Blinken said that he had a “great discussion” with Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Japan…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said it was “great” to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Japan’s Hiroshima and added that he is looking forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June.
Jaishankar tweeted, “Thanks @SecBlinken. Was great to catch up! Looking forward to PM @narendramodi’s visit.” He made the statement on Twitter in response to Blinken’s tweet where he shared details regarding his meeting with Jaishankar.
Blinken said that he had a “great discussion” with Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Japan. He tweeted, “I had a great discussion with Indian Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar on the sidelines of the G7 in Hiroshima. We look forward to hosting Indian Prime Minister @NarendraModi in June, whose visit will celebrate the deep partnership between the United States and India.”
PM Narendra Modi will embark on an official state visit to the US on June 22. During his visit, PM Modi will be hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner at the White House, the Ministry of External Affairs informed in a statement.
The MEA statement further said the visit will underscore the growing importance of the strategic partnership between India and the US as the two nations are already collaborating in various sectors.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement said, “President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22, 2023.”
Karine Jean-Pierre said that PM Modi’s visit to the US will affirm the “deep and close partnership” between the US and India and the “warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “The visit will strengthen the two countries’ shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific and our shared resolve to elevate our strategic technology partnership, including in defence, clean energy, and space.”
She further said, “The leaders will discuss ways to further expand our educational exchanges and people-to-people ties, as well as our work together to confront common challenges from climate change, to workforce development and health security.” (ANI)
Jaishankar further stated that the Indo-Pacific Ministerial in which he participated was the second such event….reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo along with Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics & Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar and discussed growing bilateral cooperation, including in trade and technology.
“Delighted to call on PM of Belgium @alexanderdecroo along with my colleagues – @PiyushGoyal & @Rajeev_GoI today. Conveyed personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed our growing bilateral cooperation, including in trade and technology. Also spoke about contemporary strategic concerns,” tweeted Jaishankar. He also shared his thoughts about visiting Sweden and engaging EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial.
“I visited Stockholm for a meeting of the European Union’s Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and also to mark the 75th year of diplomatic relations between India and Sweden. My talks with my Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom were extensive in terms of exploring, taking our bilateral cooperation to a higher level as also comprehensive in discussing the political and economic challenges in our respective regions and indeed for the global economy,” he said.
Speaking about the growing Indian community in Sweden, roughly around 60,000, Jaishankar said, “I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to them. Their contribution, their impact really on shaping the image of India and Sweden I think is very notable and I’m very confident that they will continue to be a bridge between the two countries.”
Jaishankar further stated that the Indo-Pacific Ministerial in which he participated was the second such event.
“The first one took place in France last year and this was an opportunity to engage with colleagues both from the European Union and the Indo-Pacific and in fact actually to encourage this larger regional, regional connect on issues of mutual interest for both of us,” he said.
Jaishankar delivered the keynote address at the forum and in his concluding session, he encouraged the European Union to take greater interest in the Indo-Pacific because what is happening there will be central to the direction of global politics and the international economy. (ANI)
EAM Jaishankar was speaking about the Indo-Pacific at the EU-India Pacific Ministerial Forum….reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (local time) laid stress on the multipolar world at the EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial.
“The Indo-Pacific is a complex and differentiated landscape that is best understood through more intensive engagement. A generous and strategic approach that caters to economic asymmetries will surely enhance the EU’s appeal. The more European Union and Indo-Pacific deal with each other, the stronger will be their respective appreciation of multi-polarity. And remember, a multipolar world, which the EU prefers, is feasible only by a multipolar Asia,” said Jaishankar. He made the remarks while sharing his thoughts about the Indo-Pacific at the EU-India Pacific Ministerial Forum. Jaishankar outlined six points reflecting capabilities, activities and endeavours among the nations of the Indo-Pacific.
He said that the EU has major stakes in Indo-Pacific developments, especially concerning technology, connectivity, trade and finance. Jaishankar dealt with globalisation and established thinking at the forum.
“Globalization is the overwhelming reality of our times. However, far apart, regions and nations cannot be impervious to significant events elsewhere. Nor can we cherry-pick them to our convenience. The European Union has major stakes in Indo-Pacific developments, especially as they pertain to technology, connectivity, trade and finance. It has to, in respect for, and observance of UNCLOS. Agnosticism on such matters is therefore no longer an option,” he said.
Jaishankar said that the artificial lines that separated theatres due to the politics of the day are now coming to terms with a more integrated existence. They also reflect different capabilities, broader activities and shared endeavours among the nations of the Indo-Pacific.
Jaishankar said that established thinking is being tested by the outcomes of the last two decades.
“How to respond to non-market economics is proving to be a formidable challenge than most expected. The compulsions of the immediate are often in contradiction with the concerns of the medium-term. Therefore, conventional templates must give way to new thinking better suited to emerging realities,” said Jaishankar.
Indo-Pacific itself is increasingly central to the direction of global politics. Among the issues that it throws up, are the problems inherent in the established model of globalization.
The EAM said that recent events have highlighted the problems with economic concentration, as also the need for diversification.
“De-risking the global economy now involves both, more reliable and resilient supply chains, as well as promoting trust and transparency in the digital domain. EU and indeed the world is better off with additional drivers of production and growth,” he said.
Jaishankar said that transformations underway in India, like digital public delivery or green growth initiatives, merit the EU’s attention. India’s rapidly expanding global footprint will intersect with the EU more in the coming years.
“In such an engagement with the Indo-Pacific, the EU will naturally seek like-minded partners. India is certainly among them. There may be historical and cultural divergences but at the end of the day, we are political democracies, market economies and pluralistic societies,” he said.
Jaishankar while further evaluating Indo-Pacific laid stress on Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD), commonly known as the Quad, a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the US.
“Any evaluation of the Indo-Pacific will naturally factor in the Quad as a platform for global good. The agenda and the impact of the Quad have steadily expanded. I would also highlight the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Maritime Domain Awareness initiatives as having potential significance. From an Indian perspective, let me also flag the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) we proposed in 2019. The EU will be comfortable with its objectives and may consider partnering in one of its pillars,” said Jaishankar.
He also underscored that India and the EU need a regular, comprehensive and candid dialogue, especially with regard to the Indo-Pacific. (ANI)
Jaishankar also reiterated India’s commitment to the well-being of Indian Ocean countries…reports Asian Lite News
EAM Jaishankar termed the problem of unsustainable debt resulting from unprofitable projects as a big area of common concern for the Indian Ocean region.
“A significant shared concern through the Indian Ocean is that of unsustainable debt generated by unviable projects. There are lessons from the last two decades that we ignore at our peril,” Jaishankar.
“If we encourage opaque lending practices, exorbitant ventures and price points that are unrelated to the market, these are bound to bite us back, sooner rather than later. Especially so when sovereign guarantees have been proffered, not always with due diligence. Many of us in the region are today confronting the consequences of our past choices. This is time to reflect and reform, not one to repeat and reiterate,” the EAM added.
Jaishankar also reiterated India’s commitment to the well-being of Indian Ocean countries.
“By reiterating India’s commitment to the well-being and progress of all nations of the Indian Ocean. We have dedicated bodies like the Indian Ocean Rim Association or the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, with their specific mandates,” Jaishankar said.
“We expand on that belief through the Neighbourhood First policy, the SAGAR outlook and our approach to the extended neighbourhood. Beyond that, we believe that a seamless transition into an Indo-Pacific is to our collective advantage,” he added.
Jaishankar took a subtle dig at the continuous breach of long-standing agreements and legal obligations by various nations in the Indian Ocean.
“When nations disregard their legal obligations or violate long-standing agreements, as we have seen, the damage to trust and confidence is immense. It is therefore essential that all of us take the long view of our cooperation, rather than a tactical one of our interests,” he said.
The conference, organized by India Foundation in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, aimed to foster discussions on the Indo-Pacific region and the challenges faced by Indian Ocean nations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, along with the President of Mauritius and the Vice-President of Maldives, dignitaries, ministers, scholars, and experts, were present at the event, adding depth to the conversations.
EAM Jaishankar underscored the necessity of simultaneously addressing the needs of the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and their constituent regions. While acknowledging specific regional aspects, he called for the convergence of broad principles such as adherence to international law, observance of norms, and respect for rules.
Furthermore, he urged participants to adopt a long-term view of cooperation, recognizing that disregarding legal obligations or violating longstanding agreements undermines trust and confidence.
In his speech, he also commended Bangladesh for releasing its Indo-Pacific Outlook, emphasizing that the Indo-Pacific is a rapidly emerging reality, marking a departure from the post-World War II framework.
About the Indo-Pacific region, Jaishankar highlighted the significance of addressing the issues and challenges specific to the Indian Ocean, alongside the broader framework of the Indo-Pacific.
While acknowledging the coherence of the Indo-Pacific concept, he urged participants to focus on the distinctive regional identities, colonial legacies, and geopolitical relationships that shape the Indian Ocean nations’ experiences and challenges.
Recognizing the diversity within the Indian Ocean, the EAM pointed to the Bay of Bengal as an example, where countries have distinct aspirations and development pathways.
He highlighted the importance of cooperation and shared efforts within organizations like BIMSTEC to address governance, modernization, and security challenges, ultimately strengthening the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific as a whole.
Speaking about the shared responsibility of securing maritime spaces, he called for information exchange on white shipping, cooperation on coastal surveillance, and collaboration on maritime domain awareness.
EAM Jaishankar recognized climate action and counter-terrorism as global challenges that require regional consideration. He also underlined the need to encourage common positions on these issues and address the threats posed by extremism and fundamentalism taking advantage of democratic openness.
Jaishankar also highlighted the responsibility of Indian Ocean nations in shaping the narrative of Asia’s rise and Africa’s re-emergence, presenting their rich culture, history, and traditions to the world.
He made these remarks at an event to launch the book “Made In India” by the country’s G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant…reports Asian Lite News
India’s economy can grow and become stronger only if the focus is shifted to deep manufacturing capabilities and businesses should “stop looking for a China fix”, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday.
India’s economic growth cannot be built on Chinese efficiency and businesses need to stop “looking for a China fix,” Jaishankar said on Wednesday. Addressing the book release event, Jaishankar said, “Make in India is not just about making, it’s also about thinking. It has to be think in India. In a way, we are in a very unique circumstance and I accept that there are experiences and analogies that we can take best practices. But at the end of the day, we have to think through our growth strategy for ourselves.”
“I think we need to stop looking for a China fix, that Indian growth cannot be built on Chinese efficiency, that ultimately if we are really to sustain and take the economy to a different level, we have to create the kind of domestic vendor change that a serious manufacturing economy will do,” he added.
He made these remarks at an event to launch the book “Made In India” by the country’s G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant.
Jaishankar stated that one should not allow a level playing field in this country for others who subsidise efforts, that’s not a level playing field, that is economic suicide. He further stated that every country must support its manufacturers and businesses. We mustn’t let other businesses enjoy advantages in our country at the expense of our own.
Delighted to launch the book ‘Made in India’ authored by @amitabhk87 at India International Centre this evening.
This thoughtful and timely book raises important issues and provides a lucid explanation for Atmanirbhar Bharat.
“Global polarization makes diplomacy far more complex but it is also a window of opportunities for many nations,” Jaishankar stated.
EAM further added, “If you ask me today what is the change in the politics of the country, I think we are today moving to the politics of delivery. My own experience of the ground is actually that it is the politics of the delivery which is reshaping and rethinking the public of this country.”
Referring to challenges faced by India during the Covid-19 pandemic, Jaishankar said that the foreign government advised them on how to economically handle the pandemic.
“Honestly I would say I am glad we did not listen to much of it. I think how you come up with your own solutions, that is something which is important,” he said.
The external affairs minister said it is important for India to move to a “strategic economy; have a clear sense who are our partners, where are our opportunities, where should we focus on our technology tie-ups.” (ANI)
The two foreign ministers held wide-ranging discussions on the main pillars of India and Israel’s strategic partnership – agriculture, water, defence and security…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held delegation-level bilateral talks with Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen and inked an agreement in the area of mobility.
During the meeting both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen India-Israel relationship. The two foreign ministers held productive and wide-ranging discussions on the main pillars of India and Israel’s strategic partnership – agriculture, water, defence and security.
Meanwhile, Cohen said has decided to cut short his three-day visit to India in view of security matters in his country. He tweeted that he will return to Israel after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today.
Following their meeting, Jaishankar tweeted, “Productive and wide-ranging discussions with Foreign Minister @elicoh1 of Israel this afternoon. The main pillars of our Strategic Partnership – Agriculture, Water, Defence & Security – are taking our ties forward. New agreements in water & agriculture today underline the potential to do more.”
Jaishankar and his Israeli counterpart also discussed cooperation in high tech, digital and innovation, as also connectivity mobility tourism, finance and health. They also took cognizance of the progress in I2U2, and cooperation in multilateral forums.
I2U2 is a grouping of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
The two leaders also held discourse on respective regions, Ukraine and Info-Pacific and also inked an agreement in the area of mobility.
Jaishankar tweeted, “Discussed cooperation in high tech, digital & innovation, as also connectivity, mobility tourism, finance, and health. Noted the progress in I2U2 and cooperation in multilateral forums. Exchanged perspectives on our respective regions, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific. Initialed an agreement in the area of mobility.”
Meanwhile, Cohen took to Twitter to post “Excellent meeting with the Foreign Minister of India – @DrSJaishankar We are strengthening ties with the most populous country in the world, and expanding cooperation in the fields of cyber, agriculture and water. Our cooperation will strengthen Israel’s position in the world and stability in the Middle East.”
Cohen arrived in India today for his first official visit which was expected to pan three days starting Tuesday, however, he decided to cut short his India visit due to a security update amid action by the Israel Army against members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement.
Cohen is likely to return to Israel after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I landed a short time ago in New Delhi, the capital of India, and immediately upon landing I received a security update. In light of the events in Israel, I decided to cut short the diplomatic visit to India and return to Israel after my meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that will take place today,” the Israeli Foreign Minister said in a tweet on Tuesday.
Three senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement were killed by the Israeli army in an early Tuesday morning bombing in which explosions ripped through Gaza under ‘Operation Shield and Arrow’, The Times of Israel reported.
The Israeli army began hitting targets in the Strip just after 2 am in what appeared to be a coordinated surprise attack on the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement’s senior leaders.
Prior to the operation, Israeli residents of areas within 40 kilometres (25 miles) of Gaza were instructed to enter or stay near bomb shelters amid fears of retaliatory attacks, as raids continued to thunder across the Strip.
According to The Times of Israel, previous strikes on Islamic Jihad leaders sparked barrages of rockets on Israeli civilians and intense battles with Israeli troops, some lasting several days.
At least 12 people including the three senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement were killed in the latest air raids on Gaza Strip by Israel’s military on Tuesday.
His visit came after Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat travelled to India this year in April with a large business delegation on a four-day official visit aiming to strengthen bilateral ties in common areas of interest, automotive technologies, and fintech. (ANI)
Discussed Abraham Accords with Modi
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Tuesday met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the strengthening of strategic relations between India and Israel.
With PM Modi, the Israeli Foreign Minister discussed expanding the Abraham Accords and also promoting a free trade agreement. Following his meeting with the PM, Cohen tweeted. “India is a world power, the fifth largest economy and the most populous country in the world. I spoke with PM Modi about strengthening the strategic relations between the countries, expanding the Abraham Accords, and promoting a free trade agreement that will boost Israel’s economy.”
His tweet added, “I thanked him for his warm attitude towards the State of Israel and the Jewish community in India, and we agreed to continue to strengthen the excellent ties between Israel and India.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen is on a three-day visit to India, however, he had to cut short his visit due to the security situation in Israel following Operation Shield and Arrow.
Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has decided to cut short his India visit due to a security update amid action by the Israel Army against members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. (ANI)
Jaishankar held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan after the completion of the meeting in Goa on Friday…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar said all the delegates who attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s foreign ministerial meeting in Goa were impressed by Goan cuisine, culture, and hospitality.
India hosted the meeting at a beach resort in Goa’s Benaulim on May 4 and 5.
“The SCO Foreign Ministers held their meeting in Goa on May 04-05, 2023. All delegates were impressed by Goan cuisine, culture, and hospitality,” Jaishakar tweeted.
“Thank Chief Minister @DrPramodPSawant and all officials involved for the excellent arrangements,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, China’s Qin Gang, Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Uzbekistan’s Bakhtiyor Saidov, and SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming.
Tajikistan’s foreign minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Kazakhstan’s Murat Nurtleu, and Kyrgyzstan’s Zheenbek Kulubaev also attended the meeting.
Jaishankar held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan after the completion of the meeting in Goa on Friday.
Jaishankar met Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic, Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan and Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan and held bilateral talks on various issues such as trade, connectivity and multilateralism.
“Nice to meet FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic. His warm words for our SCO presidency are greatly appreciated. Discussed development cooperation, connectivity, trade, S&T and our partnership in multilateral forums,” Jaishanker tweeted.
Nice to meet FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic. His warm words for our SCO presidency are greatly appreciated.
Discussed development cooperation, connectivity, trade, S&T and our partnership in multilateral forums. pic.twitter.com/6k35pk71gh
“Good meeting with FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan. Appreciate his support for Indian SCO presidency. Agreed on increasing the frequency of meetings of our institutional mechanisms. Discussed connectivity, energy & digital cooperation. Exchanged perspectives on the region,” Jaishankar wrote on Twitter after meeting the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan.
“Warm conversation with DPM and FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan after SCO CFM in Goa. Thanked him for supporting our presidency. Discussed broad-basing our economic and political cooperation and increase engagement with the region,” the EAM tweeted.
Warm conversation with DPM and FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan after SCO CFM in Goa. Thanked him for supporting our presidency.
Discussed broad-basing our economic and political cooperation and increase engagement with the region. pic.twitter.com/ODBDypTYMV
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 2001. The SCO has India, Russia, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members.
India took over the rotating presidency of the SCO at the summit held in Samarkand in 2022.
The last meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. India took over the rotating presidency of the SCO at the Samarkand SCO Summit in 2022.
Addressing a presser after a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Jaishankar said that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will always be a part of India.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday said that there is only one issue to discuss with Pakistan on Kashmir – that is when does Pakistan vacate its illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
EAM Dr S Jaishankar welcomes Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting, in Goa, India on Friday. (ANI Photo/Rahul Singh)
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), he said that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will always be a part of India.
“G-20 meetings are held in all the states and Union Territories of India. They (Pakistan) have nothing to do with G-20 and also with Srinagar. There is only one issue to discuss on Kashmir that when does Pakistan vacate its illegal occupation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir,” Jaishankar said in response to a question.
Asked whether India and Pakistan should sit together on terrorism issue, Jaishankar, attacking his visiting Pakistan counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, said: “Victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism. Victims of terrorism defend themselves, counter acts of terrorism, they call it out, and that is exactly what is happening. To come here and preach these hypocritical words as though we are on the same boat. They are committing acts of terrorism.”
On the China-Pakistan economic corridor, he said: “So called corridor, it was made very clear not once, but twice in the SCO meeting that connectivity is good for progress but connectivity cant violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the states. This is a long standing position, nobody should have doubt about it. I assure that those who were in the room had no doubt about it.”
(ANI Photo/Rahul Singh)
‘Article 370 is history’
Hitting back at Bilawal after commented on the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir on the sidelines of the Shanghai Corporation Organization (SCO), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar advised the former to “Wake up and smell the coffee, as Article 370 is history.”
Bhutto’s statement marked a “violation of international commitment”. Also coming down hard on the neighbouring country over its falling global standing, the External Affairs Minister said, “Pakistan’s credibility is depleting faster than its forex reserves.”
Rebutting Bhutto’s comment on the upcoming G20 conference in Srinagar, Jaishankar further said, “Pakistan has nothing to do with G20 and also not with Srinagar.”
Meanwhile, the spectre of terrorism surfaced again in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, with the Army engaged in a fierce standoff with Pakistan-backed terrorists in the Rajouri district. The gunbattle broke out on a day Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was in Goa to take part in the SCO meet.
Five soldiers lost their lives in the anti-terror operation in the Kandi area of Rajouri on Thursday.
During his Goa visit, Lavrov is expected to have several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other SCO countries….reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Goa.
During their interaction, Jaishankar shared a light moment when he was heard asking whether Lavrov had an opportunity to get some rest and a suntan, to which the Russian minister responded that he had had about an hour and a half to do so. Lavrov is also heard telling Jaishankar not to tell anybody about it.
The Russian Foreign Minister arrived at Goa’s Dabolim airport this morning. Incidentally, this is the second time this year that Lavrov is visiting India. Previously, he had attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi this March.
During his Goa visit, Lavrov is expected to have several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other SCO countries.
Currently, SCO has Russia, India, China, Pakistan and four Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as its members.
Observer countries of the SCO, Iran and Belarus could soon become full-time members of the charter as the decision is under consideration as of now, an official said today. If consideration is accepted by the SCO member on Iran and Belarus to take as new members of SCO, it will have 10 members in the SCO by next year.
The theme of India’s Chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is ‘Secure-SCO’. India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interactions in the region.
SCO is an intergovernmental organization established in 2001. Prior to the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting took place in New Delhi this April in which Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu took part and discussed the Russian defence industry’s participation in the ‘Make in India’ initiative and ways to provide further impetus to it with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh.
Jaishankar earlier today held a bilateral meeting with the Secretary General of SCO, Zhang Ming in Goa and appreciated his “support for India’s SCO Presidency”.
Sharing details regarding the meeting, Jaishankar tweeted, “Started my meetings at SCO CFM with a productive interaction with Secretary General Zhang Ming. Appreciate his support for India’s SCO Presidency. Indian presidency is driven by a commitment to SECURE SCO.”
India will also host a cultural event and a dinner this evening for its counterparts from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (ANI)
The External Affairs Minister of India emphasised the need for “collective interest” in the field of renewable energy amid climate change.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who co-chaired the fourth India-CARICOM ministerial meeting on Saturday emphasised the need for “collective interest” in the field of renewable energy amid climate change.
Delivering opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said, “Energy, renewable energy particularly, is our collective interest. Many of you are members of the International Solar Alliance. I think 13 members are there from the CARICOM. I believe it’s been of some help in capacity building, in some cases even funding. I’ll be again open to taking that help. Regarding capacity building as a whole, we have for many years now, under what we call, the ITEC programs.” The foreign minister, however, noted that the offtake in programs, exchanges, scholarships has not been as strong.
“My suggestion which I would like you to consider is, whether instead of our inviting you to participate in a general course, which we are doing globally for everybody, can we actually take domains or area specific areas which are of specific interest to the CARICOM. And we are prepared to customize programs in whatever area, which are completely dedicated only to the requirements of CARICOM officials or users as the case maybe,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar on Friday reached Guyana where he was accorded a welcome by Hugh Todd, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation. The visit marks Jaishankar’s first visit to the country.
The external affairs minister said that he appreciated CARICOM leaders for their effort to attend the meeting at very short notice and assured them it “will give us a chance at a very important juncture to see how we look at our relationship with a greater sense of purpose.”
Jaishankar said that India’s G20 Presidency is “not just for ourselves but also for the countries, who are not on the G-20 table.”
Speaking on India, the Voice of Global South, he said, “we should really be looking at Global problems and our own problems and seeing how we can find a solution together. Now there are obviously some process issues and I would like to confirm that we would like to hold the Joint Commission sometime this year; we seek your convenience and are very flexible there. And when I look at the relationship itself, I think we rightly focus on capacity building, on development cooperation and where we can be of help on disaster management and the resilience.”
He also highlighted the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CARICOM leaders in the last four years that led to agreement on 23 projects, out of which 10 are completed.
“Meeting between Prime Minister Modi and many of your leaders in 2019, the window, the UNDP India window, which we opened up in 2017, has yielded a number of projects. We have agreed on 23 projects so far. I believe 10 of them are done, some of them have been done through a CARICOM window, some of them through a commonwealth window, some through a broader developing country window.”
Jaishankar with Secretary General Dr. Carla Natalie Barnett
Speaking on cultural and historical ties, Jaishankar said, “History and geography in a way have done to bind us together. Certainly, yet if there is a lack of bond, cricket makes up for it and I assure you that if you schedule the next meeting in this part of the world next year when the World Cup is on, I promise I will come.”
“I want to stress the importance of people-to-people relations, and culture. Just want to underline that, you know, many of you are marking important anniversaries this year, and next year, including, my congratulations on 50 years of CARICOM. And if there is any way we can be culturally contributed, please feel free to let us know,” added Jaishankar.
He also talked about similar challenges faced by India and CARICOM. “I think today we face similar challenges, similar aspirations, questions of prosperity, of reduction of poverty, quality of life.”
Speaking on COVID, he said has posed many challenges. “The increasing intensity and frequency of climate events, the debt and many stressful situations that many of us find ourselves in. And I would say food and energy, security concerns, these are really pressing issues where it is important for us to sit down and discuss,” he said.
Jaishankar also put forward collective consideration, a proposal, in the field of small and medium scale industry, small and medium enterprises.
“We would be open to supporting on a grant basis; projects, individual projects of up to a value of a million dollars and we would solicit proposals from you. What we would like to do is to create a partner group in India which will be from our small and medium enterprises, the Foreign Ministry fronting. And see whether, you know, our capability which will include the supply of machinery, of technology, of training, whether if we can get really viable project or offers from your side; we would be very, very happy to look at that,” he said.
The EAM also discussed working together in agriculture. “We actually have an MOU between the Caribbean Agriculture Research Institute and our counterpart in India. It has not been operationalized for some reason; I think it might be in our mutual interest to do so,” said Jaishankar.
He said that the COVID pandemic had brought out the growing importance of health security and highlighted the use of low-cost generic medicine which would hugely benefit low-income consumers. He said, “If you feel that is of interest, the idea of really creating a system for low-cost generics, to be available to your people is something we can look at, we would obviously like to create a regional hub and that to happen as well. And I should add that, you know, most of these would come, not most of these, all of these would come really from USFDA approved plants of which currently we have about 600 of them in India.”
Jaishankar with Jamaican Foreign MInister Kamina J Smith.
Speaking on Yoga, he said, “With the support of all of you, we started an International Day of Yoga in 2015 and it’s been spectacularly successful. But we are increasingly seeing post-COVID, tourism benefit which flows out of it; there is a lot of wellness tourism which is happening in the world.”
Jaishankar also spoke on the traditional medicine centre set up in India, he said, “I would like to draw to your attention that the WHO has actually approved the creation of the first traditional medicine centre, the Global Center in India. So work is going on that as we speak, obviously, a lot of it is Indian, but we are very open to soliciting traditional practices from every other part of the world.” (ANI)
