Latest news with #VinayMohanKwatra
Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian envoy discusses energy security with US Senator Lindsey Graham amid tensions over Russian oil imports
Washington, DC: India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, spoke to US Senator Lindsey Graham to share New Delhi's perspective on energy security, including the growing energy trade between India and the US. "Spoke to Senator @LindseyGrahamSC and shared with him the Indian perspective on our energy security, including increasing energy trade with the United States," Kwatra said in a post on X. The conversation comes after US Senator Lindsey Graham on Friday (local time) urged India to use its influence with Russia to help end the war in Ukraine, calling it one of the most significant steps to improve India-US relations. "As I have been telling my friends in India, one of the most consequential things they could do to improve India-U.S. relations is to help President Trump end this bloodbath in Ukraine," Graham posted on X. "India is the second largest purchaser of Putin's cheap oil, the proceeds of which fuel his war machine. I hope Prime Minister Modi emphasised to Putin in their recent phone call the need to end this war in Ukraine justly, honourably and forever. I have always believed India has influence in this matter and I am hoping they will use it wisely," he wrote. His comments came on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced he had a "very good and detailed" conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend, President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine," PM Modi said in a post on X. "We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year." However, the meeting with Senator Graham also comes amid escalating trade tensions, after US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India earlier this week in response to New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil. The new tariff, set to take effect after 21 days, will raise the total duty on Indian goods to 50 per cent. Trump cited national security and foreign policy concerns, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. According to the White House order, the levy will apply to all Indian goods imported into the US, except for items already in transit or those qualifying for specific exemptions. In a strong domestic message, Prime Minister Modi addressed the US tariff decision directly on Thursday, reaffirming his government's commitment to protecting the agricultural sector. "For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it, and I am ready for it. India is ready for it," PM Modi said.
Times of Oman
02-08-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
India expands consular services in US with eight new centres
Washington DC: The new Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs) are located in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose, bringing the total number to 16 nationwide. A 17th centre is planned to open in Los Angeles later this month. The expansion, announced jointly by the Indian Mission and VFS Global, aims to make essential services more accessible to Indian Americans and other applicants seeking India-related documentation. The centres will handle a comprehensive range of services, including India visa applications, overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) applications, Indian passport services, renunciation of Indian citizenship, police clearance certificates, Global Entry Programme applications and Document attestation services. To improve accessibility, the new centres will operate on Saturdays and include return courier services in standard fees. Additional services such as photographs, photocopies, and form assistance will be provided at no extra charge. "We are very happy to announce the opening of 8 new Indian Consular Application Centres," said Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India's Ambassador to the United States. "We firmly believe that people-to-people ties are the heart of India-US partnership." The centres are expected to benefit Indian communities under the jurisdiction of Indian consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC. VFS Global, which has been the exclusive service provider for Indian consular services in the US since 2020, says the expansion responds to growing demand driven by increased business partnerships, tourism and trade between the two countries. Amit Kumar Sharma, Head - North America & Caribbean, VFS Global, said, "We are honoured by the continued trust the Government of India has placed in VFS Global to support its diplomatic mission in the United States. These ICACs will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for visa and consular services to India, led by business partnerships, tourism and trade." VFS Global operates as the world's largest outsourced visa services company, managing over 3,900 application centres across 165 countries for 69 client governments. The company, headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, has processed more than 499 million applications since 2001. The expansion reflects the growing importance of India-US relations and the increasing need for streamlined consular services as travel and business ties between the two nations continue to strengthen.
Times of Oman
21-06-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
US: Indian embassy hosts Yoga session at Lincoln Memorial; envoy calls it a celebration of India's civilisational heritage
Washington, DC : The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, on Thursday (local time) organised a vibrant Yoga session at the iconic Lincoln Memorial ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21. The event saw enthusiastic participation from a large number of people, including members of the Indian diaspora and local residents. Speaking at the event, India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, said, "We are all here to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. An enormous, great, fun-filled celebration of India's ancient civilisation heritage in the form of Yoga. A large number of extended Indian families and the Indian diaspora are present with us here, along with the other citizens of the US. It's a wonderful day, a wonderful experience for us...I want to thank everybody for being here with us this morning to celebrate this heritage from India..." Yoga and meditation instructor Acharya Govind Brahmachari, who led the session, highlighted Yoga's deeper purpose beyond physical fitness. "Yoga is widely popular already. We want to bring yoga to every household worldwide because it has many benefits. The deeper aspects of yoga are perhaps not so much known yet. We are here to spread awareness of the original purpose of yoga to actually attain a sense of freedom or oneness with the universe. So that's a deeper aspect of yoga that's very much related to meditation. Then the yoga postures, which are known as yoga asanas, are a part of the practice, part of a holistic system to support the mind, to attain freedom from unpleasant feelings and emotions and thoughts," he said. Dr Smita Patel, a participant at the session, praised the initiative and highlighted the health benefits of yoga. "I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for starting this 11 years ago, and I liked today's theme 'One Earth, One Health'. As a physician, I believe yoga is as essential as breathing and taking medication. Yoga helps reduce anxiety, improve depression, and for children, it helps their attention span, concentration, ability to focus on a task, and ability to complete a task," she said. Acharya Madhuvartanand Avdhut from Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre also shared his thoughts, saying, "The first yogi was Lord Shiva, who came to this earth 7000 years ago. Yoga has three different parts. Yog Asana, Yog Darshan and Yog Sadhana... Yoga is a multi-faceted approach to healthy living. Yoga can bring world peace and it can unite human society..." The event reflected the growing global embrace of Yoga not just as a physical discipline but as a holistic path to well-being, inner peace, and universal harmony. This year in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebrations from Visakhapatnam, where he will participate in the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session at the city's beachfront. Nearly 5 lakh participants are expected to join him in the mass yoga demonstration. Simultaneously, Yoga Sangam events will be held at over 3.5 lakh locations across India, making this one of the largest coordinated Yoga celebrations. In addition, citizen engagement initiatives like 'Yoga with Family' and youth-focused campaigns under 'Yoga Unplugged' have been launched on digital platforms such as MyGov and MyBharat to promote participation and awareness. According to the release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the 2025 theme -- "Yoga for One Earth, One Health" -- highlights the interconnectedness of human and planetary health and echoes the global vision of collective wellness, rooted in India's philosophy of "Sarve Santu Niramaya" (May all be free from disease). Since 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted India's proposal to observe 21st June as IDY, the Prime Minister has led the celebrations from various locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York (UN Headquarters), and Srinagar. IDY has since evolved into a powerful global health movement.
India Gazette
21-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
CGI New York marks International Yoga Day 2025 with celebrations in Westchester and Times Square
Westchester [US], June 21 (ANI): The Consulate General of India (CGI) in New York, in association with the Town of Greenburgh and the Indian Cultural Association of North America (ICANA), celebrated International Day of Yoga 2025 in Westchester with vibrant participation. In a post on X, the CGI in New York said the event showcased yoga's universal appeal and its message of harmony and well-being. It added that the celebration was organised in collaboration with the Town of Greenburgh and ICANA to mark International Day of Yoga 2025. Building on the momentum of the Westchester event, the Consulate also hosted a vibrant yoga session at Times Square in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, bringing the spirit of International Yoga Day to one of the world's most iconic locations. Sharing glimpses of the event on X, the Consulate General of India in New York wrote, 'CGI New York, in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, hosted a vibrant Yoga Session at the iconic Crossroads of the World - Times Square! Here are a few more glimpses from this energizing celebration of wellness and unity. #YogaforOneEarthOneHealth.' Extending the celebrations beyond New York, similar events were held in Washington, DC, where the Indian Embassy organised a vibrant Yoga session at the iconic Lincoln Memorial on Thursday (local time), ahead of International Day of Yoga on June 21. The event saw enthusiastic participation from a large number of people, including members of the Indian diaspora and local residents, showcasing the growing global embrace of yoga. Speaking at the event, India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, said, 'We are all here to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. An enormous, great, fun-filled celebration of India's ancient civilisation heritage in the form of Yoga. A large number of extended Indian families and the Indian diaspora are present with us here, along with the other citizens of the US. It's a wonderful day, a wonderful experience for us...I want to thank everybody for being here with us this morning to celebrate this heritage from India...' Yoga and meditation instructor Acharya Govind Brahmachari, who led the session, highlighted Yoga's deeper purpose beyond physical fitness. 'Yoga is widely popular already. We want to bring yoga to every household worldwide because it has many benefits. The deeper aspects of yoga are perhaps not so much known yet. We are here to spread awareness of the original purpose of yoga to actually attain a sense of freedom or oneness with the universe. So that's a deeper aspect of yoga that's very much related to meditation. Then the yoga postures, which are known as yoga asanas, are a part of the practice, part of a holistic system to support the mind, to attain freedom from unpleasant feelings and emotions and thoughts,' he said. Dr Smita Patel, a participant at the session, praised the initiative and highlighted the health benefits of yoga. 'I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for starting this 11 years ago, and I liked today's theme 'One Earth, One Health'. As a physician, I believe yoga is as essential as breathing and taking medication. Yoga helps reduce anxiety, improve depression, and for children, it helps their attention span, concentration, ability to focus on a task, and ability to complete a task,' she said. Acharya Madhuvartanand Avdhut from Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre also shared his thoughts, saying, 'The first yogi was Lord Shiva, who came to this earth 7000 years ago. Yoga has three different parts. Yog Asana, Yog Darshan and Yog Sadhana... Yoga is a multi-faceted approach to healthy living. Yoga can bring world peace and it can unite human society...' (ANI)
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
US: Indian embassy hosts Yoga session at Lincoln Memorial; envoy calls it a celebration of India's civilisational heritage
Washington, DC [US], June 20 (ANI): The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, on Thursday (local time) organised a vibrant Yoga session at the iconic Lincoln Memorial ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21. The event saw enthusiastic participation from a large number of people, including members of the Indian diaspora and local residents. Speaking at the event, India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, said, 'We are all here to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. An enormous, great, fun-filled celebration of India's ancient civilisation heritage in the form of Yoga. A large number of extended Indian families and the Indian diaspora are present with us here, along with the other citizens of the US. It's a wonderful day, a wonderful experience for us...I want to thank everybody for being here with us this morning to celebrate this heritage from India...' Yoga and meditation instructor Acharya Govind Brahmachari, who led the session, highlighted Yoga's deeper purpose beyond physical fitness. 'Yoga is widely popular already. We want to bring yoga to every household worldwide because it has many benefits. The deeper aspects of yoga are perhaps not so much known yet. We are here to spread awareness of the original purpose of yoga to actually attain a sense of freedom or oneness with the universe. So that's a deeper aspect of yoga that's very much related to meditation. Then the yoga postures, which are known as yoga asanas, are a part of the practice, part of a holistic system to support the mind, to attain freedom from unpleasant feelings and emotions and thoughts,' he said. Dr Smita Patel, a participant at the session, praised the initiative and highlighted the health benefits of yoga. 'I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Modi for starting this 11 years ago, and I liked today's theme 'One Earth, One Health'. As a physician, I believe yoga is as essential as breathing and taking medication. Yoga helps reduce anxiety, improve depression, and for children, it helps their attention span, concentration, ability to focus on a task, and ability to complete a task,' she said. Acharya Madhuvartanand Avdhut from Ananda Marga Yoga and Meditation Centre also shared his thoughts, saying, 'The first yogi was Lord Shiva, who came to this earth 7000 years ago. Yoga has three different parts. Yog Asana, Yog Darshan and Yog Sadhana... Yoga is a multi-faceted approach to healthy living. Yoga can bring world peace and it can unite human society...' The event reflected the growing global embrace of Yoga not just as a physical discipline but as a holistic path to well-being, inner peace, and universal harmony. This year in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebrations from Visakhapatnam, where he will participate in the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session at the city's beachfront. Nearly 5 lakh participants are expected to join him in the mass yoga demonstration. Simultaneously, Yoga Sangam events will be held at over 3.5 lakh locations across India, making this one of the largest coordinated Yoga celebrations. In addition, citizen engagement initiatives like 'Yoga with Family' and youth-focused campaigns under 'Yoga Unplugged' have been launched on digital platforms such as MyGov and MyBharat to promote participation and awareness. According to the release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the 2025 theme -- 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' -- highlights the interconnectedness of human and planetary health and echoes the global vision of collective wellness, rooted in India's philosophy of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' (May all be free from disease). Since 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted India's proposal to observe 21st June as IDY, the Prime Minister has led the celebrations from various locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York (UN Headquarters), and Srinagar. IDY has since evolved into a powerful global health movement. (ANI)
