Jaishankar’s Brussels visit would decide on Modi’s participation at UN summit
New Delhi, Jan 31: A key meeting of External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar will take place on February 17 with his European Union counterparts in Brussels.
The meeting is important and its outcome would decide whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the March 13 European Union summit.
Earlier this week the European Parliament decided to postpone voting on a resolution regarding the newly amended citizenship law. The resolution was introduced by giving major groups across political leanings.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar holds talks with Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif
India understands that the postponement is temporary and the resolution would be put to vote once Modi's visit is done. During his meeting, Jaishankar would seek assurances from his counterparts at Brussels against the resolution being put to vote.
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Modi's trip would be finalised only after Jaishankar gets an assurance, sources familiar with the matter tell OneIndia.
When the resolution was taken up in the 751 member House, 271 of the 483 MEPs present voted to delay the vote on the resolution. 13 abstained, while 199 did not want to delay the voting.
India had launched a drive that was intended to clear the misunderstanding regarding the law. India has maintained that the law is not discriminatory in nature and instead of passing a resolution, the European Parliament should engage with New Delhi for a right understanding of the law.
Friends of India prevailed over the Friends of Pakistan, the official said while also blaming Shaffaq Mohammed, the PoK born MEP for the resolution.
With the vote being delayed, Indian diplomatic channels would have more time to reach out to a majority of the MEPs and provide clarity regarding the law. Our official's channels are already at work, the source confirmed, while also expressing confidence that the issue would be resolved.
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The
final
draft
resolution
by
six
of
the
largest
groups
in
the
European
Parliament
has
said
that
the
new
Indian
citizenship
law
is
discriminatory
in
nature
and
dangerously
divisive.
The
draft
also
says
that
the
NRC
may
be
used
to
target
marginalised
groups.
It
could
cause
immense
human
suffering,
the
draft
also
says.
India has maintained that these issues are entirely internal. Moreover, these issues have been settled by a majority vote in both Houses of Parliament, India has informed.
Instead of voting on such issues, the parliamentarians should engage with New Delhi. We would be able to provide them with the right assessment on the issues, sources on the Ministry of External Affairs informed.