Latest news with #MEA
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
MEA refutes Bangladesh's allegation "Indian media delegitimises transitional leadership"
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday refuted Bangladesh's chief adviser Mohammad Yunus's claims that "Indian media delegitimises transitional leadership." Speaking in a weekly briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Bangladesh's accusations of Indian interference as an attempt to deflect attention from internal issues. "As far as the government there is concerned, the responsibility for law and order and governance issues lies entirely with that government," Jaiswal said. "When statements of this sort come, it seems like you want to deflect in another direction from your own challenges related to governance there -- and to blame others by saying that these extraneous issues caused by others are the reason for these problems -- does not solve the issue," he added. Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, alleged that external factors, including India, might be behind efforts to destabilise the country. Yunus stated that there were "relentless efforts to destabilise Bangladesh" both internally and externally, leading to a "war-like situation." Sharing some links of articles on X, Yunus wrote, "these articles are part of a coordinated disinformation campaign propagated by segments of the Indian right-wing media aiming to delegitimise Bangladesh's transitional leadership." The MEA spokesperson also urged Bangladesh to hold an inclusive, free, and fair election at an early date to ascertain the people's will and mandate. Jaiswal stated, "On Bangladesh, we have articulated our position very clearly, as far as elections in Bangladesh are concerned, and we have done so consistently. Bangladesh needs to ascertain the will and mandate of the people by holding an inclusive, fair and free election at an early date." Yunus has announced plans to hold elections between December 2025 and June 30, 2026, and has assured that he will not stay in power beyond that date. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed unease over the continuation of the interim government and has demanded that elections be held by December this year. The political landscape in Bangladesh remains tense, with differing opinions on the election timeline and the role of the interim government. Local media reported on Thursday that Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman has expressed a desire that national elections be held by December this year, amidst ongoing political unrest and the interim government's failure to announce a clear roadmap for the next parliamentary elections. Several political parties, including Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have been demanding parliamentary elections by December. However, the National Citizens Party (NCP), a new party led by students who overthrew Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, wants fundamental reforms before the elections. Further, Jaiswal noted that India wants a "positive and constructive relationship" with Bangladesh. "I would like to underline once again that we have approached our issues and our relationship with Bangladesh. We want a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, one anchored in meeting the aspirations and the interests of the people of both sides," he said. Regarding recent developments in Bangladesh, including cancelling a USD 180 million defense deal, Jaiswal said, "India and Bangladesh have several defence cooperation initiatives under implementation. Regarding any specific example you asked, I will be glad to revert to you after ascertaining more details on this issue." On Bangladesh's efforts to build a humanitarian corridor with Myanmar, Jaiswal mentioned that "India follows such developments closely." Recently, the interim government in Bangladesh proposed the creation of a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar's Rakhine State. On April 27, Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh's interim government agrees in principle, subject to conditions, to the United Nations' proposal to create a humanitarian corridor through Bangladesh to send aid to Myanmar's Rakhine, Dhaka Tribune reported. While speaking to reporters at Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 27, Hossain said, "According to the United Nations' proposal, Bangladesh has agreed to allow a humanitarian corridor to Rakhine. It will be a humanitarian passage. However, we have certain conditions. I will not go into details. If the conditions are met, we will certainly assist." "A large population from Myanmar has taken refuge in our country, and we want to repatriate them. We must do whatever is necessary to facilitate their return," Dhaka Tribune quoted him. He said that the entire border is under the control of a non-state actor and there is no control of Myanmar's central government there. "The entire border is now under the control of a non-state actor. There is no control of Myanmar's central government there. Therefore, for our own interests, some form of communication is necessary-- although we cannot formally communicate with the non-state actor, it will not be possible for us to stay entirely disconnected even if we want to," he said.
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
As Pak Begs For Dialogue…India reiterates talks and terror cannot go together
New Delhi: India on Thursday made it clear once again that any engagement with Pakistan will only be bilateral; terror and talks cannot go together; and, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) will remain in abeyance until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably abjures" its support for cross-border terrorism. "We have been very clear and consistent in our position regarding any engagement with Pakistan - that it has to be bilateral. At the same time, we are clear that talks and terror don't go together. On terrorism itself, we are open to discussing the handing over to India of noted terrorists whose list was given to Pakistan some years ago," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi. "I would like to underline that any bilateral discussion on Jammu and Kashmir will only be about the vacation of illegally-occupied Indian territory by Pakistan. As for the Indus Waters Treaty, it will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. As our Prime Minister has said, terror and trade cannot go together, water and blood cannot flow together," he added. The MEA's strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by India's decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India. Since Monday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has twice spoken about Islamabad's willingness to talk with India to resolve ongoing disputes between the two countries.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India rejects US claim in court on trade for peace
India rejects US claim in court on trade for peace NEW DELHI: Following signed declarations by top Donald Trump cabinet members in court that said the President leveraged trade to stop the India-Pakistan conflict, the Indian govt strongly reiterated there was no discussion on trade and tariffs with the US leaders who spoke to Indian authorities in the middle of the fighting and that the "ceasefire" was negotiated directly between the armies. The government also took note of the same court's ruling that blocked Trump's Liberation Day tariffs. The MEA referred to the court order on Wednesday and said that India's position on US claims about having used trade to mediate a ceasefire has been well articulated. "I hope you have seen the court order. I would refer you to our position that was made clear on 13th of May. 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,'' said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. "The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions. 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,'' he added. India had said on May 13 that there was no mention of trade in the conversation that Vice President J D Vance had with PM Narendra Modi, or the talks secretary of state Marco Rubio had with his counterpart S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval, to stop the conflict. US secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick had said in a declaration in the US Court of International Trade that the ceasefire was only achieved after Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war. This followed repeated denials by India of such claims, including one by Jaishankar in which he had said that while American authorities were in touch with Indian and Pakistani leaders, the pause in fighting was directly negotiated between the military officers of the two countries.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Trade, defence, tech discussed during foreign secretary Vikram Misri's US visit: MEA
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri concluded a key visit to the United States on Thursday, with bilateral trade, critical and emerging technologies as well as defence taking centre stage in the discussions. During the three-day visit, Misri met with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Under Secretary of Commerce Jeffrey Kessler. 'The foreign secretary also led our delegation, comprising the deputy National Security Adviser, for the inter-agency discussions on India-US Compact for the 21st century. This meeting happened in the White House and it focused on implementing the TRUST initiative, which is about critical and emerging technology partnerships. They also discussed cooperation in the area of defence and energy as well as strengthening the Quad, IMEC and I2U2,' the ministry of external affairs' (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing on Thursday. Jaiswal also confirmed that further topics of interest to both nations were discussed. During the meetings, America continued its push for more market access into the Indian economy even as bilateral trade negotiations continue. 'The Deputy Secretary emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation on migration and counter-narcotics. The Deputy Secretary and the foreign secretary also reaffirmed their shared desire to maintain regional stability and peace,' said the US State Department on the meeting between Landau and Misri. 'The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the close partnership between the US and India, a key component of US foreign policy for the 21st century,' the statement went on to say. Misri's visit comes just weeks after an intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan earlier this month. On May 10, the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement which was announced by US President Donald Trump. Washington claimed credit for helping broker the ceasefire, including by offering trade access to both India and Pakistan. For its part, New Delhi has pushed back against this characterisation of how the ceasefire agreement was reached. India maintains that the ceasefire agreement was reached bilaterally after military contacts between New Delhi and Islamabad. India also rejected Washington's assertion that India-Pakistan talks were to be held on a number of key issues, including Kashmir. On Thursday, the MEA reiterated its position. 'From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7 till the understanding of cessation of firing and military action on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade or tariffs did not come up in any of those discussions. The 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,' said Jaiswal. 'Our position in regard to engagement with Pakistan has been clear and consistent. You are well aware of our position that any India-Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral. At the same time, we are clear that talks and terror do not go together,' he added. TRUST or Transforming Relations Utilising Strategic Technologies (TRUST) is the governing framework of tech ties between the two countries under the Donald Trump administration and replaces the Biden-era initiative on critical and emerging technologies (iCET).
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Hope US treats student visa applications on merit: MEA
Representative image NEW DELHI: With US pausing new student visa interviews, government expressed hope that visa applications of Indian students would be treated on merit to allow them to join their academic programmes without any delay. The Trump administration earlier this week ordered US missions to stop scheduling new appointments for student visas, while also announcing social media vetting of foreign students. "While visa policy and issuing of visas is a sovereign function, we believe that all applications submitted by Indian students should be considered on their merit so that our students can reach universities in US on time to join their academic programmes," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He said in 2023-24, around 3,30,000 Indian students went to US for education. US embassy here had cautioned Indian students this week that skipping classes or dropping out without informing the school could lead to the revocation of their visas. He provided an update on deportation of illegal immigrants from US, saying since Jan, 1,080 such Indian nationals have been deported.
