Latest news with #ShashiTharoor-led
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
External affairs committee on China and Pakistan
China's rapid naval expansion and its deepening military partnership with Pakistan pose a direct challenge to India's security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the parliamentary committee on external affairs has warned. The panel flagged that the 'China-Pakistan naval nexus not only facilitates joint military exercises but also advances Pakistan's naval modernisation,' adding that this growing cooperation could 'destabilise the balance of power in the region.' It has urged the government to counter the threat by intensifying India's military exercises with partner nations. The MEA has broadly identified three challenges in the IOR -- geopolitical, maritime security threats and infrastructure gaps. (AP file photo) The Shashi Tharoor-led 31-member panel stressed that India's leadership role in the IOR is a 'natural and necessary extension of its geopolitical and economic interests.' 'The Indian Ocean is undeniably an integral part of India's global strategy, and it is in India's best interest to assert its role as a guardian of this vital maritime space,' it noted. However, the committee found India's approach to the region 'fragmented' due to overlapping strategic frameworks – SAGAR for the IOR and MAHASAGAR for the Global South. 'There appears to be considerable overlap between the objectives of SAGAR and MAHASAGAR, which could lead to confusion regarding their distinct and collective goals. In the Committee's view, a clear and unified vision will provide further strategic coherence and effectiveness to these initiatives,' it added. Among the challenges outlined are China's deliberate expansion of its maritime footprint – from setting up military bases to pushing for strategic concessions from vulnerable states – and its use of infrastructure projects, survey vessels and port calls to tighten its grip in the IOR. The Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged that the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Navy) has already surpassed the US Navy to become the world's largest. 'With this capability augmentation, China has been consolidating its position in the IOR through frequent deployments of PLA (N) ships, submarines and aircraft. In the past decade, Chinese deployment in the IOR has seen a considerable rise. Chinese submarines are also known to have frequently been deployed in the OR since 2013,' the ministry stated. It also highlighted that 20 Chinese quasi-military research vessels operated in the IOR for 862 days since 2024, the highest since 2020, while PLA (N) ships made 22 port calls in IOR countries in 2024 and conducted exercises with littoral states. The ministry warned of China's growing engagement in Africa, exploiting reduced European Union influence, and its outreach to politico-military leaders. Pakistan, meanwhile, is undergoing a major naval upgrade with warships and submarines from China and Turkey. The government described China's Belt and Road Initiative and its 'String of Pearls' strategy as 'attempts to reshape the strategic geography by diluting India's maritime influence in the IOR and altering it in China's favour,' warning that such moves would be 'detrimental to India's economic growth, which is linked to the seas.' This sharp assessment comes just weeks before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit on August 31–September 1, where Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed hopes the meeting would mark 'a new stage of high-quality development featuring greater solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness.'
News18
6 days ago
- Business
- News18
Government to Brief Shashi Tharoor Panel on Tariffs & Negotiations
India-U.S. Trade Talks Heat Up | Government to Brief Shashi Tharoor Panel on Tariffs & Negotiations Last Updated: India Videos | Government to brief Shashi Tharoor-led panel at 4 PM on US-India trade negotiations and tariff issues.A crucial update is coming from New Delhi today as the Government of India prepares to brief the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, led by Shashi Tharoor, at 4 PM. The high-level briefing will focus on U.S.-India trade negotiations, with special emphasis on tariff disputes, market access, and strategic trade cooperation. This comes at a sensitive time when bilateral trade relations are facing pressure over import duties and product-specific restrictions. India has recently increased certain tariffs, while the U.S. has been pushing for wider access to Indian markets, particularly in the agricultural, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Mobile App -
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Govt to brief Shashi Tharoor-led panel on India-US trade talks, Trump tariffs today. What's on the agenda?
The Union government will breif Shashi Tharoor-led Standing Committee on External Affairs on the latest developments in India's foreign policy today, US-India trade negotiations and tariffs today, 11 August. The panel led by the Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will be briefed by representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on the current developments in India's foreign policy, with special reference to US-India trade negotiations and tariffs, according to a schedule shared by Lok Sabha Secreterait. The meeting is scheduled at 4 pm. The MEA told the parliamentary panel ahead of the meeting that the US decision to impose secondary sanctions on India had forced it into a geopolitical contest not of its making, according to reports. Despite the erosion of trust, it said India remained committed to engaging constructively with the US, the reports said On Friday, while responding to the 50 per cent tariffs on India imposed by the United States, Shashi Tharoor said that India must also safeguard its interests. The panel led by the Congressleader will be briefed by representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on the current developments in India's foreign policy, with special reference to US-India trade negotiations and tariffs "What is happening is concerning. A country with which we had close relations, and we were working as strategic partners. If that country has changed its behaviour, then India will have to think about many in the coming two to three weeks, we can hold talks and find a way out. India will also have to look after its own interests," Shashi Tharoor said. Earlier on Thursday, Shashi Tharoor said that India should also raise tariffs on American goods to 50 per cent in response to the US imposing an additional 25 per cent duty on Indian exports. Tharoor questioned why India should stop at the current 17 per cent tariff and emphasised that the country should not be intimidated by such actions. He also said that no country should be allowed to threaten India in this manner. 'It will definitely have an impact because we have a trade of $90 billion with them, and if everything becomes 50 per cent more expensive, buyers will also think why should they buy Indian things?... If they do this, we should also impose a 50 per cent tariff on American exports... It is not that any country can threaten us like this,' Shashi Tharoor said. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India. Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. If that country has changed its behaviour, then India will have to think about many things... Terming the United States' move to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared that New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests.
News18
27-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Bangladesh Army Not As Radical As Pakistan's': Experts To Parliamentary Panel On External Affairs
Last Updated: The experts assured the Shashi Tharoor-led standing committee that there was no immediate cause for alarm regarding Bangladesh, especially compared to Pakistan Concerns about the radicalisation of youth in neighbouring countries were discussed during a key meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Dr Shashi Tharoor. The discussion, focused on India-Bangladesh relations, included expert testimonies from former national security adviser Shivshankar Menon, Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), former High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das, and strategic affairs analyst Professor Amitabh Mattoo. The meeting addressed the growing apprehensions over China and Pakistan's increased engagement with Bangladesh. Several committee members expressed concern about the implications of this evolving regional dynamic, given India's already strained ties with both China and Pakistan. However, experts assured the panel that there was no immediate cause for alarm regarding Bangladesh, especially compared to Pakistan. According to the experts, the Pakistani army remains deeply radicalised, unlike the Bangladeshi army, which does not exhibit similar traits. This distinction is a key factor in assessing the strategic outlook of India's eastern neighbour. They also noted that media narratives often exaggerate the closeness between Bangladesh and India's adversaries. BJP MP Kiran Choudhry, also a member of the panel, recalled her father Brigadier Atma Singh Sejwal's contribution during the Bangladesh Liberation War, reiterating India's longstanding friendship with Bangladesh. In response to a question about Sheikh Hasina's presence in India and how it might be perceived in Bangladesh, the experts drew parallels with India's historic record of granting refuge—from the Dalai Lama to various political figures—reinforcing that this aligns with India's humanitarian ethos. Opposition MPs also emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral engagement, particularly because states like West Bengal and Tripura share deep linguistic and cultural ties—and long, porous borders—with Bangladesh. Several members proposed increasing people-to-people exchanges, including media and journalist programmes, to deepen mutual understanding. Chairman Shashi Tharoor described the session as 'an excellent and in-depth discussion", confirming that a detailed report would be submitted to Parliament soon. 'We had first-class experts before the committee today. Members raised many important questions, and we received comprehensive responses," he said. On the politically sensitive issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh—often flagged by BJP leaders across states like West Bengal and Jharkhand—Tharoor noted that the number of such cases has 'significantly declined", based on inputs received by the committee. When asked about the ongoing water-sharing disputes and whether the issue was discussed, especially in light of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's concerns, Tharoor said, 'You'll have to wait for the final report to know more." The last major meeting on India-Bangladesh ties took place in December, when foreign secretary Vikram Misri briefed the committee. He addressed questions on bilateral relations and spoke at length about the reported violence against the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MPs across party lines in parliamentary panel support forward-looking policy for Bangladesh
At a special interaction between four leading experts and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, MPs cutting across party lines displayed a desire to 'move ahead' with India's relation with Bangladesh, it has been learnt. The Hindu had earlier reported that the interaction between the Congress MP Shashi Tharoor-led parliamentary committee and four experts was scheduled for Friday (June 27, 2025) afternoon, where the MPs were expected to be briefed on the latest developments in Dhaka and what India can do to recover the lost ground. 'All Members of Parliament displayed pathos and understanding of the issues between India and Bangladesh and there was a real desire among the MPs to mend the bilateral ties and take things forward,' said a source on condition of anonymity about the interaction between the four experts — former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das, Lieutenant-General Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd) and Dean of School of International Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University Amitabh Mattoo. Also read | Analysis: Why Hasina fell The Hindu has learnt that the interaction went on for two and a half hours, as the MPs wanted to hear all the suggestions for repairing the ties that nosedived after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a public agitation in August 2024. 'It was a general understanding that Bangladesh is connected through common culture and language and that it should not be viewed as a hostile neighbour like Pakistan,' said a source giving a hint about the discussion that took place in the meeting. The MPs also opined that India should carry out a soft launch of cultural diplomacy involving West Bengal to soften some of the harsh exchanges between the two sides. Bangladesh has recently made a move in that direction with a meeting between its High Commissioner M. Riaz Hamidullah and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata last Monday (June 23, 2025). 'West Bengal and Bangladesh are connected through a common language and culture, the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam and this vital link should be utilised for para-diplomacy between New Delhi and Dhaka through public events and interactions,' said a source privy to the discussion held by the Standing Committee. The MPs also raised questions about the China factor in Bangladesh, illegal immigration from Bangladesh to India, and the trilateral meeting between the foreign office officials of Bangladesh, Pakistan and China that was held in Kunming on June 19, 2025.
