News Analysis India

Tag: MEA

  • MEA processing Karnataka request on Prajwal Revanna

    NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: The external affairs ministry has received a request from the Karnataka government to cancel the diplomatic passport of Janata Dal (Secular) MP and alleged sex offender Prajwal Revanna, and the matter is being “processed”, said people familiar with the matter.

    “The ministry has received a letter from the Karnataka government for cancellation of diplomatic passport in respect of MP Prajwal Revanna. It is being processed,” said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.

    Revanna, who is seeking re-election to the Lok Sabha from Hassan as NDA candidate, left the country a day after the April 26 polls using a diplomatic passport.With pressure mounting to nab absconding Revanna, who is wanted in cases of alleged sexual abuse of women, the Karnataka government wrote to the external affairs ministry seeking a cancellation of his diplomatic passport on the basis of an arrest warrant.AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesThe external affairs ministry had earlier said that a passport could be revoked if a requisite judicial order was obtained in this regard from a court. “As far as the matter of revoking a diplomatic passport of a person is concerned, it comes under the Passport Act of 1967. And as per its provisions, a direction should come from the court. Only then it can be revoked,” the ministry’s official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said earlier this month.Earlier on Wednesday, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah wrote a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take “prompt and necessary” action to cancel Revanna’s diplomatic passport and help the state government secure his return to the country. “It is disheartening that my previous letter raising similar concerns on the issue has not, to the best of my knowledge, been acted upon despite the gravity of the situation,” the CM said in a two-page letter.

  • India Slams Pakistan’s ‘False, Malicious Propaganda’ Of Killing Two Terrorists On Pak Soil

    India on Thursday rubbished Pakistan’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of two Pakistani terrorists in Sialkot and Rawalkot last year.

  • Amid row, India says journalists from all G20 countries including China welcome to cover summit

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India will facilitate journalists from all G20 nations to cover the summit including those from China, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This comes amid a row between India and China over the revoking of credentials of each other’s journalists. There is one Chinese journalist in India and two Indian journalists in China.

    “We have been holding G20 meetings which have been attended by foreign journalists. The journalists have to register and get accredited and visas are thereafter issued. We will be doing the same for journalists for the upcoming G20 Summit in September,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

    India has reiterated that foreign journalists, including Chinese, have been pursuing journalistic activities in India without limitations or difficulties in reporting.

    “Chinese journalists in India have no difficulties in reporting. However, Indian journalists in China have been operating with difficulties – such as not being permitted to hire locals as correspondents or journalists. Foreign media in India can freely hire local journalists to work for their bureaus. Indian journalists in China also face restrictions while getting access and travelling locally within China,” said Bagchi.

    India hopes that Chinese authorities facilitate the continued presence of Indian journalists in working and reporting from China. The two sides remain in touch regarding this issue.

    Meanwhile, the Chinese side alleges that their journalists in India have suffered unfair treatment.

    “Chinese journalists have suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment in India for long. In 2017, India had reduced the validity of visas for our journalists to three months and sometimes just one month and since 2020 India hasn’t approved Chinese journalists applications for being stationed in India. At present there is just one Chinese journalist in India, down from 14 in the past. As a result China has taken counter measures,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning recently.

    China says that it would like to maintain communication with India under the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

    “We hope that India will work in the same direction with China and respond to our legitimate concerns and create conditions for restoring normal exchange between media organizations of both countries,” Ning said.

    India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reiterated that India’s relationship with China is not normal.

    India and China have several issues with each other – the biggest being the stand-off at the LAC. The recently held 27th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) which was held in-person did talk about disengaging from the LAC and restoring peace.

    NEW DELHI: India will facilitate journalists from all G20 nations to cover the summit including those from China, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This comes amid a row between India and China over the revoking of credentials of each other’s journalists. There is one Chinese journalist in India and two Indian journalists in China.

    “We have been holding G20 meetings which have been attended by foreign journalists. The journalists have to register and get accredited and visas are thereafter issued. We will be doing the same for journalists for the upcoming G20 Summit in September,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

    India has reiterated that foreign journalists, including Chinese, have been pursuing journalistic activities in India without limitations or difficulties in reporting.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Chinese journalists in India have no difficulties in reporting. However, Indian journalists in China have been operating with difficulties – such as not being permitted to hire locals as correspondents or journalists. Foreign media in India can freely hire local journalists to work for their bureaus. Indian journalists in China also face restrictions while getting access and travelling locally within China,” said Bagchi.

    India hopes that Chinese authorities facilitate the continued presence of Indian journalists in working and reporting from China. The two sides remain in touch regarding this issue.

    Meanwhile, the Chinese side alleges that their journalists in India have suffered unfair treatment.

    “Chinese journalists have suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment in India for long. In 2017, India had reduced the validity of visas for our journalists to three months and sometimes just one month and since 2020 India hasn’t approved Chinese journalists applications for being stationed in India. At present there is just one Chinese journalist in India, down from 14 in the past. As a result China has taken counter measures,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning recently.

    China says that it would like to maintain communication with India under the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

    “We hope that India will work in the same direction with China and respond to our legitimate concerns and create conditions for restoring normal exchange between media organizations of both countries,” Ning said.

    India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has reiterated that India’s relationship with China is not normal.

    India and China have several issues with each other – the biggest being the stand-off at the LAC. The recently held 27th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) which was held in-person did talk about disengaging from the LAC and restoring peace.

  • ‘We want action, not assurances’: MEA on Indian High Commission attack in London

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affair (MEA) reacting to the various acts of vandalism that have been reported across Australia, Canada and the US said it is not interested in assurance and would like to see some action taken.

    “Hope governments will take action and prosecute those involved,’’ MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. 

    Many countries have a different view of their own security and different view of other people’s security. We will not accept this differential status, said External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar.

    It is the obligation of the receiving country to provide security for a diplomat to do their work, to ensure embassy or high commission’s premises are respected, said Jaishankar.

    “These obligations were not met. We had conversations with the British government on this,’’ Dr Jaishankar said in an event in Bengaluru on Friday responding to the security of Indian missions following the vandalism of Indian High Commission in London.

    Meanwhile, Members of Parliament for House of Commons, London, have condemned the vandalism.

    ALSO READ | Extra barricades outside British High Commission in Delhi removed 

    “The protest that turned into violence and vandalism was promoted on several social media platforms at least 24 hours beforehand and it is disappointing that the Home Office failed to ensure adequate protection,’’ said Navendu Mishra in a letter addressed to Indian High Commissioner in London, Vikram Doraiswami. This letter was co-signed by seven other MPs.

    Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary, Tom Tugendhat, too had a meeting with HC Doraiswami and spoke about security cooperation.

    UK’s leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt also condemned the vandalism.

    Delhi Police has registered a case against Indian nationals who were involved in the vandalization of the IHC in London. A report has been given to Indian authorities on the vandalism instance.

    ALSO READ | Diaspora meet counters tricolour attack at London mission with festive spirit 

    It is reported that security around Indian missions in Australia – Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney has been beefed up. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern about the growing instances of vandalism of temples across Australia when Australian PM Anthony Albanese was visiting India earlier this month.

    In the Canadian Parliament, a concern was raised about the situation in Punjab.

    “We are aware of the evolving situation in Punjab and are following it very closely and we look forward to a more stable situation,’’ said Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly.

    “We urge people living abroad not to be taken by inaccurate, motivated narrative,’’ said Bagchi in response to security situation in Punjab been taken up by foreign Parliaments.

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affair (MEA) reacting to the various acts of vandalism that have been reported across Australia, Canada and the US said it is not interested in assurance and would like to see some action taken.

    “Hope governments will take action and prosecute those involved,’’ MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. 

    Many countries have a different view of their own security and different view of other people’s security. We will not accept this differential status, said External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    It is the obligation of the receiving country to provide security for a diplomat to do their work, to ensure embassy or high commission’s premises are respected, said Jaishankar.

    “These obligations were not met. We had conversations with the British government on this,’’ Dr Jaishankar said in an event in Bengaluru on Friday responding to the security of Indian missions following the vandalism of Indian High Commission in London.

    Meanwhile, Members of Parliament for House of Commons, London, have condemned the vandalism.

    ALSO READ | Extra barricades outside British High Commission in Delhi removed 

    “The protest that turned into violence and vandalism was promoted on several social media platforms at least 24 hours beforehand and it is disappointing that the Home Office failed to ensure adequate protection,’’ said Navendu Mishra in a letter addressed to Indian High Commissioner in London, Vikram Doraiswami. This letter was co-signed by seven other MPs.

    Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary, Tom Tugendhat, too had a meeting with HC Doraiswami and spoke about security cooperation.

    UK’s leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt also condemned the vandalism.

    Delhi Police has registered a case against Indian nationals who were involved in the vandalization of the IHC in London. A report has been given to Indian authorities on the vandalism instance.

    ALSO READ | Diaspora meet counters tricolour attack at London mission with festive spirit 

    It is reported that security around Indian missions in Australia – Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney has been beefed up. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern about the growing instances of vandalism of temples across Australia when Australian PM Anthony Albanese was visiting India earlier this month.

    In the Canadian Parliament, a concern was raised about the situation in Punjab.

    “We are aware of the evolving situation in Punjab and are following it very closely and we look forward to a more stable situation,’’ said Canadian Foreign Minister, Melanie Joly.

    “We urge people living abroad not to be taken by inaccurate, motivated narrative,’’ said Bagchi in response to security situation in Punjab been taken up by foreign Parliaments.

  • High oil prices breaking our back, Jaishankar tells Blinken

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told his US counterpart that developing countries are deeply concerned about oil prices as well as supply.

    Addressing a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after holding bilateral talks in Washington, he said, “We are a $2,000 per capita economy. The price of oil is breaking our back.”

    Jaishankar said the energy market is under stress due to the Ukraine war and that not just the pricing but the very availability of oil has become an issue. He also clarified that India is able to service and supply military equipment purchased from Russia despite Western sanctions on Moscow, “Where we get our military supplies from is not an issue. We look at possibilities across the berth and exercise a choice which we believe is in our national interest. Having said that, we have also taken military aircraft from US, France and Israel as we have a tradition of multi-sourcing,’’ he added.

    On the Ukraine war, he said: “We have taken the position privately, publicly, confidentially and consistently that this conflict is not in anybody’s interest.” Blinken sought to justify the US’ F-16 aid to Pakistan, saying it helps it deal with threats emanating from Pakistan or from the region. “We’ve a responsibility to whomever we provide military equipment to, that it’s maintained and sustained,” he said.

    NEW DELHI:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told his US counterpart that developing countries are deeply concerned about oil prices as well as supply.

    Addressing a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after holding bilateral talks in Washington, he said, “We are a $2,000 per capita economy. The price of oil is breaking our back.”

    Jaishankar said the energy market is under stress due to the Ukraine war and that not just the pricing but the very availability of oil has become an issue. He also clarified that India is able to service and supply military equipment purchased from Russia despite Western sanctions on Moscow, “Where we get our military supplies from is not an issue. We look at possibilities across the berth and exercise a choice which we believe is in our national interest. Having said that, we have also taken military aircraft from US, France and Israel as we have a tradition of multi-sourcing,’’ he added.

    On the Ukraine war, he said: “We have taken the position privately, publicly, confidentially and consistently that this conflict is not in anybody’s interest.” Blinken sought to justify the US’ F-16 aid to Pakistan, saying it helps it deal with threats emanating from Pakistan or from the region. “We’ve a responsibility to whomever we provide military equipment to, that it’s maintained and sustained,” he said.

  • Taiwan issue: India calls for de-escalation, restraint as China ends war drill

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In its first reaction on the Taiwan crisis, India on Friday said it is concerned over the developments and called for avoiding unilateral action to change the status quo in the region.

    India also pitched for exercising restraint and underlined the need for efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

    China launched major military drills around Taiwan as part of its response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan.

    “Like many other countries, India too is concerned at recent developments,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “We urge the exercise of restraint, avoidance of unilateral actions to change status quo, de-escalation of tensions and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: In its first reaction on the Taiwan crisis, India on Friday said it is concerned over the developments and called for avoiding unilateral action to change the status quo in the region.

    India also pitched for exercising restraint and underlined the need for efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.

    China launched major military drills around Taiwan as part of its response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan.

    “Like many other countries, India too is concerned at recent developments,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “We urge the exercise of restraint, avoidance of unilateral actions to change status quo, de-escalation of tensions and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” he said.

  • Jaishankar, Blinken discuss pressing global issues

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday held talks on pressing global challenges, amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s high-profile visit to Taipei.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting that took place on the margins of an ASEAN conclave in Phnom Penh, Blinken referred to concerns over “challenges” in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the situation in the Indo-Pacific.

    It is understood that the escalating tension between China and Taiwan, especially in the Taiwan Strait, following Pelosi’s visit to Taipei figured in the talks.

    China has launched a major live-fire military exercise in the waters around Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, triggering global concerns.

    The Jaishankar-Blinken meeting also came days after the US killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al-Qaeda leader and a key plotter of the 9/11 attacks, in a drone strike in a Kabul safe house.

    “A warm conversation to start meetings on sidelines of ASEAN Ministerial in Phnom Penh. Discussed the ever strengthening India-US relationship and the global situation with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting, Blinken said the US and India are strong proponents of the ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific, according to the US State Department.

    “We’re both strong proponents of ASEAN centrality. We have a shared vision together for a free and open Indo-Pacific that we work on in so many different ways every single day,” he said.

    “And of course, we have some immediate challenges that we’re both concerned with, to include the situation in Sri Lanka, Burma, and a number of other, number of other hot spots,” he said.

    “So I very much look forward to once again being able to go through a number of these issues with my friend, and then we’ll both head over to our meetings,” Blinken added.

    Last month, Sri Lanka witnessed massive political turmoil following mass protests that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country.

    Veteran leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president amid hopes for recovery from economic distress. The western powers were anguished over the execution of four pro-democracy activists by Myanmar’s military government last month.

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday held talks on pressing global challenges, amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s high-profile visit to Taipei.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting that took place on the margins of an ASEAN conclave in Phnom Penh, Blinken referred to concerns over “challenges” in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the situation in the Indo-Pacific.

    It is understood that the escalating tension between China and Taiwan, especially in the Taiwan Strait, following Pelosi’s visit to Taipei figured in the talks.

    China has launched a major live-fire military exercise in the waters around Taiwan in response to Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island, triggering global concerns.

    The Jaishankar-Blinken meeting also came days after the US killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al-Qaeda leader and a key plotter of the 9/11 attacks, in a drone strike in a Kabul safe house.

    “A warm conversation to start meetings on sidelines of ASEAN Ministerial in Phnom Penh. Discussed the ever strengthening India-US relationship and the global situation with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    In his opening remarks at the meeting, Blinken said the US and India are strong proponents of the ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific, according to the US State Department.

    “We’re both strong proponents of ASEAN centrality. We have a shared vision together for a free and open Indo-Pacific that we work on in so many different ways every single day,” he said.

    “And of course, we have some immediate challenges that we’re both concerned with, to include the situation in Sri Lanka, Burma, and a number of other, number of other hot spots,” he said.

    “So I very much look forward to once again being able to go through a number of these issues with my friend, and then we’ll both head over to our meetings,” Blinken added.

    Last month, Sri Lanka witnessed massive political turmoil following mass protests that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country.

    Veteran leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new president amid hopes for recovery from economic distress. The western powers were anguished over the execution of four pro-democracy activists by Myanmar’s military government last month.

  • Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations ‘must’: India at SCO meet

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: There is an urgent need to address the global energy and food crisis triggered by disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at a meeting of the SCO in Tashkent on Friday.

    With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto listening, Jaishankar said “zero tolerance” for terrorism in all its manifestations is a “must”.

    In his address at the foreign ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), he also underlined the potential of the Chabahar port in Iran for the economic future of the grouping.

    Talking about the current global challenges, Jaishankar said the response required includes resilient and diversified supply chains as well as reformed multilateralism.

    The external affairs minister reiterated India’s position on Afghanistan and highlighted its humanitarian support to the war-torn country including the supply of wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing.

    The major highlights of the deliberations included a decision to grant permanent membership of the bloc to Iran and make Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia its dialogue partners.

    The ministers also supported the applications of Bahrain and the Maldives for the status of SCO dialogue partners.

    The meeting also reviewed preparations for the upcoming summit of the grouping in Samarkand which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the eight-nation grouping.

    “Participated in the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Tashkent. Highlighted that world faces an energy and food crisis due to disruptions from the Covid pandemic and Ukraine conflict. This needs to be urgently addressed,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    “Response required includes resilient and diversified supply chains as well as reformed multilateralism. Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations is a must,” he said. He said India will give the “fullest support” for the success of the Samarkand summit.

    “Reiterated India’s position on Afghanistan and highlighted our humanitarian support: wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing. Underlined the potential of Chabahar port for SCO’s economic future,” Jaishankar said in another tweet.

    Jaishankar said the meeting was “very useful” in preparing for the Samarkand summit. “Spoke of the economic progress in India, stressing the relevance of startups and innovation. Cooperation in traditional medicine is in the common interest of SCO members,” he added.

    Earlier, all the foreign ministers of the SCO nations called on Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

    Jaishankar said he conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal greetings to the Uzbek President. “Appreciated the momentum generated by Uzbek Presidency in fields of security, economy, trade, connectivity and culture,” he said.

    Uzbek news agency Dunyo reported that the ministers also supported the applications of Bahrain and the Maldives for the status of SCO dialogue partners. It said the SCO was also actively studying the application for full membership in the bloc by Belarus.

    “There is a common understanding that the replenishment of the ‘SCO family’ will give a significant impetus to multifaceted interaction in the field of regional security, trade, investment and industrial cooperation,” acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov said.

    He said it will contribute to the further development of the huge transport and transit potential in the space of the organisation.

    The SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, is a key economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

    SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

    India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

    India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

    NEW DELHI: There is an urgent need to address the global energy and food crisis triggered by disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at a meeting of the SCO in Tashkent on Friday.

    With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto listening, Jaishankar said “zero tolerance” for terrorism in all its manifestations is a “must”.

    In his address at the foreign ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), he also underlined the potential of the Chabahar port in Iran for the economic future of the grouping.

    Talking about the current global challenges, Jaishankar said the response required includes resilient and diversified supply chains as well as reformed multilateralism.

    The external affairs minister reiterated India’s position on Afghanistan and highlighted its humanitarian support to the war-torn country including the supply of wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing.

    The major highlights of the deliberations included a decision to grant permanent membership of the bloc to Iran and make Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia its dialogue partners.

    The ministers also supported the applications of Bahrain and the Maldives for the status of SCO dialogue partners.

    The meeting also reviewed preparations for the upcoming summit of the grouping in Samarkand which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the eight-nation grouping.

    “Participated in the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Tashkent. Highlighted that world faces an energy and food crisis due to disruptions from the Covid pandemic and Ukraine conflict. This needs to be urgently addressed,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    “Response required includes resilient and diversified supply chains as well as reformed multilateralism. Zero tolerance for terrorism in all its manifestations is a must,” he said. He said India will give the “fullest support” for the success of the Samarkand summit.

    “Reiterated India’s position on Afghanistan and highlighted our humanitarian support: wheat, medicines, vaccines and clothing. Underlined the potential of Chabahar port for SCO’s economic future,” Jaishankar said in another tweet.

    Jaishankar said the meeting was “very useful” in preparing for the Samarkand summit. “Spoke of the economic progress in India, stressing the relevance of startups and innovation. Cooperation in traditional medicine is in the common interest of SCO members,” he added.

    Earlier, all the foreign ministers of the SCO nations called on Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

    Jaishankar said he conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal greetings to the Uzbek President. “Appreciated the momentum generated by Uzbek Presidency in fields of security, economy, trade, connectivity and culture,” he said.

    Uzbek news agency Dunyo reported that the ministers also supported the applications of Bahrain and the Maldives for the status of SCO dialogue partners. It said the SCO was also actively studying the application for full membership in the bloc by Belarus.

    “There is a common understanding that the replenishment of the ‘SCO family’ will give a significant impetus to multifaceted interaction in the field of regional security, trade, investment and industrial cooperation,” acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov said.

    He said it will contribute to the further development of the huge transport and transit potential in the space of the organisation.

    The SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, is a key economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

    SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

    India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

    India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

  • Singapore has shared changes in its invitation with Delhi govt: MEA on Kejriwal visit issue

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs Thursday said it had received a request last week for political clearance for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s visit to Singapore but it is given to understand that the host government has shared certain updates and changes in its invitation with the Delhi government.

    Asked about Delhi Chief Minister’s political clearance request, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “As we conveyed last week, we received an entry on our political clearance portal on July 21.”

    “Given to understand that the host government Singapore has shared certain updates and changes to its invitation with the Delhi government. I would request you to check with the Delhi government on what is the status of that,” he said.

    Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking permission to attend the summit.

    Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has rejected the AAP government’s request for Kejriwal’s travel to Singapore, saying his attendance at the mayors’ conference will set a “bad precedent”.

    Last month, High Commissioner of Singapore, Simon Wong, invited Kejriwal for the World Cities Summit.

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs Thursday said it had received a request last week for political clearance for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s visit to Singapore but it is given to understand that the host government has shared certain updates and changes in its invitation with the Delhi government.

    Asked about Delhi Chief Minister’s political clearance request, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “As we conveyed last week, we received an entry on our political clearance portal on July 21.”

    “Given to understand that the host government Singapore has shared certain updates and changes to its invitation with the Delhi government. I would request you to check with the Delhi government on what is the status of that,” he said.

    Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking permission to attend the summit.

    Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has rejected the AAP government’s request for Kejriwal’s travel to Singapore, saying his attendance at the mayors’ conference will set a “bad precedent”.

    Last month, High Commissioner of Singapore, Simon Wong, invited Kejriwal for the World Cities Summit.

  • Two BSF personnel on UN peacekeeping duty in Congo killed

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Two Border Security Force personnel, who were part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, were killed on Tuesday during violent protests, a spokesperson for the force said.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he was deeply grieved at the loss of the two valiant Indian peacekeepers and demanded that the perpetrators of the “outrageous attacks” must be held accountable and brought to justice.

    The minister extended his condolences to the bereaved families. The two soldiers were part of MONUSCO – the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo.

    Both the deceased bravehearts were in the rank of head constable and hailed from Rajasthan, a senior officer said.

    According to international media, at least five people were killed and about 50 others injured on the second day of demonstrations in Congo’s eastern city of Goma against the United Nations mission in the country.

    “On 26 July, two BSF personnel of the UN Peacekeeping Contingent (MONUSCO) deployed at Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo, succumbed to fatal injuries during the violent armed protests,” a spokesperson for the Border Security Force (BSF) said.

    Officials said two platoons or around 70-74 BSF troops were deployed in the area and they were inducted in May this year.

    They said locals had given a call for demonstration and agitation against MONUSCO throughout Congo and the situation turned violent in Goma (about 350 km south of Beni and a big MONUSCO base) with protesters looting and setting fire to UN property.

    Both Beni and Butembo (with two BSF platoons each deployed) were on high alert. Monday passed off peacefully, a senior officer said. However, today the situation in Butembo turned violent.

    The camp of Morroco Rapid Deployment battalion where BSF platoons are stationed was surrounded by demonstrators.

    Congolese Police (PNC) and Congolese Army (FARDC) troops arrived but could not control the crowd estimated to be over 500 people.

    BSF and other security force troops fired tear smoke ammunition to disperse the crowd but they managed to breach the perimeter wall at three different places. “The crowd was repelled but they gathered again. There were reports that armed rebels had infiltrated the demonstrators,” the officer said. He said sporadic firing was on and Moroccan police officer was also killed in the attack.

    Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Deeply grieved at the loss of lives of two valiant Indian peacekeepers of the BSF in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were part of the MONUSCO.” “The perpetrators of these outrageous attacks must be held accountable and brought to justice,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: Two Border Security Force personnel, who were part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo, were killed on Tuesday during violent protests, a spokesperson for the force said.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he was deeply grieved at the loss of the two valiant Indian peacekeepers and demanded that the perpetrators of the “outrageous attacks” must be held accountable and brought to justice.

    The minister extended his condolences to the bereaved families. The two soldiers were part of MONUSCO – the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo.

    Both the deceased bravehearts were in the rank of head constable and hailed from Rajasthan, a senior officer said.

    According to international media, at least five people were killed and about 50 others injured on the second day of demonstrations in Congo’s eastern city of Goma against the United Nations mission in the country.

    “On 26 July, two BSF personnel of the UN Peacekeeping Contingent (MONUSCO) deployed at Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo, succumbed to fatal injuries during the violent armed protests,” a spokesperson for the Border Security Force (BSF) said.

    Officials said two platoons or around 70-74 BSF troops were deployed in the area and they were inducted in May this year.

    They said locals had given a call for demonstration and agitation against MONUSCO throughout Congo and the situation turned violent in Goma (about 350 km south of Beni and a big MONUSCO base) with protesters looting and setting fire to UN property.

    Both Beni and Butembo (with two BSF platoons each deployed) were on high alert. Monday passed off peacefully, a senior officer said. However, today the situation in Butembo turned violent.

    The camp of Morroco Rapid Deployment battalion where BSF platoons are stationed was surrounded by demonstrators.

    Congolese Police (PNC) and Congolese Army (FARDC) troops arrived but could not control the crowd estimated to be over 500 people.

    BSF and other security force troops fired tear smoke ammunition to disperse the crowd but they managed to breach the perimeter wall at three different places. “The crowd was repelled but they gathered again. There were reports that armed rebels had infiltrated the demonstrators,” the officer said. He said sporadic firing was on and Moroccan police officer was also killed in the attack.

    Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Deeply grieved at the loss of lives of two valiant Indian peacekeepers of the BSF in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were part of the MONUSCO.” “The perpetrators of these outrageous attacks must be held accountable and brought to justice,” he said.