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Tag: S Jaishankar

  • Jaishankar to brief parties on Modi government’s intervention in Sri Lanka

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief representatives of all political parties following appeals by the AIADMK and the DMK to the Narendra Modi government to intervene in the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

    This was confirmed here today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. Citing a July 16 office memorandum, a senior government official said that the briefing by the finance and external affairs ministries was scheduled for the evening of July 19, the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament.

    The DMK and the AIADMK demanded at a meeting of political parties ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament an Indian intervention in Sri Lanka which is faced with its worst economic emergency since its independence. The DMK’s T R Baalu and the AIADMK’s M Thambudurai raised the condition of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population. The AIADMK is a coalition partner of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

    While India’s position so far has been to not intervene politically in Sri Lanka, it has dispatched aid through other channels. This was evident in a Ministry of External Affairs statement last week, which said that “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means values, established institutions and constitutional framework”.

    It is clear that Jaishankar and Sitharaman will brief on their respective domains. While the External Affairs Minister will focus on India’s position, especially in the context of the political instability in Sri Lanka and the role it could play in seeing a stable regime in Colombo, Sitharaman will emphasise on the crippled economy and the extent to which New Delhi could go to pull the island nation out of the morass.

    The government’s decision to brief representatives of political parties comes in the wake of the Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay’s assurance to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on July 16. Baglay and Abetwardana’s meeting took place a day after the latter accepted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation that was sent in after his exit from the country.

    NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief representatives of all political parties following appeals by the AIADMK and the DMK to the Narendra Modi government to intervene in the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

    This was confirmed here today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. Citing a July 16 office memorandum, a senior government official said that the briefing by the finance and external affairs ministries was scheduled for the evening of July 19, the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament.

    The DMK and the AIADMK demanded at a meeting of political parties ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament an Indian intervention in Sri Lanka which is faced with its worst economic emergency since its independence. The DMK’s T R Baalu and the AIADMK’s M Thambudurai raised the condition of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population. The AIADMK is a coalition partner of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

    While India’s position so far has been to not intervene politically in Sri Lanka, it has dispatched aid through other channels. This was evident in a Ministry of External Affairs statement last week, which said that “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means values, established institutions and constitutional framework”.

    It is clear that Jaishankar and Sitharaman will brief on their respective domains. While the External Affairs Minister will focus on India’s position, especially in the context of the political instability in Sri Lanka and the role it could play in seeing a stable regime in Colombo, Sitharaman will emphasise on the crippled economy and the extent to which New Delhi could go to pull the island nation out of the morass.

    The government’s decision to brief representatives of political parties comes in the wake of the Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay’s assurance to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on July 16. Baglay and Abetwardana’s meeting took place a day after the latter accepted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation that was sent in after his exit from the country.

  • Sri Lankan economic crisis: Centre calls all-party meet on Tuesday

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government has called an all-party meeting Tuesday on the Sri Lankan crisis which will be briefed by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said.

    During a meeting of parties convened on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Tamil Nadu-based DMK and AIADMK demanded India intervene in the neighbouring country which is facing a debilitating economic crisis.

    During the Sunday meet, both DMK and AIADMK raised the Sri Lankan issue, especially the condition of the country’s Tamil population.

    Talking to reporters after the meeting, NDA constituent DMK leader M Thambidurai said India should intervene to resolve the crisis in Sri Lanka.

    Party leader TR Baalu also demanded India’s intervention in addressing the situation confronting the island nation.

    Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, with a severe foreign exchange shortage hampering the import of essentials including food, fuel and medicines.

    The economic crisis also sparked a political crisis in the country after a popular uprising against the government.

    NEW DELHI: The government has called an all-party meeting Tuesday on the Sri Lankan crisis which will be briefed by Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said.

    During a meeting of parties convened on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Tamil Nadu-based DMK and AIADMK demanded India intervene in the neighbouring country which is facing a debilitating economic crisis.

    During the Sunday meet, both DMK and AIADMK raised the Sri Lankan issue, especially the condition of the country’s Tamil population.

    Talking to reporters after the meeting, NDA constituent DMK leader M Thambidurai said India should intervene to resolve the crisis in Sri Lanka.

    Party leader TR Baalu also demanded India’s intervention in addressing the situation confronting the island nation.

    Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in seven decades, with a severe foreign exchange shortage hampering the import of essentials including food, fuel and medicines.

    The economic crisis also sparked a political crisis in the country after a popular uprising against the government.

  • Sri Lanka crisis very serious, India extending help: External Affairs minister S Jaishankar

    By Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Acknowledging that the crisis in Sri Lanka is “very serious”, Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar said India’s focus is on helping the country emerge from the fiscal turmoil. 

    “Right now, they have serious problems. When your neighbour and friend is in difficulty, you have to step up and do what you can to support them. At the moment, the focus is on helping the Sri Lankans, along with the IMF and other partner countries, to see if they can deal with the situation,” Jaishankar told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. 

    The minister said India was helping Sri Lanka as part of the Modi government’s policy called “neighbourhood first”. India has offered a “line of credit” to Sri Lanka that has helped the country ensure a steady supply of essential items from India and also to purchase fuel. He added that India has committed USD 3.8 billion to the island nation this year alone. 

    However, Jaishankar acknowledged there are bigger issues relating to the management of the economy and about having a prudent fiscal policy, which the island nation has to sort out. Not only the people of Sri Lanka but the global community also greatly values the help India has extended to the country, he said. 

    Jaishankar said it would not be correct to say there is a “refugee issue” at this point in time. He admitted that a few people have come to the country following the crisis but it did not merit being called so.”If the world, encouraged and led by India, is able to give adequate support, we should be able to deal with the problem there itself,” he said.

    The external affairs minister said India’s standing in the world has improved ever since the Modi government assumed office. “Our people are being treated better, especially in the Gulf countries,” he said. 

    Asked about how India handles propaganda in the global arena, Jaishankar said the country has the self-confidence to correct the picture. “We will not hesitate from voicing our views and defending our interests,” he underscored

    On the Nupur Sharma remarks row that earned backlash for India, especially from the Gulf countries, Jaishankar said many of the countries eventually appreciated the clarification and the position of the party and the government on the matter. “Let us not exaggerate the issue and attribute to them what is not actually correct,” he said.

    THREE-DAY VISIT

    On his three-day visit to Thiruvananthapuram, Jaishankar said the objective of his visit coincided with the eighth anniversary of the Narendra Modi government.”The objective is to make an assessment of how much the government’s programmes and initiatives on national development have impacted society,” he added.

    The Union minister said he will also take stock of the public reactions to the transformation that has happened during the eight years of Modi government. Jaishankar’s visit assumes significance when seen in the backdrop of BJP’s efforts to make gains in southern states including Kerala for the 2024 general elections. 

  • India, Indonesia renew deal on visa waiver on diplomatic and official passports

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: India and Indonesia renewed the agreement on visa waiver on diplomatic and official passports, said the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday.

    This deal was renewed during the 7th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi.

    Taking to social media the S Jaishankar tweeted, “Just concluded a productive 7th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting with FM Retno Marsudi. Renewed our agreement on visa waiver on diplomatic and official passports and witnessed the exchange of agreements that will further strengthen our counter-narcotics and trade cooperation.”

    Baru saja menutup Pertemuan Komisi Bersama India-Indonesia ke-7 yang produktif dengan Menlu Retno Marsudi. https://t.co/4zNYhs5dBA
    — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 17, 2022
    During the meeting, the External Minister and his counterpart from Indonesia Retno Marsudi also exchanged views on the India-ASEAN partnership and the cooperation of the countries in the UN and G20.

    The two countries also discussed the regional and global issues including Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan, Myanmar and the repercussions of the Ukraine conflict.

    India hosted the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (SAIFMM) on June 16 and 17, marking the 30th anniversary of India-ASEAN dialogue relations and the 10th anniversary of the country’s strategic partnership with ASEAN.

    The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a grouping of 10 member countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and India. 

    The ASEAN Foreign Ministers, ASEAN Secretary-General and Representatives of Foreign Ministers along with Dr Jaishankar today addressed the Ministerial Session of the twelfth edition of Delhi Dialogue (DDXII) which focuses on 30 years of ASEAN-India relations with the theme ‘Building Bridges in the Indo-Pacific’.

    Launched in 2009, Delhi Dialogue is India’s premier annual Track 1.5 Dialogue, which aims to strengthen ASEAN-India relations in the context of the contemporary global and regional scenario.

    The SAIFMM was co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore.

  • PM Narendra Modi giving priority to aspirational districts: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

    By Express News Service

    VISAKHAPATNAM: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was according priority to the development of aspirational districts in the country.

    Addressing a review meeting during his visit to ITDA at Paderu, the Union minister said the Centre will extend cooperation for solving problems such as electricity, network connectivity, education, health, drinking water and roads in the agency areas of Alluri Sitarama Raju district.

    “We will strive to remove gaps in various sectors. I will talk to the rural development minister with regard to problems in panchayats,” he said.

    Speaking at the meeting, district collector Sumit Kumar explained various development works taken up in the district,  through  a powerpoint presentation. He said that most of the grievances received during the Spandana programme were related to roads, drinking water and net connectivity.

    “We have identified 979 villages without roads and 40 villages without electricity and the ITDA PO chalked out  an action plan to provide the services to the villages in three years under the mission connect Paderu,” he said, adding that drinking water projects were being implemented with Rs 239 crore under the Jal Jeevan mission. He said ROFR pattas for over one lakh acres were given to tribals.

    The union minister also visited the stalls displaying various tribal products at the ITDA office. Earlier, Jaishankar was received by the district collector at Gurra Garuvu on his arrival. The minister visited coffee plantations at Gurra Gauruvu.

    He inspected the inter-crop pattern of coffee and pepper. ITDA PO Ronanki Gopala Krishna informed the minister that they are extending various benefits, including distribution of baby pulper units, and ladders at subsidised prices.

    He also visited the polytechnic where a medical college was being constructed with `500 crore.Later, the union minister offered prayers at Modakondamma temple at Paderu.

  • Ukraine crisis will result in global food, fuel, fertiliser crisis: Jaishankar

    By Express News Service

    BENGALURU: A prolonged Ukraine conflict will lead to a global crisis of three ‘Fs’ — food, fuel and fertiliser. “The fertiliser shortage will impact the next harvest and lead to global hunger,” said External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, during a discussion on ‘Eight years of National Security’ at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) on Thursday. NIAS Director Dr Shailesh Nayak and former diplomat PS Raghavan were present.

    “Some consequences of the Ukraine conflict are still unfolding. It can shift the global thinking on energy,” Jaishankar said, while addressing the partner educational institutes of NIAS, research scholars and diplomats. He said India has faced some uncomfortable times at the United Nations regarding its stand on the ongoing conflict. “But we believe that cessation of fighting is the only way forward,” he added.

    He said he chose to speak about national security and not foreign policy because very often “we take the former for granted. Guarding of borders by soldiers or commandos alone is not national security. It is the very foundation of any development and progress of society”. He said it is important to connect the dots — the several initiatives taken by the Modi government like girls’ education, skill development, Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swacch Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana etc, to get a comprehensive picture of India’s national security. 

    POSTER CHILD OF INDIAJaishankar said he chose to speak on the issue of national security in Bengaluru because Karnataka is “one of the most progressive states in the country and is the poster child of India’s modernity to the world”.

  • Indian Foreign Service has changed, it defends national interest: S Jaishankar slams Rahul Gandhi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: In a sharp retort to Rahul Gandhi on his comments quoting unnamed European bureaucrats that the Indian Foreign Service has completely changed and become arrogant, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said it is called defending national interest.

    Yes, the Indian Foreign Service has changed.Yes, they follow the orders of the Government.Yes, they counter the arguments of others.No, its not called Arrogance.It is called Confidence.And it is called defending National Interest. pic.twitter.com/eYynoKZDoW
    — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 21, 2022
    Reacting to the Congress leader’s remarks, Jaishankar tweeted that the change in the Indian Foreign Service is a reflection of confidence. “Yes, the Indian Foreign Service has changed. Yes, they follow the orders of the Government. Yes, they counter the arguments of others. ‘No, it’s not called Arrogance. It is called Confidence. And it is called defending National Interest (sic),” Jaishankar said.

    At the ‘Ideas for India’ conference in London, Gandhi slammed the BJP government at the Centre on multiple fronts and alleged that the “deep state” in India is attacking institutions and capturing them.

    In the interactive session, Gandhi also criticised the Indian Foreign Service. “I was talking to some bureaucrats from Europe and they were saying that the Indian foreign service has completely changed, they do not listen to anything. They are arrogant…There is no conversation,” he said.

  • Efforts on to repatriate Indian fishermen detained in Indonesia, Seychelles: S Jaishankar

    By PTI

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indian Missions in Indonesia and Seychelles are closely following with the local authorities the issue of detention of 13 Indian fishermen in those countries and making efforts for their repatriation, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

    In a letter to Lok Sabha MP from Kerala, Adoor Prakash, who had raised the issue in the Lower House during Zero Hour on March 16, the Minister said that eight Indian fishermen, five from Tamil Nadu and three from Kerala and their fishing vessel BLESSING GT 69 were detained on the night of March 07-08 by Marine Police of Aceh, for fishing in Indonesian waters without business permit from the government of that country.

    He said the state authorities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have confirmed the nationality of all eight fishermen. Officials from Indian Consulate General have met the fishermen and they were found to be in good health.

    “Our Consulate General is also in regular touch with the local authorities, to ensure availability of proper food, clothing and sanitation. They are also consulting the local authorities on legal procedures, including repatriation to India,” the Minister said in the letter dated April 19.

    The letter, copy of which was made available to media by the MP’s office, said five Indian fishing vessels with 61 fishermen onboard were apprehended by the Syechelles Coast Guard on March 6 and 10 respectively.

    Jaishankar said 56 fishermen (except the five captains of the five fishing boats) have been released by Seychelles government on March 22 and they have already reached India. “We will continue to engage with the Government of Seychelles for the release and repatriation of the remaining five crew members,” he said.

  • South Korea’s Foreign Minister calls Jaishankar, regrets Hyundai Pakistan’s post on Kashmir

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Republic of Korea’s Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong called up India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and expressed regret over Hyundai Pakistan’s social media post on Kashmir, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday.

    “Received a call from ROK FM Chung Eui-yong today. Discussed bilateral and multilateral issues as also the Hyundai matter,” tweeted Dr Jaishankar. Yesterday the external affairs ministry had also summoned the Korean Ambassador, Chang Jae-bok, to seek an explaination on the post.

    “We had seen a social media post on the so called Kashmir Solidarity Day that was made by Hyundai Pakistan. Immediately after this social media post (February 6th), our Ambassador in Seoul contacted the Hyundai Headquarters and sought an explanation. The offending post had been removed subsequently,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

    It was highlighted that this matter concerned India’s territorial integrity on which there could be no compromise.

    ALSO READ: Hyundai India clarifies over tweet on Kashmir by their Pakistani arm

    India welcomes investments by foreign companies in various sectors. But it is also expected that such companies or their affiliates will refrain from false and misleading comments on matters of soverignity and territorial integrity, Mr Bagchi added.

    Meanwhile, the controversy erupted after Hyundai’s Pakistani arm tweeted expressing their solidarity with Kashmir on February 5th as Pakistan celebrates it as Kashmir solidarity day.

    This led to a war of words on social media, where protesters demanded that Hyundai shut shop in India. One person tweeted that he cancelled the booking of his Hyundai car and opted for a Honda instead.

    In the midst of this row, Hyundai India had issued a clarification yesterday saying, “Hyundai Motor India has been committed to the Indian market for more than 25 years now and we stand firmly for our strong ethos of respecting nationalism. The unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motor India’s offending our unparalled commitment and service to this great country. India is second home to Hyundai brand and we have zero tolerance policy towards insensitive communication and we condemn any such views. As a part of our commitment to India, we will continue our efforts towards the betterment of the country as well as its citizens.”

    Hyundai sells the second highest number of cars in India after Maruti and this backlash could dent their sales and exports.

    Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted, “So many wishy washy words are not needed. All you need to say is – we are unequivocally sorry.”

    The stakes for Hyundai are higher in India. Against the 50 lakh cars that they sell in India (and nearly 10 lakh that they export), they sell less than 10,000 cars in Pakistan annually.

  • 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.