Tag: S. Jaishankar

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Jaishankar, Wang Yi Exchange Greetings at Munich Security Conference

The Security Conference, an annual conference on global security issues, began in Munich on Friday…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had a brief conversation on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

The interaction took place on Saturday when Jaishankar was going to the stage for a panel discussion and Wang was walking down the podium

The impromptu interaction comes after months of no communication between the two countries.

Last time the two leaders met in Indonesia on the sidelines of ASEAN meet in July 2023.

The Security Conference, an annual conference on global security issues, began in Munich on Friday.

Jaishankar has already met UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Peru Foreign Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea on the sidelines of the conference.

Jaishankar meets Palestinian Foreign Minister

Jaishankar met the foreign minister of Palestine, Riyad al-Maliki, in Munich on Sunday and discussed the situation in Gaza.

In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote, “Nice to see Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki.”

“Exchanged views on the current situation in Gaza,” he added.

The External Affairs Minister is currently in Munich, Germany, to attend the prestigious security conference there.

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 offers a unique opportunity for high-level debates on the world’s most pressing security challenges.

Six decades after its foundation by Ewald von Kleist, the MSC has assembled senior decision-makers and thought leaders from around the world for discussions on the most pressing international security concerns in February 2024, according to the conference’s official statement.

This year’s conference was held under the chairmanship of the German Ambassador to the US, Christoph Heusgen.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the ongoing Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Jaishankar said there was no justification for the ‘terrorism’ that was unleashed on the kibbutzes of southern Israel on October 7, last year.

“All of us follow enormous efforts which Tony (Antony Blinken) is putting in right now,but look the way we look at it has different dimensions, different elements to this,” Jaishankar said.

“We must be clear that what happened on October 7 was terrorism. No justification, no explanation, it was terrorism,” the EAM added.

As he went on to speak, the EAM also stated that a large number of countries ” strongly believe in two-state solution.”

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded on February 17 to rising appeals from world leaders to avoid a ground operation in Rafah, remarking that doing so would mean “losing the war against Hamas,” as reported by The Times of Israel.

“Those who want to prevent us from operating in Rafah are essentially telling us: ‘Lose the war.’ I won’t let that happen,” he vowed at an evening press conference in Jerusalem.

“We won’t capitulate to any pressure,” he said.

According to The Times of Israel, Rafah, located on the Gaza-Egypt border, is the final remaining Hamas stronghold in the territory, but it also houses over a million displaced Palestinians sheltering from war.

ALSO READ-Netanyahu Vows No Capitulation Amid Pressure on Rafah Operation

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EAM dials Palestinian PM, reiterates India’s position

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses the G20 Tree Plantation ceremony, at Nehru Park, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo)

India’s position regarding the Palestine issue has been “longstanding and consistent,” Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said in a press briefing on October 12...reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Saturday. Jaishankar reiterated India’s long-standing position on Palestine.

During the telephonic conversation, Mohammad Shtayyeh expressed deep concern on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, “Spoke to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh this evening. He expressed deep concern on the situation in both Gaza and the West Bank. Reiterated India’s long-standing position on Palestine. Agreed to remain in touch.”India’s position regarding the Palestine issue has been “longstanding and consistent,” Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said in a press briefing on October 12.Arindam Bagchi said, “India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side by side at peace with Israel. That position remains the same.”Earlier in October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas and expressed his condolences over the loss of lives at Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza.PM Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to provide the Palestinian people with humanitarian assistance while reiterating India’s long-standing principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue.”Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people,” posted PM Modi on X.Notably, the fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza continues, as the Israel Defence Forces said its 98th Division continues to fight with Hamas in Gaza’s Khan Younis. The Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on the sites of the terror group, The Times of Israel reported.According to the IDF, troops of the Golani Infantry Brigade’s 12th Battalion raided a mosque in the Khan Younis area, where Hamas operatives were present, according to The Times of Israel report. The IDF said an explosive device was detonated near the forces and soldiers directed an attack helicopter to carry out a strike against Hamas operatives on the roof of the mosque.The IDF said that an IAF fighter jet destroyed the mosque along with the tunnel infrastructure under it. Meanwhile, the elite Maglan unit identified three Hamas operatives coming out of a tunnel shaft in central Khan Younis and firing RPGs at the troops, according to IDF.The IDF said Maglan troops also conducted drone strikes on additional Hamas operatives and tunnel shafts in the area. The IDF said that the elite Duvdevan unit found a Hamas command room, which was used by terrorists to attack soldiers, according to The Times of Israel report.According to IDF, the Duvdevan soldiers conducted an assault on the building, and an IAF fighter jet conducted strikes on another Hamas cell in the area. The IDF said troops of the Givati Infantry Brigade killed a number of Hamas operatives and found numerous tunnel shafts in southern Gaza. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Jaishankar Meets Australian Delegation from Macquarie Group

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S. Jaishankar Highlights G20 Mandate at B20 Summit

The Minister further said that the Narendra Modi-led government is committed to ease of living…reports Asian Lite News

Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar while drawing attention to the Global South said the core mandate of the G20 is to provide economic growth and development, and it cannot advance if the concerns of the Global South are not addressed.

“The core mandate of the G20 is to promote economic growth and development, and that cannot advance if the crucial concerns of the Global South in the areas that are not addressed,” Jaishankar said on Sunday while addressing the B20 Summit here on the ‘Role of the Global South in the Emerging World 2.0’.

He further said, “For a variety of reasons , the Global South was largely being reduced to being a consumer rather than a producer. Their contribution very often was to provide resources for manufacturing elsewhere. They only did not reap the full benefits  of economic change but often ended up with unviable debts.”

“The current focus on the Global South emanates from the global conviction that these are countries that are truly deserving of special care. These are also societies under exceptional stress which if left unaddressed would become a serious drag on the world economy,” he said.

Referring to India’s G20 presidency, the Minister said, “When India assumed the G20 presidency last December, we were acutely conscious that most of the Global South would not be at the table when we met. This mattered very much because the real urgent problems are faced by them.”

“To discuss their concerns without providing them a fair hearing, appeared extremely unfair. Therefore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to convene the ‘Voice of the Global South Summit ‘ in January this year. We heard from 125 countries directly about their challenges and priorities. On their behalf, this has been made a centre of the G20 agenda,” he added.

Jaishankar further said, “It is an undeniable reality that the international system remains dominated by the Global North. This is naturally reflected in the composition of the G20 as well.”

The Minister further said that the Narendra Modi-led government is committed to ease of living.

ALSO READ-Jaishankar hails ties with Hungary on 75th year of diplomatic ties

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Jaishankar meets Lavrov, Borrell ahead of G20 meet

India on Wednesday cleared its stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “this isn’t an era of war.”

Ahead of the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, European Union Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell and Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama.

“Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov holds a meeting with Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar,” tweeted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Jaishankar will chair two sessions at the foreign ministers’ meeting on Thursday.

“The first session will focus on multilateralism, and issues related to food and energy. The second session will focus on four or five key issues including new and emerging threats including counter-terrorism and narcotics, global skill mapping, and focus on global talent pools,” said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar said the conversation with Borell focused on the G20 agenda and the Ukraine conflict.

“Pleased to meet EU HRVP @JosepBorrellF before the #G20FMM tomorrow. Our conversation focused on the G20 agenda and the Ukraine conflict. Appreciated the steady growth of India-EU cooperation,” tweeted Jaishankar.

India on Wednesday cleared its stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “this isn’t an era of war.”

Speaking at a special briefing on G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, “India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that ‘This isn’t an era of war’. Dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. The agenda is for the foreign ministers to discuss in the meet.”

He said the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be an important point of discussion when the foreign ministers from around the world meet during Thursday’s Group of 20 (G20) gathering in New Delhi.

“Given the developing situation of Russia-Ukraine, naturally, it’ll be an important point of discussion during the Foreign Ministers Meeting. Foreign ministers will be focusing on the Russia-Ukraine situation, it’ll be important to what they come out with, what understanding is developed,” said Kwatra.

He further added, “Issues of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the world including economic impact and impact on development will also be focused upon in the meeting.”

Jaishankar also met Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and underlined India’s strong commitment to the Global South and the interests of the African Union.

He also took up the MV Heroic Idun issue and pressed for the early repatriation of crew members.

“Good to meet FM @GeoffreyOnyeama of Nigeria this afternoon. Underlined India’s strong commitment to the Global South and the interests of the African Union. Noted recent developments in our bilateral cooperation, especially in educational exchanges. Welcomed direct flights between our two countries.

Took up the MV Heroic Idun issue and pressed for early repatriation of crew members,” tweeted Jaishankar.

Since August this year, 16 Indian sailors aboard oil tanker MT Heroic Idun have been in detention, first in Equatorial Guinea and now in Nigeria, for alleged oil theft, among other charges. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Jaishankar, Brazilian FM hold talks ahead of key G20 meet

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Jaishankar expresses concern over Indian baby in German foster care

The couple has sought Indian government’s help in repatriation of their child who has been living in a foster care in Germany for over 14 months…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said he has raised the issue of an Indian baby living in foster care in Berlin in his discussions with visiting German counterpart Annalena Baerbock.

The German authorities had taken one-and-a-half year old Ariha Shah under their care, alleging sexual harrasment by the child’s parents.

“A specific issue, which came up… This relates to a child called Ariha Shah. We have concerns that the child should be in a linguistic, religious, cultural and social environment. This is her right,” Jaishankar said addressing a joint press conference with Baerbock.

The couple has sought Indian government’s help in repatriation of their child who has been living in a foster care in Germany for over 14 months.

They said Ariha’s grandmother hurt her by accident in September last year after which they took her to the hospital, where the German authorities accused them of sex assault, and took away the child under Child Protection Rights.

Ariha then was only seven months-old, according to the parents.

The Berlin-based couple informed that a criminal probe was closed without charges in February, but they still haven’t got their child back.

To add on to their woes, Berlin Child Services has filed a civil custody case calling for termination of their parental rights.

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar meets Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock in New Delhi on Monday, December 05, 2022. (Photo:IANS/Twitter)

“Our embassy is pursuing the matter with German authorities,” Jaishankar said.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said that they have been “intervening and engaging with the German authorities on the “sensitive” matter for over a year, since September 2021″.

Philipp Ackermann, the German ambassador to India, said last week that they are aware of the gravity of the issue, and have taken note of the Indian government’s concern in the case.

ALSO READ-India, Germany ink deal on migration, mobility