PM Modi on Tuesday reached the Danish capital for a one-day visit that will include several engagements including talks with leaders from Nordic countries…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen on Tuesday to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
“Delegation level talks led by PMs @narendramodi & @Statsmin Mette Frederiksen begin. Both sides to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership. Will also discuss our wide-ranging cooperation in areas of skill development, climate, renewable energy, Arctic, P2P ties, etc,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted.
PM Modi on Tuesday reached the Danish capital for a one-day visit that will include several engagements including talks with leaders from Nordic countries.
“Walking the talk PM @narendramodi and @Statsmin PM Mette Frederiksen at Marienborg. The bonhomie between the two leaders mirrors the close ties between India and Denmark,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a tweet.
This visit started to Denmark shortly after his Berlin visit on Tuesday.
During his one-day Germany visit, PM Modi met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. (ANI)
The British PM earlier today laid a wreath at Raj Ghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar received Johnson at the airport here late Thursday…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. The UK Prime Minister, who is on a two-day visit to India, was accorded a Guard of Honour upon his arrival at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
“It is a very auspicious moment in India-UK friendship and two democracies, largest and one of the oldest. I do not think things have ever been so strong and good between India and UK as they are now,” Johnson said.
Johnson arrived in Gujarat on Thursday at the start of his visit to India to hold in-depth talks on the UK and India’s strategic defence, diplomatic and economic partnership, aimed at bolstering close partnership and stepping up security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. “They (People of Gujarat) put on a fantastic welcome for us. It was absolutely extraordinary. I have never seen such a joyful reception.” “I would have not gotten the same reception anywhere else in the world. It was amazing to see your (PM Modi’s) home state for the first time,” Johnson said.
Boris Johnson India visit day one (Pictures by Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street)
The British PM earlier today laid a wreath at Raj Ghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar received Johnson at the airport here late Thursday. The UK Prime Minister is scheduled to hold talks with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar after which the two sides will issue a press statement at around 1 pm at Hyderabad House. (ANI)
The Indian side has communicated concerns on the anti-India activities of certain extremists and radical elements in the UK. This is likely to figure in the upcoming talks as well…reports Asian Lite News
India is likely to raise the pending extradition of economic offenders, including Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, during Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit this week.
The extradition of Mallya and Modi had figured in a virtual summit between India and the UK last year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that economic offenders should be sent back to the country at the earliest for trial.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street)
Indian Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, too, had raised the issue at the India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue with his UK Counterpart in February this year.
The Indian side has communicated concerns on the anti-India activities of certain extremists and radical elements in the UK. This is likely to figure in the upcoming talks as well.
In the February meeting, the UK was urged to maintain vigil over activities of such elements and take appropriate proactive action.
It was agreed to maintain enhanced security cooperation between India and the UK. Johnson took to Twitter to announce his official visit, saying, “This week I’ll be travelling to India, to deepen the long-term partnership between our countries. As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together. This week I’ll be travelling to India, to deepen the long-term partnership between our countries. As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together.
He went on to add that “India, as a major economic power and the world’s largest democracy, is a highly valued strategic partner for the UK in these uncertain times”. Boris’ visit follows the successful completion of four out of 26 chapters in the ongoing India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Modi and Johnson are expected to take stock of the negotiations and mandate a timeline for the possible completion of the process, initially set for the end of this year. According to officials close to the discussions, there has also been significant progress in the remaining 22 chapters of the FTA at the end of the first two rounds of official negotiations, with the third round of talks scheduled later this month.
The visit, which is expected around April 22, is long overdue after Johnson was forced to cancel planned visits to India twice last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning a visit to India towards the end of this month with a focus on strengthening bilateral ties against the backdrop of the ongoing India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations, according to official sources.
The visit, which is expected around April 22, is long overdue after Johnson was forced to cancel planned visits to India twice last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Downing Street is yet to confirm any details, an in-person meeting was discussed during a phone call between Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.
The leaders welcomed India and the UK’s strong and prosperous relationship, and agreed to continue to build on trade, security and business ties in the coming weeks and months. They looked forward to meeting in-person at the earliest opportunity, a Downing Street spokesperson said in a readout of the call on March 22.
Last week, Downing Street sources said that Johnson was very keen to visit India for talks with his Indian counterpart Modi, though firm plans are yet to be fully drawn up.
The two leaders last met in-person on the sidelines of the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow in November last year, when their bilateral talks during the World Leaders’ Summit focussed on the India-UK climate partnership as well as a review of the 2030 Roadmap which they had signed during a virtual summit in May 2021.
The Roadmap, which aims to at least double bilateral trade between India and the UK by 2030, is part of Britain’s so-called Indo-Pacific foreign policy tilt.
A trade deal with India’s booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers, Johnson said at the formal launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks earlier this year.
The UK has world-class businesses and expertise we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology.
“We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home,” he said in January.
The conflict in Ukraine and the UK’s leading role in imposing stringent sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime is also likely to feature strongly during talks between Johnson and Modi.
It will follow UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’ visit to Delhi last week, when she held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and also joined him at the first India-UK Strategic Futures Forum.
On Ukraine, India reiterated that the immediate cessation of violence and return to dialogue and diplomacy is the key to long term peace in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said with reference to the ministerial talks.
Both sides appreciated the substantial progress made in the India-UK FTA negotiations with two productive rounds already completed since their launch in January 2022, it noted.
The third round of India-UK FTA talks, scheduled to be hosted by India later this month, is likely to be timed around the prime ministerial visit.
The last Presidential visit from India to the Netherlands was 34 years ago when the then President Venkataraman visited the country in 1988. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Netherlands in 2017…reports Asian Lite News
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday embarked on a seven-day state visit to Turkmenistan and Netherlands.
This happens to be the first ever visit of an Indian President to Turkmenistan and first to Netherlands after 34 years.
It’s been 30 years since Turkmenistan was established and this year also marks three decades of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan. For that country too, it would be the first biggest incoming visit for the newly appointed President of Turkmenistan, a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.
India and Turkmenistan will issue a joint statement and also have MoUs on disaster management, financial intelligence, programme of cooperation and culture and Youth Affairs; joint postal stamp to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the statement read.
Marking the 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Netherlands, President Kovind’s visit to Netherlands will be from April 4-7 at the invitation of Netherland’s King William Alexander and Queen Maxima. This will be the first high-level visit from India after the royal couple visited India in October 2019.
The last Presidential visit from India to the Netherlands was 34 years ago when the then President Venkataraman visited the country in 1988. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Netherlands in 2017.
President Ram Nath Kovind @rashtrapatibhvn embarks on State Visits to Turkmenistan and the Netherlands.
🔹 1st ever visit of the President of India to independent Turkmenistan 🔹Coincides with 75 years of establishment of our diplomatic ties with the Netherlands https://t.co/eM1yOBX5yo
President’s visit is a follow up to the India Netherlands virtual summit held in April 2021, where the two sides had agreed to launch a strategic partnership on water, setting up a bilateral fast track mechanism for investment facilitation and also establish 25 centres of excellence in agri-related sectors by 2025.
“There will be MoUs signed on ports, on state archives, cultural exchanges, as well as the science and technology programme of cooperation,” the MEA said.
Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan and Member of Parliament Dilip Ghosh are accompanying the President on this trip.
With the war having completed a month, India on Thursday abstained on a resolution pushed by Russia in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, reports Asian Lite News
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to come to India this week, days after the visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
With the war having completed a month, India on Thursday abstained on a resolution pushed by Russia in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
The resolution, which was perceived to be critical of Ukraine, did not get the required nine votes and failed to pass.
By its abstention, New Delhi signalled that it was not aligned with Moscow’s position.
India had earlier abstained on Western-led resolutions that criticised the Russian military action in Ukraine. Thursday’s abstention reflected an attempt by New Delhi to seek a neutral position as it continues to engage and walk a diplomatic tightrope on the issue.
Hours later, India abstained again on a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution moved by the French and the Mexicans, which got 140 votes in favour, five against, and 38 abstentions. This resolution was “strong” in its condemnation of Russia.
US President Joe Biden had said last week that among the Quad countries, India was “somewhat shaky” in showing its opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Australia and Japan, who make up the Quad along with India and the US, have criticised Russia’s aggression.
Lavrov’s visit is expected to focus on strategic issues resulting from the war, as well as specific discussions on purchasing Russian oil, payment mechanisms, given sanctions against Russian banks and exclusion from the SWIFT, and possible disruptions in the supply of military hardware.
The Modi government indicated in Parliament last week that it is considering offers of discounted Russian oil and a special inter-ministerial group headed by the Finance Ministry is looking into the payments issues for Indian importers and exporters that arise from the war and Western sanctions.
India would also be looking for clarity and assurances from Russia on timely delivery of spares and components for systems in use and of the deals underway including S-400 and Ak-203 assault rifles among others, as well as streamlining the rupee-rouble payment system for any future purchases.
Ahead of Lavrov’s visit, newly appointed Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov called on three of the senior-most officials in the Ministry of External Affairs last week: Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma, Secretary (East) Saurabh Kumar, and Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi. In tweets, Mr. Alipov said he held exchanges on Russia-India cooperation at the United Nations, G-20, and other multilateral platforms.
US President Joe Biden during a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. (Photo-Twitter@POTUS)jpg
Lavrov’s visit will be seen as an outreach to India as the US and European allies increase pressure to “isolate” Russia, and increase defence exports to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, and call on other countries to support their efforts.
US President Joe Biden said last week that he was discussing the possibility of ousting Russia from the G-20 grouping, with the next summit to be held in Bali, Indonesia in November this year. When asked, officials said India, which would host the G20 summit in 2023, was unlikely to support such a move.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Mexican Foreign Minister Ebrard will be in Delhi mid-week as well, while Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz will arrive ahead of Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennet’s visit next Sunday. In addition, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are expected to travel to the U.S. to meet their counterparts Antony Blinken and Gen. Lloyd Austin later this month, where possible U.S. sanctions on the S400 purchase could come up.
Lavrov’s visit will follow days after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi travelled to Delhi, and discussed the Ukraine issue, among others with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Jaishankar, where Jaishankar said the “common element” in thinking on the crisis was the need for an immediate ceasefire and return to dialogue and diplomacy. Lavrov is likely to travel to Beijing as well, for bilateral talks and a conference on Afghanistan.
India has consistently abstained from all resolutions at the United Nations criticising Russia thus far, and called for talks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken to Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky a number of times on the telephone between February 24 and March 7 while Indian students were being transported back from Ukraine, and diplomats have suggested he could help mediate a resolution.
The parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Om Birla, participated in a prayer session and placed a brick within the construction site, reports Asian Lite News
Om Birla, speaker of India’s lower house of the Parliament along with a 17-member delegation on Wednesday visited BAPS Hindu Mandir, which is under construction, in Abu Dhabi.
Federal National Council member Ayesha Mohammed Al Mulla accompanied the group, who were received and greeted in a traditional way by religious leader Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, the Khaleej Times reported.
Birla is on a first-ever official visit as the Speaker of the Lower House of the Indian Parliament to the UAE.
“Feeling blessed at the Swaminarayan temple being built in Abu Dhabi. In three water streams of the temple, devotees will get virtuous benefit of confluence of Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati rivers. It was proud moment to see artisans of Rajasthan who are giving shape to these streams,” Birla tweeted.
“Also offered ‘seva’ in construction work of Swaminarayan Mandir. During the visit, interacted with the workers, many of whom were from Bharatpur and Alwar regions of Rajasthan,” he added.
Apart from an overview of the construction work, Brahmavihari Swami also gave a vision of what to expect once the temple is completed, Khaleej Times reported.
Sushil Kumar Modi, who is part of the delegation, said: “Among all the temples across the globe this temple is iconic and historic and marks its position in a different league.”
The delegation participated in a prayer session and placed a brick within the construction site, it was reported.
Brahmavihari Swami added that the purpose of the traditional temple is unification of minds and hearts.
“BAPS Hindu Mandir has brought not just India and the UAE closer together but brought countries, cultures, communities, and religions closer together. We thank the leaders of both the UAE and India for their support and encouragement in creating this spiritual oasis for global harmony,” Swami was quoted as saying.
Later in the day, Consulate General of India in Dubai Dr Aman Puri welcomed Speaker Om Birla.
@ombirlakota 's visit to the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque along with his visit of the upcoming Hindu mandir reminds us how faith can bring people together. Mahant Swami Maharaj visited SZGM on 21 April 2019 & shared a #prayer for #harmony & #peace in his official message. https://t.co/rjW6lioCrcpic.twitter.com/QL3mdzqXfW
“Hon’ble @loksabhaspeaker, Om Birla and the accompanying delegation welcomed by CG Dr. Aman Puri to Dubai today,” tweeted Consulate General of India, Dubai.
This is the first-ever visit under the bilateral exchange of parliamentary delegations from either side, read the official release of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
The delegation includes Sushil Kumar Modi, Dr Fauzia Tahseen Ahmed Khan, Dr MK Vishnu Prasad, P Ravindhranath, Shankar Lalwani and Dr Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, all Members of Parliament and Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General, Lok Sabha.
The relationship between the two countries has focused on expanding knowledge-based partnership, which includes collaboration in innovation and research, including boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative…reports Asian Lite News.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Israel from October 17-21.
He will be visiting at the invitation of Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel Yair Lapid, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday.
He will hold a bilateral meeting with the Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel.
He will also call on the President, the Prime Minister, and the Knesset Speaker.
This will be Jaishankar’s first visit to the country as External Affairs Minister.
MODI WITH NETANYAHU (FILE PIC: ANI)
India and Israel elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in July 2017.
Since then, the relationship between the two countries has focused on expanding knowledge-based partnership, which includes collaboration in innovation and research, including boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
India, Israel
The EAM will interact with the Indian-origin Jewish community in Israel, Indologists, Indian students who are currently pursuing their education in Israeli universities, and business people, including from the hi-tech industries.
The visit will also be an occasion to pay tribute to the valiant Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the region, especially during the First World War, the MEA said.
The sources said this is the first visit of the chief outside the national capital to forward areas after taking over as the chief of air staff on October 1…reports Asian Lite News.
Amid tensions over build-up by the Chinese across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh and reluctance to resolve remaining issues between the two countries, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari is visiting forward areas in Ladakh to review the operational preparedness of troops deployed there.
The IAF chief had himself flown sorties in the MiG-29 fighter jets over the Eastern Ladakh sector when he was the Western Air Command chief.
He was the Western Air Command (WAC) chief for a major part of the ongoing standoff with the People’s Liberation Army going on since April-May timeframe last year.
“The Air Force Chief arrived at the Leh airbase on Saturday morning and would be meeting with the Indian Air Force personnel and Special Forces deployed in the forward areas near the Line of Actual Control,” government sources told ANI.
The sources said this is the first visit of the chief outside the national capital to forward areas after taking over as the chief of air staff on October 1.
The Air Force had deployed its assets in a very aggressive manner in the Ladakh theatre after the Chinese army started showing its aggressive intent along the eastern Ladakh sector.
“The situation on the Line of Actual Control is that the Chinese Air Force is still present on three air bases on their side of the LAC. We are fully deployed and prepared on our side,” Chaudhari had stated during his press conference on October 5.
The Indian Air Force has an edge over the Chinese Air Force as the latter have issues launching operations from their high altitude air bases in Ngari Gunsa, Kashgar and Hotan and the others which are coming up in the region while the Indian Air Force can launch from multiple airbases near the Ladakh area and reach locations faster than their fighter aircraft.
Air Chief Mshl VR Chaudhari #CAS visited Air Force Stn Leh and #IAF deployments at forward areas in the Northern Sector on 16 Oct. CAS took stock of the op readiness of units & interacted with the personnel stationed at the airbase and units on deployment. pic.twitter.com/o3iYZnHPjO
In fact, sources said, the majority of the present preparation of the Chinese military across the LAC in the Tibetan Autonomous Region is to tackle the Indian Air Force only.
In view of the Chinese buildup, the Indian Army has also bolstered its preparations along the northern borders as they have now deployed almost an entire reserve tank division, over 50,000 troops and new equipment like the K-9 Vajra howitzers to tackle any misadventure.
The Indian Air Force is also fast deploying assets along the LAC in both eastern and northern regions which are acting as force multipliers for the forces. (ANI)
A government delegation led by Abdullah and Taliban representatives are holding peace talks in Qatar’s Doha…reports Asian Lite News.
Amid the fierce battle between the government armed forces and Taliban, Afghanistan Army Chief will visit India for two days next week to interact with top security officials, including the Indian Army Chief General M.M. Naravane.
Afghanistan Army Chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai will be in India from July 27 to July 29 during which he is going to meet top dignitaries here, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Top officials in the government remained quiet over the issue. However, sources said that the Afghanistan Army Chief might look for logistic support and military equipment. India has been training the Afghanistan cadets in military academies for a long time.
Afghan Army Chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai is scheduled to visit India on July 27th. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet senior political and military leadership: Sources
Further, the visit comes when Pakistan in collaboration with Taliban has started to target Indian assets in Afghanistan. India has invested over 3 billion US dollars in infrastructure projects, including roads, dams and the Parliament building, in Afghanistan.
Earlier this month, Afghan politician who leads the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) Abdullah Abdullah made a visit to India. He is making efforts for peace despite the ongoing fighting between government forces and the Taliban.
A government delegation led by Abdullah and Taliban representatives are holding peace talks in Qatar’s Doha.
Afghan national army soldiers take part in an operation against Taliban militants in Kunduz city, Afghanistan. (Photo by Ajmal Kakar_Xinhua_IANS)
For India, the main concern remains the use of Taliban-controlled territory by Pakistan based terror groups. India is in touch with the Afghan government about the developing situation.
The fighting between the Afghan forces and Taliban has intensified in the last one month post the US forces withdrawal. Taliban has started expanding its influence in the war torn county after the US withdrawal.
Amid security concerns, India withdrew its staff from the Consulate in Kandahar on July 11.
