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Tag: Ministry of External Affairs

  • After MEA advisory, Indians in Sumy say ‘confused’ whether or not to depart for border; provides working out

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Several Indian college students stranded in Sumy who determined to stroll to the Russian border amid intense combating within the area at the moment are “confused” whether or not to proceed their journey after the Ministry of External Affairs urged them to keep away from taking pointless dangers.

    As evacuation from the shelling-battered metropolis stays a problem for Indian authorities, the scholars mentioned they might not deal with the nail-biting chilly, depleting meals provides and having to soften snow to get ingesting water.

    Around 700 Indian college students are nonetheless caught within the war-hit area, their evacuation hampered by the continual combating within the space.

    The college students mentioned they’ve run out of meals and water.

    The college students have launched a number of determined movies on social media, saying they’ve determined to undertake the doubtless deadly journey to the Russian border, some 50km from the place they’re, sending shockwaves in New Delhi.

    They mentioned they hope they’d be picked up by Indian authorities from the Russians border.

    “We are afraid. We have awaited a lot and we cannot wait anymore. We are risking our life. We are moving towards the border. If anything happens to us, all the responsibility will be on the government and Indian embassy,” a pupil, surrounded by numerous his friends holding Indian flags, says in one of many movies.

    In one other video, college students are seen filling up buckets with ice as they ran out of ingesting water.

    This prompted the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to induce them to remain inside shelters and keep away from taking pointless dangers.

    “We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned.

    After the assertion, the group of scholars have halted their journey for now.

    “We had already started moving after we gave up hope on the government coming to our rescue. But now with the new advisory, we are confused whether we should take the risk at all. I am so so scared,” mentioned Md Nizamuddin Aman (21), a first-year MBBS pupil at Sumy State University.

    Russia and Ukraine agreed on Thursday to the necessity for creating humanitarian corridors to assist civilians escape the battle.

    Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a “special military operation.”

    The battle in Ukraine has entered its tenth day with evacuation from war-hit cities remaining tough.

    Students stranded in these areas are posting movies on social media, pleading with the Indian authorities to evacuate them.

    To evacuate residents from war-hit Ukraine, the Indian authorities has launched Operation Ganga.

    However, the evacuation from the jap a part of the nation has been a reason for concern as heavy violence in underway.

    India has been evacuating its residents via particular flights from Ukraine’s western neighbours comparable to Romania, Hungary and Poland because the Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24 because of the Russian navy offensive.

    According to the Ministry of External Affairs, almost 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine’s borders since advisories had been issued over a fortnight again.

    Russia on Wednesday mentioned it’s working “intensely” to create a “humanitarian corridor” for secure passage to Russian territory of Indian nationals caught in Kharkiv, Sumy and different battle zones in Ukraine following a request from New Delhi.

    An estimated 20,000 Indian nationals, primarily medical college students, reside in Ukraine.

  • MEA launches devoted Twitter deal with for college students trapped in Ukraine

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday activated a devoted Twitter deal with, “OpGanga Helpline” (@opganga), to help within the evacuation of Indian nationals from war-torn Ukraine.

    The mission to evacuate the stranded Indians from Ukraine has been named as “Operation Ganga”.

    India has already arrange round the clock “control centres” in Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia to help within the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine by means of border-crossing factors with these nations.

    The helpline numbers of the management room in Poland are: +48225400000, +48795850877 and +48792712511. Those requiring assist may write an e-mail to [email protected], in line with the MEA.

    The helpline numbers of the management room in Romania are: +40732124309, +40771632567, +40745161631 and +40741528123. The e-mail handle for contacting the management room in Romania is [email protected].

    The MEA stated Indians can contact the management room in Hungary on telephone numbers +36 308517373, +36 13257742 and +36 13257743. It additionally has a WhatsApp quantity: +36 308517373 for help.

    The helpline numbers of the management room in Slovakia are +421 252631377, +421 252962916 and +421 951697560. The e-mail handle is [email protected].

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level assembly on the Ukraine disaster on Sunday and asserted that making certain the security of Indian college students and evacuating them is the federal government’s prime precedence, official sources stated.

    It was additionally determined on the assembly to additional improve cooperation with the neighbouring nations of Ukraine to expedite the evacuation of Indian college students, they stated.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was a part of the assembly, which was additionally attended by prime authorities officers, together with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. The assembly lasted for over two hours, the sources stated.

    Modi presided over the assembly instantly upon his return from Uttar Pradesh, the place he addressed public conferences as a part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) marketing campaign for the state Assembly polls.

    A lot of Indians, largely college students, are stranded in Ukraine following Russia’s assault on the nation. India has begun evacuating them and over 900 folks have been introduced again since Saturday.

    Modi has additionally spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelensky, with India calling for dialogue to defuse the disaster.

  • MEA highlights India’s Buddhist linkages with ASEAN and East Asian nations

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday celebrated the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ by inaugurating initiatives reflecting Buddhist linkages with the ASEAN and East Asian nations.

    Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the federal government to have a good time and commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence.

    As a part of the celebration, books of Buddhist ‘Jataka’ tales translated into Thai, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese languages had been unveiled, the MEA mentioned.

    A complete video of e-ITEC programs provided by the MEA on Buddhist teachings was proven in the course of the occasion. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) is a prestigious programme performed by the MEA.

    Minister of State for External Affairs RajKumar Ranjan Singh inaugurated an interactive espresso desk e-book on Buddhist linkages with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asian nations.

    The digital exhibition titled “Bodhicitta: Interweaving Buddhist Art Traditions from India Across Asia” curated by National Museum was displayed, the MEA mentioned in a press release.

    “The ministry presented an Interactive Template for use by Missions for orientation visits by school/college students to cultural centres/missions for better understanding of India’s Buddhist linkages,” it mentioned.

    A collection of commemorative occasions and actions might be organised by the MEA throughout the nation as a part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav week’ from February 21 to 27.

  • Afghan evacuation: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan thanks PM Modi and Ministry of External Affairs

    By PTI

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday mentioned the evacuation and repatriation of Indian nationals together with Keralites from Afghanistan by the Ministry of External Affairs was “commendable” and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Vijayan, in a tweet, thanked the Ministry and Modi and mentioned the Keralites requiring help can contact Norka roots. India on Sunday introduced again almost 400 individuals, together with 329 of its nationals and two Afghan lawmakers, in three totally different flights as a part of its efforts to evacuate its residents from Kabul.

    @MEAIndia & @PMOIndia’s effort within the evacuation and repatriation of Indian nationals together with Keralites is commendable. Thank you for guaranteeing the protection of all Indians. Keralites requiring help can contact Norka roots or MEA’s 24×7 Special Afghanistan cell.
    — Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) August 22, 2021
    “@MEAIndia & @PMOIndia’s effort in the evacuation and repatriation of Indian nationals including Keralites is commendable. Thank you for ensuring the safety of all Indians. Keralites requiring assistance can contact Norka roots or MEA’s 24×7 Special Afghanistan cell,” Vijayan tweeted.

    A complete of 168 individuals, together with 107 Indians and 23 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus, had been flown from Kabul to the Hindon airbase close to Delhi in a C-17 heavy-lift navy transport plane of the Indian Air Force (IAF). India carried out the evacuation missions in coordination with the US, Qatar, Tajikistan and a number of other different pleasant nations.

  • Abdulla Shahid, President-elect of UN General Assembly, arrives in India

    Abdulla Shahid, the President-elect of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (PGA-elect) and overseas minister of the Maldives, arrived in India on Wednesday on a three-day go to.
    India is the primary nation Shahid is visiting in his official capability as President-elect of the UN General Assembly after he was elected to the submit on June 7, based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India supported Shahid’s candidature to the submit.
    Shahid pays a courtesy name on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and maintain talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on key worldwide, multilateral, regional and bilateral problems with mutual curiosity, the MEA mentioned.
    An settlement for high-impact group growth initiatives to be carried out with Indian grant help within the Maldives can even be signed throughout the go to.

    The MEA mentioned Jaishankar can even host an official dinner in honour of Shahid. “The visit of PGA-elect will provide an opportunity to exchange views with him on several global challenges that the United Nations is currently seized with,” the MEA mentioned.
    Shahid final visited India in April in his capability because the Maldivian overseas minister.

  • Jaishankar, Blinken have ‘productive discussion’, Indian aspect highlights vaccine partnership

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, in what was their second assembly after they met on May 3 on the sidelines of the G-7 Foreign Ministers’ assembly in London.
    After the assembly, each Jaishankar and Blinken known as it a “productive discussion”.
    Blinken mentioned that they mentioned points on “regional security and economic priorities to include U.S. COVID-19 relief efforts, India-China border situation, and our support for Afghanistan”. “As friends, we will work together to address these areas of shared concern,” he mentioned.

    Productive dialogue as we speak with @DrSJaishankar on regional safety and financial priorities to incorporate U.S. COVID-19 aid efforts, India-China border scenario, and our help for Afghanistan. As associates, we are going to work collectively to handle these areas of shared concern. pic.twitter.com/BtoGJTUGEr
    — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 28, 2021
     
    Jaishankar mentioned that that additionally they “focused on Indo-US vaccine partnership aimed at expanding access and ensuring supply”. “Appreciated strong solidarity expressed by US at this time,” he tweeted.
    He additionally mentioned that coated Indo Pacific and the Quad, Afghanistan, Myanmar,  UNSC issues and different worldwide organizations.
    “Today’s talks have further solidified our strategic partnership and enlarged our agenda of cooperation,” he tweeted.

    Pleasure to fulfill @SecBlinken. A productive dialogue on varied points of our bilateral cooperation in addition to regional and world points.
    Covered Indo Pacific and the Quad, Afghanistan, Myanmar, UNSC issues and different worldwide organizations. pic.twitter.com/7UDkXsyJdC
    — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 28, 2021
    Acting Assistant Secretary on the US State Department Dean Thompson instructed reporters that on the allocation of 80 million doses, “Final decisions are still pending and discussions and work is still underway to determine how and where those will be done.”
    Thompson mentioned that US President Joe Biden has talked a few donation of as much as 80 million doses – 60 million doses of AstraZeneca which won’t be used within the United States instantly, in addition to an extra 20 million doses of vaccine that’s over and above what is required for the U.S. vaccine program.
    “The 60 million doses of AstraZeneca are still undergoing the control checks by FDA and they will become available once those have been completed, and so I don’t have a specific timeframe to get, but I do hope that we’ll have news about those in the coming weeks,” he mentioned.

    “In respect to the timing question about where we stand on that.… we will continue to work towards getting to that….as for allocations of these, final decisions are still pending and discussions and work is still underway to determine how and where those will be done.  There will be a combination of efforts with COVAX and with our – with partners as we go forward.  But those efforts are still underway.”
    He additionally mentioned that there is no such thing as a export ban. “The President has been very clear that we’re working to be in a position to be able to share vaccines as well as knowhow with countries in real need, and our top priority is just making sure that we’re doing everything we can to save lives and end the pandemic.  It’s a global challenge, it requires a global response, and there – just want to reiterate there’s no ban on the export of vaccines or vaccine inputs,” Thompson mentioned.
    According to an announcement launched by the US State Department, they mentioned points together with COVID-19 aid, efforts to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation by way of the Quad, and a shared dedication to combating the local weather disaster and enhancing multilateral cooperation, together with on the UN Security Council. “Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar also discussed regional developments, the coup in Burma, and continuing support for Afghanistan.  Secretary Blinken and Minister Jaishankar pledged to continue their cooperation on shared economic and regional security priorities,” the assertion mentioned.
    While India is battling a scarcity of vaccines, the US has surplus vaccines and uncooked supplies wanted to fabricate them.
    At the start of the assembly, Blinken described Jaishankar as “my friend and colleague”. “The United States and India are working together on so many of the most important challenges of our time and ones that are putting a profound impact on our lives,” he mentioned.
    “We are united in confronting Covid-19 together, we (are) united in dealing with the challenge posed by climate change, to partner together directly, through Quad and other institutions in the United Nations in dealing with many of the challenges that we face in the region and around the world,” Blinken mentioned.
    “The partnership between the United States and India is vital. It’s strong. And I think it’s increasingly predominant,” he mentioned.
    Echoing Blinken, Jaishankar mentioned, “We have a lot of issues to discuss. But our relations have grown stronger over the years and I’m very confident we’ll continue to do so, but I also want to take the opportunity to express to the Secretary and through him to the administration of the United States for the strong support and solidarity at a moment of great difficulty for us.”
    At this level, Blinken mentioned, “We remember, in the earlier days of the pandemic, India was there with the United States. Something we’ll never forget. And now we want to make sure that we’re there for and with India.”
    Jaishankar and Blinken have spoken not less than 4 occasions up to now three months, twice within the final fortnight, and as soon as on the Quad Foreign Ministers’ assembly by way of video-conferencing.
    Over the final 24 hours, Jaishankar met senior US administration officers — Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, high American lawmakers from each the Democratic and Republican events, and high American enterprise leaders in Washington DC.
    The points mentioned included vaccine cooperation, modern safety challenges, help for environment friendly and strong provide chain, amongst others. While there was no readout after the conferences, sources mentioned that vaccine cooperation was one of many key areas of dialog between the 2 sides, particularly on the conferences with Sullivan and Tai.
    Jaishankar’s in-person conferences come days after US President Joe Biden introduced that the US will start delivery 20 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccines to unspecified needy international locations by June-end, along with 60 million pictures of AstraZeneca.

    Although Washington has not but determined how these 80 million doses shall be distributed, India is more likely to be one of many beneficiaries — be it AstraZeneca, which is already made and distributed in India as Covishield, or those by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, or a mixture.
    AstraZeneca’s vaccine just isn’t authorised to be used within the United States but. The US had cited faults in a plant in Baltimore that’s manufacturing each the AstraZenenca and J&J vaccines.

  • Seek Saudi embassy assist for return of Indian citizen’s physique: Delhi HC to MEA

    The Delhi High Court Thursday directed the Ministry of External Affairs to hunt the cooperation of Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi for returning the physique of an Indian citizen — who was buried after his loss of life in January within the Gulf nation regardless of being a Hindu and with out his household’s consent. His spouse has moved the courtroom looking for exhumation and repatriation of the physique.
    Listing the case for March 24 for additional monitoring, Justice Prathiba M Singh additionally mentioned {that a} timeline ought to be obtained and communicated to the MEA.
    The ministry had earlier instructed the courtroom that they’ve written to the authorities in Saudi Arabia for exhumation of the physique however a timeline can’t be offered as they’re but to get any response.

    According to the petition filed by Anju Sharma, spouse of Sanjeev Kumar, who had been working as a truck driver in Saudi Arabia for the previous 23 years and died in January as a result of cardiac arrest, the physique was stored in a hospital in Jizan and he or she was to finish formalities for repatriation. She accomplished the formalities on January 28 however was instructed on February 18 that the physique has been buried as a result of a mistake within the translation of loss of life certificates which recognized his faith as “Muslim”.

    However, MEA’s Director of Consular Passport, Visa Division, Vishnu Sharma, on Thursday instructed the courtroom that the interpretation of the loss of life certificates was carried out by Kumar’s employer however it’s inconsequential because the authorities in Saudi Arabia had been aware of his faith since Kumar was not buried in a Muslim cemetery. Sharma additionally mentioned the Indian Consulate is often knowledgeable concerning the loss of life of an Indian citizen and a physique is just not buried except an NOC is issued, however this time there was no such communication maybe as a result of Covid-19 protocol.
    The courtroom was additionally instructed that the employer, Salem Abdullah Saad Al-Saqar, has deposited some compensation for the household of the deceased within the Indian Consulate Jeddah’s checking account and the cheque has been couriered to the district collector in Una, Himachal Pradesh, the place Kumar’s household resides. The courtroom within the order additionally directed the officers of Indian Consulate to contact the employer and ensure if any additional funds are as a result of be made.

  • PM Modi to carry digital summit with Swedish counterpart Stefan Löfven in the present day

    Image Source : PIB PM Modi to carry digital summit with Swedish counterpart Stefan Löfven in the present day 
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will maintain a digital summit along with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Löfven in the present day throughout which they are going to deliberate on all the spectrum of bilateral ties and alternate views on regional and international points, together with additional strengthening of cooperation within the post-Covid period.

    India and Sweden have heat and pleasant relations primarily based on shared values of democracy, freedom, pluralism and rules-based worldwide order, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated in an announcement. Both international locations have very shut cooperation within the areas of commerce and funding, innovation, science and know-how in addition to analysis and growth, it stated.

    During the summit, the 2 leaders will maintain complete discussions on all the spectrum of bilateral relations and alternate views on regional and international points, together with additional strengthening of cooperation within the post-COVID period, the MEA stated.

    This would be the fifth interplay between the 2 leaders since 2015, in response to the assertion.

    Prime Minister Modi had visited Stockholm in April 2018 for the First India Nordic Summit, whereas Löfven had visited India in February 2016 for the particular Make in India week, it famous.

    Earlier, the 2 leaders had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2015.

    In April final 12 months, the 2 prime ministers had a telephonic dialog to debate the scenario arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, Their Majesties Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden had visited India in December 2019.

    Around 250 Swedish corporations are actively working in India in varied sectors reminiscent of well being and life sciences, auto business, clear know-how, defence, heavy equipment and tools, the assertion stated.

    Around 75 Indian corporations are additionally energetic in Sweden, it stated.

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  • UN panel’s conclusions on Michel based mostly on restricted info, biased allegations: MEA

    Rejecting the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calling for instant launch of AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case accused British nationwide Christian Michel, India on Friday mentioned the conclusions drawn by the UN panel are based mostly on restricted info, biased allegations and an inaccurate understanding of its legal justice system.
    India additionally made it clear that the Working Group will not be a judicial physique, and due to this fact, its opinions are usually not legally binding on the member states.
    AFP on Thursday reported that the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) discovered that Michel, who has been held in India since December 2018 after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates, was being “detained arbitrarily”.
    Responding to queries over the report, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava mentioned, “We have seen selective leaks of the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning the case of Mr. Christian James Michel, even before its official release.”
    “At the outset we would like to make it clear that the Working Group is not a judicial body, and therefore, its opinions are not legally binding on the Member States,” he mentioned.
    Srivastava mentioned the Indian authorities supplied well timed info on this difficulty to the Working Group in June 2020, at their request.
    “We regret that the conclusions drawn by the Working Group are based on limited information, biased allegations from an unidentified source and on an inaccurate understanding of India’s criminal justice system,” he asserted.
    The extradition was finished solely in accordance with the provisions of the extradition treaty signed between two sovereign states, Srivastava mentioned, including that the arrest and subsequent custody had been finished as per the due technique of regulation and can’t be thought of arbitrary on any grounds.
    “At no time was the accused denied his rights to legal counsel or a fair hearing. The fact that he has been able to approach courts on multiple occasions including the higher judiciary is itself proof of this,” the MEA Spokesperson mentioned.
    There have additionally been no restrictions on consular entry by the authorities, he asserted.
    Michel has been handled on par with different detainees and supplied all services by the jail authorities as per guidelines, Srivastava mentioned.
    The Working Group must be conscious that India has a strong grievance redressal mechanisms in opposition to allegations of violations of human rights in a vibrant and impartial judiciary and a ‘category A’ National Human Rights Commission compliant with the Paris Principles, he mentioned.

    Srivastava mentioned the allegations which kind the idea of the opinion rendered by the Working Group are opposite to details.
    “The Government of India therefore, rejects the opinion rendered by the Working Group,” he mentioned.
    India, as a accountable member of the Human Rights Council, will proceed to cooperate with the Working Group and supply it with the mandatory info to the extent attainable underneath Indian legal guidelines, to advertise and defend human rights of all, the MEA spokesperson mentioned.

    Michel is an accused within the VVIP chopper rip-off and has been in jail ever since he was introduced on a particular airplane from Dubai after UAE authorities handed him over to the Indian authorities in December 2018.

  • India and Russia comply with work intently on key points on the UN Security Council

    India and Russia have agreed to work intently on key points on the UN Security Council, consistent with the particular and privileged strategic partnership between the 2 nations.
    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated either side held bilateral consultations in Moscow on Tuesday on points that are on the agenda of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
    It stated the Indian delegation on the director general-level assembly briefed the Russian facet on India’s priorities throughout its UNSC tenure.
    “Both sides agreed to work closely together on key issues on the UNSC agenda, in keeping with the special and privileged strategic partnership,” the MEA stated in an announcement.
    India started its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC on January 1.

    In August, India is scheduled to function the president of the highly effective UN physique.
    The MEA stated the 2 sides appreciated the intensive ongoing bilateral contacts on issues referring to the UN, together with with respect to a variety of points on the UNSC agenda.

    Last week, India held related discussions with China.