"Pakistan has become safe haven for internationally banned terrorists": Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
During the call, Singh highlighted Pakistan's long track record of cross-border terrorism and said that it has become a safe haven for nternationally banned terrorists from around the world, enjoying immunity.
The Ministry of Defence said Rajnath Singh appreciated the unwavering support extended by the US to India in its fight against terrorism.
The two leaders discussed a broad canvas of issues, ranging from long-term cooperation in the defence sector -- including training and military exchanges -- to expanding industry collaboration.
They agreed to build upon the momentum of this critical and mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars such as interoperability, integration of defence industrial supply chains, logistics sharing, increased joint military exercises, and cooperation with other like-minded partners, the release added.
Speaking on Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh said India reserves the right to respond and defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter any further cross-border attacks. India's actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and focused on disabling terrorist infrastructure, he added.
The Ministry also noted that Rajnath Singh complimented the US Secretary of Defense for his dynamic leadership which has propelled defence cooperation between the two nations to new levels. Hegseth invited Rajnath Singh to the US for an in-person meeting to take the bilateral defence partnership forward.
In a post on X, Rajnath Singh stated that the discussions were held to review the ongoing and new initiatives to further deepen the India-US defence partnership and strengthen cooperation in capacity building. He expressed eagerness to meet the US Secretary of Defense at an early date.
This was their third telephonic conversation since January this year when Pete Hegseth was confirmed as US Secretary of Defense. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
21 minutes ago
- News18
‘Seen Him Number Of Times…': Rubio Jokes About Jaishankar's Busy Schedule Ahead Of Quad Meet
In opening remarks ahead of QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Rubio jokingly said that whenever he sees the news of Jaishankar, he is found to be in a different part of the world. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar for his frequent and consistent work trips across the world, saying that he's a 'very busy guy." In the opening remarks ahead of QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Washington, Rubio jokingly said that whenever he sees the news of EAM Jaishankar, he is found to be in a different part of the world. 'I've seen him a number of times in just six months on job. I was just telling him, he travels so much. Every time I see the news Dr. Jaishankar is in a different part of the world. He's a very busy guy," Rubio said. #WATCH: Marco Rubio jokes aboutEAM S. Jaishankar's busy schedule in the opening remarks ahead of QUAD Meeting: 'I've seen him a number of times in just six months on job. I was just telling him, he travels so much. Every time I see the news Dr. Jaishankar is in a different… — Siddhant Mishra (@siddhantvm) July 1, 2025 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at the US Department of State on Tuesday. At the meeting, EAM Jaishankar said that the world must display zero tolerance against terrorism and asserted that 'victims and perpetrators" must never be equated. The ministers discussed a wide range of regional and global issues, with a strong focus on counterterrorism cooperation. Jaishankar, who is visiting the US from June 30 to July 2 at Marco Rubio's invitation, also held a meeting with US Secretary of State US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the Quad foreign ministers' meeting, during which they discussed bilateral partnership, shared perspectives on regional and global developments, and advancing the defence partnership between the two countries. During the meeting with Rubio, EAM Jaishankar discussed bilateral partnership between both countries in the field of security, critical technologies, connectivity, energy and mobility. Taking to X, S Jaishankar said, 'A pleasure meeting US @SecRubio this afternoon, on the sidelines of Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting. Discussed our bilateral partnership, including trade, security, critical technologies, connectivity, energy and mobility. Shared perspectives on regional and global developments." A pleasure meeting US @SecRubio this afternoon, on the sidelines of Quad Foreign Ministers' our bilateral partnership including trade, security, critical technologies, connectivity, energy and mobility. Shared perspectives on regional and global… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 1, 2025 He also highlighted the strategic importance of India-US defence ties, describing them as 'one of the most consequential pillars" of the bilateral relationship during the meeting with Hegseth. Speaking during the meeting at the Pentagon, Jaishankar said, 'I am here with you at the Pentagon because we believe that our defence partnership is, today, truly one of the most consequential." Great to meet @SecDef Pete Hegseth in Washington DC a productive conversation on advancing the 🇮🇳 🇺🇸 defence partnership, building on growing convergences of interests, capabilities and responsibilities. 🇮🇳 🇺🇸 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 1, 2025 Hegseth expressed enthusiasm about the growing defence partnership between the two countries. He highlighted the integration of US defence systems into India's armed forces and outlined the goal of expanding industrial cooperation and co-production networks. The US Defence Secretary further outlined the goal of expanding industrial cooperation and co-production networks. 'The US is very pleased for the successful integration of many US defence items… building on this progress, we hope we can complete several major pending US defence sales to India, expand our shared defence industrial cooperation and co-production networks, strengthen interoperability… and formally sign a new framework of US-India major defence partnership," Hegseth said. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : eam jaishankar india us ties Marco Rubio United states First Published: July 02, 2025, 09:13 IST
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Rajnath appreciates US for backing India's fight against terror
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday conveyed India's appreciation to the US for its unwavering support to New Delhi in its fight against terrorism in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, in a telephonic conversation with his American counterpart Pete Hegseth. Rajnath appreciates US for backing India's fight against terror This was their first conversation after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, New Delhi's direct military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. Singh also told Hegseth that India reserves the right to respond to cross-border terrorism. 'Glad to speak with the US @SecDef Mr. @PeteHegseth today. Excellent discussion to review the ongoing and new initiatives to further deepen India-US defence partnership and strengthen cooperation in capacity building. Conveyed my deep appreciation for the unwavering support extended by the US to India in its fight against terrorism. Looking forward to meeting him at an early date,' Singh wrote on X after the conversation. Speaking on Operation Sindoor, Singh said India reserves the right to respond to and defend against terrorism and pre-empt as well as deter any further cross-border attacks, people aware of the matter said on condition of anonymity. He also told Hegseth that India's actions during the four-day clash were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and focused on disabling terrorist infrastructure, the people added. The two leaders had last spoken on May 1 when Singh told Hegseth that the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed had exposed Pakistan as a rogue state that is destabilising the region and the world can no longer turn a blind eye to terrorism. India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror strike. It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. The two leaders also discussed a wide canvas of issues ranging from long-term cooperation in the defence sector, including training and military exchanges, to expanding the industry collaboration, the defence ministry said on Tuesday. 'They agreed to further build upon the momentum of this critical and mutually beneficial partnership across all its pillars such as interoperability, integration of defence industrial supply chains, logistics sharing, increased joint military exercises and cooperation with other like-minded partners,' it said. Hegseth invited Singh to the US for talks to take the bilateral defence partnership forward. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10 evening, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK and killed at least 100 terrorists. The Indian Air Force (IAF) struck two terror sites at Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba near Muridke, both in Pakistan's Punjab province, while the army hit targets at seven places, including Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, Barnala in Bhimber, and Sarjal. On May 9-10, the IAF struck military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi. Later it emerged that India's targeting of locations within Pakistan during the May 7-10 clash was more extensive than was previously known, with a Pakistani document acknowledging that Indian drones had struck locations ranging from Peshawar in the northwest to Hyderabad in the south. The graphics in the May 18 Pakistani document detailing India's drone strikes on May 8, 9 and 10 listed seven locations --- Peshawar in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Attock, Bahawalnagar, Gujrat and Jhang in Punjab province, and Chhor and Hyderabad in Sindh province --- that were not acknowledged as targets by Indian officials at any briefings held during or after the hostilities. Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, which was mounted in response to Operation Sindoor, 'folded in eight hours' on May 10 belying Islamabad's ambitious target of bringing India to its knees in 48 hours, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan said on June 3.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
PM Modi's 5-nation, 8-day tour: Which nations is he visiting, why they matter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is beginning his five-nation tour today (June 2). This trip, his longest diplomatic foray in nearly a decade, will see him visit Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. But what do we know about the trip? And why are these nations important to India? read more Follow us on Google News Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a long diplomatic trip overseas. PTI/File Photo Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a long diplomatic tour today (June 2). Modi's five-nation tour, his longest diplomatic foray in nearly a decade, will see him visit Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The tour, which begins in Ghana, will conclude in Namibia on June 10. But what do we know about the details of the trip? And why are these nations important? Let's take a closer look Ghana Modi's will kick off his trip overseas in Ghana on July 2 and 3. This will be Modi's first visit to the West African nation as prime minister. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD No Indian prime minister has visited Ghana for nearly three decades. Modi will meet Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama, who recently took office after a huge win at the polls. Mahama previously visited India in 2015 for the India-Africa Forum Summit. The two men will discuss how to deepen ties and the possibility of a vaccine hub being created in Ghana. Agriculture, defence and critical minerals will also be on the agenda. A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed. Modi is also set to address Ghana's Parliament. Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa speaks at Raisina Dialogue on March 18, 2025. India and Ghana have had a long and fruitful relationship. India and Ghana established diplomatic relations in 1957 – immediately after it achieved independence. In fact, India had opened a representative office in Accra in 1953. Ghana is an important trading partner for India and one of West Africa's fastest growing nations. Bilateral trade between the countries was at $3.13 billion in 2024-25. India is the third-largest investor in Ghana. India imports large quantities of gold, petroleum and cashews from Ghana. It exports construction machinery, medicine and cars to Ghana. Trinidad and Tobago Modi will then head to Trinidad and Tobago on July 3. He is making the trip after an invitation from Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Carla Kangaloo are of Indian-origin. This will be Modi's first bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago as prime minister. An Indian prime minister last visited the nation in 1999. Modi is expected to hold wide-ranging talks with both of them. Pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, digital public infrastructure, agriculture, disaster resilience, education and culture are on the agenda. Trinidad and Tobago last year adopted India's flagship UPI platform Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making the trip after an invitation from Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. Reuters . Here too, Modi is expected to address a joint session of parliament. Trinidad and Tobago is home to a huge Indian population. Nearly half the Indian population of the Caribbean lives in the country. Modi's visit comes on the 180th anniversary of Indian immigrants arriving to Trinidad and Tobago. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1962. The two nations in 1997 signed a trade deal that accorded each other Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status. Bilateral trade between the two nations touched $341.61 million in 2023-2024. India exports vehicles, rolling stock, parts and accessories, iron and steel, pharma and plastic to Trinidad and Tobago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India imports mineral fuels, mineral oils, mineral waxes ores, and aluminium from Trinidad and Tobago. Argentina Modi on July 4 will head to Argentina. Modi is making the trip on the invite of President Javier Milei. This will be the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1968. Modi and Milei will hold wide-ranging talks in the areas of food, defence, digital technology, telemedicine, infrastructure, mining, technology, science, green and renewable energy. The two countries have already made strides when it comes to cooperation on mining. The two leaders previously met at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. Argentina's President Javier Milei. AP The two countries elevated their relationship to that of a strategic partnership in 2019. Bilateral trade between India and Argentina touched $6.4 billion in 2022. India that year maintained its status as Argentina's fourth-largest trading partner. India exports petroleum oils, agro chemicals, yarn-fabric-madeups, organic chemicals, bulk drugs and two-wheelers to Argentina. It imports vegetable oils (soybean and sunflower), finished leather, cereals, residual chemicals and allied products and pulses from Argentina. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brazil Modi will then head to Brazil on July 6. Modi is set to attend the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro – which will be followed by a state visit. This will be Modi's fourth visit to Brazil. At Brics, the leaders will hold talks on governance, peace, security, climate change and AI. Modi will speak on terrorism including the recent Pahalgam attack and India's response. India will contribute to the Leaders' Declaration and coming up with an outline for climate finance and socially determined diseases. Modi on July 8 will meet President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia. The two men will discuss how to increase cooperation in a number of fields including energy, defence, agriculture, minerals and digital infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) during the symbolic tree plantation ceremony at the closing session of the G20 Summit 2023 at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. Source: PTI India and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1948. Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at $12 billion. Brazil is India's largest trading partner in South America. India in 2021 was Brazil's fifth-largest trading partner. India exports petroleum products, agro-chemicals (insecticides, fungicides), chemicals, pharmaceuticals, engineering products, textured filament yarn, and unwrought aluminium to Brazil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India imports crude oil, soya oil, gold, cane sugar, cotton, gum, wood and turpentine oils, chemicals (carboxylic acids) and iron ore and concentrates from Brazil. Namibia Modi will then fly to Namibia on July 9. Modi is making this trip at the behest of Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. This will be the first time an Indian prime minister has visited Namibia in nearly three decades. This will also be just the third time an Indian prime minister has visited the country. Modi and Nandi-Ndaitwah will hold bilateral talks on digital fintech. A key item on the agenda is implementing India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Namibia. India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), one of the world's fastest payment system. The Indian prime minister is also expected to address Namibia's Parliament and pay homage to Dr Sam Nujoma, the Founding Father of Namibia. India was one of the first countries that raised the question of Namibian independence at the UN. Trade between the two countries touched $650 million in 2023. India's top export to Namibia was refined petroleum. Its other exports were petrol, pharmaceuticals and rice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Its top import from Namibia was diamonds. Its other top imports were bulk minerals, ores, iron and steel. India, which is looking to diversify its energy sector, sees Namibia, which has plentiful supplies of uranium, diamonds, copper, phosphates and other minerals, as a great potential partner. Namibia in 2022 also sent India eight cheetahs that were released in Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. With inputs from agencies
