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Tag: Jaishankar

  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on three-day visit to Russia from Wednesday

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will embark on a three-day visit to Russia beginning Wednesday to discuss the entire range of bilateral issues as well as key regional and international developments.

    Announcing the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic is expected to figure in the talks between Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov besides other issues.

    Earlier, sources said Jaishankar’s visit is aimed at preparing the ground for the annual India-Russia summit and discuss the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan.

    “Discussions are expected to cover the entire range of bilateral issues, including cooperation in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the exchange of views on various regional and international issues,” the MEA said in a statement.

    In the course of his visit from July 7-9, Jaishankar will also meet Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, his counterpart for the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).

    He will also have a meeting with the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Leonid Slutsky.

    The MEA said Jaishankar will deliver a speech on ‘India-Russia ties in a Changing World’ at the prestigious Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow.

    “The visit will be in continuation of the frequent high-level visits between the two sides. The Russian Foreign Minister had visited New Delhi in April. The visit will further strengthen the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries,” the MEA said.

    The India and Russia annual summit was postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Both the countries have a mechanism under which India’s prime minister and the Russian president hold a summit meeting annually to review the entire gamut of ties.

    So far 20 annual summit meetings have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.

    Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and the country has been a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy.

  • External Affairs Minister Jaishankar set to visit Russia this week

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to visit Moscow this week to prepare the ground for the annual India-Russia summit and discuss the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan, people familiar with the development said on Monday.

    Ways to boost cooperation under the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation as well as ties in the defence sector are also likely to figure in his talks in Moscow.

    The external affairs minister is scheduled to hold extensive talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

    The annual India-Russia summit was postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Both countries have a mechanism under which India’s prime minister and the Russian president hold a summit meeting annually to review the entire gamut of ties.

    So far, 20 annual summit meetings have taken place alternatively in India and Russia.

    Russia has been a time-tested partner for India and the country has been a key pillar of New Delhi’s foreign policy.

    The people cited above said a key focus area of the discussions will be the evolving situation in Afghanistan in the face of the withdrawal of the US forces from the country.

    Afghanistan witnessed a series of attacks in the last few weeks as the United States looked to conclude the withdrawal of its forces from the war-ravaged country by September 11, ending nearly two decades of its military presence there.

    India is concerned over the increasing levels of violence in Afghanistan as well as the Taliban’s efforts to expand its influence in the country.

    Last month, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said the Taliban’s relentless pursuit of power through violence has created an uncertain environment in Afghanistan and the situation in the country is “fluid” at this point in time.

    There has been a renewed push in the Afghan peace process including by Russia and it has been in touch with the key players and stakeholders in that country.

    Lavrov visited India in April during which both sides discussed the preparations for the summit as well as other key bilateral and regional issues.

  • Matera Declaration by G20 reflects Indian concern for farmer welfare, agri-diversity: EAM Jaishankar

    By PTI
    MATERA: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has appreciated Italy for highlighting food security and said the Matera Declaration reflects the Indian concern on issues including the welfare of small and medium farmers, and recognising agri-diversity.

    Jaishankar shared his views on contemporary challenges at the G-20 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in Matera, Italy, on Tuesday.

    “Appreciate Italy for highlighting food security. The Matera Declaration reflects the Indian concern for the welfare of small & medium farmers, promoting local food cultures and recognising agri-diversity,” he said in a tweet.

    “Livelihood, health, digital access and climate action should now constitute the new developmental priorities,” he said.

    The G20 Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting was held in Matera, followed by a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Development Ministers.

    The first joint meeting of Foreign Affairs and Development Ministers ended with the adoption of the “Matera Declaration”, which calls upon the international community to step up efforts to contain the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods, and build inclusive and resilient food chains and ensure adequate nutrition for all, in line with the “Zero Hunger” goal set for 2030.

    In the Matera Declaration, the G20 ministers recognised that poverty alleviation, food security and sustainable food systems, are key to ending hunger, encouraging social cohesion and community development, reducing socio-economic inequalities, and promoting overall inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

    They also called for implementing effective actions for the empowerment of women and youth in the rural-urban continuum.

    The ministers also stressed on enhancing social-protection measures and programmes, with a focus on people living in vulnerable situations, of whom large shares depend on the agriculture and food sector for their livelihoods.

    The declaration underlined the need for increasing catalytic investments for food security, nutrition, and sustainable food systems and territorial development, as part of the substantial COVID-19 emergency funding and longer-term national recovery plans and packages.

    It stressed on accelerating the adaptation of agriculture and food systems to climate change, as increased climate variability and extreme weather events impact agriculture output and are among the forces driving the rise in global hunger while recognising the importance of sustainable agriculture.

    The declaration emphasised on keeping international food trade open and strengthening global, regional and local diversified value chains for safe, fresh and nutritious food, as well as promoting a science-based holistic One Health approach.

    The G20 foreign ministers emphasised that it is crucial to maintain global food trade open, and to keep food markets functioning.

    “We highlight the importance of an open, transparent, predictable and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, to enhance market predictability, and allow agri-food trade to flow so as to contribute to food security and nutrition,” they noted.

    International trade is crucial to ensure access to inputs, goods and services to produce safe, nutritious and affordable food, they said.

    “We will continue to guard against any unjustified restrictive and distortive measures that could lead to excessive food price volatility in international markets and threaten the food security and nutrition of large proportions of the world population, especially the most vulnerable living in environments of low food security,” the ministers added.

    The G20 is an influential bloc that brings together the world’s major economies.

    The G20 member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

  • Jaishankar compliments officials for timely passport delivery despite pandemic

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday lauded all government staff involved in timely issuance of passports to citizens notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic.

    In an address at an event to mark ‘Passport Seva Divas’, Jaishankar particularly mentioned maintenance of “high standards” of passport services by the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Despite the pandemic, we continue to deliver passports in a timely manner and hope to reach the pre-pandemic level as soon as possible,” he said.

    Jaishankar said the ministry has integrated 174 Indian embassies and consulates abroad with the passport service programme.

    “I am happy that continuing with our global outreach exercise, the ministry has integrated 174 embassies and consulates abroad with the passport Seva programme enabling a centralised passport issuance system for our citizens in India and diaspora abroad.

    We should complete the mission integration process on priority,” he said.

    The minister also referred to the simplification of the passport issuance process and said the ministry is continuing to look to reducing the compliance burden on citizens.

    Jaishankar said some of the staff members in the central passport organisation lost their battle against COVID-19.

    “I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to their families.

    .

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    It has indeed been a very difficult period for all of us.

    Some colleagues were sick and have now recovered and rejoined work.

    I applaud their spirit,” he said.

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  • India unsure of China’s commitment on troop reduction

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that China’s troop deployment along the border with India and uncertainty over fulfillment of its promise of troop reduction still remains a challenge confronting the two countries.

    “The issue is whether China would live up to the commitments it has made written commitments about both countries not allowing a large armed force at the border,” the external affairs minister said at the Qatar Economic Forum, adding that the India-China issue pre-dated the formation of the Quad.

    The US, India, Japan and Australia have come together on a common agenda which includes maritime security and connectivity. Answering queries relating to the border situation with China in Ladakh, the minister said this particular issue goes back a long way.

    Jaishankar also urged the US and Europe to boost vaccine production. “A lot of the supply chain relating to vaccines originates in the US. A lot of it comes from Europe as well. I think, the US and Europe need to step forward if India has to ramp up its own production.

    The world doesn’t have enough vaccines. Patents are one part of it, but production is the other part. And in India we are producing the AstraZeneca vaccine. There are six other vaccines which are expected to come on stream in the coming months,” the minister added.

  • Larger issue is whether India, China can build relationship based on mutual sensitivity, respect: Jaishankar

    At a virtual conversation at the Qatar Ecomonic Forum, he also made it clear that there was no connection between India becoming part of the Quad and the border issue with China.

  • Poonawalla thanks Biden, Jaishankar for policy change to boost vaccine production

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Friday thanked US President Joe Biden and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for a policy change that will boost the production of COVID-19 vaccines in India and globally.

    Confident of the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the US, the Biden administration has removed Defense Production Act priority ratings on AstraZeneca, Novavax and Sanofi vaccines.

    While the firms will continue to make these three vaccines, this action will allow US-based companies that supply these vaccine manufacturers to make their own decisions on which orders to fulfil first.

    Sharing the link of a press briefing by White House COVID-19 response team and public health officials, Poonawalla said, “Thanks to the efforts of @POTUS, @WhiteHouse, & @DrSJaishankar, this policy change will hopefully increase the supply of raw materials globally and to India; boosting our vaccine production capacity and strengthening our united fight against this pandemic.”

    Earlier in April, Poonawalla had tweeted, “Respected @POTUS, if we are to truly unite in beating this virus, on behalf of the vaccine industry outside the U.S., I humbly request you to lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the U.S. so that vaccine production can ramp up. Your administration has the details”.

  • Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, both leaders express gratitude

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a five-day visit to the US, met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken where both leaders express gratitude for being there for the other in difficult times.

    “We have a lot of issues to discuss. I think our relations have grown stronger over the years and I am very confident that it will continue to do so. I want to express our gratitude to the administration and US for their strong support and solidarity at the moment of great difficulty for us,” Jaishankar said.

    Blinken said that the US and India are working together on many important challenges of the current time that have a profound impact on citizens.

    “We are united in confronting COVID-19 together. In the early days of COVID-19, India was there for the US, something we will never forget. Now we want to make sure that we are there for and with India,” he said and added that the partnership between US and India is vital, strong, and is increasingly productive.

    This is Jaishankar and Blinken’s second meeting within a month. Earlier in the month, the leaders had met on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in London.

    Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Defense Secretary Llyod Austin. “A warm meeting with US @SecDef Lloyd Austin. A comprehensive conversation about further developing our strategic and defence partnership. Exchanged views on contemporary security challenges. Expressed appreciation of the US military role in responding to the Covid situation,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.

  • Vaccine and other issues in Jaishankar’s talk with UN Secretary General

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a five-day visit to the US, on Tuesday met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and underlined the importance of urgent and effective global vaccine solutions for the coronavirus pandemic.

    “A warm & comprehensive meeting with UN Secretary General @antonioguterres. Discussed the Covid challenge, underlining the importance of finding urgent & effective global vaccine solutions. Critical to ramp up the vaccine supply chain to ensure greater production & fairer distribution,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting,

    They also held discussions on India’s challenges in its neighbourhood and agreed on adequately protecting the gains of the last two decades in Afghanistan. “Countering terrorism and radicalisation remain priorities for the region. Also, discussed recent developments in Myanmar. India values UNSG’s leadership of the UN, especially in these challenging times. Conveyed our support for his candidature for a second term,” the minister tweeted.

    Climate change was discussed and Jaishankar said greater resources are essential for larger ambitions, while financing will determine seriousness and credibility. “Highlighted India’s constructive role in UNSC and conveyed priorities of our Presidency in August. Maritime Security and Technology for Peacekeeping address the needs of the day. Welcomed SG’s appreciation of India’s Peacekeeping operations including at Goma, DRC recently,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.

    Earlier in the day, the minister held discussions with India’s permanent representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti, and his deputy K Nagaraj Naidu, where he expressed confidence that India will continue to shape the ‘big debates of our times’. “A productive strategy session with @ambtstirumurti and our UN team in New York @IndiaUNNewYork. Confident that India will continue to shape the big debates of our times,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.

    After his meeting with Guterres, Jaishankar will travel to Washington DC to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The meeting is likely on May 28, as Blinken is on a trip to West Asia and will return on May 27. A State Department spokesperson said both leaders would discuss a wide range of issues, including Covid-19, efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation through the Quad grouping, enhancing the UN and multilateral cooperation.

  • External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in US, talks on vaccine materials on the cards

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday reached the US for a five-day visit. He is likely to have discussions with his US counterpart Antony Blinken on securing vaccine ingredients.Jaishankar, in the first leg of his visit, will meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. This will be their first in-person meeting since India assumed a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council, for a two-year term beginning January 1.

    The external affairs minister will proceed to Washington DC to hold discussions with Blinken. It will be the second meeting between them in less than a month. Jaishankar and Blinken had met on the sidelines of the G8 foreign ministers’ meeting in London. It is expected that the minister will urge US to release raw materials for vaccines.According to sources, of the 350 materials required for the production of Covid-19 vaccines, around 200 are sourced from the US. Production of Johnson & Johnson vaccines in India is also likely to be discussed. The decision to this effect was taken at the first ever summit of Quad leaders in March, 2021.

    Jaishankar will also interact with representatives of US businesses which have led an initiative, supported by the Biden administration, to send assistance to India to combat the second covid-19 wave in India. It is likely that he will also meet representatives of Pfizer, a company that is in talks with the government to supply its vaccine to India. Reports have emerged which suggest that the two sides have not been able to reach an agreement on the indemnity clause.