By News On Air Jan 24, 2025
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will be on a two-day visit to China from Sunday for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism between India and China. Briefing media in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, the Foreign Secretary will be meeting his counterpart, the Vice Minister in China, where all issues of bilateral interest will be discussed. He said this meeting flows from the understanding that the leaders reached in Kazan. Mr Jaiswal said, subsequent to that, both sides had meetings of the special representatives and Foreign Minister-level meetings as well.
On a media query on fencing the Bangladesh border, the MEA Spokesperson said, there have been many agreements between India and Bangladesh to fence the border. Fencing the border is necessary so that crime-related incidents can be prevented. He said, India wants that the agreements made with Bangladesh to fence the border should also be positively implemented. Mr Jaiswal said the fencing on both sides of the border is being done as per the agreements made between the two countries.
On a query on illegal immigration, Mr Jaiswal said, India is against illegal immigration especially because it is linked to several forms of organised crime. He said, for Indians, not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if they are Indian nationals and they are overstaying or they are in a particular country without proper documentation, the Government of India will take them back provided documents are shared with MEA, so that it can verify their nationality, that they are indeed Indians. If that happens to be the case, then MEA will take things forward and it will facilitate their return to India.
On tariff matters, the MEA spokesperson said, the India-US relationship is very strong, and multifaceted and the economic ties are something which is very special. He said, there is established mechanisms between the US and India to discuss any matter or trade matters. India’s approach has always been to address issues in a constructive manner which is in keeping with the interests of both countries. He said India remains in close communication with the US administration.
On a question on obstruction during the screening of the film Emergency in the UK, Mr Jaiswal said, the Ministry has also seen several reports on how the film, ‘Emergency’, which was being screened in several halls was being obstructed. He said, India has consistently raised concerns with the UK Government regarding incidents of violent protest and intimidation by anti-India elements. The Spokesperson said, freedom of speech and expression cannot be applied selectively and those obstructing it must be held accountable. He hoped that the UK side would take appropriate action against those responsible. Mr Jaiswal said the Indian High Commission in London remains in touch in regular communication with the community members for safety and benefits.
On the Russia-Ukraine war, the MEA Spokesperson said, India’s position has been consistent all along. He said, India stands for peace and it wants a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. Mr Jaiswal said the Prime Minister has said that this is not the era of war and there is no solution which lies on the battlefield.