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India Gazette
3 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
EAM Jaishankar interacts with Indian community in Belgium, Luxembourg
Brussels [Belgium], June 10 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar interacted with members of the Indian community in Belgium and Luxembourg, discussing the steady progress of India-Belgium ties and its engagement with the European Union. During the interaction, Jaishankar apprised the community of India's efforts to counter terrorism and promote the country's progress and prosperity. Sharing the pictures of the interaction, Jaishankar wrote, 'Great to interact with members of the Indian community of Belgium and Luxembourg. Discussed with them the steady progress of India-Belgium ties and engagement with the EU. Also apprised them of our efforts at countering terrorism and ensuring the progress & prosperity of India.' Notably, Jaishankar began his visit to Belgium on Monday by meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and combating terrorism. He appreciated Belgium's support in combating terrorism, welcomed their solidarity, and emphasised the strong momentum in the India-EU partnership, highlighting the potential for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, and pharmaceuticals. Jaishankar's visit to Brussels comes three months after Princess Astrid of Belgium led a 300-member economic mission to India. The recent visit by Princess Astrid, who met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, discussed key areas such as labor migration, pharmaceuticals, defense, diamonds, space exploration, and green energy. Interestingly, Jaishankar's visit coincides with the detention of fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi in a jail in Belgium. Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,850 crore, was arrested in mid-April on India's extradition request. India has an extradition treaty with Belgium, and the government is likely to pursue Choksi's extradition during the EAM's visit. Jaishankar is on an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release on Sunday. (ANI)
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘How to Train Your Dragon' Star Nico Parker Says ‘I Just Don't Care' That People Are Upset Over Her Casting: ‘I Can't Value Your Opinion on My Hair'
Nico Parker is paying no mind to those who are upset about her casting in the live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon.' In a recent interview with The Times of London, Parker addressed the online backlash surrounding her casting as the young dragon butt kicker Astrid. Some were upset that Parker doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes like the character in the original animated 'How to Train Your Dragon.' However, the 20-year-old British actress explained that she does not let those comments get to her head. More from Variety 'How to Train Your Dragon' Soars to Korea Box Office Crown 'How to Train Your Dragon' Review: DreamWorks Swoops Into the Remake Game With Respectful Cover From Co-Director of 2010 Toon Live-Action 'How To Train Your Dragon' Among Additions to Annecy Lineup 'There's some people that really love the animated movies and really want to see an exact play-by-play of that film, and I hope that you can watch [the new version] and find something that you love about it, regardless,' she said. 'But for the people that just hate inclusivity, hate change — when it comes to that side of things, I just don't care.' She continued, 'If I wouldn't value your opinion on most things in life, I can't value your opinion on my hair. If I did, I would go mad.' Parker comes from a family of filmmakers. Her father is director Ol Parker and her mother is actress Thandiwe Newton. She added that when she was younger, the representation in Hollywood of 'mixed race or Black icons' was 'really minimal,' but thinks it's 'really special' to see how far the industry has come. 'There's still a long way to go — for women in general, in terms of new parts, original material and female-led stories,' Parker added. 'But I think that everything's changing. I'd like to think that I could contribute to that change at some point.' The original 'How to Train Your Dragon,' loosely adapted from the 2003 children's book by Cressida Cowell, was released in 2010 and went on to gross a massive $495 million worldwide. Leading cast members included Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler and America Ferrera. In his review for the new live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon,' which hits theaters June 13, Variety film critic Peter Debruge praised Parker's performance, writing, 'The swaggering Astrid was always the film's most self-reliant character, and in Parker's hands, the romance between her and Hiccup takes on Clark Kent-Lois Lane vibes, especially when the two hit the skies.' Best of Variety 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?'
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
S Jaishankar welcomes Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism
BRUSSELS: External affairs minister began his visit to Belgium on Monday with a meeting with deputy prime minister and foreign minister Maxime Prevot. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and combating terrorism. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He appreciated Belgium's support in combating terrorism and welcomed their solidarity and emphasised the strong momentum in the India-EU partnership, highlighting the potential for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, and pharmaceuticals. The two leaders discussed deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, defense, and security. Sharing the details in a post on X on Monday, EAM said, "Pleased to meet DPM & FM @prevotmaxime at the start of my visit to Belgium. Welcomed Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. Appreciated the strong momentum of our bilateral engagement and the India - EU partnership. Also held wide - ranging discussions on deepening our cooperation including in trade, investment, technology, defence & security, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and mobility. " Jaishankar's visit to Brussels comes three months after Princess Astrid of Belgium led a 300-member economic mission to India. The recent visit by Princess Astrid, who met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, discussed key areas such as labor migration, pharmaceuticals, defense, diamonds, space exploration, and green energy. Interestingly, Jaishankar's visit coincides with the detention of fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi in a Belgian jail. Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,850 crore, was arrested in mid-April on India's extradition request. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now India has an extradition treaty with Belgium, and the government is likely to pursue Choksi's extradition during the EAM's visit. Jaishankar is on an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release on Sunday. The visit marks a significant step in further strengthening India's strategic partnerships with Europe. The EAM will first travel to Paris and Marseille, France, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot. The EAM will hold a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas. According to the MEA press release, "India-European Union strategic partnership has strengthened over the years across diverse sectors and got a big boost with the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February this year." Jaishankar will also meet senior leadership from the European Commission and European Parliament and interact with think tanks and media. MEA in its statement noted that the Belgium leg would also see the EAM meet members of the Indian community during his visit. The MEA highlighted, "India and Belgium share warm and friendly relations along with a very robust economic partnership. Today the collaboration between the two countries spans various domains like trade and investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceutical, diamond sector and strong people-to-people ties." The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the visit is expected to further deepen India's friendly relations with the European Union, France and Belgium and give renewed momentum to ongoing cooperation in diverse areas.
India Gazette
11 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
S Jaishankar welcomes Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism
Brussels [Belgium], June 9 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar began his visit to Belgium on Monday with a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and combating terrorism. He appreciated Belgium's support in combating terrorism and welcomed their solidarity and emphasised the strong momentum in the India-EU partnership, highlighting the potential for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, and pharmaceuticals. The two leaders discussed deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, defense, and security. Sharing the details in a post on X on Monday, EAM said, 'Pleased to meet DPM & FM @prevotmaxime at the start of my visit to Belgium. Welcomed Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. Appreciated the strong momentum of our bilateral engagement and the India - EU partnership. Also held wide - ranging discussions on deepening our cooperation including in trade, investment, technology, defence & security, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and mobility.' Jaishankar's visit to Brussels comes three months after Princess Astrid of Belgium led a 300-member economic mission to India. The recent visit by Princess Astrid, who met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, discussed key areas such as labor migration, pharmaceuticals, defense, diamonds, space exploration, and green energy. Interestingly, Jaishankar's visit coincides with the detention of fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi in a Belgian jail. Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,850 crore, was arrested in mid-April on India's extradition request. India has an extradition treaty with Belgium, and the government is likely to pursue Choksi's extradition during the EAM's visit. Jaishankar is on an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release on Sunday. The visit marks a significant step in further strengthening India's strategic partnerships with Europe. The EAM will first travel to Paris and Marseille, France, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot. The EAM will hold a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas. According to the MEA press release, 'India-European Union strategic partnership has strengthened over the years across diverse sectors and got a big boost with the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February this year.' Jaishankar will also meet senior leadership from the European Commission and European Parliament and interact with think tanks and media. MEA in its statement noted that the Belgium leg would also see the EAM meet members of the Indian community during his visit. The MEA highlighted, 'India and Belgium share warm and friendly relations along with a very robust economic partnership. Today the collaboration between the two countries spans various domains like trade and investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceutical, diamond sector and strong people-to-people ties.' The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the visit is expected to further deepen India's friendly relations with the European Union, France and Belgium and give renewed momentum to ongoing cooperation in diverse areas. (ANI)
United News of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
EAM in Brussels, holds talks with Belgium DPM and FM Maxime Prevot
Brussels/New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is visiting Brussels, today met the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium Maxime Prevot, during which he welcomed Belgium's support and solidarity with India in combatting terrorism. In a post on X, the EAM also said that he appreciated the strong momentum of the bilateral engagement and the India-EU partnership. 'Pleased to meet DPM & FM @prevotmaxime at the start of my visit to Belgium. 'Welcomed Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism. 'Appreciated the strong momentum of our bilateral engagement and the India - EU partnership. 'Also held wide - ranging discussions on deepening our cooperation including in trade, investment, technology, defence & security, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and mobility.' Notably, EAM Jaishankar is visiting Belgium, the EU and France from June 8-14. Besides meeting the DPM and FM Maxime Prevot, EAM would also meet the senior leadership of Belgium and interact with the members of the Indian community. The visit of the EAM to Brussels comes three months after the visit to India of Princess Astrid of Belgium, who had come at the head of a 300-member economic mission to India, and had held talks with PM Modi and the EAM. Princess Astrid's team had comprised Foreign minister Maxime Prévot, Defence Minister Theo Francken, Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Belgian ambassador Didier Vanderhasselt. The two sides had discussed a wide range of issues during the meeting in March with PM Modi, including labour migration, pharmaceuticals, defence, diamonds, space exploration and green energy. Interestingly, EAM's visit comes as fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi, wanted in the PNB loan fraud case, is currently in a Belgian jail. He was arrested in mid-April on India's extradition request. India has an extradition treaty with Belgium. Choksi, 65, along with his nephew Nirav Modi—who is in London awaiting extradition—is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. India and Belgium share warm and friendly relations along with a very robust economic partnership. Today the collaboration between the two countries spans various domains like trade and investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceutical, diamond sector and strong people to people ties, a statement said. During the visit to Brussels, EAM will be holding a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas, and will engage with the senior leadership from the European Commission and the European Parliament, besides interacting with think tank and media. While in France, the EAM would travel to Paris and Marseille where he would be holding bilateral discussions with his counterpart Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot and also engage with the senior leadership of France, and interact with think tanks and media. EAM would also participate in the inaugural edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue which is being held in the city of Marseille. UNI RN
