Page 3 - Ministry Of External Affairs

India's Presidency hopes to provide new direction to G20 talks: MEA

India's Presidency hopes to provide new strength to G20 discussions on subjects which include green development, lifestyle for environment, digital transformation, and greater voice for global south

Another lotus blooms

India prepares to take over the G20 presidency

EAM S Jaishankar to visit Russia on Nov 7; to hold talks with Sergey Lavrov

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay a two-day visit to Russia beginning November 7 during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced Jaishankar's visit on Thursday. During visit to Moscow, Jaishankar will hold talks with Lavrov focusing on bilateral, regional and international issues, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing. The visit is taking place amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In the last few months, India has increased the import of discounted crude oil from Russia notwithstanding increasing disquiet over it by several Western powers. Jaishankar and Lavrov have already met four times after the Ukraine conflict began in February. The Russian foreign minister visited India in April during which he held extensive talks with Jaishankar and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India in December last year to attend the .

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,

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

Heads of Missions meet to discuss strategies to put states on global map

While the envoys said they were energised by their state visits, there were some glaring gaps. Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu were significant omissions

MEA refers to govt's statement in Parliament on bringing back Kohinoor

India indicated on Friday that it will continue to explore ways to bring back the Kohinoor, one of the largest diamonds in the world, from the United Kingdom. The death of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, reignited the demand in India to bring back the Kohinoor. Asked about the demand, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi referred to the government's response on the issue in Parliament a few years ago. "My understanding is that the government of India responded to it in Parliament a few years ago. We have said that we have been raising this matter from time to time with the UK government and we will continue to explore ways and means for obtaining a satisfactory resolution of the matter," he said. The 108-carat Kohinoor gem was given to Queen Victoria in 1849 by Maharajah Duleep Singh. It was worn by the Queen Mother on her crown in 1937. There were speculative reports in the British media about the possibility of Camilla wearing t

No breakthrough at India-China diplomatic dialogue, talks to go on

India and China agreed on Friday to hold the next round of military-level talks at an early date to resolve the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh and create conditions for the restoration of normalcy in the bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It was the only decision taken at a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on the India-China Border Affairs as there was no breakthrough to resolve the issues at the key friction points of Demchok and Depsang. The MEA said the two sides agreed to continue discussions through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the remaining issues "at the earliest" so as to create conditions for the restoration of normalcy in the bilateral relations. "To achieve the objective of resolution of remaining issues along the LAC in the Western Sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, they agreed to hold the next (17th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early ..

India conveys concerns to Canada over referendum by anti-India forces

India on Friday said it has conveyed its concerns to Canada over certain anti-India forces planning a so-called referendum in that country on their demand for Khalistan. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has taken up the matter with the Canadian mission in India as well as with the Canadian government in Ottawa. "Our position on the so-called referendum by the anti-India element is well known. It has been conveyed to the Canadian government. We have publicly shared this information earlier," Bagchi said. He was replying to a question on the issue. "We have taken up with the Canadian High Commission here in Delhi our concerns over the next phase of referendum and also in Canada. We will continue to take up the issue both in New Delhi and Ottawa," he said. The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has proposed the so-called referendum in Mississauga near Toronto on November 6. The first such exercise was held at Brampton on September 18.

India, UK looking for mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement: MEA

India on Friday said it is carrying out negotiations with the UK for the early finalisation of a free trade agreement that is beneficial to both the sides. In April, the two sides had set a Diwali deadline for concluding the FTA but the deal is set to be pushed back to November in view of differences over certain issues. "There are ongoing negotiations as we know on the FTA. There is interest on both sides to see if we can work towards a deal, an FTA, that is beneficial to both the countries at an early date," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. "This is a trade negotiation...let this be dealt by trade negotiators," he said. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. "A good conversation with UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly.Reviewed various aspects of our bilateral relationship and committed to taking forward Roadmap 2030 expeditiously. Look forward to an early in-perso

Expect matter is dealt with seriously: MEA on stabbing of Indian student

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday the high commission in Canberra is in touch with the local authorities over an incident of stabbing of an Indian student in Australia and expects action to be taken against the perpetrators. MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the incident. The 28-year-old Indian student was stabbed multiple times in the face, chest and abdomen in Australia by a man who allegedly demanded cash, according to local media reports. The incident took place at about 10.30 pm on October 6 as Shubham Garg walked along the Pacific Highway, the NSW Police Force said in a statement on Monday. Asked about the incident, Bagchi said the Indian High Commission in Canberra and the consulate in Sydney are in close touch with the local authorities and a suspect is in custody. "It is a sad incident. He (Garg) is in a hospital and treatment is being done," Bagchi said. "We expect that the matter is dealt w

Freedom misused by forces advocating violence and bigotry: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister on Monday said that India has flagged issues related to Khalistani separatist forces operating out of Canada to Ottawa, emphasising the need to ensure that freedoms in a democratic society are not misused by forces which actually advocate "violence" and "bigotry". In recent weeks, anti-India activities in Canada have been on the rise. Jaishankar made the comments during a press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong here on Monday after the 13th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue. "From time to time, we have engaged the Canadian government, I have myself engaged with my counterpart on this (Khalistani) issue. And we have flagged the need to ensure that freedoms in a democratic society are not misused by forces which actually advocate violence and, and bigotry," he responded to a question related to the Khalistani issue. "So it's important, I think, to understand really, how democracies should function not only at home but also the ...

EAM Jaishankar arrives in Canberra to 'Tiranga welcome' for bilateral talks

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Canberra "to a Tiranga welcome" as he prepares to hold talks with the top leadership of Australia to further enhance bilateral cooperation

Situation has not returned to normal: MEA on eastern Ladakh border row

India on Friday said the situation in eastern Ladakh has not returned to the stage of full normalcy as some steps are yet to be taken for it. The comments of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came days after Chinese envoy Sun Weidong claimed that the situation in eastern Ladakh is "overall stable" as the two sides have moved from the "emergency response" that followed the Galwan valley clashes in June 2020 to "normalised" management. "Some steps are required for full normalcy, we have not reached there," Bagchi said when asked about the Chinese ambassador's remarks. The MEA spokesperson said India has been maintaining that it expects disengagement followed by de-escalation for the return of normalcy on the border, which could pave the way for normal ties between the two neighbouring countries. "We have not reached there.... I would not like to say that the situation is normal. There have been some positive steps, but some steps are yet to be taken," he

India objects to US envoy Blome's visit to PoK, raises issue: MEA

India on Friday raised objection to US ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome's recent visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)

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EAM S Jaishankar to begin first New Zealand, Australia visit from today

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will kickstart his official visit to New Zealand and Australia from Wednesday

No other country 'practices terrorism' like Pakistan does: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said no other country "practices terrorism" the way Pakistan does. Speaking on "Rising India and the World: Foreign Policy in Modi Era" here, he said the Narendra Modi government's diplomacy made other countries take the issue of terrorism seriously. "No other country practices terrorism in the manner in which Pakistan has done. You show me anywhere in the world what Pakistan has done for so many years against India. After the 26/11 Mumbai attack, it is important for us to be clear to ourselves that this kind of behaviour and action is unacceptable and there will be consequences," said Jaishankar during interaction with the audience after the talk. While India is considered "expert in IT" (Information Technology), the neighbouring country is known as an "expert in International Terrorism", the minister quipped. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India successfully made other countries realize that terrorism can harm ...

Need for UN Security Council reform cannot be denied forever: Jaishankar

The need to reform the UN Security Council cannot be denied forever, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said even as he noted that India never believed that this will be an easy process. Currently, UNSC has five permanent members -- China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. India is among the ten non-permanent members of the body. Only a permanent member has the power to veto any substantive resolution. India has been at the forefront of the years-long efforts to reform the security council, saying it rightly deserved a place as a permanent member. We have, we have never thought that it was an easy process. But we do believe that the need for reform cannot be denied forever, Jaishankar told a group of Indian journalists here on Wednesday. He was responding to a question on the seriousness on the part of the US on reforming the Security Council. My understanding is that the position that President (Joe) Biden put forward, is the most explicit and specific articulation of th

India, US express need to boost defence ties amid rising global challenges

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday agreed that the global situation this year has become more challenging, especially due to the challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and underscored the need to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, in particular the defence ties. The remarks came amidst China's increasingly intimidatory behaviour in the region. Jaishankar is here in the American Capital for bilateral consultations with several US Cabinet ministers, including his counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken. I do share with you that the global situation has become far more challenging this year (due to) a variety of reasons, the Indo-Pacific in particular," Jaishankar said in his opening remarks at the top of his meeting with Austin at the Pentagon here. "It's important that the stability, security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific should be secured. That is best done amongst others by cooperation between two countries," he .