Diplomacy Archives - Defence Monitor

29 Oct

India’s counter-terrorism strategies shaped by cross-border security challenges, says Rajnath Singh

Cebu, Oct 29 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India's expertise in counter-terrorism goes far beyond theoretical knowledge, having been shaped by decades of confronting cross-border security challenges. He noted that every strategy adopted by the country has been tested in real-time situations and has proven effective. Addressing the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu, Singh said that the theme for this year's meeting, 'Navigating Our Future Together', "deeply resonates" with India's defence and foreign policies, adding that it is also "deeply rooted in our civilisational ethos of 'Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah', reflecting our commitment to the happiness,…

29 Oct

India-US trade deal safeguards sensitive interests of farmers, other stakeholders: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that when the details of the India-US trade deal negotiations are released, the people of India will recognise that the sensitive interests of farmers and other stakeholders have not been compromised and that India will be placed at a strong comparative advantage. Goyal explained that trade was fundamentally about comparative advantage and competitiveness, rather than absolute numbers alone. He observed that many developed countries had structured their tariff schedules to impose high duties on labour-intensive goods, using them as negotiating instruments. Goyal made the comments while…

27 Oct

BRICS members condemn unilateral economic sanctions, stress urgency for UN reforms

New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) Parliaments of the BRICS member countries on Tuesday condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, including economic and secondary sanctions, while calling for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council. “We condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that are contrary to international law, and reiterate that such measures, inter alia in the form of unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions, have far reaching negative implications on human rights, including the right to development, health and food security of the general population of targeted states,” read the Joint Declaration following the…

27 Oct

BRICS meet backs agenda for sustainable growth, equitable access to AI for Global South

New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) Representatives of the Parliaments of BRICS member countries on Tuesday expressed support for accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, harnessing digital technologies to address challenges faced by developing countries and ensuring equitable access to AI for the Global South. The members strongly backed India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026, themed "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, which reflects a shared commitment to strengthening BRICS cooperation to address common challenges in a balanced, inclusive and forward-looking manner, according to a joint statement issued after the meeting here. Presiding Officers and representatives of…

27 Oct

BRICS parliamentarians condemn Pahalgam attack, call for strongly combatting cross-border terrorism

New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) The member countries of the BRICS grouping on Tuesday once again strongly condemned the 2025 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and reaffirmed their commitment to combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, terrorism financing and safe havens. In the Joint Declaration adopted after conclusion of the two-day 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, India and other BRICS members called for ensuring zero tolerance for terrorism and rejected any double standards in countering it. "We express strong condemnation of any acts of terrorism as criminal and…

24 Oct

India, Uzbekistan discuss strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) India and Uzbekistan discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including counter-terrorism, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. The meeting was held in New Delhi between MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George and Uzbekistan's Co-Chair of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, Pirimkulov Gulomjon Shodmonkulovich. In a post on X, the MEA said, "Secretary (West) Sibi George received Mr Pirimkulov Gulomjon Shodmonkulovich, Head of Department for Cooperation with South Asian, Near, Middle Eastern and African Countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Co-Chair of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism."…

23 Oct

India reaffirms commitment to strengthen partnership with Hungary

New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) India on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening its partnership with Hungary across diverse sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, education and people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Secretary (West) in the MEA, Sibi George, represented India as the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of Hungary, where he highlighted the strong and enduring ties between the two countries. “Secretary (West) Sibi George represented India at the National Day Celebrations of Hungary as Chief Guest. He highlighted the strong and enduring ties between India and Hungary, and reaffirmed the commitment…

23 Oct

India, Italy discuss institutionalising naval engagements, deepening operational cooperation

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan held a meeting with the Italian Navy's Chief of Staff Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto in New Delhi on Friday, with discussions held on institutionalising navy-to-navy engagements, deepening operational cooperation, expanding multilateral cooperation on shared maritime security priorities and strengthening professional exchanges. The discussions were held after Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto was received by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at South Block Lawns in New Delhi. "Adm Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Chief of Staff, Italian Navy, on an official visit to India, was received by…

23 Oct

All 14 Indian nationals aboard yacht off Yemen coast safe: Indian Embassy

Aden (Yemen), Oct 23 (IANS) The Indian Embassy in Yemen said on Friday that all 14 Indian nationals on board a yacht involved in an incident off the coast of Yemen are safe, and it will continue to work to ensure their well-being. In a statement shared on X, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia stated, "Reports suggest that all 14 Indian nationals are safe and located around Hodeidah in Yemen. We will continue to work for ensuring their well being." Earlier in the day, the Indian embassy said that it has been making efforts to find more details about…

23 Oct

EAM Jaishankar and Azerbaijan FM discuss connectivity, North–South transport corridors

Baku, Oct 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with his counterpart from Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, on Friday with discussions held on bilateral ties, including political dialogue, trade, investment, energy, transport, tourism, education, science and cultural cooperation. According to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, EAM Jaishankar and Bayramov discussed opportunities offered by Azerbaijan’s East–West and North–South transport corridors, the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, the Port of Baku, the Alat Free Economic Zone and other industrial zones. The two ministers discussed regional and international developments, including cooperation within the United Nations (UN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation…