Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (February 20, 2026)

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good evening friends, let's begin our conversation. I open the floor for questions.

Huma Siddiqui, StratNews Global: Sir, my name is Huma Siddiqui. I just wanted to know has India officially stopped buying Russian oil and is looking to buy Venezuelan oil through the US?

Yeshi Seli, Business India: This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that India is causing instability, and is also allying itself with Kabul. And what are your comments? And he also said that we don't rule out the possibility of a war between the two countries.

Sidhant, WION: Hi Sir, Sidhant from WION. Sir, we saw a joint statement which condemned Israel's expansion in the West Bank. Now, India was not present initially in that joint statement, but India opted to join it. So, what's the reason? It's seen as a flip-flop.

Shailendra Wangu, News18 India:Sir, Shailendra Wangu, News18 India se. I know aap political questions ka jawab nahi denge, lekin aaj ek political protest Bharat Mandapam ke andar hua hai jab wahan pe 20 desho se zyada world leaders Delhi mein hain. Toh aapko lagta hai ki isse Bharat ki chhavi kharab karne ki koshish hui hai? Aur doosra ye ki agar wo andar ghuse, toh kya passes jo unko mile hain, kya unka koi verification nahi hua?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Shailendra Wangu from News18 India. I know you will not respond to political questions, but today a political protest took place inside Bharat Mandapam while more than 20 world leaders are in Delhi. So, do you think this was an attempt to tarnish India's image?

And secondly, if they managed to enter inside, were the passes issued to them not properly verified?

Pranay Upadhyay, India Today Aaj Tak:Sir, Pranay Upadhyay, India Today Aaj Tak se. Board of Peace held its first meeting yesterday and we saw that India had its participation as an observer state. So, is it the final status we have joined Board of Peace as an observer state, or this is only an interim arrangement?

And also, if you can tell us, President Donald Trump has been mentioning many a times that 11 or 10 or 9 aircrafts have been shot. So, as a strategic partner, did we tell, did we share the data of how many aircrafts shot down by India on the Pakistani air bases during Operation Sindoor?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, so first, Huma to your question. Look, on both Russian oil and on Venezuela oil, we have issued statements, we have made our position very clear. So, I would once again request you to look at what we have said in the last few weeks on both these subjects. On Venezuela, we had said that you know, if it is commercially viable, then we can explore buying oil from Venezuela.

Huma Siddiqui, StratNews Global: Through the US?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: We clarified our position on Venezuela oil as also on the other question that you asked, so our position remains the same.

Yeshi, on your question regarding our ties with Afghanistan, you know where we are in our relations with Afghanistan. And you also know where we are in our relations with Pakistan, so I will leave it at that. The real problem in our ties with Pakistan, as you know, is cross-border terrorism that needs to be addressed.

Sidhant, to your question, let me say that you all may be aware that the issue that you referred to, the statement that you referred to, it was not a negotiated document which is usually the case in the United Nations. Our position on this particular issue was recently expressed in the India-Arab League Ministerial joint statement. And which is as follows, I am going to read it out for you:

"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, according to international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. They called for a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine based on 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. Both parties supported the practice of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people."

Now, what I have given you is what was agreed upon, and is mentioned in the Delhi Declaration of the India-Arab League Ministerial meeting, that joint statement that was issued on the occasion of the Ministerial meeting. In consonance with our position, in consonance with it, we have associated ourselves with the initiative, keeping in mind the concerns addressed by the statement. Let me also point out, a number of countries have similarly associated themselves with it after the statement was issued. So ,that is where we are on your particular issue.

Aapko shayad jaankari hogi ki yeh koi aapsi sehmati se taiyar kiya hua document nahi tha, jaisa ki hota hai United Nations mein. Aam taur par Sanyukt Rashtra mein is prakar jo bhi koi joint statement hota hai ya resolution hota hai toh sehmati banti hai, negotiate hota hai. Us prakar ka yeh document nahi tha. Is mudde par humara nazariya haal hi mein Bharat-Arab League ke sajha bayan yaani ki joint statement mein saaf kiya gaya tha, ek baar phir se. Main us joint statement ke jo paragraph hai main usko aapke saamne pesh kar raha hoon.

"Dono pakshon ne antarrashtriya kanoon, prasangik Sanyukt Rashtra prastavon tatha Arab shanti pehal ke anuroop Madhya Purv mein nyaysangat, vyapak aur sthayi shanti sthapit karne ki apni pratibaddhata ki punah pushti ki. Unhone 1967 ki seemaon ke aadhar par ek samprabhu, swatantra aur vyavaharya, yaani ki viable, Philistini rajya ki sthapna ka ahvan kiya jo Israel ke saath shanti se dono reh sakein. Dono pakshon ne Philistini janta ke avichhinn adhikaron ka samarthan kiya. "

Is bayan ke anuroop, yeh humara bayan usme jo statement tha usme tha. Is bayan ke anuroop aur isme ingit muddon ko dhyan mein rakhkar, humne khud ko is pehal se joda, yaani ki initiative se joda hai. Main yah bhi spasht kar doon ki bayan jari hone ke baad kayi anya desh bhi is tarah isse jude hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] As you may be aware, this was not a mutually agreed or consensus-based document of the kind typically seen at the United Nations. Usually, at the United Nations, any joint statement or resolution is negotiated and adopted through consensus. This document was not of that nature. Our position on this matter was clearly reiterated in the recent India-Arab League joint statement.

"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, according to international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. They called for a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine based on 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. Both parties supported the practice of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people."

In line with that statement, our position was reflected accordingly. Taking into account, the concerns and issues indicated therein, we have associated ourselves with this initiative. I would also like to clarify that after the statement was issued, several other countries have similarly joined it.

Shailendra, jo Bharat Mandapam ke baare mein aapne jo baat kaha ki shayad wahan koi pradarshan ho raha hai ya nahi ho raha, mujhe jiski jaankari nahi hai. Lekin main kahunga ki jo organizers hain usko behtar aapko jawab de payenge is mudde par. Mere paas jaankari nahi hai iski.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Shailendra, regarding what you mentioned about Bharat Mandapam and whether any protest took place there, I do not have information on that. However, I would say that the organizers would be better placed to respond to this issue. I do not have details on it.

Pranay, Board of Peace... let me tell you that India attended the Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC on 19th that was yesterday, on 19th February, as an observer. India has supported the Gaza Peace Plan initiative of President Trump, and the efforts that are underway due to UN Security Council resolution 2803.

On the other part of your question, on that, the Ministry of Defence has already given their clarification. So, I guess you will have to refer to what they have said in the past. Or take your question to Ministry of Defence because these are operational details. They have already … from our side, from the Ministry of Defence side, we have put across our point of view. So, I would say that you would be well placed to look at what they have said in the past.

Reza, Hindustan Times: I understand there was a question on Russian oil, but just, you know, at the Bharat Mandapam today, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said there is a commitment and there is an agreement on India's purchases of Russian oil. He didn't go into details, but I was wondering if you would like to say anything on that.

Archis Mohan, Business Standard: Archis Mohan from Business Standard. Sir, while I understand the India-US trade deal subject, the nodal ministry is Commerce Ministry. But what one knows is that our team of negotiators will be traveling to the US, and it seems the USTR is also likely to visit India in the near future. And today the US Ambassador said that US Secretary of State might also visit India. So, what are the expectations when our team lands there, what is likely to be signed? And if you could elaborate a bit on what's the state of play.

Gautam Lahiri:Thank you, sir. Gautam Lahiri. Sir, as the election of Bangladesh is over, Prime Minister has sent a message. In that message, actually, one word is interesting that's about India wants an inclusive society or inclusive Bangladesh. When the largest political party was not allowed to participate in the election, can you clarify what kind of inclusivity India is looking at?

And supplemented to that, now the... it seems that relations will be on track. So, whether the India will be reopening the visa and other services between India and Bangladesh. Thank you.

Neeraj: Sir, aaj ameriki rajdoot Sergio Gor ne kaha ki Quad sammelan aur dusre masle ko lekar America ke videsh sachiv Bharat daure par aayenge. Kya aane wale waqt mein Quad sammelan ko lekar koi tarikh par vichar kiya ja raha hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, today the U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor said that in connection with the Quad summit and other issues, America's Secretary of State will be coming on a visit to India. Is any date being considered at this time for the upcoming Quad summit?

Siddhant, CNN News 18: Hi sir, I am Sidhant from CNN News 18. Sir, yesterday in the Board of peace meeting, President Trump said that he spoke to Prime Minister Modi about this initiative and Prime Minister Modi is excited about the initiative. Was there any conversation before this meeting in Washington or was he referring to some previous conversation between the two leaders? Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, Reza on Russian oil, I would again... on this particular issue, Foreign Secretary had elaborated our point of view. So that is where we are. I would urge you to look at what he had to say.

Archis, on your question, see, as we had adopted the joint statement between the United States and India recently, and as per the joint statement both sides are now working towards finalization of the interim agreement of a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. What I understand is that a delegation from our side, a team led by the chief negotiator from our side is expected to visit the United States next week. This is what I know. For more details you will have to approach the Commerce Ministry in this regard.

Gautam da, let me… you would have seen that once the election happened in Bangladesh, our Prime Minister congratulated Bangladesh Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Tarique Rahman. On 17th, when the swearing-in happened, we had our Honorable Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla representing Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony. There he handed over a letter from Prime Minister to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He also had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

The letter that was handed over underlined India's commitment to support a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, as you rightly pointed out. And we on our part … building on our warm and historic ties between our two countries, we look forward to further strengthening our multifaceted bilateral ties with Bangladesh. So, we look forward to engaging with the new government and taking things forward.

On the visa issue, we have conveyed our desire to build and strengthen our bilateral ties. We have a new government which has come in. All matters, all aspects of our ties will be discussed with them.

Neeraj, jahan tak Quad ka sawal hai, Quad ki jo shikhar varta ki aap baat kar rahe hain, ye charo desh jo iske ang hain unke convenience ke, unki suvidha ke anusaar isko tay kiya jayega ki kab hona hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Neeraj, as far as the Quad is concerned, the summit that you are referring to will be scheduled in accordance with the convenience of all four member countries. The timing will be decided mutually, keeping in mind their respective availability.

Siddhant, your question regarding Board of Peace. On Board of Peace, I have told you what our position is. We did attend the Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC as an observer. And I told you that we have welcomed the Gaza peace plan initiative of President Trump, as also efforts that are underway as part of the Resolution 2803 of the UN Security Council. In so far other details that he talked about, I am not aware of them at this point.

Divya, Indian Express: Sir, Divya from Indian Express. With the EU legal gateway office opening in India, MEA said that they'll support the movement of professionals, especially in the IT sector. Is there a sense of how many vacancies to start with? And will they be involved in the process of recruitment per se? It's not exactly clear what will they do.

Rishikesh, PTI: Sir, Rishikesh from PTI. So, on the issue of Board of Peace, so under what condition would New Delhi consider joining this Board of Peace formally?

And my second question is during an interview, BNP Adviser Humayun Kabir has raised the issue of growing radicalization in India. Do you agree with his comment and what you would like to say on this?

Uma Shankar Singh, Independent Journalist: Uma Shankar Singh, Independent Journalist. Jis tarah se Iran aur America ke beech ek baar fir se bhari tanav ka aalam hai, hamara apna assessment kya hai aur kya Iran me rehne wale bhartiyo ke liye koi fresh advisory jari ki ja rahi hai kyonki pehle ki advisory ka toh hume pata hai lekin ab jo sthiti bani hai usko lekar kya koi advisory jari ki ja rahi hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Uma Shankar Singh, Independent Journalist. Given the renewed and intense tensions between Iran and the United States, what is our own assessment of the situation? And is any fresh advisory being issued for Indians residing in Iran? We are aware of the earlier advisory, but in view of the current developments, is a new advisory being released?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Divya, coming to your question first. You know, this legal gateway office of the European Union, as you know that it was formally launched on 18th February, where External Affairs Minister was there as Chief Guest along with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Tech, Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen.

This particular understanding of opening a EU legal gateway office was one of the outcomes of the India-European Union Summit that happened on 27th of January. This is a positive forward movement in India-EU ties because it promotes mobility, it creates a platform and a mechanism for Indian professionals and students for them to look at opportunities available in the European Union at the same time the kind of information that can be shared for them to make their choices.

In particular, as you've seen in our press release as well, it focuses right now on ICT in particular, but it is something that will help students, researchers and professionals to look at the opportunities that are available for them in the European Union. As we have said that this is a one-stop operating hub in India to provide information and to support the movement of professionals to the EU, starting with Information Technology sector, and this will be extended possibly to other sectors in the days to come. So, that is where we are. For more details, I guess we'll have to wait for the office to roll out their programs and other details that are required, that may be of interest to our youth, our people, our students, and our professionals.

On Board of Peace, Rishikesh, I just told you that we have attended the meeting in Washington DC which was held on 19th as an observer. And we've also told you that we have welcomed the initiative of President Trump on Gaza peace plan, his initiative on Gaza peace plan, and also other such efforts which are underway as part of the UN Security Council resolution. So that is where we are on that.

On the other question, we have a new government in place. We want to build our ties, we want to strengthen our ties. All aspects of our relationship will be discussed, and we will see how best we can take our relationship in the positive direction, and build on our warm and historic ties with Bangladesh.

Uma Shankar ji, Iran me aur us kshetra me tanav bana hua hai, bilkul sahi. Aur wahan par jo gatividhiyan chal rahi hain, us par hum nazar rakhe hue hain. Hum logo ki lagatar wahan par jo hamare samuday hain, unse batchit hoti rehti hai. Hamari embassy ki aur sath me hamare jo consul awas hain unki bhi batchit hoti rehti hai. Aur aapne dekha hoga pichle kai saptah me hum logo ne advisory bhi jari ki hai. Toh us advisory ko madde nazar rakhte hue jo wahan bhartiya samuday ke log hain wo humse jude hue hain sampark me aur hum unki dekhrekh kar rahe hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Uma Shankar ji, it is correct that tensions persist in Iran and in the broader region. We are closely monitoring the developments taking place there. We remain in regular contact with our community on the ground. Our Embassy, along with our Consulates, is continuously engaged with them. As you would have seen, over the past several weeks we have issued advisories. In light of those advisories, members of the Indian community there remain in touch with us, and we are looking after their welfare and keeping a close watch on the situation.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this press conference. Thank you very much.

New Delhi
February 20, 2026