S Jaishankar

As many as 212 Indian nationals from Israel arrived at the Delhi airport. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar was present at the airport to welcome them. With folded hands, Chandrasekhar greeted the returning Indians. He then interacted with the students. The Government of India will plan more flights if necessary, and bring back stranded people in Conflict hit Israel. "The demand will dictate if more flights are needed," said official.

The foreign ministers of India and Canada had reportedly held a secret meeting recently amid the diplomatic standoff between both the countries over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Melanie Joly said Canada believes in the importance of having a "strong diplomatic footprint" in India, Canada-based CPAC reported.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, for badmouthing the Indian Government abroad. He criticised Gandhi, saying he has a habit of criticising India abroad and it is not in the interest of the country to take its internal matters to the outside world. The minister said, "The world is watching us". He further added, "Rahul Gandhi has a habit of criticising India abroad."

External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar welcomed Pakistan counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the EAM of Pakistan in India. Notably, Zardari arrived in Goa to attend the Shanghai Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministry (CFM.) This is the first time in the past 12 years, that a minister from Pakistan visited India. However, there is no talk of bilateral talks and meetings between India and Pakistan.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to “cool a little bit” over the Union minister’s criticism of the West for its habit of commenting on internal matters of other countries. Tharoor said, “We need not be so thin-skinned. I think it's very important that as a government we take something in our stride. If we react to every comment, we are doing ourselves a disservice."