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Tag: Indian Embassy

  • Japan Earthquake: Indian Embassy Sets Up Emergency Room, Issues Emergency Contact Numbers | world news

    TOKYO: The Indian Embassy in Japan has set up an emergency room for anyone to contact in connection with the earthquake and tsunami warnings on January 1. It has issued emergency contact numbers for Indian citizens after a strong earthquake and tsunami warnings in Japan. In a statement shared on for any assistance.”

    Indian Embassy in Japan’s action comes after a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 rocked central Japan on Monday, leading to a tsunami warning for the country’s western coast, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

    The intensity of the earthquake was measured 7 on the Japanese scale — which ranges from zero to seven — on the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, according to NHK.

    The earthquake occurred at 4:10 pm (local time) 42 km North-East of Anamizu, Japan.The depth was reported at 10 km, according to the USGS. It also shook buildings in central Tokyo.Waves of 80 cm reached Toyama Prefecture around 4:35 pm and waves of 40 meters also reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, at 4:36 pm.

    It also reached Niigata’s Sado Island at 4:10 pm.The tsunami warning urged people to quickly leave coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Yamagata prefectures, with over 1.2-meter waves reaching the Noto Peninsula’s Wajima Port in Ishikawa, NHK reported.

    Tsunami warnings were also issued for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures, also along the Japan Sea Coast, NHK reported. An assessment of damages due to the earthquake is awaited.

    The Japan PM Office also issued instructions amid the pressing situation.It asked the officials to provide timely and accurate information to the public regarding the tsunami and evacuation and take thorough measures to prevent damage, such as the evacuation of residents.”Assess the state of matters regarding damage as soon as possible,” it said.

    The Japan PM Office further asked the officials to act in close coordination with local governments and under the principle of prioritizing human life above all else. “Spare no effort in our emergency disaster responses, including saving lives and rescuing disaster victims, with the Government working as one,” it added.

  • Germany grants counsellor access to baby Ariha

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian child, baby Ariha, who has been in German foster care since September 2021, was introduced to her rituals and traditions after the German government granted counsellor access to the Indian Embassy.

    “German authorities granted counsellor access to baby Ariha on August 31. The interaction with the child included the relevance of cultural immersion with a view to enable the child to remain connected with Indian traditions and culture,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told this newspaper. 

    Bagchi further assured that the Indian government is in constant engagement with the German authorities on this case to safeguard the child. 

    Besides, resources related to Indian festivals and customs were provided by the Indian embassy to keep the child in touch with her faith and culture. 

    “Resource material relating to Indian festivals, customs and practices were handed over by our embassy with the expectation that the child’s caregiver would incorporate the same in her routine to enable her to remain in touch with her faith and culture. We remain in constant engagement with the German authorities on this matter to safeguard the child,” Bagchi added. 

    NEW DELHI: The Indian child, baby Ariha, who has been in German foster care since September 2021, was introduced to her rituals and traditions after the German government granted counsellor access to the Indian Embassy.

    “German authorities granted counsellor access to baby Ariha on August 31. The interaction with the child included the relevance of cultural immersion with a view to enable the child to remain connected with Indian traditions and culture,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told this newspaper. 

    Bagchi further assured that the Indian government is in constant engagement with the German authorities on this case to safeguard the child. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Besides, resources related to Indian festivals and customs were provided by the Indian embassy to keep the child in touch with her faith and culture. 

    “Resource material relating to Indian festivals, customs and practices were handed over by our embassy with the expectation that the child’s caregiver would incorporate the same in her routine to enable her to remain in touch with her faith and culture. We remain in constant engagement with the German authorities on this matter to safeguard the child,” Bagchi added. 

  • We continue to function: India’s Ukraine mission 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Indian embassy in Ukraine, which is temporarily operating from Warsaw, on Friday advised Indians still stuck in the war-torn country to contact it for any assistance.

    India relocated its embassy in Ukraine to Poland a few days back in view of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Ukraine.

    At present, the embassy is operating from Warsaw, the capital of Poland. In a fresh advisory, the embassy said it continues to function and can be contacted through email [email protected], and 24X7 helpline for any assistance.

    “The Embassy of India continues to function and can be contacted through email [email protected] and the following 24X7 helpline numbers on WhatsApp for assistance: +380933559958, +919205290802, +917428022564,” the embassy said.

    External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing on Thursday that there are 15 to 20 Indians who want to leave Ukraine now and that Indian authorities are extending help to them.

    “Our assessment is that there are 15 to 20 people who want to leave now, there are other people who do not want to leave now and we are extending help to them as much as possible,” he said.

    “There is a war going on now, but we will continue to do as much as we can to find a way to evacuate them,” he added.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar this week told Parliament that the government has ensured the safe return of 22,500 Indians from Ukraine.

  • Indian Embassy in Kabul safe, operational; salary of local staff disbursed

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Indian embassy in Kabul is currently safe and operational said an official adding that the Government of India has also disbursed the salary of local employees on time.

    “Maintenance charges and the salaries of local staff in the Indian embassy in Kabul is being given on time by the Government of India,” a top government official told ANI.

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is also receiving communication from the Kabul embassy regularly and it was ensured by the staff that the embassy was also secure.

    The report suggests that banks in Kabul are not operational fully due to ongoing tension, therefore, the embassy staff may face trouble in withdrawing the money.

    “Some of Indians are left in Afghanistan (Kabul) and the government is making an effort for their safe evacuation but Kabul airport is shut and plane movement is also barred by the Taliban,” the official said.

    Re-evacuation operations from Kabul are likely soon for the remaining Indians who are stranded in Kabul. For this, Delhi is in constant touch with Kabul as well as the Indian Embassy staff, MEA added.

    The ministry has not yet replied to the question of how many employees are present in the Indian Embassy in Kabul as the situation remains hostile.

    “The return of diplomats and embassy officials from India to Kabul depends on how the new Taliban government and assurances communicate,” the official said.

    India has evacuated over 550 people either from Kabul or Dushanbe. “Of these, over 260 were Indians. The government of India also facilitated the evacuation of Indian nationals through other agencies. We were in touch with various countries, like the US, Tajikistan,” a MEA spokesperson had earlier stated. 

  • No plan to evacuate Indians from Afghanistan is gross abdication of duty: Congress

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With the Taliban taking over Afghanistan, the Congress on Monday asked the Modi government to wake up from its slumber and protect Indians in the strife-torn country.

    Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the situation in Afghanistan is extremely alarming and India’s strategic interests are at stake, but the government has not put in place any plan to evacuate its citizens there which is a gross abdication of duty.

    Modi government’s refusal to set in motion a well thought out plan to evacuate our citizens is a gross abdication of its duty and is totally unacceptable.

    “The Congress Party stands solidly behind protecting India’s interests and expects a mature political and diplomatic response from our Government over the complete collapse of Government in Afghanistan and Taliban takeover,” he told reporters.

    “Despite this, the stunning silence of Narendra Modi Govt is deeply disturbing and highly intriguing, which is beyond any reasonable understanding.

    “Modi government’s refusal to set in motion a well thought out plan to evacuate our citizens is a gross abdication of its duty and is totally unacceptable,” he also said.

    ALSO READ: Taliban in control of Afghanistan, panic ensues in Kabul as many try to flee

    “Situation in Afghanistan is extremely alarming. India’s strategic interests are at stake. Safety and security of our embassy and its personnel and Indian citizens is at stake. Modi government need to wake up from its slumber and protect Indian citizens in Afghanistan,” he also tweeted.

    The Congress leader said the Taliban and Haqqani Network connections with Pakistan’s ISI and JeM, LeT, JuD are well known.

    “There is an urgent need to revisit our geo-political interests in this background and its impact on J&K. Sadly, Modi Government is oblivious of the same,” he said.

    Surjewala said the prime minister and External Affairs Minister need to come out and clearly spell out our policy for safe return of our citizens, embassy personnel as also our future relationship.

    “Unexplained silence at this extremely critical juncture gives rise to a reasonable apprehension that Modi government is hiding something from the country. We are still in the dark over Modi government’s role in Doha talks,” the Congress leader said.

    Need of the hour is that Modi government wakes up from its slumber and tells the country how it will tackle the dangerous situation in the immediate neighbourhood, he said.

    ALSO READ: Kabul airport mobbed as Afghans make a desperate dash to exit

    He cited media reports quoting External Affairs Ministry that the Indian government does not take responsibility of Indians returning from abroad, and said it is shameful.

    “If the safe return of Indians from abroad is not your responsibility then whose responsibility is it. No other country has done so. Every country is taking care of its citizens and evacuating them and are taking their assets back,” he said.

    It is a very strange statement by the External Affairs Ministry, he also said.

    Taliban insurgents swept into Afghanistan’s capital on Sunday after the government collapsed and President Ashraf Ghani eft the country.

    The US has said it would deploy 6,000 troops at the vital Kabul airport to ensure the safe departure of American citizens and its allies from Afghanistan which has been taken over by the Taliban, in a sudden and unprecedented collapse of the elected regime.

    Unprecedented scenes and being witnessed in the Afghan capital Kabul, where panic-stricken people are scurrying to escape from the country.

  • Sushma to inaugurate Gandhi-Zayed digital museum for peace in UAE

    External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will inaugurate a digital museum in Abu Dhabi showcasing the life, works and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and the founder of modern UAE Shaikh Zayed.

    The Gandhi-Zayed Digital Museum, which will promote peace, tolerance and sustainability, is part of the celebrations to mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and centenary celebrations of the birth of Shaikh Zayed, an official statement said.

    Swaraj will be on a two-day visit to the UAE from December 3-4, where she will co-chair the 12th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Cooperation with her counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

    The Museum will showcase rare photographs, videos and objects representing the life, works and philosophy of both renowned leaders.

    The soft launch of the museum will take place at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, Indian embassy in the UAE said in a statement.

    The interactive museum aims to celebrate the similarities, the influence they had, and the change they caused.