S Jaishankar to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Modi 3.0 Ministers Take Charge — WATCH

Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, began his tenure by planting a sapling at his residence.

Dr S. Jaishankar arrived at the South Block on Tuesday to take charge as External Affairs Minister for a second term. Speaking to the media, he said it was an “immense honour to be once again given the responsibility of leading the Ministry of External Affairs”.

He was quoted as saying by ANI that the ministry "performed exceptionally well in the last term". "We delivered the G20 presidency. We took on the challenges of Covid, including 'Vaccine Maitri' supplies. We also were the centre of crucial operations like Operation Ganga and Operation Kaveri. In the last decade, this ministry, under the leadership of PM Modi, has become a very people-centric ministry. You can see that in terms of our improved passport services, community welfare fund support that we give to Indians abroad…"

Speaking about his outlook on India’s relationship with Pakistan & China over the next five years, he said, "Relations and problems with Pakistan and China are different. Our focus with regard to China will be on finding a solution for the border issues and, with Pakistan, we would want to find a solution to the issue of years-old cross-border terrorism…”

Meanwhile, Ashwini Vaishnaw arrived at the Rail Bhawan to resume his responsibility as Minister of Railways. He said people had reelected PM Modi "with their blessings, and the railways will have a very big role". Over the past 10 years, he said, a lot of reforms had been brought by the Prime Minister, "whether it is electrification of railways, construction of new tracks, new types of trains, new services, or redevelopment of stations”.

“And the PM has kept railways in focus because the railway is the common man's mode of transport and a very strong backbone of our country's economy, so there is a lot of focus on railways. Modi has an emotional connection with railways...I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday also took charge as Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister, saying “a very strong foundation has to be laid for the youth...I express my gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for giving me this opportunity…”

Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday took charge as the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 

His junior minister, Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, began his tenure by planting a sapling at his residence.