In a post on X, MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the first MEA Consultative Committee meeting of 2026, chaired by Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar, discussed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), touted as the "mother of all FTA deals".
India's foreign exchange reserves dipped USD 2.119 billion in the week that ended February 20 to USD 723.608 billion, after having reached a new all-time high recently, according to the Reserve Bank of India's latest data.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his counterparts from several Gulf countries amid rising tensions in West Asia, stressing the need for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.
"Spoke with Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar this afternoon. Reiterate India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions," Jaishankar posted on X about his call with FM Gideon Sa'ar.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Vikas Swarup, on Saturday termed US and Israel strikes on Iran as "a worrisome development" as it hampers India's interest in the Middle-East.
In Press Release No. 66, published earlier in the day by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil stated that the strikes took place "in the midst of a negotiation process between the parties," which it described as the only viable path to peace.
India on Saturday expressed its concern at the developments in Iran and the Gulf region and said dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel days before Tel Aviv launched an attack against Tehran has sent a "very wrong message" and reminded the PM that India has always remained "neutral" in this conflict.
Paul Kapur, US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, underlined the importance of building a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region for the people of India and America.