Ministry Of External Affairs

Warns against needless speculation

Amid the escalating West Asia conflict, the government on Wednesday said around 2.6 lakh people have returned from the region to India since February 28. At an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, Additional Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Aseem R Mahajan, said that on Wednesday, around 70 flights were expected to operate from various airports in the UAE to different destinations in India. The flight situation is "reassuring," he said. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke about a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday. "The two leaders discussed the current situation in West Asia. The prime minister reiterated India's strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure," he said. The two leaders agreed on the importance of "ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strai

India on Monday said it hasn't engaged in bilateral talks with the US to ensure safe transit of merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks by the Ministry of External Affairs came against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump calling on several countries to send warships to keep the strategically key shipping route open. Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). In a social media post, Trump hoped that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and other countries affected by Iran's attempted closure of the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships to the region to keep the shipping route "safe and open". There has not been any concrete response by the leading countries. In its reaction, China called on all sides to immediately stop military operations in West Asia to help k

West Asia crisis: The government said India has adequate crude oil supplies and refineries are running at full capacity; consumers with both PNG and LPG connections have been asked to give up LPG

The government said India has enough petrol, diesel and crude stocks despite the West Asia conflict; LPG output has risen 30 per cent and people are urged not to panic buy fuel

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India's rise will be shaped by its own strength and capabilities, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi

MEA says safety of nearly 10 million Indians in the Gulf is of utmost priority as the West Asia conflict escalates; PM Modi engages regional leaders amid rising tensions

India's ministry of external affairs called on all sides to avoid escalation; embassies issue advisories to Indian nationals across West Asia

The Indian government has advised nationals in Israel and Iran to stay near shelters, avoid non-essential travel, and follow local safety instructions amid ongoing Israel-Iran tensions

P Kumaran, secretary in the MEA, said Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed interest in the Indian UPI payments system

Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, P Kumaran said that there is a strong consensus among India and Brazil on UN reforms

Dick Schoof attended the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, where he participated in a discussion on international cooperation to responsibly accelerate AI development

The CDMM project is being implemented by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in of Bangladesh's new BNP government, signalling a cautious reset in bilateral ties

India and the UK have signed a social security agreement to avoid double contributions for employees on temporary assignments, supporting worker mobility under the proposed trade pact

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India's energy import decisions are driven by national interest, diversification and price stability, amid scrutiny of Russian oil imports, global market volatility

After Goyal sidestepped a query on Russian oil imports, MEA said energy security for 1.4 billion people remains India's top priority

India on Friday categorically rejected Pakistan's allegations of an Indian link to the suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), describing the attack as "condemnable", said it is unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan chose to "delude" itself by blaming others for its home-grown ills. At least 31 people were killed and 169 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Islamabad. The powerful explosion took place at Khadijah al-Kubra mosque-cum-imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, police said in a statement. "The bombing at an Islamabad mosque earlier today is condemnable and India condoles the loss of life it has caused," the MEA said. "It is unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan should choose to delude itself by blaming others for its

The MEA said India is open to sourcing crude from Venezuela and other countries based on commercial viability, adding that energy security for 1.4 billion people remains its top priority

MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed a report that claimed Ajit Doval met Marco Rubio, saying no such meeting or no such visit has taken place