Latest news with #ExternalAffairsMinistry
NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
India And UK Hold High-Level Talks In Delhi To Boost Strategic Partnership
New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic development, Sir Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office or FCDO, arrived in India on Tuesday to review the progress of the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During his visit, Sir Oliver met India's Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, in New Delhi for the annual UK-India Foreign Office Consultations. The meeting marked a crucial milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two nations, with both sides welcoming the significant breakthroughs achieved across the entire gamut of the partnership since the last consultations in London. One of the major highlights of the partnership is the historic trade deal announced between the two countries, which is expected to boost economic ties and open up new avenues for cooperation. During the meeting, Sir Oliver and Mr Misri discussed ways to implement the shared vision of the two prime ministers for an ambitious partnership between the UK and India over the next decade. Economic growth was identified as a key area of focus, with both sides agreeing to work towards strengthening trade and investment ties. A key aspect of the consultations was the inaugural Strategic Exports and Technology Cooperation Dialogue, which aimed at building mutual understanding of systems and agreeing areas for future cooperation on key sectors such as technology and defence. This dialogue is expected to pave the way for greater collaboration between the two nations in these critical areas. Sir Oliver Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO, expressed his delight at being in India to advance one of the UK's most vital partnerships in the world. "In a more complex world, there is strong ambition from both governments to take this partnership to even greater heights. I'm looking forward to working with Foreign Secretary Misri to make that a reality," he said. Shortly after Tuesday's bilateral meeting, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the "Foreign Office Consultations provided an opportunity to review and discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the India-UK FTA and Double Contribution Convention." It added that the two diplomats "discussed ways of strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and financial sector, defence & security, counter-terrorism, technology, science, innovation, green energy, climate, health, education, and people-to-people relations in order to deepen and diversify our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." It further stated that the "Foreign Secretary conveyed India's appreciation for the UK government's expression of solidarity and support to India in the fight against terrorism." During his visit, Sir Oliver is also expected to meet a wide range of Indian government officials, including on G20 and home affairs representatives. These meetings will provide an opportunity for the UK and India to discuss key global issues and strengthen cooperation on matters of mutual interest. The UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been growing in strength over the years, with both nations sharing a commitment to democracy, security, and prosperity. The partnership has led to significant cooperation in areas such as trade, defense, and technology, and has the potential to take the bilateral relationship to new heights. The visit by Sir Oliver Robbins underscores the importance that the UK attaches to its relationship with India, and highlights the growing convergence of interests between the two nations. As the UK and India look to strengthen their ties, the partnership is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Trump reiterates credit for averting potential India-Pakistan nuclear standoff through trade
US President Donald Trump Friday once again claimed that his administration played a key role in defusing a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan, crediting trade diplomacy for brokering peace. 'We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. I believe that could have turned out into a nuclear disaster. They're great leaders in those countries, and they understood and they agreed, and that all stopped,' Trump said, addressing the media at Oval Office on the Elon Musk's final day at the White House after he stepped down from his government role. Trump said tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours had not only threatened regional peace but also impacted trade discussions. 'We talk trade, and we say we can't trade with people who are shooting at each other and potentially using nuclear weapons,' he remarked. India, however, have issued several statement rejecting US claims of brokering the ceasefire or mediating on Kashmir. Reiterating the same, at a press briefing on Thursday, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: 'External Affairs Minister has also made clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.' 'From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7th May till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action on 10th May, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation.' The issue of trade or tariff 'did not come up in any of those discussions,' he added. Since May 10, when he announced the 'ceasefire', the US President has claimed on several occassions that he 'mediated' the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and the threat of cutting off trade forced the countries to stop the hostilities. The Trump administration even informed a New York federal court on Tuesday in a written filing that US president used trade access as an incentive to 'avert a full-scale war' between India and Pakistan. However, the court rejected this argument and blocked Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘End terror first': India's response to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's ‘peace talks' desire
In a firm message to Islamabad after the deadly Pahalgam attack, India on Thursday reiterated that dialogue with Pakistan will only be possible when it takes robust steps to stop cross-border terrorism. New Delhi's response came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his state's willingness to hold peace talks with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, terrorism, water and trade. "We would like to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go together," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing on Thursday. Also Read | 'Pakistan pleaded with world to stop India': Rajnath Singh in Goa commends forces' on Op Sindoor Jaiswal made the assertion when asked about Sharif's recent comments in Tehran regarding securing a peaceful understanding with India. For the unversed, Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif, during a visit to Tehran earlier this week, said he would like to resume talks with India on a range of contentious issues, including Kashmir, terrorism, water, and trade. Watch | Shehbaz Sharif explains how BrahMos blew up Pakistan's planned offensive However, New Delhi wasted no time in pushing back and clarified its stance on terrorism. Jaiswal also emphasised that India will only hold talks with Pakistan on the issues of handing over Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) and on terrorism. Pakistan needs to hand over to India the terrorists, whose list we submitted to them some years ago, he said. Also Read | Asim Munir's fresh warning over Indus Waters Treaty: 'Water is Pakistan's red line' On being asked about the status of the Indus Waters Treaty, Jaiswal said, "As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to cross-border terrorism just like Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: 'terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together." After the deadly April 22 attack, which claimed 26 innocent lives, India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. India also carried out precision military strikes on nine terror infrastructures early on May 7 under Operation Sindoor. Also Read | Shashi Tharoor 'disappointed' over Colombia's stand on Operation Sindoor, slams Pakistan Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side by inflicting heavy damage to several key Pakistani military installations ,including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites. Later, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. (with PTI inputs)
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India virtually rejects Washington's claim of offering trade to halt Indo-Pak conflict
India on Thursday (May 29, 2025) said the issue of trade did not come up in its discussions with the U.S. during the clashes between the Indian and Pakistani militaries, virtually rejecting Washington's repeated claims that its offer of trade to the two sides stopped the conflict. New Delhi's fresh assertion came in the wake of U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick telling a New York court that India and Pakistan reached a "tenuous ceasefire" only after President Donald Trump offered both nations trading access with the U.S. to avert a "full-scale war." In the last few weeks, Mr. Trump has also repeatedly claimed that he threatened India and Pakistan that the U.S. will stop trade with the two nations if they don't stop the conflict. India has been consistently maintaining that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries. "From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7 till the understanding on cessation of firing and military action was reached on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and the U.S. leaders on the evolving military situation," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions," he said at his weekly media briefing. Mr. Jaiswal was answering questions on the Trump administration's submission at the New York court. "The External Affairs Minister has also made it clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon in direct contacts between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan," Mr. Jaiswal said. Mr. Lutnick made the submission in the the Court of International Trade last week, while opposing any attempt to restrain President Trump from using emergency powers to impose tariffs. The top official said the President's power to impose tariffs is crucial to his ability to conduct real-world diplomacy. "For example, India and Pakistan — two nuclear powers engaged in combat operations just 13 days ago — reached a tenuous ceasefire on May 10. This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war," Mr. Lutnick said in the submission. "An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trump's offer, threatening the security of an entire region, and the lives of millions," he said. The U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday ruled that a majority of Mr. Trump's tariff policies are illegal and ordered a stay on them. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 9 that focused on ways to de-escalate the India-Pakistan tensions. After India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar too held a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and many of his counterparts from across the world. It is learnt that after Operation Sindoor was launched, India told the U.S. that it would respond to Pakistan's military actions.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
India snubs US, says no talks on trade, tariff for ceasefire
NEW DELHI: India has rejected any link between US tariffs and recent ceasefire discussions with Pakistan. This came in response to the US administration submitting before a New York federal court in a written filing that President Donald Trump used trade access as an incentive to 'avert a full-scale war' between India and Pakistan and broker a ceasefire. 'From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7 till the time of cessation on May 10, there was conversation between India and the US. But the issue of tariffs never came up in these discussions,' External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. He also addressed a question on Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggesting visa restrictions for officials from countries accused of censoring Americans. 'We are aware of the comments and are evaluating the implications for Indian officials. Visa policies are sovereign matters, and we respect that principle,' he said. India has urged the US to ensure timely and merit-based issuance of student visas, following reports that the US has paused scheduling new interviews for international students under the F, M, and J visa categories. The appeal comes amid growing concerns over potential delays, especially as Washington considers tightening social media scrutiny for visa applicants. 'We are looking at the situation. A visa is a sovereign right of a country. We would like to urge the US to give visas in time for students on merit,' Jaiswal said.
