Page 16 - External Affairs Ministry

India committed to increasing investment in Lanka: EAM Jaishankar

India has told the global lender that it strongly supports Sri Lanka's debt restructuring plan, with Colombo owing around $1 billion to its nearest neighbour

EAM discuss cooperation in infra, connectivity with Lankan counterpart

'Conveyed our commitment to increasing investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten its economic recovery. Look forward to my discussions with the leadership tomorrow morning'

EAM Jaishankar arrives in Sri Lanka to finalise plans on debt restructuring

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here for a much-anticipated visit to Sri Lanka to finalise a debt restructuring plan to help Colombo carve out path from its worst economic crisis

S Jaishankar visits Maldives, to witness impact of developmental assistance

Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka beginning to further expand bilateral engagement with the two key maritime neighbours of India

India, UK to launch Young Professionals Scheme on February 28: MEA

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra led the Indian delegation while the British side was helmed by Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Intl Year of Millets helps recognise its health benefits: MoS Muraleedharan

The International Year of Millets is an important step for recognising the valuable nutrition and health benefits of millets and the importance of these grains to food security and sustainability, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has said. The year 2023 has been designated as the 'International Year of Millets' after a proposal for it was brought forward by India and endorsed by Members of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Governing Bodies, as well as by the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly. Speaking at the virtual launch ceremony of Iconic Week on Millets Magic' organised by Magic Millet, Muraleedharan said on Friday, Through education, research, and promotion, we can make sure that millet receives the recognition they deserve and help to improve food security and sustainability around the world, Muraleedharan said millets are more resilient than other grains and cereals, making them a more reliable crop in the face of climate change and

India to deploy single largest platoon of women peacekeepers in Abyei

This is India's largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a UN Mission since it deployed the first-ever all-women's contingent in Liberia in 2007

EAM pitches for India becoming manufacturing hub, $5 trn economy by 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday told investors in Cyprus that India is on the path of becoming a manufacturing hub for the global community and intended to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. Addressing a business event organised by the High Commission of India in Cyprus, Jaishankar said New Delhi and Nicosia had a lot of potential to increase the bilateral trade between the two countries. Jaishankar who is on a three-day visit to Cyprus, while addressing the business event said India and Cyprus last year had bilateral trade of about USD 214 million and were confident to reach the last year's figure much earlier this year. He said India and Cyprus had an active institutional mechanism in economic cooperation. The minister stressed that Cyprus is the 10th largest investor in India with an accumulative investment of USD 12 billion during the last 20 years. India exported pharmaceutical products such as hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol, iron, steel, ceramic ..

BHU will play key role in forming India as significant power: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that India's aspiration to become a "significant power" is not possible without its becoming a knowledge powerhouse and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) will play a vital role in this. Jaishankar in his address to students and faculty of BHU said that the country's foreign policy is now taking a multi-faceted form connecting with more global concerns. He said that during the global spread of Coronavirus, India not only protected its population but also took up global leadership by exporting its vaccine worldwide. "We have now started shaping global discussions and in the coming days, our foreign policy will also have the ability to solve global questions around the world. "In the 21st century, the new world can be ruled only by the power of data, technology, and ideas," he said, adding soon a meeting of development ministers of G-20 countries will be organised in Varanasi. Jaishankar said that Kashi has been a city of civilizat

183,741 Indians gave up citizenship in last five years: MoS tells Lok Sabha

The number of Indians renouncing citizenship has gone up significantly in the last few years

Vinay Mohan Kwatra gets 14-month extension as Foreign Secretary: Report

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been granted a 14-month extension in the post beyond his date of superannuation on December 31 this year, a Personnel Ministry order said. Kwatra had assumed office as Foreign Secretary on May 1 this year, succeeding Harsh Vardhan Shringla to the post. "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved extension in service to Vinay Mohan Kwatra, (IFS:1988), as Foreign Secretary beyond the date of his superannuation i.e. 31.12.2022 up to 30.04.2024 or until further orders, whichever is earlier," a government order said. The extension of his tenure comes at a time when India is assuming the presidency of the G-20. India is set to host the G-20 Summit next year. Earlier, Kwatra was serving as India's envoy to Nepal. Kwatra is known to have extensive expertise in dealing with India's neighbourhood as well as the US, China and Europe.

Are countries using visas as weapons to fight diplomatic battles?

While India does seem to be facing the rough end of visa diplomacy, barriers are going up globally

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar speaks to British counterpart Cleverly

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday spoke to his British counterpart James Cleverly on a day Rishi Sunak took charge as the UK's first Indian-origin prime minister. In the Cabinet reshuffle being effected by Sunak, Cleverly is set to stay as the foreign secretary. In a tweet, Jaishankar said he and the British foreign secretary discussed counter-terror cooperation, bilateral ties and the Ukraine conflict. "Received a call from UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. Discussed counter-terrorism, bilateral relations and the Ukraine conflict," Jaishankar said. On his part, Cleverly said, "Great to speak with India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today." "We discussed the Russia-Ukraine crisis and that the UK will be challenging Russia's rhetoric and allegations during the UNSC today," he said. In his first address at the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London, Sunak said that he takes over at a time when the UK is facing a "profound economic crisis" as it dea

India-US relationship today impacts rest of the world: S Jaishankar

EAM S Jaishankar said that the relationship between India and US today impacts the rest of the world as there are a lot of countries which look to the association individually and bilaterally

EAM Jaishankar to visit US from Sept 18 to attend UNGA, BRICS, Quad meets

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay an 11-day visit to the US beginning Sunday to attend the UN General Assembly and participate in meetings of Quad, BRICS and several other key groupings. He is also scheduled to hold talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other senior officials of the Biden Administration. Jaishankar will be in New York from September 18 to 24, while he will visit Washington DC from September 25 to 28, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In New York, the external affairs minister (EAM) will be leading the India delegation for the "high-level week" at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), it said. The theme of the 77th UNGA is "A Watershed Moment: Transformative Solutions to Interlocking Challenges." Jaishankar's address at the UNGA session is scheduled in the forenoon of September 24. "In keeping with India's strong commitment to reformed multilateralism, the EAM will be hosting a ministerial meeting of the

India, China to conclude disengagement in Gogra-Hotsprings by Sept 12: MEA

India and China will complete the disengagement process in the Gogra-Hotsprings area in eastern Ladakh by September 12, the External Affairs Ministry said on Friday. The ministry's comment came a day after the Indian and Chinese armies announced that they have begun to disengage from the Gogra-Hotsprings Patrolling Point 15, where the two sides have been locked in a standoff for over two years. The two sides have also agreed to take the talks forward and resolve remaining issues and restore peace and tranquility along LAC in India-China border areas, the MEA said. "It has been agreed that all temporary structures and other allied infrastructure created in the area by both sides will be dismantled and mutually verified. The landforms in the area will be restored to the pre-standoff period by both sides," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in response to queries on the issue.

World recognizes India capable of defending its interests: S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the world recognizes that India is capable of defending its interests

Jaishankar visits under construction first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar who is on a three-day visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) visited the under-construction Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi said to be the first traditional temple

We condemn horrific attack on Rushdie and wish him a speedy recovery: MEA

In its first reaction to the stabbing of author Salman Rushdie, India on Thursday condemned the "horrific attack" and wished him a speedy recovery. Rushdie was stabbed in the neck and torso at the Chautauqua Institution in New York on August 12 where he had gone to deliver a lecture. "India has always stood against violence and extremism. We condemn the horrific attack on Salman Rushdie and we wish him a speedy recovery," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing.

Taiwan: India pitches for avoiding unilateral actions to change status quo

In its first reaction to the tensions, India, without naming either China or Taiwan, said it is concerned over the developments and pitched for efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.