MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PM Modi, BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers discuss ways to strengthen regional cooperation
Foreign Ministers from the BIMSTEC member countries have gathered in the national capital for a two-day retreat meeting to bolster cooperation among Bay of Bengal countries. BIMSTEC is a regional organisation comprising 7 member states - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Sri Lankan Minister Tharaka Balasuriya arrives in Delhi to attend BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' retreat
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host his counterparts for the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in New Delhi on July 11-12.
Kazakhstan’s strategic investment plan aims to boost economic growth
Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest state rich in resources, is actively seeking foreign investments and global brands. Gabidulla Ospankulov, Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined strategies to attract $150 billion in investments by 2029, aiming to elevate the national economy to $450 billion. Measures include state preferences, anti-corruption efforts, and reducing bureaucratic barriers.
Centre extends validity of FCRA registration of NGOs till September 30
The FCRA registration extension benefits NGOs with pending renewal applications. Scrutiny affected prominent NGOs, leading to new FCRA licenses being issued. The rules regarding foreign contributions and asset declaration are strictly enforced, ensuring compliance and transparency in the NGO sector.
Inclusion of Taiwan in Laos Govt's visa-waiver program for Chinese tourists gives false impression: Taiwan's Foreign Ministry
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) criticised Laos' visa-waiver program for Chinese tourists, stating it falsely implies Taiwan is part of China. The program, valid from July 1 - December 31, allows Chinese nationals to visit Laos visa-free for up to 15 days as part of a group tour. MoFA expressed concerns that Laos' collaboration with China undermines Taiwan's sovereignty and international standing, emphasising that Taiwan and China are not subordinate to each other.
India-France-Australia trilateral identifies new proposals to expand Indo-Pacific partnership
The Indian side was led by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) and Paramita Tripathi, Joint Secretary (Oceania and Indo-Pacific), while the French side was led by Benoît Guidée, Director (Asia and Oceania), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian side was led by Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Pressing Russia to release Indians in Russian military: Foreign Secretary Kwatra
India has been pressing Russia for the safety and repatriation of Indian nationals employed by the Russian Army, following the deaths of two more Indians in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, bringing the total to four. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra emphasized continuous discussions with Russian authorities to ensure the safety of Indians in the war zone. India has demanded a halt to further recruitment of its nationals by the Russian Army. The government has contacted families and taken immediate action for those in the conflict zone. Ten Indians have been repatriated so far.
BRICS Foreign Ministers call for ensuring zero tolerance for terrorism
Foreign Ministers of the BRICS nations strongly condemned terrorism and termed it criminal and unjustifiable. They reaffirmed their commitment to combatting terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism and terrorism financing. They emphasised the primary responsibility of States in combating terrorism and called for zero tolerance and rejected double standards in countering terrorism. The ministers also addressed drug trafficking, anti-corruption efforts, and nuclear disarmament in their joint statement following a meeting in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod.
Normalisation of our ties with China must be based on mutual respect, mutual interest, mutual sensitivity: India
India has expressed gratitude to China for congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his election victory and pledged to continue efforts towards normalizing bilateral ties based on mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are key for normalizing overall ties.
Why is China so annoyed over Modi's reply on X?
Modi's reply to Taiwan President's congratulatory message has sparked controversy, leading to China's strong protest. China has urged India to resist Taiwan's 'political calculations'. Taiwan's President Lai congratulated Modi on his election victory and emphasized enhancing India-Taiwan ties on trade and technology.
MHA grants SRK's NGO, Meer Foundation, FCRA licence
Shah Rukh Khan's NGO, Meer Foundation, granted FCRA licence by MHA for 5 years to support acid attack survivors.
Ukraine President Zelenskyy hopes for India's presence at Swiss peace summit next week
Ukraine President Zelenskyy congratulated PM Modi on India's parliamentary election win and invited India to a peace summit in Switzerland regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Poland increases National Visa application fee by €55
Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has increased the national visa application fee to €135 from €80 starting June 1, 2024. The Schengen visa fees remain unchanged. The adjustment aims to manage migration pressure and ensure foreigners comply with their stated purpose of stay.
Officials of India, Maldives hold review meeting, take stock of Indian grant-funded community development projects
Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Munu Mahawar and Maldivian Ambassador Ahmed Naseer co-chaired a meeting to review Indian-funded community development projects in the Maldives. They assessed 65 projects valued at MVR 360 million. Additionally, India extended a USD 50 million Treasury Bill at the Maldives' request, showing the strong bilateral relationship. Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer thanked India for the support, emphasizing the countries' enduring friendship.
China warns after Lai inauguration that Taiwan independence is 'dead end'
China warned on Monday that efforts toward Taiwan's independence are a "dead end" after the island's new President Lai Ching-te took office. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has threatened force to control it, labelled Lai a "dangerous separatist." Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that Taiwan independence efforts are doomed to fail. Concurrently, Beijing imposed sanctions on three US defence companies over arms sales to Taipei and censored discussions of the inauguration on Chinese social media.
Pakistan evacuates hundreds of students from Kyrgyz capital
More than 650 Pakistani students were being repatriated from Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan's foreign minister said on Sunday, after clashes broke out between locals and foreigners near student accommodation in the capital Bishkek. Local media said more than 11,000 Pakistanis are studying across Kyrgyzstan, which is particularly popular with medical students. srq/ecl/sn
Status of Chinese citizen journalist who reported on COVID unknown on day of expected prison release
Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan's whereabouts post-release from a four-year prison term for Wuhan pandemic reporting remain unknown. Concerns persist as activists express worry and key entities in the saga add to the uncertainty.
"Won't speak until allegations are proved before a jury": US on investigation into alleged attempt to kill Pannun
The US State Department has stated that it will not comment on the investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun until the allegations are proven in court. The department's spokesperson emphasized that the case is an ongoing legal matter. A Czech court has ruled to extradite an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, to the US in connection with the case. The Indian government has denied involvement and set up a committee to investigate. The US reiterated its non-interference stance in India's elections.
Russian Foreign Ministry dismisses US allegations of India's role in Pannun case
The Russian Foreign Ministry has rejected US allegations of an Indian plot to assassinate pro-Khalistan radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stating that Washington has not provided any reliable evidence. The ministry's spokesperson criticized the US for its lack of understanding of India's national mentality and historical context, accusing the US of disrespecting India. The US Justice Department recently unsealed an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in the plot. India has dismissed these allegations as speculative and irresponsible.
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