Diplomacy

Maldives' Muizzu inks MoUs with India amid shifting diplomatic tone

Economic challenges prompt Maldives to strengthen ties with India, sign Rs 30 billion currency swap agreement

PM Modi holds talks with Jamaican counterpart Holness, inks four pacts

India and Jamaica on Tuesday inked four pacts including one on possible roll-out of Indian UPI payment systems in the island nation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Jamaican counterpart Andrew Holness focusing on boosting ties in sectors like defence and energy. In his media statement, Modi said India has always been a reliable partner in Jamaica's development journey and it is ready to share its expertise with that country in areas such as digital public infrastructure, small industries, biofuel, innovation, health, education and agriculture. The prime minister said India will move forward in training and capacity building of the Jamaican military. Modi said he and Holness also discussed regional and global issues and agreed that all tensions and disputes should be resolved through talks and both sides will continue to work towards ensuring global peace and security. The prime minister's comments came amid growing tensions in West Asia and the confl

100 Days of Modi 3.0: What were the key policies and criticisms? Details

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has made some significant progress in terms of farmer welfare, healthcare and governance (Bharatiya Nyay Samhita), attracting some criticisms as well

Peace talks can't happen without Russia, Ukraine both on board: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India is among the few countries that have the ability to talk to both Russia and Ukraine to find a solution outside the battlefield but asserted that negotiations cannot happen without the two parties on board. Jaishankar, who was in conversation with Ambassador Jean-David Levitte at Global Centre for Security Policy, a think tank, here was answering a question about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visits to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when he reiterated India's stated position of finding a solution outside the battlefield. After elaborating on how Modi's visit took place over the last two months, Jaishankar said, We're not going to get a military solution; there has to be a diplomatic one, and negotiated one and added that it is for the parties to decide the terms of negotiation. In a veiled reference to the West's unilateral efforts to discuss the end of

EAM Jaishankar holds wide-ranging talks with German counterpart Baerbock

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held wide-ranging discussions with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and took stock of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, covering areas such as trade, defence and security. Jaishankar, who arrived here from Saudi Arabia after attending the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue, said they also exchanged views on Ukraine, Gaza and the Indo-Pacific region. "Held wide-ranging discussions with FM @ABaerbock in Berlin today. Took stock of India-Germany Strategic Partnership, with a focus on trade and investment, green & sustainable development, skilled workers' mobility, technology and defence & security," the minister said in a post on X. Jaishankar said he also exchanged views on Ukraine, Gaza and the Indo-Pacific region and added that he was looking forward to welcoming Baerbock to India for the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations. "Baerbock and I had a good discussion on the

World looking at more sharpened contestation between US, China: Jaishankar

India would be willing to work with like-minded partners on specific agenda and its role in the Quad is an example of such an approach, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday, while calling for reformed multilateralism. In a virtual address at the FPCI Global Town hall, Jaishankar, delving into major geopolitical developments, said the world is looking at a more "sharpened contestation" between the US and China on a range of areas. He underlined that even as the world looks "complicated", India's desire and determination to ensure its stability and contribute to its prosperity is only getting stronger. The Quad, comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan, has emerged as a key coalition focusing on working towards ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China's growing muscle-flexing in the region. In the context of key directions and developments in international relations over the last few decades, the external affairs ministe

Ukraine gets new chief diplomat as war with Russia enters critical phase

Ukraine's parliament approved the appointment of a new foreign minister Thursday, two lawmakers said, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought to breathe fresh life into his administration with the war against Russia poised for what could be a pivotal phase. Andrii Sybiha, a former ambassador to Turkey, is the country's new chief diplomat. He replaced Dmytro Kuleba, who became one of Ukraine's most recognisable faces on the international stage as he petitioned and pleaded with Western countries to support Ukraine's war effort. Sybiha, 49, has been working as Kuleba's deputy since April. Zelenskyy wants to replace almost a dozen top officials in his biggest government shake-up since Russia's full-scale invasion in early 2022. Other possible new faces included the heads of strategic industries, farming and justice. Parliament's approval is required for the changes. Ukrainian lawmakers Yaroslav Zhelezniak and Oleksii Honcharenko confirmed the vote to The Associated Press.

We are looking forward to working with B'desh interim govt: US diplomat

The US was looking forward to working closely with Bangladesh's interim government and strengthening ties with Dhaka on a range of issues, a top American diplomat said on Monday. US Embassy Charge d'Affaires Helen Lafave made the remarks during her meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Yamuna, the state-run BSS news agency reported. "The US government was happy to congratulate the Chief Adviser and was looking forward to working closely together," the chief adviser's press wing quoted the US diplomat as saying. Helen said the US Embassy in Dhaka will resume this week its consular service to expedite visa processing. She said thousands of Bangladeshi students now study in US universities. She said the US would work closely with Bangladesh in health, education, labour, governance and Rohingya issues, the agency reported. The US is the largest contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian responses, and Helen said the amount of Rohingya monthly food aid has ..

'India engages with world on equal footing': PM Modi tells IFS trainees

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met officer trainees of the 2023 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and asserted that India engages with the world on an "equal footing, with mutual respect and dignity". During the meeting, the trainees praised the success of the foreign policy under Modi's leadership and sought guidance from him on their upcoming new assignments. Modi suggested to the Officer Trainees to expand their engagement with the Indian diaspora when posted abroad, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said. The Officer Trainees of the 2023 batch of the IFS called on the prime minister at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. There are 36 IFS Officer Trainees in the 2023 batch from 15 different states and Union Territories, it said. The Officer Trainees praised the success of the foreign policy under Modi's leadership and sought suggestions and guidance from him on their upcoming new assignments, the statement said. Modi suggested that they should alway

India seen as 'Vishwa Bandhu' in conflict-ridden world: President Murmu

Asserting that India is engaging the world with renewed vigour to find solutions to global challenges, including climate change or taking a principled stand against international terrorism, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday said the country is seen as a reliable Vishwa Bandhu' in a fast-changing and conflict-ridden world. Addressing officer trainees of the Indian Foreign Service (2023 batch), who had called on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, she asked them to always be there for fellow Indians abroad. "In my recent visits abroad, I have seen for myself, the immense goodwill generated by our development partnership projects, in the field of infrastructure, education, health and agriculture; particularly in countries of the Global South," Murmu said. There is also tremendous interest in Indian soft power, including films, Yoga, Ayurveda and Indian art, crafts, dance and music, she said. "I have also sensed that our friends and partners abroad now have very high ...

Diplomacy intensifies to halt Israel-Hamas war, prevent rise in conflict

International diplomacy to prevent the war in Gaza from spreading into a wider regional conflict intensified Friday, with the British and French foreign ministers making a joint trip to Israel while internationally mediated cease-fire talks in Qatar were expected to enter their second day. The new push for an end to the Israel-Hamas war came as the Palestinian death toll in Gaza climbed past 40,000, according to Gaza health authorities, and fears remained high that Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon would attack Israel in retaliation for the killings of top militant leaders. This is a dangerous moment for the Middle East, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. The risk of the situation spiraling out of control is rising. Any Iranian attack would have devastating consequences for the region. Lammy and French Foreign Minister Stphane Sjourn were expected hold a joint meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. It's never too

India evacuates non-essential staff from Bangladesh, releases helpline nos

Bangladesh political turmoil: All Indian diplomats have remained in Bangladesh, and the missions are continuing to operate in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet

India calls for infusing new energies into BIMSTEC to bolster cooperation

India on Thursday called on seven-nation BIMSTEC grouping to infuse new energies, resources and a fresh commitment to bolster cooperation among the Bay of Bengal countries. The appeal was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while hosting his counterparts from BIMSTEC member states at a two-day retreat in the national capital. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) brings together seven countries of South and Southeast Asia for multifaceted cooperation. Besides India, BIMSTEC comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. Jaishankar said BIMSTEC should harbour higher aspirations. "For India, BIMSTEC represents the intersection of its 'Neighbourhood First' outlook, the 'Act East Policy' and the 'SAGAR' vision," Jaishankar said in his opening remarks on the first day of the retreat. "Each of these endeavours is being proposed with a specific focus on the Bay of Bengal, where collaborative potenti

India's scientific upsurge gives cutting edge to soft diplomacy: VP Dhankar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Saturday said that India's scientific upsurge is not only globally acclaimed, it also gives a "cutting edge" to the country's "soft diplomacy" and rise in foreign affairs. Dhankar, who is in Kerala for a two-day visit, was speaking at the 12th convocation of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) here. Addressing a large gathering of graduates in various fields, their parents and faculty members of IIST, the Vice President (VP) said that India has made significant strides in the realm of space, science and technology and has "carved a very special niche" for itself in the global arena. Dhankar said that India has traversed significantly in the last decade and during that period, there were global challenges and a pandemic. Despite the challenges, "Bharat has been a shining star" and it was globally recognised as a "favourite place for opportunity and destination". "At the global level, India is a country of hope and possibilit

Israel weighs Hamas' response to cease-fire proposal as diplomacy revives

Israel's Cabinet was set to convene on Thursday to discuss Hamas' latest response to a US-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza, as diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nine-month war stirred back to life after a weekslong hiatus. Fighting, meanwhile, has intensified between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, with the militant group saying it fired more than 200 rockets and exploding drones into northern Israel to avenge the killing of a senior commander in an Israeli airstrike the day before. The relatively low-level conflict has literally set the border ablaze, and raised fears of a potentially even more devastating war in the Middle East. Hezbollah has said it will halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire between Hamas a fellow Iran-backed ally and Israel. The United States has rallied world support behind a plan that would see the release of all of the scores of hostages still held by the militant group in return for a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forc

Iran, Bahrain to discuss resuming diplomatic relations severed since 2016

Iran and Bahrain have agreed to talk about how they might resume bilateral relations after nearly eight years, Iranian media reported Monday. The report by state-run IRNA news agency said Iran's acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Tehran. The report said both sides agreed on creating the framework to start talks on the requirements for resuming diplomatic relations. This is al-Zayani's second visit to Tehran in a month. The first came during the memorial for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May. Bahrain cut its diplomatic relations with Iran after Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Tehran following Riyadh's execution of an opposition Shiite cleric and attacks on Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran in 2016. Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed their diplomatic relations in 2023.

Iran swaps EU diplomat for Sweden freeing convict for '88 mass executions

Iran and Sweden carried out a prisoner swap on Saturday that saw Tehran release a European Union diplomat and another man for an Iranian convicted in Stockholm of committing war crimes over his part in 1988 mass executions in the Islamic Republic. The arrest of Hamid Nouri by Sweden in 2019 as he travelled there as a tourist likely sparked the detentions of the two Swedes, part of a long-running strategy by Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution to use those with ties abroad as chip in negotiations with the West. As Iranian state television claimed without evidence that Nouri had been illegally detained, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the detentions of diplomat Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi as a hell on earth the two men faced. Iran has made these Swedes pawns in a cynical negotiation game with the aim of getting the Iranian citizen Hamid Nouri released from Sweden," Kristersson said. It has been clear all along that this operation would require difficult decision

'Hoping for strong bilateral relations': Mohamed Muizzu after India visit

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described his first official visit to India as a major 'success'

A wild ride for US diplomacy

Stuart E Eizenstat's book is a technocratic endeavour that harks back to an ideal of US diplomacy as a nonpartisan arena

The East wind blows harder

The global power balance is shifting as China and Russia assert dominance in technology and diplomacy