Ministry of External Affairs

August 7, 2026 8:19 PM

MEA rejects US lawmaker’s criticism of FCRA Bill, says legislation is India’s internal matter

India on Friday dismissed criticism by a US lawmaker over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), asserting that legislation enacted by Parliament is an internal matter and noting that many countries, including the United States, regulate foreign funding. Addressing the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) weekly media briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Parliament alone decides on India's legislative matters. "Regarding the issue you are referring t...

August 5, 2026 10:22 PM

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits Sri Lanka, reviews bilateral cooperation and development projects

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid an official visit to Sri Lanka on Wednesday, reaffirming India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties under its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR while reviewing progress on key connectivity, infrastructure, energy and development projects. The visit marked Misri's first standalone trip to Sri Lanka since assuming office as Foreign Secretary. He had previously visited the island nation as part of the Indian delegations accompanying Prime M...

August 5, 2026 10:19 PM

India, Lesotho review bilateral ties at 6th Joint Commission Meeting; agree to deepen cooperation

India and Lesotho reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral relationship during the sixth meeting of the India-Lesotho Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC) held in New Delhi on July 30, reaffirming their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. The meeting was co-chaired by Janesh Kain, Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Thabang P. Lekhela, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International R...

August 5, 2026 5:30 PM

India rejects Pakistan’s ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’ observance, says Jammu & Kashmir an integral part of the country

India on Wednesday firmly rejected Pakistan's remarks on the so-called "Youm-e-Istehsal," describing the observance as a politically motivated attempt to spread misinformation about Jammu and Kashmir while diverting global attention from Pakistan's own human rights record and support for terrorism. Responding to media queries regarding comments made by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Union Territorie...

August 4, 2026 10:50 PM

India condemns attack on Indian-flagged vessel in Red Sea; all 14 crew members, including 13 Indians, rescued

India on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on Indian-flagged commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen after being struck by a projectile. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that all 14 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued safely by the Yemeni Coast Guard. The MEA said the attack on the vessel was deeply condemnable and noted that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation while coordina...

August 4, 2026 7:26 PM

MEA calls Pakistan-occupied Kashmir elections a ‘farce’, urges global action over civilian killings

India on Tuesday strongly criticised the recently conducted local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing the exercise as a "complete farce" and accusing Pakistan of using the polls to mask widespread repression and violence in the region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the international community must hold Islamabad accountable for alleged human rights violations, claiming that at least 90 civilians have been killed in the continuing crackdown since June. Addressi...

July 31, 2026 6:48 PM

‘Absolute disdain’: India slams Pakistan over PoJK crackdown, Pak PM aide’s ‘enemies’ remark

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday slammed Islamabad following reports that Pakistani forces killed over 40 people and injured scores more during recent anti-government demonstrations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan's actions against peaceful protesters in PoJK had exposed its treatment of the people living under its control. "As you and all of us have witnessed, the Pakistani establ...

July 29, 2026 12:53 AM

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s China visit focused on advancing bilateral ties, trade, people-to-people exchanges, border peace: MEA

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's official visit to China focused on discussions to advance bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, cultural ties, people-to-people exchanges and maintaining peace and tranquillity along the India-China border areas, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Misri visited China from July 27 to July 28 and held a series of high-level meetings in Beijing, includin...

July 28, 2026 10:42 PM

Pakistan cannot claim pluralistic cultural legacy while promoting cross-border terrorism: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday strongly rejected Pakistan’s attempts to invoke the shared legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization, its remarks on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), and its response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s comments on PoK, accusing Islamabad of promoting cross-border terrorism, religious fundamentalism and suppressing the rights of people in areas under its control. Responding to questions during the weekly media briefing, MEA spokespe...

July 26, 2026 6:13 PM

MEA advises seafarers to exercise caution before taking jobs on commercial vessels in Black Sea region

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to carefully assess security risks before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected Black Sea region, citing a sharp rise in attacks on merchant ships and the deaths of five Indian nationals since April this year. The advisory noted that the security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongo...