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Times of Oman
44 minutes ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
France expresses strong support for India against terrorism, trade ties deepen: Piyush Goyal
Paris: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed India's gratitude to France for its unwavering support and solidarity following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, emphasising the shared commitment between both nations in maintaining zero tolerance against terrorism. Goyal is on his three-day official visit to Paris as part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from 1-5 June 2025. Goyal highlighted the strong understanding between India and France on counter-terrorism efforts. "The French people and government also stand for zero tolerance against terrorism, just like India," he stated. "The French Senate delegation that visited India fully supported India's stand and gave us confidence that the world stands with India when we are fighting against terrorism in all forms, whether state-sponsored or non-state actors," Goyal said. The April 22 attack, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, is one of the deadliest in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. The minister drew parallels between both countries' experiences with terrorism, referencing the devastating 2015 Paris attacks that killed approximately 125 people just days before the COP21 climate summit. "Acts of terrorism in France have caused a lot of damage," Goyal noted. "The people and the government of France can understand India's anger. They could connect with the displeasure the people of India felt," Goyal said. The visit underscores the deepening ties between India and France, built on the strong personal relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron share a very deep personal connect and rapport and have had frequent interactions, giving afresh momentum to the strong French-India ties," Goyal emphasised. This momentum was recently demonstrated in February 2025 when India and France co-hosted the AI Action Summit, which Goyal described as "a strong endorsement of our shared objective to further the ethical use of artificial intelligence and promote good regulations." During his Paris visit, Goyal is scheduled to meet with CEOs of several French companies to encourage investment in India, leveraging the country's market of 1.4 billion people and its skilled workforce. The minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his French counterparts and trade ministers from around the world. A key focus of the discussions will be advancing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, with France being one of its strongest supporters. Goyal is set to meet EU Trade Commissioner Maurus Sarkovic to take the trade partnership "to the next level at the earliest." The meetings aim to advance the Horizon 2047 roadmap finalised between Modi and Macron, which includes a mini-ministerial gathering of trade ministers from major economies to discuss strengthening multilateral trading systems and WTO reforms. The minister highlighted the role of approximately 120,000 Indians living in France as "a living bridge between India and France." He also mentioned the upcoming Swaminarayan temple near Paris as a symbol of Indian culture and heritage in Europe. In a significant cultural collaboration, the Louvre has entered into an MoU with India to help establish the Yug Yugeen Bharat Museum, described as the world's largest museum, which will showcase India's rich cultural heritage at the North and South Block complex in New Delhi.
Russia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Trump's trade offer led to India-Pakistan ceasefire
The US government has claimed in an official court submission that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan was agreed after President Donald Trump intervened and offered both countries 'access to the American market.' Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told the US Court of International Trade last week that the ceasefire 'was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war.' Lutnick also argued that narrowing the president's emergency tariff powers would weaken US global influence and threaten the fragile India-Pakistan truce. Lutnick was referring to the ceasefire announced by New Delhi and Islamabad on May 10, after a four-day military standoff between the two nuclear powers. India launched a military operation, codenamed Sindoor, on May 7, targeting nine cites in Pakistan which it referred to as 'terrorist camps.' The move was in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in India's Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory in late April that killed 26 tourists, New Delhi maintained. Islamabad has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack. Trump was the first to announce the ceasefire in a social media post. He later claimed on several occasions that he had intervened at a critical moment in the standoff and had told both countries: 'I was 'gonna do a lot of trade with you, let's stop it.' Immediately after Trump's comments, Indian Foreign Ministry sources dismissed claims that the US had threatened to reduce trade as a means of brokering a ceasefire. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently told a parliamentary committee that the US was 'neither involved nor informed' about the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in a series of interviews with European media outlets this week rejected the role of Trump in reaching ceasefire. 'The cessation of firing was agreed between the military commanders of both sides through direct contact,' he told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Lutnick's court statement came amid efforts to negotiate a bilateral trade deal between India and the US. Indian Foreign Secretary Misri is currently in Washington for high-level talks on finalizing the trade pact before the deadline announced by Trump. The US in April imposed an additional 26% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, but suspended it for 90 days until July 9, keeping the baseline 10% tariff in place.
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Indian Army shows off locally manufactured drones (VIDEO)
India's chief of army staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, witnessed demonstrations of homegrown unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), counter-drone technologies, and loitering munitions (also known as kamikaze drones) on Tuesday. The demonstrations took place at the Babina Field Firing Ranges in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, military officials said. 'These capabilities will significantly enhance operational efficiency, force protection and precision engagement across varied terrains,' the Indian Army said in a post on X. #GeneralUpendraDwivedi, #COAS witnessed cutting-edge demonstrations of indigenous UAS, Counter-UAS and Loitering Munitions on 27 May 2025 at Babina Field Firing capabilities will significantly enhance operational efficiency, force protection and precision… The role of kamikaze drones was hailed during the Indian Army's recent Operation Sindoor. According to official reports, the weapons allowed precise targeting of Pakistani military infrastructure. New Delhi said it was responding to a terrorist attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir federal territory in late April which killed 26 tourists. Islamabad has denied any involvement. The two states have been involved in a dispute over the territory for decades. The recent escalation unfolded on May 7; three days later, after a short but intense battle, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire. During the conflict, New Delhi said that on the night of May 8-9, Islamabad launched around 300 drone attacks across 36 locations in India. Since then, India has taken a number of measures to bolster its defense capabilities. On Tuesday, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh approved the 'execution model' for developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with an investment of $175 million. AMCA is the South Asian country's ambitious project to develop a multi-role combat aircraft with stealth capabilities for the Air Force and Navy.
Russia Today
6 days ago
- General
- Russia Today
New Delhi slams Western narrative on India-Pakistan conflict
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has dismissed speculation about a potential nuclear escalation with Pakistan, stating that 'at no point was a nuclear level reached,' calling the claims 'astonishing.' In a recent interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Jaishankar suggested that Europe should focus on its own security concerns. He also stressed that European perspectives on conflicts often differ from those of countries in other parts of the world. 'There is a narrative as if everything that happens in our part of the world leads directly to a nuclear problem. That disturbs me a lot because it encourages terrible activities like terrorism,' he said. 'If anything, much more is happening with the nuclear issue in your part of the world.' Jaishankar, who was visiting the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, was questioned by European outlets on the recent military standoff between India and Pakistan, which ended on May 10 after the two countries announced a ceasefire. 'Anyone who is not blind can see that the terrorist organizations are openly operating from the cities and towns of Pakistan. That is no secret. The UN Security Council terror list is full of Pakistani names and places, and these are the very places we have targeted,' he said. India's military action was in response to the April 22 attack in India's union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. New Delhi stated that it only targeted nine locations which it said were linked with terrorist organizations, and not Pakistani military or civilian targets. Islamabad, however, accused India of targeting civilians. Pakistan retaliated by attacking Indian military sites, leading to further escalation by both countries. Asked whether the world should thank America for the ceasefire, in reference to US President Donald Trump's claims on the matter, Jaishankar said: 'The cessation of firing was agreed between the military commanders of both sides through direct contact. The morning before, we effectively hit and incapacitated Pakistan's main airbases and air defense system. So who should I thank for the cessation of hostilities? I thank the Indian military because it was the Indian military action that made Pakistan say: We are ready to stop.' Addressing the difference in views between India and Germany with regard to Russia, Jaishankar suggested that Europe and Asia do not share the same concerns. 'Our perspective cannot be the same.' In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS last week, Jaishankar said Europe is undergoing a 'reality check,' as it was never compelled to make a choice between security and prosperity. India's historical experience has been shaped since independence by its difficult neighbors, particularly Pakistan and China, which has forced the country to prioritize security, he stressed. 'We have never had the comfort and continuity that Europe enjoyed.'
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Indian delegation concludes 2-day visit, affirms stance against terrorism
Visiting Indian Members of Parliament (MPs) concluded their two-day visit to the UAE on Friday, where they affirmed their position on the fight against terrorism. The visit was part of a diplomatic outreach initiative aimed at highlighting the "significance" of Operation Sindoor, a recent counter-terrorism operation launched by India. The MPs reaffirmed their 'firm stance against cross-border terrorism" and thanked the UAE for its support and solidarity. The UAE had earlier strongly condemned a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that targeted tourists and led dozens of deaths and injuries of innocent people. Leading the Indian delegation was Shiv Sena MP Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, who expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and the UAE's support. Addressing the media on Friday, Shinde said: 'The respect shown to the Indian delegation was overwhelming,' he said. 'Our message—that terrorism must be fought collectively — has been well received.' 'Terrorism isn't an issue for one country alone; it's a global threat. We must all unite to defeat it,' Shinde emphasised. The visiting delegation included prominent Indian leaders such as Bansuri Swaraj, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Atul Garg, Sasmit Patra, Manan Kumar Mishra, Surendrajeet Singh Ahluwalia, and former ambassador Sujan Chinoy. During their visit, they engaged with UAE ministers, senior officials, other dignitaries, and also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora. As part of their itinerary, the MPs also visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi — the first traditional stone Hindu temple in the Middle East. Reflecting on the visit, Shinde praised the UAE's cultural openness and religious tolerance. 'UAE and India share a very strong bond. We visited BAPS Temple, which in itself is an example of how tolerant the UAE is for other communities and religions. 'Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited this country seven times after he assumed office as the PM. The only other (Indian) prime minister who visited the UAE was Indira Gandhi,' added Shinde, underscoring the relationship between UAE and India extends beyond diplomacy and trade into shared values and culture.
