MEA flags NATO's double standards
Remove Ads
The external affairs ministry on Thursday cautioned against "double standards" while pushing back against the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ( NATO ) secretary general Mark Rutte's threat of possible secondary sanctions on India for maintaining trade ties with Russia."We have seen reports on the subject and are closely following the developments. Let me reiterate that securing the energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us," spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing here. "In this endeavour, we are guided by what is available in the markets and also by prevailing global circumstances. We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter." MEA said it had been in "constant touch with local authorities" in Yemen and was providing "all possible assistance" in the case of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse on death row in the West Asian country. "This is a sensitive matter and the Government of India has been offering all possible assistance," Jaiswal said. MEA said it had appointed a lawyer to assist Priya's family, arranged regular consular access and worked to secure more time to reach a "mutually agreeable solution" with the victim's family. The execution, scheduled for July 16, was postponed following these efforts, which included engagement with friendly foreign governments.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
Gaza, Ukraine and beyond: Is Trump's bid to be a global peacemaker falling apart?
The United States cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks this week plunges one of President Donald Trump's pushes to solve global conflicts into new uncertainty. read more The United States' decision to withdraw from Gaza ceasefire negotiations this week has cast fresh doubt over President Donald Trump's attempts to resolve some of the world's most intractable conflicts. The faltering of talks aimed at ending the 21-month war between Israel and Hamas marks another setback for Trump whose efforts to broker international peace agreements have stalled across multiple fronts. Though back in office for only six months, the Republican president has sought to position himself as a global peacemaker. Some of his aims, such as ending the Ukraine war before taking office, have yet to materialise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Trump has cited humanitarian motives for his diplomatic pursuits, he has also been vocal about his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Several allies have nominated him for the honour. Ceasefire efforts in Gaza: No major progress Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced Thursday that the U.S. was recalling its negotiating team from Qatar. Talks there had failed to yield a breakthrough. Witkoff accused Hamas of not engaging in 'good faith', though he did not elaborate. Despite a visit to Washington earlier this month by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the negotiations have produced little progress. Witkoff said the U.S. would now 'consider alternative options to bring the hostages home', but officials declined to provide further details. Asked about the issue on Friday, Trump told reporters that Hamas was uninterested in a deal and added, 'I think what's going to happen is they're going to be hunted down.' Ukraine war: Stalemate persists Trump previously vowed to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of assuming office, but the war continues with no sign of resolution. Despite increasing criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump has not supported a bipartisan U.S. sanctions bill. Instead, he gave Russia 50 days to accept a peace plan, delaying punitive measures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This delay has allowed Moscow to intensify its military offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his willingness to hold direct talks with Putin, but Russia has rejected the offer. Lower-level negotiations held in Istanbul on Wednesday ended without progress. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw from four regions it annexed in 2022 and abandon its NATO ambitions, terms Kyiv and its Western backers have rejected. Iran conflict: Ceasefire but no nuclear deal The US and Israel recently carried out joint strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, leading to a fragile ceasefire. However, Washington has not yet reached any agreement with Tehran over its nuclear programme. An Iranian diplomat said this week that Tehran is open to talks with the US but only if steps are taken to rebuild trust. Meanwhile, Iran is also exploring a separate negotiation path with Britain, France and Germany—three parties to the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump withdrew from during his previous term. Foreign ministers from the four countries met Friday in Istanbul, warning that sanctions could be reinstated if there is no movement on a new deal by August. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Progress on some fronts Despite the setbacks, Trump has managed to broker certain regional agreements. In June, the US facilitated a peace accord between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, ending years of tension. The agreement includes commitments to cease hostilities, respect each other's sovereignty and grant US access to critical minerals. In May, the Trump administration claimed to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan following cross-border strikes. However, India denied any international interference. Earlier in July, US special envoy Tom Barrack announced a limited ceasefire between Israel and Syria following Israeli intervention in the latter's internal conflict. While the ceasefire was hailed as a success, the episode disrupted efforts to normalise relations between the two nations. With inputs from agencies
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
India, Maldives sign UPI agreement during PM Modi's landmark visit
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives, he and President Mohamed Muizzu reviewed key bilateral issues, signed an agreement on UPI payments, and participated in symbolic events including a tree-planting ceremony, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, center right, watch a traditional welcome dance upon Modi's arrival at the airport, in Male, Maldives. AP Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu reviewed the entire gamut of issues in the bilateral relationship during their engagements. Misri, while addressing a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs on the Prime Minister's visit to Maldives, said that the Network-to-Network Agreement between India's NPCI International Payment Limited (NIPL) and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on UPI in Maldives was signed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Misri said, 'The implementation agreement has been signed today. The technical work is now required, and people should be able to use UPI as soon as the technical work and the operationalisation of the MoU are concluded.' Misri highlighted that upon arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour. 'This morning, on arrival at the airport, the Prime Minister was warmly received by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and members of his Cabinet. This was a very special gesture by the President. The Prime Minister was also accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and welcomed with a special cultural performance. In the afternoon today, the Prime Minister and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu held restricted and delegation-level talks. This gave both leaders the opportunity to review the entire gamut of issues in the bilateral relationship,' he said. Misri said that PM Modi and Muizzu participated in a symbolic tree planting ceremony at Sultan Park under 'EK Ped Maa Ke Naam' (a tree for Mother) initiative. Misri said, 'The two leaders were together for a tree plantation event which is being carried out under the initiative taken by PM Modi in India, 'EK Ped Maa Ke Naam'. PM Modi also handed over two BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes that will be of great relevance in medical emergencies,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the announcement of the initiation of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Maldives, Misri said, 'I cannot point to an exact timeline. This is an FTA that we should be able to conclude rather quickly.' Misri while answering a question regarding the now deleted social media post of Abdullah bin Mohammed Ibrahim, brother-in-law of Muizzu, reportedly criticising PM Modi amid his visit to the Maldives, said that India-Maldives ties have withstood such comments. 'Our ties are strong enough to withstand some of these passing remarks that have been made and have also withstood the test of time. I would prefer to look forward. By going with everything that has happened today and especially in the past 9-10 months since President Mohamed Muizzu visited India, the future is undoubtedly and unquestionably bright.' PM Modi is on a two-day visit to the Maldives at the invitation of President Muizzu.
The Hindu
18 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Governor confers unit citations to armed forces units
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi conferred the Tamil Nadu Governor's Unit Citationsto the Armed Forces for their dedicated and selfless service to the country, during a function in the Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Friday. He felicitated four units, 16 Madras, 35 Field Regiment, Ordnance Depot Avadi and 65 Company Army Service Corps (Supply). 'The event was to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of the Dakshin Bharat Area of the Indian military in 'Operation Sindoor' as well as relief and rescue operations for our people who became victims of natural disasters like cyclones, floods and devastating landslides,' a communication from the Raj Bhavan said. In his address at the event, the Governor referred to the 'heinous terror attack' in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 innocent people and that the nation responded with firm resolve through Operation Sindoor.
