News Analysis India

Tag: MEA

  • EAM Jaishankar speaks to British counterpart Liz Truss

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke to his British counterpart Liz Truss, focusing on defence and security ties, the situation in Ukraine and implementation of the India-UK ‘Roadmap 2030’.

    The ‘Roadmap 2030’ was adopted at a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson in May last year.

    “Good catching up with UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz. Conducted periodic review on our Roadmap 2030. Also discussed the situation in Ukraine,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    On her part, Truss said “Russian aggression against Ukraine” was discussed apart from defence and security cooperation as well as the proposed India-UK free trade agreement.

    “Good to speak with @DrSJaishankar. We discussed: Russian aggression against Ukraine; working towards a FTA with India; closer defence & security cooperation,” she tweeted.

    The US and its Western allies have been severely critical of Russia over its continuing build-up of forces near the Ukraine border.

    The US has already decided to send extra troops to Europe to support its allies in the backdrop of fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    The ‘Roadmap 2030’ was aimed at ramping up cooperation over the next decade in the key areas of trade and economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connect among others.

  • MEA S Jaishankar holds talks with Australian counterpart Marise Payne 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held talks with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne ahead of the inaugural ‘two-plus-two’ ministerial dialogue between the two countries.

    It is learnt that the developments in Afghanistan and ways to further strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific figured in the talks between the two foreign ministers.

    “Delighted to welcome my good friend FM @MarisePayne of Australia. We now start our discussions,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    Delighted to welcome my good friend FM @MarisePayne of Australia.We now start our discussions. pic.twitter.com/jhI6mwhybM
    — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 11, 2021
    Payne and Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton arrived here on Friday on a three-day visit primarily to take part in the inaugural two-plus-two ministerial dialogue on Saturday.

    The Indian delegation at the talks will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Jaishankar.

    The two defence ministers on Friday discussed the fragile security situation in Afghanistan and their “common concerns” relating possible spread of terrorism from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

    The defence and military cooperation between India and Australia is on an upswing in the last few years.

    In June last year, India and Australia elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed a landmark deal for reciprocal access to military bases for logistics support during an online summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.

    The Australian Navy was part of the recent Malabar naval exercise that also featured the navies of India, the US and Japan.

  • Punjab CM urges MEA to arrange evacuation of Indians stuck in gurdwara in Afghanistan

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday urged the Centre to arrange evacuation of all Indians, including 200 Sikhs who were stuck in a gurdwara in Afghanistan, and said his government was willing to extend any help needed for the same.

    Afghanistan stares at an uncertain future as President Ashraf Ghani left the country just before Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban on Sunday.

    In a tweet, Singh said, “Urge @DrSJaishankar, MEA, GoI, to arrange for immediate evacuation of all Indians, including around 200 Sikhs, stuck in a Gurudwara in Afghanistan after the #Taliban takeover. My govt is willing to extend any help needed to ensure their safe evacuation”.

    ALSO READ | Kabul: Outbound commercial flights cancelled due to chaos at airport

    The CM on Sunday had said that there was a need to reman extra vigilant at all borders of the country, saying Afghanistan’s “fall” to the Taliban “does not augur well” for India.

    “Afghanistan’s fall to #Taliban doesn’t augur well for our country. It’ll strengthen the Sino-Pak nexus against India (China has already sought militia’s help on Uyghur). The signs are not at all good, we need to be extra vigilant now at all our borders,” Singh had said in a tweet on Sunday.

    On Saturday, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, an apex gurdwara body, had urged the Union government to ensure the safety of Sikhs living in Afghanistan and make unconditional arrangements to bring those Sikhs who want to come to India.

    ALSO WATCH:

  • Pakistan’s allegations against India on terror attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ‘lies’: MEA

    At least 13 people were killed when the bus carrying the Chinese engineers and workers to the site of the under-construction Dasu Dam exploded on July 14.

  • India hints at holding discussions with Taliban

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Expressing concern at the security situation in Afghanistan, India on Thursday hinted that it is holding discussions with the Taliban. Responding to a question on whether discussions were on with the Taliban, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that New Delhi has been in touch with everybody concerned. “We are in touch with all stakeholders, different stakeholders. I would not like to add anything further,” Bagchi said.

    ALSO READ | Taliban take Afghanistan’s third-largest city in onslaught

    Bagchi’s comments came on a day when India was participating in the regional dialogue on Afghanistan in Doha after being snubbed for the ‘extended troika’ meeting. According to the MEA spokesperson, Joint Secretary (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) JP Singh is attending the meeting in Doha. India was invited to the regional dialogue by Mutlaq bin Majed Al-Qahtani, Qatar’s special envoy for counter-terrorism and conflict resolution, during his India visit last week.

    The comments also came on a day when the Taliban captured a 10th provincial capital in Afghanistan in a week. On Thursday, Ghazni, located only 150 kilometres from Kabul, fell to the militant group. US intelligence reports have suggested that the Taliban could capture Kabul within 90 days.

    Meanwhile, New Delhi also said it hoped that an immediate and comprehensive cease-fire would be put in place and urged all Indians to return as soon as possible while adding that a formal evacuation mechanism is not in place.

    ALSO READ | Kabul offers Taliban power-sharing to end violence: Source

    On protecting the minorities in Afghanistan, Bagchi said India is in touch with Hindus and Sikhs. India brought back about 50 officials and citizens from Mazar-e-Sharif amid fighting near the capital of the Balkh province on Wednesday. “Our Consulate continues to be operational with locally recruited staff,” Bagchi said.

    Engineers rescuedThree Indian engineers working at a site in an area not under the control of Afghan government forces, were rescued recently, according to the Indian embassy in Kabul

    No embassy closureIndia does not have plans to shut down its embassy in Kabul and pressed for a comprehensive ceasefire to end the conflict in Afghanistan, said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

  • India-China military talks constructive, both sides agreed to maintain momentum in dialogue: MEA

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the recent India-China military talks on the eastern Ladakh row were “constructive” and both sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an “expeditious manner”.

    According to a joint statement released here by the Indian Army on Monday, two days after the 12th round of military talks, the two sides had a “candid and in-depth exchange” of views relating to disengagement and the meeting further enhanced the mutual understanding.

    Asked about the talks at an online media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi pointed to the statement issued after the deliberations and highlighted that it was a joint press release.

    “As was mentioned therein, the talks were candid and constructive. Both sides agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with existing agreements and protocols, and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations. We will share with you further updates once we have them,” he said.

    The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last year following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

    Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the sensitive sector.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of the Pangong lake in February, in line with an agreement on disengagement.

  • BRICS finalises action plan to combat terrorism, radicalisation, terror financing

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: An action plan aimed at strengthening result-oriented cooperation among the BRICS countries to combat terrorism, radicalisation and terror financing will be adopted at a meeting of the national security advisors of the grouping next month.

    The Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that the action plan was finalised at a meeting of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) that took place virtually on July 28 and 29.

    “The BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan is one of the key deliverables during India’s chairship of BRICS and will be adopted at the meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors scheduled next month,” the MEA said.

    BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) brings together five of the largest developing countries of the world, representing 41 per cent of the global population, 24 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of the global trade.

    India has been strongly pitching for deeper cooperation among the BRICS member countries in dealing with terrorism, extremism and radicalisation.

    At the CTWG meeting, the BRICS countries exchanged views on the assessment of the threat from terrorism at the national, regional and global levels and resolved to further enhance counter-terrorism cooperation in line with the action plan, the MEA said in a statement.

    It said the countries also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The 6th meeting of the CTWG was held under the chairship of India.

    “The main outcome of the working group meeting was the finalisation of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan containing specific measures to implement the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted by BRICS Leaders in 2020,” the MEA said.

    “The action plan is aimed at further strengthening result-oriented cooperation between BRICS countries in areas such as preventing and combating terrorism, radicalisation, financing of terrorism, misuse of internet by terrorists, curbing travel of terrorists, border control, protection of soft targets and information sharing,” it said.

    Mahaveer Singhvi, joint secretary for counter-terrorism in the MEA, chaired the CTWG meeting while senior counter-terrorism officials from all BRICS countries participated in it.

  • India supports Afghanistan in realising its aspirations for peaceful future: MEA

    Afghanistan has been witnessing a series of terror attacks since the United States began withdrawing its troops from the country on May 1.

  • India has consistent policy to treat Dalai Lama as an honoured guest: MEA

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India has a consistent policy of treating the Dalai Lama as a respected religious leader and an honoured guest in the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

    The assertion, in response to a question, came two days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the Tibetan spiritual leader and greeted him on his 86th birthday.

    “It is the consistent policy of the government of India to treat his holiness the Dalai Lama as an honoured guest in India and as a respected religious leader who enjoys a large following in India,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing.

    “His holiness’s birthday is celebrated by many of his followers in India and abroad,” he added.

    Bagchi was replying to a question on the Indian government wishing the Dalai Lama on his birthday.

    Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday said on Twitter that he spoke to the Tibetan spiritual leader and greeted him on his birthday in what was seen in some quarters as a subtle message to China amid strained ties between India and that country over the border standoff in eastern Ladakh.

    Several union ministers including Nitin Gadkari, Hardeep Singh Puri and Dharmendra Pradhan as well as chief ministers Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi) and Prem Singh Tamang (Sikkim) were among those who also tweeted to convey their greetings to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

    The Dalai Lama while responding to the birthday greetings said in a virtual address he has taken “full advantage” of India’s freedom and religious harmony and is committed to reviving ancient Indian knowledge.

    The Tibetan leader also said he is committed to non-violence and compassion “until my death”.

    The 14th Dalai Lama has made India his home since fleeing China in 1959.

    The Chinese government officials and the Dalai Lama or his representatives have not met in formal negotiations since 2010.

    Beijing has in the past accused the Dalai Lama of indulging in “separatist” activities and trying to split Tibet and considers him as a divisive figure.

    However, the Tibetan spiritual leader has insisted that he is not seeking independence but “genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet” under the “Middle-Way approach”.

  • COVID situation in India vastly improved, hope countries would ease travel restrictions: MEA

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs Thursday said it hopes that with the COVID-19 situation in India vastly improved, foreign nations would ease travel restrictions from India, and asserted that it is taking up the issue with partners, including in the Gulf.

    MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the government is actively trying to help Indians who need to travel back to various countries across the world.

    “As we have said earlier, we hope that with the vastly improved Covid situation in India, countries would ease restrictions for travel from India. We have been taking up this issue with foreign partners wherever possible,” Bagchi said when asked about problems being faced by Indians in traveling to other countries, especially Gulf nations.

    He also said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan recently held a meeting with Indian Ambassadors in Gulf countries.

    “Our Ambassadors were requested to take up with their host countries the issue of resumption of flights with India,” he said, referring to the meeting.

    The external affairs minister has also raised this issue during bilateral meetings on the margins of the recently held G-20 ministerial meeting in Italy, Bagchi told an online media briefing.

    Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has also raised with his counterparts the issue of normalisation of travel and mobility of students, professionals and enabling family reunions, he said.

    “So, in summary, we are actively trying to help Indians who need to travel back to various countries across the world,” the MEA spokesperson said.

    On a question on the extradition of Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi from Dominica and the UK respectively, Bagchi said he had no update to share on the legal proceedings underway in the cases and added that the ministry would continue to closely follow developments in this regard.

    Asked about Britain’s Cairn Energy Plc securing a French court order to seize some 20 Indian government properties in Paris to recover a part of the USD 1.72 billion due from New Delhi following an arbitration panel overturning levy of retrospective taxes, Bagchi told the media to refer to the Finance Ministry statement on it.

    The Finance Ministry has said it has not received any order from any French court and will take appropriate legal remedies after it gets an order.

    On the criticism from some international quarters over the death of rights activist Father Stan Swamy, Bagchi said the MEA had issued a statement on it a couple of days ago and there was nothing to add to that.

    India had on Tuesday rejected such criticism and said the due process of law was followed in his case and that the authorities act against violations of law and do not restrain legitimate exercise of rights.

    Eighty-four-year-old Stan Swamy, who was arrested last year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, died in a Mumbai hospital on Monday.

    Asked about the issue of French probe into the Rafale jets deal, Bagchi asked the media to refer to the Defence Ministry over the issue.