Tag: Dr S. Jaishankar

Categories
-Top News Diaspora India News

Jaishankar Hails Indian Diaspora’s Role in Shaping Global Perceptions

Dr S. Jaishankar shared valuable insights into the dynamic changes taking place in India and their impact on the lives of Indians both domestically and abroad, reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, provided a comprehensive overview of the ongoing transformations in India and underscored the critical role of the Indian diaspora in shaping global perceptions.

From technological advancements to social campaigns, Jaishankar painted a vivid picture of a progressing India, urging the diaspora to convey this narrative to the world.

In a captivating address to the Indian diaspora in Dubai, Jaishankar engaged with Indian students and young professionals in Dubai, sharing valuable insights into the dynamic changes taking place in India and their impact on the lives of Indians both domestically and abroad.

“Happy to interact with Indian students and young professionals in Dubai today. They will work at the forefront of building a Viksit Bharat in the Amritkaal. Shared perspectives on transformations in India and the impact it is having on everyday lives of Indians at home and abroad,” posted Jaishankar on X.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Jaishankar stated, “Happy to interact with Indian students and young professionals in Dubai today. They will work at the forefront of building a Viksit Bharat in the Amritkaal.” He emphasised the diaspora’s pivotal role in shaping global perceptions of India and influencing others, extending beyond their immediate circles.

“While you look at the CoWIN portal, Covaxin, 5G, and Chandrayaan, these are all components of Viksit Bharat,” Jaishankar remarked, highlighting India’s remarkable achievements in technology and space exploration. He stressed the importance of effectively communicating India’s progress to the world, especially for those studying abroad.

Discussing a significant event in India, Jaishankar shared, “If I was not here but in India, I would actually today be participating in a very important event which the prime minister would be addressing, called the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.” This initiative aims to showcase the progress made in the last decade through various schemes and campaigns.

Jaishankar enumerated campaigns such as Swatch Bharat, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Digital India, Skill India, and Awas Yojana, illustrating how each contributes to a comprehensive picture of India’s progress. “When you connect each one of these, you get a very different picture. That is today the progress in India. And that progress today is actually the basis for greatness tomorrow,” he added.

He urged the diaspora to understand the importance of their influence, saying, “Your influence is not just limited to your immediate group or family. You shape the thinking of India. When they hear from you in a very natural way, what is happening in India, it gives them a sense of how India is progressing.”

Touching upon India’s global role, Jaishankar discussed the recently concluded G20 presidency, highlighting India’s ability to bring nations together despite geopolitical challenges. “We have shown that India is capable of getting the world at a very difficult, very divisive moment, around a table, agree on common goals,” he stated, emphasizing India’s positive impact on the international stage. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India’s Strong Pitch for Adaptation Goals in Dubai

Categories
-Top News India News World

Jaishankar To Address UNGA As Modi Skips

An earlier schedule of speakers released by the UN in July had listed Narendra Modi as one of the speakers, but the latest version issued on Friday substituted Dr S. Jaishankar for the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has already visited the UN once this year, is not scheduled to be at the high-level General Assembly meeting of world leaders this month and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is to speak on behalf of India, according to the latest roster of speakers.

An earlier schedule of speakers released by the UN in July had listed him as one of the speakers, but the latest version issued on Friday substituted the minister for the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Modi led the International Day of Yoga celebrations at the UN in June before his state visit to Washington.

He has a packed schedule this month with a visit to the ASEAN summit in Indonesia from Tuesday to Thursday, which will be followed by the G20 summit of major emerging and industrialised countries that he will preside over in New Delhi on September 9 and 10.

Jaishankar is set to speak on Tuesday, September 26, morning at the last session of the high-level Assembly meeting.

The draft roster released in July had listed Modi on September 23.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is to speak at the opening session on September 19.

According to Albania’s Permanent Representative Ferit Hoxha, who is this month’s Security Council president, Zelensky will also address an open meeting of the Council the next day.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will not be at the high-level meetings, nor will China’s President Xi Jinping.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), in New York, USA on September 25, 2021 (PIB)

The only leader of a Security Council permanent member to attend the high-level UN meeting will be US President Joe Biden as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and France’s President Emmanuel Macron are not on the roster.

In keeping with tradition Brazil’s President Lula da Silva is to be the first speaker at the opening session and he will followed by Biden.

Prime Minister Modi did not attend last year’s high-level Assembly meeting either and Jaishankar took the rostrum on behalf of India.

The Prime Minister has addressed the Assembly’s annual high-level meetings four times in person and remotely in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.

The speakers are arranged according to protocol, starting with heads and deputy heads of state, followed by prime ministers and their deputies, and ministers.  

Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe is on the roster at the UN for September 21.

Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is on the schedule next morning, along with Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Pushpa Kamal Dahal of Nepal.

According to media reports in India and Cuba, Jaishankar is to also represent the nation at the summit in Cuba of the G77, the group of developing countries, on September 15 and 16, just ahead of the world leaders’ meetings that begin in New York with the Climate Ambition Summit convened by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on September 18 and 19.

ALSO READ: ‘Keeping India out of UNSC will call its credibility into question’

Categories
-Top News India News World

Global South on focus as India’s busy diplomatic season kicks off

(ANI Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to become voice of Global South as India is going ahead full throttle in the next few months with parallel initiatives to expand its global footprint, reports Ateeth Sharma

In tune with high-profile international gatherings at home during its ongoing G20 presidency, India is going ahead full throttle in the next few months with parallel initiatives to expand its global footprint.

Fresh from his three-nation tour of Japan, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a packed schedule ahead as he gives a fresh impetus to India’s bilateral and multilateral efforts to find common ground among members of various groupings and forums in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

Next week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to participate in the Meeting of BRICS Foreign Ministers in Cape Town that will also shape the agenda for the 15th BRICS Summit to be held in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24 this year.

Hosted by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, the mid-term meeting provides an opportunity for Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China to reflect on regional and global developments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Photo: PIB)

More significantly, with the theme for South Africa’s BRICS chairship being ‘BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism’, as many as 15 Foreign Ministers from Africa and the Global South have also been invited for a ‘Friends of BRICS’ meeting to be held on June 2.

The August meeting will be the first in-person gathering of BRICS leaders in three years where PM Modi will carry forward his vision of utilising India’s current G20 presidency to give resonance to the voice of the Global South and the importance of South-South Cooperation to collectively shape the global agenda.

The BRICS brings together some 3.2 billion people and, after the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, is among the largest bloc of countries in terms of population.

During India’s ongoing G20 Presidency, participation from Africa is the highest ever, which includes South Africa (G20 member), Mauritius, Egypt, Nigeria, AU Chair – Comoros, and African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).

Much before that, under India’s chairmanship, New Delhi will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on July 3-4 which is expected to see in-person participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and several other top leaders.

The SCO comprises India, China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, covering most of Eurasia. Iran will soon become the ninth member of the grouping while the process of Belarus’ admission to the organisation has been accelerated.

The extensive interactions between the top leaders will continue as India will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit on September 9-10 during its presidency.

The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States) and European Union.

The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

The much-awaited event will see the participation of Heads of Government (HOGs), Heads of States (HOSs), Heads of International Organisations (HOIOs) and representatives of several guest countries.

In between all these multilateral engagements and a jampacked domestic schedule, PM Modi will embark on two key bilateral visits over the next two months.

US President Joe Biden will host the Indian Prime Minister for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner on June 22.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

“The upcoming visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together,” said the White House recently.

Following that, PM Modi will attend this year’s Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour on July 14 in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Prime Minister’s visit is expected to herald the next phase in the France-India Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries,” stated a joint India-France statement.

The unstoppable Indian juggernaut will roll onto 2024 with full force – a year which will witness PM Modi hosting leaders of the US, Australia, and Japan for the first-ever Quad Leaders’ Summit in India.

(India Narrative)

ALSO READ: Modi’s call to empower Global South echoes at G-7

Categories
-Top News India News USA

Jaishankar opens Indian Embassy in Dominican Republic

EAM Jaishankar inaugurates Indian Embassy in Dominican Republic

The Indian External Affairs Minster said that relations with the Dominican Republic are exceptionally cordial and reiterated close coordination with the Latin American country in the multilateral arena, reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday (local time) inaugurated the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic in the presence of Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena.

EAM Jaishankar inaugurates Indian Embassy in Dominican Republic

“Privileged to join Vice President of Dominican Republic @RaquelPenaVice in inaugurating the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic,” tweeted Jaishankar. Speaking at the event, he said, “Today is a very proud day for India and for the relationship between India and the Dominican Republic. I have the privilege to formally inaugurate the embassy that we have established here. Your presence (Vice President of the Dominican Republic) exemplifies the importance that the Government of the Dominican Republic attaches to this. The establishment of this embassy will mark a new phase of our cooperation. We will take this relationship to still greater levels. We certainly look forward to continuing high-level exchanges between our two countries.”

He further said that relations with the Dominican Republic are exceptionally cordial and reiterated that India will closely coordinate with the Latin American country in the multilateral arena.

“I would also like to stress that at a time when India is increasing its presence in the Latin American region, we certainly see the Dominican Republic as one of our key partners and our relationship will not only have bilateral significance but would have a larger regional contribution as well,” said Jaishankar.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1999 and will be marking the quarter century next year.

The EAM further reposed his confidence that the presence of the Resident Embassy will mark a new phase of cooperation and help strengthen ties in bilateral, regional and global domains.

EAM Jaishankar inaugurates Indian Embassy in Dominican Republic

“In the two decades that have passed we can already see that difference, diplomatic relations and having Resident Embassy have made to a billion dollars today. Our political relations are very warm, and cordial and we cooperate very closely in multilateral organisations, especially in the United Nations. We would like to see this relationship grow in its dimensions, facets, and intensity — whether it is more trade, greater investment, more exchanges, or businesses here or in India. These are all objectives we have set for ourselves,” he said.

Jaishankar also thanked Dominican Republic leaders for joining the inauguration of the Indian Embassy.

“Also thank President of Senate @EduardoEstrella, FM @RobalsdqAlvarez, Defense Minister Carlos Luciano, Education Minister @Fgarciafermin & for joining the inauguration of @IndiainDR. Their presence today underlines the trust of our bilateral relations & the promise of its potential,” he tweeted. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar: World is recognising New India

Categories
-Top News Canada India News

Jaishankar, Jolie discuss trade, connectivity

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday called on the Foreign minister of Canada, Melanie Joly, and held discussions on the G20 agenda and global developments.

The Canadian foreign minister also warned China against supporting Russia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday called on the Foreign minister of Canada, Melanie Joly, and held discussions on the G20 agenda and global developments.

“Wide-ranging conversation with FM @melaniejoly of Canada. Discussed the G20 agenda and global developments. Bilateral issues including trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties,” tweeted Jaishankar. Earlier, at an event in Delhi, Joly took up the issue of the Russia-Ukraine war and called for the isolation of Moscow.

“The paralysis that is affecting particularly the UN Security Council is linked to the war in Ukraine. The more countries send a clear message to Russia, the more we will be able to isolate Russia politically and diplomatically,” said Joly.

She also warned China against supporting Russia, saying, “We should create a movement to get Russia out of Ukraine ultimately and to send a message to China that it is important that ultimately it does not support Russia.”

Meanwhile, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) on Friday reiterated its support for the UN Charter, including the expansion of permanent and non-permanent seats of the 15-member world body.

The Quad Foreign Ministers carried out a comprehensive review of various issues, ranging from Indo-Pacific to ASEAN in a meeting presided by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Yoshimasa Hayashi and US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken attended the meeting held on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2023.

Talking about the reforms in United Nations Security Council, the Quad foreign ministers said in a joint statement, “We concur that the rules-based international order is anchored in international law, including the UN Charter, and the principles of sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of all states. We are committed to cooperating to address attempts to unilaterally subvert the UN and international system, in consultation with our partners and through multilateral and international platforms.”

“We reiterate our unwavering support for the UN Charter, including its three pillars, and our steadfast commitment to strengthening the UN and international system through a comprehensive reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent seats of the UN Security Council. In this regard, we commit to active and constructive engagement in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) process on Security Council Reforms with an overall objective of making the UN Security Council more effective, representative, and credible,” it added.

In September last year, a joint statement was issued following a meeting of Quad foreign ministers in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly committed to expanding the UNSC. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Abbott: China uses trade as a weapon

Categories
-Top News Defence India News

Jaishankar hails Vajpayee’s post-Pokhran diplomacy

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaks at a news conference in New York on Saturday, September 24, 2022. (Photo: Arul Louis/IANS)

Dr S. Jaishankar said that within two years of the Pokhran nuclear tests, India had engaged with all the important nations of the world, reports Asian Lite News

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s diplomacy following the Pokhran nuclear tests are lessons for anyone in the field of diplomacy should look at and learn from, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said. He praised Vajpayee for his deft diplomacy after the Pokhran nuclear tests, which was conducted in 1998.

Presiding over the third Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial lecture, Jaishankar said that within two years of the nuclear tests, India had engaged with all the important nations of the world.

India’s Nuclear Weapons Program Operation Shakti: 1998

The lecture was delivered by former Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan in New Delhi.

Jaishankar also praised Vajpayee’s tenure as External Affairs Minister, and his role in strengthening India’s ties with the US and Russia.

He said the fundamentals of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest that are talked about now in terms of the modus vivendi with China, a lot of it is credited to Vajpayee.

Vajpayee saw a lot of opportunities for cooperation with our neighbourhood, but at the same time, was aware of the challenges of terrorism, Jaishankar said while hinting towards China and Pakistan.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

“In our neighbourhood, Prime Minister Vajpayee saw a lot of opportunities for cooperation but was never impervious to the challenges of terrorism,” Jaishankar said on Monday while addressing the Third Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture in New Delhi. Jaishankar said that Vajpayee used all instruments at his command to develop a relationship in the region which would very openly shun terrorists.

“When you look at trying to reach a modus vivendi (mode of living) with China, the fundamental basis for that, that it has to be on the basis of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, mutual interest, which we articulate today, a lot of it was visible during Vajpayee’s visit to China,” the external affairs minister said while addressing the lecture.

According to Jaishankar, Vajpayee had a very nuanced and developed understanding of the contemporary world and he helped India transform its relationship with the United States.

Prime Minister Vajpayee with Indian troops and other dignitaries at Kargil after the war in 1999.

“He transformed India’s relationship with the United States in the post-cold war environment after recognizing how important that relationship had become for India nationally and internationally,” Jaishankar said.

“He imparted continuity and stability to our ties with Russia. At a time when so many important relationships across the world were changing, there was a unique steadiness about the India-Russia relationship and a lot of it has to do with the personal understanding and the efforts that were made by Prime Minister Vajpayee,” the minister added.

ALSO READ: India won’t be coerced by others: Jaishankar

Categories
-Top News Asia News India News

Jaishankar explains why SAARC is not active

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar speaks at a news conference in New York on Saturday, September 24, 2022. (Photo: Arul Louis/IANS)

According to Jaishankar, Pakistan believes dealing with neighbour is compatible with factors of cross-border terrorism, reports Asian Lite NEws

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday gave a stern message to Pakistan, which supports terrorism, saying that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is not active because one of the members believes that dealing with the neighbour is compatible with cross-border terrorism.

Responding to a question about India being inactive with other SAARC members, without mentioning Pakistan, Jaishankar said, “I don’t think we are isolated from the SAARC. Why SAARC currently is not active because one member of the SAARC believes that dealing with neighbours is compatible with the factors of cross-border terrorism.” Notably, the SAARC is the regional intergovernmental organization of eight countries of South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

He also said that India’s relations with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka are strong and have grown “stronger” in five years. EAM Jaishankar also said that trade, investments and cooperation have also grown.

“The problem with this is how to deal with somebody in the room who is standing with you… and by the end of the day sending people with drugs and that is the problem,” Jaishankar added.

Dr S. Jaishankar speaks at Banaras Hindu University on ‘India as a rising power in the changing global world order.’

Earlier today, while addressing the students at BHU, Jaishankar announced that Varanasi will host the G20 development ministers meeting.

“Kashi is one of the important venues where the meeting of G20 will take place. And one of the meetings, the development ministers meeting will take place which I will be chairing,” Jaishankar said.

“So you will be more likely to see me on the streets of Varanasi,” he added.

Jaishankar also said that India has become more dominant regionally. Earlier, the world used to see India and Pakistan on equal terms but not anymore, not even Pakistan. India came out in the region as the primary power, he added.

Jaishankar further stated that the whole set of institutions, ideas and campaigns are coming out of India.

“When the world looks at the rise of India, for them the contribution and successes of the diaspora are part of the story of the rise of India. So we too have a responsibility. If so many Indians live abroad it’s our duty to look after them,” EAM said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘No Money For Terror’ Is Need Of The Hour