EAM Jaishankar, Canadian FM meet in Munich; reflect ‘growing momentum in bilateral ties’

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi/Ottawa, Feb 16 (IANS) Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany, marking their fifth meeting since September 2025 and underscoring the steady progress in bilateral ties.

In an official press release, the Government of Canada said, “Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, on the margins of the Munich Security Conference, in Germany.”

“This marks the fifth meeting between the ministers since September 2025, reflecting the growing momentum in the Canada-India relationship, building on more than 75 years of diplomatic relations and strong people-to-people ties. The ministers discussed deepening cooperation in several areas, including energy, technology, and trade,” the statement added.

Highlighting India’s expanding global role, the release noted, “As one of the world’s most dynamic and growing economies, Minister Anand noted India’s importance as a partner for Canada.” The ministers “affirmed the shared technological benefits and significant partnership opportunities for both countries’ businesses, industries, and workers.”

Both sides also “underscored the substantive progress made on the joint road map for Canada-India relations announced in October 2025” and reiterated their commitment to “strengthening ties through the implementation of road map priorities as well as expanding and diversifying Canada-India trade in support of economic resilience and stability.”

Canada’s Foreign Policy account on X posted, “Minister Anand was pleased to see her Indian counterpart, Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, at the #MSC2026 to discuss the Canada-India relationship and the work ahead to advance their shared interests.”

Jaishankar echoed the positive tone, posting on X, “Was great to sit down and catch up with FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada. India-Canada ties continue their steady progress.”

The high-level engagement comes amid expectations that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit India in the first week of March.

India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has indicated that Carney is likely to sign agreements covering uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence during the visit.

–IANS

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Leaders laud PM Modi’s message in 126th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’

New Delhi, Sep 28 (IANS) The 126th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio programme, ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ aired on Sunday drew enthusiastic reactions from political leaders and citizens alike, praising the PM’s inspirational messages and his tribute to India’s freedom fighters and nation-builders.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the Prime Minister’s words once again struck a deep emotional chord with the nation.

“In the Mann Ki Baat programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation with guiding words. He paid tribute to the great leaders whose sacrifices shaped India’s freedom struggle and continue to inspire the youth, especially the legacy of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, who remains a symbol of dreams for every young Indian. Echoing the Prime Minister’s vision, I bow in reverence to Bhagat Singh’s memory,” he said.

BJP MP and actress Hema Malini praised the programme’s inclusive spirit: “The Mann Ki Baat programme is very famous and our Prime Minister connects people from all over the country in a very beautiful way. Whether they are poor or people of high status, he connects people from all walks of life and brings out their talents and encourages them.”

Prominent leaders, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, and Patparganj MLA Ravinder Singh Negi, also tuned in to the broadcast and encouraged others to listen.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai remarked: “Every Indian eagerly looks forward to the last Sunday of the month because on this day, the Prime Minister connects directly with crores of citizens through Mann Ki Baat.”

In his address, Prime Minister Modi touched on several significant themes, including the upcoming Vijayadashami festival and the 100-year centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“This year, Vijayadashami is especially significant because it marks the centenary of the establishment of the RSS. A journey spanning a century is as remarkable as it is inspiring,” he said.

Reflecting on the organisation’s role in society, the Prime Minister added: “For over a hundred years, the RSS has been tirelessly and relentlessly engaged in the work of nation-building. That is why, whenever there is a natural disaster anywhere in the country, the Swayamsevaks are the first to reach and assist. The principle of ‘Rashtra Pratham’ (Nation First) guides every action and effort of millions of Swayamsevaks.”

PM Modi also extended his best wishes to all volunteers dedicated to the service of the nation, while also invoking the spirit of unity, patriotism, and public participation that Mann Ki Baat has consistently promoted since its inception.

–IANS

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Pak Army spokesman parrots Hafiz Saeed’s comments, warns India over Indus waters treaty suspension

Islamabad, May 23 (IANS) Pakistani military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has issued a warning to India similar to that used by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist Hafiz Saeed.

He was speaking at a public gathering over India’s decision to keep the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance till Islamabad abjures terrorism and stop aiding, funding and supporting terrorist groups emanating from its soil.

Chaudhry reportedly made the comments during a speech at a university in Pakistan.

Referring to India’s recent move to suspend the water-sharing treaty following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, he said, “If you block our water, we will choke your breath.”

His statement mirrors the hostile rhetoric used by LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, known for his inflammatory speeches against India and the US.

In a video, making rounds on social media X, Hafiz Saeed can be heard saying those same words.

The statements come as India suspended parts of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, a day after the terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people.

The treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has repeatedly said “blood and water cannot flow together; talk and terror cannot go together,” signalling a tougher stance on Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.

Suspension was a part of countermeasures taken against Islamabad, including “Operation Sindoor” on May 7 that targeted nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday declared that any future dialogue with Pakistan will focus solely on the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated firmly that “terror and talks can’t coexist,” highlighting that India remains open only to discussions on the extradition of wanted terrorists already listed and shared with Islamabad.

Clarifying India’s stance on the Kashmir issue, Jaiswal underlined, “Any bilateral discussion will only be on the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan.”

Speaking on the suspended Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Jaiswal confirmed that the agreement will remain in abeyance until Pakistan takes credible and irreversible steps to stop supporting terrorism.

He echoed Prime Minister Modi’s statement: “Water and blood cannot flow together,” indicating a hardening of India’s position on the historic water-sharing agreement.

In a related development, two staff members of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were declared ‘persona non grata’ for activities deemed inconsistent with their official status.

“One has already left India, and the other was given 24 hours to do so,” Jaiswal said, underscoring the seriousness of their misconduct.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, where he delivered a stern warning to Islamabad.

He said Pakistan would have to “struggle for every penny” if it continued to support terror, and that it would not get India’s rightful share of water under the current treaty terms.

“Playing with the blood of Indians will now cost Pakistan heavily,” PM Modi added.

–IANS

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US-India Space Business Forum held in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 11 (IANS) The US Consulate General, Chennai, with support from the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), hosted the US-India Space Business Forum in Bengaluru on February 10-11, an official statement from the US embassy and consulates in India said on Wednesday.

The forum was the flagship event of the first US Trade Mission to India focused on commercial space, which brought 23 Executives from 14 leading American space companies to India.

The US Department of Commerce and the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) organised the mission, which marked a major step forward in bilateral commercial space cooperation. Together, these engagements convened more than 200 government and industry participants from both countries, the statement said.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor said, “The Forum reflects the strategic strength of the US-India partnership and our shared commitment to innovation and commercial growth in the space sector. This is yet another area of tremendous potential for even greater prosperity and partnership. American companies boldly lead the world in space technology, and India is a vital partner in expanding these collaborations.”

According to the statement, the two-day forum addressed key priorities of the US-India Commercial Space Sub-Working Group, including market access, government procurement, foreign direct investment reforms, and export controls. Building upon previous bilateral cooperation, the forum advanced policy alignment and expanded business-to-business engagement.

“Leading US space companies – Amazon, Axiom Space, Apex, Black Sky, Elve, Kayhan Space, Park Aerospace, Planet Lab, Resecurity, SpaceX, Vast Space, Umbra Space, Viasat, and Vantor – are participating in the trade mission. Following the Space Business Forum, the delegation will travel to New Delhi, where companies will engage with the Indian government and industry stakeholders to explore partnerships, joint ventures, and market-entry opportunities,” the statement said.

“As only the second space-focused trade mission ever organised by the US Department of Commerce, and the first of its kind to India, the initiative reinforced US leadership in commercial space innovation and underscored the growing momentum of the US-India partnership in the global space economy,” it said.

–IANS

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