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  • Jaishankar calls New York visit ‘fruitful’

    Jaishankar calls New York visit ‘fruitful’

    Jaishankar on Thursday highlighted that the “contemporary epicentre of terrorism” remains active and raised concerns about how evidence-backed proposals to blacklist terrorists are put on hold without adequate reason…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said he had a fruitful travel to New York and detailed that during his visit to the US city he had the UN Security Council Ministerial meetings on Reformed Multilateralism and Counter-Terrorism.

    “A fruitful #NewYork visit. Chaired UNSC Ministerial meetings on Reformed Multilateralism & Counter Terrorism. Joined unveiling of bust of Bapu at UN premises. Launched Group of Friends for UN Peacekeepers. Hosted a ‘millet lunch’,” the foreign minister tweeted. Jaishankar said he hosted bilaterals with Ireland, Armenia, Japan, Poland, the US, UK and the UAE.

    Jaishankar on Thursday highlighted that the “contemporary epicentre of terrorism” remains active and raised concerns about how evidence-backed proposals to blacklist terrorists are put on hold without adequate reason.

    Speaking at the ‘UNSC Briefing: Global Counterterrorism Approach: Challenges and Way Forward’, Jaishankar took veiled digs at Pakistan for cross-border terrorism against India and at China for blocking the black-listing of Pakistan-based terrorists at the United Nations.
    He said old habits and established networks are still alive, especially in South Asia and the contemporary epicentre of terrorism remains very much alive and active, “whatever gloss may be applied to minimize unpleasant realities”.

    Delivering his address at the launch of the Group of Friends on Accountability for Crimes against UN Peacekeepers, Jaishankar said UN Peacekeeping today has become more challenging than ever before.
    “Today’s peacekeeper is not mandated to keep the peace but to take on robust mandates in extremely hostile conflict zones. The involvement of armed groups, terrorists and transnational organized crime has adversely impacted their operations,” he said.

    The minister on Thursday welcomed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other UNSC member states for a millets-based luncheon in New York. “Delighted to welcome UNSG @antonioguterres and UNSC members for a ‘millet lunch’ in New York today,” Jaishankar tweeted.

    “As we head into International Year of Millets 2023, a strong message for their greater production, consumption and promotion would help global food security and enhance sustainability in agriculture,” he said in another tweet.

    The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023).
    Spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront of celebrating the IYM. (ANI)

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  • Accountability must be bedrock of counter-terrorism: Jaishankar  

    Accountability must be bedrock of counter-terrorism: Jaishankar  

    The minister highlighted four specific challenges with which the counter-terrorism architecture is currently grappling…reports Asian Lite News

    Noting that accountability must be bedrock of counter-terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that terrorism is an existential threat to international peace and security and knows no borders or nationality.

    Addressing the high-level UNSC briefing on ‘Global Counterterrorism Approach: Challenges and Way Forward’, Jaishankar said terrorism is a challenge that the international community must combat collectively together. “This Council is well aware that terrorism is an existential threat to international peace and security. It knows no borders, nationality, or race, and is a challenge that the international community must combat collectively together,” he said.

    Jaishankar said India faced the horrors of cross-border terrorism long before the world took serious note of it.

    “Over the decades, we lost thousands of innocent civilian lives. But we fought terrorism resolutely, bravely and with a zero-tolerance approach. As Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi has declared: “we consider that even a single attack is one too many and even a single life lost is one too many. So, we will not rest till terrorism is uprooted,”‘ the minister said.

    He said that the threat of terrorism has actually become even more serious and the world has seen the expansion of Al-Qaida, Da’esh, Boko Haram and Al Shabab and their affiliates.

    “At the other end of the spectrum are ‘lone wolf’ attacks inspired by online radicalization and biases. But somewhere in all this, we cannot forget that old habits and established networks are still alive, especially in South Asia. The contemporary epicenter of terrorism remains very much alive and active, whatever gloss may be applied to minimize unpleasant realities,” he said.

    The minister highlighted four specific challenges with which the counter-terrorism architecture is currently grappling.

    He said by now, it is well established where and how terrorist organizations operate, and under what kind of protection.

    “Activities like recruitment, financing and motivation are often done in the open. The days when it could be said that we are unaware are now behind us. Consequently, assigning responsibility is that much easier. The response of the sponsors of terrorism is not to give up but to conduct and execute their agenda at an arms-length. To do this, they create narratives of limitations and difficulties. We buy such explanations at our own peril,” he said.

    “The suggestion that states who are apparently capable on everything else but are only helpless when it comes to terrorism is ludicrous. Accountability must therefore be the bedrock of counter-terrorism,” he added.

    The High-Level Briefing on Counter-Terrorism seeks to promote consensus amongst Council Members on the broad principles of a global counter-terror architecture and aims to further build upon the Delhi Declaration adopted during the Special Meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee held on October 28-30 in Mumbai and New Delhi. (ANI)

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  • Jaishankar hails India-UAE ties

    Jaishankar hails India-UAE ties

    Ranking the India-UAE relationship quite high, Jaishankar highlighted how the ties between both sides happen to have discussions on space, education, artificial intelligence, health and startups…reports Asian Lite News

    In his address at India Global Forum in United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the relationship between India and UAE “ambitious” and said the ties are not limited really by its bilateral possibilities and can be felt at the global level in future.

    “It is in many ways a very ambitious relationship because it’s not limited really by its bilateral possibilities. I’m very confident that as we get deeper into the relationship, it will also make itself felt at the global level,” Jaishankar said. The Minister further hailed the ties between the two nations and reaffirmed that India and UAE are two countries that’ve known each other for a long time and would want to use this relationship today in a changing world.

    During his address, the EAM also underscored the trade ties between India and UAE and added that UAE is today India’s 3rd largest trade partner and is also India’s 2nd largest export market.

    More Indian citizens live in UAE than in any other country abroad. So whether we are talking people, or whether we are talking business, UAE has particular salience in our perspectives, Jaishankar said.

    Ranking the India-UAE relationship quite high, Jaishankar highlighted how the ties between both sides happen to have discussions on space, education, artificial intelligence, health and startups.

    “The old, traditional energy trade investments continue, but a new agenda is also coming into being,” said the EAM at India Global Forum and panel discussion on India-UAE on Monday.

    Notably, India’s exports to UAE between April-September 2022 were about USD 16 billion which was an increase of 24 per cent year to year while India’s imports increased 38 per cent to reach USD 28.4 billion in the same time period.

    Both sides have also had discussions on other areas of cooperation including energy, healthcare, defence, space, climate change, skills, fin-tech and startups in the past. (ANI)

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  • Wheel of history turning in rising India, says Jaishankar

    Wheel of history turning in rising India, says Jaishankar

    Jaishankar said that temples are not just places for faith and worship but are social community centers. “They are places for gathering and centers for knowledge. They are promotors of art and craft.”…reports Asian Lite News

    Describing the significant role of the temples in Indian society, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said the “wheel of history is turning” in a rising India, in which rich heritage and culture of the country will not be neglected.

    He made these remarks while delivering an address on the role of temples in Indian society during his visit to Varanasi. “We must realize today, that the wheel of history is turning. It is coming back. There is a rise of India. That era, there was a neglect of the temple, an era when things were averse to us that era is behind us,” he stated.

    Jaishankar said that temples are not just places for faith and worship but are social community centers. “They are places for gathering and centers for knowledge. They are promotors of art and craft.”

    He explained that most of the temples are keepers of Indian heritage. “They are our way of life. We will not be who we are without the temples.”

    On the importance of the temples in the contemporary world, he said, “we have to worry about globalization. …People are understanding that there are different societies, different people, and different faiths. Each faith has to have its place in the world.”

    Highlighting the need to spread the Indian culture, Jaishankar said, to deal with the competitive advancement of other beliefs, India will have to promote, present and take its culture to the rest of the world.

    “It is not enough to hold our own, we have to promote, we have to present and we have to take our culture to the rest of the world. So everything that you are doing at home, we have to find a way that this message also goes around the rest of the world,” he said.

    Referring to his recent address about political and economic rebalancing, the external affairs minister said that rebalancing will only happen if there is cultural rebalancing.

    “Our faith, our beliefs, and our culture must get recognition and its due place in the world. That is our commitment to you,” he said.

    Stating that the civilization of the country is gone beyond India, Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has worked in the direction of restoring Indian temples in Cambodia and other countries.

    “Today, when we are rebuilding, restoring and reenergizing Indian civilization, our task is not only in India but all over the world,” he said.

    He also informed that after the Modi government came, the Indian Foreign Ministry, created a separate division to look after the restoration, renovation and support, of our cultural heritage. (ANI)

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  • Jaishankar to open India Global Forum UAE 2022

    Jaishankar to open India Global Forum UAE 2022

    The forum will also present opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs of both countries to work together for regional and global impact. Participants can book in-person participation at India Global Forum…reports Asian Lite News

    India Global Forum (IGF) has announced that the India Global Forum UAE 2022 – Partners for Global Impact to be held in the UAE from December 12 – 16, 2022 will be inaugurated by India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar. The week-long high-profile gathering will bring together leading political, business, and cultural figures from India, UAE and across the world.

    Covering the breadth of bilateral relations between India and the UAE, climate finance, technology, and investments, the five-day event will also be an opportunity at this critical juncture to discuss India’s global aspirations and its presidency of the G20 amidst challenging geopolitical scenarios. Featuring inspiring conversations, exchanges and debates, the event comes at an opportune moment as the India-UAE relationship goes from strength to strength. The forum will also present opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs of both countries to work together for regional and global impact. Participants can book in-person participation at India Global Forum .

    Commenting on the event, Professor Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman, India Global Forum said, “The world is at a critical juncture in many ways, whether it’s tackling climate change or addressing global economic turbulence. It’s more important than ever that nations, businesses, and influencers seek common ground and work on positive outcomes for global impact. Our UAE edition of India Global Forum, which is the first major global event after India’s ascendency to the G20 presidency, will enable just that.”

    High-profile speakers at India Global Forum UAE 2022 include: Dr S Jaishankar, Bhupendra Yadav, Minister of Labour& Employment and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India; Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, UAE, Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Government of UAE, Dr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, Electronics and IT, Government of India,  Michael Bloomberg, Founder, Bloomberg LP, USA, Rola Abu Manneh, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, UAE, Dr Ron Malka, Former Director General, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel Government, Dror Bin, CEO, Israel Innovation Authority, Israel etc. (BusinessWire India)

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  • India won’t tolerate attempt to change LAC, says Jaishankar

    India won’t tolerate attempt to change LAC, says Jaishankar

    Earlier when Jaishankar met the outgoing Chinese envoy to India Sun Weidong in October, emphasized that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential to maintaining bilateral ties…reports Asian Lite News

    Delivering his remarks in the Parliament on the ‘Latest Developments in India’s Foreign Policy’, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India won’t tolerate China’s attempts to unilaterally change the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

    Jaishankar further warned that if China continues to build forces in the border area, it will have serious impact and concerns on the relationship of both countries. “Diplomatically, we’re clear with Chinese we won’t tolerate attempts to unilaterally change LAC. If they continue to do that and build up forces which constitute serious concerns in border area then our relationship isn’t normal and that abnormality is evident in last few years,” the External Affairs Minister said during his address to Rajya Sabha.

    Earlier when Jaishankar met the outgoing Chinese envoy to India Sun Weidong in October, emphasized that peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential to maintaining bilateral ties.

    “Emphasized that the development of India-China relations is guided by the 3 Mutuals. Peace and tranquillity in the border areas are essential,” Jaishankar tweeted after meeting ambassador Sun.

    “The normalization of India-China relations is in the interest of both countries, of Asia and the world at large,” he said in another tweet.

    Sun, who assumed office in July 2019, is leaving at a time when the two sides are trying to manage ties, following the 2020 border clash that has remained the dominant issue between the neighbours.

    In his farewell remarks on Tuesday, the Chinese envoy stressed the need to resolve differences between India and China and uphold the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

    India and China have had several rounds of diplomatic and military level meetings since 2020 on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in the India-China border areas.

    India has repeatedly emphasised said that India-China relations cannot be normal unless the border situation is stable and added that if China disturbs the peace and tranquillity in border areas, it will impact the relations further.

    Furthermore, Jaishankar also highlighted the situation in Sri Lanka and said that India has always extended support to the entirety of Sri Lanka which also includes the Tamil community, Sinhalese community and people from all other communities.

    “We have given support to the entirety of Sri Lanka which also includes the Tamil community, Sinhalese community and people from all other communities. We haven’t taken a communal approach in giving support to a neighbour in a serious economic situation,” the EAM added.

    India has been at forefront of extending economic assistance to Sri Lanka as per their requirements and is one of the countries that have provided the maximum amount of assistance in time of need. (ANI)

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  • India’s example is of increasing relevance to others: Jaishankar

    India’s example is of increasing relevance to others: Jaishankar

    Jaishankar further said that the G20 is a diverse platform that seeks to forge common ground on key issues amongst prominent countries…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday underscored the increasing relevance of India in world affairs.

    Addressing the youth at G20 University Connect – Engaging Young Minds event held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, to push forward India’s G-20 presidency agenda, he said, “India’s example is of increasing relevance to others. Whether it is our last mile delivery using digital platforms, our way of responding to the Covid or indeed the transformation in green and clean energy.”

    He said that “there are very good reasons why today’s world is taking a much deeper interest in us. The G20 presidency offers an opportunity to share our story with others, particularly those who may transpose some of our experiences on their performance or challenges.”

    Pushing India’s agenda in G-20, he said, “During our G20 Presidency, we will spotlight LiFE, with its associated, environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, at the level of individual lifestyles as well as national development.”

    The idea of LiFE was introduced by India during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in 2021.

    The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.

    “Pro-planet people adopting fundamentally sustainable lifestyles will change the way we do business in the 21st century. India will seek to be a catalyst of that change,” said EAM S Jaishankar.

    With the launch of the mission, the prevalent “use-and-dispose” economy governed by mindless and destructive consumption will be replaced by a circular economy, defined by conscious and deliberate consumption.

    Jaishankar further said that the G20 is a diverse platform that seeks to forge common ground on key issues amongst prominent countries.

    “Our endeavour is to make that consensus more relevant through a wider process of consultation. As the mother of democracy, India’s G20 presidency will be consultative, collaborative and decisive,” said the EAM.

    Jaishankar also emphasized India becoming the voice of the Global South and expressing their concerns on fuel, food and fertilizers.

    “We share too the apprehension that sustainable development, climate action and climate justice could be sidetracked due to more dominant issues,” said Jaishankar.

    Speaking about the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict, he said, “Our G20 presidency is taking place at a very critical moment in international affairs. Over the last three years, we have seen the economic and social devastations caused by the Covid pandemic, quite apart from its human toll. It has aggravated the financial position of developing countries, undermined the pursuit of sustainable development goals and created a health divide between developed and developing countries. To this were added the knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict, especially, the difficulties in the availability and affordability of fuel, food and fertilizers.”

    He urged world leaders to focus on the right issues, especially those that affect the more vulnerable sections of the world.

    “Our G20 Presidency is taking place at a very critical moment in international affairs. G-20 is not just the collective weight of participants. The very process of holding it is uniquely impactful. The world will get to know India better and our citizens will develop a sharper appreciation of it,” said Jaishankar.

    He also talked about the representative and democratic international order, he said, “A representative and democratic international order must press for change, not just in the United Nations but in other international institutions as well. We must also recognise that global order today isn’t truly reflective of the state of the world. Institutions and practices created 75 years ago still dominate global decision-making.” 

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  • Jaishankar meets German envoy Ackermann

    Jaishankar meets German envoy Ackermann

    Addressing a press conference, Ackermann said, “I think it’s safe to say that Chancellor is planning a bilateral visit to India next year. We have to compare agendas…reports Asian Lite News

    External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today held a meeting with the German ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann. According to Jaishankar, the German ambassador is enthusiastic about enhancing ties between Germany and India.

    Jaishankar tweeted, “Good to meet German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann today afternoon. Welcome his enthusiasm for expanding India-Germany relations.” Notably, India and Germany have completed the inter-governmental talks on development cooperation.

    In May, Germany and India updated their cooperation to a new level by establishing a partnership on Green and Sustainable Development (GSDP), signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to German Embassy in India.
    Under the GSDP, Germany expressed its willingness to support India with new and additional commitments of at least Euro 10 billion Euros until 2030. Earlier on November 30, Philipp Ackermann announced that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is planning a bilateral visit to India next year.

    Addressing a press conference, Ackermann said, “I think it’s safe to say that Chancellor is planning a bilateral visit to India next year. We have to compare agendas.” Philipp Ackermann also responded when asked whether the chancellor could come twice to India, one for the G20 summit and the other time for a bilateral meeting. He said, “The Prime Minister (Modi) came twice to Germany, why shouldn’t Chancellor come twice, India is a great place. I would even say come thrice to India.”

    In the press conference, Ackermann also lauded India’s digitisation drive. German Envoy Philipp Ackermann said, “We can learn a lot from India when it comes to digitisation. I’m here for 3.5 months and I am amazed by the way digitisation has swept through the country.”
    He further said, “The way how people use smartphones in order to get through their life, we are way behind. We will look very closely and very intensely at what India has done in order to promote digitisation.”
    Ackermann stated, “I was really impressed by the presentation by Shri Amitabh Kant when he made the digitisation point. India is excellent internationally when it comes to digitalisation and I see that my country can learn a lot.” (ANI)

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  • Jaishankar: G20 Presidency an opportunity to share India’s story

    Jaishankar: G20 Presidency an opportunity to share India’s story

    This University Connect event today saw the virtual participation of students and leading academicians from 75 universities across the country with top leaders, scholars, and academicians…reports Asian Lite

    As India formally assumes the G20 Presidency today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the event offers an opportunity to share India’s story with others.

    Speaking at the University Connect Programme at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, Jaishankar said there are very good reasons why today’s world is taking a much deeper interest in India. “G20 presidency offers an opportunity to share our story with others, particularly those who may transpose some of our experiences on their performance or challenges,” he said attended by high-level delegates including G20’s India Coordinator, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.

    “It is also the time we become the voice of the Global South.”
    Underscoring the importance of this juncture, the external affairs minister said this is not a development that should be regarded as just one more diplomatic happening.

    “On the contrary, it is a crucial responsibility that is being assumed by India at a very challenging time in world politics and at an inflection point in India’s own history,” he said.

    He said G20 is not just the collective weight of participants, adding the very process of holding it is uniquely impactful. Jaishankar noted how about 200 meetings of G20 are taking place in multiple locations across India.”Given its significance, we would like G20 not to be a Delhi-centric set of events, but one that is hosted and celebrated across the width and the breadth of our country,” he stressed.

    Talking about the backdrop of India’s G20 Presidency, he highlighted the devastation caused by the COVID pandemic, over the last three years. Arguing for more focus on issues affecting the vulnerable sections of the world, Jaishankar said that attention needs to be paid not only to the problem but also for finding viable solutions.

    This University Connect event today saw the virtual participation of students and leading academicians from 75 universities across the country with top leaders, scholars, and academicians. Speaking before Jaishankar, G-20’s India Coordinator Shringla said this moment is a “mega national event” that presents an opportunity to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, tourism potential and development prowess.

    “India’s G20 presidency is a mega national event. Let us come together and participate in it, immerse in it, and propagate it so that it becomes edged into our memories for all times to come,” he said.
    Shringla said the country’s G20 presidency is both a unique opportunity and profound responsibility for all Indians.

    G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant also spoke at the event. Kant said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be setting the agenda of the world in very challenging times. “As the G20 President, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be setting the agenda of the world. And this is a huge responsibility because we are taking over this at a very challenging time in the world,” he added. (ANI)

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  • ‘Interests of global south to be focus’

    ‘Interests of global south to be focus’

    The minister noted that there is an intensification in big power competition and many agreements of the past will not continue…reports Asian Lite News

    As India gets set to assume the presidency of G20, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday said New Delhi would like to use the presidency of the group to reflect interests and concerns today of the global south.

    Jaishankar made these remarks during the annual flagship event co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India. The theme for this year’s Summit is Geopolitics of Technology.

    “India would like to use the presidency of G20 in many ways to reflect interests and concerns today of the global south as we feel they’re being sidelined and not just be a voice but would like to take into global south something we’ve tested and prepared at home,” said EAM at Global Tech Summit.

    He made the remarks during a question-and-answer session at the event.

    On the issue of climate change, Jaishankar said, “Since 2014 there’s been a different kind of approach to climate change in terms of our policies, advocacies, energy mix… When it comes to climate tech, India has a range of possibilities… There are Indian businesses in climate in COP now.”

    “We’re actually already seeing the impact of climate events and climate change on politics. An example would be- the big debate today in Europe is if it will be able to survive the winter from the energy perspective,” he added.

    The minister noted that there is an intensification in big power competition and many agreements of the past will not continue. “We have already seen in the last few days, there are agreements which are not being renewed. It will become much harder to have new understandings,” he said.

    Tarun Chhabra.

    Underscoring the importance of data in national security he said, “Where our data is going is no longer matter of business and economics but of national security. Everything is being weaponised in this world of ours, I have to change my approach of where I should be protective of my interests.”

    On the impact of the Ukraine conflict, he said the war has sucked up the oxygen in Europe. We will hopefully be doing our meeting in some more time.”

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