The Indian Panorama

Tag: MEA

  • India, U.S. to intensify efforts for a trade deal, says MEA

    India, U.S. to intensify efforts for a trade deal, says MEA

    NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): India and the United States have decided to “intensify efforts” for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement, said an official of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday, September 19, 2025.

    Speaking at the weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed several issues in India-U.S. relations, including the ending of the 2018 waiver for the Chabahar port of Iran and said India was studying the latest order from the U.S. that has said that persons working in the Chabahar port may expose themselves to sanctions under the IFCA (Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act) after September 29.

    “A team from United States Trade Representative led by Assistant USTR Brenden Lynch had meetings at the Ministry of Commerce on September 16, 2025 to take forward the ongoing negotiations for a trade deal with the U.S. The discussions were positive and forward-looking, covering various aspects of the trade deal. It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” said Mr. Jaiswal. The remarks from the Indian side came as uncertainties continue regarding India-U.S. trade ties after President Donald Trump imposed 25% penalty tariffs on India in the first week of August.

    Mr. Trump ever since has repeatedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “friend” and held a telephone call with Mr. Modi on his birthday, but there has been no resolution on the tariffs that remain in place as the U.S. maintains that these penalties on India for buying Russian crude are necessary to bring Russia to the negotiating table over the war in Ukraine.

    Mr. Jaiswal did not clarify on Friday (September 19, 2025) whether Mr. Modi would travel to New York for the annual session of the U.N. General Assembly where Mr. Trump is scheduled to speak, saying, “Let’s wait for our press release, where we will announce our participation in these events. As far as India–U.S. relationship is concerned, let me tell you that we remain committed to take this very special partnership — the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership that we have with the United States forward, and to newer heights.”

    Mr. Jaiswal also answered questions about the September 16 revocation of sanctions exception issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA) that had given India the space to continue its vital connectivity corridor plans for Central Asia and beyond through the port of Chabahar in Iran. “We have seen the U.S. press statement regarding revocation of sanctions waiver for Chabahar port. We are presently examining its implications for India,” said Mr. Jaiswal in response to a question.

  • 283 Indians rescued from Myanmar job scam, repatriated to India

    283 Indians rescued from Myanmar job scam, repatriated to India

    The MEA reiterated its caution to Indian nationals to verify the credentials of foreign employers before accepting job offers

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday, March 11, that 283 Indian nationals who fell victim to fake job rackets in Myanmar have been successfully rescued and repatriated.

    The MEA reiterated its caution to Indian nationals to verify the credentials of foreign employers before accepting job offers. The rescue mission was carried out through close coordination between Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, working in tandem with local authorities.

    The rescued people were flown back to India aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft from Mae Sot in Thailand.

    “The Government of India has been making sustained efforts to secure the release and repatriation of Indian nationals lured to various southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, with fake job offers. These persons were subsequently made to indulge in cybercrime and engage in other fraudulent activities in scam centers operating in regions along the Myanmar-Thailand border,” the MEA said in a statement.

    The Indian embassies in Myanmar and Thailand have coordinated with local authorities to secure the repatriation of 283 Indian nationals today by an IAF aircraft from Mae Sot in Thailand, it added.

    The government wishes to reiterate its caution, circulated earlier from time to time through advisories and social media posts, about such rackets. Indian nationals are once again advised to verify the credentials of foreign employers through Missions abroad and check the antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before taking up a job offer, it said.
    (Source: TNS)

  • Will facilitate return of Indian nationals overstaying in US or elsewhere: MEA

    Amid the “massive deportation operation” announced by the US, India on Friday, January 25, reiterated its stance against illegal immigration, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stating it will facilitate the return of Indian nationals “overstaying” or residing without proper documentation in the US or “anywhere in the world”.
    During a weekly press briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are against illegal immigration, especially because it is linked to several forms of organised crime.”
    He said, “Indians, whether in the US or anywhere else in the world, if they are Indian nationals and are overstaying or residing in a country without proper documentation, we will take them back.” He further added that documents are shared with Indian authorities to verify their nationality and confirm that they are indeed Indian citizens.
    Jaiswal’s comments came in response to the White House Press Secretary’s earlier announcement that “the largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway”.

  • MEA refutes China’s ‘6-point consensus’ claim

    MEA refutes China’s ‘6-point consensus’ claim

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Two days after China issued a statement giving its version on the outcome of the 23rd round of Special Representative talks in Beijing, the Ministry of External Affairs today said, “we stand by our statement’. The statement by China’s Foreign Ministry was at divergence from India’s statement describing the outcome of the talks conducted on December 18.

    The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, today, while answering questions on the differences in the two statements said “We stand by our statement. Our release gives a perspective on what happened in SR-level talks”. The statement by China’s Foreign Ministry was at divergence from India’s statement on the outcome of the December 18 talks.
    The Chinese ministry had said both sides reached a ‘six-point consensus’
    It mentioned putting the border issue in an ‘appropriate position’ and harked back to an agreement the two sides reached in 2005
    India had not mentioned any of these aspects in its statement
    The Chinese statement further added, “Both sides agreed to further refine the management rules for the border areas and strengthen confidence-building measures”
    The Indian statement did not mention anything to ‘refine’ border management rules
    The Chinese Foreign Ministry had said both sides reached a ‘six-point consensus’. It mentioned putting the border issue in an ‘appropriate position’ in bilateral relations and harked back to an agreement the two sides had made in 2005. India had not mentioned any of these aspects in its statement issued late on Dec 18.

    Answering a question on ‘six-point consensus’, Jaiswal said “our statement gives a perspective on what was discussed. We can speak for our press release only”.

    Meanwhile, sources on the Indian side said the phrase ‘six-point consensus’ is misplaced. These were points of ‘discussions’ between the two Special Representatives (SRs) — National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

    For China, the ‘appropriate position’ of the border issue is to treat the matter as, one among, the many issues, sources said and added for India, a resolution of the pending boundary issue is a prime security concern and top-most priority. The Indian statement reflected it in as many words saying “reiterated the importance of maintaining a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settlement of the boundary question and resolved to inject more vitality into this process”.

    The Chinese statement had a different take. It said “both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to seek a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable package solution to the border issue in accordance with the political guiding principles agreed upon by the two countries’ special representatives in 2005”.

    The Chinese statement further added, “Both sides agreed to further refine the management rules for the border areas, strengthen confidence-building measures”. The Indian statement did not mention anything to ‘refine’ border management rules. It said, “Drawing on the learnings from the events of 2020, they discussed various measures to maintain peace and tranquility on the border and advance effective border management”. On expected lines, the two statements had a rather expected divergence. The Chinese side mentioned “promoting the resumption of pilgrimages by Indian pilgrims to Xizang”. Xizang is the name China uses to refer to Tibet.

    The Indian side just mentioned the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in its statement. Also, China mentioned resumption of trade via the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim. India remained silent on the issue.
    (Source: TNS)

  • India slams developed countries for climate crisis at ICJ hearing

    India slams developed countries for climate crisis at ICJ hearing

    THE HAGUE (TIP): India slammed developed countries for causing the climate crisis during a landmark hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, December 5, saying they exploited the global carbon budget, failed to honor climate-finance promises and are now demanding that developing countries restrict their resource use. The court is examining what legal obligations countries have to address climate change and the consequences if they fail.

    India also urged the ICJ to avoid creating new obligations that go beyond the existing climate-change framework.

    “The court may exercise due caution to avoid devising new or additional obligations beyond what is already agreed under the existing climate-change regime, which take into consideration historic emissions, climate justice and the principal principle of equity and CBDR-RC, as well as the equitable access to the global carbon budget,” the country said.

    Making submissions on behalf of India, Luther M Rangreji, joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said, “If contribution to degradation is unequal, responsibility must also be unequal.”

    He said climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution, but the solutions must respect the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), which is at the heart of the climate-change regime.

    “It is inequitable and unjust to expect countries with negligible historical emissions to bear an equal burden in mitigating climate change…. Developed nations must lead by example by achieving net zero well before 2050 and providing the means of implementation to developing nations,” India said. Rangreji said developing nations are the hardest hit by climate change, despite contributing the least to it. “The developed world, which historically contributed the most, is ironically the best equipped with the technological and economic means to address this challenge,” the official said.
    (Source: PTI)

  • MEA slams US body: Biased report reeks of political agenda

    India on Thursday, May 2, hit out at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) annual report for recommending to the federal government that India be named as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) for its severe violations of human rights and religious freedoms. The USCIRF report has made this recommendation for the fifth consecutive year and it has been rejected four times by the US State Department.
    “The USCIRF is known as a biased organisation with a political agenda, they continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as a report and try to interfere in the world’s largest electoral exercise, which they will never succeed,” hit back MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
    It was not just Indians but people from all over the world who have accused the USCIRF report of pussyfooting around Israel’s ongoing brutal depredation in Gaza. In 34 references to Israel in its report, a big majority relate to harassment of Jews in countries such as Iran and Russia after Tel Aviv’s undiscriminating military assault on Gaza, which entered its 210th day on Thursday. The CPC label is a designation reserved for the world’s worst violators of religious freedom. While the USCIRF has named India, it has failed to pull up Israel, which stands indicted by several global bodies ranging from the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Source: TNS

  • India advises citizens against travel to Israel and Iran amid rising tensions between the two countries

    India advises citizens against travel to Israel and Iran amid rising tensions between the two countries

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India on Friday, April 12, asked its citizens not to travel to Iran or Israel amid escalating tensions between the two countries following a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria 11 days ago.

    Iran blamed Israel for the strike and there have been fears that Tehran may launch an attack on Israel soon.

    In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also urged the Indians residing in Iran and Israel to exercise utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to minimum.

    “In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” it said.“All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves,” the MEA said. “They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added.
    (Source: PTI)

  • Stick to price cap: US to India on Russian crude

    Stick to price cap: US to India on Russian crude

    A visiting American team to tighten sanctions on Moscow said all Indian imports of crude from Russia must adhere to the price cap announced by the US, the EU and Australia.
    “Permitting unrestricted Russian oil trade was and remains unacceptable. It would allow Putin to profit from a price spike he created,” said US Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Eric Van Nostrand at an interactive session on Thursday, April 4.
    Another US official, however, said India had not been asked to stop or reduce oil imports from Russia, nor had it sanctioned any Indian entity for buying and refining crude purchased from Russia.
    “There is no restriction; we have not asked India to reduce Russian oil buying. Not dictating that no trade can be done with Russia,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Anna Morris.
    MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We buy oil from the international market, wherever it is available, at the cheapest rate. We have to ensure our energy security.” The team from the US is here to discuss the second phase of the price cap on Russian oil.
    A visiting American team to tighten sanctions on Moscow said all Indian imports of crude from Russia must adhere to the price cap announced by the US, the EU and Australia.
    “Permitting unrestricted Russian oil trade was and remains unacceptable. It would allow Putin to profit from a price spike he created,” said US Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Eric Van Nostrand at an interactive session on Thursday, April 4.
    Another US official, however, said India had not been asked to stop or reduce oil imports from Russia, nor had it sanctioned any Indian entity for buying and refining crude purchased from Russia.
    “There is no restriction; we have not asked India to reduce Russian oil buying. Not dictating that no trade can be done with Russia,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Anna Morris.
    MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We buy oil from the international market, wherever it is available, at the cheapest rate. We have to ensure our energy security.” The team from the US is here to discuss the second phase of the price cap on Russian oil.

  • ‘Legal processes driven only by rule of law’: MEA rejects US remarks on Arvind Kejriwal, Congress

    ‘Legal processes driven only by rule of law’: MEA rejects US remarks on Arvind Kejriwal, Congress

    New Delhi (TIP)- Foreign Office spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal again hit back at its American counterpart for doubling down on his comments on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and for also making observations on the tax authorities freezing the Congress’ bank accounts.
    Jaiswal also felt the US, a fellow democracy with similar methods of governance as India, should have no difficulty in appreciating the fact that “legal processes here are driven only by rule of law”. He termed the comments by the US State Department for the second day running as “unwarranted” and said “any such external imputation on our electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. The MEA, he reminded, had already lodged a strong protests on his observations on Kejriwal’s arrest made on Wednesday.
    “India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions. We are committed to shielding them from any external influences. Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and states are expected to be respectful of sovereignty and internal affairs of others,” the spokesperson said.
    Despite the South Block serving a demarche on Washington for its comments on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the US State Department in its latest media briefing late on Wednesday night not only repeated its comments but opened another front by commenting on the IT department freezing the bank accounts of the Congress.
    On the Congress issue, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “We are also aware of the Congress’ allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections, and we encourage fair, transparent, and timely legal processes for each of these issues.”
    Miller was asked to respond to the recent political turmoil in India, including the freezing of the Opposition party’s bank account, and if the crackdown on the Opposition had “reached a crisis point ahead of national elections”. Source: TNS

  • Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan takes over as India’s Consul General at New York

    Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan takes over as India’s Consul General at New York

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Ambassador  Binaya Srikanta Pradhan,  a career diplomat of the 2002 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, took over as Consul General of India at New York on January 15. He has succeeded Ambassador Randhir Kumar Jaiswal who has since taken over as Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA ) in New Delhi.

    Ambassador Pradhan’s  diplomatic career includes senior roles in Indian Embassies in Moscow, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan from 2004 to 2012. During 2012-14, he managed India’s relations with Afghanistan and Iran at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

    Prior to the present assignment, Ambassador Pradhan was High Commissioner of India to Tanzania and Permanent Representative to the East African Community (EAC) from August 2021 to January 2024. During this period India- Tanzania relationship was elevated to ‘Strategic Partnership’ and the first  overseas campus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Zanzibar, Tanzania was set up. From 2014 to 2019, Mr. Pradhan served as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India. His international engagements extended to being the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of India, Moscow, from June 2019 to July 2021. Ambassador Pradhan demonstrates a keen interest in economic and energy diplomacy. He  is proficient in English, Hindi, Russian and Odiya languages.

    Beyond his diplomatic pursuits, he finds enjoyment in playing golf.  He is married to Ms. Monalisa and they are proud parents of two daughters, Dibyanshi and Diya.

     

  • Eight Indians held in Qatar get 60 days to contest their jail terms

    Eight Indians held in Qatar get 60 days to contest their jail terms

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The death penalty of eight former Indian Navy officials, who had been in the custody of Qatari authorities since August 2022, has been commuted to “varying quantum” of jail terms, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, January 4. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the legal team had been given 60 days to appeal against the jail terms.

    “On December 28, the Court of Appeal in Qatar gave a verdict in which the death sentence was commuted and replaced with varying quantum of jail terms. Our legal team has received a copy of the court’s order, which is a confidential document. But I can confirm that the death sentence has been removed,” Mr. Jaiswal said. “As far as the next step is concerned, 60 days are there when the matter can come up for appeal in the Court of Cassation which is the highest court of Qatar,” he added.

    The eight men – Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh – were employed by the Al Dahra company in Doha and were allegedly accused of breaching sensitive secrets at the time of their arrest. Although both India and Qatar have been secretive about the charges due to their sensitive nature, the former navy personnel were reportedly involved in training various security-related service providers for Qatar, and the company was also involved in producing high-tech Italian-origin submarines that are known for stealth capabilities.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first public outreach to the Qatari leadership when he met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of COP28 on December 1 is believed to be significant towards the latest development in the high-profile case. In a social media post, Mr. Modi had said that he had discussed the “well-being of the Indian community in Qatar” with the Emir.

  • No ‘tonal shift’ in relations with Canada, our stance firm, says India

    No ‘tonal shift’ in relations with Canada, our stance firm, says India

    New Delhi (TIP) – The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has maintained that the Government’s position is “quite consistent” with regard to terrorism-related concerns between India and Canada.
    “Whenever this issue is raised, we have highlighted how we see the problem. The core issue is the space given to terrorists, separatists and anti-Indian elements in Canada. Whether they have noted a shift or not, our position has been consistent,” responded MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi at a media briefing when asked to react to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau stating that there has been a “tonal shift” in the Indian Government’s stance on alleged extra-territorial assassinations after the US unsealed an indictment relating to an alleged assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. “We hope they will take action against such elements misusing the freedom of speech and expression in that country,” added Bagchi.
    In a year-end interview to a Canadian news channel, Trudeau had said Ottawa did not want to enter into a diplomatic standoff with India regarding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. “I think there is a beginning of an understanding that they can’t bluster their way through this and there is openness to collaborating in a way that perhaps they were less open before,” he said. He said the US indictment appears to have convinced the Indian government to adopt a more sober tone.
    The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Trudeau’s allegations on September 18 of a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.
    India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India rejected Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”. In November, the US federal prosecutors charged that one Nikhil Gupta was working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. Though the separatist Sikh leader was not named, media reports identified him as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the Sikhs for Justice, an organisation banned in India.

  • US recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as India’s integral part: White House

    US recognizes Arunachal Pradesh as India’s integral part: White House

    WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US has recognized Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by renaming localities, the White House has said. The US reaction came in response to Beijing announcing Chinese names for 11 more places in Arunachal Pradesh which the neighboring country claims as the southern part of Tibet.

    The official names of the 11 places were released on Sunday by China’s ministry of civil affairs. “The United States has recognized that territory (Arunachal Pradesh) for a long time (as an integral part of India). And we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by renaming localities,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday, April 4. “And so, again, this is something that we have long stood by,” Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference. India on Tuesday outrightly rejected China renaming some places in Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that the state is an integral part of India and assigning “invented” names does not alter this reality. “We have seen such reports. This is not the first time China has made such an attempt. We reject this outright,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

    “Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Attempts to assign invented names will not alter this reality,” he said. It was the third batch of standardized geographical names for Arunachal Pradesh issued by China’s civil affairs ministry.

    The first batch of the standardized names of six places in Arunachal Pradesh was released in 2017 and the second batch of 15 places was issued in 2021. China’s renaming of the places in Arunachal Pradesh came in the midst of the lingering eastern Ladakh border standoff that began in May 2020. Following the standoff, India bolstered its overall military preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Arunachal Pradesh sector as well.

    The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a nearly three-year-long confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement of troops from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. India has been maintaining that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.
    (Source: PTI)

  • ‘New low, even for Pakistan’: MEA on Bilawal Bhutto’s remarks on Modi

    New Delhi (TIP)- A day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi in response to India’s earlier comment on the country harbouring 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, New Delhi Friday, December 16,  termed the former’s remarks as “uncivilised” and a “new low, even for Pakistan”.

    In an official statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Pakistan foreign minister has “obviously forgotten this day in 1971, which was a direct result of the genocide unleashed by Pakistani rulers against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus”.

    He said Pakistan does not seem to have changed much in the treatment of its minorities and that it “lacks credentials to cast aspersions at India, the Mother of Democracy”.

    Bhutto, who was in New York to participate in the UN meetings, had said, “(I want to tell India) that Osama bin Laden is dead, but the butcher of Gujarat lives and he is the Prime Minister of India.”

    He went on to say that PM Modi was banned from entering this country until he became the Prime Minister. “This is the Prime Minister of the RSS and the Foreign Minister of the RSS. What is the RSS? The RSS takes inspiration from Hitler’s ‘SS’,” he said.

    The statements came after India targeted Pakistan at the UN Security Council Wednesday by asserting that a country that hosted slain al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and attacked a neighbouring Parliament does not have the credentials to “sermonise” in the powerful UN organ.

    The remark by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had come after Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto raised the Kashmir issue while speaking in the Council debate on reformed multilateralism.

    The MEA spokesperson, in the statement on Friday, said Pakistan’s “indisputable role in sponsoring, harbouring and financing terrorist organisations remains under the scanner” , and added that Bhutto’s “uncivilised outburst seems to be a result of Pakistan’s increasing inability to use terrorists and their proxies”.

    He further said that Pakistan is a country that “glorifies Osama bin Laden as a martyr and shelters terrorists like Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azar and Dawood Ibrahim.” He added that no other country can boast about having 126 UN-designated terrorists and 27 UN-designated terrorist entities.”

    Earlier on Thursday, presiding over the ‘UNSC Briefing: Global Counterterrorism Approach: Challenges and Way Forward’ External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had launched a veiled attack on Pakistan saying “contemporary epicentre of terrorism remains very much alive and active.”      Source: The Indian Express

  • MEA says Russia not major supplier of crude oil, India exploring all options

    New Delhi (TIP)-The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said Russia is not a major crude oil supplier for India and it “is always exploring all possibilities in the global energy markets” to bring home oil. The statement came amid reports that India is taking up Moscow’s offer of discounted crude oil and inching closer to setting up an alternative payments system to maintain its trade with Russia, even as the United States and its Western allies impose massive sanctions on the Kremlin for invading Ukraine. “We are always exploring all possibilities in global energy markets because of the situation of importing our oil requirements. I don’t think Russia has been a major supplier,” news agency ANI quoted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi as saying. India is a major oil importer and as the war between Russia-Ukraine enters the fourth week, pressure on India to stop oil imports from Russia may increase with the West expected to slap another round of sanctions on Moscow. Speaking about the evacuation of Indians from war-torn Ukraine, the MEA spokesperson said India has brought back more than 22,500 of its citizens via alternative routes.

    Source: HT

  • India doesn’t expect OIC to encourage terrorist actors: MEA on invite to Hurriyat leader

    Chandigarh (TIP)- India does not expect Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to encourage actors and organisations engaged in terrorism, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, March 17. The MEA spokesperson made the statement in response to a question about OIC’s invitation to the chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. The OIC has invited the chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference to attend a meeting of its foreign ministers in Islamabad on March 22 and March 23.

    Addressing a press conference on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Government of India takes a very serious view of such actions, which are aimed directly at subverting India’s unity and violating our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    “We do not expect the OIC to encourage the actors and organisations engaged in terrorism and anti-India activities,” Bagchi said.

    Without naming Pakistan, the MEA spokesperson added, “It is highly unfortunate that OIC continues to be guided by a single member’s political agenda rather than focusing on other important development activities.

                Source: India Today

  • Early completion of disengagement in eastern Ladakh could pave way for de-escalation: MEA

    Early completion of disengagement in eastern Ladakh could pave way for de-escalation: MEA

    New Delhi (TIP): India on Thursday, June 17,  said early completion of the disengagement process in the remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh could pave the way for both Indian and Chinese troops to consider de-escalation and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

    At a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such a step could enable progress in bilateral relations between the two countries.

    “Early completion of disengagement in the remaining areas could pave the way for both sides to consider de-escalation of forces and ensure full restoration of peace and tranquillity, and thereby enabling progress in bilateral relations,” he said replying to a question.

    The 11th round of Corps Commander-level talks between the two sides was held on April 9 while the last edition of diplomatic negotiations under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs took place on March 12.

    It is learnt that another round of WMCC talks could take place soon.

    India and China were locked in a military standoff at multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh since early May last year. However, the two sides completed the withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

    The two sides are now engaged in talks to extend the disengagement process to the remaining friction points.

    There was no visible forward movement in disengagement of troops in the remaining friction points as the Chinese side did not show flexibility in their approach on it at the 11th round of military talks.

    Last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that there can be no de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points in eastern Ladakh and that the Indian Army is prepared for all contingencies in the region.

    He also said that India is dealing with China in a “firm” and “non-escalatory” manner to ensure the sanctity of its claims in eastern Ladakh, and that it was even open to initiating confidence-building measures.

    India has been insisting on complete disengagement in remaining friction points to de-escalate the situation in eastern Ladakh.         Source:  PTI

  • Mehul Choksi remanded to state prison in Dominica, but to remain in hospital: His lawyer

    Mehul Choksi remanded to state prison in Dominica, but to remain in hospital: His lawyer

    New Delhi (TIP): A magistrate court in Dominica on Thursday, June 17,  moved businessman Mehul Choksi from police custody to a state prison, his lawyer in India said, but added that he would continue to remain in hospital as his medical condition “deteriorated”.

    “Yes, (Choksi’s) police custody has been changed to prison custody but he shall remain in hospital as his medical condition has deteriorated,” lawyer Vijay Aggarwal said.

    His legal team had submitted a medical certificate from doctors at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where Choksi is undergoing treatment, of “mental stress” and elevated blood pressure.

    The change in custody is being seen as a ray of hope for India which has approached the Dominica High Court seeking to be impleaded as a party in the case filed by lawyers of Choksi whose bail plea was earlier rejected.

    Choksi is wanted in India in a case of loan fraud worth about Rs 13,500 crore in the state-run Punjab National Bank.

    The CBI and the Ministry of External Affairs have sought to be impleaded in the habeas corpus matter, which seeks return of Choksi to Antigua and Barbuda, by filing two affidavits in the Dominica High Court, officials said here.

    The central agency is likely to focus on establishing criminal culpability of Choksi, fugitive status, pending warrants against him, Red Notice and charge sheets while the Ministry of External Affairs will argue that Choksi continues to be an Indian citizen, they said.

    The affidavits, if admitted by the high court, will pave the way for noted lawyer Harish Salve pleading India’s case in Dominica, they said.

    The fresh development seems to indicate that India stands a chance to be heard and make a legal attempt to bring the fugitive diamantaire back to the country and face a trial.

    The CBI had on Wednesday filed a supplementary charge sheet against him alleging him of having prior knowledge of the impending Enforcement Directorate (ED) enquiries against him in 2017 which triggered him to plan his escape from India and cover his tracks by concealing evidence.

    The CBI in its supplementary charge sheet has invoked Section 201 of the IPC among other charges which pertain to the destruction of evidence by a suspect as part of criminal conspiracy.

    Choksi has been admitted at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital since May 29 after being held by the authorities of the Caribbean island country for “illegal entry” on May 24, a charge denied by him.

    His lawyers in Dominica have contended that Choksi was removed from Antigua and Barbuda, where as a citizen he enjoys rights to approach the British Privy Council as the last resort in cases on his citizenship and extradition, to Dominica where these rights are not available to him.

    “The aim was to remove him from Antigua to Dominica was to diminish his protection under the law. Choksi has ongoing proceedings in Antigua in regards to attempts by the Prime Minister to remove his citizenship, the only citizenship that he possesses, and to extradite him to India,” his lawyer had said.

    India trying for early deportation: MEA

    The Indian government is actively engaged with Dominica to seek early deportation of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi and his handover to India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

    A Dominican magistrate court adjourned till June 25 the hearing into alleged illegal entry of Choksi into the Caribbean island nation, local media there had reported earlier this week.

    Asked about Choksi at an online media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Choksi continues to be in the custody of authorities in the commonwealth of Dominica and legal proceedings are underway.

    “Government of India is actively engaged with the Dominican government to seek the early deportation and handover to India of Mehul Choksi to face justice in our country,” he said.

  • US to accept student visa applications from June 14

    US to accept student visa applications from June 14

    NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): Almost six weeks after the US restricted travel from India, it has decided to start taking appointments for students seeking visas from June 14. These appointments will be for the period of July and August, the US Embassy in India posted on its website.

    “The US we will open limited July and August student visa appointments across India.  Students may visit our website, https://ustraveldocs.com/in, to view availability and schedule an appointment,” the statement said.

    Student visas was a top priority for the US, the embassy said. Students beginning a new education programme with a programme start date on or after August 1 may travel to the United States up to 30 days prior to the programme start date.

    Existing students may also resume their programs on or after August 1, and travel 30 days before their programme resumption date.

    On April 30, the US suspended most non-immigrant travel from India. Some 2-lakh students from India study in the US.

    Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi while replying to quarries on Indian students facing problems said the government was aware of the challenges faced by students who have not been able to join or return to courses in foreign countries.

    The MEA has been taking up the issue with all countries concerned. Details are on MEA website and social media handles.

  • Daniel Smith Takes Charge as US Ambassador in India, Pledges Support amid COVID-19 Crisis

    Daniel Smith Takes Charge as US Ambassador in India, Pledges Support amid COVID-19 Crisis

    -US Ambassador in India not only noted the “difficult times” that India is currently facing with resurgence of COVID-19 but also pledged to help the nation.

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Daniel B. Smith on May 3 was appointed as US Charge d’Affaires to India and said that he is ‘ready to work’. He was the former US acting Secretary of State and in 2018, he took the role as the director of the Foreign Service Institute. Prior to this, Smith has also been the Career Ambassador in the United States and in 2014, he was Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research. In 2010, the present US envoy to India was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (Greece). Smith entered the US government in 2007 as Executive Secretary.

    Further, Smith not only noted the “difficult times” that India is currently facing with the resurgence of COVID-19 and shortage of medical supplies but also pledged to help the nation as New Delhi assisted Washington. Smith’s maiden remarks on Twitter after taking over the position came as United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) fifth emergency shipment in five days landed in India on May 4. The consignment carried more than 500 oxygen concentrators to help the hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients along with more than 100,000 N95 masks to ensure the safety of the frontline workers.

    While US Ambassador in India pledged to enhance US-India cooperation amid COVID-19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in person with Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Dr S Jaishankar in London on May 2 when both senior diplomats the cooperation over COVID-19 resources along with other issues such as Indo-Pacific landscape and the United Nations (UN) Security Council. Further, even the US Department of Defense has said the final two flights of essential supplies for India have been delayed and will arrive by May 5.