News for 'External Affairs Ministry'

We continue to closely follow it: Govt on Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya

We continue to closely follow it: Govt on Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

India continues to provide assistance to Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse on death row in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni citizen. The MEA is also in touch with friendly governments to find a solution. Reports claiming her death sentence has been revoked are incorrect.

Man detained in Iran for clicking pix returns home after 2 months

Man detained in Iran for clicking pix returns home after 2 months

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

An Indian engineer, Yogesh Panchal, was detained in Iran for almost two months for allegedly clicking photographs in a restricted zone. He was released earlier this week after the Ministry of External Affairs intervened. Panchal, who hails from Nanded district in Maharashtra, visited Iran in December to explore business opportunities. He was apprehended from his hotel room on December 7 and accused of shooting videos and photos in a restricted zone. He was held in a local detention center for 59 days and treated well, although blindfolded throughout his incarceration. The family sought help from Rajya Sabha member Ajit Gopchade, but the Iranian Embassy in Delhi initially did not cooperate. The MEA's intervention led to a hearing and his eventual release.

India defends Russia ties, hits out at NATO sanction threat

India defends Russia ties, hits out at NATO sanction threat

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

India has cautioned against 'double standards' regarding its energy procurement from Russia, asserting that it is based on national interests and market dynamics, following a threat of secondary sanctions from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Race To Save Nurse On Death Row In Yemen

Race To Save Nurse On Death Row In Yemen

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

India is working with Yemeni authorities and friendly nations to find a solution for Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen for murder. The government is seeking more time for Priya's family to reach an understanding with the victim's family.

UP man arrested for spying, travelled to Pak several times

UP man arrested for spying, travelled to Pak several times

Rediff.com19 May 2025

Shahzad was apprehended on Sunday by the STF Moradabad unit following inputs about his alleged involvement in cross-border smuggling and espionage activities for the ISI.

India, Pak renew Kartarpur agreement for 5 yrs

India, Pak renew Kartarpur agreement for 5 yrs

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

In view of the continued requests of the pilgrims regarding the removal of $20 service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit, India has once again urged Pakistan to not levy any fee or charges on the pilgrims, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Pak DGMO called for peace, no 3rd party involvement: Govt in RS

Pak DGMO called for peace, no 3rd party involvement: Govt in RS

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

India reasserted that Pakistan requested a cessation of firing via DGMO contact and addressed concerns about Pakistan's roles in UNSC committees.

European embassy staffer behind anti-Netanyahu posters in Delhi

European embassy staffer behind anti-Netanyahu posters in Delhi

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

The incident came to light at around 7.30 am on May 29, when personnel from the Chanakyapuri police station noticed two such posters on electricity poles near the Carmel Convent School on Malcha Marg and the American Embassy School, he said.

'Inaccurate info circulating on Nimisha's Yemen pardon'

'Inaccurate info circulating on Nimisha's Yemen pardon'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Earlier, the office of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Abubakker Musliyar had claimed that "the death sentence of Nimisha Priya, which was previously suspended, has been overturned. A high-level meeting held in Sanaa decided to completely cancel the death sentence that was temporarily suspended earlier."

Quad's Mineral Mission: PM Eyes Latin American Deals

Quad's Mineral Mission: PM Eyes Latin American Deals

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

Increasing cooperation in critical minerals will top Prime Minister Modi's agenda during his discussions with leaders of Ghana, Argentinia, Brazil and Namibia.

India slams Pakistan over Khuzdar Attack allegations

India slams Pakistan over Khuzdar Attack allegations

Rediff.com21 May 2025

India has vehemently denied Pakistan's accusations of involvement in a bomb attack on a school bus in Balochistan's Khuzdar region, calling the allegations "baseless." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Pakistan consistently blames India for its internal issues to deflect attention from its reputation as a global terrorism hub. The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, asserted that this attempt to deceive the world will ultimately fail. The suicide attack resulted in the tragic deaths of five people, including three children, and left several others injured. While India expressed condolences for the loss of life, it firmly rejected Pakistan's claims. The MEA highlighted Pakistan's tendency to scapegoat India for its internal problems, a tactic aimed at obscuring its own failings in combating terrorism. The blast, reportedly carried out through a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), was condemned by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of innocent children and teachers.

India summons Bangladesh envoy amid border row

India summons Bangladesh envoy amid border row

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The summon to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner comes a day after the Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma was summoned by the Bangladesh foreign ministry on Sunday.

SFIO questions IndusInd execs on accounting discrepancies

SFIO questions IndusInd execs on accounting discrepancies

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Private-sector lender IndusInd Bank had said the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) interacted with its officials this week and would send a written communication seeking specific details related to the accounting discrepancies identified at the bank.

'Magnesia, Galveaisa': Punjab CM's dig at Modi's foreign trips

'Magnesia, Galveaisa': Punjab CM's dig at Modi's foreign trips

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits, drawing disapproval from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Govt allows onion exports to Bangladesh, Mauritius, Bahrain, Bhutan

Govt allows onion exports to Bangladesh, Mauritius, Bahrain, Bhutan

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

The government on Thursday permitted traders to export 54,760 tonnes of onion to Bangladesh, Mauritius, Bahrain and Bhutan till March 31. "We have allowed export of 50,000 tonnes of onion to Bangladesh, 1,200 tonnes to Mauritius, 3,000 tonnes of Bahrain and 560 tonnes to Bhutan with immediate effect," consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI.

Centre expects US to consider visa applications of Indian students

Centre expects US to consider visa applications of Indian students

Rediff.com29 May 2025

India on Thursday said it expects the United States to consider visa applications of Indian students on merit amid growing concerns over the Trump administration halting new student visa interviews.

Doval in Beijing for talks to restore stalled ties

Doval in Beijing for talks to restore stalled ties

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to take part in the India-China Special Representatives' talks to be held on Wednesday aimed at restoring the bilateral ties stalled for over four years' due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Fake embassy scam: UP man posed as 'West Arctica' envoy

Fake embassy scam: UP man posed as 'West Arctica' envoy

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force unearths a fake embassy operating in Ghaziabad, arresting a man who claimed to be a diplomat of a non-existent country.

Willing to work with India on border issue, says Chinese military

Willing to work with India on border issue, says Chinese military

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

China's military has said it is willing to work with India to find a solution to the border issue, while also pushing for sound and stable defence ties. The statement comes after recent meetings between officials from both countries to normalize relations following a prolonged period of tension.

Trump aide fact-checked over anti-India rant. He slams Musk

Trump aide fact-checked over anti-India rant. He slams Musk

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

Calling the community note on X "crap", Navarro alleged that Elon Musk is allowing "propaganda" and reiterated his accusations of India purchasing Russian oil only to make profits.

Pro-Khalistanis target Jaishankar's convoy in London, India reacts

Pro-Khalistanis target Jaishankar's convoy in London, India reacts

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

The group waving separatist flags was barricaded and monitored by a significant police presence outside the venue on Wednesday night, with officers rushing to restrain the man as he ran past the barricade in an attempt to block the path of the minister's car pulling at an Indian flag.

Pakistan's ISI team in Bangladesh, India 'keeps a close watch'

Pakistan's ISI team in Bangladesh, India 'keeps a close watch'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

The visit to Dhaka by the Pakistani military officials came after a delegation of Bangladeshi military officials toured Pakistan and held meetings with the three service chiefs.

3 Indian bizmen go missing in Iran; govt seeks Tehran's help

3 Indian bizmen go missing in Iran; govt seeks Tehran's help

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

Three Indian nationals have gone missing in Iran, and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken up the matter strongly with Tehran. The Indians traveled to Iran for business purposes and lost contact with their families shortly after arriving in the country. The MEA and the Indian embassy in Tehran have urged Iranian authorities to assist in locating the missing nationals and ensuring their safety.

Polarised: Former Indian envoys criticise Hasina's death sentence

Polarised: Former Indian envoys criticise Hasina's death sentence

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Former Indian envoys criticize the death sentence handed down to ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressing concerns about political polarization and stability in Bangladesh.

SAD seeks US leniency for Indian trucker involved in crash

SAD seeks US leniency for Indian trucker involved in crash

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

The Shiromani Akali Dal has appealed to the United States government to consider a humanitarian view of truck driver Harjinder Singh, who faces a vehicular homicide case. The party also requested the Indian government to provide consular and legal assistance.

US warns: Tariffs on India could go up if...

US warns: Tariffs on India could go up if...

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that the secondary tariffs on India could go up if 'things don't go well' during talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

India fully withdraws soldiers from Maldives before deadline

India fully withdraws soldiers from Maldives before deadline

Rediff.com10 May 2024

The last batch of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives have been repatriated, confirmed Heena Waleed, President's Office Chief Spokesperson told Sun.mv news portal, without giving the number of Indian soldiers.

Top Chinese diplomat, touted to be next foreign minister, detained

Top Chinese diplomat, touted to be next foreign minister, detained

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

The 61-year-old senior diplomat was taken away for questioning in late July after returning to Beijing from an overseas work trip, the paper reported, quoting people familiar with the matter.

India urges Dhaka not to demolish Satyajit Ray's ancestral home

India urges Dhaka not to demolish Satyajit Ray's ancestral home

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

India on Tuesday called on Bangladesh to reconsider its decision to demolish the ancestral property of noted filmmaker Satyajit Ray and offered help to preserve the iconic building as it symbolises Bangla cultural 'renaissance'.

India flags baby Ariha's 'infringement of rights' in German custody

India flags baby Ariha's 'infringement of rights' in German custody

Rediff.com2 Jun 2023

The German authorities had taken custody of Ariha Shah on September 23, 2021, when she was seven months old, alleging that the parents harassed her.

Kerala woman among 17 Indians onboard ship seized by Iran

Kerala woman among 17 Indians onboard ship seized by Iran

Rediff.com15 Apr 2024

The father said that he has not received any updates from the state or the Central governments regarding his daughter's current status.

Modi arrives in Canada for G7 Summit amid Israel-Iran conflict

Modi arrives in Canada for G7 Summit amid Israel-Iran conflict

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

The Kananaskis gathering on June 16-17 is the Prime Minister's 6th consecutive participation in the G7 Summit.

India dismisses Pak allegation of complicity in train hijack

India dismisses Pak allegation of complicity in train hijack

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

India has strongly rejected Pakistan's allegations of backing terrorism against that country following the Balochistan train attack. India said Islamabad should look inwards before shifting the blame on others for its "failures " and that the whole world knows "where the epicentre of global terrorism lies ". Pakistan, on the other hand, has accused India of "sponsoring terrorism " without directly implicating it in the Balochistan train attack that killed 21 passengers.

India welcomes US-Russia meet in Alaska for Ukraine peace

India welcomes US-Russia meet in Alaska for Ukraine peace

Rediff.com9 Aug 2025

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson said that the meeting holds the promise of bringing to an end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and opening up the prospects for peace.

US advisory for India warns of crime, rape; MEA says 'noted'

US advisory for India warns of crime, rape; MEA says 'noted'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

In the June 16 advisory, the US urged its citizens to exercise "increased caution" due to crime and rape, and advised them not to travel to certain parts of central and eastern parts of the country due to terrorism.

750 pilgrims selected for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

750 pilgrims selected for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

Rediff.com21 May 2025

A total of 750 pilgrims have been selected through a computerised draw for the upcoming Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet, marking the resumption of the pilgrimage after a five-year gap. The Yatra's resumption is seen as an attempt to normalize India-China relations, which were strained by the eastern Ladakh border standoff. The pilgrimage will begin in June and continue until August, with pilgrims traveling in five batches via the Lipulekh route and ten batches via the Nathu La route. The selection process was deemed "fair, computer-generated, random, gender-balanced" by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which organized the pilgrimage.

Diplomatic, economic punitive actions against Pak to continue: India

Diplomatic, economic punitive actions against Pak to continue: India

Rediff.com14 May 2025

External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India will keep the IWT in abeyance until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably" abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

India has expressed concern to the US authorities over the treatment of deportees on a flight that landed on February 5, particularly with respect to the use of shackles, especially on women. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also registered its concerns regarding the need to accommodate the religious sensitivities and food preferences of the deportees. The US side has confirmed that no women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that landed in India on 15th and 16th February, 2025.

US may hold back secondary tariffs on India, says Trump

US may hold back secondary tariffs on India, says Trump

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

There were apprehensions that additional secondary tariffs would have hit India in case the US decided to enforce them.

Tariffs on India prompted Russia to...: Trump ahead of meet with Putin

Tariffs on India prompted Russia to...: Trump ahead of meet with Putin

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

The comments come ahead of Trump's high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday in Anchorage, Alaska.