stand with the Global South and seek to strengthen the UN's effectiveness, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

Jaishankar discusses Ukraine war with German counterpart during phone call

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and discussed several issues including bilateral relationship, and the Ukraine conflict.

S Jaishankar, Botswana FM hold talks on health, trade, investment

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar met with his Botswana counterpart, Lemogang Kwape at Ektanagar, Kevadia, Gujarat and discussed trade, investment, including defence and training

Peace in border areas clearly remains basis for normal ties with China: EAM

Peace and tranquillity in the border areas clearly remains the basis for normal relations between India and China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday amid the lingering border row in eastern Ladakh. Jaishankar said the last few years have been a period of "serious challenge", both for the relationship and for the prospects of the Asian continent. "The continuation of the current impasse will not benefit either India or China. New normals of posture will inevitably lead to new normals of responses," he said, referring to the border row. "It is the willingness to take a long-term view of their ties that the two countries must display today," Jaishankar said in an address at a conference on 'China's Foreign Policy and International Relations in the New Era'. He said India's search for a "more balanced" and "stable relationship" with China was severely impacted by the border row in eastern Ladakh. "Given the developments of 2020, they obviously focus on an effectiv

India can help Afghan people in difficult times, says S Jaishankar

EAM S Jaishankar reiterated India's stance of inclusive, "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" reconciliation process to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan

India open to business, focused on working with Egypt: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that India is not only open to business but also focused on working with Egypt to see what the two countries can make through their cooperation in the region and at the global level. Jaishankar, who is here on his maiden official visit at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, made the remarks while addressing a meeting of the India-Egypt Business Forum in Cairo. "My message to you today is not just that India is open to business, but that India is specifically focused on working with Egypt to see what difference we can make through our mutual benefit in the region and at the global level," he said. Noting that after the COVID pandemic not everybody has recovered to the same degree, he said, "we are at the more optimistic end of the spectrum. There is a great appetite for doing business not just at home but going abroad." The event was attended by a wide representation from chemicals, manufacturing, fertilizer

India committed to COP27 under Egyptian presidency: Jaishankar to Prez Sisi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held discussions with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and highlighted India's commitment to the success of COP27 under the Egyptian presidency

Jaishankar discusses bilateral ties, Ukraine with Egyptian counterpart

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry here on Saturday and the two leaders discussed a range of issues including the Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific and exchanged views on boosting bilateral ties and how to create a more resilient global economy. Jaishankar is in Egypt on a two-day visit at the invitation of his Egyptian counterpart Shoukry. A warm and productive meeting with FM Sameh Shoukry of Egypt. Reflected our deep-rooted ties as we mark 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, he said in a tweet. As states active in shaping global debates, discussed developments in our regions and exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and Indo-Pacific. A polarised world needs independent thinking and voices of reason, he said in another tweet. Jaishankar said India and Egypt's cooperation in multilateral forums remains robust and welcomed Egyptian participation in G20 next year and in BRICS New Development Bank and the Shanghai Cooperati