Tag Archives: Indian external affairs minister

Jaishankar visits Singapore, highlights need for strategic partnership ahead of ISMR meeting

Posted on by
Reply

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in a series of high-level meetings during his three-day visit to Singapore, aimed at bolstering bilateral ties between the two nations. Among the key figures he met were top leaders of Singapore, to whom he conveyed personal greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During his discussions, Jaishankar underscored the importance of Singapore’s support for the strategic partnership between the two countries. He highlighted the positive sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong towards the India-Singapore relationship, which he described as a source of strength.

In addition to governmental meetings, Jaishankar interacted with leading corporate figures who shared insights into India’s growth story and their investment experiences in the country. These discussions aimed to further enhance economic cooperation between India and Singapore.

Among the officials Jaishankar met was Singapore’s Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, with whom he exchanged views on regional matters such as the Indo-Pacific and West Asia. They also reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and discussed preparations for the upcoming India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) meeting, which marks 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The ISMR, initiated by Prime Minister Modi, aims to deepen existing cooperation and explore new opportunities for collaboration. Its inaugural meeting was held in 2022, receiving appreciation from PM Modi for strengthening bilateral relations.

Jaishankar’s discussions extended to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, focusing on advancing bilateral ties, particularly in new-age technologies, and addressing the evolving global economic landscape.

Concluding his visit, Jaishankar met Home Affairs & Law Minister K Shanmugam, expressing appreciation for the consistent support received for the strategic partnership. His visit to Singapore is part of a broader regional engagement strategy, with subsequent stops planned in Malaysia and The Philippines to discuss mutual concerns and regional issues.

5 Indian students killed in Ontario Highway accident, Jaishankar condoles

Posted on by
Reply

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Monday mourned the demise of five Indian students who were killed in a road accident near Toronto, Canada.

Taking to Twitter, he said: “Deeply mourn the passing away of five Indian students in Canada. Condolences to their families. Pray for the recovery of those injured.”

The accident occurred on a highway when the passenger van carrying the students collided with a tractor-trailer on early Saturday morning, leaving five Indian students killed.  The van was travelling on Canada’s Highway 401 between Belleville and Trenton.

Jaishankar

External affairs minister Dr s. Jaishankar. (MEA Photo)

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have identified them as Jaspinder Singh, 21, Karanpal Singh, 22, Mohit Chouhan, 23, Pawan Kumar, 23, and Harpreet Singh, 24.

They were pronounced dead on the scene. Two injured students were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. The victims were students in colleges in Montreal and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

OPP Constable Maggie Pickett said: “It’s a tragedy. Nobody wants to respond to that call for service, but we’re there, we’re working.” There are over 200,000 Indian students currently studying in colleges in Canada.