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  • Jaishankar meets Guterres, discuss Sudan situation

    Jaishankar meets Guterres, discuss Sudan situation

    There are about 4,000 Indian citizens in Sudan, and according to the Indian embassy in Khartoum of them, about 1,500 are longtime residents…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has plunged into a round of diplomacy to help resolve the Sudan crisis and protect Indians there, meeting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and consulting several foreign ministers as international efforts ramped up on the eve of Ramadan.

    “We, of course, have obviously a very strong interest in the matter because there are so many Indians there,” he said on Thursday after his meeting with Guterres.

    Jaishankar, who was on his way to a series of visits to Guyana, Panama, Columbia and the Dominican Republic, made an unscheduled stopover in New York to meet Guterres because “you could immediately see that this (Sudan situation) was very serious and a lot of (our) people were trapped by the situation”.

    “The UN is at the heart of the efforts to establish a ceasefire. And that is really the key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it is not safe for people to come out,” he told reporters.

    Before meeting Jaishankar, Guterres appealed to the religious sentiments of the warring sides for an Eid al-Fitr ceasefire for three days to pave the way for a permanent ceasefire.

    Although two previous ceasefire efforts had failed, this time “there is a strong reason – all parties to the conflict are Muslim. We are living in a very important moment in the Muslim calendar. I think this is the right moment for a ceasefire to hold”, he told reporters.

    Fighting broke out on April 14 between the military controlled by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, who is also the country’s head, and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

    After a coup in 2021, they had been in a power-sharing arrangement that collapsed over differences on integrating the two forces.

    There are about 4,000 Indian citizens in Sudan, and according to the Indian embassy in Khartoum of them, about 1,500 are longtime residents.

    An Indian ex-serviceman. Albert Augustine, who was working in Sudan, was killed by a stray bullet.

    Jaishankar assured Indians trapped in Sudan that the government was making all-out efforts to get them to safety.

    “Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with Indian citizens in Sudan, advising them saying, you know, ‘It’s very difficult for everybody, but keep calm, don’t take unnecessary risk’,” he said.

    “I hope that the efforts, including that led by S-G (Guterres), will lead to something very soon, but we will have to wait and see”, he added.

    Jaishankar said that he had spoken about the Sudan situation with foreign ministers Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates and Sameh Shoukr of Egypt, and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, as well as US diplomats.

    He said that the focus of the diplomatic efforts first is to get a “workable, on-the-ground observed ceasefire”.

    The next step would be to create corridors for movement and assembly points for Indian citizens to be evacuated, he said.

    Situation “completely outrageous”

    Guterres called the situation “completely outrageous” and said that the “fighting in urban areas is particularly dangerous for civilians, including children, who have repeatedly been forced to shelter in schools and evacuate from hospitals under fire”.

    He said that humanitarian operations have become impossible because of attacks on and looting of properties of relief organisations.

    He warned, “Targeting humanitarian workers and assets must end. I remind all parties of their obligations under international law, including ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers”.

    Guterres’s Deputy Spokesperson Farzan Haq said that more than 330 people have been killed in the fighting and 3,200 people have been injured according to World Health Organisation.

    He added that according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at least nine children have reportedly been killed and more than 50 children injured.

    The RSF is a paramilitary organisation that is made up primarily of a militia known as Janjaweed that fought on behalf of the Sudan government against rebels in the Darfur region.

    Burhan and Dagalo collaborated in ousting the reviled dictator Omar al-Bashir, who is now a fugitive from a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for atrocities in the Darfur region in 2019 and carried out a coup against Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in 2021.

    The current civil war is a setback to moves to restore democracy that received a boost when the two signed a framework agreement in December with civil groups to transition to civilian rule.

    Battered by decades of military coups and civil wars, Sudan’s economy and society have been extremely fragile requiring international assistance to stave off starvation and the latest conflict has made the situation worse.

    Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths said that 15.8 million people were in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

    ALSO READ-‘India amplifying voice of Global South’

  • Jaishankar speaks with Saudi, UAE FMs over Sudan

    Jaishankar speaks with Saudi, UAE FMs over Sudan

    India had also talked with the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister and tracked Sudan’s situation…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday dialled his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan and discussed Sudan’s situation while stating that both countries will remain in “close touch”.

    Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Spoke to Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, HH @FaisalbinFarhan just now. Appreciated his assessment of the Sudan situation. Will remain in close touch.” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, in the statement, said, “His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan, received a phone call from the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.”

    “During the call, they discussed the current situation in the Republic of Sudan, with an emphasis on the importance of stopping the military escalation and returning to the framework agreement, in a way that ensures the security and stability of Sudan and its brotherly people,” the statement added.

    India is coordinating closely with various countries to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals in Sudan.

    India had also talked with the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister and tracked Sudan’s situation.

    “Thank HH @ABZayed, Foreign Minister of UAE, for the exchange of views on the situation in Sudan. Our continuing contacts are helpful,” he said in another tweet.

    Earlier, on Monday, the MEA also set up a dedicated Control Room to assist Indians stranded in Sudan. The officials of the Ministry of External Affairs are also in continuous touch with Indian Embassy in Khartoum and are getting regular reports of the status of the Indian community.

    The Embassy in turn is in touch with the community and individuals through multiple methods including WhatsApp groups, sources said, adding that situation on the street is very tense and movement is very risky at this stage. The priority of MEA is the safety of movement and well-being of individuals where ever they are located, as per sources.

    While both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy are continuously monitoring the situation, concerns of safety and security constrained it from putting out specific details, as per sources.

    There have been violent clashes in Sudan for nearly six days between the country’s army and a paramilitary group over a proposed timeline for handing over power to a civilian government. (ANI)

    ALSO READ-India well-poised to lead G20 countries: WHO representative

  • Jaishankar, Manturov co-chair intergovernmental meet

    Jaishankar, Manturov co-chair intergovernmental meet

    Jaishankar and Manturov met representatives of Russian and Indian businesses at the India-Russia Business Dialogue in New Delhi….reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, on the second day of the latter’s visit, on Tuesday.

    Manturov, who is also the country’s minister for Industry and Trade, arrived in the national capital on Monday. This is the second meeting of EAM Jaishankar with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, during the course of his India visit.

    On Monday, Jaishankar and Manturov met representatives of Russian and Indian businesses at the India-Russia Business Dialogue in New Delhi.

    Addressing the Russia-India Business Dialogue, Manturov said, “Together with Eurasian Economic Commission, we are looking forward to intensifying negotiations on Free Trade Agreement with India.”

    The visiting Russian minister also said Moscow is interested in a qualitative increase in trade.

    “Additionally, we are working on signing of Russia-India Bilateral Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments,” Manturaov said at the event, which was organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Russia-India Business Council.

    To protect the principles of free trade with its partners, Russia has undertaken a set of effective measures, including import preferences. Mechanisms that guarantee the protection of investments will be in demand among Russian and Indian businessmen, Maturaov said.

    Notably, INSTC was agreed upon in 2000 and ratified in 2002 by India, Iran, and Russia, and trial runs were conducted in 2016.

    “Also, we believe that it is important to expand direct air connectivity – this is a necessary condition for regular exchange of business delegations, an increase of mutual tourist flow,” he said.

    Laying out the challenges faced by Russia, Manturov said Covid-19 led to logistics disruptions. He pointed out that “one-sided illegitimate sanctions by Western states against Russia provoked systemic problems on the global markets”.

    “It led to the acceleration of inflation in many countries. Also, it created difficulties for international transport flows, cargo insurance, and the conduction of financial transactions,” he said.

    He also stated that despite the dramatic scenarios, Russia’s GDP last year decreased by merely 2 per cent. Inflation did not exceed 12 per cent, and now this indicator stands at 3.2 per cent (year on year). Unemployment also is at the historic minimum of 3.7 per cent.

    The Russian minister said “the margin of safety in his country’s economy, and prompt measures” taken by his government provided for “quick adjustment to new realities”.

    The visiting minister stated Russia is not planning to “fence” themselves off from the rest of the world, stating that such a measure is unrealistic and not feasible economically to substitute everything in all sectors of industry.

    “We do not have such a goal to achieve complete self-sufficiency — it is a dead-end, leading eventually to the loss of competitiveness,” he said.

    EAM Jaishankar also addressed the India-Russia Business Dialogue in Delhi, saying, “We have crossed the bilateral trade target of USD 30 billion before the year 2025 which was the target year given to us by our leaderships. And in fact for the period April 2022 – February 2023, I understand that the trade is actually about USD 45 billion and the expectation is that this will continue to grow.”

    Jaishankar added that India and Russia need to motivate businesses on both sides. He said they are determined to make India a “global manufacturing hub.”

    Last month too, EAM S Jaishankar and Manturov co-chaired the virtual meeting of IRIGC-TEC. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: ‘India set to emerge as key player in global circular economy’

  • Blinken, Jaishankar discuss regional and global issues

    Blinken, Jaishankar discuss regional and global issues

    Both sides discussed current regional and global issues…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and discussed regional as well as global issues.

    Taking to his official Twitter handle, Jaishankar stated that they noted the steady progress in India-US ties. He tweeted, “A warm conversation, as always with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken this morning. Discussed current regional and global issues. Noted the steady progress in our bilateral ties.”

    Earlier in March, S Jaishankar held a meeting with Antony Blinken. The two leaders discussed measures to mitigate the global impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Blinken and Jaishankar held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi.

    During the meeting, Blinken spoke to Jaishankar and shared his views on tackling global and regional challenges. In a statement, US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said that Blinken met with Jaishankar to discuss how India and the US can expand technology and defence cooperation and increase food energy, and health security.

    Ned Price also informed that Blinken and Jaishankar spoke about efforts to elevate and expand strategic technology and defence industrial cooperation and promote food, energy, and global health security. The two leaders also held discussions to promote clean energy transition, counternarcotics cooperation and women’s economic empowerment.

    During his visit to India, Blinken attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Quad Foreign Ministers meet on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi.

    During his visit to India, Blinken said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is right that there are real challenges to multilateralism and added that they are directly coming from Russia.

    Addressing a presser in India, Blinken said that PM Modi was right that there were challenges to multilateralism. He blamed Russia for creating problems. He pointed out, “We see that playing out at the UN, two countries blocking…”

    “PM Modi is right that there are challenges to the multilateral system. And those challenges in many ways are coming directly from Russia which is violating the principles that lie at the heart of that system,” Blinken said. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: Blinken reassures Ukraine of US’ commitment

  • Jaishankar rides ‘Made in India’ train in Mozambique

    Jaishankar rides ‘Made in India’ train in Mozambique

    In a tweet, EAM Jaishankar called the project “a practical example of our solidarity and friendship.”…reports Asian Lite News

    When India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took a ride on a ‘Made in India’ train from Maputo to Machava in Mozambique on April 13, 2023, he was showcasing India’s commitment to supporting infrastructure development in Africa. In fact, India’s partnership with Mozambique is a shining example of South-South cooperation and a model for development partnerships.

    He called on President Filipe Nyusi and said that India was committed to work for advancements in trade and investments, defence, development cooperation, health and people-to-people ties. Here are some key takeaways from EAM Jaishankar’s visit to Mozambique from April 13-15, 2023.

    The ‘Made in India’ train ride: The train was built with Indian assistance and is part of India’s ongoing efforts to support infrastructure development in Africa. EAM Jaishankar was accompanied by Mozambican Transport Minister Mateus Magala on the journey, highlighting the importance of the collaboration between the two countries. The ride was a symbolic gesture of India’s commitment to supporting Mozambique’s development journey.

    Earlier, during a meeting, the two ministers discussed the challenges and opportunities in the transport sector and explored ways to expand collaboration.

    “A great green transport conversation with Mozambican Minister of Transport &Communication and Chairman, Mozambican Port & Rail Authority Mateus Magala. Talked about expanding train networks, electric mobility & waterways connectivity. India is a reliable partner in this regard,” EAM Jaishankar tweeted.

    Inauguration of Buzi Bridge: The Buzi Bridge, virtually inaugurated by EAM Jaishankar on April 13, 2023, has been constructed as part of the 132-km Tica-Buzi-Nova-Sofala Road Rehabilitation Project. Built with the help of an Indian Line of Credit, the bridge will improve connectivity and provide better transportation facilities to the people of Mozambique. It is being described as a testament to the strong development partnership between the two countries.

    In a tweet, EAM Jaishankar called the project “a practical example of our solidarity and friendship.”

    Practical example of South-South cooperation: India has been a crucial partner of Mozambique in its developmental journey. It has provided significant financial assistance to Mozambique to support its infrastructure development and has been a key partner in several areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, health, education, and defence.

    Speaking at the 5th India-Mozambique Joint Commission Meeting on April 14, 2023 which he xo-chaired with his counterpart Veronica Macamo, EAM Jaishankar said the large Indian investment in the country was estimated at about USD 11 billion, largely in the domain of energy and mining. “And our development partnership which extends to 14 Lines of Credit, to the value of more than USD 770 million, is another example, a very practical example of South-South cooperation,” he pointed out.

    What’s more, the two countries have a robust bilateral trade of about USD 4 billion. “There are new demands and new opportunities on both sides and surely the Joint Commission should explore that very actively,” EAM Jaishankar said.

    Jaishankar paid an official visit to the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Mozambique from 10 to 15 April 2023. He also made a brief stopover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 13 April 2023.

    EAM visited Uganda from 10 to 12 April 2023. In Kampala, EAM called on President Yoweri Museveni and had comprehensive discussions with his counterpart, the Foreign Minister of Uganda, General Jeje Odongo covering a wide range of issues. EAM along with the minister of Water and Environment of Uganda formally launched the EXIM Bank-funded project that will supply drinking water to half a million people in 20 districts of Uganda.

    He also had a meeting with the 25-member Parliamentary Forum on Indian Affairs to exchange views on parliamentary cooperation and India’s development partnership with Uganda.

    In a landmark event, attended by Uganda Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Nakadama, Minister of Defence Vincent Ssempijja, and Foreign Minister General Jeje Odongo, EAM inaugurated the first overseas campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Jinja, Uganda. The campus, presently located in a transit building, will start classes immediately.

    EAM also signed an MoU between the Indian government and the Government of Uganda for setting up a permanent campus of NFSU in Jinja.

    While in Jinja, he also paid homage to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. The spot marks the place where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in the River Nile in 1948.

    EAM also interacted with the Indian community of Uganda and addressed the Indian Business Forum, which was attended by Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Mwebesa Francis.

    EAM also formally launched a project funded by the Indian community of Uganda for the restoration of the Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi.

    EAM also visited the Swaminarayan temple in Kampala.

    While in transit through Ethiopia, EAM met with Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen in his office. Bilateral, regional and multilateral issues including UN-related issues were discussed.

    “A good meeting with DPM and FM @DemekeHasen during a short Addis Ababa transit. Welcomed his perspective on developments in the region. Also shared views on our strong multilateral cooperation, including in the AU and United Nations,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    EAM visited Mozambique from 13 to 15 April 2023. This was the first visit by an External Affairs Minister of India to Mozambique since 2010.

    ALSO READ-Jaishankar pays homage to Mahatma in Uganda’s Jinja

  • India to put across concerns of Global South at G20, says Jaishankar

    India to put across concerns of Global South at G20, says Jaishankar

    India assumed the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1 last year. The G20 Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 this year…reports Asian Lite News

    India is making efforts to include concerns of the Global South in the G20 framework under its presidency, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Uganda’s Kampala.

    Jaishankar, who is on a visit to Uganda and Mozambique on Tuesday addressed members of the Parliamentary Forum on Indian Affairs in Uganda. “We (India) are doing it differently in the sense that no other chair of G-20 made an effort to consult all the countries of the Global South and ask it saying, look, you are not on the table. So what is your interest, what are the things you want? What are your concerns that we can put on the table on your behalf? We went through this very, very detailed, very exhaustive exercise in the month of January,” he said

    The External Affairs Minister also stated that India would like to use its G-20 presidency to get the influential forum focused on its mandate of global growth and development issues.

    “And of course, naturally, Uganda was participant as well. And today we would like to use the G-20 presidency really to get that forum to focus on what is its remedy, what was its mandate, which is global growth and global development issues, which are very important for you. Issues of green growth, issues of debt, issues of health, issues of SDG, developmental agenda, issues of digital delivery. I think all these are really the issues on which we would like the G-20 to focus,” Jaishankar said.

    India assumed the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1 last year. The G20 Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 this year.

    External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s full support to Uganda for a very successful chairship of the Non-Alignment Movement.

    Uganda was endorsed to chair the Non-Aligned Movement on behalf of Africa for the period from 2022 to 2025.

    The NAM chair position rotates every three years during summit conferences. The chair of the movement is assisted by both the former and incoming chairs. According to the movement, this structure represents its past, present and future.

    Jaishnkar also announced that he will participate in the inauguration of the National Forensic Research University, whose first campus is opening in Uganda.

    The minister who is on a two-nation visit from April 10-15, participated in the virtual groundbreaking ceremony of solar-powered piped drinking water supply systems funded by India Exim Bank in Uganda, on Tuesday.

    Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “This project will provide safe and sustainable water supply to half a million Ugandans across 20 rural districts.”

    Later on Jaishankar met the Indian business community in Uganda.

    “Appreciated their contribution to India-Uganda bilateral relationship. Encouraged them to continue building the bridge of our business ties that capture the growth and development in the two countries,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.

    From April 13-15, Jaishankar will be in Mozambique. “This will be the first-ever visit by an External Affairs Minister of India to the Republic of Mozambique,” stated the MEA release.

    During the visit, he will meet Mozambique’s top leadership and co-chair the 5th Session of the Joint Commission Meeting with Mozambican Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo.

    The EAM is expected to meet several other ministers and representatives of the Assembly of Mozambique. (ANI)

    ALSO READ-‘India will strive and thrive in its G20 presidency’

  • Jaishankar congratulates Uganda on assuming NAM chairship

    Jaishankar congratulates Uganda on assuming NAM chairship

    Uganda was endorsed to chair the Non-Aligned Movement on behalf of Africa for the period from 2022 to 2025…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is on a three-day visit to Uganda met President Yoweri K Museveni on Monday at his farm in Rwakitura and congratulated the country on assuming the chairship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

    “Privileged to call on President @KagutaMuseveni of Uganda at his farm in Rwakitura. Conveyed the personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Appreciated his guidance on furthering our traditional and long-standing ties,” tweeted Jaishankar. He also discussed cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, energy, defense, health, digital and agricultural domains.

    “Discussed cooperation in trade & investment, infrastructure, energy, defense, health, digital and agricultural domains. Congratulated Uganda on assuming the chairship of the NAM and affirmed our strong coordination at multilateral forums including the United Nations,” tweeted Jaishankar.

    Uganda was endorsed to chair the Non-Aligned Movement on behalf of Africa for the period from 2022 to 2025.

    The NAM chair position rotates every three years during summit conferences. The chair of the movement is assisted by both the former and incoming chairs. According to the movement, this structure represents its past, present and future.

    Azerbaijan chaired the NAM for the period between 2019 to 2022 having taken over from Venezuela.

    The Non-Aligned Movement was formed in 1961 during the end of the colonial system and the independence struggles globally and at the height of the Cold War.

    The NAM is composed of 120 member states from the developing world and is the largest forum for political coordination and consultation after and within the United Nations.

    It is a forum not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

    Jaishankar arrived in Uganda for a 3-day diplomatic visit on Monday afternoon. On his arrival, the EAM was received by Foreign Minister General Jeje Odongo and Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Vincent Ssempijja.

    During his visit to Uganda, Jaishankar will have delegation-level talks with his Ugandan counterpart as both sides will look forward to enhancing bilateral ties between the two nations.

    Jaishankar took to Twitter and wrote, “Arrived in Uganda this afternoon. Glad to be received by Foreign Minister General Jeje Odongo and Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Vincent Ssempijja.”

    “Look forward to productive discussions to take forward South-South cooperation,” the tweet read further.

    During the visit from April 10-12, he is expected to hold talks with Ugandan counterpart General Jeje Odongo and call on the leadership of the country and meet other Ministers, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an official release on Sunday.

    During the visit, Jaishankar will inaugurate the transit campus of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Jinja. A bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Uganda on setting up of the first-ever campus of NFSU outside India is likely to be signed during the visit, the press release said.

    Jaishankar will also attend the ground-breaking ceremony of a solar-powered water supply project in Uganda. He will also address the trade and business community of Uganda and have an interaction with the Indian diaspora, according to an MEA press release.

    From April 13-15, Jaishankar will visit Mozambique. “This will be the first-ever visit by an External Affairs Minister of India to the Republic of Mozambique,” according to the MEA release.

    During the visit, he will meet Mozambique’s top leadership and co-chair the 5th Session of the Joint Commission Meeting with Mozambican Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo.

    The EAM is expected to meet several other Ministers and representatives of the Assembly of Mozambique. (ANI)

    ALSO READ-Jaishankar due in Uganda, Mozambique

  • Jaishankar due in Uganda, Mozambique

    Jaishankar due in Uganda, Mozambique

    During the visit, he will meet Mozambique’s top leadership and co-chair the 5th Session of the Joint Commission Meeting with Mozambican Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be on Uganda and Mozambique visit from April 10-15 to further strengthen India’s “strong bilateral relations” with the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Sunday.

    The EAM will visit Uganda from April 10-12. During the visit, he is expected to hold delegation-level talks with his Ugandan counterpart General Jeje Odongo and call on the leadership of the country and meet other Ministers, the statement said. During the visit, Jaishankar will inaugurate the transit campus of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Jinja. A bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the India and Uganda on setting up of the first-ever campus of NFSU outside India is likely to be signed during the visit, it said.

    Jaishankar will also attend the ground-breaking ceremony of a solar-powered water supply project in Uganda. He will also address the trade and business community of Uganda and have an interaction with the Indian diaspora, according to MEA press release.

    While from April 13-15, Jaishankar will visit Mozambique. “This will be the first-ever visit by an External Affairs Minister of India to the Republic of Mozambique,” the MEA noted.

    During the visit, he will meet Mozambique’s top leadership and co-chair the 5th Session of the Joint Commission Meeting with Mozambican Foreign Minister Veronica Macamo.

    The EAM is expected to meet several other Ministers and representatives of the Assembly of Mozambique. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora in Mozambique, the MEA added.

    $2 million to ATMIS

    India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj on Friday handed over the contribution of USD 2 million to the United Nations Trust Fund in support of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), reiterating New Delhi’s commitment to peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

    Earlier, India had contributed USD 4 million to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). India’s Permanent Mission to the UN noted in a press release, “India recognizes the important role being played by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in providing an enabling security environment in Somalia, and in containing the terrorism perpetrated by Al-Shabaab.” Permanent Mission of India to the UN in a tweet stated, “Today, on behalf of the Government of #India, Ambassador @ruchirakamboj handed over a cheque of US$ 2 million in favour of the @_AfricanUnion Mission in Somalia. India stands committed to building peace and stability in Africa.”

    According to the release, India as an elected member of the UN Security Council has engaged constructively to ensure the smooth transition from African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to ATMIS in line with the security requirements of Somalia.

    India stressed that the timely and phased handover of security responsibilities from ATMIS to the Somali Security forces will be important and will need to be calibrated to avert security gaps. India also lauded the ATMIS troops and police contributing countries for their sustained commitment and the sacrifices they have made over the years.

    India’s Permanent Mission to the UN stated further that New Delhi was a “steadfast supporter” of AMISOM and involved in peacekeeping in Somalia for more than 30 years. Furthermore, it said, India continues to support African Union and the UN in responding to terrorism and building peace and stability in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.

    Also, in the release, India’s Permanent Mission to the UN said, “ATMIS was established on 1 April 2022 pursuant to the Security Council resolution 2628 (2022) and African Union Peace and Security Council Communique 1068th of 8 March 2022 to support the implementation of the Somali Transitional Plan towards a full handover of security responsibility to the Somali security forces and institutions by the end 2024.” It further said that the primary role of ATMIS is to reduce the threat posed by the terrorist group Al-Shabaad. (ANI)

    ALSO READ-Jaishankar joins Iftar hosted by UAE Ambassador Alshaali

  • Jaishankar, Israel speaker cement bilateral ties

    Jaishankar, Israel speaker cement bilateral ties

    The two leaders discussed strengthening India-Israel ties and promoting cooperation in I2U2….reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the speaker of Israel’s Knesset, Amir Ohana and the parliamentary delegation on Monday in New Delhi and discussed bilateral ties between the two countries.

    The two leaders discussed strengthening India-Israel ties and promoting cooperation in I2U2.
    “Glad to welcome Israeli Knesset Speaker @AmirOhanaand parliamentary delegation in South Block today. Discussed strengthening India-Israel ties and promoting cooperation in I2U2, Jaishankar tweeted.

    The External Affairs Minister further underlined that connectivity, renewables, food security, start-ups, tourism and culture could enrich the agenda of the two nations.

    Moreover, the Israeli Speaker also called on Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Parliament Hous today.

    Taking to Twitter, the official handle of the Vice president of India wrote, “A Parliamentary delegation from Israel, led by Hon’ble Speaker of Knesset, H.E. Mr Amir Ohana called on the Hon’ble Vice President & Chairman Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at Parliament House today. @AmirOhana @MEAIndia”

    On Friday, Israel’s Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana called India one of Israel’s closest and dearest friends. He called it a distinct pleasure to have been invited to India.

    Knesset Speaker made the statement during a meeting with Parliament Speaker Om Birla. “It is a great honour for me to be here with you today. This is indeed not only my first visit to India but also the first visit of any speaker of the Knesset in an official visit to India. And it is my distinct pleasure to have been invited specifically to India, one of Israel’s closest and dearest friends and the world’s largest democracy,” Amir Ohana said.

    Amir Ohana also spoke on the Jews community living in India, and said, “Jews have lived peacefully in India for thousands of years, and those Jews who came to Israel from India served as a solid bridge between our two nations. It is actually one of the only nations on earth where Jews could live peacefully for thousands of years without any recognition of antisemitism, which is an unknown term in this country and we are thankful for that.”

    The Israeli Parliamentary Delegation led by Amir Ohana called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Parliament House on Friday. At the outset, Birla welcomed the delegation to India and said that Israel and India have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations.

    Notably, the Israeli Parliamentary Delegation, which is on an India visit till April 4, was jointly invited by the Vice President and Chairperson of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha. (ANI)

    ALSO READ: Jaishankar slams differential standards of security

  • Jaishankar slams differential standards of security

    Jaishankar slams differential standards of security

    Jaishankar said, “We have had conversations with the British government.”..reports Asian Lite News

    India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that it is the duty of the host country to provide security to high commissions and as a foreign minister he cannot accept the vandalisation at the Indian high commission in London by pro-Khalistani elements.

    “As a foreign minister we are not going to accept this,” Jaishankar said in his address at the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Yuva Samvad programme in Bengaluru on Thursday. When asked about his response to the vandalism at Indian High Commission in London, Jaishankar said, “Whenever any country sends an embassy abroad, it is the obligation of the receiving country to provide security to the diplomats. It is the obligation of the receiving country to ensure that the embassy or the High Commission’s premises are respected.”

    Jaishankar said, “We have had conversations with the British government.”

    But as a foreign minister we are not going to accept these acts, he said.

    The External Affairs Minister also said that he wanted to share the reasons why today the world is looking at India with a different sense of respect, with a greater sense of partnership and with a desire for closer engagement.

    He said, “When Covid first came there was a genuine worry in the world how countries which do not have a strong public health system, a very robust infrastructure, no social safety net, how will such societies cope with Covid. At many high-level conversations, even at a G20 level, often India would be mentioned as a source of worry for the world.”

    “But when we see who came through it and in what manner I think the world sat up and really took notice of India. In all of this I think the world saw two very big differences in India over the last few years,” Jaishankar said.

    Jaishankar further said, “One was the fact that we produced vaccines on a scale, with efficiency and with timeliness that the rest of the world really came to admire. Second, we a nation which was always last in the queue waiting for other people to do their stuff and then eventually it would come to us, we actually had not just Made in India vaccines, we had Invented in India vaccines.”

    BJYM national president and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was also present on the occasion and moderated the dialogue. (ANI)

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