News Analysis India

Tag: MEA

  • Situation in Ukraine “very worrisome”: PM Modi at virtual meeting with President Biden

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: President Joe Biden on Monday said the US and India will continue consultations to cope with the “destabilising” effects of the Russian war in Ukraine during a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who highlighted the need for direct talks between President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart to resolve the crisis.

    In his televised opening remarks, Modi called the situation in Ukraine “very worrisome” and hoped that the ongoing dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv will lead to peace.

    A readout by the White House said Modi and Biden discussed the “destabilising impacts of Russia’s war against Ukraine, with a particular focus on global food supply”.

    In his remarks, Modi said the recent reports of killings of innocent civilians in Bucha city were very concerning and that India immediately condemned it and demanded a fair investigation.

    The prime minister referred to his phone conversations with the Ukrainian and Russian presidents and said he suggested to Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart.

    The virtual meeting came in the midst of some disquiet in Washington over India’s position on the Ukraine crisis as well as its decision to procure discounted Russian oil.

    In his remarks Biden talked about the strong India-US defence partnership, stressing that both the countries are going to “continue our close consultation on how to manage the destabilizing effects of this Russian war”.

    “Our today’s talks are taking place at a time when the situation in Ukraine remains very worrisome. Till a few weeks ago, more than 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine. And most of these were young students,” Modi said.

    The prime minister also noted that an Indian student lost his life in Ukraine. “After a lot of hard work, we were able to get them out of there safely, although one student lost his life. Throughout this development, I spoke on the phone several times with the Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia,” he said.

    “Not only did I appeal for peace, but I also suggested President Putin to have direct talks with the President of Ukraine. The subject of Ukraine has been discussed in great detail in our Parliament as well,” Modi added.

    The Modi-Biden meeting took place ahead of the fourth India-US ‘2+2’ dialogue in Washington which will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

    Singh, Jaishankar, Austin and Blinken were at the White House during the Modi-Biden talks.

    “The two leaders had an extensive exchange of views on several regional and global issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, climate action, recent developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in Ukraine,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

    It said Modi and Biden also took stock of the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years.

    “Both leaders agreed that further strengthening of the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership would be of tremendous benefit to the two countries, and would also contribute to global peace, prosperity and stability,” it said.

    In his remarks, Biden said continued consultation and dialogue between India and the US are key to ensuring that the relationship keeps growing “deeper and stronger delivering our people and our global good that we all are seeking to manage particularly in your part of the world.”

    “I want to welcome India’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine who are suffering the horrific assault including a tragic shelling on a train station last week that killed dozens of innocent children, women and civilians attempting to flee the violence,” Biden said.

    “The root of our partnership is a deep connection between our people, ties of family, of friendship and of shared values,” the US president said.

    At the meeting, Modi also talked about India’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

    “We have also placed importance on the safety of civilian people in Ukraine and the uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid to them and which you have just mentioned in the beginning,” Modi said.

    “On our behalf, we have sent medicines and other relief materials to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. And on the demand of Ukraine we are sending another consignment of medicines very soon,” he said.

    The prime minister also referred to Biden’s slogan at the very beginning of his that ‘democracies can deliver’. “The success of India-US partnership is the best way to make this slogan meaningful,” he said.

    Referring to the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, Modi said he was confident that India-US friendship will be an integral part of India’s development journey for the next 25 years.

    “In September last year, when I came to Washington, and which you have just mentioned, you said that the India-US partnership can contribute to resolving many global problems. I completely agree with you,” Modi said. “As the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, we are natural partners,” he said.

    The White House said the two leaders committed to strengthening the US-India relationship through cooperation on clean energy, technology and military cooperation, and expanded economic and people-to-people ties.

    “They also committed to continuing cooperation — bilaterally and multilaterally — on ending the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening global health security, advancing global food security, and ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it said.

    “They emphasized their shared commitment, as leaders of the world’s largest democracies, to respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” the White House said.

    Unlike its Quad partner countries, India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes at the UN platforms on the Russian aggression.

    India has been pressing for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine and seeking a resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.

    Modi has held phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, March 2 and March 7. He had also spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy twice.

    In a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on April 1, Modi conveyed that India stands ready to contribute in any way to the peace efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

  • Rajnath Singh, Jaishankar arrive in US to attend 2+2 ministerial

    By PTI

    WASHINGTON: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have arrived in the US capital to attend the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue in Washington on Monday – the first under the Biden administration.

    To be held under the shadow of the Ukrainian crisis, the 2+2 ministerial is reflective of the significance the two governments attach to this bilateral relationship, which former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee described as natural allies.

    In fact, President Biden has signalled to elevate the 2+2 ministerial by himself having a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the White House on Monday.

    The two Indian ministers – Singh and Jaishankar – along with their American counterparts – Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken – are slated to participate in the virtual meeting from the White House.

    The day would begin with Singh being given a red-carpet welcome at the Pentagon by Austin and Blinken meeting Jaishankar at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

    Thereafter, the four ministers would drive to the White House for the Modi-Biden virtual meeting.

    During the virtual meet, Biden and Modi will discuss cooperation on a range of issues, including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, countering the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

    The 2+2 ministerial along with the respective delegations would take place at the State Department in the afternoon.

    A joint press conference has been scheduled at the conclusion of the 2+2. It would be addressed by Singh and Jaishankar along with Austin and Blinken.

  • WHO’s supply suspension of Covaxin not to impact travel of people: MEA

    Arindam Bagchi said the issue was something to do with certain processes and manufacturer of Covaxin and the WHO are looking into the matter.

  • Eastern Ladakh situation a work in progress: Jaishankar after talks with Wang Yi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The current situation between India and China on the eastern Ladakh issue is “a work in progress” but moving at a slower place than desirable, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday after talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

    He asserted that the restoration of normal ties will require normalcy in border areas.

    Addressing a press conference after talks with Wang, Jaishankar noted that 15 rounds of talks between senior military commanders have taken place over the eastern Ladakh standoff and pointed out that progress has been achieved on several friction points from the disengagement perspective.

    “This needs to be taken forward since completion of disengagement is necessary for discussions on de-escalation to take place. I would describe our current situation as a work in progress, obviously at a slower place than desirable, and my discussions with Foreign Minister Wang were aimed at expediting that process,” the external affairs minister said.

    The impact of border tensions on the overall ties has been visible in the last two years, he said. “This is only natural since peace and tranquillity in the border areas have been the foundation of stable and cooperative ties,” Jaishankar said.

    He said his nearly three-hour talks with Wang addressed a broad and substantive agenda in an open and candid manner.

    Jaishankar said he discussed with Wang bilateral relations that have been disturbed due to Chinese actions since April 2020. “I was honest in conveying our sentiment on this issue during talks with Wang Yi,” Jaishankar said while referring to the eastern Ladakh standoff.

    Frictions and tensions arising from China’s deployments since April 2020 cannot be reconciled with a normal relationship between two neighbours, he asserted.

    Asked whether terrorism emanating from Pakistan figured in the talks, Jaishankar said the issue came up. Wang, who holds the rank of state councillor, arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening from Kabul.

  • 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.

  • Always exploring all possibilities in global energy markets: India

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India on Thursday did not rule out buying discounted crude oil from Russia, saying it looks at all options at all points of time as a major importer of oil.

    At a media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi did not give a direct reply to a question on whether India was considering taking up the Russian offer of cheap crude oil.

    “India does import most of its oil requirements, it’s met by imports. So we are always exploring all possibilities in global energy markets because of this situation that we face of importing our oil requirements,” he said.

    Bagchi said Russia has not been a major supplier of crude oil for India.

    “Let me just highlight that a number of countries are doing so, especially in Europe, and for the moment, I will leave it at that. We are a major oil importer and we are looking at all options at all points, we need the energy,” he said.

    Asked whether the purchase can be made under the Rupee-Rouble arrangement, Bagchi said he was not aware of the exact details on the offers.

    He said doing business in currencies Rupee and Rouble were in existence in past and that he was not aware of the current status of the arrangement.

    To another question on the impact of western sanctions against Moscow on the India-Russia trade, Bagchi said New Delhi will wait for it.

    “We will await details of any unilateral sanctions to examine their impact on our economic exchanges with Russia,” he said.

    Asked about India’s position on the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Bagchi said India has been in touch with all sides, including at the highest level.

    “We have been talking about the need for dialogue and diplomacy, not hostilities, clearly,” he added.

    When his comments were sought on reports that negotiations on resolving the crisis were focussed on Ukraine’s “neutrality”, the MEA spokesperson evaded a direct reply.

    “Our basic message has been the need for diplomacy and dialogue, that is the way forward. The exact contours of what kind of an understanding that can be reached, I would leave it to the protagonists involved, rather than comment on our views of what could be and what is on the table, which we are not even aware of,” he said.

  • 15-20 Indians want to leave Ukraine, being provided all help: MEA

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: There are 15-20 Indians in war-hit Ukraine who want to leave and are being provided all help, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, asserting that “Operation Ganga” is still on.

    At a media briefing here, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said it is a war situation but “we will keep doing what we can to evacuate those who want to come”.

    “Till about three days ago, there were about 50 Indians who were there. Our assessment is that there are 15-20 people who want to leave that country, the others who are there do not want to leave right now. We are providing as much help as possible to them,” Bagchi said.

    Noting that over 22,500 Indians have been brought back from the east European country, he said there are people in isolated pockets and “this is an evolving situation”. “We are in contact with all the Indians who are there,” he added. The Indian embassy is providing as much help as possible to them, Bagchi said.

    Asked about the three Indians stranded in Ukraine’s southern region of Kherson, he said the focus is to evacuate them and any route could be taken. “Many people have said ‘Operation Ganga’ has come to an end. It is not so. Those who want to be evacuated, we are helping them through our embassy operating from Warsaw (in Poland),” the MEA spokesperson said.

  • India to take Russia route to get back some students stuck in Ukraine: Jaishankar

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Government has brought back 22,500 Indians and 147 foreign nationals from Ukraine and will use the Russia route for the evacuation of students who are still stuck in South Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

    In a statement on the situation in the war-hit country, the minister said the students had delayed their return from Ukraine as some universities discouraged them and “confusing political signals” were given there before the fighting started.

    Jaishankar defended the government’s stand on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, noting that India has called for an immediate cessation of violence and reiterated at the highest levels to all parties that there is no other choice but the path of diplomacy and dialogue.

    The minister said 22,500 Indian citizens and 147 foreign nationals of 18 countries, including Nepal and Bangladesh, have been evacuated from Ukraine.

    “There are some odd people, not in thousands, they are in double digits. We are tracking them. We have issued repeated advisories saying anybody who is left behind, please tell us wherever you are. At this moment we have an operation to get out some students who are stuck in the South (Ukraine) through the Russia route,” Jaishankar said.

    India prepared in advance of the actual conflict situation and started issuing advisories asking people to leave Ukraine, Jaishankar said, rebutting the Opposition’s charge of delayed action by the government.

    According to the minister, 20,000 Indian nationals registered with the Indian embassy in Ukraine after it started a registration drive. The minister said that 4,000 students left Ukraine through direct and indirect flights.

    In view of the continued build-up of tension, the Indian Embassy issued an advisory on February 15, 2022 advising Indian nationals in Ukraine whose stay is not essential to leave the country temporarily. It also advised Indian nationals not to travel to Ukraine or to undertake non-essential within Ukraine, the minister said.

    Further advisories were also given on February 20 and 22 pressing students to leave Ukraine. “Despite our efforts, however, a large majority of students elected to continue staying in Ukraine. We must understand the predicament in this regard. There was a natural reluctance to leave the educational institutions and affect the studies. Some universities actively discouraged and showed reluctance to offer online courses. Many of them received conflicting advice regarding safety,” Jaishankar said.

    He said that in the period leading to February 24, the political signals were confusing as well. “Public urgings not to be taken by alarmism and reports of force withdrawal created a confusing picture. The net result was that about 18,000 Indian nationals were caught in the midst of conflict when it started,” Jaishankar said.

    The minister said that students did what they thought is right under the circumstance. “The Sumy evacuation, which was the last one on a significant scale, was also extremely complex as our students faced the prospect of being caught in the crossfire. Their evacuation from the city needed a credible ceasefire, a daunting challenge in the current situation. This finally materialised due to the personal intervention of the Prime Minister himself with the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia,” the minister said.

    He said final year medical student of Kharkiv Medical University Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagaudar lost his life in the conflict zone and the government will bring back his mortal remains.

    The minister said that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has major economic implications and these can be seen in the rising prices of energy and commodities.

    “The Ukraine conflict has major economic implications. Its impact on energy and commodity prices is already visible. The disruption of the global supply chain is expected to be significant. India has substantial dealings with both Russia and Ukraine,” Jaishankar said.

    He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine on multiple occasions and took up the issue of safe evacuation of Indian nationals, especially from Kharkiv and Sumy.

    “The prime minister also spoke to the prime ministers of Romania, Slovak Republic and Hungary and the president of Poland to seek their support for facilitation of entry of Indian nationals to their countries. I most sincerely thank these partner nations for opening their doors and helping our citizens in our hour of need,” Jaishankar said.

    The minister said India has expressed deep concern about the worsening situation and called for an immediate cessation of violence and an end to all hostilities.

    “Our statements at the Security Council and the General Assembly have urged an urgent ceasefire and ensuring safe passage for stranded civilians. We have reiterated at the highest levels of our leadership to all parties concerned that there is no other choice but the path of diplomacy and dialogue. We have emphasised to all member States of the UN that the global order is anchored on international law, UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states,” the minister said.

  • Exploring all possible ways to evacuate Indians from Sumy: Embassy

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Indian embassy in Ukraine on Saturday said it is exploring all possible ways to safely evacuate the Indian nationals from eastern Ukranian city of Sumy.

    The mission said it is in touch with all interlocutors concerned, including the Red Cross, to identify the exit routes to take out the Indians.

    Sumy is one of the conflict zones witnessing intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

    “Exploring all possible mechanisms to evacuate Indian citizens in Sumy, safely & securely. Discussed evacuation & identification of exit routes with all interlocutors including Red Cross,” the embassy tweeted.

    “Control room will continue to be active until all our citizens are evacuated. Be Safe Be Strong,” it said.

    Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said on Friday that around 700 Indians are stranded in Sumy.

    At a media briefing, Bagchi also urged both the Ukrainian and Russian sides to put in place a “local ceasefire” for evacuation of Indians from the conflict zones including Kharkiv and Sumy.

    He said India is primarily focusing on evacuating its nationals out of the conflict zones in eastern Ukraine including from Kharkiv and Sumy, adding that the total number of Indians stuck in Ukraine could be roughly in the range of 2,000 to 3,000.

  • Jaishankar to brief Parl consultative committee 

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is likely to brief the consultative committee of his ministry on the government’s effort to evacuate Indians from the conflict zone in Ukraine and the opposition MPs are expected to question the centre’s strategy.

    The 21-member Consultative Committee on External Affairs have Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor and Anand Sharma as its members and the opposition MPs are likely to seek reply on issues like delay in evacuation, data related to status of evacuees and Indians still stuck in the conflict zone.

    Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla is also expected to attend the meeting and brief the members. Jaishankar chairs the consultative committee of his ministry. On Monday, Shringla had briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on ‘Operation Ganga’ launched to evacuate Indians from eastern European nations.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also a member of the committee, has been questioning the government over the strategy to evacuate Indians stuck in the conflict zone in Ukraine. “To avert further tragedy, the Government must share how many students have been evacuated, how many are still stranded in Ukraine and a region wise detailed evacuation plan,” he tweeted.

    Other members Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi have been critical of the government’s action and stand on the matter. Towing a line different from the party’s official stand on Ukraine, Tharoor even questioned India’s abstention from the UN Security Council vote.