New Delhi: India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations that New Delhi is behind the ethnic violence raging in the neighbouring country, saying it should look inwards instead of shifting blame for its own problems and that the world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies.

In response to media queries on the remarks made by the Pakistan side, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday that India strongly rejects the allegations as baseless.

“We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures onto others,” said MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement.

India has snubbed Pakistan after it hinted at India’s role in fomenting trouble in the restive Balochistan region.

The government’s response came after a senior Pakistani official accused India of “sponsoring terrorism” and trying to destabilise its neighbouring countries.

The accusation came after the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) during its journey from Quetta to Peshawar. The siege lasted about 30 hours, and 21 hostages and four security personnel were killed.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the train attack was orchestrated from abroad but did not directly implicate India. He said the rebels were in contact with their handlers based in Afghanistan throughout the train siege.

When asked if Pakistan had changed its policy from blaming India in the past for BLA activity, he said its accusations against India hold even today. “There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed…India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to was, in this particular incident, we have evidence of calls being traced to Afghanistan,” said the Pakistani official addressing media.

IANS

New Delhi: Foreign policy issues do not lie within the remit of state governments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday following reports that two Myanmarese rebel groups signed a merger pact recently in presence of Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma.

Myanmar’s anti-junta groups from Chin state – the Chinland Council (CC) and the Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) – signed the merger agreement in Aizawl, according to the reports.

“We have seen some reports on the matter. Our position on the situation in Myanmar is well known,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“I would also like to reiterate that foreign policy issues do not lie within the remit of state governments,” he said, responding to a question during his weekly media briefing.

There have been mounting concerns in New Delhi over security implications arising out of fighting between Myanmar’s military and rebel forces in areas close to the country’s border with India.

India has been pressing for return of democracy in Myanmar.

Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and it shares a 1,640-km-long border with a number of northeastern states including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.

In view of the violence and instability in border areas of Myanmar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah in January last year announced a plan to fence the border.

PTI

New Delhi: India Friday pressed the UK to take action against the pro-Khalistan elements involved in the breach of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s security in London and said that the incident reflected the “licence” accorded to such forces.

A pro-Khalistani protester attempted to break barricades while some others were shouting anti-India slogans as Jaishankar was leaving the Chatham House after concluding an interactive session at the institute Wednesday evening.

“We have conveyed our deep concern to the UK authorities about the breach of security arrangements by UK-based separatist and extremist elements during the external affairs minister’s visit,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“There is a larger context to the incident. It brings out both the licence accorded to such forces, as well as indifference to their intimidation, threats, and other actions aimed at impeding our legitimate diplomatic activities in the UK,” he said.

While India has noted the statement issued by the UK Foreign Office on the matter, our view of its sincerity would depend on the action taken against culprits on this and previous occasions, Jaiswal added.

PTI

New Delhi: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India next week will pave the way for further strengthening growing convergence in key areas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Saturday.

Leyen, accompanied by the high-powered European Union College of Commissioners, will pay a visit to India February 27 and 28 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be the first ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners together to India.

Prime Minister Modi will hold delegation-level talks with Leyen, the MEA said in a statement.

The second ministerial meeting of the India-?EU Trade and Technology Council (TEC) and bilateral ministerial meetings between the European Commissioners and their Indian counterparts will also be held, it said.

It will be Leyen’s third visit to India. She had earlier visited India for a bilateral trip in April 2022, and to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023.

“This will be the first ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners together to India and among the first such visits since the start of the mandate of the current European Commission in December 2024 after the European parliamentary elections held in June 2024,” the MEA said.

India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004 and their bilateral ties have expanded and deepened across a wide range of areas.

“As the two sides enter the third decade of the strategic partnership, the visit of President von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners will pave the way for further strengthening of bilateral relations based on growing convergences,” the MEA said.

New Delhi: Nearly a week after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the issue of Kashmir during his visit to Pakistan, New Delhi Friday said such “unwarranted” statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were “unacceptable”, adding that it has lodged a “strong protest” on the matter with the Turkish ambassador here.

“We reject such objectionable comments on matters which are internal to India,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a query on Erdogan’s remarks.

Jaiswal also reiterated India’s position that Jammu and Kashmir “is an integral part of India, it always has been, and it will remain so”.

There should be no doubt or confusion on this, the MEA spokesperson said.

“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. No other country has any locus standi to comment on it. Instead of commenting on internal affairs of another country, it would have been appropriate if Pakistan’s policy of using cross-border terrorism against India, which remains the biggest threat for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, had been called out,” Jaiswal said.

“We reject such objectionable comments on matters which are internal to India. We have lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador in Delhi. Such unwarranted statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable,” he added.

During his recent two-day visit to Pakistan last week, Erdogan said, “The Kashmir issue should be addressed according to the UN resolution through dialogue and keeping in mind the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.”

“Our state and our nation, as in the past, stands in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers today,” the Turkish president said.

PTI

New Delhi: The government Friday said it was deeply saddened by the recent death of a Nepalese student at an institution in Odisha, and asserted that it accords “high priority” to the safety, security and well-being of all international students in the country.

In response to a query related to the incident at private engineering college KIIT in Bhubaneswar, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ministry has been in “constant touch” with the Odisha government and the KIIT authorities since the matter came to light.

“We have also maintained close contact with the Nepalese authorities. Under our outreach, several steps have been taken by the Odisha government as well as the KIIT institute to address the situation,” he said.

Odisha Police has made several arrests, the MEA spokesperson said.

The police Thursday arrested five more staff of the private engineering college on the charge of assaulting Nepalese students while they were vacating the hostel following a direction of the institute authorities.

Police have so far arrested 11 people, including an engineering student who was booked for allegedly abetting the suicide of the 20-year-old Nepalese woman in her hostel room earlier.

Following her death, the Nepalese students staged demonstrations demanding justice.

PTI

New Delhi: India Friday said the revelations about USAID funding for certain activities in the country are “deeply troubling” and have led to concerns about foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said relevant departments and authorities are looking into the information put out by the United States administration regarding certain US activities and funding.

“We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain US activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling,” Jaiswal said.

Addressing an event in Miami on Thursday, US President Donald Trump questioned the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) funding of USD 21 million for voter turnout in India and wondered whether it was trying to get someone else elected.

“This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. Relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter. It would be premature to make a public comment at this stage, so relevant authorities are looking into it and hopefully, we can come up with an update on that subsequently,” Jaiswal said.

PTI

Muscat: The Indian Ocean is veritably a global lifeline, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Sunday, as he asked the countries in the region to look out for each other, supplement their strengths and coordinate their policies to fulfil its development, connectivity, maritime and security aspirations.

Jaishankar addressed the inaugural session of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat on “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.’

“The Indian Ocean is veritably a global lifeline. Its production, consumption, contribution and connectivity are central to the manner in which the world runs today,” he said.

“Our voyage to new horizons is best done as a coordinated flotilla of the Indian Ocean. We are understandably a diverse group in terms of history, geography, development, politics or culture. But what unites us is a common devotion to the well-being of the Indian Ocean region,” he said.

“In a volatile and uncertain era, we seek stability and security as the baseline. But beyond that, there are ambitions and aspirations that we strive to achieve. They will be easier reached when we look out for each other, supplement our strengths and coordinate our policies,” he added.

Jaishankar said that currently there is considerable churn in world affairs.

“At the two ends of the ocean, this churn is at its sharpest today. In the Middle East/West Asia, there is a serious conflict underway with the potential for further escalation and complication,” Jaishankar said.

“At the same time, longstanding issues are being revisited, sometimes with a radically different approach. Its maritime consequence is visible in a serious disruption of global shipping, with considerable cost to our economies. There are questions which arise from our ability and willingness to respond, as indeed from the partnerships relevant to that task,” he said.

At the other end, the Indo-Pacific has been witnessing deeper tensions and sharper contestations, the minister said.

Like other parts of the Global South, the Indian Ocean nations too face resource constraints and economic headwinds, Jaishankar said.

Many of them are struggling to meet their Sustainable Development Goals. In quite a few cases, debt is a serious concern. Some of that arises from stresses of the international economy, but in certain cases, from imprudent borrowing and unviable projects, he said.

Another common issue is that of rebuilding connectivity in the region after decades of colonial–era disruption, he said.

“To make this a truly shared endeavour, it is vital to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative and transparent, not unilateral and opaque,” he added.

“Yet another widespread concern is the challenge faced by the Indian Ocean states to monitor their Exclusive Economic Zones and secure their fishing interests. Nor can they be impervious to illegal trafficking of various kinds and the spectre of terrorism. Each of these dimensions – and certainly their cumulative impact – has a strong maritime implication,” Jaishankar said.

“Our journey to new horizons must necessarily focus on addressing these challenges,” he said.

He said that India is contributing to these shared endeavours by rapidly strengthening its own capabilities, forging partnerships with Indian Ocean neighbours, shouldering responsibilities, stepping up in times of trouble and providing leadership where required.

PTI

New Delhi: India Thursday expressed anguish over the vandalism of the residence of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and said the “act of vandalism” should be strongly condemned.

In response to media queries regarding the vandalism of Rahman’s residence, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal Thursday said, “It is regrettable that the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh against the forces of occupation and oppression, was destroyed February 5, 2025.”

“All those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh. This act of vandalism should be strongly condemned,” he added.

The MEA in India expressed deep concern over the attack, highlighting the historical and cultural importance of the residence.

India called for the perpetrators to be held accountable and stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.

On Wednesday, a mob vandalised the residence of Rahman in Dhaka, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Visuals showed flames on one of the floors of the house.

The protesters, reportedly demanding a ban on the Awami League, stormed the premises after breaking open the gate, causing widespread destruction, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Local media linked the protest to an online speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Social media posts had earlier called for a “Bulldozer Procession” towards Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s residence located at Dhanmondi-32 if Sheikh Hasina delivered a speech, as reported by Dhaka Tribune.

By 10.45 pm (local time), an excavator had been brought to demolish the house.

Protestors, who arrived in a rally around 8 p.m., forced their way in, breaking into the main gate before proceeding to vandalise the property.

According to a Dhaka Tribune report, many protestors reportedly climbed to the second floor, using hammers, crowbars, and wooden planks to destroy portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and damaged sections of the historic house.

On Thursday, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also lodged a strong protest with the Indian government over the “false and fabricated” comments and statements continuously being made on different platforms including social media, by the country’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aimed at instigating instability.

Through a protest note, handed over to the Acting High Commissioner of India in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said that it conveyed the deep concern, disappointment and serious reservation of the Bangladesh government, as such statements are hurting the sentiments of the people in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry also emphasised that such activities by her, are considered as a hostile act towards Bangladesh and are not conducive to the efforts at establishing a healthy relationship between the two countries, it added.

New Delhi: India Tuesday night strongly rejected “insinuations” made against it in a report by a Canadian commission that investigated allegations that certain foreign governments were meddling into Canada’s elections.

In a strong reaction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it rejects the report’s “insinuations” on India.

It is in fact Canada which has been “consistently interfering” in India’s internal affairs, it said.

“We have seen a report about alleged activities on purported interference. It is in fact Canada which has been consistently interfering in India’s internal affairs,” the MEA said.

“This has also created an environment for illegal migration and organised criminal activities,” it said in a statement.

“We reject the report’s insinuations on India and expect that the support system enabling illegal migration will not be further countenanced,” it added.

The government of India was suspected of using proxy agents to provide “clandestine financial support” to candidates from three political parties in a federal election, Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported.

In September, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Justice Marie-JosÃe Hogue to head the commission of inquiry into the allegations of foreign meddling in elections.

The commission examined allegations of meddling into the elections against China, Russia and others, according to Canadian media reports.

Last June, a report by Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians found that some parliamentarians were witting or semi-witting participants in foreign meddling.

PTI

New Delhi/Beijing: India and China have decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced following Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, Monday.

The meeting, held under the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism, reviewed the state of India-China bilateral relations comprehensively and agreed to take certain people-centric steps to stabilize and rebuild ties, as agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan in October.

According to the MEA, the relevant mechanism will discuss further the modalities for Yatra as per the existing agreements.

Both sides also agreed, in principle, to resume direct air services between the two countries with the relevant technical authorities on the two sides to negotiate an updated framework for the purpose at an early date.

“They also agreed to hold an early meeting of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism to discuss resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers,” read a statement issued by the MEA.

With 2025 being the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, it was decided by both sides to “redouble” public diplomacy efforts to create better awareness about each other and restore mutual trust and confidence among the public.

Taking stock of the extant mechanisms for functional exchanges, both sides will also conduct a number of commemorative activities to mark the anniversary.

“It was agreed to resume these dialogues step by step and to utilise them to address each other’s priority areas of interest and concern. Specific concerns in the economic and trade areas were discussed with a view to resolving these issues and promoting long-term policy transparency and predictability,” the MEA stated.

Besides calling on Wang Yi, who is also a Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Director of the Office of Central Commission of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Misri also held discussions with Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao during his two-day visit to Beijing.

Meanwhile, the Chinese side emphasised that positive interactions have been carried out at all levels and the process of improving China-India relations accelerated since the meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping in Kazan last year.

“The two sides should seize the opportunity, meet each other halfway, explore more substantive measures, and commit to mutual understanding, mutual support, and mutual achievement, rather than mutual suspicion, mutual alienation, and mutual consumption,” read a statement issued by the Chinese side Monday.

“The improvement and development of China-India relations is fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples, is conducive to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the global South countries, and is conducive to making contributions of the two ancient civilizations to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world,” it added.

New Delhi: India Friday said it is looking for “bolder, bigger and a more ambitious” relationship with the US and indicated its readiness to work with the Trump administration to address issues like illegal immigration and trade.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s approach has always been to address issues in a constructive manner in line with interests of both the countries.

Like in many countries, there have been some concerns in India as well over the Trump administration’s approach on immigration and tariff.

President Trump has already talked about slapping “100 per cent tariffs” on the BRICS grouping, a bloc that includes India as well.

We remain in close communication with the US administration and would like to continue to work towards strengthening our economic partnership further, Jaiswal said.

India is focused on building “bolder, bigger and a more ambitious” relationship with the US, he added.

Referring to India’s ongoing dialogue with the US on matters related to both trade and immigration, Jaiswal hoped that both sides will be able to address any issue.

Trade occupies a special place within the strong and multi-faceted India-US relationship, and the two sides reached a record level of trade in goods and services worth USD 190 billion in 2023, Jaiswal said.

“The new US government has come in recently, whatever trade issues are there, we will take it out. We want to enhance the record levels of trade, and further expand it,” he said.

Asked about reports that the US department of homeland security identified around 18,000 illegal immigrants from India, Jaiswal said New Delhi is opposed to illegal immigration.

India is opposed to illegal immigration because of its links to several forms of organised crime, he said.

“We will take them back provided documents are shared with us so that we can verify their nationality, that they are indeed Indians,” he said.

At the same time, he said it would be “premature” to talk about the number of illegal Indian immigrants staying in the US.

In his remarks, Jaiswal also talked about “warm” personal relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump.

To a question on Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s reported presence at the inauguration ceremony of Trump, Jaiswal said: “Whenever there is an anti-India activity, we take up such matters with the US government. We will continue to raise such issues with the US government which have a bearing on our security, which have an anti-India agenda.”

PTI

New Delhi/Dubai: India has pledged further humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including material support in the first instance to the health sector and for the rehabilitation of refugees during Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai Wednesday.

Misri and Muttaqi also discussed various issues pertaining to bilateral relations as well as regional developments during the significant meeting which took place two days after India severely condemned the recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan that killed 46 people, including several women and children.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Foreign Secretary underlined India’s historic friendship with the Afghan people and the strong people-to-people contacts between the two countries. In this context, he conveyed India’s readiness to respond to the urgent developmental needs of the Afghan people.

As the two sides evaluated the ongoing Indian humanitarian assistance programmes, the Afghan Minister appreciated and thanked the Indian leadership for continuing to engage and support the people of Afghanistan.

“In view of the current need for development activities, it was decided that India would consider engaging in development projects in the near future, in addition to the ongoing humanitarian assistance programme,” read a statement issued by the MEA.

Acting fast to the needs of the Afghan people, India has so far dispatched several shipments consisting of 50,000 MTs of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, 27 tonnes of earthquake relief aid, 40,000 litres of pesticides, 100 million polio doses, 1.5 million doses of Covid vaccine, 11,000 units of hygiene kits for the drug de-addiction programme, 500 units of winter clothing and 1.2 tonnes of stationery kits, over the past few years.

During the meeting, the two sides also discussed strengthening of sports, especially cricket cooperation, which is highly valued by the young generation of Afghanistan.

It was also agreed to promote the use of Chabahar port for supporting trade and commercial activities, including for the purpose of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.

“The Afghan side underlined its sensitivities to India’s security concerns. The two sides agreed to remain in touch and continue regular contacts at various levels,” the MEA stated.

December 24, Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan had resulted in the death of 46 people and invited massive criticism besides a stern warning from the current regime in the war-torn country.

The airstrikes by Pakistani fighter jets on parts of Barmal district in Paktika province was the second instance in 2024 of Islamabad directly hitting “civilian areas” on Afghan territory.

In March 2024, a similar strike had killed eight people, including three children.

Monday, India had condemned the Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan, asserting that it is the country’s ‘old practice’ to blame neighbours for its internal failures.

“We have noted the media reports on airstrikes on Afghan civilians, including women and children, in which several precious lives have been lost,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

“We unequivocally condemn any attack on innocent civilians. It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its own internal failures. We have also noted the response of an Afghan spokesperson in this regard,” he added.

IANS

New Delhi: India Friday said it has lodged a “solemn protest” with China over creation of two new counties in Hotan prefecture, asserting that such moves will not lend legitimacy to Beijing’s “illegal and forcible” occupation in the region.

In a strong reaction, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said parts of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh and that the Chinese action will have no bearing on New Delhi’s consistent position regarding its sovereignty.

China’s announcement on establishing the two counties came days after Special Representatives of the two nations resumed boundary talks that was stalled for almost five years.

“We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India’s Union Territory of Ladakh,” Jaiswal said.

“We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area,” he said.

“Creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India’s long-standing and consistent position regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China’s illegal and forcible occupation of the same,” Jaiswal added.

He further said: “We have lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.”

The latest irritant in ties came weeks after India and China ended an over four-and-a-half-year border standoff and announced steps to reduce mistrust.

Following an understanding reached October 21, the two sides completed the disengagement of troops at the two remaining friction points of Demchok and Depsang.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the margins of the BRICS Summit in Russia October 23 and agreed to revive various bilateral dialogue mechanisms, signalling an intention to normalise the relations.

In the nearly 50-minute meeting, Modi underscored the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquillity in border areas.

Nearly four weeks later, the Special Representatives on the border issue — India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and China’s foreign minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing.

It was the first dialogue under the framework of Special Representatives in nearly five years.

In the talks, Doval and Wang focused on “positive” direction for cross-border cooperation including resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, river data sharing and border trade.

PTI

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Thursday said that the Indian government has worked assiduously to secure the release of its fishermen from Bangladesh custody who were arrested by the authorities from the neighbouring country over the past several months for inadvertently crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.

Earlier Thursday, 95 Indian fishermen were handed over by Bangladesh authorities to the Bangladesh Coast Guard for handing over to the Indian Coast Guard January 5.

On the same day, 90 Bangladesh fishermen will also be released in a mutual release and repatriation operation that will be concluded at sea between the respective Coast Guard authorities.

“In recent months, several Indian fishermen have been arrested by Bangladesh authorities when they happened to inadvertently cross the International Maritime Boundary Line and enter Bangladesh waters. Several Bangladesh fishermen have also been apprehended by Indian authorities in similar circumstances,” read a statement issued by the MEA.

“The Government of India attaches the highest importance to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. To this end, it has worked assiduously to secure the release of our fishermen from Bangladesh custody. The mutual exchange of fishermen and their vessels has been worked out keeping in mind the primarily humanitarian and livelihood concerns of fishing communities on both sides,” the statement added.

According to the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry, all 95 Indian fishermen and crew members were held in Bagerhat and Patuakhali district jails.

The entire process is expected to be completed January 5 following the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s handing over of Indian fishermen and crew members to the Indian Coast Guard and receiving Bangladeshi fishermen and crew members.

“This repatriation process is being facilitated through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Police, local administration, and other relevant agencies. After the handing over on 05 January 2025 at the International Maritime Border, the Bangladeshi fishermen/crew, along with their fishing vessels, are expected to return to Chattogram in the afternoon of 06 January 2025,” a statement issued by the Bangladesh MFA mentioned.

Bangladeshi authorities had detained a total of 95 Indian fishermen and six fishing boats during October and November 2024.

IANS

New Delhi: India Tuesday announced that it is providing ‘all possible help’ to Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya, who has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national.

In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are aware of the sentencing of Ms. Nimisha Priya in Yemen. We understand that the family of Ms Priya is exploring relevant options. The government is extending all possible help in the matter.”

The statement follows the recent approval of Nimisha Priya’s death sentence by Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi. Reports indicate that the execution could take place within a month, leaving the family in shock and racing against time to save her.

Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, 57, has been making relentless efforts to secure a waiver of the death penalty. Earlier this year, she travelled to Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, to negotiate the payment of diya (blood money) to the victim’s family with the assistance of the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, an organisation of NRI social workers based in Yemen.

Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kollengode in Kerala’s Palakkad district, had moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her daily-wage labourer parents. She worked in several hospitals and eventually decided to open her own clinic. In 2017, a dispute arose between her and her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, after she reportedly opposed his alleged attempts to misappropriate funds.

Also Read: UN chief condemns escalation between Yemen’s Houthis, Israel

According to her family, Nimisha allegedly injected Mahdi with sedatives to retrieve her confiscated passport. Tragically, an overdose led to his death. She was arrested while attempting to flee the country and was convicted of murder in 2018.

In 2020, a trial court in Sanaa sentenced her to death, and Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council upheld the verdict in November 2023, though it left open the option of blood money.

The case has drawn widespread attention and raised concerns over the fate of Indian nationals abroad as the family and supporters continue their efforts to save Nimisha Priya from the death penalty.

Agencies

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Friday revealed that New Delhi has taken “seriously” the latest threat issued by the US-based Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra and raised it accordingly with the authorities in Washington.

In a recent video, Pannun threatened that Kwatra is on the radar of pro-Khalistani Sikhs in America for allegedly coordinating with Russian authorities, who in turn were providing inputs to Indian intelligence agencies on the Khalistani network in the United States.

“As and when such threats are issued, we take them very seriously and raise them with the US government. In this particular case also, we have raised it with the US government and it is our expectation that the United States government will take our security concerns seriously and act on it,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday.

A former Foreign Secretary, Kwatra took charge as India’s Ambassador to the United States in August this year, succeeding Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

His appointment came at a time when Khalistani separatists continue to target Hindu community in the country and also the Indian missions.

Khalistanis have been found to be involved in incidents of defacement of temples, including in California and New York, and also in acts of arson and vandalism at the Indian embassy in San Francisco.

Several lawmakers, including Shri Thanedar – a Democrat elected to the House of Representatives from Michigan state – have raised alarm over the “substantial increase” in attacks on Hindus and their places of worship in the United States.

The lawmaker had recently expressed frustration with the investigating agency for their failure to find the culprits behind the incidents at the temples and the consulate.

“It appears to be a very coordinated effort to attack these places of worship which has created a lot of fear in the community. And often what we have seen is that the law enforcement, the local law enforcement enters into these investigations and rarely any suspects have been identified, and that investigation goes nowhere.

“What that does is that it leaves the community feeling like nobody cares about them. Nobody reports back to them on what’s going on. And that means that the community continues to live in fear, the computing community continues to live in an adverse situation with essentially no help from law enforcement,” he said.

The lawmaker went on to state that he and his colleagues are asking the US Department of Justice for “coordinated efforts between the local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Justice, and higher priority needs to be assigned to such hate crimes against this peaceful community”.

IANS

New Delhi: India has lodged a strong protest with Dhaka over certain controversial comments by key aide of Bangladesh’s interim government Mahfuj Alam.

In a recent Facebook post, Alam had said India should recognise the uprising that forced the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign. Days later, in another post, he also claimed that certain Indian territories should be part of Bangladesh. He deleted the post later.

“We have registered our strong protest on this issue with the Bangladesh side. We understand that the post being referred to has reportedly been taken down,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments,” he said.

“While India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation,” Jaiswal added.

PTI

New Delhi: A fresh consignment of around 60 tonnes of emergency medical equipment, generators, and other utilities have been sent by India to Jamaica to support the country’s healthcare needs and enhance its disaster preparedness.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, shared the details of the humanitarian assistance Saturday.

“India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Jamaica. A consignment of around 60 tonnes of emergency medical equipment, Gensets & other utilities has departed for Jamaica. This assistance will support health care needs and rehabilitation of medical infrastructure as well as strengthen the disaster preparedness against Hurricanes,” Jaiswal said in a post on X.

sends Humanitarian Assistance to Jamaica.

A consignment of approx 60 tons of emergency medical equipment, Gensets & other utilities has departed for Jamaica.

This assistance will support health care needs and rehabilitation of medical infrastructure as well as strengthen… pic.twitter.com/YM3yL97XNg

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 14, 2024

India and Jamaica share strong historical and cultural linkages, reflected in their shared colonial past, values of democracy and freedom, and passion for cricket.

Recently, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness paid his first-ever visit to India from September 30-October 3.

Both leaders held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi.

PM Andrew Holness expressed his country’s desire to strengthen cooperation with India in various sectors, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), education, digitalisation, security, and energy.

PM Modi also hailed India-Jamaica ties stating that the relations between the two nations are based on a “shared history,” adding that PM Holness has been a “longstanding friend of India”.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence in Holness’ India visit, underscoring that his visit will give new energy to bilateral relations.

Jamaican PM Andrew Holness called his official trip to India a success and praised New Delhi for being a strong voice for the Global South while providing a pathway for development to countries like Jamaica.

PM Holness lauded India’s prowess in cricket and Jamaica’s excellence in track and field, adding that it provides tremendous opportunities for mutual exchange and cooperation.

India and Jamaica cooperate in the multilateral forum with common views and positions on issues such as promoting South-South Cooperation and the developmental imperatives of the Global South. They have a shared interest in shaping the emerging architecture of various multilateral institutions, especially with regard to addressing issues such as energy and food security, climate change and international terrorism.

IANS

New Delhi: Three Indian students were killed in Canada last week and the Indian high commission in Ottawa has taken up the matter of safety of Indians with the Canadian authorities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Friday.

The safety, security and welfare of Indian nationals in Canada remains of utmost importance to us, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“In the last week or so we have had unfortunate tragedies. Three Indian students have been murdered. We are saddened at these terrible tragedies that have struck our nationals in Canada,” Jaiswal said.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the grieving families. Our High Commission and Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver are extending all possible help in the matter,” he said.

Jaiswal said the Indian missions in that country are in touch with the local authorities for thorough investigation of the incidents.

“Issues faced by them, especially Indian students, are raised by our high commission and Consulates with the relevant Canadian authorities on a regular basis,” he said.

“We have also issued an advisory for our nationals and Indian students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant in view of the deteriorating security environment in Canada as a result of the growing incidence of hate crimes and criminal violence,” Jaiswal added.

According to official data, over 400,000 Indian students are studying in Canada.

Asked about reports of instances of the Indian high commission not granting visas in Canada, Jaiswal described them as a “disinformation” campaign.

“We have seen the said media report. It is yet another example of Canadian media’s disinformation to malign India,” he said.

“Granting of Indian visas is our sovereign function and we have the legitimate right to deny visas to those who undermine our territorial integrity,” he said.

“The commentary that we see in the Canadian media on this matter is akin to foreign interference in India’s sovereign affairs,” Jaiswal added.

PTI