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Bangladesh on Thursday termed the recent remarks by the Ministry of the External Affairs on the country as "unwarranted" and amounting to "interference" in another country's domestic affairs. Last week, India voiced concern over Bangladesh releasing certain "violent extremists" and underlined that it is the responsibility of the interim government in Dhaka to protect Hindus and other minorities as well as their religious institutions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said Dhaka took note of the MEA's comments concerning Bangladesh's elections, law and order situation and matters related to minorities. "Bangladesh firmly believes these issues are entirely its internal affairs, and such remarks are unwarranted and tantamount to interference in another country's domestic matters," he said in his weekly media briefing. Alam, who also serves as the ministry's public diplomacy wing director, said New Delhi's comments were misleading as well as those did not reflect the
India on Thursday served a demarche to the British charge d'affaires lodging a strong protest over a breach in security for External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in London as a pro-Khalistani protester attempted to break barricades and tried to stop his motorcade while some others were shouting anti-India slogans. In a firm reaction, New Delhi condemned the incident and said it expects the host government to fully live up to their diplomatic obligations in such case. It also deplored the "misuse of democratic freedoms" by the "small group of separatist" elements. People familiar with the matter said the charge d'affaires at the British High Commission was called to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and was served a demarche. The incident happened as Jaishankar was leaving the Chatham House after concluding an interactive session at the institute, home to Royal Institute of International Affairs, on Wednesday evening. The external affairs minister was in London as in the first
India has virtually ruled out any role for a third party in its border dispute with China after US President Donald Trump suggested that he was ready to extend support if it helps in the resolution of the lingering issue between the two neighbours. At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Thursday (Friday IST) that New Delhi has always adopted a bilateral approach in dealing with these issues. As a matter of long-held policy, India has been maintaining that there is no role for any third party in any of its bilateral issues or disputes with any country. "Your question about the offer to mediate between India and China, I think, I suspect you know the answer to this question," he said when asked about Trump's offer. "Whatever issues we have with any of our neighbours, we have always adopted a bilateral approach to dealing with these issues. It's no different between India and China," he said. "We have been discussing any issues that we have with them on a bilater
India on Friday called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Congo and said it is closely following the developments in the central African country. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels captured the eastern Congolese city of Goma and are looking at expanding their area of control. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said about 1000 Indian nationals were living in Goma and most of them had moved to safer places following the start of the conflict. "We are closely following the developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We remain concerned at the deteriorating security situation," he said. "We call for a peaceful resolution of the conflict," he said. Jaiswal said the Indian embassy in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, has issued advisories for Indians living in the Goma area. "There are about 1000 Indian nationals who were living in Goma, but most of them have moved to safer places since the outbreak of the conflict," he said. "The embassy remains in regul
India on Friday said it is working with American authorities for the early extradition of Tahawwur Rana, wanted by Indian probe agencies for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The extradition of Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, was cleared by the US Supreme Court a few days ago as it rejected his review petition in the case. "The US Supreme Court on January 21 declined to hear a petition from the accused. We are now working with the US side on procedural issues for early extradition to India of the accused in the Mumbai terror attack," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He was replying to a question at his weekly media briefing. Rana, currently lodged at a metropolitan detention centre in Los Angeles, is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went into a rampage, carrying out a coordin
India on Tuesday pressed Russia to release all the Indians recruited by the Russian military, following the death of another Indian national in the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone, taking the death toll to 10. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said an Indian national from Kerala has died and another has sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Moscow. Jaiswal said the matter has been strongly taken up with Russian authorities in Moscow as well as with the Russian embassy in New Delhi. "We have also reiterated our demand for an early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly raised the issue of early discharge of the Indian nationals working in the Russian Army during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in July last year. The death of Binil TB, who hailed from Thrissur, was made public on Monday by one of his relatives. Though the MEA did not provide the .
The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention will kick off in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday with the Odisha government leaving no stone unturned to showcase the state's rich culture and heritage in front of the NRIs who are coming here from 50 countries. The convention will begin with the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event being organised by the Odisha government in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the inaugural session on Thursday, while President Droupadi Murmu will preside over the valedictory session on Friday, they said. Murmu will also confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman upon members of the Indian diaspora to recognise their achievements in various fields. Trinidad and Tobago President Christine Carla Kangaloo is the chief guest of this edition, which is being held on the theme 'Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat'. She will address the convention virtually. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja
India on Friday said Pakistan must effectively tackle the issue of terrorism for the two sides to move forward in ties as it highlighted Islamabad's policy of using terror as an instrument of state policy. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this when asked about Pakistani deputy prime minister Ishaq Dar's remarks on Thursday about the need for joint efforts for the resumption of bilateral trade. "The relevant T-word is terrorism, not tango," Jaiswal said when asked about Dar's remarks at a media briefing. Asked at a press conference on Thursday about the possible resumption of trade between India and Pakistan, Dar said: "As far as India is concerned, it takes two to tango." Dar is also Pakistan's foreign minister. "I think it cannot be one-way, that we will do everything. If there is goodwill from India, then we are ready. But it has to be both sides," the Pakistan deputy prime minister said. The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain af
Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel arrived here on Thursday on a three-day visit to explore ways to bolster bilateral ties in several key areas including maritime security, trade and investment. Khaleel's trip to India comes nearly three months after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu visited India. On Friday, the Maldivian foreign minister will hold wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar covering almost all aspects of India-Maldives ties. "Working towards India-Maldives joint vision of a 'Comprehensive Economic & Maritime Security Partnership'. Warm welcome to FM @abkhaleel of Maldives on his first official visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'. The Maldives is one of India's key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous government in Male. The ties between India and the Maldives .
India on Thursday announced an assistance of USD 500,000 to the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu to help it deal with destruction caused by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake last month. New Delhi conveyed to Vanuatu its readiness to extend all possible support to people of the country in this time of "difficulty". The earthquake struck near Vanuatu's coast in the South Pacific Ocean on December 17 causing major destruction and loss of lives. "As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Vanuatu, the government of India extends a relief assistance of USD 500,000 to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said India has firmly stood by Vanuatu during times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters. "An important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nove
India on Saturday condemned the "horrific and senseless" attack on a Christmas market in eastern German city of Magdeburg that left at least five people, including a nine-year-old, dead and nearly 200 injured. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian mission in Germany is in contact with the Indians injured in the attack and is rendering all possible assistance. According to local authorities, a 50-year-old man drove his car into crowds at the Christmas market on Friday evening. "We condemn the horrific and senseless attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "Several precious lives have been lost and many have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims," it said. "Our Mission is in contact with Indians who are injured, as well as their families, and rendering all possible assistance," the MEA said in a statement. It is not clear how many Indians have been injured in the attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited a labour camp here, a visit described by the External Affairs ministry as symbolic of the importance he attached to the welfare of Indian workers abroad. Modi is visiting Kuwait at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His visit to Kuwait is the first for any Indian Prime Minister to this Gulf nation in 43 years. As the first programme of his visit to Kuwait, Modi visited a labour camp in Mina Abdullah area of Kuwait with a workforce of around 1,500 Indian nationals. He interacted with a cross-section of Indian workers from different states of India, enquired about their well-being, also sat at a table with some of them at the Gulf Spic Labour Camp when snacks served. On Modi's planned visit to the labour camp, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier said that the idea was to express the amount of importance the government of India attaches to our workers. That is the prime purpose. Modi
India on Friday said it "follows all developments" that have a bearing on its security "very closely" and New Delhi "takes action, as appropriate". MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this when asked about India's stance on Pakistan's ballistic-missile programme. Two days ago, the US slapped sanctions on four Pakistani entities, including state-owned flagship aerospace and defence agency -- National Development Complex (NDC) -- on charges of contributing to Pakistan's ballistic-missile programme. At his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal was asked what New Delhi's stance was on the neighbouring country's ballistic-missile programme. "As you know that we follow all developments that have a bearing on our security and our interest very closely, and we take these things very seriously, and take action as appropriate," he told reporters. Asserting that Pakistan developing sophisticated missile technology would give it the capability to strike targets well beyond south Asia, including in
India has signed 31 bilateral agreements on transfer of sentenced persons by virtue of which the Indian prisoners lodged in foreign countries can be transferred to India to serve the remainder of their sentence and vice-versa, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha. He was asked whether the government has put in place a robust mechanism to transfer the Indians languishing in jail in foreign countries to India so that they can serve the remaining sentence in the country. "The government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indians in foreign countries, including those in foreign jails," he said. The minister said India has "signed 31 bilateral Agreements on Transfer of Sentenced Persons by virtue of which Indian prisoners lodged in foreign countries can be transferred to India to serve the remainder of their sentence and ...
The government is aware of reports issued from time to time by various foreign entities, including in the US, about the situation of human rights in India, but such reports are often found to be "subjective, misinformed and biased in nature", the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha. He was asked whether the government is aware of the recent US Congressional Research Service report which "highlights concerns" over India's human rights record, particularly regarding religious freedom and communal violence; and the steps being taken by the government to ensure that India's secular constitution and pluralistic values are upheld, both domestically and internationally. The government is "aware of reports issued from time to time by various foreign entities, including in the US, about the situation of human rights in India. Such reports are often found to be subjective,
The Department of Posts and the Ministry of External Affairs have signed an agreement to set up an additional 600 passport seva kendras at post offices, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Friday. Speaking at the India Economic Enclave 2024, the minister said India Post has about 6,40,000 points of sales across the country and no one in the world can match its scale. "In the next 3-4 years, we will become a citizen-centric service. We have signed an agreement with the MEA today where we will set up 600 more networks for passport seva kendras, hopefully servicing one crore citizens per year through our network," the minister said. Launched in 2017, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) service has been instrumental in facilitating passport-related services to over 1.52 crore citizens. The network of POPSKs has grown significantly over the years, with 442 centres operational nationwide. According to an official note, the 600 POPSKs centres will be set up acr
India has evacuated from Syria all its nationals who wished to return home after rebel forces overthrew President Bashar Assad's authoritarian government in the Arab nation. The Syrian government collapsed on Sunday as the rebels seized control of capital Damascus after capturing several other prominent cities and towns. India evacuated its nationals from Syria on Tuesday. "We have evacuated all Indian nationals in Syria who wished to return home following recent developments in that country. So far, 77 Indian nationals from Syria have been evacuated," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. Our embassy personnel in Damascus accompanied them to the border, after which our mission in Lebanon received them and facilitated their immigration, he said. He was replying to a question at his weekly media briefing. Jaiswal said the embassy made arrangements for their boarding and lodging in Beirut and for their travel back home. "Most of our nationals have