Tag: Ministry of External Affairs

  • In name with PM, Trudeau counseled Modi govt’s efforts to finish impasse with protesting farmers

    Image Source : PTI Farmers elevate slogans throughout the ongoing protest in opposition to the brand new farm legal guidelines, at Ghazipur Border in New Delhi.
    In his telephonic talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau counseled the Indian authorities’s efforts to decide on the trail of dialogue in coping with the farmer protests and described it as “befitting in democracy”, the Ministry of External Affairs stated on Friday.

    Modi and Trudeau held the phone dialog on Wednesday, masking a spread of points together with the coronavirus disaster.

    “Befitting in democracy”

    “On the farmers’ protests, Prime Minister Trudeau commended efforts of the government of India to choose the path of dialogue as befitting in democracy,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated at a media briefing.

    His feedback got here following a query on the difficulty.

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    “He (Trudeau) also acknowledged the responsibility of his government in providing protection to Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in Canada,” Srivastava stated.

    A readout issued by Trudeau’s workplace on the telephonic talks talked about that the farmer protests figured within the discussions although the Indian assertion on the identical had not talked about it.

    “The leaders discussed Canada and India’s commitment to democratic principles, recent protests, and the importance of resolving issues through dialogue,” the Canadian readout stated. It talked about a number of different points mentioned by the 2 prime ministers.

    Tens of 1000’s of farmers have been protesting at three border factors on the outskirts of Delhi demanding repeal of the three contentious farm legal guidelines. The talks between the farmers and the federal government are deadlocked because the farmers are insisting on full repeal of the legal guidelines.

    In December, Trudeau backed agitating farmers in India

    In early December, Trudeau, backing the agitating farmers in India, had stated that Canada will at all times be there to defend the rights of peaceable protests and had expressed concern over the state of affairs.

    Last week, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan stated Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made a touch upon the problems associated to the farmers and it was conveyed to Canada that such remarks pertaining to the inner affairs of India are “unwarranted” and “unacceptable”.

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  • Important to take feedback of their entirety: MEA on US State Department response on farmers protest

    Image Source : ANI US State Dept has acknowledged steps been taken by India in direction of agricultural reforms, says MEA.
    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday responded after US State Department assertion in wake of the farmers protests saying we’ve got taken notice of the feedback of the US State Department. It is vital to take such feedback within the context wherein they’re made and of their entirety.

    “US State Dept has acknowledged steps been taken by India towards agricultural reforms. Any protest must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity & ongoing efforts of government and concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse,” stated Anurag Srivastava, MEA Spokesperson.

    “India and US are both vibrant democracies with shared values. Incidents of violence and vandalism at historic Red Fort on January 26 evoked similar sentiments and reactions in India as did the Capitol Hill incident on Jan 6 and are addressed as per local laws,” MEA stated.

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    “The temporary measures with regards to internet access in certain parts of the Delhi-NCR region were therefore understandably undertaken to prevent further violence,” Anurag Srivastava stated.

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  • Universities, PSUs to hunt authorities nod for digital occasions: MEA

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has made the federal government’s prior clearance necessary for internet hosting worldwide conferences, trainings, and seminars on-line and likewise forbidden such digital occasions on themes associated to India’s safety, Northeast states, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh or every other difficulty regarding the nation’s “internal matters”.
    The recent set of tips, issued in November final yr and a part of the brand new “approval procedure” notified by the MEA for organising digital occasions, apply to all authorities ministries and departments, Public Sector Undertakings, public-funded universities, and organisations managed and run by the Union and state governments.
    The organisers of the digital occasion will now must method their respective “administrative secretary” for approval concerning the theme and the checklist of individuals. For occasion, a Central college eager on internet hosting an internet worldwide convention must search prior clearance from the Ministry of Education. But issues associated to inner issues and safety shall be a no-go space.
    “While giving permission, the respective Ministry should ensure that the subject matter for online events is not related to security of State, Border, North East states, UT of J&K, Ladakh or any other issues which are clearly/purely related to India’s internal matters,” states MEA’s Office Memorandum dated November 25. However, the doc doesn’t elaborate or outline what would qualify because the nation’s inner matter.
    The new approval course of has the tutorial neighborhood fearful. “There is no problem writing letters to the government for permission. We had been writing to MEA anyway to facilitate visas for foreign speakers for offline conferences. The problem is that government responses are always delayed or come just in time. Now that we are expected to approach them for all online conferences too only means more delays. It will become difficult to now organise online conferences,” stated an IIT director who didn’t want to be recognized.
    MEA has additionally cautioned towards internet hosting on-line conferences on IT purposes and platforms both managed or owned or hosted by businesses or international locations hostile to India. The Home Ministry had issued an advisory in April final yr saying Zoom, the video convention app, just isn’t a secure platform. Since then, authorities officers have been avoiding conferences hosted on the platform. However, the MEA’s doc on on-line conferences doesn’t identify any particular platform.

    Besides, the ministry has suggested discretion and scrutiny with regards to knowledge and content material shared throughout on-line conferences.
    According to authorities sources, the brand new set of tips have been issued for the reason that Covid-induced lockdown had compelled many to modify to digital seminars and conferences this yr, and there wasn’t any authorities oversight for these on-line occasions.

    Earlier, organisers of worldwide conferences normally sought prior clearance from the MEA solely when the occasion was associated to delicate topics, safety and inner issues, and concerned overseas funding and sponsorship.

  • Targeted killings in Afghanistan aimed toward suppressing freedom of expression: MEA

    India on Thursday described the focused killing of journalists and civil society members in Afghanistan as an try to suppress freedom of expression and pitched for an “immediate and comprehensive” ceasefire to put the bottom for a significant peace course of within the nation.
    Expressing deep concern over the killings, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated India stands with the individuals of Afghanistan of their journey in the direction of peace and these assaults are opposite to the spirit of the peace course of and will instantly cease.
    Asked about National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s two-day go to to Afghanistan, Srivastava stated at a media briefing that his discussions with Afghan leaders centered on bilateral relations and the Afghan peace course of.
    Doval referred to as on President Ashraf Ghani, and held talks with Afghan peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah, Afghan National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib, Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and former president Hamid Karzai.
    “In the past few weeks, we have received inputs of several attacks on journalists and civil society activists in Afghanistan. The targeted killing of journalists and civil society members, aimed at suppressing the freedom of expression and informed discussion on critical issues related to peace and governance, is of deep concern,” Srivastava stated.
    He stated individuals of Afghanistan lengthy for a peaceable future and India stands with them.
    “An immediate and comprehensive ceasefire will lay the ground for a meaningful peace process to establish a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Afghanistan. India stands with the people of Afghanistan in their journey towards peace,” he stated.
    The MEA spokesperson stated India has invested closely in peace and improvement in Afghanistan and it helps all efforts to convey peace and stability there.
    “The peace process must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled. India is an important stakeholder and we look towards a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign, democratic and united Afghanistan,” he stated.

  • India’s unbiased overseas coverage applies to defence acquisitions: MEA

    After the outgoing US Ambassador to India spoke about “interoperability” points in a veiled reference to India’s procurement of S400 air defence methods from Russia, the MEA Friday made it clear that India pursues an unbiased overseas coverage that features defence acquisitions.
    MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated India shares strategic partnerships with each the US and Russia. He added: “India has always pursued an independent foreign policy. This also applies to our defence acquisitions and supplies which are guided by our national security interests.”
    The remarks come simply days after Kenneth I Juster had stated in his farewell speech, with out naming the S400 missile system, that “as systems get more technologically advanced, country A that does not get along with country B, will be less willing to sell technology that could potentially be compromised to country B”.

    He stated: “We haven’t hit that point yet, but that could come in the future… there are trade-offs India has to decide (as to) how much it matters to get the most sophisticated technology, to be as interoperable as it can be within its technology and potentially with other friendly forces…”

  • India requires pressing help for 39 Indian sailors on board two ships in Chinese waters

    India on Friday referred to as for “urgent, practical and time-bound” help to 39 stranded Indian sailors on board two ships in Chinese waters contemplating the “grave” humanitarian scenario creating within the vessels.
    Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated Indian bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand has been on anchorage close to Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since June 13 and it has 23 Indian sailors.
    Another vessel, MV Anastasia, with 16 Indian nationals as its crew is on anchorage close to Caofeidian port in China since September 20, he stated.
    Srivastava stated each these vessels have been ready for discharge of their cargo and there’s a rising stress on the crew members on account of the lengthy delay.
    “Given this and our concern for the increasingly difficult conditions for our crew members, these two cases are being pursued vigorously,” he stated responding to a media question on the matter.
    Srivastava stated the Indian Embassy in Beijing continued to stay in shut and steady contact with the Chinese authorities in Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin, including the MEA can also be following up on the matter by the Chinese Embassy right here for “an early resolution”.
    “We have noted the statements of the Chinese side, expressing their willingness to extend their assistance in this matter. We expect that this assistance will be provided in an urgent, practical and time-bound manner, given the grave humanitarian situation that is developing on board the ships,” Srivastava stated.
    He stated the Indian Embassy has repeatedly taken up the difficulty with each the Chinese ministry of overseas affairs and the native provincial authorities, requesting that the ships be allowed to dock and/or the crew be allowed to be modified.
    “They have been following up this matter for the last few months. The Indian Ambassador has personally taken up this issue with the Vice Foreign Minister. The Ministry has also been following this issue with the Chinese Embassy,” Srivastava stated.
    He stated the Chinese authorities have conveyed that on account of varied COVID-19-related restrictions imposed by the native authorities, change of crew shouldn’t be being permitted from these ports.
    “While the shipping companies are examining the logistics of sailing the ships away from their current points of anchorage, our embassy is liaising with relevant authorities in Tianjin for berthing approvals to facilitate the crew change,” Srivastava stated.

    He stated the delivery firms have been requested to make sure that they submit their plans for crew change on the earliest for approvals by the native Chinese authorities.
    “We also understand that MV Anastasia is exploring the possibility of a crew change at sea at its current point of anchorage in Caofeidian. Our Embassy has yesterday written to Chinese authorities proposing this alternative and sought approval for the same,” he stated.