External Affairs Ministry

India-China military standoff ends in Ladakh after 2024 border deal

It was a breakthrough year in India-China ties after a near freeze in their ties for over four years the longest since the 1962 war with an agreement to end the eastern Ladakh military standoff. After amassing of a large number of troops by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh in April-May 2020, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a recent statement in Lok Sabha, resulting in the Galwan valley clash in June 2020, there had been a breakdown in the relations between the two Asian giants. The post-1962 war chill lasted till the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's visit to Beijing in 1988. This time, the two countries held periodic talks between the top commanders and through the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), resulting in disengagement in stages from four points -- the Galwan Valley, the Pangong Lake, Hot Springs, and Gogra -- in eastern Ladakh by creating buffer zones. Finally, on October 21, India and China firmed

Defence ministry inks Rs 7,628 cr contract with L & T to procure Vajra guns

The defence ministry on Friday sealed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd for procurement of K9 Vajra artillery guns for the Indian Army at a total cost of Rs 7,628 crore that is expected to significantly bolster the force's strike capability. The gun, equipped with cutting-edge technology, is capable of delivering long-range lethal fires with high accuracy. It is learnt that the ministry is procuring around 100 Vajra guns largely for deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "The defence ministry signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore," an official readout said. The procurement of K9 Vajra-T will catalyse the artillery modernisation and enhance overall operational readiness of the Indian Army, it said. "This versatile artillery gun, with its cross-country mobility, will play a pivotal role in ...

We have close partnership with our Indian counterparts: Vedant Patel

Over the course of our time in the Biden administration, India has been a key partner in the Indo-Pacific on a number of shared issues, and we look forward to working together, he added

VP Dhankhar meets Armenian delegation, discusses strengthening ties, trade

They also discussed the importance of parliamentary exchanges in further consolidating India-Armenia relations

Norway-India ties at their very best and growing: Norwegian envoy Stener

Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener expressed support for the 10-point peace plan and said that India is contributing towards conflict resolution just like Norway

President Murmu discusses long-standing ties with Sri Lankan counterpart

Terming it a "meaningful meeting," Dissanayake said that their discussions on Monday focussed on regional security and mutual cooperation

Opening of Moldova's embassy in India will deepen ties: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the opening of an embassy of Moldova in New Delhi opens a "new chapter" that will further the partnership between the two countries and help in advancing collaboration in key areas. "Let me express the expectation, hope that in the not very distant future, you will see an Indian embassy in Moldova as well," the minister said in his address at an event held here to mark the opening of the embassy. Jaishankar termed the opening of the embassy a "significant milestone" in the relationship between India and Moldova, an east European country. "Every time an embassy opens here, I know we have done something right," he said. The opening of various new embassies or consulates of India abroad in the last few years is "a reflection of India's growing engagement with the world". And in this particular case, a statement of a deeper friendship between the two countries, he said. "This moment reflects the shared commitments of our nations si

Sri Lankan prez Dissanayake meets FM Sitharaman to discuss economic ties

Earlier on Sunday, Dissanayake also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval

Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi arrives in India for first official visit

Mihail Popsoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, arrived in India on Sunday, on his first official visit to India.Sharing a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson wrote, "Warm welcome to Deputy PM & FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova on his first official visit to India.""His visit will deepen India-Moldova bilateral ties and foster a stronger partnership," the post added.Popsoi will be on an official visit to India from December 15 to 17.The MEA earlier in a press release said that the official schedule of Popsoi will begin on Sunday, December 15, with him arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal 3, at 05:15 am (IST).Later in the evening, at 08:00 PM, he will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hotel ITC Maurya.On Monday, December 16, Popsoi will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat.The visit will conclude on Tuesday, December 17, with Popsoi's departure from Delhi.Notably, ...

India dispatches 60 tonnes of emergency medical assistance to Jamaica

India has dispatched a fresh consignment of around 60 tons of emergency medical equipment, generators, and other utilities to Jamaica which will support the country's healthcare needs and enhance their disaster preparedness.Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal shared the details of the humanitarian assistance on Saturday."India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Jamaica. A consignment of approx 60 tons of emergency medical equipment, Gensets & other utilities has departed for Jamaica. This assistance will support health care needs and rehabilitation of medical infrastructure as well as strengthen the disaster preparedness of against Hurricanes," Jaiswal stated in a post on X.India and Jamaica share strong historical and cultural linkages, reflected in their shared colonial past, values of democracy and freedom, and passion for cricket.Recently, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness paid his first-ever visit

India may renegotiate DTAA with Switzerland over EFTA trade pact: MEA

India on Friday said its double taxation treaty with Switzerland may require renegotiation in view of its trade pact with the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The remarks by the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came after the Swiss government suspended the most favoured nation status (MFN) clause in the India-Switzerland Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). "My understanding is that with Switzerland, because of EFTA, the double taxation treaty that we have; it's going to be renegotiated. That is one aspect of it," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He was responding to a question on the issue at his weekly media briefing. India and the EFTA member states of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein sealed a free trade deal in March. Under the mega trade deal, the four European countries are looking at making an investment of USD 100 billion in India over the next 15 years. The trade pact is yet to come into force.

EAM Jaishankar meets UAE counterpart at 4th India-UAE Strategic Dialogue

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.Both leaders held the 4th India-UAE Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Zayed Al Nahyan and expressed his optimism about the future of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.Taking to X, PM Modi expressed his delight while receiving the Deputy PM and said that both nations were committed to working towards peace, stability, and security in West Asia and the wider region."Happy to receive Deputy PM & Foreign Minister of the UAE, HH AB Zayed. India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is poised to achieve unprecedented heights. We are committed to working towards peace, stability, and security in West Asia and the wider region," PM Modi said.Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi to take part in the 4th Strategic Dialogue and the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting.Welcoming the UAE leader, Ministry of .

UAE foreign minister arrives in New Delhi for 15th Joint Commission Meeting

United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to take part in the 4th Strategic Dialogue and the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting.Welcoming the UAE leader, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, the visit will "further strengthen the multifaceted Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India & UAE.""Warm welcome to HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy PM & FM of UAE @ABZayed as he arrives in New Delhi for the 4th Strategic Dialogue & the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting. His visit will further strengthen the multifaceted Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India & UAE," Jaiswal said in a post on X,Notably, the 14th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on September 1, 2022.In the year

Key thing is to see how Bangladesh acts after this meeting: Expert

Foreign Affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said that after Misri's meeting, if Bangladesh government doesn't act right, it would mean they intentionally don't want to keep good relations with India

SM Krishna passes away at 92, remembered for 'Brand Bengaluru' vision

SM Krishna served as Karnataka's chief minister from October 1999 to May 2004 and later as Maharashtra's governor in 2004

Former Karnataka CM SM Krishna passes away at 92 due to age-related illness

Former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna passed away at his residence early Tuesday morning, his family said. The 92-year-old veteran politician was ailing for quite some time, a family source said. "S M Krishna is no more. He breathed his last at 2:45 am at his residence. Mortal remains are likely to be taken to Maddur today," the source said. Born in Somanahalli in Karnataka's Mandya district on May 1, 1932, Krishna also served as the External Affairs Minister and the Governor of Maharashtra. After a long stint in the Congress, Krishna joined the BJP towards the fag end of his political career.

India, Bahrain highlight growing ties, reaffirm pledge to combat terrorism

The two ministers also expressed satisfaction at the growth in two-way tourism and the increasing number of Bahraini students choosing to study in India

Calling all parties to work towards preserving unity: MEA on Syria crisis

In a statement, MEA called for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society

Foreign Secy Misri holds talks with B'deshi counterpart amid strained ties

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Bangladesh on Monday on a day-long visit, the first high-level trip from India after a massive uprising ended deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule in August. Misri's visit comes amid increasing strain in ties between New Delhi and Dhaka over attacks on minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster. He is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Md. Jashim Uddin and meet the country's de-facto foreign minister Mohammad Touhid Hossain. He is expected to raise with Dhaka India's concerns over attacks. The close ties between India and Bangladesh came under severe strain after Hasina was forced to leave the country in the face of a massive anti-government protest in August. Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power days after Hasina took shelter in India. The relations deteriorated further in recent weeks over attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna .

Iran, Israel relationship or absence of it source of concern: Jaishankar

The relationship or absence of it between Israel and Iran has been a source of concern and some of India's diplomatic efforts are focused on that aspect, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday. In an address at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Jaishankar, without directly referring to attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Houthi militants, said India has an interest in trying to mitigate the security situation. Jaishankar, on a two-day visit to Bahrain from Saturday, touched upon various issues, including how to prevent conflicts from spreading further, the importance of key connectivity projects and the need to improve the security situation in the region. "In recent times, for all of us, the relationship or absence of it between Israel and Iran has been particularly a source of concern, so some of our diplomatic efforts have focused on that particular aspect," he said. There have been mounting global concerns over escalating tensions between Iran and Israel