External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar
Canadian Foreign Minister S. An Australian channel broadcasting a press conference interview with Jaishankar on Thursday was banned in the country. In response to this incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong opposition and said that this incident exposed Canada’s hypocrisy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Canada’s talk of free speech is just for show.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that when Canada was approached for help regarding the safety of Indian counselors and diplomats, the Canadian government refused. It is wrong and unacceptable that Indian diplomats are being monitored there. The Foreign Minister has issued a statement on the issue. The Prime Minister also expressed concern over attacks on Hindus in Canada and asked the Canadian government to take action.
The Foreign Minister is visiting Australia
The spokesperson said that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is currently in Australia. There he met the Australian Foreign Minister and the two leaders discussed world peace and peaceful engagement. Jaishankar told the Australian minister that India was ready to cooperate in various ways. He held a roundtable meeting with CEOs of many Australian companies to discuss various issues under the India-Australia framework dialogue. During his visit, he gave an interview to Australia Today, in which he discussed attacks on Hindus in Canada. After the interview aired, the Canadian government banned the channel.
Improve relations with the United States
Regarding India-US trade relations, a spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that India-US trade volume reached US$190 billion last year. He said efforts would continue to improve economic relations between India and the United States. In terms of visa policy, this is a mobility and immigration issue, which is part of the bilateral dialogue between the two governments.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also clarified that Trump’s coming to power will not affect Indo-Canadian relations. This is a matter between the two countries and has nothing to do with a third country. The spokesperson said Indians living in the United States illegally should come back. India also does not accept illegal immigration and promotes legal immigration.
Hindus in Bangladesh should be given security
After the regime change in Bangladesh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the attacks on the local Hindu community. The spokesperson said there were provocative remarks against Hindus on social media and attacks on them. India has urged the Bangladeshi government to take action against local extremists to avoid tensions between the two communities. India also said it was the Bangladesh government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the Hindu community. There have also been incidents of looting of Hindu properties, which should be condemned.
The spokesperson said that India’s Joint Secretary of State has traveled to Afghanistan and met with senior Afghan officials and leaders. Various issues including humanitarian aid and commercial use of Chabahar port were discussed. India has provided humanitarian assistance such as medicines, wheat, and pesticides to Afghanistan. India has a deep and long-standing relationship with the people and communities of Afghanistan.
