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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Expecting US to consider visa requests of Indian students on merit: Govt
India on Thursday said it expects the US to consider visa applications of Indian students on merit amid growing concerns over the Trump administration halting new student visa interviews. The changes effected by the US in its visa regime have triggered widespread uncertainty among students world-wide including in India. "We saw some guidance coming from the United States on student visa matters," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. "There we made a point that while it is a sovereign function, we expect and we hope that application of Indian students will be considered a merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs in the US on time," he said. Jaiswal said the welfare of Indian students abroad remains of "utmost priority" of the government of India. "While we note that issuance of visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit," he said. There have been concerns among the students planning to pursue studies in the US over the Trump administration's plan to expand social media vetting of student visa applicants. Jaiswal said about 330,000 Indian students were in the US in 2023-24. On Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's ongoing visit to the US, Jaiswal said he met Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to advance India-US cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. Misri also led a delegation comprising the deputy NSA for the inter-agency discussions on India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) for the 21st century. The initiative, aimed at driving transformative change across key pillars of cooperation, was launched following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with President Donald Trump in Washington DC in February. This meeting focused on implementing the TRUST initiative, which again is about critical minerals and critical and emerging technology partnerships. "They also discussed cooperation in the area of defence and energy domains, as well as strengthening the Quad, IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), I2U2 initiatives," Jaiswal said. The I2U2 is a strategic grouping comprising India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the US. The foreign secretary also had a meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and they discussed all aspects of India-US relationship. "In particular, they agreed that technology ' tech, trade and talent will shape the India-US partnership in the 21st century and they both reaffirmed commitment to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership," Jaiswal said. All issues of mutual interest were discussed between India and the US, he added.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India says issuing visas is U.S. prerogative, hopes Indian students will be considered on merit
Issuing visas is a sovereign issue for the U.S. government, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday (May 29, 2025), but added that the government hopes that the process will be completed in time for Indian students to join the U.S. universities they have gained admission to this year. This comes amidst reports that the U.S. missions in India and around the world have temporarily paused scheduling new visa appointments as they await instructions from the U.S. State department on how to enhance their screening of applicants' social media profiles. 'Sovereign function' MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the welfare of students was of 'utmost priority'. 'We have seen reports suggesting the U.S. government updated guidance regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants,' Mr. Jaiswal said at a weekly media briefing. 'While we note that issuance of visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit and they will be able to join their academic programmes on time,' he added. Mr. Jaiswal also pointed out that more than 3,30,000 Indian students were studying in the U.S., as of 2023-24. Indians made up nearly 30% of the roughly 1.1 million international students in the U.S. that year, the biggest bloc from any country. Foreign Secretary meetings The controversy over the student visas, the latest hiccup to hit India-U.S. relations, came even as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri ended his three-day visit to Washington. The MEA spokesperson did not confirm whether the pause in visas, or the Trump administration's latest repetition of claims that the U.S. mediated the India-Pakistan ceasefire using trade as leverage, were issues raised during Mr. Misri's meetings, particularly his talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. '[Mr. Landau and Mr. Misri] agreed that technology, trade, and talent will shape the India-U.S. partnership in the 21st century,' Mr. Jaiswal said, adding that they committed to strengthening the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two countries. 'So whether this particular issue was raised [or not], I would say that all issues of mutual interest was discussed between India and the United States. Mr. Jaiswal said that Mr. Misri had also discussed defence and energy cooperation, as well as efforts to strengthen the Quad, IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor), and I2U2 (Israel-India-UAE-U.S.) initiatives. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is due to travel to Washington at the end of June for a meeting of Quad Foreign Ministers, and India is expected to host the Quad summit in November.
Japan Forward
26-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Forward
India Leads New Strategic Vision While Japan Looks Away
Since Shinzo Abe stepped down from office, especially following his assassination, India's interest in Japan appears to have declined. During his tenure, Abe launched the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, among Japan, the United States, Australia, and India. He even introduced the term "Indo-Pacific" to replace "Asia-Pacific" as a new framework for understanding the region. These moves were a kind of forward-looking investment in India's future. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greatly valued these gestures and forged a deep personal bond with Abe. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (©Reuters/Kyodo) Japan-India relations have since neither markedly regressed nor accelerated. One could call the current state stable — or simply dull. Today, India is turning its gaze westward, where both change and opportunity are rapidly unfolding, rather than looking east to Japan. The Japanese government, which has in turn lost interest in India, seems oblivious to this shift. In New Delhi, attention has begun to shift from the Quad toward a newer multilateral framework known as "I2U2." This grouping brings together India and Israel, along with the United States and the United Arab Emirates — two nations beginning with "I" and two with "U," hence the name. Beneath the surface, however, lies a deeper strategic foundation. On September 15, 2020 (the very day Abe's administration officially ended in Japan), then-President Donald Trump presided over a historic diplomatic event. It was the day diplomatic relations were normalized between Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE, in what became known as the Abraham Accords. Later, Morocco and Sudan (despite political instability) joined the accords. In May 2025, Trump visited the Middle East and strongly advocated for Saudi Arabia to join. US President Trump shakes hands with Crown Prince Mohammed (right) in Saudi Arabia. May 13 (Photo provided by the Saudi Royal Family / Reuters). If Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites and self-styled leader of the Arab world, signs on, the accords will carry even greater weight. As the name suggests, "Abraham" refers to the prophet common to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The Abraham Accords became a catalyst for the official launch of I2U2 in July 2022. The four I2U2 countries agreed to collaborate in six key sectors: These are all civilian sectors, and all traditional areas of Japanese expertise. I've quietly advocated for Japan to join as a fifth member, forming an "I2JU2" alliance. With its deep capabilities and trusted ties, Japan could serve as a crucial bridge, anchoring the framework and discouraging any wavering in US policy. Yet the wall of indifference in Kasumigaseki (Japan's bureaucracy) and Nagatacho (its political center) remains dauntingly high. Meanwhile, with its focus turned westward, India has launched a sweeping new infrastructure vision. This vision is known as the IMEC — the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor — unveiled at the G20 summit hosted by India in September 2023. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by seven countries and one regional bloc: Saudi Arabia, the European Union, India, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy, and the US. Under IMEC, cargo from Mumbai will be shipped to Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, then carried by rail across Saudi Arabia to Haifa Port in Israel. From there, it connects to Piraeus Port in Greece, Trieste Port in Italy, and Marseille Port in France, linking to Europe's inland transportation networks. Designed as a counterweight to China's corridor through Pakistan and Iran, IMEC aims to strengthen ties among US allies across the region. For Israel, it also extends its strategic footprint. The Abraham Accords lay the political groundwork, I2U2 provides the cooperative framework, and IMEC builds upon both to create a bold new infrastructure vision. If container transfers between sea and land operate smoothly, Mumbai and Marseille could be connected in just five days — an ambitious goal, but one that promises far greater speed and security than the Suez Canal route, with only one-sixth of the transit time and reduced exposure to Iranian-backed militant threats. I recently attended a related conference in Budapest, co-hosted by Hungarian and Israeli think tanks. The energy surrounding this vision was unmistakable. And once again, I was struck by Japan's absence. Before World War I, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany proposed the "3B Project," a railway linking Berlin, Byzantium (now Istanbul), and Baghdad. Whether today's Germany feels a similar historical pull is unclear, but Japan's indifference towards the IMEC is all too evident. When Japanese media mention "IMEC," they often confuse it with Belgium's semiconductor research institute of the same name. Coverage of the actual corridor initiative is virtually nonexistent. A plan to connect Saudi Arabia and Israel by rail should be thrilling — a bold and historic undertaking. Yet post-Abe Japan wasn't even approached by India to participate. Perhaps that's because both the Japanese government and private sector have grown too passive, too detached from the developments unfolding to India's west. Still, it's not too late. The Japanese government should start by paying attention and begin charting a course for meaningful involvement in this ambitious project. (Read the article in Japanese .) Author: Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special Advisor to Fujitsu FSC, Former Cabinet Secretariat Advisor
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UAE Deputy Prime Minister Shiekh Saif visits Russia as President Trump announces his first GCC visit
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Amid ongoing U.S.-Russia tensions over the war in Ukraine, the UAE has maintained a neutral stance, pursuing diplomatic overtures with both sides. A high-level visit to Moscow by Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, reinforced this balancing act. Though framed as a mission to enhance cooperation in security and child protection, the visit also signaled a willingness to deepen ties with Moscow at a time when much of the world is distancing itself from Russia. Notably, the UAE and Russia share a close relationship with the broader regional context, the UAE's efforts to present itself as a stabilizing force stand alongside other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Saudi Arabia is mediating between the U.S. and Russia, and Oman plays a key role in backchannel talks with Iran. However, the UAE's position—marked by its embrace of the Abraham Accords and participation in the West Asian Quad (I2U2)—suggests a deeper alignment with with the US, while it has developed strong credibility in the Middle East and UAE's centrality to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) further underscores its ambitions to be a regional linchpin. Its steadfast support of India, even in controversial moments, and its close ties with both Russia and Israel, have cemented its role in a complex geopolitical conclusion of Sheikh Saif's Moscow visit included a meeting with President Vladimir Putin—an event that drew attention for its timing and strategic importance. Two Memoranda of Understanding were signed with Russia's Interior Ministry, launching a Strategic Police Dialogue aimed at combating organized Saif also participated in an interfaith meeting with Rabbi Aharon Gurevich during an international forum at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, reiterating the UAE's commitment to religious tolerance. In a world increasingly defined by shifting power dynamics and fragmented alliances, the United Arab Emirates has carved out a prominent role as a diplomatic like the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, housing a mosque, church, and synagogue, and the inauguration of a traditional Hindu mandir in 2024 by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflect a strong direction to position the UAE as a hub of religious May 1st, President Putin and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan spoke by phone, during which Putin thanked the UAE for facilitating a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. While promoted as a humanitarian success, the gesture further positions the UAE as a mediator willing to work with all recent announcement that President Trump will visit the Gulf countries, starting with a summit in Riyadh, further increases the importance of the Gulf monarchies as middle powers in a volatile world.
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Business Standard
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Israeli President urges India to boost ties on key geostrategic issues
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday urged India to further deepen bilateral ties by working together on geostrategic issues, especially emphasising on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project, which he described as the "future of the world". "We have a huge respect for the nation of India and its leadership. Israelis love your country. I can only anxiously wait to visit your country and host your President and Prime Minister in Israel," Herzog told India's newly appointed Ambassador to Israel J P Singh, who presented his credentials at a ceremony at the President's Official residence. "I wish you great success in your term. We can only go from height to height," the Israeli President said, welcoming India's new envoy. He urged India and Israel "to work together on the geostrategic issues, on the strategic issues, getting the hostages back home, preventing Iran (from acquiring nuclear weapons), moving towards peace and inclusion, connectivity and of course enhancing the incredible relations between our people". Touching upon areas of cooperation between the two countries, Herzog described the IMEC as the "future of the world", which has the potential to change the entire geostrategic situation of the globe. "I think your greatest role will be the IMEC. IMEC is the future of the world, not only the region. The connectivity between Israel and India will change the geostrategic situation in Europe, the United States, the Far East, and Australia. It's up to you, and I am here to help you," he said. The IMEC project was announced during the New Delhi G20 summit in 2023 as a project to link infrastructure from India to Europe, connecting Asia through the Middle East to Europe, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dubbed as the "largest cooperation project in our history" that will "change the face of the Middle East, Israel, and will affect the entire world". During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington in February, US President Donald Trump said he agreed with the Indian leader to enhance the scope of the project, linking it right up to America. Singh emphasised the strategic partnership between India and Israel, noting that they had stood by each other in the hour of crisis. "We have helped each other and we need to further build on this strategic partnership. We are engaged with each other in a number of areas - in agriculture, water management, IT sector as well as defence cooperation. IMEC is a very important initiative," Singh said. "As you know, the agreement (IMEC) was signed when India was heading the G20 Presidency and this will connect the big Indian civilisation with Europe and the Atlantic shores and it will pass through this region. Similarly, I2U2 is another initiative which is very important for both the countries," the Indian envoy noted. The I2U2 group, comprising India, Israel, the US and the UAE, emerged during the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Israel in October 2021 when the foreign ministers of the four countries held a virtual meet, announcing that they intend to advance physical connectivity between countries in the Middle East region, among others. Herzog agreed to the importance of I2U2, calling ties with UAE "very important". Singh also emphasised the path of "dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace in the region" and wished for an early and safe return of all the hostages. "We all are passing through a very difficult phase and for us dialogue and diplomacy is the way we can achieve peace in the region. I know that Israel, in particular, is passing through a very difficult phase. We hope and pray for an early and safe return of all the hostages," he said. Herzog responded, saying, "This is our highest priority. We want to see all our hostages back home. Till the last one of them. They are going through hell and we are very worried and disturbed by it". "I would add that it requires enormous international effort and I also want to thank your government and your Prime Minister for standing near Israel and with Israel from day one, October 7th. I met your Prime Minister in the previous Climate Conference in UAE and I know he has extremely good relations with our Prime Minister. Our governments enjoy strong relations," he added. Herzog also talked about Iran's efforts to achieve nuclear capability and Israel's resolve to foil it at any cost. "You know that the Iranian situation is now at the centre of it all and we sincerely hope that there will be major developments that will prevent Iran from its goal of achieving nuclear capability," Herzog said, hoping that the negotiations between the US and Iran will lead to certain developments. The US has recently held two rounds of talks with Tehran, under Omani mediation, to find a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear programme. Israel has said it will "keep all options on the table" to foil Iran acquiring nuclear capability, which the Jewish state considers an existential threat. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
