Page 13 - S Jaishankar

Very confident about India-US bilateral relationship: EAM S Jaishankar

Having played a key role in shaping the India-US ties over the past few decades, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said he is very bullish about this bilateral relationship. "So very frankly, that's a long way of saying that I'm very bullish about that relationship," Jaishankar told reporters at a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he responded to a question on his overall sense of the trajectory of the relationship. "The big change that I have seen in my four decades as a diplomat was actually in the transformation of India-US relations," he said. "And your question how do I see the trajectory quite honestly, I see today a United States very international, very much more to engaging very much more open to engaging a country like India, which is actually thinking beyond traditional alliances, which has been very effective at finding common ground with potential or actual partners," Jaishankar said. And a very good example of all th

US defends move to approve F-16 jet fleet sustainment programme to Pak

The US on Tuesday defended its decision to approve a USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan, saying it is "our obligation" to provide military equipment to ensure that the planes are maintained and sustained to bolster Islamabad's capability to deal with "clear" terrorist threats. Early this month, the Biden administration reversed the decision of the previous Trump administration to suspend military aid to Islamabad for providing safe havens for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, and approved the F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a visit to the US, has questioned the rationale behind Washington's USD 450 million F-16 security assistance to Pakistan. "This is a sustained program for F-16s that Pakistan has long had. These are not new, this is sustaining what they have. We've a responsibility and obligation to whomever we provide military equipment to, that it's ...

Spike in oil price is breaking India's back, says Jaishankar in US

India, which has a USD 2,000 per capita economy, is concerned over the spike in the price of oil due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and it is "breaking our back," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday. Addressing a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after holding bilateral talks, Jaishankar said there is a very deep concern among developing countries about how their energy needs are addressed. Speaking about the Ukraine war, he said: "We have taken the position privately, publicly, confidentially and consistently that this conflict is not in anybody's interest." The best way forward is to return to dialogue and diplomacy, he said. "Look, we have concerns about the price of oil but we are a USD 2,000 per capita economy. When the price of oil is breaking our back and it's our big concern," he said. Jaishankar was responding to a question on a cap on Russian oil. "In the past whenever we have been able to contribute something, we have b

Article 370 a temporary provision that was put to rest, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called out the politics that was played out following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and explained how the facts were slanted

US commerce secy meets Jaishankar, discusses commercial ties, IPEF

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Monday met External Affairs S Jaishankar during which they discussed the bilateral commercial relationship and recently formed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework or IPEF. Raimondo welcomed India's participation in the IPEF and Jaishankar's views on IPEF going forward, according to a US readout of the meeting here. During the meeting, Raimondo emphasized the need for an ambitious and high-standard outcome, supported by concrete benefits, in order to deliver to all IPEF members, and looks forward to working closely with India in the discussions ahead. Raimondo also confirmed the recent appointment of CEOs to the US Section of the US-India CEO Forum (CEO Forum). The two leaders agreed that both the CEO Forum and the US-India Commercial Dialogue are key opportunities to strengthen the US-India commercial relationship and to advance progress on issues relevant to both the economies.

Sought action against Pak woman's forced religious conversion: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has informed the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) that it had raised with Pakistan the forced religious conversion of a Sikh woman and conveyed that it is expected that strict action would be taken against those responsible. In a statement, the NCM said it had taken cognizance of media reports regarding abduction and forcible conversion of a Sikh girl in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area. NCM chief Iqbal Singh Lalpura through a letter dated August 22 had requested the Minister of External Affairs to take up the matter with his counterpart in Pakistan so that this type of incident is not repeated and appropriate steps are taken to prevent and combat hate, and secure the safety of Sikhs in Pakistan. Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar, in a letter dated September 17, informed NCM chief that the government has taken note of the incident and as soon as the report of the incident was received, it raised the matter with the Pakistan ...

Jaishankar calls for securing Indo-Pacific stability amid global challenges

During his bilateral talks with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, EAM Jaishankar said that the stability, security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific should be secured

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 .

S Jaishankar slams F-16 deal, discusses India's role in Ukraine mediation

EAM S Jaishankar has slammed US' proposal to provide services for Pakistan's F-16s, saying no one is fooled by claims that these highly capable aircraft are meant only for counter-terrorism operations

S Jaishankar takes dig on American media for 'biased' Indian coverage

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday took a dog on the mainstream American media, including The Washington Post, for their "biased" coverage of India. "I look at the media. You know, there are some newspapers you know, exactly, what they are going to write including one in this town," Jaishankar told a gathering of Indian-Americans from across the country amidst laughter and applause. The prestigious Washington Post is the national daily published from Washington DC and currently being owned by Jeff Bezos of Amazon. "My point is there are biases, there are efforts really, to determine, . Look the more India goes its way and the people who believe that they were the custodians and the shapers of India lose ground in India the more actually, some of these debaters gonna come outside," Jaishankar said responding to a question on the increase in anti-Indian forces in this country. Such groups, he asserted, are "not winning in India." Such groups, the minister noted, will tr

US-Pakistan relationship has not served either of two: EAM S Jaishankar

America's relationship with Pakistan has "not served" either of the two countries, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Sunday raising questions on the Biden administration's approval of a USD 450-million sustenance package for F-16 fleet. "Very honestly, it's a relationship that has neither ended up serving Pakistan well, nor serving the American interests. So, it is really for the United States today to reflect on what are the merits of this relationship and what do they get by it, Jaishankar said in response to a question during an interaction with the Indian-Americans. Referring to the argument made by the US that F-16 sustenance package is to fight terrorism, he said everybody knows where and against whom F-16 are used. "You're not fooling anybody by saying these things," he said in response to a question. Early this month, the Biden administration approved a USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan, reversing the decision of the previous

India's voice counts in world because of PM Modi's leadership: S Jaishankar

India matters in the world today and its voice counts because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday. Referring to the series of meetings he had with the world leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar said he can say this based on the feedback from these meetings. The voice of India matters and is being taken seriously at the world stage because of the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar said at an interactive dialogue with the Indian-American community organized by the US India Friendship Council and Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS). "Today our opinions count, our views matter and have actually today the ability to shape the big issues of our time. I think these are main takeaways from a very, very intensive set of interactions over the last six days," he said about his New York meetings. Responding to a question on Ukraine, Jaishankar said to

India matters more in current polarised world, says EAM Jaishankar

India matters more in the current polarised world and is perceived widely as the voice of the global South, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said, asserting that New Delhi always speaks for many developing nations and highlights their pressing problems at international forums. Jaishankar wrapped up the New York leg of his visit to the US as he addressed the high-level UN General Assembly session on Saturday, concluding a hectic week of whirlwind diplomatic engagements during which he met over 100 of his counterparts from around the world and held several bilateral and multilateral meetings. "There's no question this UNGA reflects the state of the world, which is particularly polarised at this moment. What the state of the world actually reveals in a way is that India matters more. We are a bridge, we are a voice, we are a viewpoint, a channel," Jaishankar told a group of Indian reporters here as he highlighted some of the big takeaways of his week-long visit to the UN and .

India to address debt, food, energy security with G20 members: S Jaishankar

As India assumes the Presidency of the G20, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said New Delhi will work with the group's other members to address serious issues of debt, food and energy security, even as he noted the concerns about stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. As we begin the G-20 presidency this December, we are sensitive to the challenges faced by developing countries, Jaishankar said in his address to the high-level UN General Assembly session here. He told the 193-member UN General Assembly that India will work with other G-20 members to address serious issues of debt, economic growth, food and energy security and particularly, environment. "The reform of governance of multilateral financial institutions will continue to be one of our core priorities," he said. He also noted that the Indo-Pacific region too witnesses fresh concerns about its stability and security. His remarks came amidst China's aggressive actions in the strategically ...

Jaishankar discusses Ukraine, G20 and UN reforms with Russia's Lavrov

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that he had a wide-ranging conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during which they discussed a number of issues, including bilateral cooperation, the Ukraine conflict, G20 and UN reforms as he described Russia a "major partner in many domains." Jaishankar made the remarks during his interaction with a group of Indian reporters after his meeting with Lavrov on the margins of the UN General Assembly session, just hours before his address to the UN General Debate on Saturday. "We discussed a number of issues. Some part of my meeting was focused on our bilateral cooperation because Russia is a major partner in many domains," Jaishankar said while responding to a question by PTI on his meeting with Lavrov. "A wide-ranging conversation with FM Sergey Lavrov at #UNGA 77. Discussed our bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on Ukraine, G-20 and UN reforms," Jaishankar had tweeted after his meeting with Lavrov. To another ...

Terror listings blocked without reason challenges common sense: Jaishankar

Amid repeated holds on proposals to designate Pakistan-based terrorists under the UN sanctions regime, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that terrorism should not be used as a "political tool" and the idea that something is blocked without assigning a reason challenges common sense. We do believe that in any process if any party is taking a decision, they need to be transparent about it. So the idea that something is blocked without assigning a reason, it sort of challenges common sense, Jaishankar said as he spoke to a group of Indian journalists here on Saturday after wrapping up the New York leg of his visit to the US with his address to the UN General Assembly high-level session. He was responding to a question by PTI on the issue of repeated holds and blocks on proposals to list Pakistan-based terror group leaders under the UN sanctions regime and whether this came up in his talks with his global counterparts as he met them during the high-level General Assembly ...

India really matters more in this polarised world: EAM Jaishankar

India really matters more in the current polarised world and the country is perceived very widely as the voice of the global South, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. Jaishankar wrapped up the New York leg of his visit to the US as he addressed the high-level UN General Assembly session Saturday, concluding a hectic week of whirlwind diplomatic engagements during which he met over 100 of his counterparts from around the world and held several bilateral and multilateral meetings. "There's no question this UNGA reflects the state of the world, which is particularly polarised at this moment. What the state of the world actually reveals in a way is that India matters more. We are a bridge, we are a voice, we are a viewpoint, a channel," Jaishankar told a group of Indian reporters here as he highlighted some of the big takeaways of his week-long visit to the UN and the city. He will head to Washington DC Sunday for the second leg of his US visit. Jaishankar said that at a time

EAM Jaishankar meets UN Chief Guterres, discusses global challenges

EAM S Jaishankar met UN chief Antonio Guterres on the margins of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York and discussed global challenges including the Ukraine conflict

Discussed Ukraine, G20, UN reforms with Russia's Lavrov, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that he and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov discussed various issues including Ukraine, G20 and UN reforms

India believes dialogue diplomacy the only way out: Jaishankar at UNGA

With the months-long Ukraine conflict raging on, India on Saturday told the UN General Assembly that it is on the side of peace and on the side that calls for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out. "As the Ukraine conflict continues to rage, we are often asked whose side we are on. And our answer, each time, is straight and honest, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in his address to the high-level UN General Assembly session here. He underlined that it is in the collective interest of the international community to work constructively, both within the United Nations and outside, in finding an early resolution to this conflict. Delivering the national statement, he said in this conflict India is on the side of peace and will remain firmly there. "We are on the side that respects the UN Charter and its founding principles. We are on the side that calls for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out, he said. We are on the side of those struggling to make ends meet, ev