Jan 9, 2019
New Delhi: Amid escalated tensions between Iran and the US, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday held talks with US counterpart Mark Esper to discuss the developments in the Gulf and shared “India’s stakes, interests and concerns”.
Esper, who called the Indian Defence Minister to discuss the prevailing situation in the Gulf region, briefed him about the recent developments in the region. Rajnath Singh also resolved to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
Rajnath Singh also had discussions with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono over the regional security situation.
“The two Defence Ministers had discussions on enhancing the bilateral security cooperation under the framework of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. They also exchanged views on regional security situation,” Defence Ministry spokesperson, Bharat Bhushan Babu, told IANS.
On Wednesday, Iranian Ambassador to India, Ali Chegeni to India, said that Iran will welcome any peace initiative from India for de-escalating tensions in West Asia following the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani.
“India usually plays a very good role in peace in the world. At the same time India belongs to this region. We welcome all initiatives from all countries, especially India as a good friend for us, to not allow escalation (of tensions),” Chegeni told media persons.
He made a statement after Iran launched missile strikes against two US military bases in Iraq in retaliation.
Iran had pledged retaliatory attacks against the US for killing Soleimani, the country’s most powerful and revered military leader, whom Washington accused of plotting imminent attacks against US forces in the region.
Iran had launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at the Ain al-Assad airbase in Iraq’s Anbar province and a facility in Erbil which has US Army facilities. To this, US President Donald Trump had said on Wednesday there had been no US casualties and damage was minimal. Trump had also given no indication that the US will respond militarily to Iran’s attacks on Iraqi bases hosting US troops.
IANS
Relationships will never be free of issues, differences: EAM Jaishankar on India-US ties
Washington: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has said that challenges are an inevitable part of complex bilateral relationships, but the key lies in ensuring that the overall direction remains...
EAM Jaishankar on US visit from June 30; to attend Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on July 1
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will be on an official visit to the US from June 30-July 2, at the invitation of US Secretary of State Marco...
India rejects Pak Army’s claims on Waziristan suicide attack, says statement deserves contempt
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday strongly rejected the Pakistan Army's claim that India was behind the Waziristan suicide bomber attack, which killed 13 soldiers. "We...
Deepening partnerships across continents, PM Modi set to embark on five-nation tour next week
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a five-nation visit starting July 2, visiting Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced...
India slams Yunus govt in Bangladesh over demolition of Durga temple, says extremists were clamouring to destroy it
New Delhi: India on Thursday strongly condemned the demolition of the Durga Mandir (temple) in Dhaka, criticising the role of Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in allowing the destruction and projecting...
India wanted concerns on terrorism reflected in document: MEA on no adoption of Joint Statement at SCO meet
New Delhi: Hours after the Defence Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) failed to adopt a joint statement following their meeting in China's Qingdao on Thursday, India said that...
SCO members must condemn evil Pahalgam attack unequivocally: Defence Minister Singh in China
Qingdao (China): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members to unequivocally condemn the evil and dastardly Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir...
Russian FM meets Tharoor, highlights restoring work of RIC troika
Moscow: Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor, currently on a tour of Russia, met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the prestigious Primakov Readings, an annual meeting...
The West Asia Crisis: How does India stand?
New Delhi: Just 12 days after hostilities erupted in West Asia, with Israel abruptly opting to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities and remove its top leadership, the cross-fire has ceased, equally...
In Beijing, NSA Doval urges SCO countries to shun double standards in fight against terrorism
Beijing: Spotlighting the barbaric Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday called for the urgent...
Operation Sindhu: 219 Indian nationals from Iran, 161 from Israel arrive in Delhi
New Delhi: A total of 380 Indian nationals -- 219 from Iran and 161 from Israel -- arrived safely in New Delhi on Tuesday as part of the government's ongoing...
Iran moves to suspend cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog IAEA
Tehran: Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said that the legislature is moving to approve a plan to suspend Tehran's cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, as tensions intensify...
