LIVE: MEA Press Briefing | Key Updates on India’s Foreign Policy

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:01]Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

[00:00:03]Let's begin our conversation. The floor is open.

[00:00:06]Okay?

[00:00:11]>> Uh this is Yeshi Seli from Business India.

[00:00:14]Uh the president of Myanmar is coming to India shortly, and uh this will be his first visit after the elections this year. Uh this the displaced uh Burmese refugees in Delhi are saying that they want to stage protests, and they've even uh sought permission from the government. Is there any way anything that you have to say on that? Will these protests be prevented?

[00:00:38]>> Okay.

[00:00:40]Yeshi?

[00:00:41]>> Uh sir, this is Ayush Agarwal from ANI.

[00:00:43]Uh one on the Myanmar president's visit, uh could you share the broad agenda for his visit? Uh how prominently are connectivity projects and border security issues likely to feature in the discussion? And second, India recently sent emergency medical support uh supplies to support Ebola outbreak. Uh is India considering sending additional aid consignments? Has there been any request from the government? And also, following the postponement of the India-Africa summit, uh has any tentative timeline been uh discussed with the African Union for holding the summit later this year?

[00:01:19]>> Neeraj?

[00:01:21]>> Uh sir, Neeraj News 18 India said >> Okay.

[00:01:52]Siddharth?

[00:01:53]>> Hi, sir. Siddharth from WION. Uh Uh, sir, uh the American trade team is coming to, uh, India. Where does the talk stand? Just a short while ago the US ambassador said that only 1% of the, uh, conversation is left. And my second question is that there's a video which is going viral, uh, racism incident in United States against Indians. How concerning it is?

[00:02:27]>> Please.

[00:02:31]>> Hm. Hello, this is Parul Chandra. I'm an independent journalist. So, we've had the statement from the MEA about the meeting of the WMCC yesterday and saying that the talks were constructive and forward-looking and, you know, reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas.

[00:02:48]Uh, my question to you is that it's been 6 years since the Chinese incursions in Eastern Ladakh.

[00:02:55]And, uh, there's been troop dis- disengagement in October 2024.

[00:03:01]But, there's been no progress on de-escalation along the LAC, especially in Eastern Ladakh.

[00:03:09]When will this happen?

[00:03:12]>> Okay. So, let me go one by one. Uh, first is she your question and then Ayushi similar question both of you.

[00:03:19]Yes, the you would have seen our press release which we made yesterday. The president of Myanmar is visiting India on an official visit. He will be arriving here on 30th and, uh, till 2nd he'll be here, 2nd of June. He'll be visiting Delhi. He also goes to Bodh Gaya and to Mumbai for business meetings. Um, we will keep you updated with the agenda. But, obviously he'll be meeting our Prime Minister and where both leaders will discuss as to how to strengthen these ties further. Um, there is also a important component, business component of the of the visit, which is as to how we can the two countries can together strengthen their economic ties as well.

[00:03:59]So, this is official visit and we look forward to welcoming the president of Myanmar.

[00:04:04]Uh I sure you also had questions about border security, connectivity, and other issues. Yes, all issues that form part of the gamut of relations between Myanmar and India will come up for discussion. And our idea would be as to how we take these uh take our ties, civilizational ties, friendly ties with Myanmar forward.

[00:04:25]On your question uh about uh help that we have sent, support, we have sent uh medical supplies to CDC Africa. This was handed over by our uh high commissioner in Uganda to CDC office there. Uh Um we look forward to further helping uh in whatever manner we can uh with the the countries and with the with CDC Africa uh in dealing with this uh public health emergency that has happened on the continent. We will keep you updated as and when we have more developments on that account. But we have sent the first tranche of medical supplies to CDC uh Africa.

[00:05:08]Niraj, WMCC uh WMCC better copy we had China Beijing may have a third to have a sanction such if only is car uh is called here or just like I'm going to buy out my press with press with you okay my chance say key you do but they we uh actually but they we I get it already have my my you but they or uh uh I never let them know me job or is pay or better or uh probably you will be with you I'm up to work if you got to bring it down to uh Kashmir key must like you but they will be up in the car or I'm going to bring it have a treaty with the United States in the month of April.

[00:05:56]Siddhant trade team We had a trade team who which visited the United States in the month of April.

[00:06:06]If I'm not mistaken, and now we expecting a team from the United States to visit India next week where uh negotiations will be taken forward. So far, we've had a positive and constructive engagement. We'll keep you updated with more details in this regard. In regard to your other social media post, I have not seen the social media post, but you know, racism of any kind anywhere needs to needs to be is unacceptable.

[00:06:36]Uh Probably your question about you know, where we are. We have given you an read out of the latest WMCC meeting that happened between India and China on border affairs. This meeting as I as you know, it happened on uh 27th.

[00:06:59]We have conveyed to you that these talks discussions were constructive and forward-looking.

[00:07:05]Uh The two sides discussed issues relating to delimitation, border management, mechanism building, and border cooperation. Indian side stressed on the early meeting of the next expert level mechanism on trans-border rivers as well.

[00:07:20]So, overall, we have given you a sense.

[00:07:21]Also, we want to take forward all that was agreed during the SR talks.

[00:07:26]And the two sides also agreed to work together to make substantive preparation for the next round of SR talks which are to be which is to be held held in China now. So, that is you know, please go by the statement that we have given to you.

[00:07:40]That is where things stand as far as WMCC and issues contained therein are concerned.

[00:07:49]Uma.

[00:07:53]>> Uma Shankar Singh, independent journalist.

[00:08:10]>> Uma.

[00:08:16]>> Sir, uh Sir, I'm Uma Siddiqui from StratNewsGlobal. I have a question there with the unrest going on in Bolivia. I Is the government looking at repatriating Indians from there? And what do you think about What is the Indian view on situation there?

[00:08:40]>> Please.

[00:08:41]>> Naila Saleem, Swedish Radio. When we were in Norway 10 days ago, we learned that there was a first shipment of gas for fertilizer production here in India.

[00:08:52]Do you have any more updates? Did it go well, successful, any more coming to India's way from Norway in that sense?

[00:09:01]>> Pranay.

[00:09:06]>> So, Pranay Upadhyay, India Today Network here.

[00:09:46]>> Such an Okay.

[00:10:23]The Marshall plan so I'll have to have a Finish my treaty at the Uh Cyprus key What about war?

[00:10:32]A European Union get foreign ministers key joint Informal but that key Was going to be Sally On coming into this key market with a shipment Cyprus key shipment European Union key to high representative Or vice president income Madam palace on key to have to say after Or what about shipment on the market to be Shipment on the European shipment to be shipment Or shipment on the market to be shipment on the market to be shipment on the market to be shipment On a question regarding Bolivia we are closely following the developments there And we shall keep you updated if there are any further Uh Any further any further issues that we have to flag for you.

[00:11:13]Uh now on your question on shipment Uh we energy security is very important for us. We are trying to diversify our sources from across the world. Uh that is our policy right now. And we welcome whatever support we can get from various markets across the world.

[00:11:31]In regard to specific question whether something else has also come here, I don't have an update. Perhaps our shipping ministry may have or I'll come back to you on that issue.

[00:11:51]forward-looking So ugly China China Pakistan joint statement Jared Kia WCC to China China statement Amari is with the public is for Mary Jane Carey Leah Zachary or local Kodiak Pranay equal to solve a problem fta car FTA agreement Canada Canada comprehensive economic partnership agreement with me Canada but you should Canada equal to say that it's cool I believe that I got that he hung Joe Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada such in Canada WCC Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada >> Hello sir, Akhilesh from DD News.

[00:13:34]My question is about illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

[00:13:38]Uh how they are being identified and what is the process of sending them back to Bangladesh because in Assam this process is going very fast.

[00:13:49]>> [clears throat] >> Seema Guha.

[00:13:54]>> Seema?

[00:13:56]>> I wanted to ask you any update on the foreign secretary's visit to Nepal.

[00:14:02]He was supposed to go and then it was postponed.

[00:14:04]>> Okay.

[00:14:07]Please.

[00:14:10]>> I'm Preeti Prakash, independent journalist. I just wanted to get an update on uh the vessels that Indian bound or Indian vessel that is stuck in Strait of Hormuz. Is there any update from the last one that you gave? Thank you.

[00:14:27]>> Mhm.

[00:14:28]I'll warn you.

[00:14:30]>> Good afternoon, sir. Abhimanyu Sharma from CNBC-TV18.

[00:14:33]Uh what is the current update on India's FDA review talks with Korea and also with the ASEAN block?

[00:14:43]>> Please.

[00:14:47]>> Oh, thank you.

[00:14:48]Uh Akiko Suzuki of The Asahi Shimbun.

[00:14:50]Once again about the invitation of Myanmar's uh acting president's visit, what are the India's primary strategic uh objectives behind this invitation regarding this will be his first overseas visit and to India, not to China. Thank you.

[00:15:20]>> will be his first overseas visit to India not to China. Thank you so much.

[00:15:29]>> So, let me first come Akhilesh to your question.

[00:15:35]Um See, all illegal nationals who are staying in India, they will be dealt as per law.

[00:15:45]Now, in the case of Bangladesh, as I had informed you earlier, we have referred 2,680 cases or more than 2,680 cases to the Bangladeshi side for them to verify the nationality of those people that we have handed over the names of.

[00:16:05]Once this nationality verification is done, then we'll be in a position to deport these people, these nationals of Bangladesh.

[00:16:18]In many cases, I had told you earlier that these verification is pending for more than 5 years or so, and it is our expectation that we will receive an early response from Bangladesh on this particular issue, so that the bilateral arrangement that we have between both the countries, based on that, these people who are staying here, they can be sent back to or deported back to Bangladesh.

[00:16:45]Seema, on your question, as I had indicated in my last press briefing, the foreign secretary has received an invitation from Nepal, his counterpart, and the visit to his visit to Nepal will take place as and when it is mutually agreed, and we'll keep you keep you informed in that regard.

[00:17:10]Uh Preeti, on the vessels, it is our understanding that 11 Indian vessels are still Indian flag vessels are still in the uh Persian Gulf region and 14 of these ships they have come back. I mean, they were there in Persian big Persian Gulf, but they were able to cross the Straits of Hormuz and they have reached India.

[00:17:33]Abhimanyu, on your question about FTA with Korea and ASEAN, as you know that these conversations are going on and as to where exactly we are, I don't have an update, but let me come back to you on this matter.

[00:17:45]Uh there was a question regarding Myanmar. This is uh Myanmar's president's first visit and first visit uh to India in his official capacity right now.

[00:17:56]Uh this is uh as we have clarified or as we have informed you, Myanmar is an neighbor is a neighbor for us. Uh it lies at the confluence of India's neighborhood first, Act East and Sagar policies and is expected this visit is expected to further strengthen and deepen the multifaceted relations between the two countries.

[00:18:24]So, uh you know, these uh We also said that uh these talks that we'll have during his official visit, it'll also strengthen our historical and civilizational ties uh and as also he'll participate in a business forum.

[00:18:42]We can go that side now. Srinjoy.

[00:18:47]>> Thank you, sir. Uh Times Now.

[00:18:51]Just wanted uh understanding because NSA was in Moscow recently and he said, his exact words, "Responsible nations have to evaluate choices and decide whether they support sponsors of terrorism or counter them with decisive action."

[00:19:12]Just previously uh US Secretary of State was here and when he was asked about Pakistan being involved in the Iran-America talks, he said it was a tactical issue and it would not affect Indo-US ties.

[00:19:29]Just wanted an understanding uh where you stand on these statements.

[00:19:41]>> Hello.

[00:19:43]>> Sir, from the Hindu. Sir, my question is regarding the visit of Myanmar president to India.

[00:19:48]Um the Myanmar military has been attacking targets in different parts of the country. Uh they're also targeting civilian population. Uh so in this context, I mean I want to understand what is really the urgency behind this visit. And I know is it really ethical to engage this particular leader who did not even get elected through a fair election. Everyone knows that the election was fraudulent. So, um you know, what is really the purpose of this particular visit? Why is he being invited at this time? And is critical mineral exploration the main driving factor in this visit? Because there are lots of these attacks are being targeted in those provinces that are known for Myanmar's deposits of critical minerals.

[00:20:32]>> Niraj.

[00:20:55]Narendra.

[00:20:57]>> Sir, recently Quad key meeting with the Shalendra Wangu uh News 18 say. Recently Quad key meeting with the about China key foreign ministry say kahagaya that he Quad cooperation should not target third party or only uh block confrontation uh uh >> Thank you, sir. So, in the India-China talks, there was also a reference of an early harvest which was which was mentioned in last year's SR level talk statement.

[00:21:28]Given that the WMCC has made, if you could give us an understanding where the early early harvest is is there you know, an understanding as to what the early harvest means on both sides and therefore what is what is the way forward?

[00:21:44]>> Okay. So, first Srinjoy, coming to your question. Essentially, what I get from you is, you know, how we look at cross-border terrorism. On that, I need not be need not repeat. Cross-border terrorism is a threat which the whole world must come together and combat and we must call out countries who are supportive of terrorism and who who are promoting cross-border terrorism from their territories.

[00:22:13]Uh Kalol, on on Myanmar, you would have seen that uh we've invited President of Myanmar. He'll is coming here on his official visit. He was to come for the international big cat alliance which has got postponed.

[00:22:31]Uh during the visit, he'll be visiting three cities, Bodh Gaya, Delhi and Mumbai and during the conversations that our leaders will have, we want to further strengthen our ties in several areas that form part of our bilateral engagement.

[00:22:49]Uh Neeraj Uh Shalendra on quad, see quad quad the four countries together, they quad is for something. It is not against anybody. Quad is about doing projects together for the benefit of people in the Indo-Pacific area. The quad has taken up uh projects and initiatives in the field of climate action, in the field of uh health and disaster management, and several other areas. You would if you I would urge you to look at the uh fact sheet and the joint statement that we recently uh released, you would see that quad has an expansive agenda and the idea there is to bring value to people's lives in among the four countries of the quad, as also the countries with whom we are working in in the region.

[00:23:49]Uh Then we have Sudhi your question on India-China, where we are. If we have as we have conveyed to you, the talks under WCC, they have been forward-looking and also we've given you details of all the issues that have been discussed.

[00:24:06]This is an ongoing process and you'll have to we'll have to wait for for the conclusion of or for more details as and when we have further meetings in that regard.

[00:24:19]With that, ladies and gentlemen, let uh we come to the close of this press conference. Thank you.