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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India-Oman free trade pact may be signed soon: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has indicated that India is likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman soon, as the talks between the two countries are making headway. "I think you will see some good news very soon on the Oman FTA," the minister told journalists here. The minister is on an official trip to France with the aim of boosting trade and investments and will also attend a ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday. The talks for the free trade pact with Oman started in November 2023, and Goyal visited the Gulf country from January 27 to January 28. During the visit, Goyal co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef , Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman. The meeting saw productive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technology, food security, renewable energy and other key areas. The two Ministers exchanged views on a bilateral India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is at advanced stages of negotiations. Both Ministers agreed to expedite the discussions for an early signing of the CEPA, which will be a new milestone in bilateral trade relations and has the potential to significantly scale up two-way trade and investments. The Minister also held a productive bilateral meeting with Minister Qais during which he undertook a detailed review of the bilateral trade and economic relations between India and Oman and identified concrete steps to further strengthen the mutually beneficial business ties. On the sidelines of the visit, both sides signed the Protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), aligning it with international standards on cross-border taxation, simplifying tax procedures, and promoting greater cooperation in tax matters. Oman is the third-largest export destination for India among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The bilateral trade was about USD 10.5 billion, comprising exports of USD 4 billion and imports to the tune of USD 6.54 billion in 2024-25.
News18
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Iran FM Arrives In India After Pakistan Visit, First Foreign Dignitary After Operation Sindoor
Last Updated: This is Iran Foreign Minister Araghchi's first visit to India since assuming office as Foreign Minister of Iran in August 2024. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to co-chair the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. This high-level meeting coincides with the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two nations. Abbas Araghchi's visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address issues of mutual interest. He is scheduled to meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and President Droupadi Murmu. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that this is Araghchi's first visit to India since assuming office as Foreign Minister of Iran in August 2024. The Joint Commission Meeting will provide a platform for both countries to review their relationship and discuss ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held annually, but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other domestic priorities. The Iranian Foreign Minister's visit takes place amidst heightened regional tensions following Operation Sindoor which was launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian forces conducted precision missile strikes targeting nine locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These strikes aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and neutralize key leaders and operatives from groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. India emphasized that the operation was carefully planned to avoid civilian and Pakistani military casualties, focusing solely on terrorist facilities. India characterized the operation as 'focused, measured, and non-escalatory," and stated its commitment to addressing cross-border terrorism. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 08, 2025, 08:22 IST
Times of Oman
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Iran FM Araghchi arrives in Delhi to strengthen ties at India-Iran Joint Commission Meet
New Delhi: In a key diplomatic development aimed at bolstering strategic ties, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to co-chair the 20th India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. The high-level dialogue comes as both nations mark the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty. Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, welcomed the visiting dignitary and highlighted the significance of the occasion. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "Warm welcome to FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi, as he arrives in New Delhi for the India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting. An opportunity to review and enhance bilateral cooperation on the 75th Anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty." Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, is on a two-day visit to New Delhi from Wednesday to co-chair the 20th Joint Commission Meeting with India, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Further, the Ministry noted that it is Araghchi's first visit to India since assuming office as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran in August 2024. The Joint Commission Meeting, being held on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the signing of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty, will review issues of mutual interest between the two countries and the way forward in strengthening bilateral relations, as per the release. During his visit, Araghchi will hold a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on May 8. Later in the day, he will meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Earlier on Monday, the Embassy of Iran in India said that the Iranian Foreign Minister would visit India after a stop in Islamabad, where he would hold talks with Pakistani officials. On April 25, the Iranian Foreign Minister had given a call for peace to prevail in the neighbourhood in a post on X. His call for peace came in the wake of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which targeted tourists, killing 26 people.
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Iran FM Araghchi to hold talks with EAM Jaishankar in New Delhi on Thursday
Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will arrive in New Delhi late Wednesday night on his first visit to India since assuming office in August 2024 during which he will be co-chairing the 20th Joint Commission Meeting between India and Iran along with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House on Thursday afternoon. Later in the day he will call on President Draupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Joint Commission Meeting, being held on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the signing of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty, will review issues of mutual interest between the two countries and the way forward in strengthening bilateral relations, stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). While the Joint Commission is supposed to meet every year, there has been a gap in its meetings because of the Covid-19 pandemic and domestic pre-occupations of the two countries. "The latest status of the implementation of bilateral economic agreements between the two countries will be reviewed and followed up in the course of the commission's work," Iran's Embassy in New Delhi posted on X. Araghchi's visit comes amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian armed forces on Wednesday launched 'Operation Sindoor', targetting nine high-value terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the attack. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei had on Wednesday voiced serious concern over the intensifying conflict between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to exercise restraint. Baghaei stated that the growing tensions and clashes between two major nations, both of which share long-standing ties of friendship with Iran, are a matter of serious concern. He expressed hope that both parties would take steps toward de-escalation and prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Araghchi had also strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and extended condolences to the people and government of India "Iran strongly and unequivocally condemns the terrorist attack against tourists in Pahalgam. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the people & government of India," he posted on X. Earlier this week, Araghchi visited Pakistan, leading a political delegation and holding meetings with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
PM Modi speaks to Emir of Qatar as India steps up West Asia outreach
The Union government stepped up its outreach to West Asia amid tensions with Pakistan, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, and the External Affairs Minister will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who arrives in Delhi on Wednesday (May 7, 2025). The moves came even as the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation Mission at the United Nations in New York issued a statement expressing concern about the 'deteriorating security environment' in South Asia, and criticising India for 'hostile rhetoric', while condemning the terror attack in Pahalgam. In a sharp response to the OIC statement, which had also expressed support for Pakistan and called for Kashmiri 'self-determination', the External Affairs Ministry said the statement had been issued at the behest of Pakistan, calling it 'absurd'. The Ministry rejected any interference by the 57-nation grouping into India's 'internal affairs' In a statement, the Ministry said the Emir of Qatar had conveyed condolences for the victims of the attack and 'expressed full support in India's fight against terrorism and all its actions to bring the perpetrators to justice'. The statement of support to India came even as Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with visiting Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Doha. A statement released by the Qatari PMO said only that they had discussed 'bilateral cooperation relations and ways to support and develop them, along with several issues of joint interest'. Iran FM's visit The External Affairs Ministry announced that the Iranian Foreign Minister will arrive in Delhi on Wednesday (May 6, 2025) afternoon, and hold talks with Mr. Jaishankar on Thursday (May 8, 2025), along with co-chairing the Joint Commission Meeting on economic issues. He will also call on President Droupadi Murmu during his visit, indicating the importance South Block is giving to the visit by Mr. Araghchi. However, the government is unlikely to take up Mr. Araghchi's offer to mediate between Iran's two 'brotherly neighbours' India and Pakistan. During a visit to Islamabad on Monday, the Iranian Foreign Minister, who met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir, told reporters that his mission in the region was to 'get a clear understanding of the current situation'. The engagement with Iran and Qatar follows Mr. Modi's conversations with leaders of Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in which 26 men – 25 tourists and one local person – were killed. However, as India began preparations and drills for a possible military strike on Pakistan, in response to the attack, many countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, along with the U.K., the U.S., and the European Union, had also issued statement calling for de-escalation and resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy, which New Delhi has not responded to. New Delhi did not respond to a statement by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday calling for an 'independent and transparent investigation' into the attacks.
