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Canada and India have moved to restore their strained relations with the mutual appointment of high commissioners, which ends nearly a year of deep freeze triggered by explosive allegations of state-sponsored violence.  On August 29, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand named veteran diplomat Christopher Cooter as Canada’s new high commissioner to India. Simultaneously, India announced the appointment of Ambassador Dinesh K. Patnaik as its next envoy to Ottawa. Image Source: Canada FM Anita Anand on X The reappointment of high-level diplomatic officials signals a thaw after bilateral ties hit a historic low following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s stunning allegation in September 2023 that agents of the Indian government were involved in the assassination of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader, and labelled a Khalistani terrorist in India, in British Columbia.  India, on its part, had strongly denied the claim, calling i...

India has reaffirmed its position that any trade deal with the United States -- including decisions around purchasing Russian crude oil -- will be governed strictly by national interest. This comes amid heightened pressure from the Trump administration and an imminent escalation of trade tensions, with 50% tariffs on Indian exports to the U.S. set to take effect on August 27. Image Source: Ficci_India A 25% tariff already in place since August 7 is expected to double later this month, with the additional burden attributed by Washington to India’s continued crude oil trade with Russia.  The Trump administration claims these purchases are indirectly supporting the Russia-Ukraine war -- a position India has firmly rejected as “unfounded and coercive.” At the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal both made clear that India would not be swayed by geopolitical pressure, and would continue to act in...

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday, reinforcing New Delhi’s strategic alignment with Moscow in the wake of new U.S. tariffs and sustained criticism of India’s energy trade with Russia.  The two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation, reiterated support for multipolar engagement, and laid the groundwork for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India. Image Source: EAM Jaishankar Jaishankar, addressing a joint press briefing alongside Lavrov, said the India–Russia relationship had remained one of the steadiest among major global partnerships since the Second World War. “Our leaders met in July last year and then again in Kazan.  These high-level engagements have consistently provided wise and practical guidance to our strategic partnership,” he said. Lavrov confirmed that President Putin’s visit to India is being planned before the end of 2025 and will be accompanied by a substantial pac...

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday defended India’s continued purchase of Russian oil amid mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, stating that New Delhi is not the largest importer of Russian energy and that its oil imports from the United States have, in fact, increased. Image Source: EAM Jaishankar Speaking in Moscow after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar said he was “perplexed” by criticism from Washington, given that India had consistently been told to act in the interest of global energy stability.  He noted that China and the European Union are larger buyers of Russian oil and liquefied natural gas, respectively. “We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil -- that is China. We are not the biggest purchasers of LNG -- that is the European Union,” Jaishankar said.  “Incidentally, we also buy oil from the US, and that amount has increased. So honestly, we are very perplexed at the logic of the argument,” he...

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Moscow this week for high-level engagements aimed at recalibrating India-Russia economic ties, as both nations navigate a shifting global order marked by Western sanctions, U.S. tariff pressures, and deepening energy interdependence. Image Source: MEA/FM on X At the heart of the talks was a growing imbalance in bilateral trade. India’s increased imports of discounted Russian crude -- which now account for around 44% of its oil supply -- have widened the trade deficit to an estimated $58.9 billion.  Addressing the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) alongside Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Jaishankar described the gap as a “serious concern” requiring urgent solutions. “We need to address this imbalance by diversifying trade, removing bottlenecks, and finalising the India–Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreeme...

India and China sought to steady their fraught relationship on Monday as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi, in a meeting that both sides pitched as an attempt to turn the page from confrontation to cautious cooperation. At the outset, Jaishankar underscored the principle that “differences must not become disputes,” pointedly noting that peace along the border remained the foundation for any forward movement in ties.  Image Source: FM/MEA “This is very important because the basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” he said, referring to the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC), where the two militaries clashed in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley. The minister stressed that the process of disengagement and de-escalation “must move forward,” linking stability at the frontier with broader bilateral cooperation.  He also flagged counterterror...

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said tourism connects nations more than diplomacy; urged industry leaders to see their work as part of India’s global outreach; highlighted heritage and wellness initiatives as drivers of international interest; and pointed to infrastructure growth, government schemes, and India’s G20 Presidency as catalysts for the sector’s expansion. Image Source: FM on X Addressing the FAITH Conclave 2025, Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had placed “Tourism, Trade and Technology” at the heart of assessing foreign relations, and that promoting tourism was an ongoing priority in the government’s engagement with the diaspora and international partners. He cited the inclusion of the Maratha military landscapes and Moidams of Assam on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with earlier recognitions such as Shantiniketan, Jaipur City and Dholavira, and intangible cultural heritage listings including Garba, Durga Puja and Kumbh Mela. These, h...

At a time when U.S. President Donald Trump has been repeatedly threatening steep tariffs on India over its Russian oil trade , India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pushed back subtly but firmly on Monday, calling for a “fair and representative global order”--not one dominated by a few.   His remarks, delivered at the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in New Delhi, served as a diplomatic counterpoint to the rising chorus of Western pressure on India's sovereign trade choices.  Image Source: DeepDownAnalysis on X “We live in complicated and uncertain times,” Jaishankar said. “Our collective desire is to see a fair and representative global order, not one dominated by a few.” Though he refrained from naming countries, the subtext was clear: India is not in the mood to take moral lectures from nations with selective outrage and shifting standards, especially on trade and energy. Jaishankar’s statement comes just 24 hours after Trump accused India of profiting off t...

Amid rising geopolitical and trade tensions, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday dismissed viral social media posts suggesting that India is considering a suspension or review of bilateral agreements with the United States.  Terming them "disinformation", the MEA posted a formal fact-check tagging handles that had circulated the claims and categorically stated: “Disinformation being spread on X.” Image Source: MEA/FM on X The clarification comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump declared a new 25% tariff on Indian goods and threatened further penalties over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude and arms.  These remarks added another layer to what is already a simmering trade rift between New Delhi and Washington.  POTUS Trump, who previously referred to India as a "tariff king," has now gone further, describing the Indian economy as "dead" and criticising New Delhi’s BRICS involvement. Notably, Trump’s return to office...

In what is being viewed by experts and analysts as a significant push to deepen South-South cooperation and fast-track Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Government of India launched the first tranche of projects under the India UN Global Capacity Building Initiative on August 1, 2025.  Image Source: India at UN Spearheaded by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the initiative was formally unveiled in New Delhi by Secretary (West), Shri Tanmaya Lal, in the presence of the UN Resident Coordinator in India, Mr. Shombi Sharp, Heads of Missions of participating countries, senior UN agency representatives, and key MEA officials. The initiative represents a strategic convergence between India’s decades-long development training legacy and multilateral cooperation frameworks.  It builds upon India’s globally acclaimed Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which has supported capacity building in over 160 countries since its inception.  As of 20...

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday firmly denied any connection between U.S. trade talks and Operation Sindoor; stated that the request to halt military action came from Pakistan through official military channels; highlighted near-universal global backing for India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack ; and confirmed new diplomatic and strategic measures against Pakistan including a freeze on the Indus Waters Treaty. Addressing the Lok Sabha during a special discussion on India's military response, Jaishankar asserted that there was no linkage at any point between Operation Sindoor and trade negotiations with the United States.  Image Source: LS Secretariat He  countered repeated claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington used trade leverage to bring about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.  “At no stage in any conversation with the U.S. was there any linkage with trade and what was going on,” Jaishankar said.  He also cla...

In a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at recalibrating India-China relations, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on July 14, 2025.  The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers and focused on stabilizing ties, improving connectivity, and ensuring peace along the border. Image Source: MEA/FM on X During the talks, both sides reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and noted recent progress in areas of people-to-people engagement, particularly in commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and China.  Dr. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for China’s cooperation in resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra—one of the most culturally significant religious pilgrimages for Indian citizens. In a push for deeper people-centric cooperation, the ministers agreed on the need to take practical steps such as enhancing...

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will travel to Singapore and China from July 13 to 15, in a high-level diplomatic outreach covering Southeast Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr. Jaishankar will first visit Singapore, where he is scheduled to meet with senior leadership, including his Singaporean counterpart.  Image Source: MEA/FM The discussions are expected to focus on deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, digital economy, defence, and strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.  The visit underscores the close ties between India and Singapore, built on shared economic and security interests. Following the Singapore leg, Jaishankar will travel to Tianjin, China, to participate in the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).  India’s participation in the multilateral forum is expected to focus on regional security, economic...

On the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Russia, Iran, and Mexico. These were aimed at reinforcing India's diplomatic outreach amid a shifting global order. In his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on developments in West Asia, multilateral frameworks such as BRICS, and coordination within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Both leaders reaffirmed the strategic depth of India-Russia ties in the context of evolving geopolitical challenges. Image Source: MEA/FM on X The Indian minister also met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The discussion centered on pressing regional issues, reflecting the two countries’ continued engagement on developments in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.  The meeting comes at a time when regional st...

In a sharp address at the United Nations, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Monday urged the international community to unite against terrorism in all forms, warning against impunity, state sponsorship, and nuclear blackmail.  He was speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition “The Human Cost of Terrorism” at the UN headquarters. The External Affairs Minister underscored India’s zero-tolerance approach in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Image Source: MEA/FM on X Without naming Pakistan, Jaishankar made it clear that terror proxies and state-backed extremism must be called out and confronted.  “Any state sponsorship must be exposed and countered,” he said, referencing India’s swift retaliation under Operation Sindoor that targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir two weeks after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The exhibition opened a day ahead of Pakistan assuming the rotating presidency of the UN S...

External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday. He thanked him for France’s strong support in the fight against terrorism.  Image Source: FM on X Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described the talks as reflecting the trust and ambition of the India-France Strategic Partnership, now in its 25th year. The visit to France follows Jaishankar’s earlier engagements in Belgium, where he met King Philippe, Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. In Brussels, Jaishankar also held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Both sides reaffirmed their goal of finalizing a balanced and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by year-end. Discussions also covered cooperation in trade, technology, defence, security, skills, and connectivity. It was further agreed that ...

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar , currently in Berlin on the final leg of his three-nation tour to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, has clarified that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan was the result of direct military communication between the two countries, not mediated by international actors. Image Source: FM on X Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS , Jaishankar stated that the decision to halt hostilities was reached through a hotline exchange between the military leaderships of both nations. “The cessation of firing and military action was something which was negotiated directly between India and Pakistan,” he said. “We made it very clear—to the United States and others—that if Pakistan wanted to stop the firing, their general had to call our general. And that is what happened.” Addressing the press alongside FM Johann Wadephul @AussenMinDE in Berli...

As part of India’s ongoing diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor , External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a series of high-level meetings in Berlin aimed at strengthening strategic ties and addressing global security challenges. Image Source: MEA/FM on X In a key meeting, Jaishankar met with Dr. Günter Sautter , Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz . Their discussion centered on global security issues , with a particular focus on counter-terrorism cooperation and maintaining global stability . “Our deepening partnership is an important factor of stability in an uncertain world,” Jaishankar stated, emphasizing mutual efforts to strengthen resilience and build trust in international relations. Honored to meet Chancellor Friedrich Merz today in Berlin. Conveyed the best wishes of PM @narendramodi . Look forward to working with his Government to elevate and expand our Str...

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Berlin served as the final stop for External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on his three-nation tour covering the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. The visit concluded with high-level discussions and regional coordination meetings involving Indian Ambassadors posted across Europe, with a strong focus on counter-terrorism and regional stability . Image Source: MEA/FM on X Speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS earlier, Jaishankar clarified that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan was not a product of international mediation, but the result of direct communication between the two militaries. “The cessation of firing and military action was something which was negotiated directly between India and Pakistan,” he stated. According to officials, the process was triggered by a hotline call from the Pakistani military on May 10 , followed by a formal response from India. Jaishankar noted that while the United States, Gulf co...