The world community should focus on building inclusive food systems that protect the most vulnerable, such as marginal farmers, to tackle the challenge of food security, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 20 at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Speaking in Hindi, PM Modi made the remarks while unveiling a 10-point call to action at an outreach session of the G7 Summit that focused on pressing global challenges such as food and health security, developmental issues and gender equality. India was among the eight guest countries participating in three outreach sessions of the summit ho
At least 40 countries have signed the Register of Damage, an instrument approved by the 46-nation Council of Europe to document the damage in Ukraine so that Russia can be held liable for compensation. The instrument, signed on May 17 at the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, set up an evidentiary record ahead of possible future prosecution of Russian leaders. The document is a “necessary” step ensuring “justice that is centred on the victims” of the war, said Marija Pejčinović Burić, the council’s head. European leaders hailed the new instrument for Ukraine th
A US court has given its consent to the Indian request for the extradition of Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. On June 10, 2020, India filed a complaint seeking the provisional arrest of 62-year-old Rana with a view towards extradition. Rana was arrested in the US for his role in these attacks. The Biden Administration had supported and approved the extradition of Rana to India. “The Court has reviewed and considered all of the documents submitted in support of and in opposition to the Request, and has considered
In a Union Cabinet reshuffle on May 17, Arjun Ram Meghwal became the new Union Law Minister of India, while Kiren Rijiju was moved to the Earth Sciences Ministry. Meghwal will now have the charge of Culture, Parliamentary Affairs as Minister of State, and Independent Charge of the Law Ministry. The new law minister, Meghwal hails from a middle-class family in Rajasthan’s Bikaner. The 65-year-old politician received his primary education at a government school in his village and completed his secondary education at Jawahar Jain Secondary School in Bheenasar. He completed his graduation in
Israel and India on May 9 inked an agreement that will allow 42,000 Indian workers to work in the Jewish state in the sectors of construction and nursing, in a move expected to help deal with the rising cost of living and assist thousands of families waiting for nursing care. Of the 42,000 Indian workers, 34,000 workers will be engaged in the construction field and the rest 8,000 will serve the country’s nursing needs. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, who reached New Delhi on May 9, held talks with his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar. The ministers discussed ways to strengthen Indi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States of America on a state visit from June 21 to 24, following an invitation from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, the US government said in a statement on May 10. The US President and the First Lady will also host PM Modi for a state dinner on June 22. “The upcoming visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement while announcing t
In nearly a fortnight, India’s Operation Kaveri brought back stranded citizens from conflict-ridden Sudan, informed the Indian government on May 5 as it wrapped up the evacuation programme. The Indian Air Force C130 flight brought the final batch of 47 passengers home. The highly laborious and dangerous operation rescued 3,862 people from Sudan, informed External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Twitter. He also appreciated the countries that helped India evacuate its citizens safely. “From Jeddah, airforce and commercial flights have brought people home. We are grateful to Sa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted French President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to be the guest of honour at France’s traditional military parade held during Bastille Day on 14 July. An Indian armed forces contingent will also take part in the parade alongside French forces, said the French presidency in a statement. The Indian Prime Minister’s visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the “strategic partnership” between France and India. The visit will also allow joint initiatives to address challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and achievi
The President of COP28, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, has said that climate diplomacy should focus on phasing out emissions from oil and gas, leaving the door open for the continued use of fossil fuels while ramping up technologies to capture the carbon pollution produced from burning these fuels. Speaking at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin on May 2, Dr Al Jaber, who also heads Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), said, “In a pragmatic, just and well-managed energy transition, we must be laser focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions, while phasing up viable, affordable zero-ca
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that he will host US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a security summit on May 24 in Sydney. This will be the first time that Australia will host the Quad Leaders’ Summit. Albanese attended a summit in Tokyo hours after he was sworn in as prime minister following elections last year. “Quad partners are deeply invested in the success of the Indo-Pacific,” Albanese said in a statement, adding, “Leveraging our collective strengths helps Australia advance its intere