New Delhi:

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has allocated Rs 5,483 crore for aid to foreign nations, slightly higher than last year’s Rs 4,883 crore. The overall budget for the MEA stands at Rs 20,516 crore, with aid to neighbouring and strategic countries remaining a crucial component.

The MEA budget has placed a key emphasis on India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Rs 4,320 crore – 64 per cent of the total scheme portfolio – has been earmarked for the country’s immediate neighbours for several initiatives like large infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric plants, power transmission lines, housing, roads, bridges and integrated check-posts.

Bhutan Retains Top Spot

Bhutan continues to be India’s largest foreign aid recipient, receiving Rs 2,150 crore in 2025-26. This is an increase from last year’s allocation of Rs 2,068 crore. India remains Bhutan’s primary development partner, with funding directed towards infrastructure, hydropower projects, and economic cooperation.

Maldives Boost Amid Diplomatic Reset

India’s allocation for the Maldives has increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 600 crore. This comes at a time when Male is attempting to mend ties with New Delhi following tensions over President Mohamed Muizzu’s pro-China stance after his electoral win. 

In early 2024, India withdrew its military personnel from the Maldives. Now, with Maldivian Defence Minister Ghassan Maumoon visiting India earlier this month, efforts are underway to restore cooperation. 

Afghanistan’s Aid Reduced

Afghanistan has seen its aid allocation decrease from Rs 200 crore last year to Rs 100 crore in 2025-26. This is still a sharp decline from the Rs 207 crore granted two years ago. India has been cautious in its dealings with the Taliban government, limiting its engagement to humanitarian aid and economic cooperation.

Earlier this year, senior diplomat Vikram Misri met with Taliban officials in Dubai, marking the highest-level contact since Kabul’s takeover. Discussions centred around trade and India’s interest in Iran’s Chabahar Port, which serves as a crucial alternative trade route bypassing Pakistan.

Despite these engagements, India has yet to officially recognise the Taliban government. 

Myanmar Sees Increased Aid

Myanmar’s allocation increased from Rs 250 crore in the 2024-25 budget to Rs 350 crore for 2025-26 amid ongoing turmoil in the country, where ethnic armed groups have taken control of vast territories, including areas bordering India’s northeastern states.

The Centre recently tightened the rules for the movement of people across the India-Myanmar border. The new rules restrict movement from 16 km under the free movement regime (FMR) to 10 km, on either side.

Other Key Allocations

India has maintained its allocation for Nepal at Rs 700 crore. The allocation for Sri Lanka saw an increase from Rs 245 crore to Rs 300 crore as the crisis-hit southern neighbour recovers from an economic meltdown.

Aid to Dhaka remains unchanged at Rs 120 crore amid a diplomatic rift between the two countries following former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster last year. Ms Hasina has been granted asylum in India, with the Muhammad Yunus-led government demanding her return.

Aid to African nations rose to Rs 225 crore from Rs 200 crore last year. The African Union joined the G20 in 2023 when India hosted the summit.

Latin America’s allocation has been increased from Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore. Last year, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita embarked on a nine-day official visit to Mexico, Grenada, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, underscoring the deepening ties between India, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The allocation for Chabahar Port in Iran remains at Rs 100 crore. The port project serves as a vital trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Disaster Relief allocation saw a massive increase from Rs 10 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 64 crore this year. India has consistently been one of the first to respond to global disaster relief initiatives. India was among the early responders when Turkey witnessed devastating earthquakes in 2023. India also sent relief to flood-hit countries like Laos and Vietnam in 2024. 

Beyond direct financial aid, India is also expanding its soft power outreach. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has received Rs 351 crore, up from Rs 331 crore last year. Support for International Training Programs stands at Rs 1,247 crore.

New Delhi:

Pakistan’s notorious spy agency ISI has secretly sent four top members to Dhaka, raising a red flag in New Delhi. Acknowledging the development, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that India is keeping a very close watch on the developments in its immediate neighbourhood, especially ones that having a bearing on its national security. “Appropriate action” will be taken, if required, the foreign ministry said.

Pakistani spy agency ISI’s Director General of Analysis Maj Gen Shahid Amir Afsar and other senior officials are reportedly visiting Bangladesh at the moment. The visit comes close on the heels of a Bangladeshi military delegation visiting Rawalpindi and meeting the army, air force, and navy chiefs.

“We keep an eye on all activities around the country and in the region, as well as all activities affecting our national security, and the government will take appropriate steps,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a question on fast-growing military engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

ISI OFFICIALS IN DHAKA

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, less than a week after a Bangladeshi military delegation toured Pakistan, meeting all three service chiefs, Rawalpindi has sent four senior officers, including a two-star General of the ISI to Dhaka. The report, which attributes the development to unnamed sources familiar with the matter, states that Major General Shahid Amir Afsar, who is the Director General of Analysis in the ISI, and has served as Pakistan’s defence attache in Beijing, is part of the delegation.

The six-member Bangladeshi delegation which visited Rawalpindi – the town where Pakistan’s military headquarters is based – was led by Lt. Gen. SM Kamrul Hasan, the Principal Staff Officer of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Division. Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir reportedly met them for extensive talks. The Bangladeshi delegation stayed in Pakistan between January 13 and January 18.

Photo Credit: YouTube / ISPR Official

Just three days later – on January 21, Rawalpindi secretly dispatched a senior delegation to Dhaka. This was the first time in nearly two decades that the ISI officially went to Bangladesh. A senior official from Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence or DGFI received them at the airport upon their arrival aboard an Emirates Airlines flight routed via Dubai.

The ISI team is being given a detailed tour of several military establishments in Bangladesh and is reportedly being informed about Dhaka’s military capabilities and preparedness.

In the midst of these visits by either side, the Pakistan Army’s media wing – the Inter-Services Public Relations or ISPR released a statement, in which it wrote that the meeting between Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan of Bangladesh and Pak Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir “underscored the importance of a stronger defence relationship, emphasising that the enduring partnership between the two brotherly nations must remain resilient against external influences.”

WHEN ISI ACTIVITY WAS STOPPED IN BANGLADESH

When Sheikh Hasina was the prime minister, all activities by Pakistan’s ISI was brought to a grinding halt due to its covert activities and political interference in Bangladesh, as well as its support for extremist elements. Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, several people were caught and prosecuted for their involvement and collusion with the ISI during the 1971 Bangladesh War.

But ever since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, the interim government under Muhammad Yunus has been accelerating military ties with Pakistan. During the 1990s, when terror camps mushroomed across Pakistan and were used on foreign soil as “an instrument of state policy”, as highlighted by India at the United Nations, the ISI even used Bangladeshi soil to fund militancy and insurgency in India’s northeastern states. This too was cracked down upon by Sheikh Hasina when she came to power the first time in 1996.
 

India has emphasised the importance of skilled professionals’ movement between India and the US, stating that it benefits both nations. This comes amid a heated debate over H-1B visas, with President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk recently weighing in.

In a recent post, Mr. Musk defended the H-1B visa programme on social media, “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.”

“I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend”, he added.

The debate has exposed deep divisions among Mr. Trump’s allies, with some supporting the H-1B visa programme as essential for the tech industry, while others see it as a threat to American jobs. Mr. Trump himself has expressed support for the programme, despite previously signing an executive order to restrict access to such visas.

India’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted the strong economic and technological partnership between the two countries, noting that the mobility of skilled professionals is a crucial component. He emphasised that India-US economic ties benefit greatly from the technical expertise provided by these professionals, with both sides leveraging their strengths and competitive value.

“Our countries have a strong and growing economic and technological partnership and within this ambit, mobility of skilled professionals is an important component,” Mr. Jaiswal, told a press conference when asked about the H-1B visa discussions in the U.S.

“India-U.S economic ties benefit a lot from the technical expertise provided by skilled professionals, with both sides leveraging their strengths and competitive value. We look forward to further deepening India-U.S economic ties which are to our mutual benefit”, he added.

The numbers speak for themselves: India received approximately 78% of the 265,777 H1B visas issued by the US in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. This underscores the significant role Indian professionals play in the US tech industry.

Mr. Trump has expressed full support for the H1B program, despite opposition from some of his supporters. Mr. Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has also vowed to defend the program, stating he’s willing to go to “war” for it.

As the US and India look to strengthen their ties under Mr. Trump, India’s foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar has already met with Mr. Trump’s transition team. The country is eager to deepen its economic ties with the US, recognising the mutual benefits that arise from their partnership.

This development is part of a broader trend of growing US-India cooperation, with bilateral trade increasing by 7.65% to USD 129 billion in 2022-23. 

Ultimately, the movement of skilled professionals between India and the US is a critical aspect of their economic and technological partnership. As both nations continue to navigate the complexities of this relationship, it’s clear that mutual benefits and cooperation will remain a top priority.
 

New Delhi:

India today welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon saying that the move will help bring peace and stability in West Asia. New Delhi said that it has always recommended the path of diplomacy as the 21st Century is no longer an era for war.

“We welcome the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that has been announced. We have always called for de-escalation, restraint, and returh to the path of dialogue and diplomacy,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs read.

“We hope that these developments will lead to peace and stability in the wider region,” it added.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon came into effect today. Militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, is based in Lebanon and the latest conflict with Israel started after Hezbollah attacked Israel with its rockets and projectiles in support of its regional ally Hamas, which is another militant group backed by Iran.

Hezbollah has been supporting Hamas – based in Gaza – in its war with Israel. Hamas had carried out a terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023 when it crossed the Gaza-Israel border and stormed a concert killing several Israeli nationals and taking many as hostages, some of whom are still in captivity. This is what triggered the latest war in the region. It has now been more than a year of war in the Middle-East in which tens of thousands of people have died.

Though the ceasefire, a welcome step, halts the war on the Lebanon-front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his statement clearly said that the focus on Hamas and Iran will not end.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has also warned that if Hezbollah breaks the deal, Israel will not honour it either and will strike back with full force. The peace deal has been achieved with the intervention of the United States and France, and US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to make an official announcement shortly.

Displaced residents of south Lebanon have begun to return to their homes amid celebrations hours after the ceasefire.

Since the beginning of the war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly expressed his deep concern over the widening of the conflict in West Asia and reiterated India’s call to de-escalate the situation.

Stating that “India is on the side of peace”, PM Modi had also said that New Delhi will do whatever it can to help bring all sides to the dialogue table.

Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar also met Lebanon Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on the sidelines of Rome Mediterranean Dialogue. Speaking about the crises in West Asia as well as the war between Russia and Ukraine, Mr Jaishankar had said that “solutions are not going to come from the battlefield.”

Speaking specifically about the Middle East conflict, Mr Jaishankar said, “The situation in the Middle East is obviously deeply concerning, both for what has happened and what may still come. India unequivocally condemns terrorism and hostage taking. It also regards large scale civilian casualties in military operations to be unacceptable. International humanitarian law cannot be disregarded. In immediate terms, we should all support a ceasefire.”
 

New Delhi:

The Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government’s latest action suggests it has started treating India as an enemy country. India has been added to a list of enemy nations in terms of cyber security and has been labelled a ‘cyber adversary’. New Delhi today called it another Canadian strategy to attack and malign India internationally.

In a press conference today, the Ministry of External Affairs also said that under Trudeau’s administration, senior Canadian officials have openly confessed that Canada is seeking to manipulate global opinions against India. The foreign ministry also said that like other instances, these allegations in their cyber security report are made without a shred of evidence.

“We see this as another Canadian strategy to attack and malign India. Their senior officials have openly confessed that Canada is seeking to manipulate global opinions against India. As on other occasions, allegations are made repeatedly without a shred of evidence,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said at a press conference in New Delhi today.

WHAT CANADA ALLEGED

In its most recent report about cyber security, titled ‘National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026’, the Government of Canada has called India a “cyber adversary”.

In the report it claimed that, “India’s leadership almost certainly aspires to build a modernized cyber program with domestic cyber capabilities. India very likely uses its cyber program to advance its national security imperatives, including espionage, counter-terrorism, and the country’s efforts to promote its global status and counter narratives against India and the Indian government. We assess that India’s cyber program likely leverages commercial cyber vendors to enhance its operations.”

It further claimed that “We assess that Indian state-sponsored cyber threat actors likely conduct cyber threat activity against Government of Canada networks for the purpose of espionage. We judge that official bilateral relations between Canada and India will very likely drive Indian state-sponsored cyber threat activity against Canada.”

The report also claimed that “countries that aspire to become new centres of power within the global system, such as India, are building cyber programs that present varying levels of threat to Canada.

Canada made these claims under ‘Section 1’ of its cyber security report titled ‘Cyber Threat From State Adversaries’ which it says “introduces the state cyber threat ecosystem and discusses the cyber threats to Canada.”

India has been added to the list of enemy countries which include China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

CANADA HARASSES INDIAN DIPLOMATIC STAFF

The Justin Trudeau-led Canada government has started violating all established international diplomatic norms in its hateful and spiteful pursuit malign India in order to cater to its domestic political motives and objectives. Diplomats and other Indian mission staff are being kept under round-the-clock surveillance and are even being intimidated routinely.

In a move that highlights its double-standards, Justin Trudeau’s administration, which harps on a “rules-based” order has itself not being following any established rules, diplomatic norms and practices.

India today called out Canada for indulging in such illegal activity to harass and intimidate Indian officials in diplomatic missions. New Delhi has called such surveillance activity a “flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions”.

The foreign ministry also said that by citing technicalities the Canadian government cannot justify that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation.

In its official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Some of our officials have recently been informed by the Canadian government that they have been, and continue to be under audio and visual surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted.”

It added that “New Delhi has formally protested to the Indian government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions. By citing technicalities the Canadian government cannot justify that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation.”

The foreign ministry concluded by saying that “Our diplomatic and consular persons are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence. This action of the Canadian government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices.”

India and Canada are currently in the midst of the worst-ever diplomatic spat between the two nations. India has blamed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alone for the fallout between the two countries. Mr Trudeau has openly been supporting terrorism, extremism, separatism and violence against India by personally and politically being a part of the Khalistani narrative. He has been seen at Khalistani rallies and hate speeches against India. Mr Trudeau is dependent on this vote bank for his political gains.
 

New Delhi:

The Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government’s latest action suggests it has started treating India as an enemy country. India has been added to a list of enemy nations in terms of cyber security and has been labelled a ‘cyber adversary’. New Delhi today called it another Canadian strategy to attack and malign India internationally.

In a press conference today, the Ministry of External Affairs also said that under Trudeau’s administration, senior Canadian officials have openly confessed that Canada is seeking to manipulate global opinions against India. The foreign ministry also said that like other instances, these allegations in their cyber security report are made without a shred of evidence.

“We see this as another Canadian strategy to attack and malign India. Their senior officials have openly confessed that Canada is seeking to manipulate global opinions against India. As on other occasions, allegations are made repeatedly without a shred of evidence,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said at a press conference in New Delhi today.

WHAT CANADA ALLEGED

In its most recent report about cyber security, titled ‘National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026’, the Government of Canada has called India a “cyber adversary”.

In the report it claimed that, “India’s leadership almost certainly aspires to build a modernized cyber program with domestic cyber capabilities. India very likely uses its cyber program to advance its national security imperatives, including espionage, counter-terrorism, and the country’s efforts to promote its global status and counter narratives against India and the Indian government. We assess that India’s cyber program likely leverages commercial cyber vendors to enhance its operations.”

It further claimed that “We assess that Indian state-sponsored cyber threat actors likely conduct cyber threat activity against Government of Canada networks for the purpose of espionage. We judge that official bilateral relations between Canada and India will very likely drive Indian state-sponsored cyber threat activity against Canada.”

The report also claimed that “countries that aspire to become new centres of power within the global system, such as India, are building cyber programs that present varying levels of threat to Canada.

Canada made these claims under ‘Section 1’ of its cyber security report titled ‘Cyber Threat From State Adversaries’ which it says “introduces the state cyber threat ecosystem and discusses the cyber threats to Canada.”

India has been added to the list of enemy countries which include China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

CANADA HARASSES INDIAN DIPLOMATIC STAFF

The Justin Trudeau-led Canada government has started violating all established international diplomatic norms in its hateful and spiteful pursuit malign India in order to cater to its domestic political motives and objectives. Diplomats and other Indian mission staff are being kept under round-the-clock surveillance and are even being intimidated routinely.

In a move that highlights its double-standards, Justin Trudeau’s administration, which harps on a “rules-based” order has itself not being following any established rules, diplomatic norms and practices.

India today called out Canada for indulging in such illegal activity to harass and intimidate Indian officials in diplomatic missions. New Delhi has called such surveillance activity a “flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions”.

The foreign ministry also said that by citing technicalities the Canadian government cannot justify that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation.

In its official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “Some of our officials have recently been informed by the Canadian government that they have been, and continue to be under audio and visual surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted.”

It added that “New Delhi has formally protested to the Indian government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions. By citing technicalities the Canadian government cannot justify that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation.”

The foreign ministry concluded by saying that “Our diplomatic and consular persons are already functioning in an environment of extremism and violence. This action of the Canadian government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices.”

India and Canada are currently in the midst of the worst-ever diplomatic spat between the two nations. India has blamed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alone for the fallout between the two countries. Mr Trudeau has openly been supporting terrorism, extremism, separatism and violence against India by personally and politically being a part of the Khalistani narrative. He has been seen at Khalistani rallies and hate speeches against India. Mr Trudeau is dependent on this vote bank for his political gains.
 

New Delhi:

The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday expressed its concern on the recent developments in West Asia after precision strike of Israel on Iran’s military sites.

In a statement, the MEA reiterated its call to return to dialogue and diplomacy.

“We are deeply concerned by the evolving escalation in West Asia and its ramifications for peace and stability in the region and beyond. We reiterate our call to all concerned to exercise restraint and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said.

“The ongoing hostilities are to nobody’s benefit, even as innocent hostages and civilian populations continue to suffer. Our Missions in the region are in contact with the Indian community,” the statement added.

On Saturday morning, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that its military had conducted “precise strikes” on Iranian military targets, around a month after Tehran launched around 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel.

Israel’s strike came weeks after Iran launched a barrage of missiles toward Tel Aviv earlier this month. The Iranian strikes followed a nearly yearlong conflict between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, including the deaths of senior leadership, and fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Both sides traded cross-border strikes, including Hezbollah in support of its fellow proxy Hamas and Israel to clear the way for displaced settlers to return to the border area.

Israel has been standing against “the terror attacks from Iran and its proxies” and has “precisely targeted military bases” in the country, Israel Consul General Kobbi Shoshani said on Saturday and asserted that Israel can reach any place in the Middle East “in a very massive way”.

In an interview with ANI, Kobbi Shoshani spoke about the conflict in the Middle East and said they have some conditions which include Hamas not having any military capability and there should be safety zone in Lebanon where Hezbollah will leave the area and there will be Lebanon Army.

“That bothers us very much… Some friends of Israel are negotiating with Hamas to find a solution. We are also looking forward to a solution. We have some conditions and one of them is that Hamas will not have any military capability… Secondly, in Lebanon, we want to create a safety zone where Hezbollah will leave the area and the army of Lebanon will be there,” he said.

Iran media on Saturday said that the country’s air defence systems have been activated in central Tehran in response to the escalating attacks by Israel.

State news agency IRNA said that Iran has successfully shot down “adversial targets” in the airspace around Tehran province.

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

New Delhi:

India has targeted to train 175 civil servants from Maldives through tailor-made programmes in specific disciplines, according to an official statement issued today.

A bilateral meeting was held today between National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) Director General V Srinivas and Maldives Civil Service Commission President Mohamed Nasih to firm up the implementation modalities of the India-Maldives MoU for imparting training to the civil servants of Maldives over a period of five years 2024 -2029, it said.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and renewed between the NCGG, government of India, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Republic of Maldives, for capacity building programs for 1,000 Maldivian civil servants on August 9 in Male, Maldives.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Maldives’ Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer renewed the MoU for the period 2024-2029 as part of the development partnership discussions between both nations, said the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry.

In view of the need of the CSC Maldives, the NCGG agreed to having customised programmes for middle level civil servants and senior civil servants of Maldives, it added.

“The CSC Maldives requested for tailor made specialised programmes in specific disciplines for which NCGG will be designing need-based modules. Five (5) programmes will be held in the year 2024-25 targeting a total of 175 civil servants,” the statement said.

In 2024, the NCGG had achieved the remarkable milestone by fulfilling the mandate of training a total of 1,000 civil servants, including Permanent Secretaries, Secretary Generals and high-level delegates from Maldives over a total of 32 capacity building programmes in field administration for the civil servants of Maldives, including programmes for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and for Information Commission Office of Maldives (ICOM) under the MoU signed on June 8, 2019.

Recognising the success of this collaboration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives, had requested for the renewal of the MoU for another five years, the statement said.

This renewed partnership will continue to enhance the capabilities of Maldives civil servants in public policy, governance and field administration, further strengthening the ties between India and the Maldives, it added.

The NCGG is committed to fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration on public policy and governance across several countries.

Its mid-career capacity building programs emphasise citizen-centric governance, improving service delivery and promoting innovations in governance. These programs also showcase India’s best practices in digital empowerment of citizens and digital transformation of institutions.
 

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

New Delhi:

India has targeted to train 175 civil servants from Maldives through tailor-made programmes in specific disciplines, according to an official statement issued today.

A bilateral meeting was held today between National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) Director General V Srinivas and Maldives Civil Service Commission President Mohamed Nasih to firm up the implementation modalities of the India-Maldives MoU for imparting training to the civil servants of Maldives over a period of five years 2024 -2029, it said.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and renewed between the NCGG, government of India, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Republic of Maldives, for capacity building programs for 1,000 Maldivian civil servants on August 9 in Male, Maldives.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Maldives’ Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer renewed the MoU for the period 2024-2029 as part of the development partnership discussions between both nations, said the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry.

In view of the need of the CSC Maldives, the NCGG agreed to having customised programmes for middle level civil servants and senior civil servants of Maldives, it added.

“The CSC Maldives requested for tailor made specialised programmes in specific disciplines for which NCGG will be designing need-based modules. Five (5) programmes will be held in the year 2024-25 targeting a total of 175 civil servants,” the statement said.

In 2024, the NCGG had achieved the remarkable milestone by fulfilling the mandate of training a total of 1,000 civil servants, including Permanent Secretaries, Secretary Generals and high-level delegates from Maldives over a total of 32 capacity building programmes in field administration for the civil servants of Maldives, including programmes for Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and for Information Commission Office of Maldives (ICOM) under the MoU signed on June 8, 2019.

Recognising the success of this collaboration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maldives, had requested for the renewal of the MoU for another five years, the statement said.

This renewed partnership will continue to enhance the capabilities of Maldives civil servants in public policy, governance and field administration, further strengthening the ties between India and the Maldives, it added.

The NCGG is committed to fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration on public policy and governance across several countries.

Its mid-career capacity building programs emphasise citizen-centric governance, improving service delivery and promoting innovations in governance. These programs also showcase India’s best practices in digital empowerment of citizens and digital transformation of institutions.
 

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

New Delhi:

India expressed deep shock at the loss of lives in Northern Gaza after over 100 people were killed there on Thursday when Palestinians gathered around aid trucks for food.

“We are deeply shocked at the loss of lives in Northern Gaza yesterday during the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The MEA stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to remain a cause for concern.

“Such loss of civilian lives and the larger humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be a cause for extreme concern. We reiterate our call for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance,” the MEA said in a statement.

Palestinians died in a firing allegedly by Israeli troops, CNN reported quoting Palestinian officials and eyewitnesses.

The massacre began early Thursday when a convoy of trucks with supplies landed on Haroun Al Rasheed Street in western Gaza City’s Sheikh Ajleen neighbourhood.

According to witnesses, people swarmed around the newly arrived relief vehicles when Israeli soldiers opened fire. According to one version, several died after being hit by lorries.

An eyewitness informed CNN that as relief trucks attempted to flee the scene, others were mistakenly rammed, resulting in further deaths and injuries.

Israel Defence Forces spokesperson Lt Col Peter Lerner, in response to the deadly incidents, clarified that the aid trucks involved belonged to “international aid by governments that came on in private truckloads to move north. We need to do everything to alleviate the humanitarian situation”.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed strong condemnation for the devastating incident as the Gaza health ministry said over 100 lives were lost.

“The desperate civilians in Gaza need urgent help, including those in the besieged north where the United Nations has not been able to deliver aid in more than a week,” stated Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief. While the UN was not present during the incident, it has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic events.

Expressing his dismay at the death count of Gazans in the ongoing conflict, Mr Guterres noted that the health ministry reported a death count surpassing 30,000, with over 70,000 injured.

The UN chief said, “Tragically, an unknown number of people lie under rubble,” reinforcing the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza.

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