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India stated its independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy once again in a wide-ranging media briefing on Friday, tackling pointed questions about its energy ties with Russia, US-China rivalry, border disputes, multilateral roles, and diaspora concerns. Image Source: Shubhangi Sharma Responding to US criticism, including a disparaging remark by former Trump aide Peter Navarro accusing India of being a "laundromat for the Kremlin," the Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the statement as “inaccurate and misleading.”  The government made clear that India’s decisions--especially regarding Russian oil--will remain guided by national interests, costs, and logistics. “We reject these comments. India-US ties are anchored in shared democratic values and mutual respect,” the spokesperson said, brushing aside President Donald Trump’s claim that the US had “lost” India to “deepest, darkest China.” On the Indo-Nepal border issue, Delhi stood by its previously stated position...

The Indian government has confirmed that 1,080 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since January 2025.  Of these, approximately 62% returned via commercial flights, according to figures released during the Ministry of External Affairs weekly briefing. Image Source: MEA Briefing Screengrab MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that each case undergoes verification before repatriation. “We verify the nationality of individuals and only then facilitate their return,” he said. India maintains close coordination with U.S. authorities on immigration and deportation matters, especially for individuals who entered or stayed in the country illegally.  The government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of Indian nationals abroad while adhering to international protocols.

India has introduced a new visa policy for Afghan nationals, replacing the earlier "emergency e-xmisc" visa system with a structured six-category module.  The change took effect on April 29, 2025, and applies to all new applicants, while existing visa holders must convert to the new system. Image Source: MEA Briefing screengrab The six available categories under the new framework are: medical visa, medical attendant visa, business visa, entry visa, student visa, and UN diplomatic visa. During the weekly press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “The new visa module will help strengthen India–Afghanistan people-to-people ties further.”  Afghan nationals currently in India under the old system are required to approach the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) to update their status.

India has confirmed that bilateral trade negotiations with the United States are ongoing, even as it distances itself from claims made in a recent U.S. court affidavit alleging trade pressure was used to mediate the 2021 India-Pakistan ceasefire. At the press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s official position denying any third-party role in that ceasefire, and emphasized that trade discussions are a separate, bilateral matter.  Image Source: MEA Briefing screengrab “Trade negotiation is an ongoing process, and we will update you as and when things come to fruition,” he stated. The Foreign Secretary is currently visiting Washington, D.C., where he is engaging in high-level meetings on technology, defense, and critical mineral partnerships.  The MEA did not provide a timeline for any trade agreement or comment directly on the legal implications of the U.S. affidavit.

India has responded to recent updates in the U.S. government’s guidance for student and exchange visitor visa applicants, emphasizing the importance of fair and merit-based processing for Indian students. Image Source: MEA briefing screengrab At a media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “While we note that visa issuance is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered on merit and they will be able to join their academic programs on time.” Over 330,000 Indian students were enrolled in U.S. institutions during the 2023–24 academic year.  India reiterated that the welfare of Indian students abroad remains a top priority and said it would continue to monitor further developments on this issue.

India has firmly denied recent claims made in a U.S. court filing that suggested American trade threats played a role in facilitating the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan. Image Source: Screengrab MEA briefing Addressing media questions, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the ceasefire was achieved through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries.  “The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of the discussions,” Jaiswal emphasised. The U.S. affidavit, submitted under oath, claimed the Trump administration leveraged trade pressure to defuse what it called a potential nuclear flashpoint.  India has categorically refuted this version, affirming that all related decisions were made bilaterally, without any third-party mediation.

India has resumed diplomatic engagement with Canada following the formation of a new government in Ottawa, while reiterating its concerns about extremist elements receiving political legitimacy in Canada. Image Source: MEA briefing screengrab At the weekly MEA briefing, Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with his Canadian counterpart in the first formal interaction since the new administration took office.  However, India expressed concern over a recent event in British Columbia where pro-Khalistan individuals, including those with known extremist links, were invited and celebrated. “Our position has been very consistent — we have conveyed our security concerns to the Canadian side and urged them not to give any political space to extremist elements,” Jaiswal stated. The MEA emphasized that such actions undermine bilateral ties and urged Canada to act against individuals advocating violence and secession.

India has called for calm and democratic resolution amid growing political instability in Bangladesh. In response to widespread protests and political demands for early elections in Dhaka, the Ministry of External Affairs restated India’s commitment to supporting the democratic process in the neighboring country. Image Source: MEA briefing screengrab “We have articulated our position very clearly — Bangladesh needs to ascertain the will and mandate of the people by holding inclusive, fair, and free elections at an early date,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during the press briefing. The statement comes in the wake of remarks by interim Bangladeshi officials accusing India of influencing domestic politics — allegations the MEA has firmly rejected.  India emphasized its approach remains anchored in mutual respect and the democratic aspirations of both nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that three Indian nationals who recently traveled to Iran are missing, and disturbing details have emerged indicating that ransom calls were made demanding payments into Pakistani bank accounts. Image Source: Nabila Jamal on X During the weekly briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Indian authorities are in regular contact with their Iranian counterparts to locate the missing individuals and ensure their safety.  “We are in daily touch with the Iranian authorities... and are receiving good cooperation from their side,” he said. The MEA also acknowledged the emotional distress faced by the families of the missing individuals and assured that all efforts are being made for their safe return.  This incident is the latest of transnational abduction cases and raises serious concerns over cross-border criminal networks operating out of Pakistan.

India has initiated a robust global diplomatic outreach to spotlight Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. At today's press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Pakistan as the “global epicenter” of terrorism, reinforcing India’s call for the international community to isolate terror sponsors. Image Source: MEA Briefing Screengrab Jaiswal reiterated India’s consistent position that meaningful dialogue cannot occur while Pakistan continues to provide support to cross-border terrorist activities.  He further noted that India remains open to discussing the extradition of wanted terrorists, referring to a list already shared with Pakistan in the past. This intensified diplomatic posture follows India’s broader strategic objective of mobilizing international consensus against terrorism and underlining the need for credible action from Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure.

In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the brutal massacre of innocent civilians, travellers of all people, the Indian government has restated its long-standing position that dialogue with Pakistan cannot proceed under the shadow of terrorism.  Image Source: Screengrab MEA briefing During a press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated unequivocally that “terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together, and water and blood cannot flow together.” Jaiswal emphasised that any future engagement with Pakistan must be strictly bilateral and contingent on the complete cessation of cross-border terrorism. He reiterated that discussions on Jammu and Kashmir will only occur in the context of the “vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.” The statement shows a hardened stance following the brutal Pahalgam incident and is part of a broader diplomatic outreach by India to highlight cross-border terrorism o...

India on Thursday clarified that Pakistan was informed about the recent cross-border strikes on terror camps only after the operations were carried out , not in advance, as part of Operation Sindoor . During the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the strikes were a sovereign exercise of India's right to respond to terrorism, and that the communication to Pakistan followed the action — not prior to it . This clarification comes in the wake of misinterpretations surrounding earlier remarks made by senior officials, including the External Affairs Minister . Image Source: MEA Briefing The spokesperson confirmed that India acted decisively and lawfully to target terrorist infrastructure across the border, and then notified Pakistan. The clarification reinforces India’s position that it will not seek permission or give prior warning before acting on ...

India on Thursday restated its assertive stance against cross-border terrorism, stating that any engagement with Pakistan will remain conditional upon concrete action to dismantle terror infrastructure. The statement, delivered during the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly briefing, came alongside a strong defence of the Indian government’s long-standing practice of hiring lobbying firms in the United States as part of its strategic diplomacy toolkit . Image Source: MEA Briefing The Ministry clarified that engaging lobbying firms has been a regular and transparent practice since 1949, with full disclosures made under U.S. law. These activities are common among embassies worldwide and conducted in accordance with the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act . The clarification follows increased international scrutiny of India’s diplomatic efforts after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s mi...