When word got around in the ministry of external affairs that Siddhartha and Malavika were going to New York and would be with SM Krishna, protocol officers went to Delhi airport to see off the couple. Siddhartha chided them for doing so and when the officials said a government vehicle would be picking them up at John F Kennedy airport on arrival, he told them that he would take a taxi to reach the New York Palace hotel where his father-in-law was staying. K P Nayar reports.
Pakistan expressed its desire to have "cordial and cooperative" ties with India, a day after the two sides agreed to have "constructive" engagement aimed at restoring the stalled dialogue process.
The incident comes following the vandalism of three Hindu temples in Australia by Khalistani supporters.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has met Home Secretary G K Pillai against the backdrop of apparent differences between the ministry of external affairs and the ministry of home affairs in connection with the Indo-Pak talks held recently. Rao met Pillai on Thursday and is understood to have briefed him about the recent talks between External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh believes that China will, in the foreseeable future, not agree to have India or Japan as veto-wielding permanent members.
India on Friday welcomed Pakistan's decision to accept its $5 million aid offer for flood relief in the country and said it was willing to provide more assistance. Pakistan's decision to accept the aid came nearly a week after the offer was made by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi last Friday. "We welcome the decision of Pakistan to accept the aid offer," external affairs ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.
The second round of the Indo-United States strategic dialogue, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has been postponed in view of the Assembly elections in India and ongoing developments in West Asia and North Africa.
In the midst of current chill in Indo-Pak relations, a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation home ministers' conference is scheduled next month in Islamabad to which Union Home Minister P Chidambaram plans to go subject to Foreign Office's approval.
The foreign envoys were taken to Hyderabad over a month after the ministry of external affairs briefed over 190 heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of leading international organisations on COVID-19 related issues.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a hectic second day at the SAARC Summit in Thimphu, where he held meetings with various Heads od State.
Swaraj had on Wednesday tweeted that she was in AIIMS because of kidney failure.
With India raising concern over Pakistan's increasing involvement in Afghanistan's transition process, President Hamid Karzai on Sunday assured visiting External Affairs Minister S M Krishna that his government will not make any move that is detrimental to New Delhi's interest. Karzai sought to allay India's concerns during his meeting with Krishna, who is in Kabul on a two-day visit. The Afghan President assured Krishna that India was 'uppermost' on his prioritiy list.
On a three-day visit to Egypt, the first by a senior Indian leader after last year's revolution, Krishna met the head of current military-led government, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Prime Minister Kamal Al Ganzhoury as well as his counterpart Mohamed Kamel Amr.
What some of our leaders were up to over the weekend.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will arrive in Moscow on December 16 to attend the annual Indo-Russian summit.
Few people know Ratan Tata as well as R K Krishna Kumar does. Widely perceived to be among the managers closest to Tata, Krishna Kumar assesses Ratan Tata, the man and business leader, in this exclusive interview to Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.
Pakistan on Saturday released all Indian fishermen who have completed their jail terms as a goodwill gesture for External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's visit to Islamabad. "All Indian fishermen who have completed their jail term have been released as a goodwill gesture for Krishna's visit," Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said after signing the new liberalised visa agreement with the Indian minister.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on asked Sri Lanka to observe 'restraint' while dealing with Indian fishermen who stray into its waters during talks with his counterpart G L Peiris, who is in New Delhi to explain his country's position on a United Nations report accusing it of "war crimes".
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will travel to Islamabad on Tuesday on a two-day visit during which she will hold talks with her Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz and attend a multilateral conference on Afghanistan.
Colonel Anil Athale (retd) recommends that Extrnal Affairs Minister S M Krishna should tell Pakistan that the current exercise in peace building is possibly the last chance for the country to avoid a second Bangladesh like situation.
India has emphasised on defence technology transfer, co-development and co-production with the United States in the expanding defence ties between the two countries. "The secretary (of state) and I support the growing emphasis on defense technology transfer and co-development and co-production in our expanding defense relationship," External Affairs Minister SM Krishna told reporters at a joint news conference with Hillary Clinton.
India on Wednesday requested the United States to provide it access to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks accused David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana, visiting External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said.
India on Friday strongly rejected Pakistan's allegation that it was sponsoring terrorism in South Asia, with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna terming it as "unacceptable". "The track record of India speaks so eloquently," he said, adding, "We don't need to defend our position."
Terrorism, UNSC reforms, piracy, peacekeeping and Syria will be among the focus areas of India when External Affairs Minister S M Krishna will participate in the UN General Assembly in New York on October 1.
Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt, who is travelling with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on his visit to Islamabad, reports that both India and Pakistan are cautious about keeping the peace process moving forward.
Responding to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's invitation to visit India, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has made it clear that he would accept it if the talks are to be "result-oriented", covering all issues of importance, including Kashmir. He stressed the need for "positive and constructive approach" after his July 15 talks with Krishna ended on a bitter note, particularly on Kashmir and terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of the international conference on the future of Afghanistan at Bonn, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna observed that infiltration poses a threat to that country's economy and development.
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday pressed Pakistan to do more to ensure its territory is not used as "launching pad" by terror groups for attacks and also said that Hafiz Saeed was "one of the "principal architects" of the 2008 Mumbai carnage.
Pakistan on Friday rejected External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's remarks that India has provided adequate proof linking Hafiz Saeed to the Mumbai attacks, saying action could be taken against the Laskar-e-Tayyiba founder only on the basis of "solid evidence".
The talks between S M Krishna and Hillary Clinton covered important bilateral issues like Afghanistan, nuclear waiver, defence purchases, terrorism, cyber security and US demands for market access, particularly in insurance and retail trading. Sheela Bhatt reports.
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday reserved its order on a petition filed by former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, challenging proceedings initiated by the Lokayukta against him in a corruption case.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's provocative remark on Friday that External Affairs Minister S M Krishna constantly received directions from New Delhi during their talks drew scorn and condemnation in the country.
Minister of External Affairs S M Krishna on Saturday reacted strongly to the attack on two Indian priests of the famous Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, and asked the Nepal government to ensure the safety and security of the priests.However, unfazed by the attack, the two priests performed the daily rituals at the 5th century Hindu shrine. The police and temple authorities, with the help of the locals, rescued the priests from the attackers, sources said.
Australia on Thursday assured India that 'firm action' will be taken against those responsible for the recent attacks on Indian students, as External Affairs Minister S M Krishna took up the issue with the authorities in Sydney, amid serious concerns over it back home. During his meeting with New South Wales Premier Nathan Rees, Krishna, who is on a five-day visit to Australia, was assured that firm action will be taken against the perpetrators.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday assured External Affairs Minister S M Krishna that the issue of Indian students enrolled in the Tri Valley University would receive her promptest attention and that 'justice' would be done in the matter. Clinton gave the assurance in the matter during a 40-minute telephonic conversation with the visiting Indian minister. Clinton has asked Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar to meet her on Monday and provide all the details.
India has conveyed to the United States that countries with a "determined position to fight terror" cannot be selective in their approach in dealing with the menace and have to fight the scourge together "across the board".
Pointing out that Pakistan is in "illegal occupation of some parts of Jammu and Kashmir", External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said, "It is desirable that they vacate that and then start advising India as to how to go about doing things in Kashmir."
India is "closely monitoring" the progress in the non-resident Indian children custody row, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in New Delhi on Thursday.
India and Japan have agreed to restart talks on a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement aimed at allowing Japanese companies to export atomic power technology and equipment to India.
Voicing great concern over China's remarks about "India-controlled Kashmir", External Affairs Minister S M Krishna asked Beijing to respect India's sensitivities on Jammu and Kashmir which is an inalienable part of the country.