Washington, United States:

The United States extended greetings to India on Republic Day, and said Washington joins New Delhi on the occasion to recognize its “enduring significance as the foundation of the world’s largest democracy.”

US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in a statement, said the India-US relationship continues to reach new heights and will be the “defining relationship of the 21st century.”

“On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of India as they celebrate their nation’s Republic Day. As they commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, we join them in recognizing its enduring significance as the foundation of the world’s largest democracy,” Rubio said in his statement.

Stating that the US looks forward to deepening the cooperation between the two countries, Rubio stressed the importance of Quad to promote a “free, open, and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.

“The partnership between the United States and India continues to reach new heights and will be a defining relationship of the 21st century. The enduring friendship between our two peoples is the bedrock of our cooperation and propels us forward as we realize the tremendous potential of our economic relationship. We look forward to deepening our cooperation in the year ahead, including by advancing our joint efforts in space research and coordination within the Quad to promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said.

In a grand showcase of the country’s unique blend of rich cultural diversity, unity, equality, development and military prowess at the Kartavya Path, India will celebrate its 76th Republic Day today. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country’s celebrations today. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Earlier this week, Marco Rubio marked his first day as the new US Secretary of State by hosting the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan for a significant meeting of the QUAD alliance between the four nations, emphasising the commitment of the alliance in strengthening economic opportunity and ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held the meeting with his Quad counterparts–External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Penny Wong–at the US Department of State.
He also held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Washington, DC, reaffirming the shared commitment to strengthening the US-India partnership, an official press release by the US Department of State said.

Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar affirmed a shared commitment to continuing to strengthen the partnership between the United States and India. They discussed a wide range of topics, including regional issues and opportunities to further deepen the U.S.-India relationship.

Secretary Rubio also emphasized that the Trump Administration desires to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Washington, United States:

The United States extended greetings to India on Republic Day, and said Washington joins New Delhi on the occasion to recognize its “enduring significance as the foundation of the world’s largest democracy.”

US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in a statement, said the India-US relationship continues to reach new heights and will be the “defining relationship of the 21st century.”

“On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of India as they celebrate their nation’s Republic Day. As they commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India, we join them in recognizing its enduring significance as the foundation of the world’s largest democracy,” Rubio said in his statement.

Stating that the US looks forward to deepening the cooperation between the two countries, Rubio stressed the importance of Quad to promote a “free, open, and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region.

“The partnership between the United States and India continues to reach new heights and will be a defining relationship of the 21st century. The enduring friendship between our two peoples is the bedrock of our cooperation and propels us forward as we realize the tremendous potential of our economic relationship. We look forward to deepening our cooperation in the year ahead, including by advancing our joint efforts in space research and coordination within the Quad to promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said.

In a grand showcase of the country’s unique blend of rich cultural diversity, unity, equality, development and military prowess at the Kartavya Path, India will celebrate its 76th Republic Day today. President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country’s celebrations today. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Earlier this week, Marco Rubio marked his first day as the new US Secretary of State by hosting the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan for a significant meeting of the QUAD alliance between the four nations, emphasising the commitment of the alliance in strengthening economic opportunity and ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held the meeting with his Quad counterparts–External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and Australia’s Penny Wong–at the US Department of State.
He also held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Washington, DC, reaffirming the shared commitment to strengthening the US-India partnership, an official press release by the US Department of State said.

Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar affirmed a shared commitment to continuing to strengthen the partnership between the United States and India. They discussed a wide range of topics, including regional issues and opportunities to further deepen the U.S.-India relationship.

Secretary Rubio also emphasized that the Trump Administration desires to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A committee set up by the Union government has recommended that legal action be taken against a former Indian intelligence officer, identified as ‘CC-1’ in an indictment filed in New York City, for allegedly orchestrating a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, who is a dual US-Canadian citizen.

The enquiry committee was formed to probe the individual’s links with the drug mafia and criminal gangs after allegations surfaced that a plot was hatched to kill Pannun in the US in 2023.

“After a long enquiry, the Committee has submitted its report to the Government and recommended legal action against an individual, whose earlier criminal links and antecedents also came to notice during the enquiry,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. 

The individual known as ‘CC-1’ was later identified by the FBI as Vikash Yadav, a former Research and Analysis Wing officer. The Government of India had said ‘CC-1’ was no longer employed by it.

The Home Ministry said the committee has recommended that the legal action against the individual must be completed expeditiously.

“The Enquiry Committee conducted its own investigations and also pursued leads provided by the US side. It received full cooperation from US authorities and the two sides also exchanged visits. The Committee further examined a number of officials from different agencies and also scrutinised relevant documents in this connection,” it said. 

“The Committee has further recommended functional improvements in systems and procedures as also initiation of steps that could strengthen India’s response capability, ensure systematic controls and coordinated action in dealing with matters like this,” it added.

Murder-For-Hire

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York had said that it had registered “murder-for-hire and money laundering charges” against Vikash Yadav for trying to kill Pannun. The FBI also accused Indian agents of involvement in the assassination attempt.

“The FBI will not tolerate acts of violence or other efforts to retaliate against those residing in the US for exercising their constitutionally protected rights,” then FBI director Christopher Wray had said.

Mr Yadav is accused of recruiting an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, in May 2023 to execute the assassination. Mr Gupta was arrested in Prague in June that year, after travelling from India, and was subsequently extradited to the US, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Yadav and Mr Gupta allegedly contracted an individual to carry out the killing for $100,000. The FBI later discovered that the hired assassin was an informant for the agency who was working undercover.

New Delhi:

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who is in India to take stock of the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), met Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar in Delhi on Monday.

Mr Sullivan’s trip comes days after Mr Jaishankar concluded a six-day visit to the US. His trip was the last high-profile visit to New Delhi by the outgoing Biden administration.

The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the US will take place on January 20.

Delhi | #Watch: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

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— NDTV (@ndtv) January 6, 2025

During Mr Sullivan’s visit, the two sides are expected to review the overall India-US strategic ties and outcomes achieved in deepening ties between the two countries under Biden’s presidency.

Later in the day, Mr Sullivan is expected to hold wide-ranging talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

In their talks, Mr Sullivan and Mr Doval are expected to deliberate on the implementation of the iCET, billed as one of the very significant initiatives rolled out during Joe Biden’s presidency to expand India-US strategic ties.

The iCET represents a landmark initiative between the two countries in areas of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotech, and defence innovation. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Biden in May 2022, with the aim of forging greater collaboration between the two countries in areas of critical technologies.

Last year, the two sides unveiled a raft of transformative initiatives to deepen India-US cooperation in areas of semiconductors, critical minerals, advanced telecommunication and defence space. Sullivan last visited India in June 2024.

The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad will open consular operations on Saturday, December 7, to accommodate applicants requiring in-person visa interviews, officials said on Friday.

The US Mission in India launched a series of special Saturday interview days in January earlier this year as part of a larger effort to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants.

According to an official statement this fourth ‘Super Saturday’ is an innovative way to keep pace with the growing demand for travel between the United States and India. The participating posts will employ the maximum resources to conduct the most visa interviews on the Super Saturday. These additional interview days are just one component of a multi-pronged initiative to address the burgeoning demand in India for travel to the United States, the statement said. The Department of State has implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas and is also increasing the number of consular officers permanently assigned to the Embassy and Consulates. Mark McGovern, Consul General at the US Embassy New Delhi said, “This year, we have already processed more than one million visas across India, and we are so excited to be here for the fourth ‘Super Saturday’.”

“But our work isn’t just about the numbers; each visa means a family reunified, a business deal made, a new educational experience, or a tourist visiting America for the first time,” McGovern said.

“The people-to-people ties between the United States and we certainly understand that so is the demand for visas,” he added.

“That’s why we’re working overtime to keep the momentum going, even if it means coming in on a Saturday. Knowing that we can have that kind of impact makes this job so rewarding,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in conversation with President Joe Biden.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The illicit trafficking of cultural property is a longstanding issue that has affected many cultures and countries throughout history. India has been particularly affected by this issue and a large number of antiquities have been smuggled out of the country.

During this visit of PM Modi to U.S., 297 antiquities were handed over to India.

This takes the total number of antiquities recovered by India since 2014 to 640. The total number of antiquities returned from the USA alone will be 578.

Follow PM Modi in U.S. LIVE updates

Apart from the current visit, the earlier visits of the PM to USA have also been particularly fruitful in return for antiquities to India.

During PM Modi’s visit to the U.S. in 2021, 157 antiquities were handed over by the U.S. government, including the exquisite bronze Nataraja statue from the 12th century CE. Also, a few days after the PM’s U.S. visit in 2023, 105 antiquities were returned to India.

India’s successful recoveries extend beyond the USA, with 16 artefacts being returned from the U.K., and 40 from Australia among others.

In stark contrast only one artefact was returned to India between 2004-2013.

Further, in July 2024, on the sidelines of the 46th World Heritage Committee, at New Delhi, India and the United States signed the first ever ‘Cultural Property Agreement’ to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the USA.

The spectacular achievement over the last ten years demonstrates the government’s resolve to reclaim India’s stolen treasures and preserve its cultural heritage for future generations.

PM Modi’s personal bond with global leaders has played a pivotal role in securing these returns. His proactive approach has led to the recovery of significant artefacts, including revered sculptures and idols, reaffirming India’s cultural identity.

Wilmington, US:

US President Joe Biden has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the United States supports initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a “reformed” United Nations Security Council (UNSC). President Biden’s statement came during the Quad Leaders Summit attended by PM Modi, Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida and Australia’s Anthony Albanese on Sunday. 

The Quad leaders vowed support to reform the UNSC through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. In a joint statement, the leaders said that the India-US partnership “is vital to the success of efforts to build a cleaner, inclusive, more secure, and more prosperous future for the planet.” 

President Biden commended India’s leadership, particularly PM Modi’s role in the G-20 and the Global South and acknowledged the PM’s recent visits to Poland and Ukraine. The discussion around India’s potential inclusion as a permanent member of the UNSC is part of a larger conversation about reforming global institutions to reflect current geopolitical realities. India, with its large population, expanding economy, and active role in international peacekeeping and diplomacy, has long advocated for such reforms. 

“The Leaders reaffirmed their support for the freedom of navigation and the protection of commerce, including critical maritime routes in the Middle East where India will assume co-lead in 2025 of the Combined Task Force 150 to work with Combined Maritime Forces to secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea,” the joint statement added.

During the Quad summit, PM Modi reiterated the importance of a “free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” PM Modi highlighted several initiatives, including collaborations in health security, emerging technologies, and climate change, aimed at addressing global challenges. He described the Quad as a “force for global good,” committed to fostering cooperation for the benefit of all.

The US and India are working together to expand clean energy manufacturing and strengthen their technological and industrial bases. The Biden administration has announced plans to unlock $1 billion in new multilateral financing through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for clean energy projects in India. 

Prime Minister Modi announced a $7.5 million grant for cancer testing, screening, and diagnostics in the Indo-Pacific region. The grant forms part of India’s broader ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, which seeks to share India’s expertise in healthcare and provide assistance in areas such as radiotherapy and capacity building.

The US and India also announced advancements in technology and defence cooperation. The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) continues to strengthen strategic ties between the two nations in key technology sectors, including semiconductors. A new semiconductor fabrication plant will be established, supported by India’s Semiconductor Mission and a partnership with US companies like Bharat Semi and 3rdiTech.

In defence, the two countries have deepened industrial cooperation, with projects such as the co-development of unmanned surface vehicle systems by Liquid Robotics and Sagar Defence Engineering. 

Amid instances of unscrupulous elements overcharging members of the Indian community for consular services and other fraudulent activities, India’s mission in New York has cautioned against using such agents and highlighted measures undertaken by it to streamline visa, passport and other services for the diaspora.

Consul General of India in New York Binaya Pradhan told reporters here that several instances have come to the notice of the Consulate where various travel agents are “misusing people’s trust”.

They have been charging higher amounts of money in the name of providing services.

Such unscrupulous elements have overcharged applicants for assistance in getting Consular services such as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), visa, passport, and an emergency certificate. Mr. Pradhan cited instances where travel agents have charged as much as $450 to provide an emergency certificate to travel to India, while such a service costs only $17.

The Consulate said it has also come across instances where fake documents about identity, residential address, and utility bills have been submitted by the agents on the applicants’ behalf, often without the knowledge of the applicant. The Consulate said that this not only causes undue avoidable delay but is also a violation of prescribed Indian rules and puts the applicants on the wrong side of the law in the U.S.

The agents “claim that they have a relationship with the Consulate,” Mr. Pradhan said, adding that “they put our community members in trouble by providing false documents, fake certificates.” Mr. Pradhan underscored that whether it is an Indian citizen, an American citizen, or an Indian-American person, they “don’t have to come to us through an agent. You can come to us directly for the services that we provide at the Consulate. There is no requirement of using an agent, and on top of that to pay money, which is exorbitantly higher,” Mr. Pradhan added.

Additionally, Mr. Pradhan noted that it has also been brought to the Consulate’s notice that several fake E-visa websites, claiming to provide such services, are active on the internet. To mislead the applicants, some of these websites have created images and home page templates mimicking the Government of India’s websites.

The Consulate strongly urged members of the community and diaspora to apply on the correct website for E-visa services and not go through any other portal listed on the internet.

The Consulate has issued an advisory to create awareness about not using the services of “unscrupulous elements” who have been overcharging and submitting fraudulent documents on behalf of applicants. It has also publicised the fees and charges for all the services provided to ensure applicants don’t end up paying higher amounts.

The New York Consulate serves the northeastern states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Pradhan noted that of the 5.4 million strong Indian diaspora in the U.S., about 2.5 million, or 40-45% of the total, live in these 10 states. Over 113,000 Indian students out of the 354,000 in the whole country study in universities in these 10 northeastern states.

Mr. Pradhan also highlighted a slew of measures undertaken by the Consulate to ensure efficient consular services, including digital initiatives for ease of availing services and digital assistance tools like ‘Pramit’, ‘Bharti Chatbot’, and mobile app. It also organizes an open house twice a month when applicants can walk in without prior appointment and meet the Consular Officers for any query they may have regarding the consular services.

Amid a string of tragic and concerning incidents involving Indian students in the US in the recent past, Pradhan emphasised that there has been a “special focus” on students. The Consulate’s approach has been to connect the student community to the larger Indian community so they get a “helping hand” in their initial months. In this regard, the Consulate developed a special platform for the students to find internship opportunities at companies in the US as well as provide access to attorney and medical information.

Deputy Consul General Varun Jeph added that under a recent initiative aimed at addressing the problems of students, the Consulate will host an open house twice a month when they can walk in without taking prior appointments and meet officials.

He called on students coming from India to register on the Consulate’s portals as that will give information about where the students are and how many “so that in case of an emergency, it’s much easier for us to reach out to them,” Mr. Jeph said adding that this also provides a “comfort level” to the students that they can reach out to the Consulate.

He reiterated that there is “absolutely no need” to go to agents at all for consular services and the applicants can avail of these services through the global visa outsourcing and technology service VFS.

“You can come to us, write to us, things are absolutely smooth. If there are any issues at all, we are here for the community.” On OCI cards, Mr. Pradhan noted that under the Consulate’s jurisdiction, there are about 1.5 million Indian-origin people who are American passport holders and of these, only about 600,000 have OCI cards.

“We have been encouraging Indian community members to have OCI cards. The OCI card is in a way a permanent visa. And more than that, it’s a better connect to the motherland,” Mr. Pradhan said.