"ministry-of-external-affairs"

Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain will represent India at the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The MEA said the visit reflects the strong civilisational and diplomatic ties between India and Iran

Passport services have become costlier from July 1, 2026, after the Ministry of External Affairs revised the fee structure. Charges for fresh applications, renewals, Tatkaal services, replacements of lost or damaged passports, Police Clearance Certificates, and other related services have been significantly increased for both domestic and overseas applicants.

The Ministry of External Affairs has revised passport service charges effective July 1, 2026, increasing fees for fresh passports, renewals, Tatkaal applications, replacements, PCCs and overseas services. A 10 per cent discount for young children and senior citizens will continue

India rejected Pakistan's allegations linking it to the Karachi military base attack, calling the claims baseless. New Delhi urged Islamabad to act against terror infrastructure within its territory instead of blaming others for incidents without presenting evidence

The Ministry of External Affairs has put nearly 300 gifts received by Indian government functionaries from foreign dignitaries up for e-auction. The collection includes luxury watches, jewellery, antiques and souvenirs, with bidding open to resident Indians until June 30

A political row has erupted over the status of passports as proof of citizenship. The government clarified that passports have never been conclusive proof of Indian citizenship under the Passports Act, 1967, while opposition parties accused the ruling BJP of attempting to undermine citizenship rights.

The government has amended the Passports Rules, 1980, revising the fee structure for passport applications effective July 1, 2026.

S Jaishankar joined diplomats in New Delhi to mark the 12th International Day of Yoga. The event highlighted the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” with leaders promoting yoga as a lifelong practice for physical and mental well-being

Telangana Police have been recognised as the best-performing state police force in the country for passport verification services, receiving the Institutional Performance Award from the Ministry of External Affairs.

India lodged a strong protest with the US after summoning its charge d’affaires twice this week over reported US Navy strikes on three commercial vessels near Oman involving Indian crew. The incidents allegedly resulted in deaths, prompting diplomatic tensions

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India's foreign policy and diplomatic outreach have undergone major transformation under Narendra Modi over the past 12 years, citing improved citizen services, crisis evacuations, mobility partnerships and expanded diplomatic presence abroad

Vipul, a seasoned Indian Foreign Service officer and currently Ambassador to Qatar, has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, succeeding Sohail Ajaz Khan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome on the final leg of his five-nation tour, where he will hold talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, investment, defence, clean energy and strengthening the India-Italy strategic partnership.

India has firmly rejected allegations of human rights violations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Europe visit, with senior diplomat Sibi George stressing India’s constitutional values and global trustworthiness. The remarks came after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen questioned India’s democratic credentials during Modi’s Oslo stop for the India-Nordic summit.

In a landmark cultural restitution, the Netherlands has returned the 11th-century Chola dynasty copper plates, known as the Leiden Plates, to India. The artefacts, comprising 21 large and 3 small plates inscribed in Tamil and Sanskrit, record grants made by Rajendra Chola I formalising his father Rajaraja Chola I’s oral commitments.

India said the Iran situation remains serious, with the Ministry of External Affairs confirming over 2,400 evacuations, while embassy staff in Tehran continue assisting nationals amid a fragile ceasefire extended by Donald Trump

India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s social media post targeting immigrants and birthright citizenship, calling the remarks “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.”

India has strongly denied reports that its vessels paid cash or cryptocurrency to Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The clarification follows an April 18 incident where two Indian ships, including the Sanmar Herald, came under fire from Iranian forces and were forced to turn back.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Iran’s Ambassador to India after Indian-flagged vessels, including a crude oil tanker, came under fire from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz. While the crew remained safe, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed multiple incidents, including a container ship hit by a projectile.

Oil marketing companies in Andhra Pradesh have reassured the public that LPG, petrol, and diesel supplies remain stable despite initial panic triggered by the West Asia conflict. HPCL’s N Bhaskara Reddy stated that LPG inventories are consistently maintained for three days, while petrol and diesel stocks cover 15 days.