DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 20 Sep 2025 03:38:47 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-eu-partnership-to-bolster-global-stability-639492.html New Delhi Sep 19 The new EUIndia Strategic Agenda unveiled in September aims to strengthen mutual prosperity security and global stability as the world navigates shifting geopolitical realities With the current realignment of global power a rising India is seen by Europe as a vital partner for diversifying supply chains mitigating security threats and fostering an open rulesbased international order In turn the EU as Indias largest trading partner provides access to advanced technologies investments and stable markets according to an article in India NarrativeExpansion of security ties is a top priority The agenda outlines cooperation in crisis management maritime security particularly in the Indian Ocean cyber defence intelligence sharing and counterterrorismThe new agenda was jointly announced by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas following intensive dialogue between the Commission and the Indian government Ratification by all 27 EU member states is required with formal adoption scheduled at the EUIndia Summit in early 2026The FTA negotiations are targeted to conclude by the end of 2025 though complex issues remain Ongoing work includes setting up new dialogues on space cooperation mobility and cyber issuesThe agenda strengthens Indias global standing as a key interlocutor for Europe balancing Indias relations with Russia and China For the EU it signifies deeper Asian engagement beyond traditional partners the article statesThe launch of negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement will facilitate classified information exchange There will also be enhanced engagement in the IndoPacific with joint responses to hybrid threats and a focus on countering malign activitiesBesides India is invited to participate in EU defence initiatives including the Permanent Structured Cooperation PESCO mechanism and a new EUIndia Security and Defence Partnership modelled on those with Japan and South KoreaOn the economic front tariff removal regulatory harmonisation and investment facilitation are set to expand bilateral commerce innovation and industrial collaboration especially in hightech and green sectorsA centrepiece is finalising a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement FTAaiming to become the worlds largest such deal The FTA negotiations which have intensified in 2025 seek to lower tariffs improve market access for services and products harmonise standards and secure sustainable development commitmentsAddressing nontariff barriers and regulatory cooperation are core objectives while the EU also encourages investment in strategic sectors infrastructure and innovation with joint business forums and startup initiatives the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-eu-partnership-to-bolster-global-stability-639492.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 21:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-envoy-in-mongolia-highlights-itecs-role-in-fostering-global-cooperation-639494.html Ulaanbaatar Sep 19 The Indian Embassy in Mongolia celebrated the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ITEC Day recently marking the 61st anniversary of the ITEC Scholarship Programme During the event Indias Ambassador to Mongolia Atul Malhari Gotsurve highlighted the important role played by ITEC in fostering global cooperation He noted that the ITEC is a demand driven programme that offers fullyfunded training courses in various sectors including IT finance governance and defence enabling professional to enhanced their skills and contribution to their countries developmentThe Embassy on Friday stated that the event honoured the enduring partnership between India and Mongolia Established on 15th September 1964 the ITEC Programme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India focused on technical assistance and human resource development for developing countries The programme operates on the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutubakam the world is one family and is testament to Indias longstanding tradition of sharing its knowledge and expertiseThe ITEC Day celebration brought together around 250270 people including prominent alumni of the ITEC programme Mongolian government officials and dignitaries from various sectors in the countryThe Chief Guest of the event HE Mr Damdinnyam Gongor Minister of Industry amp Mineral Resources Government of Mongolia an ITEC Alumni appreciated and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for ITEC programme in enhancing and sharing valuable skills for working professional across key sectors of Mongolias state ministriesdepartments He also thanked Government of India for the support given in building the Oil Refinery Project at Dornogibi which will enhance the energy security of Mongolia the Embassy highlightedDuring the event several ITEC alumni shared their experiences on how the training programmes have positively impacted their careers and provided them with valuable insights about Indias culture and societyN Enkhbayar 3rd President of Mongolia A Bayar Speaker of Citizens Representative Council of Ulaanbaatar City O Nyamdavaa former Ambassador of Mongolia to India and Kh Chinbat President of the IndiaMongolia Alumni Association were also present during the eventSince its inception the ITEC Programme has been instrumental in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting SouthSouth cooperation The programme offers over 15000 fully funded training slots annually across a diverse range of discipline with course conducted at more than 100 premier institution in India with active participation from more than 160 countries Over 3500 professionals from Mongolia have benefited from these initiatives till now Every year 200 scholarship slots are available for Mongolian nationals the Embassy statedThe ITEC programme embodies Indias commitment to supporting the aspirations of its partners focusing on model of cooperation that is voluntary free of conditionalities and aligned with the priorities of the recipient countries It continues to be a powerful symbol of friendship and shared progress between India and Mongolia it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-envoy-in-mongolia-highlights-itecs-role-in-fostering-global-cooperation-639494.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 21:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-election-to-interpol-asian-committee-underscores-commitment-to-jointly-address-common-challenges-mea-639508.html SingaporeNew Delhi Sep 19 India on Friday said that its election as a member of Interpol Asian Committee underscores the countrys commitment for regional cooperation to address common challenges like drug trafficking cyber crime terrorism and human trafficking Committed to address shared challenges India has been elected as a member of INTERPOL Asian Committee for the term 202529 in 25th Interpol Asian Conference in Singapore Indias membership underscores its commitment for regional cooperation to address common challenges like drug trafficking cyber crime terrorism and human trafficking Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on XThe election took place through a multistage voting process marking an important milestone in Indias engagement with international law enforcement cooperation emphasised the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI the National Central Bureau NCB for Interpol in India which serves as the national focal point for all Interpolrelated matters and facilitating international cooperation among law enforcement agenciesThe federal probe agency coordinates and processes requests for Interpol notices such as Red Notices and manages the Bharatpol portal for seamless interaction between Indian agencies and Interpol channelsThe statement said that the Interpol Asian Committee shall advise the Asian Regional Conference in the execution of its mandate and facilitate the deliberations at the session of the Asian Regional Conference by providing a clear understanding of the strategic and operational issues at stakeThe Committee shall identify regional strategic priorities in the fight against crime and police cooperation issues specific to the region said the statementIndias membership will further enhance regional cooperation particularly in addressing pressing challenges such as organised crime cybercrime human trafficking terrorism and drug trafficking it saidThis achievement underscores Indias proactive participation in international policing initiatives its commitment to the Global Policing Goals and its efforts to reinforce security cooperation in the AsiaPacific region the CBI saidIt follows a history of Indian representation at the highest levels of Interpol and demonstrates Indias growing global leadership in law enforcement and transnational security mattersThe Committee will meet annually to deliberate on regional security issues and provide guidance for coordinated actions among member countriesIndia was represented in the Asian Regional Conference by a delegation from CBI Indias victory is attributed to an intensive and coordinated campaign by Indian diplomats EmbassiesHigh Commissions and National Central Bureau NCBIndia which sought crucial support from friendly nations through bilateral and multilateral engagements said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-election-to-interpol-asian-committee-underscores-commitment-to-jointly-address-common-challenges-mea-639508.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/piyush-goyal-expects-uae-to-step-up-investments-in-india-639521.html New Delhi Sep 19 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that investments from the cashrich United Arab Emirates UAE into India are likely to shoot up both as FDI in business ventures and FII in the capital markets My sense is we can look at a larger investment flow from the UAE Given where the Indian economy is today we will look at much larger pools of capital coming into India both as FDI and FII the Minister who is on a twoday trip to the UAE on Thursday and Friday during which he cochaired the 13th IndiaUAE High Level Task Force on Investments along with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority ADIA Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reviewed progress on the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA the Double Taxation Treaty and UAEIndia Central Bank mattersHe pointed out that the UAE has emerged as a hub of activities for Africa the Middle East and Central EuropeIndia would like to leverage on the hub of investment that the UAE has been successful in creating the minister remarkedGoyal highlighted the complementarity between the UAEs large capital base and Indias skilled talent pool which could lead to a beneficial partnership between the two countriesThere are many thirdcountry requirements where large pools of capital can be deployed It can become a winwin for the third country for the UAE as a provider of large capital and India as a provider of skill and talent We are trying to encourage the private sectors of both countries to work in that direction he saidBusinesses on both sides have used the FTA between India and the UAE to their advantage allowing us to reset our ambitions to a higher level and look at a nonoil and nonprecious metal bilateral trade of 100 billion in the next 3 to 4 years he addedOn Friday Goyal held a series of meetings focused on strengthening bilateral trade deepening investment ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation to further enhance relations a Commerce Ministry statement saidHe engaged with CEOs of prominent Indian and UAE companies during the UAEIndia Business Council UIBC Roundtable which he cochaired alongside the UAEs Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiBoth leaders expressed deep satisfaction over the evergrowing economic partnership between India and the UAE and highlighted the significant role played by the business community in furthering the relationship between the two countriesThere were discussions around the exchange of views on enhancing bilateral trade and investment flows strengthening business partnerships and identifying new areas of economic collaborationProgress on key cornerstone projects like Bharat Mart and India UAE Friendship Hospital was also discussed and the role they would play in enhancing bilateral trade and investments as well as their impact on the wider Indian diaspora in the UAE was also outlinedBoth ministers also noted the increasing role of business leaders in philanthropic initiatives and further commented on the constructive role of these initiatives for the wider community They invited businesses to not just explore opportunities in India and in the UAE but also widen their scope and ambition to other regions such as Africa Europe and Central AsiaAn interaction session between Goyal and prominent UAE business leaders was coordinated by Apparel Group Chairman Nilesh Ved with discussions focused on expanding the investment outreach and highlighting Indias potential to support UAE companies regional and global ambitions The minister outlined the recent progress made by the Indian economy in terms of macroeconomic growth infrastructure development and social inclusion and further emphasised Indias growth path towards Viksit Bharat He invited UAE businesses to leverage the upcoming growth opportunities in India the statement saidDuring these engagements UAE investors shared constructive perspectives on further enhancing the investment environment including issues related to market access regulatory processes and dispute resolution it addedMatters such as arbitration frameworks and predictability of enforcement were also discussed in a forwardlooking manner The minister reiterated Indias commitment to providing a transparent and facilitative business environment and highlighted the governments sustained focus on reforms to strengthen investor confidence and the countrys recent economic performanceGoyal also held focused discussions with First Abu Dhabi Bank CEO Hana Al Rostamani IFFCO Groups Irfan Allana and Sharaf Groups Sharafuddin Sharaf These discussions focused on growth pathways for the companies to enhance their India presence and deepen financial and economic partnerships between businesses of both countries the statement saidHe also interacted with representatives of the India Peoples Forum reflecting the continued engagement with the Indian diaspora and its integral role in strengthening the cultural and economic bonds between India and the UAE He highlighted the significant contributions made by the Indian diaspora in the UAE and its role in driving economic partnership between both countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/piyush-goyal-expects-uae-to-step-up-investments-in-india-639521.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-return-to-bagram-faces-logistical-diplomatic-challenges-639402.html New Delhi Sep 19 US President Donald Trump on Thursday again publicly stated that he is considering a return to the strategic Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan It has been four years since the Americanled International Security Assistance Force ISAF withdrew from the airbase which is about 60 km north of Kabul He had earlier suggested the idea which must have resulted from a deep probe long discussions and a detailed briefing by his team of advisorsIncidentally the Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan was signed with the Taliban in Doha on February 29 2020 during the first term of President Trump The Taliban returned to power in Kabul after USled forces hastily withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021Hours after Trump shared his thoughts Zakir Jalaly a Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul replied on X Afghanistan and America need to interact with each other and can have economic and political relations based on mutual respect and shared interests without the US having a military presence in any part of AfghanistanReferring to the agreement he added Military presence has never been accepted by Afghans throughout history and this possibility was completely rejected during the Doha talks and agreement however the doors are open for further interactionsFor the US Bagram can be an ideal intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance hub to monitor South Central and West Asia It would enable regional counter terrorism operations maintain an airlift and refueling node for rapid regional response and provide a forward platform to monitor activities in the areaIn April this year there were reports about a US military aircraft operating under radio silence and with its transponder blocked apparently flying from Doha toward Afghanistan It was said to have been tracked near Bagram Air Base sparking speculation of a US visit or temporary presence at the baseThe claims remain unverified and the Taliban administration denied that it has handed over Bagram or that US personnel have landed there calling such reports false or propagandaSome experts had warned the sightings could be misinformation or a psychological operation noting flighttracking anomalies and a lack of primarysource verificationFor the US to reclaim the Bagram airfield would involve astute diplomacy and leverage it may not purely be a kinetic reentryThough Beijing has been quietly following the developments Chinese and Hong Kong Englishlanguage media coverage framed Trumps remarks as geopolitically sensitiveThe Wakhan Corridor situated in Afghanistans Badakhshan Province connects Chinas Xinjiang region where the Uyghur ethnic group is demanding an independent state for themselvesThis autonomous region in northwest China borders several Central Asian countriesAnalysts quoted in regional reporting warned that Beijing would view any renewed US military presence in Afghanistan as destabilising for regional security and a potential escalation in USChina rivalryThe move would also involve spending several billion dollars on largescale military commitment heavy defensive and sustainment requirements repairing refurbishing and then continuously resupplying a large isolated air base in a landlocked countryAdditionally it would be a costly logistical process and demand longterm force protection and sustainment capabilitiesEven after occupation the base would need continuous clearing and defense of a massive perimeter to prevent rocket mortar and infiltration attacks from insurgents and hostile militant groups IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-return-to-bagram-faces-logistical-diplomatic-challenges-639402.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-plants-kadamb-sapling-gifted-by-king-charles-at-his-residence-639424.html New Delhi Sep 19 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday planted a Kadamb sapling at his official residence 7 Lok Kalyan Marg Interestingly this Kadamb sapling was given to him by King Charles III of the United Kingdom as a birthday gift on turning 75 on September 17nbspnbspThe planation of the sapling at the Prime Ministers residence not only reaffirms his vision of building a greener and healthier planet but also symbolises friendship and shared commitment to environmental sustainabilityBritish Monarch King Charles who has been strongly inspired by PM Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative sent the Kadamb tree sapling while extending birthday greetings to himnbspThe British High Commission in India also posted a picture of the Kadamb tree on X and wrote His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to send a Kadamb tree to Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthdaynbspThe gesture inspired by PM Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative reflects their shared commitment to environmental conservation it further saidThe British High Commission also recalled PM Modis gift to King Charles during the formers visit to the United Kingdom in July this yearnbspDuring his visit to the UK in July PM Modi gifted His Majesty The King a Sonoma tree as part of the same initiative Collaboration on climate and clean energy is a key pillar of the Commonwealth and the UKIndia partnership as set out by the two PMs in Vision 2035 the British High Commission saidnbspPM Modis birthday also marked the beginning of the 15daylong Sewa Pakhwada under which various public welfare programs are being organised across the country which include blood donation camps plantation drives and othersOdisha took the lead in the plantation drive as it saw more than 149 crore saplings sowed in a single day marking a special tribute to Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaignnbspWhile the nationwide target stood at 75 lakh saplings Odishas exceptional contribution stood out as special salute to the Prime Ministers vision and focus on combating climate change https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-plants-kadamb-sapling-gifted-by-king-charles-at-his-residence-639424.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-re-elected-to-key-posts-of-universal-postal-union-639445.html New Delhi Sep 19 India has been reelected to the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union UPU during the 28th UPU Congress held in Dubai according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Communications on Friday The Universal Postal Union a specialised agency of the United Nations is the primary forum for cooperation among postal sector stakeholders The Council of Administration CA is responsible for policy regulatory and governance matters while the Postal Operations Council POC is the technical and operational body that drives the modernisation of postal services worldwideIndias reelection reflects the confidence of the international community in India Posts leadership reforms and innovative digital initiatives India has been a member of the UPU since 1876 and has consistently contributed to strengthening the global postal network the statement saidOver the past Congress cycle India has championed digital transformation initiatives such as DigiPIN digital addressing UPIenabled crossborder remittances and ecommerce facilitation through Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras extended strong support for capacitybuilding and SouthSouth cooperation under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ITEC programme by providing specialised training to postal officials from Asia Africa and other regions and contributed significantly to the financial sustainability of the Union through its membership contributions and voluntary funding Building on these initiatives launched in the previous cycle India will continue to deepen and expand these efforts during the Dubai cycle with renewed commitment to innovation inclusivity and global cooperationWith this reelection India will continue to play a proactive role in shaping the future of the global postal sector driving innovation inclusivity and development India has also expressed its intent to take on a leadership role within the Council of Administration during the forthcoming cycle the statement addedCommenting on the development Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said Honoured to share that Bharat has been elected to both the Postal Operations Council and the Council of Administration at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai This milestone reflects Indias growing global leadership under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra ModiAt the heart of this is the steadfast guidance of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar whose relentless efforts and expertise were instrumental in securing this achievement Together we continue to drive innovation advance financial inclusion and champion sustainability in the postal sector Scindia saidWith the worlds largest postal network serving 145 billion people Bharat stands uniquely positioned to contribute to the UPUs mission of a modern inclusive and resilient global postal system My deep gratitude to all member nations for their trust he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-re-elected-to-key-posts-of-universal-postal-union-639445.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-examining-implications-of-us-decision-to-impose-sanctions-on-chabahar-port-project-639471.html New Delhi Sep 19 India is examining the implications of the Trump administrations decision to revoke the US sanctions waiver linked to the Chabahar port project in Iran in which India is a partner We have seen the US press statement regarding the revocation of the sanctions waiver for Chabahar Port We are presently examining its implications for India MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told journalists at a media briefing on FridayThe United States has declared its intention to withdraw the sanctions exemption for activities at Irans Chabahar Port which was initially granted in 2018 According to a statement from the US Department of State this action will subject parties involved in port operations to potential penalties under the Iran Freedom and CounterProliferation Act IFCA The move is part of the Trump administrations move to crack down on Iran amidst the rising hostilities in the Middle EastThe US decision to revoke sanctions exemptions for the Chabahar Port which India is developing as a strategic connectivity project has come as a setback for New Delhi The development of the Chabahar port in Iran was aimed at building a route that would bypass Pakistan to reach out to Afghanistan and Central Asia for trade and humanitarian aid The port also serves as a crucial counter to Chinas influence being exercised in the region through the development of the Gwadar port in the Balochistan province of PakistanStarting September 29 entities operating the Chabahar Port and engaging in other related activities will face sanctions under the US IFCAIn 2018 America agreed to provide a sanctions waiver that allowed India to develop Chabahar given the key role it could play in the economic development of Afghanistan However there has been a change in the geopolitical situation after the fall of the USsupported Afghan government in 2021 and the Taliban coming to powerEarlier in May India and Iran formalised a decadelong contract concerning Chabahar Port operations Under this arrangement India committed to providing 250 million in credit facilities to support infrastructure development at the strategic port located on the Gulf of OmanIndia and Iran were planning to link the Chabahar port to the broader Iranian railway network through a 700 km rail line to the city of Zahedan The projects were expected to be completed by mid2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-examining-implications-of-us-decision-to-impose-sanctions-on-chabahar-port-project-639471.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/third-round-of-india-new-zealand-fta-concludes-successfully-centre-639486.html New Delhi Sep 19 The government on Friday said that the third round of negotiations for the IndiaNew Zealand Free Trade Agreement FTA has concluded successfully in Queenstown The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen economic ties and work towards the early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement according to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce and IndustryThe third round held from September 1519 witnessed constructive discussions across all areas of the agreement Several chapters were concluded and significant progress was achieved in other key domainsGuided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon the negotiations reflected a common resolve to deepen bilateral trade investment and economic cooperationThe FTA was formally launched on March 16 during the meeting between Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealands Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClayIndias bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand stood at 13 billion in FY202425 registering a growth of nearly 49 per cent over the previous yearThe proposed FTA is expected to further boost trade flows promote investment linkages strengthen supply chain resilience and create a predictable framework for businesses in both countriesBoth sides agreed to maintain momentum through intersessional engagementsThe next round of inperson negotiations is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on October 1314According to Goyal Indias exports have recorded a 6 per cent growth in the first five months of the current financial year and exuded confidence that the year would end on a positive noteAs far as exports are concerned I have consistently said that Indias exports are growing every year and this year too I expect exports to grow Currently we are seeing a growth of about six per cent compared to the corresponding five months of last year I am very confident that we will end the year on a positive note the minister saidAt the same time trade talks are ongoing with the United States the European Union New Zealand Chile Peru Oman and several other countries he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/third-round-of-india-new-zealand-fta-concludes-successfully-centre-639486.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-bhutan-review-and-approve-high-impact-community-development-projects-639264.html Thimphu Sep 18 India and Bhutan on Thursday reviewed and approved 297 projects of total amount Nu 406 billion Rs 406 crore as the second batch of High Impact Community Development Projects HICDPs for the 13th Five Year Plan FYP period The decision was taken during the 2nd IndiaBhutan HICDP Committee Meeting held between officials of the two countries in Thimphu on ThursdayThe Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Aniket G Mandavgane Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy of India in Thimphu while the Bhutanese side was led by Pema Tshomo Director Bilateral Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External TradeHICDPs are smallsized projects having a short implementation timeline covering areas such as rural connectivity drinking water supply irrigation agriculture infrastructure flood protection tourism development township infrastructure development waste management They are implemented by the local governments particularly in rural and semiurban areasFor the 13th Five Year Plan period of Bhutan the Government of India has committed assistance of Nu 100 billion INR 10000 crore of which Nu 10 billion INR 1000 crore has been earmarked for HICDPsAccording to a statement issued by the Embassy of India in Bhutan the meeting also reviewed the progress in implementation of the first batch of HICDP projects and approved its revision to 275 projects of total amount Nu 440 billion INR 440 croreThese projects are expected to enhance accessibility and economic opportunities for the local communities and contribute to improved livelihoods job opportunities and food securityThe meeting was held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere in keeping with the unique and enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries read the statementEarlier this month Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choedra the Chief Abbot of Bhutan accompanied by Tshering Tobgay Prime Minister of Bhutan visited India for the Consecration Ceremony of the Royal Bhutan Temple at Rajgir in BiharFollowing the Consecration Ceremony the Bhutanese Prime Minister also visited the Shri Ram Temple at Ayodhya IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-bhutan-review-and-approve-high-impact-community-development-projects-639264.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/despite-pakistans-spin-saudi-pact-unlikely-to-alter-riyadhs-robust-ties-with-india-639296.html New Delhi Sep 18 India said that it is following the developments after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed The Strategic Mutual Agreement The agreement says that any aggression against either country shall be considered as an aggression against both Pakistan is ecstatic about the agreement but would deep within know that it is just posturing since the deal does not name any countryPakistan would make it sound as though if there is any aggression against it then Saudi Arabia will dispatch its aircraft to aid Islamabad Pakistan does view it as a major diplomatic victory as the wordings of the agreement state attack on one equals attack on bothWhat Pakistan should be mindful of is that India has never been the aggressor Operation Sindoor was executed to avenge the Pulwama attack Balakot to avenge the Pulwama terror strikes and surgical strikes were carried out in the aftermath of the Uri terror attacksMoreover Saudi Arabia is Indias ally and is well aware that it was Pakistan which was the aggressor as a result of which India hit back as it has every right to protect itselfWhat Pakistan could be happy about this agreement marks a strategic shift in relations with Saudi Arabia The two nations have had an informal partnership in defence for several decades This agreement formalises security cooperation between the two countries Pakistan may also be relieved that some agreement has been signed after years of sour tiesTo the question whether Saudi Arabia will go to war with India for the sake of Pakistan the experts say it is a firm no First and foremost Saudi has delinked the pact from its ties with India Saudi made it clear that relations with India are robust and the same would continue to growMoreover Saudi Arabia would not want trade relations with India to fail Saudi is the the fourth largest trading partner while New Delhi is second for Riyadh The two nations share deep economic ties and in FY 202425 bilateral trade stood at 4188 billion There is too much at stake here for both countriesNow compare this with the 34 billion bilateral trade that Pakistan and Saudi haveIndia has responded cautiously and said that this agreement only formalises a long standing agreement between Saudi and PakistanWhile Pakistan may try and state that this is a message to India one must also look at the timing of this agreement This comes at a time when Israel attacked Doha to target the Hamas leadershipThis strike has sent jitters in the Arab world and they suspect that Israel with the tactical support of US President Donald Trump may undertake more such strikesWhile India and Saudi have shared ties for long it was further strengthened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiDuring his April 2025 visit the two countries signed many agreements that covered energy space health sports and plans to establish two oil refineries in IndiaWhile Pakistan may portray that this agreement is a message to India in reality it is to do with the situation in Gaza The Arab world wants a regrouping of the Islamic nations not against India but against Israel Hence once must read into the timing while decoding the agreement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/despite-pakistans-spin-saudi-pact-unlikely-to-alter-riyadhs-robust-ties-with-india-639296.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/kerala-eu-blue-economy-conclave-opens-with-delegates-hailing-states-coastal-heritage-639299.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 18 The twoday KeralaEU Blue Economy Conclave titled Blue Tides Two Shores One Vision opened here with ambassadors and delegates from European Union EU nations lauding Keralas vibrant coastal traditions and sustainable fishing practices Organised by the state Department of Fisheries in partnership with the Central government and the European Union the conclave seeks to strengthen collaborations for sustainable oceanbased growthAhead of the formal sessions EU envoys and diplomats embarked on a field trip to experience Keralas marine and cultural landscapeLed by the Ambassador of the European Union to India Herve Delphin the delegation began its visit at Hawa Beach in Kovalam where they interacted with local fishermenMany delegates expressed admiration for the communitys resilience and even joined in hauling nets to witness the strenuous efforts behind the earlymorning catchThe team later visited the Adani Vizhinjam International Seaport where AVPPL CEO Pradeep Jayaraman and Managing Director Divya S Iyer presented an overview of the ports operationsDelegates toured the facility noting its strategic location and modern infrastructureThe group also stopped at the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village in Vellar where they commended the craftsmanship showcased through traditional curios and handicraftsThe EU contingent comprised senior diplomats including Robert Maxian Slovakia Juan Antonio March Pujol Spain Antonio Enrico Bartoli Italy Reuben Gauci Malta Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen Denmark Dr Piotr Switalski Poland Yankov Bulgaria Kimmo Lahdevirta Finland Sena Latif Romania Simon H Preker Germany and Irma Sincovek SloveniaThe formal inauguration of the conclave will be held on Friday at Leela Kovalam when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will deliver the keynote addressMinister for Fisheries Culture and Youth Affairs Saji Cherian will preside with Union Minister for Fisheries Animal Husbandry Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Minister of State George Kurian attending as guests of honourThe conclave brings together policymakers investors academics trade union representatives and fisherfolk to explore Keralas potential as Indias leading blue economy hub with a focus on sustainable practices and EUIndia cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/kerala-eu-blue-economy-conclave-opens-with-delegates-hailing-states-coastal-heritage-639299.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/on-uk-trip-us-president-trump-highlights-his-very-good-relationship-with-pm-modi-639310.html Washington Sep 18 IANS US President Donald Trump on Thursday spoke about IndiaUS ties and his recent phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying hes very close to India and has a very good relationship with the Indian PMnbspWhile addressing a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer before concluding his UK visit on Thursday Trump recalled his discussions with PM ModinbspIm very close to India Im very close to the Prime Minister of India The other day wished him a happy birthday We have a very good relationship He put out a beautiful statement too Trump saidIn their first phone conversation in months Trump had called Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday to wish him on his 75th birthdaynbspPrime Minister Modi in a post on X termed Trump as his friend and thanked him for the wishesnbspThank you my friend President Trump for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday Like you I am also fully committed to taking the IndiaUS Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict PM Modi wrotePresident Trump also posted on Truth Social calling the phone call wonderful and thanked him for his support in attempting to end the conflict in UkrainenbspJust had a wonderful phone call with my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi I wished him a very Happy Birthday He is doing a tremendous job Narendra Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine he saidThe phone call happened on the day US Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch held trade talks with Indias chief trade negotiator Rajesh Agrawal in DelhinbspBoth sides termed the discussions as positivenbspTrump during the press conference also said hes willing to take action against Russia only if other European countries join innbspIm willing to do other things but not when the people that Im fighting for are buying oil from Russia if the oil price comes down very simply Russia will settle he added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/on-uk-trip-us-president-trump-highlights-his-very-good-relationship-with-pm-modi-639310.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-push-for-unsc-reform-and-the-road-ahead-639021.html New Delhi Sep 17 IANS UN Security Council UNSC reform being at the centre of discussions at the General Assembly UNGA this year can largely be attributed to the relentless efforts made by the Global South with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its centrenbspThe Security Council has a composition that doesnt correspond to the world today It corresponds to the world of 1945 And that creates not only a problem of legitimacy but a problem of efficiency said UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres at a media briefing in New York at a time when many in India were applying finishing touches at several events to celebrate Modis birthdaynbspGuterres words echo parts of the Prime Ministers statement at the UNGA last yearThe success of Humanity lies in our collective strength not on the battlefield And for global peace and development reforms in global institutions are essential Reform is the key to relevance stated the Prime Minister at the UN Summit of the Future on September 23 2024nbspPermanent membership of the G20 to the African Union at the New Delhi Summit was an important step in this direction he pointed outnbspThe Pact of the Future a multilateral agreement adopted at the 2024 Summit sets out commitments to reform global governance strengthen sustainable development advance climate action and bolster multilateral cooperation through concrete followup mechanismsFor the first time in any summit document it included a detailed paragraph calling for UNSC reform urging enlarged and more representative membership and launching textbased negotiations on reform proposals within a defined timeframenbspThe Pact also annexed a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations and established review deadlines for these instruments to ensure accountability and continued negotiation reviews in 2027 and 2028nbspThe agreement emphasised addressing historical injustices with special reference to Africa reducing inequalities in science and technology and reforming international financial architecture to give developing countries greater representationModi had publicly welcomed the Pact of the Futures inclusion of UNSC reform and described that development as a good beginning signalling Indias support for launching textbased negotiations on reform within a defined timeframenbspIndia under Modi used the Pacts language to press longstanding national objectives notably greater representativeness of the UNSC and a permanent seat for India framing these demands as part of a broader push for a more equitable and effective international ordernbspAsia with 60 per cent of the worlds population has only one permanent member China The third fourth and fifthlargest economies in the world Germany India and Japan are not permanently represented said an ORF America comment on The Urgent Need for UN Security Council Reform earlier this yearAfrica home to 25 per cent of UN members has zero permanent UNSC members despite Africa being the subject of about 60 per cent of UNSC resolutions UN member states are increasingly turning to alternative multilateral and regional bodies such as the G20 G7 BRICSplus the Quad and the African Union to address multilateral challenges it addednbspThe reform may take some time to materialize and it is yet to be seen what comes out of the 80th session of the UNGA in New YorknbspBut for Modi at 75 he still has promises to keep and miles to tread before he can afford a break https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-push-for-unsc-reform-and-the-road-ahead-639021.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-thanks-leaders-of-guyana-nz-bhutan-and-dominica-for-warm-birthday-wishes-639029.html New Delhi Sep 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked counterparts from Bhutan New Zealand and Dominica as well as Guyana President for extending warm wishes to him on his 75th birthday Expressing gratitude to Guyana President Irfaan Ali PM Modi stated that he is touched by his warm sentiments that showcase the deep bonds of friendship and mutual trust between two nationsThank you President Ali for your kind wishes I am touched by your warm sentiments that reflect the deep bonds of friendship and mutual trust between India and Guyana PM Modi posted on XHis response came after Irfaan Ali posted a message as well as a video wishing PM Modi on his birthday In a post on X he wrote Narendra Modi on the joyous occasion of your 75th birth anniversary I extend my warmest and most heartfelt congratulations May this milestone be accompanied by continued health abundant strength and divine blessings as you carry forward your extraordinary mission of service to your people to the Global South and to humanity at largePM Modi also thanked New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for his wishes and said that he deeply cherishes the shared friendshipThank you Prime Minister Luxon for your warm wishes I deeply cherish our friendship New Zealand is an important partner in Indias journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 PM Modi posted on XEarlier in the day in a video message New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated Kia ora namaskar my good friend Prime Minister Modi Congratulations on your 75th birthday from me and all of your friends across New Zealand A milestone like this is a moment to reflect on the wisdom of your leadership as you seek to guide India towards becoming a developed country by 2047Luxon also expressed his eagerness to strengthen cooperation between the two nations He said Im really excited about New Zealand partnering more with India to achieve that vision as we look to ensure both our great nations achieve the security and also the prosperity that we seekThe Kiwi PM expressed hope of welcoming PM Modi to New Zealand and recalled his visit to India He stated I hope I might be able to reciprocate the very warm hospitality you extended to me in March by hosting you here in New Zealand But in the meantime I wish you a very very happy birthdayPM Modi thanked his Dominica counterpart Roosevelt Skerrit for his warm birthday greetings In a post on X he stated Thank you for your kind wishes Prime Minister Skeritt India deeply cherishes the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity with the Commonwealth of DominicaWhile wishing PM Modi on his birthday he said that Dominica deeply values Indias support including lifesaving assistance during the pandemic and our cooperation on climate resilience and sustainable developmentOn behalf of the Government and people of Dominica I extend warm birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India We deeply value Indias steadfast support including lifesaving assistance during the pandemic and our cooperation on climate resilience and sustainable development I wish you continued good health happiness and success as you lead your nation with vision and dedication Skerrit posted on XPM Modi thanked his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay for his wishes and expressed eagerness to working with him to further strengthen special partnership between two nationsIn a post on X he stated Thank you Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay for your kind wishes I look forward to working with you to further strengthen our special partnership with BhutanWhile extending wishes to PM Modi on X Tobgay wrote Warm birthday wishes to Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Wishing you good health and long life Grateful for your leadership and the special friendship between Bhutan and India IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-thanks-leaders-of-guyana-nz-bhutan-and-dominica-for-warm-birthday-wishes-639029.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-pays-tribute-to-mahatma-gandhi-plants-sapling-in-australias-brisbane-639057.html Brisbane Sep 17 Minister of State for External Affairs MoS Pabitra Margherita paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue at Roma Street Parklands in Australias Brisbane on Wednesday Honoured to pay a floral tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parklands Brisbane Australia today Remembering the Father of the Nation and his timeless message of peace and nonviolence Margherita posted on XMargherita also planted a sapling as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative calling it a fitting tribute to PM Modi on his 75th birthdayUnder Honble PM Shri Narendra Modi jis initiative EkPedMaaKeNaam planted a sapling this afternoon at Roma Street Parklands Brisbane Australia A fitting tribute on the birthday of our beloved Prime Minister inspiring us to nurture Mother Earth as we honour our mothers Margherita wrote in a post on XEarlier Margherita concluded his official visit to Papua New Guinea where he represented PM Modi at the commemorative events marking the countrys 50th anniversary of IndependenceThe minister met Micronesia President Wesley Simina on Tuesday at the sidelines of celebrations Pleasure to meet Honble Wesley Simina President of the Federated States of Micronesia in Port Moresby on the sidelines of PNGAt50 Simina posted on XHe also met visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Papua New GuineaWhile sharing picture of Albanese and himself on X he wrote Glad to meet Honble Anthony Albanese Prime Minister of Australia in Port Moresby on the sidelines of the commemorative events marking PNGAt50During the visit Margherita called on Papua New Guinea PM James Marape and conveyed the warm greetings of the Government of India on the 50th anniversary of Independence of Papua New Guinea They held discussions on various aspects of the bilateral relationship and discussed ways to further enhance ties between India and Papua New GuineaEarlier Indian Naval Ship INS Kadmatt participated in the 50th Anniversary events of Papua New Guinea including the fleet review from August 30September 8President Droupadi Murmu also sent a letter to Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae the GovernorGeneral of Papua New Guinea conveying warm greetings of to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea on the occasion of their 50th anniversary of Independence according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAMargherita also conveyed wishes of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to his Papua New Guinea counterpart Justin TkatchenkoHe attended various events commemorating the 50th Independence Day of Papua New Guinea including the Flag Raising Ceremony at Independence HillOn the sidelines of the events commemorating the 50th Independence Day of Papua New Guinea MoSPM also had brief pullaside interactions with Honble Wesley Simina President of the Federated States of Micronesia and Honble Manoa Kamikamica the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji the MEA statedHe also addressed members of the Indian diaspora in a community event organised at the High Commission of India in Port Moresby and reaffirmed Government of Indias strong commitment towards welfare of the Indian diaspora During his visit he interacted with the business community in Papua New Guinea including leading textile entrepreneurs of the countryFollowing the historic 3rd Summit of the Forum for IndiaPacific Islands Cooperation FIPIC chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in May 2023 in Port Moresby the visit of MOSPM to Papua New Guinea provided an opportunity to continue our engagement with the leadership in the Pacific Island Countries PICs the MEA statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-pays-tribute-to-mahatma-gandhi-plants-sapling-in-australias-brisbane-639057.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/commerce-minister-goyal-to-leave-for-2-day-visit-to-uae-on-thursday-639092.html New Delhi Sep 17 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit the United Arab Emirates UAE from September 1819 to cochair the 13th IndiaUAE High Level Task Force on Investments along with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority ADIA Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan The meeting will review progress on the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA the Double Taxation Treaty and UAEIndia Central Bank matters Both sides will also explore opportunities for investment in key sectors including maritime and space that hold strong potential for growthDuring the visit Goyal will cochair the UAEIndia Business Council UIBC roundtable with the UAEs Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and interact with CEOs of leading Indian and UAE companies He will also hold bilateral meetings focused on strengthening trade investment and cooperation across priority sectorsThe Union Minister is expected to meet the UAEs National Security Advisor and International Holding Company IHC Chairman Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi and IHC Managing Director Syed Basar Shueb along with other key private sector stakeholdersThe 12th IndiaUAE High Level Task Force on Investments held in Mumbai in October 2024 saw the ratification of the IndiaUAE Bilateral Investment Treaty signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the UAE in February 2024 Established in 2013 the task force has served as a vital platform for promoting trade and investment ties identifying new opportunities and resolving investor issuesThe UAE remains one of Indias most important strategic partners Their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is underpinned by deep political engagement robust economic integration and collaboration across energy defence technology and food security The CEPA which came into force in May 2022 has nearly doubled bilateral merchandise trade from 433 billion in FY 202021 to 837 billion in FY 202324 while catalysing a structural shift towards nonoil sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/commerce-minister-goyal-to-leave-for-2-day-visit-to-uae-on-thursday-639092.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/deeply-appreciate-italys-friendship-pm-modi-thanks-pm-meloni-for-birthday-wishes-639094.html New Delhi Sep 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni for her warm wishes on his 75th birthday expressing hope to further strengthen growing IndiaItaly ties Thank you Prime Minister Meloni for your warm wishes Deeply appreciate Italys friendship and look forward to strengthening it further PM Modi posted on XPM Modis response came after Meloni extended warm greetings to him on his birthday She wished him health and energy to continue leading India towards a bright future while hoping to further strengthen ties between the two nationsSharing a photo with PM Modi on X Meloni stated Happy 75th birthday to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi His strength his determination and his ability to lead millions of people are a source of inspiration With friendship and esteem I wish him health and energy to continue leading India toward a bright future and to further strengthen the relations between our nationsOn September 10 PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with Meloni with both leaders reaffirming their joint commitment to deepen the IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership Meloni and expressing support for the success of the AI Impact Summit set to be hosted by India in 2026The Prime Minister thanked his Italian counterpart for her support in concluding the trade agreement between India and European Union EU and promoting connectivity through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEEEC initiativeThe two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest They agreed on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine PM Modi reiterated Indias full support for efforts in this directionHad an excellent conversation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni We reaffirmed our joint commitment to deepen IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership and shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine Thanked PM Meloni for Italys proactive support for concluding a mutually beneficial IndiaEU trade agreement and promoting connectivity through the IMEEEC initiative PM Modi posted on X after the phone callThe Indian Prime Ministers Office PMO stated that both leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors such as investment defence security space science and technology education peopletopeople ties and counterterrorismThey also reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the partnership in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 202529PM Modi had last met Meloni on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Canadas Kananaskis in June where both leaders had committed to making the friendship between India and Italy strongero wMeloni had shared a picture of herself and PM Modi on X along with the caption Italy and India bound by a great friendshipA video showed PM Modi greeting Meloni with a handshake and engaging in a brief conversation with her during the summitIn a post on X PM Modi stated Fully agree with you PM Giorgia Meloni Indias friendship with Italy will continue to get stronger greatly benefiting our peopleThe camaraderie between PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni has also been making waves on social media with their interactions sparking a hashtag Melodi IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/deeply-appreciate-italys-friendship-pm-modi-thanks-pm-meloni-for-birthday-wishes-639094.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/deeply-appreciate-italys-friendship-pm-modi-thanks-meloni-for-birthday-wishes-639095.html New Delhi Sep 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni for her warm wishes on his 75th birthday expressing hope to further strengthen growing IndiaItaly ties Thank you Prime Minister Meloni for your warm wishes Deeply appreciate Italys friendship and look forward to strengthening it further PM Modi posted on XPM Modis response came after Meloni extended warm greetings to him on his birthday She wished him health and energy to continue leading India towards a bright future while hoping to further strengthen ties between the two nationsSharing a photo with PM Modi on X Meloni stated Happy 75th birthday to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi His strength his determination and his ability to lead millions of people are a source of inspiration With friendship and esteem I wish him health and energy to continue leading India toward a bright future and to further strengthen the relations between our nationsOn September 10 PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with Meloni with both leaders reaffirming their joint commitment to deepen the IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership Meloni and expressing support for the success of the AI Impact Summit set to be hosted by India in 2026The Prime Minister thanked his Italian counterpart for her support in concluding the trade agreement between India and European Union EU and promoting connectivity through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEEEC initiativeThe two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest They agreed on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine PM Modi reiterated Indias full support for efforts in this directionHad an excellent conversation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni We reaffirmed our joint commitment to deepen IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership and shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine Thanked PM Meloni for Italys proactive support for concluding a mutually beneficial IndiaEU trade agreement and promoting connectivity through the IMEEEC initiative PM Modi posted on X after the phone callThe Indian Prime Ministers Office PMO stated that both leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors such as investment defence security space science and technology education peopletopeople ties and counterterrorismThey also reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the partnership in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 202529PM Modi had last met Meloni on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Canadas Kananaskis in June where both leaders had committed to making the friendship between India and Italy strongero wMeloni had shared a picture of herself and PM Modi on X along with the caption Italy and India bound by a great friendshipA video showed PM Modi greeting Meloni with a handshake and engaging in a brief conversation with her during the summitIn a post on X PM Modi stated Fully agree with you PM Giorgia Meloni Indias friendship with Italy will continue to get stronger greatly benefiting our peopleThe camaraderie between PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni has also been making waves on social media with their interactions sparking a hashtag Melodi IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/deeply-appreciate-italys-friendship-pm-modi-thanks-meloni-for-birthday-wishes-639095.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eu-announces-new-strategy-to-reinforce-prosperity-and-security-with-india-639099.html Brussels Sep 17 The European Commission and the High Representative on Wednesday adopted a Joint Communication outlining a New Strategic EUIndia Agenda aimed to deepen broaden and better coordinate bilateral cooperation enhance prosperity and security for two sides in order to tackle major global challenges European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the initiative in the 20242029 Political Guidelines She stated that EU with its new strategy is taking its relationship with India to the next level by advancing trade investment and talent mobility while deepening industrial cooperation in the defence sector at the same timeNow is the time to focus on reliable partners and double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values With our new EUIndia strategy we are taking our relationship to the next level Advancing trade investment and talent mobility Strengthening our joint economic security Advancing the clean transition and driving innovation together Leyen statedDeepening our industrial cooperation in defence Europe is already Indias biggest trading partner and we are committed to finalising our Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year Europe is open for business And we are ready to invest in our shared future with India she addedThe Joint Communication outlines the EUs strategic vision for enhancing cooperation with India and identifies five areas of shared interest and complementary strengths building on existing ties while addressing areas that present potential for increased engagement Amid shifting geopolitical realities closer EUIndia relations are increasingly vital for strengthening economic growth and security and diversifying supply chains in response to todays uncertain global order an EU statement detailedThe Joint Communication takes forward the proposed EUIndia Security and Defence Partnership This will enhance strategic consultations and joint initiatives including on crisis management maritime security cyber defence and counterterrorism and foster defence industrial cooperation focusing on boosting production and technological capabilities securing supply chains and driving innovation it mentionedLaunching negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement to facilitate classified information exchange will support closer security and defence cooperation Closer cooperation on the IndoPacific addressing hybrid threats space security and intensifying engagement on Russias war against Ukraine shadow fleets and sanctions are other areas of focus the statement addedThe Joint Communication also stresses on strengthening regional connectivity initiatives like the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC and advances Global Gateway and EUIndia trilateral cooperation with and in third countries It prioritises increasing interaction and bolstering coordination between India and the EU at all levels including skills mobility with the pilot European Legal Gateway Office to facilitate labour mobility It calls for developing a comprehensive mobility cooperation framework covering study work and researchThe Joint Communication identifies significant untapped potential in trade and investment outlining strategies to strengthen commercial ties particularly finalising the ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement FTA It proposes reinforcing supply chains while promoting critical emerging technologies and engagement on digital issues with particular attention to strengthening economic security within the Trade and Technology Council TTC the EU statedThis new strategy also proposes deepening tech cooperation including a potential EUIndia Startup partnership and invites India to associate with Horizon Europe programme It suggests ambitious initiatives for decarbonisation and the clean transition such as intensifying cooperation on renewables developing green hydrogen capabilities and expanding green finance Moreover it highlights opportunities to jointly strengthen food security and health climate and disaster resilience it addedHigh Representative for EUs Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas called India as one of the important players in the world and a natural partner for the European UnionShe stated India is one of the most important players in the world today and a natural partner for the European Union There are many areas where our interests strengths and political will align Boosting our collaboration which we are proposing today will benefit the security and prosperity of citizens and businesses on both sides There are areas where we disagree Ultimately our partnership is about defending a rulesbased international order Our negotiations will address these challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eu-announces-new-strategy-to-reinforce-prosperity-and-security-with-india-639099.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 22:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-interacts-with-indian-community-in-papua-new-guinea-638796.html Port Moresby Sep 15 Minister of State for External Affairs MoS Pabitra Margherita interacted with the Indian community members in Papua New Guinea on Tuesday terming them as a living bridge between the two nations He lauded the role of Indian community in strengthening partnership between two nations In a statement shared on social media platform X Margherita stated A heartwarming evening with our vibrant Indian family in Papua New Guinea Over 4000 strong they are a living bridge between India and PNG playing a pivotal role in strengthening our partnership through cultural economic and community contributionsOn Monday Margherita called on Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape conveying greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of India on the occasion of countrys 50th anniversary of independenceMargherita expressed both nations commitment to deepening bilateral and peopletopeople tiesHonoured to call on Honble James Marape Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Conveyed warm greetings from PM Shri Narendra Modi ji and the people of India on the occasion of PNGAt50 Both countries remain committed to deepening bilateral and peopletopeople ties MoS Margherita posted on XMargherita arrived in Port Moresby on Monday on an official visit to Papua New Guinea where he will represent PM Modi at the commemorative events marking Papua New Guineas 50th anniversary of IndependenceDuring the visit MoS Margherita is expected to have bilateral meetings with the political leadership of Papua New Guinea according to Ministry of External Affairs MEA statementFollowing the historic 3rd Summit of the Forum for IndiaPacific Islands Cooperation FIPIC chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in May 2023 in Port Moresby the visit of MOSPM to Papua New Guinea would provide an opportunity to continue our engagement with the leadership in the Pacific Island Countries PICs the MEA statedThe visit also follows the momentum created by Prime Minister Modis landmark visit to Papua New Guinea in 2023 where both nations committed to deepening bilateral relations expanding development partnerships and enhancing defence cooperationPM Modi had travelled to Port Moresby to host the FIPIC III Summit jointly with his Papua New Guinea counterpart James Marape Launched in 2014 FIPIC involves India and 14 Pacific Island Countries PICs namely Cook Islands Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Nauru Niue Palau Papua New Guinea Republic of Marshall Islands Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu and Vanuatu IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-interacts-with-indian-community-in-papua-new-guinea-638796.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russias-trade-representation-to-be-official-partner-of-9th-lng-india-summit-2025-638827.html New Delhi Sep 16 The Trade Representation of Russia in India is the official partner of the 9th LNG India Summit 2025 to be held here on September 2425 The international oil and gas event dedicated to LNG liquefied natural gas sector cooperation is being organised by the Indian branch of Messe FrankfurtFor Russian companies participation offers direct dialogue opportunities with Indian ministries and regulatory bodies major market players and insight into potential supply prospects and joint projects in LNG imports terminal construction and the delivery of equipment technologies and services the Russian Embassy said in a statementThe 9th LNG India Summit 2025 is one of the key international platforms for knowledge exchange and business networking in the LNG sector It covers strategic areas of the Indian LNG market development government regulation infrastructure transportation solutions and industrial applicationsThe summit programme includes panel discussions featuring executives of top industry players topics on infrastructure projects cooperation in smallscale LNG expansion of urban gas distribution networks and the shift to lowcarbon fuelsApart from oil Russia is also a large producer of natural gas The most prominent Russian gas company is Gazprom a majority stateowned multinational energy corporation that is the largest company in Russia and the worlds largest gas producer with vast gas reserves and extensive involvement in exploration production transportation and sales of natural gas and oil Other significant Russian oil and gas companies include Novatek a major player in LNG production and Rosneft and Lukoil which are also large stateowned and private energy firms respectivelyRussia is substantially increasing its gas exports to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline and plans to build the Power of Siberia 2 which will add 50 billion cubic metres of annual capacity through MongoliaChina is Russias biggest purchaser of natural gas with exports expected to reach 38 billion cubic metres bcm this year via the existing pipeline and a separate Far Eastern route deal for an additional 10 bcm by 20262027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russias-trade-representation-to-be-official-partner-of-9th-lng-india-summit-2025-638827.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-interacts-with-business-community-of-papua-new-guinea-638851.html Port Moresby Sep 16 Minister of State for External Affairs MoS Pabitra Margherita on Tuesday met with the leading businesspersons of Papua New Guinea discussing with them ways to further strengthen bilateral trade ties In a statement shared on social media platform X Margherita stated Had productive and engaging discussions with the leading businesspersons of Papua New Guinea including key Indian entrepreneurs in the textile sector of the country Explored ways to further strengthen bilateral trade tiesEarlier in the day Margherita interacted with the Indian community members in Papua New Guinea terming them as a living bridge between the two nations He lauded the role of Indian community in strengthening partnership between two nationsA heartwarming evening with our vibrant Indian family in Papua New Guinea Over 4000 strong they are a living bridge between India and PNG playing a pivotal role in strengthening our partnership through cultural economic and community contributions Margherita posted on XOn Monday Margherita had called on Papua New Guineas Prime Minister James Marape conveying greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people of India on the occasion of countrys 50th anniversary of independence He expressed both nations commitment to deepening bilateral and peopletopeople tiesHonoured to call on Honble James Marape Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Conveyed warm greetings from PM Shri Narendra Modi ji and the people of India on the occasion of PNGAt50 Both countries remain committed to deepening bilateral and peopletopeople ties MoS Margherita posted on XMargherita arrived in Port Moresby on Monday on an official visit to Papua New Guinea where he will represent PM Modi at the commemorative events marking Papua New Guineas 50th anniversary of IndependenceDuring the visit MoS Margherita is expected to have bilateral meetings with the political leadership of Papua New Guinea according to Ministry of External Affairs MEA statementFollowing the historic 3rd Summit of the Forum for IndiaPacific Islands Cooperation FIPIC chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in May 2023 in Port Moresby the visit of MOSPM to Papua New Guinea would provide an opportunity to continue our engagement with the leadership in the Pacific Island Countries PICs the MEA stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-interacts-with-business-community-of-papua-new-guinea-638851.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-desperation-for-chinese-funds-risks-clash-with-afghan-taliban-638875.html New Delhi Sep 16 Pakistan may have gloated about the fact that China insisted on Afghanistan being part of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor Project CPEC 20 but during his recent visit to China Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was left emptyhanded after Beijing said that investments would be subject to the security of the project The Chinese have had a hard time dealing with the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA and the TehreekTaliban Pakistan TTP while executing the CPEC project that passes through Balochistan They have repeatedly complained that Pakistan has failed to provide security to its people working on the project Further the two groups have caused substantial damage to the project during its executionChina is no doubt interested in the CPEC 20 involving Afghanistan However it has decided that it would tread cautiously this time around and would not put in its money unless Pakistan can guarantee the projects securityFor Pakistan taming the TTP is extremely crucial as it enjoys the support of the Afghan Taliban Pakistan had repeatedly blamed the Taliban of backing the TTP and allowing the outfit to use its soil to strike at PakistanNow Intelligence assessments say that Pakistan is getting desperate and has decided to take matters into its own hands while also conveying a message to the TalibanPakistan has now decided to carry out strikes on TTP bases within Afghanistan This risks a fullblown confrontation with the Taliban as well Pakistan has mapped TTP infrastructure across the Durand Line following a highlevel security meeting The meeting was chaired by Pakistans army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and other officials It was decided that Pakistan would carry out strikes thus indicating that there would be a major escalationAn official from Pakistan is likely to travel to Afghanistan and convey to the Taliban about their plans on dealing with the TTPRecently the Foreign Ministers of China Pakistan and Afghanistan held a meeting to discuss the CPEC 20 project China made it clear that it wanted Afghanistan to be part of the project While the meeting decided on a variety of factors the point on which there was no agreement was about the Talibans support for the TTP While Afghanistan assured China that it would not allow the BLA to use its soil to stage attacks it failed to give any such assurance about the TTPA lot would depend on the Pakistan officials visit to Afghanistan If the Taliban do not agree to what Pakistan is saying then one could expect chaos in the region Pakistan needs the investment from China desperately as its economy continues to fall each day However for that to take place it needs to convince Beijing that it is capable of securing the projectDespite making all efforts the Pakistan Army has failed to rein in the TTP Following the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the three countries the TTP has only scaled up attacks against the Pakistan Army The army has in the last week lost 50 personnel in attacks that were carried out by the TTP in areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Lower Dir Unable to fight the outfit the Pakistan Army has even reached out to the US seeking support in terms of Intelligence and other logisticsSharif recently blamed terrorists based in Afghanistan for striking in Pakistan He had also warned that they would no longer keep quiet The Pakistan Army may go on the offensive but the battle would not be an easy one especially against the TTPIndian officials feel that Pakistan without the support of the US or China is not likely to have any major success against the TTP or BLA However it is desperate for money and hence is ready to take the risk of going into an allout war against the TTP This however risks regional stability and the possibility of a massive escalation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-desperation-for-chinese-funds-risks-clash-with-afghan-taliban-638875.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 22:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/realism-and-caution-must-be-adopted-in-efforts-to-add-momentum-to-warming-india-china-ties-report-638885.html Sofia Sep 16 The recent diplomatic engagement between India and China is hardly a reset as there are a number of strategic security and economic challenges that complicate the diplomatic thaw and bilateral ties a report stated on Tuesday As India and China engage in diplomatic activities caution and realism must guide the next phase of efforts to add momentum to warming ties it mentioned The resumption of diplomatic engagement between India and China has led to agreements on key aspects of the bilateral relationship disengagement at the border and discussions on the possibility of reviving economic linkages and Foreign Direct Investment FDI according to a report in Modern Diplomacy These developments are suggestive of a thaw in bilateral ties that were strained since the Galwan clashes in 2020India and China have worked to restore diplomatic relations by leveraging cooperation in the domain of peopletopeople ties hydrological data sharing and crossborder connectivity since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in Kazan in October last yearRelations between two nations have normalised on the back of peopletopeople ties as India resumed issuing tourist visas for Chinese nationals for the first time in five years In March China lifted visa restrictions on Indian nationals after both nations announced that they would resume direct air travel These decisions allow greater peopletopeople interactions in the domain of tourism and academic and cultural exchangesThe recent diplomatic reengagement between India and China is hardly a reset There are several pressing strategic security and economic challenges that complicate the diplomatic thaw and broader bilateral relations Tensions at the border could flare with any misstep from either side and disengagement would be replaced with escalation Similarly on the trade front Indias import dependence on Chinese goods is an economic vulnerability that Beijing could exploit in the event of any new confrontation The same applies to hydrological data sharing which became a casualty of the Doklam standoff At the same time reintroducing Chinese FDI and economic linkages carries national security risks with it that will have to be carefully scrutinized wrote Rahul Karan Reddy and Tridivesh Singh Maini in Modern DiplomacyBeyond existing challenges there are emerging ones that threaten to complicate relations further The Dalai Lamas succession issue is already shaping into a thorny one and Chinas Medong County dam is a troubling development with significant downstream implications for Indian states in the Northeast Even paradiplomacy efforts are embedded with concerns about Chinas influence operations and data security the report addedTherefore it emphasised it is crucial to view progress on nonconfrontational issues like peopletopeople ties and paradiplomacy efforts as a small but meaningful step in the direction of restoring trust and balanceFurther improvements must be pursued keeping in mind the core interests and concerns of both sides the writers assertedWith the door for paradiplomacy held ajar by the progress made so far between India and China caution and realism must guide the next phase of efforts to add momentum to warming ties it concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/realism-and-caution-must-be-adopted-in-efforts-to-add-momentum-to-warming-india-china-ties-report-638885.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-deputy-state-secretary-landau-expresses-regret-over-detention-of-skoreans-638467.html Seoul Sep 14 A senior US State Department official on Sunday expressed regret over the recent mass detention of South Korean workers in America and vowed to prevent similar occurrences Christopher Landau Deputy Secretary of State visited Seoul for a meeting with South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoonjoo Yonhap news agency reportedAccording to Seouls Foreign Ministry Landau conveyed his deep regrets over the detention of hundreds of South Korean workers in an immigration crackdown earlier this month at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site for a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Bryan County GeorgiaA total of 316 South Korean workers returned home on Friday after being held in a detention centre for a weekLandau also told Park that the two allies should try to use the incident as an opportunity to further strengthen their bilateral ties and improve relevant systems where necessary according to the MinistryLandau also said that US President Donald Trump has a keen interest in the matter and ensured that those who have returned home will not face any disadvantages when reentering the USThe State Department official said that Washington would try to ensure there would be no further incidents of a similar nature in the futureLandau proposed workinglevel talks on issuing proper visas for South Korean workers in the US citing a need to provide institutional support for South Korean corporations investments that contribute to the American economy and manufacturingIn response Park touched upon inconveniences that South Korean workers faced while in detention and said the general public in South Korea in addition to the workers themselves felt deeply shocked by the crackdownAccording to the Ministry Park also strongly urged the US to take practical steps and implement systematic improvements to ease South Korean peoples concernsMost of the detained Korean workers had entered the US on nonimmigrant shortterm business visas either B1 visas or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation permits which are meant for brief business visits rather than employmentSouth Korean companies view such visa challenges as a major obstacle to their US investments a concern that contrasts sharply with South Koreas status as the largest foreign investor in the US in 2023 with 215 billion investedSeoul has also pledged 350 billion in additional investment under a new trade framework Yet only about 2000 South Koreans with specialty occupations receive H1B visas annually out of nearly 85000 issued IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-deputy-state-secretary-landau-expresses-regret-over-detention-of-skoreans-638467.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-shadow-looms-over-pakistans-ties-with-china-638471.html New Delhi Sept 14 Pakistan a country which once dreamed of leading the Muslim world and linking South and Central Asia has been reduced to becoming excessively dependent on China Even this relationship could turn precarious as Islamabad tries to maintain a fine balance between cosying up to the US and keeping up its ties with Beijing Even the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC is not Islamabads brainchild but a spoke in Beijings Belt and Road Initiative which is aimed more at serving Chinas own ambitions according to an article in Pakistan TodayIn the Middle East the regional diplomatic order is shifting Arab states are moving towards normalisation with Israel under the Abraham Accords reshaping traditional alliances and potentially altering the balance of influence in the Muslim world the article said Even historically close partners such as Kazakhstan which imports their locally assembled JF17 fighter jets and Turkey are gradually adopting more flexible positions towards Tel Aviv Afghanistan remains unstable and unreliable as a trade and security partner Iran meanwhile faces deepening international isolation and has had occasional military tensions with Pakistan such as last years crossborder skirmishes the article further statesThe article also highlights that Islamabad has not succeeded in implementing any economic project planned with Central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan and UzbekistanAll of this leaves Pakistan with one major and consistent ally China While the partnership with Beijing remains central to our economic and security strategies it is not immune to the turbulence of global politics The delicate balancing act Islamabad must perform between deepening US engagement and maintaining Chinese trust is becoming increasingly precarious Even the muchcelebrated CPEC now entering its second phase is exposed to vulnerabilities from regional instability shifting geopolitical alignments and global power competition the article lamentsIt also highlights that Islamabads recent flirtation with the idea of cryptomining partnerships with the USA seems less like a serious economic pivot and more like a political talking point Our history of announcing ambitious projects without the institutional capacity or longterm followthrough suggests that such ventures are far more likely to evaporate than materialiseThe article also underlines that on the strategic front Pakistans room to manoeuvre is narrowing at an alarming rate The country is not part of BRICS the rapidly expanding economic bloc that now accounts for a significant share of global GDP and is increasingly shaping the future of trade and development financing outside Western frameworks Indias Act East Policy initiated in 2012 has deepened its integration with ASEAN economies and strengthened security partnerships across East Asia while leaving Pakistan excluded from emerging regional supply chainsIf New Delhi were to further revise its policy towards the Indian Ocean Rim Association Pakistans maritime trade routes could face additional strategic restrictions effectively tightening a noose around our seabased economic lifelines the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-shadow-looms-over-pakistans-ties-with-china-638471.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nkorea-slams-joint-military-drills-by-us-skorea-japan-638486.html Pyongyang Sep 14 IANS Senior officials of North Korea have condemned upcoming military drills by the US South Korea and Japan media reported on SundaynbspSeoul will launch two simultaneous drills on Monday including Freedom Edge a trilateral outdoor multidomain exercise with the US and Japan and Iron Mace a tabletop drill simulating a nuclearattack response with the US the official Korean Central News Agency reportednbspKim Yo Jong vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea WPK said the Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula fabricated by the US anad South Korea are a dangerous idea Xinhua news agency reportedShe said the North Korea will regard it as an unfiltered demonstration of their antiNorth Korean confrontational stand and succession of confrontational policynbspThe reckless show of strength made by the three countries in real action near North Korea will inevitably bring bad results to themselves she addednbspPak Jong Chon vicechairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK said Iron Mace is a nuclear war rehearsal aimed at using nuclear weapons against North Korea from A to Z while the Freedom Edge is the most comprehensive and offensive war drill for aggression in its scale content and natureThe reckless military moves of the three countries pose a grave challenge to the security interests of our state and a major danger of undermining regional stability and escalating military tension he addednbspPak stressed that if the hostile forces persist in their muscleflexing the North Korea will respond to them with counteraction in a very clear and intensified waynbspSince a failed summit with the US in 2019 on denuclearisation North Korea has repeatedly said it will never give up its nuclear weapons and declared itself an irreversible nuclear stateNKorean leader Kim Jong Un has been emboldened by the war in Ukraine securing critical support from Russia after sending thousands of North Korean troops to fight alongside MoscownbspMoscow and Pyongyang signed a mutual defence pact last year when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the reclusive state https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nkorea-slams-joint-military-drills-by-us-skorea-japan-638486.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-must-pave-way-to-speed-up-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-638524.html New Delhi Sep 14 The IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC initiative has the potential to change the face of global trade and transportation as well as digital and energy connectivity but has received a setback due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas The IMEC initiative offers benefits to all the participating countries possessing a great potential to leverage the economic growth of Europe India and the Gulf And it also grants Israel an opportunity to enhance its significance and role in the international arena on strategic economic and geographic levelsThe government of Israel should prioritize taking steps to implement the IMEC project once its war against Hamas is over according to an article by Uzay Bulut published in JNSIndia the European Union UAE France Germany Italy Saudi Arabia and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build an economic system by creating a multimodal network of railways ports and highways to boost trade efficiency and regional collaboration These will become a vital artery of global commerce and a potential alternative to Chinas Belt and Road InitiativeThe corridor is expected to connect India the Middle East and Europe with the support of Washington When completed it will likely include three major Mediterranean Sea ports Haifa in Israel Piraeus in Greece and Trieste in Italy the article points outFor Israel the IMEC represents more than an economic opportunity it is a pathway to redefine its strategic regional status and geopolitical alignments according to Mordechai Chaziza of the University of HaifaIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the corridor as a transformative platform for Israeli integration into Arab economies and global supply chainsAccording to initial estimates IMECs overland transportation route could reduce logistics costs by 30 per cent and transportation time by 40 per cent relative to shipping via the Suez Canal The new route would also likely provide important structural benefits such as reducing the risk of supply chain shocks and lowering energy costsThe Hamasled terrorist attacks in southern Israel on October 7 2023 and the ensuing war with Hamas in Gaza came as a major setback for implementing the project Just weeks after the IMEC memorandum of understanding was signed at the G20 Summit Hamas invaded IsraelThe escalating regional instability particularly from Irans regional proxies has effectively led to the halting of this significant initiative as well as a SaudiIsraeli normalization deal the article statesWhile normalization would certainly ease political and logistical hurdles its not an absolute requirement and the project could still move forward with careful diplomatic management wrote Rachel Rizzo and Nicholas Shafer for the Atlantic CouncilHence it appears that the quicker Israel manages to stabilize the Gaza situation the sooner it will be able to focus on doing its part to make this project a realityAn article by Nir Levitan and professors Arie Reich and Jonathan Rynhold notes some suggestions to realize the economic potential of IMEC To make the agreement a reality and attract private and governmental investment several initial steps are required including the creation of a multilateral agreement to establish an institutional framework for a structured and systematic dialogue between the participating countries A dedicated body should be established to attract private investment and promote infrastructure development among the participating countriesVia this corridor the United States and European Union seek to bolster their connectivity with South Asia and the Gulf aiming to align their strategic objectives and counter Chinas growing regional influenceSeveral European countries have since appointed special envoys to the IMEC including France and Italy Under its framework Israel and Cyprus announced new energy development projects in May calling to relaunch the IsraelCyprusGreece trilateral forumIt is now important for Europe the United States and Israel to double down on their support so that more progress for this initiative can be achieved the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-must-pave-way-to-speed-up-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-638524.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-must-pave-way-to-speed-up-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-638525.html New Delhi Sep 14 The IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC initiative has the potential to change the face of global trade and transportation as well as digital and energy connectivity but has received a setback due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas The IMEC initiative offers benefits to all the participating countries possessing a great potential to leverage the economic growth of Europe India and the Gulf And it also grants Israel an opportunity to enhance its significance and role in the international arena on strategic economic and geographic levelsThe government of Israel should prioritize taking steps to implement the IMEC project once its war against Hamas is over according to an article by Uzay Bulut published in JNSIndia the European Union UAE France Germany Italy Saudi Arabia and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build an economic system by creating a multimodal network of railways ports and highways to boost trade efficiency and regional collaboration These will become a vital artery of global commerce and a potential alternative to Chinas Belt and Road InitiativeThe corridor is expected to connect India the Middle East and Europe with the support of Washington When completed it will likely include three major Mediterranean Sea ports Haifa in Israel Piraeus in Greece and Trieste in Italy the article points outFor Israel the IMEC represents more than an economic opportunity it is a pathway to redefine its strategic regional status and geopolitical alignments according to Mordechai Chaziza of the University of HaifaIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the corridor as a transformative platform for Israeli integration into Arab economies and global supply chainsAccording to initial estimates IMECs overland transportation route could reduce logistics costs by 30 per cent and transportation time by 40 per cent relative to shipping via the Suez Canal The new route would also likely provide important structural benefits such as reducing the risk of supply chain shocks and lowering energy costsThe Hamasled terrorist attacks in southern Israel on October 7 2023 and the ensuing war with Hamas in Gaza came as a major setback for implementing the project Just weeks after the IMEC memorandum of understanding was signed at the G20 Summit Hamas invaded IsraelThe escalating regional instability particularly from Irans regional proxies has effectively led to the halting of this significant initiative as well as a SaudiIsraeli normalization deal the article statesWhile normalization would certainly ease political and logistical hurdles its not an absolute requirement and the project could still move forward with careful diplomatic management wrote Rachel Rizzo and Nicholas Shafer for the Atlantic CouncilHence it appears that the quicker Israel manages to stabilize the Gaza situation the sooner it will be able to focus on doing its part to make this project a realityAn article by Nir Levitan and professors Arie Reich and Jonathan Rynhold notes some suggestions to realize the economic potential of IMEC To make the agreement a reality and attract private and governmental investment several initial steps are required including the creation of a multilateral agreement to establish an institutional framework for a structured and systematic dialogue between the participating countries A dedicated body should be established to attract private investment and promote infrastructure development among the participating countriesVia this corridor the United States and European Union seek to bolster their connectivity with South Asia and the Gulf aiming to align their strategic objectives and counter Chinas growing regional influenceSeveral European countries have since appointed special envoys to the IMEC including France and Italy Under its framework Israel and Cyprus announced new energy development projects in May calling to relaunch the IsraelCyprusGreece trilateral forumIt is now important for Europe the United States and Israel to double down on their support so that more progress for this initiative can be achieved the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-must-pave-way-to-speed-up-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-638525.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unhcr-urges-pakistan-to-stop-deporting-vulnerable-afghan-asylum-seekers-638538.html New Delhi Sep 14 As the tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalates over a number of issues the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR has called on Pakistan to stop deporting vulnerable Afghan asylum seekers and ensure they receive international protection Afghanistan is already facing a number of issues including poverty drought like conditions and the devastation caused by the earthquake and is now facing a yet another problem the influx of new vulnerable Afghan asylum seekersSpeaking from Geneva on September 12 UNHCR representative for Afghanistan Arafat Jamal appealed to Islamabad not to expel Afghans who require protection He noted that the UN refugee agency was ready to cooperate with Pakistani authorities to identify and safeguard the most vulnerable groups the UNHCR said in its statementHe also warned that without fresh funding the UNHCR would be unable to sustain its lifesaving support to Afghan families struggling with overlapping crises and added that the agency had updated its regional appeal and was seeking 2586 million to address urgent needsThe appeal comes amid an accelerating wave of returnsAs Pakistan resumes implementation of its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan more than 554000 Afghans have returned since April including 143000 in August alone UNHCR saidNearly 100000 Afghans reportedly crossed back from Pakistan during the first week of September alone creating additional pressure on Afghanistans already fragile economy and limited public servicesThe statement from UNHCR highlights that they continue to urge Pakistan to uphold its longstanding humanitarian approach to Afghan refugeesAccording to UN estimates more than 26 million Afghan migrants have been deported from neighbouring countries since the start of 2025 The figure underscores the immense scale of forced displacement and the urgent need for regional and international cooperation the Khamma press said in its reportWith severe food shortages limited shelter and weak health systems Afghanistan remains illprepared to absorb such high numbers IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unhcr-urges-pakistan-to-stop-deporting-vulnerable-afghan-asylum-seekers-638538.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/with-oli-out-new-delhi-pushes-fast-for-rapprochement-in-kathmandu-to-counter-security-risks-638253.html New Delhi Sep 13 Calm returned to Nepal with the swearing in of a new interim Prime Minister Shushila Karki who is also the former Chief Justice of the country Violent protests had broken out in Nepal following an agitation by Gen Z which eventually led to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and dozens of ministers resigning Many had expected the crisis to drag on but there was a firm message from President Ramchandra Paudel and Nepals army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel The President had written to the representatives of Gen Z that a leader must be appointed soon and they had to decide immediately on it The President also said that upholding the Constitution was supreme and hence normalcy must be restored He also told them not to delay the process of picking a leader and then later blame him for the delay or possible chaos that may eruptWith the leadership change India will now play a more visible role in Nepal Officials say that the diplomatic reset is all ready to take place and New Delhi is hopeful that Sushila Karki will be easier to deal with compared to OliThe key for India would be to move quickly and reset ties The Gen Z must be made aware of Nepals relations with India and hence the need for more visible support becomes the need of the hour officials sayUnder Oli who was close to China the narrative he had built up was mostly antiIndia New Delhi is aware that the Chinese have been engaging a lot with Nepal in recent years This would be the best time for India to change an antiIndia perception in Nepal and hence the need to engage quickly and forge better ties with the leadership is importantWhile ties with Nepal are historic there has been a bit of a falling out in recent years Having solid ties with Nepal is crucial not just on the diplomatic front but from a security point of view as well The Intelligence agencies say that any form of instability in Nepal has a direct bearing on the security situation in India The ISI which has used the Nepal route into India on several occasions would thrive if there is instability Such a situation becomes a security nightmare as the agencies in Nepal would be busier with controlling the internal unrest rather than focusing more on the border This would put the onus entirely on the Indian agencies and it is harder to manage the border when the other side is busy with internal strife security officials say With a new leadership India would look to address these issues and also speed up border projects which would be in the interest of both nationsKarki may not have political experience but she has a solid reputation for being completely anticorruption Given the current situation in Nepal foreign diplomacy may not be her utmost priority for now Her priority would be to restore complete normalcy and then plan the political course her country would have to takeIndian officials say that they are confident that ties under her would improve She is aware of the historic ties the two nations share and Indias role in helping Nepal on several occasionsKarki also has an Indian connection While at the Banaras Hindu University at Varanasi she met with Durga Prasad Subedi who later went on to become her husband Subedi who was part of the Nepal Congress had played a role in the dramatic hijacking of a domestic Nepal Airlines flight on June 10 1973 The plane was carrying 4 million Nepalese Rupees The plane was forced to land in Forbesganj in Bihar and the money was offloaded No one was hurt in the incidentThe money was handed over to Girija Prasad Koirala who was waiting on the Indian side of the border The money was used to buy arms for the Nepali Congresss armed struggle against the monarchy Koirala went on to become a fourtime prime minister of Nepal IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/with-oli-out-new-delhi-pushes-fast-for-rapprochement-in-kathmandu-to-counter-security-risks-638253.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/dalai-lama-congratulates-sushila-karki-on-becoming-nepals-interim-pm-638314.html Dharamshala Sep 13 Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Saturday congratulated Sushila Karki on being appointed as Prime Minister of Nepals interim government Karki 73 was sworn in as Nepals interim Prime Minister late Friday evening thus becoming the firstever woman PM of the Himalayan nationAs you know the Nepalese and Tibetan peoples have historically enjoyed a close relationship I am very grateful to the government and the people of Nepal for providing facilities for the rehabilitation of Tibetan refugees following their forced escape from Tibet after 1959 Indeed although the Tibetan community is relatively small I believe it has been making a notable contribution towards Nepals economic growth read a statement issued by the Dalai Lamas officeOver the years there has been significant development and increasing prosperity in Nepal in all spheres of life Such achievements are all the more meaningful when they really improve the lives of poor and needy people I wish you every success in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of Nepal in these challenging times With my prayers and good wishes the statement addedFollowing the fall of K P Sharma Oliled government during the violent GenZ protests on Monday Karki was the pick of activists who have taken to the streets protesting against the former PMs ruleGenZ protestors agreed on Karkis name paving the way for her appointment as Prime Minister even though several nonpolitical candidates were floated as alternativesThe unrest had also left several Indians stranded in the Tibet Autonomous Region while undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra organised by private tour operators via NepalOn Thursday the border crossings became operational again for Indian pilgrims who were undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Nepal IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/dalai-lama-congratulates-sushila-karki-on-becoming-nepals-interim-pm-638314.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/sushila-karkis-appointment-as-nepals-interim-pm-shining-example-of-women-empowerment-pm-modi--638343.html Imphal Sep 13 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India remains firmly committed to the peace stability progress and prosperity of the people of the neighbouring nation of Nepal Addressing a mammoth gathering at the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal the Prime Minister said that Nepal is Indias one of its close friends and India always wishes Nepals peace and prosperity Referring to his wish on behalf of 140 crore Indians to former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on assuming office as the Prime Minister of the Interim Government of Nepal PM Modi said that a woman becoming the firstever Prime Minister of the country is a shining example of womens empowermentComparing the Manipuri womens positive and active role in the society the Prime Minister said that his governments one of the priorities is women empowermentAfter the recent youths movement in Nepal India is hopeful of the neighbouring countrys peace stability and progress Democracy would be further strengthened in Nepal the Prime Minister saidHe said that Nepal has been a close friend of India and has shared history faith and cultural ties and India always stood firmly with the people of the neighbouring country during its transitional phase The Prime Minister also lauded the resilience of the Nepali people and highly appreciated young men and women for their generous work in cleaning and painting buildings in the past few days amid political turbulenceI also want to thank the people of Nepal who despite such turbulent days have kept their democratic values as the ultimate goal PM Modi said drawing applause from the crowdReiterating Indias commitment to support Nepals democratic journey and its aspiration for stability the PM emphasized Indias solidarity and support as we want both nations to move forward togetherFormer Chief Justice Sushila Karki73 on Friday night became Nepals first woman Prime Minister to lead an interim government She was sworn in as Nepals interim Prime Minister by President Ramchandra PaudelHer appointment followed days of intense political turmoil and mass protests after the K P Sharma Oli government was forced to quit in the face of a nationwide agitation triggered by a social media banKarki was chosen to lead the interim government after a meeting between President Paudel Nepals top military generals and the youth protesters who spearheaded the agitation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/sushila-karkis-appointment-as-nepals-interim-pm-shining-example-of-women-empowerment-pm-modi--638343.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 20:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-reiterates-indias-call-for-early-end-to-ukraine-conflict-in-talks-with-polish-fm-637980.html New Delhi Sep 12 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Polish counterpart Radosaw Sikorski reiterating Indias stance for an early cessation of hostilities and an enduring solution to the conflict in Ukraine Spoke to Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski of Poland today He shared his concern about recent developments pertaining to Polands security I underlined that India favors an early end to hostilities and a durable solution for the Ukraine conflict EAM posted on XThe conversation followed after Poland recently claimed that on the night of September 9 its airspace was breached 19 times by drones manufactured in RussiaPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the incident with drones entering the countrys airspace a largescale provocationMost likely we are witnesses to a largescale provocation Tusk said before an emergency government meeting in a statement telecast by Polish public broadcaster TVP InfoRegarding the incident of a UAV entering Polands airspace the Russian Defence Ministry on Wednesday said that it is ready to hold consultations with its Polish counterpartsNo facilities in Poland were planned to be targetted the Russian military department saidThey added that the maximum range of the used UAVs which allegedly crossed the border with Poland does not exceed 700 kmHowever we are ready to hold consultations with the Polish Defense Ministry on this matter the Russian Defence Ministry emphasisedReaffirming its support for an end to the conflict in Ukraine India expressed hope that all parties would move ahead constructively towards establishing lasting peace in the regionWe welcome all the recent efforts towards establishing peace in Ukraine We hope that all parties will proceed constructively India supports an early end to the conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace said Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing a weekly press briefing in New Delhi last weekPrime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently reiterated Indias position for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and New Delhis support for all efforts in this regardLast week on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO summit in Chinas Tianjin Prime Minister Modi during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the recent efforts to resolve the conflict in UkrainePM Modi said that the entire humanity wants an end to the war and restoration of peace and stability in the regionWe welcome all the recent efforts in the direction of resolving the conflict We hope that all the involved parties will proceed further constructively We will have to figure out ways to end the conflict as soon as possible to restore regional stability and peace This is the call of the entire humanity said PM Modi IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-reiterates-indias-call-for-early-end-to-ukraine-conflict-in-talks-with-polish-fm-637980.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-france-hold-17th-counter-terrorism-meet-in-paris-condemn-pahalgam-attack-638019.html New Delhi Sep 12 India and France reaffirmed their strong commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms during the 17th Meeting of the IndiaFrance Joint Working Group JWG on counterterrorism in Paris according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA on Thursday The Indian delegation led by KD Dewal Joint Secretary Counter Terrorism MEA and the French side headed by Olivier Caron French CounterTerrorism Ambassador held the meeting on Thursday and condemned the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 livesThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA statement on Friday underscored the shared concerns of both nations on terrorism and emphasised the need for stronger bilateral cooperation in dealing with evolving security threatsDuring the meeting the two delegations exchanged views on the current threat assessments in their respective countriesDiscussions included Statesponsored crossborder terrorism terrorist activities in South Asia and the Middle East and the increasing misuse of emerging technologies by terror groupsThe two sides also focused on challenges posed by radicalisation and extremism especially online The dialogue highlighted the need for joint efforts to counter terrorist propaganda and online recruitment an issue of growing concern globallyFrance and India also expressed interest in enhancing coordination at international platforms such as the United Nations Financial Action Task Force FATF and No Money for Terror NMFT initiativeThe MEA noted The discussion on bilateral and multilateral cooperation focused on intensifying capacitybuilding measures through training and exercises The two sides discussed cooperation in the UN FATF and NMFTIn addition the two countries explored expanding the scope of their counterterrorism dialogue to include organised crime cybersecurity threats and the exchange of information on online propagandaThe meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to convene the 18th JWG meeting in India at a mutually convenient dateThe longstanding counterterrorism cooperation between India and France is seen as a vital element of their strategic partnership rooted in shared democratic values and a joint commitment to global security IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-france-hold-17th-counter-terrorism-meet-in-paris-condemn-pahalgam-attack-638019.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-eu-bolster-security-and-defence-cooperation-638106.html New Delhi Sep 12 India and the European Union EU on Friday vowed to increase cooperation across diverse sectors particularly in the areas of security and defence Both sides expressed satisfaction over the increasing high level political engagements and regular sectoral interactions as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the members of the visiting Political and Security Committee PSC of the Council of the European Union in New Delhi on FridayThe 30 member PSC delegation on its firstever visit to Asia was led by Delphine Pronk Chair of the Committee and included PSC Ambassadors of EU Member States along with officials from the European Commission and the European External Action ServiceOn the Indian side Foreign Secretary Misri was joined at the meeting by Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor Secretary West Sibi George and other senior officialsThe discussions focused on advancing IndiaEU cooperation across diverse sectors particularly in the areas of security and defence Both sides reiterated their commitment towards an early conclusion of IndiaEU Security and Defence Partnership and Security of Information Agreement They also looked forward to the IndiaEU FTA with the leaders having tasked the respective negotiating teams to conclude the deal by end of the year Further they also exchanged perspectives on latest regional and global developments read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA after the meetingDuring their twoday working visit to India the PSC members also met with the Defence Secretary received a briefing on the Information Fusion Centre Indian Ocean Region IFCIOR and interacted with representatives of Indian defence industryThe EU PSC visit builds on the momentum following the landmark visit of EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025 and reflects the joint commitment towards a deeper IndiaEU Strategic Partnership the MEA statement addedThere are regular exchanges between India and the EU on security and defence matters through the extensive bilateral dialogue architecture including in the areas of security and defence maritime security cyber and counterterrorism Both sides are also exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation in defence industry and manufacturingOn September 9 India and the European Union EU had held their 15th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism CT in Brussels reiterating their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including crossborder terrorism The two sides agreed that terrorism is a global phenomenon and requires concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive mannerDirector for Security and Defence Policy in the European External Action Service Maciej Stadejek and Joint Secretary Counterterrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs K D Dewal cochaired the dialogue Both sides also condemned the heinous terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam with the EU reiterating its condolences to India for the murder of innocent civiliansAgainst this backdrop the EU and India stressed the importance of cooperation in multilateral fora such as the United Nations the Global Counterterrorism Forum GCTF and the FATF The dialogue facilitated a comprehensive exchange on domestic regional and global threat assessments The participants emphasized that instability and conflicts in various regions of the world act as catalysts for terrorism and violent extremism the MEA statedDuring the Dialogue the EU and India shared updates regarding the key developments of their respective counterterrorism policies and discussed important topics in the fight against terrorism These include measures to counter terror financing prevent online radicalisation continued exchange on designation of terrorists and terrorist entities and addressing the implications of emerging technologiesThe EU and India also shared updates on the key developments of their respective counterterrorism policies and discussed important topics in the fight against terrorism These include measures to counter the financing of terrorism prevent online radicalization continued exchange on designation of terrorists and terrorist entities and address the implications of emerging technologies the EU emphasised in a statement after the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-eu-bolster-security-and-defence-cooperation-638106.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-has-every-opportunity-to-convince-ukraine-to-end-conflict-russia-638115.html Moscow Sep 12 Russia on Friday stated that the United States under President Donald Trump has every opportunity to influence Kyiv to eliminate the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine We are confident that the current American administration has every opportunity to encourage the socalled Ukrainian leadership to end the conflict eliminate the root causes of its occurrence and return to the origins of its own statehood said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a regular media briefing in MoscowThe senior diplomat was quoted as saying by the Russian stateowned news agency Tass that the best guarantees of Ukraines security are the establishment of its neutral nonaligned nonnuclear status which is enshrined in the declaration of state sovereignty of 1990Zakharova stated during the briefing that it was in this status that Ukraine gained independence and was recognised by the international community including MoscowConfirmation of this declaration was contained in the draft peace agreement that was being developed in the spring of 2022 the diplomat noted as per Tass And let me remind you this scheme suited the Kyiv regime quite well However at the insistence of the British as you know it refused to negotiate and withdrew from the negotiation process she addedI have not heard from any current figure that the declaration of state sovereignty of 1990 was adopted under pressure signed there or something else They have always been proud of this document Therefore this is the origin of their statehood This is what guarantees the security of Ukraine and can become the key to future peace This is what we need to call for And whoever does this is a great guy the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-has-every-opportunity-to-convince-ukraine-to-end-conflict-russia-638115.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-meet-mauritian-counterpart-ramgoolam-in-varanasi-today-637774.html Varanasi Sep 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have bilateral talks with his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi on Thursday At around 1130 am in Varanasi PM Modi will host his Ramgoolam who is on a state visit to India from September 916 The city is all decked up for the highlevel meeting with elaborate arrangements and decorationsThe meeting in the ancient city of Varanasi will highlight the civilisational connect spiritual linkages and enduring peopletopeople bonds that have long defined the special relationship between India and MauritiusDuring their bilateral discussions the two leaders are expected to review the entire spectrum of cooperation with particular emphasis on development partnership and capacity buildingThey will also explore new avenues of collaboration in healthcare education science and technology energy and infrastructure while giving special focus to renewable energy digital public infrastructure and the blue economyThe upcoming talks build upon the positive momentum of Prime Minister Modis state visit to Mauritius in March this year during which India and Mauritius elevated their ties to an Enhanced Strategic PartnershipAs a close maritime neighbour and valued partner in the Indian Ocean Region Mauritius plays a pivotal role in advancing Indias MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region Vision and the Neighbourhood First policyThe partnership is also seen as an important contribution to the collective aspirations of the Global SouthThe Varanasi Summit is expected to serve as a landmark in IndiaMauritius relations reinforcing their shared commitment to mutual prosperity sustainable development and a secure and inclusive futureEarlier on Wednesday Ramgoolam expressed that the IndiaMauritius partnership will last forever saying that the island nation is the most reliable partner for India and there are huge business opportunitiesHe called for further strengthening of historical cultural and economic relations between India and MauritiusHe was speaking at the business conclave here which was attended by Union Minister of Power and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar and heads of various industry groupsEarlier Ramgoolam had visited India in 2014 as the only nonSAARC leader invited to attend the swearingin ceremony of PM Modi and the Council of MinistersIn a press release the MEA stated India and Mauritius share a close and special relationship rooted in shared historical cultural and peopletopeople ties As Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region Mauritius holds a special place in Indias Vision MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region and the Neighbourhood First Policy and is a key partner in the Global SouthThe ministry said that the Mauritian PMs visit to India following the visit of PM Modi to the East African nation in March 2025 will advance the strong and enduring bonds between the two countriesPM Modi went to Mauritius in March for a twoday State visit at the invitation of Ramgoolam to attend the countrys 57th National Day celebrationsDuring the visit he held a bilateral meeting with Ramgoolam and Mauritian President Dharam GokhoolMauritius was one of the handful of important countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948 even before the independence of MauritiusThe relationship has been characterised by a high level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level and continued highlevel political engagement according to the MEA IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-meet-mauritian-counterpart-ramgoolam-in-varanasi-today-637774.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/varanasi-gives-rousing-welcome-to-pm-modi-637835.html New Delhi Sep 11 Varanasi residents showered flowers on Prime Minister Narendra Modis convoy as he arrived in his parliamentary constituency on Thursday As the Prime Ministers convoy approached the Taj Hotel people lined the streets on both sides waving the Tricolour and BJP flags and chanting Modi ModiThe city is all decked up for the highlevel meeting with elaborate arrangements and decorationsThe Prime Minister is in Varanasi to hold bilateral talks with his Mauritian counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam to discuss the ways to further strengthen the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two nationsThe meeting in the ancient city of Varanasi will highlight the civilisational connect spiritual linkages and enduring peopletopeople bonds that have long defined the special relationship between India and MauritiusDuring their bilateral discussions the two leaders are expected to review the entire spectrum of cooperation with particular emphasis on development partnership and capacity buildingThey will also explore new avenues of collaboration in healthcare education science and technology energy and infrastructure while giving special focus to renewable energy digital public infrastructure and the blue economyThe upcoming talks build upon the positive momentum of Prime Minister Modis state visit to Mauritius in March this year during which India and Mauritius elevated their ties to an Enhanced Strategic PartnershipAs a close maritime neighbour and valued partner in the Indian Ocean Region Mauritius plays a pivotal role in advancing Indias MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region Vision and the Neighbourhood First policyThe partnership is also seen as an important contribution to the collective aspirations of the Global SouthThe Varanasi Summit is expected to serve as a landmark in IndiaMauritius relations reinforcing their shared commitment to mutual prosperity sustainable development and a secure and inclusive futureEarlier in the day Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam and discussed the multifaceted bilateral partnership between New Delhi and Port LouisForeign Secretary Vikram Misri called on PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius today in Varanasi Discussed multifaceted partnership and reaffirmed commitment in strengthening IndiaMauritius Enhanced Strategic Partnership anchored in shared history culture amp peopletopeople ties the Ministry of External Affairs MEA posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/varanasi-gives-rousing-welcome-to-pm-modi-637835.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nepals-trade-with-china-grew-but-india-remains-largest-partner-637911.html New Delhi Sep 11 Indias geographic proximity longstanding trade treaties dutyfree access for many goods and seamless land transit routes have made it Nepals largest trade partner By contrast trade corridors linking Nepal to China remain underdeveloped and annual trade with China estimated at 724 million is a fraction of its India tallyBilateral trade with India exceeded 8 billion at current exchange rate in the fiscal year 202223 according to a Nepal embassy statement on May 8Imports in the 202223 fiscal amounted to more than 7 billion and exports to India stood at about 755 millionBut a shift though comparatively small was palpable say reportsIn the first nine months of the fiscal year 202324 total exports from Nepal decreased by 37 per cent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year claimed the online news portal nepsetradingThe reduction in exports is attributed mainly to a significant drop in exports to India which fell by 62 per cent it reported adding Conversely exports to China surged by 232 per centHowever it noted that it still represented a small fraction of total exports Meanwhile exports to other countries also saw a decline of 2 per centWhile total imports for the same period witnessed a decline of 28 per cent including India by 32 per cent volume from China increased significantly by 334 per centSince Communist leaders assumed charge in Nepal the government turned towards the Dragon which observers attributed to their shared political philosophyIn fact when the nowresigned Prime Minister of Nepal K P Sharma Oli decided to pay an official visit to China in end2024 the media reported a strategic departure from the tradition where Nepali leaders made India their first foreign destination upon assuming officeThe shift was viewed as one highlighting the evolving dynamics of Nepals foreign policyAll this while trade and economy lagged even as political protests hit the streets from time to time leading to frequent changes in governmentNepals trade is at a crossroads Once a key exporter of agricultural commodities the country now struggles to sustain its own demand for essential goods including paddy milk and sugarcane observed Sumit Bikram Rana Program Director The Himalayan DialoguesWriting in The Himalayan Times in March this year he urged that Nepal should focus on positioning itself as a competitive supplier in Indian markets rather than viewing India solely as a dominant exporterHistorically a net exporter of paddy sugarcane and lentils the Himalayan country now imports staples such as wheat sugar and cooking oilKey agricultural bottlenecks include fragmented landholdings preventing largescale cultivation poor storage and logistics underdeveloped agroprocessing units and lack of allweather irrigation facilitiesAs a result Nepals agricultural exports have languished even while Chinese and Indian supplies flood domestic markets further discouraging local producersThe World Bank projected Nepals economy to grow 45 per cent in FY2025 up from 39 per cent in FY 2024 despite significant natural disasters in late 2024 It predicted growth to be driven by increased domestic trade hydropower generation and paddy productionIt is now to be seen how the country copes with the new wave of protest movement sweeping the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nepals-trade-with-china-grew-but-india-remains-largest-partner-637911.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iim-ahmedabads-dubai-campus-a-leap-towards-globalisation-of-indias-education-minister-637919.html New DelhiDubai Sep 11 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday hailed the inauguration of IIMAhmedabads Dubai campus as big leap towards globalisation of the countrys education A great honour to have the IIM Ahmedabad Dubai campus inaugurated by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai This is another big leap towards globalisation of Indias education as envisioned by PM narendramodiji said Pradhan on XIIM Ahmedabads Dubai campus will take the best of India to the world Dubai today has provided the perfect launchpad to the ethos of Indian in spirit global in outlook by hosting the IIM Ahmedabad international campus Grateful to HH HamdanMohammed for adding a glorious leaf to IndiaUAE knowledge collaboration he saidIn keeping with the vision of National Education Policy 2025 we have to internationalise the education system in India which is a vibrant economy today he said in a video on his X handleHe described a fruitful his meeting with principals of all Indian educational institutions functional in the Gulf and hope the cooperation in the region will growMinister Pradhan also highlighted that met Sara Musallam Chairperson Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge ADEK on WednesdayDuring his visit to IITDelhis Abu Dhabi Campus he inaugurate the Atal Incubation Centre First foreign Centre and launch the PhD and B Tech programmesEarlier as part of tour of the United Arab Emirates the Minister offered prayers at the BAPS Hindu temple on ThursdayThe Union Minister described the BAPS temple as an impossible miracle and showered praise on its stunning beauty creativity and inclusivenessHe also expressed deep respect for the selfless service of BAPS saints and Swaminarayan Sanstha for the civilisational achievement on foreign soilPradhan said that the temple stands as a beacon of Indias timeless values of harmony peace and spirituality on the global stage and also expressed deepest respect for the selfless seva of BAPS SwamisHe noted that the temple not only showcases extraordinary craftsmanship but also embodies the collective devotion and sacrifice of countless volunteers and devoteesHe further said that this Mandir will forever remain a symbol of Indias cultural pride and spiritual strength connecting hearts across nations and reminding the world of the enduring power of faith and service He also stated that the temple will serve as a source of inspiration for the younger generation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iim-ahmedabads-dubai-campus-a-leap-towards-globalisation-of-indias-education-minister-637919.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-one-of-the-most-important-relationships-our-nation-has-in-world-next-us-ambassador-to-delhi-637950.html Washington Sep 11 Sergio Gor President Donald Trumps nominee for the US Ambassador to India has called India a strategic partner whose trajectory will shape the region and beyond Gor while appearing before the Senate for his confirmation hearing on Thursday promised to strengthen defence and economic ties with IndiaIndias geographic position economic growth and military capabilities make it a cornerstone of regional stability and a critical part of promoting prosperity and advancing the security interests that our nations share India is one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world I will work to deliver on a presidential agenda and advance US interests by increasing our defence cooperation ensuring fair and beneficial trade deepening energy security and furthering technology he addedHe also spoke about strengthening defence ties with IndiaI will prioritise deepening defence and security cooperation with India This includes expanding joint military exercises advancing codevelopment and coproduction of defence systems and concluding critical defence sales he notedGor also highlighted Indias demographic dividend terming Indias population of 14 billion people and its rapidly growing middle class offer immense opportunities for America from artificial intelligence to pharmaceuticals to critical minerals the potential for collaboration is vastWhile introducing Gor Secretary of State Marco Rubio described USIndia ties as one of the top relationships the United States has in the world today and is in a period of extraordinary transitionIn fact its so important weve actually changed the name of the combatant command of the IndoPacific India is at the core of that Rubio addedOn Wednesday Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra welcomed Sergio Gors nomination saying that President Trump is sending one of his most trusted aides to serve as the next US ambassador to IndiaThis move is viewed as a sign of importance and priority of IndiaUS ties and a commitment to strengthen the bridges and deepen the bonds of friendship between our two countries Ambassador Kwatra wrote on XOn August 22 US President Donald Trump announced the nomination of close aide Sergio Gor as the countrys next Ambassador to IndiaFor the most populous Region in the World it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador Trump wrote on Truth SocialTrump had also announced Gor would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairsThe 38yearold Gor is the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office entrusted with vetting more than 4000 posts in the new Trump administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-one-of-the-most-important-relationships-our-nation-has-in-world-next-us-ambassador-to-delhi-637950.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 23:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-expresses-constructive-support-for-east-asia-summit-preparations-637710.html Kuala Lumpur Sep 10 India on Wednesday expressed constructive support for preparations related to the forthcoming 20th East Asia Summit Representing India at the East Asia Summit Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting EAS PrepSOM in Malaysias Port Dickson on Wednesday Ministry of External Affairs MEA Secretary East P Kumaran expressed Indias constructive support for preparations related to the forthcoming summit Dato Sri Amran Mohamed Zin Secretary General of Malaysias Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair chaired the meeting Senior Officials of participating countries of EAS attended the meetingSecretary East in his intervention at the EAS PrepSOM expressed constructive support for preparations related to the forthcoming 20th East Asia Summit Secretary East also invited EAS Participating Countries for the EAS Knowledge Exchange Workshop on Energy Efficiency Policies and Programs Mission LiFE and Conclave of EAS Heads of Higher Education Institutions being hosted in India at the Nalanda University in Rajgir Bihar read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEADuring his visit Kumaran also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Australia Cambodia and MalaysiaMalaysias Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened the East Asia Summit Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting EAS PrepSOM on Wednesday in Port Dickson The meeting reviewed preparations for the 20th East Asia Summit to be held in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur including discussions on the Summits outcome documents Malaysias Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on XOn Tuesday Kumaran met Dato Sri Amran Mohamed Zin and expressed commitment to further strengthen cooperation between both countries in various sectorsSecretary General Dato Sri Amran Mohamed Zin met with Secretary East Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India HE Periasamy Kumaran on 9 September 2025 The meeting underscored both countries commitment to further strengthening MalaysiaIndia cooperation across various sectors and work towards enhancing ASEANIndia collaboration within ASEANled frameworks Malaysias Ministry of Foreign Affairs statedThe East Asia Summit refers to the Meeting of Heads of StatesGovernments of the EAS participating countries which is convened annually The East Asia Summit EAS process was initiated in 2005 with the convening of the first East Asia Summit in Malaysias Kuala Lumpur At its inception the East Asia Summit comprised 16 participating countries namely ASEAN Member States Australia China India Japan New Zealand and the Republic of Korea The United States and Russia joined at the 6th East Asia Summit in Indonesias Bali on November 19 2011 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-expresses-constructive-support-for-east-asia-summit-preparations-637710.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-congratulates-norwegian-counterpart-on-re-election-637715.html New Delhi Sep 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store on his reelection In his congratulatory message PM Modi stated that he is looking forward to working closely with Store to further strengthen partnership between both nations Congratulations to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on his reelection I look forward to continue working closely together to further strengthen the IndiaNorway partnership in all areas PM Modi wrote in a post on XPM Modis statement comes after Norways Labour Party led by Store secured win in the General Election on Monday Norways centreleft bloc claimed victory despite the antiimmigration Progress Party recording surge in supportThe countrys fiveparty leftwing bloc won a narrow majority by grabbing 87 of the 169 seatswhile the centreright alliance led by the Progress Party and Conservatives holding 82 seatsStore thanked his supporters and said the win showcased that it was possible for Social Democratic parties to secure win in elections in Europe Euro News reportedPM Modi met Store on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro last year as the two leaders took stock of the progress in bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in various fieldsIn a statement Prime Ministers Office had stated Noting that the signing of the IndiaEuropean Free Trade AssociationTrade and Economic Partnership Agreement IndiaEFTATEPA was an important milestone in bilateral relations the two leaders reaffirmed its significance for attracting greater investments into India from EFTA countries including NorwayPM Modi and Jonas Gahr Store had also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest The statement said Bilateral discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation in areas like blue economy renewable energy green hydrogen solar and wind projects geothermal energy green shipping Carbon Capture Utilization amp Storage CCUS fisheries space and the Arctic IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-congratulates-norwegian-counterpart-on-re-election-637715.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-italian-counterpart-meloni-reaffirm-commitment-to-deepen-strategic-partnership-637723.html New Delhi Sep 10 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversation with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday with both leaders reaffirming their joint commitment to deepen IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership Meloni expressed support for the success of the AI Impact Summit set to be hosted by India in 2026nbspPM Modi thanked Meloni for Italys support for concluding the trade agreement between India and European Union EU and promoting connectivity through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEEEC initiative The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest They agreed on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine and PM Modi reiterated Indias full support for efforts in this directionHad an excellent conversation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni We reaffirmed our joint commitment to deepen IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership and shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine Thanked PM Meloni for Italys proactive support for concluding a mutually beneficial IndiaEU trade agreement and promoting connectivity through the IMEEEC initiative PM Modi posted on X after the phone callnbspThe Indian Prime Ministers Office PMO stated that both leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors such as investment defence security space science and technology education peopletopeople ties and counterterrorism They also reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the partnership in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 202529PM Modi had Meloni on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Canadas Kananaskis in June where both leaders had committed to making the friendship between India and Italy strongernbspMeloni had shared a picture of her and PM Modi on X along with the caption Italy and India bound by a great friendship A video showed PM Modi greeting Meloni with a handshake and engaging in a brief conversation with her during the summitIn a post on X PM Modi stated Fully agree with you PM Giorgia Meloni Indias friendship with Italy will continue to get stronger greatly benefitting our peoplenbspThe camaraderie between PM Modi and Italian PM Meloni has also been making waves on social media with their interactions sparking a hashtag MelodinbspMeloni had also strongly condemned the heinous April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam that claimed lives of 26 people She had reiterated Italys full support to India in the fight against terrorism https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-italian-counterpart-meloni-reaffirm-commitment-to-deepen-strategic-partnership-637723.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-koreas-fm-cho-pledges-to-rescue-korean-detainees-within-shortest-time-637738.html Washington Sep 10 South Koreas Foreign Minister Cho Hyun vowed Wednesday to rescue South Koreans detained in a recent US immigration crackdown within the shortest time as his ministry cited unspecified US circumstances as the reason for a delay in their release from a detention center in Georgia Chos remarks came as he is set to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House to discuss a range of issues concerning the detainees Yonhap News Agency reported They were initially scheduled to meet Tuesday but their talks were rescheduled for WednesdayWe will ensure whatever it takes in the best way that our citizens will be rescued and be able to board a chartered plane within the shortest time Cho told reportersAsked to elaborate on the US circumstances that led to a delay in the Koreans release Cho said We are not at a stage to tell you about thatMore than 300 South Korean workers were initially set to board a chartered flight Wednesday at an airport in Atlanta to return home six days after their arrest in an immigration raid at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site for a joint venture of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Bryan County near SavannahA total of 475 people including some 300 Koreans were arrested in the raid which US authorities dubbed as the largest single site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security InvestigationsUS officials said those arrested were found to be working illegally in the United States including those on shortterm or recreational visas that bar them from workingOn Tuesday South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he feels heavy responsibility over the detention of South Korean workers at a battery plant construction site in Georgia by US immigration authorities offering his deep sympathyLee made the remarks at a Cabinet meeting as more than 300 South Koreans have been taken into custody at a detention center in Georgia following a recent raid by US immigration authorities on the electric battery plant construction site by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy SolutionLee told the meeting that he felt a heavy sense of responsibility as the president who is tasked with ensuring the safety of the peopleOur citizens who were detained by US immigration authorities are expected to return home soon Lee said I offer my deepest sympathy for the shock and distress they must have felt from this sudden incidentI hope that no unfair infringements on the activities of our people and businesses which contribute to the shared development of both Korea and the United States will ever happen again he saidKim Yongbeom presidential chief of staff for policy said the government conveyed strong regret to the US government over the detention of South Korean workersKim told a debate session with broadcasting journalists that Seoul officials are finalizing administrative procedures to allow the detained Koreans to return home under voluntary departure rather than deportationKim noted that efforts to ease visa hurdles for Korean workers over the past decade have made little progress amid growing antiimmigration sentiment in the US stressing the need to revise visa rules in consultation with Washington to support Korean companies investment in the USIf necessary the presidential office and the White House should establish a working group to find a shortterm solution and push for legislative changes in the longer term he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-koreas-fm-cho-pledges-to-rescue-korean-detainees-within-shortest-time-637738.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 22:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-navinchandra-ramgoolam-to-visit-varanasi-today-637531.html New Delhi Sep 10 Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam is set to arrive in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday Upon his arrival in Varanasi at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport he will be welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior state officialsMauritian Prime Minister arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday for a State visit to India to further strengthen the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two nationsThe highlight of his visit will be a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi on September 11According to official sources Ramgoolam will spend September 10 to 12 in the holy city of Varanasi During this time he will participate in cultural and spiritual activities including attending the iconic Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on September 12Following his visit to Kashi he is scheduled to travel to Ayodhya to pay respects at the Ram Temple siteDivisional Commissioner S Rajalingam confirmed that all preparations for the highprofile visit have been completed Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam will reach Kashi on September 10 PM Modi will also arrive on September 11 for bilateral discussions Rajalingam saidOn September 11 after the bilateral talks in Varanasi PM Modi is expected to depart while PM Ramgoolam will stay back to witness the Ganga Aarti from a cruise on the Ganga riverThe visit underscores the strong cultural and diplomatic ties between India and Mauritius a country with deep historical connections to India especially through its large Indianorigin populationLater in the week Ramgoolam will attend a business event in Mumbai and conclude his India tour with a spiritual visit to TirupatiEarlier Ramgoolam had visited India in 2014 as the only nonSAARC leader invited to attend the swearingin ceremony of PM Modi and the Council of MinistersPM Modi went to Mauritius in March for a twoday State visit at the invitation of Ramgoolam to attend the countrys 57th National Day celebrations IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-navinchandra-ramgoolam-to-visit-varanasi-today-637531.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/security-tightened-on-indo-nepal-border-amid-political-unrest-637604.html Patna Sep 10 Security has been beefed up along the IndoNepal border following violent protests and political turmoil in the neighbouring countrys capital Kathmandu A large number of SSB jawans have been deployed across the border with joint patrolling by district police and security forces on sensitive stretchesMovement across the border has been restricted and several check posts have been set on fire by protesters on the Nepal sideAs a result thousands of people are stranded on either side of the international boundaryAraria SP Anjani Kumar has directed all police stations and outposts in border areas to remain on high alert closely monitor developments across the border and report to district headquarters immediatelyNepal is witnessing widespread unrest driven by public anger against social media ban corruption and nepotismThe studentled Gen Z protests in Nepal which began in response to a government ban on social media expanded into a larger campaignThe situation escalated further after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned and protesters set fire to the Supreme Court the Parliament and other government buildings and official residencesThe Nepali Army has assumed responsibility for maintaining law and order as the security institution announced a nationwide curfew on Wednesday effective until Thursday morningWith the civilian authorities completely in a mess during Wednesdays Gen Z protests during which several government buildings and private properties were vandalised and torched the Nepal Army announced on Wednesday night that it was taking the initiative for law and order in the countryCiting the need to safeguard law and order the security officials said the prohibitory order imposed on Wednesday would remain in effect nationwide until 6 AM the next dayOnce seen as one of South Asias politically stable nations Nepal is now facing an unprecedented crisisThe instability in Kathmandu follows a worrying regional trend as India has already witnessed the ripple effects of uprisings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent yearsNepal holds a unique significance for India not only as a close cultural and historical ally but also as a strategic trading partnerIn FY 202425 bilateral trade touched 85 billion with India exporting goods worth 733 billion to it while Nepal exported around 12 billion to India nearly 16 per cent of its GDPIndia mainly exports petroleum vehicles machinery medicines food items and textiles while Nepal sends agricultural produce handicrafts leather and some industrial goods across the borderSeveral crossborder infrastructure projects are underway including upgrades to roads railways and air links aimed at further boosting trade and connectivityDespite the crisis in Nepal India is working to preserve stability in the bilateral relationshipEfforts are being made to ease trade barriers strengthen investment flows and keep supply chains intactNew Delhi has also intensified diplomatic outreach signaling its commitment to supporting Nepal through this difficult phaseAnalysts believe that once stability returns to Nepal the economic partnership between the two nations will deepen further offering growth opportunities and contributing to broader regional stability in South Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/security-tightened-on-indo-nepal-border-amid-political-unrest-637604.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-repatriates-pakistani-fishermen-and-civilian-prisoners-637457.html New Delhi Sep 9 India on Tuesday repatriated 48 Pakistani fishermen and 19 Pakistani civilian prisoners who had completed their sentences via AttariWagah border The Indian government also urged the Pakistani authorities to expedite release and repatriation of all Indian prisoners including fishermen who remain in Pakistans custody The Government of India attaches high priority to the issue of Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners in Pakistans custody and has urged the Government of Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of all Indian prisoners including fishermen who remain in Pakistans custody read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAIn July India and Pakistan exchanged the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each others custody through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad Under the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008 such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and on July 1India had shared names of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or are believedtobePakistani Similarly Pakistan shared names of 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or are believedtobeIndianThe Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners fishermen along with their boats and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistans custody Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 159 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentence the MEA statedIn addition Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 26 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistans custody who are believedtobeIndian and have not been provided consular access so far Pakistan has been requested to ensure the safety security and welfare of all Indian and believedtobeIndian civilian prisoners and fishermen pending their release and repatriation to India it addedIndia continues to express commitment to addressing all humanitarian matters on priority including those related to prisoners and fishermen in each others country In July New Delhi had also urged Islamabad to expedite the nationality verification process of 80 believedtobePakistani civilian prisoners and fishermen in Indias custody whose repatriation is pending for want of nationality confirmation from Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-repatriates-pakistani-fishermen-and-civilian-prisoners-637457.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-ambassador-holds-productive-discussion-with-senior-us-official-637464.html Washington Sep 9 Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra on Monday met with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker Ambassador Kwatra posted a picture of the meeting on X on Tuesday and said he had a productive discussion with Allison HookerEchoed the sentiments of our leaders Both sides remain engaged through our ongoing bilateral and Quad initiatives under the forwardlooking IndiaUS Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership he addedThe meeting follows a recent exchange of warm remarks between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a brief choppy periodAt a White House Press conference on Friday President Trump said Ill always be friends with Prime Minister Modi and called him a great Prime MinisterIndia and the United States have a special relationship Theres nothing to worry about President Trump addedHours after this comment PM Modi reciprocated on Saturday by saying that he appreciates and fully reciprocates President Trumps sentimentsIn recent weeks Indias envoy to the United States has met a series of Congressional leaders from both parties to underscore the significance of IndiaUS relations and discuss the way forwardOn September 3 Kwatra held discussions with Rep Gregory Meeks the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs CommitteeIn a post on X the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats quoted Rep Meeks as underscoring the Congress support for the USIndia partnership which has deepened over the past 25 years including through the QuadIn response Ambassador Kwatra also posted on X saying that he briefed Rep Meeks on recent developments in the bilateral relationship and discussed trade energy IndoPacific and broader issues of mutual interestThese engagements come as India navigates President Trumps punitive trade measures On August 27 President Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports to the US doubling an initial 25 per cent levy as a consequence of Indias continued buying of discounted Russian oil amid the Ukraine conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-ambassador-holds-productive-discussion-with-senior-us-official-637464.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chinas-ambassador-emphasises-harmony-and-win-win-cooperation-with-india-637245.html New Delhi Sep 8 Chinas Ambassador to India Xu Feihong highlighted the enduring spirit of cooperation between India and China while delivering a powerful speech at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi on Monday Speaking at a seminar commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World AntiFascist War Ambassador Xu stressed the importance of deepening bilateral ties amid a rapidly changing global landscapeChinaIndia relations have experienced twists and turns but friendly cooperation has always been the dominant theme Ambassador Xu affirmed He pointed to recent highlevel meetings between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kazan and Tianjin which have helped chart a positive course for the future of bilateral relationsWe should view and handle the relationship from a strategic and longterm perspective and keep to the overarching direction of being each others cooperation partner instead of rival and seeing each other as a development opportunity instead of a threat he urgedThe ambassador further noted the growing economic and cultural exchanges between the two nations mentioning that over 240000 visas have been issued to Indian citizens this year aloneWe are ready to enhance exchanges with India across all sectorspolitical parties legislatures think tanks media and youthto further promote peopletopeople bonds he addedReflecting on the seminars theme Ambassador Xu said Today with profound respect for history deep remembrance of the fallen heroes and cherishment of peace we are holding this seminar He highlighted the lessons of the past and the shared responsibilities of the present in preserving peaceAcknowledging global challenges he remarked Changes unseen in a century are accelerating unilateralism and acts of bullying are on the rise and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation Against this backdrop he warned Humanity once again faces a choice between peace and war dialogue and confrontation winwin cooperation and zerosum gameEmphasising the wider role of both countries Ambassador Xu stated China stands ready to work with Global South countries including India to promote a correct view of World War II history practice true multilateralism and firmly oppose hegemony and power politicsClosing on a hopeful note he urged History cannot be changed but the future can be shaped Let us draw lessons from history carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance and promote ChinaIndia friendship and cooperation with a more proactive attitudeLet the torch of peace be passed on from generation to generation the driving force of development be sustained and the light of civilisation shine brightly IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chinas-ambassador-emphasises-harmony-and-win-win-cooperation-with-india-637245.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/uk-india-report-on-infra-highlights-strong-progress-in-investment-637510.html New Delhi Sep 9 The UK India Infrastructure Financing Bridge UKIIFB Year 1 report released on Tuesday highlights strong progress in catalysing sustainable infrastructure investment The UKIIFB is designed to enhance the collaboration between NITI Aayog and the City of London and aims at unlocking infrastructure investment and leveraging the latters expertise in structuring and phasing major infrastructure projectsThe partnership seeks to secure longterm investment for vital infrastructure sectors in India Towards this end the UKIIFB Year1 Report seeks to build upon the diverse investment and financing system that is longterm stable and sustainable with manageable risksThe Year 1 Report details key achievements and recommendations including the development of a Project Assessment Framework clarifying investor priorities across highways and rapid transit sectors and advancing sustainability and resilience integrating climate adaptation and ESG frameworks into project designIt also presents case studies from flagship expressway and ring road projects and highlights the importance of creating an investorcentric pipeline markettested through the new Project Assessment FrameworkThe report recommends enhancing transparency and risk mitigation to reduce perceived investment uncertainties and safeguard investor returns through improved revenue protection and streamlined repatriation mechanismsIt also comes out in favour of building cohesive project pipelines and fostering longterm relationships with UK infrastructure sponsors embracing digital infrastructure to improve governance and monitoring enabling greater investor confidenceIndias rising infrastructure needs underpin the nations urbanisation climate commitments and economic growth aspirations The UKIIFB initiative supports these transformative efforts by addressing barriers to investments and encouraging the flow of patient capital crucial for largescale projectsThe findings from the UKIIFB Year 1 Report reflect a pragmatic roadmap toward unlocking international capital by developing standardised globally benchmarked project preparation processes recommendations to broaden Indias Detailed Project Report DPR to include fulllifecycle risk analysis resilience and valueformoney considerations piloting stronger risksharing and revenue protection frameworks and the enhancement of digital monitoring and transparency across the infrastructure ecosystemAs the programme enters its second year the UKIIFB will focus on refining project assessment tools expanding sectoral coverage such as green hydrogen and offshore wind and deepening engagement with investors and technical partners to unlock further capital and cooperation for Indias infrastructure transformationThe UKIndia Infrastructure Bridge marked its beginning on September 12 2023 during the 12th economic dialogue This was followed by an exchange of letters between NITI Aayog and the City of London Corporation in September 2024 in London as part of the UKIndia partnership to accelerate sustainable infrastructure development IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/uk-india-report-on-infra-highlights-strong-progress-in-investment-637510.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-reiterates-indias-commitment-to-amplify-voice-of-global-south-637344.html New Delhi Sep 9 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Tuesday interacted with participants of the 3rd Global South Young Diplomats Forum and expressed Indias commitment to articulate assert and amplify the voice of the Global SouthnbspIn a post shared on social media platform X EAM Jaishankar stated Delighted to interact with participants of the 3rd Global South Young Diplomats Forum Spoke about the sentiment and solidarity driving forward the Global South agenda And Indias steadfast commitment to articulate assert and amplify the voice of the Global SouthnbspThe 3rd edition of the Global South Young Diplomats Forum GSYDF was inaugurated by Ambassador Neena Malhotra Secretary South at Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service SSIFS on Monday As many as 42 diplomats from 42 countries representing diverse geographies Asia Africa Latin America Caribbean Islands Eurasia Oceania are participating in the programmeAccording to the institute in the inaugural session Ambassador Malhotra spoke about the background and priorities of the GSYDF and outlined the trajectory of its growth and Institution building since its inception Dean SSIFS Ambassador Raj Srivastava elaborated on the guiding principles of the Indian Foreign Policy touched on the Competency based Training at the institute discussed the Theories of International Relations and their applicability in understanding Global South He also explained the overall programme design and wished the participants a fruitful stay in India next two weeksnbspEarlier in August Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that Indias global initiatives like Mission LiFE Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance focus on promoting the interests of the Global SouthIn an interview with Japans leading daily The Yomiuri Shimbun PM Modi said The global community has made a commitment to create a more equitable world through achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 If we have to live up to this commitment then the Global South must be given prioritynbspIn a highly interconnected world we have seen the debilitating impact of the pandemic conflicts and supply chain disruptions on the Global South They continue to face myriad challenges involving global governance climate change food and energy security debt and financial stress all having significant impact on their development priorities he addedAs a member of the Global South PM Modi stated that India clearly understands these concerns and their effects on peoples lives and has made strenuous efforts to bring these to the forefront of the global agendanbspOur G20 Presidency saw the inclusion of the African Union and gave voice to the aspirations of the Global South Similarly in BRICS we are actively engaged in working toward the benefit of the Global South PM Modi stressed https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-reiterates-indias-commitment-to-amplify-voice-of-global-south-637344.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-iran-and-armenia-emphasise-on-deepening-connectivity-cooperation-637406.html Tehran Sep 9 India Iran and Armenia held the third Trilateral Consultations in Tehran to review the progress achieved as a result of decisions made at the first and second meeting The officials of three nations emphasised expanding and deepening cooperation particularly in connectivity including the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor INSTC and Armenias Crossroads of Peace project Anand Prakash Joint Secretary PAI Mohammad Reza Bahrami Director General for South Asia Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Anahit Karapetyan Head of the AsiaPacific Department Armenias Ministry of Foreign Affairs cochaired the meeting held in Tehran the Ministry of External Affairs MEA detailed on TuesdayThe sides expressed satisfaction at the regular and annual holding of the trilateral consultations and reviewed the progress achieved as a result of decisions made at the first meeting held in Yerevan in April 2023 and the second meeting held in New Delhi in December 2024 They further emphasised fulfillment of the goals set for the said meetings in order to secure mutual interests and promote prosperity and welfare in the regionIndia Armenia and Iran reviewed and highlighted initiatives aimed at further developing relations in economic trade and other areas of mutual interest The officials of three nations agreed that the next round of trilateral consultations will be held in Armenia in 2026The second IndiaIranArmenia Trilateral Consultations were held in New Delhi in 2024 Building on the outcomes of the trilateral consultations held in Yerevan in April 2023 the three nations discussed connectivity initiatives engagement in multilateral fora and regional developments according to MEA statement They also discussed ways to promote trade tourism and cultural exchanges while strengthening peopletopeople ties The officials of three nations stressed the need for fostering close cooperation under the INSTC and highlighted the role of Chabahar Port in this regard IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-iran-and-armenia-emphasise-on-deepening-connectivity-cooperation-637406.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/three-people-killed-cabinet-of-ministers-building-damaged-in-russian-strike-zelensky-636973.html Kyiv Sep 7 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that three people including a child were killed and dozens of others were injured while several buildings were damaged including those of the Cabinet of Ministers following Russian strikes overnight Zelensky accused Russia of launching more than 800 drones 13 missiles including 4 ballistic overnight into Sunday He stated that more than 20 houses and a kindergarten were damaged in Zaporizhia He called such killings a deliberate crime and a prolongation of warIn a post on X Zelensky stated Since last night work has been ongoing to eliminate the consequences of Russian strikes more than 800 drones 13 missiles including 4 ballistic According to preliminary information several drones crossed the border of Ukraine and Belarus In Kyiv ordinary residential buildings have been destroyed In one of them the floors between the 4th and 8th stories have collapsed As of now two people have been reported killed including one childMy condolences to all their loved ones In total dozens were injured in the capital alone The Cabinet of Ministers building was damaged a fire broke out on the upper floors More than 20 houses and a kindergarten were damaged in Zaporizhzhia Warehouses were destroyed in Kryvyi Rih one person was killed in Safonivka Sumy region and another one in the Chernihiv region A residential highrise was hit in Odesa Many regions have been affected over the past day Our emergency services are working everywhere they are needed he addedHe called for the implementation of everything that was agreed in Paris and stressed that Ukraine counts on the implementation of all the agreements to strengthen its air defenceSuch killings now when real diplomacy could have already begun long ago are a deliberate crime and a prolongation of the war It has been repeatedly said in Washington that sanctions will follow a refusal to talk We must implement everything that was agreed in Paris We also count on the implementation of all the agreements to strengthen our air defense Every additional system saves civilians from these vile strikes The world can force the Kremlin criminals to stop the killings all that is needed is political will I thank everyone who is helping Zelensky posted on XOn Thursday French President Emmanuel Macron announced that 26 nations mostly European have committed to deploy troops as part of a future RussianUkrainian ceasefire though not directly on the front lineSpeaking alongside Zelensky at a press conference after the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Thursday Macron stressed the nations would contribute to a reassurance force that could deploy soldiers in Ukraine or provide support on land at sea or in the air Xinhua News Agency reported The statement came after a virtual meeting of the coalition on Thursday cochaired by Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir StarmerMacron stated that the participants after the summit held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump and the United States is expected to finalise its contributions to the security guarantees in the coming days After the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing Macron said US support would be finalised in the coming daysZelensky called the announcement a concrete step forward and emphasised that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin whether bilateral or trilateral is necessary for advancing peace efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/three-people-killed-cabinet-of-ministers-building-damaged-in-russian-strike-zelensky-636973.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-amps-up-connect-central-asia-policy-with-key-focus-on-chabahar-port-amid-swaying-diplomatic-dynamics-637018.html New Delhi Sep 7 The recent times witnessed a notable recalibration of diplomatic ties among nations On the one hand Washingtons revised trade tariff has initiated a realignment of nations On the other hand Beijings growing caution in Belt and Road Initiative BRI funding reflects its concerns over debt sustainability and security in frontier regions Beijings sudden withdrawal from a flagship component of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC signals a more restrained foreign investment stanceDelays security threats to Chinese personnel and Islamabads repayment difficulties have tested Beijings risk toleranceMeanwhile New Delhi has doubled down on its Connect Central Asia policy leveraging Chabahar as a lynchpin for access to Afghanistan and beyondOn Sunday September 7 Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a telephone conversation with his counterpart Ali Akbar Ahmadian of Iran Reports said that their talks focussed on expanding cooperation between the two countries and the present regional situationDuring the discussion the Chabahar port project was also in focusDue to its strategic location the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar in Iran is an important point for trade and commerce India has undertaken to develop the port by equipping and operating general cargo and container terminals for 10 yearsA LongTerm Main Contract was signed to this effect on May 13 2024Altogether Rs 400 crore has been allocated from FY 201617 to FY 202324The amount utilised so far for the development of the port is Rs 20151 crore stated Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Lok Sabha this JulyThe port witnessed an increase of 43 per cent in vessel traffic and a 34 per cent rise in container traffic in 20232024It is envisaged that there will be substantial increase in maritime trade and commercial earnings once the port becomes fully functional China had taken a keen interest in developing it as part of the BRIWith close ties with Pakistan the Dragon could be a source for concern for India But Beijings recent shift means Islamabads leverage to demand concessions in Chabaharlinked transit agreements with Iran and India reducedPakistan will thus need to do a tightrope walk between two strategic patronsIndias commitment to Chabahar port development underscores its efforts to bypass Pakistancontrolled routesOperating Irans only oceanic port on the Gulf of Oman Chabahar offers New Delhi a direct gateway to Afghanistan and Central AsiaDespite US tariff volatility India persists in modernising port infrastructure and developing associated rail links viewing Chabahar as essential to its economic and diplomatic outreach IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-amps-up-connect-central-asia-policy-with-key-focus-on-chabahar-port-amid-swaying-diplomatic-dynamics-637018.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 21:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/rafah-crossing-not-passage-for-displacing-palestinians-egyptian-fm-636893.html Cairo Sep 6 Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Saturday reaffirmed that the Rafah crossing the only channel linking Egypt with the Gaza Strip will not be a passage for displacing the Palestinians from their land In a joint press conference with Philippe Lazzarini CommissionerGeneral of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Abdelatty said that the Rafah crossing is only for the delivery of aid not displacementIts absurd to say that the Palestinian people want to leave their land but rather they are driven by a policy of starvation he addedLazzarini agreed that the starvation in Gaza is manmade adding that it is difficult to supply Gaza residents with aid from the Rafah crossing due to the Israeli impeding practicesThe UN official added that Egypt has been exerting efforts to stop the deterioration of conditions in the strip lamenting that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees lacks the necessary tools to meet humanitarian needs to Gaza Xinhua news agency reportedRegarding the ceasefire deal in Gaza Abdelatty said that stopping the war in Gaza is the only way to secure the release of hostagesThe Egyptian Minister also said he spoke with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday and discussed intensifying efforts to implement the latest ceasefire proposalHe blamed Israel for what he described as its intransigence over the delay in reaching a ceasefireThe statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a recent interview that half of the population wants to leave Gaza while insisting that this is not a mass expulsionNetanyahus remarks have drawn regional condemnationJordanian government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani on Saturday said that Jordan will never accept the forced displacement of PalestiniansWriting on social media platform X Momani stressed that international law prohibits the forcible transfer of populations from occupied territories describing it as both a war crime and a crime against humanityHamas agreed in August to a proposal for a 60day ceasefire with Israel that included the return of half the hostages held in Gaza and Israels release of some Palestinian prisonersAn Egyptian official source said the proposal accepted by Hamas included a suspension of Israeli military operations for 60 days and outlined a framework for a comprehensive deal to end the nearly twoyearold conflictNetanyahu said days later that Israel would immediately resume negotiations for the release of all hostages held in Gaza and an end to the war but on terms acceptable to Israel IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/rafah-crossing-not-passage-for-displacing-palestinians-egyptian-fm-636893.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/gaza-city-residents-refuse-to-leave-as-israel-announces-new-humanitarian-zone-expands-military-operations-636897.html GazaDoha Sep 7 Residents of Gaza City are saying no to leave despite Israels announcement of a new humanitarian zone in southern Gazas Khan Younis ahead of its planned operation to capture Gaza City They want us to move to a place that is already overcrowded Samer Abu Samra a 38yearold father of four told Xinhua news agency on SaturdayWe cannot afford transportation or tents People are exhausted and coming from hungerI lived displacement in the south before and it was the worst experience of my life said Nasser alAttar a teacher in Gaza CityThe south is not safe either so staying here is not heroism It is simply because there is no alternativeWe have nothing left to lose but our lives said Umm Mohammed JaberBut displacement also means losing dignity so we will remain hereOm Alaa Abu Ajwa putting up a tent near the Gaza beach told Xinhua news agency that life in the south has become impossibleWe decided to return despite the risks At least we die in our city rather than in tents without water or food she saidThey tried siege starvation and bombardment said 60yearold Abu Luay outside his halfdestroyed home in alShati refugee camp in northern GazaTheir goal is to evacuate the city but we believe staying is the only option left he addedAccording to estimates by local activists about 80 per cent of Gaza City residents have chosen not to leaveEarlier on Saturday the Israel Defense Forces IDF announced the designated humanitarian zone in a statement in light of the expansion of the ground operation in Gaza City and the takeover of Hamas strongholds as part of Operation Gideons Chariots IIIt said the humanitarian zone which contains key humanitarian infrastructure will ensure the continued delivery of food tents medicines and medical equipment Xinhua news agency reportedOver the past weeks the Israeli military has expanded its operations in Gaza City and other areas of the coastal enclave saying the goal is to eliminate HamasPalestinian sources said Israels targeting of residential towers has become more frequent in recent daysOn Friday Israel levelled the 13floor Mushtaha tower in western Gaza City claiming that Hamas used the highrise building to install intelligence gathering equipment and position observation posts to monitor the location of IDF troops in the areaThe claim has been rejected by the towers administration which said the tower had only been hosting displaced civilians since it was damaged last yearOn Saturday Israeli warplanes attacked the 15floor alSousi tower also in western Gaza City reducing it to rubble within minutes and leaving nearby houses shops and streets heavily damagedMahmoud Basal spokesperson of the Civil Defence in Gaza told Xinhua The bombardment aims to force residents to evacuate turning entire neighbourhoods into empty areasHaving called the recent Israeli bombardments part of a systematic policy of displacement Hamas on Saturday said in a press statement that it is committed to the 60day ceasefire proposal presented by Qatar and Egypt on August 18 and is open to any ideas or proposals aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire in GazaAny future agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid and a genuine prisoner exchange deal through serious negotiations mediated by international actors Hamas saidSince the 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel which killed about 1200 people and led to about 250 hostages being taken Israels offensive in Gaza has killed more than 64000 Palestinians and wounded 161000 according to Gazabased health authoritiesOn Saturday Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim AlThani in a phone call with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper urged stepping up regional and international efforts to end the brutal Gaza war ensuring the sustainable and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid and securing the release of prisoners and detainees IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/gaza-city-residents-refuse-to-leave-as-israel-announces-new-humanitarian-zone-expands-military-operations-636897.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 04:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-to-visit-varanasi-last-week-to-hold-bilateral-meeting-with-pm-modi-636904.html New Delhi Sep 7 Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam is set to visit the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from September 10 to 12 a senior official of the district administration said On September 11 he will meet Prime Minister and hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hereRamgoolam will also attend Ganga Arti on September 11 On September 12 he will offer prayers to Baba Kashi Vishwanath and go to Ayodhya Varanasi Divisional Commissioner S Rajalingam saidPM Modi will reach Varanasi on September 11 After meeting his Mauritian counterpart PM Modi will go back to Delhi he addedThe Prime Minister of Mauritius will reach Kashi on September 10 for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11In a press statement the Union Ministry of External Affairs said Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam will undertake a state visit to India from September 9 to September 16 This will be the first overseas bilateral visit of Prime Minister Ramgoolam to India in his present termRamgoolam had earlier visited India in May 2014Prime Minister Ramgoolam will also visit Mumbai and TirupatiIn Mumbai he would be attending a business eventWhile addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on September 5 MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recalled Ramgoolams earlier visit to India in 2014 to attend the swearingin ceremony of Prime Minister ModiLast month Ramgoolam had wished PM Modi and people of India on Independence DayWhile extending wishes to India on the occasion of Independence Day Ramgoolam said that Mauritius celebrates the values of freedom democracy and unity that India has so valiantly upheld since 1947 He emphasised that the bond between two nations is rooted in history and culturePrime Minister Narendra Modi On this auspicious occasion of Indias Independence Day I extend my warmest wishes to the Government and people of India As we commemorate this historic day we celebrate the values of freedom democracy and unity that India has so valiantly upheld since 1947 The bonds between Mauritius and India are rooted in history culture and ties that continue to inspire cooperation friendship and mutual respect between our nations May India continue to flourish in peace prosperity and progress guiding the world with its example of resilience and vision Happy Independence Day India Ramgoolam said in a post on XPM Modi thanked his counterpart from the Mauritius and called Mauritius Indias strategic and trusted partner in shared pursuit of progress prosperity and a bright future for people of two nationsDeeply appreciate your warm wishes Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam on the occasion of our Independence Day Mauritius will always remain a strategic and trusted partner in our shared pursuit of progress prosperity and a bright future for our peoples PM Modi posted on XEarlier this year PM Modi was on a twoday State visit to Mauritius at the invitation of Ramgoolam to attend the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius During the visit PM Modi held bilateral meeting with Ramgoolam and Mauritius President Dharam GokhoolIndia has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius anchored in shared history demography and culture according to Indian High Commission in Mauritius statement Mauritius was one of the handful of important countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948 even before the independence of Mauritius The relationship has been characterised by a high level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level and continued highlevel political engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-to-visit-varanasi-last-week-to-hold-bilateral-meeting-with-pm-modi-636904.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 07:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-to-visit-varanasi-next-week-to-hold-bilateral-meeting-with-pm-modi-636906.html New Delhi Sep 7 Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam is set to visit the holy city of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from September 10 to 12 a senior official of the district administration said On September 11 he will meet Prime Minister and hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New DelhiRamgoolam will also attend Ganga Arti on September 11 On September 12 he will offer prayers to Baba Kashi Vishwanath and go to Ayodhya Varanasi Divisional Commissioner S Rajalingam said on SaturdayPM Modi will reach Varanasi on September 11 After meeting his Mauritian counterpart PM Modi will go back to Delhi he addedThe Prime Minister of Mauritius will reach Kashi on September 10 for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11In a press statement the Union Ministry of External Affairs said Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam will undertake a state visit to India from September 9 to September 16 This will be the first overseas bilateral visit of Prime Minister Ramgoolam to India in his present termRamgoolam had earlier visited India in May 2014Prime Minister Ramgoolam will also visit Mumbai and TirupatiIn Mumbai he would be attending a business eventWhile addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on September 5 MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recalled Ramgoolams earlier visit to India in 2014 to attend the swearingin ceremony of Prime Minister ModiLast month Ramgoolam had wished PM Modi and people of India on Independence DayWhile extending wishes to India on the occasion of Independence Day Ramgoolam said that Mauritius celebrates the values of freedom democracy and unity that India has so valiantly upheld since 1947 He emphasised that the bond between two nations is rooted in history and culturePrime Minister Narendra Modi On this auspicious occasion of Indias Independence Day I extend my warmest wishes to the Government and people of India As we commemorate this historic day we celebrate the values of freedom democracy and unity that India has so valiantly upheld since 1947 The bonds between Mauritius and India are rooted in history culture and ties that continue to inspire cooperation friendship and mutual respect between our nations May India continue to flourish in peace prosperity and progress guiding the world with its example of resilience and vision Happy Independence Day India Ramgoolam said in a post on XPM Modi thanked his counterpart from the Mauritius and called Mauritius Indias strategic and trusted partner in shared pursuit of progress prosperity and a bright future for people of two nationsDeeply appreciate your warm wishes Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam on the occasion of our Independence Day Mauritius will always remain a strategic and trusted partner in our shared pursuit of progress prosperity and a bright future for our peoples PM Modi posted on XEarlier this year PM Modi was on a twoday State visit to Mauritius at the invitation of Ramgoolam to attend the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius During the visit PM Modi held bilateral meeting with Ramgoolam and Mauritius President Dharam GokhoolIndia has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius anchored in shared history demography and culture according to Indian High Commission in Mauritius statement Mauritius was one of the handful of important countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948 even before the independence of Mauritius The relationship has been characterised by a high level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level and continued highlevel political engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-to-visit-varanasi-next-week-to-hold-bilateral-meeting-with-pm-modi-636906.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 08:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-congratulates-new-uk-foreign-secretary-yvette-cooper-says-look-forward-to-working-together-to-continue-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-636739.html New Delhi Sep 6 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar has congratulated Yvette Cooper on her appointment as the new UK Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs and said that he is looking forward to working together to continue the strong momentum of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries Taking to his official X account on Friday EAM Jaishankar said Congratulations to YvetteCooperMP on your appointment as UKs Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs Look forward to working together to continue the strong momentum of IndiaUK Comprehensive Strategic PartnershipEarlier taking to her official X account Yvette Cooper said It is a huge honour to serve as UK Foreign Secretary From Russian aggression in Europe to the horrendous famine and conflict in Gaza when UK diplomacy has never been more important I look forward to representing and promoting British interests around the worldLabour Party veteran Yvette Cooper replaced David Lammy on Friday as the UK Foreign Secretary as Prime Minister Keir Starmer hastily reorganises his top teamCooper 56 has been appointed Britains Foreign Minister succeeding Lammy in Starmers reshuffled CabinetBorn in Inverness and raised in Hampshire Cooper studied philosophy politics and economics PPE at Oxford before winning a Kennedy Scholarship to Harvard in 1991She worked on Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign in Arkansas and later joined the office of Labour leader John SmithCooper had been serving as Home Secretary and was moved as part of a major reshuffle brought forward after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayners exit from the government after an ethics probe into her financial affairsThe reshuffle means an unexpected change of roles in Starmers government after a turbulent first year in officeLammy who had served as the UKs top diplomat since Labour Party won the election last year will now become Justice Secretary and also step into the post of Deputy Prime Minister vacated by RaynerWhile Cooper has never before served in an international brief she is one of the most experienced members of the Cabinet first serving as a Minister under former UK Prime Minister Tony BlairShe went on to become Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Work and Pensions Secretary under Gordon Brown before acting as Shadow Home Secretary in oppositionIn recent months she has negotiated bilateral agreements with France and Germany in a bid to combat illegal migrationHer move away from the Home Office comes as Starmer tries to reinvigorate the effort to reduce the number of migrants arriving in small boats one of his top priorities as Prime MinisterShabana Mahmood the outgoing Justice Secretary and leading light on the right of the party has now become the UK Home SecretaryCoopers political career is marked by a series of firstsIn 2001 she became the first Minister to take maternity leave and in 2008 the first woman to serve as Chief Secretary to the TreasuryShe is also one half of the first married couple to serve together in the Cabinet BBC reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-congratulates-new-uk-foreign-secretary-yvette-cooper-says-look-forward-to-working-together-to-continue-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-636739.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 02:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-congratulates-new-uk-foreign-secretary-yvette-cooper-says-looking-forward-to-working-together-to-continue-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-636740.html New Delhi Sep 6 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar has congratulated Yvette Cooper on her appointment as the new UK Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs and said that he is looking forward to working together to continue the strong momentum of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries Taking to his official X account on Friday EAM Jaishankar said Congratulations to YvetteCooperMP on your appointment as UKs Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs Look forward to working together to continue the strong momentum of IndiaUK Comprehensive Strategic PartnershipEarlier taking to her official X account Yvette Cooper said It is a huge honour to serve as UK Foreign Secretary From Russian aggression in Europe to the horrendous famine and conflict in Gaza when UK diplomacy has never been more important I look forward to representing and promoting British interests around the worldLabour Party veteran Yvette Cooper replaced David Lammy on Friday as the UK Foreign Secretary as Prime Minister Keir Starmer hastily reorganises his top teamCooper 56 has been appointed Britains Foreign Minister succeeding Lammy in Starmers reshuffled CabinetBorn in Inverness and raised in Hampshire Cooper studied philosophy politics and economics PPE at Oxford before winning a Kennedy Scholarship to Harvard in 1991She worked on Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign in Arkansas and later joined the office of Labour leader John SmithCooper had been serving as Home Secretary and was moved as part of a major reshuffle brought forward after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayners exit from the government after an ethics probe into her financial affairsThe reshuffle means an unexpected change of roles in Starmers government after a turbulent first year in officeLammy who had served as the UKs top diplomat since Labour Party won the election last year will now become Justice Secretary and also step into the post of Deputy Prime Minister vacated by RaynerWhile Cooper has never before served in an international brief she is one of the most experienced members of the Cabinet first serving as a Minister under former UK Prime Minister Tony BlairShe went on to become Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Work and Pensions Secretary under Gordon Brown before acting as Shadow Home Secretary in oppositionIn recent months she has negotiated bilateral agreements with France and Germany in a bid to combat illegal migrationHer move away from the Home Office comes as Starmer tries to reinvigorate the effort to reduce the number of migrants arriving in small boats one of his top priorities as Prime MinisterShabana Mahmood the outgoing Justice Secretary and leading light on the right of the party has now become the UK Home SecretaryCoopers political career is marked by a series of firstsIn 2001 she became the first Minister to take maternity leave and in 2008 the first woman to serve as Chief Secretary to the TreasuryShe is also one half of the first married couple to serve together in the Cabinet BBC reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-congratulates-new-uk-foreign-secretary-yvette-cooper-says-looking-forward-to-working-together-to-continue-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-636740.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 02:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/lebanese-cabinet-endorses-army-strategy-to-curb-hezbollah-arms-supporters-vow-resistance-636748.html Beirut Sep 6 Lebanons government has endorsed an army plan to disarm Hezbollah and place all weapons under state control media reported Information Minister Paul Morcos said on Friday after a Cabinet meeting that Ministers reviewed the armys proposal and approved it but decided to keep details and related discussions confidential Xinhua news agency reportedThe Cabinet had earlier tasked the army with drafting a disarmament strategy focused on Hezbollah a move rejected by the group and its ally the Amal MovementDuring Fridays session five Hezbollah and Amal ministers walked out in protestMorcos said the army would begin implementing the plan within its available logistical financial and human resources and would submit monthly progress reports to the CabinetHe added that Lebanon remained committed to the current ceasefire with Israel accusing Israel of repeated violationsIsrael like Lebanon has clear obligations under the agreement Morcos saidHowever its continued violations constitute evidence of its reneging on these obligations and seriously threaten regional security and stabilityUnder the USbrokered ceasefire Hezbollah and Israel were both required to withdraw from south Lebanon though Israel has kept forces in several areas it deems strategicIsrael continues to conduct strikes across Lebanon in response to what it says are ceasefire violationsHezbollah supporters called for mass demonstrations following the Cabinets decision vowing to resist any effort to hand over the groups weaponsWe will not accept the disarmament of the weapons that defended the homeland they said in a statementThe army deployed extra units in several areas amid concerns of unrestHezbollahs military autonomy remains a deeply divisive issue in Lebanese politicsSenior Hezbollah figures including the current leader Naim Qassem have repeatedly dismissed disarmament calls as unrealistic and detrimental to Lebanons security saying such efforts only serve Israeli interestsIsrael has said its strikes aim to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and to protect residents of its northern border area and will withdraw from sites in Lebanon that its troops still occupy if Hezbollah lays down its weapons But Hezbollah has rejected any move to dismantle its arsenalCalls for Hezbollahs disarmament have taken centre stage in Lebanon since the terror group sustained heavy losses in a yearlong conflict with Israel The results of that war which ended last November upended a power balance that had long been dominated by the Shia Muslim groupSince then Hezbollah has been under increasing domestic and international pressure to give up its remaining arsenal including from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun who under pressure from the US has pushed for the terror group to disarmAfter the Lebanese governments decision in August to pursue a disarmament plan Hezbollah accused the government of caving to American and Israeli pressure and said it would treat this decision as if it does not existSince the ceasefire the Lebanese army has regularly collected caches of weapons and ammunition from the area south of the Litani River from which Hezbollah has largely withdrawn but the groups heavier missiles and drones have remained hiddenThe conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted when the Iranianbacked terror group began launching rockets at northern Israel in support of Hamas after it led the October 7 massacre in southern Israel that killed nearly 1200 people and saw 251 taken hostage to GazaIt eventually escalated into open war between Israel and Hezbollah by September 2024 which ended with a ceasefire at the end of November that year IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/lebanese-cabinet-endorses-army-strategy-to-curb-hezbollah-arms-supporters-vow-resistance-636748.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 07:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-navinchandra-ramgoolam-to-visit-india-next-week-636706.html New Delhi Sep 5 Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam will be on a State Visit to India from September 916 the Ministry of External Affairs MEA announced on Friday This will be Ramgoolams first overseas bilateral visit to India in his current term While addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recalled Ramgoolams earlier visit to India in 2014 to attend the swearingin ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra ModiPrime Minister of Mauritius his excellency Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam will undertake a State visit to India from 9 to 16th of September 2025 This will be the first overseas bilateral visit of Prime Minister Dr Ramgoolam to India in his present term You would recall that Prime Minister Ramgoolam had earlier visited India in 2014 to attend the swearingin ceremony of the Prime minister and the Council of Ministers During this visit to India of Dr Ramgoolam apart from Delhi he will also visit Mumbai Varanasi Ayodhya and Tirupati In Mumbai he will be attending a business event he revealedLast month Ramgoolam had wished PM Modi and people of India on Independence Day While extending wishes to India on the occasion of Independence Day he stated that Mauritius celebrates the values of freedom democracy and unity that India has so valiantly upheld since 1947 He emphasised that the bond between two nations is rooted in history and culturePrime Minister Narendra Modi On this auspicious occasion of Indias Independence Day I extend my warmest wishes to the Government and people of India As we commemorate this historic day we celebrate the values of freedom democracy and unity that India has so valiantly upheld since 1947 The bonds between Mauritius and India are rooted in history culture and ties that continue to inspire cooperation friendship and mutual respect between our nations May India continue to flourish in peace prosperity and progress guiding the world with its example of resilience and vision Happy Independence Day India Ramgoolam stated in a post on XPM Modi thanked his counterpart from the Mauritius and called Mauritius Indias strategic and trusted partner in shared pursuit of progress prosperity and a bright future for people of two nationsDeeply appreciate your warm wishes Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam on the occasion of our Independence Day Mauritius will always remain a strategic and trusted partner in our shared pursuit of progress prosperity and a bright future for our peoples PM Modi posted on XEarlier this year PM Modi was on a twoday State visit to Mauritius at the invitation of Ramgoolam to attend the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius During the visit PM Modi held bilateral meeting with Ramgoolam and Mauritius President Dharam GokhoolIndia has close and longstanding relations with Mauritius anchored in shared history demography and culture according to Indian High Commission in Mauritius statement Mauritius was one of the handful of important countries with which independent India established diplomatic relations in 1948 even before the independence of Mauritius The relationship has been characterised by a high level of trust and mutual understanding at the leadership level and continued highlevel political engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mauritius-pm-navinchandra-ramgoolam-to-visit-india-next-week-636706.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-bhutan-pm-tobgay-hails-unique-and-time-tested-ties-636723.html New Delhi Sep 5 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in New Delhi on Friday conveying greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hailing the unique and timetested partnership between the two nationsnbspFollowing their meeting EAM Jaishankar in a post on X wrote Delighted to call on PM Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan this evening Conveyed warm greetings of PM Narendra Modi Our unique and timetested partnership continues to move from strength to strength Thanked him for his leadership and guidanceEarlier in the day Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay accompanied by his wife Tashi Doma visited the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and offered prayers to the Ram LallanbspBhutanese PM and his wifes visit to the Ram temple marks a historic first as he is the first Prime Minister of any foreign nation to pay obeisance to Ram Lalla at the premisesnbspMinistry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the photos of their visit to the sacred temple and termed the visit a historic first Tobgay accompanied by his spouse is on an official visit to India from September 3 to 6Tshering Tobgay and his wife stayed in the complex for about an hour and 40 minutes They offered prayers at the temple Ram Darbar Hanumangarhi Temple and also visited temples of Kuber Teela Jatayu and Sapta Mandapam The duo also witnessed the ongoing constructionnbspWhile sharing the pictures on X Jaiswal wrote In a historic first PM Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan visited the Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya todaynbspEarlier in the day Bhutan PM along with senior government officials reached Ayodhya airport via a special plane of the Indian Air Force They were welcomed by Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi MLA Ved Prakash Gupta along with senior administrative and police officials https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-bhutan-pm-tobgay-hails-unique-and-time-tested-ties-636723.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 23:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-trust-broken-off-ramp-needed-soon-says-expert-636553.html Washington Sep 4 Mukesh Aghi President and CEO of the USIndia Strategic Partnership Forum USISPF believes that trust has broken between New Delhi and Washington as bilateral trade tensions continue to persist In an exclusive interview with IANS in Washington Aghi said that the sentiment in Delhi is of surprise disappointment and disbeliefOnly a few weeks ago the relationship was so strong and suddenly it has nosedived because of the Russian oil purchase he addedCommenting on the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in China Aghi said that Indias visible outreach to Beijing and Moscow resulted from the US coercive diplomacyI think when you treat a sovereign country by coercive diplomacy or by threat what are the choices left to the nation And in this case Prime Minister Modi basically used that option he notedHowever he asserted that Indias relationship with China wont go very farBecause in every aspect India and China are not aligned Indias strategic positioning Indias economic need Indias technological partnership are all aligned with the US he addedThe Trump administration has singled out India and slapped an additional tariff of 25 per cent for buying Russian oil and increasing the total levies to 50 per cent a treatment that India calls unfair and unjustifiedTrump on Wednesday pushed back against criticism of his inaction on Russia saying that his measures against India demonstrated otherwiseIf you remember two weeks ago I did I said if India buys Russian oil Indias got big problems and thats what happened Trump saidAghi emphasised that the US action against India on Russian oil makes no senseRussian oil was being bought in concurrence with Biden administration It brought price stability to Europeans and the rest of the world China buys more Russian oil Europe buys more energy from Russia So to penalise India who is a strategic ally sends a wrong messageIn his view the Russian oil purchase is just an excuseI think the crux of the issue is that India refused to publicly say that a third party intervened in the IndiaPakistan issue And that has irked the President as hes on his quest to win a Nobel Prize And if India says no it does have an impact he saidAghi believed that New Delhi has shown maturity in not responding aggressively to US measuresIndia has not said anything and just kept quiet and is exploring ways to find a common ground to ensure that the partnership continues I think so far what we have seen is tremendous restraint and maturity on the part of India he saidLooking ahead Aghi hoped that the two sides could find an offramp soonThe offramp could be a onetoone dialogue It could be a phone call between the two leaders Or it could be that India by design starts buying more US oil and less Russian oil I think its just a matter of providing an offering and basically ensuring that both sides come out winning he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-trust-broken-off-ramp-needed-soon-says-expert-636553.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 05:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-signs-executive-order-implementing-us-japan-trade-agreement-636555.html Washington Sep 5 US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order implementing the USJapan trade agreement the White House said Under the Agreement the US will apply a baseline 15 per cent tariff on nearly all Japanese imports entering the US alongside separate sectorspecific treatment for automobiles and automobile parts aerospace products generic pharmaceuticals and natural resources that are not naturally available or produced in the US the executive order said on ThursdayJapan meanwhile will provide American manufacturing aerospace agriculture food energy automobile and industrial goods producers with breakthrough openings in market access across key sectors it addedJapan is working toward an expedited implementation of a 75 per cent increase of US rice procurements and purchases of US agricultural goods in amounts totaling 8 billion per year according to the executive orderThis new tariff framework combined with expanded United States exports and investmentdriven production will help reduce the trade deficit with Japan and restore greater balance to the overall US trade position the agreement saidIn return Japan has agreed to expand market access for American goods across key sectors including manufacturing aerospace agriculture food energy automobiles and industrial products Xinhua news agency reportedThe agreement provides reciprocal economic benefits aimed at reshaping bilateral tradeJapan is also working to accept for sale in USmanufactured and USsafetycertified passenger vehicles without additional testingCritically Japan has agreed to invest 550 billion in the US the executive order claimedTrump announced a framework agreement between the US and Japan on July 22 saying it lays the foundation for a new era of USJapan trade relations grounded in principles of reciprocity and shared national interestsUnder the executive order published by the White House Japanese autos will face a 15 per cent tariff down from the current 275 per cent while tariffs on many other goods will also be capped at 15 per centJapan pledged to increase rice imports under its Minimum Access rice scheme and commit to annual purchases of American corn soybeans fertiliser and bioethanol a package worth about 8 billion IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-signs-executive-order-implementing-us-japan-trade-agreement-636555.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ukraine-proposes-new-format-for-protecting-skies-zelensky-636556.html Kyiv Sep 5 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine has proposed to the US a new format for protecting Ukrainian airspace Ukraine has proposed a format for protecting our skies for the US to consider Zelensky said on Thursday in a post on X after his conversation with US President Donald Trump adding that they discussed ways to push toward real peace According to Zelenskys press service the conversation with Trump took place following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris which was also attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen North Atlantic Treaty Organisation NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and leaders of European countriesnbspSpeaking alongside Zelensky at a press conference following the meeting French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that 26 countries mostly European have formally pledged to deploy troops as part of a future RussianUkrainian ceasefire though not directly on the front line Xinhua news agency reportedMacron said the countries would contribute to a reassurance force that could deploy troops in Ukraine or provide support on land at sea or in the air Zelensky welcomed the announcement as a concrete step forward and stressed that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin whether bilateral or trilateral is necessary for advancing peace effortsnbspConcerning the recent US approval of the sale of 3350 airlaunched ExtendedRange Attack Munitions system missiles to Ukraine Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the US move runs counter to its claimed willingness to resolve the conflict in Ukraine through diplomatic meansRussia has repeatedly pointed out that military assistance to Ukraine will essentially only prolong its suffering and risk causing the conflict to spiral out of control she added The meetings in Paris come as the efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with Russia appear to be stallednbspAfter meeting with Russian President Putin in Alaska last month and days later with Zelensky and European leaders in Washington Trump has pushed for a bilateral meeting between the Kremlin leaders and the Ukrainian PresidentPutin has refused to commit to a meetingnbspOn Wednesday he questioned the purpose of such a huddle with the Ukrainian leader this week but suggested it could take place in Moscow During a recent interview Trump cast doubt about the potential PutinZelenky meeting but expressed more confidence in arranging a threeway huddle between the two Presidents and himselfnbspSomething is going to happen but they are not ready yet But something is going to happen We are going to get it done the President saidZelensky said the officials during the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing discussed each countrys readiness to contribute to security guarantees for UkrainenbspWe coordinated positions and reviewed elements of security guarantees I am grateful to everyone for understanding that the main security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian army he addednbspSupport for Ukraine must be increased and pressure on Russia must be intensified the Ukrainian leader saidnbspPreparations for the 19th EU sanctions package are underway Japan is also working on sanctions measures IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ukraine-proposes-new-format-for-protecting-skies-zelensky-636556.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/arab-ministerial-committee-rejects-israels-measures-to-isolate-jerusalem-636557.html Cairo Sep 5 An Arab ministerial committee here rejected the Israeli measures to isolate Jerusalem stressing that Israel has no sovereignty over Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites The committee in charge of international action to confront illegal Israeli policies and measures in Jerusalem issued a joint statement on Thursday following its 10th meeting on the sidelines of the 164th regular meeting of the Council of the Arab League AL Xinhua news agency reportedThe committee formed by the AL in 2021 and chaired by Jordan includes Iraq Palestine Algeria Somalia Saudi Arabia Qatar Egypt Morocco Tunisia and the AL SecretaryGeneral Ahmed Aboul GheitIn the statement the committee condemned Israels recent approval of the E1 settlement plan as a prelude to besieging the Old City and isolating it from its Palestinian surroundingsThe approval is an attempt to undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state and a blatant assault on the right of the Palestinian people to embody their independent state it saidIt condemned all measures aimed at changing the demographic composition and the historical and religious character of Jerusalem noting that these measures are in opposition to international laws and legitimate international resolutionsIt also criticised Israels attempts to impose facts and practices aimed at the temporal and spatial division of the AlAqsa Mosque compound and to limit the free access of Muslim worshippers to the compoundIsrael occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in the SixDay War of 1967 and has since built settlements widely deemed illegal under international law It has accelerated settlement activities in recent yearsIn late August it approved the construction of 3401 housing units in E1 located east of Jerusalem linking the largescale settlement of Maale Adumim with East JerusalemSettlement construction there is believed to effectively divide the West Bank into northern and southern parts cutting off Palestinian territorial continuity between East Jerusalem Bethlehem and Ramallah while creating a continuous Jewish population corridor between Jerusalem and Maale AdumimAlAqsa Mosque compound located in East Jerusalem is now administered by the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs through its Jerusalem Awqaf and AlAqsa Mosque Affairs Department but is secured by Israeli policeUnder a longheld status quo Jews are allowed to visit the site but not to pray thereHowever some farright Israelis have increasingly defied this restriction by praying at the site in recent years IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/arab-ministerial-committee-rejects-israels-measures-to-isolate-jerusalem-636557.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-envoy-meets-us-congressman-discusses-bilateral-ties-and-trade-cooperation-636635.html Washington Sep 5 Indias Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra met with US Congressman Rudy Yakym discussing bilateral ties trade cooperation and the growing energy partnership between two nations Kwatra expressed appreciation for Rudy Yakyms support for IndiaUS relationshipHad a productive conversation with Representative Rudy Yakym on IndiaUS bilateral ties Exchanged notes on our trade cooperation and the growing energy partnership with the US which is integral for Indias energy security Appreciated his support for the relationship Kwatra posted on X following their talks early Friday India timeThe Ambassadors meeting is the latest in a series of engagements with members of the US Congress from Democratic and the Republican PartyOn Thursday Kwatra met Congressman Blake Moore Vice Chair of House Republican Conference and Conference Vice Chair of the House Republican Steering Committee and discussed bilateral trade between two nationsFollowing their meeting Indian envoy wrote on X Exchanged perspectives on USIndia bilateral trade and Indias energy trade imperatives with Congressman Blake Moore Vice Chair of House Republican Conference and Conference Vice Chair of the House Republican Steering Committee Thanked him for his steadfast support to the relationshipVinay Kwatra also met US Representative Mike Kelly Chairman Subcommittee on Taxation on IndiaUS bilateral relationship trade and economic ties He thanked Kelly for his strong support for IndiaUS tiesIn a post on X Kwatra wrote Had a detailed discussion with Representative Mike Kelly Chairman Subcommittee on Taxation on IndiaUS bilateral relationship including on our close trade and economic ties Thanked him for his strong support to the relationship Highlighted Indias growing hydrocarbon purchases from the US as a key aspect of Indias energy security needsIndian envoy also met US Representative Carol Miller Chair of the Congressional Energy Export Caucus discussing Indias energy security and trade perspectives During the meeting he expressed Indias support for all efforts including Alaska Summit held between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for resolution of conflict in UkraineTook the opportunity to brief Representative Carol Miller Chair of the Congressional Energy Export Caucus on Indias energy security and trade perspectives especially Indias hydrocarbon trade with the US Highlighted Indias steadfast support to all efforts including Alaska Summit for resolution of conflict in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy Kwatra stated in a post on XOn Wednesday Ambassador Kwatra said that he met with Representative Gregory Meeks the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss the IndiaUS tiesIn a post on X the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats quoted Representative Meeks as underscoring Congress support for the USIndia partnership which has deepened over the past 25 years including through the QuadMeeks also raised alarm over Trumps arbitrary tariffs that threaten this vital relationship while reaffirming his commitment to deeper tiesAmbassador Kwatra said that he briefed Representative Meeks on recent developments in the bilateral relationship and discussed trade energy IndoPacific and broader issues of mutual interestOn August 27 Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports to the US doubling an initial 25 per cent levy as a consequence for Indias continued buying of discounted Russian oil amid the Ukraine conflict Responding sharply to the US move the Ministry of External Affairs MEA had called the decision unfair unjustified and unreasonable stating that Indias energy needs and strategic autonomy must be respected IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-envoy-meets-us-congressman-discusses-bilateral-ties-and-trade-cooperation-636635.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/inaccurate-and-misleading-india-slams-white-house-advisor-navarros-comments-636671.html New Delhi Sep 5 The Ministry of External Affairs MEA on Friday rejected the White House Senior Advisor Peter Navarros continuous tirade against India terming his remarks as inaccurate and misleading statements We have seen the inaccurate and misleading statements made by Mr Peter Navarro and obviously we reject them MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing while responding to a question on Navarros Brahmins profiting remarksThe trade advisors controversial remarks made while defending US President Donald Trumps 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods were labelled as casteist and sinister by analysts and caused a massive outrage in IndiaThe MEA spokesperson however reiterated that the relationship between India and the United States remains very important for New DelhiIndia and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership which is anchored in our shared interests democratic values and robust peopletopeople ties This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges before We remain focused on the substantive agenda that the two countries have committed to and we hope that the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests said JaiswalEarlier this week Navarro had criticised Indias foreign policy questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent engagements with the Russian and Chinese leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in Tianjin and declaring that India needs to be with us not RussiaIn an interview with IANS Edward Price a political economist and former head of Economic Policy in the British Consulate General in New York had slammed Navarros continuous tirade against India calling it a shamePrice asserted that Navarros attempt to instruct a sovereign nation like India entirely misses the point of diplomacyIt is also historically illiterate India has always gone its own way culturally politically and otherwise It is a unique country with a unique statecraft We shouldnt be telling India what to do We should be making it a fair and friendly offer he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/inaccurate-and-misleading-india-slams-white-house-advisor-navarros-comments-636671.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 18:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mk-stalin-meets-uk-minister-pushes-for-stronger-tamil-nadu-uk-collaboration-636457.html Chennai Sep 4 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin met Catherine West MP Parliamentary UnderSecretary of State IndoPacific at the UKs Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office during his highlevel visit to Britain under the ongoing TN Rising Europe investment drive The talks focused on expanding Tamil NaduUK collaboration across strategic areas from green energy and manufacturing to higher education and maritime connectivity In his discussions with the UK Minister Stalin highlighted Tamil Nadus growing role as a key partner for Britain not only in economic terms but also in climate action research and resilient infrastructure He showcased the states strengths in electric mobility renewable energy IT services and advanced manufacturing inviting deeper UK participation through trade and investment Climate cooperation formed a central theme with the Chief Minister underscoring Tamil Nadus pioneering work in green hydrogen solar and wind power He said the state could serve as a valuable partner in advancing the UKs global climate diplomacy while also positioning itself as Indias leader in the green economy Education and skill development were also high on the agenda Both sides discussed strengthening ties between universities fostering academic exchange and expanding skilling programmes to prepare the workforce for future industries Stalin stressed that partnerships in higher education would benefit students in Tamil Nadu while offering UK institutions a strong base in South Asia Cultural and diaspora linkages were another point of engagement Stalin emphasised the significant Tamil community in the UK as a natural bridge for closer peopletopeople ties He also flagged the states strategic coastal location underlining opportunities for maritime cooperation in logistics shipping and connectivity The meeting builds on Stalins broader UK itinerary which has already seen the signing of several strategic MoUs in aerospace maritime intelligence renewable energy textiles and design education Officials said the meeting with Catherine West further broadened the scope of the TN Rising Europe campaign consolidating Tamil Nadus position as a critical partner for Britain in trade technology and climate initiatives IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mk-stalin-meets-uk-minister-pushes-for-stronger-tamil-nadu-uk-collaboration-636457.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-cites-secondary-sanctions-on-india-as-proof-of-tough-stance-on-russia-636300.html Washington Sep 3 US President Donald Trump on Wednesday highlighted his secondary sanctions on India as proof of its tough stance against Russia While speaking to the press alongside Polish President Karol Nawrocki Trump pushed back against criticism of his inaction on Russia arguing that his measures against India demonstrated otherwiseHow do you know theres no action Would you say that putting secondary sanctions on India the largest purchaser outside of China is almost equal Would you say there was no action that cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia If you remember two weeks ago I did I said if India buys Indias got big problems and thats what happened he repliedTrump also hinted at expanding secondary sanctions in future I havent done phase two yet or phase three he quipped without clarifying if he would target other big purchasers of Russian oil like ChinaThe Trump administration has singled out India and slapped an additional tariff of 25 per cent for buying Russian oil and increasing the total levies to 50 per cent a treatment that India calls unfair and unjustifiedTrump in an interview with Scott Jennings on Tuesday claimed that New Delhi had offered him no tariffs in India anymoreTheyve India offered me no tariffs in India anymore No tariffs If I didnt have tariffs they would never make that offer he saidEarlier in a news conference on Tuesday Trump had also reiterated his complaints against Indias trade practices calling the IndiaUS relationship onesided for many years and pointing to high tariffs as a barrier to American exportsWe get along with India very well Trump said But India you have to understand for many years it was a onesided relationship he addedCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday confirmed that India and the US are still negotiating a trade deal and could conclude a bilateral trade agreement by the fall November or so IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-cites-secondary-sanctions-on-india-as-proof-of-tough-stance-on-russia-636300.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-singapore-to-enhance-cooperation-in-ai-quantum-and-other-digital-technologies-pm-modi-636397.html New Delhi Sep 4 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called technology and innovation strong pillars of the partnership between India and Singapore as he announced that both nations have decided to enhance cooperation in AI quantum and other digital technologiesnbspAddressing a press meet alongside his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong following their talks here PM Modi called UPI and PayNow successful examples of digital connectivity He announced that India and Singapore have decided to review the Bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN in a timebound mannerTechnology and innovation are the strong pillars of our partnership We have decided to enhance cooperation in AI quantum and other digital technologies The agreement in the space sector today is adding a new chapter to cooperation in the field of space science We have decided to hold the next round of the IndiaSingapore Hackathon later this year to connect our youth with their talent UPI and PayNow are successful examples of our digital connectivity and it is a matter of pleasure that 13 new Indian banks have joined them today he saidExtending a warm welcome to the Singaporean leader PM Modi said I extend a warm welcome to Prime Minister Wong on his first visit to India since assuming office This visit is all the more special as this year we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our relationsnbspHe recalled his visit to Singapore in 2024 during which the two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and listed the sectors which will also become the focal point of cooperation between the two nationsnbspHe called Singapore an important pillar of Indias Act East policy and said that the two nations will continue to work together with the ASEAN to advance their joint vision for peace and stability in the IndoPacific regionLast year during my visit to Singapore we elevated our relations to the status of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership In this one year our dialogue and cooperation have gained speed and depth Today Singapore is our largest trade partner in the Southeast Asia region There has been a largescale investment from Singapore in India Our defence relations are continuously getting stronger Peopletopeople relations are deep and vibrant Today we have prepared a detailed roadmap for the future of our partnership Our cooperation will not be limited to traditional areas only In keeping with the changing times areas like advanced manufacturing green shipping skilling civil nuclear and urban water management will also become the focal point of our cooperation he saidHe noted that the relations between India and Singapore go beyond diplomacy This is a partnership with purpose rooted in shared values guided by mutual interests and driven by a common vision of peace progress and prosperityWe have decided that the Bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and our Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN will be reviewed in a timebound manner to accelerate mutual trade Our states will also be important stakeholders in IndiaSingapore relations Singapore When President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited India in January he visited Odisha In the last one year the Chief Ministers of Odisha Telangana Assam and Andhra Pradesh have visited Singapore GIFT City in Gujarat has become another new bridge to connect our stock markets The Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership Agreement signed last year has also given a new direction to research and development The active participation of Singapore companies in the Semicon India Conference was a big thing in itself Singapore will help in setting up a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Chennai This centre will prepare skilled manpower in the field of advanced manufacturing he saidExpressing gratitude to Singapore PM for his governments support to India in the fight against terrorism PM Modi said We have common concerns about terrorism We believe that it is the duty of all humanitarian countries to fight terrorism in solidarity After the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam I sincerely thank Prime Minister Wong and the Government of Singapore for their condolences towards the people of India and for their support in our fight against terrorism https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-singapore-to-enhance-cooperation-in-ai-quantum-and-other-digital-technologies-pm-modi-636397.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-germany-aim-to-double-bilateral-trade-take-india-eu-fta-to-decisive-conclusion-eam-jaishankar-636171.html New Delhi Sep 3 IANS Amid significant and farreaching changes on the global strategic landscape India and Germany will work towards doubling the bilateral trade External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar said on Wednesday adding that together they would like IndiaEU free trade agreement FTA negotiations to move to a decisive conclusion soonnbspBilateral trade has grown significantly over the past decade between the two nations reaching a record high of around 334 billion 28 billion euros in 2024nbspIn a press briefing with visiting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul EAM Jaishankar said that in one of his earlier interviews his German counterpart had said he was very confident that we would be doubling our trade with IndiaLet me assure him that India fully reciprocates that sentiment We look forward to working with the German government towards this I want to reiterate that we remain fully committed to continuously improving the ease of doing business in this country I assured the minister today that any concerns that German companies may have in India coming to India establishing themselves working here we would be prepared to give it special attention the EAM stressedHe also said that the changes we see in the world today do influence our policies and do influence the manner in which we approach other countriesnbspWere also seeing a lot of volatility on the global economic landscape and I think together they make a very powerful case for India and the European Union EU and India and Germany to work much more closely with each other This is a relationship where there are considerable possibilities for fairly rapid growth EAM Jaishankar highlighted adding that there are big changes underway in the world which make a very compelling case for a deeper stronger wider IndiaGermany relationshipWadephul said that India is Germanys key economic trading partner and more than 200 German companies are active in the countrynbspHe called India a rising economic powerhouse with a special importance on the global stage reaffirming Berlins full support for finalising the FTA between India and the European UnionnbspGermany was the 8th largest trading partner for India in 202425 It was Indias 12th largest trading partner in 202324 and 11th largest trading partner in 202223 Germany is the 9th largest foreign direct investor in India with a cumulative FDI of 1511 billion from April 2000 to March 2025 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-germany-aim-to-double-bilateral-trade-take-india-eu-fta-to-decisive-conclusion-eam-jaishankar-636171.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/greatly-value-germanys-understanding-about-indias-fight-against-terrorism-eam-jaishankar-636193.html New Delhi Sep 3 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India greatly values the understanding shown by Germany regarding its fight against terrorism The EAM highlighted that Germany s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has been explicit regarding Indias right to defend its people against terrorist attacks While speaking to reporters alongside Wadephul following their meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday EAM Jaishankar also recalled how Germany warmly received Indias parliamentary delegation in June following the decisive Operation SindoorDuring the day today weve had detailed discussions on various aspects of our ties This includes our political cooperation security and defence economic relations research and future technologies climate and energy as well as education skilling mobility and peopletopeople exchanges So let me share with you some key points which came out of todays discussion One we greatly value the understanding that Germany has shown with regard to Indias fight against terrorism Minister Wadephul has himself been explicit about our right to defend our people against terrorist attacks A parliamentary delegation that visited Germany in June after Operation Sindoor was also warmly received he saidOperation Sindoor was launched on May 7 following the heinous April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people The operation involved coordinated efforts by the Indian Army Navy and Air Force in a punitive strike across the Line of Control and deeper into Pakistanoccupied territories aiming to dismantle terror infrastructure at its rootsEAM Jaishankar emphasised that there has been an uptick in IndiaGermany defence and security partnership and recalled the participation of Germany in the Tarang Shakti exercises The External Affairs Minister said that he and Wadephul agreed for continuation and expansion of such participationTheres been an uptick in our defence and security cooperation Germany participated in the Tarang Shakti air exercises last year and its ships made port calls to Goa Today we agreed that such participation should be continued indeed even expanded In the past we have had significant export control difficulties in the defence and security domain I would like to express my appreciation today for the smoothening of these processes and more expeditious clearances We also spoke about greater industry collaboration between our two countries in this contextOn his discussion with Wadephul Jaishankar said We have just completed a very productive discussion on IndiaGermany cooperation on our relationship with the European Union and we have exchanged views on regional global and multilateral issues Now before I come to those subjects let me again first publicly welcome my friend Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul who is here for the first time in his current capacity I had the honor of being his guest this May and between May and now we have actually been regularly in touch in this intervening period Now I first got to know him when we met at the Munich Security Conference which was well before he became the Foreign Minister And I must say even then I was impressed by his commitment to advancing the IndiaGermany strategic partnership Im very confident that that enthusiasm will now be applied by him fully in his new roleHeld detailed discussions on our bilateral agenda as we prepare for the next round of InterGovernmental Consultations to be held in India Explored greater collaboration in furthering industry linkages talent mobility digital semiconductors and critical technologies Appreciate Germanys strong advocacy for closer IndiaEU ties and proactive push in concluding the FTA Also exchanged views on our multilateral cooperation and global issues including the Ukraine conflict situation in Middle EastWest Asia and the IndoPacific the EAM posted on X following his discussions with the visiting German Foreign Minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/greatly-value-germanys-understanding-about-indias-fight-against-terrorism-eam-jaishankar-636193.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cpec-phase-2-beijings-hard-terms-put-pakistan-to-the-test-636233.html New Delhi Sep 3 Phase2 of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Project CPEC may not be an easy one from Pakistans perspective China has several conditions set for Pakistan if Phase2 of the project has to move forward One of the biggest issues for China is the growing security risks in the region where Chinese interests have been targeted by the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA This has been a sticking point between the two countries and China wants a resolution if the project has to be taken forwardThese issues are being discussed at the bilateral meetings between the two countries that are taking place in Beijing between September 2 and 4China has made it clear that security guarantees are a prerequisite for the project to move forward While executing Phase1 of the CPEC project China has faced huge losses especially at the hands of the BLAThe BLA has complained that the Pakistan government taps into the resources in the region but the benefits are never passed on them They say that the CPEC too will not benefit them in anywayThe Chinese infrastructure has also been hit hard by the TTP The Pakistan Army has been facing major losses at the hand of this group Pakistan has however blamed the Afghan Taliban for backing the TTP and allowing its soil to launch attacks against the armyThe issue had cropped up during a trilateral that was held recently between China Pakistan and Afghanistan While Afghanistan assured that it would not allow the BLA to use its soil to launch terror strikes in Pakistan it however made no such assurance where the TTP was concernedIn addition to the security issues China is also concerned about the growing interest that America has been showing in Pakistan The Chinese are also seeking clarity on this new found bonhomie and have expressed reservations over the same Pakistan has been asked to provide clarity on this relationship before China could go ahead with Phase2 of the projectThe other issue that has been a sticking point is the rare earth mineral reserves in Pakistan Both China and the US have shown interest in it China wants to know from Pakistan what its share would be considering that the US too is showing keen interestIt sought details about the deal Pakistan has with the US where rare earth minerals are concernedThe delegation to China is being led by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir During this visit they are meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Prime Minister Li Qiang Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior military officialsIn addition to the security guarantees and rare earth minerals Pakistan has also been told to play a major role where the expansion of CPEC into Afghanistan is concerned China is concerned about the security in Afghanistan as wellThe TTP has a base in Afghanistan and China is concerned about its infrastructure being targeted once the expansion into the Taliban ruled country takes placeThe expansion of Afghanistan into the TTP was discussed at length during the recently held trilateral in Kabul between the three foreign ministers China has instructed Pakistan to prepare a roadmap relating to security before Phase2 of the project could commenceChina is clear that it does want to expand the project but is also weary since it did face huge losses during Phase1 of the CPECWhile Pakistan may boast of great ties with China this time around Beijing has plenty of conditions Given the current scenario and the rising might of the TTP the Pakistan Army has a Herculean task aheadWhile the Taliban may act against the TTP it would be very limited Action against the TTP could result in disgruntlement among the Taliban ranks This could lead to infighting and hence the Taliban would be very cautious with its actions IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cpec-phase-2-beijings-hard-terms-put-pakistan-to-the-test-636233.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chidambaram-questions-credibility-of-tianjin-declaration-signed-by-pakistan-636065.html New Delhi Sep 2 Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday questioned the credibility of the Tianjin Declaration which condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations pointing out that the document was signed and adopted by Pakistan as well In a post on social media platform X Chidambaram wrote The Tianjin Declaration strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations It was signed and adopted by Pakistan That shows the worth of the DeclarationHe further added Unless countries of the world are able to distinguish between terrorismexporting nations and terrorismaffected nations such inane Declarations will be signed and adoptedThe Tianjin Declaration was adopted at a multilateral forum in China where participating nations reiterated their commitment to combat global terrorism However Chidambarams remarks have sparked fresh debate over the effectiveness of such international statements when countries accused of sheltering or exporting terrorism are among the signatoriesThe Congress leaders comments come amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan with New Delhi repeatedly accusing Islamabad of supporting crossborder terrorismOn Monday foreign and defence experts welcomed the joint statement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO condemning the Pahalgam terror attack lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for firmly presenting Indias stand on crossborder terrorism on the global platform The SCO member states strongly denounced the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam declaring that those behind such acts of violence must be brought to justiceIn the Tianjin Declaration issued by the Council of Heads of State the statement read The Member States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 2025 They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded They further stated that perpetrators organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justiceThe condemnation followed PM Modis appeal to the SCO leaders to adopt a resolute position against terrorism and to work collectively to eliminate the menace IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chidambaram-questions-credibility-of-tianjin-declaration-signed-by-pakistan-636065.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eastern-afghanistan-earthquake-death-toll-rises-to-1-124-635951.html Kabul Sep 2 The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan has climbed to 1124 with 3251 others injured according to the Afghan Red Crescent Society on Tuesday Over 8000 residential houses primarily in Kunar province have been completely or partially destroyed due to the earthquake Juma Khan Nayeel head of information and publication at the Afghan Red Crescent Society told XinhuaRelief and rescue teams are working to pull out people trapped under the rubble and the figures for fatalities and injuries have not yet been finalised Xinhua news agency reportedThe earthquake struck the eastern part of Afghanistan at 1147 pm local time on August 31 with the epicentre located 27 km northeast of Jalalabad the capital of Nangarhar province at a depth of eight kmOn Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed deep sorrow over the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan and conveyed Indias readiness to provide humanitarian aidDeeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected PM Modi had posted on XExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed deep concern over the devastating earthquake in Afghanistans Kunar Province He conveyed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and assured them of Indias help in that hour of needThe devastating earthquake in Kunar Province of Afghanistan is a matter of deep concern Express our support and solidarity to the Afghan people as they respond to it India will extend assistance in this hour of need Our condolences to the families of the victims And our prayers for early recovery of the injured he had posted on XJaishankar spoke with Afghanistans Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressing condolences over the loss of lives in the earthquake that struck the warravaged country on Sunday night Wishing early recovery to those injured he reiterated Indias full support for Afghanistan in the hour of grief and conveyed that New Delhi would be sending food and relief material to KabulJaishankar stated that India had delivered 1000 family tents in KabulSpoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi today Expressed our condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake Conveyed that India has delivered 1000 family tents today in Kabul 15 tonnes of food material is also being immediately moved by Indian Mission from Kabul to Kunar Further relief material will be sent from India starting tomorrow Wish early recovery of those injured India stands by Afghanistan at this difficult time Jaishankar posted on XAfghanistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs MFA also confirmed the telephonic conversation between Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and EAM Jaishankar According to the statement Muttaqi thanked EAM Jaishankar for providing assistance to the Afghan people and assured him of the timely delivery of the aid to those affectedIn a statement shared on X Afghanistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hon Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi had a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Jaishankar The Indian Foreign Minister expressed his condolences over the loss of lives due to the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan and also expressed his condolencesMeanwhile rescue teams navigated remote areas with limited communication to assess the full extent of the damage and provide aid with officials noting that the toll was preliminary as efforts continued official media addedAfghanistan remained especially vulnerable to earthquakes as it sat on top of several fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian plates met The mountainous terrain of eastern Afghanistan was also prone to landslides making it harder for emergency services to carry out rescues IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eastern-afghanistan-earthquake-death-toll-rises-to-1-124-635951.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-announces-1-000-online-scholarships-for-afghan-students-under-special-scheme-635957.html KabulNew Delhi Sep 2 In a significant outreach to support higher education for youth in Afghanistan India has announced 1000 escholarships for Afghan nationals for the academic year 202526 The initiative part of the Special Scholarship Scheme for Afghan Nationals SSSAN through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR allows students to pursue online undergraduate and postgraduate courses through the governments eVidyaBharati eVB ilearn portalThe announcement reported extensively by the Afghan media on Tuesday extends Indias commitment to Afghan students following similar scholarship grants in 202324 and 202425According to the World Bank Afghanistan has one of the youngest populations in the world with twothirds of the population being below the age of 25 Afghan youth are critical to the development of their country and have the potential to be drivers of peace and prosperityUnder the scheme Afghan nationals aged between 18 and 35 years can apply for a wide range of online programmes offered by nine Indian universities including Jamia Millia Islamia Indira Gandhi National Open University Anna University and Kurukshetra UniversityThe courses span across disciplines such as Business Administration Commerce Computer Science Arts Political Science Education Journalism Psychology and Mass Communication ensuring Afghan learners can access globally relevant skill sets without leaving their countryThe applicant could be residing in any part of the world but should have a valid National ID Passport of Afghanistan read the official documentApplications are open from September 1 to September 6 2025 through the dedicated Afghan ilearn portalAdmissible amount of scholarship in each Semester shall be released by Ministry to its implementation agency which shall remit amount directly to the concerned Indian UniversityInstitute at the start of each semester The scholarships will consist of TuitionOCF fee payable to the universityinstitute No stipend or any other dues will be payable it saidHighlighting Indias longstanding educational partnership with Afghanistan ICCR noted that students could study anytime anywhere using laptops tablets or mobiles with internet accessDegrees awarded will be recognized by the University Grants Commission UGC and physical certificates will be handed over through the Indian Mission in KabulThe selection process includes screening by Indian universities identity verification by the Indian Mission in Kabul and final approval by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA and ICCRThis initiative reaffirms Indias role as a hub for inclusive technologydriven education and its commitment to fostering peopletopeople ties with Afghanistan through cultural and academic exchange IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-announces-1-000-online-scholarships-for-afghan-students-under-special-scheme-635957.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fight-against-terrorism-should-remain-sco-priority-says-foreign-secretary-misri-in-tianjin-635994.html Tianjin Sep 2 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has reaffirmed Indias stance that fight against terrorism should remain an important priority of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO In his address at the SCOplus meeting in Tianjin Misri also highlighted Indias readiness to share its expertise and initiatives for sustainable development with the SCO partnersForeign Secretary Vikram Misri attended and delivered his remarks at the SCO Plus Meeting in Tianjin on 1 Sept 2025 He stressed on the need for UN reform reaffirmed that fight against terrorism should remain an important priority of the SCO and highlighted Indias readiness to share its expertise and initiatives for sustainable development with the SCO partners Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X on TuesdayAddressing the 25th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Tianjin on Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also underlined the need for coordinated action against terror financing and radicalizationHighlighting Indias approach to strengthening cooperation under the SCO framework PM Modi noted that India seeks greater action under three pillars Security Connectivity and Opportunity Emphasising that peace security and stability remain key to progress and prosperity he called upon member countries to take firm and decisive action to fight terrorism in all its manifestationsThanking member countries for their strong solidarity in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack Prime Minister Modi emphasised that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism and urged the group to hold countries who perpetrate and support crossborder terrorism accountablePM Modi also stressed on the important role of connectivity in fostering development and building trust India he said strongly supports projects such as Chabahar port and International NorthSouth Transport CorridorThe Summit witnessed productive discussions on SCO development strategy reform of global governance counterterrorism peace and security economic and financial cooperation and sustainable developmentThe SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation established in Shanghai on June 15 2001 The SCO member states are China Russia India Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Pakistan Uzbekistan Iran and Belarus The SCO has two observer states Afghanistan and Mongolia and 14 dialogue partners Turkey Kuwait Azerbaijan Armenia Cambodia Nepal Sri Lanka Saudi Arabia Egypt Qatar Bahrain the Maldives Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fight-against-terrorism-should-remain-sco-priority-says-foreign-secretary-misri-in-tianjin-635994.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/extraditing-sheikh-hasina-terrorists-plot-hostage-siege-at-indias-mission-in-dhaka--636038.html New Delhi Sep 2 An Intelligence Bureau alert has revealed that a major attack was being planned on the Indian High Commission in Dhaka The plot according to the information was being planned by Al Qaeda in the Subcontinent and the Jamaatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqia These terror groups planned to lay siege to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and then hold the diplomats hostage The demand is to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India Since the fall of her government Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge in IndiaThis issue has been a thorn in the ties between the two countries Bangladesh has been demanding her extradition and has blamed this issue on the failing relations between the two nationsSecurity officials say that this plan could not have been planned by the two terror groups on their own There is clearly an ISI link to it Under Sheikh Hasina the ISI was kept at a distance This was an irritant for the JamaateIslami too as it is a proxy for the ISI and also a known IndiahaterUnder Sheikh Hasina ties with India were rock solid and this was proving to be a major irritant for the ISI and Jamaat With the regime change a lot has changed in Bangladesh and the ISI has been given a free hand in the country While the government under Sheikh Hasina did not give much importance to Pakistan there were a few in Bangladesh who were hand in glove with the ISI The ISI had with the help of its cronies managed to smuggle in arms and ammunition into Bangladesh since 2023 This suggests that there was a major plan on hand to destabilise the government and also hurt Indias interests The ISI has been trying for a long time to bring down the Sheikh Hasina government Back in 2014 too an attempt was made The Burdwan bust in West Bengal was a clear indicator of the same Cottage industries in large numbers were preparing bombs that were meant to be transported to Bangladesh The idea was to carry out a series of blasts across the country and then demand the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on moral grounds for failing to secure the nationTo plan an attack on the Indian mission in Dhaka serves the ISIs agenda perfectly Many of these terror groups remained underground under the regime of Sheikh Hasina An attack of this magnitude would keep these terror groups happy and they could cite the same to increase funding and recruitments The ISI since the regime change has been in overdrive mode in Bangladesh It has been setting up training camps It has even sent in terrorists of the JaisheMuhammad to train the Bangladeshi terrorists Indian officials say whatever the ISI may do has an India angle to it The primary agenda is to hurt India and building up terror groups in Bangladesh means the northeastern border remains highly volatile at all times like we see in the case of the Line of Control LoC The Jammat too toes the line of the ISI and having Hasina back and trying her is a political statement in Bangladesh Hence the idea of laying siege to the Indian High Commission and then demanding the extradition of Sheikh Hasina was a plan that the Jamaat readily agreed toWith the elections tentatively scheduled to be held in February next year Sheikh Hasina would be a major issue Hasinas Awami League has been banned from contesting the elections thus indicating it would be a onesided affair While the BNP is the frontrunner to win the elections it is clear that the Jamaat will continue to call the shots Upon the insistence of the ISI the Jamaat is hell bent on ensuring that Hasina is back in Bangladesh and tried This serves as both an election issue and the Jamaat and ISIs way of seeking revenge After all both parties failed to lift their heads under Hasinas regime in Bangladesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/extraditing-sheikh-hasina-terrorists-plot-hostage-siege-at-indias-mission-in-dhaka--636038.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/singapore-pm-lawrence-wong-arrives-in-india-on-three-day-visit-636054.html New Delhi Sep 2 Singapores Prime Minister Lawrence Wong arrived in India late Tuesday evening on a threeday official visit marking a key moment in the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations This is Wongs first visit to India after assuming office and he is accompanied by his wife and a highlevel delegation which includes cabinet ministers and senior officialsPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Wong are scheduled to hold bilateral discussions on Thursday with the visiting PM calling on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in the dayOn Wednesday the Singapore PM is scheduled to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar and other dignitaries are also scheduled to call on PM Wong during his visit to IndiaThe visit is expected to witness the signing of several highlevel agreements across sectors including finance digital innovation skill development civil aviation maritime cooperation and space technologySingapore is an important partner for India including in our Act East Policy During the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Singapore in September 2024 bilateral ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the Ministry of External Affairs MEA statedLawrence Wongs visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of IndiaSingapore diplomatic relations reaffirming the continued commitment of both nations to further strengthen the partnership The MEA further stated The visit will provide an opportunity for both Prime Ministers to review our robust and multifaceted cooperation and to set the path for future collaboration The two Prime Ministers will also engage on regional and international issues of mutual interestSingapore and India elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership CSP during PM Modis visit to Singapore in 2024 The two nations are expanding and deepening collaboration in futureoriented areas like sustainability advanced manufacturing digitalisation skills development connectivity and space This reflects the shared commitment of two nations to tackling current challenges and securing longterm resilienceThe visit comes on the heels of the third IndiaSingapore Ministerial Roundtable ISMR held in New Delhi on August 13 During the roundtable ministers from both countries reviewed progress in cooperation under six key pillars Advanced Manufacturing Connectivity Digitalisation Healthcare and Medicine Skill Development and Sustainability Several new initiatives were identified to enhance collaboration in these areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/singapore-pm-lawrence-wong-arrives-in-india-on-three-day-visit-636054.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/singapore-pm-lawrence-wong-to-begin-three-day-india-visit-today-635821.html New Delhi Sep 2 Singapores Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to arrive in India on Tuesday for a threeday official visit marking a key moment in the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations The visit which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore is expected to witness the signing of several highlevel agreements across sectors including finance digital innovation skill development civil aviation maritime cooperation and space technologyPrime Minister Wong will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi where the two leaders are expected to discuss regional and global developments and explore new avenues of collaborationOfficials from both sides have indicated that the visit aims to give further momentum to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that was formally established during PM Modis visit to Singapore in September 2024The visit comes on the heels of the third IndiaSingapore Ministerial Roundtable ISMR held earlier this month in New DelhiDuring the roundtable ministers from both countries reviewed progress in cooperation under six key pillars Advanced Manufacturing Connectivity Digitalisation Healthcare and Medicine Skill Development and Sustainability Several new initiatives were identified to enhance collaboration in these areasSingapore and India have shared a robust bilateral relationship built on strong economic defence and cultural ties In recent years cooperation has expanded into emerging areas such as fintech green energy smart urban development and cybersecurityWith trade and investment flows increasing and peopletopeople connections strengthening through educational exchanges and tourism both countries have expressed a mutual desire to further institutionalise and futureproof their partnership in a fastevolving geopolitical landscapeSingapore is Indias largest trading partner in ASEAN It is the leading source of FDI amongst the largest source of external commercial borrowings and Foreign portfolio investments IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/singapore-pm-lawrence-wong-to-begin-three-day-india-visit-today-635821.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 07:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-foreign-minister-johann-wadephul-arrives-in-india-for-two-day-official-visit-635824.html New Delhi Sep 2 German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday morning to begin a twoday official visit to India underscoring the growing strategic importance of IndoGerman relations The visit taking place from September 2 to 3 was announced by Indias Ministry of External Affairs MEA which emphasised the strong and evolving ties between the two democracies This is Minister Wadephuls first visit to India in his current capacityDescribing India as a key partner in the IndoPacific Wadephul highlighted the depth and breadth of bilateral cooperationIndia and Germany enjoy close ties politically economically and culturally There is significant potential to expand our strategic partnership from security cooperation to technology and innovation as well as the recruitment of skilled workers he said ahead of his departureWadephul will start his visit in Bengaluru where he will tour the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO headquarters highlighting Germanys increasing interest in space collaboration with IndiaLater today the German minister will travel to New Delhi where highlevel meetings are scheduled for WednesdayHe is set to hold talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal Discussions are expected to cover a range of areas including trade security green energy digital transformation and global governanceWadephul also emphasised the shared democratic values between India and Germany stressing the need for likeminded nations to work together in maintaining international peace and stability Indias voice as the worlds most populous country and largest democracy is increasingly influential on global platforms he notedEarlier in May 2025 EAM Jaishankar during his Berlin visit held extensive discussions with Wadephul covering the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-foreign-minister-johann-wadephul-arrives-in-india-for-two-day-official-visit-635824.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-emplanes-for-new-delhi-after-concluding-china-visit-for-sco-summit--635648.html Tianjin China Sep 1 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplaned for New Delhi after concluding his twoday visit to China during which he held several significant meetings with various world leaders nbsp including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin and also attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit on MondaynbspConcluding a productive visit to China where I attended the SCO Summit and interacted with various world leaders Also emphasised Indias stand on key global issues Thankful to President Xi Jinping the Chinese government and people for the successful organisation of this Summit Prime Minister Modi posted on XEarlier in the day PM Modi participated in the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO held in Tianjin The Summit witnessed productive discussions on SCO development strategy reform of global governance counterterrorism peace and security economic and financial cooperation and sustainable developmentnbspHe also held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit on Monday The two leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all sectors including space trade security and cultureAddressing the Summit Prime Minister highlighted Indias approach to strengthening cooperation under the SCO framework In this regard he noted that India seeks greater action under three pillars Security Connectivity and Opportunity Emphasising that peace security and stability remain key to progress and prosperity he called upon member countries to take firm and decisive action to fight terrorism in all its manifestations Prime Minister underlined the need for coordinated action against terror financing and radicalization Thanking member countries for their strong solidarity in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack he emphasised that there should be no double standards in dealing with terrorism and urged the group to hold countries who perpetrate and support crossborder terrorism accountableHighlighting the role of connectivity in fostering development and building trust Prime Minister stated that India strongly supported projects such as Chabahar port and International NorthSouth Transport Corridor He also spoke about opportunities in the fields of startups innovation youth empowerment and shared heritage which must be pursued under the SCO umbrella Prime Minister proposed commencing a Civilisational Dialogue Forum within the group to foster greater peopletopeople ties and cultural understandingnbspPrime Minister Modi also expressed support for the reformoriented agenda of the group In this regard he welcomed the setting up of centres to deal with organised crime drug trafficking and cyber security He called for a similar approach by the group to reforming multilateral institutions including the United NationsnbspPrime Minister thanked President Xi Jinping for his warm hospitality and congratulated him for the successful organisation of the Summit He also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on taking over the next Presidency of SCO At the conclusion of the Summit the SCO Member countries adopted the Tianjin Declaration https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-emplanes-for-new-delhi-after-concluding-china-visit-for-sco-summit--635648.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-takes-putins-car-becomes-top-trend-on-chinese-social-media-635704.html New Delhi Sep 1 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modis strong personal chemistry with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday became the top talking point on various Chinese social media platforms overshadowing other key events of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO SummitnbspnbspIn the first half of the day the number one trending topic on Weibo Chinas biggest social media platform was Modi takes Putins carnbspMeanwhile the top search on Baidu the countrys leading search engine was Modi and Putin hugged and chatted handinhandThese trends picked up after reports emerged that President Putin waited nearly 10 minutes for Prime Minister Modi so that the two leaders could ride together to the venue of their bilateral meeting from the SCO conference sitenbspWeibo which functions like X formerly Twitter is a major platform for trending conversations short messages videos and realtime searchnbspBaidu on the other hand is Chinas most dominant search engine Together the platforms showed a surge of public interest in the ModiPutin camaraderie which many users described as symbolic of the special friendship between the two nationsMeanwhile Prime Minister Modi concluded his twoday visit to Tianjin after attending the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCOnbspDuring the summit he held talks with several world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir PutinnbspConcluding a productive visit to China where I attended the SCO Summit and interacted with various world leaders Also emphasised Indias stand on key global issues Thankful to President Xi Jinping the Chinese government and people for the successful organisation of this Summit Prime Minister Modi posted on X before emplaning for New DelhiAt the SCO meeting PM Modi underlined Indias approach built on three pillars Security Connectivity and OpportunitynbspPM Modi stressed the need for collective action against terrorism greater cooperation on global governance reforms and more opportunities for startups youth and cultural exchanges within the SCO frameworknbspThe summit ended with the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration while Kyrgyzstan assumed the rotating presidency of the SCO https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-takes-putins-car-becomes-top-trend-on-chinese-social-media-635704.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-relations-in-focus-at-inaugural-seminar-of-motwani-jadeja-institute-for-american-studies-635718.html New Delhi Sep 1 Today we need a sense of strategic patience India needs to be firm that were not going to yield to demands but remain open to negotiations Its important to understand the sources of change within the United States said renowned author thinker and foreign policy expert Professor Dr C Raja Mohan at the inaugural seminar of the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies MJIAS The title of the seminar was Resetting the USIndia Ties Through Dialogue amp DiplomacyThe seminar was held in New Delhi to mark a day of substantive discussion and strategic engagement commemorating the launch of MJIAS as a credible nonpartisan platform for IndoUS policy dialogueProfessor Dr C Raja Mohan is also the Distinguished Professor amp Senior Fellow Designate MJIAS The United States and India two of the worlds largest democracies share a relationship of strategic depth and multifaceted engagement Cooperation spans defence technology education and peopletopeople ties while challenges in trade and regulation continue to shape this vital partnershipIn his indepth analysis Dr C Raja Mohan said Given the difficult period that India and the US are going through it is important to have an institute like the Motwani Jadeja Institute of American Studies Its contribution will really be longterm to scale this relationship and give it intellectual ballast It is very clear India has not invested enough intellectual capital in understanding the complex politics We need a deeper appreciation of the long history of the United States of its persistent political current and its cultural modes Originally American populism was against the concentration of wealth and bouts of antidominant capitalist sentiment have always been a part of history To understand whats going on in the US today we need to dig deeper into its history and its cultureIn a wideranging discourse which explored the various phases of the IndiaUS relationship Dr Raja Mohan opined India saw technological collaborations and a relationship in the 1960s Its easy to forget that the first Indian reactor the first Indian satellite the agrarian revolution and the Green Revolution were with American support Yet in 1971 there was a whole range of other developments which saw a dramatic collapse of the relationship Many of those obstacles were overcome in the 20002005 period with four successive Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao Atal Bihari Vajpayee Dr Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi who devoted significant political and diplomatic resources to redo this relationshipAs its inaugural initiative MJIAS brought together parliamentarians diplomats business leaders and academics to deliberate on strengthening IndoUS relations through dialogue and diplomacyProfessor Dr C Raj Kumar President MJIAS amp Founding Vice Chancellor JGU said in his Welcome Address We are hosting this seminar at a very important time when there are significant challenges in USIndia relations It is important to go beyond the current scenario For many of us who have had the opportunity to interact with the United States it is significant to note that no country in the world is closer to India in terms of our shared beliefs our shared values our deep commitment to the rule of law commitment to democratic institutions our belief and faith in the possibility of individuals who through their hard work and determination can shape the future of themselves and the destiny of our nations The IndiaUS relationship is not only one of the most defining relationships of the future but also an opportunity to essentially shape the future of humankind The United States is a country that has been the birthplace of so many ideas and we need to recognize the extraordinary history that both our countries share The establishment of the Motwani Jadeja Institute of American Studies is an attempt to develop a greater understanding of India in the United States the complexity of this relationship and to work towards a better future for India and the United StatesThe Special Address and Keynote Address were delivered by Ambassador Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur Additional Secretary Ministry of External Affairs Government of India and His Excellency Jorgan K Andrews Charge dAffaires Senior Foreign Service Officer US Department of State respectivelyBoth congratulated JGU for establishing the Motwani Jadeja Institute for American Studies thanked Asha Jadeja Motwani for her generous donation and underlined the important role it could play in promoting and advancing IndiaUS tiesThey lauded OP Jindal Global University for its vision in creating a pioneering institution dedicated to American Studies in India emphasizing that such initiatives enrich academic discourse while also strengthening bilateral understandingAmbassador Naidu and Andrews also highlighted how the establishment of the Motwani Jadeja Institute is a testament to the power of philanthropy commending Asha Jadeja Motwani for her remarkable contribution that will leave a lasting legacyThey noted that few universities in the region have demonstrated the foresight and commitment that JGU has shown in investing in intellectual capital to advance IndiaUS relationsThe presence of the Institute they observed not only elevates the stature of JGU globally but also serves as a beacon of how private philanthropy and academic excellence can converge to address pressing international issuesProfessor Dr Mohan Kumar the Inaugural Director General MJIAS said in his Introductory Remarks that there could not be a better time for a discussion on the IndiaUS relationship by the Motwani Jadeja Institute of American StudiesThis is not the first time that the IndiaUS relationship is going through a difficult phase Such a dialogue is essential to keep the relationship going which cannot be seen through the prism of a few months or just through trade and tariffsThe Vote of Thanks was delivered by Professor Dr Swati Chawla Assistant Director MJIASThe inaugural session also included several panel discussionsLegislative Bridges amp Policy Dialogue in IndiaUS Relations moderated by Professor Dr Sreeram S Chaulia Dean Jindal School of International Affairs JGUCommerce Without Conflict Perspectives from Business Trade amp Investment Leaders moderated by Professor Ram B Ramachandran Associate Director MJIAS amp Vice Dean Jindal School of Banking amp Finance JGUStrategic Symbiosis Academic and Diplomatic Pathways to Bilateral Harmony moderated by Professor Dr Sriparna Pathak Associate Director MJIAS amp Professor Jindal School of International Affairs JGUDistinguished participants included Dr Sasmit Patra Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha Ambassador Meera Shankar Former Indian Ambassador to the United States Sharmila Kantha Principal Consultant Confederation of Indian Industry Shishir Priyadarshi President Chintan Research Foundation Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma Chairperson Research and Information System for Developing Countries Raman Kalra Vice President IBM Consulting Ambassador Mr Arun Kumar Singh Former Indian Ambassador to the United States Ambassador Mr Rajiv Bhatia Distinguished Fellow Gateway House Ambassador Gaitri Issar Kumar Former Indian Diplomat and Professor Dr Rajat Kathuria Dean School of Humanities and Social Sciences Shiv Nadar UniversityThe daylong seminar addressed two vital questions confronting IndiaUS ties today How did we get here And where do we go from here The general consensus was that the following factors inter alia contributed to the current stalemate in bilateral ties trade and tariffs Indian purchase of Russian oil USPakistan ties the personal pique of President Trump visavis India and the relative change in USChina tiesIn terms of response it was felt that India needs to hunker down demonstrate strategic resilience diversify export markets and generally hold the lineIt was broadly agreed that the US is an important strategic partner and that the partnership between India and the US notwithstanding current difficulties has the potential to be the most consequential for the twentyfirst centuryOP Jindal Global University JGU has been the proud recipient of a landmark endowment of US5 million from Asha Jadeja Motwani and the Motwani Jadeja Family FoundationThis visionary gift is one of the largest philanthropic contributions to JGU and among the most significant investments in American Studies in IndiaThe Institute is named in honour of the late Professor Rajeev Motwani a legendary Stanford University computer scientist whose mentorship helped shape the journeys of the founders of Google and countless other innovators IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-relations-in-focus-at-inaugural-seminar-of-motwani-jadeja-institute-for-american-studies-635718.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-targets-india-again-over-trade-and-tariffs-calls-business-ties-one-sided-635780.html Washington Sep 1 US President Donald Trump on Monday escalated his criticism of Washingtons trade ties with New Delhi calling the business relationship a onesided disaster In a post on Truth Social Trump argued that while India exports massive amounts of goods to the United States American companies face high tariff barriers that severely limit their ability to sell into the Indian market What few people understand is that we do very little business with India but they do a tremendous amount of business with us he wroteAccording to Trump India has historically imposed high Tariffs the most of any country creating what he described as an imbalanced and unfair trade relationship lasting for many decades He claimed that this situation left American businesses at a disadvantage while making the US Indias biggest clientThe US President also criticised Indias defence and energy purchases from Russia India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia very little from the US he saidTrump claimed that India has now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing but its getting lateOn August 4 Trump raised similar concerns over Indias purchase of Russian Oil India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil they are then for much of the Oil purchased selling it on the Open Market for big profits he wrote on Truth SocialOfficials of the Trump administration like Senior Trade Advisor Peter Navarro and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have frequently targetted India for buying Russian crude and demanded that India change courseIndia has rejected those accusations calling the imposition of 50 per cent US tariffs as unfair and unjustifiedThe remarks are set to escalate heightened trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi with tariffs and market access emerging as major points of contentionTrumps comments come on a day when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in Tianjin in ChinaPM Modi also held bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Russia and China during his twoday stay in China IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-targets-india-again-over-trade-and-tariffs-calls-business-ties-one-sided-635780.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 22:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/tn-signs-agreements-with-german-firms-state-to-gain-rs-3-201cr-investment-635806.html Chennai Sep 1 In a major boost to Tamil Nadus investment drive three leading German companies signed agreements on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin The deals are expected to bring investments worth Rs 3201 crore to the state and create 6250 new jobs Stalin is currently on a tour of Germany aimed at attracting fresh industrial investments On Sunday he addressed members of the Tamil diaspora in the German city of Cologne urging them to support their home states growth Like developed countries Tamil Nadu too has the potential to grow further if all of us work together he said He appealed to the diaspora to start businesses in Tamil Nadu even if small to contribute to the states development The next day three German companies formalised their investment commitments A Munichbased firm a global leader in braking systems announced a major investment of Rs 2000 crore to establish a stateoftheart facility for rail braking systems and doors This marks the firms first major production investment in Tamil Nadu and is expected to generate 3500 jobs Besides one of the worlds top wind energy manufacturers headquartered in Germany will expand operations in Tamil Nadu with an investment of Rs 1000 crore The project will create 2500 jobs and reinforce Tamil Nadus role as a pioneer in renewable energy and green industrialisation Another firm will invest Rs 201 crore over five years to expand its Global Competence Centre GCC and manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu The expansion covering HVAC automotive and industrial applications is expected to generate 250 jobs During his visit Chief Minister Stalin also met senior leaders of the BMW Group which has a strong presence in Tamil Nadu He highlighted the states contributions to the automotive and EV sectors and invited BMW to scale up operations through Tamil Nadu to reach markets across India BMW reaffirmed its commitment citing the states robust EV infrastructure and growing sales network With these agreements Tamil Nadu has further strengthened its position as Indias industrial hub drawing global investors in manufacturing renewable energy and advanced technologies IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/tn-signs-agreements-with-german-firms-state-to-gain-rs-3-201cr-investment-635806.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-lauds-indias-efforts-in-resolving-ukraine-conflict-635606.html Tianjin Sep 1 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said he highly valued the contributions of India and other strategic partners in facilitating a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict We highly value the efforts and proposals of China India and our other strategic partners aimed at facilitating the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis Putin said speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO SummitThe Russian President also mentioned that understandings he reached with US President Donald Trump at a summit in August opened a path to peace in UkraineThe understandings reached at the recent RussianAmerican summit in Alaska I hope are also moving in this direction opening the way to peace in Ukraine Putin said speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO SummitEarlier in the day on the sidelines of the summit PM Modi posted a photo with Russian President Putin where the two leaders were seen shaking hands and huggingSharing the picture on X PM Modi wrote Always a delight to meet President PutinPM Modi has consistently reiterated Indias position for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and New Delhis support for all efforts in this regardQuite significantly just as he arrived in China from Japan on Saturday PM Modi received a call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky informing him about the negotiations with US President Donald Trump in Washington involving European leadersAccording to Zelensky during the productive important conversation India said that it is ready to make the necessary efforts and convey the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders during meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summitPM Modi shared that he exchanged views with Zelensky on the ongoing conflict its humanitarian aspect and efforts to restore peace and stabilityIndia extends full support to all efforts in this direction he posted on XOn August 18 Putin had dialled Prime Minister Modi sharing his assessment of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in AlaskaPM Modi welcomed the summit meeting in Alaska between the US President and his Russian counterpart IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-lauds-indias-efforts-in-resolving-ukraine-conflict-635606.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-xi-jinping-to-hold-key-talks-today-in-tianjin-on-sco-summit-sidelines-635402.html Tianjin Aug 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin on Sunday during the twoday Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO summit marking their first interaction in ten months The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and building on recent progress in IndiaChina relationsThe last engagement between the two leaders took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan Russia in 2024The breakthrough in dialogue was made possible after both sides reached an agreement on patrolling protocols along the 3500kmlong Line of Actual Control LAC effectively easing a fouryear border confrontationEarlier this month Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India for the latest round of Special Representatives SR talks on the boundary question and said that Beijing attaches great importance to PM Modis visitDuring his meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Wang Yi stated The Chinese side attaches great importance to the Prime Ministers visit to China to attend the SCO summit at our invitation We believe that the Indian side will also make a contribution to a successful summit in Tianjin History and reality prove once again that a healthy and stable ChinaIndia relationship serves the fundamental and longterm interests of both of our countries It is also what developing countries all want to seeEarlier this week PM Modi in an interview with Japans daily The Yomiuri Shimbun underlined Indias readiness to advance ties with China on the basis of mutual respect mutual interest and mutual sensitivityHe noted that since his meeting with Xi Jinping in Kazan last year bilateral relations had seen steady and positive progressWhen asked about the significance of improving ties with Beijing PM Modi said At the invitation of President Xi Jinping I would be travelling to Tianjin from here to take part in the SCO Summit Since my meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year steady and positive progress has been made in our bilateral tiesStable predictable and amicable bilateral relations between India and China as two neighbours and the two largest nations on earth can have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity This is also crucial for a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world he addedHighlighting the global economic context the Prime Minister added Given the current volatility in the world economy it is also important for India and China as two major economies to work together to bring stability to the world economic order IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-xi-jinping-to-hold-key-talks-today-in-tianjin-on-sco-summit-sidelines-635402.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 08:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trumps-dead-economy-jibe-falls-flat-as-indias-gdp-growth-surges-to-78-pc-635201.html New Delhi Aug 29 In a major embarrassment for US President Donald Trump who in a rhetorical overdrive termed India as a dead economy the countrys economic growth has accelerated to 78 per cent in the April to June quarter fortifying its position as the worlds fastestgrowing major economy The strong economic performance amid the US tariff turmoil comes on the back of a 74 per cent growth in the previous JanMarch quarter Q4 FY25The strong macroeconomic fundamentals of the economy are reflected in the high foreign exchange reserves which are sufficient to finance 11 months of imports and inflation is well under controlUnion Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that Indias exports this year will be higher than last year reflecting the growing competitiveness and resilience of the Indian industry while the government is reaching out to partner countries across the globe to open up new opportunitiesGoyal highlighted Indias expanding network of Free Trade Agreements FTAs with developed countries including Australia the UAE Switzerland Norway Liechtenstein Iceland and the UK with negotiations ongoing with the European Union and othersThese agreements will further open global opportunities for Indian industries such as construction steel and allied sectors he pointed outGoyal further highlighted that several developed countries are eager to expand trade relations with India noting that nations such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates UAE have expressed keen interest in entering into Free Trade Agreements FTAs with IndiaThe ministers assurance came in the backdrop of the hike in US tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent as a punitive step for buying Russian oilAccording to economists the macroeconomic impact of the US hike in tariffs would be cushioned by the large size of Indias domestic marketA recent Morgan Stanley report stated that India is the best placed country in Asia amid the global uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trumps threat to jack up tariffs because of the nations low goods exports to GDP ratioWhile India is exposed to direct tariff risks we believe on balance India is less exposed to global goods trade slowdown considering that it has the lowest goods exports to GDP ratio in the region the report statedAccording to a Fitch report the large size of Indias domestic market which reduces reliance on external demand is expected to insulate the country from the US tariff hike with the economy expected to maintain a growth of 65 per cent in FY26 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trumps-dead-economy-jibe-falls-flat-as-indias-gdp-growth-surges-to-78-pc-635201.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-arrives-in-chinas-tianjin-to-attend-sco-summit-635313.html Tianjin China Aug 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chinas Tianjin Saturday afternoon to attend the twoday Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit beginning Sunday PM Modi who travelled from Tokyo after concluding his Japan visit earlier in the day received a colourful welcome upon his arrival at the Binhai International Airport in TianjinLanded in Tianjin China Looking forward to engaging in indepth discussions during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and meeting with leaders from various countries PM Modi posted on X after landing in ChinaOn the sidelines of the Summit Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold several key bilateral meetings with world leaders attending the Summit He is scheduled to have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday and Russian President Vladimir Putin on MondayPM Modi and Xi Jinping last met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russias Kazan in 2024 The breakthrough in bilateral talks was made possible after India and China reached an agreement on patrolling along the nearly 3500km LAC to end the fouryearlong border confrontationIndia has been a member of SCO since 2017 It held the presidency of the Council of Heads of State of SCO during 202223India is an active and constructive member of SCO During our Presidency we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation health and cultural exchanges India remains committed to working with the SCO members to address shared challenges and deepen regional cooperation I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the Summit said PM Modi in his departure statementI am confident that my visits to Japan and China would further our national interests and priorities and contribute to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace security and sustainable development he addedThe SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation established in Shanghai on June 15 2001 The SCO member states are China Russia India Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Pakistan Uzbekistan Iran and BelarusThe SCO has two observer states Afghanistan and Mongolia and 14 dialogue partners including Turkey Kuwait Azerbaijan Armenia Cambodia and Nepal Sri Lanka Saudi Arabia Egypt Qatar Bahrain the Maldives Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-arrives-in-chinas-tianjin-to-attend-sco-summit-635313.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/discussed-railways-throughout-hour-and-a-half-bullet-train-journey-with-pm-modi-ishiba-635329.html Tokyo Aug 30 IANS Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that he and PM Narendra Modi discussed about railways throughout their hourandahalf journey together to Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture for a visit to the Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd TEL Miyagi a leading Japanese company in the semiconductor sector on SaturdaynbspThe two leaders were seen off at Tokyo Station by an Indian driver currently undergoing training at JR East before traveling by Shinkansen to Sendai StationnbspOn board the Shinkansen they engaged in a frank exchange of views primarily on railways including the future of highspeed rail in India the history of Japans Shinkansen its accuracy and safety and the role the Shinkansen has played to date the Japanese PMs office detailed laterI had the honour of riding the Shinkansen with Prime Minister Modi again today having lunch together and touring Tokyo Electron While Prime Minister Modi has ridden the Tokaido Shinkansen before this was his first time on the Tohoku Shinkansen After all even if you see and hear about it you cant truly appreciate its comfort until you actually ride it and I believe that by actually sitting in the drivers seat he was able to experience its speed for himself We talked about railways throughout the hour and a half we spent on the journey to Sendai Ishiba told reporters laterThe two leaders also received an explanation about the test train ALFAX and during the journey they toured the E5 Series Shinkansen drivers cab experiencing its maximum speed 320 kilometres per hour from the drivers seatnbspThe adoption of Japans Shinkansen technology and various Shinkansen technologies and rolling stock has been a thread that has continued from the Abe administration to the Suga and Kishida administrations and now to us I believe it was extremely meaningful for them to actually ride the train and I believe they gained a deep understanding of how much effort we have put into ensuring accuracy and safetyThe E10 series train has never existed before so they were not able to ride it However they were able to see the test train the ALFAX parked at Omiya Station I believe it was significant that they were able to see the test vehicle which we are considering introducing to India and that this was indeed the case the Japanese PM saidnbspThe Japanese Shinkansen is currently running E5 trains Next generation trains are E10 In the spirit of strategic partnership between Japan and India the Japanese government has agreed to introduce E10 Shinkansen trains in the MumbaiAhmedabad Bullet train project It is noteworthy that E10 will be introduced simultaneously in India and JapanIndia is nine times larger than Japan so what significance does building a Shinkansen or highspeed railway have there How will it change India How much will it cost to ride And how will it contribute to economic development Will it transport not only passengers but also cargo or overnight sleeper cars I seem to remember hearing somewhere that Modi when he was still a Diet member often took overnight trains to New Delhi I had a similar experience and there were many comments that resonated with me After all railways are a space of movement where everyone on board becomes friends and in Modis words they are like a festival We shared this sentiment deeply stated Ishiba on Saturday https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/discussed-railways-throughout-hour-and-a-half-bullet-train-journey-with-pm-modi-ishiba-635329.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/explained-how-pm-modis-first-china-trip-in-seven-years-could-reset-new-delhi-beijing-ties-635364.html Tianjin China Aug 30 Prime Minister Narendra Modis arrival in Tianjin on Saturday to attend the annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit marks his first visit to China since 2018 The August 30September 1 visit is being viewed as a muchawaited diplomatic opportunity to reset IndiaChina ties which have evolved through phases of engagement caution and recent efforts at stabilisationPM Modi was warmly received by the Indian diaspora upon arrival He is scheduled to hold a significant bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday on the sidelines of the summitIndia and China established diplomatic relations on April 1 1950 making India the first nonsocialist country to recognise the Peoples Republic However relations were deeply affected by the 1962 border conflict A breakthrough came with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis 1988 visit which began a gradual normalisation processSubsequent key milestones included 2003 PM Atal Bihari Vajpayees visit and the establishment of the Special Representatives mechanism on the boundary question 2005 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabaos visit to India launching a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership 2014 President Xis visit to India for a Closer Developmental Partnership 2015 PM Modis reciprocal visit to China 2018 and 2019 Informal Summits in Wuhan and Chennai respectivelyRelations became strained following the Eastern Ladakh border tensions in AprilMay 2020 However recent steps especially the positive meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping at the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan have pointed towards a cautious resetDespite some setbacks the two countries have been able to maintain a robust schedule of engagements including at multilateral sidelines like G20 Hangzhou 2016 BRICS Goa 2016 SCO Astana 2017 and G20 Bali 2022External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have met multiple times most recently during the 2025 SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in China which was followed by Wang Yis visit to India for the 24th round of Special Representativeslevel boundary talksThese meetings have underlined both sides interest in stabilising ties through structured dialogue and practical confidencebuilding measuresThe Special Representatives mechanism launched in 2003 remains central to managing the complex boundary issue With 24 rounds held to date the latest in India this year focused on disengagement efforts in Eastern Ladakh Complementing this are 27 rounds of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination WMCC 19 Senior Commanders meetings with the most recent held on 1314 August 2023 and water cooperation through the ExpertLevel Mechanism which has met 14 times most recently in June 2023 to share hydrological data and discuss emergency responsesThese multitrack dialogues have helped avoid further escalation and foster transparency along the Line of Actual Control LACA major development in 2025 was Chinas decision to lift the longstanding restrictions on the export of fertilisers rare earth minerals and tunnel boring machines to India The breakthrough came after the August 2025 JaishankarWang Yi meeting in New Delhi offering a potential boost to Indian infrastructure clean energy and fertiliser sectorsWhile bilateral trade has remained robust despite tensions this step is seen as a significant confidencebuilding measure aimed at reducing asymmetries and enabling targetted cooperation in nonsensitive sectorsIn a move welcomed across both nations the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was resumed in 2025 reactivating one of the oldest and most symbolic cultural connections between the two countries Both sides have also committed to resuming visa issuance for nationals and are currently negotiating the resumption of direct flight connectivity between major citiesSuch steps are expected to rebuild trust and familiarity at the societal level crucial for longterm normalisationApart from his engagement with Xi Jinping PM Modi will also meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit The two leaders are expected to discuss issues like the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine Gaza and global economic stability amid lingering effects of Trumpera tariffsAs global alliances undergo rapid changes India continues to walk a path of strategic autonomy New Delhi is deepening cooperation with diverse partners while remaining rooted in national interest and multipolar engagement As the SCO Summit unfolds PM Modis first visit to China in seven years signals far more than a return to the table It represents a potential strategic recalibration aimed at managing differences while advancing cooperation where interests align IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/explained-how-pm-modis-first-china-trip-in-seven-years-could-reset-new-delhi-beijing-ties-635364.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 20:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/explained-chinas-tech-trade-dominance-can-create-a-global-surveillance-apparatus-635160.html New Delhi Aug 29 A bid by the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD to enter Taiwan has raised security concerns a report said on Friday A recent dinner hosted by Taiku Motors a distributor for Chinese EV giant BYD with Taiwanese officials sparked suspicions of a hidden Beijing strategy to enter the Taiwanese market a report from Nepal Aaja saidTaiwan has already banned direct imports of Peoples Republic of China PRCmade complete vehicles but multiple reports suggest that Chinese EV companies are trying to capture the market through locally assembled vehicles or via trade reroutingChinese EVs equipped with advanced driver assistance systems ADAS and AI can act as mobile data centres that collect location audio and traffic data the Nepal Aaja report saidAnalysts warn that cloudconnected systems sending data to China may facilitate state surveillance threatening Taiwans sovereignty They are in effect rolling repositories of sensors processors and cloudconnected systems capable of collecting vast amounts of environmental and behavioural data the report saidExperts compared EVs to a Trojan horse referencing past instances of Chinese tech espionage in telecommunications and devices worldwide Chinesemade electronic devices from smartphones and routers to cranes at seaports have come under increasing scrutiny worldwide Investigations have revealed that some of these products contain components capable of transmitting sensitive data back to Beijing the report saidFrom compromised telecom networks to spywarelaced mobile apps the pattern of data extraction is well documented it further saidGermany Australia and India have taken steps to phase out Chinese telecom components from their 5G networks citing espionage risks it addedExperts urged Taiwan to continue the ban on Chinesemade vehicles highlighting that geopolitical risks should influence technology evaluations beyond just cost or performance to safeguard national security in a time when data is linked to sovereignty IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/explained-chinas-tech-trade-dominance-can-create-a-global-surveillance-apparatus-635160.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unsc-votes-to-end-lebanon-peacekeeping-mission-with-nearly-1-000-indian-troops-635191.html United Nations Aug 29 The UN Security Council has decided to end the peacekeeping operations in Lebanon in which nearly 1000 Indian troops are deployed The Council voted on Thursday to shut down in two years the UN Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL that has been struggling to keep the peace in southern Lebanon where Israel confronts the Hezbollah and the weak Lebanese military is caught in the middleThe 47yearold UNIFILs mandate that expires this weekend was extended for a final time till the end of 2026 with another year allowed for the safe and orderly wind down of the operationsThere are currently 10800 peacekeepers in UNIFIL including 903 from IndiaThe resolution for extending the mandate was crafted carefully by France to avoid a US veto that would have reflected Israels opposition to the UNIFILFrance Missions Charge dAffaires Jay Dharmadikari welcomed the limited extension and said Any premature withdrawal would have hampered undermined or even weakened the Lebanese governments effortsThis precious time will be necessary to support the buildup of the Lebanese Armed Forces and establish the Lebanese states authority throughout its territory while the situation remains precarious he saidActing US Permanent Representative Dorothy Shea said This will be the last time the United States will support an extension of UNIFILUNIFIL facilities have come under attack from Israel as it says it pursues the Hezbollah while accusing the peacekeepers of being ineffectiveThe Iranbacked Hezbollah forces have also defied UNIFIL and operated in the areas it patrolsUNIFIL was created by the Council in 1978 with a mandate to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and to help the Lebanese government reestablish its authority in the areaIsraels Permanent Ambassador said the UNIFIL had failed and Hezbollah took over the regionToday the Lebanese government has the responsibility to take control of the area and to understand that they have to be there not Hezbollah not anyone else he saidHezbollah has been routed by Israeli operations in recent months that struck its positions by air and land pushing past UNIFIL as it stepped up operations against its adversaries in the region after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in 2023Two Indians Brigadier Ganesan Athmanathan and Major General Lalit Mohan Tewari commanded the force in the early 2000s IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unsc-votes-to-end-lebanon-peacekeeping-mission-with-nearly-1-000-indian-troops-635191.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 23:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-japan-join-hands-in-push-for-critical-minerals-635198.html New Delhi Aug 29 Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said on Friday that India and Japan have signed a memorandum of cooperation on mineral resources that includes efforts to establish and diversify critical minerals supply chains which is essential not only to achieve our energy security national security and food security objectives but also achieve the net zero emission goals The minister said that the Ministry of Mines and Japans Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry METI signed a Memorandum of Cooperation MoC during Prime Minister Narendra Modis current visit to Japan to attend the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit along with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba The Prime Ministers of both countries have committed to cooperate in multiple areas such as the economy health mobility partnership AI science and technology and critical minerals and rare earth elementsThe areas that have been identified for close collaboration in the mining sector include the exchange of information on mineral resources including policies regulations possible joint development of critical mineral projects mining auctions sustainable deepsea mining and other relevant information in mineral extraction processing and efforts for stockpiling of critical mineralsThe two countries will also promote joint investments in exploration mining and processing for critical minerals in India and resourcerich countries Additionally any other forms of cooperation that are mutually agreed upon in writing between the parties will also be pursued the minister saidPrime Minister Modi announced on Friday that India and Japan have laid a strong foundation for a new and golden chapter in the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries which is also important for global peace and stabilityAddressing the media after a meeting with PM Ishiba he said We have set a target of 10 trillion yen investment from Japan in India over the next ten years Special emphasis will be laid on connecting Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups of India and JapanHe said that a roadmap has been laid out for the next decade At the core of this vision are investment innovation economic security environment technology health mobility peopletopeople exchanges and stateprefecture partnership IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-japan-join-hands-in-push-for-critical-minerals-635198.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 23:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-professionals-in-tokyo-welcome-pm-modis-push-for-global-partnerships-634946.html Tokyo Aug 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant diplomatic tour of Japan and China starting Thursday On August 29 and 30 PM Modi will participate in the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba This highlevel meeting is expected to focus on strategic economic and cultural cooperation between the two nations Following his Japan visit PM Modi will travel to Tianjin China where he will attend the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO on August 31 and September 1 The visit is being closely followed by the Indian diaspora and business communities in both countriesIndian community in Japan welcomes PM Modis visitIn Tokyos Minato City members of the Indian diaspora are expressing excitement and pride over the Prime Ministers visit From IT professionals to entrepreneurs many believe PM Modis presence will strengthen bilateral ties boost trade and open new opportunitiesVikas Ranjan who is working in Japans IT sector told IANS We are genuinely excited about PM Modis visit His leadership has brought IndiaJapan relations to a new level Japan has welcomed Indian IT professionals in large numbers and our community is thrivingHe further noted that India will remain largely unaffected by the US high tariffs on Indian products like textiles and electronics PM Modis strong push for Make in India has given us resilience The tariffs wont impact us significantlyPM Modi a symbol of global respect say NRIsAmit Kundu an IT professional in Tokyo for three years believes the deepening of IndiaJapan ties will lead to expanded job creation More doors will open for skilled Indians in Japan Modi is one of the best Prime Ministers India has ever had Hes respected globally no other PM has positioned India on the world stage like thisHe also viewed the US tariffs as a hidden advantage This is a blessing in disguise India now has the chance to explore new markets in the East Our fruits agricultural products and other goods can find buyers in Japan and beyondIndia emerging as a global forceRohan Agrawal who has lived in Japan for 19 years said Whenever PM Modi comes to Japan I make sure to see him The world now views India differently In the past 11 years weve evolved and people everywhere believe that the future belongs to IndiaHe emphasised the importance of language skills in tapping job markets If we promote Japanese language learning in India more people can come and work here Thats the kind of forwardthinking we needCultural ties run deepSandeep a chemical engineer from Maharashtra working in Japan highlighted how cultural relations between India and Japan are growing We celebrated Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti here for the first time Many Japanese people also worship Indian deitiesthough the names differ the reverence is the same Thats a sign of deep cultural affinityProud to see PM Modi raising Indias global profileAmit Gundecha who has lived in Tokyo for 10 years said he hopes to meet PM Modi during this visit as he had done earlier Business opportunities in Japan are tremendous PM Modis visit will definitely result in some landmark agreements If I meet him Ill congratulate him for the third election victoryAnother member of the Indian diaspora a woman attending the community event said Modi ji has raised Indias global standing His work to strengthen Indias ties with countries like Japan is inspiring Another woman added PM Modi is very determined once he decides to do something he makes sure it happens Thats the quality I admire most in himIndias global assertiveness on displayIn response to recent US tariffs on Indian exports many Indians living in Japan view PM Modis firm stand as a sign of Indias rising global assertiveness PM Modis strong stance against unfair US tariffs shows India is no longer afraid to assert itself said Ranjan Were not just reacting were leadingLooking aheadAs PM Modi prepares to engage in two critical diplomatic engagements the IndiaJapan Summit and the SCO Heads of State meeting in China the Indian diaspora and global observers alike are watching closely Whether its business culture or geopolitics expectations are high that India under PM Modi will continue to chart a bold and confident path on the world stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-professionals-in-tokyo-welcome-pm-modis-push-for-global-partnerships-634946.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-arrives-in-tokyo-to-attend-15th-india-japan-annual-summit-634958.html Tokyo Aug 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo on Friday for a twoday official visit to Japan during which he will participate in the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit During his stay from August 29 to 30 he is scheduled to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba marking their first bilateral summitlevel meeting since Ishiba assumed officeThis highlevel engagement marks a significant step in further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countriesThis visit also marks PM Modis eighth trip to Japan as Prime Minister underscoring the deepening relationship between New Delhi and TokyoAt the summit the two leaders will review the progress of the IndiaJapan Special Strategic and Global Partnership which spans a wide range of areas including defence and security trade and economic cooperation technology and innovation and cultural and peopletopeople exchangesAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA during the visit the two Prime Ministers will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan including defence and security trade and economy technology and innovation and people to people exchanges as well as discuss issues of regional and global importance The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countriesIn addition to the summit Prime Minister Modi will engage with prominent Japanese industrialists and political leaders to further boost economic cooperation and attract investment in key sectorsPM Modi last visited Japan in May 2023 Since then he and Prime Minister Ishiba have interacted on multiple occasions most recently on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Canada in June 2025 and during the 21st ASEANIndia Summit in Vientiane LaosFollowing his engagements in Japan PM Modi will depart for China to attend the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCOBefore leaving for Tokyo the Prime Minister shared a post on the social media platform X stating I am confident that my visits to Japan and China will further our national interests and priorities and contribute to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace security and sustainable developmentThis will be PM Modis first visit to China in last seven years and the first since the Galwan Valley faceoff between the soldiers of the two countries at the Line of Actual Control LAC in June 2020 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-arrives-in-tokyo-to-attend-15th-india-japan-annual-summit-634958.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/opportunity-to-deepen-existing-partnerships-pm-modi-upon-arrival-in-japan-634961.html Tokyo Aug 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo on Friday marking the start of his twoday official visit to Japan to attend the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit He remarked that the visit would provide an opportunity to deepen existing partnerships and explore new avenues of collaboration Sharing an update on social media platform X PM Modi posted Landed in Tokyo As India and Japan continue to strengthen their developmental cooperation I look forward to engaging with PM Ishiba and others during this visit thus providing an opportunity to deepen existing partnerships and explore new avenues of collaborationUpon arrival the Prime Minister was received by ONO Keiichi Japans Ambassador to India Sibi George Indias Ambassador to Japan and other senior officialsPM Modi also received a warm and vibrant welcome from members of the Indian diaspora in Tokyo who greeted him with traditional cultural performances and enthusiastic cheers showcasing the strong peopletopeople ties between the two nationsDuring his August 2930 visit PM Modi will hold his first formal bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru IshibaThe two leaders are expected to review the progress of the IndiaJapan Special Strategic and Global Partnership focusing on key sectors including defence and security trade and investment digital technology climate action and innovationThis is PM Modis eighth visit to Japan as Prime Minister reaffirming the importance India places on its partnership with Tokyo In addition to the summit PM Modi will meet Japanese industrialists and political leaders to explore deeper economic collaboration and attract investment in emerging sectorsThe leaders are also expected to discuss regional and global developments particularly those impacting the IndoPacific as well as sustainable development and global peace initiativesPM Modi last visited Japan in May 2023 He and PM Ishiba last interacted in June 2025 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Canada and at the ASEANIndia Summit in Vientiane in 2024After concluding his engagements in Japan PM Modi will depart for China to attend the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/opportunity-to-deepen-existing-partnerships-pm-modi-upon-arrival-in-japan-634961.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-and-kishida-review-progress-in-india-japan-ties-635068.html Tokyo Aug 29 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday as both leaders discussed the progress in bilateral partnership across trade critical technologies and human resource mobility sectorsnbspHad a wonderful meeting with the former Prime Minister of Japan Mr Fumio Kishida He has always been a great advocate of closer IndiaJapan relations We discussed the progress in our bilateral partnership across trade critical technologies and human resource mobility We also discussed the vast potential in emerging areas such as technology and semiconductors PM Modi posted on X after the meetingThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also shared details regarding the talks held between two leaders In a post on X Jaiswal stated PM Narendra Modi met Mr Fumio Kishida Former PM of Japan Both sides discussed the progress in IndiaJapan ties and the potential of taking forward IndiaJapan partnership for the mutual progress and prosperity for the mutual progress and prosperitynbspPM Modi also met former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and spoke about many dimensions of cooperation between two nationsI had a very good meeting with Mr Yoshihide Suga former Prime Minister of Japan and Chairperson of the JapanIndia Association We spoke about the many dimensions of IndiaJapan cooperation and how we can further deepen it Our discussions covered how to build closer collaboration including in technology AI trade investment and beyond PM Modi posted on XnbspEarlier in the day PM Modi and Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba addressed the IndiaJapan Economic Forum CEOs and business leaders from various fields participated in the event In his address PM Modi spoke about Indias deep economic ties with Japan and also mentioned about areas where cooperation between two nations can deepen in the years to comeIn a post shared on X PM Modi stated Addressed a business event in Tokyo The presence of Prime Minister Ishiba made this even more special also indicating the priority we accord to bilateral economic linkages Spoke about Indias deep economic ties with Japan and also listed areas where cooperation can deepen in the years to come Like we did in automobiles recreate the same magic in batteries robotics semiconductors shipbuilding nuclear energynbspTechTalent synergy to power this centurys technology revolution Green energy focus for a better future Nextgen infrastructure where Japans excellence and Indias scale can do wonders Skill development and peopletopeople ties he addedLater in the day PM Modi is scheduled to participate in the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit his first Summit meeting with his Japanese counterpart PM Ishiba The two leaders are also scheduled to hold a working dinner meeting PM Modi and Ishiba will also visit the Miyagi Prefecture on SaturdaynbspThis is PM Modis eighth visit to Japan PM Modi last visited Japan in May 2023 Both leaders had earlier met in June 2025 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Canada and during the 21st ASEANIndia Summit in Vientiane in Laos last yearUpon arrival in Tokyo PM Modi was received by Japans Ambassador to India ONO Keiichi Indias Ambassador to Japan Sibi George and other senior officialsnbspPM Modi was warmly welcomed by the Indian community who greeted him with traditional cultural performances and enthusiastic cheers on his arrival in Tokyo PM Modi lauded the Indian community in Japan for their commitment to preserving the cultural roots while making meaningful contributions to Japanese societyIn a post on X PM Modi stated I was deeply impressed by the warmth of the Indian community in Tokyo The stance of making significant contributions to Japanese society while continuing to preserve our cultural roots is truly worthy of praise In the next few hours I plan to engage in an exchange of opinions with business leaders with the aim of further invigorating the trade and investment relations between India and JapannbspAfter concluding his engagements in Japan PM Modi will visit China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin from August 31September 1 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-and-kishida-review-progress-in-india-japan-ties-635068.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talks-on-direct-flights-from-bluru-to-japans-osaka-nagoya-ktaka-minister-635102.html Bengaluru Aug 29 Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil on Friday held discussions with Japans Consul General Nakane Tsutomu here regarding the possibility of starting direct flight services from Bengaluru to the major Japanese industrial cities of Osaka and Nagoya Speaking afterwards the Minister said that the state government would take necessary initiatives to strengthen investment cultural and educational ties with Japan as well as promote skill development such as language learningIn connection with this a 10day official visit to Japan is planned starting from September 6At present there is only a direct flight service from Bengaluru to Japans capital TokyoDuring the Global Investors Meet held in February this year several Japanese companies agreed to invest Rs 7500 crore in Karnataka across sectors such as data centres manufacturing and logistics Minister Patil saidTherefore it is necessary to start direct flights from Bengaluru to Japans industrial hubs like Osaka and Nagoya the Minister addedHe said that many people in Karnataka are employed by Japanese companiesIn this context it would be beneficial to establish collaborations with local universities like VTU Visvesvaraya Technological University to introduce Japanese language coursesDuring the upcoming Japan visit a meeting will be held with a Japanese university to discuss this further Minister Patil emphasisedThere are 1400 Japanese companies operating in India with about half of them active in the manufacturing sectorJapan ranks fifth in terms of foreign direct investment in India and over the past two years 170 agreements worth 13 billion have been signed between the two countriesA Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce office has been opened in Tokyo to manage business relations between Japan and Karnataka Minister Patil saidThe Principal Secretary of the Industries Department Selvakumar and Commissioner Gunjan Krishna were also present during the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talks-on-direct-flights-from-bluru-to-japans-osaka-nagoya-ktaka-minister-635102.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-committed-to-peaceful-and-prosperous-indo-pacific-pm-modi-635133.html Tokyo Aug 29 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stated that both India and Japan remain committed to a peaceful prosperous and stable IndoPacific where the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations are respectednbspIn an interview with Japans leading daily The Yomiuri Shimbun PM Modi said There is a strong convergence between Japans vision of a Free and Open IndoPacific and Indias own approach encapsulated in our IndoPacific vision in the Vision MAHASAGAR and the IndoPacific Oceans InitiativeBoth our countries have strong and extensive linkages with countries in the IndoPacific region and we both engage with some of them in plurilateral formats to give expression to our shared objectives he addednbspWhen asked about the significance of his visit in the context of Quad PM Modi said that in the last 20 years since its inception in 2004 the grouping has emerged as a force of global good delivering positive outcomes for the people of the IndoPacific regionQuads practical agenda ranges from maritime safety and security humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cyber security critical and emerging technologies and connectivity to education health and even space cooperation The role of the Quad in the delivery of public goods can also be very significant he emphasisednbspOn areas of cooperation with Japan ahead of the groups autumn summit the Prime Minister told The Yomiuri Shimbun We greatly value Japans role in strengthening the Quads agenda and believe that together we can continue to deliver practical solutions and tangible outcomes that benefit not only our region but the wider worldPM Modi arrived in Japan early Friday morning on the first leg of his twonation visitnbspIn a post on X PM Modi stated Landed in Tokyo As India and Japan continue to strengthen their developmental cooperation I look forward to engaging with PM Ishiba and others during this visit thus providing an opportunity to deepen existing partnerships and explore new avenues of collaborationnbspNew Delhi continues to place high importance on the Quad grouping comprising India Japan the United States and Australia which is widely viewed as a strategic counterbalance to China in the IndoPacific https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-committed-to-peaceful-and-prosperous-indo-pacific-pm-modi-635133.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fragile-thaw-pakistans-august-strikes-on-ttp-hint-at-shifting-taliban-calculus--634903.html New Delhi Aug 28 Ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan since the Taliban took over have soured considerably in recent years There have been multiple reasons for the same which also include the Durand Line While the border is an ongoing issue the flare up has largely been over the support given to the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLA as alleged by IslamabadDuring a trilateral both China and Pakistan had urged the Taliban to stop supporting the TTP and BLA However the Taliban was reluctant and only assured that it would allow the BLA to carry out activities on its soil No such assurance was given where the TTP was concernedThe Pakistan Army which has suffered several set backs due to attacks by the TTP has accused the Taliban of allowing the outfit to use Afghanistan as a launchpad While diplomatic efforts and complaints at the United Nations by Pakistan have failed to solve the problem there has been a change in the number of casualties that the TTP has suffered in August 2025On Tuesday the Pakistan Army launched drone attacks that targeted hideouts of the TTP in Afghanistan The strikes were launched in coordination with the Taliban authorities Heavy casualties were inflicted upon the TTP and several hideouts were destroyed in the attack The attacks were planned in advance and the Taliban authorities were aware of itFor the TTP August 2025 has been a bad month On August 8 thirtythree TTP fighters were killed by the Pakistan Army A mosque in Bajaur which was being used as a TTP hideout was hit by the Pakistan security forces Thirty TTP men were killed in this strike If one takes into account the strike on Tuesday this would be the fourth strike on the TTP by the Pakistan Army in August aloneWhat is interesting is that all these were precision hits which suggests that the Pakistan Army had specific Intelligence This could have been provided by the Afghan Taliban to the ISI If this assessment is indeed correct then what could have changed between the Taliban and PakistanSASSI an Islamabad based thinktank had announced a conference titled The Future of Afghanistan Peace Stability and Development Habiburrahman Hekmatyar Nasir Anisha Mustafa Mastoor and Fawzia Koofi were among those invited for the event All these persons have been critical of the Taliban The Taliban was irked by this event that was to be held on August 2526 In fact there was a suspicion that it was the ISI which had coordinated this event Even during the trilateral that was held last week the Talibans acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had urged Pakistans foreign minister Ishaq Dar to prevent these antiTaliban figures from holding such an event in Islamabad Immediately after this meeting some Pakistan media outlets said that the event had been postponed due to pressure from the Taliban The Afghanistan media outlets however attributed the postponement due to visa delays They however did say that there was pressure from the Taliban on Pakistan not to allow the event to take placeThis brings up the question whether the Taliban and Pakistan had a secret understanding as a result of which strikes on the TTP have riseWhile such an understanding suits Pakistan the risks of a rift between the TTP and Taliban are immense The two sides could clash and many within the Taliban may move towards the TTP making matters extremely complicated Such issues could be dangerous for the region and risks of instability would be high While these new developments may suggest a thaw in tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan the situation is still fragile It could also be a temporary agreement which would allow the Pakistan Army save its face by targeting the TTP The armys image in Pakistan has taken a beating after it has been humiliated repeatedly by the TTP and BLA IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fragile-thaw-pakistans-august-strikes-on-ttp-hint-at-shifting-taliban-calculus--634903.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-inaugurates-asean-india-youth-summit-in-goa-634907.html Panaji Aug 28 Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Thursday inaugurated the fifth edition of the ASEANIndia Youth Summit in Goa highlighting the shared values between India and the ASEAN grouping The 5th edition of the ASEANIndia Youth Summit is being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA in collaboration with the India Foundation and ASEAN Foundation with support from the State Government of Goa from August 2831 under the theme Connecting the Youth Shaping our FutureIn his address Margherita invited young leaders to contribute towards fostering cooperation for ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the sankalp of Viksit Bharat in the Asian CenturyIt is significant that the Youth Summit is organised in Goa to mark the year 2025 as ASEANIndia Year of Tourism More than 100 young leaders from diverse fields such as politics technology academia media think tanks among others from India ASEAN Member States and Timor Leste are participating in the event read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAMargherita stated that more than 100 young leaders from ASEAN Member States TimorLeste and India will deliberate on the theme Connecting the Youth Shaping our FutureDelighted to inaugurate the 5th edition of the ASEANIndia Youth Summit in Goa today Organised by MEA India in collaboration with India Foundation and ASEAN Foundation Over 100 young leaders from ASEAN Member States TimorLeste and India will deliberate on the theme Connecting the Youth Shaping our Future Invited them to contribute towards Viksit Bharat and the ASEAN Community Vision Margherita posted on XThe 4th ASEANIndia Youth Summit was held in Hyderabad in 2023 The year 2022 marked 30 years of ASEANIndia relations and it was celebrated as the ASEANIndia Friendship Year Its most important outcome was the elevation of ASEANIndia Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership CSP IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-inaugurates-asean-india-youth-summit-in-goa-634907.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/argentina-simplifies-entry-for-indian-citizens-with-us-visas-to-boost-tourism-634664.html Buenos Aires Aug 27 In a move aimed at enhancing inbound tourism and strengthening bilateral ties the Argentine government has announced eased entry requirements for Indian citizens holding valid US visas The new regulation published in the Official Gazette exempts Indian passport holders from obtaining an Argentine visa or Electronic Travel Authorization AVE if they possess a current tourist visa for the United States According to the official text this exemption applies to ordinary passport holders with the National Immigration Directorate tasked with verifying each case through coordination with relevant authorities prior to granting entry This reciprocal gesture highlights Indias existing Electronic Travel Authorisation ETA system which Argentine citizens already access free of charge for tourism purposes The policy builds on similar initiatives implemented just one month ago when Argentina waived visa and AVE requirements for citizens of China and the Dominican Republic under the same condition of holding a valid US visa These measures reflect a broader strategy to attract international visitors and invigorate the tourism sector amid economic recovery efforts Argentine Tourism Secretary Daniel Scioli praised the decision on X formerly Twitter stating that it seeks to facilitate inbound tourism and support Argentine sports Sciolis advocacy underscores the potential for increased cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations Deregulation Minister Federico Sturzennegger elaborated on the rationale in a post on X declaring Indian citizens will be able to enter Argentina without a visa or AVE without paying any fees if they have a valid US visa He corrected a potential misunderstanding by emphasising that entry facilitation means they will no longer be required to apply for additional permissions Sturzennegger highlighted key statistics Some 22 million Indians travelled to the US in 2024 and the US grants more than a million visas per year to India So this change should help facilitate tourism in our country a request that the Secretary of Tourism Sports and Environment Daniel Osvaldo Scioli has been insistently urging The minister also referenced a diplomatic nudge from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires in early July Its impossible to improve tourism if we dont make it easier for them to come Sturzennegger added echoing the sentiment that streamlined processes are essential for growth Argentine Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino reinforced the priority assuring that promoting tourism to our country is a top priority of our government and for this reason we seek to facilitate the mechanisms so that more and more Indians visit Argentina With Indias burgeoning middle class and rising outbound travel experts anticipate a surge in visitors to Argentinas iconic destinations like Patagonia Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires This development aligns with Argentinas deregulation agenda under President Milei aiming to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and stimulate economic activity Bilateral trade between Argentina and India currently valued at around 6 billion annually could see further boosts through enhanced peopletopeople connections As global travel rebounds postpandemic such visa relaxations position Argentina as an accessible hub for Asian tourists potentially adding millions to the tourism revenue which contributes over 5 per cent to the nations GDP Tourism officials expect the policy to take effect immediately with airlines and travel agencies already promoting Argentina to Indian audiences This initiative not only reciprocates Indias hospitality but also fosters goodwill paving the way for deeper cooperation in areas like technology agriculture and renewable energy IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/argentina-simplifies-entry-for-indian-citizens-with-us-visas-to-boost-tourism-634664.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/hungary-bans-ukrainian-commander-over-repeated-pipeline-attacks-634921.html Budapest Aug 28 Hungary has banned the commander of a Ukrainian military unit from entering the country and travelling through the entire Schengen Area blaming him of posing a national security risk following recent attacks against the Druzhba oil pipeline from Russia Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto declared the entry ban on Thursday describing the most recent strike as an assault on Hungarys sovereignty and vowed not to let it go without consequences Xinhua News Agency reportedAccording to him the latest strike was particularly serious as it lasted so long that Hungary almost had to tap into its strategic reservesThe banned Ukrainian commanders name was Robert Brovdy local online portal Mandiner reported citing a statement from the immigration authority The entry ban will be effective for three yearsUkraine had launched three such attacks in recent weeks targeting the Druzhba pipeline all of which disrupted Hungarys energy supply Last week Szijjarto confirmed the crude oil delivery suspension after the overnight attack at the RussianBelarusian border describing it as another attack against Hungarys energy security and an attempt to drag us into the warDeliveries through the pipeline are scheduled to restart on Thursday in test modeIn response to the attacks Szijjarto said Ukraine knows perfectly well that attacks against the Druzhba pipeline harm not Russia but primarily Hungary and Slovakia He called on Ukraine not to attack the oil pipeline supplying Hungary in the future and not to endanger the security of our energy supplyLast week Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Szijjarto together with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar sent a joint letter to senior European Union EU officials urging the European Commission to take immediate action following an attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline at the RussianBelarusian borderThis vital pipeline has been attacked for the third time and now oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia will stop for at least five days Szijjarto wroteCrude oil deliveries to Hungary were suspended again following the overnight strike on the Druzhba pipeline Szijjarto confirmed on August 22Despite the disruption Hungarian oil and gas group MOL assured that regional supply security will be maintained citing reserves and access to an alternative route via the Adriatic pipeline from CroatiaIn a Facebook post Szijjarto denounced the incident as a direct assault on the countrys energy security and an attempt to drag Hungary into the war adding that Hungary would continue to support peace efforts with all its strength while safeguarding its national interests IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/hungary-bans-ukrainian-commander-over-repeated-pipeline-attacks-634921.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/confident-that-my-visits-to-japan-and-china-would-further-national-interests-and-priorities-pm-modi-634943.html New Delhi Aug 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that his visits to Japan and China would further the countrys national interests and priorities PM Modi made the statement ahead of his departure for Japan the first leg of his twonation visit which will also take him to China for the SCO Summit later this week I am confident that my visits to Japan and China would further our national interests and priorities and contribute to building fruitful cooperation in advancing regional and global peace security and sustainable development said PM Modi in his Departure Statement late Thursday eveningThis will be PM Modis eighth visit to Japan On Friday he is scheduled to participate in the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit his first Summit meeting with Japanese counterpart Shigeru IshibaPM Modi last visited Japan in May 2023 Both leaders had earlier met in June 2025 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Canada and during the 21st ASEANIndia Summit in Vientiane in Laos last yearDuring my visit we would focus on shaping the next phase in our Special Strategic and Global Partnership which has made steady and significant progress over the past eleven years We would endeavor to give new wings to our collaboration expand scope and ambition of our economic and investment ties and advance cooperation in new and emerging technologies including AI and Semiconductors The visit will also be an opportunity to strengthen our civilizational bonds and cultural ties that connect our peoples said PM Modi in his departure statement issued late Thursday eveningDuring his twoday stay Ishiba will hold talks with Prime Minister Modi and also hold a working dinner The two leaders are also scheduled to visit Miyagi PrefectureIt is expected that Prime Minister Modis visit to Japan will further deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and India This will be Prime Minister Modis eighth visit to Japan as Prime Minister his last visit was in May 2023 read a statement issued by the Japanese Foreign Ministry ahead of PM Modis visitAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA during the visit the two Prime Ministers will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan including defence and security trade and economy technology and innovation and people to people exchanges as well as discuss issues of regional and global importance The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countriesThe annual summit between India and Japan represents the highestlevel dialogue mechanism that exists between the two countries and it drives the agenda of the IndiaJapan special strategic and global partnership said Foreign Secretary Vikram MisriIndia and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership since 2014 which according to the MEA is rooted in civilisational ties and reinforced by convergence in regional and global outlooksDuring the summit both Prime Ministers are expected to evaluate progress achieved in recent years while also exchanging perspectives on key regional and global mattersForeign Secretary Misri highlighted that IndiaJapan relations have consistently broadened in scope and ambition over the last decade and the visit would enable the launch of new initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience in the partnership while addressing emerging opportunities and challengesHe also underlined that India continues to place high importance on the Quad grouping comprising India Japan the United States and Australia which is widely viewed as a strategic counterbalance to China in the IndoPacificIn recent years engagement between Indian states and Japanese prefectures has intensified and this aspect will also be a focus during the visit Overall the visit will consolidate our longstanding friendship open fresh avenues of cooperation and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace prosperity and stability in our shared IndoPacific region and beyond Misri told reporters ahead of PM Modis departureDuring the twoday visit PM Modi is also scheduled to participate in a business leaders forum involving top Indian and Japanese industry representatives The discussions will include matters related to strengthening cooperation within the Quad as well as bolstering security and stability in the IndoPacificFollowing his engagements in Japan PM Modi will travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in Tianjin from August 31September 1 This will be PM Modis first visit to China in last seven years and the first since the Galwan Valley faceoff between the soldiers of the two countries at the Line of Actual Control LAC in June 2020From Japan I will travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin at the invitation of President Xi Jinping India is an active and constructive member of SCO During our Presidency we have introduced new ideas and initiated collaboration in the fields of innovation health and cultural exchanges India remains committed to working with the SCO members to address shared challenges and deepen regional cooperation I also look forward to meeting President Xi Jinping President Putin and other leaders on the sidelines of the Summit PM Modi stated in his departure statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/confident-that-my-visits-to-japan-and-china-would-further-national-interests-and-priorities-pm-modi-634943.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 22:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unpredictable-american-diplomacy-complicating-india-trade-talks-says-ex-us-diplomat-634702.html Washington Aug 28 Former US Charge dAffaires to India Donald Heflin has warned that Washingtons unpredictable diplomatic approach is complicating trade negotiations with New Delhi Speaking exclusively to IANS Heflin who is now a Senior Fellow at the Fletcher School at Tufts University argued that the traditional norms and processes of diplomacy are broken in WashingtonNormally you go to a country like India and say we are thinking about raising tariffs on you and heres why Now if you can address the problem were concerned about or give us some other possible answer we are happy to talk about that Then you work out the issues with midlevel professional diplomats and then the leaders talk he addedHeflin pointed out that a lot of diplomats have been fired or have resigned or retired in the last eight months and many of those remaining have learned the lesson that you dont raise an unpopular opinionHe further explained that while political appointees were always a feature of the US foreign policy apparatus the current administration has more political appointees and a lot of the particularly higherlevel professionals are exiting the serviceWhat normally should happen is a leader like Trump should be able to turn to the State Department and say I want to do this figure out how to do it Now everybody who knows how to do that is gone or afraid to speak out So thats a real problem he notedHowever Heflin remained cautiously optimistic about the recent announcement of Sergio Gor as the next US ambassador to IndiaSergio is not one of the radicals in the Trump administration He was a voice for reasonableness during the first Trump term Hell be okay I think hell be a steady hand at the wheel he saidAt the same time Heflin reiterated that the absence of expertise may still hamper Sergios India assignmentIf you look at the depth chart of the embassy some of the people he normally would be able to count on are now gone or theyll go soon or theyre afraid to speak out So a lot of the tools that he would normally have wont be there he stressedRegarding the US policy shift in the IndoPacific Heflin pointed out that renegotiating economic arrangements with China is a huge priority for the Trump administration and that in turn is impacting US ties to other nations in the region including IndiaThere is a temptation to say if we could cut a good deal with China thatd be great If we could peel them off of Russia right now thatd be the best thing we could do Well what about Australia Japan and India who kind of lined themselves up with us What do we do about them That could be happening he explainedThe former senior US diplomat had a piece of advice for India tooI think India is going to have to make a mental adjustment here If you look back over the decades the US has been a constant suitor of India India was always hot and cold Well the US is taking the same attitude Im not sure how much Indias pride will let it do that But I think thats where we are now he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unpredictable-american-diplomacy-complicating-india-trade-talks-says-ex-us-diplomat-634702.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-chinese-president-xi-jinping-to-meet-on-aug-31-on-sidelines-of-sco-summit-634752.html New DelhiBeijing Aug 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in Tianjin on Sunday PM Modi will be in China on the invitation of President Xi to attend the SCO Summit after concluding his twoday visit to JapanThis will be PM Modis first visit to China in last seven years and the first since the Galwan Valley faceoff in June 2020 between the soldiers of the two countries at the Line of Actual Control LACBoth leaders had held a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russias Kazan in 2024 The breakthrough in bilateral talks was made possible after India and China reached an agreement on patrolling along the nearly 3500km LAC to end the fouryearlong border confrontationOn August 21 Chinas Ambassador to India Xu Feihong asserted that PM Modis visit to Tianjin for SCO Summit will give a fresh impetus to the improvement and development of relations between both countriesThe visit of Prime Minister Modi to China will be a very important event not only for the SCO but for the bilateral relationship between the two countries A working group from China and India is working very hard to make this visit a successful one From our side we attach great importance to this visit It will be a very successful one Xu Feihong told reporters on the sidelines of an event in New DelhiOn August 19 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had called on Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi handing over a message and invitation from President Xi Jinping to the PM for the twoday SCO Summit beginning August 31Glad to meet Foreign Minister Wang Yi Since my meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year IndiaChina relations have made steady progress guided by respect for each others interests and sensitivities I look forward to our next meeting in Tianjin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit Stable predictable constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional as well as global peace and prosperity PM Modi posted on X after the meetingDuring the meeting PM Modi emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border and reiterated Indias commitment to a fair reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary questionPrime Minister welcomed the steady and positive progress in bilateral ties since his meeting with President Xi in Kazan last year guided by mutual respect mutual interest and mutual sensitivity including the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra read a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMOPrime Minister thanked President Xi for the invitation to the SCO Summit and conveyed his acceptance He expressed support for Chinas Presidency of the SCO Summit and said that he looked forward to meeting President Xi in Tianjin The PM underlined that stable predictable and constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity it addedThe SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation established in Shanghai on June 15 2001 The SCO member states are China Russia India Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Pakistan Uzbekistan Iran and Belarus The SCO has two observer states Afghanistan and Mongolia and 14 dialogue partners including Turkey Kuwait Azerbaijan Armenia Cambodia Nepal Sri Lanka Saudi Arabia Egypt Qatar Bahrain the Maldives Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-chinese-president-xi-jinping-to-meet-on-aug-31-on-sidelines-of-sco-summit-634752.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-japan-visit-to-solidify-longstanding-special-bond-of-friendship-between-both-nations-634763.html TokyoNew Delhi Aug 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on his first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years to participate in the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit on Friday This will be Prime Minister Modis eighth visit to Japan and the first Summit meeting with Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba PM Modi last visited Japan in May 2023 Both leaders had earlier met in June 2025 on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Canada and during the 21st ASEANIndia Summit in Vientiane in Laos last yearDuring his stay Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will hold talks with Prime Minister Modi and hold a working dinner The two leaders are also scheduled to visit Miyagi Prefecture It is expected that Prime Minister Modis visit to Japan will further deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and India This will be Prime Minister Modis eighth visit to Japan as Prime Minister his last visit was in May 2023 read a statement issued by the Japanese Foreign Ministry ahead of PM Modis visitAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA during the visit the two Prime Ministers will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan including defence and security trade and economy technology and innovation and people to people exchanges as well as discuss issues of regional and global importance The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countriesThe annual summit between India and Japan represents the highestlevel dialogue mechanism that exists between the two countries and it drives the agenda of the IndiaJapan special strategic and global partnership said Foreign Secretary Vikram MisriIndia and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership since 2014 which according to the MEA is rooted in civilisational ties and reinforced by convergence in regional and global outlooksThe IndoPacific visions of both countries are closely aligned with Indias Act East Policy and IndoPacific Oceans Initiative IPOI complementing Japans Free and Open IndoPacific FOIPThe cooperation extends to plurilateral platforms such as the Quad the International Solar Alliance ISA the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure CDRI and the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative SCRIJapan takes the lead on the connectivity pillar of the IPOI and is also Indias largest donor of official development assistance ODAIndia and Japan are two countries that share values trust and strategic outlook on several issues They are Asias two leading democracies and amongst the worlds top five economies Misri statedDuring the summit both Prime Ministers are expected to evaluate progress achieved in recent years while also exchanging perspectives on key regional and global mattersForeign Secretary Misri highlighted that IndiaJapan relations have consistently broadened in scope and ambition over the last decade and the visit would enable the launch of new initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience in the partnership while addressing emerging opportunities and challengesHe also underlined that India continues to place high importance on the Quad grouping comprising India Japan the United States and Australia which is widely viewed as a strategic counterbalance to China in the IndoPacificIn recent years engagement between Indian states and Japanese prefectures has intensified and this aspect will also be a focus during the visit Overall the visit will consolidate our longstanding friendship open fresh avenues of cooperation and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace prosperity and stability in our shared IndoPacific region and beyond Misri told reporters ahead of PM Modis departureDuring the twoday visit PM Modi is also scheduled to participate in a business leaders forum involving top Indian and Japanese industry representatives The discussions will include matters related to strengthening cooperation within the Quad as well as bolstering security and stability in the IndoPacificFollowing his engagements in Japan Prime Minister Modi will travel to China from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in Tianjin IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-japan-visit-to-solidify-longstanding-special-bond-of-friendship-between-both-nations-634763.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-bhutan-ink-pact-to-strengthen-agricultural-ties-634857.html New Delhi Aug 28 India and Bhutan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of agriculture and allied sectors including livestock The MoU was signed in Thimphu by Devesh Chaturvedi Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on behalf of India and Thinley Namgyel Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock representing the Royal Government of BhutanThe signing of the MoU represents a significant milestone in the enduring partnership between India and Bhutan reflecting the two countries shared commitment to food security sustainable farming and rural prosperityIt will serve as a framework for collaboration in various areas outlined in the MoU including agricultural research and innovation livestock health and production postharvest management value chain development and the exchange of knowledge skills and expertise according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers WelfareIn order to implement the MoU the first session of the Joint Technical Working Group JTWG was convened following the signing wherein the two countries agreed on the terms of reference for JTWG and priority areas of collaboration for immediate action Both sides underscored the significance of the meeting as a key milestone in deepening bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture and allied sectorsChaturvedi shared the priorities challenges and also highlighted a series of innovative initiatives launched by the Government of India to strengthen the agricultural sector The new initiative included the use of digital solutions promoting climateresilient agricultural practices risk mitigation and credit to the farmersDuring the JTWG session both sides held detailed discussions on key areas of cooperation including Agriculture Livestock Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives Food Processing Seed Sector Research amp Technology Collaboration and Capacity BuildingThe two sides agreed to hold the next JTWG meeting in India at a mutually convenient dateThe visit of the Agriculture Secretary to Bhutan is in keeping with the wellestablished tradition of regular exchanges between India and Bhutan and to further strengthen the existing close ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries the official statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-bhutan-ink-pact-to-strengthen-agricultural-ties-634857.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-indonesias-human-rights-minister-pigai-discuss-bilateral-ties-634625.html New Delhi Aug 27 Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita held a meeting with Indonesias Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai in New Delhi on Wednesday The two leaders discussed bilateral ties between India and Indonesia under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Margherita stated that he and Natalius Pigai discussed avenues to enhance cooperation on human rights justice bilateral consular matters and peoplecentric governanceIn a statement shared on X Margherita stated Pleased to meet Indonesias Minister of Human Rights HE Mr Natalius Pigai Discussed our strong bilateral ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as avenues to enhance cooperation on human rights justice bilateral consular matters and peoplecentric governance India and Indonesia remain steadfast partners with shared democratic valuesEarlier in May External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met Indonesias Minister of Culture Fadli Zon on the sidelines of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit WAVES 2025 EAM Jaishankar called creative industry and cultural exchanges major component of IndiaIndonesia partnershipPleased to meet Minister of Culture Fadli Zon of Indonesia this evening in Mumbai on the sidelines of WAVES 2025 Creative industry and cultural exchanges are a major component of IndiaIndonesia partnership Appreciate the sympathy and support on the Pahalgam terrorist attack Jaishankar posted on XIn January Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was on a fourday State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Minister Modi during which he was also the Chief Guest for Indias 76th Republic Day celebrations This was President Subianto Prabowos first State Visit to India and and coincided with the 75th Anniversary of IndiaIndonesia diplomatic relations He was accompanied by a highlevel delegation including several ministers as well as senior officials of the Indonesian government and a business delegationFollowing the meeting between PM Modi and President Subianto several Memorandums of Understanding MoUs were exchanged covering areas such as health cooperation digital infrastructure and defence collaboration The significant agreements included maritime safety and security aimed at bolstering crime prevention search and rescue and capacity building Additionally the partnership in energy critical minerals science technology and space was further strengthened IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-margherita-indonesias-human-rights-minister-pigai-discuss-bilateral-ties-634625.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-expresses-deep-regret-over-killing-of-journalists-in-gaza-634485.html New Delhi Aug 27 Expressing deep regret over the killing of journalists in Gazas Khan Younis India on Wednesday reiterated its consistent stand of condemning the loss of civilian lives in the IsraelHamas conflict An Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people including five journalists associated with various international media organisationsIn a statement the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said The killing of journalists is shocking and deeply regrettable India has always condemned the loss of civilian lives in conflict We understand that the Israeli authorities have already instituted an investigationIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the incident describing it as a tragic mishapIsrael deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza Israel values the work of journalists medical staff and all civilians he saidThe Israeli PM added that the military is conducting a thorough investigation into the incidentOur war is with Hamas terrorists Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home he addedUS President Donald Trump responding to the news said he had not yet been fully briefed on the strike but stated Im not happy about it I dont want to see itTrump added that at the same time we have to end that whole nightmare in Gaza where Hamas continues to hold hostages captured in IsraelThe Israeli military confirmed its troops carried out a strike in the Nasser Hospital area and assured that an investigation into the matter was underwayThe IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such the military said in a statementEarlier this month Al Jazeera correspondent Anas alSharif was also killed in an Israeli strike and the Israel Defense Forces IDF also presented the proof that he was a Hamas leader IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-expresses-deep-regret-over-killing-of-journalists-in-gaza-634485.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/afghan-fm-amir-khan-muttaqis-visit-to-delhi-cancelled-634369.html New Delhi Aug 26 Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqis visit to India planned for later this week has been cancelled sources in Kabul told IANS on Tuesday As Delhi and Kabul are facing a new tectonic shift in their bilateral relations after the takeover of the Taliban in 2021 both nations have enhanced their diplomatic relations and it could have been a major development if Foreign Minister Muttaqi had visited DelhiSources in Kabul told IANS that the visit got cancelled because Muttaqi failed to receive a travel ban exemption from the United Nations Security CouncilThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA has officially given an invitation to Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to visit New Delhi All things were planned but at the very last moment the minister did not get a nod from the travel ban exemption from the UNSC If the visit had gone as per the plan that wouldve marked a new momentum in DelhiKabul relations the source saidAs reported by IANS earlier this week a highlevel delegation from Kabul was expected to visit New DelhiThis is the second time in the month that Muttaqi has failed to go ahead on a foreign travel due to the sanctions travel ban imposed on him along with many other Taliban leadersHis earlier visit to Pakistan also failed a few days back due to the very same reasonAlthough India has still not recognised the Taliban regime but has handed over Afghanistans consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad to Taliban diplomatsLast month Russia became the first country to formally recognise Afghanistans Taliban government which has been facing flak from human rights groups and at the global level for its treatment towards women a key factor which is acting as a roadblock for the Taliban regime to get global recognition IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/afghan-fm-amir-khan-muttaqis-visit-to-delhi-cancelled-634369.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/xis-tibet-visit-showcases-intention-to-have-upper-hand-in-balance-of-power-with-india-report-634371.html Beijing Aug 26 Chinese President Xi Jinpings recent visit to Tibet confirms that Beijing is striving to cultivate advantages there that give it the upper hand in the balance of power and border negotiations with India a report said Chinas Premier Li Qiangs announcement on July 21 that the Medong county dam will begin construction and now Xis veiled instructure to accelerate its development makes it almost clear that the dam will be a flashpoint in IndiaChina security dynamics Rahul Karan Reddy a senior research associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia ORCA wrote in an opinion pieceThe report stated Perhaps China is cultivating a bargaining chip for negotiations with India but with the sanction of the top leadership riparian relations between India and China are now certain to become further securitised Moreover Chinas position that the Medong county dam and development policies of Tibet are an internal matter is likely to harden as India raises objections to such projects Tibets development trajectory and infrastructure projects are becoming increasingly relevant to Indias border security and entangled with security competition with ChinaAnother aspect regarding the visit is the issue of the Dalai Lamas succession Xis visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region TAR and reiteration of security and stability clearly indicate that China is not ready to allow the Dalai Lamas succession issue to affect its control in TibetThe ORCA report stated A highprofile visit to TAR just a month after the Dalai Lamas announcement of a successor outside China and outside Chinas influence signals a hardening stance by Beijing that China will persist with its integration strategy in Tibet and legitimise Partyappointed Tibetan institutions Perhaps Xis visit is preparing the ground for Chinas countermeasures in TAR for when the Dalai Lamas succession process is initiated For India this means China is also preparing for a decision by New Delhi to support or legitimise the Dalai Lamas successionThe ties between India and China have moved closer towards normalisation since October last year and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit to New Delhi showcased that the two nations have been engaging in dialogue and negotiations to address the boundary question However developments in Tibet are likely to have a significant influence on the security outlook of India and ChinaThe report said Xis visit to TAR was a sharp reminder that developments in Tibet are closely tied to border security concerns for India the Medong county dam is raising significant concerns about a water bomb in some Indian states and its construction could greatly accentuate security dilemmas in sensitive border regions For China the Dalai Lamas recent remarks on the succession issue have possibly resulted in Beijings hardening stance and reiteration of control in Tibet It also explains any Party moves towards preparing the ground for succession outcomes Both the domestic governance priorities of the Party and Chinas external signalling are indicating an increase in the complexity of security dynamics between India and China IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/xis-tibet-visit-showcases-intention-to-have-upper-hand-in-balance-of-power-with-india-report-634371.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/afghan-fm-amir-khan-muttaqis-visit-to-delhi-cancelled--634394.html New Delhi Aug 26 Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqis visit to India planned for later this week has been cancelled sources in Kabul told IANS on Tuesday As Delhi and Kabul are facing a new tectonic shift in their bilateral relations after the takeover of the Taliban in 2021 both nations have enhanced their diplomatic relations and it could have been a major development if Foreign Minister Muttaqi had visited DelhiSources in Kabul told IANS that the visit got cancelled because Muttaqi failed to receive a travel ban exemption from the United Nations Security CouncilAll things were planned but at the very last moment the minister did not get a nod from the travel ban exemption from the UNSC If the visit had gone as per the plan that wouldve marked a new momentum in DelhiKabul relations the source saidAs reported by IANS earlier this week a highlevel delegation from Kabul was expected to visit New DelhiThis is the second time in the month that Muttaqi has failed to go ahead on a foreign travel due to the sanctions travel ban imposed on him along with many other Taliban leadersHis earlier visit to Pakistan also failed a few days back due to the very same reasonAlthough India has still not recognised the Taliban regime but has handed over Afghanistans consulates in Mumbai and Hyderabad to Taliban diplomatsLast month Russia became the first country to formally recognise Afghanistans Taliban government which has been facing flak from human rights groups and at the global level for its treatment towards women a key factor which is acting as a roadblock for the Taliban regime to get global recognition IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/afghan-fm-amir-khan-muttaqis-visit-to-delhi-cancelled--634394.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iran-criticises-australias-expulsion-of-envoy-terms-anti-semitism-allegations-invalid-634407.html Tehran Aug 26 The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday criticised Australias decision to expel Irans ambassador and termed the antisemitism allegations baseless and invalid The Iranian Foreign Ministrys spokesperson Esmail Baqaei warned that a reciprocal response will be given against any improper diplomatic action His remarks come after Australia announced on Tuesday that it is expelling Iranian Ambassador to the country and three other Iranian diplomats while suspending operations at its embassy in Tehran after its intelligence revealed that Iranian government had directed two antisemitic attacks in Melbourne and Sydney last yearWhile addressing a press conference on Tuesday Baqaei stated that that any inappropriate diplomatic action would lead to a countermeasure Tasnim News Agency reported He said My colleagues are currently weighing a responseRejecting the allegations made by Australia he said These allegations are absolutely invalid and the concept of antiSemitism has no place in our religion It is a concept fabricated by the Westerners and they themselves should account for their historical recordHe stated that Australias decision seems to have been influenced by domestic developments and mentioned about the recent protests in the country over the situation in Gaza He said This action against Iran which targets diplomacy seems intended to offset the limited criticisms Australia has directed at the Israeli regimeAccording to a joint statement released by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Tony Burke Australia has witnessed a number of antisemitic attacks against Jewish community since October 7 2023 The Australian government had asked Australian Security Intelligence Organisation ASIO and the Australian Federal Police to investigate these incidentsEnough credible intelligence has now been gathered to reach the deeply disturbing conclusion that the Iranian Government has directed at least two of these attacks Iran has sought to disguise its involvement but ASIO assesses it was behind the attacks on Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydney on October 20 last year and The Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6 last year ASIO assesses it is likely Iran directed further attacks as well the statement readIt added that these attacks are an extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by another nation on Australian soil and are totally unacceptable The statement detailed that Australia will introduce a legislation to designate Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC as a terrorist organisationThese were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil This is an attack on our society aimed at creating fear stoking internal divisions and eroding social cohesion These attacks on our society are totally unacceptable and the Australian Government is taking strong and decisive action in response the statement saidWe have informed the Iranian ambassador to Australia he and three additional Iranian diplomats will be expelled We have suspended operations at our embassy in Tehran and all our diplomats are now safe in a third country The Government will legislate so we can list Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps the IRGC as a terrorist organisation it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iran-criticises-australias-expulsion-of-envoy-terms-anti-semitism-allegations-invalid-634407.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-kuwait-hold-foreign-office-consultations-discuss-ways-to-deepen-strategic-partnership-634408.html New Delhi Aug 26 India and Kuwait held the seventh round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Tuesday to review bilateral ties The officials of two nations discussed various ongoing initiatives and avenues to further deepen their strategic partnership in various sectors including political trade investment defence energy culture and peopletopeople ties Aseem Mahajan Additional Secretary Gulf Ministry of External Affairs MEA and Ambassador Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat Assistant Foreign Minister for Asia Affairs AFM Kuwaits Ministry of Foreign Affairs cochaired the Foreign Office ConsultationsIn a statement the Ministry of External Affairs stated During the meeting both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest Both sides discussed the various ongoing initiatives and avenues to further deepen our strategic partnership in various spheres including political trade investment defence energy culture and people to people tiesThey will continue to work closely on implementation of the roadmap drawn out under the guidance of the leadership of both the countries during the visit of Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Kuwait in December 2024 It was decided to hold the meetings of the Joint Working Groups JWGs under the Joint Commission for Cooperation JCC on mutually convenient dates at the earliest it addedThe two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Kuwait at a mutually convenient date Sameeh Essa Johar Hayat also called on Arun Kumar Chatterjee Secretary CPV amp OIAIndia and Kuwait share close historical multifaceted relations Bilateral trade between India and Kuwait stands at USD 102 billion per annum FY 20242025 The presence of over one million strong Indian community in Kuwait is a testament to the strong peopletopeople ties the MEA statedIndia was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kuwait following its independence in 1961 Prior to establishment of diplomatic ties India was represented by a Trade Commissioner The IndiaKuwait relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership during PM Modis visit to Kuwait in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-kuwait-hold-foreign-office-consultations-discuss-ways-to-deepen-strategic-partnership-634408.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/xi-jinpings-tibet-visit-showcases-beijings-intention-to-have-advantages-in-tibet-for-upper-hand-in-balance-of-power-with-india-report-634364.html Beijing Aug 26 Chinese President Xi Jinpings recent visit to Tibet confirms that Beijing is striving to cultivate advantages there that give it the upper hand in the balance of power and border negotiations with India a report said Chinas Premier Li Qiangs announcement on July 21 that the Medong county dam will begin construction and now Xis veiled instructure to accelerate its development makes it almost clear that the dam will be a flashpoint in IndiaChina security dynamics Rahul Karan Reddy a senior research associate at the Organisation for Research on China and Asia ORCA wrote in an opinion pieceThe report stated Perhaps China is cultivating a bargaining chip for negotiations with India but with the sanction of the top leadership riparian relations between India and China are now certain to become further securitised Moreover Chinas position that the Medong county dam and development policies of Tibet are an internal matter is likely to harden as India raises objections to such projects Tibets development trajectory and infrastructure projects are becoming increasingly relevant to Indias border security and entangled with security competition with ChinaAnother aspect regarding the visit is the issue of the Dalai Lamas succession Xis visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region TAR and reiteration of security and stability clearly indicate that China is not ready to allow the Dalai Lamas succession issue to affect its control in TibetThe ORCA report stated A highprofile visit to TAR just a month after the Dalai Lamas announcement of a successor outside China and outside Chinas influence signals a hardening stance by Beijing that China will persist with its integration strategy in Tibet and legitimise Partyappointed Tibetan institutions Perhaps Xis visit is preparing the ground for Chinas countermeasures in TAR for when the Dalai Lamas succession process is initiated For India this means China is also preparing for a decision by New Delhi to support or legitimise the Dalai Lamas successionThe ties between India and China have moved closer towards normalisation since October last year and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit to New Delhi showcased that the two nations have been engaging in dialogue and negotiations to address the boundary question However developments in Tibet are likely to have a significant influence on the security outlook of India and ChinaThe report said Xis visit to TAR was a sharp reminder that developments in Tibet are closely tied to border security concerns for India the Medong county dam is raising significant concerns about a water bomb in some Indian states and its construction could greatly accentuate security dilemmas in sensitive border regions For China the Dalai Lamas recent remarks on the succession issue have possibly resulted in Beijings hardening stance and reiteration of control in Tibet It also explains any Party moves towards preparing the ground for succession outcomes Both the domestic governance priorities of the Party and Chinas external signalling are indicating an increase in the complexity of security dynamics between India and China IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/xi-jinpings-tibet-visit-showcases-beijings-intention-to-have-advantages-in-tibet-for-upper-hand-in-balance-of-power-with-india-report-634364.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-committed-to-strengthening-ties-with-pacific-island-countries-president-murmu-634121.html New Delhi Aug 25 IANS Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday During the meeting President Murmu expressed Indias commitment to strengthening ties and development partnerships with the Pacific Island Countries PICsnbspIn a statement shared on X Presidents Secretariat stated Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka of Fiji called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan The President said that India remains committed to strengthening its relations and development partnership with the Pacific Island Countries PICs among which Fiji remains a special partnerEarlier in the day Sitiveni Rabuka held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi During the meeting the two leaders discussed strengthening of defence trade healthcare agriculture mobility peopletopeople ties and advancing a shared vision for a resilient and prosperous IndoPacificnbspPM Narendra Modi and PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji held wideranging and productive talks at Hyderabad House today Discussions covered strengthening IndiaFiji ties in defence trade healthcare agriculture mobility peopletopeople ties and advancing a shared vision for a resilient and prosperous IndoPacific stated Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir JaiswalBoth leaders witnessed exchange of MoUs in areas including heathcare capacity building mobility standardization ICET and business cooperation PM Narendra Modi also welcomed Fiji in IPOI forum as a member country he addednbspAccording to the joint statement released following the meeting PM Rabuka and PM Modi reaffirmed the deeprooted and longstanding relationship and strong peopletopeople ties between India and Fiji They acknowledged the contribution of the Girmitiyas over 60000 Indian indentured labourers who arrived in Fiji between 1879 and 1916 in shaping Fijis multicultural identity diverse society and economyThe two leaders condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others They also underscored the importance of a free open secure and inclusive IndoPacific region announcing their intention to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security contributing to peace and stability in the IndoPacificBoth countries acknowledged the need to counter radicalization combat financing of terrorism prevent the exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and tackle terrorist recruitment and transnational organised crime through joint efforts and capacity building Both sides agreed to work together at the UN and other multilateral fora to combat terrorism it mentionednbspFiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday marking his first visit to India after assuming office He is accompanied by his wife along with a highlevel delegation that includes Minister of Health and Medical Services Atonio Lalabalavu and senior officials https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-committed-to-strengthening-ties-with-pacific-island-countries-president-murmu-634121.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-japan-bilateral-mechanism-complements-broader-regional-arrangement-report-634146.html Tokyo Aug 25 Providing strategic flexibility and adaptability the JapanIndia partnership operates through multiple institutional layers with the bilateral mechanism complementing broader regional arrangement while allowing their respective functional independence a report stated on Monday This institutional architecture showcases flexibility by allowing two nations to work as per shared interests while protecting their policy differences especially regarding their ties with the US and views on sanctions regimes Pema Gyalpo a visiting professor at the Takushoku University Centre for IndoPacific Strategic Studies wrote in Tokyobased Japan ForwardDespite contrasting approaches to certain global issues their bilateral cooperation continues without disruption It is a pragmatic framework that prioritises longterm strategic interests over immediate policy coordination Institutionally it is designed for issuespecific cooperation without requiring comprehensive alignment Independent of broader political considerations the partnership carries on in maritime security technology transfer and infrastructure development he wroteThe partnership model between Japan and India proposes different methods for regional security cooperation emphasising practical collaboration instead of formal commitments the report highlighted Its success showcases how major powers can build comprehensive partnerships on the basis of shared interests and complementary capabilities instead of external alliances or power obligationsIt mentioned that the regional maritime security also benefits through IndiaJapan bilateral cooperation Joint naval capabilities sharing of information and coordinated presence across critical sea lanes create substantial regional security contributions The joint exercises and operational cooperation of two nations strengthen regional stability through practical deterrence and conflict prevention capabilitiesTechnological cooperation creates additional strategic value Joint development projects and technology sharing reduce both nations dependencies while building indigenous capabilities Above all the partnerships strength lies in its institutional flexibility and adaptive capacity Both nations maintain their strategic autonomy while building meaningful interdependencies that serve mutual interests It creates sustainable foundations for longterm cooperation that can adapt to changing regional circumstances without requiring external validation or support As regional dynamics continue evolving the JapanIndia model suggests that regional stability and cooperation can emerge from autonomous alliances between major powers committed to practical meaningful and mutually beneficial outcomes Gyalpo emphasisedPrime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Japan from August 2930 to participate in the 15th IndiaJapan Annual Summit at the invitation of Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba This will be PM Modis eighth visit to Japan and the first summit meeting with IshibaDuring the visit the two Prime Ministers will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan including defense and security trade and economy technology and innovation and people to people exchanges as well as discuss issues of regional and global importance The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countries the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated ahead of the visitEarlier in June PM Modi interacted with Shigeru Ishiba during the G7 Summit at Kananaskis Canada The leaders expressed commitment to further deepen bilateral ties across various sectorsIn a post on X PM Modi stated Insightful deliberations with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during the G7 Summit in Canada India and Japan remain committed to further deepening bilateral ties across various sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-japan-bilateral-mechanism-complements-broader-regional-arrangement-report-634146.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-world-food-programme-partner-to-fight-global-hunger-634155.html New Delhi Aug 25 Strengthening its collaboration with the World Food Programme WFP in fighting the global hunger crisis India has offered to supply fortified rice to the populations in crisis zones globally A Letter of Intent LoI was signed between the Indian government and the WFP underscoring the strength of global partnershipsUnder this initiative the Department of Food and Public Distribution DFPD Government of India offers WFP the opportunity to supply fortified rice from India aiding in fulfilling the food and nutritional requirements of the most vulnerable populations in crisis zones globally the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution saidBy sourcing rice from India the WFP will utilise the resources of an agricultural surplus nation to deliver lifesaving aid and make tangible progress against hungerIndia is committed to the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the earth is one family and collective responsibility towards each other and their shared future The countrys humanitarian support for communities in need facing food insecurity is part of this approach Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra saidWFPs Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau lauded Indias contribution to the fight against hunger especially as the world faces rising food insecurity amid constrained humanitarian fundingWe deeply appreciate Indias steadfast commitment to fostering a foodsecure and peaceful world said SkauThis partnership reflects our joint intent to strengthen global efforts and ensure sustained support for those in need he addedThe initiative signifies the culmination of the discussions at the February 2025 Executive Board side event in Rome where representatives from the Indian government and WFP explored ways to collaborateThis LoI lays the ground to ensure a dependable supply of Food grains for humanitarian distributionOther ongoing collaborative efforts with WFP such as Supply Chain Optimisation Distribution Procurement Fortified Rice Rollout Annapurti Devices Grain ATMs Jan Poshan Kendra Smart Warehousing technology and Flospans Mobile Storage Units were deliberated along with the potential areas for future collaboration the Ministry said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-world-food-programme-partner-to-fight-global-hunger-634155.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-japan-hold-ministerial-level-talks-to-strengthen-energy-ties-634160.html New Delhi Aug 25 India and Japan on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to energy security and inclusive growth and welcomed progress made in areas like energy efficiency clean hydrogen ammonia and renewable energy At the energy dialogue cochaired by Indias Minister of Power Manohar Lal and Japans Minister of Economy Trade and Industry Muto Yoji held through video conferencing the two countries agreed to expand cooperation on carbon capture utilisation and storage green chemicals biofuels and advanced technologies in the energy sectorThe Ministers also emphasised that the IndiaJapan partnership will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing secure resilient and sustainable energy systems in the IndoPacific regionIndia and Japan have been deepening their partnership in the energy sector under the JapanIndia Clean Energy Partnership with a focus on energy security clean energy transition and addressing climate changeBoth sides have institutionalised this cooperation through the IndiaJapan Energy Dialogue and sectoral Joint Working Groups JWGsThe Ministries of Power New and Renewable Energy Petroleum and Natural Gas and Coal made detailed presentations at the meeting on the progress achieved under their respective JWGs and outlined future cooperation pathwaysMeanwhile the Japanese government plans to double the target for privatesector investment in India to 10 trillion yen 68 billion over the next 10 years according to media reports from TokyoPrime Ministers Shigeru Ishiba and Narendra Modi are expected to confirm the new target during their meeting in Tokyo on August 29 a sourcebased report in Japans Asahi Shimbun newspaper saidThis plan will expand upon Japans current goal of investing 5 trillion yen over five years which was announced in March 2022 by thenPrime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to IndiaThe new investment goal is expected to be included in a joint statement following summit talks between Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart IshibaPM Modi will be on a threeday visit to Japan starting August 29 his first since May 2023 when he attended the G7 summit in HiroshimaJapanese businesses have since invested nearly 1 trillion yen in India every fiscal year on average The government plans to update the target to further encourage investment by the private sector the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-japan-hold-ministerial-level-talks-to-strengthen-energy-ties-634160.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/will-continue-to-treasure-relationship-with-india-fiji-pm-rabuka--634062.html New Delhi Aug 25 IANS Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a great leader and lauding the role of Indian community in developing his countrys economy Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on Monday said that his country will continue to treasure ties with IndianbspWhile addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their meeting on Monday Rabuka also termed the introduction of celebration of Girmitiya Day as a token of Fijis respect and recognition for the contribution made by the Indian diasporaIt has been a great honour to have been your guest over the last two days and the next two days My delegation and I have been very impressed beyond expectations With what we have seen what we have heard and what has been brought to fruition in the signing of the various agreements today We are very grateful that you have allowed us to further this relationship that was established in hardship in 1879 the period upto 1916 as you said earlier today more than 60000 men and women on an agreement came to work in the sugarcane fields of Fiji he saidAs I mentioned to you your excellency this morning they contributed their youth They contributed their separation from their families They have contributed to what Fiji is today They have developed the economy that Fiji now enjoys They have developed the community and the society that Fiji is proud of today and in a very small way we introduced the celebration of Girmitiya day in May every year as a token of our respect and recognition of this great contribution and the descendants of those great men and women who came in those days are now continuing the legacy They continue to contribute to Fijis growth to Fijis economy to Fijis stability Rabuka statedIndias links with Fiji began in 1879 when Indian labourers were brought to Fiji under indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations Between 1879 and 1916 around 60553 Indians were brought to Fiji Beginning with early 20th century Indian traders and others also started arriving in FijinbspRabuka recalled PM Modi and President Droupadi Murmus visit to Fiji He stated that Fiji is fortunate to be part of Indias global efforts in solarization and medicine researchnbspMoving forward we will continue to treasure our relationship with this great nation this great country particularly at this time the great leader that India has We were very honoured last year to have received the President of the Republic in Fiji and when you came in 2014 I was there way back in the crowd just waving I was not in the good books of the government that at that time but I persevered and now we stand together on the same stage not only here but in the same stage in the world promoting peace and stability welfare and wellbeing and also developmentnbspRabuka stated that he wants to eradicate poverty from Fiji like PM Modi has done in India He spoke about similarity in climate and latitude of two nations and noted that whatever grows well here will grow well in FijiWe have the same objective for peopleMany people were surprised when I announced that I would like to do what Prime Minister Modi has done in India and that is eradicate poverty particularly in the rural and our maritime areas and first of all it has to be eradicated from the minds of the people who have believed for so long that they are poor They do not have to believe and they can get out of itWe are the same latitude same climate So whatever grows well here will grow well in Fiji and we look forward to continuing the great cooperation we have We have been fortunate to be part of your global efforts in solarisation and medicine research and the use of your recent discoveries and inventions We can only benefit We may not have the ability to be up there in the front but whatever we get in our relationship we will value and we will treasure and we thank you and your people most sincerely he saidEarlier in the day PM Modi and Rabuka held talks at the Hyderabad House in Delhi The Fijian PM arrived in New Delhi on Sunday marking his first visit to India after assuming office He is accompanied by his wife Sulueti Rabuka along with a highlevel delegation that includes Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and senior officials https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/will-continue-to-treasure-relationship-with-india-fiji-pm-rabuka--634062.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russia-ukraine-conduct-another-round-of-prisoner-exchange-633934.html Moscow Aug 24 Russia and Ukraine on Sunday exchanged another 146 prisoners the Russian Defence Ministry said Ukraine also returned eight residents of Russias Kursk region The area was briefly seized by Ukraine in a surprise attack in August 2024 before Russian forces recaptured it earlier this yearThe Russian servicemen are in Belarus receiving psychological and medical assistance before being transported to Russia Xinhua News Agency reportedThe United Arab Emirates mediated the exchangeThe third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was held in Istanbul on July 23 After the talks Russian Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said both sides had agreed to exchange at least 1200 prisoners eachEarlier in July Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of conflict as delegations of the two countries held their third round of direct talks in the Turkish cityThe swap was conducted in accordance with the agreements both sides reached during their last talks on June 2 in Istanbul the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statementRussia and Ukraine held two rounds of direct talks on May 16 and June 2 in IstanbulDuring the second round they agreed on an allforall exchange of seriously ill and wounded prisoners and soldiers under the age of 25 as well as the transfer of the bodies of fallen soldiersMore than 1000 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home in accordance with the Istanbul agreements according to Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of WarWe have progress on the humanitarian track with no progress on a cessation of hostilities Ukraines chief delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks that lasted just 40 minutesRussias chief delegate Medinsky said the point of a leaders meeting should be to sign an agreement not to discuss everything from scratchHe renewed Moscows call for a series of short ceasefires of 2448 hours to enable the retrieval of bodiesUkraine said it wants an immediate and much longer ceasefire IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russia-ukraine-conduct-another-round-of-prisoner-exchange-633934.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 21:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/when-it-comes-to-our-strategic-autonomy-govts-stand-is-clear-eam-jaishankar-633737.html New Delhi Aug 23 In a sharp and unapologetic response to criticism from Western nations particularly the US External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar defended Indias oil trade policies particularly its continued purchase and export of Russian crude and refined products He also stated that when it comes to the interests of farmers when it comes to our strategic autonomy our stand is clear Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025 EAM Jaishankar made it clear that India would not accept undue pressure or hypocrisy when it comes to its energy and economic interestsAddressing recent remarks by members of the Trump administration who had criticised India for its energy dealings with Russia Jaishankar said If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India dont buy it Nobody forces you to buy itThe blunt statement was part of a broader message asserting Indias right to conduct trade in line with its national interestsJaishankar argued that the US was applying a selective and biased policy noting that China remains the largest purchaser of Russian oil yet hasnt faced similar trade actionsWe are not the largest buyer Others are doing it too So why us he asked reiterating that Indias procurement is in line with global market practices and necessityTaking a direct jab at the contradiction in the criticism he said Its funny to have people who work for a probusiness American administration accusing other people of doing businessReiterating the same during his speech the External Affairs Minister added Europe buys America buys so you dont like it dont buy itJaishankar also took the opportunity to underscore the governments unwavering stand when it comes to safeguarding the interests of Indian farmers and maintaining national sovereignty When it comes to the trade the interests of farmers when it comes to our strategic autonomy when it comes to opposition to mediation this government is very clear he assertedHe challenged critics to be transparent with the Indian public about where they stand on these critical issues saying If anybody disagrees with us please tell the people of India that you are not prepared to defend the interests of farmers Please tell the people of India you dont value strategic autonomy We do We will do whatever we have to do to maintain it IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/when-it-comes-to-our-strategic-autonomy-govts-stand-is-clear-eam-jaishankar-633737.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/for-us-india-is-the-only-partner-to-counter-chinese-dominance-in-asia-report-633770.html Washington Aug 23 Indias geography economy and demographic trajectory position it as the only realistic counterbalance to Chinese dominance in Asia a report highlighted on Saturday In the shifting chessboard of 21stcentury geopolitics the IndoPacific has emerged as the decisive arena for global power For the United States containing Beijings ambitions requires more than naval patrols and economic sanctions it demands a partner with scale proximity and political legitimacy Among all contenders India stands alone Stacey Glaser wrote in One World OutlookIndia the report details is uniquely situated to challenge Beijings reach as it shares a 2100mile land border with China and sits astride the Indian Ocean through which a significant share of global trade including Chinas energy imports must pass Unlike US allies such as Japan or Australia India can influence both continental and maritime theatres in any strategic equation it statesIndias economic rise is not merely a domestic success story it is a geopolitical asset A stronger Indian economy broadens New Delhis ability to fund military upgrades withstand Chinese coercion and present itself as a viable alternative hub for trade and investment writes GlaserHowever trade disputes policy mismatches and divergent strategic instincts threaten to undermine the full potential of the promising USIndia partnershipThe report mentions that former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has been vocal about the issues and has warned that undermining decades of USIndia economic cooperation is a strategic disaster She had singled out recent tariff disputes such as the Trump administrations steep import duties as selfinflicted wounds that risk driving India toward China and RussiaThe reality is that both nations need each other For Washington India is the only partner in Asia with the scale and democratic credentials to credibly balance China For New Delhi US capital technology and market access accelerate its growth and help diversify away from Chinese supply chains Disagreements over trade policy must be seen in the context of this larger strategic necessity the writer emphasises in the One World Outlook reportIndias most enduring advantage over China may be its people Glaser asserts citing that with a median age of just 29 and a 2025 population estimated at 144 billion Indias labour force is both youthful and expanding China by contrast is aging rapidly with shrinking workforce numbers and rising labour costsIndias economic rise is not merely a domestic success story it is a geopolitical asset A stronger Indian economy broadens New Delhis ability to fund military upgrades withstand Chinese coercion and present itself as a viable alternative hub for trade and investment the report titled Partner Not Pawn Indias Place in Americas Asia Playbook details IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/for-us-india-is-the-only-partner-to-counter-chinese-dominance-in-asia-report-633770.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-oil-purchase-from-us-increasing-were-not-biggest-buyer-of-russian-oil-eam-jaishankar-633364.html Moscow Aug 21 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday said that Indias oil purchase from the US has been consistently increasing as the August 27 deadline set by the Donald Trump administration to impose additional 25 per cent tariffs on India for buying Russian energy inches closer During a press briefing here EAM Jaishankar said that India is not the biggest purchaser of Russian oilThat is China We are not the biggest purchasers of LNG that is the European Union We are not the country which has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022 I think there are some countries to the South the EAM emphasisedHe further stated that We are a country where the Americans have said for the last few years that we should do everything to stabilise the world energy market including buying oil from RussiaIncidentally we also buy oil from the US and that amount has increased EAM Jaishankar told the mediaThe EAM said it is not only about oil but India and Russia are going forward in looking at nuclear energy greater market access fertilisers and labour mobility something which he is really very satisfied withAccording to official figures Indias oil and gas imports from the US have jumped by as much as 51 per cent from January to June this yearThe countrys liquefied natural gas LNG imports from the US also nearly doubled to 246 billion in the financial year 202425 from 141 billion in 202324India has increased purchases of oil from the US with Indian Oil Corporation the countrys largest oil company placing orders of around 2 million barrels of oil in August for October delivery Indian Oil Corporation has bought another cargo of US crude in August for delivery in OctoberIndia also bought 2 million barrels per day of Russian oil in August against orders placed in June and July to replace purchases from Iraq due to geopolitical tensions in the region The increase in Russian flow was at the cost of purchases from Iraq and Saudi Arabia according to Kpler dataMeanwhile Deputy Ambassador of the Russian Federation to India Roman Babushkin on Wednesday reaffirmed that crude oil exports to India will remain steady despite the evolving global sanctions and trade pressuresThe Deputy Ambassador highlighted that trade between the two countries has grown nearly sevenfold in recent years with Russia supplying around 250 million tonnes of oil annually to India offering an average discount of five per cent subject to negotiation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-oil-purchase-from-us-increasing-were-not-biggest-buyer-of-russian-oil-eam-jaishankar-633364.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-french-president-macron-discuss-peaceful-resolution-of-conflicts-in-ukraine-west-asia--633388.html New Delhi Aug 21 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday discussing efforts for peaceful resolution of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the strategic partnership between both nationsnbspHad a very good conversation with my friend President Macron Exchanged views on efforts for peaceful resolution of conflicts in Ukraine and in West Asia Reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the IndiaFrance strategic partnership PM Modi posted on X after the meetingDuring the talks Macron shared assessment on the recent meetings held between the leaders of the Europe US and Ukraine in Washington He also shared his perspectives regarding the situation in Gaza Macron expressed support for early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement FTA between India and the European Union according to the statement released by Prime Ministers Office PMOnbspPrime Minister Modi reiterated Indias consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflicts and early restoration of peace and stability The leaders also reviewed progress in the bilateral cooperation agenda including in the areas of trade defence civil nuclear cooperation technology and energy They reaffirmed joint commitment to strengthen IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership and mark 2026 as Year of Innovation in a befitting manner the PMO statedSeveral European leaders including Macron met the US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky The development took place following Trumps meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week Besides Macron the other European leaders who met Trump included UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO SecretaryGeneral Mark RutteEarlier on February 15 Macron congratulated PM Modi and the people of India on the countrys 79th Independence Day hoping that the strategic partnership between both countries will continue to deepen towards 2047 and beyondnbspWarm congratulations to the people of India on your 79th Independence Day I fondly recall welcoming my friend Narendra Modi to France in February and look forward to deepening our strategic partnership towards 2047 and beyond Macron posted on XLast month Frances Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France JeanNoel Barrot had highlighted that France and India are united by trust and driven by shared ambitionnbspThank you dear S Jaishankar France and India are united by trust and driven by shared ambition Lets keep building our strategic partnership Barrot wrote while thanking External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar for his greetings to the French government and the people of France on the countrys National day on July 14nbspEAM Jaishankar was in Paris in June on a visit that came within four months of Prime Minister Narendra Modis landmark visit to France for the Artificial Intelligence AI Action Summit https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-french-president-macron-discuss-peaceful-resolution-of-conflicts-in-ukraine-west-asia--633388.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/china-pushes-cpec-ii-pakistan-fails-to-tame-taliban-633405.html New Delhi Aug 21 The Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue was held in Kabul on August 20 amidst tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan who have been at loggerheads with each other for quite some time The meeting largely focused on the China Economic Corridor ProjectII CPEC with Beijing wanting Afghanistan to be part of it However during the meeting the Pakistanis had hoped that Beijing might broker peace between them and the TalibanPakistan had raised the issue relating to the TehreekeTaliban TTP and wanted the Taliban to stop backing the outfit The TTP has launched an allout attack against the Pakistan Army has inflicted severe damage Pakistan has accused the Taliban of sheltering the TTP and is now seeking Beijings intervention to sort out the issueThe Taliban however stood its ground and said that it would not launch an attack on the TTP It maintained that the TTP was Pakistans internal problem and it would not want to be involved in that battle Pakistan also raised the issue relating to the Balochistan National Army BLA and also blamed the Taliban for sheltering itThe Taliban however denied the allegations but assured Beijing that it would act against the hideouts and camps of the BLA in Afghanistan while also assuring that it would prevent the infiltration bids as wellFor the Chinese the TTP is not the problem The TTPs battle is solely against the Pakistan Army The BLA on the other hand is a headache for Beijing as the group has constantly targeted Chinese investments in Balochistan In this context the Taliban would come to the rescue of China and hence even agreed to act against the BLA and not the TTPPakistan would have expected that Beijing would come to the rescue with the Taliban The Taliban at one time was under the mercy of the Pakistanis This time around things have changed Issues such as the Durand Line and the TTP have been major points of contention and ties have fallen to an alltime low During the meeting Pakistan realised that it had very little control over the Taliban and even Chinese intervention could not get them to change their position on the TTPPakistan has also been desperately trying to increase its influence in Afghanistan by using Chinese backing Through this Pakistan had also hoped that it would corner India by enhancing its influence in the region Even when the CPEC was first announced Pakistan felt that it had an upper hand in the region with the backing of mighty China However it left Pakistan in debt and is now at the mercy of Beijing Moreover the Chinese have on numerous occasions raised concerns about the security of their projects in PakistanThe BLA has been on a warpath against Chinese investments in Balochistan and Pakistan has managed to do little to safeguard Beijings interestsNow with China wanting Afghanistan to be part of the CPECII it is to be seen if the Taliban too falls into a debt trap like Pakistan China is leaning heavily on the Taliban to sort out the BLA problem it has but the question is how far will Kabul goThe Pakistanis too had given security guarantees to China when the CPEC project began but failed to deliver on their promise The Taliban has said it would never let its soil be used for terror Can it deliver on that promise Only time will tell IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/china-pushes-cpec-ii-pakistan-fails-to-tame-taliban-633405.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 21:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/abt-revival-rings-alarm-bells-infiltration-sleeper-cells-and-the-isi-hand-633413.html New Delhi Aug 21 The activities of a terror organisation that is being closely watched are those of the Ansarullah Bangla Team ABT Indias Intelligence agencies have flagged the activities of this outfit since the regime change in Bangladesh The agencies have learnt that the outfit is having a free run thanks to the new regime in Bangladesh Following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina the country erupted into chaosSeveral changes took place overnight The ban on the JamaateIslami was lifted and radical elements were given a free hand among others However the most dangerous development was when hundreds of terrorists including those of the ABT were releasedThe ABT which is a puppet of the ISI has been told to focus just on West Bengal and Assam A module was set up where scorers of Bangladeshis and Rohingya Muslims are being trained These are being trained to carry out specific attacks in the abovementioned statesThe Indian security agencies are on very high alert since the chaos broke out in Bangladesh There have been many reports that infiltrations by migrants would go up tenfold as there is a state of lawlessness in Bangladesh The security forces have managed to prevent scores of people who have been trying to infiltrate IndiaThe ABT on the other hand is planning to train over 100 persons and then infiltrate in smaller numbers into IndiaThis time around the modus operandi of the terror groups is slightly different Each of these groups be it the JamaatulMujahideen Bangladesh or HarkatulJihadi Islami and the ABT are working under one umbrella Their areas of operation have been segregated While the ABT would operate in Assam and West Bengal the HuJI and JMB would focus on the other northeastern statesThe entire focus of these terror groups is to disrupt peace and tranquillity in the northeastern states They want to ensure that clashes erupt terror strikes and development comes to a haltThe fact that the activities of the ABT are on the rise can be seen from recent arrests In the last six months arrests have taken place in both Assams Kokrajhar and West Bengals Murshidabad districtInvestigations had found that sleeper cells were also in operation and many of these persons were waiting for the infiltrations to take place before trying to carry out a terror strike The agencies found that the first plan was to strike at the Siliguri Corridor or the Chicken Neck An attack here would have had a huge impact as it is the gateway to the northeastern statesAmong those terrorists of the ABT who have been released by the Muhammad Yunus government are Al Amin HarunurRashid Iqbal Hossain and Jikrullah These are highly dangerous terrorists and the Yunus government has no explanation as to why they were releasedHowever the most brazen among these was the release of Mufti Jashimuddin Rahman the chief of the ABT He was released on the pretext that the court had no objection to the same The fact is that four major cases are pending against himThe Indian agencies however say that all this is taking place at the insistence of the ISIcontrolled Jamaat IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/abt-revival-rings-alarm-bells-infiltration-sleeper-cells-and-the-isi-hand-633413.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 22:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-russian-president-vladimir-putin-in-moscow-633422.html Moscow Aug 21 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on ThursdaynbspAccording to a statement released by the Russian Presidents office the meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and Chairman of the Russian part of the Intergovernmental RussianIndian Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technical and Cultural Cooperation Denis Manturov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Russia Vinay KumarEarlier in the day EAM Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart Lavrov held detailed discussions on enhancing bilateral ties besides also touching on issues about Ukraine Europe Iran West Asia Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinentnbspPleased to meet FM Sergei Lavrov today in Moscow Had a detailed discussion on our bilateral ties including trade investment energy fertilizers health skilling and mobility defence and people to people exchanges We exchanged views on Ukraine Europe Iran West Asia Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent Also spoke about our cooperation in UN G20 SCO and BRICS Our meeting helped prepare the outcomes and decisions for the Annual Summit later this year EAM Jaishankar posted on XThe two leaders noted the need to intensify efforts to strengthen the multipolar architecture of bilateral relations and to assist the countries of the Global South in defending their political sovereignty according to the statement released by Russian Foreign MinistrynbspThe statement mentioned An exchange of views took place regarding the further intensification of political contacts at various levels deepening trade and economic cooperation Special attention was paid to building sustainable transport and logistics chains and currency and financial channels of interaction The prospects for expanding partnership in the field of peaceful nuclear energy and hydrocarbon production were highly valuedIn his opening remarks during the meeting Lavrov welcomed EAM Jaishankar for the next round of negotiations noting that India and Russia consider each other as privileged strategic partnersnbspToday we will focus on political and international issues As our leaders agreed we regard each other as especially privileged strategic partners In practical matters we fully justify this definition of our relations In modern conditions interaction in the international arena is acquiring special significance when in essence a new architecture of international relations is being created objectively becoming multipolar and in which such associations as the SCO BRICS and the Group of 20 are playing an increasingly important role Within the UN there remains the opportunity for all current and future centres of power within the multipolar world order to interact with each other and develop compromises and agreements that will be sustainable and based on a balance of interests Russia is always ready for this he saidEAM Jaishankar expressed confidence that his discussions with Lavrov will be fruitful productive and contribute to making the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this year as outcomeoriented as possiblenbspTodays meeting gives us an occasion to discuss our political relationship as well but also to review our bilateral ties So I look forward to an exchange of views on politics trade on economic investment defence science and technology and of course peopletopeople exchanges Our leaders met in July for the 22nd Annual Summit last year and thereafter in Kazan We now prepare for the annual summit at the end of the year and they have always given us guidance to take forward our Special and Privileged Strategic relationship he saidWe have had as you noted a very productive meeting yesterday with Denis Manturov on the InterGovernmental Commission We discussed a lot of issues in our bilateral cooperation found a lot of solutions as well I would be very happy to share that But most important what I want to do today is to take those bilateral discussions forward so that we have the maximum outcomes for the annual summit when that happens Jaishankar added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-russian-president-vladimir-putin-in-moscow-633422.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 22:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-meet-russian-fm-lavrov-in-moscow-today-633227.html Moscow Aug 21 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar will meet his counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Thursday to strengthen the diplomatic engagement aiming to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two nations The talks are expected to cover a wide spectrum of bilateral regional and global issues with a strong emphasis on economic resilience and multipolar cooperationJaishankar arrived in Russia on August 19 for a threeday visit to further deepen bilateral relations He cochaired the 26th Session of the IndiaRussia InterGovernmental Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technological and Cultural Cooperation IRIGCTEC in Moscow on WednesdayHe along with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov also addressed the IndiaRussia Business Forum where both sides will explore avenues to bolster trade and investment tiesFollowing this the EAM took to X and posted Pleased to join First DPM Denis Manturov and attend the IndiaRussia Business Forum Appreciate the assessments and reports of various sectoral leaders regarding the deeper potential of our economic tiesReiterated that an enduring strategic partnership must have a strong and sustainable economic component And in this context called on our businesses to do more trade contemplate more investments and joint ventures and open new frontiers of economic cooperation he addedA major focus will be on developing transportation logistics and financial systems that operate independently of countries imposing sanctions an effort to safeguard economic sovereignty and expand the use of national currencies in bilateral tradeThe meeting comes at a time when both nations are seeking to deepen political dialogue across bilateral and multilateral platforms including the UN United Nations BRICS Brazil Russia India China and South Africa SCO Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and G20 Group of TwentyOfficials from both sides have underscored that mutual trust and respect remain the cornerstone of IndoRussian relationsKey areas of discussion will include strengthening interdepartmental cooperation in sectors such as energy finance defence production science and cultureThe ministers are also expected to review progress in agricultural scientifictechnical and infrastructure collaboration while outlining the schedule for upcoming highlevel contactsOn the global front Jaishankar and Lavrov will exchange views on pressing international developments including the evolving security architecture in the AsiaPacific the conflict in Ukraine the situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing PalestinianIsraeli confrontationBoth Moscow and New Delhi continue to advocate for a multipolar world order viewing it as crucial to maintaining global stability and equilibrium Russia has reiterated its commitment to building an inclusive international system based on constructive dialogue and mutual respectThe meeting is seen as a reaffirmation of the strategic depth of IndoRussian ties and a step towards enhancing cooperation in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-meet-russian-fm-lavrov-in-moscow-today-633227.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 06:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fijian-pm-rabuka-to-visit-india-from-august-2426-633281.html New Delhi Aug 21 Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka will be on an official visit to India from August 2426 marking his first trip to the country in his current capacity The visit aims to further deepen the longstanding partnership and close ties between the two nations the Ministry of External Affairs MEA announced on ThursdayRabuka will be accompanied by his spouse Sulueti Rabuka along with a highlevel delegation that includes Health and Medical Services Minister Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu and senior officialsDuring his stay in New Delhi Prime Minister Rabuka will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 25Prime Minister Modi will also host a lunch in his honourIn addition to his official engagements Prime Minister Rabuka is expected to deliver a lecture on Ocean of Peace at the Indian Council of World Affairs ICWA in New DelhiAdditionally Rabuka is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi MurmuThe visit comes close on the heels of President Murmus trip to Fiji in August 2024 where she addressed the Fijian Parliament and highlighted the close ties and shared values between the two nationsOn that occasion Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere conferred upon her the Companion of the Order of Fiji the countrys highest civilian honour which Murmu described as a reflection of the deep ties between the two nationsDuring her visit President Murmu had highlighted the shared values of democracy diversity equality and commitment to liberty dignity and rights that unite India and FijiPrime Minister Rabukas visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and Fiji It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close peopletopeople ties the MEA said in a statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fijian-pm-rabuka-to-visit-india-from-august-2426-633281.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-shared-goal-is-to-maximise-complementarity-says-eam-jaishankar-in-moscow-633339.html Moscow Aug 21 IANS Highlighting that the shared goal of India and Russia is to maximise complementarity External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday expressed confidence that his discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov will be fruitful productive and contribute to making the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this year as outcomeoriented as possibleTodays meeting gives us an occasion to discuss our political relationship as well but also to review our bilateral ties So I look forward to an exchange of views on politics trade on economic investment defence science and technology and of course peopletopeople exchanges Our leaders met in July for the 22nd Annual Summit last year and thereafter in Kazan We now prepare for the annual summit at the end of the year and they have always given us guidance to take forward our Special and Privileged Strategic relationship the EAM stated in his opening remarks during his meeting with Lavrov in MoscowWe have had as you noted a very productive meeting yesterday with Denis Manturov on the InterGovernmental Commission We discussed a lot of issues in our bilateral cooperation found a lot of solutions as well I would be very happy to share that But most important what I want to do today is to take those bilateral discussions forward so that we have the maximum outcomes for the annual summit when that happens Jaishankar addednbspThe EAM recalled other recent highlevel engagements between India and Russia including National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval and Union Minister of Railways and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaws visits to MoscowFrom our side weve had quite a busy calendar National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was here Before that our Minister of Railways and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and the head of our NITI Aayog Suman Berry were here for SPIEF and all these show how close and deep our relationship is The global context for our meeting today is provided by the evolving geopolitical situation the shifting economic and trade landscape and our shared goal is to maximise our complementarity So today I am very confident that our exchange of views will be fruitful productive and will certainly contribute to making the annual summit as outcomeoriented as possible he assertedEAM Jaishankar thanked Lavrov for the warm welcome and hospitality in Moscow and recalled their earlier meetings on the sidelines of multilateral events including the recent BRICS Summit and at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Foreign Ministers Summit He said I think these regular meetings have helped us to be in continuous touch which is important at a time when international relations is changing so muchnbspOn Wednesday the EAM cochaired the 26th Session of the IndiaRussia InterGovernmental Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technological and Cultural Cooperation IRIGCTEC in Moscow along with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis ManturovFollowing this the EAM took to X and posted Pleased to join First DPM Denis Manturov and attend the IndiaRussia Business Forum Appreciate the assessments and reports of various sectoral leaders regarding the deeper potential of our economic tiesnbspReiterated that an enduring strategic partnership must have a strong and sustainable economic component And in this context called on our businesses to do more trade contemplate more investments and joint ventures and open new frontiers of economic cooperation he added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-shared-goal-is-to-maximise-complementarity-says-eam-jaishankar-in-moscow-633339.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/caring-for-global-south-partners-india-sends-32-tonnes-of-humanitarian-aid-to-peru-633102.html Lima Aug 20 In a significant gesture of solidarity with its Global South partners India on Wednesday sent 32 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Peru including 250000 units of physiological saline solution to help patients battling dehydration in the South American country Caring for each other as Global South partners India dispatches 32 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Peru A consignment of 250000 units of physiological saline solution will support patients suffering from dehydration in Peru the Ministry of External Affairs MEA posted on XIndiaPeru relations have traditionally been cordial and friendly The multifaceted bilateral cooperation covers a range of areas including health and pharma energy and mines textiles and agriculture science amp technology defence and space capacity building peopletopeople contacts and culture India and Peru also cooperate closely on multilateral matters according to the MEAIn 2023 India handed over 1000 vials of Human Immunoglobulin to the Peruvian Health Ministry in the wake of an increasing number of cases of GuillainBarre SyndromeIndia has regularly delivered humanitarian aid to its Global South partners Meanwhile a consignment of 300000 doses of Measles and Rubella vaccines along with ancillary supplies was delivered to assist Bolivia in containing the outbreak of the diseaseTaking to X MEA wrote India dispatched a consignment of 300000 doses of Measles and Rubella vaccines along with ancillary supplies to support Bolivia in managing the outbreak of the disease India stands by its friends in the Global SouthFollowing this Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora extended heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Government for donating 300000 doses of the Measles and Rubella vaccine describing the gesture as one of solidarity and timely support amid a growing health emergency in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/caring-for-global-south-partners-india-sends-32-tonnes-of-humanitarian-aid-to-peru-633102.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/continuing-and-expanding-russian-deputy-envoy-on-crude-oil-cooperation-with-india-633117.html New Delhi Aug 20 India and Russia will not only continue but further expand their crude oil cooperation despite the United States planning to impose additional tariffs on India Charge dAffaires of Russia in India Roman Babushkin said on Wednesday Absolutely not only continue but it will be expanding because we have demonstrated our ability to overcome all the obstacles and any attempts to derail our cooperation based on national interests are doomed to fail Babushkin told IANS in an interview in New DelhiThe comments come at a time when India faces additional tariffs imposed by Washington over discounted Russian oil purchases a key factor that has helped New Delhi manage its energy security and inflationary pressuresRussia remains one of Indias top suppliers of crude often settling payments in national currencies to bypass Western sanctionsOn the muchdiscussed delivery schedule of the S400 air defence missile system Babushkin assured that the process was moving according to plan As far as I know they are going to the schedule he saidAs per the existing schedule delivery of the two remaining squadrons of the S400 Triumf surface to air missile system will be completed by 20262027The Russian diplomat also touched upon the prospects of reviving the RussiaIndiaChina RIC trilateral dialogue on the sidelines of multilateral forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCOThe importance of RIC is not questioned When the right time comes the meeting will take place We used to have RIC engagements in different forums so Russia would expect or hope to resume RIC and expect it to take place sooner rather than later he saidThe RIC grouping seen as a balancing forum in Eurasian geopolitics has been largely inactive in recent years amid heightened SinoIndian tensionsHowever Moscow continues to position itself as a bridge between New Delhi and Beijing within multilateral institutionsBabushkins remarks underscore Moscows push to shield and deepen strategic cooperation with India in defence energy and diplomacy even as global pressure mounts on both countries to recalibrate ties IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/continuing-and-expanding-russian-deputy-envoy-on-crude-oil-cooperation-with-india-633117.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-deepening-engagement-at-every-level-envoy-hails-bilateral-ties-633126.html Tokyo Aug 20 Hailing the deepening bilateral ties Indias Ambassador to Japan Sibi George on Wednesday stated that the relationship has seen significant quantum leap over the past few years In an interview with IANS George called India and Japan likeminded countries and natural partners stating that the ties have seen steady progress across various sectors since 2014 He stressed that it is important for India to engage with each prefecture of JapanWhen asked whether India and Japan together form a formidable partnership in the new world order the Indian diplomat responded In 2014 India and Japan agreed to what we call a Special Strategic and Global Partnership It has reinforced the civilisational connection that has existed between our two countries for centuries What we have seen since 2014 is steady progress in our relationship encompassing multiple sectors Political engagement business partnerships Defence and security cooperation peopletopeople connect and science and technology engagement You have seen this progress in every field over the last ten years And now in this evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic situation we are continuing to deepen our engagement at every level in all of these areasIndia and Japan are likeminded countries natural partners and the sky is not even the limit for our relationship We are even cooperating in space exploration There has been a significant quantum leap in our relationship over the last few years and this will continue We are looking at a new road map and vision for our relationship one that takes it to new levels and encompasses all possible aspects This includes cooperation between Indian states and Japanese prefectures We strongly believe that Tokyo alone is not Japan Japan is much bigger than Tokyo So it is very important for us to engage with each and every prefecture of Japan and that is what we have been doing in recent years and will continue to do Similarly we are connecting Japanese prefectures with Indian states and we are receiving a very positive response from the Japanese side to this initiative he addedFriendship between India and Japan has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilisational ties IndiaJapan ties were elevated to Global Partnershipʼ in 2000 Strategic and Global Partnershipʼ in 2006 and Special Strategic and Global Partnershipʼ in 2014 Regular Annual Summits have taken place between two nations since 2006According to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA there is a growing strategic convergence between India and Japan with the synergy quite visible between Indias ActEast Policy IndoPacific vision based on the principle of SAGAR and IndoPacific Oceans Initiative IPOI on one hand and Japanʼs Free and Open IndoPacific Vision on the otherAmbassador George stated that the IndiaJapan success story is a product with immense attraction He expressed confidence that the ties between India and Japan are moving in the right directionWhen asked what makes the IndiaJapan economic story so compelling he responded As an Ambassador I always say every Ambassador is a salesman and I am very proud to have a great product to present The IndiaJapan success story is a product with immense attraction India is now the fourthlargest economy in the world It offers billions of opportunities and it is for Japan to fully harness them This is key to addressing the geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges we all face today And I am confident that we are moving in the right direction IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-deepening-engagement-at-every-level-envoy-hails-bilateral-ties-633126.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/crude-oil-exports-to-india-will-remain-steady-russian-diplomat-633140.html New Delhi Aug 20 Deputy Ambassador of the Russian Federation to India Roman Babushkin on Wednesday reaffirmed that crude oil exports to India will remain steady despite the evolving global sanctions and trade pressures Addressing media personnel at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi Babushkin said Despite the current situation and evolving conditions Russias crude oil exports to India are expected to remain the same There is simply no alternative to Russian oil as it is highly competitive and offers a very high profit marginThe Deputy Ambassador highlighted that trade between the two countries has grown nearly sevenfold in recent years with Russia supplying around 250 million tonnes of oil annually to India offering an average discount of five per cent subject to negotiationHe noted that the 18th package of EU sanctions had no impact on Russias oil trade with India When asked to hypothetically comment on the prospects of India refusing to import Russian oil the envoy said that I dont think that will ever happen underlining that crude oil remains the backbone of bilateral trade alongside chemicals and fertilizers and othersHe added that the more pressure there is the more cooperation we see stressing that trade within BRICS is also witnessing robust growth Babushkin also touched upon broader aspects of IndiaRussia relations citing cooperation in energy nuclear power culture and infrastructure as well as ongoing diplomatic exchangesHe also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin have spoken twice this month and that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is currently in Moscow where he will cochair the InterGovernmental Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technological and Cultural Cooperation and also meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei LavrovOn Putins scheduled visit to New Delhi later this year the envoy said no dates have yet been finalised as of nowBabushkin reiterated that sanctions only promote global instability and that Russia remains committed to strengthening its special strategic partnership with India IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/crude-oil-exports-to-india-will-remain-steady-russian-diplomat-633140.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korean-pm-says-relations-with-japan-very-important-633153.html Seoul Aug 20 South Korean Prime Minister Kim Minseok said Wednesday relations with Japan are very important with many opportunities for mutual cooperation Kim made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese delegates visiting Seoul to attend the KoreaJapan Forum as President Lee Jae Myung was set to visit Tokyo later this week for summit talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Yonhap News Agency reportedWith the launch of the new administration South Korea and Japan are moving forward on a futureoriented path Kim said The two countries have a very important relationship with many areas of mutual cooperation and the presidents decision to visit Japan was made in that contextThe Japanese delegates expressed Tokyos commitment to continue efforts in building a more mature robust and futureoriented bilateral relationshipThe delegation included former Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Yasumasa Nagamine acting chair of the forum and Japanese lawmakersThe KoreaJapan Forum is an annual forum launched in 1993 to promote highlevel talks between the two countriesLee was set to depart for Tokyo for a summit with Ishiba before traveling to Washington for his first summit with US President Donald Trump on August 25Earlier on August 15 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he would pursue forwardlooking mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan through active shuttle diplomacy while expressing hope that Japan will squarely face up to its history of wartime aggressionLee made the remarks in his speech marking the 80th anniversary of the Korean Peninsulas liberation from Japans 191045 colonial rule as he was set to visit Tokyo for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba later this month shortly before a planned summit with US President Donald Trump Yonhap News Agency reportedGuided by the principle of pragmatic national interestfocused diplomacy we will seek forwardlooking mutually beneficial cooperation with Japan while holding frequent meetings and frank dialogues through shuttle diplomacy Lee saidMarking also the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations Lee said Seoul and Tokyo should face their painful history and redefine bilateral ties to move forward describing Japan as a neighbor across the sea and an indispensable partner in economic developmentI hope that the Japanese government will squarely face up to our painful history and strive to maintain trust between our two countries he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korean-pm-says-relations-with-japan-very-important-633153.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/asim-munirs-existential-crisis-lies-bluster-and-narrative-battles-633189.html New Delhi Aug 20 Pakistans army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has done it again This time at an event in Belgium he boasted that India begged for a ceasefire during the recent IndiaPakistan conflict It is clear that the Pakistan Army chief has resorted to lies once again and the evidence presented by India tells a completely different story This is however not the first time that Munir has lied blatantly He has made similar claims in the United States as well as back in his own countryFormer Indian Army chief General V P Malik said that some army chiefs have a habit of indulging in bluff and blusterIn a post on X General Malik wrote Pakistani leaders particularly some Army Chiefs have always indulged in bluff and bluster I believe the right response is to remain alert respond on the ground when necessary and to continue building our comprehensive national power No need to join their daily theatricsThe latest remarks by Munir were made on August 11 at a closeddoor felicitation organised by the Overseas Pakistani Foundation at GrootBijgarden Castle near Brussels The event was attended by 500 members of the Pakistani community from across EuropeAbhinav Pandya founder of the Usasanas Foundation an Indian based foreign policy and security think tank told IANS that this is sheer desperation on the part of Munir One must recall that the Pakistan Army was facing challenges from multiple endsThe Balochistan National Army BLA TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and the Taliban had inflicted severe losses on the Pakistan Army All this was happening at a time when Munir was in charge His image as well as that of his army had taken a massive beating and the very existence of the institution was being questioned Pandya saidMunir was at that time looking for a second term and the doldrums that his army was in made him the least favourite candidate for the job Moreover his own legacy was under question considering the losses the army faced Abhinav Pandya added If the army failed the very existence of Pakistan would have come under question he addedIn reality the claims made by Munir are all a bluff and part of a narrative battle The truth is that when India launched Operation Sindoor US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at 930 am on May 10 Rubio conveyed to Jaishankar that the Pakistanis were asking for a ceasefire The request by Pakistan was made after India hit the Nur Khan air base with BrahMos and SCALP missiles Jaishankar then conveyed to Rubio that any ceasefire request must be made from the Pakistan DGMO through the established channelsPandya adds that Pakistan realises that it cannot match India on the economic or military front Hence the conventional tactics are not going to work Moreover under strong leadership India has proven that it will not take Pakistans misadventure kindly The Pakistanis have now chosen the battle of narratives In this arena bluffs work and hence Munir chose to indulge in the same to salvage his image and that of his army he addedOn the question whether or not the Pakistanis are buying Munirs bluff Pandya says that it would be hard to tell There is hatred against the leadership which is corrupt but there is also a blind love for extremism Munir knows this and hence can sell the antiIndia narrative at a very high price and quickly he addsMoreover the Pakistani society does not comprise saints It is a heavily radicalised society and even if the army is not at the helm then the likes of Masood Azhar would he addsIndia has however maintained that Munirs remarks are part of a familiar Pakistani playbook The Ministry of External Affairs also called Munirs claims nuclear sabrerattlingOur attention has been drawn to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff while on a visit to the United States Nuclear sabrerattling is Pakistans stockintrade the MEA statement readMunir had tried to play this card but India called out the nuclear bluff during Operation Sindoor Even in the aftermath of this operation Munir had said in Washington that they are a nuclear state If we are going down we will take half the world down with us Munir had said according to media reports IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/asim-munirs-existential-crisis-lies-bluster-and-narrative-battles-633189.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/peace-progress-and-partnership-india-china-chart-forward-looking-roadmap-for-bilateral-ties-632984.html New Delhi Aug 19 In a significant diplomatic engagement External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held wideranging bilateral talks in New Delhi on Tuesday According to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the discussions were positive constructive and forwardlooking covering bilateral regional and global issues of mutual concern The MEA has issued a list of outcomes of the meeting In this document released after the meeting the MEA said Both sides underscored that the strategic guidance of the leaders of India and China plays an irreplaceable and crucial role in the development of IndiaChina relations They agreed that a stable cooperative and forwardlooking bilateral relationship is in their mutual interest to realise their development potential fully They further agreed that both sides should earnestly implement the important common understandings reached between the two leaders and promote the sustained sound and steady development of IndiaChina relationsA key highlight of the meeting was mutual support for major diplomatic events hosted by both nations The Chinese side welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit while India reaffirmed its full support to the Chinese SCO Presidency and looked forward to a successful SCO Summit with fruitful outcomesThe two sides also committed to bolstering future cooperation through major multilateral platforms The Chinese side will support India in hosting the 2026 BRICS Summit The Indian side will support China in hosting the 2027 BRICS Summit the document notedIn a move to normalise and deepen official engagements both sides agreed to explore and resume various official bilateral dialogue mechanisms and exchanges to enhance cooperation and address each others concerns and properly manage differences including holding the Third Meeting of the IndiaChina Highlevel Mechanism on PeopletoPeople Exchanges in India in 2026As both nations approach a milestone in their diplomatic ties the MEA confirmed that both sides agreed to continue supporting each other in holding events in 2025 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and ChinaIn a boost to connectivity and peopletopeople exchanges the ministers also agreed to resume direct flights between India and mainland China at the earliest They also committed to finalising an updated Air Services Agreement and facilitating visas for tourists businesses media personnel and other visitors from both countriesPilgrimage diplomacy also found space in the discussions The MEA stated Both sides agreed to continue and further expand the scale of Indian pilgrimage to Mt Kailash Mount Gang Renpoche and Lake Manasarovar Mapam Yun Tso in Xizang Autonomous Region of China in 2026On the economic front the two sides agreed to facilitate trade and investment flows between the two countries through concrete measures reflecting a shared desire to boost economic engagement despite broader geopolitical challengesBorder stability a sensitive and longstanding issue was also addressed Both sides agreed to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas through friendly consultations the statement affirmed indicating a commitment to prevent tensions from escalatingConcluding the talks the two foreign ministers reiterated their shared commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation Both sides agreed to uphold multilateralism enhance communication on major international and regional issues maintain a rulesbased multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and promote a multipolar world that safeguards the interests of developing countriesThe talks mark an important step toward resetting the trajectory of IndiaChina relations with a roadmap built on dialogue mutual respect and shared global responsibilities IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/peace-progress-and-partnership-india-china-chart-forward-looking-roadmap-for-bilateral-ties-632984.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-record-of-sexual-violence-crimes-set-in-during-bangladesh-war-continues-india-633018.html United Nations Aug 20 While Pakistan pretends to be a champion of human rights its shameful record of heinous crimes of sexual violence against women set in during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War continues today with impunity India has charged at the Security Council Indias Permanent Missions Charge dAffaires Eldos Mathew Punnoose said on Tuesday local time The utter impunity with which the Pakistan army perpetrated heinous crimes of gross sexual violence against women in erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971 is a matter of shameful recordThis deplorable pattern continues unabated and with impunity to this day he said in a riposte to Pakistans allegations against IndiaDuring the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 Pakistans Army and its allies in what was then known as East Pakistan raped as many as 400000 women in an orchestrated campaignIt is ironic that those who perpetrate these crimes are now masquerading as champions of justice he said The duplicity and hypocrisy are selfevident he addedCharge dAffaires Punnoose was replying to allegations made by Pakistans Permanent Representative Asim Iftikar Ahmad against IndiaWhile the subject of the Council debate was Identifying Innovative Strategies to Ensure Access to LifeSaving Services and Protection for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones Pakistan as it always does regardless of the topic brought in Kashmir to attack IndiaPunnoose outlined the range of rampant crimes weaponised against women by PakistanHe said UN agencies have recorded those crimesRampant abduction trafficking child early and forced marriages and domestic servitude sexual violence and forced religious conversions of thousands of vulnerable women and girls as weapons of persecution towards religious and ethnic minority communities are reported and chronicled including in the recent Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR reports he saidPramila Patten the secretarygenerals special representative for issues of sexual violence in conflict faced criticism coordinated between Pakistans UN mission and a Palestinian journalistAfter communicating with the mission the journalist asked the secretarygenerals spokesperson at his daily briefing why the allegations made by Pakistans ambassador were not included in her remarks to the CouncilThe spokesperson Stephane Dujarric brushed it off saying I think Ms Pattens office drafted a report with all the information that was available to them Thats all I can sayPatten warned that victims of sexual violence were facing a crisis as resources to help them were being cutWe are told there is no money for lifesaving aid even as military expenditure soars and the world spends more in 24 hours on arms than it does in a year on addressing genderbased violence in conflict she saidPunnoose mentioned the reports by the OHCHR and the most recent one said that in Pakistan Women particularly in detention on blasphemy charges face significant gendered harmsThe experts report released last month said We are shocked at reports of increasing violence against vulnerable communities on grounds of their religion or beliefThese communities have witnessed relentless attacks killings and unending harassment for months in the context of hostility and advocacy of hatred against them they saidA comprehensive review of the situation in Pakistan by the OHCHRs Human Rights Committee in December said it remains concerned about the high level of violence against women and girls including murder rape kidnapping and domestic violenceThe Committee also highlighted the human rights situation in Balochistan where there were reports that participants in the Aurat Womens March faced enforced disappearances torture excessive use of force and mass and arbitrary arrests IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-record-of-sexual-violence-crimes-set-in-during-bangladesh-war-continues-india-633018.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/macron-says-putin-zelensky-meeting-possible-in-two-weeks-632941.html Paris Aug 19 French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could happen in the next two weeks Speaking in an interview with the French LCI news channel Macron said that Putin who held phone talks with US President Donald Trump on Monday expressed his readiness to meet Zelensky within that timeframe Xinhua News Agency reportedWe have decided to have a bilateral meeting between the two Presidents then a trilateral meeting with Trump and then a multilateral meeting where the Europeans must be at the table Macron saidThe French President added that such meetings should be held in Europe reflecting the collective will of European leadersUnlike their 2019 meeting in France Macron suggested that the upcoming meetings could take place in a neutral country such as Switzerland or Turkey where Russia and Ukraine have previously held bilateral talksMeanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia proposed a bilateral meeting with Ukraine followed by a trilateral meetingIn a news conference following his meetings with US President Donald Trump at the White House Zelensky said on Monday that he is ready for any format of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir PutinHe said that he would participate in the following trilateral meeting depending on how the first meeting goesZelensky added that he does not know the details about the proposed bilateral meetingHe said that he does not want to impose conditions on the meeting because Putin would follow with his own conditionsI believe unconditionally we should meet and think about the further development of this path to the end of the war he saidPutin told Trump on Monday that he is willing to meet Zelensky a person familiar with the call saidPutin told Trump whom he met Friday in Alaska of his readiness to meet Zelensky during a telephone call in a break from White House talks in Washington with European leaders the person said on condition of anonymityTrump said on Monday that he had started arranging a twoway peace meeting between Ukraines Zelensky and Russias Putin to be followed by threeway talks involving himselfAt the conclusion of the meetings I called President Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting at a location to be determined between President Putin and President Zelensky he said after hosting the Ukrainian President and European leaders at the White HouseAfter that meeting takes place we will have a Trilat which would be the two Presidents plus myself IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/macron-says-putin-zelensky-meeting-possible-in-two-weeks-632941.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-must-rethink-india-as-ally-not-competitor-632737.html New Delhi Aug 18 As USIndia relations enter a more delicate phase Washingtons increasingly coercive posture risks alienating a partner whose ascent could be one of Americas greatest strategic advantages in the 21st century More than two centuries ago George Washington urged the nation to observe good faith and justice toward all nations Today that wisdom resonates in a world reshaped by multipolarity where trustnot dominanceis the currency of enduring alliances India is not merely an emerging economy It is the worlds most populous democracy a 4trillion powerhouse in the making a pioneer in space and digital infrastructure and a respected voice in the Global South Milinda Moragoda former Sri Lankan cabinet minister High Commissioner to India and founder of the Pathfinder Foundation has written in an English daily For years the USIndia relationship has been hailed as a defining partnership of the century two vibrant democracies diverse in culture but united by shared values of pluralism innovation and open markets Yet the tone has shifted Suspicion now shadows a bond once built on mutual respect At the heart of this drift lies a flawed assumption in Washingtonthat India can be pressured into compliance or managed into alignment This is not only misguided its strategically selfdefeating Its commitment to strategic autonomy is not negotiableit is a deeply rooted peculiar national character of integrity Attempts to dilute that autonomy through transactional diplomacy or punitive measures will backfire Recent US movestrade tensions threats of secondary sanctions and restrictive tech policiesreflect a shift toward shortterm leverage rather than longterm partnership Disagreements are inevitable but coercion erodes goodwill and invites resistance Indias rise is not a threat to American interests it is a strategic multiplier In the IndoPacific Indias role in maritime security and supplychain resilience is indispensable In global governance its push for reform aligns with US goals In technology the synergy between Silicon Valley and Bengaluru is already reshaping innovation If Washington continues down this path of pressure it risks losing a partner with unmatched strategic compatibility India has optionsEurope ASEAN SouthSouth alliancesand will pursue them if cornered The relationship is not beyond repair but it demands a reset one that replaces the impulse to manage with a commitment to empower George Washington warned against foreign policy built on habitual fondness or hatred Today that means rejecting dominance and embracing balance respect and shared purpose For the US the choice is clearembrace Indias rise or risk strategic isolation in a world that rewards trust over control IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-must-rethink-india-as-ally-not-competitor-632737.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-says-he-is-working-to-arrange-meeting-between-putin-and-zelensky-us-russia-ukraine-trilateral-to-follow-632741.html Washington Aug 19 US President Donald Trump has said he has begun arranging a meeting between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine This would be followed by trilateral summit between the US Russia and Ukraine Trump wrote on social media on Monday evening that he had discussed the matter with Putin during a phone call amid meetings with European leaders at the White HouseAt the conclusion of the meetings I called President Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting at a location to be determined between President Putin and President Zelensky he wrote After that meeting takes place we will have a Trilat trilateral meeting which would be the two Presidents plus myself Again this was a very good early step for a War that has been going on for almost four yearsTrump did not specify when either sitdown would occurHe said his meetings on Monday centered around security guarantees for Ukraine which would be provided by the various European Countries with a coordination with the United States of AmericaEveryone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for RussiaUkraine Trump wroteWell see in a certain period of time not very far from now a week or two weeks were going to know whether or not were going to solve this or is this horrible fighting going to continue he said during the talks with Zelensky and European leadersTrump and Putin spoke after Trump paused his meeting with Zelensky and other European leaders on Monday a source told CNNThe source said the Europeans were not present for the conversationA European official told CNN that Trump paused the negotiations with the European leaders and Zelensky in order to call Putin The news was first reported by German newspaper Bild who reported the talks with European leaders would continue after the call with Putin at the White HouseTrump assured that the US would be involved in Kyivs future security as Russia continues its aggression against the wartorn nationIts an honour to have the President of Ukraine with us We have had a lot of good discussions a lot of good talks I think progress is being made very substantial progress in many ways We had a good meeting just a short while ago with the President of Russia I think there is a possibility that something could come out of it and todays meeting is very important We have 7 very powerful leaders from Europe and are going to be meeting with them right after this meeting Trump saidTrump pressed for a lasting peace instead of a twoyear one that would end up in mess againWe are going to work with Ukraine we are going to work with everybody We are going to make sure that if there is peace peace is going to stay long term This is very longterm We are not talking about a twoyear peace and then we end up in this mess again We are going to make sure that everything is good We have worked with Russia we are going to work with UkraineEuropean leaders including UK PM Keir Starmer Italian PM Giorgia Meloni NATO SecretaryGeneral Mark Rutte European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen among others were also present at the White HouseThe hastily assembled meet comes after last weeks nonconclusive Alaska summit between Russian President Vladmir Putin and Trump IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-says-he-is-working-to-arrange-meeting-between-putin-and-zelensky-us-russia-ukraine-trilateral-to-follow-632741.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-and-putin-held-a-candid-and-very-constructive-conversation-says-kremlin-aide-632742.html Moscow Aug 19 US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a candid and very constructive phone call on Monday a top Kremlin aide said Trump paused a meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders to speak with Putin sources told CNNPutins foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said that during the nearly 40minute call Trump informed Putin on his talks with the European leadersThe Russian leader expressed support for direct negotiations between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine he saidThe Russian presidential aide noted that the phone conversation had been initiated by Trump Russian news agency Tass reportedFollowing the meeting Trump said that he had begun arranging a meeting between Putin and ZelenskyTrump and Putin had discussed the idea of exploring the possibility of raising the level of representatives of Moscow and Kyiv at the talks Ushakov said He stopped short of confirming whether Putin had agreed to a bilateral or trilateral meetingPutin also thanked Trump again for hosting him during his trip to Alaska Ushakov saidPutin and Trump in a phone call agreed to maintain close contact on pressing issues the Kremlin aide said in a press briefingVladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed to maintain close contact on the Ukraine crisis and other pressing issues on the international and bilateral agenda Ushakov addedEarlier on Monday Trump held a meeting at the White House with Zelensky and several European leaders The talks involved French President Emmanuel Macron British Prime Minister Keir Starmer German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finnish President Alexander Stubb as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark RutteTrump said on Monday that making a peace agreement did not require a ceasefire for Ukraine because hostilities could not prevent the parties from working on a dealHe also added that security guarantees for Ukraine were discussed at his White House meeting with Zelensky and European leadersDuring the meeting we discussed security guarantees for Ukraine which guarantees would be provided by the various European Countries with a coordination with the United States of America he wrote on the Truth Social media platformEveryone is very happy about the possibility of peace for RussiaUkraine Trump added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-and-putin-held-a-candid-and-very-constructive-conversation-says-kremlin-aide-632742.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 05:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/zelensky-pushes-for-unconditional-meeting-with-putin-632743.html Washington Aug 19 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia proposed a bilateral meeting with Ukraine followed by a trilateral meeting In a news conference following his meetings with US President Donald Trump at the White House Zelensky said on Monday that he is ready for any format of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin He said that he would participate in the following trilateral meeting depending on how the first meeting goesZelensky added that he does not know the details about the proposed bilateral meetingHe said that he does not want to impose conditions on the meeting because Putin would follow with his own conditionsI believe unconditionally we should meet and think about the further development of this path to the end of the war he saidPutin told Trump on Monday that he is willing to meet Zelensky a person familiar with the call saidPutin told Trump whom he met Friday in Alaska of his readiness to meet Zelensky during a telephone call in a break from White House talks in Washington with European leaders the person said on condition of anonymityTrump said on Monday that he had started arranging a twoway peace meeting between Ukraines Zelensky and Russias Putin to be followed by threeway talks involving himselfAt the conclusion of the meetings I called President Putin and began the arrangements for a meeting at a location to be determined between President Putin and President Zelensky he said after hosting Zelensky and European leaders at the White HouseAfter that meeting takes place we will have a Trilat which would be the two Presidents plus myselfUkrainian President Zelensky on Monday gave an upbeat asessment of talks with US counterpart Trump and said they discussed security guaranteesWe had a very good conversation with President Trump and it really was the best one or sorry maybe the best one will be in the future Zelensky said at an expanded meeting with European leadersPresident zelensky and President Trump expressed hope that Mondays critical talks with Ukrainian and European leaders at the White House could lead to trilateral talks with Putin to bring an end to Russias war on UkraineMondays meeting comes after Trump met with Putin and has said that the onus is now on Zelensky to agree to concessions that he said could end the warA group of European political leaders also meet with the US President after they were left out of Fridays summit and they are looking to safeguard Ukraine and the continent from any widening aggression from Moscow IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/zelensky-pushes-for-unconditional-meeting-with-putin-632743.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 07:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-embark-on-3-day-russia-visit-to-boost-strategic-partnership-today-632755.html New Delhi Aug 19 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar will leave for Russia on Tuesday for a threeday official visit aimed at deepening the longstanding IndiaRussia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership the Ministry of External Affairs MEA announced The visit scheduled till August 21 comes at the invitation of Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis ManturovDuring his stay EAM Jaishankar will cochair the 26th Session of the IndiaRussia InterGovernmental Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technological and Cultural Cooperation IRIGCTEC on August 20 and also address the IndiaRussia Business Forum in MoscowThe EAM will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to review the full spectrum of bilateral ties and exchange views on pressing regional and global developmentsThe visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding and timetested IndiaRussia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership the MEA said in a statementThe Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier confirmed the meeting posting on X FM Sergei Lavrovs schedule On August 21 FM Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with FM of India Dr S Jaishankar in Moscow The Ministers will discuss key issues on our bilateral agenda as well as key aspects of cooperation within international frameworksEAM Jaishankars visit follows National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Dovals recent trip to Moscow where he held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin First Deputy Prime Minister Manturov and Secretary of the Security Council Sergei ShoiguThe upcoming talks also come close on the heels of the JaishankarLavrov meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Foreign Ministers meet on July 15 and their engagement during the BRICS Summit last month where the leaders deliberated on bilateral cooperation West Asia BRICS and SCOEarlier this year Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Moscow to hold bilateral Foreign Office Consultations with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey RudenkoDuring the consultations on March 7 the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties and also shared perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interestBoth sides took stock of progress on implementation of decisions taken at the 22nd Annual Summit held in Moscow in July 2024 the meeting in Kazan on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin the 25th session of the IndiaRussia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technological and Cultural Cooperation held in New Delhi in November 2024 and other high level engagementsIn November 2024 Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and EAM Jaishankar cochaired the 25th meeting of the IndiaRussia InterGovernmental Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technical and Cultural Cooperation in New DelhiRussian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to visit India following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi The visit is being planned as part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leaders IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-embark-on-3-day-russia-visit-to-boost-strategic-partnership-today-632755.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chinas-foreign-minister-heartened-by-stability-in-borders-says-beijing-attaches-great-importance-to-pm-modis-visit-632809.html New Delhi Aug 19 IANS Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said he is heartened to see the stabilisation of IndiaChina ties and peace along the borders stressing that Beijing attaches great importance to Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming visit to China for the SCO SummitnbspSpeaking at Hyderabad House in New Delhi during the latest round of Special Representatives SR dialogue on the boundary question with NSA Ajit Doval Wang Yi said the setbacks in IndiaChina ties in recent years were not in the interest of the people of both countriesI am very pleased to meet you again in New Delhi for this round of talks between the special representatives of China and India on the boundary question The setbacks we experienced in the past few years were not in the interests of the people of our two countries And then in October last year President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi had an important meeting in Kazan That meeting pointed the direction for the development of our bilateral relations and provided impetus for the proper settlement of the boundary question Wang Yi said in his opening remarks delivered in Mandarin and translated into EnglishRecalling the last round of SRlevel talks Wang Yi said China was encouraged by the progressnbspWe had a very good 23rd round at the end of last year We reached a new and important consensus on managing disagreements stabilising the borders and moving toward a settlement We are heartened to see the stability that is now restored he notednbspAppreciating NSA Dovals role as Indias Special Representative the Chinese Foreign Minister said the relationship now faces an important opportunity of improvement and growthHe also emphasised that PM Modis visit next month would contribute to the success of the SCO Summit in TianjinnbspThe Chinese side attaches great importance to the Prime Ministers visit to China to attend the SCO summit at our invitation We believe that the Indian side will also make a contribution to a successful summit in Tianjin History and reality prove once again that a healthy and stable ChinaIndia relationship serves the fundamental and longterm interests of both of our countries It is also what developing countries all want to see Wang Yi saidCalling for stronger bilateral engagement the Chinese Foreign Minister urged both sides to follow the strategic guidance of our leaders increase mutual trust through communication expand common interests through cooperation and properly settle border issuesnbspHe added that China is ready to work with India to build more consensus and identify the direction the specific goals of the next round of boundary consultations going forward and create more conditions for the improvement and further growth of our bilateral relations https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chinas-foreign-minister-heartened-by-stability-in-borders-says-beijing-attaches-great-importance-to-pm-modis-visit-632809.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/calm-defiance-and-diversified-diplomacy-amid-unilateral-tariffs-632823.html US President Donald Trumps decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian imports stands out as one of the most arbitrary disruptions in recent trade policy Initially set at 25 and later doubled to 50 these duties make India one of the most heavily taxed US trading partners exceeding even China Although Trump cited Indias imports of Russian oil as justification the sequence of events points to a policy lacking consistency or strategic clarity At the Alaska summit with President Putin no agreement was reached after which Trump remarked he would not think about Russian oil purchases for some weeks shifting focus instead to President Zelensky and Europes lack of engagement with the conflict These remarks underscore that the tariffs on India were not solely about Russian oil or the Ukraine war but part of a broader more transactional approach aimed at forcing concessions in tradeEconomist Jeffrey Sachs has rightly described such tariffs as stupid and selfdestructive of US foreign policy interests They violate international law and risk undermining Americas partnerships in Asia at a time when Washington has long sought to balance Chinas rise Even US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that the penalties could escalate further depending on the outcome of the Alaska talks highlighting the erratic basis on which these measures were applied Far from advancing American economic goals these decisions have introduced uncertainty and revealed the absence of a coherent strategyFor India the economic exposure is significant though not catastrophic An assessment by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations ICRIER estimates that 70 of Indias goods exports to the US worth 6085 billion are now at risk The hardesthit sectors textiles gems and jewellery shrimp and auto parts are labourintensive and central to employment facing steep disadvantages compared to competitors such as Bangladesh Vietnam and Pakistan While pharmaceuticals energy products and semiconductors have been spared the tariffs could still shave up to half a percentage point from Indias GDP growth posing challenges to an economy already navigating global headwinds Some analysts argue that these penalties amount to a quasiembargo on bilateral tradeYet New Delhis response has been notably calm Rather than retaliate in kind the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to strategic autonomy refusing to allow its policy to be dictated by external pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that India will not compromise on the wellbeing of its farmers fisherfolk and cattle keepers even at considerable cost thereby insulating vital domestic constituencies from tradeoff politics The Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed Washingtons targeting of Indian crude imports as unjustified and unreasonable noting Indias responsibility to secure affordable energy for millions of lowincome households Indian state refiners have continued to purchase Russian oil underscoring the principle that national energy security cannot be subordinated to foreign demandsThis stance is embedded in a broader doctrine of multialignment through which India cultivates diverse partnerships while avoiding entanglement in formal alliances Rather than dilute this policy Trumps actions have only strengthened Indias resolve to pursue it more forcefully The BRICS grouping has emerged as a critical platform in this regard Expanded to include Egypt Ethiopia Iran the UAE and Indonesia BRICS today represents nearly half the global population and a rising share of world GDP and trade For India BRICS is less an ideological counterweight to the West than a practical lever to counter disruptive unilateralism At recent summits member states condemned unilateral tariff measures as inconsistent with WTO rules and as threats to global supply chains PM Modi has used these forums to highlight how the Global South has been handed little more than symbolic gestures on climate finance technology access and sustainable development arguing for a new multipolar and inclusive orderEconomically India has already taken steps to mitigate the impact of US pressure by promoting localcurrency trade The Reserve Bank of India has allowed 100 of bilateral trade with BRICS partners to be settled in rupees via Vostro accounts directly challenging the dominance of the dollar in regional commerce While New Delhi is not as committed as Beijing or Moscow to full dedollarisation this initiative strengthens resilience and reduces exposure to financial coercion Such measures also dovetail with Indias efforts to diversify supply chains by deepening trade with Southeast Asia Africa and Latin America ensuring that any single countrys actions cannot dictate the trajectory of its economy In parallel discussions around the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMEC have gained traction with the tariffs only sharpening New Delhis resolve to pursue such initiatives Like BRICS IMEC represents a structural effort to derisk and diversify supply chains reducing dependence on unilateral actors and embedding India more deeply in multipolar networks of tradeParadoxically Trumps tariffs may also be reshaping Indias uneasy ties with China For years New Delhi and Washington had strengthened cooperation through platforms such as the Quad to manage Beijings growing influence Yet by targeting India Trump has inadvertently nudged it toward a tentative rapprochement with China After years of frosty exchanges following the 2020 border clashes the two sides have resumed dialogue held formal talks on boundary issues and explored Chinese investment in Indias technology sector Russia has also welcomed these steps within the broader BRICS framework While mistrust and strategic competition remain particularly given Chinas ties to Pakistan India and China now have stronger incentives to manage their rivalry rather than allow it to escalateThese developments raise broader questions about the direction of US policy in Asia Trumps transactionalism risks alienating precisely those partners Washington once saw as crucial to its IndoPacific strategy Sachs has argued that such measures will isolate the United States geopolitically and strengthen the BRICS and other groups The evidence already points in this direction the tariffs have consolidated rather than fractured the Global South reinforced Indias role in multipolar coalitions and highlighted the limits of coercive economic statecraftAs the global order grows increasingly fragmented India faces critical choices in charting its course Should it double down on BRICS and regional currency trade as safeguards against unilateralism How far can it deepen SouthSouth cooperation without undermining ties to the West Can it manage rapprochement with China while defending its Himalayan frontier How should it balance engagement with the G7 and Quad while preserving strategic autonomy And can todays disruption be turned into a moment of structural realignmentTrumps tariffs were conceived as a lever of pressure but have become a catalyst for reflection For India the challenge is not merely to weather this episode but to seize it as an opportunity to redefine its place in a multipolar world The answers to these questions will determine whether India can turn an arbitrary disruption into a moment of strategic renewalThe writer is a researcher interested in topics including climate governance geopolitics history and society Views expressed are her personal https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/calm-defiance-and-diversified-diplomacy-amid-unilateral-tariffs-632823.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-dials-pm-modi-shares-insights-on-his-alaska-meeting-with-trump-632656.html New Delhi Aug 18 IANS Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharing his assessment of his last weeks meeting with US President Donald Trump in AlaskanbspPM Modi reiterated Indias consistent position for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and New Delhis support for all efforts in this regardnbspThank my friend President Putin for his phone call and for sharing insights on his recent meeting with President Trump in Alaska India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and supports all efforts in this regard I look forward to our continued exchanges in the days to come Prime Minister Modi posted on X after the phone callThe two leaders also touched upon a number of issues of bilateral cooperation with a view to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia and agreed to remain in close touchnbspIndia on Saturday welcomed the Summit meeting in Alaska between the US President and his Russian counterpart stating that their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendablenbspIndia welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable India appreciates the progress made in the Summit The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAPutin and Trump held talks at the Arctic Warrior Convention Centre in the early hours of Saturday India time Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Presidents Special Envoy Steve Witkoff also participated in the meetingnbspBoth leaders said that they made progress in three hours of talks moving closer to finding an end to the Ukraine War but did not announce an immediate ceasefirenbspIts not a done deal at all Trump told a Fox News interviewer after Fridays summit in Alaska And Ukraine has to agree President Volodymyr Zelensky has to agreeOn August 8 Putin had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him about the related developments and upcoming discussionsnbspIn light of the special privileged partnership between Russia and India Vladimir Putin shared the key outcomes of his meeting with US Presidents Special Envoy Steven Witkoff held on August 6 in Moscow The Prime Minister thanked the President of Russia for the information and confirmed Indias unwavering stance in favour of settling the situation surrounding Ukraine via political and diplomatic means In addition Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi exchanged views on key bilateral issues including cooperation in trade economy and investment read a statement issued by the Kremlin after Putins phone call with PM ModiOn August 21 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold talks with External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar who will be in Moscow on an official visit to participate in the 26th meeting of the Intergovernmental RussianIndian Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technical and Cultural CooperationnbspThe ministers will discuss pressing bilateral issues and urgent matters concerning interaction on international venues the Russian Foreign Ministry stated ahead of the visit https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-dials-pm-modi-shares-insights-on-his-alaska-meeting-with-trump-632656.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/basis-for-positive-momentum-in-india-china-ties-rests-on-maintaining-peace-in-border-areas-eam-jaishankar-632707.html New Delhi Aug 18 Emphasising that it is essential that the process of deescalation moves forward External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Monday said that the basis for any momentum in IndiaChina ties remains the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas You Excellency will of course be discussing border issues with our Special Representative National Security Adviser Ajit Doval tomorrow This is very important because the basis for any positive momentum in our ties is the ability to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas It is also essential that the deescalation process move forward Jaishankar said in his opening remarks during the meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New DelhiForeign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials were also present during the meeting which took place shortly after the Chinese Foreign Minister arrived in the Indian capital on a twoday visitWhen the worlds two largest nations meet it is natural that the international situation will be discussed We seek a fair balanced and multipolar world order including a multipolar Asia Reformed multilateralism is also the call of the day In the current environment there is clearly the imperative of maintaining and enhancing stability in the global economy as well The fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is another major priority I look forward to our exchange of views Jaishankar addedOn Tuesday Wang Yi will hold a fresh round of Special Representatives SR dialogue on the boundary question with National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval He is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the dayEAM Jaishankar noted that the meeting provides both sides an opportunity to review bilateral ties and exchange views on the global situation including some issues of mutual interest He stated that the discussions will cover economic and trade issues pilgrimages peopletopeople contacts river data sharing border trade connectivity and bilateral exchangesHaving seen a difficult period in our relationship Excellency our two nations now seek to move ahead This requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides In that endeavour we must be guided by the three mutuals mutual respect mutual sensitivity and mutual interest Differences must not become disputes nor competition conflict Today our talks will cover economic and trade issues pilgrimages peopletopeople contacts river data sharing border trade connectivity and bilateral exchanges I would like to follow up on some particular concerns that I had brought up with you Excellency when I visited China in July the EAM statedIndia he said has worked closely with China during its ongoing Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO With the SCO Summit in Tianjin scheduled to take place on August 31September 1 an event which will also be attended by Prime Minister Modi EAM Jaishankar wished Wang Yi a successful summit with strong outcomes and decisionsHe said Overall it is our expectation that our discussions would contribute to building a stable cooperative and forwardlooking relationship between India and China one that serves both our interests and addresses our concerns he asserted IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/basis-for-positive-momentum-in-india-china-ties-rests-on-maintaining-peace-in-border-areas-eam-jaishankar-632707.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/egyptian-palestinian-pms-discuss-developments-in-palestine-632490.html Cairo Aug 18 Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and his Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Mustafa discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories During the meeting in Egypts New Alamein city on Sunday Madbouly reaffirmed Egypts unwavering support for the Palestinian cause pledging to provide all possible assistance to end the war in Gaza Xinhua news agency reportedMadbouly stressed Egypts support for the Palestinian peoples right to selfdetermination through an independent Palestinian state on the June 4 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capitalHe reiterated Egypts rejection of any attempts or plans to displace Palestinians from their land liquidate the Palestinian cause or continue home demolition and settlement expansion policies across the Palestinian territoriesThe Egyptian Prime Minister also stressed the importance of implementing the outcomes of the highlevel international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the twostate solution which was held in New York on July 28 under the cochairmanship of Saudi Arabia and FranceFor his part the Palestinian Prime Minister confirmed that the ArabIslamic plan emphasises that reconstruction is possible without displacing the Palestinian peopleMustafa called for more international coordination and consultation on the Palestinian issue expressing gratitude to Egypt for its significant efforts to support the Gaza StripIndirect ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel have stalled despite ongoing efforts by mediators from Egypt Qatar and the US to continue the talks and halt the war in the Gaza StripOn Sunday Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said the army will soon begin a new offensive to take over Gaza City the Gaza Strips largest urban centre despite international warnings about the consequences for the already devastated enclaveThe remarks came a day after Israel announced plans to relocate residents from Gaza CityAccording to Gazas health authorities at least 61944 Palestinians have been killed and 155886 wounded by Israeli strikes and gunfire since October 7 2023 when Hamasled fighters launched a deadly attack on Israel IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/egyptian-palestinian-pms-discuss-developments-in-palestine-632490.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 05:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-is-already-on-the-world-stage-needs-to-be-communicated-with-marco-rubio-632493.html New York Aug 18 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a global player for many years so the US cannot but communicate with him to settle the conflict in Ukraine Putin is already on the world stage he said on Sunday in an interview with ABC News He has the worlds largest tactical nuclear arsenal in the world and the second largest strategic nuclear arsenal in the world Hes already on the world stageWhen I hear people say that oh it elevates him Well all we do is talk about Putin all the time All the media has done is talk about Putin all the time for the last four or five years he notedIt means youre not going to have a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine youre not going to end a war between Russia and Ukraine without dealing with Putin Thats just common sense I shouldnt even have to say it So people can say whatever they want he addedOn August 15 a meeting between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump took place at a military base in Alaska The rendezvous lasted about three hours there was a oneonone discussion in the American leaders limousine on the way to the main venue for the talks and a narrow threeonthree meeting The Russian side was also represented by Presidential aide Yury Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while the American side was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps special envoy Steve WitkoffIn a statement to the press following the talks Putin said that the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict was the main topic of the summit The Russian leader also called for turning the page in bilateral relations and returning to cooperation and invited Trump to Moscow For his part the US President announced the progress made in the talks but noted that the parties had not managed to reach agreementRubio said on Sunday that both Putin and Zelensky must make concessions to achieve a peace dealYou cant have a peace agreement unless both sides give and get You cant have a peace agreement unless both sides make concessions Rubio told ABC NewsIf not its just called surrender and neither side is going to surrender so both sides are going to have to make concessionsOn those concessions Rubio said the US did ask Putin to make them however when it comes to sanctions the Trump administration believes that as soon as it levies additional sanctions to those already in place the negotiations will halt IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-is-already-on-the-world-stage-needs-to-be-communicated-with-marco-rubio-632493.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 06:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/macron-says-he-does-not-rule-out-ukraine-recognising-loss-of-lands-under-peace-deal-632495.html Paris Aug 18 French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he doesnt rule out that Ukraine will have to recognise the loss of some of its territories under a potential peace deal As part of a truce a ceasefire or a peace deal the country may recognise the loss of territories he said on Sunday in a video address aired on the Elysee Palaces X page as quoted by Russian news agency Tass It will not recognise that they are under anyone elses sovereignty but will recognise their loss though military action It doesnt run counter to international law but will be a very serious concessionAfter threeandahalf years of conflict and so many victims no country will accept even actual territorial losses if it has no guarantees that the rest of its territory will be protected he stressedAccording to the French leader the Coalition of the Willing met on Sunday to discuss security guarantees to Kyiv which will be once again discussed on Monday at a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington Tass reported In his words the coalition wants to outline the format of the Ukrainian army that will make it possible to guarantee a fair and lasting peaceHe also said that several Western countries has expressed readiness to send several thousands of troops to Ukraine to ensure postconflict peace Several states are ready to do this from providing training and logistics to the presence in noncombat zones ie not on the frontline or disputed territories Macron noted adding that the issue of the potential deployment of military contingents will be discussed with Trump to clarify how the United States is ready to participate in thisUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington on August 18 He will be accompanied by French President Emmanuel Macron German Chancellor Friedrich Merz British Prime Minister Keir Startmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced plans to take part in this meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/macron-says-he-does-not-rule-out-ukraine-recognising-loss-of-lands-under-peace-deal-632495.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 06:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ukraines-zelensky-can-end-war-with-russia-almost-immediately-trump-632498.html Washington Aug 18 US President Donald Trump has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could chose to end the war with Russia almost immediately or he can continue to fight President Zelensky of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately if he wants to or he can continue to fight Trump said on Sunday on his Truth Social platformNo getting back Obama given Crimea 12 years ago without a shot being firedand NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE Some things never changeOn the eve of highly consequential talks with Zelensky and a large delegation of European leaders President Trump has previewed the message he will deliver to his White House visitors Zelensky must agree to some of Russias conditions for the war in Ukraine to endThe post underscored the pressure Zelensky will face on Monday as Trump works to end the conflictThe two conditions he listed that Ukraine cede Crimea which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 and that it agree never to join NATO are among the conditions Russian President Vladimir Putin has set for ending the warEuropean leaders visiting the White House with Zelensky on Monday are concerned the meeting will amount to Trump pressuring the Ukrainian leader to accept the conditions Putin put forward in their Alaska summit last weekThey hope to glean more information from Trump on what Russia might concede as part of a peace deal including what role the US would play in providing security guarantees going forwardBig day at the White House tomorrow Never had so many European Leaders at one time My great honour to host them Trump posted after his message to ZelenskyThe European delegation French President Emmanuel Macron German Chancellor Friedrich Merz British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Finland President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will all join Zelensky for the visit to the White House on MondayTrump met Putin in Alaska on Friday but the talks failed to yield any breakthrough on a ceasefire though White House envoy Steve Witkoff said both leaders had agreed to provide robust security guarantees to UkraineEuropean Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the news but Zelensky speaking alongside her at a news conference in Brussels rejected the idea of Russia offering his country security guaranteesWhat President Trump said about security guarantees is much more important to me than Putins thoughts because Putin will not give any security guarantees he saidZelensky later said on social media that the US offer regarding security guarantees was historicFrench President Emmanuel Macron who will take part in the Washington meeting along with von der Leyen and others said European leaders would ask about the extent of the security guarantees offered to Ukraine in any peace agreementOf Moscows position he said There is only one state proposing a peace that would be a capitulation RussiaRussian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called that an abject lie in a statement on Telegram later on SundayMoscow had been proposing a peaceful resolution of the conflict for seven years under the terms of the Minsk Accords she saidMacron she added was trying to convince Ukraine that it could win on the battlefield even when he knew that that was impossibleTrump who pivoted after the Alaska meeting to say he was now seeking a peace deal rather than a ceasefire on Sunday posted BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA STAY TUNED on his Truth Social platform without elaboratingTrumps sudden focus on a peace deal aligns with the stance long taken by Putin one which Ukraine and its European allies have criticised as Putins way to buy time while trying to make battlefield gainsZelensky also said he saw no sign the Kremlin leader was prepared to meet him and Trump for a threeway summit as had been floated by the US PresidentThe leaders heading to Washington on Monday to appear alongside Zelensky call themselves the coalition of the willingOn Sunday all the European leaders held a video meeting to prepare their joint positionSpeaking to US broadcaster CNN Witkoff said Im hopeful that we have a productive meeting on Monday we get to real consensus were able to come back to the Russians and push this peace deal forward and get it doneUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaking to NBC on Sunday warned of consequences including the potential imposition of new sanctions on Russia if no peace deal was reached on UkraineEuropean leaders have expressed unease from the outset over Trumps outreach to Putin who has demanded Ukraine abandon its ambitions to join the EU or NATO They were excluded from Trumps summit with PutinWitkoff in his CNN interview said the process of offering gamechanging security guarantees would involve territorial concessionsAccording to an official briefed on a call Trump held with Zelensky and European leaders as he flew back from Alaska the US leader supported a Putin proposal that Russia take full control of two eastern Ukrainian regions in exchange for freezing the frontline in two othersPutin de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas an area consisting of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine which Russia currently only partly controls the source saidIn exchange Russian forces would halt their offensive in the Black Sea port region of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine where the main cities are still under Ukrainian controlSeveral months into its fullscale invasion of Ukraine Russia in September 2022 claimed to have annexed all four Ukrainian regions even though its troops still do not fully control any of themOn the ground in Ukraine the conflict rages on with both Kyiv and Moscow launching attack dronesUkrainian authorities reported early Monday that 13 people were wounded in Russian strikes on Kharkiv and the Sumy region IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ukraines-zelensky-can-end-war-with-russia-almost-immediately-trump-632498.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-in-nepal-to-boost-bilateral-ties-632320.html Kathmandu Aug 17 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Nepal Misri is on a twoday visit to Nepal at the invitation of his counterpart Amrit Bahadur RaiAnnouncing his arrival the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu posted on X Foreign Secretary of India Vikram Misri arrives in Kathmandu for an official visit which reflects the tradition of regular highlevel exchanges between India and Nepal and reaffirms the commitment to the Neighbourhood First policyIn a statement issued on Friday the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said India and Nepal share strong and friendly ties which have seen concrete progress in recent years in diverse areas of cooperation India attaches high priority to its relations with Nepal under its Neighbourhood First policy Foreign Secretarys upcoming visit continues the tradition of regular highlevel exchanges between the two countries and will be an opportunity to further advance our bilateral tiesAccording to Nepals Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the visit the two Foreign Secretaries will hold discussions on various aspects of the NepalIndia partnership with a focus on connectivity development cooperation and other matters of mutual interest Foreign Secretary Misri is also scheduled to call on other highlevel dignitaries in KathmanduEarlier this month External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met a delegation of young political leaders from Nepal in New Delhi as the two sides discussed close cooperation and deep peopletopeople ties between both nationsIn a post on X Jaishankar wrote Pleased to interact with a delegation of young political leaders from Nepal on a visit to India Discussed our close cooperation and deep peopletopeople linkagesOn July 30 Misri held a meeting with a multiparty delegation of Members of Parliament from Nepal and discussed opportunities for expanding the partnership between India and Nepal for mutual benefitForeign Secretary Vikram Misri interacted with a multiparty delegation of MPs from Nepal today and discussed opportunities for expanding the multifaceted IndiaNepal partnership for mutual benefit MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on XOn July 27 the Nepalese Embassy in India welcomed the visiting delegation of MPs noting that regular exchange of visits by leaders including MPs between Nepal and India will help strengthen bilateral tiesWhile sharing the pictures of MPs on X the Nepal Embassy in India stated Glad to welcome the visiting delegation of MPs from Nepal and interact with them at the Embassy of Nepal in India today Regular exchange of visits by politicians including MPs between Nepal and India will help strengthen the two countries relationship IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-in-nepal-to-boost-bilateral-ties-632320.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/artist-and-his-wife-flee-to-uk-after-china-forces-censorship-of-their-exhibition-in-bangkok-report-632339.html London Aug 17 Burmese artist Sai was three weeks back celebrating the opening of an art exhibition he had curated with his wife at one of the top galleries in Thailand However their exhibition regarding authorities repression was censored after angering the Chinese government The couple has now fled to the UK where they plan to request asylum According to the couple Thai police are looking for them However a police spokesperson denied having knowledge about it Human rights advocates have criticised the situation terming it an example of transnational repression BBC News reportedSai said his exhibition which featured exiled artists from countries like China Russia and Iran opened at the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre on July 26 and witnessed the frequent visits of Chinese embassy representatives along with Bangkok city officialsThe show titled Constellation of Complicity Visualising the Global Machine of Authoritarian Solidarity aims to showcase how authoritarian regimes work together in repression according to one official descriptionSai accused Chinese officials of registering complaints about works by Tibetan Uyghur and Hong Kong artists and initially called for a complete shutdown of the show However he stated that the arts centre managed to negotiate a compromise that enabled the continuation of the exhibition after sensitive artworks and elements of art installations were removedAccording to the BBC News report several artists names in the exhibition were covered up with black paint in the descriptions of artworks Furthermore the artists homeland description was partially covered with black paint to hide references to Hong Kong Tibet and XinjiangThe majority of the censored artworks included the artworks of Tibetan artist Tenzin Mingyur Paldron Furthermore television screens placed during the exhibition to showcase films by the artist including one about the Dalai Lama had been switched offTibetan and Uyghur flags a novel about a Tibetan family in exile and a postcard about China Israel and Xinjiang were also removed from the exhibition Speaking to BBC News a gallery staff member said that many people came to see the exhibition in recent days after censorship news went viral onlineThere was an email where the centre said that they had been warned that the exhibition may risk creating diplomatic tensions between Thailand and China The email also mentioned that they made the adjustments due to pressure from the Chinese embassy transmitted through the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Bangkok city government which is the centres main supporterIn response to BBC queries a statement by the Chinese embassy accused the exhibition of openly promoting Tibetan Uyghur and Hong Kong independence It further stated that Thailands timely measures demonstrated that such a false notion has no market internationally and is unpopularIt further stated that the exhibition disregards facts distorts Chinas policies on Tibet Xinjiang and Hong Kong and harms Chinas core interests and political dignity The statement did not refer to allegations that its officials had pressured Thai authorities and the arts centreThe curators of the show and the artists of the exhibition have rejected accusations made by China Paldron said his films conveyed stories from the heart and sent a message of global solidarity Paldron further stated that the censorship was part of a Chinese campaign of erasure and suppression of Tibetans around the worldSpeaking to BBC News Sai said instead of independence from China we promote freedom of expression selfdetermination and selfidentification basic human rights He further stated Our exhibition gives space for artists who resist authoritarianism These are voices often silenced in their own country The fact that the Chinese Communist Party tries to shut it down proves the very point they are makingSai and his wife fled to the UK as they were worried about being deported back to Myanmar where Sai believes he will be persecuted for his activism against the junta Two days after the exhibition began the couple while heading to their home in Bangkok realised that Thai police were looking for themThe couple received texts from gallery staff informing them about the polices visit to the exhibition and that officers had asked for the contact numbers of the couple At the moment Sai said that we realised we had to leave the country The couple booked tickets for the earliest flight to the UKThailands national police spokesman Achayon Kraithong stated that he had not received any information that police personnel were looking for SaiThe couple had fled their homeland in 2021 following the military coup in Myanmar The couple had eventually settled in Thailand and decided to put on their art show in Bangkok as a large Burmese community resides there and also because Sai said Thailand plays a critical role to promote peace and stability for Myanmar Its a secure placeHe said that he no longer feels this wayBecause of our activism the targeting by authoritarian regimes against us has multiplied my wife and I have no choice but to seek asylum in the UKLord Alton of Liverpool chair of the UK Parliaments Joint Committee on Human Rights said that Sais case demonstrates the outreach of Chinas campaign of transnational repression and expressed support for Sais bid for asylum according to the reportTo pressure an art exhibition to censor exhibits in a cultural centre in another country is an outrageous violation of freedom of expression and should be widely exposed and condemned The additional fears that this caused for Sai leading him to flee Thailand for his security are deeply concerning he saidThe Human Rights Foundation has termed the incident an intimidation that reflects a coordinated effort to suppress artistic expression Thailandbased activist Phil Robertson called it outrageous and unacceptable that Bangkok city officials permitted Chinese censorship IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/artist-and-his-wife-flee-to-uk-after-china-forces-censorship-of-their-exhibition-in-bangkok-report-632339.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-maldives-bilateral-trade-jumps-3-fold-in-last-7-years-632345.html New Delhi Aug 17 Bilateral trade between India and the Maldives has registered a more than 3fold jump over the past seven years from 223 million in 201718 to 680 million in 202425 according to official figures Indias exports to the Maldives rose from 217 million in FY 201718 to 561 million in FY 202425 while imports from the Maldives expanded from 6 million to 119 million during the same periodThe trade between the two countries is expected to increase further with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing a Rs 4850 crore line of credit to the Maldives during his recent visit to the island nation last month Additionally PM Modi announced that discussions for a free trade agreement have also started between the two countriesIndia has decided to promote renewable energy in the Maldives and will share its experience in this sector with the Indian Ocean neighbourPM Modi visited the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu and attended the countrys 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour This also represented a turnaround in relations with the Muizzu government which came to power in 2023The turnaround in the bilateral ties assumes significance as President Muizzu known to be close to China was known for his antiIndia rhetoric while in the opposition as part of his political strategy to oust the earlier governmentThe Maldives is one of Indias key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and the overall bilateral ties including in areas of defence and security witnessed an upward trajectory under the previous governments in MaleThis sentiment is embedded in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR vision which recognises that the security and prosperity of the region are inseparableIndias approach is grounded in the belief that small island nations are not peripheral actors in global affairs but are frontline states in the fight against climate change guardians of critical sea lanes and partners in maritime security The Maldives straddling vital shipping routes occupies a central place in Indias Indian Ocean strategy IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-maldives-bilateral-trade-jumps-3-fold-in-last-7-years-632345.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russias-communist-chief-hails-north-korean-troops-in-ukraine-conflict-632369.html Seoul Aug 17 The leader of Russias Communist Party has hailed North Korean troops deployed in Moscows conflict against Ukraine in a letter sent to the Norths leader Kim Jongun according to the Norths state media Sunday Gennady Andreyevich Zyuganov Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federations Central Committee sent his letter to Kim to mark the anniversary according to North Koreas Korean Central News Agency KCNA Yonhap News Agency reportedIn the letter Zyuganov said he has taken note of North Koreas support for Russias war against Ukraine stating that their bilateral ties will continue to grow stronger in all aspectsZyuganov also thanked Kim for sending North Korean troops to fight in the Kursk frontline region saying the Norths troops helped Russia liberate the area according to the KCNAThe Communist Party of the Russian Federation expresses its sincere thanks to you for helping liberate Kursk Region Zyuganov told Kim in the letter the KCNA reportedRussia will never forget the feats of the heroic DPRK soldiers who shed their blood for the just world and the common freedom of the two countries it said DPRK is the acronym of North Koreas official name the Democratic Peoples Republic of KoreaDays before US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Alaska the Russian leader briefed Kim on his planned meeting with Trump during a phone callTheir call was yet another sign that Pyongyang and Moscow have been maintaining close military and diplomatic cooperation in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that the leaders signed during a summit in Pyongyang in June last yearNorth Korea and Russia have displayed signs of solid military cooperation in recent days in the wake of the 80th anniversary of the Korean Peninsulas liberation from Japanese colonial rule with Kim sending a letter to the Russian President that bilateral relations have reached full bloom IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russias-communist-chief-hails-north-korean-troops-in-ukraine-conflict-632369.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-secy-vikram-misri-meets-nepals-leadership-discusses-ways-to-further-strengthen-cooperation-632374.html Kathmandu Aug 17 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Nepals Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors The Indian Embassy in Nepal in a post on X said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on the Rt Honble Prime Minister of Nepal Mr KP Sharma Oli FS reaffirmed the deep civilizational ties and strong IndiaNepal partnership and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation across various sectorsnbspMisri also called on Nepals President Ramchandra Paudel and conveyed greetings from the Indian leadership During the meeting he briefed the President on the progress in bilateral tiesForeign Secretary Vikram Misri called on the Rt Honble President of Nepal Mr Ramchandra Paudel and conveyed greetings of the Indian leadership apart from briefing Honble President on the progress in bilateral ties Indian Embassy in Nepal posted on X The Foreign Secretary also called on Nepals Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba During the meeting both sides discussed ways to further enhance the multifaceted partnership between two nations across all sectorsnbspForeign Secretary Vikram Misri called on on the Honble Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr Arzu Rana Deuba There was a substantial exchange of views on issues of mutual interest and ways to further enhance the multifaceted IndiaNepal partnership across all sectors the mission posted on XEarlier in the day Misri arrived in Kathmandu for a twoday official visit at the invitation of his Nepal counterpart Amrit Bahadur Rai Announcing his arrival the Indian Embassy said Foreign Secretary of India Vikram Misri arrives in Kathmandu for an official visit which reflects the tradition of regular highlevel exchanges between India and Nepal and reaffirms the commitment to the Neighbourhood First policyIn a statement issued on Friday ahead of Misris visit the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said India and Nepal share strong and friendly ties which have seen concrete progress in recent years in diverse areas of cooperation India attaches high priority to its relations with Nepal under its Neighbourhood First policy Foreign Secretarys upcoming visit continues the tradition of regular highlevel exchanges between the two countries and will be an opportunity to further advance our bilateral ties According to Nepals Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the visit the two Foreign Secretaries will hold discussions on various aspects of the NepalIndia partnership with a focus on connectivity development cooperation and other matters of mutual interest Foreign Secretary Misri was also scheduled to call on other highlevel dignitaries in Kathmandu IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-secy-vikram-misri-meets-nepals-leadership-discusses-ways-to-further-strengthen-cooperation-632374.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-v-p-vance-to-attend-mondays-oval-office-meeting-with-zelensky-632298.html Washington Aug 17 US Vice President JD Vance will attend Mondays meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office a source told the media The last time Zelensky was in the Oval Office in February Vance accused the Ukrainian leader of a lack of gratitude asking him Have you said thank you onceHowever in May Vance met Zelensky with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Italy While reporters werent invited to the meeting afterward Vance posted a photo of him and Zelensky smilingThe Ukrainian President will meet with President Trump on Monday at the White House in the aftermath of Trumps summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in AlaskaTrump spoke with Zelensky and European leaders while on Air Force One returning home from his first facetoface meeting with Putin since his first term in officeIt was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement which would end the war and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement which often times do not hold up Trump posted on Truth Social early Saturday morningPresident Zelensky will be coming to DC the Oval Office on Monday afternoon If all works out we will then schedule a meeting with President Putin he addedZelensky signaled his support for a trilateral meeting between the three world leaders in a post on social platform XPresident Trump informed about his meeting with the Russian leader and the main points of their discussion the Ukrainian leader wrote It is important that Americas strength has an impact on the development of the situationOn Monday I will meet with President Trump in Washington DC to discuss all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war I am grateful for the invitation Zelensky addedTrump met Friday in Alaska with Putin to discuss a potential ceasefire deal in Ukraine more than three years after Russian forces invaded the Eastern European nation after amassing troops near the borderThe US President said that the meeting brought progress but no agreement on a ceasefire was made He offered few specifics on what the two leaders discussed Trump had previously said Fridays summit in Alaska was setting the table for a potential followup meeting involving Zelensky and that Ukraine would need to be involved in any final decisions about territoryMondays meeting will mark the first time Zelensky visits Washington since the infamous Oval Office spat earlier this year in which Trump and Vice President Vance blasted the Ukrainian leader for not expressing gratitude for US supportTrump has in recent weeks expressed greater frustration with Putin and his ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and has threatened severe consequences if a deal is not reached soon though on Friday he said the two men have a fantastic relationship IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-v-p-vance-to-attend-mondays-oval-office-meeting-with-zelensky-632298.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/a-quick-russia-ukraine-peace-deal-may-be-worth-more-than-a-ceasefire-german-chancellor-merz-632299.html Berlin Aug 16 A quick peace deal between Russia and Ukraine may be worth more than a ceasefire German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Merz said in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF on Saturday that after US President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin should be held as soon as possible to reach a peace agreementIf that works out its worth more than a ceasefire that could possibly last for weeks without further progress in political and diplomatic efforts he addedMerz said that it was good news that there were no territorial negotiations between Putin and Trump without Ukraine and the rest of EuropeEurope will play a role in Trumps talks with Zelensky on Monday he said A White House official told CNN that multiple European leaders have been invited to the talksHowever for the time being Trump will still play the decisive role in the conflict Merz saidThe American President who then also has the power both militarily and via appropriate sanctions and tariffs to ensure that Russia moves more than it is currently doing he addedThe German leader also said that he is pleased that the US is ready to participate in security guarantees for UkraineNow there are security guarantees on the table he said And the good news is that America is prepared to participate in such security guarantees and is not leaving it to the Europeans aloneThe German government and other European governments had insisted ahead of the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska on Friday that an immediate ceasefire must mark the beginning of a peace process in Ukraine Trump had also supported this position but abandoned it as he made clear after the summitThe Russian side was evidently not prepared for a ceasefire Merz said He criticized Russia for continuing to attack Ukraine during the talks between Trump and PutinI find that particularly disrespectful he addedTrump had briefed the most important European heads of state and government on Saturday morning about his conversation with Putin According to Merz the discussions also touched on possible territorial concessions to RussiaRussia appears willing to conduct negotiations along the current front lines rather than administrative borders Merz told the broadcasterThat is a significant difference the German Chancellor saidUntil now Russia has been claiming territories it does not even militarily occupy In his talks with Putin Trump did not question a single one of the five core points previously established by the Europeans and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Merz saidThat is a good result he added This means Trump and Putin did not discuss territorial issues over the heads of Ukraine and the Europeans IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/a-quick-russia-ukraine-peace-deal-may-be-worth-more-than-a-ceasefire-german-chancellor-merz-632299.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-says-russia-wants-to-see-ukraine-conflict-end-632300.html Moscow Aug 17 Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia would like an early cessation of hostilities in Ukraine by peaceful means Putin said at a meeting on the results of his talks with US President Donald Trump that Russia respects the position of the US administration which sees the need for an early cessation of hostilities and Russia would like to move on to resolving all issues by peaceful means according to a statement released on Saturday by the KremlinHe said his visit to the US state of Alaska was timely and very useful adding that the talks covered almost all areas of RussiaUS cooperation as well as a possible settlement of the Ukrainian crisis on a fair basisHe said the conversation with Trump was very frank and brings us closer to the necessary decisionsPutin put forward a demand that Ukraine needs to withdraw from the eastern Donetsk region as a condition for ending Moscows war with Kyiv during the Alaska Summit with Trump on FridayHowever the Russian President also told Trump that if his core demands were met he would be open to freezing the rest of the frontline according to a media reportAccording to the report Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on Saturday to communicate Putins demand He also urged Ukraine and Europe to drop efforts to secure a ceasefire from MoscowRussia has been in partial control of the Donetsk region for more than a decade If Putins demand is met he will get control of the territory where his forces have made the most gains in the war since November last yearPutin made it clear to Trump that his core demand of addressing the root causes of the conflict still stands He wants NATOs eastward expansion to end meaning Ukraine would not be allowed to join the allianceBut he is reportedly prepared to compromise on other issues including territory if he is satisfied that the root causes are addressedPutin and Trump on Friday wrapped up their talks in the US city of Anchorage in Alaska but no deal was reached The talks which lasted about three hours focused primarily on the Ukraine crisis as well as on reshaping bilateral relations that have largely stalled in recent yearsPutin told Trump that in exchange for Donetsk and Luhansk he would halt further advances and freeze the frontline in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia where Russian forces occupy significant areasRussian forces control about 70 per cent of the Donetsk region Ukraine still has control over the regions westernmost chain of cities which are said to be critical to Kyivs military operation and defences along the eastern frontUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he would not swap territory with Russia and would not allow a second partition of the country He is meeting Trump on Monday in Washington where this topic will certainly come up IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-says-russia-wants-to-see-ukraine-conflict-end-632300.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/baltic-amp-nordic-leaders-reaffirm-unwavering-support-for-ukraine-632301.html Riga Aug 17 The heads of government of the Baltic and Nordic countries issued a joint statement stressing that only Ukraine can decide its own future and reaffirming their unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty independence and territorial integrity No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine and no decisions on Europe without Europe declared the eight leaders of Latvia Denmark Estonia Iceland Lithuania Norway Finland and Sweden on Saturday in the joint statementThey underlined their steadfast support for Ukraine and their commitment to efforts aimed at ending the Ukraine crisisAchieving a just and lasting peace requires a ceasefire And credible security guarantees for Ukraine A peace agreement needs firm and concrete commitments by transatlantic partners to safeguard Ukraine against any future aggression the statement saidWelcoming US readiness to participate in security guarantees the leaders stressed that no limitations should be placed on Ukraines armed forces or its cooperation with other countriesThey also highlighted their countries continuous military support for Ukraine and efforts to strengthen Europes defences to deter Russia stressing that they will tighten sanctions and broader economic measures to squeeze Russias war economy as long as Moscow continues its attacksPresidents Donald Trump of the US and Vladimir Putin of Russia met in Alsaka US on Friday This was the first time a US President met with Putin since the start of the fullscale war in February 2022 The idea of a territory swap has been raised by Trump which would allow Moscow to cement its war gainsOn Saturday Estonias top politicians and diplomats spoke out strongly against the plan but stopped short of directly criticising WashingtonOn Sunday Estonias Prime Minister Kristen Michal Reform shared the joint statement from Latvia Lithuania Norway Iceland Sweden Denmark and Finland The strongest backers of Ukraine reaffirm support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity he saidWe remain committed to military aid diplomacy pressure on Russia No borders changed by force No decisions on Ukraine without Ukraine No decisions on Europe without EuropeWe will continue to work closely with the United States Ukraine as well as other partners to seek a peace that is just lasting and rooted in the principles of the UN Charter the Helsinki Final Act and international law the joint statement issued by the eight Baltic countries saidAccording to a statement issued by the Kremlin on Saturday Russian President Vladimir Putin said his talks with US President Donald Trump on Friday in Alaska covered almost all areas of RussiaUS cooperation as well as a possible settlement of the Ukrainian crisis on a fair basis adding that Russia would like to move on to resolving all issues by peaceful means IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/baltic-amp-nordic-leaders-reaffirm-unwavering-support-for-ukraine-632301.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/after-trumps-red-carpet-welcome-summit-with-putin-starts-in-alaska-632239.html New York Aug 16 US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin started their high stakes summit on Friday after a choreographed welcome ceremony at the airport Trump walked from Air Force 1 to the red carpet and clapped as Putin walked over to him and they shook hands warmly and walked to a waiting limousine talking directly without interpreters Later they appeared in a conference room against a backdrop that read Pursuing Peace with officials including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov present instead of the earlier proposal of first having direct talks between themselves Before flying to Alaska Trump cryptically posted on social media HIGH STAKES summing up the importance of the meeting to find an end to the Ukraine War I want to see a ceasefire rapidly he told reporters travelling with him on Air Force 1 I dont know if its going to be today but Im not going to be happy if its not today he added a note of caution Im in this to stop the killing he said of the biggest war in Europe since the end of World War II eight decades ago He also reiterated his clarification Im not here to negotiate for Ukraine Im here to get them at a table He also said that he would raise Russias continuing attacks on Ukraine even as diplomatic efforts were on It actually hurts him but in his mind that helps him make a better deal if they could continue the killing he added He said it is in his genes to act like that Trump added sternly Ill be talking to him about it As they sat down for their meeting reporters shouted out questions to Putin about the continuing carnage in Ukraine and he appeared to say something that was not audible on the video Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky who will not be at the facetoface talks between Trump and Putin echoed Trumps characterisation of the talks posting on X Indeed high stakes He added The key thing is that this meeting should open up a real path toward a just peace and a substantive discussion between leaders in a trilateral format Ukraine the United States and the Russian side It is time to end the war Trump said on Thursday that he expected there would be a quick second summit with Zelensky Putin and possibly some European leaders if there was progress in his meeting with the Russian leader But he has also warned Putin of very severe consequences if there were no ceasefire En route to Anchorage Putin stopped at Magadan in Russias far east where he symbolically placed flowers at a monument honouring US and Soviet pilots ferrying supplies from the US to Russia during World War II when the two countries were allies Putin said on Thursday that Trump has been making fairly vigorous and sincere efforts to halt hostilities resolve the crisis and reach agreements that serve the interests of all parties involved in this conflict This will be Putins first visit to the US after a decade He was last in the US when he had met former President Barack Obama after a United Nations General Assembly meeting in 2015 He had met Trump at least six times during his first term and this will be the first direct contact in Trumps second term A ceasefire hinges on two main factors Land swap or redrawing of borders that would give Russia some Ukrainian territories and a security guarantee from Europeans and the US for Ukraine IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/after-trumps-red-carpet-welcome-summit-with-putin-starts-in-alaska-632239.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-putin-announce-breakthrough-on-ukraine-after-three-hours-of-talks-632241.html New York Aug 16 Presidents Donald Trump of the US and Vladimir Putin of Russia announced a breakthrough after three hours of talks on Ukraine in Anchorage Alaska on Friday I would like to hope that the agreement that weve reached together will help us bring closer that goal of finding a solution and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine Trump said I believe we had a very productive meeting Trump said There were many many points that we President Putin and I agreed on A settlement would be important for India as it could render moot the 25 per cent punitive tariff that Trump has threatened for buying Russian oil Neither leader gave any details of the agreement or say if there was going to be ceasefire Trump said cryptically there were a couple of big ones that we havent quite gotten there but weve made some headway One is probably the most significant but we have a very good chance of getting there We didnt get there but we have a very good chance of getting there he added I will call up NATO the various people that I think are appropriate and of course call up President Volodymyr Zelensky and tell him about todays meeting he said Going into the summit Trump said that he will not be negotiating on behalf of Ukraine and it was up to Zelensky to make a deal He said at the news conference So theres no deal until theres a deal The two Presidents did not take questions from reporters Putin said We have to amend the situation to move on from confrontation to dialogue However much strange it may sound in these conditions we Russia and Ukraine have the same roots and everything thats happening is a tragedy for us and a terrible wound he saidTherefore the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it Instead of the planned three phases of the summit starting with a oneonone meeting they went straight into the second phase with Trumps Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov Defence Minister Andrei Belousoy and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participating It did not appear that the third phase of a luncheon meeting with more officials was taking place Trump welcomed Putin on a red carpet and they talked in a friendly manner as they entered a limousine and continued their conversation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-putin-announce-breakthrough-on-ukraine-after-three-hours-of-talks-632241.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-visit-us-for-high-level-unga-session-in-september-631914.html United Nations Aug 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the highlevel United Nations General Assembly UNGA session and address it on September 26 according to the preliminary programme This will be a milestone meeting for the UN which turns 80 this year and the General Assemblys theme is Better Together 80 Years and More for Peace Development and Human RightsA highlevel meeting will be held on September 22 to commemorate the 80th anniversaryThe next day the regular highlevel sessions will start with the first address as per tradition by Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da SilvaHe will be followed by US President Donald TrumpPresidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China will not be attending the highlevel sessionPresidents Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran are on the list of speakersIn the September 26 morning session that starts at 9 am 630 pm in India PM Modi will be preceded by Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel Li Qiang of China and Keir Starmer of BritainPrime Ministers Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan KP Sharma Oli of Nepal and Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan are pencilled in later that sessionBangladeshs prime minister is listed as the morning sessions last speaker and it will likely be Muhammad Yunus who styles himself as the Chief Advisor to the caretaker government set up after the overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister Sheikh HasinaPM Modis address this year will be his seventh to the General Assemblys highlevel sessionArul Louis can be contacted at arulliansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-visit-us-for-high-level-unga-session-in-september-631914.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/temper-rhetoric-any-misadventure-will-have-painful-consequences-india-warns-pakistan-631918.html New Delhi Aug 14 IANS India on Thursday slammed Pakistan over its continuous reckless warmongering and hateful comments against New Delhi terming it a wellknown modus operandi of Pakistani leadership to whip up antiIndia rhetoric to hide its own failuresnbspnbspWhile addressing a weekly media briefing on Thursday Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also warned Pakistan of painful consequences in case it engages in any misadventurenbspWe have seen several statements We have seen reports regarding a continuing pattern of reckless warmongering and hateful comments from Pakistani leadership against India It is wellknown modus operandi of the Pakistani leadership to whip up antiIndia rhetoric time and again to hide their own failures Pakistan would be welladvised to temper its rhetoric as any misadventure will have painful consequences as was demonstrated recently said Jaiswal in response to a question on the recent controversial statements made by Pakistani Army Chief General Asim MunirThe MEAs strong response came after Munir during his recent visit to the United States warned that Pakistan will never allow India to choke the Indus River and will defend its water rights at all costs even if its forces will have to destroy any dam that India sought to build on itnbspWe will wait for India to build a dam and when they do so we will destroy it The Indus River is not the Indians family property We have no shortage of resources to undo the Indian designs to stop the river Munir was quoted as saying by leading Pakistani daily Dawn at an event organised by members of the PakistaniAmerican community in Tampa Florida last weeknbspIndia which has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail had earlier reacted strongly to the comments made by MunirnbspOn Monday Jaiswal stated Our attention has been drawn to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff while on a visit to the United States Nuclear sabrerattling is Pakistans stockintrade The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks which also reinforce the wellheld doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is handinglove with terrorist groupsnbspIn the statement MEA also expressed regret that these remarks were made in a friendly third nationIt is also regrettable that these remarks should have been made from the soil of a friendly third country India has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail We will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security the MEA statement mentionednbspEarlier in April India had hit out strongly at the Pakistani Army Chief for referring Kashmir as Islamabads jugular veinnbspSee how can anything foreign be their jugular vein This is a Union Territory of India Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegallyoccupied territories by that country said Jaiswal during a regular media briefing on April 17 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/temper-rhetoric-any-misadventure-will-have-painful-consequences-india-warns-pakistan-631918.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-singapore-cement-ties-amid-global-uncertainties-631895.html New Delhi Aug 13 IANS The IndiaSingapore relationship is evolving into a deepening partnership in which New Delhi is recrafting its diplomacy to serve a clear economic and strategic purpose in todays uncertain worldnbspIn the time of fragile supply chains volatile trade policies and climate challenges India is focusing on strengthening its foreign economic policy with trusted capable and strategically placed partnersand Singapore is central to this strategy according to an article in India NarrativeThe Third IndiaSingapore Ministerial Roundtable ISMR being held here is poised to add fresh momentum The gathering will bring together Indian ministers Dr S Jaishankar Nirmala Sitharaman Ashwini Vaishnaw and Piyush Goyal with a highlevel Singaporean delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan This unique forum launched in 2022 is designed to chart the next phase of cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnershipidentifying concrete avenues to broaden and deepen bilateral tiesIndia and Singapore are actively working together on semiconductors green infrastructure digital integration advanced manufacturing healthcare innovation and maritime connectivity The relationship deepened in 2024 with the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership For India embedding itself with Singapores logistics chains and financial networks means connecting to a global value chain with fewer operational and political risksBy working together the two countries can create a credible alternative to existing chipmaking hubs making the supply chain more secure and resilient to making India a key player in critical technologynbspThe Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership perhaps clearly shows this intentnbspSingapores balanced foreign relations approach makes it particularly valuable for Indias rebalancing strategy It has closer trade ties with China yet actively works with other partners on security and technology This provides India a safe and nonconfrontational channel into ASEAN markets and IndoPacific frameworks without getting into binary rivalries The relationship benefits both countries with India gaining wider access and influence and Singapore securing a partner with significant growth potential and security capabilitiesGreen transition is another area in which both countries are looking to work together in the future Singapores prowess in clean energy financing and technology fits well with Indias renewable energy ambitions creating opportunities to work together on solar power green hydrogen and sustainable urban projects The Green Digital Shipping Corridor started in 2025 is not about decarbonising ports and ships it is about making trade routes for evolving environmental standards that will affect global business Lowcarbon digitally managed shipping helps India meet its climate commitments and also secure economic interestsPeoplecentric projects have been important for both countries Agreements on healthcare digital health systems skill training and education exchange aim to create a crossborder talent pool ready to work in futureready industries Singapores focus on skill alignment and Indias push to modernise its labour force make it a more peopletopeople partnership that is beyond political cyclesnbspDigital integration is another key area of cooperation As Indias digital economy grows linking it to Singapores advanced fintech infrastructure online security and payment structure can boost trust in sharing crossborder data and financial flow The resulting connection makes trade efficiency and Indias standing as a technology partner in the IndoPacificThe bigger picture of the IndiaSingapore partnership is building a bilateral arrangement where it demonstrates middle powers working together to provide public goods that benefit the whole IndoPacific Open and secure sea lanes varied and reliable supply chains and sustainable infrastructure not only help the two countries interests but also support the regions stability This way India advances its Act East Policy that does not hinge on conflict but on creating economic and strategic options https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-singapore-cement-ties-amid-global-uncertainties-631895.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/crackdown-on-russian-oil-exports-a-big-setback-for-reliance-shares-dip-631676.html New Delhi Aug 12  US President Donald Trumps crackdown on Russian oil exports has come as a major blow to Mukesh Ambaniled Reliance Industries Ltd RIL which was a major importer of the cheap crude for processing at its giant oil refinery in Jamnagar on the Gujarat coast The setback is also reflected in the decline in prices of Reliance shares in recent days after Trump stepped up his rhetoric against the purchase of Russian oil by IndiaIn the last 30 days the bluechip stock fell nearly 7 per cent At 238 pm on Tuesday the scrip was trading at Rs 1380 down 040 per cent The RIL share price has crashed around 11 per cent from its 52week high of Rs 1551According to a report in the Financial Times Mukesh Ambaniled Reliance was one of the biggest gainers of Russian crude purchases The report cites Amrita Sen director of research at data and analysis consultancy Energy Aspects as saying that private Indian refiners like Reliance had gained even more than governmentowned competitors such as Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum because they exported more of their oil products Sen pegs the gains of Reliance Industries through the purchase of cheap Russian oil at around 6 billionThe US previously did not object to oil imports from Russia as long as they were priced below the 60abarrel price cap fixed by the G7 countries to limit Russias earnings These purchases also helped to keep more crude flowing into the market and prices from spinning out of controlPetroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has pointed out that Indias purchases of Russian crude oil have helped to bring down global energy prices to stable levelsIn an interview with a foreign news channel Puri said Russia is one of the largest crude producers with over 9 million barrelsday Imagine the chaos if this oil amounting to about 10 per cent of the global oil supply of around 97 million vanished from the market It would have forced the world to reduce its consumption and since the consumers would be chasing reduced supplies the prices wouldve spiralled to over 120130India has been a net positive contributor to global energy price stability while at the same time we successfully navigated the trilemma of energy availability affordability and sustainability he saidIndias stand has been that Russian oil was never under global sanctions Sensible decision makers around the world were aware of the realities of global oil supply chains and how India was only helping the global markets by buying discounted oil under a price cap from wherever we could the minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/crackdown-on-russian-oil-exports-a-big-setback-for-reliance-shares-dip-631676.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/in-retaliation-for-op-sindoor-pakistan-halted-newspapers-to-indian-high-commission-sources-631584.html New Delhi Aug 11 The Pakistani government imposed targeted restrictions on the Indian High Commission in Islamabad since June 2025 in apparent retaliation to Indias military offensive Operation Sindoor The move included halting the supply of newspapers to the mission Pakistani authorities had issued clear instructions to local newspaper vendors and distributors not to deliver any newspapers or printed publications to the Indian diplomatic mission say MEA sources As a result the Indian diplomats stationed in Islamabad had been cut off from accessing Pakistani print media So they found it difficult to stay informed about local news current affairs and developments within Pakistan through print sources This restriction was seen as a deliberate attempt by Pakistan to curb the flow of information to Indian officials so as to prevent them from being updated on what was happening then This was say analysts represented part of a broader pattern of retaliatory actions following Indias military responseMEA sources condemned this action as deliberate premeditated and in breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which guarantees the secure and dignified operation of diplomatic missions worldwide Officials termed Pakistans measures a continuation of its longstanding policy of using unconventional and nondiplomatic tactics to apply pressure on Indian diplomats rather than engage in constructive dialogueThis development followed the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and came in the aftermath of Indias Operation Sindoor which inflicted significant damage on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan MEA sources characterised Pakistans actions like stopping newspapers to Indian High Commission officials as petty retaliation driven by frustration over its failures to counter India on the battlefieldDiplomatic affairs experts are of the view that the restrictions like stopping newspapers mark a new low in IndiaPakistan relations with Islamabad escalating tensions by disrupting basic services to Indian diplomats in its capital IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/in-retaliation-for-op-sindoor-pakistan-halted-newspapers-to-indian-high-commission-sources-631584.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trumps-pakistan-policy-likely-to-land-us-in-geopolitical-turbulence-631426.html New Delhi Aug 11 US President Donald Trump has announced a new agreement for joint development of Pakistans oil reserves hailing it as a significant beginning to a longterm energy partnership However in the end the US may find itself investing in a partnership that yields little energy less loyalty and a great deal of geopolitical turbulence according to an article posted on Directus an online platform based in Greece The US foreign policy announcement made via Trumps Truth Social platform was followed by a broader trade agreement and a reduction in tariffs on Pakistani imports from 29 per cent to 19 per cent On the surface this may appear to be a pragmatic move to deepen economic ties and counterbalance Chinas growing influence in South Asia But beneath the fanfare lies a troubling strategic miscalculation the Athensdatelined article points outIt observes that Trumps enthusiasm for Pakistans massive oil reserves is puzzling as the Asian countrys crude oil reserves are estimated at a mere 234 and 353 million barrels placing it around 50th globally Pakistan is dependent on imports to meet its oil needs and currently imports oil from the US as wellEven if oil extraction were to succeed particularly in Balochistan where reserves are believed to exist the consequences could be destabilising Balochistan has long been a flashpoint of ethnic and political unrest exacerbated by perceptions of exploitation by foreign powers Chinas heavy footprint in the region through the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC has already fuelled resentment US involvement in resource extraction could further alienate local populations and entangle Washington in a volatile domestic conflict the article points outBalochistan holds strategic interest for Washington as a potential vantage point to monitor Iranian activities But leveraging the province for geopolitical gain risks inflaming tensions in a region already bristling with antiWestern sentimentThe article states that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munirs visit to Washington may appear as a flattering gesture but it is emblematic of a deeper more troubling trend Washingtons reactive pivot toward Islamabad seemingly driven by frustration with New Delhis assertive postureIndias firm stance in trade negotiations particularly its refusal to accept Trumps proposed trade deal has clearly unsettled Washington Compounding this is Indias massive and unapologetic purchase of Russian oil which has challenged Western expectations and signalled a fiercely independent energy strategy In response the US appears to be rekindling ties with Pakistan a country whose aid was only recently slashed by the same administration now courting it This rekindled bonhomie however is not rooted in strategic foresight It is a kneejerk reaction an attempt to play the old IndiaversusPakistan card to pressure New Delhi into compliance But this approach is not only outdated it is dangerously myopic it points outIndia is not merely a regional counterweight to China it is a longterm strategic partner for the US The two nations share deep and expanding cooperation across critical sectors advanced technology clean energy higher education and defence American and Indian private industries are increasingly intertwined with robust businesstobusiness ties and joint ventures that span Silicon Valley to Bengaluru Defence agreements between the two countries have reached an unprecedented scale reflecting mutual trust and shared security interests To jeopardise this multifaceted partnership for the sake of shortterm leverage over trade or oil diplomacy with Pakistan is to sacrifice strategic depth for tactical theatricsThe article also highlights that Pakistan is an unreliable ally given its foreign policy playbook which follows a dualtrack diplomacy that has enabled the country to extract benefits from both Beijing and Washington without committing fully to either Any US attempt to reduce Pakistans reliance on China must reckon with this deeply ingrained strategic culture Pakistan will continue to play both sides leveraging American technology and markets while welcoming Chinese infrastructure and investmentIslamabad has long mastered the art of strategic hedging aligning opportunistically with global powers based on shifting priorities During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan Pakistan was Americas indispensable ally When China launched its Belt and Road Initiative Pakistan became its flagship partner In counterterrorism efforts Pakistani forces cooperated with the West And when China needed maritime access Gwadar Port was made availableThe Trumpled oil agreement may be framed as a bold step toward energy cooperation but it risks becoming another chapter in a long history of American misjudgments in South Asia The economic rationale is shaky the geopolitical risks are high and the strategic payoff is uncertain If Washington truly seeks to counter Chinas influence and stabilise the region it must look beyond transactional deals and understand the deeper currents shaping Pakistans foreign policy the article states IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trumps-pakistan-policy-likely-to-land-us-in-geopolitical-turbulence-631426.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nuclear-sabre-rattling-pakistans-stock-in-trade-india-slams-pak-army-chiefs-irresponsible-remarks-in-us-631452.html New Delhi Aug 11 IANS India on Monday slammed the irresponsible remarks made by Pakistans Chief of Army Staff COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during his recent visit to the United States emphasising that nuclear sabrerattling is Pakistans stockintradenbspDuring his US visit over the weekend Munir has warned that Pakistan will never allow India to choke the Indus River and will defend its water rights at all costs even if the forces will have to destroy any dam that India sought to build on itWe will wait for India to build a dam and when they do so we will destroy it The Indus River is not the Indians family property We have no shortage of resources to undo the Indian designs to stop the river Munir was quoted as saying by leading Pakistani daily Dawn at an event organised by members of the PakistaniAmerican community in Tampa FloridanbspIndia which has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail reacted strongly to the comments made by MunirOur attention has been drawn to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff while on a visit to the United States Nuclear sabrerattling is Pakistans stockintrade The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks which also reinforce the wellheld doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is handinglove with terrorist groups read a statement issued by Randhir Jaiswal spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs MEA on MondayMunir the Pakistani media reported on Monday visited two US cities over the weekend and flew to Belgium on Sunday after completing his second highprofile trip to the United States in less than two monthsnbspIt is also regrettable that these remarks should have been made from the soil of a friendly third country India has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail We will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security the MEA statement mentionednbspMunirs visit to the US capital in June was overshadowed by widespread protests led by members of the Pakistani diaspora and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khans Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI party While Rawalpindi was projecting Munirs visit as a step towards strengthening military and strategic ties with Washington the backlash from overseas Pakistanis turned his stay at the luxury hotel in Washington into a scene of charged demonstrationsProtesters chanted slogans accusing Munir of human rights violations branding him as Pakistanio ke qatil and Islamabad ke qatil meaning killer of Pakistanis and killers of Islamabad respectively A video widely circulated on social media showed one protester yelling Geedad geedad geedad jackal jackal jackal a derogatory term used to suggest cowardice and deceit The clip quickly went viral and was described by analysts as a public embarrassment for the Pakistani military establishmentAnalysts reckon that Munirs treatment as the true interlocutor in Washington and Beijing recently highlights how far Pakistans military has overreached into domains traditionally managed by the elected representativesnbspAsim Munirs aggressive diplomacy abroad is only one facet of a broader power consolidation at home that has pushed Pakistan into what can only be described as a militaryled hybrid authoritarianism Behind the civilian façade the military establishment has pulled all institutional levers to dominate the judiciary the economy and the legislative process an defence expert told IANSPerhaps the most damning indictment of Asim Munirs tenure is not just the scope of his ambition it is the cost at which it has come Munir may go down in history as the army chief who has lost hundreds of soldiers to insurgent attacks in merely two years of his tenure From Balochistan to the tribal hinterland of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPK Pakistani troops have come under relentless assault from a rejuvenated insurgency especially by groups like Balochistan Liberation Army BLA and TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP he addedIn April India had hit out strongly at the Pakistani Army Chief for referring Kashmir as Islamabads jugular veinnbspSee how can anything foreign be their jugular vein This is a Union Territory of India Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegallyoccupied territories by that country said Jaiswal during a regular media briefing on April 17 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nuclear-sabre-rattling-pakistans-stock-in-trade-india-slams-pak-army-chiefs-irresponsible-remarks-in-us-631452.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nuclear-sabre-rattling-pakistans-stock-in-trade-india-slams-pak-army-chiefs-irresponsible-remarks-in-us-631456.html New Delhi Aug 11 India on Monday slammed the irresponsible remarks made by Pakistans Chief of Army Staff COAS Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during his recent visit to the United States emphasising that nuclear sabrerattling is Pakistans stockintrade During his US visit over the weekend Munir has warned that Pakistan will never allow India to choke the Indus River and will defend its water rights at all costs even if the forces will have to destroy any dam that India sought to build on itWe will wait for India to build a dam and when they do so we will destroy it The Indus River is not the Indians family property We have no shortage of resources to undo the Indian designs to stop the river Munir was quoted as saying by leading Pakistani daily Dawn at an event organised by members of the PakistaniAmerican community in Tampa FloridaIndia which has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail reacted strongly to the comments made by MunirOur attention has been drawn to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff while on a visit to the United States Nuclear sabrerattling is Pakistans stockintrade The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks which also reinforce the wellheld doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is handinglove with terrorist groups read a statement issued by Randhir Jaiswal spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs MEA on MondayMunir the Pakistani media reported on Monday visited two US cities over the weekend and flew to Belgium on Sunday after completing his second highprofile trip to the United States in less than two monthsIt is also regrettable that these remarks should have been made from the soil of a friendly third country India has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail We will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security the MEA statement mentionedMunirs visit to the US capital in June was overshadowed by widespread protests led by members of the Pakistani diaspora and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khans Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI party While Rawalpindi was projecting Munirs visit as a step towards strengthening military and strategic ties with Washington the backlash from overseas Pakistanis turned his stay at the luxury hotel in Washington into a scene of charged demonstrationsProtesters chanted slogans accusing Munir of human rights violations branding him as Pakistanio ke qatil and Islamabad ke qatil meaning killer of Pakistanis and killers of Islamabad respectively A video widely circulated on social media showed one protester yelling Geedad geedad geedad jackal jackal jackal a derogatory term used to suggest cowardice and deceit The clip quickly went viral and was described by analysts as a public embarrassment for the Pakistani military establishmentAnalysts reckon that Munirs treatment as the true interlocutor in Washington and Beijing recently highlights how far Pakistans military has overreached into domains traditionally managed by the elected representativesAsim Munirs aggressive diplomacy abroad is only one facet of a broader power consolidation at home that has pushed Pakistan into what can only be described as a militaryled hybrid authoritarianism Behind the civilian façade the military establishment has pulled all institutional levers to dominate the judiciary the economy and the legislative process an defence expert told IANSPerhaps the most damning indictment of Asim Munirs tenure is not just the scope of his ambition it is the cost at which it has come Munir may go down in history as the army chief who has lost hundreds of soldiers to insurgent attacks in merely two years of his tenure From Balochistan to the tribal hinterland of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPK Pakistani troops have come under relentless assault from a rejuvenated insurgency especially by groups like Balochistan Liberation Army BLA and TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP he addedIn April India had hit out strongly at the Pakistani Army Chief for referring Kashmir as Islamabads jugular veinSee how can anything foreign be their jugular vein This is a Union Territory of India Its only relationship with Pakistan is the vacation of illegallyoccupied territories by that country said Jaiswal during a regular media briefing on April 17 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nuclear-sabre-rattling-pakistans-stock-in-trade-india-slams-pak-army-chiefs-irresponsible-remarks-in-us-631456.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ghana-an-entry-point-for-india-into-west-africas-resource-landscape-report-631515.html New Delhi Aug 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Ghana served as an opportunity to revive and recalibrate bilateral ties His visit to Ghana the first by an Indian leader in over 30 years held a strong economic and strategic orientation Ghana has positioned itself as a partner in sectors where India has a comparative advantage like pharmaceuticals More than 26 per cent of generic medicines in Africa are sourced from India and the Food and Drugs Authoritys Ghanas regulator of pharmaceutical standards listing of foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities largely comprise Indian companies India Narrative said in a reportWith Ghana wanting to have training equipment and security engagement with India in response to increasing threats from the Sahel and coastal piracy defence cooperation was also on the agenda during PM Modis visit to Accra The emphasis on shared security interests is demonstrated by Ghanas alignment with India on counterterrorism Ghana President John Mahama had condemned the terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22Economic ties however remain at the heart of this renewed engagement between India and Ghana the report said Currently the bilateral trade between two nations stands at around USD three billion Leaders of both nations aim to double the bilateral trade to USD six billion over the next five years Presently Ghana has trade surplus with India particularly due to gold exports which account for more than 70 per cent of its shipments Ghana imports pharmaceuticals machinery vehicles and various industrial goods from India while cocoa timber and cashew nuts are its key exportsIndia has invested over USD two billion in Ghana with investments spanning concessional finance private capital and grants across 900 projects the report mentioned India is ranked among top investors in Ghana and statebacked institutions and companies of India play an important part in critical infrastructure developmentGhana serves as an entry point for India into West Africas resource landscape Having reserves of lithium gold bauxite and manganese Ghana is positioned to contribute to Indias requirement for critical minerals According to the report Ghana President Mahamas invitation for investment in mineral extraction and processing coincides with Indias National Critical Mineral MissionWith nearly USD 100 billion in trade total investments of about USD 75 billion and a strong diaspora of 35 billion Indias Africa policy is characterised by a pragmatic and issuebased approach During his address in the Ghana Parliament PM Modi talked about development cooperation that is demand driven and focused on developing local capacity and creating local opportunities The approach of to not just invest but empower shows Indias intention to have ties in mutual agency instead of dependency IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ghana-an-entry-point-for-india-into-west-africas-resource-landscape-report-631515.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/netanyahu-defends-gaza-city-takeover-plan-as-fastest-path-to-end-war-631316.html Tel AvivNew Delhi August 10 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his governments controversial plan to take full military control of Gaza City describing it as the speediest and most effective way to end the ongoing war In a press conference Netanyahu insisted that Hamas continued refusal to surrender its weapons has left Israel with no alternative but to press forward with its military campaignGiven Hamas refusal to lay down its arms Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas he said adding that Israeli forces already have control over 7075 per cent of GazaThe operation has faced widespread criticism from the international community including some of Israels closest Western allies over humanitarian concernsHowever Netanyahu dismissed the criticism as false claims and argued that the offensive is designed not only to defeat Hamas quickly but also to minimise civilian harmHe stated that civilians would be given safe passage to designated zones where they would receive food water and medical care reiterating Israels claim that its military has consistently worked to prevent a humanitarian crisis in contrast to what he described as Hamas deliberate efforts to create oneHighlighting Israels role in facilitating humanitarian aid Netanyahu said that nearly two million tonnes of aid had been allowed into Gaza since the war beganIf we had a starvation policy no one in Gaza would have survived after two years of war he assertedHe added that discussions are underway with the United States to implement additional humanitarian measures including expanding aid delivery via ground routes and airdrops as well as increasing the capacity of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundations distribution pointsNetanyahu also said he hoped international organisationsand possibly the United Nationswould join in the effort although he criticized the UNs past engagement in GazaIn a particularly contentious claim Netanyahu alleged that the only people being deliberately starved in Gaza are Israeli hostages held by HamasHe accused global media outlets of relying on distorted narratives and statistics provided by Hamas referring to images of starving children as manipulated or fakeHe warned that vilification campaigns like these often precede violence against Jews drawing parallels to historic antisemitic atrocities Every massacre of the Jewish people was preceded by massive vilification he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/netanyahu-defends-gaza-city-takeover-plan-as-fastest-path-to-end-war-631316.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 22:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-seeking-ukrainian-conflict-end-on-current-frontlines-to-end-funding-us-vp-vance-631319.html Washington Aug 10 Ahead of the muchanticipated summit meeting between the US and Russian Presidents in Alaska US Vice President JD Vance said that negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict should be based on the existing battle lines though admitting it will not make anybody super happy Vance speaking to Fox News described this strategy as a realistic if imperfect foundation for a negotiated peace between Russia and Ukraine RT reportedHe also credited President Donald Trump with securing a breakthrough that could bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to the tableIf you take where the current line of contact between Russia and Ukraine is were going to try to find some negotiated settlement that the Ukrainians and the Russians can live with where the killing stops Vance told Fox News admitting that its not going to make anybody super happyTrump had said earlier that the ideas under discussion include some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides and Zelensky would need to find a way to approve such a deal under Ukrainian lawZelensky has rejected any such agreement claiming that nobody can or will make concessions on the issue The Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupiers he proclaimedVance also claimed President Trump had persuaded his Russian counterpart to reverse course on his refusal to meet Zelensky and that scheduling talks between the three leaders was now under discussionAsked if Putin and Zelensky should meet before involving Trump he contended that he doesnt think it would be that productive and it must be Trump who is the one to bring these two together for meaningful progressIn the interview published after he met several European and Ukrainian officials in London including UK Foreign Minister David Lammy ahead of the summit meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump the US Vice President also said the US is not going to fund Ukraine anymoreUkraines European backers can buy the weapons from American producers if they want to continue supporting Kiev and the US will be okay with that Vance addedHe suggested that Kievs European backers should play a bigger role in providing funding if they care so much about this conflictAmericans I think are sick of continuing to send their money their tax dollars to this particular conflict But if the Europeans want to step up and buy the weapons from American producers were okay with that But were not going to fund it ourselves anymore he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-seeking-ukrainian-conflict-end-on-current-frontlines-to-end-funding-us-vp-vance-631319.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 22:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ins-tamal-concludes-port-visit-to-casablanca-strengthens-indias-naval-ties-with-morocco-631323.html New Delhi Aug 10 The Indian Navys newest stealth frigate INS Tamal has concluded a threeday port visit to Moroccos Casablanca during her return passage from Russia to India During the port call from August 69 the ship participated in several activities focused on furthering cooperation and collaboration between the navies of India and MoroccoThe ships crew interacted with Captain Rachid Sadrhazi Commander of the 1st Naval base CaptainMajor Hasan Akouli Commander of the Central Maritime sector Brigadier General Jamal Kaztouf delegated Commander of Weapons of Casablanca Area and Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin the RearAdmiral inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy the Ministry of Defence said in a press release on SundayDuring the three day port call the ship engaged in a host of activities focused on furthering cooperation and collaboration between the two navies Bilateral discussions with senior military officials crossdeck visits sports fixtures yoga and cultural exchanges by both sides in honour of IndoMoroccan relations were conducted as part of the port call the statement saidIndias Ambassador to Morocco Sanjay Rana visited the ship and met senior military officials of the Moroccan Navy and the ships crew On departure from Casablanca the ship participated in a Passage Exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy Ship Mohammed VIIn a post on X Indian Navy spokesperson said Indian Navys latest stealth frigate INSTamal concluded her port call at Casablanca Morocco on 09 Aug 25 while on her return passage from Russia to India On departure from Casablanca the ship participated in a PASSEX with the RoyalMoroccanNavy Ship Mohammed VI The port call by INS Tamal provided opportunities to enhance interoperability between the two naviesCommissioned in Russia on July 1 INS Tamal is transitioning to her home base through multiple European and Asian ports advancing Indias maritime diplomacy and reinforcing bilateral ties according to the release INS Tamal is the third Indian naval ship to visit Casablanca in the past two yearsIn the press release the Defence Ministry said The port call at Casablanca is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with Morocco and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations It also provided an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore new avenues of cooperation En route to her home base in India the ship will visit multiple European and Asian ports furthering bilateral ties across the spectrum IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ins-tamal-concludes-port-visit-to-casablanca-strengthens-indias-naval-ties-with-morocco-631323.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 23:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/these-tariffs-will-surely-affect-our-trade-brazils-ambassador-to-india-as-us-slaps-50-pc-levy-631118.html New Delhi Aug 9 Brazils Ambassador to India Kenneth Felix Haczynski Da Nobrega on Saturday responded to US President Donald Trumps decision to impose tariffs on Brazil Commenting on the impact of the new trade measures in the current global climate he said that these tariffs would affect Brazils trade with a very traditional partner with whom we have been developing strong links over 200 years of relations This statement comes as President Trump imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports taking the total duty to 50 per cent the highest among Americas key trading partners While Indias elevated tariffs are linked to its continued import of oil from the Russian Federation Brazils inclusion in the list is reportedly tied to political developments back homeSpeaking to IANS Da Nobrega said These tariffs will of course affect our trade with a very traditional partner with whom we have built strong links over 200 years However the Brazilian and American societies are deeply connected through business people and culture and those connections will persistReacting to the broader implications as the world including Brazil and India witnesses the imposition of a 50 per cent US tariff Da Nobrega recalled a significant conversation between Brazilian President Lula and Prime Minister Narendra ModiWell I think the comments were made by President Lula when he called the Honourable Prime Minister Modi They spoke for over an hour about the prospects of our bilateral relations against this economically uncertain backdrop The global trade outlook has become unpredictable due to these unilateral measuresSo the focus of their conversation was how we can transform these challenges into new opportunities for strengthening our bilateral relations Just a month ago there was a state visit by your Prime Minister to Brazil during which the two leaders charted a very concrete course for our economic relations for the next decade he saidAddressing the matter of response to the US levy particularly in agriculture Da Nobrega emphasised collaboration over retaliationI think we are not talking about replying to a country What we have discussed is how India and Brazil can work more closely together to ensure economic growth and resilience in this unpredictable geopolitical environment Its about finding new ways to reinforce our partnershipWhen asked what Brazil would do if US President Trump does not engage on rolling back tariffs Da Nobrega stressed Brazils readiness for dialogue but with limitsWell we are always open to negotiations to a certain limit in the sense that our sovereignty is not up for negotiation This is very clear But of course we are open to dealing with the United States when it comes to the economic aspects of its actions towards Brazil So yes we are open to negotiations but there are certain things that are not negotiable he assertedRegarding reports that President Lula urged the World Trade Organisation WTO to review the US tariff action Da Nobrega reaffirmed Brazils commitment to international lawYes Brazil has always stood for international law WTO agreements and the multilateral trading system are integral to that framework Brazil continues to emphasise the importance of multilateralism and respect for international law That is why we submitted a formal declaration highlighting the violations of the multilateral trading system committed by the United States he told IANSWhen asked about Brazils overall response to the US approach the Ambassador noted that Brazil is still assessing the motivations behind the decisionWe are still evaluating what could be the underlying reasons for this stance by the American government But fundamentally we are open to negotiation as long as the tone and terms of dialogue reflect the importance of Brazils economy and its global standing he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/these-tariffs-will-surely-affect-our-trade-brazils-ambassador-to-india-as-us-slaps-50-pc-levy-631118.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iran-welcomes-azerbaijan-armenia-peace-deal-concerned-about-foreign-meddling-631146.html Tehran Aug 9 Irans Foreign Ministry on Saturday welcomed a recent peace agreement between its northern neighbours Azerbaijan and Armenia while expressing concern about foreign interference near common borders In a statement the Iranian Foreign Ministry responded to the peace agreement signed by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House in Washington on Friday which marks the end of a decadeslong border conflictIt stated that Iran closely monitored the ongoing processes and developments in the South Caucasus region and was in contact with Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding the developments Xinhua news agency reportedNo doubt peace and stability in the South Caucasus region are in the interest of all regional countries The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the finalisation of the text of the peace agreement by the two countries and evaluates the development as an important step towards ensuring sustainable peace in the region said the statementIt stressed However Iran voices its concern about the negative consequences of any foreign interference in any way or form especially in proximity to common borders that would compromise sustainable regional security and stabilityIran also expressed its readiness to continue constructive cooperation with Azerbaijan and Armenia based on mutual interests to ensure the regions peace stability and economic development through bilateral and regional cooperationArmenia and Azerbaijan at loggerheads over the mountainous NagornoKarabakh region since 1988 have been having peace talks since 1994 when a ceasefire was agreed on despite sporadic clashes since thenEarlier today Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a historic joint declaration for peace after decades of bitter conflict and significant loss of life as US President Donald Trump hosted both the leaders of the South Caucasus region in Washington as confirmed by the White HouseAccording to a statement by the White House Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also signed bilateral economic agreements with the US unlocking the great potential of the South Caucasus region in trade transit energy infrastructure and technology and creating new opportunities for the American people and businessesArmenian Prime Minister Pashinyan took to his social media stating that the peace deal would pave the way for peace prosperity and development in the South Caucasus region IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iran-welcomes-azerbaijan-armenia-peace-deal-concerned-about-foreign-meddling-631146.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israeli-pm-netanyahu-meets-indian-envoy-vows-to-deepen-strategic-ties-630852.html Tel Aviv Aug 8 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Indias Ambassador to Israel JP Singh to discuss ways to further strengthen the growing IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership The two sides explored expanding cooperation in key sectors including security and economics During the engagement Prime Minister Netanyahu also interacted with senior Indian journalists addressing a range of questions on bilateral and regional issuesI met today in my office in Jerusalem with the Ambassador of India to Israel JP Singh We discussed strengthening and expanding cooperation between Israel and India particularly in the fields of security and economics an important partnership based on shared values and interests Afterwards I held a meeting with a group of senior journalists from India and answered their questions Netanyahu posted on XAccording to the Indian Embassy in Israel PM Netanyahu stressed the need to further deepen the IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership Ambassador Singh conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and assured to strengthen the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations between India and IsraelLast month Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held a bilateral meeting with Director GeneralDG of the Israel Ministry of Defence Amir Baram in New Delhi The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a longterm perspective They concurred to work towards developing an institutional framework for further deepening of defence tiesThe Israeli DG condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and conveyed full support for Indias fight against terrorism Defence Secretary Singh reiterated Indias zerotolerance approach to terrorism and condemned the October 07 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel and called for the release of all hostagesThe two sides also reviewed the progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since the last Joint Working Group meeting held in July 2024 in India The visit by the Israeli DG marked a pivotal step in IndiaIsrael defence relations and reinforced both sides commitment to enhancing their strategic partnership IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israeli-pm-netanyahu-meets-indian-envoy-vows-to-deepen-strategic-ties-630852.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 11:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-china-policy-needs-a-reset-before-its-too-late-630904.html As the 21st century unmistakably shifts toward Asia India stands at a crucial crossroads While many Asian powers recalibrate for multipolar engagement India remains tethered to an outdated model of strategic resistance balancing China through alignment with the United States and the Quad However recent developments highlight the growing fragility of this approach and underscore the need for a pragmatic autonomous recalibrationThe Erosion of the Balancing StrategyFor over a decade India has sought to hedge Chinas rise by investing in partnerships with Western democracies particularly the United States and by joining multilateral forums like the Quad Yet this balancing act is falteringnbspThe Quad lacks strategic coherence While it presents a shared vision of a free and open IndoPacific its membersJapan Australia the US and Indiahave divergent threat perceptions and strategic priorities The Quad has failed to evolve into a collective security mechanism especially one that could deter China in the Himalayan theatre where Indias primary vulnerability liesMeanwhile the United States has signalled a return to transnationalism Indias greater alignment with the West and specifically USA no longer offers meaningful security or economic insulation President Trumps recent tirade against India about ongoing tariff negotiations and purchase of Russian oil and arms is bound to reflect in US policy towards India going forward Further the United States has resumed its tactical embrace of Pakistan for Afghan and Central Asian access renewing engagement with Pakistan for overflight rights and counterterrorism cooperation If it can disengage from longstanding transatlantic commitments and the Asian security architecture it is unlikely to be a reliable longterm anchor for IndiaIndia must now ask can we afford to put our strategic future in the hands of an increasingly unpredictable partner whose interests will never fully align with oursThe Regional Reality South Asia Slipping AwayThe security situation in South Asia is increasingly adverse The China hand during the recent Operation Sindoor was most evident as are talks about a reinforced front between China and Pakistan In Bangladesh the era of close alignment with India under the Awami League is over and Dhaka is tilting toward Pakistan and Beijing through infrastructure dependency and growing defence ties A return to the Indiafriendly Sheikh Hasina era is unlikely China has outpaced India not only in global influence but within Indias immediate neighborhood It has entrenched itself economically and militarily in Pakistan Bangladesh Nepal Myanmar Sri Lanka and even the Maldives This underscores the risk of alienating China further through military or political posturing India is increasingly encircled by a ring of states economically beholden to China and politically cautious about offending it A confrontational posture by New Delhi only accelerates this driftThe Power Gap An Inconvenient TruthChina today holds a commanding lead over India across almost every strategic metric Its economy is over five times larger It dominates global manufacturing supply chains rare earth processing and is setting standards in advanced technologies like AI 5G and green energy Its military modernization program outpaces Indias by decades in both scale and sophistication Diplomatically Beijing enjoys unparalleled influence in multilateral institutions regional blocs and bilateral ties across the Global SouthIn the Indian Ocean Region IOR Chinas strategic foothold is now undeniable India must confront an uncomfortable reality we may never catch up Continuing to antagonize such a powerful neighbor to appease a distant and unreliable superpower is a gamble with no strategic upsideThe Dalai Lama Succession A Strategic OpeningOne of the few avenues for diplomatic engagement lies in the impending succession of the 14th Dalai Lama who turns 90 this year China is expected to install a stateapproved reincarnation while the Tibetan community in exile hosted by India will likely name its own If mishandled this could ignite another major flashpoint in IndiaChina ties But it also presents a rare opening for quiet diplomacy By signalling a measured nonprovocative approach India can reaffirm its humanitarian support for the Tibetan people while avoiding overt politicization In return China could be encouraged to lower border tensions dial back Pakistan sponsored terrorism and avoid escalatory responsesHandled deftly the succession could serve as a backchannel to reset relationsbalancing spiritual responsibility with geopolitical restraint It could also demonstrate Indias ability to lead with maturity resisting foreign pressure while safeguarding internal stabilityThis moment is particularly ripe as Xi Jinping despite internal pressures still maintains control over the PLA A postXi China could bring a fragmented leadership with a more autonomous and assertive military That would be far harder to manage diplomaticallyThe Russia Factor A Quiet FacilitatorRussia long a cornerstone of Indias defence policy can emerge as a potential strategic facilitator Its recent recognition of the Taliban underscores its pivot towards Asiacentric diplomacy More importantly Moscow maintains stable ties with both India and China and has a vested interest in preventing further polarization in Asia India should explore TrackII mechanisms via Moscow with China to manage issues like the US tariff wars Dalai Lama succession and border deescalation Russia facing Western hostility and isolation is well positioned to act as a discreet mediator among Asias three great powersReframing the Strategic DoctrineIndia must shift from a doctrine of balancing to one of selective engagement This is not appeasement but realism A strategic reset could includeA border stability framework with renewed communication protocols and confidencebuilding measuresA tacit understanding on nonpoliticization of the Dalai Lama successionSelective reengagement with China in sectors like green technology rare earths and climate cooperationQuiet consensus on regional noninterference in each others traditional spheres of influenceLeveraging Russia as a balancing vector to facilitate stable IndiaChina tiesConclusion Indias Maturity Test in the Asian CenturyIndia stands at the heart of the Asian century but risks becoming a peripheral actor if it clings to rigid postures and outdated alliances The time has come for strategic maturity Instead of defining its interests through permanent opposition to China and dependency on a distant and selfinterested West India must embrace realism restraint and regionalism With the Dalai Lamas 90th birthday Xi Jinpings waning but present authority and Russias emerging mediation role the conditions for a recalibration existbut they will not lastnbspIndia must seize this opportunity to reset its China policy on its own termsbefore the strategic map of Asia is redrawn without us https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-china-policy-needs-a-reset-before-its-too-late-630904.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-certainly-doesnt-know-whats-happening-in-asia-and-india-jim-rogers-on-us-tariffs-630926.html New Delhi Aug 8 IANS As US President Donald Trump imposes 25 per cent tariffs on India with an additional 25 per cent slated to come into effect from August 27 ace American investor Jim Rogers said on Friday that Trump doesnt understand much of the world and he certainly doesnt understand whats happening in Asia and particularly IndianbspSpeaking to IANS Rogers who is one of the top financial commentators in the world said that India remains the fastest growing economy in the world and Washington should actually be doing a lot of business with New Delhi rather than hampering longstanding trade and investment ties by slapping unrealistic tariffsTrump wakes up watches TV and then decides what to do He doesnt understand much of the world and he certainly doesnt understand whats happening in Asia and India Rogers told IANSnbspAccording to him both the countries can actually increase trade to 500 billion by 2030 an envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump if the US President aims to bring Washington and New Delhi closer with reasonable gesturesnbspFor the first time in my life I see that people in New Delhi seem to understand economics They understand that prosperity is good and success is good too It is a very exciting and wonderful change for India Rogers emphasised adding that India could be an extremely exciting country extremely exciting economynbspHe further stated that India is going to be one of the most exciting investment destinations in the world and it will certainly be compared to China and maybe even do much better than China in coming yearsOn Free Trade Agreements FTAs Rogers told IANS that more free trade is better for the world especially India It will be extremely exciting for the world including foreign investors he mentionednbspNew Delhi has signed 13 FTAs with its trading partners The country is currently negotiating the following FTAs with its trading partners IndiaEU FTA India Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement CECA IndiaPeru Trade Agreement covering goods services and investment IndiaSri Lanka Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement ETCA and IndiaOman FTA https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-certainly-doesnt-know-whats-happening-in-asia-and-india-jim-rogers-on-us-tariffs-630926.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mike-pence-says-us-companies-and-consumers-paying-the-cost-of-trumps-tariffs-630937.html Washington Aug 8 IANS Former US Vice President Mike Pence in a scathing attack against President Donald Trumps trade policy said on Thursday that American companies and consumers are paying the cost of US tariffsnbspPence took to X to highlight that the cost of production of US companies like auto giant Ford has shot up following the increase in tariffs on inputs US consumers are also ending up paying higher prices for goods due to the tariffs levied by Trump he addedThe former Vice President emphasised the need for Free trade with Free nationsnbspTo drive home his point Pence tagged an article from Reason a US monthly magazine which stated that Ford had paid 800 million in tariffrelated expenses during the second quarter of 2025 despite building most of its cars in AmericanbspIf President Donald Trumps tariffs were boosting the prospects of Americanbased manufacturing then Ford Motor Co ought to be one of the biggest winners After all Ford builds more vehicles in the United States than any other automaker it churned out 18 million of them last year while employing around 57000 manufacturing workers at plants across the upper Midwest Its a legacy American brand doing the sort of bluecollar work in the Rust Belt that the Trump administration believes its trade policies will directly benefit the article statesIn reality the tariffs are crushing Ford The automaker announced this week that it paid 800 million in tariffrelated expenses during the second quarter of 2025 during which it posted its first quarterly loss since 2023 and that it expects the tariffs to reduce annual profits by about 3 billion Even for a company that earned an operating profit of 102 billion last year thats a tremendous blow the article written by Eric Boehm statednbspThe Ford management is reported to have held multiple rounds of talks with the Trump administration in an attempt to reverse the setback due to the hike in tariffsnbspMike Pence had earlier stated that President Trumps tariffs marked the largest peacetime tax hike on the American people in the history of this country and contributed to rising costs for consumers https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mike-pence-says-us-companies-and-consumers-paying-the-cost-of-trumps-tariffs-630937.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-mineral-deal-will-us-learn-what-china-didnt-in-balochistan--630995.html New Delhi Aug 8 After signing a minerals and mining deal with the US Pakistan may be in seventh heaven However the realities are different and this deal could in fact further worsen the security concerns in Balochistan There is already violence in the region and Pakistan and Chinese interests have faced several setbacks The Baloch people have already warned against this new deal with the US and hence in the long run all may not go as per Pakistans wishesWith the uptick in the number of attacks on the economic infrastructure there is no guarantee that any US investment would be safeThe people of Balochistan have constantly complained that the developmental works and deals that are struck in their region never benefit them They view it as an act of loot as these deals are never struck with their consentPakistan does not seem to have understood that projects such as the Saindak Reno Diq and ChinaPacific Economic Corridor Project have not shaped up as one would have expected Hence there is no guarantee that any US investment in the region would not meet with the same fateEarlier Chinese projects were facing resistance and political condemnation However today one gets to see a lethal attack Such incidents have not helped the cause of China and despite a strong military presence in the region basic infrastructure remains unbuiltSince Donald Trump took over as US President he has aligned more towards Pakistan unlike Joe Biden When he hosted Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House they announced a new deal to develop Pakistans massive oil reserves However does Pakistan have so much oil considering the fact that it is a major importer If there is not much oil then the interests of the US could be natural resources which Balochistan is believed to haveThe Trump administration could also be looking to counter Chinas control of the global critical mineral supply by entering into deals in Pakistan The US military is in fact the biggest consumer of critical minerals and these are essential to power drone fleets and directed energy weaponsToday China dominates the global supply China in fact wields so much power on this front that it forced the US to go to the negotiating table and end the ChinaUS trade warChina has learnt the hard way in Balochistan The question is will the US too learn the hard way since the issues in Balochistan are not logistical but political The US would without a doubt have to deal with the struggle for selfdetermination by the people of the region and for this it has to use suppression tacticsPakistan has also not thought through various factors owing to its financial conditions It is already debtridden and any deal however counterproductive it may will be acceptable to IslamabadTo put it in a nutshell it all looks good on paper but for the US to work in Balochistan would be hard if it did not take into account the voices of the Baloch peopleThe Pakistan Army may offer protection but if one looks at its record in protecting Chinas interests in the region there is nothing to tomtom aboutWhile the Pakistan Army has managed to suppress people to some extent today the situation is out of control There have been numerous suicide attacks which have rendered parts of the CPEC project useless IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-mineral-deal-will-us-learn-what-china-didnt-in-balochistan--630995.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 21:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-diplomat-commends-australian-professor-for-promotion-of-hindi-language-630671.html Melbourne Aug 7 Consul General of India in Melbourne Sushil Kumar met Australian National Universitys former professor Peter Friedlander on Thursday and gave him the reward money for his article in a quarterly magazine Gagananchal Visheshank which is published by the Indian Council for Cultural Research ICCR During the meeting Sushil Kumar praised Peter Friedlander for his efforts to promote Hindi language in Australia Consulate General of India in Melbourne also shared Friedlanders article in a post on XConsul General met Peter Friedlander former Prof of Australian National University and handed over him the reward money for his article in Gagananchal Visheshank a quarterly magazine published by Indian Council for Cultural Research ICCR He commended him for his efforts to promote Hindi language in Australia Prof Friedlander presented a book The Songs of Daya Bai translated in English to Consul General Consulate General of India in Melbourne posted on XIn his article Friedlander discussed the growing use of Hindi language in Australia According to him Hindi education is now available in every state of Australia such as through community schools in New South Wales like IABBV and VSL in Victoria He mentioned that Hindi programs are broadcast on SBS on all three mediums like TV radio and internet He also stated that there are many community internet radio services like Canberra citys Radio ManpasandThe IndiaAustralia bilateral relationship is underpinned by shared values of a pluralistic Westminsterstyle democracies Commonwealth traditions expanding economic engagement and increasing high level interaction According to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA in recent years ties between India and Australia have charted a whole new trajectory of transformational growthBilateral cooperation has witnessed exponential growth in existing frameworks of cooperation and further expanded across a wide spectrum of new areas opening up new possibilities both at bilateral as well as global level Australia and India upgraded bilateral relationship from Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership CSP in 2020 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-diplomat-commends-australian-professor-for-promotion-of-hindi-language-630671.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-to-visit-india-later-this-month-reports-russian-media-630697.html Moscow Aug 7 IANS Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India is expected at the end of August a leading news agency of the country reported on Thursday citing comments made by National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval during his ongoing visit to MoscownbspWe have now established very good relations which we value very much a strategic partnership between our countries We interact at a high level We were pleased to learn about President Putins visit to our country scheduled for late August the Interfax news agency quoted NSA Doval as saying at a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on ThursdaynbspEarlier Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov had confirmed that Putin is expected to visit India following an invitation from Prime Minister ModiThe visit is being planned as part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leadersnbspOur leaders have an agreement to meet once a year This time it is our turn Ushakov had said during a press briefingnbspThe last visit by the Russian President to India took place on December 6 2021 during the 21st IndiaRussia Annual Summit in New DelhinbspPM Modi meanwhile held two highprofile visits to Russia last year attending the 22nd RussiaIndia Summit in July and later participated in the BRICS Summit held in Kazan in OctobernbspCiting that the political dialogue between India and Russia is developing dynamically and is facilitated by the fact that Moscow and New Delhi have close or even coinciding views on the objectively emerging multipolar world order Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had also indicated that preparations are being made for Russian President Vladimir Putins upcoming visit to IndiaRelations between our countries have a long history It can be said that they have stood the test of time more than once Today Russia and India are developing equal cooperation based on sincere mutual respect and consideration of each others interests Lavrov told the participants of the first international conference Russia and India Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations which was also addressed by External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar in March this yearnbspIt is difficult to overestimate the contribution of our leaders to this process It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit after his reelection last year to Russia Now it is our turn Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the invitation of the head of the Indian government The visit of the head of the Russian state to the Republic of India is being prepared he addedIn June the Russian President sent a message of condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the passenger plane crash in AhmedabadnbspPlease accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe said PutinnbspIn May President Putin also called Prime Minister Modi and strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam offering full support to India in its ongoing fight against terrorismA statement issued by the Kremlin said that Putin expressed sincere condolences to PM Modi over the death of Indian citizens as a result of the barbaric terrorist attack on April 22 and emphasised the need for an uncompromising fight against terrorism in any formnbspDuring the conversation the strategic nature of RussianIndian relations of a special privileged partnership was emphasised These relations are not subject to external influence and continue to develop dynamically in all directions read the statement issued by the Russian Presidents officeThe Indian leader reiterated his invitation to the Russian President to visit India for the traditional annual bilateral summit The invitation was accepted with gratitude it addednbspPM Modi who had also been invited by Putin for the participation in the Victory Day celebrations however could not travel to RussianbspThe Russian President had earlier extended his condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-to-visit-india-later-this-month-reports-russian-media-630697.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cambodia-thailand-sign-agreement-to-cement-ceasefire-630701.html Kuala Lumpur Aug 7 Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday signed an agreement on ceasefire arrangements representatives of the two countries said after an extraordinary General Border Committee GBC meeting held in the Malaysian capital According to the Cambodian side the two countries held detailed discussions on ceasefire arrangements and agreed to establish a regional monitoring mechanism restore mutual trust and that captured soldiers could be treated under international humanitarian lawThe Thai side said that the two countries reached an agreement to maintain communication and resolve issues through a bilateral mechanism and ASEAN members will be allowed to monitor the ceasefireIn addition the two sides agreed that the next extraordinary GBC meeting will be held within a monthMeanwhile a Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesperson on August 6 said that Thailands legal action against Cambodia for using military forces and weapons to violate its sovereignty is baseless and politically motivatedCambodian Foreign Ministrys Secretary of State and spokesperson Chum Sounry said this legal measure is entirely baseless and represents a deliberate attempt to divert both domestic and international public attention from Thailands hostile policy against Cambodia Xinhua news agency reportedThe accusations forming the basis of legal action are unfounded politically motivated and lack a credible basis he said in a press briefingSounry said Cambodia strongly rejects these claims and reaffirms that the country did not start hostilitiesCambodia remains committed to peace the spokesperson said adding that despite continued provocation it remains fully committed to the ceasefire agreementCambodia urges Thailand to halt its disinformation campaign andor hostile actions and return to constructive dialogue in the spirit of peaceful coexistence and ASEAN solidarity he saidThe reaction came after Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 5 ordered relevant departments to draft legal documents to initiate criminal and civil lawsuits domestically and internationally against CambodiaArmed clashes broke out between soldiers of Cambodia and Thailand along their disputed border on July 24 The two ASEAN member states agreed to a ceasefire in the afternoon of July 28 taking effect at midnight of the same day IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cambodia-thailand-sign-agreement-to-cement-ceasefire-630701.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ric-reboot-putins-india-visit-gains-significance-amid-global-realignments-and-us-tariffs-630737.html New Delhi Aug 7 National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who is in Russia said that President Vladimir Putin will visit India He however added that the dates are being worked out The visit by President Putin his first since the RussiaUkraine war will be watched closely especially by the United States The visit would come at a time when the US has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil President Donald Trump says that India is funding Russias war machine by buying oil from RussiaThe visit by the Russian President is crucial in the wake of several developments that the world is seeing India has over the years inched closer to the United States through collaborations such as the Quad However New Delhi still maintains that its ties with Russia are steady and timetestedDuring his visit he would hold highstakes meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi While the agenda is not clear there could be a possibility of the RussiaIndiaChina Troika being revived Although China would need to be part of this dialogue many see the visit by President Putin as a startThe RIC which was once seen as a counterweight to the Western world has once again gained significance as under President Trump all three countries are facing increased pressure particularly on the economic frontAnother reason why there is a chance of a recalibration is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be visiting China on August 31 to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Summit SCO In China he is likely to meet with President Xi Jinping If the meetings go well then the RIC could become a formidable force to counter the pressures from the US and other European countriesRussia is however keen on reviving the RIC which has been dormant for a long time In May this year Moscow had said that the format should be revived to reposition itself at the heart of Eurasian diplomacyHowever one thing is clear for now and that is India would not back down from the US threat of tariffs for buying Russian oil This explains the visit by NSA Doval to Russia and President Putins visit to India sometime this monthThe Trump administration has imposed new tariffs on several countries including India China and trade partners linked to Russia While Russia remains heavily sanctioned due to the war China is facing trade restrictions These are factors that have created a common ground for the RIC nations to fight backTariffs and secondary sanctions are largely a threat to all three countries and hence the trio may stick together and revive the TroikaIndia has in recent years stayed away from the RIC due to border tensions with China However today the fastchanging global situation may make both India and China think of this grouping India prefers to stay independent in its foreign policy and also avoids taking sides either with the US or China Hence the RIC fits well for India as it could work with Russia and China on specific issuesMoreover for India both Russia and China are important for its energy needs The RIC would also give India a buffer against pressure from the West The RIC format was initiated in the 1990s by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov He had said that this would be a perfect counterbalance to Western dominance There have been 20 ministeriallevel meetings However following the 2020 Galwan Valley incident the format lost momentum IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ric-reboot-putins-india-visit-gains-significance-amid-global-realignments-and-us-tariffs-630737.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/columbia-bogota-international-book-fair-2026-announces-india-as-guest-of-honour-630756.html Columbia Aug 7 India will be participating in the 38th Bogota International Book Fair FILBo 2026 as a Guest of Honour country marking a new chapter in the peopletopeople connect between the two nations Taking to X the Indian Embassy in Columbia revealed FILBo announces India as Guest of Honour Country for Bogota International Book Fair 2026 Ambassador Vanlalhuma conveyed gratitude stressing literary exchange as a bridge for deeper ties and peopletopeople connectSeveral ministers of Columbia including the Cultural Minister the Director of FILBo President of Corferias Executive President of the Columbian Book Chamber also attended the announcement eventSince 1988 the Colombian Book Chamber and Corferias have organised the Bogota International Book Fair an alliance that has positioned the cultural event as one of the most important in the Spanishspeaking worldFor 35 years it has reportedly brought together all the players in the book chain authors publishers editors proofreaders translators distributors agents and booksellers who together with their readers make up this book ecosystem that grows and strengthens every yearIndias National Book Trust showcased a collective exhibit of books from India for the first time at the 37th Bogota International Book Fair 2025 held from April 25 to May 11 this yearColombia and India established diplomatic relations in January 1959 and celebrated 60 years of establishment of diplomatic ties in 2019 In March 1972 Colombia opened its Embassy in New Delhi India opened its Embassy in Colombia in 1973Over the years several MoUs and agreements have been concluded between the countries in diverse areas including trade promotion cooperation in science and technology defence IT tourism space health traditional systems of medicine culture etcThere is growing interest among Colombians about Indias culture and heritage Indian festivals dances music gastronomy spirituality are of increasing interest to Colombians Some Colombians who earlier learnt Indian classical and folk dances in India are now professional performersSeveral festivals performances exhibitions and film shows have been organised by the Embassy during the last few years The Embassy in collaboration with local talent has organised dance performances at various universities during the course of the International weeks held by them Several visits of troupes from India to Colombia and vice versa have taken place IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/columbia-bogota-international-book-fair-2026-announces-india-as-guest-of-honour-630756.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/new-zealand-sends-aid-to-samoa-amid-deadly-dengue-outbreak-630534.html Wellington Aug 6 New Zealand has pledged support to Samoa amid a severe dengue outbreak that has so far claimed the lives of five Samoan children Acknowledging the close ties between the two nations New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday that the New Zealand government will dispatch a small team to Apia the Samoan capital to provide clinical assistance and work with Samoan authorities on further medical support requirementsAdditionally New Zealand will provide 300000 NZ dollars 177978 worth of medical supplies to aid the response efforts Peters saidSenior New Zealand public health officials are also engaging with their Samoan counterparts to coordinate assistanceTravelers to Samoa are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and follow dengue prevention guidelines provided by New Zealands SafeTravel advisory Xinhua news agency reportedThe Samoan Ministry of Health had declared a dengue fever outbreak in AprilDengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people It is more common in tropical and subtropical climatesMost people who get dengue will not have symptoms But for those who do the most common symptoms are high fever headache body aches nausea and rash While most will get better in 12 weeks some people develop severe dengue and need care in a hospitalIn severe cases dengue can be fatalYou can lower your risk of dengue by avoiding mosquito bites especially during the dayDengue is treated with pain medicine as there is no specific treatment currentlyThe incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades with cases reported to the WHO increasing from 505430 cases in 2000 to 52 million in 2019 A vast majority of cases are asymptomatic or mild and selfmanaged and hence the actual numbers of dengue cases are underreported Many cases are also misdiagnosed as other febrile illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/new-zealand-sends-aid-to-samoa-amid-deadly-dengue-outbreak-630534.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nsa-ajit-doval-in-moscow-amid-us-tariff-threat-over-indias-russian-oil-purchases-630300.html New Delhi Aug 6 National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval will hold meetings with senior Russian officials in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss IndiaRussia defence and security cooperation The visit comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has announced that he will announce very substantial increases to the 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods because of New Delhis oil purchases from RussiaTrump has accused New Delhi of fuelling the war machine by buying cheaper Russian oil and selling it for big profitsDuring the Moscow visit NSA Doval apart from discussing IndiaRussia defence and security cooperation will also hold talks over the oil issue and an upcoming ModiPutin summitAs per media reports in Moscow the current escalation of the geopolitical situation will be discussed and also matters related to the supplies of Russian oil to IndiaThe visit is part of an earlier planned schedule and will focus on cooperation between India and RussiaDoval is also likely to hold talks on defence industry cooperationAs per reports discussions may also include the possible purchase of more S400 missile systems setting up maintenance infrastructure in India and exploring options for acquiring Russias Su57 fighter jetsEarlier on Monday the Ministry of External Affairs MEA issued a statement rejecting criticism from the US and EU over Indias imports of Russian oil calling it unjustifiedEAM Jaishankar also said on Monday in an implied criticism of the tariff threat but without mentioning Trump We live in complicated and uncertain times Our collective desire is to see a fair and representative global order not one dominated by a fewThe External Affairs Ministry said Like any major economy India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic securityIt also criticised the inherent double standards in singling out India pointing out that the European Unions Russia trade was 675 billion and Washington was also buying uranium palladium fertilisers and other chemicals IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nsa-ajit-doval-in-moscow-amid-us-tariff-threat-over-indias-russian-oil-purchases-630300.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/terror-under-a-new-banner-khalistani-terrorists-go-global-with-isi-and-cartel-support-630143.html New Delhi Aug 5 India has repeatedly warned countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom about the Khalistan terror menace Both countries have been complicit when it comes to taking action against the Khalistani terrorists operating on their soil The problem is also persistent in the United States and these elements have managed to get away under the garb of free speech While they state that their demand is the creation of a separate Khalistan nation carved out of India in reality these elements are notorious gangsters terrorists arms smugglers and drug lordsEarlier they would operate by using their own networks in these foreign nations The Khalistani terrorists also have a wide network of gangsters operating in India These persons indulge in hit jobs terror acts and narcotic smugglingHowever in recent times the Khalistani elements have teamed up with LatinAmerican drug cartels and the Chinese network as well These connections were exposed after the US Drug Enforcement Agency DEA revealed that there was a Khalistan connection to the Chinese and LatinAmerican cartelsThe busting of these networks which also have an ISI link led to the arrest of an IndianCanadian gangster Opinder Singh There has not been any link with the Chinese elements and Khalistani terroristsHowever the security agencies suspect that China may have started to promote these elements following a request by the ISI In a bid to gain the support of the Chinese the ISI roped in Gurpatwant Singh Pannun the head of the proscribed group Sikhs for Justice SFJIntelligence agencies say that the proximity between the Chinese and Khalistani elements may have begun when India and China were locked in a tense standoff along the Line of Actual Control LAC It was at that time that Pannun had written to Chinese President Xi Jinping in which he justified Chinas stand against IndiaWe consider Chinas countermilitary action against India as legitimate and justified to protect its territorial integrity under international laws he had writtenHe urged the Chinese President to take up the issue of Sikhs rights of selfdetermination in the UN Security Council He had also written a letter in 2019 to the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan stating that the Indian agencies are planning to attack the Chinese consulate in PakistanChina also appeared to be supportive of Pannun when the US agencies arrested one Nikhil Gupta who had claimed that he had been paid by the Indian agencies to assassinate the SFJ chief India had rejected the claim and even snubbed ChinaThese developments are worrying since the ISI has been pooling several resources to ensure that the Khalistan movement is taken forward To take the movement forward the ISI brought together gangsters and narcotic smugglers The mingling with the international cartels is aimed at earning more money so that the movement can be funded in a major wayWhile the Indian agencies are on high alert and have not allowed the movement to raise its ugly head in the country the worry is the associations abroad The Punjab police also held a detailed meeting with the field officers during which presentations were given about the issueThe Punjab police took note of the rise in activity in the border areas of Amritsar and Jalandhar This was an indication that the ISI was pushing the Khalistan agenda harder IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/terror-under-a-new-banner-khalistani-terrorists-go-global-with-isi-and-cartel-support-630143.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-philippines-friends-by-choice-partners-by-destiny-pm-modi-630167.html New Delhi Aug 5 Lauding ties between India and the Philippines Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the two nations are friends by choice and partners by destiny He emphasised that while the diplomatic ties might be new the cultural bond between the two nations exists from the ancient times and termed the Philippines Ramayana Maharadia Lawana as a living proof of the centuriesold cultural ties While making a joint press statement with the Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday following their bilateral discussions PM Modi extended a warm welcome to the visiting leader and noted that the two nations are celebrating 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025India and the Philippines are friends by choice and partners by destiny From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific we are united by shared values Ours is not just a friendship of the past it is a promise for the future said PM ModiPM Modi also expressed gratitude to the Philippines President and his government for strongly condemning the April 22 Pahalgam attack which claimed 26 lives and injured several others He welcomed Manilas decision to give a visafree entry to Indian touristsWe express gratitude to the Philippines Government and the President for strongly condemning Pahalgam attack and standing with us in our fight against terrorism The agreements signed today on mutual legal assistance and the transfer of sentenced persons will further strengthen our security partnership We welcome Philippines decision to give visafree entry to the Indian tourists India has also decided to give free evisa facility to tourists from the Philippines This year we will work to start direct flights between Delhi and Manila stated PM ModiExtending Indias support to the Philippines for its chairmanship of ASEAN that is set to begin next year PM Modi expressed Indias commitment to peace security prosperity and a rulesbased order in the IndoPacific regionThe Philippines is an important partner in our Act East Policy and Mahasagar Vision We are committed to peace security prosperity and a rulesbased order in the IndoPacific region India strongly supports freedom of navigation in accordance with international law he saidPrime Minister Modi mentioned that the growing defence ties between India and Philippines are a symbol of deep mutual trust He announced Indias decision to increase the number of Quick Impact Projects QIPs in the PhilippinesOur companies are actively working in every sector information and digital technology health automobiles infrastructure and minerals In the field of science and technology from virology to AI and additive manufacturing ADQ joint research is ongoing The Science and Technology Cooperation Plan finalised today will further accelerate thisI am pleased to say that under the Development Partnership we will increase the number of Quick Impact Projects in the Philippines and will cooperate on developing sovereign data cloud infrastructure in PhilippinesHe announced that India and the Philippines will also cooperate in the space sector Our partnership on Earth is already strong and we have also begun preparations for space sector In this regard an agreement has also been signed today Our growing defense ties are a symbol of deep mutual trust As maritime nations maritime cooperation between our two countries is both natural and necessaryPM Modi said that India and Philippines have decided to work towards a Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement He mentioned that during their meeting both leaders also discussed other areas of mutual cooperation regional issues and international situationsDialogues at every level and cooperation in every sector have been the identity of our relations for a long time now Today the President and I held a detailed discussion on mutual cooperation regional issues and international situations This is a matter of joy that today we have decided to elevate our relations to strategic partnership To convey the potential of this partnership into results an extensive action plan has been formed Our bilateral trade is increasing continuously and has crossed the figure of three billion dollars To further strengthen this it will be our priority to complete the review of IndiaASEAN Free Trade Agreement at the earliest We have also decided to work towards Bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement said PM ModiEarlier in the day Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-philippines-friends-by-choice-partners-by-destiny-pm-modi-630167.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/will-raise-tariffs-on-india-substantially-in-next-24-hours-trump-630230.html Washington Aug 5 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he is going to further raise tariffs on India in the next 24 hours after announcing 25 per cent tariffs from August 7 In an interview with CNBC Trump said he will raise tariffs on India revising the earlier settled rate of 25 per centnbspIndia has the highest tariffs We do very little business with India We settled on 25 per cent but I think I am going to raise that substantially within the next 24 hours the US President was quoted as saying He claimed that India is buying Russian oil and fuelling the Russian war machineThis comes a day after the US President stated that he will substantially raise US tariffs on India accusing it of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits New Delhi has called the threat of additional tariffs unjustified and unreasonablenbspRussia also responded strongly on Tuesday labelling such US pressure tactics as illegitimate It backed India and while criticising Trump over his threats to increase tariffs on New Delhi for buying oil from Moscow contended that sovereign nations must have the right to choose their trading partnersRussia notes US threats against India but does not consider such statements to be legitimate Sovereign countries must have and have the right to choose their own trading partners partners in trade and economic cooperation and to choose those trade and economic cooperation regimes that are in the interests of a particular country the Russian Presidents spokesman Dmitri Peskov was quoted as saying by Russias stateowned news agency TASS After Trump threatened to impose hefty tariffs on New Delhi the Indian government on Monday said that the targeting of the country by the US over Russian oil purchase is unjustified and unreasonableA statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson said that like any major economy India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic securitynbspAccording to the government India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflictnbspIn fact India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability it emphasised https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/will-raise-tariffs-on-india-substantially-in-next-24-hours-trump-630230.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trumps-public-overtures-towards-pakistan-straining-india-us-relations-report-630232.html Washington Aug 5 US President Donald Trumps public outreach to Pakistan is straining IndiaUS ties prompting New Delhi to question the value of its strategic engagement with Washington a report has cited Pakistans sponsorship of crossborder terrorism is a direct national security threat to India Any United States administration that ignores this point is guilty of diplomatic negligence India does not ask for unconditional alignment only consistency and respect for its core interests from the United States a report in The Diplomat mentionedAccording to the report the meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington on July 25 the latest in a series of highlevel engagements raised concerns in India Observers in New Delhi questioned why Washington would enhance ties with a country that poses a threat to Indias security interests especially after decades of efforts to bolster IndiaUS relationsAdding to the unease the report stated were Trumps renewed claims of mediating between India and Pakistan even though New Delhi has consistently maintained that Kashmir and other sensitive issues are bilateral viewing any interference in the matter as a violation of its sovereigntyTrumps talk of mediation thus sends a clear message to India that its core concerns are negotiable If Washington is serious about deepening ties with India such comments are at best a diplomatic misstep and at worst strategic selfsabotage on a grand scale the report in premier international affairs magazine for the AsiaPacific region highlightedIt detailed that the US is eroding trust and weakening the very alliances and partnerships it claims to prioritise by engaging with Pakistan a nation under Beijings influence while not taking a firm stance on Indias core concernsThe United States must decide if it wants a steady forwardlooking partner in India or a string of transactional dealings with Pakistan that only breed mistrust the report statedThe foundation of IndiaUS ties it said rests on a single premise that India is the only democratic power in Asia with the capacity to balance Chinas growing assertivenessIf Washington sidelines its trusted partner in Asia the report stated it risks weakening the IndoPacific framework from within amid the shifting regional balanceIf the Trump administration still holds this view that what happens in South Asia is of no concern then the United States should step aside If the Trump administration does envision a role for itself in the region then now is the moment to demonstrate that the United States sees India as more than a convenient partner The Trump administration must clarify its longterm priorities the report highlightedIndia the report stated is an indispensable and equal partner and must be treated accordingly Anything that goes against Indias security concerns could inflict lasting damage on the partnership which may never be restoredIgnoring Indias concerns not only jeopardises the bilateral partnership but also strengthens voices within India that argue the West cannot be trusted The Diplomat report cited IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trumps-public-overtures-towards-pakistan-straining-india-us-relations-report-630232.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indonesia-belarus-strengthen-cooperation-in-multiple-sectors-630241.html Jakarta Aug 5 Indonesia and Belarus have officially agreed to elevate their bilateral cooperation in several sectors including food security agricultural modernization technology development and investment Indonesias Foreign Minister Sugiono met with visiting Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov at the ministrys building in Jakarta on Tuesday where they discussed various fields Xinhua News Agency reportedSugiono mentioned that the meeting marks Ryzhenkovs first official visit to Indonesia adding that the two sides agreed to expedite the formation of a joint intergovernmental committee to realize their cooperationHe underscored that Belarus is an important partner for Indonesia in the Central and Eastern Europe region and believes that it is built on shared values and a commitment to advancing national and global interestsWe agreed to deepen cooperation in the agriculture education and health sectors as well as human resource capacity building Sugiono said adding that Belarus has proposed a joint research initiative to improve productivity and sustainable agricultural practicesMeanwhile Ryzhenkov said that Belarus and Indonesia share a common interest in strengthening political dialogueWe welcome the positive momentum in bilateral trade he said also emphasizing the importance of diversifying and increasing joint exportsIn a post on X Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated Belarus and Indonesia boosting cooperation Foreign Ministers discussed trade agriculture education and the EAEUIndonesia FTA Ready to move from dialogue to real joint projects Belarus is ready to export highquality agricultural and industrial equipment ensure food supplies and share experience in modernizing agriculture We aim for practical longterm cooperationIn another post on X it stated Belarus and Indonesia are strengthening ties On August 57 Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov is paying a working visit to Jakarta Talks focus on political dialogue economic cooperation and humanitarian engagementDiplomatic relations between Belarus and Indonesia were established in 1993 Belarus Embassy started operations in Indonesia in 2011 At present Belarus and Indonesia actively establish contacts and ties in the area of science and technology according to Embassy of Belarus in Indonesia The BelarusianIndonesian Working Group on cooperation in science technology and higher education continues to function IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indonesia-belarus-strengthen-cooperation-in-multiple-sectors-630241.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 20:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-risks-tanking-india-us-relationship-built-over-25-years-report-630256.html Washington Aug 4 With his actions in the recent weeks US President Donald Trump is now in the process of tanking the IndiaUS relationship built over 25 years His actions will affect the bilateral ties after more than 20 years of bipartisan effort to transform the relationship between India and the US including during his own first term USbased Carnegie Endowment for International Peace detailed in a report on Tuesday Trump has threatened to substantially raise tariffs on India and impose more for buying oil from RussiaIn a post shared on his social media platform Truth Social Trump stated India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil they are then for much of the Oil purchased selling it on the Open Market for big profitsThey dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine Because of this I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA he statedIn the Carnegie report Evan Feigenbaum stated that Trumps decision will be considered by India as blunt coercion gross interference in Indian foreign policy impractical given Indias oil import needs and a cynical effort to blame India for the Wests and Trumps own collective failure to get Moscow to stop its war on UkraineTrump had even threatened to impose additional tariffs on India for its participation in the BRICS grouping alongside Brazil China Russia South Africa and others Analysts reckon Trumps this decision also as gross interference and coerciveTrump has criticised and threatened US firms that manufacture in India while encouraging them to invest in the US or face financial penalties His statements have sharpened the contradiction between Trumps America First and Modis Make in India visions according to the reportUS Presidents meeting with Pakistans Army Chief General Asim Munir at the White House within weeks of terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the decision to jointly explore Pakistans oil reserves has also set alarm bells ringingTrumps fulsome praise for Islamabad and dealmaking with Pakistans army and government now raise obvious concerns in New Delhi that this too has gone by the wayside And these concerns have been amplified exponentially because Trumps moves came within weeks of the April 22 terrorist attack that killed twentysix Indian civilians in Pahalgam and led to a new outbreak of hostilities between the two countries the report detailedIt stated that the US administration under Trump has continued to promote a new American technonationalism wherein technology sharing with foreigners is seen with skepticism Some around Trump want to keep American technology close to home while reducing exports and coinnovation with foreign partners as per the reportFor the first time in 20 years Trumps actions statements and coercive tone has made ties with the US a combustible domestic political issue in India it added The opposition the media and the people in India have urged government to avoid showing weakness in the face of Trumps threatsIssues that directly affect India are among the most partisan and explosive in the US including H1B visas for tech workers offshoring and overseas manufacturing by US companies immigration and deportation and technology sharing and coinnovation with foreigners the report said This seems to be a bad sign for the next 20 years of USIndia ties as overcoming domestic politics and partisanship has been perhaps the achievement since the first decade of the 2000s IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-risks-tanking-india-us-relationship-built-over-25-years-report-630256.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-german-mp-discuss-bilateral-cooperation-630259.html New Delhi Aug 5 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar held a meeting with German MP Jurgen Hardt in New Delhi on Tuesday discussing bilateral cooperation and various other global developments In a post shared on X EAM Jaishankar stated Always nice to catch up with German MP Jurgen Hardt Discussed our bilateral cooperation and global developmentsIn June Prime Minister Narendra Modi met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canadas Kananaskis This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Chancellor Merz assumed office in May 2025During the meeting PM Modi congratulated the German leader on his victory in the elections and his assumption of office The two leaders agreed to further strengthen and diversify the strategic partnership between India and GermanyThe leaders expressed happiness at the sustained momentum in the bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in key areas of trade and investment defence and security green and sustainable development partnership green energy technology innovation education and mobility Both sides agreed to further deepen and diversify the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership as it marks the milestone of completion of 25 years the Prime Ministers Office PMO statedDuring the meeting the two leaders discussed important regional and international developments PM Modi said that he looked forward to welcoming Chancellor Merz in India at a mutually convenient timeThe two leaders agreed that terrorism constitutes a major threat to peace and stability in the world In this regard Prime Minister thanked Chancellor Merz for Germanys strong expression of solidarity with and support to Indias actions in the fight against terrorism the PMO detailedIndia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Germany after the Second World War In 2021 India and Germany marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations according to Ministry of External Affairs MEA Since May 2000 India and Germany have had a Strategic Partnership which has been further strengthened with the launch of Intergovernmental Consultations IGC in 2011 at the level of Heads of Government IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-german-mp-discuss-bilateral-cooperation-630259.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 21:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-threatens-to-substantially-raise-tariff-on-india-over-russian-oil-purchase-630051.html Washington Aug 4 US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to substantially raise tariffs on India for purchasing oil from Russia In a Truth Social post Trump however did not elaborate on what kind of tariffs those would beIndia is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil they are then for much of the Oil purchased selling it on the Open Market for big profits They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine Trump wrote in his social media postBecause of this I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA he addedEarlier Stephen Miller one of Trumps most influential advisors said that the US President clearly believes India should stop buying Russian oilWhat he Trump said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing oil from Russia Miller said on Sunday Morning FuturesHe however said that Trumps relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is tremendousLast week the US President said he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from India along with a penalty for buying Russian oilMeanwhile government sources have clarified there is no pause on the oil imports from Russia According to sources Indias energy purchases are driven by national interests and market forces We do not have any reports of Indian oil firms halting Russian importsTrump has threatened 100 per cent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil unless Moscow reaches a major peace deal with UkraineMEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that You are aware of our broad approach to energy sourcing requirements that we look at what is available in the market and the prevailing global situation We are not aware of any specificsIndia sources its oil purchases based on global market offerings to meet its energyOur ties with any country stand on their merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country As far as IndiaRussia relations are concerned we have a steady and timetested partnership said the MEA spokesperson IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-threatens-to-substantially-raise-tariff-on-india-over-russian-oil-purchase-630051.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-envoy-kwatra-meets-us-intelligence-chief-tulsi-gabbard-629853.html New Delhi Aug 3 Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra has met US Director of National Intelligence DNI Tulsi Gabbard during which both had an engaging conversation on various issues of mutual interest Taking to X Kwatra on Sunday wrote Pleasure to meet DNI TulsiGabbard and her husband abewilliamsdp We had an engaging conversation on various issues of mutual interestAmbassador Kwatra also shared a photograph along with Gabbard and her husband Abraham Williams Though much details of the meeting were not immediately available it came just days after US President Donald Trump announced to impose 25 per cent tariffs on India from August 7 Notably Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the welfare of farmers small industries and youth remains the governments top priority as the country stays on track to become the worlds thirdlargest economyPM Modi reaffirmed the resilience of the Indian economy amid turbulence triggered by US tariff hikes saying that the country must remain vigilant about its economic interests and adopt swadeshi productsThere is an atmosphere of global instability All countries are focusing on their individual interests India is going to become the third biggest economy in the world and this is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned the Prime Minister said during a rally at Varanasi in Uttar PradeshTrump has announced 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods He said India would also face an additional tariff penalty for buying Russian oilVinay Mohan Kwatra was the 34th Foreign Secretary of India from May 2022 to July 2024 Currently serving as Indian Ambassador to the US he had previously served as the Ambassador to France and NepalTulsi Gabbard is the eighth US Director of National IntelligenceShe has held the rank of Lt Col in the US Army Reserve since 2021 Previously she had served as US representative for Hawaiis 2nd Congressional district from 2013 to 2021 She was the youngest state legislator in Hawaii from 2002 2004 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-envoy-kwatra-meets-us-intelligence-chief-tulsi-gabbard-629853.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/philippines-president-marcos-begins-5-day-india-visit-today-to-boost-defence-trade-ties-629860.html New Delhi Aug 4 Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Monday for a fiveday state visit aimed at strengthening defence and trade relations between India and the Philippines This marks his first official visit to India since assuming office in 2022President Marcos will land at Air Force Station Palam in the afternoon accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a highlevel delegation comprising Cabinet Ministers senior officials and business leaders His visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries adding symbolic significance to the engagements planned over the coming daysThe visit is expected to culminate in deeper strategic and defence cooperation especially in the maritime domainThe Philippines notably became the first foreign country to procure Indias BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system The first consignment of BrahMos missiles was delivered to the Philippines on April 19 2024 An agreement to enhance defence collaboration particularly focusing on maritime security is anticipated during the visitPresident Marcos is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5 He will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and will be called on by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar with their meeting scheduled for 500 pm Monday at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New DelhiThe Philippine President is also expected to visit Bengaluru before departing India on August 8Indias Ministry of External Affairs emphasised that the Philippines is a key partner in Indias Act East Policy Vision MAHASAGAR and IndoPacific strategy The relationship is anchored not only in strategic interests but also in deep historical and cultural tiesThe Tagalog language contains numerous words of Sanskrit origin and archaeological findings like the Laguna Copperplate inscription and the Agusan Tara statue testify to centuriesold connectionsDiplomatic ties between India and the Philippines were formally established in November 1949 With the launch of Indias Look East Policy in 1992 and its subsequent transformation into the Act East Policy bilateral relations have grown substantially particularly through ASEAN cooperationPresident Marcos and PM Modi last met briefly on the sidelines of the 21st ASEANIndia Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit in Lao PDR in October 2024 and earlier in Jakarta during the 20th ASEANIndia Summit in 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/philippines-president-marcos-begins-5-day-india-visit-today-to-boost-defence-trade-ties-629860.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 06:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-is-valued-friend-says-philippines-prez-as-he-embarks-on-5-day-state-visit-629880.html Manila Aug 4 Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr on Monday described India as a valued friend as he embarked on a fiveday State Visit to India The President in his departure statement emphasised that shared democratic values maritime interests and regional peace form the foundation for deeper broader and more meaningful bilateral cooperation with IndiaThis marks his first official visit to India since assuming office in 2022Our bilateral relations have seen a measured and stable development that is both comprehensive in scope and multifaceted in nature staterun news agency PNA quoted Marcos as sayingThere is much potential for cooperation with India that will mutually benefit our peoples he added highlighting areas of defence trade health pharmaceuticals agriculture tourism and digital connectivity for possible collaborationI want this visit to bring concrete benefits for the Filipino people such as more affordable medicine and greater connectivity and food security he addedAfter arriving in New Delhi Marcos will begin his official engagements with Indian leaders and key stakeholdersMarcos will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both leaders will discuss ways to deepen cooperation in areas such as the economy defence security and political matters as well as trade investment and peopletopeople exchangesBoth leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest read a statement issued by the Presidents officeThe statement further mentioned that after New Delhi Marcos will head to Bengaluru to continue discussions and further strengthen economic ties with the business sectorAccording to the Philippine Presidents office the state visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Manila and New Delhi which emphasises the shared commitment of both nations to deepen cooperation and achieve common regional goalsIndia has also stressed that the Philippines is a key partner in its Act East Policy Vision MAHASAGAR and IndoPacific strategyThe relationship is anchored not only in strategic interests but also in deep historical and cultural ties the Indian Ministry of External Affairs MEA said in a post on XAccording to the MEA diplomatic ties between India and the Philippines were formally established in November 1949 With the launch of Indias Look East Policy in 1992 and its subsequent transformation into the Act East Policy bilateral relations have grown substantially particularly through ASEAN cooperationPresident Marcos and PM Modi last met briefly on the sidelines of the 21st ASEANIndia Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit in Lao PDR in October 2024 and earlier in Jakarta during the 20th ASEANIndia Summit in 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-is-valued-friend-says-philippines-prez-as-he-embarks-on-5-day-state-visit-629880.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/philippines-president-arrives-in-india-on-five-day-state-visit-629988.html New Delhi Aug 4 Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr arrived in New Delhi on Monday on his first State Visit to India Union Minister of State for External Affairs MoS Pabitra Margherita welcomed him at the airport Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to Ferdinand R Marcos Jr and stated that this visit will further strengthen ties between India and PhilippinesMabuhay President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr has arrived in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India Received by MoS Pabitra Margherita and accorded a warm welcome India and Philippines are celebrating 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties This visit will lead to further strengthening of IndiaPhilippines relations Jaiswal posted on XThe Philippines President is in India for a fiveday State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi He is accompanied by First Lady Madame Louise Araneta Marcos During his visit he will meet Prime Minister Modi President Droupadi Murmu and also travel to Bengaluru before returning to the Philippines on August 8In an earlier press release MEA stated This would be the first visit of President Marcos to India since assumption of office of the President of the Philippines During the visit Prime Minister and President Marcos are scheduled to hold bilateral discussions on August 5 President Marcos will also be meeting Honorable Rastrapatiji Smt Droupadi Murmu External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is also scheduled to call on President Marcos during this visitThe diplomatic ties between India and the Philippines were established in November 1949 Since then both nations have developed a strong partnership across a wide spectrum of areas including trade and investment defence and security maritime cooperation agriculture healthcare pharmaceuticals and digital technologies The two countries also engage closely at regional level including through Indias Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEANMEA further stated Indias relations with the Philippines are an integral pillar of our Act East Policy Vision MAHASAGAR and our vision of the IndoPacific The forthcoming State Visit of President Marcos coincides with the 75th anniversary of IndiaPhilippines diplomatic relations The visit is an opportunity for both leaders to set the path for future bilateral cooperation and to engage on regional and international issues of mutual interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/philippines-president-arrives-in-india-on-five-day-state-visit-629988.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-bangladesh-this-month-629996.html Dhaka Aug 4 Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will undertake a twoday visit to Bangladesh starting August 23 the local media reported on Monday This would mark the first bilateral visit by a Pakistani foreign minister in a long time amid growing closeness between Dhaka and Islamabad since the exit of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year Citing diplomatic sources Bangladeshs leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported that during his visit Dar will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain and also call on Muhammad Yunus the Chief Advisor to the interim government in the country The report indicated that Dar will engage with Bangladeshi political leaders during his visit to DhakaThe agenda has not been decided yet Hopefully it will be finalised in early August Prothom Alo quoted Hossain as saying in response to a question on the priorities of the upcoming DhakaIslamabad foreign ministerial meetingIn April Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch visited Dhaka for the Foreign Office Consultations FOC which were held after a gap of 15 yearsDuring Balochs visit Bangladesh had raised the issue of financial claim to the tune of USD 432 billion from Pakistan as a fair share from the assets of undivided Pakistan before 1971 besides also seeking a formal apology for the genocide committed by the Pakistani armed forces during the Liberation WarDar was scheduled to be in Dhaka immediately after Balochs trip but had to cancel the visit following the Pakistansponsored heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which witnessed the massacre of 26 innocent tourists in Jammu and KashmirRelations between Dhaka and Islamabad remained strained during the 15year rule of the former Awami League government due to issues such as the war crimes trials in Bangladesh and broader regional politics Key issues in BangladeshPakistan relations have always included Pakistans role in the 1971 genocide during the Liberation War the return of stranded assets and compensationHowever things have changed drastically since the formation of the interim government led by Yunus in August 2024Last year Yunus met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly where both leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral tiesIn January four highranking officials of Pakistans notorious InterServices Intelligence ISI including the Director General of Analysis Major General Shahid Amin Afsar visited Dhaka marking a significant shift in BangladeshPakistan relationsA Bangladeshi military delegation led by Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hasan the Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division also visited Rawalpindi the nerve centre of Pakistans military establishment from January 13 to 18 The delegation met the chiefs of the Pakistani army navy and air force highlighting a deepening military dialogueThe two nations historically estranged since the brutal 1971 Liberation War wherein Pakistani forces massacred millions of people and reportedly raped hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi women are now demonstrating signs of rapprochement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-bangladesh-this-month-629996.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-to-meet-malaysian-king-in-moscow-on-aug-6-629627.html Moscow Aug 2 Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold talks with Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim on August 6 in Moscow the Kremlin said on Saturday The discussions Putins office detailed will center around advancing RussianMalaysian relations along with key international and regional matters President of Russia Vladimir Putin is scheduled to hold talks with Sultan Ibrahim in Moscow on August 6 The meeting will address the enhancement of RussianMalaysian ties and a range of pressing international and regional topics the press statement from Moscow readSultan Ibrahim the current Malaysian King will be visiting Russia from August 5 to August 10 on a State Visit as reported by Russias stateowned news agency TASSEarlier this year during a Kremlin meeting on May 14 Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim conveyed an invitation from President Putin to Sultan Ibrahim inviting him to visit the Russian FederationDmitry Peskov Press Secretary to the Russian President emphasised that the Kremlin places high significance on its relationship with Malaysia In light of this a wide array of subjects are being organised in preparation for the upcoming talks between President Putin and Sultan IbrahimMalaysia operates under a unique federal elective monarchy system The King is chosen for a fiveyear term through a rotational election process involving the heads of the nine constituent states within the federation Sultan Ibrahim who previously served as the Sultan of Johor assumed the position of leadership in 2024Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Malaysia were established on April 3 1967 Malaysia declared its recognition of the Russian Federation as the successor of the Soviet Union on December 31 1991Both countries maintain political dialogue regular exchange of messages at the highest level and between the heads of the foreign ministries on current bilateral issues and the most urgent international problems IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-to-meet-malaysian-king-in-moscow-on-aug-6-629627.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nine-indian-govt-officers-to-gain-specialised-academic-knowledge-in-japan-629629.html New DelhiTokyo Aug 2 A formal sendoff ceremony was held for the nine Indian civil servants who have been selected to embark for their postgraduate studies in Japan under the Japanese governments prestigious Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship JDS programme Nine promising young Indian civil servants are heading to top Japanese universities for graduate studies under the JDS programme Theyve expressed a strong commitment to contribute to Viksit Bharat upon their return ONO Keiichi the Ambassador of Japan to India posted on X on SaturdayLook forward to seeing them become enduring bridges between Japan and India he addedThese officers selected through a rigorous process belong to premier services such as the Indian Administrative Service IAS Indian Revenue Service IRS Indian Railway Service of Engineers IRSE and Indian Telecommunication Service ITSThey are supposed to pursue a twoyear masters degree at leading Japanese institutions including the University of Tokyo Waseda University Hitotsubashi University and Kobe UniversityLaunched in 1999 as part of Japans 100000 Foreign Students Plan the JDS programme supports young government officials from partner countries to gain specialised academic knowledge in Japan Upon their return these individuals are expected to take on leadership roles in governance and development while also deepening bilateral cooperationThe Indiaspecific JDS initiative commenced in 2024 and aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision a roadmap that aspires to see India emerge as a developed nation by its centenary of independence At its core is the active involvement of youth in shaping inclusive sustainable and innovationdriven growthThe selected fellows with an average age of 382 years have expressed a strong sense of national commitment and a desire to contribute to administrative and policy reforms upon their return Their academic experiences in Japan are expected to not only advance their professional capabilities but also enhance mutual understanding and peopletopeople ties between the two nationsThe event featured opening remarks by the Ambassador of Japan followed by speeches from a Government of India representative a JICA official and a fellow representing the group IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nine-indian-govt-officers-to-gain-specialised-academic-knowledge-in-japan-629629.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/how-pak-friendly-us-can-benefit-us-asks-mani-shankar-aiyar-629634.html New Delhi Aug 2 Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Saturday raised doubts over the United States dual engagement with India and Pakistan questioning how Washingtons ties with Islamabad could be in New Delhis interest while it simultaneously claims to be a close ally of India He said that despite the Centres efforts to showcase strong IndoUS relations through events like Howdy Modi and Namaste Trump the US continues to maintain strategic proximity with PakistanIn an interview with IANS Aiyar said We have to show the world that we are free and we are not running after someone to be their friend Its for the betterment of both countries to maintain good relations It is not a good foreign policy to have one kind of relationship with China and an opposite one with the USNow even children have started to feel that despite big events like Howdy Modi and Namaste Trump todays situation is such that Pakistan is being praised They are inviting the Pakistani Field Marshal the one who gave himself a promotion On one hand the US claims to be a very good friend of India and on the other it is shaking hands with Pakistan How can this benefit usCommenting on the economic front Aiyar criticised the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on India by the US saying America is saying that India has the highest tariffs in the world Trump is also claiming credit for the ceasefire agreement Pakistan is accepting it but India has denied the claims of any mediation Hence Islamabad is getting all the benefits and we are facing the punishmentHe also alleged that the Centre lacks the courage to confront the US administration on false claimsTrump has claimed several times that the US brokered the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan but our government is not ready to say that he is lying The government does not dare to speak truth to their socalled friends and enemies Aiyar said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/how-pak-friendly-us-can-benefit-us-asks-mani-shankar-aiyar-629634.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 15:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-export-loss-due-to-higher-us-tariffs-limited-to-03-to-04-pc-of-gdp-report-629417.html New Delhi Aug 1 IANS The direct export loss from the higher US tariffs announced on Indian exports could be limited to around 0304 per cent of its GDP as the countrys largely domesticdriven economy and its relatively low share of goods exports to the US should provide some cushion according to a CareEdge Ratings report released on FridaynbspNot only is Indias overall export dependence relatively low but its merchandise export exposure to the US is also low at around 2 per cent of GDP offering additional resilience the report contendsnbspMoreover Indias services exports remain outside the scope of these tariffs and should continue to support the external sector the report statesThe report also projects the current account deficit CAD to remain manageable at 09 per cent of GDP in FY26nbspAny diversification in Indias oil imports away from Russia is expected to have a minimal impact on Indias CAD as the price differential between Russian Ural and the benchmark Brent Crude has significantly narrowed to around 3 per barrel from an average of 20 per barrel in 2023nbspIndias merchandise exports to the US stood at 87 billion in FY25 Electronic goods accounted for the largest share of exports at 176 per cent This was followed by pharma products 118 per cent and gems ampamp jewellery 115 per centThe US accounts for 37 per cent of Indias total electronic exports Select items from this sector have been temporarily exempted from the 25 per cent US tariffs Additionally Indias pharma exports to the US accounting for 35 per cent of Indias total pharma exports have also been excluded from the tariffs the report statesnbspHowever the overarching risk of sectorspecific tariff action remains India has one of the highest numbers of US FDAapproved manufacturing facilities catering to the generic medicine requirements of the US While tariff uncertainties persist the sectors fundamental competitive advantages offer some resilience the report observesIndias relative tariff advantage for its exports to the US compared to several Asian peers such as Vietnam Indonesia and South Korea has effectively reversed following the 25 per cent US tariff along with the possibility of an additional penalty linked to Indias trade ties with Russia according to the reportnbspHowever IndiaUS trade negotiations are expected to continue and could bring some relief Still India is likely to remain cautious about opening sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy suggesting that the talks may take some time to conclude the report saidnbspAgainst this backdrop it is too early to determine the clear winners and losers from the evolving tariff landscape Volatility in global financial markets is likely to persist and tariffrelated developments will be critical to watch in the coming months the report added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-export-loss-due-to-higher-us-tariffs-limited-to-03-to-04-pc-of-gdp-report-629417.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-partnership-has-weathered-several-transitions-and-challenges-mea--629461.html New Delhi Aug 1 IANS India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests democratic values and robust peopletopeople ties with the partnership having weathered several transitions and challenges the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said on FridaynbspIndia and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests democratic values and robust peopletopeople ties This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges We remain focused on the substantive agenda that the two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi while responding to a question on IndiaUS ties in the wake of newly imposed tariffs by WashingtonEarlier this week US President Donald Trump announced imposing 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods and an unspecified penalty over purchases from Russia starting FridaynbspIndia will be paying a tariff of 25 per cent starting on August 1 Trump posted on Truth SocialnbspHe said that India would also face an additional tariff penalty for buying Russian energynbspTrump had set the penalty known as secondary tariffs across the board at 100 per cent for all who are buying Russian energy if Moscow did not reach a ceasefire with UkrainenbspThe threat to India was initially viewed as a negotiating tactic by experts to force India to reach an agreement after he and his officials like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had spoken optimistically that India would be among the first to make a dealIndia was among the first countries to start trade negotiations with Washington on tariffs and Trump had repeatedly said that an agreement was imminent most recently last weeknbspTrump said in his post Remember while India is our friend we have over the years done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high among the highest in the WorldnbspHe accused India of having the most strenuous and obnoxious nonmonetary Trade Barriers of any Country e added They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia and are Russias largest buyer of ENERGY along with China at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINEALL THINGS NOT GOOD INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25 PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST he wrote Tauntingly he signed off MAGA Make America Great Again https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-partnership-has-weathered-several-transitions-and-challenges-mea--629461.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-buys-oil-based-on-global-market-offerings-mea-629489.html New Delhi Aug 1 India sources its oil purchases based on global market offerings to meet its energy needs Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday In response to a question he also said that IndiaRussia bilateral relations are on a strong footingOur ties with any country stand on their merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country As far as IndiaRussia relations are concerned we have a steady and timetested partnershipCommenting on media reports that some Indian oil companies have stopped taking oil from Russia Jaiswal said You are aware of our broad approach to energy sourcing requirements that we look at what is available in the market and the prevailing global situation We are not aware of any specificsHe also indicated that India is taking the hike in tariffs announced by President Donald Trump in its stride and remains focused on moving ahead with strengthening the global strategic partnership with the USIndia and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests democratic values and robust peopletopeople ties Jaiswal said in the weekly media briefingThis partnership has withstood several transitions and challenges We remain focused on the substantive agenda that the two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward he explainedAs far as security is concerned I would like to say that security ties between India and America are quite strong There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the IndiaUS COMPACT for the 21st century he addedJaiswal also said that India has taken note of the US sanctions on six Indian companies for the purchase of petroleum products from IranHowever he refused to comment on President Trumps statement that India may purchase oil from Pakistan one day after announcing an energy deal with Islamabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-buys-oil-based-on-global-market-offerings-mea-629489.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 19:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-russia-have-steady-and-time-tested-partnership-mea-629501.html New Delhi August 1 Lauding ties between India and Russia Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday stated that the two nations have a steady and timetested partnership While addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi Jaiswal noted that Indias ties with any nation stands on their own merit and should not be seen through the prism of a third nationWhen asked if there is a change or a thinking to change Indias relationship with Russia Jaiswal responded Our ties with any country or all the ties that we have with various countries they stand on their own merit and they should not be seen through the prism of a third country As far as IndiaRussia relations are concerned we have a steady and timetested partnershipHis remarks came less than 24 hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Indias continued purchase of Russian oil remains a point of irritation in its relationship with the United States even as both countries maintain strategic ties Notably India has continued to purchase Russian oil despite Moscows war with Kyiv which began in 2022Rubios remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff and an additional penalty on Indian imports citing Indias trade ties with Russia and high trade barriersLook India is an ally Its a strategic partner Like anything in foreign policy youre not going to align 100 per cent of the time on everything Rubio told Fox Radio on Thursday evening US timeIndia has huge energy needs and that includes the ability to buy oil and coal and gas and things that it needs to power its economy like every country does And it buys it from Russia because Russian oil is sanctioned and cheap meaning they have to in many cases are selling it under the global price because of their sanctions Yep And that unfortunately that is helping to sustain the Russian war effort So it is most certainly a point of irritation in our relationship with India he addedTrump stated that the US would impose a 25 per cent tariff with an added penalty on Indian imports starting FridayALL THINGS NOT GOOD INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25 PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER MAGA Trump postedHe further accused India of maintaining the most strenuous and obnoxious nonmonetary trade barriers globally and argued that Indias tariffs are among the highest in the worldRemember while India is our friend we have over the years done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high Trump saidAt a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine these things are not good India has always bought the majority of its military supplies from Russia and is one of the largest buyers of Russian energy along with China he addedRemember while India is our friend we have over the years done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high Trump said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-russia-have-steady-and-time-tested-partnership-mea-629501.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/will-take-all-necessary-steps-to-protect-national-interest-piyush-goyal-on-trump-tariffs-629269.html New Delhi July 31 IANS Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that the country will take all necessary steps to protect national interest while negotiating trade deals with countries as US President Donald Trump announced to slap 25 per cent tariffs along with a penalty on India from August 1nbspAddressing the Parliament Goyal also dismissed the US Presidents dead economy comment saying India has risen from 11th to the fifthlargest economy in 10 years and remains the fastestgrowing economy in the worldnbspAccording to the Commerce Minister international agencies look at India as the bright spot in the world economynbspIndia has signed mutually beneficial FTAs with the UAE the UK Australia and the EFTA nations We want to achieve such FTAs with more countries said Goyal adding that India through its reforms and MSMEs and industrys efforts is currently the 4th largest economy and will soon become the thirdlargest economyWe are constantly working towards protecting and promoting our farmers The government is confident of achieving Viksit Bharat goals India is progressing towards Make in India with selfconfidence the minister saidnbspAccording to the minister India and the US decided to talk over a mutuallybeneficial trade deal aimed to be completed by the fall of this yearnbspOn April 2 2025 the US President issued an executive order on reciprocal tariffs a 10 per cent baseline duty in effect since April 5 2025 With a 10 per cent baseline tariff a total of 26 per cent tariff was announced for India Full countryspecific additional tariff was scheduled to come into effect on April 9 2025 But on April 10 this was extended initially for 90 days and then extended till August 1 he saidIn March 2025 India and the US started talks for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA The goal was to finish the first stage of the Agreement by OctoberNovember 2025 Goyal addednbspThe International Monetary Funds IMF World Economic Outlook WEO said this week that India is projected to see 64 per cent GDP growth in FY26 and FY27 reflecting a more benign external environment than assumed in the April reference forecastnbspThe IMF revised upwards its outlook for Indias GDP growth for the current fiscal by 20 basis points bps to 64 per cent The global agency also revised upwards its growth forecast for FY27 by 10 bps to 64 per centThe Commerce Ministry said in an earlier statement that India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few monthsnbspWe remain committed to that objective The government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers entrepreneurs and MSMEs it said in the statementnbspThe Centre further stated that it will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest as has been the case with other trade agreements including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/will-take-all-necessary-steps-to-protect-national-interest-piyush-goyal-on-trump-tariffs-629269.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/philippines-president-to-visit-india-next-week-to-strengthen-defence-and-maritime-ties-629148.html New Delhi July 31 Ferdinand R Marcos Jr President of the Philippines will undertake a State Visit to India from August 4 to 8 with an aim to deepen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors including defence and maritime security This will be his first visit to India since assuming office The Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday that President Marcos will be accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a highlevel delegation comprising several Cabinet Ministers senior officials dignitaries and business representatives Apart from engagements in New Delhi the President will also visit Bengaluru before concluding his visitPrime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on August 5 The visiting leader will also meet President Droupadi Murmu while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to call on him as wellAccording to the MEA India and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in November 1949 Since then the two countries have built a strong partnership in areas such as trade and investment defence maritime cooperation agriculture healthcare pharmaceuticals and digital technologies Both sides also collaborate closely at the regional level particularly through Indias Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEANIndias relations with the Philippines are an integral pillar of our Act East Policy Vision MAHASAGAR and our vision of the IndoPacific The forthcoming State Visit of President Marcos coincides with the 75th anniversary of IndiaPhilippines diplomatic relations the MEA saidIndian Navy vessels have frequently visited the Philippines as a component of defence collaboration India has provided its ports for the maintenance of shipsOn July 30 Indian naval ships INS Mysore INS Kiltan and INS Shakti received a warm welcome from the Philippine Navy during their port call to the Southeast Asian countryIn his speech at the ShangriLa Dialogue in Singapore last year President Marcos Jr stated that the Philippines will seek to enhance collaboration with allies like IndiaCalling the visit a key moment the MEA noted it provides an opportunity for both countries to chart the course for future cooperation and engage on regional and global issues of shared interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/philippines-president-to-visit-india-next-week-to-strengthen-defence-and-maritime-ties-629148.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-navy-chief-japanese-defence-minister-discuss-enhancing-strategic-ties-629210.html Tokyo July 31 Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Thursday met Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and discussed further strengthening defence cooperation During his ongoing visit to Japan Admiral Tripathi reaffirmed New Delhis resolve to address emerging security issuesBoth nations also reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing the strategic tiesAdmiral Dinesh K Tripathi CNS during the ongoing visit to Japan called on Gen Nakatani Defence Minister of Japan Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral Defence Cooperation fostering technological amp defence industry collaboration and strengthening training and personnel exchange between the two nations and the navies the Indian Navy posted on XThe interaction reaffirmed the shared commitment to addressing emerging security challenges amp fostering closer bilateral defence relations A key step in advancing IndiaJapan strategic synergy it addedOn Wednesday night Indian Ambassador to Japan Sibi George hosted a dinner in honour of the Navy chief in TokyoThe occasion also witnessed the presence of Defence Minister Nakatani and Japan Maritime SelfDefence Forces JMSDF Chief of Staff Admiral Saito Akira The Indian Navy chief is on a fourday official visit to Japan scheduled from July 30 to August 2 The visit is part of the ongoing efforts to consolidate bilateral defence relations between India and Japan in line with the deepening Special Strategic and Global Partnership with a focus on enhancing maritime cooperationDuring the visit he is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with other senior Japanese government officials including ViceMinister of Defence Masuda Kazuo and a meeting with Admiral AkiraHe will also visit JMSDF units and interact with the CommanderinChief SelfDefence Fleet at Funakoshi JMSDF BaseAdmiral Tripathis engagements in Japan are poised to further deepen the bonds of friendship and defence cooperation paving the way for enhanced mutual understanding in key areas of shared strategic and maritime interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-navy-chief-japanese-defence-minister-discuss-enhancing-strategic-ties-629210.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-consul-general-in-shanghai-participates-in-fudan-university-graduation-ceremony-for-brics-students-629227.html Beijing July 31 Consul General of India in Shanghai Pratik Mathur participated in the FUDAN University graduation ceremony for students from BRICS nations on Thursday He interacted with students from Kashmir and Delhi who represented India with distinction In a post shared on X Consulate General of India in Shanghai stated Ignited Minds for a brighter future CG Pratik Mathur participated in the FUDAN University graduation ceremony for students from BRICS countries and was pleased to interact with Shri Rahil Ayoub Thakur from Kashmir and Shri Harshit Bhardwaj from Delhi who represented India with distinction The Voice of our Youth continues to drive change in the Global South Jai Hind Jai BharatThe BRICS is a group formed by 11 countries Brazil Russia India China South Africa Saudi Arabia Egypt United Arab Emirates Ethiopia Indonesia and Iran The BRICS partner countries are Belarus Bolivia Cuba Kazakhstan Malaysia Nigeria Thailand Uganda and UzbekistanSince January this year Brazil officially assumed the BRICS chairmanship for 2025 In its capacity as pro tempore BRICS Chair the Government of Brazil announced the formal admission of Vietnam as a partner country of the group Vietnam becomes the tenth BRICS partner countryEarlier on July 26 the Consulate General of India in Shanghai launched its India Impressions film festival with fully subtitled National Award winning movies with a vibrant screening of the acclaimed Indian film Hellaro at the Consulate premises A large audience including many Chinese viewers distinguished Consul Generals from various countries and members of the Indian diaspora showcasing the growing interest in Indian cinema among Chinese audiences attended the eventIn the statement Consulate General of India in Shanghai stated Hellaro a celebrated Gujaratilanguage film which won the National Award for Best Feature Film captivated attendees with its powerful narrative of courageous women seeking freedom and selfexpression in a traditional society The films stunning visuals coupled with its evocative music and dance highlighted the strength and unity of its characters resonating deeply with the diverse audienceThe India Impressions film festival aims to bring the rich diversity of Indian cinema to Chinese audiences fostering cultural exchange and deepening mutual understanding between India and China This inaugural event marks the beginning of a series of screenings that will showcase the vibrancy and storytelling of Indian films it addedIn his opening remarks at the event Pratik Mathur welcomed the audience and emphasised the role of cinema in strengthening cultural ties between India and China The significant turnout of Chinese viewers underscored the universal appeal of Hellaro and the growing curiosity about Indian culture in Shanghai according to the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-consul-general-in-shanghai-participates-in-fudan-university-graduation-ceremony-for-brics-students-629227.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/donald-trump-announces-25-pc-tariffs-with-penalty-on-india-from-aug-1-629041.html Washington July 30 IANS US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the US will impose a 25 per cent tariffs with penalty on Indian imports starting August 1nbspThe announcement was made on Truth Social his own social media platform Trump said the decision also comes with a penalty on India for buying military equipment and energy from RussianbspHe claimed that Indias tariffs are among the highest in the world and that the country also has the most strenuous and obnoxious nonmonetary trade barriers compared to any other nationRemember while India is our friend we have over the years done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high Trump saidnbspHe also mentioned that the US has a massive trade deficit with IndianbspThe announcement follows months of talks between the two countries but a mini or interim trade deal has remained out of reachnbspThe US President also criticised Indias continued purchases of Russian weapons and energy especially during the ongoing war in UkraineHe said India has always bought the majority of its military supplies from Russia and is one of the largest buyers of Russian energy along with ChinanbspAt a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine these things are not good Trump addednbspALL THINGS NOT GOOD INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25 PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER MAGA he wroteLast week Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said trade talks with the US are progressing well Her comment came ahead of Trumps countryspecific tariffs scheduled to take effect from August 1nbspIndia last signed a free trade agreement FTA with the UK Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal hailed the IndiaUK free FTA called it as a gamechanging deal that provides immense opportunities and benefits to farmers businessmen MSME sectors young professionals and fishermen https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/donald-trump-announces-25-pc-tariffs-with-penalty-on-india-from-aug-1-629041.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/when-congress-doubted-pm-modi-delivered-strike-by-strike-629042.html New Delhi July 30 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful and comprehensive response in Parliament systematically countering every question and accusation made by the Congress and other opposition parties regarding Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attacknbspIn a speech that spanned several critical national security issues in Lok Sabha PM Modi made it clear that Bharats response to terrorism was deliberate effective and strategically sound while also exposing the Oppositions contradictions and what he termed as propaganda driven by PakistannbspNot a single country stopped BharatnbspAmid claims that India was internationally isolated or pressured PM Modi categorically statednbspNot a single country in the world stopped Bharat from acting in selfdefence Out of the 193 UN member countries only three issued statements in support of PakistannbspHe affirmed that India received global backing from QUAD to BRICS France to Germany and Russia to the US thereby debunking the narrative that the country was under diplomatic strain during the operationnbspTargeted questions clear answersOpposition leaders questioned whether any military action was taken at all and later why the operation was stopped PM Modi highlighted the absurdity and contradiction in this line of questioningnbspAt first they didnt even accept that any action was taken Now they ask Why did you stop it What a contradictionnbspThe Prime Minister outlined the clear objective of Operation Sindoor to dismantle the epicentres of terror responsible for the Pahalgam attack statingnbspWe had a clear objective to strike the epicentres of terror the locations where the Pahalgam attack was planned where training logistics recruitment and funding were managedOn May 7 the Indian military held a press conference declaring the mission successful and nonescalatorynbspWe made it clear that our mission was complete We informed Pakistans DGMO within minutes that our objectives had been achievednbspTaking sharp aim at the Congress party PM Modi accused them of mocking Indias response within days of the April 22 Pahalgam attacknbspJust three or four days after the terrorist attack Congress leaders were mocking Where is the 56inch chest Where has Modi gone They seemed to enjoy it as if they had scored a political pointHe warned that such cheap political attacks only served to demoralise the armed forces adding thatnbspSome Congress leaders neither believe in Bharats capabilities nor in its armed forcesnbspPM Modi narrated how Pakistan was stunned by Bharats response on the night of May 9 and morning of May 10 revealing thatnbspOur missiles struck every corner of Pakistan with such force that they never imagined Pakistan called and pleaded with our DGMO Please stop weve had enoughnbspHe also disclosed that the US Vice President attempted to contact him during the peak of the escalation warning of an impending Pakistani attack PM Modi responded with firmnessIf Pakistan attacks we will respond with a bigger strike We will respond to bullets with shellsnbspResponding to doubts about accountability for the Pahalgam attackers PM Modi pointed to Operation Mahadev in which the perpetrators were neutralisednbspYesterday our security forces brought the attackers of Pahalgam to justice But someone asked Why was it done yesterday Whats going on with these peoplenbspHe highlighted how India ensured the safe return of a BSF soldier captured during the conflict just as it had done during the Balakot episode when Wing Commander Abhinandan returned with honourThroughout the address PM Modi portrayed the Congress as echoing Pakistans rhetoric statingnbspCompare statements from Pakistan with those from some leaders here they match comma for comma full stop for full stopnbspHe accused Congress of undermining military actions questioning surgical strikes and airstrikes demanding proof and even calling Operation Sindoor a dramanbspCalling it a drama how can that be your opinion This is nothing short of pouring acid on the barbaric killing of 26 people by terroristsPM Modi also revisited historical decisions calling the Indus Water Treaty signed by Nehru a grave betrayal The Indus Water Treaty was a direct and grave betrayal of Bharats identity and selfrespect But now Bharat has corrected that old mistakenbspSelfreliance in defence Sindoor spiritnbspnbspPM Modi credited Make in India in the defence sector for the success of Operation SindoornbspOn 9th May Pakistan attempted a massive attack with around 1000 missiles and drones But Bharat intercepted and destroyed them all Our air defence system shattered them like twigsnbspHe emphasised Operation Sindoor is still active And if Pakistan dares again it will receive a crushing reply https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/when-congress-doubted-pm-modi-delivered-strike-by-strike-629042.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/japanese-pm-reaffirms-intent-to-keep-good-seoul-tokyo-ties-629045.html Tokyo July 30 South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday during which the Japanese leader reaffirmed his intent to maintain and further develop good relations with Seoul Ishiba made the remarks during his 15minute meeting with Cho at the prime ministers residence earlier in the day Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said during a press briefingWhile maintaining and building on the favorable momentum in South KoreaJapan relations I also intend to advance cooperation among South Korea the US and Japan Ishiba was quoted as sayingHayashi said he believes the two countries have been communicating closely since the Lee Jae Myung administration took office describing South Korea and Japan as important neighbors and partners on many international issuesCho arrived in Tokyo on his first overseas trip since taking office last week Cho is scheduled to fly directly to Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday US timeCho held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya the previous day during which he highlighted South Koreas efforts to bolster ties with friendly nations under the Lee government signaling an intent to maintain the thaw in bilateral relations with JapanIn a subsequent meeting with South Korean correspondents in Tokyo the South Korean foreign minister said he has emphasised to Japanese officials the need to develop bilateral ties in a futureoriented manner Yonhap news agency reportedCho said he is confident that the first step in South KoreaJapan relations has been successfully taken amid rapidly shifting international circumstancesBoth sides shared an understanding of the necessity of South KoreaUSJapan cooperation although further details need to be fleshed out the minister notedIn Washington Cho said he plans to discuss trilateral cooperation and propose detailed SeoulWashington collaboration on technology including artificial intelligence as part of efforts to reach a tariff dealI will work toward reaching a deal smoothly he saidA senior foreign ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity said there have been no missteps or snags in the ongoing tariff negotiations between Seoul and Washington adding a final deal could be reached before the Aug 1 deadline when reciprocal US duties are set to take effectThe official also noted that a summit between Lee and Ishiba could take place at any time although the exact timing is uncertain due to political conditions in Japan IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/japanese-pm-reaffirms-intent-to-keep-good-seoul-tokyo-ties-629045.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/donald-trump-announces-25-pc-tariff-with-penalty-on-india-from-aug-1-629059.html Washington July 30 US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the US will impose a 25 per cent tariff with penalty on Indian imports starting August 1 The announcement was made on Truth Social his own social media platform Trump said the decision also comes with a penalty on India for buying military equipment and energy from RussiaHe claimed that Indias tariffs are among the highest in the world and that the country also has the most strenuous and obnoxious nonmonetary trade barriers compared to any other nationRemember while India is our friend we have over the years done relatively little business with them because their tariffs are far too high Trump saidHe also mentioned that the US has a massive trade deficit with IndiaThe announcement follows months of talks between the two countries but a mini or interim trade deal has remained out of reachThe US President also criticised Indias continued purchases of Russian weapons and energy especially during the ongoing war in UkraineHe said India has always bought the majority of its military supplies from Russia and is one of the largest buyers of Russian energy along with ChinaAt a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine these things are not good Trump addedALL THINGS NOT GOOD INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25 PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER MAGA he wroteLast week Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said trade talks with the US are progressing well Her comment came ahead of Trumps countryspecific tariffs scheduled to take effect from August 1India last signed a free trade agreement FTA with the UK Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal hailed the IndiaUK free FTA called it as a gamechanging deal that provides immense opportunities and benefits to farmers businessmen MSME sectors young professionals and fishermen IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/donald-trump-announces-25-pc-tariff-with-penalty-on-india-from-aug-1-629059.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/post-sindoor-and-mahadev-indian-armed-forces-plug-gaps-as-pakistan-ramps-up-proxy-push-628912.html New Delhi July 30 Both Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev signalled the strength of the Indian armed forces while also exposing the fault lines in Pakistan While rewriting its doctrine India made it clear to Pakistan that any terror attack would be considered an act of war or aggression While those involved in the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives have been eliminated the focus is now back on the massive infiltration bids that Pakistan has been makingOn Wednesday the security forces eliminated two Pakistani terrorists while foiling an infiltration bid near the Line of Control LoC in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district They were attempting to infiltrate from Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK when they were intercepted by the security forces and killedA massive search operation has been launched at the Deghwar sector Poonch after intercepts suggested the presence of suspicious persons near the LoC Reinforcements have been called in to sanitise the area and also prevent any further infiltrationAfter Operation Sindoor a large part of the terror infrastructure in Pakistan had been destroyed Prominent among those were the LashkareTaibas primary training facility in Muridke and the JaisheMohammad headquarters in BahawalpurSince the operation Pakistan has been making multiple attempts to revive its terror infrastructure While the terror infrastructures are being rebuilt closer to the Pakistan armys facilities terror groups have been asked to ramp up operationsFollowing Operation Mahadev terror groups have been trying to send their cadres in larger numbers since they lost three key terrorists during the encounter that took place on Monday at Dachigam in the Kashmir ValleyThe three terrorists who were killed have been identified as Suleman alias Faizal Jatt Hamza Afghani and Zibran Suleman who is an exPakistan army personnel was leading this team He is the one wholed the team that carried out the Pahalgam attackInvestigations have found that a team of terrorists led by Suleman had entered India from Pakistan three years back After infiltrating India they split into two teams The second team led by one Musa is still active and is being pursued by the security forcesThe number of terrorists who have managed to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 has come down Statistics show that in the past three to four years around 25 terrorists have infiltrated the Valley Tracking these hardened terrorists has become harder as they are operating in smaller teams of three to four Moreover they do not communicate with each otherThis explains why the security forces took so long to eliminate the Pahalgam attackers It was ultimately a combination of both human and technical Intelligence that led the forces to the terrorists on MondayOfficials say that when it comes to Pakistan there is never a good time to take your eyes off Even at the height of tensions during Operation Sindoor infiltration attempts were made by Pakistan These attempts were aided by coordinated artillery fire from the Pakistan sideTwo days before the ceasefire was announced the Border Security Force BSF on May 8 foiled a major infiltration bid in the Samba sector killing seven armed terroristsWith major operations against Pakistan done for now the focus of the security forces has now shifted to internal security Gaps along the infiltration corridors are now being plugged while area domination patrols are being launchedThe security forces are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that there is no regrouping of infiltrators IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/post-sindoor-and-mahadev-indian-armed-forces-plug-gaps-as-pakistan-ramps-up-proxy-push-628912.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/op-sindoor-debate-in-rs-eam-jaishankars-china-gurus-jab-at-opposition--628926.html New Delhi July 30 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Wednesday derided and mocked the Opposition for alerting the government about the ChinaPakistan fusion particularly during the recent military faceoff under Operation Sindoor thereby posing a grave threat to Indias national securitynbspParticipating in the Operation Sindoor debate in the Rajya Sabha the External Affairs Minister took a jibe at the Opposition members by claiming that some China gurus are giving lectures to the government despite their own history of hobnobbing and discounting the dragon on several occasionsJaishankars response comes in the wake of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi sounding alarm bells over the ChinaPakistan fusion and why the government needed to wake up to the threats of the 21st centurynbspWithout taking names Jaishankar said There are China gurus on the other side who mock my understanding of global perspective despite being one of the longest serving ambassadors eliciting cheers and applause from the treasury benchesHe dug out history to shed light on how the two neighbouring nations Pakistan and China came together and named several instances when they joined hands to corner India and also called out the previous Congress governments ignorance on issues of national securitynbspToday China gurus claim that ChinaPakistan combo is a serious threat but it all started with the giving away of Pakistan occupied Kashmir PoK and then several strategic partnerships between them including PakistanChina treaty of China friendship 2005 Gwadar airport deal 2013 he pointed outFurther blaming the Congressled dispensation for turning a blind eye to Hambantota port he informed the House that the then government said it was no matter of concern despite it posing as a strategic threat to Indias maritime securitynbspResponding sharply to P Chidambarams question on what transpired during his recent China visit the Minister took a swipe saying unlike others he didnt discuss anything secretlynbspWe discussed terrorism deescalation fostering relationship based on mutual respect and mutual trust and mutual sensitivity he said highlighting the Modi governments firm stance on foreign policynbspHe also thanked all the members of the Parliament including Shashi Tharoor Kanimozhi and others who stood together and presented a united front during Indias diplomatic outreach after the operation and exposed Pakistans brazen hand in global terror https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/op-sindoor-debate-in-rs-eam-jaishankars-china-gurus-jab-at-opposition--628926.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-roasts-oppn-over-indias-new-normal-policy--628936.html New Delhi July 30 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday lashed out at the Opposition over feigning ignorance over the term Indias new normal and coined a new name Modi normal to elucidate the new defining strategy of the country in responding to acts of terror and crushing terrorists as well their masterminds irrespective of their location Joining the Operation Sindoor debate in Rajya Sabha Jaishnakar said that some members raised hue and cry over the term new normal and hence he was explaining Indias new security doctrine via Modi normal and Congress normalHe said that the Modi normal has clearly laid out guidelines and principles on matters of national security that remain steadfast and nonnegotiableTerrorists will not be treated as proxies crossborder terror will get an appropriate response talks and terror wont go together we wont give into nuclear blackmailing and blood and water wont flow together he told the House outlining the redefined national strategy under the Modi governmentNotably the new normal policy came into being after the Modi government gave full operational freedom to the forces during Operation Sindoor and stated that any act of terror on Indian soil will now be seen as an attack on Indias sovereignty and therefore will be responded to by the armed forces in the strongest possible mannerEAM Jaishankar further said that Indias Operation Sindoor did a global service by destroying hubs of global terror in PakistanBahalwapur and Muridke remain the biggest centres of nurturing terrorists and spreading terrorism in India and abroad Our forces reduced it to dust they did a global service and are being suitably applauded by all he saidLambasting the sceptical Opposition he said that there are ample examples of Pakistani military establishments facing the fury of Indian forces but there are some who continue to undermine our security forces for certain political motivesThe Minister said that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a candid confession about Indian military strikes pulverising its military installations but this fails to convince those who continue to remain sceptical of the Armys accomplishmentsPakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif admitted that General Munir called him saying that Indian ballistic missiles hit their Noor Khan air base and missiles like Brahmos targeted their provinces like Rawalpindi he said and lamented that the political parties back home are decrying the great achievements of the Indian Armed Forces for scoring political points IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-roasts-oppn-over-indias-new-normal-policy--628936.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/un-security-council-report-names-lashkars-proxy-trf-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-628938.html New Delhi July 30 IANS In a significant development the United Nations Security Council UNSC has named The Resistance Front TRF an offshoot of terrorist outfit LashkareTaiba LeT for its role in Pahalgam terror attack in its latest monitoring report on global terrorismnbspnbspThe UNSC monitoring committee in its report published on July 24 has linked Lashkars proxy to April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam which led to killing of 26 innocent tourists The move is seen as another diplomatic victory for India because this comes days after United States designated TRF as a foreign terrorist organisation thus endorsing Indias global counterterror campaignThe UNSC report states On 22 April five terrorists attacked a tourist spot in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir Twentysix civilians were killed The attack was claimed that same day by The Resistance Front TRF who in parallel published a photograph of the attack sitenbspThe claim of responsibility was repeated the following day On 26 April however TRF retracted its claim There was no further communication from TRF and no other group claimed responsibility Regional relations remain fragile There is a risk that terrorist groups may exploit these regional tensions it addednbspBJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya took note of the UNSC monitoring committee report and called out Congress partys double standards in calling out Pakistans harbouring and shieling of terror on its soilnbspnbspHe questioned Congress leader P Chidambaram over his recent statement where he raised doubts about Pakistani origin of Pahalgam attackersnbspnbspIn a post on X Malviya stated The UN Security Council Monitoring Committee has clearly identified The Resistance Front TRF a proxy of Pakistanbased terror group LashkareTaiba as the organiser of the recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir And yet Congress leader P Chidambaram had the audacity to ask Where is the proof they came from Pakistan How much more proof do these apologists need Or is their loyalty permanently outsourcedIn a recent interview with a news publication Chidambaram had said Have they identified the terrorists Where they came from I mean for all we know they could be homegrown terrorists Why do you assume that they came from Pakistan Theres no evidence of that he told the dailynbspEarlier on July 18 the US had banned TRF designating as global terror outfit Announcing the TRFs listing as a terrorist outfit US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said that the action demonstrates the Trump Administrations commitment to protecting our national security interests countering terrorism and enforcing President Trumps call for justice for the Pahalgam attackRubio said he was adding the TRF to the lists of designated Foreign Terrorist Organization FTO and Specially Designated Global Terrorist SDGTnbspTRF a LashkareTayyiba LeT front and proxy claimed responsibility for the April 22 2025 Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians his announcement saidnbspThis was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT he added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/un-security-council-report-names-lashkars-proxy-trf-in-pahalgam-terror-attack-628938.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/envoys-of-four-nations-present-credentials-to-president-droupadi-murmu-628760.html New Delhi July 29 Envoys of TimorLeste Dominican Republic Sri Lanka and Gabon presented credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Tuesday Those who presented credentials were the Dominican Republics Ambassador Francisco Manuel Compres Hernandez TimorLestes Karlito Nunes Sri Lankas High Commissioner Pradeepa Mahishini Colonne and Gabons High Commissioner Guy Rodrigue DikayiEarlier in February President Murmu accepted credentials from the AmbassadorsHigh Commissioners of Cambodia Maldives Somalia Cuba and Nepal at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati BhavanThose who presented their credentials included Rath Many of Cambodia Aishath Azeema of the Maldives Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa of Somalia Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera of Cuba and Shankar Prasad Sharma of NepalIn a related development Argentinas Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino reaffirmed his countrys strong support to India in its ongoing fight against terrorism while expressing commitment to strengthening the global fight against the menaceAt the celebrations of his countrys National Day earlier this month the envoy noted that Argentina was among the first countries to convey its message of support to the Indian government and the Indian people on the atrocious terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on April 22Argentina has suffered terrorism and we know what terrorism means the envoy affirmed remembering that in 1992 and 1994 we lost more than 100 innocent lives because of the bombing of the Israeli Embassy and the Jewish Community Center AMIA in Buenos AiresIt is the strong commitment of the Argentine government under the leadership of President Javier Milei to reject terror in any of its forms Terrorism is unacceptable in any of its forms and sovereign states have the right and the obligation to prevent and prosecute this threat to peace and world security Caucino stated in his address during the eventCaucino mentioned that the bilateral link between the two nations continues to thrive and has been solidified with PM Modis recent visit to Argentina PM Modi and President Javier Milei had the chance to exchange views on several areas of mutual interest including the shared common views on the importance of free markets deregulation limited government and the rule of law he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/envoys-of-four-nations-present-credentials-to-president-droupadi-murmu-628760.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/singapore-ready-to-renew-partnership-with-andhra-for-amaravati-development-628816.html Amaravati July 29 The Singapore government is willing to renew its partnership with Andhra Pradesh for the development of its state capital Amaravati a state government statement said on Tuesday Singapores Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng made the assurance after meeting Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who is currently on a visit to SingaporeExpressing Singapores readiness to collaborate with the Andhra Pradesh government across multiple sectors he also referenced the policy shifts that occurred under the previous administration according to a statement issued by the Chief Ministers Office CMO hereTan affirmed that Singapore is fully prepared to be a partner in the development of Andhra Pradesh and its capital city Amaravati In his post on Facebook he reiterated Singapores commitment to working on ongoing and future projects in the state identifying agriculture food processing and renewable energy as promising sectors for investmentHighlighting Andhra Pradesh as one of Indias fastestgrowing states the minister pointed out that Singaporebased companies such as Food Empire and EverVolt are already exploring investment and expansion opportunities in the region He also noted that his discussions with CM Chandrababu had touched on key areas including ports green energy digital technology and skill developmentReflecting on past cooperation Tan recalled that during CM Chandrababu Naidus 20142019 tenure Singapore had played an active role in the early stages of Amaravatis development contributing to the master plan and offering construction support He mentioned that Singaporean firms had won tenders under the Swiss Challenge method to develop a startup area within the capital However following the change in government in 2019 the partnership was discontinued and the Singapore consortium eventually withdrew from the projectNow with renewed dialogue underway the Singapore Minister confirmed that discussions on developmental collaboration have resumed Although the consortium is no longer involved in the seed capital phase of Amaravati Singapore remains committed to offering technical expertise in areas such as urban planning infrastructure and governanceHe added that Singapore also looks forward to partnering with global institutions like the World Bank in Andhra Pradeshs growth journey He expressed his hope that CM Naidus visit would prove fruitful and pave the way for meaningful cooperationIn response to Tans remarks Chief Minister Naidu on behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh extended his sincere appreciation to the Singapore government and the minister He warmly welcomed Singapores commitment to sustainable development in the stateHe acknowledged that his discussions with Minister Tan had laid a strong foundation for renewed collaboration between Andhra Pradesh and Singapore in key sectors such as agriculture food processing manufacturing renewable energy port infrastructure digital innovation and skill developmentHe also reflected on his longstanding relationship with the Singapore government dating back to the 1990s noting that Singapores partnership has consistently added significant value to the states progress In his Facebook response he expressed confidence that Singapores support would play a crucial role in building worldclass infrastructure across Andhra PradeshWhile acknowledging the disruption in the states collaborative journey with Singapore in recent years Naidu affirmed his governments renewed determination to pursue comprehensive development backed by a decisive public mandate He underscored the states vision for Swarna Andhra 2047 aimed at holistic longterm growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/singapore-ready-to-renew-partnership-with-andhra-for-amaravati-development-628816.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/andhra-seeks-ai-singapores-help-to-set-up-ai-research-innovation-centres-628637.html Amaravati July 29 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has sought AI Singapores cooperation to set up AI research and innovation centres in the state On the third day of his visit to Singapore the Chief Minister met AI Singapores Deputy Executive Chairman Prof Mohan Kankanahalli and stressed the importance of prioritising partnerships between AI Singapore and universities and research institutions in Andhra Pradesh He proposed launching AI training programmes exchange initiatives and skill development modules for students across the stateAccording to the Chief Ministers Office the discussions mainly revolved around the use of AI in sectors such as healthcare agriculture education and public servicesCM Naidu and Prof Kankanahalli also explored opportunities in technology promotion deep tech and AI innovationThe Chief Minister also met NG Jan Lin Wilin Senior Vice President of SIA Engineering He discussed the upcoming airports in the state and sought cooperation for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul MRO servicesHe also briefed the SIA representatives on the governments newly introduced industryfriendly policies while showcasing the wideranging opportunities in the aviation sector CM Naidu invited the firm to visit Andhra Pradesh to explore potential investmentsResponding positively the Senior Vice President of SIA Engineering assured that a delegation would be sent to the state soonThe Andhra Pradesh government is keen to establish a worldclass MRO centre by leveraging the expertise and technology of companies such as SIA Engineering Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam have been identified as suitable locations for this initiativeLater in the day Chief Minister Naidu will meet Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to discuss investment and infrastructure collaboration between Singapore and Andhra PradeshHe will also meet former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss transparent governance and smart city development and how Singapores expertise can benefit the stateThe delegation led by the Chief Minister will visit the Jurong Petrochemical Island to study the planning and development of industrial zones residential areas and logistics hubsLater he will meet TVS Motors Managing Director Sudarshan Venu to discuss the automobile manufacturing sector and the establishment of automobile parks in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/andhra-seeks-ai-singapores-help-to-set-up-ai-research-innovation-centres-628637.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trf-ban-a-diplomatic-win-brics-china-supported-sindoor-jaishankar-in-ls--628512.html New Delhi July 28 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Monday credited Indian diplomacy for the US decision to designate The Resistance Front TRF a Pakistanbacked terror outfit as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation FTO and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist SDGTnbspSpeaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Operation Sindoor on Monday Jaishankar accused Pakistan of shielding the TRF even after its role in deadly attacks on Indian soil had been globally exposednbspTRF has twice claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack Pakistan kept on denying it TRF has been designated as a global terrorist organisation Pakistan is still defending and shielding TRF he told the HousenbspHe went on to call the US ban a direct outcome of Indias diplomatic effortsnbspnbspThanks to our diplomacy the TRF has been designated as a Global Terrorist Organisation by the US government and the same Pakistani foreign minister who took so much pride saying he defended the TRF says if the US has done this we accept this Jaishankar notednbspThe Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 which claimed the lives of 26 civilians triggered Indias retaliatory Operation Sindoor Jaishankar said the military operation sent a strong and unambiguous message to both Pakistan and terror outfits operating from its soilThrough Operation Sindoor India sent a message we will defend ourselves and we will do so decisively he saidnbspJaishankar also pointed out that only three countries including Pakistan opposed Indias response The overwhelming global sentiment he said was in support of Indias right to selfdefencenbspThe world wanted to know what India was thinking we gave a common message India is exercising its right to defend itself There will be no mediation with Pakistan We will not bow down to Pakistans nuclear blackmail he asserted dismissing any speculation about thirdparty involvement in resolving tensionsThe External Affairs Minister asserted that the Quad countries along with BRICS members including China condemned the Pahalgam attack and acknowledged Indias right to retaliatenbspBRICS countries supported us against terrorism and condemned the Pahalgam terror attack China is also a part of BRICS Crossborder terrorism has been recognised by the world The world has realised that Operation Sindoor is the fight against terrorism Jaishankar said underlining the growing international alignment with Indias counterterror stancenbspHe urged all political parties and citizens to rally behind the armed forcesnbspnbspWe should stand firmly with our forces to foil a huge attack he said adding that Indias battle against terrorism is not just military but diplomaticnbsp and one it is determined to win https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trf-ban-a-diplomatic-win-brics-china-supported-sindoor-jaishankar-in-ls--628512.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 19:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/no-pm-modi-trump-call-during-operation-sindoor-india-acted-alone-eam-jaishankar-628523.html New Delhi July 28 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar addressing the Lok Sabha during a highstakes debate on Operation Sindoor made it unequivocally clear that India remains steadfast in its zerotolerance policy on terrorism especially when originating from across the border in Pakistan He also firmly denied reports of any phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then US President Donald Trump during the crucial window of military engagementThere was no call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump between April 22 and June 17 Jaishankar said putting to rest speculation that international pressure played a role during the Operation Sindoor phaseIndia had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a direct military retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 people primarily civilians The operation triggered a short but intense fourday military conflict with Pakistan during which Islamabad unsuccessfully attempted drone and missile attacks targeting Indian territoryThe situation deescalated only after the Director General of Military Operations DGMO of Pakistan reached out to the Indian DGMO for a ceasefire understanding indicating the failure of Pakistans aggressive postureSpeaking on the governments diplomatic efforts Jaishankar emphasised that India has consistently taken the global lead in exposing Pakistans longstanding role in supporting terrorism We told the world leaders our zero tolerance against terrorism We have the right to defend he said underlining Indias resolveThe External Affairs Minister highlighted that Indias campaign to isolate Pakistan diplomatically has been successful New Delhi not only highlighted Islamabads troubling history but also succeeded in revealing its true face to the world Jaishankar told the Lok SabhaCrucially Jaishankar made it clear that Operation Sindoor is not the end of Indias response to Pakistansponsored terrorism Indias response to terrorism emanating from across the border will not end with Operation Sindoor We will take whatever action is necessary to protect our citizens and interests he stated reinforcing the governments commitment to national securityHe also confirmed that visa restrictions on Pakistani nationals will remain in place as part of Indias broader counterterrorism strategy These measures are part of our broader strategy to deal with the threat of terrorism Jaishankar added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/no-pm-modi-trump-call-during-operation-sindoor-india-acted-alone-eam-jaishankar-628523.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-chancellor-urges-ceasefire-humanitarian-aid-for-gaza-628316.html Berlin July 27 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday expressing concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza According to a statement from the German government during the phone conversation Merz urged an immediate ceasefire and called for urgently needed humanitarian aid to reach the starving civilians in Gaza swiftly safely and at the required scale Xinhua news agency reportedGermany will decide on its efforts to improve the situation in the coming days in consultation with its E3 partners France and Britain as well as the United States and Arab nations the statement saidOn Thursday French President Macron announced that France will move to recognise the state of Palestine in September as theurgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian populationWe must finally build the State of Palestine ensure its viability and enable it by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East he wrote on social mediaWhile France would be the most significant European power to recognise a Palestinian state several countries have announced plans to recognise statehood for the Palestinians since Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza nearly two years ago in response to the Hamas attacksSenior Palestinian Authority official Hussein alSheikh welcomed the move saying it reflects Frances commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian peoples rights to selfdetermination and the establishment of our independent stateHamas hailed Macrons pledge as a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to selfdeterminationWe call on all countries of the world especially European nations and those that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to follow Frances lead it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-chancellor-urges-ceasefire-humanitarian-aid-for-gaza-628316.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/naidu-meets-singapore-minister-discusses-green-energy-data-centre-development-628381.html Amaravati July 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on the second day of his visit to Singapore met Minister for Manpower and Ministerincharge of Energy and Science amp Technology Dr Tan See Leng and discussed collaboration in sectors such as green energy data centres logistics and housing During the meeting the Chief Minister highlighted Andhra Pradeshs major initiatives in green energy and sought greater cooperation from Singaporean firms in projects related to green hydrogen transmission corridors and port developmentAccording to the Chief Ministers Office Naidu emphasised the need for Singapores participation in establishing data centres and elaborated on the states rapid expansion of its port infrastructureRecognising Singapores global strength in logistics he called for its support in implementing best practices in the ports and logistics sectors in Andhra Pradesh He also underscored the importance of Singapores involvement in human resources science and technology and trade collaborationAddressing concerns faced by Singaporean companies during the previous administration the Chief Minister assured Minister Tan that measures are being taken to resolve those issues and that his visit reflects a commitment to transparency and rectification He remarked that his government is investmentfriendly and deeply values its relationship with SingaporeRecollecting past initiatives CM Naidu cited the development of Singapore Township in Hyderabad during his earlier tenure as a symbol of admiration for Singapores planning and efficiency He also noted that Hyderabad once adopted nighttime streetcleaning inspired by practices observed in SingaporeTo further the partnership the Chief Minister extended a formal invitation to Minister Tan to attend the upcoming Global Investors Summit scheduled for November in VisakhapatnamIn response Minister Tan expressed Singapores keen interest in working with Andhra Pradesh in the fields of housing and subsea cables He affirmed that both sides could jointly pursue initiatives in these areas The Minister also mentioned Singapores ongoing collaboration with the World Bank on green energy and housingrelated programmesRecalling his previous visit to Hyderabad and his earlier meeting with CM Naidu Minister Tan expressed optimism about deepening bilateral cooperationThe meeting was attended by Andhra Pradesh Ministers Nara Lokesh P Narayana and TG Bharat along with senior officials from the state government IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/naidu-meets-singapore-minister-discusses-green-energy-data-centre-development-628381.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/thailand-cambodia-agree-to-meet-for-ceasefire-talks-628281.html Phnom PenhBangkok July 27 Leaders from both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to meet for ceasefire talks after US President Donald Trump issued warnings to both their Prime Ministers Both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and his Thai counterpart Phumtham Wechayachai issued statements agreeing to meet for ceasefire talksThese statements came after Trump issued warnings to the countries threatening not to make any trade deals with them if the deadly clashes due to border conflicts continuedOn one hand the Cambodian PM thanking Trump mentioned that Cambodia agrees with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces further adding that he had called for a ceasefire to the Association of South East Asian Nations ASEAN and Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim before thisOn the other hand a statement released from Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs was more subtle and measured seeking sincere intention from the Cambodian side and mentioning the fact that Thailand is interested in convening a bilateral dialogue to bring forward measures needed for the ceasefire leading to the eventual resolution of the conflictTrump allegedly had spoken to both Prime Ministers to go through with his attempts to restore peaceTrump taking to X via a few posts on Saturday wrote that both countries have agreed to meet They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and ultimately PEACE he said mentioning his diplomatic efforts to bring peaceTrump also added They are also looking to get back to the Trading Table with the United States which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPSAccording to CNN Trump wrote letters to both countries leaders warning them of a 36 per cent increase on most of their exports to the US which will start from August 1Officials reported that Thailand and Cambodia provided significant benefits to the US in an attempt to move forward with a trade agreementBoth countries have been involved in disputes ever since colonial France drew a border between them over a century agoThe clashes between Thailand and Cambodia began on Thursday reportedly killing more than 12 people injuring almost a dozen and causing more than 150000 civilians to be evacuated according to officials from both sidesUN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres urged both sides to immediately agree to a ceasefire and to address any issues through dialogue with a view to finding a lasting solution to the dispute said Farhan Haq the UN chiefs deputy spokesperson in a statement on Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/thailand-cambodia-agree-to-meet-for-ceasefire-talks-628281.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-confirms-no-extension-on-aug-1-tariff-deadline-628295.html New Delhi July 27 The US administration on Sunday said the August 1 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs remains unchanged and there will be no extension this time US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ruled out any possibility of an extension on the Fox News Sunday TV programmeNo extensions no more grace periods August 1 the tariffs are set Theyll go into place Customs will start collecting the money and off we go Lutnick was quoted as saying on the showHe also said that the European Union EU needed to open its markets for more US exports to convince US President Donald Trump to reduce a 30 per cent tariff rate that is due to kick in on August 1The question is do they offer President Trump a good enough deal that is worth it for him to step off the 30 per cent tariffs that he set Lutnick saidYou know theyre hoping they make a deal and its up to President Trump whos the leader of this negotiating table We set the table he addedEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was set to meet Trump to clinch a trade deal for Europe that would likely see a 15 per cent baseline tariff on most EU goodsUS Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Lutnick flew to Scotland this weekend to meet EU Trade Commissioner Maros SefcovicAs of now five countries have signed trade deals with the Trump administration ahead of next weeks deadline These are Britain Vietnam Indonesia the Philippines and JapanMeanwhile as India continues to sign trade deals at a blistering pace the latest one with the UK the muchawaited pact with the US is yet to see the light of day amid hectic negotiations between both sides IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-confirms-no-extension-on-aug-1-tariff-deadline-628295.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 21:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/erdogan-to-talk-with-putin-trump-over-summit-on-ukraine-628074.html Istanbul July 26 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he may speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump this week to explore the possibility of holding a summit in Istanbul In the coming period possibly even within this week we will seek to hold further talks with Putin and also with Trump he told reporters in Istanbul on Friday We will see if we can bring these leaders together in Istanbul That is our effortErdogan said that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate meetings with the Russian and Ukrainian delegations before the start of the third round of talks over the Ukraine crisis held in Istanbul on Wednesday Xinhua news agency reported He added that prior to their arrival in Istanbul the Ukrainian delegation also met with him in AnkaraDuring the peace talks the two sides agreed on another prisoner exchange but clashed over ceasefire terms and the prospect of a presidential summitThe Ukrainian side proposed holding a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by the end of August saying the participation of Trump and Erdogan would be especially valuableThe Russian delegation said that such a meeting is not under consideration until certain processes are completedUkraine closed out its third round of direct talks with Russia on Wednesday with a proposal to hold a leaders summit by the end of August with Zelensky Putin Erdogan and President TrumpThe proposed summit would be held between Zelensky and Putin and it would include the participation of the US and Turkish Presidents according to a statement from Andriy Yermak the head of Zelenskys officeZelensky on Tuesday had again renewed his offer to meet with Putin to negotiate an end to the war but Putin has rejected previous offersUkraine made the proposal in Turkey during the latest round of talks which yielded few results and left delegations from both countries feeling far away from a deal on a ceasefire or end to the warIt is clear that Russia is still not ready to end the war but there is still time to reconsider and put an end to this madness Yermak said in the statementHe said that progress was made on humanitarian issues including on prisoner exchanges and retrieving Ukrainian children who were kidnapped during the warRustem Umerov head of the Ukrainian delegation told reporters after the talks that we have not made progress yet on a ceasefire according to multiple media outletsVladimir Medinsky head of the Russian delegation made similar remarks after the meetingThe positions are quite apart from each other he said news outlets reportedThe nations have held two rounds of peace talks in Istanbul so far on May 16 and June 2 and the discussions have led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners but the two have made little to no progress on a potential ceasefire agreementSince the previous round of talks which took place nearly two months ago Russia issued a memo outlining conditions for reaching a ceasefire including having Ukraines military disarm and agree to Russias annexation of four regions in Ukraine that were overtaken since Moscow launched its invasion in 2022 which the Russian military has struggled to maintainYermak said in his statement Wednesday that Ukraine in the latest talks clearly outlined its priorities a ceasefire real silence along the entire frontline and a complete halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure This is where the path to a genuine peace must beginTrump has pressed for forging peace in the region and has in recent weeks been increasingly critical of Putin saying in a recent interview with the BBC that he is disappointed with the Kremlins leader but not done with himTrump announced last week that the US brokered a deal to send more weapons to Ukraine arms that would be paid for by NATO allies in Europe who agreed earlier this year to increase their investment in defence spending Trump also warned Putin he would slap new sanctions on Russia and other countries that purchase Moscows exports if a ceasefire is not reached within 50 days Russia has not wavered from its demands and has continued to shell Ukraine firing off drones and missile attacks that have targeted dozens of cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/erdogan-to-talk-with-putin-trump-over-summit-on-ukraine-628074.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 08:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-meets-members-of-different-political-parties-in-maldives-628108.html Male July 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with members of several political parties of the Maldives on Saturday He noted that the participation of leaders across the political spectrum emphasises the bipartisan support for the strong and timetested friendship between the two nations External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials were present during the meetingHad a meaningful meeting with members of different political parties of the Maldives The participation of leaders across the political spectrum underscores the bipartisan support for the strong and timetested IndiaMaldives friendship Our shared values continue to guide this important partnership PM Modi posted on XEarlier in the day PM Modi held a meeting with Maldives former President Mohamed Nasheed on Saturday and assured him of New Delhis support for Male through capacity building and developmental cooperationPM Modi stated that Nasheed has always been a strong advocate of deeper friendship between India and the MaldivesIn a post shared on X PM Modi stated Met the former President of Maldives Mr Mohamed Nasheed He has always been a strong advocate of a deeper IndiaMaldives friendship Spoke about how the Maldives will always be a valued pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy and Mahasagar vision India will keep supporting the Maldives through capacity building and developmental cooperationPM Modi also met Peoples Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla and expressed Indias commitment to supporting capacity building in the Maldives PM Modi termed the formation of the IndiaMaldives Parliamentary Friendship Group in the 20th Majlis a welcome step for bilateral tiesMet Mr Abdul Raheem Abdulla Speaker of the Peoples Majlis Talked about the deeprooted IndiaMaldives friendship including the close relationship between our respective Parliaments The formation of the IndiaMaldives Parliamentary Friendship Group in the 20th Majlis is a welcome step for bilateral ties India remains committed to supporting capacity building in the Maldives PM Modi posted on XPM Modi held a meeting with the Maldives Vice President Mohamed Latheef on Saturday During the meeting the two leaders spoke about key pillars of the IndiaMaldives friendshipFollowing the meeting PM Modi in a post on X wrote Our discussion touched upon key pillars of the IndiaMaldives friendship Our nations continue to work closely in sectors like infrastructure technology climate change energy and more This is greatly beneficial to our people We look forward to deepening this partnership in the years to comePM Modi arrived in the Maldives on Friday for a twoday state visit after concluding his visit to the UK This is Prime Minister Modis third visit to the Maldives he had visited the Maldives in 2018 and 2019 earlier and the first by a Head of State or Government to the Maldives during the Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu which began in November 2023During PM Modis visit to Male at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu several agreements across diverse sectors were signed on Friday which reaffirmed the bilateral partnership between India and Maldives the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said in a statementPM Modi and President Muizzu also jointly released commemorative stamps to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives The two leaders also virtually inaugurated a roads and drainage system project in Addu city and six High Impact Community Development Projects in other cities Prime Minister Modi handed over 3300 social housing units and 72 vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force MNDF and Immigration authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-meets-members-of-different-political-parties-in-maldives-628108.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/flurry-of-isi-backed-meetings-paved-way-of-visa-free-entry-between-pakistan-and-bangladesh-628141.html Bengaluru July 26 The decision by Pakistan and Bangladesh to allow visafree entry for those holding diplomatic and official passports is a worrying sign for India This decision by the two countries is a result of the immense push that the ISI made to see this deal through A visafree entry for officials with diplomatic and official passports would mean free entry without any major scrutiny There would be less oversight and this perfectly works for the ISI since it can send in its officials to Bangladesh without any scrutinySince the ouster of Sheikh Hasina the ISI has made Bangladesh its playground Pakistan has been sending in JaisheMohammad and LashkareTayiba cadres to train terror operatives in BangladeshThe ISIs longterm plan is to bleed India on two fronts While India faces terror from Pakistan along the Line of Control LoC the ISI wants to create a similar issue along the IndoBangladesh borderAfter Muhammad Yunus took over as the interim chief of the caretaker government there has been a massive policy shift The country has given a free pass to the ISI and Pakistan Army while also leaning more towards China and TurkeySince Yunus took over he has not only eased visa norms for the Pakistanis but also opened up the sea route This changed scenario is beneficial for Pakistan as it can move its operatives with very little or no scrutinyIntelligence agencies and officials say that these decisions were taken following the insistence of the ISI and the Pakistan Army Both are known to have used their serving officers to train terrorists in various camps in Pakistan and Pakistanoccupied KashmirTake the example of Sajid Mir When the Mumbai 2611 attacks Sajid Mir then a serving ISI officer was the handler Pakistan had also used its officials in the navy and army to train the ten terrorists who struck at MumbaiWhile these activities took place in Pakistan where these officials did not need documentation to travel the case relating to Bangladesh is differentThe latest decision to allow visafree travel for those holding diplomatic and official passports gives the ISI and army easy access to Bangladesh For these officials travel to Bangladesh would be similar to travelling within their own countryThe new decision was made during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Lieutenant General retired Jahangir Alam Chowdhury in DhakaHowever in the runup to this decision the ISI and DGFI had worked up a plan which led to the signing of this dealBefore this decision the ISI had sent four top members to Dhaka The ISI team that visited Dhaka was headed by Director General of Analysis Major General Shahid Amir Afsar He along with his officials pushed the Bangladesh administration to ease visa norms so that their officials could visit the country without much scrutinyYunus on the other hand was not left with much choice since all the decisions in Dhaka are made by the JamaateIslami which is a puppet of Pakistan Yunus is in power courtesy of students protests against Hasina in which the Islamic Chhatra Shibir the student wing of the Jamaat took the lead Hence he has no option but to listen to the Jamaat which is a banned terror organisation in IndiaDuring their January visit the ISI delegation travelled across Bangladesh and even held a meeting with the three service chiefs The issue relating to easing of visa norms was also taken up in April at a meeting of the DGFI and an ISI official that was held in SpainBoth the DGFI and ISI have been in cahoots since the 1971 war It was after that war that the two agencies decided to undertake a massive illegal immigration infiltration drive to change the demographics in India and also create communal troubleHowever this relationship had been muted for long owing to the various democratically elected leaders who ruled Bangladesh Many leaders had decided to keep Pakistan at an arms length and it was most successful under Sheikh HasinaHowever with her ouster all those dynamics have changed and Pakistan wants to create a pre1971 BangladeshIndia is watching closely as these decisions directly affect security along the eastern and northeastern border which have for long been targets of terror groups from Bangladesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/flurry-of-isi-backed-meetings-paved-way-of-visa-free-entry-between-pakistan-and-bangladesh-628141.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/closely-monitoring-situation-along-cambodia-thailand-border-india-628154.html Phnom PenhNew Delhi July 26 India on Saturday said that it continues to closely monitor the situation along the border between Cambodia and Thailand in view of the ongoing violent clashes in the region We are closely monitoring the situation along the border between Cambodia and Thailand India has close and friendly relations with both countries and hopes that both sides will take measures for a cessation of hostilities and prevention of further escalation stated Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir JaiswalIndian travellers in the region he said may contact the respective Indian Embassies in the two countries for any assistanceEarlier in the day the Indian Embassy in Cambodia advised Indians to avoid travelling to the border areas due to the ongoing clashes It also asked Indians to contact the Embassy in case of any emergencyIn a statement released on X the Indian Embassy in Cambodia stated In view of the ongoing clashes at the CambodiaThailand border Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to the border areas In case of any emergency Indian nationals may approach the Embassy of India Phnom PenhThe Indian Embassys advisory came as tensions remained high along the ThailandCambodia border The militaries of both nations have claimed inflicting significant damage on each sideOn Saturday a Cambodian defence spokesperson said that at least 13 people have died and 71 others were injured in Cambodia in border clashes As per the Thai media the border clashes continued for the third day on Saturday after the Cambodian side opened fire at Thai soldiersWhile addressing a press briefing Cambodian Defence Ministrys Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Maly Socheata said Five Cambodian soldiers were killed and 21 others were wounded Socheata said Also eight civilians died and 50 others were injured in Oddar Meanchey provinceThe Cambodian Ministry of National Defence said the Thai army on Saturday expanded its military attacks to another Cambodian province PursatIn response to Cambodias new attack the Thai Navy launched Trat Strike 1 operation and successfully pushed back the Cambodian incursion at three key points according to the Thai Ministry of Defence spokespersons office statement on SaturdayThe Thai Navy also dispatched a task force of four vessels to support the operation in Trat and provide fire support to ground forces the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand reported on Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/closely-monitoring-situation-along-cambodia-thailand-border-india-628154.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 21:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-guard-of-honour-in-maldives--627976.html Male July 25 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Republic Square in Male on Friday as he began his official engagements during a twoday State Visit to the country Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was also present on the occasionnbspnbspChildren performed dance to welcome PM Modi at the venue and the ceremonial welcome was followed by a meeting between the two leadersnbspEarlier in the day in a special gesture President Muizzu welcomed PM Modi at the airport in Male as he arrived from the United Kingdom Maldives Foreign Minister Defence Minister Finance Minister and Minister of Homeland Security were also present at the airport to welcome PM ModiPM Modi said that he is deeply touched by Muizzus gesture of coming to the airport to receive him He expressed confidence that the ties between two nations will scale new heights of progress in the coming timesnbspLanded in Male Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to come to the airport to welcome me I am confident that IndiaMaldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come PM Modi posted on XnbspPM Modi will participate in the countrys 60th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on Saturday This is his third visit to the Maldives and notably the first by any head of state or government since Muizzu assumed officeChants of Vande Mataram echoed as PM Modi also interacted with members of the Indian community who had gathered to welcome him Prime Minister Modi met children and gave them autographs on the paintings made by them As part of the vibrant cultural reception children also performed a traditional classical dance upon PMs arrival at the Kurumba Village ResortnbspAfter meeting PM Modi a child said I painted this with the help of my mother Honestly I didnt believe he would actually give his autograph But when he signed it it was such an overwhelming feeling I was so excited I just started dancingnbspPM Modi shared glimpses of his interaction with Indian community members on X In a post on X PM Modi wrote The Indian diaspora plays a crucial role in furthering friendship between India and the Maldives Happy to have interacted with members of the diaspora and I thank them for the warm welcomeEarlier Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that PM Modis visit will not only contribute further to consolidating strong ties between the two nations but also enhance peace prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean Region IORnbspThe relationship with the Maldives is comprehensive and multifaceted Its been paid attention to by leadership at the highest levels and we believe that this visit by the Prime Minister will contribute further to consolidating these strong ties and contribute to peace prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean Region that both of us inhabit Foreign Secretary Misri stated during a special media briefing ahead of PM Modis twonation visitThe two leaders will also take stock of the progress in the implementation of the IndiaMaldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership adopted during the State Visit of the President of Maldives to India in October 2024nbspWe have always been the first on hand to respond to the needs of Maldives in times whenever it has faced crisis natural or manmade There has been a robust political relationship which has been bolstered by regular visits at highlevels said MisrinbspThis joint vision in a sense has become the guiding framework for our ties This year already in the first six months we have seen nearly half a dozen ministerial level visits from the Maldives The speaker of the Maldives Parliament visited India In fact the very first engagement this year that the External Affairs Minister held was with the Foreign Minister of Maldives he added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-guard-of-honour-in-maldives--627976.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/maldives-president-watches-in-awe-as-male-reverberates-with-modi-modi-chants-628039.html Male July 25 Chants of Modi Modi and Narendra Modi zindabad echoed through the air as people gathered to greet Prime Minister Narendra Modi with enthusiasm in Male on Friday PM Modi acknowledged their gesture by waving back at the huge crowd which had gathered to welcome him as he inaugurated the newlybuilt Ministry of Defence building in Male along with the Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu A giant portrait of PM Modi also graced the new building of the Maldives Ministry of DefenceIn a post on X PM Modi wrote President Muizzu and I inaugurated a new building of the Ministry of Defence in Malé This is yet another instance of strong IndiaMaldives cooperationPM Modi and Muizzu also released a stamp to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties between two nations PM Modi noted that the ties between two nations are getting stronger with the passage of timeCommemorating a very cherished friendship President Muizzu and I released a stamp to mark 60 years of IndiaMaldives friendship Our ties are getting stronger with the passage of time and are benefitting the people of our nations PM Modi posted on XEarlier PM Modi said that New Delhi takes immense pride in being Males most trusted friend and India has stood with Maldives as first responder in times of need He congratulated the people of Indian Ocean country on the 60th anniversary of its independence and thanked Muizzu for inviting him as the Guest of Honour on this historic occasionMaking a statement to the press along with the Maldives President following their meeting PM Modi said This year India and Maldives are also celebrating 60 years of their diplomatic relations But the roots of our relations are older than history and as deep as the sea The commemorative stamps released today display traditional boats of both nations This reflects that we are not just neighbours but also copassengersIndia is the closest neighbour of Maldives The Maldives holds an important place in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and its MAHASAGAR vision India is proud to be most trusted friend of Maldives Be it a natural disaster or pandemic India has always stood with them as first responders Be it making essential commodities available or handling the economy after Covid India has always worked together For us it is always friendship first he addedPM Modi emphasised that the increasing cooperation between two nations in the defence and security sector is symbol of mutual trust He also spoke about the Defence Ministry Building that is set to be inaugurated and was graced by a giant portrait of PM Modi on FridayMutual cooperation in the field of defence and security is a symbol of our mutual trust The Defence Ministry building which is being inaugurated today is a concrete building of trust It is a symbol of our strong partnership he saidPM Modi announced that India will extend a Line of Credit LoC amounting to USD 565 million to the Indian Ocean archipelago He stated that the two nations have taken several steps to enhance economic partnership He said that India and Maldives will strengthen regional maritime cooperation through the Colombo Security Conclave and also termed climate change a major challenge for both nationsPeace stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region are our shared goals Together through the Colombo Security Conclave we will strengthen regional maritime security Climate change is a major challenge for both our countries We have decided to promote renewable energy and in this sector India will share its experience with the Maldives he saidEarlier in the day PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at the Republic Square in Male as he began his official engagements during a twoday State Visit to the countryIn a special gesture President Muizzu welcomed PM Modi at the airport in Male as he arrived from the United Kingdom Maldives Foreign Minister Defence Minister Finance Minister and Minister of Homeland Security were also present at the airport to welcome PM Modi IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/maldives-president-watches-in-awe-as-male-reverberates-with-modi-modi-chants-628039.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-pabitra-margherita-arrives-in-south-africa-for-g20-meeting-627855.html Johannesburg July 24 Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita arrived at Kruger National Park in South Africas Mpumalanga on Thursday to attend G20 Development Ministers Meeting Margherita stated that he is looking forward to meaningful engagements with stakeholders from G20 members and invited nations to discuss key development issues faced by the world The G20 Development Working Group Ministerial Meeting is scheduled to take place at Kruger National Park on July 2425 South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from December 1 2024 to November 30 2025 The theme for South Africas G20 Presidency is Solidarity Equality SustainabilityThe G20 comprises 19 countries Argentina Australia Brazil Canada China France Germany India Indonesia Italy Japan the Republic of Korea Mexico Russia Saudi Arabia South Africa Turkiye the United Kingdom and the United States the European Union and the African Union The African Union became a part of the G20 grouping during Indias Presidency in 2023In a post shared on X Margherita stated Arrived at Kruger National Park Mpumalanga South Africa to attend G20 Development Ministers Meeting under the South African G20 Presidency Looking forward to meaningful engagements with stakeholders from G20 members and invited countries to discuss key development issues facing the worldMargherita arrived in Mpumalanga after concluding his visit to Lesotho On Tuesday he called on Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane and held discussions on deepening bilateral cooperation across many sectorsHonoured to call on the Prime Minister of Lesotho Right Honble Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane Conveyed greetings from PM Shri narendramodi ji Had meaningful discussions on deepening IndiaLesotho bilateral cooperation across key sectors Margherita posted on XPabitra Margherita on Monday held discussions with Lesothos Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lejone Mpotjoan on expanding the multifaceted bilateral relationship He also met the Indian diaspora in the landlocked Southern African nation appreciating their valuable contributions towards deepening peopletopeople connections and cultural ties between the two countriesPleased to meet the vibrant Indian diaspora in Lesotho Grateful for their warm welcome and their contributions in strengthening the peopletopeople and cultural ties between India and Lesotho Margherita posted on XThe MoS was on Sunday warmly received by Thabang Lekhela Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho on his arrival in the city of Maseru of the African Kingdom He reached Lesotho after concluding a successful visit to Eswatini IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/mos-pabitra-margherita-arrives-in-south-africa-for-g20-meeting-627855.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/took-over-two-decades-to-finalise-historic-uk-fta-credit-goes-to-pm-modi-commerce-minister-627857.html London July 24 Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that it took over two decades to finalise this historic FTA with the UK After Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave it a momentum in 2021 brought it back into focus and committed to getting it done India started working on it consistently and we can see the positive results today the minister told IANS here on the sidelines of the IndiaUK talksThis is historic in itself It took over two decades to finalise this FTA But when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave it momentum in 2021 brought it back into focus and committed to getting it done India started working on it consistently he told IANSIn the UK several governments came and went but the discussions continued without interruption I believe this agreement will open immense opportunities in India for our farmers MSMEs and small entrepreneurs Goyal addedGoyal congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the people of India and the United Kingdom on the signing of the landmark IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETADutyfree access for about 99 per cent of Indian exports unlocks nearly 23 billion in opportunities for labourintensive sectors marking a new era for inclusive and genderequitable growth said the ministerAccording to Goyal CETA is a winwin for the governments flagship initiatives like Make in India and Vocal for Local as it drives job creation and strengthens Indias strategic position in global tradeThe FTA was inked by Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds after negotiations concluded earlier this yearThis deal will transform the lives of artisans weavers and dailywage earners employed in sectors such as textiles leather footwear gems and jewellery toys and marine products Goyal highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/took-over-two-decades-to-finalise-historic-uk-fta-credit-goes-to-pm-modi-commerce-minister-627857.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-concludes-landmark-uk-visit-departs-for-maldives-627860.html London July 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his landmark visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday marking a significant step forward in IndiaUK trade and economic relations The visit included the signing of the IndiaUK Free Trade Agreement and highlevel engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation The Prime Minister departed for the second leg of his foreign tour heading to the Maldives Taking to social media platform X Ministry of External affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said A landmark visit to UK concludes elevating the IndiaGreat Britain trade and economic ties to new heights PM narendramodi emplanes for the second leg of his tour MaldivesThe Prime Minister will undertake a state visit to the island nation from July 25 to 26 at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed MuizzuDuring his visit Prime Minister Modi will be taking part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives as the Guest of Honour He is also visiting on the 60th anniversary of IndiaMaldives diplomatic relationsConcluding a very important UK visit The outcomes of this visit will benefit our future generations and contribute to shared growth and prosperity Gratitude to the PM Keir Starmer the UK government and people for their warmth Here are highlights from the visit PM Modi said in a post on XEarlier on Thursday Prime Minister Modi met King Charles III at Sandringham house in the United Kingdom The Prime Minister presented King Charles with a tree sapling to be planted later this year inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothersThe meeting also reflected the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countriesTaking to X PM Modi wrote His Majesty King Charles III is very passionate about nature environment and sustainable living Thus his joining the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam a tree for Mother movement is very noteworthy and will inspire people around the worldHad a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III We discussed different aspects of IndiaUK relations including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035 Other subjects of discussion included education health and wellness particularly Yoga and Ayurveda which are subjects His Majesty is very passionate about We also talked about environmental protection and sustainability PM Modi wrote on X in another social media postThe Prime Minister shared his happiness at the recovery of King Charles health and resumption of his royal duties the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press statement Prime Minister Modi and King Charles discussed matters related to health and sustainable living including Ayurveda and Yoga and ways to spread their benefits to people across the worldThe two leaders also discussed bilateral ties They noted that the signing of the historic IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement would impart a new momentum to the partnership Prime Minister Modi thanked the King for joining the green campaign Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam plant for mother and handed over a sapling that will be planted in Sandringham House during the upcoming planting season in autumnThe Prime Minister thanked King Charles for his hospitality and invited him to pay a State Visit to IndiaThe visit came following the PM Modis engagements in the UK where he oversaw the signing of the IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade AgreementDuring his visit to the UK from July 23 to July 24 Prime Minister Modi met with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer at Chequers the country residence of the Prime MinisterThe two Prime Ministers also welcomed the signing of the landmark IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA which raised the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new levelThe deal significantly enhanced bilateral trade investment economic collaborations and job creation in both economiesThe two sides also agreed to negotiate a Double Contribution Convention which will come into effect along with the CETA and will facilitate professionals and the service industry in both countries by promoting competitiveness and reducing the cost of doing business for commercial entitiesThe two leaders also reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship and adopted the IndiaUK Vision 2035 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-concludes-landmark-uk-visit-departs-for-maldives-627860.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-to-seek-alternative-options-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-us-envoy-627877.html Washington July 25 US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff has said that the US will seek alternative options for a ceasefire in Gaza Meanwhile he announced on Thursday that the US negotiating team is returning home from Qatar for consultations upon Hamas latest response which he called selfish Xinhua news agency reportedWe have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza the envoy wrote on social media platform XWe will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza Witkoff saidAt a news briefing on Thursday US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott did not reveal any details on what the alternative options the US is consideringAlso on Thursday Israel decided to recall its Gaza ceasefire negotiating team from Qatars Doha for consultations the Israeli Prime Ministers Office said in a statementThe decision followed Hamas response to the mediators proposal earlier in the day for a 60day ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners it saidIsraels stateowned Kan TV News citing a source close to the negotiations reported that the talks did not collapseThis is a coordinated move between all parties it reported There are fateful decisions that need to be made and that is why the delegation returned for further consultations The momentum is still positiveCiting another source Kan TV News reported that Hamas is among other things demanding the release of 200 Palestinian militants and 2000 Gazan civilians who were detained after October 7 2023 when the Gaza war eruptedAccording to Kan these numbers are much higher than what Israel agreed to in the mediators proposal which includes the release of about 120 militants and another 1200 civilians IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-to-seek-alternative-options-for-ceasefire-in-gaza-us-envoy-627877.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 06:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-recalls-ceasefire-negotiators-for-consultations-after-hamas-response-627882.html Jerusalem July 25 Israel has decided to recall its Gaza ceasefire negotiating team from Qatars Doha for consultations the Israeli Prime Ministers Office said in a statement The decision followed Hamas response to the mediators proposal on Thursday for a 60day ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners it saidWe appreciate the efforts of mediators Qatar and Egypt and the efforts of US envoy Steve Witkoff to bring about a breakthrough in the talks it addedIsraels stateowned Kan TV News citing a source close to the negotiations reported that the talks did not collapseThis is a coordinated move between all parties it reported There are fateful decisions that need to be made and that is why the delegation returned for further consultations The momentum is still positiveCiting another source Kan TV News reported that Hamas is among other things demanding the release of 200 Palestinian militants and 2000 Gazan civilians who were detained after October 7 2023 when the Gaza war eruptedAccording to Kan these numbers are much higher than what Israel agreed to in the mediators proposal which includes the release of about 120 militants and another 1200 civilians Xinhua news agency reportedEarlier on Thursday Hamas said that it had delivered its response along with that of other Palestinian factions to the mediators Netanyahus office confirmed receipt of the response and said it is under review Neither side disclosed the contentsHowever Channel 12 reported that Hamas requested the release of 200 Palestinians serving life sentences for killing Israelis in exchange for 10 living hostages in addition to 2000 Palestinians detained by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 7 2023The original proposal which Israel reportedly accepted included the release of 125 prisoners serving life terms and 1200 others arrested in Gaza since the war beganThe daily Israel Hayom citing unnamed security officials said that the Israeli military is preparing to expand its ground operations in Gaza following Hamas responseSeparately a wellinformed source told the same outlet that the return of the Israeli negotiating team from Doha should not be seen as a positive developmentOn the contrary the source said claiming that Hamas is placing obstacles in the way of a potential dealTel Aviv estimates that there are 50 hostages 20 of whom are held captive in Gaza More than 10800 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons subjected to torture starvation and medical neglect which has resulted in many deaths according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reportsSince July 6 indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been taking place in Doha mediated by Qatar and Egypt with US support in pursuit of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange dealIsrael has killed more than 59500 Palestinians most of them women and children in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 The military campaign has devastated the enclave collapsed the health system and led to severe food shortages IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-recalls-ceasefire-negotiators-for-consultations-after-hamas-response-627882.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:04:00 +0530