Tag: foreign policy

In a major diplomatic development, India has reopened its embassy in Kabul after four years, signaling renewed engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meeting with Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi reaffirmed India’s commitment to sovereignty, humanitarian aid, and regional stability. The move, coupled with medical and vaccine assistance, marks a pragmatic shift in India’s foreign policy aimed at fostering dialogue on counter-terrorism and trade, even as debates over human rights and gender equality persist.

India has firmly defended its continued imports of discounted Russian oil despite criticism from former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who urged a halt citing Western pressure. Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi argue that the policy has saved India $26 billion, stabilized fuel prices, and curbed inflation, calling Rajan’s remarks aligned with Western lobbies. The debate underscores India’s growing assertiveness in balancing economic pragmatism with geopolitical pressures.

The Central Government has removed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Parliament’s Consultative Committee on External Affairs, replacing him with Manish Tewari and Gurjeet Singh Aujla. While no official reason has been given, the move is believed to be linked to committee reconstitution, past political tensions, Congress’s internal strategy, and government priorities.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has questioned Prime Minister Modi’s planned visit to China, demanding clarity on India’s foreign policy. Citing China’s support to Pakistan and previous calls to boycott Chinese goods, Thackeray asked why the government is now pursuing diplomatic engagement. He called for strong leadership and transparency in strategic decision-making.

Speaking at the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Tianjin, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack as a deliberate act to create religious strife and economic instability. He urged member states to uphold the SCO's founding principles and subtly criticized China’s BRI for violating sovereignty norms.

India has intensified its diplomatic efforts at the United Nations to designate The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based militant group, as a global terrorist organization under the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee. The move follows the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with India presenting strong evidence linking TRF to the massacre.