IndianRepublic.in

India on March 25 continued to mount a coordinated political, diplomatic and administrative response to the escalating West Asia war, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stating he was “ pleased to meet US Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby ” and that they “exchanged views on the current geopolitical scenario,” even as the 18th India–US Defence Policy Group meeting in New Delhi saw both sides “review ongoing initiatives,” identify “priority areas for co-development & co-production of defence equipment,” and “reaffirm commitment to enhancing military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training visits & strategic exchanges,” signalling that defence coordination with Washington is also being sharpened alongside the unfolding conflict. A snapshot from U.S.-India Defense Policy Group; Via: USAmbIndia on X The engagement was reinforced at multiple levels, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meeting Colby to discuss “advancing bilateral defenc...

✍️ Written by Saket Suman The widening war involving the United States, Israel and Iran  has marched from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean and  has now begun to unfold within India’s extended strategic neighbourhood. The sinking of an Iranian naval vessel near Sri Lanka, missile exchanges across the Gulf, disruptions to energy flows and airspace closures across major aviation hubs have all brought the conflict closer to India’s economic and security periphery. In moments like these, there is always a temptation for countries to claim the moral high ground or issue strong declaratory positions. But for India, the wiser path may lie in something quieter b u t strategically more consequential. Restraint, Vigilance and the careful use of Multilateral Diplomacy.  So far, New Delhi appears to have largely followed that course. File Photo: EAM Jaishankar India’s response to the crisis has been marked less by rhetoric and more by calibra...

India has issued its first formal condolence over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar holding a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visiting the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to sign the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India.  Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri visited the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Via: MEA India Jaishankar confirmed the call, while visuals from the embassy showed Misri interacting with the Iranian envoy and recording India’s message of condolence. This marks New Delhi’s first official, government-level gesture since Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Tehran. The condolence step landed amid India’s widening diplomatic engagement across West Asia as the conflict escalates and risks spreading further into the Gulf and the wider region where India has major people-and-supply-cha...

India and Germany significantly upgraded their strategic partnership this week with a wide-ranging bilateral engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, resulting in 27 outcomes across defence, energy, technology, education and migration.  This marked Merz’s first official visit to India and Asia since taking office, and came as both nations confront an unstable global order that has prompted a recalibration of partnerships rooted in democratic resilience and technological sovereignty. Sabarmati Ashram stands as a powerful reminder of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. Via: PM NaMo Chancellor Merz’s choice to begin his Asia diplomacy with India was framed by both governments as a signal of trust and alignment, with Modi describing the visit as “a strong testament” to the relationship.  The two leaders met in Ahmedabad on January 12, where they jointly participated in symbolic events such as a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and the International Kite ...

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks in New Delhi with the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the Council of the European Union. This marked the PSC’s first visit to Asia.  The 30-member delegation, led by Committee Chair Delphine Pronk, included ambassadors of EU member states and senior officials from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Misri was joined by Deputy National Security Adviser Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) Sibi George, and other senior Indian officials. Trade Deal between India and EU likely by year end. Via MEAIndia The two sides discussed security cooperation across multiple sectors including defence, cyber governance, maritime security, and counter-terrorism. They welcomed the pace of recent high-level engagement and ongoing sectoral dialogue.  Both parties committed to concluding the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership and the Security of Information Agreement at the earliest. The India-EU Free T...

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi as part of Sun's two-day visit to India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).  Chinese Ambassador to India on X The discussions reviewed developments since their last meeting in Beijing in January 2025, with both sides agreeing to prioritize people-centric engagements to stabilize and rebuild ties. As per the MEA, Misri thanked the Chinese side for their cooperation in resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year.  He also noted progress on trans-border river cooperation, including hydrological data sharing discussed during the April 2025 Expert Level Mechanism meeting. Both sides agreed to expedite the resumption of direct air services and aim for an updated Air Services Agreement. They also discussed steps for visa facilitation, media, and think-tank exchanges.  The MEA further stated that activities marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties were ...

Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri visited Tokyo on May 22, 2025, for high-level meetings with senior officials of the Government of Japan. He met with Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi to review key aspects of the bilateral relationship, including political ties, defence and security cooperation, economic collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides also discussed current regional and global issues. Image Source: MEA/FM on X During the visit, Misri also held discussions with Japan’s National Security Advisor Masataka Okano and Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Hiroyuki Namazu on matters of mutual strategic interest. The Foreign Secretary delivered the spotlight address at the 2nd Raisina Tokyo Dialogue, organized by the Observer Research Foundation, ORF America, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and Keizai Doyukai. His visit reaffirmed the ongoing commitment to deepen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Misri also expressed...

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with senior Japanese officials in Tokyo on Wednesday, reinforcing the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and conveying India’s position on counterterrorism and Indo-Pacific cooperation . Image Source: MEA/FM on X Misri held the Foreign Secretary–Vice Minister Dialogue with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi , where discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and reiterating India’s message of zero tolerance towards terrorism . He also met Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Hiroyuki Namazu , with both sides exchanging views on India–Japan collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and other shared strategic priorities. These exchanges come in the context of India's wider global campaign to highlight its co...