Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit, he will be holding a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting…reports Asian Lite News.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (local time) arrived in New York to hold bilateral talks with his Norway, Iraq and UK counterparts.
He will be meeting Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide, newly appointed UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, and Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
“Began my #UNGA meetings with FM Ine Eriksen Soreide of Norway. Appreciated our working together in the Security Council. A comprehensive discussion on Afghanistan. Important for the international community to take a unified approach,” tweeted Jaishankar.
Began my #UNGA meetings with FM Ine Eriksen Søreide of Norway. Appreciated our working together in the Security Council.
A comprehensive discussion on Afghanistan. Important for the international community to take a unified approach. pic.twitter.com/94fryeJSn4
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit, he will be holding a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings on the side-lines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting.
Officials sources told ANI that EAM will be taking part in the G4 foreign ministers meet on September 22 and is likely to participate at the SAARC meeting on September 26. However, the meeting is yet to be confirmed.
G4 nations comprise Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan.
Several meetings on Afghanistan are also expected. Qatar is also organizing meetings in which India is likely to participate.
Pleased to meet new UK Foreign Secretary @trussliz.
Discussed the progress of Roadmap 2030. Appreciated her contribution on the trade side.
Exchanged views on developments in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.
In the recent past, India and Serbia have ramped up high-level bilateral exchanges and closer interactions to boost trade cooperation and strengthen economic cooperation…reports Asian Lite News.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday had a warm and fruitful discussion with his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic and both sides agreed to take their cooperation, especially on economic front forward.
Talking about this development, the EAM tweeted: “Warm and fruitful discussions with Serbian FM Nikola Selaković. Reaffirmed our strong political bonds and independent stance in global politics. Agreed to take forward our long-standing cooperation, especially on the economic side.”
In November 2020, Selaković had a meeting with Indian ambassador to Serbia Subrata Bhattacharjee who had handed over the former a congratulatory letter on behalf of EAM Jaishankar on the occasion of his appointment as the Serbian Foreign Minister.
In the recent past, India and Serbia have ramped up high-level bilateral exchanges and closer interactions to boost trade cooperation and strengthen economic cooperation.
Warm and fruitful discussions with Serbian FM Nikola Selaković.
Reaffirmed our strong political bonds and independent stance in global politics.
Agreed to take forward our long-standing cooperation, especially on the economic side. pic.twitter.com/n7pNmL1d7K
India and Serbia have exchanged several ministerial visits, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu paid a visit to Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksander Vučić in September 2018 on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
During that visit, the two countries had jointly released commemorative stamps on the renowned Serbian scientist and inventor, Nikola Tesla and the great spiritual leader of India, Swami Vivekananda. (India News Network)
Jean-Yves Le Drian and S Jaishankar agree to deepen strategic partnership, “based on a relationship of political trust between two great sovereign nations of the Indo-Pacific”, reports Asian Lite News
France’s foreign affairs minister has agreed with his Indian counterpart to work on a programme to promote “a truly multilateral international order”, the French foreign ministry said.
Jean-Yves Le Drian and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also agreed during a call to deepen their strategic partnership, “based on a relationship of political trust between two great sovereign nations of the Indo-Pacific”, the ministry said.
The two ministers agreed to meet in New York next week, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, to work “on a common programme of concrete actions to defend together a truly multilateral international order”, it added.
For his part, Jaishankar said in a Twitter post they discussed “developments in the Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan”.
France has pushed for several years for a European strategy for boosting economic, political and defence ties in the region stretching from India and China to Japan and New Zealand. The European Union unveiled this week its plan for the Indo-Pacific.
The phone call came a day after the French government recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia after Canberra ditched a multibillion-dollar order for French submarines in favour of a partnership with Washington and London in the Indo-Pacific region.
Calling the cancellation “unacceptable behaviour”, Le Drian said in a statement on Friday the decision to recall the envoys, on request from President Emmanuel Macron, “is justified by the exceptional seriousness of the announcements” made by Australia and the United States.
A White House official said on Friday that the US regrets France’s decision and will continue to be engaged in the coming days to resolve differences between the two countries.
Australia said on Saturday it also regrets France’s decision, adding that it values its relationship with France and will keep engaging with Paris on many other issues.
“Discussed recent developments in the Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan with my friend FM @JY_LeDrian. Looking forward to our New York meeting,” Jaishankar tweeted.
This comes just a day after France summoned its diplomats from the United States and Australia in response to the controversy surrounding the submarine agreement. The ambassadors were summoned for “consultations,” according to Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
According to Euronews, he also stated that Australia’s decision to quit the submarine development agreement with Paris and the launch of new cooperation with the United States are examples of undesirable behaviour between allies and partners.
On Friday, September 17, France slammed the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia for forming a new Indo-Pacific security alliance, accusing the allies of a “stab in the back,” and recalling their ambassadors to the US and Australia.
A day earlier, Washington, Canberra, and London announced the “AUKUS” collaboration, with Australia cancelling a $40 billion French-designed submarine deal with Paris in exchange for advanced US nuclear-powered submarines, resulting in a diplomatic spat between the three countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron
However, India chose not to comment on the establishment of a historic security partnership between the US, the UK, and Australia, which will allow for deeper Indo-Pacific cooperation and increased pooling of defence capabilities within the trilateral alliance.
For the first time, the US and the UK will be able to offer Australia the technology to create nuclear-powered submarines, as part of a strategy to confront China in the Indo-Pacific.
However, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated shortly after the three countries announced the pact on September 16 that AUKUS undermines regional stability and feeds an arms race. According to Zhao, the defence alliance jeopardises regional peace and stability, accelerates the arms race, and jeopardises international non-proliferation efforts.
Meanwhile, on September 25, QUAD leaders Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, US President Joe Biden, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet in the White House for the first in-person engagement.
During his visit to Croatia on September 3, EAM will hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Gordan Grli Radman, and will call on the Croatian leadership…reports Asian Lite News.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will embark on an official visit to Slovenia, Croatia and Denmark from September 2-5, 2021 with an aim to widen ties with Europe with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region and Afghanistan’s future.
According to an official statement, he will be in Slovenia from 2-3 September which is currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and has invited him to attend an informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of EU Member States on September 3. The Minister will also hold a bilateral meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Dr Anze Logar, apart from calling on the Slovenian leadership.
Jaishankar will attend the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) being held in Slovenia, and will participate in the panel discussion on “Partnership for a Rules Based Order in the Indo-Pacific”. He will also hold discussions with his EU counterparts on issues of mutual interest.
At the 16th Bled Strategic Forum which is one of Europe’s premier foreign ministerial forums will be held in Slovenia on September 1-2 and the Minister will present India’s vision on the Indo-Pacific region as a key player that emphasises on maintaining rule of law and inclusive approach amid China’s aggression.
During his visit to Croatia on September 3, EAM will hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Gordan Grli Radman, and will call on the Croatian leadership.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZhAcm3Oqk
During his visit to Denmark on September 4-5, Jaishankar will co-chair the fourth round of the Indo-Danish Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) along with Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod.
The JCM will undertake a comprehensive review of our bilateral cooperation under the Green Strategic Partnership, which was established during the Virtual Summit in September 2020. EAM will also call on Danish dignitaries.
The visit of EAM will provide an opportunity for reviewing the progress in our bilateral ties with the three Central European countries, and for strengthening our multifaceted relationship with the EU, the MEA said in a statement here today.
BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, termed as emerging economies and together fighting for climate justice at global negotiations…reports Asian Lite News.
India, at the 7th meeting of the BRICS Environment Ministerial 2021, stressed on the need for taking concrete, collective global actions against global environment and climate changes, guided by equity, national priorities and circumstances, and the principles of ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)’.
The Environment Ministers adopted the New Delhi Statement on Environment, which is aimed at furthering the spirit of Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus in Environment among the BRICS Nations.
BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, termed as emerging economies and together fighting for climate justice at global negotiations.
Indian Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the meeting from Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, as the other Environment Ministers from BRICS countries joined virtually. The meeting was preceded by the BRICS Joint Working Group on Environment meeting on August 26, a release from the Environment Ministry added.
Union Minister @nstomar chairs 11th meeting of Agriculture Ministers of BRICS countries
BRICS countries to play a leading role in achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals of eradicating hunger and poverty: @nstomar
Yadav said that 2021 is a very crucial year not only for the BRICS but for the whole world as well, as there is UN Biodiversity COP 15 in October and annual climate change meet (UNFCCC COP26) in November. He emphasised that BRICS countries can play a very significant role in addressing the contemporary global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, marine plastic litter, etc.
Referring to the recent findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 1 contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science”, he said: “The report has given enough, may be the last signal, for taking concrete, collective global actions against global environmental and climate challenges.”
He informed the BRICS Ministerial that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is today leading by example by taking several robust steps in the field of renewable energy, sustainable habitats, creation of carbon sinks through additional forest and tree cover, transition to sustainable transport, e-mobility, mobilising the private sector to make climate commitments, etc.
At the 7thmeeting of the BRICS Environment Ministerial 2021, India stressedon the need for taking concretecollective global actions against global environment.https://t.co/8UE9sOdgTdpic.twitter.com/z5tCJiPQib
He also stressed the importance of resource efficiency and circular economy, conservation of wildlife and marine species or biodiversity, and concrete actions taken by India on climate change and biodiversity. “BRICS countries being hotspots for biodiversity can tell the world how we have been conserving such mega diversity since time immemorial, and can also play a very significant role in combating the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
The key areas proposed in the BRICS Environment Ministers’ Statement 2021 are guided by the issues, which may have primacy in COP 15 and COP 26, the release added.
India was trying to bring out as many people as possible from Afghanistan, the minister said and evacuating Indian personnel was a “top priority”, the EAM said…reports Asian Lite News.
At an all-party meeting, convened by the Centre to discuss the prevailing situation in Afghanistan was held on Thursday, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said the crisis in Afghanistan was “extremely critical” and India’s top priority was to evacuate “as many as possible”.
“Thirty-five people have been brought back today,” he said. Further, the EAM reportedly said the Taliban “have not kept their word given in Doha” while finalising on the peace treaty, adding India, at the moment, had adopted a “wait and watch” policy over the chaos in Afghanistan.
Among other things, the Doha pact, signed between Taliban leaders and the US in February 2020, envisaged religious freedom and democracy, with a government in Kabul that represented all sections of Afghan society.
India was trying to bring out as many people as possible from Afghanistan, the minister said and evacuating Indian personnel was a “top priority”, the EAM said.
Jaishankar spoke to leaders of several political parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, on the latest situation in the war-ravaged nation after the Taliban seized power last week.
PM should brief opposition on Afghanistan: Congress
During the all-party meet held on Thursday, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should brief the opposition about the situation in Afghanistan and the government’s stand with regard to the war-torn nation.
The Congress leaders also asked about the reports of ‘secret’ talks being held in Doha, Qatar, with the Taliban to discuss the Afghanistan crisis, but sources said the government did not comment on the matter.
The Congress leaders also demanded to know about the government’s evacuation strategy and how many Indians are still stranded in Afghanistan.
The Congress leaders asked the government to expresses solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and uphold the principles of fundamental right and freedom.
What steps for humanitarian assistance are being taken by the government of India, they demanded to konw.
The Congress delegation said that there is a perception that India appears to be isolated from its traditional allies in the region.
“The Prime Minister recently spoke to the Russian President and the German Chancellor. We would like to know what transpired during these discussions? Further, what diplomatic or other strategic steps are being planned to strengthen our position, both in the short term and in the long run,” the Congress delegation asked, as per sources.
Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar said the Ministry of External Affairs would brief the lawmakers as instructed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi….reports Asian Lite News
Given the fast emerging development in Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will brief floor leaders of political parties on the prevailing situation in the war-torn country on Thursday. This was stated by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi on Monday.
Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar said the Ministry of External Affairs would brief the lawmakers as instructed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“In view of developments in Afghanistan, PM Narendra Modi has instructed that MEA brief Floor Leaders of political parties. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Prahlad Joshi will be intimating further details,” Jaishankar tweeted.
Later in the day, Joshi took to twitter to intimat that the floor leaders will be briefed by EAM Jaishankar on the present situation in Afghanistan on August26 at 11.00 am.
“Floor Leaders of Political Parties would be briefed by EAM @DrSJaishankar on the present situation in Afghanistan on August26, 11am in the Main Committee Room, PHA, New Delhi. Invites are being sent through email. All concerned are requested to attend,” Joshi said in his tweet.
PM Modi’s instruction to brief all parties on the Afghanistan situation has come at a time when India has intensified efforts to bring back all its citizens who are stuck in Afghanistan.
On Sunday, India brought back 392 people, including 2 Afghan lawmakers in 3 different flights as part of the mission to evacuate its nationals and Afghan partner from Kabul that fell to Taliban on August 5.
The first was the Indian Air Force Special Repatriation flight with 168 passengers onboard, including 107 Indian nationals and 23 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus reached New Delhi from Kabul on Saturday.
Another group of 87 Indian citizens and 2 Nepali nationals were brought back by special Air India flight Dushanbe, a day after they were evacuated to Tajikistan by an IAF transport aircraft.
In a separate flight with 135 Indians on board flew from Doha to Delhi after they were evacuated from Kabul to Doha in the last few days by the US and NATO aircrafts. (India News Network)
Dominic Raab also held talks over Afghanistan with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken…reports Asian Lite News.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his British counterpart Dominic Raab on Wednesday exchanged views on developments and the immediate challenges.
“Welcome the conversation today with UK Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab. Exchanged views on the Afghanistan developments and the immediate challenges,” Jaishankar, who is on a 4-day visit to the US, tweeted.
Dominic Raab also held talks over Afghanistan with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The Taliban entered Kabul on Sunday and took control of the presidential palace.
Soon after the terror group claimed control over the Afghan capital, several countries evacuated their diplomatic personnel from the country, and hundreds of people flocked to the Kabul airport in an attempt to leave Afghanistan.
Over 60 countries including the US, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Canada have urged “all parties” to safeguard the departure of foreign nationals and Afghans who wish to leave the war-torn country and said that roads, airports and border crossing must remain open. (ANI)
Calls for a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan says there cannot be a takeover of the war-torn country by use of force, reports Asian Lite News
Replying to questions of the members in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday said that there must be a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan and there cannot be a takeover of the war-torn country by use of force.
Replying to a supplementary question asked by Swapan Dasgupta on China talking to Taliban, Jaishankar said, “There cannot be a military solution, there cannot be a takeover by use of force in Afghanistan. We will work with international community to ensure that political negotiations for a settlement are pursued seriously and we would never accept an outcome which is decided by force.” he said.
He said there is strong convergence between India and the Unites States on this issue.
US, India against military takeover of Afghanistan: Jaishankar in RS
The Minister said that he had detailed discussion with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on the issue of Afghanistan.
Jaishankar had tweeted on Wednesday, “A wide ranging and productive discussion today with @SecBlinken. Useful in mapping out the next steps in our bilateral partnership. Strong convergence of views on many regional concerns. Agreed to work closely on multilateral and global issues.”
He told the Upper House that India is very clear that there must be a negotiated political settlement in Afghanistan, that there cannot be a military solution, there cannot be a takeover by use of force in Afghanistan, that India will work with the international community to ensure that political negotiations for a settlement are pursued seriously and we would never accept any outcome which is decided by force.
He said, “We (Indian leadership) highlighted that in our approach to global issues were guided by a quest for perfect union but we seek to right historical wrongs. When it comes to freedom, we shouldn’t treat it as non-governance or abdication of responsibilities. Our conversation on this should be balanced.”
Blinken, during his two-day India visit, discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues including Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific and COVID-19 cooperation.
During Blinken’s visit, Jaishankar said he articulated India’s position at a presser that was jointly held with the US Secretary of State. “We were very clear that there must be a negotiated, political settlement in Afghanistan.”
Among other things that Jaishankar and Blinken discussed include Indo-Pacific, India-US cooperation against COVID-19 and Quad. He had further added that the Quad is a collaborative platform essential for mutual interest.
Jaishankar had also asserted that the US and India should work together more closely on key contemporary challenges like terrorism.
“We also discussed Indo-Pacific and Quad as it is in our national interests,” Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha.
“We look at Quad as a platform where the four countries have come together for the good of the world. We discussed a range of issues including providing of vaccines, education, connectivity, maritime security,” he added.
US Secretary of State holds talks with NSA Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, is slated to meet PM Modi, reports Asian Lite News
India and the US should continue to stand together as leading democracies at a time when global threats to democracy and international freedoms are increasing, US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.
Addressing a civil society roundtable on the theme “Advancing equitable, inclusive and sustainable growth and development”, Blinken said both countries also need a vibrant civil society in order to make their democracies more open, inclusive, resilient and equitable.
Ahead of Blinken’s visit, the US side had said it intended to raise human rights and democracy during the secretary of state’s engagements in New Delhi. The US has in the recent past spoken out on issues such as the situation in Kashmir and movements such as the farmers’ protest on the outskirts of Delhi.
The Indian side has usually been sensitive to such criticism and said before Blinken flew into New Delhi on Tuesday that is open to engaging on human rights and democracy with those who recognise the value of diversity. Defending its achievements in human rights and democracy, the Indian side also said both issues extend beyond a “particular national or cultural perspective”.
In his opening remarks at the roundtable, Blinken described India and the US as democracies that are “works in progress”. Both sides talk about such issues as friends “because doing the hard work of strengthening democracy and making our ideals real is often challenging”, he said.
“At a time of rising global threats to democracy and international freedoms – we talk about a democratic recession – it’s vital that we two world leading democracies continue to stand together in support of these ideals,” Blinken said.
Referring to efforts in the US to become a “more perfect union”, he said: “That’s an acknowledgement from day one of our country that in a sense we will always fall short of the mark, but that the way to make progress is by constantly trying to achieve those ideals.”
He added, “As I said before, sometimes that process is painful, sometimes it’s ugly, but the strength of democracy is to embrace it.”
Blinken, on his first visit to India since becoming secretary of state, said India’s achievements include a “free media, independent courts, a vibrant and free and fair electoral system – the largest expression of free political will by citizens anywhere in the world”.
All successful democracies include thriving civil societies, and this ensures citizens become more fully engaged in the life of their communities, Blinken said.
EAM @DrSJaishankar during his opening remarks with @SecBlinken highlighted: •India-US cooperation covers virtually all domains of contemporary relevance •Our shared interests, similar concerns, strong convergences •Cooperation against the Covid pandemic pic.twitter.com/xvMXDuD3hn
“It’s how we organise and provide the resources to respond to emergencies. And we’ve seen people and organisations come together throughout Covid-19 in creative and incredibly generous ways, and civil society is also where we’re able to build meaningful connections across our social, religious, and cultural differences,” he said.
“In short, if we want to make our democracies more open, more inclusive, more resilient, more equitable, we need vibrant civil society,” Blinken said, adding that he wants to support more connections between civil society organisations in India and the US to make the partnership between the two democracies even stronger.
Blinken met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and is slated to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During these meetings, he said he would talk about many critical issues the two sides are working on together, including Covid-19, climate change, defence, mutual security, trade and investment, education, energy, and science and technology.
“When you put it all together, the relationship between our countries is one of the most important in the world. And I think that’s because not only is it a relationship between governments…but critically it’s through relationships between the Indian and the American people,” he said.
