MoS Margherita emphasises need for early completion of review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement
Minister Pabitra Margherita led the delegation at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AIFMM), 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting (EAS FMM) and 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum on July 10-11, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In his remarks at the AIFMM on July 10, MoS Margherita extended India's continued support to Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN and reiterated India's support for ASEAN unity and centrality.
Further, MoS Margherita appreciated progress in the implementation of the 10 Point proposal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Lao PDR in 2024 to further strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and shared the initiatives taken this year under the India -ASEAN Year of Tourism.
'He emphasised the need for early completion of the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and underlined development partnerships in digital, maritime, health and innovation,' Ministry of External Affairs said in the statement Monday.
At the 15th EAS FMM on July 11, 2025, MoS Margherita underlined India's contribution towards strengthening the Leaders-led EAS platform as the EAS mechanism completes 20 years and exchanged views on the current regional and international developments.
Preparations for the upcoming 20th EAS Summit, scheduled in October 2025, were also discussed.
At the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held on July 11, MoS Margherita participated in a constructive exchange of views on pressing international and regional developments, and deliberated on the future trajectory of the ARF process.
He underscored India's deep concerns over the persistent threat posed by Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, particularly in the wake of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam in the Indian UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister reaffirmed India's resolute commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
He commended the ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the emerging regional security architecture, as an important platform for candid discussions and collective efforts to address the challenges in the region.
Minister Margherita also held bilateral meetings with the Secretary General of ASEAN and the Foreign Ministers of Cambodia, the Philippines, and Timor Leste, on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related meetings. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
15 minutes ago
- News18
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Flags off Jodhpur Train At Kacheguda Railway Station In Hyderabad
Last Updated: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and G Kishan Reddy also inspected the 'Railway Manufacturing Unit' at Ayodhyapuram near Kazipet. Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], July 19 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and on Saturday, flagged off the Jodhpur train at Kacheguda Railway Station in Hyderabad in the presence of Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy. After the event, Kishan Reddy stated that the train, which will run daily from Hyderabad to Jodhpur, was the long-pending demand of the Rajasthan community residing in Hyderabad. He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, 'This dream has been fulfilled on the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and I thank him for it." 'The Rajasthani community living in Hyderabad, Telangana, had been demanding a daily train from Hyderabad to Jodhpur. They had told me several times, the Rajasthan CM and MPs had also requested this, and today all those dreams have come true…Today, a daily train from Hyderabad to Jodhpur has been launched, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw himself inaugurated it…," he told reporters. Later in the message on X, Reddy recalled that several representations were received from members of the Rajasthani community who have been settled in Hyderabad for years. 'Acting on their long-standing request, the Hon'ble Minister for Railways approved the service swiftly". Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and G Kishan Reddy also inspected the 'Railway Manufacturing Unit' at Ayodhyapuram near Kazipet. After inspecting the unit, Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the efforts of PM Modi. 'It was a big dream of Telangana to have a coach manufacturing unit in Kazipet. PM Modi has made efforts for many years to fulfil this dream. This is a mega factory for manufacturing railway coaches…It is a modern factory. We are using modern technology here. Rs 500 crores have been invested here…We will start the manufacturing process here in 2026. This factory has big potential; coaches, along with engines, can be manufactured here. Metro can also be manufactured here…" About the Author Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India — including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news, EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
TMC leader Abhishek slams Centre over Pahalgam attack; criticises 'foreign policy'
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee slammed the Centre for "intelligence failure" in the Pahalgam terror attack and voiced concern over "steep decline" in India's foreign policy. According to sources close to the TMC national general secretary, Mr. Banerjee raised the matter during the INDIA bloc's online meeting, which was convened to firm up the joint Opposition strategy for the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning Monday. "During the INDIA bloc meeting, Banerjee raised the Pahalgam issue. He said it was clearly intelligence failure. Even the governor has admitted the same. Then why was the IB chief given an extension? What was the compulsion?" a source close to the Diamond Harbour MP told PTI after the meeting on Saturday (July 19, 20250. He also alleged that Pegasus spyware, instead of being used to combat terrorism, was being used to intimidate opposition leaders. "Pegasus is being used by the government to harass the opposition instead of using it to stop terrorism and nab terrorists," the source added. Mr. Banerjee voiced concern over what he termed a "steep decline" in India's foreign policy over the past decade, pointing out the absence of explicit condemnation from ASEAN nations against Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. "In the meeting, Banerjee said the last 10-12 years of India's foreign policy have witnessed a big decline. It is in bad shape. Why did no ASEAN country name Pakistan while condemning the dastardly Pahalgam attack?" the TMC leader is learnt to have said during the virtual meet. He also criticised the Modi government's communication strategy after the terror strike, saying Indians were forced to rely on U.S. President Donald Trump's social media accounts for updates. "Such is the sad state of affairs that people of India had to look to Donald Trump's social media handles and accounts to get updates because they were kept in the dark by this government at the Centre," the source quoted Mr. Banerjee as saying. He questioned the government's decision to send parliamentary delegations abroad to brief stakeholders while allegedly withholding information from citizens at home. "After Pahalgam, MPs delegations were sent to various countries. What good did it do? How many countries came out in our support? Instead of briefing its own people, the Modi government sent MPs to brief stakeholders abroad. The government kept the people of India in the dark," Mr. Banerjee said, according to the source. During the meeting, he also raised the issue of Special Intensive Revision, which he said the BJP and EC were using as a form of "backdoor NRC". "Four months after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP added 40 lakh voters in Maharashtra to win the assembly polls. They are trying a similar thing in Bihar. In Bengal, they are trying to remove genuine voters," a source close to Mr. Banerjee said. Twenty-four parties, including the Congress, TMC, DMK, RJD, SP, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), JMM, CPI-M, CPI, CPI-ML, Forward Bloc, IUML and Kerala Congress, participated in the deliberations.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
₹5,000 per box and counting: Himachal's apple season begins with a bang as quality fruit reigns
Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh are upbeat as early varieties of the fruit are commanding impressive prices in wholesale markets. With the apple season kicking off early this year, traders at the Dhalli vegetable market in Shimla say farmers are earning between Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per 20-kg box, depending on quality and ripeness. Roshan Sharma, a local apple grower, said he received Rs 2,000 per box for the early "Spur" variety. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Cybersecurity MCA Technology Design Thinking Finance others Public Policy Data Analytics Leadership Artificial Intelligence CXO Healthcare Data Science MBA Others Operations Management Management healthcare Product Management Project Management PGDM Degree Digital Marketing Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details "The early varieties are just beginning to arrive. I got Rs 2,000 for a 20 kg box of Spur variety apples . If people don't bring unripe fruit to the market, quality fruit is getting good prices. Since the universal carton was introduced, rates have improved. The season is expected to last longer this time. Everything depends on the weather and road conditions. We mostly send our apples to local mandis like Dhalli and Solan and are happy with the current prices," he told ANI. Narendra Thakur, a trader operating from Dhalli Mandi at Bhatakufar, highlighted the strong beginning of the season, stating that over 1 lakh boxes have arrived in just 20 days. "This time, early varieties like Tydeman and Spur are coming in good quantity. Growers are getting great prices. Some early foreign varieties fetched up to Rs 5,000 per 20 kg box. Rates are ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. Farmers are advised not to bring under-ripe apples, as the market penalizes poor color and immature fruit. With universal cartons now standard, quality has improved. If the rains continue, the season will likely extend. But unripe produce is affecting market prices negatively," he said. Live Events Ashok Kumar, a buyer who procures apples for markets in Kathmandu (Nepal) and Bihar, echoed the sentiment and praised the quality this year. "The produce is good, and the rates are also satisfying. Farmers who bring properly ripened apples are getting great deals. I have already bought 10,000 to 15,000 boxes, mainly Royal, Red- Gold, and Tydeman varieties. The season has started on time, and I hope both farmers and traders benefit equally. When the fruit is good, everyone wins," Kumar told ANI. According to market estimates, over 10 lakh apple boxes have been sold across Himachal Pradesh's major mandis by July 18. With favorable weather and disciplined harvesting, stakeholders remain optimistic for a strong and extended apple season.
