DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:06:19 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/king-charles-iiis-birthday-celebrated-in-bengaluru-ktaka-ministers-attend-event-662934.html Bengaluru Feb 26 Karnataka Ministers MB Patil and MC Sudhakar attended a reception in Bengaluru to mark the birthday of King Charles III highlighting the ties between Karnataka and the UK The event was organised on Thursday by the office of the British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer at the Taj West End and was attended by government officials industry representatives and members of the diplomatic communitySpeaking at the event Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil said Karnataka and the UK share a long history of engagement particularly in industry and investmentHe added that during his recent visit to London he met industrial leaders and encouraged them to invest in KarnatakaPatil noted that several British companies have established operations in the state and are contributing to its economic activityHe also said discussions were held with representatives of academic institutions including the Imperial College London and the University of LiverpoolHe added that British companies and universities are expected to participate in the proposed Knowledge Wellbeing and Innovation KWIN City project near Dabaspet which is aimed at creating opportunities for youthMinister for Higher Education MC Sudhakar said Karnataka maintains cooperation with the United Kingdom in higher education through twinning programmes that facilitate student exchanges and academic collaborationHe added that 30 students are benefiting from the programme this year similar to last year enabling them to pursue studies abroadSudhakar added that the state government is focusing on skill development and international academic partnerships to expand global opportunities for students from KarnatakaKing Charles III was born on November 14 1948 at Buckingham Palace in London England He is the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh His birth occurred during the reign of his grandfather King George VISince founding the Princes Trust in 1976 using his Â7500 of severance pay from the Royal Navy King Charles III has established 16 more charitable organisations and now serves as President of eachKing Charles III has been known to donate his blood to raise awareness for health causes IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/king-charles-iiis-birthday-celebrated-in-bengaluru-ktaka-ministers-attend-event-662934.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/melania-trump-to-be-first-spouse-of-president-to-preside-over-unsc-662935.html United Nations Feb 27 US First Lady Melania Trump is to preside over a meeting of the Security Council when the US takes over its presidency for the month SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterresâs Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday that this would be the first time that the spouse of a president takes the gavel at a session of the Council He said that UnderSecretaryGeneral Rosemary DiCarlo will brief the Council session that will deal with education The First Ladyâs office said she will preside over a session that will discuss education technology and advancing tolerance Melania Trump a former model who was born in Slovenia is the third wife of Trump As First Lady she has promoted initiatives focusing on children One of them is the Be Best campaign that seeks to protect children against cyberbullying and to promote responsible social media use and their health She has also campaigned to improve the educational and career prospects of children raised in foster care US Permanent Representative Michael Waltz said that her leading the session meshed with her advocacy for children He told Fox News that it is fitting that the first lady a passionate and tireless advocate for children will preside over the first day of Americaâs presidency of the Security Councilâ âHer message of helping the helpless through education and technology fits exactly with our mission at the UN to achieve meaningful and lasting peaceâ he added On Sunday the US will take over the rotating presidency of the Council for March from the United Kingdom and its first session will be on Monday Trump who has had harsh words for the UN saying it is not living up to its potential has lately moderated his criticism even as he claimed last week that the Board of Peace would âalmost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properlyâ The Board was set up with the concurrence of the Council to ensure the ceasefire takes hold in Gaza and to facilitate its reconstruction However Trump is trying to give it an openended agenda beyond the Councilâs mandate But Trump also said that the UN has âtremendous potentialâ and there are âsome very good people at the United Nationsâ and offered help to strengthen it After withholding the US dues to the UN of about 4 billion Trump released 160 million last week towards the arrears for last year Dujarric said Melania Trump presiding over the session is a âsign of the importance that the US feels towards the subject of education and children and the Security Councilâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/melania-trump-to-be-first-spouse-of-president-to-preside-over-unsc-662935.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-to-protect-its-interests-in-trade-deal-with-us-amid-evolving-situation-piyush-goyal-662997.html New Delhi Feb 27 IANS Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that India would go in for a rebalancing of the proposed trade agreement with the United States if required to protect its interests in view of the changed situation following the US Supreme Court annulling the tariff hikes announced earlier by the Donald Trump administrationnbspGiven the evolving situation on US tariffs we will wait and watch and ensure Indias best interests are protected Goyal said at a media event hereIts an evolving situation The Trump administration has made some comments they have other tools that they can use Next week they can increase tariffs to 15 per cent Various dialogues are going on I had said that if the circumstances change the deal will be rebalancedThe minister pointed out that the IndiaUS joint statement says that should circumstances change the deal will be rebalancedHe further stated that bilateral trade discussions with the United States are continuing amid the changing situationIn an oblique reference to President Trumps announcements after the Supreme Court verdict Goyal said There are many tools that the Trump administration can use in this evolving situation one of them is the move to levy a 10 per cent tariffGoyal was optimistic about the outcome of the trade deal with the US There are so many positives in the US deal let us see how the situation moves forward International trade deal is about competitive advantage he remarkedHe reiterated that sensitive dairy and farm sectors have been protected in the proposed arrangementNo GM foods will come into India Dairy maize soybean and poultry are exempt from the US trade deal We have preserved the interests of farmers dairy The deal preserves our interests the minister saidHe further stated that despite the global headwinds Indias exports are poised to increase this yearIndia and Washington have decided to reschedule the official meeting over the interim bilateral trade agreement so that both sides can factor in the implications of the US Supreme Court judgment striking down the Trump administrations tariff hikesA threeday meeting between teams headed by the chief trade negotiators of the two countries was earlier slated to take place in the US on February 23 A decision will be taken to fix a new date for the meeting that is convenient for both sidesIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-to-protect-its-interests-in-trade-deal-with-us-amid-evolving-situation-piyush-goyal-662997.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/accept-medal-of-the-knesset-with-humility-pm-modi-662804.html Tel Aviv Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that he accepts the Medal of the Knesset with utmost humility and gratitudeâ Israels Parliament the Knesset conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal on PM Modi making him the firstever recipient of this prestigious award âKnesset Speaker Amir Ohana presented the medal to PM Modi immediately after his address to the lawmakers in Jerusalem ââThis honour is not a tribute to an individual but to the enduring friendship between India and Israelâ PM Modi wrote on XâThe Knesset citation highlighted PM Modis role in deepening bilateral ties across defence technology agriculture innovation and economic cooperation ââI am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Knessetâ said PM Modi âThe honour described as the highest recognition bestowed by the Knesset acknowledges PM Modis exceptional personal leadership in significantly strengthening and elevating the strategic partnership between India and Israel ââI accept it with humility and gratitudeâ PM Modi informed on XâThe Prime Minister also said that Israelâs highest award reflects the shared values that guide our two nationsâThe award comes at a time when PM Modi is on a visit to Israel where he delivered a historic speech to the Knesset the first by an Indian Prime Minister receiving a standing ovation from members âIn his remarks he expressed gratitude for the honour calling it a recognition of the enduring friendship between the two democracies âThis distinction adds to PM Modis rare global stature as he remains one of the few leaders honoured at the highest level by both Israel and Palestine IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/accept-medal-of-the-knesset-with-humility-pm-modi-662804.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/canadian-pm-carney-to-embark-on-india-visit-today-focus-on-elevating-bilateral-ties-662809.html Ottawa Feb 26 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to begin a visit to India on Thursday in what is being seen as a significant reset in bilateral relations between the two countries The visit marks the first official trip to India by a Canadian prime minister since relations became strained during the previous administration signalling a renewed push to stabilise and strengthen diplomatic and economic engagementAccording to a statement issued by the Canadian Prime Ministers Office Carney will commence his India tour in Mumbai where he is expected to meet leading business figures He will subsequently travel to New Delhi for highlevel discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 2The leaders will focus on elevating and expanding the CanadaIndia relationship with ambitious new partnerships in trade energy technology and artificial intelligence AI talent and culture and defence He will meet with business leaders to identify investment opportunities in Canada and create new partnerships between businesses in both nations the statement released on Monday saidThe statement further underscored Canadas economic strengths asserting Canada has what the world wants abundant energy critical minerals expertise in technology and worldclass talent In a changing world we are investing in our strength diversifying our trade and cultivating a dense web of new connections throughout the world to build Canada strongThe Canadian PMO highlighted that India is the worlds fastestgrowing major economy and a powerhouse in global commerce and technology India was Canadas seventhlargest goods and services trading partner in 2024 with twoway trade reaching 308 billionPM Modi met Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last November where he noted that India has set a target of 50 billion USD by 2030 for bilateral trade between the two countriesPrime Minister Modi mentioned that India and Canada have great potential in strengthening trade and investment linkagesWe have set a target of 50 billion USD by 2030 for our bilateral trade Canadian Pension Funds are also showing keen interest in Indian companies he posted on X after the meetingEarlier this month Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in GermanyIn an official press release the Government of Canada stated This marks the fifth meeting between the ministers since September 2025 reflecting the growing momentum in the CanadaIndia relationship building on more than 75 years of diplomatic relations and strong peopletopeople ties The ministers discussed deepening cooperation in several areas including energy technology and tradeHighlighting Indias expanding global role the Canadian government noted As one of the worlds most dynamic and growing economies Minister Anand noted Indias importance as a partner for Canada The Ministers affirmed the shared technological benefits and significant partnership opportunities for both countries businesses industries and workersBoth sides underscored the substantive progress made on the joint road map for CanadaIndia relations and reiterated their commitment to strengthening ties through the implementation of road map priorities as well as expanding and diversifying CanadaIndia trade in support of economic resilience and stabilityEAM Jaishankar said that he had a fruitful conversation with his Canadian counterpart with both ministers discussing further strengthening of the bilateral ties in various sectorsFollowing the completion of his engagements in India Carney will proceed to Australia before travelling onward to Japan continuing his broader diplomatic outreach in the IndoPacific region IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/canadian-pm-carney-to-embark-on-india-visit-today-focus-on-elevating-bilateral-ties-662809.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/jaishankar-calls-for-overarching-approach-to-human-rights-rather-than-polemics-662858.html United Nations Feb 26 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for an overarching approach to human rights that includes development and capacitybuilding leading to âtangible improvements in the daily lives of the most vulnerableâ and confronting terrorism rather than engaging in polemics of âpoliticisation selectivity or double standardsâ Speaking through a video link to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday he said âIn a world marred by conflict polarisation and uncertainty India seeks to find and expand common groundâ âWe have consistently underlined dialogue over confrontation consensus over division and humancentric development over narrow interestsâ he said For the UN and Human Rights Council to fully realise their commitment to human rights they must âadvocate zerotolerance for terrorist actsâ he saidâTerrorism is among the most egregious violations of human rights and there can be no justification especially when innocent lives are targetedâ he said India was elected for the seventh time to the Human Rights Council in October with a pledge to be a âbridgebuilderâ It received an overwhelming mandate with 177 of the 188 votes cast at the General Assembly âOur mandate reflects the trust and expectations of the international community especially of partners in the Global Southâ Jaishankar said âIndia approaches this Council with the conviction that human rights are best advanced through dialogue capacitybuilding and genuine partnerships and not by politicisation selectivity or double standardsâ the EAM said On the Council he said âas the worldâs largest democracy India remains firmly committed to working with all members and observers to promote and protect all human rights for all people on the basis of equality openness and respectâ Indiaâs vision of human rights he said âis rooted in the understanding that the insecurity of any region or the marginalisation of any group eventually undermines the rights and wellbeing of allâ His speech was seeded with implied criticism of the narrow focus on human rights that some Western countries and institutions haveExplaining Indiaâs sweeping view of human rights Jaishankar said âWe speak from our experience as a developing country that has known poverty and external shocks and yet has chosen the path of democracy pluralism and social justiceâ Amid the ongoing debates about technology and human rights and the risks of worsening the global divide Jaishankar declared âTechnology can and must be a force multiplier for human rights not a new fault lineâ Giving the example of Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructure DPI he said the country âhas been investing in developing human capacities at an unprecedented scaleâ This has âenabled hundreds of millions to access welfare benefits financial services and public schemes with transparency and minimal leakageâ and India is sharing its knowhow for the global public good he said Emphasising the importance of development for people to truly enjoy human rights he said âthe devastating impact of pandemic climate change geopolitical tensions and economic stress have exacerbated existing inequitiesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/jaishankar-calls-for-overarching-approach-to-human-rights-rather-than-polemics-662858.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talks-with-us-commerce-secretary-focused-on-boosting-economic-partnership-piyush-goyal-662893.html New Delhi Feb 26 IANS Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he held very fruitful discussions with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to expand trade and economic ties between the two countriesnbspIn a post on social media platform X Goyal said he hosted the US Secretary of Commerce and the US Ambassador in India and engaged in meaningful talks aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic partnershipHe highlighted that the discussions focused on expanding cooperation and deepening engagement between India and the United StatesnbspHosted US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor Engaged in very fruitful discussions to expand our trade and economic partnership Goyal wrote on XnbspThe meeting comes at a time when India has been actively working to enhance its global trade footprint and build stronger economic relationships with key partnersThe government has been pushing for greater market access for Indian businesses and encouraging integration into global value chainsnbspEarlier Goyal had said that India has concluded nine free trade agreements FTAs covering 38 nations giving Indian businesses preferential access to nearly twothirds of global tradenbspHe noted that these agreements are helping Indian goods services agricultural and fisheries products and labourintensive sectors reach new markets while also improving talent mobilityAccording to the minister the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not about isolation but about building resilient trusted and diversified supply chains through global engagementnbspHe has repeatedly called upon entrepreneurs and industry leaders to take global opportunities to MSMEs farmers exporters and fishermen across the countrynbspSpeaking at the 27th edition of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Mumbai recently Goyal had said that Indias growth journey will continue to be driven by its entrepreneurs and youthnbspHe expressed confidence that young India will lead the country through the Amrit Kaal towards becoming a developed economy by 2047IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talks-with-us-commerce-secretary-focused-on-boosting-economic-partnership-piyush-goyal-662893.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-calls-on-israel-president-discusses-ways-to-enhance-cooperation-in-key-sectors-662896.html Jerusalem Feb 26 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel President Isaac Herzog held a meeting on Thursday discussing ways to further enhance cooperation in education startups innovation tech and connectivitynbspPM Modi also planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative and invited Herzog to visit India in the near futureTies of warmth and goodwill PM Narendra Modi calledon the President Isaac Herzog of Israel today PM thanked President Herzog for his steadfast support in strengthening the special IndiaIsrael Partnership Both leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education startups innovation tech and connectivity Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on XPM Narendra Modi planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative PM also extended an invitation to President Herzog to visit India in the near future he addedEarlier in the day Herzog shared a video on X which showed preparations being made for PM Modis welcomeWhile posting the video on X President Herzog wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi the people of Israel welcome you with open arms I look forward to hosting you today in JerusalemPrior to meeting Israeli President PM Modi visited the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem on Thursday laying a wreath at the memorial in memory of the Holocaust victimsPrime Minister Modi was accompanied by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan as he visited the Holocaust Memorial and Museum which perpetuates and documents the HolocaustThe visit included a tour of the Book of Names a monumental installation containing the names of 48 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance Prime Minister Modi also signed the Yad Vashem guest bookThis was PM Modis second visit to Yad Vashem having also visited the memorial in July 2017 during his last visit to the countryPM Modi is currently on a twoday State Visit to Israel He was accorded a grand welcome by Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday Later he addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem the first such address by an Indian Prime Minister at the Israeli parliamentPrior to PM Modis arrival in Israel on Wednesday Herzog stated that people of Israel are looking forward to welcome himPrime Minister Narendra Modi the State of Israel and the people of Israel look forward to welcoming you to Israel he posted on XIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-calls-on-israel-president-discusses-ways-to-enhance-cooperation-in-key-sectors-662896.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-looks-forward-to-welcoming-pm-modi-president-isaac-herzog-662694.html Jerusalem Feb 25 As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his twoday State visit to Israel on Wednesday President Isaac Herzog stated that the people of Israel look forward to welcoming him In a post on X Herzog stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi the State of Israel and the people of Israel look forward to welcoming you to IsraelnbspHis statement came in response to PM Modis departure statement on X where he mentioned that he is looking forward to his engagements with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening cooperation in various sectors and discussing regional and global issues This will be PM Modis second trip to Israel after his 2017 visit which opened new avenues in defence agriculture and water managementIn his departure statement PM Modi stated India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains including science and technology innovation agriculture water management defence and security trade and investment as well as peopletopeople tiesHe said that he will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with the Israeli PM During the visit PM Modi will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and discuss the bilateral issues I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament Knesset an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations he saidThe Prime Minister said that he eagerly looks forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have for long been nurturing the IndiaIsrael special friendship I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries set new goals for the Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for a resilient innovative and prosperous future PM Modi addedOn Sunday PM Modi warmly acknowledged Netanyahus personal tribute during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem where the Israeli PM described PM Modi as a dear friend and hailed his upcoming visit as a milestone in bilateral tiesnbspIn his response to a video posted by Netanyahu on X PM Modi stated Thank you my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel built on trust innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visitNetanyahu had shared a video from the cabinet meeting on X In his remarks to his cabinet Netanyahu termed PM Modis arrival in the country as a historic moment underscoring the strength of the IndiaIsrael alliancenbspHe spoke of a vision to forge a broader axis of nations in the Middle East an alliance of likeminded countries united against radical forces and committed to stability security and technological advancementHighlighting his personal rapport with PM Modi the Israeli PM noted their frequent exchanges and mutual visits calling the Indian leader not just a partner but a personal friendnbspElaborating on PM Modis engagements in Israel Netanyahu said On Wednesday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive He will address the Knesset and I am sure you will all be there We will also hold an innovation event in Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem together I will also note something else a special collaboration We will advance cooperation in hightech AI and quantum I say AI and quantum not because its not the future its the present and we want to be among the worlds leading nations in this field IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/israel-looks-forward-to-welcoming-pm-modi-president-isaac-herzog-662694.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-warns-of-rising-global-risks-as-arms-control-frameworks-weaken-calls-for-strategic-stability-662696.html Geneva Feb 25 IANS India has emphasised the urgent necessity of safeguarding strategic stability and averting a fresh global arms race cautioning that growing geopolitical uncertainties are coinciding with the erosion of key arms control mechanismsnbspAddressing the 2026 HighLevel Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Tuesday local time Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said The recent expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty New START poses a significant setback for global arms control India believes that preserving strategic stability and preventing an arms race remain vital more than ever for global securityHe noted that the HighLevel Segment was being convened amid a profoundly uncertain geopolitical and security environment which was characterised by increasing military spending pressure on established arms control arrangements and rapid technological progress with direct military implicationsnbspIndia as a responsible nuclearweapon state is committed as per its nuclear doctrine to maintaining a credible minimum deterrent and espouses a posture of nofirst use and nonuse against nonnuclearweapon states he addedMisri reiterated Indias longstanding position in favour of universal nondiscriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament through a phased multilateral approachnbspnbspAt the same time he expressed support for negotiations on a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty based on the existing mandate within the Conference on DisarmamentnbspTurning to emerging and disruptive technologies the Foreign Secretary observed that scientific and technological advancements are transforming military capabilities while simultaneously creating new vulnerabilities and areas of competitionnbspHe said India has called for a UN systemwide evaluation of the security implications arising from such technological developmentsnbspOn artificial intelligence he underlined Indias commitment to its responsible deployment in the military spherenbspnbspHuman judgement and oversight in the use of AI in the military domain is essential to mitigate risks and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law he said adding that Delhi has put in place a domestic framework to assess trustworthy AI in defence built around principles such as reliability safety and transparencyHe further clarified that decisions relating to nuclear weapons would remain firmly under human controlnbspThe Foreign Secretary also referred to the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 held in India which adopted the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact and saw participation from over 100 countriesnbspThe Summit stressed the importance of democratising access to artificial intelligence and harnessing it for inclusive development particularly across the Global SouthAddressing concerns over outer space security Misri said outer space should remain a realm for cooperation not conflict and reiterated Indias support for negotiating a legally binding instrument aimed at preventing an arms race in outer spacenbspHe also mentioned Indias hosting of a conference in December 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention as well as capacitybuilding initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the UN Office for Disarmament AffairsThe Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Indias backing for the Conference on Disarmament as the worlds single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum and called on member states to demonstrate political resolve and place collective security above narrower considerationsnbspIndia continues to highlight the need for constructive dialogue and engagement We call on all States to demonstrate the required political will by taking into account the collective security interests of all States Misri addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-warns-of-rising-global-risks-as-arms-control-frameworks-weaken-calls-for-strategic-stability-662696.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/confident-my-visit-will-further-strengthen-india-israel-relations-pm-modi--662709.html New Delhi Feb 25 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Wednesday that he is looking forward to his visit to Israel and expressed confidence that it will further strengthen bilateral tiesnbspI am also looking forward to my visit to Israel I am confident that my visit will further strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries PM Modi posted on X while replying to Israels Leader of Opposition Yair Lapids postWhole Israel is excited to welcome Prime Minister Modi tomorrow He is a true friend of Israel The relationship between Israel and India is not merely a strategic one but a bond of deep friendship between nations Lapid posted in Hindi on X on Tuesday ahead of PM Modis arrival in the country on a twoday State VisitThis is PM Modis second trip to Israel after his 2017 visit which opened new avenues in defence agriculture and water managementPM Modi also termed his visit to Israel as historic In a post on X PM Modi wrote It is indeed a historic visit to Israel Im confident it will add new momentum to the bilateral friendship between our nationsHe made the statement in response to The Jerusalem Post Editor in Chief Zvika Kleins post on X where he shared a picture of the front page of the newspaper published ahead of PM Modis visit to IsraelThe leading daily rolled out a warm and symbolic welcome to PM Modi on its front page with a headline Namaste Two Ancient Nations Open a New Chapter It featured a big photograph of PM Modi accompanied by highlights of Indias expanding partnership with Israel and the evolving strategic ties between the two countriesWhile sharing the picture of the front page of the newspaper on X Klein wrote Namaste We just sent tomorrows paper to print in Jerusalem ahead of PM Narendra Modis historic visit to Israel his first since 2017 This is our special The Jerusalem Post cover for the occasion What do you think If you want to join me in welcoming Modi please like comment and sharePM Modi also acknowledged Israels gesture as its parliament Knesset was illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag on Tuesday night and stated that he is looking forward to address the lawmakersIn a post on X PM Modi stated Honoured by the gesture Looking forward to addressing the Knesset later todayPM Modi made the statement after Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared a picture of the Knesset illuminated in colours of Indian flag While sharing the picture of X Ohana wrote In tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Knesset is illuminated tonight in the colors of the Indian flagIn his departure statement on Wednesday PM Modi stated that he is looking forward to his engagements with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening cooperation in various sectors and discussing regional and global issuesPM Modi stated India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains including science and technology innovation agriculture water management defence and security trade and investment as well as peopletopeople tiesDuring the visit PM Modi will also meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and hold talks on various bilateral issuesI will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament Knesset an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations he saidThe Prime Minister said that he eagerly looks forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have for long been nurturing the IndiaIsrael special friendshipI am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries set new goals for the Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for a resilient innovative and prosperous future PM Modi addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/confident-my-visit-will-further-strengthen-india-israel-relations-pm-modi--662709.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-supreme-court-ruling-may-not-yet-calm-choppy-waters-around-trump-trade-policy-662500.html New Delhi Feb 24 IANS In a little over a year since he took office as the 47th President of the United States on January 20 last year Donald Trump has managed to stir the world order a few times with frequent changes made using two of his favourite words trade and tariffsnbspFirst he introduced a set of reciprocal tariffs last year that forced several countries to scurry for inking trade deals with Washington or agree to negotiations as the dice appeared to be loaded against themAfter the US President tore up the global economic order in 2025 Japan was one among the countries scrambling to strike a deal They pledged to dramatically increase investment in the US in exchange for lower US tariffs on Japanese exports observed the UKs liberalleaning The Guardian newspaperBut two days after Trumps declared victory his bid to reshape international trade suffered a damaging defeat at the US Supreme Court it addedOn February 20 the US Supreme Court in a 63 judgment ruled that President Trump overstepped his authority when he imposed global tariffs using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA The court clarified that IEEPA was designed for national security emergencies not broad trade measures This effectively struck down many of Trumps earlier reciprocal tariffsTrue to his style with contempt towards judges who ruled that much of his tariff regime was illegal Trump soon announced a 10 per cent global tariff then quickly raised it to 15 per cent by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974While it allows the US President to impose this import duty it is a temporary adjustment for a maximum of 150 days This provision is meant to be used to address balanceofpayments deficits and needs to be extended by CongressWith midterm elections looming ahead this year the House may not want to vote in a hurryMeanwhile businesses and trading partners face confusion about what tariffs apply making longterm planning difficult But the dynamics have shifted with allies feeling confident that they can renegotiate a few clausesIndia Brazil and China have been handed significant tariff cuts without making a single compromise The Guardian report said adding that at the same time countries like the UK may now face higher tariffs despite making concessionsNew Delhi has hit the pause button on the ongoing negotiation before an imminent closure of a trade deal Exporters in India are alarmed especially in the textiles chemicals and auto parts sectorsThe European Union too is seeking clarifications after the European Commission had reached an understanding in an initial trade deal with Washington According to reports Brussels wants to consult the WTO and has warned of possible countermeasuresAgricultural exporters in Brazil are reportedly worried about higher costs where President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva while in Delhi urged countries to unite and form collective negotiating blocs for talks with the USMeanwhile President Xi Jinping of China will carry some extra leverage when he sits at the negotiating table across his US counterpart during the latters Beijing visit from March 31 to April 2 Chinas Ministry of Commerce this week said that it has noted the US Supreme Courts ruling and is conducting a comprehensive assessment of its relevant content and impactThe unilateral measures it added such as the imposition of reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl tariffs not only violate international economic and trade rules but also contravene domestic laws of the United States and are not in the interests of any partyTrump may not now be able to push Xi for larger purchases of American soybeans Boeing aircraft and energyChina may go slow on allowing a steady flow of rare earth minerals a crucial component of the American hitech and AIbased manufacturing Some reports are already hinting at Beijing attempting retaliation But that may wait till the XiTrump Beijing summitIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-supreme-court-ruling-may-not-yet-calm-choppy-waters-around-trump-trade-policy-662500.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/guyana-vice-president-lauds-indias-rapid-progress-in-digital-governance-662402.html New Delhi Feb 23 VicePresident C P Radhakrishnan held a meeting with his Guyanese counterpart Bharrat Jagdeo in New Delhi on Monday discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South at international forums including the United Nations Security Council UNSC and the International Tribunal for the Law of the SeaVicePresident of Guyana HE Dr Bharrat Jagdeo called on the VicePresident of India Shri C P Radhakrishnan at Uprashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi today The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen IndiaâGuyana ties across diverse sectors Dr Jagdeo appreciated the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Indiaâs rapid progress in digital governance and financial inclusion through UPI and both sides discussed the possibility of extending similar models to Guyana The Guyanese delegation also expressed interest in Indiaâs eMigrate platform and the ITEC programme the Vice Presidents Office posted on X after the meetingThe VicePresidents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South at international platforms including the UNSC and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Both leaders also shared their mutual passion for cricket and acknowledged Guyanaâs contribution to the game it addedJagdeo arrived in New Delhi last week to attend the AI Impact Summit hosted by India from February 1620 Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai welcomed him at the airport on February 17 Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Jagdeos visit to India will further strengthen the historic and multifaceted bilateral tiesLast month Guyana President Irfaan Ali had extended warm wishes to PM Narendra Modi and people of India on Republic Day He noted that India as worlds largest democracy continues to champion the interests and aspirations of developing states on the global stageOn the occasion of the 77th Republic Day of the Republic of India we extend warm congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of India as they commemorate the adoption of their Constitution and the enduring ideals it enshrines Irfaan Ali had posted on X on January 26Indiaâs freedom struggle and its peaceful transition from colonial rule ignited hope across the developing world inspiring generations of nations to claim their sovereignty and shape their own destinies As the worldâs largest democracy India continues to champion the interests and aspirations of developing states on the global stage he addedPresident Ali stated that Guyana values its bond with India and noted that the ties between two nations have matured into a strong partnership based in mutual respect and cooperation in diverse sectorsGuyana proudly values its deep and historic bonds with India forged through ties of history blood and a common commitment to democracy and development These relations have matured into a strong partnership grounded in mutual respect and cooperation across diverse sectors he posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/guyana-vice-president-lauds-indias-rapid-progress-in-digital-governance-662402.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-visit-israeli-pm-netanyahu-eyes-middle-east-alliance-against-radicals-662257.html JerusalemNew Delhi Feb 22 IANS Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel on February 25 for a twoday official visit marking his second trip to the country since his historic 2017 visitnbspIn remarks during Israels weekly Cabinet meeting earlier on Sunday and shared via posts on social media platform X from official channels Israeli PM Netanyahu described the upcoming engagement as a key expression of the special relationship forged in recent years between Israel and India and what he called the global power that is IndiaOn Wednesday the Prime Minister of India my friend Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel In the vision I see before my eyes we will create a complete system of alliances around or within the Middle East An axis of countries that see reality the challenges and the goals with one eye facing the radical axis the Israeli Prime Minister saidNetanyahu emphasised the personal friendship between him and PM Modi noting that they speak frequently via phone and visit each otherWe are personal friends the Israeli PM said highlighting the warmth in bilateral ties between the two countriesIsraeli PM Netanyahu outlined his vision for the visit as advancing a broader strategic frameworkHe envisions building a comprehensive alliance system described as a hexagon of alliances in and around the Middle East uniting likeminded nations to collectively address regional challenges and counter radical forcesWe have a unique alliance and in my opinion also a historic one with the US both statetostate and my personal relations with President Trump This alliance does not mean that we are not seeking additional alliances on the contrary we are constantly nurturing them Netanyahu saidThe visit he said would contribute to tightening such alliances while deepening cooperation between Israel and India in economic diplomatic and security spheresThe agenda for PM Modis February 2526 visit includes his addressing the Knesset Israels Parliament in the afternoon a joint visit to Yad Vashem the Holocaust memorial with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and participation in an innovation event in Jerusalem focused on hightech collaboration particularly in areas like artificial intelligence quantum computing and other emerging technologiesThis foreign visit comes nearly nine years after PM Modis landmark 2017 visit the first by any Indian Prime Minister to Israel which elevated ties in defence agriculture water management and innovationNetanyahus reciprocal visit to India in 2018 further solidified the bilateral partnershipAmid ongoing Middle East tensions PM Modis visit underscores Indias strategic recalibration and growing convergence with Israel on counterterrorism defence supplies and technology sharingThe discussions are expected to cover expanding trade defence deals cybersecurity and regional stabilityThe announcement has drawn attention amid Israels domestic political dynamics with some Opposition leaders raising procedural concerns about the Knesset addressThe visit is seen as reinforcing the tremendous alliance between the two democracies with both sides keen to elevate cooperation against common threats and foster mutual growthIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-visit-israeli-pm-netanyahu-eyes-middle-east-alliance-against-radicals-662257.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 22:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/brazilian-president-lula-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-662084.html New Delhi Feb 21 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Saturday President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the Brazilian President upon his arrivalLater in the day PM Modi and the Brazilian President will hold a bilateral meeting discussing ways to further strengthen the partnership between the two Global South nationsBoth leaders would be reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations The Prime Minister is scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary The two leaders would also be exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral fora reformed multilateralism global governance and issues concerning the Global South the Ministry of External Affairs MEA had stated earlierDuring the February 1822 State Visit President Lula participated in the 2nd AI Impact SummitPresident Droupadi Murmu will also host a banquet in his honour Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar are envisaged to call on President LulaPresident Lula is accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies The accompanying ministers would be having meetings with their Indian counterparts The CEOs are expected to participate in a Business Forum being organised during the visit of the Brazilian President reflecting the growing trade and commercial engagements between the two countriesThis is the sixth visit of President Lula to India He had first visited India in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations and last visited India for the G20 Summit in September 2023 Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula have however been meeting frequently in between It may be recalled that Prime Minister Modi was in Brasilia on a State Visit from 78 July 2025 which was the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years Both leaders also met in Johannesburg during the G20 in November 2025 the MEA statedIndia and Brazil share a warm close and multifaceted Strategic Partnership rooted in shared democratic values close peopletopeople ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors The two large democracies have been Strategic Partners since 2006Brazil is Indias largest trading partner in LAC region and bilateral engagement has continued to deepen in areas such as trade and investment defence energy agriculture health and pharmaceuticals energy including renewables critical minerals rare earth materials science and technology and innovation including in cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and AI space and peopletopeople linkages The two countries share common views on various international issues including UN reforms climate change and combating terrorismThe MEA highlighted that the State Visit of President Lula will provide an opportunity for both sides to chart a forwardlooking agenda for further strengthening bilateral Strategic Partnership and further deepen cooperation across bilateral regional and global platforms on issues of mutual interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/brazilian-president-lula-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-662084.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-brazilian-prez-lula-discusses-advancing-strategic-partnership-662085.html New Delhi Feb 21 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Saturday called on Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and discussed ways to advance the Strategic Partnership between the two nations Later in the day PM Modi and the Brazilian President will hold a bilateral meeting The EAM expressed confidence that the Brazilian Presidents engagements with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day would impart a new momentum to the bilateral ties Following the meeting EAM Jaishankar took to X and said Honoured to call on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil visiting India on a State Visit Deeply appreciate his warm sentiments and guidance on advancing our Strategic Partnership Confident that his meetings with PM Narendra Modi later today will impart a new momentum to our ties he addedEarlier the Ministry of External Affairs MEA had stated Both leaders would be reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations The Prime Minister is scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary The two leaders would also be exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral fora reformed multilateralism global governance and issues concerning the Global South President Lula arrived in India on February 18 for the 2nd AI Impact SummitHe is accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies The accompanying ministers would be having meetings with their Indian counterpartsThis is the sixth visit of President Lula to India He had first visited India in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations and last visited India for the G20 Summit in September 2023 Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula have however been meeting frequently in between It may be recalled that Prime Minister Modi was in Brasilia on a State Visit from 78 July 2025 which was the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years Both leaders also met in Johannesburg during the G20 in November 2025 the MEA statedIndia and Brazil share a warm close and multifaceted Strategic Partnership rooted in shared democratic values close peopletopeople ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors The two large democracies have been Strategic Partners since 2006Brazil is Indias largest trading partner in LAC region and bilateral engagement has continued to deepen in areas such as trade and investment defence energy agriculture health and pharmaceuticals energy including renewables critical minerals rare earth materials science and technology and innovation including in cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and AI space and peopletopeople linkages The two countries share common views on various international issues including UN reforms climate change and combating terrorismThe MEA highlighted that the State Visit of President Lula will provide an opportunity for both sides to chart a forwardlooking agenda for further strengthening bilateral Strategic Partnership and further deepen cooperation across bilateral regional and global platforms on issues of mutual interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-brazilian-prez-lula-discusses-advancing-strategic-partnership-662085.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/bihar-keeping-pace-with-technology-sanjay-kumar-jha-as-uk-ai-minister-visits-patna-662093.html New Delhi Feb 21 Kanishka Narayan the UKâs AI Minister received a warm welcome in Patna on Saturday during his visit to Bihar after more than two decades Sanjay Kumar Jha JDU MP welcomed the visiting minister at his residence in Patna and highlighted the significance of his visit for the stateâs technological aspirations Speaking to IANS Sanjay Kumar Jha said Since he is from Bihar and serves as a minister in the AI department in UK he is familiar with all these matters Today everything has become global and Bihar is keeping pace especially in the field of technologyJha further noted Kanishka Narayan is the AI Minister in the United Kingdom and a UK citizen originally from Muzaffarpur He is visiting Muzaffarpur after 23 years In the afternoon he is scheduled to meet officials of the Bihar government and there might be collaboration in AI with London some talks might happen on that as wellâNarayan reflecting on his return to his birthplace said I was born here and so Im back after more than 20 years You can see a huge amount of progress here We are chasing the future of technology thats what were trying to do in the UK with AI as well so its a real personal pleasure to be here in BiharHis visit is seen as symbolically significant bridging his roots in Bihar with his current role in shaping the UKs AI strategy Discussions during the visit are expected to explore potential cooperation in AI development research and innovationEarlier on Friday speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi Narayan described the ongoing discussions as highly significant The summit has been deeply impactful the Minister stated recognising the value of this global gathering in shaping the future of AINarayan emphasised that the UKIndia relationship in the digital domain rests on mutual understanding and aligned strategic priorities He highlighted the parallel paths both nations are taking in the regulation and responsible deployment of AIThe UK and India have shared values and AI trajectory as well he remarked pointing to the clear synergy in their approaches to the technologys evolutionExpressing strong personal interest in advancing ties Narayan concluded I am very keen on collaborations with India as we have a lot to do together IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/bihar-keeping-pace-with-technology-sanjay-kumar-jha-as-uk-ai-minister-visits-patna-662093.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/namaste-india-ive-arrived-for-another-visit-with-an-important-agenda-brazilian-president--661831.html New Delhi Feb 18 IANS Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who arrived in New Delhi Wednesday afternoon to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi shared a video on his social media profile showcasing the grand traditional welcome he got upon his arrival in the Indian capitalnbspnbspNamaste India Ive arrived for another visit with an important agenda strengthening ties deepening partnerships and discussing the future of artificial intelligence in the world We continue working to build more cooperation innovation and opportunities between our countries the visiting leader posted on X after he was accorded a traditional welcome at the hotelEarlier Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita welcomed the Brazilian President upon his arrival at the Delhi airportDuring his visit President Lula will be participating in the IndiaAI Impact Summit PM Narendra Modi will also hold bilateral meeting with President Lula India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship elevated to Strategic Partnership and rooted in a common global vision shared democratic values and commitment to inclusive growth President Lulas visit will impart strong momentum to IndiaBrazil partnership the Ministry of External Affairs MEA posted on X after the Brazilian Presidents arrivalOn Tuesday evening as he left for India President Lula highlighted that he would also be discussing new opportunities for cooperation between both countries during his India visitAt the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi we are now departing for India In the coming days I will participate in the Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and we will discuss new opportunities for cooperation between Brazil and India From there we will proceed to South Korea to at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung also strengthen the ties between our countries President Lula posted on XHe mentioned that a highlevel business delegation will also be accompanying him on the India visit with the aim of deepening commercial relationsIn 2025 bilateral trade between Brazil and India reached more than US 15 billion asserted the Brazilian PresidentDuring the February 1822 State Visit President Lula would be participating in the 2nd AI Impact Summit and hold discussions with PM Modi on February 21Both leaders would be reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations Prime Minister is scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary The two leaders would also be exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral fora reformed multilateralism global governance and issues concerning the Global South the Ministry of External Affairs MEA had stated earlierPresident Droupadi Murmu is also expected to meet the visiting leader and would host a banquet in his honour Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar are envisaged to call on President LulaPresident Lula is accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies The accompanying ministers would be having meetings with their Indian counterparts The CEOs are expected to participate in a Business Forum being organised during the visit of the Brazilian President reflecting the growing trade and commercial engagements between the two countriesThe forthcoming visit would be the sixth visit of President Lula to India He had first visited India in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations and last visited India for the G20 Summit in September 2023 Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula have however been meeting frequently in between It may be recalled that Prime Minister Modi was in Brasilia on a State Visit from 78 July 2025 which was the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years Both leaders also met in Johannesburg during G20 in November 2025 the MEA statedIndia and Brazil share a warm close and multifaceted Strategic Partnership rooted in shared democratic values close peopletopeople ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors The two large democracies have been Strategic Partners since 2006Brazil is Indias largest trading partner in LAC region and bilateral engagement has continued to deepen in areas such as trade and investment defence energy agriculture health and pharmaceuticals energy including renewables critical minerals rare earth materials science and technology and innovation including in cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and AI space and peopletopeople linkages The two countries share common views on various international issues including UN reforms climate change and combating terrorismThe MEA highlighted that the State Visit of President Lula will provide an opportunity for both sides to chart a forwardlooking agenda for further strengthening bilateral Strategic Partnership and further deepen cooperation across bilateral regional and global platforms on issues of mutual interestIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/namaste-india-ive-arrived-for-another-visit-with-an-important-agenda-brazilian-president--661831.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/sitharaman-makes-strong-pitch-for-fdi-in-india-at-ceos-meet-in-norway-661832.html New Delhi Feb 18 IANS Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a strong pitch for more foreign direct investment FDI in India at a roundtable meeting with prominent Norwegian CEOs and investors in Oslo on WednesdaynbspIn her remarks at the event the Finance Minister said My official visit to Norway has witnessed engaging and positive discussions on India as an investment destination and the fastest growing major economy of the worldShe also said that the Union Budget 202627 underpins the reform focus of the government on easing regulatory and compliance burden for citizens and companies which would make investments easierIn the light of Indias expanding trade architecture including agreements with European Free Trade Association EFTA the EU the UK and the US the Union Finance Minister highlighted the conditions in India that provide a durable framework for trade industrial collaboration and longterm investments the Finance Ministry said in a post on XThe participants appreciated the predictable policy and macroeconomic environment in India and acknowledged the reform efforts and momentum by the government the Ministry addedThe CEO of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund NIIF made a presentation highlighting Indias growth and reform story and the potential and scope of investment opportunities between the two countries across key sectorsThe IndiaNorway CEOs Roundtable was organised by the industry chamber CII in partnership with the Indian Embassy in NorwayMeanwhile Norway is looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for later in the year which would further expand bilateral cooperation said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr StoreIn his meeting with Finance Minister Sitharaman in Oslo Store appreciated Indias reform momentum and said that Norway and India can collaborate in the sectors of fisheries health tech maritime and space He also lauded the contribution of the Indian diaspora in NorwayThey also held discussions on operationalisation of the IndiaEFTA TEPA and outlined key areas of collaboration between the two countries including in areas related to hightech manufacturing carbon capture storage startups semiconductor renewable energy and waste management among others according to a Finance Ministry statementIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/sitharaman-makes-strong-pitch-for-fdi-in-india-at-ceos-meet-in-norway-661832.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/french-president-macron-pays-tribute-to-victims-of-2008-mumbai-terror-attacks-661769.html Mumbai Feb 17 IANS French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on Tuesday paid tribute to victims of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks as he began his India visit Macron is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the dayBoth leaders will launch IndiaFrance Year of Innovation 2026 as the French Presidents visit is set to impart further momentum to the vibrant strategic partnership between the two countriesEarlier PM Modi extended a warm welcome to Macron on his arrival in India and expressed confidence that strengthening IndiaFrance cooperation will contribute to global progressThe French President was extended a warm welcome at the Mumbai airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya DevvratExtending a warm welcome to President Macron PM Modi said India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights I am confident that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progressSee you in Mumbai and later in Delhi my dear friend Emmanuel Macron PM Modi addedPresident Macrons visit comes at the invitation of PM Modi to take part in the AI Impact Summit being hosted by IndiaDuring his stay the two leaders will also convene a bilateral summit in Mumbai This marks President Macrons fourth visit to India and his first official engagement in MumbaiAccording to the Prime Ministers Office PMO the discussions between PM Modi and Macron will include a comprehensive review of advancements made under the IndiaFrance Strategic PartnershipThe deliberations are expected to focus on further strengthening the strategic relationship and expanding cooperation into emerging and futureoriented sectors The two leaders will also exchange perspectives on significant regional and global issues the PMO said in an official statementLater in the day at around 515 pm Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the IndiaFrance Year of Innovation 2026They will also address an audience comprising business leaders startup founders researchers and innovators from both countriesIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/french-president-macron-pays-tribute-to-victims-of-2008-mumbai-terror-attacks-661769.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-french-president-macron-begin-talks-in-mumbai--661783.html Mumbai Feb 17 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are holding a bilateral meeting at Mumbais Lok Bhavan on TuesdaynbspExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval and other top officials were also present during the meetingPM Modi and Macron warmly greeted each other before proceeding for the talksIts a delight to meet my friend President Macron in Mumbai He told me he really likes the city and also enjoyed his run earlier in the day PM Modi posted on XnbspnbspAccording to the Prime Ministers Office PMO the discussions between PM Modi and Macron will include a comprehensive review of advancements made under the IndiaFrance Strategic PartnershipThe deliberations are expected to focus on further strengthening the strategic relationship and expanding cooperation into emerging and futureoriented sectors The two leaders will also exchange perspectives on significant regional and global issues the PMO said in an official statementLater in the day PM Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the IndiaFrance Year of Innovation 2026 They will also address an audience comprising business leaders startup founders researchers and innovators from both countriesReaffirming solidarity with India President Macron also paid homage to the 2611 Mumbai terror attacks victims which included two French citizens France said that it unequivocally condemns terrorism and stands with India against this scourgeEarlier in the day PM Modi extended a warm welcome to Macron on his arrival in India and expressed confidence that strengthening IndiaFrance cooperation will contribute to global progress For his visit to India French President Macron is accompanied by First lady Brigitte MacronThe French President was extended a warm welcome at the Mumbai airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya DevvratExtending a warm welcome to President Macron PM Modi in a post on X wrote India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights I am confident that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progressSee you in Mumbai and later in Delhi my dear friend Emmanuel Macron PM Modi addedPresident Macrons visit comes at the invitation of PM Modi to take part in the AI Impact Summit being hosted by IndiaThis marks President Macrons fourth visit to India and his first official engagement in Mumbai Macrons visit to India comes after PM Modis visit to France in February 2025 and showcases the mutual trust and depth of Strategic Partnership as well as the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen it furtherIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-french-president-macron-begin-talks-in-mumbai--661783.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ls-speaker-om-birla-arrives-in-dhaka-for-tarique-rahman-swearing-in-ceremony--661704.html Dhaka Feb 17 IANS Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday to represent the Indian government at the swearingin ceremony of the newly elected government in DhakanbspnbspThe Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP under the leadership of its chairman Tarique Rahman registered a landslide victory in the Bangladesh parliamentary electionsThe BNP Parliamentary Party on Tuesday elected Tarique Rahman as its Leader setting him up to become the Leader of the House and take the oath as the Prime Minister of the country later in the day As the party with the majority of seats the BNP established the Parliamentary Party and conducted its inaugural meeting chaired by Tarique Rahman after its 208 MPs took their oaths at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban earlier in the dayLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla along with several other foreign dignitaries including Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Pakistans Planning Minister Ahsan IqbalNepal will be represented by its Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma while Sri Lankas Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa is also slated to participate in the eventThe United Kingdoms IndoPacific UnderSecretary Seema Malhotra is expected to attend as well There is also a possibility that Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu may participate in the ceremonyOn Sunday Indias Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla would attend the oathtaking ceremony of the Tarique Rahmanled government in BangladeshIn an official statement the MEA said The Honble Speakers participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh reaffirming Indias steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nationsIt further stated As neighbours united by a shared history culture and mutual respect India welcomes Bangladeshs transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the peopleThe 13th parliamentary election was conducted on February 12 and the Election Commission published the official gazette notification of the victorious candidates on the night of February 13Polling was held for 299 of the 300 seats in the 13th parliamentary election The Election Commission declared unofficial results for 297 constituencies However the gazette notifications for Chattogram2 and Chattogram4 have not yet been issued following a directive from the High CourtAccording to the results announced so far the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats with its candidates leading in the two constituencies including Chattogram2 and 4 where results have been withheld Their allies have claimed three seatsOn the other hand JamaateIslami has won 68 seats while the partners in the Jamaatled 11party electoral alliance secured nine seats Islami Andolan Bangladesh IAB claimed one seat and independent candidates won in seven constituencies Prothom Alo reportedWith Tarique Rahman now set to lead Bangladesh the country last saw a male PM almost 35 years ago experts warn that the nation faces a massive challenge of overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18month tenure of the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ls-speaker-om-birla-arrives-in-dhaka-for-tarique-rahman-swearing-in-ceremony--661704.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/rahman-takes-charge-tomorrow-as-intel-warns-of-jamaat-backed-mobocracy-661656.html Dhaka Feb 16 IANS The massive win by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP in the recentlyconcluded Bangladesh elections has come as a relief for many in the countrynbspIn Tarique Rahman as the Prime Minister of the country the people see hopenbspWhile there is jubilation across the country there is also a great deal of scepticism due to the rise of the JamaateIslami The Jamaat ended up with 77 seats which is its best performance everRahman has his plate full owing to the mess that Muhammad Yunus has left for himnbspBangladesh watchers say that for Rahman cleaning up from within will be the biggest challenge when compared to foreign relationsnbspHe has made it clear that he wants good ties with all nations but has been firm for him that Bangladesh will always come first Experts say that this means that he would not give away too much to any country at the cost of his ownYunus had given too much away to Pakistan whereby he opened the seas and relaxed visa norms The Indian agencies say these were blunders by Yunus as the ISI has been using these routes to send arms and ammunition and also terrorists These routes are also being used to send in drugs and then route them into IndianbspUnder Yunus courtesy of the Jamaat mobocracy has become a daily normThe media has been attacked minorities persecuted and political opponents targeted The police have failed to book cases and even if they had those cases were never investigatednbspAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the Jamaat may not indulge in violence immediately There is a lot of talk that the Jamaat is looking to cosy up with the BNP so that it can be part of the governmentnbspBoth sides have been in an alliance in the past and hence it may come as no surprise if both come together again the official saidHowever the BNP does not need the Jamaat as it has a mammoth majority on its own Prior to the elections the Jamaat had a lot of control over the administration This is because of the good ties the party shared with YunusnbspAnother official said that if the Jamaat does not get some important role to play in the administration then it would get increasingly frustrated and indulge in mobocracynbspAlthough the BNP has won big the reach of the Jamaat has spread The party that never could cross the 20 mark has surged to 77 and that is a massive jump another official saidIt would look to use this reach to spread its ideology and also terrorise the people Experts say that although the Jamaat won big it is clearly not rejoicing The party was hoping to win the elections so that it could implement its own agendanbspOne main agenda of the Jamaat was to erase the memories of the 1971 Liberation War The Jamaat had sided with Pakistan in that war It always wanted Bangladesh to be part of Pakistan as it was easier to implement its radical ideology the experts also say Under Yunus it had managed to have its way The persecution of minorities violence on the streets and extortion grew multifoldHowever the election result clearly indicated that a majority of Bangladesh rejected the Jamaats ideology and they want Bangladesh to remain intact and not under the influence of a party that is a puppet of the ISInbspRahman is unlikely to allow the Jamaat to have a free run as he is interested in urgently restoring normalcy in his country another official saidnbspThe Jamaat on the other hand owing to its reach and frustration is likely to instigate the people and encourage mobocracy This would be challenging for Rahman as the Jamaat is not just a fringe group but today has political clout due to the 77 seats it won the official addedMoreover the Jamaat has won in the bordering areas with West Bengal These areas had become a breeding ground for radicalisation and with the Jamaat fully in control of these areas the problems are going to worsen and this challenges Indias national security intelligence agencies sayIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/rahman-takes-charge-tomorrow-as-intel-warns-of-jamaat-backed-mobocracy-661656.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-wedded-to-strategic-autonomy-eam-jaishankar-amid-us-claims-on-russian-oil-buys-661641.html Munich Feb 15 IANS Amid repeated assertions from the United States regarding New Delhis purchases of Russian oil India reaffirming its strategic autonomy has conveyed a clear message on the global stage that its energy decisions will be determined by availability cost and risk considerationsThe remarks come against the backdrop of fresh US sanctions targeting Russias oil sector and claims by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio that India has agreed to halt additional imports of Russian crudeAddressing the Munich Security Conference on Saturday local time External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar rejected suggestions that a recent IndiaUS trade understanding would undermine Indias longstanding commitment to strategic autonomyHis comments followed Rubios statement that Washington had received assurances from New Delhi that it would refrain from purchasing more Russian oil after the latest round of US sanctions on Moscows energy exportsThe United States has imposed additional sanctions on Russias oil In our conversations with India weve gotten their commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil Europe has taken its set of steps moving forward Rubio was quoted as saying during the conference by Russian news agency TASSEarlier this month President Trump had made a stronger assertion while announcing what he described as a breakthrough following months of trade tensionsIndia agreed to stop buying Russian oil and buy more from the US he had saidHowever EAM Jaishankar made it evident that Indias foreign policy orientation would remain anchored in its independent decisionmaking frameworkWe are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it is very much a part of our history and our evolution And it is something which is very deep it is something which cuts across the political spectrum as well he statedReferring specifically to energy procurement the External Affairs Minister described the global oil market as complexAs far as energy issues are concerned this is a complex market today I think the oil companies in India as in Europe as probably in other parts of the world look at availability look at costs look at risks and take decisions that they feel are in their best interest he saidAked directly whether India would discontinue Russian oil purchases under the terms of the trade arrangement EAM Jaishankar responded candidly If the bottom line of your question is would I remain independentminded and make my decisions and would I make choices which may not agree with your thinking yes it can happenIndia has so far neither formally confirmed nor denied Washingtons claim that it has committed to stopping additional imports of Russian crudeIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-wedded-to-strategic-autonomy-eam-jaishankar-amid-us-claims-on-russian-oil-buys-661641.html Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ls-speaker-om-birla-to-represent-india-at-swearing-in-ceremony-of-new-bangladesh-govt--661642.html New DelhiDhaka Feb 15 IANS Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent the Indian government at the swearingin ceremony of the newly elected Bangladesh government in Dhaka on February 17 the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said in a statementnbspnbspThe Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP under the leadership of its chairman Tarique Rahman registered a landslide victory in the Bangladesh parliamentary electionsIn its statement the MEA said The Honble Speakers participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh reaffirming Indias steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nationsAs neighbours united by a shared history culture and mutual respect India welcomes Bangladeshs transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the people it addedThe members elected in Bangladeshs 13th National Parliamentary Election are set to take their oath of office on Tuesday February 17nbspThe swearingin ceremony will be administered in the morning by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir UddinnbspMultiple sources from the interim governments chief advisors office the law ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP which is poised to form the next government confirmed the development to the leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom AloThe 13th parliamentary election was conducted on Thursday and the Election Commission published the official gazette notification of the victorious candidates on Friday nightnbspPreparations for the oathtaking ceremony are already underway at the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat Traditionally the ceremony is held in the designated oath room at the Jatiya Sangsad BhabanJatiya Sangsad secretariat secretary Kaniz Moula said that arrangements are being made for the oathtaking ceremony on Tuesday evening February 17Polling was held for 299 of the 300 seats in the 13th parliamentary election on February 12nbspThe Election Commission declared unofficial results for 297 constituencies However the gazette notifications for Chattogram2 and Chattogram4 have not yet been issued following a directive from the High CourtAccording to the results announced so far the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats in the February 12 election with its candidates leading in the two constituencies including Chattogram2 and 4 where results have been withheld Their allies have claimed three seatsOn the other hand JamaateIslami has won 68 seats while the partners in the Jamaatled 11party electoral alliance secured nine seats Islami Andolan Bangladesh IAB claimed one seat and independent candidates won in seven constituencies Prothom Alo reportedWith Tarique Rahman now set to lead Bangladesh the country last saw a male PM almost 35 years ago experts warn that the nation faces a massive challenge of overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18month tenure of the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ls-speaker-om-birla-to-represent-india-at-swearing-in-ceremony-of-new-bangladesh-govt--661642.html Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/defence-ministry-okays-rs-325-lakh-crore-deal-to-buy-114-rafale-fighter-jets-from-france-661484.html New Delhi Feb 12 IANS The Defence Ministry on Thursday approved the Rs 325 lakh crore proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force according to reliable sourcesnbspThe clearance was granted by the Defence Acquisition Council DAC chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh which accorded Acceptance of Necessity AoN to the programmenbspThe clearance has come through ahead of French President Emmanuel Macrons forthcoming official visit to DelhiAfter the Defence Ministrys approval the deal will eventually need clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra ModinbspAccording to the proposal India will purchase 18 offtheshelf Rafale fighter jets from French defence giant Dassault Aviation while the remaining 96 fighter jets will be made in India Some of these jets will be twinseater aircraft to be used for training The deal will involve the transfer of stateoftheart fighter jet technology and a strategic partnership to give a fillip to the Make in India programmeThe Indian Air Force already has 36 Rafales in its fleet comprising two squadrons with the last delivery of the C variant taking place in December 2024 Another 26 Rafale jets of the M version have also been ordered for the Indian Navy in a deal worth Rs 63000 crore The naval variants will be operated from the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS VikramadityaThat deal includes facilitation of fleet maintenance logistics support and personnel training under an MRO maintenance repair and overhaul agreementThe Rafale jets were successfully used in Operation Sindoor to hit precision targets in Pakistan as part of Indias military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May last yearnbspThey were used to launch the SCALP an airlaunched cruise missile developed that can strike hardened targets over 250km away with extreme precision The fighter jets can also carry Meteor longrange airtoair missiles the Hammer a standoff strike weapon and the Spectra an advanced ewarfare suite as well as advanced radar and targeting systemsIn June last year France and India also announced four landmark production transfer deals between manufacturers Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited which should significantly speed up the delivery of a backlog of Rafales to IndianbspTata Advanced Systems is expected to set up a cuttingedge production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the French fighter including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage the complete rear section the central fuselage and the front sectionnbspThe first fuselage segments will roll off the manufacturing line in 2028IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/defence-ministry-okays-rs-325-lakh-crore-deal-to-buy-114-rafale-fighter-jets-from-france-661484.html Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/bangladesh-elections-mea-says-will-wait-for-outcome-to-see-what-sort-of-mandate-comes-out-661490.html New Delhi Feb 12 IANS As people of Bangladesh voted in the countrys 13th parliamentary election India on Thursday stressed that it would wait for the results before making any assessment of the political landscapeAddressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said The elections are going on in Bangladesh We should wait for the outcome of the elections to see what sort of mandate has come out and thereafter we will look at issues that are there On the election per se you know what our position has been We stand for free fair inclusive and credible elections in BangladeshJaiswal stated that India chose not to depute any election observers to Bangladesh despite receiving an invitationnbspWe did receive an invitation to send observers but we have not sent our observers to Bangladesh to monitor the elections he said while replying to another questionnbspnbspMeanwhile violence erupted at several polling booths across Bangladesh on Thursday leading to the death of a political leader as the voting was underway across the nation local media reportednbspIncidents started unfolding after polling began early Thursday morning reflecting the deteriorating law and order situation and volatile security landscape in BangladeshAmid the escalating violence a Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kochi died at the Alia Madrasa polling station in Khulna districtnbspCiting eyewitnesses and police Bangladeshs leading Bengali daily Jugantor reported that tension arose between BNP and JamaateIslami supporters on Thursday morning near the polling centrenbspFormer Khulna Sadar Thana BNP organising secretary Yusuf Harun Majnu said There was tension at the centre since morning The principal of Alia Madrasa was campaigning for Jamaat When he stopped him he pushed Mohibuzzaman Kochi As a result he hit a tree and got hit on the head This is what caused his deathConfirming the incident Khulna Sadar Police Station Sub Inspector Khan Faisal Rafi in charge of the centre said When tension arose between the two parties we immediately went to the spot and separated the two partiesnbspEmergency Medical Officer at Khulna City Medical College Hospital Partha Roy told Jugantor that the BNP leader Kochi was brought dead to the hospitalIn another incident on Thursday morning a cocktail bomb attack at a polling station in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila during voting left three people injured The incident occurred at the Reshma International School polling station in Gopalganj districtnbspBangladeshs highstakes parliamentary elections are unfolding amid escalating political conflict and violence with several parties raising concerns over the fairness of the pollsIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/bangladesh-elections-mea-says-will-wait-for-outcome-to-see-what-sort-of-mandate-comes-out-661490.html Thu, 12 Feb 2026 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nsa-ajit-dovals-canada-visit-derails-isi-backed-khalistan-revival-plans-661262.html New Delhi Feb 9 The Khalistan issue has always remained an irritant between India and Canada Ties soured between the two countries when Justin Trudeau was the prime minister of Canada and he has been accused of being an open Khalistan backer Trudeau even made reckless allegations against India following the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar Post Trudeauâs ouster ties were reset and both nations agreed to work on the Khalistan issueA recent development which has the Khalistani elements worried is the visit to Canada by National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval He held successful talks with Nathalie Drouin Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian Prime MinisterThe outcome was very fruitful an official said while adding that this resetting of ties will surely be a major headache for the Khalistani terrorists They have used Canada as a base for long to launch attacks against India From Canada they have issued threats to the government of IndiaMoreover all the masterminds of the targeted killings in Punjab are based in Canada Further these elements have also been running drug cartels while facilitating the smuggling of drugs arms and ammunition into PunjabOne of the highlights of the meeting between the NSAs was sharing of realtime Intelligence The main focus would be the Khalistanis the official said He also said that this sharing of real time Intelligence would also cover drugs cyber threats and Sikh extremismAnother official said that this is probably one of the most constructive meetings in recent times The Khalistan issue is really getting out of hand Moreover this meeting comes at a time when the ISI has set in motion a major plan to revive the Khalistan movement in PunjabRecent Intelligence inputs have suggested that the ISI has readied an army of Khalistanis and is waiting to infiltrate them into Punjab Moreover the narcotics trade has shot up to fund this movementCurrently a soft push is being made whereby posters of the Khalistan flag are being put up in remote places Over a period of time the ISI plans to lure the youth with cash to join the movementThe meeting of the NSAs would derail these plans to a large extent another official said While the ISI runs the network the largest command centre is in Canada followed by the United KingdomAnother important aspect of this meeting was rebuilding trust Trudeauâs reckless allegation that Indiaâs Intelligence agencies were involved in the killing of Nijjar had led to a diplomatic stand off Canada had never viewed the Khalistan issue as extremism It let it thrive under the garb of free speechThe DovalDrouin meeting changes this aspect Both sides have agreed that the Khalistan issue will be viewed as terrorism and organised crime and not free speech This is a major development the experts sayIndia and Canada would share realtime information about these elements and this would make operations for these elements extremely hardNSA Doval raised the issue of fund raising by the Khalistanis They have been raising funds in the name of charities and many Gurdwaras in Canada have been used for thatHe further spoke about the need to cooperate on breaking the narco cartels as the proceeds raised from this trade are funding the Khalistani movement India has been able to convince Canada about the dangers the movement poses not jut to India but Ottawa as wellThe Khalistanis have been vocal online and have used social media platforms to push their agenda They have also used discreet methods to push their agenda With cooperation and realtime Intelligence sharing these activities would come down drastically officials sayThe Khalistani elements have sensed these developments and hence were hunting for newer countries such as Italy and Germany These moves would be very hard since it would involve dismantling the network in Canada that it has set over the last several decadesThe NSA meet took place at a time when Canadian Prime Minster Mark Carney prepares for a visit to India in March During his visit and meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ties would be further cemented between the two nationsAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the headache for the Khalistanis begins now He however warned that these elements would attempt a misadventure in Punjab and hence a highalert and vigil has to be maintained IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/nsa-ajit-dovals-canada-visit-derails-isi-backed-khalistan-revival-plans-661262.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-malaysia-deepen-partnership-rooted-in-trust-and-friendship-says-pm-modi-661183.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared moments from his ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya underlining the growing warmth in IndiaâMalaysia relations Posting on X the Prime Minister wrote âGlimpses from the ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya India and Malaysia continue to deepen a partnership rooted in trust friendship and shared aspirationsâ The message set the tone for his twoday visit to Malaysia marked by highlevel engagements cultural exchanges and outreach to the Indian diasporaEarlier Prime Minister Modi had highlighted the cultural connect between the two nations particularly the role of the Tamil community in Malaysia Sharing another post he said âA group of students from the Malaysia Hindu Sangam recited Tirumurai devotional songs It is commendable how the Tamil community in Malaysia has preserved and popularised their heritage over the last several yearsâ The gesture reflected the deep civilisational and peopletopeople ties that continue to anchor bilateral relationsDuring his visit the Prime Minister announced that an Indian Consulate will be opened soon in Malaysia a move expected to further strengthen diplomatic engagement and provide enhanced services to the Indian community in the country The announcement was made after he participated in a grand Indian community reception titled âSelamat Datang Modijiâ in Kuala LumpurThe event featured a spectacular cultural showcase with 800 artists performing traditional Indian dances on stage a feat that entered the Malaysian Book of Records as the largest such performance in the country The programme highlighted the vibrancy of Indian culture and the enduring bond shared by the Indian diaspora with their rootsAddressing the gathering Prime Minister Modi thanked the community for the colourful welcome and expressed gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his gracious presence and warm remarks He praised the Indian diaspora for its significant contributions to Malaysiaâs progress and prosperity and acknowledged its role in strengthening the friendship between the two nationsPM Modi also reiterated Indiaâs steadfast commitment to the welfare of Indian nationals in Malaysia and to further deepening peopletopeople tiesAdding a personal touch to the visit Prime Minister Modi shared a car ride with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after his arrival in Malaysia as the two leaders travelled together to a community event in Kuala Lumpur The moment showcased the warm personal rapport between the leaders and symbolised the growing closeness in IndiaâMalaysia relations rooted in mutual respect cultural affinity and shared aspirations for the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-malaysia-deepen-partnership-rooted-in-trust-and-friendship-says-pm-modi-661183.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-perdana-putra-in-malaysia-661184.html New Delhi Feb 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya on his official visit to Malaysia reaffirming the strong and enduring bonds between the two countries The development was highlighted by Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal who shared details of the welcome and the broader significance of the visit in a post on XâReaffirming the enduring bonds that connect India and Malaysia PM narendramodi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra on his Official Visit to Malaysia India shares close bonds with Malaysia anchored in civilizational historical and peopletopeople ties Wideranging discussions aimed at further cementing our enduring friendship and strong bilateral relations to followâ Jaiswal saidThe ceremonial welcome marked the formal commencement of Prime Minister Modiâs engagements in Malaysia and reflected the importance both sides attach to the bilateral relationship India and Malaysia share deeprooted connections shaped by centuriesold civilisational links shared history cultural exchanges and strong peopletopeople ties particularly through the Indian diaspora in MalaysiaPM Modi also offered a glimpse into his ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya underlining the growing warmth in IndiaâMalaysia relationsPosting on X the Prime Minister wrote âGlimpses from the ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya India and Malaysia continue to deepen a partnership rooted in trust friendship and shared aspirationsâThe message set the tone for his twoday visit to Malaysia marked by highlevel engagements cultural exchanges and outreach to the Indian diasporaEarlier PM Modi had highlighted the cultural connect between the two nations particularly the role of the Tamil community in Malaysia Sharing another post he said âA group of students from the Malaysia Hindu Sangam recited Tirumurai devotional songs It is commendable how the Tamil community in Malaysia has preserved and popularised their heritage over the last several yearsâ The gesture reflected the deep civilisational and peopletopeople ties that continue to anchor bilateral relationsShowcasing a cordial and personal rapport the Prime Minister was seen sharing a car ride with his Malaysian counterpart Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as they travelled together to a community event in Kuala Lumpur The gesture symbolised the close understanding between the two leaders and underscored the friendly nature of IndiaâMalaysia relationsPM Modiâs visit is being seen as a significant step toward further deepening the enduring friendship between India and Malaysia rooted in mutual trust shared values and common aspirations for the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-perdana-putra-in-malaysia-661184.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/shared-love-for-tamil-language-connects-india-and-malaysia-pm-modi-661188.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Tamil language connects India and Malaysia and expressed hope that the Audio Visual Agreement between the two nations will bring our hearts closer Addressing a joint press meet with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur PM Modi highlighted the interest of the Malaysians in the Tamil language and said Shared love for the Tamil language also connects India and Malaysia In Malaysia the strong and living presence of Tamil can be seen in education media and cultural life I am confident that with todays Audio Visual Agreement film and music especially Tamil films will bring our hearts closer he addedEarlier on Saturday the Prime Minister hailed the grand celebration of Indian culture in Malaysia especially the recordbreaking dance performance during the Selamat Datang Modiji event which was attended by over 12000 members of the Indian diaspora friends of India from across the country and also Malaysian PM Anwar IbrahimIn his address at the event PM Modi highlighted that Malaysia has the secondlargest Indianorigin community in the world and noted that there is much that connects Indian and Malaysian heartsHe also highlighted that the people of the two countries understand each other well possibly due to the large number of common words between their languages and Malay and have heard that Indian movies and music are popular in Malaysia PM Modi noted that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sings very well and also loves Tamil songs of the legendary MGRPrime Minister Modi reiterated that the Indianorigin community in Malaysia had preserved its traditions over centuries He recalled mentioning the community in his Mann Ki Baat programme where he shared that over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languagesThe influence of saints such as Thiruvalluvar and Swami Vivekananda is visible in Malaysia and the recent Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves are divine and comparable to those at Palani he noted Prime Minister Modi also said that Garba is popular in Malaysia and added that India deeply cherishes its cultural ties with the Sikh community which continues to promote the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev JiStating that Tamil is Indias gift to the world PM Modi noted that Tamil literature is eternal Tamil culture is global and Tamil people have served humanity through their talentsIndias Vice President Thiru C P Radhakrishnan External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr Murugan are all from Tamil Nadu he told the large gatheringPrime Minister Modi further said that members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia are serving society in various fields and noted that the Tamil diaspora has been present in Malaysia for many centuries He said that inspired by this history India had established the Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya and would now set up a Thiruvalluvar centre to further strengthen shared heritage IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/shared-love-for-tamil-language-connects-india-and-malaysia-pm-modi-661188.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-departs-for-india-after-concluding-malaysia-visit--661207.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 8 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday departed for India after concluding his twoday visit to MalaysianbspMinistry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that PM Modis visit to Malaysia produced significant outcomes that will add substantial strength to bilateral tiesnbspA memorable visit concludes After a successful visit to Malaysia marked by special warmth and hospitality and anchored in our close cultural bonds PM Narendra Modi has departed for India The visit produced significant outcomes that will add substantial strength to IndiaMalaysia ties Jaiswal posted on XEarlier in the day PM Modi interacted with CEOs from India and Malaysia In a post on X PM Modi stated The CEO Forum has opened new opportunities in trade and investment for both our nationsnbspPM Modi met Indianorigin leaders including Ministers and Senators in Malaysia on Sunday and lauded their accomplishments in public lifenbspHad a wonderful interaction with PIO leaders including distinguished Ministers and Senators Their deep emotional connect to India was clearly visible Their accomplishments in public life are a matter of immense pride for everyone he posted on XPM Modi also met Azad Hind Fauj also known as the Indian National Army INA veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao in Kuala Lumpur highlighting the historical contribution of the force and its legacy among the Indian diaspora in Southeast AsianbspWhile sharing a picture with Jeyaraj Raja Rao on X he paid tribute to the legacy of the INA and its founder Netaji Subhas Chandra BosenbspIt was very special to meet INA veteran Shri Jeyaraj Raja Rao His life is marked by immense courage and sacrifice Listening to his experiences was very inspiring We remain forever indebted to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose the brave women and men of the INA whose valour helped shape Indias destiny he postedEarlier in the day PM Modi held a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim at the latters official residence Seri PerdananbspThe two leaders reviewed development cooperation in various sectors like infrastructure energy and biotechnology and agreed to strengthen cooperation in security defence technologies Artificial Intelligence AI and semiconductorsnbspHad an excellent meeting with PM Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana earlier today India and Malaysia are maritime neighbours who have always enjoyed a close friendship We reviewed developmental cooperation in sectors like trade infrastructure energy IT biotechnology and more We also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of security defence AI digital technologies and semiconductors PM Modi posted on XPeopletopeople linkages are at the core of IndiaMalaysia friendship The Social Security Agreement a gratis evisa for tourism and the coming of UPI to Malaysia will bring our people even closer We are also working to increase university exchanges and create skill development opportunities for our youth he addednbspEarlier on Saturday PM Modi addressed members of the Indian diaspora in MalaysianbspArriving in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday for his twoday visit he received a warm welcome from his Malaysian counterpart IbrahimIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-departs-for-india-after-concluding-malaysia-visit--661207.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/deeply-touched-by-warm-welcome-extended-by-friend-anwar-ibrahim-pm-modi-661159.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 7 IANS Highlighting the strong relationship between both countries which remains deeply rooted in history and civilization Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim travelled together to a community programme in Kuala Lumpur as the Indian PM began his twoday visit to the country on SaturdaynbspnbspCelebrating the IndiaMalaysia peopletopeople connect PM Anwar Ibrahim and I are heading to the community programme in Kuala Lumpur PM Modi posted on X along with a photograph of both leaders travelling together to the venue of the programme in the same car from the airportShortly before Prime Minister Modi had received a warm welcome from his Malaysian counterpart at the airport as he kicked off his visit aimed at strengthening the bilateral ties and enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nationsLanded in Kuala Lumpur Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia said PM ModiExcited children holding the tricolour and the Malaysian flag greeted the Prime Minister at the airportEarlier in the day Prime Minister Modi said that his visit to Malaysia will aim to deepen the defence and security ties between the two nations and will further enhance the economic and innovation partnershipThis is his third visit to the Southeast Asian nation and the first after the elevation of the IndiaMalaysia bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024In his departure statement Prime Minister Modi said The historic ties between India and Malaysia have seen steadfast progress in recent years I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and further enhancing our Comprehensive Strategic PartnershipWe will aim to deepen our defence and security ties enhance our economic and innovation partnership and expand our collaboration into new domains he saidPM Modi also expressed his eagerness to meet the Indian diaspora in Malaysia calling it a living bridge between the two nationsNumbering nearly three million they represent one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world Their immense contribution to Malaysias progress and their role as a living bridge between our two nations provide a strong foundation to our historic friendship he addedPM Modi will hold bilateral discussions with his Malaysian counterpart and will also interact with members of the Indian community as well as industry and business representatives according to the Ministry of External Affairs MEAThe 10th IndiaMalaysia CEO Forum is also scheduled to be held coinciding with the visit of the Prime MinisterIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/deeply-touched-by-warm-welcome-extended-by-friend-anwar-ibrahim-pm-modi-661159.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trust-has-become-indias-strongest-currency-pm-modi-in-malaysia-661177.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 7 IANS Spotlighting the recent trade deals signed by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India is seen as a trusted partner for growth and trust has become the countrys strongest currencynbspIndia is seen as a trusted partner for growth Whether it is the UK UAE Australia New Zealand Oman the EU or USA countries have trade deals with India Trust has become Indias strongest currency said PM Modi while addressing the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur shortly after arriving in Malaysia on a twoday visitMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also attended the event after both leaders travelled together in the same car from the airportnbspPrime Minister Modi stated that IMPACT which he described as India Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation remains the guiding word of relationship between both countries as Indias success also translates into success for Malaysia and AsianbspIndias success is Malaysias success it is Asias success That is why I say the guiding word of our relationship is IMPACT IMPACT means IndiaMalaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation said PM ModiIn a special gesture Prime Minister Modi on his arrival in Kuala Lumpur was warmly received by his Malaysian counterpart at the airport along with Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Ramanan Ramakrishnan and Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni This was followed by a colourful cultural welcome highlighting the shared heritage of both countriesnbspThe visit seeks to further strengthen the IndiaMalaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2024 It also reflects Indias strong commitment to strengthening IndiaMalaysia ties which is a key pillar of New Delhis Act East Policy IndoPacific vision and Vision MAHASAGARPrime Minister Modi is visiting Malaysia on February 78 at the invitation of Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim This is the third visit of the Prime Minister to Malaysia since 2015nbspIn his address PM Modi mentioned that Malaysia has the secondlargest Indianorigin community in the world and the diaspora continues to serve as a strong bridge between both countriesnbspRecently I spoke in my monthly radio conversation Mann Ki Baat about you I shared with 14 billion Indians how over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languages PM Modi said during the community programme in Kuala LumpurHighlighting that there is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts PM Modi praised the Indian community in the countrynbspIt is remarkable the way you have preserved traditions over centuries he mentionedPrime Minister Modi said that the members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia are serving the society in various fieldsnbspIn fact the Tamil diaspora has been here for many centuries Inspired by this history we are proud to have established the Thiruvalluvar Chair in the University of Malaya We will now set up a Thiruvalluvar Centre to further strengthen our shared heritage he said in Kuala LumpurPM Modi invited everyone in the gathering to travel and experience Incredible IndianbspYou must also bring your Malay friends with you Because peopletopeople contact is the cornerstone of our friendship he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trust-has-become-indias-strongest-currency-pm-modi-in-malaysia-661177.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indiaafrica-forum-summit-to-serve-as-strategic-inflection-point-report-661045.html New Delhi Feb 5 As IndiaâAfrica relations evolve ambitions need to align with strategic clarity and disciplined execution The synergy between Africaâs continental development goals and Indiaâs longterm path towards enhanced economic technological and institutional capacity presents a historically significant opportunity a report stated on Thursday Writing for India Narrative former diplomat Sanjay Kumar Verma said that an effective policy approach for India must be grounded in strategic autonomy while remaining fully aware of other external actors operating across AfricaHe stressed that Indiaâs strategy should prioritise identifying distinct value propositions avoiding zerosum competition in areas of structural disadvantage and actively collaborating where partner strengths are complementaryâThe forthcoming IndiaâAfrica Forum Summit IAFS 2026 likely to be held midyear will represent more than a routine diplomatic engagement it will serve as a strategic inflection point in aligning two transformative visionsâAfricaâs Agenda 2063 and Indiaâs Viksit Bharat 2047 Both frameworks are fundamentally about structural transition shift from inputdriven growth models toward higher value production and industrial upgrading from resource dependence to technologyenabled productivity and from peripheral participation in global systems to agendasetting influenceâ wrote VermaâIAFS 2026 therefore arrives at a moment when India and Africa are simultaneously redefining their development trajectories and global roles The summit provides an opportunity to shift the partnership narrative from projectbased cooperation toward ecosystemlevel codevelopment where industrial capacity digital transformation human capital formation and institutional strengthening are pursued in parallel If structured correctly IAFS 2026 can become the bridge that translates shared longterm aspirations into implementable mediumterm partnerships anchored in measurable outcomesâ the seasoned diplomat addedAccording to Verma Africaâs political landscape is increasingly sensitive to equitable partnership and local value creation while Indiaâs development experience â especially its focus on inclusive growth affordable technology and human capital expansion â aligns closely with African policy prioritiesâThe most important reputational risk is not competition from other external actors but the possibility of overpromising and underdelivering Indiaâs narrative should emphasise partnership cocreation local job creation technology transfer and institutional strengthening Development partnerships are judged over decades and early implementation credibility will shape longterm perceptionâ Verma mentionedThe report highlighted that with effective executions India can emerge not just as another development partner but as a âsystemlevel transformation partnerâ in line with Africaâs longterm development outlookâThe next phase of IndiaâAfrica engagement will ultimately be defined by operational credibility Strategic autonomy combined with partnership intelligence offers India its strongest pathway to sustained influence and shared development success The test of IndiaâAfrica partnership will no longer be intent or alignment but the ability to cobuild systems that outlast political cycles and market shocksâ it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indiaafrica-forum-summit-to-serve-as-strategic-inflection-point-report-661045.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indiaeu-fta-game-changing-development-in-bilateral-ties-says-eam-jaishankar-661096.html New Delhi Feb 6 Highlighting the growing partnership between India and the European Union EU External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Friday described the signing of the Free Trade Agreement FTA as a transformative milestone in bilateral ties while addressing the IndiaEU forum He also underlined the potential for deeper cooperation between India and the EU in areas including security defence climate technology and talent flowsâAddressed the inaugural IndiaEU Forum this morning Highlighted that the FTA has been a game changing development for our partnership Also flagged other dimensions that hold great potential including security defence climate technology and talent flows Hope that the IndiaEU Forum promotes more conversations and creates greater convergences between India and the EUâ EAM posted on XEarlier on January 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the successful conclusion of negotiations of the landmark IndiaâEU FTAThis historic deal is a milestone in the IndiaâEU Strategic Partnership that will significantly enhance bilateral trade and investment ties drive shared prosperity strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains and support sustainable and inclusive growth read a joint statement issued after the 16th IndiaâEU Summit cochaired by the three leadersThe leaders emphasised the central role of the World Trade Organisation WTO in the multilateral trading system and global trade governance and underlined that meaningful necessary and comprehensive reform of the WTO is essential to improve its functions so that it is better suited to advance all membersâ objectivesIn the context of global uncertainty and disruptions closer economic ties between India and the EU are more important than ever to drive growth job creation green transition industrial development and more resilient sustainable and trustworthy supply chains the statement saidThe leaders of India and the EU are committed to ensuring the full implementation of the FTA Additionally they tasked their respective teams to complete negotiations at the earliest opportunity on an Investment Protection Agreement IPA and on an Agreement on Geographical Indications GIs They committed to work on scaling up bilateral investments and engage in discussions on Blue Valleys to accelerate private sector engagement in strengthening select value chains the joint statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indiaeu-fta-game-changing-development-in-bilateral-ties-says-eam-jaishankar-661096.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-vice-president-vance-secy-rubio-call-for-global-minerals-reset-660892.html Washington Feb 4 US Vice President J D Vance on Tuesday urged US allies and partners to act collectively to fix what he described as a broken global market for critical minerals warning that brittle and highly concentrated supply chains threaten economic growth and national security Opening the Critical Minerals Ministerial Vance said modern economies continued to depend on âreal thingsâ stressing that critical minerals were as essential as oil and gas for economic activity advanced manufacturing and defence systemsThe ministerial one of the largest ones hosted by the United States is being attended by over 50 countries India is being represented by External Affairs Minister S JaishankarâThere is no realer thing than critical mineralsâ Vance said arguing that governments had learned âthe hard wayâ how deeply their economies depended on stable access to these materialsHe said countries represented at the meeting together accounted for close to twothirds of global GDP and had the capacity to make themselves âmore independent more selfreliantâ if they worked togetherVance said the current international market was failing to support domestic supply chains or longterm investment He cited repeated instances in which mining and processing projects collapsed after sudden market flooding led to price crashes forcing investors to pull outâSupply chains remain brittle and exceptionally concentratedâ he said adding that erratic and unpredictable prices had made sustained investment nearly impossibleHe outlined the Trump administrationâs broader approach to addressing those vulnerabilities pointing to steps already taken over the past year including domestic and international agreements expanded public financing tools and new efforts to stockpile mineralsVance also described a proposed preferential trade zone for critical minerals built around reference prices intended to stabilize markets and protect supply chains from external disruption He said the initiative was designed to create diverse centers of production and supply chains immune to sudden shocks while strengthening partner countriesâOur alliances and our friendships can really help one anotherâ Vance saidSecretary of State Marco Rubio delivering his opening remarks after Vance echoed the call for coordinated international action and said the administration viewed critical minerals as central to both economic and national securityâCritical minerals are vital to the devices that we use every single dayâ Rubio said noting that they power infrastructure industry and national defenseRubio said US President Donald Trump had made the issue a top priority from his first day in office citing an executive order issued in March to accelerate permitting reform increase domestic mining and build reliable supply chains âboth at home and abroadââIn October alone the United States secured over 10 billion in critical mineral agreements across five countriesâ Rubio said pointing to existing efforts to deepen cooperation with allies and partnersHe also highlighted the Pax Silica Summit convened in December which he said launched a partnership dedicated to building a resilient silicon supply chain capable of supporting âa new era of global prosperityâ Rubio warned that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence would not be possible unless countries rebuilt factories and reopened minesDrawing on US history Rubio recalled how rare earth discoveries at Mountain Pass California helped usher in the jet age space age and computer age before mining was neglected and supply chains were outsourcedâWe woke up and realised we had outsourced our economic security and our very futureâ he saidRubio compared the current effort to the Washington Energy Conference held in the same room about 50 years ago which led to the creation of the International Energy Agency during a period of concentrated global oil supplies He said todayâs discussions were aimed at advancing Critical Minerals Framework Agreements to protect every stage of production from mining to refining and manufacturingâThis is not solely an American initiativeâ Rubio said âThis must be an international global initiative with likeminded countriesâThe ministerial brought together senior officials from dozens of countries as governments seek to reduce dependence on concentrated mineral supply chains amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing demand from clean energy defense and advanced technology sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-vice-president-vance-secy-rubio-call-for-global-minerals-reset-660892.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-dials-xi-trade-taiwan-and-ukraine-discussed-660893.html Washington Feb 4 US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he held an âexcellentâ and wideranging telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping touching on trade security geopolitics and energy and signaling what he described as a positive trajectory for USChina relations over the next three years Trump said the call was âlong and thoroughâ and covered âmany important subjectsâ including âTrade Militaryâ his planned April visit to China Taiwan the war between Russia and Ukraine the situation involving Iran and energy cooperation between the two countriesâI have just completed an excellent telephone conversation with President Xi of Chinaâ Trump said in a post on Truth Social âIt was a long and thorough call where many important subjects were discussedâAccording to Trump economic issues featured prominently in the discussion including Chinese purchases of US energy and agricultural products He said the leaders discussed âthe purchase of Oil and Gas by China from the United Statesâ as well as Beijingâs consideration of buying additional American farm goodsTrump said China is weighing âthe purchase of additional Agricultural products including lifting the Soybean count to 20 Million Tons for the current seasonâ adding âThey have committed to 25 Million Tons for next seasonâThe US President also said the call covered aviation and manufacturing supply chains noting discussions on âAirplane engine deliveriesâ alongside what he described as ânumerous other subjects all very positiveâTrump underscored what he portrayed as a stable personal rapport with the Chinese leader saying âThe relationship with China and my personal relationship with President Xi is an extremely good one and we both realize how important it is to keep it that wayâHe expressed optimism about future outcomes linking them directly to continued engagement with Beijing âI believe that there will be many positive results achieved over the next three years of my Presidency having to do with President Xi and the Peopleâs Republic of Chinaâ Trump saidThe White House did not issue a separate readout of the call Trumpâs remarks suggest that Washington and Beijing remain engaged at the highest level on a broad set of strategic economic and security issuesIn his post Trump highlighted his upcoming travel plans saying the April trip to China was discussed and adding that it is a visit âwhich I very much look forward toâ The visit is expected to mark a significant moment in USChina diplomacy during Trumpâs current termThe call also addressed major global flashpoints including âthe War between RussiaUkraineâ and âthe current situation with Iranâ areas where both Washington and Beijing play influential roles on the international stageUSChina relations have long been defined by a mix of cooperation and competition spanning trade technology military posture in the IndoPacific and global governance Taiwan remains a particularly sensitive issue and Trumpâs inclusion of it among the topics discussed indicates continued highlevel attentionThe two countries are the worldâs largest economies and key trading partners with ties that directly affect global markets supply chains and geopolitical stability Over successive administrations bilateral relations have seen periods of sharp tension as well as renewed engagement often shaped by trade disputes strategic rivalry and diplomatic outreach IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trump-dials-xi-trade-taiwan-and-ukraine-discussed-660893.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-getson-un-honour-roll-for-prompt-payment-of-its-35-million-dues-660902.html United Nations Feb 5 India has joined the UN Honour Roll by promptly paying up its 2026 dues of 35187 million to the cashstrapped organisation according to Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric India sent in on Tuesday local time its share of 1016 per cent of the total 2016 regular budget of 345 billion for its operations except peacekeeping The UN which is facing a financial crisis because its biggest contributor the US has not paid its share for last year has appealed to members to send their dues early to keep it solvent SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres warned in a letter to member countries that the UN is in imminent financial collapse and officials say that it could run out of money for its operations by July if the US does not pay its arrears The honour roll is for countries that pay their dues within 30 days of getting the payment notice So far 47 countries have made the roll India has consistently figured on itAt his daily briefings Dujarric announces the contributions with a quiz for reporters to guess the country On Wednesday he gave this poser This country is the home of The Statue of Unity the worlds tallest statue with a height of 182 metres After a reporters correct guess Dujarric confirmed that India had paid its due in full SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres visited the statue which is in the image of Sardar Vallabhai Patel who integrated the country when the British quit India leaving behind a patchwork of princely states Indias total contribution to the UNs regular budget comes to 38223 million but 3091 million of that is offset by the amount that the organisation withholds in lieu of income taxes from the salaries of Indian employees The UN has a separate budget for peacekeeping which falls due in July Indiaâs share of the 538 billion budget is 02212 per cent Arul Louis can be contacted at arulliansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-getson-un-honour-roll-for-prompt-payment-of-its-35-million-dues-660902.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-builds-global-bloc-on-strategic-minerals-660912.html Washington Feb 5 Warning that critical mineral supply chains have become tools of political coercion the United States US convened 54 countries and the European Commission to overhaul the global market for strategic minerals and rare earths At the ministerial the US announced the signing of 11 new bilateral critical minerals frameworks or memoranda of understanding These include agreements with Argentina Ecuador Guinea Morocco Paraguay Peru the Philippines the United Arab Emirates and UzbekistanThe US said it has signed ten similar agreements over the past five months and completed negotiations with 17 additional countries The frameworks are intended to help partners address pricing challenges spur development create fair markets close gaps in priority supply chains and expand access to financing it saidSecretary of State Marco Rubio joined by Vice President JD Vance Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Energy Secretary Chris Wright and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hosted the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington on WednesdayThe meeting brought together 43 foreign and other ministers from across Africa Latin America Europe the IndoPacific and the Middle EastIndia was among the participating countries alongside major producers and consumers including Australia Brazil Canada France Germany Japan Saudi Arabia South Korea the United Kingdom and the United Arab EmiratesâCritical minerals and rare earths are essential for our most advanced technologies and will only become more important as AI robotics batteries and autonomous devices transform our economiesâ the US fact sheet said It warned that the market is âhighly concentratedâ leaving it vulnerable to âpolitical coercion and supply chain disruptionâRubio also announced the creation of the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement or FORGE as the successor to the Minerals Security Partnership FORGE will be chaired by South Korea through June and will coordinate policy and projectlevel cooperation to strengthen diversified resilient and secure critical mineral supply chains according to a media releaseIn a statement after the ministerial the Trump administration stressed that governments alone cannot solve supply chain vulnerabilities It highlighted the role of the private sector through initiatives such as Pax Silica which focusses on investments in mining refining processing recycling and enduse applicationsOn February 3 a day before the ministerial US officials brought together governments and private companies to discuss supply chain challenges and investment opportunities During that meeting Deputy Secretary Landau witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Glencore and the USbacked Orion Critical Mineral Consortium related to a potential acquisition of assets in the Democratic Republic of the CongoThe agreement aims to encourage greater US investment in the DRCâs mining sector and promote secure reliable and mutually beneficial flows of copper and cobalt to the USThe US government said it has mobilised more than 30 billion in letters of interest investments loans and other support for critical mineral projects over the past six months It said these efforts have produced a multiplier effect by attracting private capital many times greater than government outlaysA central pillar of the push is Project Vault announced by President Donald Trump on February 2 The ExportImport Bank of the US approved a direct loan of up to 10 billion for the initiative to establish a domestic strategic reserve for critical minerals IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-builds-global-bloc-on-strategic-minerals-660912.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/new-start-expiry-raises-global-nuclear-risks-us-senate-660923.html Washington Feb 5 The imminent expiry of the New START nuclear arms control treaty has triggered sharp warnings in the US Senate about a more dangerous unconstrained era of nuclear competition involving the United States Russia and China with lawmakers and experts cautioning that the fallout could extend well beyond the three powers Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker believes that the treaty signed in 2010 was ânegotiated in a bygone eraâ and no longer reflects todayâs threat environment He said Russiaâs suspension of compliance and Chinaâs rapid military expansion had fundamentally altered the strategic landscapeâFifteen years after the treaty was signed we face an assortment of threats far more complicated and dangerous than anyone foresaw in 2010â Wicker said during a Congressional hearing this week pointing to Russiaâs nuclear production capacity and Chinaâs rapidly growing arsenalRanking Member Jack Reed warned that the lapse of New START would leave Washington and Moscow without any binding framework governing nuclear forces for the first time in more than five decades âFor the first time in 54 years the United States and Russia will have no binding framework to regulate our respective nuclear forcesâ he saidAccording to Reed public reporting indicated Russia had continued to observe the treatyâs central limits despite suspending inspections but cautioned that an unconstrained arms race would serve neither sideâs interests He also warned that China was moving rapidly toward nuclear parity âExperts predict Beijing could acquire approximately 1500 warheads in the next several yearsâ he saidThe hearing underscored growing divisions over whether Washington should seek to preserve elements of New START or move decisively beyond it Former US Strategic Command commander Admiral Charles Richard said arms control could enhance deterrence only if it included all parties all weapons and effective verificationâI would not recommend a oneyear extension to the New START Treaty absent verification procedures being reinstatedâ Richard said adding that any future agreement should at a minimum include the United States Russia and ChinaFormer US arms control negotiator Rose Gottemoeller argued that deterrence and arms control were not opposites but âenjoy a symbiotic relationshipâShe told lawmakers that negotiated limits created predictability which in turn strengthened deterrence Gottemoeller supported extending New START limits for a year to prevent a rapid Russian nuclear âuploadâ while Washington prepared to address Chinaâs buildupâIt does not serve US national security interests to have to address the Chinese nuclear buildup while simultaneously facing a rapid Russian upload campaignâ she said warning that refusing an extension could hand Moscow an âeasy diplomatic winâTimothy Morrison a former White House national security official rejected that approach calling New START a âbad dealâ that constrained the United States more than Russia and ignored large portions of Moscowâs arsenal He said arms control should be a tool of competition not an end in itself and argued that Washington needed the ability to respond quickly to violationsSeveral senators raised concerns about nuclear proliferation beyond the major powers Reed warned that resuming US nuclear testing could encourage others to follow suit âResuming tests would simply encourage our adversaries to close their own technological gaps and would give India Pakistan and North Korea justification to resume their programsâ he saidGottemoeller echoed that assessment saying a return to explosive testing by the United States would likely be matched by Russia and China and could also prompt India and Pakistan to test againThe debate among others highlighted anxieties among US allies particularly in Europe and the IndoPacific over the credibility of extended nuclear deterrence Reed said allies were âreexamining their nuclear policiesâ amid uncertainty about US commitments raising the risk of further proliferation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/new-start-expiry-raises-global-nuclear-risks-us-senate-660923.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-trade-deal-in-final-stages-of-detailing-eam-jaishankar--660934.html Washington Feb 5 IANS Citing the historic IndiaUS trade deal which he said is in the final stages of detailing External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday said that a strong momentum is evident in the growing engagement between New Delhi and Washingtonnbsp nbspThe EAM made the comment as he concluded his February 24 visit to the United States during which he also participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesdaynbsp nbspConcluded a productive and positive visit to the US Thank Secretary Rubio for his warm hospitality he posted on XnbspThe historic IndiaUS trade deal is in the final stages of detailing that will be completed very soon It opens up a new phase in our bilateral ties with vast possibilities for the relationship Our critical mineral cooperation is also advancing rapidly Expect engagement on strategic issues defence and energy in the coming days Overall a strong momentum is evident EAM Jaishankar addednbspnbspDuring the significant visit the External Affairs Minister also hold meetings with senior members of the US administrationnbspThis included separate meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during which he held wideranging discussions on the IndiaUS strategic and economic partnershipnbspDelighted to meet US Secretary Rubio this afternoon Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting A wideranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda regional and global issuesnbspThe discussions with Rubio he stated covered multiple pillars of the IndiaUS relationship Facets of India US Strategic Partnership discussed included trade energy nuclear defence critical minerals and technology EAM Jaishankar mentionednbspThe External Affairs Minister said both sides agreed to move quickly on followup engagements Agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests he addedAccording to the US State Department readout EAM Jaishankar and Rubio discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration mining and processing an area that has emerged as a central pillar of the IndiaUS economic and strategic relationshipnbspThe meeting on Wednesday came a day after US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal aimed at lowering barriers and expanding market access between the worlds two largest democraciesnbspUS Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar also welcomed the agreement underscoring the importance of the two democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance shared energy security goals the readout saidThe discussions also focused on the regional and multilateral dimensions of the partnership Rubio and EAM Jaishankar concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue They acknowledged that a prosperous IndoPacific region remains vital to advancing shared interestsnbspEarlier on Wednesday EAM Jaishankar also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington Pleased to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington DC today he said in a separate postnbspThe External Affairs Minister described the talks as productive Had a useful discussion on advancement of India US economic partnership and strategic cooperation he saidThe twin meetings reflected the broadening scope of IndiaUS engagement spanning diplomacy security trade and finance Senior officials on both sides have emphasised the need for closer coordination across departments to translate political momentum into concrete outcomesnbspIndia and the United States have expanded cooperation in recent years across defence energy and emerging technologies while also deepening economic ties through trade and investment Both countries have highlighted critical minerals and advanced technologies as priority areas given their importance to clean energy transitions and highend manufacturingThe latest highlevel engagements follow sustained dialogue between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global issues including developments in the IndoPacific Officials on both sides have described the IndiaUS partnership as a central pillar of their respective foreign policy strategiesIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-us-trade-deal-in-final-stages-of-detailing-eam-jaishankar--660934.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ensuring-energy-security-of-14-billion-indians-remains-govts-supreme-priority-mea-660937.html New Delhi Feb 5 IANS Reiterating that ensuring energy security remains a top national priority India on Thursday said that the governments strategy to diversify energy sources is shaped by market conditions and evolving international dynamicsnbspIn so far as Indias energy security or energy sourcing is concerned the government has stated publicly on several occasions that ensuring the energy security of 14 billion Indians is its supreme priority Diversifying energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy to ensure this All of Indias decisions are taken and will continue to be taken with this objective in mind Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on ThursdayReplying to another question on Indias energy engagement with Venezuela the MEA spokesperson stated that the South American nation has long been Indias key partner in the crude oil and trade and investment sectors He emphasised that New Delhi remains open to assessing the commercial viability of any crude supply options including from VenezuelanbspAs far as Venezuela is concerned it has been a longstanding partner for us in the area of energy both on the trade side and also on the investment side We were importing energy or crude oil from Venezuela till 201920 and thereafter we had to stop Again we started buying oil from Venezuela in 20232024 but had to stop because of the reimposition of sanctions Jaiswal statedAs you are aware Indian PSUs have established a partnership with the National Oil Company of Venezuela PDVSA and our PSUs have maintained a presence in the country since 2008 Consistent with our approach to energy security India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of any crude supply options including from Venezuela he addednbspLast week Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from the Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Eloína Rodriguez Gomez with the two leaders having a detailed discussion on deepening the partnership between both countries during their conversationSpoke with Acting President of Venezuela Ms Delcy Rodríguez We agreed to further deepen and expand our bilateral partnership in all areas with a shared vision of taking IndiaVenezuela relations to new heights in the years ahead PM Modi posted on X after the phone callnbspAccording to the Prime Ministers Office PMO the two leaders agreed to further expand and deepen the IndiaVenezuela partnership in all areas including trade and investment energy digital technology health agriculture and peopletopeople ties https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ensuring-energy-security-of-14-billion-indians-remains-govts-supreme-priority-mea-660937.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/taiwan-to-deepen-us-ties-on-ai-critical-minerals-to-counter-beijing-report-660968.html Mumbai Feb 5 The Taiwanese governments move to deepen collaboration with the US in artificial intelligence AI and critical minerals aims to counter risks from growing competition with Beijing a new report has said The report from Modern Diplomacy said senior Taiwanese and US officials discussed cooperation on AI technology and drones at a highâlevel forum after which the US State Department described Taiwan as a âvital partnerâTaiwan must look to fellow democracies rather than China for trade and economic cooperation President Lai Chingte said earlier this weekLaiâs remarks came as Taipei seeks to strengthen economic and technological links with Washington amid intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China the report saidâTaiwan is on the right economic path and is striding confidently onto the world stageâ Lai said adding that the country had both the capability and confidence to work with democratic partners on strengthening technological linksThe report highlighted that the two sides signed statements on cooperation in economic security and on the Pax Silica Declaration a USâled initiative aimed at securing artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chainsHowever Hsiao Hsutsen deputy chairman of Taiwanâs main opposition party the Kuomintang KMT said the country should cooperate across the Taiwan Strait to earn money from the world rather than oppose each other across the strait and let foreign countries reap the benefits exploiting Taiwan and hollowing it outHsiao was recently in Beijing for a thinkâtank exchange which reportedly discussed nonpolitical issues such as artificial intelligence and tourismPresident Lai however contrasted faster growth under his government with slower growth under the previous KMT government and asked âDo we want to continue collaborating with the US Japan Europe and other allied nations or again lock ourselves into ChinaâThe report highlighted that Lai framed the trade cooperation as a choice between democratic partners and China to âembed Taiwan more deeply in USled and allied supply chains particularly in highvalue sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/taiwan-to-deepen-us-ties-on-ai-critical-minerals-to-counter-beijing-report-660968.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trade-deals-part-of-indias-long-term-economic-strategy-pm-modi-660986.html New Delhi Feb 5 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that futureready trade agreements are part of Indias longterm economic strategy adding that the trade agreement with the EU has been touted as mother of all trade dealsnbspStressing that the government is focusing on futureready policies with the reformperformtransform mantra PM Modi said India has boarded the Reform Express and from the fragile 5 India is moving fast towards becoming the worlds thirdlargest economyThere was a new world order after the Second World War and now the world is moving towards a new world order and the bent is towards India which is a vishwa bandhu PM Modi told the Rajya Sabha in his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the Presidents AddressnbspIndia has just announced a key trade deal with the US and with the EU a few days earliernbspThe countrys growing economic influence and partnerships position the country strongly in the evolving global order underlining its role as a trusted partner on the world stage the Prime Minister addednbspThe first quarter of the 21st century has been completed But this second quarter is decisive just like the second quarter of Indias freedom struggle in the last century was I can clearly see that in the direction of building Viksit Bharat this second quarter is going to be equally capable PM Modi highlightedPrime Minister further stated that when you have a strong manufacturing ecosystem the world will want to deal with younbspAmong major economies Indias growth is constantly high and robust and low inflation has been hailed by the world he addednbspIn the journey towards Viksit Bharat the last few years have been the years of rapid development This has been the era of change in every walk of life in every section of society The country is going ahead in the right direction at a very fast pace PM Modi notedIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trade-deals-part-of-indias-long-term-economic-strategy-pm-modi-660986.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-nuclear-rapid-build-up-report-660737.html London Feb 3 During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmerâs recent visit to China discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided Beijingâs âdangerous unexplained secretive and rapid buildupâ of nuclear weapons as well as other contentious issues such as human rights abuses espionage and Taiwan a report said on Tuesday Citing the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Sipri a report in the UKâs leading daily The Guardian stated that while China with an estimated 600 warheads lags behind other nuclear powers itâs catching up at a fast paceâChinaâs nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other countrys by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023 â It could potentially have at least as many ICBMs intercontinental ballistic missiles as either Russia or the US by the turn of the decadeâ The Guardian quoted Sipri as sayingAccording to the report Beijing has provided no explanation or rationale for this dramatic increase â and rejected negotiations with multilateral arms controlâAn official white paper published by China in November restated its position that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals must make the first move by unilaterally making âdrastic and substantive reductionsâ Until then it said China would keep its own nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national securityâ The paper conveniently omitted to say what that level isâ it notedDespite its current advantages the report said the US remains concerned with the Pentagon warning in December last year that âChinaâs historic military buildup has made the US homeland increasingly vulnerableâThe Pentagon also highlighted what it described as a more attackready âhairtriggerâ nuclear posture claiming that about 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ICBMs were recently installed in silos in northern China It added that Beijing was testing its capacity âto strike US forces in the Pacificâ potentially undermining future US military support to TaiwanâChina expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027â The Guardian quoted the Pentagon as sayingThe report further said âWhatever Chinaâs President is thinking these are alarming times for anyone worried about global thermonuclear war â which should be everyone Starmerâs talks with Xi reportedly included Chinese threats to UK national security What bigger threat is there than proliferating nuclear weapons Yet as far as is known he did not raise the issueâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-nuclear-rapid-build-up-report-660737.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660740.html London Feb 3 During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmerâs recent visit to China discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided Beijingâs âdangerous unexplained secretive and rapid buildupâ of nuclear weapons as well as other contentious issues such as human rights abuses espionage and Taiwan a report said on Tuesday Citing the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Sipri a report in the UKâs leading daily The Guardian stated that while China with an estimated 600 warheads lags behind other nuclear powers itâs catching up at a fast paceâChinaâs nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other countrys by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023 â It could potentially have at least as many ICBMs intercontinental ballistic missiles as either Russia or the US by the turn of the decadeâ The Guardian quoted Sipri as sayingAccording to the report Beijing has provided no explanation or rationale for this dramatic increase â and rejected negotiations with multilateral arms controlâAn official white paper published by China in November restated its position that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals must make the first move by unilaterally making âdrastic and substantive reductionsâ Until then it said China would keep its own nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national securityâ The paper conveniently omitted to say what that level isâ it notedDespite its current advantages the report said the US remains concerned with the Pentagon warning in December last year that âChinaâs historic military buildup has made the US homeland increasingly vulnerableâThe Pentagon also highlighted what it described as a more attackready âhairtriggerâ nuclear posture claiming that about 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ICBMs were recently installed in silos in northern China It added that Beijing was testing its capacity âto strike US forces in the Pacificâ potentially undermining future US military support to TaiwanâChina expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027â The Guardian quoted the Pentagon as sayingThe report further said âWhatever Chinaâs President is thinking these are alarming times for anyone worried about global thermonuclear war â which should be everyone Starmerâs talks with Xi reportedly included Chinese threats to UK national security What bigger threat is there than proliferating nuclear weapons Yet as far as is known he did not raise the issueâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660740.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660741.html London Feb 3 During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmerâs recent visit to China discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided Beijingâs âdangerous unexplained secretive and rapid buildupâ of nuclear weapons as well as other contentious issues such as human rights abuses espionage and Taiwan a report said on Tuesday Citing the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Sipri a report in the UKâs leading daily The Guardian stated that while China with an estimated 600 warheads lags behind other nuclear powers itâs catching up at a fast paceâChinaâs nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other countrys by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023 â It could potentially have at least as many ICBMs intercontinental ballistic missiles as either Russia or the US by the turn of the decadeâ The Guardian quoted Sipri as sayingAccording to the report Beijing has provided no explanation or rationale for this dramatic increase â and rejected negotiations with multilateral arms controlâAn official white paper published by China in November restated its position that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals must make the first move by unilaterally making âdrastic and substantive reductionsâ Until then it said China would keep its own nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national securityâ The paper conveniently omitted to say what that level isâ it notedDespite its current advantages the report said the US remains concerned with the Pentagon warning in December last year that âChinaâs historic military buildup has made the US homeland increasingly vulnerableâThe Pentagon also highlighted what it described as a more attackready âhairtriggerâ nuclear posture claiming that about 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ICBMs were recently installed in silos in northern China It added that Beijing was testing its capacity âto strike US forces in the Pacificâ potentially undermining future US military support to TaiwanâChina expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027â The Guardian quoted the Pentagon as sayingThe report further said âWhatever Chinaâs President is thinking these are alarming times for anyone worried about global thermonuclear war â which should be everyone Starmerâs talks with Xi reportedly included Chinese threats to UK national security What bigger threat is there than proliferating nuclear weapons Yet as far as is known he did not raise the issueâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660741.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-rubio-bessent-in-washington-660765.html Washington Feb 4 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent holding wideranging discussions on the IndiaUS strategic and economic partnership âDelighted to meet US SecRubio this afternoonâ Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting âA wideranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda regional and global issuesâHe said the discussions with Rubio covered multiple pillars of the IndiaUS relationship âFacets of India US Strategic Partnership discussed included trade energy nuclear defence critical minerals and technologyâ Jaishankar saidThe External Affairs Minister said both sides agreed to move quickly on followup engagements âAgreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interestsâ he addedAccording to a State Department readout the two leaders discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration mining and processing â an area that has emerged as a central pillar of the IndiaâUS economic and strategic relationshipThe meeting came a day after President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal aimed at lowering barriers and expanding market access between the worldâs two largest democraciesSecretary Rubio and Minister Jaishankar welcomed the agreement underscoring the importance of the two democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance shared energy security goals the readout saidThe discussions also focused on the regional and multilateral dimensions of the partnership Rubio and Jaishankar concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue They acknowledged that a prosperous IndoPacific region remains vital to advancing shared interestsEarlier in the day Jaishankar also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington âPleased to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington DC todayâ he said in a separate postJaishankar described the talks as productive âHad a useful discussion on advancement of India US economic partnership and strategic cooperationâ he saidThe twin meetings reflected the broadening scope of IndiaUS engagement spanning diplomacy security trade and finance Senior officials on both sides have emphasised the need for closer coordination across departments to translate political momentum into concrete outcomesIndia and the United States have expanded cooperation in recent years across defence energy and emerging technologies while also deepening economic ties through trade and investment Both countries have highlighted critical minerals and advanced technologies as priority areas given their importance to clean energy transitions and highend manufacturingThe latest highlevel engagements follow sustained dialogue between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global issues including developments in the IndoPacific Officials on both sides have described the IndiaUS partnership as a central pillar of their respective foreign policy strategies IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-rubio-bessent-in-washington-660765.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/historic-deal-nda-leaders-welcome-india-us-trade-agreement-dismiss-cong-criticism-660682.html New Delhi Feb 3 Ruling NDA leaders on Tuesday strongly welcomed the IndiaUS trade agreement calling it a historic milestone that will significantly benefit Indiaâs economy MSMEs and global trade standing They also dismissed opposition criticism accusing the Congress of being negative and unable to appreciate positive developments for the country BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal described the agreement as a landmark achievement between the worldâs largest democracies âThis is a very historic deal between India and the US two of the worldâs largest democracies With this deal Indiaâs small and medium enterprises MSMEs especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals textiles FMCG and similar industries will gain greater access to the US marketâ he told IANSResponding to criticism from the Congress party Khandelwal took a sharp swipe saying âThis may be the Congress partyâs own perspective but we all know the state of the Congress They are in a poor condition surrounded by despair and negativity No matter what good happens in the country the Congress never seems to appreciate itâJDU national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad said the deal was also the result of Indiaâs growing global economic influence and strategic diplomacy He noted âIndia has achieved a major success due to strategic changes as well When India signed the FTA with the European Union it became clear to the United States that India is emerging as a strong economic power one they cannot ignore in their prioritiesâBJP MLA Devayani Farande also welcomed the agreement crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs leadership for the tariff reduction She said âI would like to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Trump administration bowed before him and reduced tariffs from 50 per cent to 18 per cent This will benefit Make in IndiaâLeaders from the NDA said the agreement would provide a major boost to Indian manufacturing exports employment generation and entrepreneurship particularly benefiting MSMEs seeking greater access to global markets They asserted that reduced tariffs and improved market access would enhance the competitiveness of Indian products abroad and strengthen Indiaâs position in global supply chainsIndia and the United States reached a trade deal on Monday following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump Under the agreement the US reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent while India agreed to ease certain trade barriers on American productsPM Modi welcomed the development stating that reduced tariffs on Made in India products would create new opportunities for Indian businesses and youth and further strengthen cooperation between the worldâs two largest democracies The government has described the agreement as a key step towards expanding Indiaâs global economic footprint IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/historic-deal-nda-leaders-welcome-india-us-trade-agreement-dismiss-cong-criticism-660682.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/from-continuity-to-change-experts-deliberate-on-evolution-of-indias-neighbourhood-policy-660698.html New Delhi Feb 3 Adaptive and more countryspecific Indias neighbourhood policy is no longer limited to historical goodwill as it responds to diverse political realities while safeguarding the regional stability opined top policymakers industry leaders and domain experts at an insightful discussion At the highlevel dialogue organised by the Chintan Research Foundation CRF and titled Perspectives From and Within India and Its Neighbourhood analysts deliberated on the evolution of Indias neighbourhood policy conducting alongside thematic analysis on the economic political and security challenges confronting the regionAs nations grapple with the evolving regional and global geopolitics the experts reckoned that India has increasingly sought to balance its security concerns development partnerships and economic diplomacy to foster stability and cooperation across South Asia and its extended neighbourhoodThey mentioned that Indias approach to its neighbourhood has long been shaped by geography and history captured succinctly in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeâs observation that You can change your friends but not neighbours This reality the experts highlighted continues to frame Indias neighbourhood policy where enduring cultural ties intersect with hard strategic choicesCRF President Shishir Priyadarshi who has coedited a book with Cchavi Vasisht on the same theme emphasised that the neighbourhood constitutes Indiaâs most challenging strategic theatreIn his opening remarks at the event Priyadarshi noted that Indias neighbourhood policy had become increasingly complex amid geopolitical competition political transitions in South Asia climate pressures and rising expectations from a growing Indian economy Stressing the vast diversity everevolving nature and nonlinear attributes of the region he stated that a onesizefitsall approach canât be adopted by India while engaging with its neighbourhoodThe experts highlighted that shifting regional dynamics have added new layers of complexity to Indiaâs neighbourhood engagementRecent years have witnessed political transitions and internal upheavals across South Asia including developments in Nepal Bangladesh and Sri Lanka requiring India to adapt its diplomatic and strategic approaches Political unrest in Bangladesh in 2024 the situation in the Maldives and continuing internal conflict in Myanmar have underscored the need for a more calibrated responsive neighbourhood strategy These challenges have been further compounded by Chinaâs expanding footprint in the region particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative BRIVasisht an Associate Fellow at the CRF added that the region functions in a state of constant flux rather than fixed agency She stated that Neighbourhood First is not just a slogan in New Delhi and the allocations made to immediate neighbours in the Union Budget underlines that development assistance connectivity projects and capacitybuilding and security are today central to Indiaâs regional diplomacyFurther discussions highlighted Indias efforts to balance national interests with regional growth and security including diplomatic initiatives such as engaging neighbouring leaders at the 2014 swearingin ceremony and aiding during the Covid19 crisisThe experts concluded that while the principles of Indiaâs Neighbourhood First policy remain relevant their execution must be recalibrated to account for changing domestic politics within neighbouring states shifting public perceptions of India and new forms of strategic vulnerability Engagement must therefore be differentiated recognising that Pakistan Bangladesh Nepal Myanmar Sri Lanka the Maldives Bhutan and Afghanistan each demand distinct policy instruments rather than uniform diplomatic responses IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/from-continuity-to-change-experts-deliberate-on-evolution-of-indias-neighbourhood-policy-660698.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/debt-ridden-pakistan-surviving-on-foreign-borrowing-660707.html New Delhi Feb 3 Debtridden Pakistanâs recent request to the United Arab Emirates UAE for the rollover of 3 billion deposits reflects the heavy dependence of the countryâs economy on borrowing from friendly countries and the IMF to stay afloat This pattern of repeated rollovers and emergency funding from friendly states and the IMF has provided shortterm breathing space but has also entrenched a fragile economic model that discourages domestic reform distorts incentives and perpetuates dependence according to an article in the Colombobased Asian News PostThe article points out that in early January 2026 Pakistan sought roll over of 3 billion from the UAE currently deposited with the State Bank of Pakistan SBP in three separate 1 billion tranches originally deposited in 2021 to shore up Pakistanâs balance of payments and stave off pressure on the foreign exchange reservesThe article cites official sources as indicating that Pakistan expects the rollover process to be completed on time and has also assured the International Monetary Fund IMF that the UAE will maintain these deposits in line with commitments made under the ongoing IMF programme This request is systematic in which Pakistan leans heavily on bilateral partners notably Saudi Arabia the UAE and China to roll over central bank deposits and commercial loans whenever repayment deadlines approachFor the current fiscal year government sources estimate that Pakistan will rely on rollovers of around 12 billion from these three partners alone underscoring how the countryâs external account management has become structurally tied to friendly capital rather than domestic export capacity or productivityled growthThe SBP Governor recently highlighted that in fiscal year 2025â26 total external repayments amount to about 258 billion of which approximately 93 billion are expected to be rolled over illustrating how rollovers are now embedded as a routine pillar of debt management rather than an exceptional crisis toolThe borrowing from the IMF also follows similar lines The IMF Executive Board approved a new 7 billion 37âmonth Extended Fund Facility EFF for Pakistan in September 2024 with disbursement contingent on sound policies and reforms but also explicitly backed by substantial financing assurances and rollovers from China Saudi Arabia and the UAE IMF officials have acknowledged that Pakistan has already been through 22 previous IMF programmes since 1958 a frequency that itself is symptomatic of recurring external sector crises and the failure of past reform efforts to break the cycle of dependenceUnder the new programme Pakistan secured immediate disbursement of 1 billion and additional commitments yet the conditionality again focuses on stabilisation rather than a fundamental restructuring of the economic model the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/debt-ridden-pakistan-surviving-on-foreign-borrowing-660707.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/gujarat-delegation-to-showcase-sacred-devnimori-relics-in-sri-lanka-660602.html VadodaraGandhinagar Feb 3 Gujarat will take centre stage in Indias cultural diplomacy as senior officials from the state lead the Indian delegation for the exposition of the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka The Relics currently housed at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara will be on public display at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo from February 4 to 10 returning to India on February 11 government officials said on MondayThe delegation will be led by the Governor Acharya Devvrat and the Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied by senior monks and officialsThe Relics will travel aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft with full state honours reflecting the reverence accorded to Indias cultural and spiritual heritageThe delegation will participate in ceremonial religious and official events in Colombo including the inauguration of the exposition and exhibitions showcasing Indias Buddhist legacyThe Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site in Gujarats Aravalli district near ShamlajiExcavated in 1957 by archaeologist SN Chowdhry the site revealed significant Buddhist structures and relics dating to the early centuries of the Common EraThe Relics include a green schist casket inscribed in Brahmi and Sanskrit reading dashabala sharira nilay the abode of the Buddhas bodily relicInside a copper box contains holy ashes silk cloth beads and a goldcoated silvercopper bottleThe items are preserved in an airtight glass desiccator with a cotton base to prevent deteriorationThe exposition at Colombos Gangaramaya Temple one of Sri Lankas most prominent Buddhist institutions is expected to draw devotees from across the countryThe initiative highlights Gujarats historical and cultural significance in Buddhism and its contemporary role in supporting Indias civilisational diplomacyBy sharing the Devnimori Relics India reinforces its longstanding spiritual and cultural ties with Sri Lanka while Gujarats leadership in the delegation emphasises the states unique contribution to preserving Buddhist heritage and fostering peopletopeople connections between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/gujarat-delegation-to-showcase-sacred-devnimori-relics-in-sri-lanka-660602.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-welcomes-india-us-trade-deal-660618.html Washington Feb 3 Indiaâs External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on welcomed the USâIndia trade deal announced after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump calling it a boost for jobs growth and innovation in both economies The minister arrived in New York on Monday on a threeday official trip to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial being hosted by his American counterpart Secretary of State Marco RubioâThis will create more jobs spur growth and promote innovation in both economiesâ Jaishankar said in a post on X He said the agreement would strengthen âMake in Indiaâ efforts and encourage trusted technology ties âA robust economic relationship is the strongest foundation for our strategic partnershipâ he addedAmerican singer and commentator Mary Millben described the deal as a moment of reconciliation She said the agreement showed âthe power of humilityâ in diplomacy and thanked President Trump for restoring ties with Prime Minister ModiMillben praised Indiaâs leadership during months of uncertainty and said the outcome positioned India strongly in global geopolitics She expressed confidence in the future prosperity of the USâIndia relationship and said she was proud of both countriesKhanderao Kand chief of policy and strategy at the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies welcomed the agreement and thanked both leaders for strengthening the partnershipKand said the renewed momentum reinforces the central role of USâIndia ties in the IndoPacific He added that the deal unblocks progress under TRUST advancing cooperation in artificial intelligence quantum technology cybersecurity robotics space and defense He also cited deeper engagement through groupings such as Quad and I2U2Political commentator Javed Hassan said India secured a better tariff outcome than Pakistan without symbolic gestures The reactions highlight the wide political and public interest surrounding the dealOfficials on both sides say the agreement is expected to deepen cooperation across economic strategic and technology domains in the months ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-welcomes-india-us-trade-deal-660618.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-in-us-to-meet-rubio-today-660622.html Washington Feb 3 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in New York for a threeday official visit to the United States and is scheduled to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday as part of talks focused on cooperation in critical minerals The meeting comes a day after a phone call between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Following the call the president announced a trade deal with India The announcement has added momentum to highlevel engagements between the two sidesJaishankarâs visit from February 2 to February 4 includes participation in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by Rubio according to an official announcement The ministerial will bring together partner countries to discuss supply chain resilience and strategic cooperationThe External Affairs Minister is scheduled to travel from New York to Washington during the visit He is likely to hold bilateral talks with Rubio on Tuesday followed by participation in the ministerial on Wednesday US Vice President JD Vance is expected to address the conferenceThe bilateral talks are expected to review a wide range of issues including regional and global matters These include developments related to the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East as well as economic and strategic cooperationIn a social media post on X EAM Jaishankar welcomed the announcements on bilateral trade following the conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald TrumpâThis will create more jobs spur growth and promote innovation in both economies It will strengthen âMake in Indiaâ endeavors and encourage trusted technology ties The opportunities in our economic engagement are truly vast and we are confident of realizing themâ he saidâA robust economic relationship is the strongest foundation for our strategic partnershipâ the EiAM wroteOn Wednesday EAM Jaishankar would attend the Critical Minerals MinisterialThe Critical Minerals Ministerial will focus on supply chain resilience clean energy transitions and strategic cooperation in the critical minerals sector These materials are essential for advanced manufacturing clean energy technologies and emerging industriesIn addition to the ministerial Jaishankar will meet senior members of the US administration Details of those meetings were not disclosedIndia and the United States have increased engagement in recent years on issues linked to economic security Critical minerals have become a central element of that dialogue with both countries seeking to ensure reliable and diversified supply chainsThe US State Department said on February 4 that the United States will welcome delegations to advance collective efforts to strengthen and diversify critical minerals supply chainsâThis historic gathering will create momentum for collaboration to secure these critical components vital to technological innovation economic strength and national securityâ the State Department saidJaishankarâs Washington engagements are part of regular highlevel exchanges between New Delhi and Washington The two sides maintain frequent dialogue on diplomacy trade technology and securityCritical minerals have gained importance globally in recent years They are widely used in clean energy systems batteries and other strategic sectors with demand rising as countries expand renewable energy and advanced manufacturing IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-in-us-to-meet-rubio-today-660622.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trade-deal-heralds-exciting-new-phase-in-our-partnership-indian-envoy-to-us-660625.html Washington Feb 3 Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Tuesday hailed the trade deal between the two nations and said that the new announcements herald an exciting new phase in our partnership This came as India and the US reached a trade deal on MondayTaking to X the Indian Ambassador said A big WIN for a consequential partnership under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump India and USA announce a trade deal creating vast new opportunities for the two economies and the people of our two great nations Todays announcements herald an exciting new phase in our partnershipEarlier on Monday the US President said that India and the United States had reached a trade deal outlining key elements after a phone conversation with PM Modi whom he described as one of my greatest friendsIn a detailed post on Truth Social Trump said the agreement would immediately reduce the US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent calling it a major shift in bilateral trade ties linked to energy cooperation and broader geopolitical goalsTrump said the two leaders discussed many things including Trade and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine He claimed that PM Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and to increase purchases from the United States and potentially from VenezuelaThis will help END THE WAR in Ukraine which is taking place right now with thousands of people dying each and every week Trump wroteAccording to Trump the trade deal would take effect immediately He said India would move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States to ZEROTrump also said PM Modi is committed to BUY AMERICAN at a much higher level He added that India would purchase over 500 BILLION DOLLARS of US Energy Technology Agricultural Coal and many other productsOur amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward Trump wrote Prime Minister Modi and I are two people that GET THINGS DONEPM Modi also took to X and said Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 14 billion people of India for this wonderful announcementHe said that when two large economies and the worlds largest democracies work together it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperationHailing President Trumps leadership in advocating for global peace stability and prosperity the Prime Minister said India fully supports his efforts for peaceI look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trade-deal-heralds-exciting-new-phase-in-our-partnership-indian-envoy-to-us-660625.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indiaus-economic-ties-set-to-reach-new-heights-rajnath-singh-welcomes-trade-deal-660630.html New Delhi Feb 3 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday hailed the IndiaUS trade deal and said that it will open a new phase of deeper and greater cooperation between the two nations In a post on X Singh said A landmark moment for IndiaUS relations as a historic trade deal has been finalised bringing tariffs down to a significantly lower 18 per cent and opening a new chapter of deeper and greater economic cooperationCongratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on reaching a decisive agreement the Defence Minister said that it will significantly strengthen our strategic partnership and deliver tangible benefits to both the countries and their peopleWith this agreement IndiaâUS economic ties are set to reach new heights he addedEarlier on Monday Trump said a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to the deal cutting US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent and easing Indian trade barriers on US productsTrump said India would also stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases of US energy technology and agricultural products He said the agreement would strengthen ties between the two countries and support efforts to end the war in UkrainePM Modi also took to X and said Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 14 billion people of India for this wonderful announcementHe said that when two large economies and the worlds largest democracies work together it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperationHailing President Trumps leadership in advocating for global peace stability and prosperity the Prime Minister said India fully supports his efforts for peaceI look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indiaus-economic-ties-set-to-reach-new-heights-rajnath-singh-welcomes-trade-deal-660630.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cms-welcome-trade-deal-with-us-hail-boost-to-make-in-india-global-market-access-660641.html New Delhi Feb 3 The landmark IndiaUnited States trade agreement which lowers US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent has drawn widespread praise from leaders across the country on Tuesday who described it as a major step forward for Indiaâs manufacturing sector exporters MSMEs and youth Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister hailed the development as a defining moment in bilateral economic tiesPosting on X CM Yogi said on Tuesday âA landmark moment for the IndiaUS economic partnership A major boost to MakeInIndia as Indian products will gain wider global market access creating fresh opportunities for Indian youth and MSMEs Thank you Hon PM Shri narendramodi Ji for your decisive and determined leadership in advancing stronger IndiaUS ties This milestone reflects rising global confidence in Made in India and reinforces Indiaâs position as a key driver of global growthâRajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma congratulated PM Modi and US President Trump In a post on X he wrote The world is looking at India with hope and optimism This is yet again reflected in the latest advancements in the IndiaUSA friendshipHe further said that this will tremendously help Indian products thus benefiting Indian enterprises and MSMEs It will open new opportunities for innovation investment and job creation across sectors This partnership further strengthens our shared commitment to inclusive growth and longterm prosperity The world is looking at India with hope and optimism This is yet again reflected in the latest advancements in the IndiaUSA friendship Congratulations to President Trump and PM Narendra Modi CM Sharma said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also welcomed the agreement calling it a historic advancement in IndiaUS relationsIn his post on X Majhi said âA historic advancement in IndiaUnited States economic relations setting a strong foundation for deeper cooperation and shared prosperity The US tariff reduction to 18 on Made in India products is a significant boost for Indian manufacturing MSMEs exporters and job creation while opening broader markets and new avenues for entrepreneurs and startups I extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to PM Shri narendramodi Ji for his decisive leadership and peoplefocused diplomacy strengthening IndoUS ties and enhancing Indiaâs global economic presenceâBihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary termed the development a major day for bilateral tiesHe wrote on X âIt is a big day for IndiaUS relations IndiaUS has set tariffs at 18 by signing a trade agreement This has paved the way for stronger trade relations and mutual growth I congratulate Prime Minister narendramodi ji and President realDonaldTrump ji for this historic agreement This decision will strengthen our strategic partnership and bring great benefits to both countries and the common people India and the US are ready to advance trade in a cordial environmentâIndia and the US reached a trade deal on Monday following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump The agreement reduces US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent while easing Indian trade barriers on select American productsPrime Minister Modi also welcomed the announcement saying on X âWonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 14 billion people of India for this wonderful announcementâThe Prime Minister noted that when two âlarge economiesâ and the âworldâs largest democraciesâ work together it benefits people in both countries and unlocks vast opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation Praising President Trumpâs leadership in promoting global peace and stability PM Modi said India fully supports his efforts and looks forward to taking the bilateral partnership to unprecedented heights IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cms-welcome-trade-deal-with-us-hail-boost-to-make-in-india-global-market-access-660641.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/havent-heard-anything-from-delhi-putins-top-aide-on-india-halting-purchase-of-russian-oil-660678.html Moscow Feb 3 IANS Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said that Moscow has not yet received any messages from New Delhi about refusing Russian oil suppliesnbspWe havent heard any statements from Delhi on this matter yet Russias staterun news agency Tass quoted the Presidential Spokesman as saying during a regular media briefing in Moscow while responding to a question about whether India had refused Russian oilThe diplomat however stated that the Kremlin is closely monitoring US President Donald Trumps statements including on India and oilWe are of course closely monitoring all news on this matter Peskov noted We are paying close attention to President Trumps statements we are carefully recording and analysing themWe respect bilateral AmericanIndian relations Peskov added We attach no less importance to developing our advanced strategic partnership with India This is of the utmost importance to us and we intend to further develop our bilateral relations in every possible way which is precisely what we are doing Peskov a seasoned diplomat who serves as the Press Secretary to Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying by TassOn Monday the White House announced that the United States will drop the 25 per cent tariff linked to Russian oil purchases as part of Indias agreement to stop buying crude from RussiaAs part of Indias agreement to cease Russian oil purchases the 25 per cent Russian oilrelated tariff will be dropped a White House official told IANS after President Donald Trump following a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the two countries have reached a trade dealIn a detailed post on Truth Social Trump said the agreement would immediately reduce the US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent calling it a major shift in bilateral trade ties linked to energy cooperation and broader geopolitical goalsTrump said the two leaders discussed many things including Trade and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine He claimed that PM Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and to increase purchases from the United States and potentially from VenezuelaPrime Minister Modi in his post on X said that he was Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per centWhen two large economies and the worlds largest democracies work together it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation PM Modi saidA senior administration official speaking on background told IANS the 25 per cent additional tariff was directly tied to Indias purchases of Russian oil and would now be removed following New Delhis commitment to cease such importsSince the start of the conflict in Ukraine the United States has pressed allies and partners to reduce or eliminate purchases of Russian energy arguing that oil revenues help finance Moscows military campaignIANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/havent-heard-anything-from-delhi-putins-top-aide-on-india-halting-purchase-of-russian-oil-660678.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-embark-on-three-day-us-visit-today-660571.html New Delhi Feb 2 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar will begin a threeday visit to the United States on Monday to participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said According to the MEA the Ministerial will focus on supply chain resilience clean energy transitions and strategic cooperation in critical mineralsDuring the visit from February 24 EAM Jaishankar will also hold meetings with senior members of the US administrationLast week the EAM met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi discussing many dimensions of bilateral tiesWelcoming Gor EAM Jaishankar expressed confidence that he would contribute to strengthening ties between India and the United StatesPleased to meet US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor today in New Delhi Our conversation covered the many dimensions of our partnership Welcomed him and expressed confidence that he would contribute to the strengthening of India US relations EAM Jaishankar posted on XEAM Jaishankar met a US Congressional delegation comprising Mike Rogers Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis along with Sergio Gor in New Delhi on January 25 as both sides discussed strengthening of bilateral ties developments in the IndoPacific region and the ongoing Ukraine conflictFollowing their talks EAM Jaishankar posted on X Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationshipEarlier on January 13 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke over the phone with EAM Jaishankar reviewing key areas of cooperation including civil nuclear energy trade talks and regional security in the IndoPacificUS Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described it as a positive callThey discussed next steps regarding our bilateral trade negotiations critical minerals and a possible meeting next month Gor wrote on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-embark-on-three-day-us-visit-today-660571.html Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/embrace-of-pakistan-entangles-bangladesh-in-sticky-web-of-regional-instability-report-660519.html New Delhi Feb 1 Autonomy in foreign policy enables a nation to act as per its own interest without external pressure guiding its moves but Bangladeshs recent and hurried moves to strengthen ties with Pakistan threaten to end this according to a report By entangling itself with Pakistan whose strategies are against regional stability Bangladesh is moving itself into a trap in which its choices will be dictated by the volatility of its partner instead of the needs of its people Associate Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies Ashu Mann wrote in an opinion piece in Eurasia ReviewUltimately the embrace of Pakistan entangles Bangladesh in a sticky web of regional instability that fundamentally erodes its strategic autonomy Pakistan is a state that is perpetually at war with itself or with its neighbours Its economy is on life support sustained only by the dripfeed of international bailouts and its borders are porous zones of militancy Instead of charting an independent course based on economic connectivity neutrality and trade Dhaka risks becoming a satellite in a security architecture defined by conflict Mann saidThe imperative of managing this relationship of explaining it to allies and monitoring it for risks will consume diplomatic bandwidth that should be spent elsewhere It will force compromises that do not serve the national interest such as taking sides in disputes that have nothing to do with the Bengali people Autonomy means having the freedom to choose stability to choose growth and to choose peace Aligning with a destabilising force like Pakistan is not an exercise of freedom it is the surrendering of it to the chaotic gravity of a failing state the opinion piece addedThe PakistanBangladesh partnership is not of equals but a strategic misstep that reopens wounds that have not been fully healed It isolates the people causing a dangerous discord between the rulers and the ruled People who have experienced the generational trauma of the liberation war in their memory consider this decision with deep and justified suspicionThis isolation weakens the Bangladesh governments mandate inside the country forcing it to depend more heavily on external validation Losing the moral confidence of its own voters results in the government inevitably losing the ability to say no to foreign demands leading to decisions being taken in the interest of others according to the opinion pieceBy deepening its ties with Pakistan the Bangladesh government seems to have forgotten or chosen to ignore the atrocities of the past for shortterm political gain This type of approach of the government towards diplomacy reduces the history of the nation the blood and the fire of 1971 to only a bargaining chip on a poker table it addedMann stated It is a dangerous precedent one that suggests that everything including the dignity of the nation and the memory of its martyrs is up for sale if the price is right This erosion of moral boundaries makes it difficult if not impossible to draw red lines in other areas of statecraft If the genocide can be overlooked for a trade deal what else can be compromised The administration acts as if the slate can be wiped clean without an apology but history is stubbornThe Bangladesh government by not demanding accountability from Pakistan for Operation Searchlight is demonstrating a lack of selfrespect By doing so it conveys to the international community that Bangladesh is a nation which has a short memory and a flexible spine an approach that will be exploited by every other nation in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/embrace-of-pakistan-entangles-bangladesh-in-sticky-web-of-regional-instability-report-660519.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-eu-free-trade-pact-rattles-bangladesh-660290.html New Delhi Jan 30 The EUâIndia free trade agreement has emerged as a major cause for concern in Dhaka as it delivers market access gains for India in the textiles apparel leather and footwear sectors that have long underpinned Bangladeshâs export success in Europe a Bangladeshi media report said With Bangladesh set to graduate from LDC status in November 2026 and its preferential access to the EU market expected to erode after a threeyear transition period the timing of this deal could not be more unsettling the article in the Daily Star newspaper saidFor decades Indian exports of garments textiles leather and footwear entered the EU facing substantial tariffs However the EUâIndia FTA would slash duties on footwear from 17 per cent to zero and apparel and textiles from 9â12 per cent to zero substantially strengthening Indiaâs competitiveness it pointed outBy leveraging LDC dutyfree access while competitors such as India and Vietnam continued to face tariffs Bangladesh was able to expand its share of the EU apparel market at a remarkable pace As Chinaâs share of EU apparel imports declined from 45 per cent in 2010 to 28 per cent in 2025 Bangladeshâs share rose sharply from about 7 per cent to 21 per centThis shift is particularly striking given that in 2005 Bangladesh and India held almost identical market shares in the EU but over the next two decades Bangladesh was able to increase its share by threefold while Indiaâs share declined to 5 per cent Bangladeshâs rise was driven not only by tariff advantages but also by favourable EU rules of origin for LDCs notably the single transformation rule the article pointed outTherefore in a twist of irony the very advantages of preferential margins that once propelled Bangladeshâs rapid ascent in the EU market are now eroding just as key competitors secure permanent dutyfree access through free trade agreements it lamentedMoreover given the safeguard provisions embedded in the EUâs Generalised System of Preferences there is a genuine risk that even if Bangladesh qualifies for GSP after graduation its garment exports could still face full MFN tariffs fundamentally altering the competitive balance in the EU market the article observesIt also highlights that the Indian government has set an ambitious target of 100 billion in textile and apparel exports by 2030 from currently around 40 billion and backed it with a layered policy framework that combines outputlinked subsidies export rebate schemes that refund embedded taxes inputside support and extensive infrastructure and logistics investments These measures reflect a sustained commitment to building competitiveness scale and upgrading capacityExternal developments further intensify the challenge With US reciprocal tariffs constraining Indiaâs export prospects Indian exporters are likely to redirect efforts toward alternative markets The EUâIndia FTA facilitates this shift intensifying competition in Europe with Bangladesh among those most exposed the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-eu-free-trade-pact-rattles-bangladesh-660290.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-new-ftas-mark-a-shift-to-growth-driving-trade-policy-660318.html New Delhi Jan 30 Indiaâs recent free trade agreements FTAs reflect a strategic shift from defensive trade policy toward a targeted growthdriven approach which is focused on partners where trade complementarities are already strong logistics are efficient and economic interests are aligned an Australian media article said In a decisive departure from earlier trade strategies India is increasingly choosing partners where bilateral trade was already expanding and where agreements can amplify existing momentum rather than attempting to create new trade relationships from scratch the article by Anna MahjarBarducci in the Australian Institute of International Affairs observedBetween FY 2020â21 and FY 2024â25 Indiaâs total trade with countries covered by FTAs signed since 2021 rose by 92 per cent far outpacing the 415 per cent growth in Indiaâs global trade The share of these partners in Indiaâs overall trade basket increased from roughly 1112 per cent in FY 2021 to nearly 165 per cent by FY 2025This shift reflects a deliberate strategy of prioritising highintensity bilateral tradeoriented economies aligned with Indiaâs strengths in manufacturing energy processing pharmaceuticals services and investmentled growthThe article cites the examples of Indiaâs recent FTAs with Australia New Zealand the UK and the EFTA countries to drive home this pointIt highlights that after India signed the FTA with Australia in 2022 bilateral trade has grown rapidly increasing by 96 per cent between FY 2020â21 and FY 2024â25 Australia supplies coal critical minerals metal ores and energy inputs central to Indiaâs industrial base while India exports refined petroleum products pharmaceuticals machinery textiles and consumer goods The agreement also strengthens services links particularly in education and professional services and supports cooperation in clean energy and critical minerals Strategically Australia helps India diversify supply chains and secure key resource inputs for longterm growthIT further states that after India signed an FTA with New Zealand in 2025 trade has risen by about 50 per cent from a small base reflecting the complementarities India exports pharmaceuticals machinery and manufactured goods while importing wool agricultural products metals and raw materials The agreement is carefully calibrated balancing market access with domestic sensitivities particularly in agriculture and includes an investment dimension that signals confidence in Indiaâs mediumterm growth prospects the article statedIndia signed an FTA with the UK in 2025 IndiaâUK trade expanded by 76 per cent between FY 2021 and FY 2025 even before the agreementâs formal conclusion The UK is a highincome highstandard market where India competes strongly in pharmaceuticals textiles engineering goods chemicals auto components and services The agreement improves market access addresses barriers in services and professional mobility and strengthens investment ties in technology finance advanced manufacturing and clean energy It reflects Indiaâs confidence in engaging developed markets without undermining domestic policy space the article explainsIndia signed a trade deal with the EFTA countries in 2024 Merchandise trade growth of around 19 per cent understates the agreementâs significance Imports from the EFTA are concentrated in highvalue items such as gold precision instruments and chemicals keeping trade volumes stable The real value lies in embedded investment commitments technology collaboration and highskill job creation The IndiaâEFTA pact marks a shift from viewing FTAs purely as tariff instruments to using them as vehicles for capital formation and industrial upgrading the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-new-ftas-mark-a-shift-to-growth-driving-trade-policy-660318.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-oman-fm-on-trade-critical-minerals-and-regional-issues-660392.html New Delhi Jan 31 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Saturday met Omanâs Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi in New Delhi where both sides discussed key issues including trade critical minerals and regional developments underscoring the depth of IndiaOman Strategic Partnership Taking to the social media platform X EAM said âA pleasure interacting with FM Badr Albusaidi of Oman this morning Our discussions on trade critical minerals and regional developments reflected the trust and comfort of our Strategic PartnershipâBadr Albusaidi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the second IndiaâArab Foreign Ministers Meeting IAFMMWelcoming Omanâs Foreign Minister the Ministry of External Affairs MEA took to X and stated âHis visit will further strengthen the multifaceted strategic partnership between India and OmanâOn Friday EAM Jaishankar met League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in New Delhi to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two sides across various sectorsFollowing their talks EAM posted on X A warm meeting with Secretary General League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit this morning Had a wide ranging conversation about our cooperation and strengthening it across various domains Also exchanged views on the recent developments in the regionâEAM Jaishankar also held separate meetings with Foreign Ministers of Comoros Mbae Mohamed Sudan Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim Libya Eltaher SM Elbaour Somalia Abdisalam Ali and Palestines Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen AghabekianThe discussions centred on enhancing the bilateral cooperation and deepening collaboration across several sectorsIndia is set to host the second IAFMM on Saturday The meeting being hosted by India and the United Arab Emirates will have the participation of Foreign Ministers from other Arab League Member States and the Arab League Secretary GeneralThe second IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting is expected to build on existing cooperation and expand the partnershipThe Foreign Ministers meeting is taking place after 10 years as the first meeting was held in Bahrain in 2016 During the first Foreign Ministers Meeting the leaders identified five priority verticals of cooperation economy energy education media and culture and proposed a set of activities across these verticalsIndia Arab Foreign Ministersâ Meeting is the highest institutional mechanism driving this partnership which was formalised in March 2002 when India and the League of Arab States LAS signed an MoU institutionalising the process of dialogue the MEA stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-oman-fm-on-trade-critical-minerals-and-regional-issues-660392.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-dispatches-10-more-bailey-bridges-to-sri-lanka-660416.html ColomboVisakhapatnam Jan 31 India on Saturday dispatched to Colombo a consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges to assist restoration of critical connectivity in parts of the country severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah India continues to stand with Sri Lanka to support reconstruction efforts after Cyclone Ditwah To assist restoration of critical connectivity a consignment of 10 Bailey Bridges was despatched today from Visakhapatnam to Colombo onboard INS Gharial the Ministry of External Affairs MEA posted on XAccording to the MEA the supply of bridges is a part of Indiaâs Special Economic Package of USD 450 million announced during the recent visit of External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar to Sri Lanka after Indiaâs emergency HADR support through Operation SagarBandhuLast week a 120foot Bailey Bridge on the B492 KandyâRagala Road was jointly inaugurated by Satyanjal Pandey Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Manjula Suraweera Arachchi Member of Parliament under Indiaâs PostDitwah Reconstruction AssistanceThe newly commissioned bridge restored a vital road link and strengthened connectivity for communities in the region It reestablished an essential transport corridor critical for passenger movement the supply of essential goods and the revival of local economic activityAccording to the Indian High Commission in Colombo this is the second Bailey Bridge on the KandyâRagala Road constructed under Indias USD 450 million Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Assistance to Sri Lanka It follows the launch of a 100foot Bailey Bridge on the KandyRagala Road KM21 on 10 January 2026 jointly inaugurated by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and the Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena and the Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Madhura SenevirathnaThe project forms part of Indias reconstruction and rehabilitation assistance extended to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah which caused severe disruptions to connectivity due to landslides and the collapse of existing bridges The newly commissioned Bailey Bridges have significantly improved access and mobility for communities in the affected areas particularly in challenging hilly terrain These restoration efforts are being undertaken in close coordination with the Sri Lankan Army and the Road Development Authority RDA read a statement issued by the Indian High Commission in ColomboIn the next phase additional Bailey bridges will be constructed over the coming weeks to ensure comprehensive restoration of connectivity across all affected areas it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-dispatches-10-more-bailey-bridges-to-sri-lanka-660416.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-ministers-arrive-in-new-delhi-for-second-india-arab-meet-660225.html New Delhi Jan 30 Foreign Ministers from several countries have arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the second IndiaâArab Foreign Ministers MeetingIAFMM scheduled for Saturday The Foreign Ministers of Libya Eltaher S M Elbaour and Somalia Abdisalam Ali arrived in the national capitalWelcoming the Libyan Foreign Minister the Ministry of External Affairs MEA took to X stating âHis participation in the IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting IAFMM and engagements in New Delhi will build a positive momentum in taking our bilateral ties forwardâThe MEA also warmly welcomed the Somalian Foreign Minister for his participation in the second IAFMM and said âHis visit will further deepen the cordial bilateral relations between India and SomaliaâOn Thursday the League of Arab States LAS Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit arrived in New Delhi to attend the second IndiaArab Foreign Ministersâ and related meetingsThe MEA extended a warm welcome to Gheit an Egyptian politician and diplomatPleased to welcome HE Ahmed Aboul Gheit Secretary General of the League of Arab States who arrived in New Delhi for the 2nd IndiaArab Foreign Ministersâ and related meetings High level engagements over the next two days reflect the shared commitment for a stronger IndiaArab partnership across sectors MEA posted on XEarlier Comoros Foreign Minister Mbae Mohamed Palestine Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin and Sudans Foreign Minister Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim also arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to attend the second IndiaArab Foreign Ministers MeetingIndia is set to host the second IAFMM on Saturday The meeting being hosted by India and the United Arab Emirates will have the participation of Foreign Ministers from other Arab League Member States and the Arab League Secretary GeneralThe IAFMM will be preceded by the 4th IndiaArab Senior Officialsâ Meeting on FridayThe second IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting is expected to build on existing cooperation and expand the partnershipThe Foreign Ministers meeting is taking place after 10 years as the first meeting was held in Bahrain in 2016 During the first Foreign Ministers Meeting the leaders identified five priority verticals of cooperation economy energy education media and culture and proposed a set of activities across these verticalsIndia Arab Foreign Ministersâ Meeting is the highest institutional mechanism driving this partnership which was formalised in March 2002 when India and League of Arab States LAS signed an MoU institutionalising the process of dialogue the MEA stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-ministers-arrive-in-new-delhi-for-second-india-arab-meet-660225.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-palestinian-counterpart-aghabekian-discuss-development-cooperation-gaza-peace-plan-660250.html New Delhi Jan 30 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Friday met Palestines Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian here and discussed development cooperation the Gaza Peace plan and regional developmentsnbspGlad to meet Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of State of Palestine Varsen Aghabekian Exchanged views on the Gaza Peace Plan and regional developments Reviewed our development cooperation and agreed on initiatives to take it forward EAM Jaishankar wrote in a post on X after the meetingnbspAghabekian arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to attend the second IndiaArab Foreign Ministers MeetingnbspUpon her arrival Aghabekian in a post on X wrote Arrived in India to participate in the 2nd IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting This visit reaffirms the strong partnership between Palestine and India and our shared commitment to cooperation with the Arab worldIndia is set to host the 2nd IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting IAFMM on January 31 The meeting being hosted by India and the United Arab Emirates will have the participation of Foreign Ministers of other Arab League member states and the Arab League Secretary General according to the Ministry of External Affairs MEAThe second IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting is expected to build on existing cooperation and expand the partnership It will be preceded by the 4th IndiaArab Senior Officials MeetingThe Foreign Ministers meeting is taking place after 10 years as the first meeting was held in Bahrain in 2016 During the first Foreign Ministers Meeting the leaders identified five priority verticals of cooperation economy energy education media and culture and proposed a set of activities across these verticalsIndia Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting is the highest institutional mechanism driving this partnership which was formalised in March 2002 when India and the League of Arab States LAS signed an MoU institutionalising the process of dialogue the MEA statedA Memorandum of Cooperation was signed for the establishment of the ArabIndia Cooperation Forum during the visit of the then Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa to India in December 2008 which was subsequently revised in 2013 in terms of structural organisation India is an Observer to the League of Arab States a pan Arab body with 22 member States it added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-palestinian-counterpart-aghabekian-discuss-development-cooperation-gaza-peace-plan-660250.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-discuss-joint-fact-sheet-visa-cooperation-660079.html Seoul Jan 29 Senior diplomats of South Korea and the United States discussed Thursday implementing their joint summit agreements and strengthening cooperation on US visa matters for South Korean workers the South Korean foreign ministry said The talks took place between Park Jonghan Deputy Foreign Minister for economic affairs and Jonathan Fritz US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs the ministry said in a release Yonhap News Agency reportedFritz was visiting Seoul this week for followup talks on US visa reform to better support Korean workers entering the US under a working group established after the arrest and detention of more than 300 Korean workers in a US immigration crackdown in Georgia last yearThursdays meeting also came as Seoul is seeking to reassure Washington of its commitment to the USD350 billion investment in the US after US President Donald Trump warned of a tariff hike for South Korea citing little legislative progress at the National AssemblyDeputy Minister Park reaffirmed the governments will to faithfully implement the followup steps from the South KoreaUS summits suggesting that the two countries continue close communication between their diplomatic authorities the ministry saidPark also asked for Washingtons continued support to ensure smooth business exchanges for Korean companies investing in the United States it addedAt the visa working group talks on Wednesday the US said it has created a new criterion for specialized trainers for shortterm B1 business visa applications a move expected to add clarity to visa eligibilitySouth Korean businesses have cited unclear US visa rules as a reason for confusion among employees when traveling to the US on businessThe two sides also discussed efforts to ensure Korean investors can carry out their US investments in a smooth manner in such areas as shipbuilding and other strategic industries IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-discuss-joint-fact-sheet-visa-cooperation-660079.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-us-envoy-gor-discuss-many-dimensions-of-bilateral-ties-660127.html New Delhi Jan 29 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi on Thursday discussing many dimensions of bilateral ties Welcoming Gor EAM Jaishankar expressed confidence that he would contribute to strengthening ties between India and the United StatesPleased to meet US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor today in New Delhi Our conversation covered the many dimensions of our partnership Welcomed him and expressed confidence that he would contribute to the strengthening of India US relations EAM Jaishankar posted on XGor on Wednesday described the IndiaUS defence partnership as strong and said that the 10year pact signed in 2025 will further deepen the ties He made the statement following his meeting with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar SinghIn a post on X Gor said Just last year the United States and India signed a 10year defence pact which will significantly deepen our Defence Partnership Joint exercises will continue and additional sales are in progress This is a strong relationship Thank you for hosting us Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar SinghEarlier this week Gor also attended Indias Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi terming it a celebration of Indias Constitution and democratic spiritHappy Republic Day India Honored to attend the Republic Day Parade for the first time a celebration of Indiaâs Constitution and democratic spirit Thrilled to see the USmade aircraft soaring in the Indian sky a powerful symbol of the strength of the USIndia strategic partnership he posted on XEAM Jaishankar met a US Congressional delegation comprising Mike Rogers Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis along with Sergio Gor in New Delhi on January 25 as the both sides discussed strengthening of bilateral ties developments in the IndoPacific region and the ongoing Ukraine conflictFollowing their talks EAM Jaishankar posted on X A good interaction with US Congressional Delegation comprising Representative Mike Rogers Representative Adam Smith and Jimmy Patronis along with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor Discussed various aspects of India US ties Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-us-envoy-gor-discuss-many-dimensions-of-bilateral-ties-660127.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-hands-over-250-more-vehicles-to-nepal-as-election-support-660130.html Kathmandu Jan 29 India on Thursday handed over more than 250 vehicles to Nepal as part of electionrelated assistance as the Himalayan country prepares to hold parliamentary elections on March 5 This marks the second tranche of election assistance to Nepal following the handover of more than 60 doublecab pickup vehicles and other supplies on January 20The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said the Government of India will provide around 650 vehicles for the upcoming elections which will be delivered in separate batches over the next few weeksThe Embassyâs Charge dâAffaires Rakesh Pandey handed over the vehicles to the Government of Nepal at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance in the presence of Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal The supplies form part of the assistance sought by the Nepali government in connection with preparations for the upcoming electionsSpeaking on the occasion Finance Minister Khanal lauded the assistance provided by India stating that it would play an important role in ensuring the success of Nepalâs democratic processâIf the Nepal government had to procure these materials on its own it would have required a significant expenditure from the state coffers at a time when the country is facing resource constraintsâ he said âWhenever Nepal has faced a crisis India has always stood as the first responder â whether during the devastating earthquake of 2015 or now on the eve of the electionsâDescribing India as a reliable development partner Khanal thanked the Indian government and people for their support and highlighted its significance in the preparations for the upcoming polls Based on requests from the Nepali government the southern neighbour has been providing electionrelated assistance to Nepal since 2008 when the first Constituent Assembly elections were heldAt a time when hundreds of governmentowned vehicles were destroyed during the GenZ protests in September last year the delivery of vehicles by the Indian government is expected to help ease logistical constraints faced by the Nepali governmentA governmentformed committee tasked with assessing the damage caused during the protests found that as many as 8430 governmentowned vehicles were damagedâThe ongoing cooperation and support from the Indian side is not only an apt reflection of the multifaceted and multisectoral development partnership between the two countriesâ the embassy said âbut also symbolizes the deep mutual trust and friendship between the people of India and Nepalâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-hands-over-250-more-vehicles-to-nepal-as-election-support-660130.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/arab-league-chief-arrives-in-new-delhi-for-crucial-india-arab-foreign-ministers-meeting-660131.html New Delhi Jan 29 League of Arab States LAS Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to attend the second IndiaArab Foreign Ministersâ and related meetings The Ministry of External Affairs MEA extended a warm welcome to the Gheit an Egyptian politician and diplomatPleased to welcome HE Ahmed Aboul Gheit Secretary General of the League of Arab States who arrived in New Delhi for the 2nd IndiaArab Foreign Ministersâ and related meetings High level engagements over the next two days reflect the shared commitment for a stronger IndiaArab partnership across sectors MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on XEarlier in the day Comoros Foreign Minister Mbae Mohamed Palestine Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin and Sudans Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim also arrived in New Delhi to attend the second IndiaArab Foreign Ministers MeetingIndia is set to host the 2nd IndiaArab Foreign Ministersâ Meeting IAFMM on January 31 The meeting being hosted by India and United Arab Emirates will have participation of Foreign Ministers of other Arab League Member States and Arab League Secretary GeneralThe IAFMM will be preceded by 4th IndiaArab Senior Officialsâ Meeting on FridayThe second IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting is expected to build on existing cooperation and expanding the partnership The IAFMM will be preceded by 4th IndiaArab Senior Officialsâ Meeting on January 30The Foreign Ministers meeting is taking place after 10 years as the first meeting was held in Bahrain in 2016 During the first Foreign Ministers Meeting the leaders identified five priority verticals of cooperation economy energy education media and culture and proposed a set of activities across these verticalsIndia Arab Foreign Ministersâ Meeting is the highest institutional mechanism driving this partnership which was formalised in March 2002 when India and League of Arab States LAS signed an MoU institutionalizing the process of dialogue the MEA statedA Memorandum of Cooperation was signed for the establishment of ArabIndia Cooperation Forum during the visit of the then Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa to India in December 2008 which was subsequently revised in 2013 in terms of structural organization India is an Observer to the League of Arab States a pan Arab body with 22 member States it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/arab-league-chief-arrives-in-new-delhi-for-crucial-india-arab-foreign-ministers-meeting-660131.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-to-step-up-fertiliser-imports-from-canada-amid-growing-economic-ties-660152.html New Delhi Jan 29 Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister JP Nadda held a meeting with a highlevel Canadian delegation led by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson here on Thursday reflecting the renewed momentum in the bilateral relations Appreciating Canadaâs role as a reliable supplier of Muriate of Potash MOP Nadda noted that India imports nearly 25 per cent of its total requirement of the fertiliser from Canada He expressed Indiaâs interest in securing more longterm supply contracts with Canada for MOPHe also highlighted Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd GSFC investment of Canadian 4968 million in Karnalyte Resources Inc a Canadian potash development company The GSFC currently holds a 4773 per cent equity stake in the project giving India a substantial strategic share in this important potash asset projectBoth sides also discussed Indiaâs longterm strategy for potash security including opportunities for technical collaboration in mining and explorationWelcoming the Canadian delegation Nadda said that strengthening potash availability in India remains central to restoring soil fertility and promoting balanced nutrient application under Indiaâs Integrated Nutrient Management frameworkDuring the deliberations Hodgson affirmed Canadaâs commitment to supporting Indiaâs agricultural productivity noting that potash is a mineral critical for agriculture He outlined Canadaâs new investment environment and conveyed that any investment made by Indian partners in the natural resources sector would be matched by the Canadian governmentThe discussions highlighted the shared commitment of India and Canada to enhance collaboration in the fertiliser sector and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations for longterm food and agriculture security Both countries stand to gain from this initiative which will promote deeper economic cooperation and support mutually beneficial investments in the fertiliser sectorThere has been a marked improvement in the diplomatic relations between Ottawa and New Delhi after the exit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the new government coming into power under Prime Minister Mark CarneyBesides Canada is looking to strengthen its economic partnership with India the worldâs fastestgrowing major economy amid the trade war and strained geopolitical ties with the neighbouring US after Donald Trump took over as President IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-to-step-up-fertiliser-imports-from-canada-amid-growing-economic-ties-660152.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/innovation-reforms-key-to-lifting-indias-productivity-imf-660159.html Washington Jan 29 Strengthening innovation and easing business barriers could sharply raise Indiaâs productivity growth and support its goal of becoming an advanced economy according to a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund Indiaâs productivity growth over the past two decades has been strong according to an IMF report authored by Harald Finger the IMFâs mission chief for India and Nujin Suphaphiphat a senior economist in the Fundâs Asia and Pacific DepartmentThe Fundâs 2025 Article IV analysis shows that better support for innovation including removing constraints that hold back firms could lift Indiaâs productivity growth rate by nearly 40 per cent The gain would be equivalent to adding the output of Karnataka the countryâs fourthlargest state by output to the economy every decadeProductivity trends vary widely across sectors Services have delivered substantial gains helped see the adoption of digital technology and closer integration with global value chains Manufacturing has seen only modest productivity growth Agriculture remains far less productive even though it still employs more than 40 per cent of the workforceThe gap between sectors is significant An additional worker in services produces more than four times the output of a worker in agriculture with the same level of education The IMF says this highlights the significant potential gains from shifting labour and activity to higherproductivity sectorsA key reason manufacturing lags is the dominance of tiny firms Nearly threequarters of factories employ fewer than five paid workers That is almost double the share in the United States The smallest enterprises produce less than 20 per cent of the output per worker of large firms compared with nearly 45 per cent in the United StatesMany of these firms remain small for decades Complex compliance rules rigid labour regulations and product market restrictions discourage growth Easing these constraints would help firms expand and lift productivity The IMF notes that Indiaâs recent announcement to implement new labour codes could help set the stage for further reformsLow business dynamism is another drag on productivity Rates of new firm creation as well as firm closures and exits are far lower than in economies such as Korea Chile or the United States Limited entry and exit weaken competition and slow the movement of capital and labour toward more productive firmsThe analysis also points to a sizable share of zombie firms These firms do not earn enough to cover borrowing costs but continue to absorb resources Firm entry and exit currently have only a small effect on productivity in India The IMF says this underscores the need for a more dynamic business environment where unproductive firms can wind down and innovative firms can growInnovation remains constrained India invests less in research and development than the average emerging market economy in the Group of Twenty Few firms engage in RampD and the adoption of foreign technology is limited Larger firms innovate more while smaller firms face barriers to scaling upThe IMF estimates that raising Indiaâs innovation indicators including business sophistication and creative outputs to the 90th percentile among emerging markets could boost productivity growth by nearly 06 percentage points That would amount to almost a 40 per cent increase relative to Indiaâs longterm average IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/innovation-reforms-key-to-lifting-indias-productivity-imf-660159.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/asia-underrepresented-among-unsc-permanent-membership-should-be-rectified-says-guterres-660196.html United Nations Jan 30 SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has said that Asia is underrepresented on the Security Councilâs roster of permanent members and this should be rectified Speaking to reporters on Friday India time about his priorities for the year he pressed for reforming the Council because âthe centrality of the peace and security system lies in the UN and within itWhile as the secretarygeneral he could not say what the reformed Council should be his personal opinion he said is âthat we should have permanent members from Africa in the Security Council the same representation of Latin AmericaââI think that probably Asia is underrepresented also clearly and so this rebalancing needs to be doneâ he saidIndia which has staked a claim to permanent membership has proposed reform along those lines and this has broad support among UN membersGuterres took a swipe at those who are blocking the reform processâIts very interesting to see that those who criticise the UN for not being effective are the ones opposing the reform of the Security Councilâ he saidâThat is the reason why the UN can sometimes not be as effective as we all wantâ he addedHe did not name those opposing the reformsA small group of countries that call themselves Uniting for Consensus led by Italy and including Pakistan has been holding up the reform process for more than a decade by opposing the adoption of a negotiating textWithout such a text laying out the agenda and tracking the progress on issues the negotiations have virtually stalledGuterres said he was also supportive of the idea of putting restrictions on the veto rights of permanent members which have been a major obstacle to the Council acting on several burning issuesâI see with a lot of sympathy some initiatives that were presented namely by two permanent members of the Council in order to put some limits to the exercise of the right of vetoâ he said referring to the proposals by France and BritainUnder their proposal vetoes would be restricted âin circumstances of genocide or terrible crimes against humanityâ he saidâThese would be the lines of evolution I would like to see the international community come together in order to have a reformed Security Councilâ he saidHe was asked about the Board of Peace set up by President Donald Trump in Gaza and the development of the warravaged territory with the approval of the Council but which he now wants to assume a broader role that some see as rivalling the UNThe Security Council stands alone in its Chartermandated authority is able to act on behalf of all members in questions of peace and securityâ Guterres saidâOnly the Security Council can adopt decisions binding on all and no other body or ad hoc coalition can legally require all Member States to comply with decisions on peace and securityâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/asia-underrepresented-among-unsc-permanent-membership-should-be-rectified-says-guterres-660196.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/as-gaza-peace-deal-enters-second-phase-india-commends-us-efforts-to-end-conflict-660029.html United Nations Jan 29 As the Gaza peace deal enters the second phase India has commended the US efforts to end the conflict Speaking at the Security Council debate on the situation in the Middle East Indiaâs Permanent Representative also denounced terrorism without naming Hamas whose attacks on Israel in 2023 set off the Gaza crisisâLet us be clear that terrorism has no place in civilised societies and must be condemned in all its forms and manifestationsâ he saidHarish referred to the progress made in implementing Novemberâs Council resolution on Gaza and said that India âtakes this opportunity to express appreciation to the United States in addressing this longstanding issueâHe did not name US President Donald Trump who has taken personal credit for ending the conflictWith the ceasefire holding for the most part the US said it was launching the second phase of the 20point peace plan which would create âa transitional technocratic Palestinian administrationâ begin the full demilitarisation of Hamas and other groups and start the reconstruction of GazaâThe reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza and resumption of delivery of public services and humanitarian assistance is a herculean taskâ he said calling for international support for the effort to fulfil the âyearning of the Palestinian peopleâGiving an idea of the scale of the effort that is needed he cited the UN Office for Project Servicesâ estimate that there were 60 million tonnes of rubble left in the aftermath of the conflict there and said that âan innovative approach with technological rigour is requiredâ because of the harmful pollutants in the debrisOver the last two years India has contributed to the humanitarian relief efforts Harish said sending nearly 135 metric tonnes of medicines and suppliesIn addition there are ongoing Indian projects valued at 40 million he saidâIn cumulative terms the extent of support to the Palestinian people currently stands at over 170 millionâ he addedHarish also reiterated Indiaâs support for a twostate solution that has an independent Palestine taking its place alongside IsraelA key feature of the Gaza peace deal is the creation of the Board of Peace to implement the phased process of bringing peace and reconstructing the territory devastated by Israeli retaliation for the Hamas attackTrump invited India to join the Board but India has so far not responded to the invitationTrump has since said he wants to expand the Boardâs role which is perceived as an attempt to create a rival to the UNAt a Council debate earlier this week Harish expressed unease about itâConversations and discussions have moved on to parallel plurilateral frameworks some even involving private sector actors to bring about outcomes on peace and security outside the United Nations Frameworkâ he said while decrying the Councilâs paralysisThe UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov said the announcement of the second phase of the peace deal was âa critical stepâ and âin front of us we see a potential turning point for Gaza a genuine chance for a better futureâUS Permanent Representative Mike Walz said his country âremains fully committed to working in close partnership with Israel with key Arab and Muslimmajority nations and with the international community to bring peace prosperity security and dignity to the region that its people deserveâArul Louis can be contacted at arulliansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/as-gaza-peace-deal-enters-second-phase-india-commends-us-efforts-to-end-conflict-660029.html Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-ministers-start-arriving-in-delhi-for-2nd-india-arab-meet-660034.html New Delhi Jan 29 Foreign Ministers of several countries have started arriving in New Delhi to attend the second IndiaâArab Foreign Ministers Meeting slated for January 31 Comoros Foreign Minister Mbae Mohamed State of Palestine Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin and Sudans Mohieldin Salim Ahmed IbrahimWelcoming the delegates the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said the visit would strengthen the bilateral partnership and peopletopeople tiesIndia will host the 2nd IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting IAFMM on January 31 aimed at building on existing cooperation and expanding and deepening the partnership the MEA saidAccording to the MEA the meeting will be cochaired by India and the UAE The foreign ministers of other Arab League member states and the Arab League secretary general will participate in the meetingThe Foreign Ministers meeting is happening after a gap of 10 years the first meeting being held in 2016 in Bahrain At the first FMM the ministers identified five priority verticals of cooperation economy energy education media and culture and proposed a set of activities across these verticals the MEA mentionedIndia is an observer to the League of Arab States a panArab body with 22 member statesThis is the first IndiaArab FMM to be hosted by India in New Delhi and will see participation by all 22 Arab countries by foreign ministers other ministers ministers of state and other senior officials and the Arab League The IAFMM will be preceded by the 4th IndiaArab Senior Officials Meeting on 30 January 2026 the MEA statedThe IndiaArab Foreign Ministers Meeting is the highest institutional mechanism driving this partnership which was formalised in March 2002 when India and the League of Arab States LAS signed an MoU institutionalising the process of dialogueThe MEA said that a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed for the establishment of the ArabIndia Cooperation Forum during the visit of the then Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa to India in December 2008 which was subsequently revised in 2013 in terms of structural organisationEarlier on Wednesday the MEA said that foreign ministers and senior officials from 20 countries have confirmed their participation in the IndiaâArab FMM and the 4th IndiaâArab Senior Officials Meeting SOM 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/foreign-ministers-start-arriving-in-delhi-for-2nd-india-arab-meet-660034.html Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-italy-ties-set-on-path-of-rapid-expansion-italian-president-659908.html Rome Jan 27 Italian President Sergio Matarella on Tuesday extended Republic Day wishes to President Droupadi Murmu noting that ties between both nations continue to expand rapidly Matarella stressed that India and Italy share fundamental values like democracy and respect for the rule of law as well as pursue multiple converging interests including protection of a rulesbased international order pursuit of security and stability along the IndoMediterranean arc and effective management of the global challengesIn a letter written to President Murmu Matarella stated On the occasion of the Republic Day I would like to extend to you Madam President my warmest wishes for a prosperous future for the Republic of India Relations between India and Italy are set on a path of rapid expansion destined to deepen further to our mutual benefitThe bilateral partnership also thanks to the implementation of the Joint Strategic Action Plan is enriched every day by new opportunities for cooperation whether through joint projects between our respective economic operators scientific collaborations or increasingly intense and fruitful contacts between our civil societies he addedMatarella expressed hope that synergies between India and Italy will be further strengthened in each sector of the bilateral agenda and within the framework of ties between India and the European UnionDelhi and Rome share fundamental values such as democracy and respect for the rule of law They also pursue multiple converging interests beginning with the protection of a rulesbased international order the peaceful pursuit of security and stability along the Indo Mediterranean arc and effective multilateral management of the major global challengesBuilding on these foundations I hope that synergies between our countriesdrawing impetus from frequent exchanges of visits at the highest institutional and political levelsmay be strengthened in every sector of the bilateral agenda as well as within the framework of relations between India and the European Union which stand to gain greatly from new economic and trade agreements With these hopes and in a spirit of friendship I wish to renew to you and to all your citizens the warmest congratulations on behalf of the Italian Republic Matarella addedLast month Italys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani called on PM Modi during his visit to New Delhi During the discussions PM Modi described the IndiaItaly relationship as one that continues to get stronger adding that the deepening engagement benefits not only both countries but also contributes positively to the global communityDelighted to meet Italyâs Deputy Prime Minister ampamp Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani today Conveyed appreciation for the proactive steps being taken by both sides towards implementation of the ItalyIndia Joint Strategic Action Plan 20252029 across key sectors such as trade investment research innovation defence space connectivity counterterrorism education and peopletopeople ties IndiaItaly friendship continues to get stronger greatly benefiting our people and the global community PM Modis post on X readIndia and Italy elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in 2023 laying the groundwork for an ambitious longterm agenda now being operationalised through the 2025â2029 plan IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-italy-ties-set-on-path-of-rapid-expansion-italian-president-659908.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-concerned-over-emergence-of-parallel-platforms-to-un-659963.html United Nations Jan 27 India has expressed concern over the emergence of platforms parallel to the United Nations seeking to take on peace and security roles while the Security Council is paralysed Security conversations and discussions have moved on to parallel plurilateral frameworks some even involving private sector actors to bring about outcomes on peace and security outside the United Nations Indiaâs Permanent Representative P Harish cautioned on Monday pressing the case for Council reformSecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres said no organisation or adhoc coalition can usurp the powers of the CouncilThe Council alone can make decisions binding on all and no other body or adhoc coalition can legally require all member states to comply with decisions on peace and security he said while speaking at the Council at a highlevel debate on Reaffirming International Rule of LawOnly the Security Council can authorise the use of force under international law as set out in the Charter he said Its responsibility is singular Its obligation is universalTherefore he said Council reform is essentialThat is why we must act without delay to enhance the representation and effectiveness of this Council he addedGuterresâ reference to an ad hoc coalition and Harishâs mention of parallel plurilateral frameworks were about the Board of Peace that US President Donald Trump has created and is seen as a challenge to the UNWith diplomatic finesse they were careful not to name him or the BoardTrump said last week at Davos Once this Peace Board is completely formed we can do pretty much whatever we want to doAlthough he added a rider Well do it in conjunction with the United Nations it still meant he was seeing a downgraded role for the UN losing its monopoly under the Charter for using force to enforce international peace and securityTrump announced the Board as a part of his Gaza peace plan under which it was to oversee the rebuilding of the devastated territoryThe plan received the approval of the Security CouncilTrump has since said the Board could take on a broader role in international securityThe Board of Peace has 22 members including Pakistan and Trump has offered permanent membership for contributions of 1 billionExcept for Belgium Western countries have so far stayed away from the Board where the majority â 13 members â is made up of Muslim majority nationsCalling for urgent reform of the Council and adding permanent members Harish said that it was essential to make the international rule of law effective when the world organisation at its core is under strainParalysis and lack of effectiveness in tackling conflicts remain a significant shortcoming testing the UNâs credibilityBecause of the veto powers of the permanent members the Council was not able to act on crises like Gaza and UkraineFor multilateralism and international rule of law to remain effective and credible global governance structures must evolve to reflect contemporary realities he saidWhile the world has undergone a profound transformation in the 80 years since the UNâs founding the Council is stuck in a bygone era he saidGiven the changes in power dynamics demographics and the nature of global challenges theres an urgent and compelling need to undertake comprehensive reform including expansion in the permanent and nonpermanent categories the Indian diplomat said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-concerned-over-emergence-of-parallel-platforms-to-un-659963.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-canada-agree-to-boost-energy-cooperation-659966.html New Delhi Jan 27 India and Canada on Tuesday signed a joint statement to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector during the India Energy Week 2026 held in Goa The agreement marks a renewed push to deepen bilateral ties in areas such as oil gas clean energy and longterm investmentsThe joint statement followed a bilateral meeting between Indiaâs Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Canadaâs Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Timothy HodgsonHodgsonâs participation at India Energy Week 2026 was significant as it marked the first time a Canadian Minister attended the eventDuring the meeting both ministers formally launched the renewed IndiaCanada Ministerial Energy DialogueThey stressed that energy security and diversified supply chains are critical for the economic growth safety and overall wellbeing of both countriesThe meeting was held in line with the direction given by the Prime Ministers of India and Canada during their interaction on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in June 2025 in Kananaskis CanadaAt that time both leaders had underlined the need to restart seniorlevel and workinglevel engagements between the two countriesIndia and Canada acknowledged that their energy sectors complement each other well Canada aims to become a global energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy with a strong focus on expanding exportsIndia on the other hand is emerging as a central player in the global energy market due to its large and growing demandCanada highlighted its expanding capabilities in liquefied natural gas crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas exports especially to Asian marketsIndia noted that it is the worldâs thirdlargest oil consumer fourthlargest LNG importer and thirdlargest LPG consumer with one of the largest refining capacities globallyIndia is also expected to account for more than onethird of the growth in global energy demand over the next two decadesBoth sides agreed to deepen bilateral energy trade This includes the supply of Canadian LNG LPG and crude oil to India as well as the supply of refined petroleum products from India to CanadaThe ministers also expressed interest in encouraging stronger commercial and investment partnerships in each otherâs energy sectorsCanada shared that it is fasttracking major energy and resource projects supported by over 116 billion in investments announced in 2025India meanwhile highlighted policy reforms and investment opportunities worth around 500 billion across the entire energy value chain IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-canada-agree-to-boost-energy-cooperation-659966.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-un-chief-call-for-reforming-unsc-urgently-guterres-says-rule-of-law-being-replaced-by-law-of-jungle-659837.html United Nations Jan 27 India and SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres have called for urgently reforming the Security Council in the face of dire challenges to the world organisation Indias Permanent Representative P Harish on Monday said the reform must add permanent members to make the international rule of law effective when the world organisation âat its core is under strainââParalysis and lack of effectiveness in tackling conflicts remain a significant shortcomingâ testing the UNâs credibility he said at the Councilâs highlevel open debate on âReaffirming International Rule of LawââFor multilateralism and international rule of law to remain effective and credible global governance structures must evolve to reflect contemporary realitiesâ he saidSecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres who warned that âaround the world the rule of law is being replaced by the law of the jungleâ said it was imperative to reform the Council without delayOnly the Council can make decisions binding on all and âno other body or adhoc coalition can legally require all member states to comply with decisions on peace and securityâ he saidThe Council has singular and universal responsibility since under the UN Charter it alone can authorise the use of force he saidâThat is why reform is essential that is why we must act without delay to enhance the representation and effectiveness of this Councilâ he stressedHarish added a note of caution that because of challenges to the Councils relevance Security conversations and discussions have moved on to parallel plurilateral frameworks some even involving private sector actors to bring about outcomes on peace and security outside the United NationsâWhile the world has undergone a profound transformation in the 80 years since the UNâs founding the Council is stuck in a bygone era he saidGiven the changes in âpower dynamics demographics and the nature of global challenges theres an urgent and compelling need to undertake comprehensive reform including expansion in the permanent and nonpermanent categoriesâ he saidGuterresâ reference to an âad hoc coalitionâ and Harishâs mention of âparallel plurilateralâ were about the Board of Peace that US President Donald Trump is creating as a challenge to the UNOnce this board is completely formed we can do pretty much whatever we want to doâ he said last week at DavosAlthough he added a rider âWell do it in conjunction with the United Nationsâ it still meant he was seeing a downgraded role for it IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-un-chief-call-for-reforming-unsc-urgently-guterres-says-rule-of-law-being-replaced-by-law-of-jungle-659837.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eu-trade-deal-biggest-in-indias-history-to-create-huge-opportunities-pm-modi-659870.html New Delhi Jan 27 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the signing of a free trade agreement FTA between India and the European Union stressing that the landmark partnership between two major economies will create new opportunities for businesses consumers and the skilled workforcenbspAddressing a joint press conference at Hyderabad House here with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen PM Modi underlined that the agreement biggest in Indias history reflects growing trust shared values and a common commitment to peace stability and cooperation in an increasingly uncertain global environmentUnder the agreement tariffs on over 90 per cent of EU goods exports to India will be eliminated or reduced including steep duties of up to 44 per cent on machinery 22 per cent on chemicals and 11 per cent on pharmaceuticals which will be mostly phased outTariffs on EU beer will be cut to 50 per cent while duties on chemicals aircraft and spacecraft will be eliminated for almost all productsThe EU estimates the deal could double EU exports to India by 2032 and generate annual duty savings of up to 4 billion euros on European productsThe bloc accounts for nearly 17 per cent of Indias total exports giving Indian businesses a huge market to tap into with easier access under the FTAThe trade pact also includes 500 million euros in EU support over the next two years to help India cut greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the green transition EU exports to India already support around 800000 European jobs and the deal is expected to create many moreThe EU said the deal will sharply boost exports to the Indian market and deepen economic ties under a turbulent global trade order The pact covers economies with a combined population of around 2 billionIndia and the European Union also signed a mobility pact aimed at easing the movement of Indian students workers and professionals across EU countriesVon der Leyen said the successful conclusion of the IndiaEU free trade agreement referring to the pact as the mother of all dealsThis is only the beginning We will grow our strategic relationship to be even stronger she remarkedSeparately the Summit between the two sides also launched an EUIndia Security and Defence Partnership https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eu-trade-deal-biggest-in-indias-history-to-create-huge-opportunities-pm-modi-659870.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-eu-solidify-defence-and-security-partnership-vow-to-combat-terrorism--659878.html New Delhi Jan 27 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday underlined their commitment to raise the IndiaEU Strategic Partnership to a higher level based on shared values and principles including democracy human rights pluralism rule of law and the rulesbased international order with the UN at its corenbspnbspThe leaders who cochaired the 16th IndiaEU Summit in New Delhi also committed to tackling security threats promoting inclusive and sustainable growth strengthening economic resilience and security advancing climate and biodiversity action and accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals a Joint Statement released after the extensive discussions detailedAntonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen are on a State Visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi as the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India They are accompanied by a highlevel delegation including High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Trade Commissioner Maros SefcovicnbspThe leaders welcomed the signing of the IndiaEU Security and Defence Partnership the first such overarching defence and security framework between the two sides that will deepen ties in the domains of maritime security defence industry and technology cyber and hybrid threats space and counterterrorism among others They also welcomed the launch of negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement that will facilitate the exchange of classified information and pave the way for a stronger cooperation in areas related to security and defence the Joint Statement highlightedThey emphasised the importance of an effective multilateral system with the United Nations at its core and underlined the necessity of comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative inclusive transparent efficient effective democratic accountable and reflective of contemporary geopolitical realitiesnbspAccording to the Joint Statement the leaders underscored the importance of close cooperation on regional and global security matters acknowledging that the security and prosperity of Europe and the IndoPacific are interconnectedThe two sides reiterated their shared commitment to promoting a free open peaceful and prosperous IndoPacific in accordance with international law including UNCLOS recognising their respective roles and engagement in the region The leaders welcomed closer engagement in the region including the inaugural edition of the forthcoming IndiaEU Consultations on the IndoPacific in New Delhi They also looked forward to joint activities in the IndoPacific Oceans Initiative IPOI and to strengthen cooperation in the Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA under Indias Chairship the statement mentionedOn Ukraine the two sides expressed concern over the ongoing war which continues to cause immense human suffering and carries global consequences Both sides said that they will continue to support efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive just and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy based on the principles of the UN Charter and of international law including independence sovereignty and territorial integritynbspThe two sides discussed the recent developments of concern in Iran and the region They underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving issues in a peaceful mannerThe leaders noted the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 2803 of 17 November 2025 which welcomes the establishment of the Board of Peace and authorizes an International Stabilisation Force as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan as a step forward to end the Gaza conflict They encouraged all parties to implement the resolution in its entirety in line with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions Both sides restated their readiness to support efforts towards just and durable peace and stressed the need for unhindered humanitarian access They also called for a just and lasting solution based on the implementation of the twoState solution through dialogue and diplomacy read the Joint StatementnbspThe leaders also unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations including crossborder terrorismnbspThey called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner and in accordance with international law They agreed to enhance cooperation to counter radicalisation and violent extremism combat financing of terrorism promote internationally agreed antimoney laundering standards prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and tackle terrorist recruitment They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort New Delhi on 10 November 2025 the Joint Statement addedThis is the first visit by the leaders of the European Union as Guests of Honour for the Republic Day and symbolises the growing closeness depth and dynamism in IndiaEU relations and their joint commitment and shared interest in shaping a resilient multipolar global order that underpins peace and stability economic growth and sustainable development the statement highlighted furthernbspThe visit follows the historic visit of the European Union College of Commissioners led by President von der Leyen to India in February 2025 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-eu-solidify-defence-and-security-partnership-vow-to-combat-terrorism--659878.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/behind-the-scenes-how-pakistan-jamaat-are-positioning-yunus-for-bangladeshs-presidency-659774.html New Delhi Jan 26 Pakistan has been able to secretly strike a deal whereby Muhammad Yunus would be made the President of Bangladesh if the JamaateIslami comes to power Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina Yunus has been in charge of the country as the caretaker of the interim government Bangladesh watchers say that Yunus has made several exceptions for Pakistan and now in return he wants an assurance that he would be made President once the February elections are completed Pakistan on its part had no hesitation in agreeing to this demand and even the Jamaat was on boardBangladesh watchers say that in addition to the support from Pakistan Yunus is backed by several western forces and China as they are aware that he can be armtwistedYunus has also made several exceptions for China much to the dislike of IndiaUnder him ties with India have nosedived and if he becomes President then it would be extremely difficult for New Delhi to deal with Dhaka the experts sayWhile it is more than certain that current President Mohammed Shahabuddin would step aside if a Jamaat government is in power it is yet to be seen what would happen if the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP comes to powerOfficials say whatever may be the outcome Yunus would continue to enjoy a very important position that could wield influence in the governmentHe is important for the West Pakistan and China and hence he will be rewarded the official also addedIt is thanks to Yunus that the Jamaat which ideally would have come a distant second is now in the running to form the government Most of the policies that suit the Jamaat have been implemented by YunusFurther he has been very generous with grants that have helped the Jamaat put in a lot of money into their election campaignYunus was also instrumental in releasing terrorists and radical elements which eventually helped the Jamaat These elements are important for the Jamaat where there are radical votersTo ensure that Yunus remains relevant and Bangladesh can be run as a radical nation Pakistan and Jamaat are going all outWhile Pakistan can wield a certain amount of influence on the BNP it is aware that if this party comes to power it would want to have diplomatic relations with IndiaAny India connection to Bangladesh is something that Pakistan as well as China would frown upon and hence the massive push is being made to ensure a Jamaat victoryThe President of Bangladesh has certain powers that would be helpful for Pakistan and the Jamaat The President is the supreme commander of the armed forces The President can dissolve Parliament and grant assents to Bills passed by the Jatiya SangsadFurther the President has the power to grant pardons respites and also commute sentences If Yunus is the President then there is a lot of influence that the Jamaat or the Pakistanis can have on himAn Intelligence Bureau official says that both Pakistan and the Jamaat will go to any extent to ensure that their influence over the country remains intact The official adds that one can expect more violence and rabid lectures ahead of the electionsTo ensure this the Jamaat is playing a double game to capture a large number of votesRecently some allies of the Jamaat walked out of the alliance They said that they were upset that the Jamaat leadership would not impose Sharia as the official law if it comes to powerA majority of the Bangladeshis want the country to be governed by the existing laws However there are some who want the Sharia to govern the nationFor this the Jamaat has another strategy To capture the radical elements the Jamaat has unleashed some of its leaders to speak about the Sharia lawAfzal Hossain Jamaat candidate from Barguna2 constituency said that if his party is voted to power it would not run the nation as per the Constitution He clearly suggested that a Sharia law would be in place if the Jamaat came to powerHe also said that Bangladesh being an 80 per cent Muslim majority nation should not have a single leader from another communityAnother official said that there is a big push being made by the Jamaat to surge ahead and Yunus is going all out to support the partyIn Yunus the Jamaat and Pakistan see a puppet and hence they would be more than happy to make him President of the country once the elections are completed the official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/behind-the-scenes-how-pakistan-jamaat-are-positioning-yunus-for-bangladeshs-presidency-659774.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/t20-wc-pakistan-will-play-india-match-but-sources-after-pcb-chief-naqvi-meets-pm-sharif--659784.html New Delhi Jan 26 The Pakistan government has given a goahead to the national team to play against India in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup in Colombo sources said adding that the decision was arrived at after a meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board PCB Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday Though PCB Chairman Naqvi wrote in a social media post that a final decision on this matter will be announced by Friday or Monday sources told IANS that Pakistan will play India in the T20 World CupPakistan Cricket Board Chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and briefed him in detail about the ICC T20 World Cup and the current situation regarding the Bangladesh Cricket Board a source told IANSThere were reports that Pakistan are likely to boycott their match against India if not the entire tournament to show solidarity with Bangladesh who have been replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup schedule after they refused to travel to India for their matches citing security fearsIn a post on X the PCB Chairman said that he had a productive meeting with the Prime Minister Briefed him on the ICC Matter and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday Naqvi wrote in the post on XThough the Pakistan government has given its nod to play the ICC T20 World Cup and India match reports said they could make some form of protest before thatThe team could wear black armbands in the match or issue a statement in support of Bangladesh before it sources told Telecom Asia Sport wwwtelecomasianetNaqvi is also Pakistans Interior Minister and thus the secondincommand after PM Sharif and by leaving the decision to him and the PCB the Pakistan government is hoping to pile on the pressure on the ICCSources also told IANS that PM Shehbaz Sharif has also directed the PCB to write a letter to the ICC on the Bangladesh issue Pakistan is the only board among the top affiliated national associations to come out in support of the Bangladesh Cricket Board BCB during the ICC board meeting at which the global governing body for cricket decided to reject Bangladeshs request for a venue change IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/t20-wc-pakistan-will-play-india-match-but-sources-after-pcb-chief-naqvi-meets-pm-sharif--659784.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/more-world-leaders-extend-wishes-on-republic-day-highlight-enduring-partnership-with-india-659801.html Nicosia Jan 26 As India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on Monday several world leaders extended wishes to New Delhi highlighting strong partnership and cooperation with New Delhi Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides extended his greetings to the people of India on Republic Day noting that Cyprus values its enduring partnership shared democratic values and strengthening partnership with IndiaSharing his pictures with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Christodoulides stated on X Warmest congratulations to my dearest friend PM Narendra Modi and the people of India on Republic Day Cyprus deeply values our enduring friendship our shared democratic values and our steadily strengthening partnership Looking forward to visiting India in MayMaldives President Mohamed Muizzu also extended his wishes to President Droupadi Murmu Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on 77th Republic Day He expressed Maldives willingness to work with India to strengthen bilateral ties that have benefited the people of two nationsIn a post on X Muizzu wrote Warmest greetings and best wishes to President HE Smt Droupadi Murmu Prime Minister HE Shri Narendra Modi the government and the friendly people of India as they celebrate their 77th Republic DayThis day strongly signifies the commitment of the people of India to uphold the principles of freedom democracy and good governance The Maldives wishes to continue our work together to strengthen our excellent ties that have immensely benefited the welfare of the people of both countries he addedAs India celebrates the Republic Day Kazakhstan President KassymJomart Tokayev extended his greetings to PM Modi He stressed that India under PM Modis leadership continues its persistent path of robust economic development and social welfarePresident KassymJomart Tokayev sent a congratulatory telegram to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Indiaâs Republic Day President Tokayev noted that under the Prime Ministerâs wise leadership India continues its persistent path of robust economic development and social welfare He also emphasised Indiaâs important role on the international stage the Press Office of Kazakhstan President posted on XPresident Tokayev wished Prime Minister Modi every success in his noble endeavours and extended his best wishes of prosperity and progress to the friendly people of India he addedMaldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel also extended wishes to people of India and Republic DayIn a post shared on X Khaleel wrote Warm greetings to S Jaishankar and the friendly people of India on the 77th Republic Day The Maldives cherishes its enduring friendship with India rooted in ancient civilizational links strengthened by peopletopeople ties and deepened through impactful projectbased cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/more-world-leaders-extend-wishes-on-republic-day-highlight-enduring-partnership-with-india-659801.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/hrw-urges-finnish-pm-petteri-orpo-to-address-repression-during-china-visit-659645.html Washington Jan 25 USbased Human Rights Watch HRW has urged Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to confront repression during his fourday visit to China beginning on Sunday In a statement HRW stated Orpoâs visit is more than a diplomatic engagement it is a test of whether Finland can navigate between two major powers while defending its own core interests which should include a defence of democratic values and human rightsHis visit to China comes after recent visits by leaders from Ireland Sweden France Germany and Canada focusing on trade and investment while human rights concerns receive little more than symbolic mention This renewed engagement showcases how nations are hoping to diversify economic relationships and reduce dependence on the United StatesIn a statement HRW stated But if democratic backsliding and coercive politics from the Trump administration are causing unease aligning more closely with an openly authoritarian China should provoke even stronger alarm across EuropeFinlandâs Joint Action Plan with China 2025â2029 exemplifies this imbalance It outlines ambitious cooperation on innovation green technology and trade with only vague references to human rights This approach ignores the growing ways in which Chinaâs repression affects Finland directly it addedIn the statement HRW accused China of being one of the worldâs most abusive both at home and abroad Chinas ongoing crimes against humanity in Xinjiang include arbitrary detention pervasive surveillance and forced labour of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims according to the statementHRW further stated This poses problems for Finnish industries Finlandâs clean energy and tech sectors risk exposure to tainted supply chains even with the European Union regulation prohibiting forced labour imports scheduled to take effect in late 2027 Chinaâs labour rights abuses extend well beyond Xinjiang Its lowrights development model has helped drive a global race to the bottom in labour rights contributing to localised job losses that fuel resentment and populism in Europe and the United StatesHRW alleged that people in Hong Kong fear long prison sentences for criticising the government while religious and cultural rights remain under attack in Tibet Furthermore it accused China of suppressing dissent by targeting activists who live abroad including in Europe IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/hrw-urges-finnish-pm-petteri-orpo-to-address-repression-during-china-visit-659645.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-judicial-system-faces-stress-test-in-high-profile-cybercrime-case-659670.html New Delhi Jan 25 Pakistans criminal justice system long plagued by chronic delays and a staggering backlog of over 24 million pending cases as reported by the Law and Justice Commission has come under intense scrutiny through a prominent cybercrime trial involving human rights lawyer Iman Zainab Mazari and political activist Hadi Ali Chattha The case initiated in August 2025 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act PECA exemplifies the tensions between judicial authority procedural fairness and selective enforcementThe National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency NCCIA registered an FIR on August 22 2025 accusing the pair of offenses including cyber terrorism hate speech and dissemination of illegal content related to social media posts allegedly supporting banned groups and promoting ethnic division a Eurasia Review report said Unlike many PECA cases that lead to swift arrests the defendants initially avoided detention despite the gravity of the charges Prearrest bail was granted within days and by September they secured full protection from arrest However subsequent noncompliance missing court appearances and public criticism of the judiciary prompted nonbailable warrants These warrants were repeatedly cancelled upon appearance or changes in legal representation a pattern critics describe as preferential treatment rarely extended to ordinary defendants said the report Court records reveal 44 hearing days stretched over four months with frequent adjournments granted for reasons such as counsel switches constitutional challenges and alleged health issues lacking documentation Disruptive conduct including courtroom walkouts and accusations against the presiding judge led to further postponements and temporary warrant issuances only for relief to be restored swiftly Prosecutors argue the defence employs tactical delays to fatigue the system and politicise a standard criminal matter Requests for exemptions including unverified medical claims contributed to perceptions of brinkmanship Superior courts including the Islamabad High Court and Supreme Court intervened multiple times to compel progress issuing unusual directives to address stalls The trial highlights broader systemic issues While highprofile figures receive extended leeway less prominent accused in similar cybercrime or antiterrorism cases often face immediate detention for procedural lapses Digital rights groups including the Digital Rights Foundation criticise PECA for vague provisions and overreach yet stress that due process requires engagement in court rather than evasion The core allegations specific posts purportedly aligning with proscribed organisations remain untested through full crossexamination and adjudication As one senior lawyer observed if the speech is lawful the courtroom is the appropriate venue to demonstrate it The case transcends the individuals involved exposing a fundamental conflict balancing civil liberties against law enforcement imperatives in politically charged matters Five months on the proceedings raise deeper questions about trial courts ability to maintain control over resistant highprofile defendants Extraordinary tolerance risks undermining judicial authority particularly when met with persistent resistance The public expects judges to uphold independence from external pressures while enforcing courtroom discipline it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-judicial-system-faces-stress-test-in-high-profile-cybercrime-case-659670.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/record-10-500-tibetan-students-enrol-for-tibet-classes-across-chinese-cities-659681.html New Delhi Jan 25 The number of Tibetan students having enrolled in âTibet classesâ across many Chinese cities has seen a sharp rise this year setting a new record and also raising apprehension about attempts to sinicise the indigenous population of Tibet According to Chinese government figures released in a report by the Education Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region TAR as cited by Tibetan Review more than 10000 Tibetan students were admitted to the socalled Tibet Classes in major Chinese cities in 2025 This marks the highest annual intake since the programme began years agoâIn 2025 about 2000 Tibetan students were enrolled in junior middle school classes in China with the total number of classes increased to 150 Likewise a total of 4500 Tibetan students were stated to have been enrolled in senior middle school classes in China and the number of such classes increased to 205â the report statedâAlso a total of 4000 Tibetan students were enrolled in middle vocational education schools in China with the number of such classes increased to 223â it addedThe data indicates a significant rise in the number of specialised classes and institutions created under the programmeAmong the students enrolled for various programs more than 3000 hail from the TAR region while about 800 students come from Tsongon Qinghai Province a significant portion of the traditional Tibetan region of AmdoAccording to the report the enrollmentof Tibet Classes accelerated after 2023 The students enrolment has increased at an average annual rate of 99 per cent over the past three yearsChinese officials described this as a policy framework of three increments three coverages and one standardisation However Tibetan organisations and rights groups were highly critical of the program as they viewed it as a tool for political indoctrination and cultural assimilationThe Tibet Class system was first introduced in 1984 with Beijing citing limited educational development and a shortage of skilled personnel in Tibetan areas as justificationAs of 2025 129 Tibet Class schools were operating across 23 provinces and 60 provinciallevel cities in China enrolling a total of 25000 Tibetan students IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/record-10-500-tibetan-students-enrol-for-tibet-classes-across-chinese-cities-659681.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-india-share-historic-bond-rubio-659705.html Washington Jan 26 The United States stressed the depth of its relationship with India extending greetings to the country on Republic Day and highlighting expanding cooperation across strategic sectors and sustained engagement in the IndoPacific âThe United States and India share a historic bondâ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said as Washington congratulated the people of India on their national occasionâOn behalf of the people of the United States I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of India on your Republic Dayâ Rubio saidThe statement described the partnership as broad longstanding and crucial to regional peace and addressing global challengesIt named defense energy critical minerals and emerging technologies as key partnership areas and emphasised broader Quad engagementThe USIndia relationship brings tangible benefits to both countries and the IndoPacific reflecting deepening strategic collaborationRubio underscored a commitment to advancing the USIndia partnership and building on its current momentumâI look forward to working together to advance our shared objectives in the year aheadâ he saidIndia celebrates Republic Day annually on January 26 to commemorate the adoption of its Constitution in 1950 marking its transition into a sovereign democratic republic The day is observed with ceremonial events in New Delhi including a national parade and celebrations across the country highlighting constitutional values and democratic traditionsUSIndia ties have grown over two decades to include defense trade technology and peopletopeople exchanges becoming central to the IndoPacific framework as both nations promote stability economic growth and innovation with regional partners IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-india-share-historic-bond-rubio-659705.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 07:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-canadas-anita-anand-discuss-deepening-bilateral-ties-659710.html New Delhi Jan 26 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Monday said that he had a fruitful conversation with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand Both leaders discussed further strengthening the bilateral ties in various sectorsIn a post on X EAM Jaishankar posted A fruitful conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand this morning Discussed the deepening of our bilateral cooperation and continued highlevel exchangesIndia and Canada are deepening engagement following a meeting between Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit in June last yearLater the countries reinstated their high commissioners and also announced a shared roadmap for future collaboration which was announced during Foreign Minister Anands visit to India from October 12â14 2025Earlier on January 17 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met David Eby Premier of British Columbia reaffirming the importance of sustained engagement to unlock new opportunities and deepen ties between India and CanadaIn a post on X Goyal said he had a productive meeting with EbyDiscussions focused on strengthening the IndiaCanada economic partnership advancing trade and investment cooperation and exploring collaboration across sectors such as critical minerals manufacturing clean energy technology education defence and innovation the minister explainedWe reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement to unlock new opportunities and deepen the ties between both nations he addedLater on January 21 underscoring Indias significant role in inclusive responsible and impactdriven artificial intelligence AI the Consulate General of India in Canadas Toronto hosted the IndiaCanada AI Dialogue 2026 emphasising the significance of bilateral cooperation for shared economic and societal benefitsThe highlevel dialogue was organised in partnership with the University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada the India Tech Council and Zoho IncAccording to the Indian Consulate General in Toronto this dialogue is one of the few presummit events organised globally as a precursor to one of the biggest AI Summits in the Global South the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 19â20 designed to gather diverse perspectives and build momentum IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-canadas-anita-anand-discuss-deepening-bilateral-ties-659710.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eu-leaders-receive-ceremonial-welcome-and-guard-of-honour-in-india--659629.html New Delhi Jan 25 IANS European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who are the Chief Guests for thenbsp 77th Republic Day celebrations were accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour here on SundaynbspUnion Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada welcomed Costa at the airport as he arrived for his state visitIndiaEU A partnership of Trust and Reliability A cordial welcome to the President of the European Council Antonio Costa as he arrives in New Delhi for a State Visit to India Received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on XPresident of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour Presidents Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen are the Chief Guests at Indias 77th Republic Day celebrations The visit is set to deepen the IndiaEU Strategic Partnership he addedCosta stated that he is honoured to arrive in New Delhi for the 16th EUIndia Summit on the eve of Indias Republic DayHonoured to arrive in New Delhi for the 16th EUIndia Summit on the eve of Indias 77th Republic Day Celebrating a strong and growing EUIndia partnershipfrom trade and security to the clean transition and vibrant peopletopeople connections he posted on XVon der Leyen arrived in India on Saturday and was received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Prasada upon her arrivalIn a statement the European Council stated that Costa and Von der Leyen will represent the EU at the 16th EUIndia summit in New Delhi on January 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the summit Ahead of his arrival in India Costa said India is a crucial partner for the EU Together we share the capacity and responsibility to protect the rulesbased international orderThe European Council in its statement said The summit will offer an opportunity to build on the EUIndia strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas such as trade security and defence the clean transition and peopletopeople cooperationDuring the summit the leaders are expected to adopt a joint EUIndia comprehensive strategic agenda which aims to increase strategic cooperation between the two sides in four sectors reinforced by enablers across pillars prosperity and sustainability technology and innovation security and defence as well as connectivity and global issuesThe two sides will also discuss trade in the context of the ongoing negotiations on a free trade agreement that began in 2007 During the summit both sides will focus on closer collaboration between the EU and India on security and defence matters The leaders will also discuss regional and global matters especially the importance of an effective multilateral system a free and prosperous IndoPacific region the RussiaUkraine conflict and the situation in the Middle East https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eu-leaders-receive-ceremonial-welcome-and-guard-of-honour-in-india--659629.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 20:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eus-tweak-on-gsp-to-impact-only-266-per-cent-of-indias-exports-commerce-ministry-659500.html New Delhi Jan 23 The European Unions broader suspension of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences GSP will impact only 266 per cent of Indiaâs exports to the EU the Commerce Ministry said on Friday In 2023 EU imports from India amounted to approximately 622 billion euros Of this only 129 billion euros were eligible under the EUâs Standard GSP framework India has graduated from 12 major product categories As per the new regulation 166 billion euros of trade is expected to graduate out of the GSP regime leaving the eligible GSP trade to be 1124 billion euros as per 2023 dataIn other words the new regulation impacts only 266 per cent of Indiaâs exports to the EU the statement saidThe graduation process is based on the competitiveness of the countrys exports which is periodically reviewed by the EU Indiaâs graduation over time is on account of the increasing competitiveness of its exportsThe European Commission has adopted Implementing Regulation EU 20251909 laying down rules for the suspension of specific tariff preferences for certain GSP beneficiary countries including India for the period 2026â2028 The regulation formally entered into force on January 1 2026 and will last until December 31 2028Under the new GSP treatment agricultural lines are not graduated In the nonagricultural sector only leather has been reinstatedThe suspension covers thirteen specific GSP sections such as mineral products inorganic and organic chemicals plastics and articles thereof rubber and articles thereof textiles articles of stone plaster cement asbestos mica or similar materials ceramic products glass and glassware pearls and precious metals iron steel and articles of iron and steel base metals excl iron and steel articles of base metals excl iron and steel machinery and mechanical appliances electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof railway or tramway locomotives rollingstock Motor vehicles bicycles aircraft and spacecraft ships and boatsThe European Unionâs GSP is a unilateral trade preference scheme under which the EU grants reduced or zero customs duties to imports from developing and leastdeveloped countriesThe GSP is nonreciprocal and operates as an exception to the WTOâs MostFavouredNation MFN principle Its permanent legal basis under WTO law is the 1979 Enabling Clause which allows developed countries to grant differential and more favourable treatment to developing countriesThe European Union offers different trade benefits under the GSP scheme Standard GSP gives poorer and lowermiddleincome developing countries like India easier access to EU marketsGSP is an enhanced version that provides more benefits but only to countries that follow international rules on labour human rights the environment and governance while Everything But Arms EBA gives the poorest nations dutyfree quotafree access to almost all goods except arms IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eus-tweak-on-gsp-to-impact-only-266-per-cent-of-indias-exports-commerce-ministry-659500.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-vital-balancing-force-in-times-of-unprecedented-geopolitical-instability-659504.html Tel Aviv Jan 23 With Tel Avivs position in the West weakening and currents within American public discourse growing more hostile Israel believes that Indias leadership of BRICS carries immense significance for it on several fronts a report highlighted on Friday India remains the organizationâs responsible adult New Delhi places importance on preventing BRICS from becoming an overtly antiIsrael forum or a space dominated exclusively by the Chinese axis and elements hostile to Israel Indias presidency ensures that the organisation will continue to focus on economic and infrastructure issues thereby providing Jerusalem with an essential diplomatic safeguard Israel must capitalize on Indias strategic autonomy to ensure that its interests are preserved on the international stage even as global blocs are reshaped Oshrit Birvadker wrote for the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security JISSBirvadker an expert in IndiaIsrael IndiaGulf and IndoPacific relations highlighted that Indias BRICS presidency could serve as a vital buffer for Israel against the organisationâs increasing politicizationMarking the dawn of 2026 India has officially taken charge of the BRICS Brazil Russia India China and South Africa presidency assuming leadership of the expanded bloc at a critical and sensitive geopolitical juncture The unveiling of the official logo and website on January 6 by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar marks the beginning of a complex undertaking an effort to prioritise the interests of the âGlobal Southâ amid clashing internal agendas and mounting diplomatic pressure from Washington the JISS report statedBirvadker detailed that Indias presidency is being shaped by two dramatic variables that are redefining the international arena the transactional Americacentric approach that defines US foreign policy and the intensifying contest over the meaning and boundaries of âmultipolarityAccording to the report for Israel a nation historically aligned with the West and situated at the core of the East Indiaâs 2026 BRICS leadership represents both an opportunity and a strategic challengeâIn an international system polarised between traditional Western loyalties and the economic ascent of the East India serves as a vital balancing force New Delhiâs ability to temper antiWestern tendencies within the bloc and prevent its weaponization as a political tool makes its presidency a vital anchor for Jerusalem in preserving its diplomatic maneuverability â even if in the final analysis Israelâs affinity for the US remains too profound to permit a truly balanced policyâ the opinion piece emphasisedIndiaâs role in BRICS and its current presidency the report said underscores its commitment to promote a multipolar world order with India as a central pillar At the same time it noted New Delhi seeks to ensure that the organisation does not become a tool of Chinese dominance and avoids adopting an overtly confrontational or antiWestern stanceâSince adopting a proactive foreign policy rooted in multialignment New Delhi has skillfully leveraged the benefits of bilateral cooperation with various powers while playing a central role in multilateral forums such as the Quadâalongside the US Australia and Japanâclearly aimed at balancing Chinaâs influence While this is not Indiaâs first time at the helm of BRICS it assumes the current presidency at a juncture of unprecedented geopolitical instability and global uncertaintyâ the report mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-vital-balancing-force-in-times-of-unprecedented-geopolitical-instability-659504.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-to-meet-trumps-special-envoy-witkoff-and-kushner-on-ukraine-issue-659311.html Moscow Jan 22 Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that he will meet US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and entrepreneur Jared Kushner later on Thursday local media reported In his remarks at a meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council Putin said that he plans to meet the US representatives following his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Russias leading news agency Tass reportedPutin announced that Witkoff and Kushner will visit Moscow to continue the dialogue on the Ukrainian settlement Russian leader further stated that he intends to address details regarding Moscows participation in the Board of Peace for which Trump has invited Putin to participateEarlier Witkoff announced his plans to visit Moscow on Thursday Witkoff announced that Jared Kushner who was present during the previous meeting between Putin and US officials will accompany him on the visit to MoscowBefore their arrival in Moscow Witkoff and Kushner held a meeting with Russian Presidents special representative and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20 Officials from Russia and US held a meeting behind closed doors for over two hours which Witkoff termed very positive Tass reportedThe proposed Board of Peace has been described by Trump as a platform that could bring together leaders directly to resolve disputes He has argued that existing institutions have often been too slow or ineffective in stopping warsMeanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Russia would focus on diplomacy and not on missile strikes blackouts or attempts to damage Ukraineâs nuclear power plants if it genuinely wanted to end the warHe said there is information about the sites Russia reconnoitered in preparation for strikes stressing that everything clearly shows âdiplomacy is not a priority for RussiaâIn his address to the nation Zelensky said âThe main target for Russia is invariably our energy sector Almost 58000 people are working around the clock in repair crews on power grids and generation facilities and on the heating network alone Resources from Ukrzaliznytsia and other stateowned companies have been involved For Kyiv where the situation is very difficult an additional 50 crews from all over the country have been involvedââThere are still houses without heating and for them the necessary equipment and crews are being sent to each house manually It is also difficult in the Kyiv region especially in the northern part of the region also in the Boryspil district Also in border and frontline regions where repairs to networks and repairs to facilities are complicated by virtually constant shelling and constant strikes These are Kharkiv Chernihiv Sumy Dnipro and Zaporizhia regions special attention is paid to these regions There was a lot of work in Poltava and Odessa to stabilise the energy situationâ he addedZelensky further said that the Ukrainian delegation which included the head of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov reported on meetings with representatives of US President Donald TrumpâThere have already been several rounds of negotiations they are working on documents that are needed to end the war It is important that the Ukrainian team fully informs the American side about what is happening in Ukraine and about the constant Russian attacks on our energy systemâ he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/putin-to-meet-trumps-special-envoy-witkoff-and-kushner-on-ukraine-issue-659311.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-delivers-75-tonnes-of-life-saving-cancer-medicines-in-afghanistan-659322.html New Delhi Jan 22 India on Thursday delivered 75 tonnes of lifesaving cancer medicines in Kabul to address the needs of cancer patients in Afghanistan In a post on X Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India delivers 75 tonnes of lifesaving cancer medicines to Kabul to address the urgent needs of cancer patients India remains committed to supporting the friendly people of AfghanistanIn December Afghanistanâs Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali held a meeting with Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda in New Delhi and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sectorThe talks focused on boosting health cooperation sharing expertise between medical professionals building the capacity of Afghan health workers and ensuring the supply of quality medicines to Afghanistan Cancer treatment medical visas for Afghan patients and support for health facilities were also discussed Afghanistans Ministry of Public Health posted on XJalali thanked India for its recent support in the health sector and outlined additional needs to improve Afghanistanâs healthcare systemDuring the meeting Nadda reaffirmed New Delhis commitment to supporting the Afghan people including through the supply of medicines and vaccines He confirmed that a CT scan machine along with medicines and vaccines would soon be sent to a childrenâs hospital in KabulNadda added that India would work to ease access to medical treatment for Afghan patients and stood ready to extend further assistanceFollowing the talks with the Afghan Health Minister Nadda in a post on X wrote Held a productive meeting with Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali Afghan Minister of Public Health Reaffirmed Indiaâs commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan and discussed avenues to further strengthen this collaboration with particular focus on long term supply of medicinesâMade a symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines reflecting Indiaâs commitment to support the medical needs of the Afghan people A larger consignment of medicines vaccines and a 128slice CT scanner is also being dispatched to Afghanistanâ he addedNadda noted that India has supplied 327 tonnes of medicines and vaccines to Afghanistan over the past four years Proposals from the Afghan side for a radiotherapy machine and additional medical supplies are also being processedAfghan Health Minister Jalali also met Minister for AYUSH Ministry of Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy Unani Siddha and Homoeopathy Prataprao Jadhav during which the two sides discussed setting up a traditional medicine institute and research centre in Kabul training practitioners and signing a bilateral cooperation agreementâJalali said standardising traditional medicine was essential and noted that Afghanistan had begun regulating the sector adding that Indiaâs experience made its support especially valuableâ said the Afghan Ministry of Public HealthAccording to the Afghan Ministry Jadhav pledged support for establishing research centres developing curricula and expanding cooperation in traditional medicine in the futureTaking to X Jadhav wrote âStrengthening bilateral healthcare ties Held a productive meeting with HE Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan and Karan Yadav CdâA Embassy of India Kabul We discussed enhancing cooperation in Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy for mutual wellbeingâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-delivers-75-tonnes-of-life-saving-cancer-medicines-in-afghanistan-659322.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-discuss-deepening-partnership-in-agriculture-and-food-processing-659356.html Tokyo Jan 22 Indias Ambassadordesignate to Japan Nagma Mallick held a meeting with Japans Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries on Thursday discussing bilateral partnership in agriculture food processing and sharing of best practices Ambassadordesignate Nagma M Mallick called on HE Mr SUZUKI Norikazu Honâble Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries and discussed deepening India Japan partnership in the field of agriculture food processing and sharing of best practices the Indian Embassy in Japan posted on XOn Monday Mallick held a meeting with Japans Minister of Economic Security in Tokyo and discussed various facets of bilateral partnership including Economic Security Artificial Intelligence AI and cultural connectAmbassadordesignate Nagma M Mallick called on Minister Onoda Kimi They discussed the various facets of IndiaJapan partnership including Economic Security AI and cultural connect the Indian Embassy in Japan posted on XOn January 16 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar and Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi cochaired the 18th IndiaJapan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi and discussed economic maritime supply chain critical mineral technology P2P and multilateral cooperation between both countriesPleased to cochair the 18th IndiaJapan Strategic Dialogue alongside FM Toshimitsu Motegi in New Delhi today Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership is on an upward trajectory and holds immense potential for shaping the world order and derisking the international economy EAM Jaishankar posted on XTodayâs discussions on deeper economic maritime supply chain critical mineral technology P2P and multilateral cooperation were reflective of our shared interests and mutual understanding Also had a useful exchange of perspectives on IndoPacific and regional and global developments he addedToshimitsu Motegi also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16 highlighting that both Japan and India are natural partners that share fundamental values ââand strategic interestsAt the beginning of the meeting Minister Motegi stated that Japan and India are natural partners that share fundamental values ââand strategic interests and that he hopes to work together to realise a Free and Open IndoPacific based on their strong bilateral relationship Prime Minister Modi welcomed Minister Motegis visit to India and stated that he hopes to deepen cooperation based on the JapanIndia Special Strategic and Global Partnership read a statement issued by Japans Ministry of Foreign AffairsIt added that the two sides agreed to further invigorate bilateral exchanges in 2027 the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and IndiaWith the JapanIndia Joint Vision for the Next Decade announced during Prime Minister Modis visit to Japan in August last year in mind the two leaders held a frank exchange of views on a wide range of areas including security including economic security the economy investment and innovation including AI and peopletopeople exchanges and agreed to elevate JapanIndia relations to even greater heights the Japanese MFA stated further IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-discuss-deepening-partnership-in-agriculture-and-food-processing-659356.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/european-commission-president-upbeat-on-free-trade-pact-with-india-659451.html New Delhi Jan 23 IANS As India prepares to welcome the top European leadership to the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 EC President Ursula von der Leyen is upbeat on the IndiaEurope free trade agreementnbspVon der Leyen has made it clear that Europe is diversifying its markets in the wake of the US tariff turmoil and drastic change in geoeconomicsnbspAnd right after Davos I will travel to India There is still work to do But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement Some call it the mother of all deals One that would create a market of 2 billion people accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP she said at the World Economic ForumAnd crucially that would provide a firstmover advantage for Europe with one of the worlds fastestgrowing and most dynamic continents Europe wants to do business with the growth centres of today and the economic powerhouses of this centurynbspIndia and the European Union are close to finalising a landmark Free Trade Agreement with the formal announcement expected on January 27 a day after the Republic Day celebrations which will be attended by the top EU leadership as chief guestsAccording to sources the IndiaEU summit scheduled for January 27 will witness the successful conclusion of Free Trade Agreement FTA negotiations A document will be adopted by both sides to announce the conclusion of FTA negotiations after which the agreement will be put through the required legal process and ratification by the European Parliament and CouncilnbspBoth sides are also set to sign a security and defence partnership agreement and a pact to enhance mobility for Indian professionals getting employment in the EUThe trade deal will be the largest ever that India has signed covering goods and services with the 27nation European Union one of Indias biggest export destinations Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has termed it as the mother of all deals to drive home the significancenbspWith a combined market of nearly two billion people the agreement would link two of the worlds largest democratic economies amid the global economic uncertainty triggered by the US tariff turmoil and geopolitical tensions worldwideThe European Union is Indias biggest trading partner with trade in goods amounting to 135 billion in the FY24 and the FTA is expected to unlock additional market access and economic complementarities Although the negotiations have been moving ahead there is still a discussion on sensitive areas such as the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism CBAMnbspIndia is pushing for zeroduty access for its labourintensive sectors such as textiles leather apparel gems and jewellery and handicraftsnbspLast week Commerce Minister Goyal stated that the talks for a trade agreement between India and the European Union have entered the final stage https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/european-commission-president-upbeat-on-free-trade-pact-with-india-659451.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-spain-victims-of-terrorism-says-eam-jaishankar-in-meeting-with-spanish-counterpart-659218.html New Delhi Jan 21 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Wednesday stressed the need for closer collaboration between India and Spain on shared challenges particularly in combating terrorism amid a shift in the global ordernbspIn his opening remarks at a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in New Delhi the EAM said The world order is clearly undergoing a profound change It is more imperative than ever before for nations to collaborate on shared challenges This is particularly the case with respect to combating terrorism where both India and Spain have been victims The world must display zero tolerance towards terrorismEAM Jaishankar emphasised that both nations enjoy warm and friendly relations rooted in shared democratic values and respect for multilateralism and a rulebased orderHe also noted that this year both India and Spain will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationsOur political engagement has grown steadily marked by regular highlevel exchanges India and Spain will celebrate in 2026 this year the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations as well as the dual Year of Culture tourism and artificial intelligence This initiative reflects our shared commitment to combine our rich cultural heritage with futureoriented cooperation the EAM mentionedHighlighting that India will host the AI Impact Summit next month EAM Jaishankar said that the countrys approach to AI is humancentric inclusive and focused on responsible and ethical use an outlook he said closely aligns with EuropeThe EAM further noted that economic partnership is an important pillar of the bilateral relationshipSpain is among Indias important trade partners in the EU and our bilateral trade and goods have crossed US 8 billion in recent years Spanish companies have made a significant presence in India particularly in infrastructure renewable energy urban mobility engineering water management and smart cities Indian companies are also active in Spain in IT pharmaceuticals and automotive components We see considerable potential to deepen this business cooperation he addedEmphasising the growing defence cooperation between the two nations EAM Jaishankar said We are expecting the first Made in India C295 aircraft to roll out of the factory before September this year It reflects the growing depth of our defence industrial collaboration and our commitment to building resilient manufacturing capabilitiesHe stated that the bilateral partnership is enriched by strong cultural ties pointing to the popularity of yoga Ayurveda and Indian culture in Spain as well as the growing interest in the Spanish language and culture in India reflecting the deep peopletopeople connectionsTourism is also an important and growing pillar of our partnership People to People links serve as a living bridge between India and Spain We are committed to facilitating greater mobility education exchanges and institutional partnerships the EAM added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-spain-victims-of-terrorism-says-eam-jaishankar-in-meeting-with-spanish-counterpart-659218.html Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/uae-president-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-to-visit-india-tomorrow-658979.html New Delhi Jan 18 United Arab Emirates UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India for an official visit on Monday This will be Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyans third visit to India since assuming office as UAE President and his fifth visit to India over the past 10 years According to the statement released by Ministry of External Affairs MEA UAE Presidents visit builds on the strong momentum generated by recent highlevel exchanges including the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in September 2024 and the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the UAE and the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in April 2025In a statement MEA stated India and the UAE share warm close and multifaceted relations underpinned by strong political cultural and economic ties The two countries are among each otherâs top trading and investment partners bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA the Local Currency Settlement LCS system and the Bilateral Investment Treaty India and the UAE also enjoy a robust energy partnership including longterm energy supply arrangementsThe visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the IndiaâUAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence it addedIn December last year External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar cochaired the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan the UAEâs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abu DhabiThe two leaders reviewed all aspects of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE as well as identified key priorities for the futureIn a post on X EAM Jaishankar said âIn todayâs world deeper IndiaâUAE cooperation advances shared interests and contributes to regional and global stabilityâDuring the meeting the EAM highlighted the significant growth in bilateral trade investments fintech and digital connectivity following the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA and Bilateral Investment Treaty BITHe also underlined the vast potential in connectivity and logistics both bilaterally and through initiatives such as the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor IMECEAM Jaishankar underscored the expansion of energy collaboration with a particular focus on civil nuclear cooperation strengthening educational ties and cultural exchanges and consolidating defence and security cooperationIn July last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations during a phone call the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said in a statementThe two leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the United Arab EmiratesThey positively assessed the remarkable progress made across various sectors of bilateral cooperation and laid emphasis on further developing and deepening collaboration for the shared benefit of the peoples of both countries said a statement issued by the MEASheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming the second longestserving Prime Minister in Indiaâs history and wished him continued success in his service to the nationPM Modi thanked the UAE leader for his gracious wishes and the affection he expressed for the people of IndiaThe two sides also addressed ways to bolster ties to serve mutual interests while fostering sustainable development and prosperity for their peoples UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and PM Modi affirmed their keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities to achieve further prosperity for their peoples said the UAE Presidents office after the phone call IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/uae-president-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-to-visit-india-tomorrow-658979.html Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/as-ttp-bla-pressure-mounts-pakistan-brings-jihadi-clerics-into-narrative-strategy-659044.html New Delhi Jan 19 IANS The border issues that Pakistan has been facing with the Afghan Taliban and the prolonged battle with the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and Balochistan Nationalist Army BLA has hurt the country very badlynbspQuestions are being asked about the state of affairs and the need to fight against their own peoplenbspThis has led to a massive dip in the popularity of the Shehbaz Sharif government prompting it to set up a highpowered committeeThe committee is aimed at cleaning up the image of the government and making an attempt to restore the faith of the peoplenbspIndian agencies are however puzzled with the composition of the committee as it comprises political leaders radical clerics the army and ISI officialsnbspThe clerics in particular are a matter of concern for the Indian agencies as these are persons known to be close to the leadership of the JaisheMohammad and LashkareTayibanbspAll these people were present at a meeting hosted by Sharif at the Prime Ministers Office PMO recentlySharif and the other officials urged the clerics to be part of the committee and run a narrative campaign Through the clerics they want to reach a wide audience in PakistannbspThey would justify with religious logic the importance of waging a battle against the TTP BLA and Afghan TalibannbspCurrently the people are upset that the army is battling against its own people Even the battle with the Afghan Taliban has not gone down well with the Pakistanis officials sayOfficials say that the very fact that Sharif decided to appoint Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi Chairman of the National PaighamiAman Committee NPAC is surprisingnbspThe NPAC has a longstanding relationship with jihadi elements in Pakistan and other countries Another official said that with such appointments Pakistan is clearly legitimising jihad What else explains such persons being part of a committee to run a narrative war that justifies warsnbspAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the army and government are taking a joint approach to run the narrative battleWhile governments often do this bringing in jihadi elements clearly shows that Pakistan is now openly backing terror supportersnbspOffering them space in the PMO only confirms this fact even more the official addednbspAt the last meeting it was decided that these clerics would go on a nationwide tour to justify why the Pakistan army is fighting against the TTP and Afghan TalibannbspThey would try and instigate the people against India by stressing that it is at New Delhis behest that both the Afghan Taliban and TTP are battling PakistanIndias diplomatic outreach in Afghanistan is what led to relations failing with the country and hence there is a need to battle antiPakistani elements the outreach programme would touch uponnbspIn recent years the Sharif government has been criticised for handling the security situation at home Through this outreach programme the government would try and tell the people that all the violence that is taking place both in the country and at the borders is being staged and funded by IndianbspAn official said that instead of fixing the issue the Sharif government is looking to change the narrative and build up a massive antiIndia sentiment in PakistanThat would not fix the problem at all as the battles would not end the official also addednbspFurther this exercise would also cover Operation Sindoor During this operation the Indian armed forces embarrassed Pakistan while also exposing them The clerics who are part of the delegation would also try and convince the people that it was India that lost more during the operation https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/as-ttp-bla-pressure-mounts-pakistan-brings-jihadi-clerics-into-narrative-strategy-659044.html Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-polish-deputy-pm-sikorski-discuss-advancing-economic-defence-cooperation--659051.html New Delhi Jan 19 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar held a meeting with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Monday discussing advancing economic technology defence mining P2P and multilateral cooperation between the two nationsFollowing their talks EAM Jaishankar in a post on X wrote Todays meeting with DPM and FM Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland provided an opportunity for an open conversation on our bilateral ties and global developments Discussed advancing our economic technology defence mining P2P and multilateral cooperation Appreciate Polands support for stronger IndiaEU tiesIn his opening remarks at the meeting EAM Jaishankar urged Poland to display zero tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in Indias neighbourhood He stated that the ties between India and Poland have progressed steadily however he noted that they need constant tendingDeputy Prime Minister you are no stranger to our region and are more than familiar with the longstanding challenges of crossborder terrorism I hope at this meeting to discuss some of your recent travels to the region Poland should display zero tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood he saidHe also reiterated Indias stance on the Ukraine conflict and termed selective targeting of New Delhi unfair and unjustified EAM Jaishankar noted that he and Sikorski are meeting at a time when the world is under considerable churn and stressed that it is useful to exchange views and perspectives as India and Poland are two nations located in different regions each with its own challenges and opportunitiesToday our conversation will naturally cover regional and global developments In particular an exchange of assessments on our respective neighbourhoods would be useful You have been speaking about it publicly during your visit as well he saidIn the recent past both in New York last September and in Paris this January I have candidly shared our views on the Ukraine conflict and its implications While doing so I have also repeatedly underlined that the selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified I do so again today the EAM addedHailing the bilateral ties EAM Jaishankar said Our bilateral relationship has also progressed steadily but nevertheless needs constant tending India and Poland have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly ties In recent years its been marked by highlevel political exchanges and vibrant economic and peopletopeople ties citing the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Poland in August 2024 during which the bilateral ties were elevated to a strategic partnership statusRadoslaw Sikorski arrived in New Delhi on Monday after concluding his engagements in Jaipur Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Sikorskis engagements in New Delhi are focused on furthering the IndiaPoland Strategic Partnership https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-polish-deputy-pm-sikorski-discuss-advancing-economic-defence-cooperation--659051.html Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-welcomes-uae-president-at-airport-hails-strong-friendship-between-both-nations-659058.html New Delhi Jan 19 IANS In a special gesture Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday travelled to the Delhi airport and personally welcomed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he began his third official visit to the country since assuming officeBoth leaders also travelled together in the same car from the airport showcasing their longstanding friendship and the multifaceted partnership between the two countries This is the UAE Presidents fifth visit to India over the past decadeWent to the airport to welcome my brother His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the UAE His visit illustrates the importance he attaches to a strong IndiaUAE friendship Looking forward to our discussions PM Modi posted on XSheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyans India visit builds on the strong momentum generated by recent highlevel exchanges including the visit of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in September 2024 and the visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Crown Prince of Dubai in April 2025India and the UAE share warm close and multifaceted relations underpinned by strong political cultural and economic ties The two countries are among each others top trading and investment partners bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA the Local Currency Settlement LCS system and the Bilateral Investment Treaty India and the UAE also enjoy a robust energy partnership including longterm energy supply arrangements read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA ahead of the UAE Presidents visitThe visit will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to chart new frontiers for the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership It will also enable an exchange of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest where India and the UAE share a high degree of convergence it added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-welcomes-uae-president-at-airport-hails-strong-friendship-between-both-nations-659058.html Mon, 19 Jan 2026 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-foreign-policy-raises-concerns-over-revival-of-new-imperial-era-report-658859.html Cape Town Jan 17 With India assuming the BRICS Presidency for 2026 the grouping has gained renewed significance amid a period when multilateral diplomacy is under intense strain a report has stated The start of 2026 it added has witnessed a series of bold US foreign policy moves under President Donald Trump raising serious questions for the Global SouthâOn January 3 US special forces conducted a daring raid in Caracas capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on narcoterrorism charges followed by announcements of prolonged US oversight of Venezuelas vast oil reserves Just days earlier on Christmas Day 2025 US strikes targetted alleged ISIS camps in northwest Nigerias Sokoto State justified as protecting Nigerian Christians from terrorism a report in South Africa s leading media outlet Independent Online IOL detailedâMeanwhile renewed threats to acquire Greenland citing national security rare earth minerals and Arctic routes have escalated tensions with Denmark a NATO ally with the White House not ruling out military options Many nations in the Global South are searching for platforms that defend global normsâ it addedPhapano Phasha Chairperson of South African think tank The Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought cited Indian columnist T K Aruns Substack post 2026 Into the world according to Trump and a subsequent analysis published in The Core titled Trumps Imperial Turn Leaves India With No Easy Choices where he had described Trumpâs foreign policy as a deliberate revival of 19thcentury imperialismHe draws a direct parallel to figures like President William McKinley arguing that this approach actively dismantles the postWorld War II rulesbased order a system built on treaties sovereignty and multilateralism Phasha quoted Arun as sayingâThis thesis is crystallised in actions like the Venezuela intervention which though framed by Trump as a lawenforcement operation ultimately resulted in US control over the nationâs oil exports epitomising the new imperial logicâ he addedThe report noted that Arun broadened his criticism of the US highlighting the coercive economic measures including threats of tariffs as high as 500 per cent on nations purchasing Russian oil effectively forcing alignment or facing punishmentâThe Nigeria strikes coordinated with local authorities but framed by Trump as a Christmas present to terrorists targetting Christians risk expanding US footprints in Africa under antiterror pretexts Greenland threats Arun implies in his broader analysis of imperial resurgence could also fracture alliances like NATO treating sovereignty as negotiable when it suits US strategic needs it mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-foreign-policy-raises-concerns-over-revival-of-new-imperial-era-report-658859.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-condoles-loss-of-lives-in-thai-train-accident-658445.html New Delhi Jan 15 India on Thursday expressed its condolences to the people and the government of Thailand on the tragic loss of lives and injuries in the train accident that took place in northeastern part of the country on Wednesday According to the local authorities the death toll from a crane collapse that derailed a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province has risen to 32 with nearly 70 people injuredWe are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and injuries in the train accident in Nakhon Ratchasima Thailand on January 14 2026 Our heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of Thailand during this hour of grief We extend our deepest sympathies to the affected families and wish a swift recovery to all those injured the Ministry of External Affairs MEA posted on XThe accident occurred on Wednesday morning when the construction crane used for a highspeed rail bridge collapsed onto the train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani provinceSpeaking at a press briefing Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum said the State Railway of Thailand expects to take approximately seven days to clear the wreckage and restore the track to normal operation while a full investigation into the cause of the accident is underwayThai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn earlier told reporters that he has instructed agencies to conduct a transparent comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and prevent recurrence Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to Thai media reports the main contractor for the involved railway section is ItalianThai Development PLC which has issued a statement on the accident saying that the company will fully assume responsibilities related to compensation and medical treatment IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-condoles-loss-of-lives-in-thai-train-accident-658445.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/uruguay-envoy-backs-stronger-ties-with-india-hails-very-influential-leader-pm-modi-658454.html New Delhi Jan 15 Backing stronger ties between both countries Uruguays Ambassador to India Alberto Antonio Guani Amarilla on Thursday welcomed Indias plan to open an Embassy in Montevideo later this year In an interview with IANS Amarilla also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a very influential leader and praised him for raising issues facing the Global South on world stage When asked how he sees ties between India and Uruguay the Ambassador said I would say that I am very happy because we are in a very important moment of this relationship that is already 75 years old We are about to start new ways of getting together One of them is that India is going to open an Embassy in Montevideo probably in June and we are expecting External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to be visiting Uruguay for that occasionThe Embassy of India in Argentinas Buenos Aires is concurrently accredited to Uruguay Diplomatic ties between India and Uruguay were established in 1960 Uruguay has an Embassy in New Delhi and an Honorary Consulate in MumbaiAsked about his opinion of PM Modis global leadership Amarilla stated He has been a very influential leader He has taken also what are the views of the Global South and are very proud that he is taking care of all these issues and would like him to have a more preponderant roleAmarilla said Uruguay is considering visa relaxation for Indians However he mentioned that Uruguay has not received any special request from India on this issueThe issue is that we are thinking that it will be very important to facilitate the travelling of Indians to Uruguay and for that reason we need to address that and probably its something we can do in our political consultations in March of this year here in DelhiHe expressed Uruguays support for Indias aspiration to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council UNSC India is actively seeking a permanent seat in the UNSC Several nations like France and Russia have expressed support for Indias bid for permanent UNSC membershipWe do support it Indias bid We do not support the fact that new members stay with a veto or have veto We dont want the veto in the United Nations but we fully support the Indian intention and purpose to be a permanent member IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/uruguay-envoy-backs-stronger-ties-with-india-hails-very-influential-leader-pm-modi-658454.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 03:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/danish-pm-says-differences-with-us-over-greenland-persist-658500.html Oslo Jan 15 Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday described recent talks with the United States on Greenland as difficult noting that Washingtons ambition to take over Greenland remains unchanged despite a firm Danish rejection In her first comments following Wednesdays talks in Washington Frederiksen said in a press release It was not an easy meeting and I would like to thank the two ministers for clearly and distinctly stating the Kingdoms views and for countering the American claims That was importantFrederiksen confirmed that a working group would be established but underscored the persistent deadlock However that does not change the fact that there is a fundamental disagreement because the American ambition to take over Greenland is intact she said It is obviously serious and therefore we will continue our efforts to prevent that scenario from becoming a realityDanish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt met with US Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Greenland on Wednesday in Washington Xinhua news agency reported Frederiksen also said The defence and protection of Greenland is a common concern for the entire NATO allianceThe European Union EU and NATO allies have stepped up political and military support for Greenland as concerns grow over security in the Arctic following recent statements by US President Donald Trump about the strategically important islandFrance will send extra land air and maritime assets to Greenland in the coming days French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday during his New Year address to the armed forces at the Istres air base Earlier in the day Macron said on X that at Denmarks request France had decided to take part in joint exercises organised by Denmark in Greenland adding that the first French military elements are already on their way and that others would followThe Dutch Defence Ministry announced on Thursday that the Netherlands will participate in a Denmarkled reconnaissance missionThe German Ministry of Defence on Wednesday announced that it will participate in a multinational reconnaissance mission in Greenland to assess potential military contributions to regional security At the invitation of Denmark a team of 13 personnel from the Bundeswehr the German armed forces will join other European nations for the mission in Greenland according to the ministryAlso on Wednesday Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that Sweden had sent military personnel to Greenland at Denmarks request Norway has also said that it is sending two military staffers to Greenland to map out the further cooperation between alliesGreenland is a selfgoverning territory within the Kingdom of Denmark with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy The United States maintains a military base on the island Since returning to office in 2025 US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to obtain Greenland and has recently ramped up his threat IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/danish-pm-says-differences-with-us-over-greenland-persist-658500.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/canada-condemns-killing-of-citizen-in-iran-g7-threatens-more-restrictions-658511.html Ottawa Jan 15 Canada has condemned on Thursday the killing of its citizen by Iranian authorities and demanded an end to the repression in that country convulsed by weeks of citizensâ protests against the regime Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed the death in a post on X and said âPeaceful protests by the Iranian people asking that their voices be heard in the face of the Iranian regimeâs repression and ongoing human rights violations â has led the regime to flagrantly disregard human lifeââCanada condemns and calls for an immediate end to the Iranian regimeâs violenceâ she addedNeither she nor the foreign ministry identified the victim or give details about the killing such as when or where it happenedOn Wednesday the foreign ministers of the G7 â the group of industrialised democracies â in statement issued in Ottawa warned that they âremain prepared to impose additional restrictive measures if Iran continues to crack down on protests and dissent in violation of international human rights obligationsââWe are deeply alarmed at the high level of reported deaths and injuries We condemn the deliberate use of violence and the killing of protestors arbitrary detention and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstratorsâ they saidThe report of the Canadianâs killing came as US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran if the violence against protesters continuedTrump said on Wednesday that the US has been told that the killings of protesters will stop and Iran said on Thursday that it was not issuing a death warrant for protester who was said to be facing imminent executionUnited Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk said this week âThe killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop and the labelling of protesters as âterroristsâ to justify violence against them is unacceptableâHis office said that several hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by the number of casualties including childrenEstimates of killing by human rights groups exceed 2500 but with the internet and most lines of communications cut it has been difficult to get accurate talliesAccording to the Canadian foreign ministry 3054 Canadian citizens and permanent residents were in IranIt asked them to leave the countryIn 2003 an IranianCanadian freelance photographer Zahra Kazemi who was arrested in Tehran died in custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/canada-condemns-killing-of-citizen-in-iran-g7-threatens-more-restrictions-658511.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-slamspakistanfor-abusing-concept-of-self-determination-for-attacks-on-democracies-658529.html United Nations Jan 16 India has slammed Pakistan for misusing the concept of selfdetermination to attack democratic and pluralistic nations by harping on Kashmir with falsehoods âAt a time when member states have to rise beyond their narrow considerations Pakistan continues to misuse all platforms and processes in the UN to drive their divisive agendaâ Eldos Punoose a counsellor at Indiaâs UN Mission said on Thursday at the General AssemblyâThe right to selfdetermination is a fundamental principle enshrined in the UN Charter However this right must not be abused to encourage secession in pluralistic and democratic statesâ he saidPunoose declared âUnion Territory of Jammu and Kashmir an integral and inalienable part of IndiaâHe was responding to Pakistanâs Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad who referred to Kashmir when the Assembly was discussing SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterresâs report on the work of the UN in the past yearRegardless of the topic on the agenda Pakistan repeatedly brings up Kashmir even though other members ignore its fulminations letting them slip into irrelevanceâThis forum is no exception either and Pakistan made an unwarranted reference to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir an integral and inalienable part of Indiaâ Punoose saidâThough habituated Pakistan would do well if they do not resort to baseless allegations and falsehoods and portrays a picture that is completely detached from realityâ he addedAhmad as he has done before spoke of selfdetermination for the Palestinian people and sneaked in a reference to KashmirHe spoke about respect for UN resolutionsHowever Security Council Resolution 47 adopted on April 21 1948 demands that Pakistan withdraw its forces and infiltrators from all of KashmirIndia maintains that a plebiscite in Kashmir is now irrelevant because the people of Kashmir have made clear their allegiance to India by participating in elections and by electing the leaders of the territoryAhmad repeated Pakistanâs opposition to expanding the Security Councilâs permanent membership solely because of its animosity towards IndiaIt puts its odds with the majority of UN members especially the African countries who have been denied permanent representation because of the colonial hold over the formation of the world organisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-slamspakistanfor-abusing-concept-of-self-determination-for-attacks-on-democracies-658529.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-envoy-hails-chancellor-merzs-first-visit-to-india-658569.html New Delhi Jan 16 IANS Germanys Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann on Friday welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs first official visit to India highlighting the breadth of discussions held during the trip including key areas such as defence cooperation trade investment and migrationnbspWhat a unique visit we just had Chancellor Merz on his first trip to India Defence trade migration many topics on our plates Chancellor Merz was most impressed after a chat in German with a young Indian woman She started learning the German language only four months ago the German Ambassador posted on XEarlier this week German Chancellor Merz arrived in Gujarat for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra ModinbspThis was Merzs first official visit to India aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between India and GermanynbspEarlier on Monday Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Merz reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation and deepening their militarytomilitary cooperation through joint exercises training and exchanges of senior officials while noting with satisfaction regular reciprocal port calls by the naval ships of both countriesFollowing their talks PM Modi wrote on X It was a pleasure hosting Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad His visit has infused new momentum into IndiaGermany ties as we mark 25 years of our Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations India is honoured that he has chosen our nation as the place of his first visit in Asia This reflects his personal commitment to strong IndiaGermany relationsnbspWe agreed to take our relationship to a qualitatively higher level with deeper cooperation in defence space and other critical and emerging technologies Our discussions also covered joint efforts on climate action trusted and resilient supply chains skilling education sports and strengthening cultural and peopletopeople ties he addedPM Modi welcomed Germanys intent to participate in Naval Exercise MILAN and the 9th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium IONS Conclave of Chiefs in February 2026 Air Combat Exercise Tarang Shakti in September 2026 and Germanys decision to deploy a Liaison Officer to the Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region IFCIOR according to a joint statementnbspThe two leaders expressed satisfaction at ongoing cooperation between the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO and the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation OCCAR for the Eurodrone MALE UAV programme which will enable India to collaborate and harness advanced military technology and strengthen its strategic and defence ties with Europe https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-envoy-hails-chancellor-merzs-first-visit-to-india-658569.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-caught-in-love-hate-relation-with-imf-658611.html New Delhi Jan 16 Pakistan appears to be caught in a lovehate relationship with the IMF Although the crisisridden country is surviving through periodic transfusions of IMF funds ironically the multilateral institution is coming under heavy criticism in its media While the Government desperately seeks loans as a lifeline to save the struggling economy there are former ministers who blame the IMF for the countryâs economic woesAn article in The News International said Pakistanâs long engagement with the IMF has produced a pattern of systematic destruction in the name of stabilisation fiscal consolidation and reform Pakistan has been subjected to a policy mix that has dramatically raised energy costs imposed highly regressive taxation throttled industrial production increased poverty and pushed the economy towards deindustrialisationThe article states that the strategy for Pakistanâs socioeconomic development should have centred on strengthening education science technology and innovation enabling the country to move from a lowvalue naturalresourcebased economy to a highvalueadded technologydriven knowledge economyHowever it claims that the exact opposite has happened which now poses a huge existential threat our schools colleges and universities lie in tatters our exports have declined to about 30 billion after touching 35 billion the poverty has increased substantially and there has been a mass migration of talented youth and industrial groups to greener pastures abroadThe article further stated that in the past five years Pakistanâs industrial landscape has experienced a dramatic contraction with hundreds of local manufacturing units shutting down as a direct result of rising energy costs heavy tax burdens and pervasive policy uncertainty Business leaders have claimed that more than 50 per cent of factories in major industrial zones have closedRegional data shows similar trends at the provincial level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone about 795 industrial units are said to have closed in roughly six years a significant proportion of which have ceased operations in the last halfdecade due to unaffordable utility costs and waning investment confidence The textile sector Pakistanâs traditional export engine has been particularly devastated industry sources estimate that at least 144 textile mills have shut down nationwide while broader garmentsector closures have led to tens of thousands of jobs lost and declining export competitivenessThe wave of corporate exits from Pakistan includes global names such as Microsoft which is completely shutting down its Pakistan operations after 25 years and companies including Careem Shell Telenor Procter amp Gamble and others that are either exiting or scaling back their presence amid currency volatility inflationary pressures and regulatory uncertainty These departures signal a deteriorating investment climate in which both foreign and local enterprises find it increasingly difficult to plan longterm secure capital and compete with regional rivals that benefit from more predictable policies and costcompetitive inputs the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-caught-in-love-hate-relation-with-imf-658611.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-ambassador-gor-highlights-bolstering-india-us-ties-during-first-mumbai-visit-658612.html New Delhi Jan 16 Sergio Gor the new American Ambassador to India on Friday visited the US Consulate in Mumbai on his first visit to the Indian city Excited to kick off my first visit to Mumbai with a visit to our Consulate Our dedicated team working hard to bolster the USIndia partnership Gor posted on XGor presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 14Today I presented my credentials as US Ambassador to India to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan I am grateful to President Trump for his trust and confidence and proud to carry forward his Administrationâs priorities Together we will strengthen our partnership in security trade energy and technology building the USIndia partnership that will define the 21st century he posted on X on WednesdayCongress MP Shashi Tharoor termed Sergio Gorâs arrival as US Ambassador to India as a pivotal moment for resetting New DelhiâWashington ties where the American diplomat must act as a chief restructuring officer to overcome tariff disputes market access frictions and geopolitical divergences while leveraging shared democratic values to rebuild trustGor kicked off his first day on the right note No partner is more essential than India he declared stressing that it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda We will do this as true strategic partners each bringing strength respect and leadership to the table Tharoor himself a former diplomat wrote in an opinion piece in The Indian Express on ThursdayGor spoke pointedly of a relationship anchored at the highest levels Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end At just 38 Gor represents a new generation of diplomats â less focused on lofty rhetoric and more on transactional dealmaking he addedGorâs proximity to President Donald Trump argued the Thiruvananthapuram MP gives India a rare opportunity to reset ties that have been strained by tariffs trade disputes and geopolitical divergencesTharoor cast Gor as a âchief restructuring officerâ rather than a traditional envoy His mission is not only to manage diplomacy but to restructure the relationship from punitive measures to persistent partnership Gorâs direct access to Trump is seen as his greatest asset enabling him to cut through bureaucratic inertia and deliver quick winsOn his first day in New Delhi Gor announced Indiaâs inclusion as a full member of Pax Silica â a USled supply chain partnership in advanced technology Indiaâs earlier omission had been viewed as a deliberate slight particularly given its role as a key player in the global AI race Gorâs statement was welcomed in New Delhi as a symbolic correction and a sign of goodwillCiting the arrival of the new American ambassador in New Delhi and renewed engagement across trade and strategic sectors an eminent Indian American community leader also expressed optimism about the trajectory of IndiaâUS relationsâSergio Gor taking charge as Ambassador of the United States to India is a very very positive stepâ Jasdip Singh Jessee from Sikhs for Trump said on WednesdayHe noted that a prolonged vacancy in the post had created uncertainty at a time when relations needed sustained attentionâThere was a vacuum created for a long time at a very crucial time when our relationships were spiralling downâ he said adding that the new ambassadorâs arrival âmakes a big differenceâJessee said Gorâs proximity to President Donald Trump underscored Indiaâs importance in Washingtonâs foreign policy calculusâOne thing one should know about Sergio Gor is that he is very close to President Trumpâ he said âPresident Trump sending his confidant to India shows that India is a very important country in the eyes of President TrumpâHe said Goreâs early public remarks in India have been encouraging and wellreceived IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-ambassador-gor-highlights-bolstering-india-us-ties-during-first-mumbai-visit-658612.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-chancellor-friedrich-merz-departs-after-concluding-india-visit-658183.html Gandhinagar Jan 13 IANS German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday left for home after concluding his twoday visit to IndianbspGujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and other dignitaries saw him off at Ahmedabad AirportnbspOn Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz held delegationlevel talks at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar and agreed to take the relationship between the two nations to a qualitatively higher level with deeper cooperation in defence space and other critical and emerging technologiesFollowing their talks PM Modi in a post on X wrote It was a pleasure hosting Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad His visit has infused new momentum into IndiaGermany ties as we mark 25 years of our Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations India is honoured that he has chosen our nation as the place of his first visit in Asia This reflects his personal commitment to strong IndiaGermany relationsWe agreed to take our relationship to a qualitatively higher level with deeper cooperation in defence space and other critical and emerging technologies Our discussions also covered joint efforts on climate action trusted and resilient supply chains skilling education sports and strengthening cultural and peopletopeople ties he addedPM Modi and German Chancellor Merz participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront witnessing the colour energy and cultural vibrancy of the annual event Both leaders later joined the celebrations by flying kites fully immersing themselves in the festivitiesThe two leaders also interacted with German and Indian CEOs PM Modi noted that the bilateral trade between India and Germany has reached an alltime highChancellor Merz and I met Indian and German CEOs Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for the entire world Growing trade and investment ties have infused new momentum into our partnership Our bilateral trade has reached an alltime high several German companies are investing in India We want to deepen economic linkages even further in the times to come PM Modi posted on XIndia and Germany on Monday signed a slew of agreements across sectors such as trade technology health and renewable energy According to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the two sides concluded 19 agreements and made several policy announcements aimed at deepening cooperation across strategic economic and peopletopeople domainsPM Modi and Merz welcomed the sustained growth in bilateral trade and investment and noted that bilateral trade reached a record high in 2024 with the positive trend continuing through 2025IndiaGermany bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed 50 billion in 2024 amounting to over 25 per cent of Indias trade with the EUAccording to an official statement the leaders welcomed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on strengthening the bilateral economic cooperation through the GermanIndian CEO Forum which will further promote business and industry collaboration supported by the longstanding presence of German businesses in India and Indian businesses in GermanyThey also welcomed progress in cooperation in critical and emerging technologies including semiconductors critical minerals digitalisation telecommunications health and the bioeconomy which consolidates the Innovation and Technology Partnership RoadmapThey welcomed the strong willingness on both sides to establish an institutional dialogue across the semiconductor value chain through a new Joint Declaration of Intent on Semiconductor Ecosystem PartnershipThey underlined the significance of enhanced institutional research and industrial collaboration between the Indian and German semiconductor ecosystems PM Modi welcomed the opening of the Global Capability Centre GCC by German technology enterprise Infineon in GIFT City in March last year https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-chancellor-friedrich-merz-departs-after-concluding-india-visit-658183.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/himachal-gifts-chilgoza-saplings-to-bhutan--658103.html Shimla Jan 12 Strengthening the longstanding friendly and amicable relations with Bhutan Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday flagged off a vehicle from here carrying chilgoza pine nut saplings as a gift to Bhutan The Chief Minister said India and Bhutan share warm and cordial relations and this green initiative will further strengthen the bond of friendship between the two neighbours He said Himachal Pradesh and Bhutan have similar Himalayan natural heritage The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department would also provide chilgoza seeds of Rs 5 lakh to Bhutan soon In addition training would be given to Bhutanâs forest officials on how to grow chilgoza plants âChilgozaâ pine nuts is a unique and highly valuable species of the western Himalayas It is closely linked with environmental protection biodiversity and local livelihood A team from Bhutanâs Forest Department would soon visit Himachal for this purpose The state government would involve local womenâs groups in chilgozabased activities and provide them with financial support Efforts related to âchilgozaâ cultivation and development would be further expanded The Chief Minister said earlier also 50 kg chilgoza seeds had also been provided to Bhutan The Chief Minister said the government is taking several steps to promote forest conservation and expand forest cover As a result of government efforts the forest area of the state has increased by approximately 55 square kilometres This year plantation work is being carried out on around 9000 hectares of forest land under various schemes and projects with 60 per cent fruitbearing plants To increase the green cover 600 hectares of plantation are being undertaken on barren hills under the Chief Minister Van Vistar Yojana Additionally 2019 Van Mitras have been appointed for forest protection and management since 2019 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/himachal-gifts-chilgoza-saplings-to-bhutan--658103.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/europe-should-draw-lessons-from-indias-strategic-autonomy-report-658105.html New Delhi Jan 12 India pursued strategic autonomy in 2025 which was aimed not at dominating the international system but at balancing it drawing on historical experience and emphasising institutional continuity economic resilience and multidimensional diplomacy observed a recent report in Europe During the Mughal period the Indian subcontinent functioned as a balancing pillar within a fragmented regional system not through constant military expansion but with administrative cohesion economic strength and controlled management of rivalries according to an opinion piece in EuropaWireUsing different means presentday New Delhi follows a similar logic avoiding absolute alignments investing in institutional continuity and transforming economic resilience and multidimensional diplomacy into tools of geopolitical influence it saidThe article explores how Indiaâs evolving foreign policy of strategic autonomy has become a central pillar of its global engagement and why this approach offers valuable lessons for Europe as it grapples with fragmentation economic pressures and geopolitical uncertaintyIndiaâs policy is framed not as passive nonalignment but as active multialignment where it engages simultaneously with the United States the European Union and organisations like the BRICS and G20 while avoiding dependency on any single blocAt the BRICS Summit in Rio in 2025 India championed Global South representation and multilateral cooperation Meanwhile last yearâs G20 Summit in Johannesburg saw India push climate resilience and development priorities reinforcing its role as a bridge between developed and developing nationsThese moves highlight Indiaâs ability to shape agendas without being subsumed by larger powers the report said This allows India to maximise leverage diversify partnerships and maintain flexibility in a multipolar worldIt pointed out that political stability under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has enabled India to absorb external shocks where even aggressive US trade policies in Donald Trumpâs current term did not derail New Delhiâs trajectory thanks to internal cohesion and economic resilienceWith China the report observed that border tensions and systemic differences remain central to Indiaâs strategic calculations where New Delhi leverages its democratic model as a counterweight to Beijingâs authoritarianismAlso economic growth remained the foundation of Indiaâs global influence it said adding that India sustained one of the highest growth rates among major economies in 2025 with GDP expanding by approximately 67 per cent and exceeding 8 per cent in one quarter driven by strong domestic demand and investmentIndiaâs exports and trade demonstrated notable resilience despite international headwinds it opinedTotal exports of goods and services estimated at 7399 billion in November 2025 were up 155 per cent in yearoveryear terms while cumulative exports from April to November reached approximately 562 billion registering an increase of 54 per centThese figures reflect that the governmentâs emphasis on manufacturing and skills development was paying dividends turning trade policy into a flexible instrument of foreign policyAdditionally the year saw India secure improved access to key markets through free trade agreements FTA with New Zealand the United Kingdom and Oman while strengthening ties with Gulf states and Southeast Asia and laying the groundwork for new agreements including with the United States in 2026 Alongside New Delhi also paid attention to national securityFollowing the achievement of its objectives in a brief conflict with Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack New Delhi renewed its emphasis on modernising the armed forces and developing indigenous defence technologiesWhile strikes on Pakistani military infrastructure under Operation Sindoor highlighted Indiaâs increased precision and operational capability New Delhi exhibited its intent to act as a mature and responsible power by avoiding undue escalationAt the same time heavy investment in indigenous defence technology and military modernisation is seen as both a sovereignty safeguard and a tool for strategic influenceWhen Europe is facing inflation geopolitical instability and dependence on external actors New Delhiâs emphasis on unity predictability and strategic coherence is directly relevant to the euro crisis and geopolitical fragmentation it further addedDeeper IndiaEU cooperation in trade technology and defence is framed as imperative to safeguard sovereignty against the weaponisation of economic power by major actors the article concluded Incidentally the IndiaEU FTA is likely to be firmed up later this month IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/europe-should-draw-lessons-from-indias-strategic-autonomy-report-658105.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-offers-300-billion-investment-opportunity-in-clean-energy-pralhad-joshi-657950.html New Delhi Jan 11 Union Minister for Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said on Sunday that India offers a 300 billion investment opportunity across renewable energy generation storage green hydrogen grids and manufacturing by 2030 Addressing the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates the Union Minister added that with stable policies and transparent markets India continues to remain one of the most attractive destinations for clean energy investment Calling for enhanced international cooperation Union Minister Joshi stressed the importance of technology transfer access to lowcost finance capacity building and harmonisation of standards particularly to support developing countries in scaling up renewable energy without compromising development aspirationsReaffirming Indias strong support for IRENA he said that India stands ready to share its experience institutions and technical expertise and to work closely with all member countries especially Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States to accelerate the global renewable energy transition The Union Minister emphasised that Indias energy transition is not only about capacity addition but about people opportunity and a shared sustainable futureAddressing the Assembly Union Minister Joshi said that Indias approach to energy transition is guided by the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam One Earth One Family One Future and a longterm vision anchored in equity inclusivity and policy stability He reiterated Indias commitment to achieving 500 GW of nonfossil fuel installed power capacity by 2030 and Net Zero emissions by 2070Highlighting a major milestone Union Minister Joshi told that India has already achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from nonfossil fuel sources in 2025 five years ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution NDC target under the Paris Agreement Indias renewable energy capacity has crossed 266 GW placing the country among global leaders in renewable energy deploymentThe Union Minister underlined that as one of the worlds fastestgrowing major energy markets India is prioritising reliable and resilient power systems through accelerated deployment of energy storage solutions grid modernisation development of Green Energy Corridors and innovative bidding mechanisms such as hybrid and roundtheclock renewable energy projects He also highlighted Indias efforts to strengthen clean energy supply chains and expand domestic manufacturing across solar wind batteries and electrolysers contributing to both national selfreliance and diversified global supply chainsEmphasising the peoplecentric nature of Indias energy transition the Union Minister highlighted flagship programmes aimed at empowering households and farmers Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana around 25 million households have benefitted from rooftop solar installations in less than two years with a target to cover 10 million households by March 2027 Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan PMKUSUM scheme about 217 million farmers have benefited through replacement of diesel pumps and solarisation of agricultural feedersEarlier Union Minister Joshi participated in the highlevel dialogue on Reimagining Energy Futures Bold Visions for Shared Prosperity held on the sidelines of the Assembly He reaffirmed Indias commitment to a peoplecentric energy transition driven by strengthened international cooperation on finance technology and governance with the objective of delivering shared prosperity for all Emphasising that the energy transition must become a mass movement driven by equity and inclusion the Union Minister said that India added nearly 50 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2025He congratulated the Dominican Republic on assuming the Presidency of IRENA and extended best wishes to the VicePresidents Kenya Solomon Islands Spain and Antigua and Barbuda expressing confidence that their leadership will further strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance a sustainable and inclusive global energy transitionThe Union Minister also held a meeting with Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the United Arab Emirates to further strengthen IndiaâUAE cooperation on climate action clean energy and food security During the interaction the two sides reviewed the expanding partnership in renewable energy investment and innovation anchored in multiple Memoranda of Understanding signed between 2014 and 2024 and aligned with the UAEs Net Zero 2050 goalThe discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in renewables decentralised energy solutions manufacturing energy storage technology cooperation and blended finance with an emphasis on peoplecentric scalable initiatives to enhance energy security resilience and longterm sustainability IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-offers-300-billion-investment-opportunity-in-clean-energy-pralhad-joshi-657950.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/vibrant-gujarat-meet-boosts-global-partnerships-foreign-envoys-657962.html Rajkot Gujarat Jan 11 Foreign representatives at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot on Sunday expressed strong optimism about expanding business ties and longterm cooperation with India Highlighting the growing global confidence in India as a key investment partner they hailed the conference as a valuable platform to deepen engagement between investors from both countriesThe Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyzstan representative Kalybek Uulu Bekturgan said the conference offers a valuable platform to deepen engagement between investors from both countriesHe praised Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs leadership and said Kyrgyzstan is keen to encourage mutual investments strengthen friendship and expand cooperation with India in the coming yearsWe aim to focus on encouraging investment from India to my country and from my country to India strengthening friendship and cooperation between our two nations he saidAmbassador of Ukraine to India Oleksandr Polishchuk also underlined the success of past business cooperation between India and Ukraine He said bilateral projects were valued at nearly 4 billion before the warWe look forward to welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky hopefully this year in India and to the Intergovernmental Commission where we can discuss in more detail the projects we can undertake together both in India and Ukraine he statedKateryna Bila wife of the Ukrainian Ambassador said the conference created meaningful opportunities for Ukraine to connect with Indian companiesShe added that once the war ends Ukraine will need strong support from friendly nations like India to rebuild its economy and infrastructureThis event provides an opportunity for partner nations like Ukraine to build connections with Indian companies Bola addedWhen we win the war we will need significant assistance from India to rebuild our country she mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/vibrant-gujarat-meet-boosts-global-partnerships-foreign-envoys-657962.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/vibrant-gujarat-partner-nations-laud-pm-modi-share-perspectives-on-development-657964.html Ahmedabad Jan 11 Rwandaâs High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira lauded the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference on Sunday and underlined the warm and growing ties between India and Rwanda Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs 2018 visit to Kigali where he presented 200 Gir cows to economically vulnerable families she expressed deep appreciation for the gestureShe noted that Rwandaâs President has visited India five times and attended the 2017 Vibrant Gujarat Summit reflecting the strategic depth in bilateral relations shaped by the leadership of both nations Mukangira described Rwanda as one of Africaâs fastestgrowing economies backed by a strict zerotolerance policy on corruption She highlighted the countrys 118 per cent economic growth in the first quarter of 2025 and its top ranking in Africa in the World Bankâs 2024 Ease of Doing Business report demonstrating strong governance and administrative transparencyPointing to rising economic engagement she said India is now Rwandaâs secondlargest foreign investor and trading partner She added that Rwanda offers a visaonarrival for Indian nationals valid for one month further enabling business and cultural exchange Ukraineâs Ambassador Oleksandr Polischuk said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has evolved from a national leader into a respected global statesman Participating in Vibrant Gujarat for the sixth time he praised the Prime Ministerâs efforts toward peace including in UkrainePolischuk said Ukraineâs postwar reconstruction presents significant business opportunities for Indian companies across sectors such as energy logistics construction agriculture industry and IT He expressed hope for strong Indian participation at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference set to be held in Poland later this year He underscored the longstanding cooperation between India and Ukraine in traditional sectors like grain pharmaceuticals and oilâpartnerships that continue to bolster Ukraineâs economy Commending Chief Minister Bhupendra Patelâs leadership he said Ukraine is proud to be a partner nation in a global platform like Vibrant GujaratLaunched in 2003 by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi Vibrant Gujarat emerged as a flagship global investorsâ summit aimed at repositioning Gujarat as an economic powerhouse and a preferred investment destination What began as a postearthquake revival initiative quickly transformed into one of Indiaâs most influential business platforms attracting world leaders Fortune 500 CEOs global institutions and investors Over successive editions the summit expanded its scope from investment promotion to innovation technology sustainability and global partnerships It played a pivotal role in shaping Gujaratâs manufacturing growth infrastructure push portled development and MSME expansion while also strengthening Indiaâs economic diplomacy Today Vibrant Gujarat stands as a testament to two decades of continuity policy stability and global trustâsymbolising Gujaratâs journey from resilience to global competitiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/vibrant-gujarat-partner-nations-laud-pm-modi-share-perspectives-on-development-657964.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/we-want-to-elevate-bilateral-ties-to-higher-level-german-chancellor-merz-calls-india-desired-partner-658049.html Gandhinagar Jan 12 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday expressed willingness to elevate bilateral ties with India to a higher level He stated that both nations share a fundamental interest in deepening the strategic partnership amid the geopolitical changes and upheavals in the world While addressing a joint press meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their talks in Ahmedabad on Monday Merz said Our two countries are seeking to intensify and deepen our cooperation This morning I had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi has ascribed the following sentence Be the change which you hope for the world We want to take heed of that together dear Narendra Modi We want to elevate the relations between India and Germany to an even higher and new levelMerz expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inviting him to his home state calling it a sign of the very deep ties between our two countries and also a testament to the friendship towards himThis city were visiting today Ahmedabad in a certain way is the cradle of modern India This is where Gandhi started his nonviolent struggle and fight for freedom selfdetermination and democracy and the region this part of India Gujarat represents an impressive economic dynamic a dynamic of India ranging from the textile industry via highly modern smart industrial parks and to a very lively startup sceneHere in Gujarat it becomes tangible whats important to both of us when it comes to this visit The fundamental political values that we share the tremendous economic potential that we see and our ever closer interconnections with a view to skilled labour and education and especially amid the profound geopolitical changes and upheavals in the world we share a fundamental interest in deepening our strategic partnership he saidMerz mentioned that India and Germany are focusing on the principles of free trade and open markets as the world is witnessing a renaissance of protectionism He expressed India and Germanys opposition to big powers using supply chains and raw materials as instruments of powerWere seeing a renaissance of protectionism Its directed against the principles of free trade and open markets and countries like India and Germany have been focusing on the principles of free trade and open markets and we continue to focus on these principles in future We are experiencing that great powers big powers use supply chains and raw materials increasingly as instruments of power Together we want to oppose this We reduce unilateral dependencies of our supply chains and that makes both of our economies more resilient India as the fastestgrowing economy of the G20 is a pivotal partner in the IndoPacific he saidThe German Chancellor called India a desired partner and partner of choice for Germany and stressed that the two nations share fundamental values and essential interestsEurope and transatlantic relations remain important to us today We need to forge a broader network of partnerships and we need to do so swiftly and with a long breath at the same time India is a desired partner a partner of choice for Germany and the preconditions for a renewed and deepened and intensified partnership couldnt be more favourable Germany is the most populous state and the state in the European Union which is the most economically strong state in the European Union and India is the biggest democracy in the world We share fundamental values the highly dynamic India and the highly technological Germany We share essential interests and this is what we build uponFriedrich Merz stated that Germany advocates for an international order where people live freely and securely and pointed out the changing world order terming Russias military action in Ukraine as the most drastic expression of these changesI want to focus on three priorities First we advocate for an international order in which we can live freely and securely because the world order is changing the moment we are meeting here it is increasingly marked by great power politics and thinking on spheres of influence Rough winds are blowing and we have to brace ourselves against these rough winds Russias war of aggression against Ukraine is probably the most drastic expression of these changes and this upheaval Together we are going to assert these values and interests that we share in this new world together No we dont always agree on all matters and that holds true for our European partners as well But the overlaps were seeing are very big indeed and this is why we want to cooperate more closely in the field of security policy he saidExpressing willingness to deepen cooperation with India in defence industries and in economic ties Merz said We host joint exercises of our navy and our air force and we have joint port visits military joint visits and we have forums of consultations and we want to deepen our defence industries and the cooperation of our defence industries and this has strategic significance that strengthens both and that leads to a fact that India is less dependent on Russia You saw it We signed a groundbreaking memorandum of declaration One memorandum stipulates the closer cooperation of our defence industries in the field of development and production and the promotion of innovation and strengthening global supply chains But not only do we intensify our defence industrial cooperation but we also intensify our economic relations IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/we-want-to-elevate-bilateral-ties-to-higher-level-german-chancellor-merz-calls-india-desired-partner-658049.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-cement-business-ties-at-moscow-conference-657918.html New Delhi Jan 11 The XVI RussiaâIndia Business Dialogue held in Moscow attended by over 1250 participants observed that the development of RussiaâIndia cooperation and implementation of joint business projects will continue at major international platforms including the St Petersburg International Economic Forum scheduled to take place from June 3 to 6 The Dialogue was organised by the Indian Business Alliance the Business Council for Cooperation with India the Moscow government and the Roscongress FoundationDuring the plenary session participants discussed the main directions of RussiaâIndia cooperation including the resolution of trade issues and identification of new opportunities to balance bilateral trade according to an article in Modern DiplomacyThe issue of ensuring logistics and financial resilience development of industrial cooperation and import substitution and partnership in energy technology and innovation also came up for discussionBesides the implementation of joint projects in industry energy pharmaceuticals and the digital economy was also taken up at the conferenceMoscow government Minister and the head of the citys Department for External Economic and International Relations Sergey Cheremin highlighted the steady growth of business activity and the practical orientation of RussiaâIndia cooperationRussiaâIndia contacts demonstrate confident momentumâmore than 50 joint business events have taken place over the past year Today the focus is on the localisation of Indian businesses in Russia the development of industrial cooperation pharmaceuticals electronics and creative industries as well as growth in mutual investments and hightech product supplies he said as per the articleIndian Business Alliance IBA President Sammy Kotwani emphasised the practical nature of Indian companiesâ interest in cooperation with RussiaThe event reflects a new stage of strategic partnership between our countriesâpractical regionally focused and aimed at implementing concrete projects More than 1250 registered participants and the active involvement of Russian regions confirm the high level of trust and interest in longterm cooperation he saidIn his address at the plenary session Roscongress Foundations Deputy Director and the St Petersburg International Economic Forum Director Alexey Valkov underlined SPIEFâs importance as a key international platform for practical cooperationIndia is a constant and key participant in Roscongress Foundation events We consistently develop RussiaâIndia dialogue not only at events held in Russia but also through international outreach initiatives of the Foundation he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-cement-business-ties-at-moscow-conference-657918.html Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/online-account-claims-venezuelan-forces-were-overwhelmed-657828.html Washington Jan 10 An online account attributed to a Venezuelan security guard loyal to President NicolÃs Maduro is drawing wide attention after being shared by the White House The account posted on social media and presented as an interview describes what the guard says was a sudden military operation that left Venezuelan forces unable to respondThe interview spread widely after it was reposted on X by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt âStop what you are doing and read thisââ she wroteThe original post was shared by verified X user Mike Netter His profile describes him as a veteran of distribution sales and marketing He is listed as vice chair of Rebuild CaliforniaIn the account the security guard says the operation began without warningâOn the day of the operation we didnât hear anything comingâ the guard said âWe were on guard but suddenly all our radar systems shut down without any explanationâHe said drones then appeared over their positionsâThe next thing we saw were drones a lot of drones flying over our positionsâ he said âWe didnât know how to reactâThe guard said helicopters arrived soon after He described their numbers as limitedâSome helicopters arrived but there were very fewâ he said âI think barely eight helicoptersâHe said soldiers descended from the helicoptersâFrom those helicopters soldiers came down but a very small numberâ he said âMaybe twenty menâDespite their small numbers the guard said the soldiers appeared highly advancedâBut those men were technologically very advancedâ he said âThey didnât look like anything weâve fought against beforeâWhen asked what followed the guard said the encounter was brief and onesidedâYes but it was a massacreâ he said âWe were hundreds but we had no chanceâHe said the soldiers fired with speed and precisionâThey were shooting with such precision and speedâ he said âIt seemed like each soldier was firing 300 rounds per minuteâThe guard said Venezuelan weapons were ineffectiveâNo help at allâ he said âBecause it wasnât just the weaponsâHe then described what he said was the use of an unfamiliar deviceâAt one point they launched somethingâ he said âI donât know how to describe it It was like a very intense sound waveâHe said the effects were immediateâI felt like my head was exploding from the insideâ he said âWe all started bleeding from the nose Some were vomiting bloodâHe said many collapsedâWe fell to the ground unable to moveâ he saidAsked whether any resistance was possible the guard said it was notâNo not at allâ he said âThose twenty men without a single casualty killed hundreds of usâHe said the technology made resistance impossibleâWe had no way to compete with their technology with their weaponsâ he said âIâve never seen anything like itâThe account ends with a warning directed beyond VenezuelaâIâm sending a warning to anyone who thinks they can fight the United Statesâ the guard said âThey have no idea what theyâre capable ofâHe said the episode has already changed thinking in the regionâEveryone is already talking about thisâ he said âNo one wants to go through what we went throughâHe also referred to remarks by former President Donald TrumpâNow everyone thinks twiceâ he said after Trump said Mexico was âon the listâ âWhat happened here is going to change a lot of thingsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/online-account-claims-venezuelan-forces-were-overwhelmed-657828.html Sun, 11 Jan 2026 01:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankars-visit-to-france-luxembourg-reviewed-ties-reflected-indias-growing-engagement-with-europe-657905.html New Delhi Jan 11 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid an official visit to the Republic of France and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg reflecting Indias growing engagement with Europe an official statement said on Sunday The visit was held from January 4 to January 9 according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEADuring his visit to France the External Affairs Minister called on French President Emmanuel Macron and held bilateral discussions with his counterpart Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France JeanNoel BarrotThe talks focused on the progress of bilateral ties in key areas and upcoming highlevel political engagementsIn the context of the IndiaâFrance Year of Innovation the two sides explored ways to diversify cooperation in innovation and technology startups health education and mobilityBoth leaders reviewed expanding collaboration in strategic areas such as defence security space civil nuclear cooperation maritime security and the economy while exchanging views on important global and regional developmentsAt the invitation of the French Foreign Minister Dr Jaishankar addressed the 31st Conference of Ambassadors of France as Guest of Honour becoming the first nonEuropean foreign minister to be accorded this distinctionIn his address the EAM underlined contemporary global shifts and highlighted the importance of strategic autonomy the MEA saidThe External Affairs Minister also participated in the first IndiaWeimar Foreign Ministers Meeting which included the Foreign Ministers of France Germany and PolandDuring the meeting he stressed the importance of deepening IndiaâEurope and IndiaâEuropean Union relationsIn addition Dr Jaishankar interacted with French parliamentarians including members of the IndiaFrance Parliamentary Friendship Groups and the Parliamentary Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee He also held discussions with International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol and UNESCO Director General Khaled ElEnanyIn Luxembourg EAM Jaishankar had an audience with Grand Duke Guillaume and called on Prime Minister Luc FriedenHe also held bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Xavier BettelThe discussions reviewed the full spectrum of IndiaâLuxembourg relations including political cooperation trade and investment financial services innovation digital technologies space cooperation and peopletopeople ties alongside exchanges on regional and global issues of mutual interestEAM Jaishankar also addressed members of the Indian community in Luxembourg acknowledging their role in strengthening ties between the two countries and enhancing Indias profile in the regionAccording to the MEA the visit underscored the importance India attaches to its bilateral relations with France and Luxembourg as well as its broader partnership with the European Union highlighting the growing convergence of interests between India and Europe in an evolving global landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankars-visit-to-france-luxembourg-reviewed-ties-reflected-indias-growing-engagement-with-europe-657905.html Sun, 11 Jan 2026 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talibans-noor-ahmad-noor-arrives-in-india-to-take-charge-of-afghan-embassy-in-delhi-657749.html New Delhi Jan 10 Senior Taliban member Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor has arrived in New Delhi to take over as Charge dAffaires at Afghanistans Embassy officials said on Saturday Noor Ahmad Noor has previously served as the Director General of the First Political Department at Afghanistans Ministry of Foreign AffairsIndia and Afghanistan have witnessed a steady rise in their bilateral relations in the past few months especially after the sevenday visit of the Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in OctoberDuring this visit Muttaqi had firmly asserted control over the Embassy here in New Delhi indicating the Islamic Emirates flag flying in front and behind himThis is our flag We fought jihad under this This is 100 per cent our embassy All those who are working here they are all with us Muttaqi said in response to a question by IANS pointing to the Islamic Emirates flag fluttering behind his back and at the front of his table while the embassy officially still hoists the former flag representing the former regime of Ashraf GhaniNotably Mufti Noor was a part of the FM Muttaqis delegation to New DelhiAlthough India has not yet recognised the Taliban regime it has been emerging as a key aid donor and continues to supply aid and medical suppliesSimilarly Afghan consulates both in Mumbai and Hyderabad are being run by Taliban appointed diplomatsSaid Muhammad Ibrahim Khil who was appointed by the government headed by former President Ashraf Ghani was the CDA of the Afghan Embassy in New DelhiMeanwhile there have been several highranking delegation visits from Afghanistan to India aimed at strengthening bilateral ties trade energy development and activating and effectively utilising the capacities of the Indiadeveloped Chabahar Port in Iran and attracting more investments IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talibans-noor-ahmad-noor-arrives-in-india-to-take-charge-of-afghan-embassy-in-delhi-657749.html Sat, 10 Jan 2026 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/instability-in-iran-sparks-concern-in-new-delhi-over-chabahar-port-657764.html New Delhi Jan 10 The situation in Iran has turned chaotic and protests have spread across over 100 cities in the country India is keeping a close watch on the situation as regime instability is rising in Iran This poses a risk to Indiaâs strategic investment in Iranâs Chabahar Port Officials in New Delhi say that these protests are concerning when it comes to the safety and continuity of operations at the critical port in which India has an investment of nearly 500 million An official said that there is no threat to the project as the protesters would not look to damage it However the concern is about the continuity of the project and if the protests intensify further and there is a regime change there would be a major delay the official addedThe Chabahar Port is strategic for India It is a gateway for India to bypass Pakistan to access Afghanistan Russia Europe and Central Asia This port helps India in fulfilling its Connect Central Asia policy Once ready the port would boost trade with landlocked nations such as Uzbekistan Turkmenistan and KazakhstanThe port is also part of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor INSTC which is a 7200 km shiprailroad network that links India to Iran Russia Europe and the Caspian Sea This reduces transit time by nearly 40 per cent apart from cutting costs by around 30 per centThe ongoing protests are likely to cause a delay in the completion of the project and this would work against Indiaâs advantage officials note A key part of the INSTC is the ChabaharâZahedan railway project The ongoing unrest could delay rail connectivity which will eventually undermine the efficiency of the corridorNew Delhi is worried that the unprecedented protests that have rocked Iran could delay cargo handling and also the development of infrastructure at Chabahar The protests have already led to internet blackouts and disruptions in supply chains All these are affecting the project and hence for India it is important that normalcy returns to IranIt has been a nightmare for the security agencies in Iran to handle the situation currently To add to this the morale of the lowranking cadres in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards IRG is down due to the growing economic crisis All these factors have led to insecurity among the labour class who feel that they could be targeted by the protesters due to a lack of securityAnother factor that India is bearing in mind is the moves that China could make during such a time China is known to make its moves in a country which is undergoing instability Chabahar is a counter to Chinaâs growing influence at the Gwadar Port in Pakistan which is located 170 km awayChabahar for India is also important since it helps in monitoring Chinese naval activity in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean India hopes that the dust in Iran will settle soon so that its strategic investments are not hurt Further India would also be mindful of the fact that the Chinese are scaling up massively in Gwadar Hence a delay at Chabahar could delay Indiaâs longterm plans an official addedStarting December 28 2025 mass protests erupted in Iran due to the deepening economic crisis and frustration with the Islamic Republic Government Initially the protest was about rising inflation food prices and severe depreciation of the Iranian Rial However the protests quickly also changed course and today it is also about seeking regime changeThe protests began with shopkeepers hitting the streets but today students and the general public are also part of the protests What began in a few cities initially has spread across 100 different places in Iran IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/instability-in-iran-sparks-concern-in-new-delhi-over-chabahar-port-657764.html Sat, 10 Jan 2026 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/haryana-strengthens-economic-ties-with-mizuho-bank-of-japan-657537.html Chandigarh Jan 8 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday held a meeting with a delegation led by the Managing Director and India Head of Mizuho Bank of Japan Ryo Murao here The meeting focused on strengthening economic cooperation and exploring new avenues for strategic investments in the state During the discussions the delegation expressed keen interest in entering into a memorandum of understanding MoU with the Foreign Cooperation Department of Haryana Key areas identified for collaboration included automobile manufacturing education financial services and notably the semiconductor sector which is emerging as a critical area of global and national importance The delegation told the Chief Minister Saini that impressed by Haryanas progressive policies and robust ease of doing business ecosystem Mizuho Bank has shifted its office from Delhi to Gurugram They sought continued cooperation and support from the state government to further expand their operations and investment footprint in Haryana The Chief Minister assured the delegation of the state governments full support and said that Haryana is committed to providing a stable investorfriendly environment backed by transparent governance modern infrastructure and skilled manpower He emphasised that Haryanas strategic location policy reforms and proactive administrative approach make it a preferred destination for global investors especially in hightechnology and knowledgedriven sectors On the occasion CM Saini also presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to Ryo Murao and discussed its timeless philosophy and universal message of duty ethics and balanced decisionmakingNotably the Department of Foreign Cooperation is a dedicated department of the state government responsible for the states diplomacy bilateral and multilateral relations at the international level and assistance to the Haryanvi diaspora It propagates the state governments vision of transforming Haryana through a Go Global Approach Pawan Kumar Choudhary Advisor to Haryana Chief Minister for Foreign Cooperation Department and other senior officers were present in the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/haryana-strengthens-economic-ties-with-mizuho-bank-of-japan-657537.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/very-unfortunate-yunus-advisor-on-us-adding-bangladesh-to-visa-bond-list-657539.html Dhaka Jan 8 Bangladeshs Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain on Thursday described Trump administrations decision of adding Bangladesh to visa bond list as very unfortunate the local media reported Hossains reaction came after the US administration placed Bangladesh and 24 other nations in a list of countries whose citizens could be required to post bonds of up to USD 15000 to apply for travelling to the USThis decision is not just imposed on Bangladesh alone Bangladesh is among the countries which have immigration related problems To me its nothing abnormal certainly unfortunate It hurts us the United News of Bangladesh UNB quoted Hossain as saying while speaking to reporters in DhakaAnother leading Bangladeshi media outlet Daily Star stated Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain today termed the latest decision by the US administration against Bangladesh as very unfortunateThe countries covered by the visa bond requirement are Algeria Angola Antigua and Barbuda Bangladesh Benin Bhutan Botswana Burundi Cabo Verde Central African Republic Cote DâIvorie Cuba Djibouti Dominica Fiji Gabon The Gambia Guinea Guinea Bissau Kyrgyzstan Malawi Mauritania Namibia Nepal Nigeria Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Tajikistan Tanzania Togo Tonga Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Vanuatu Venezuela Zambia and ZimbabweAccording to the information published on the US State Department website any citizen or national travelling to the US on a passport issued by one of these countries who is found otherwise eligible for a B1B2 visa must post a bond for USD 5000 USD 10000 or USD 15000 The amount is determined at the time of the visa interviewIt further stated The applicant must also submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I352 Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the Department of the Treasuryâs online payment platform Paygov This requirement applies regardless of place of application Applicants should submit Form I352 to post a bond only after a consular officer directs them to do so Applicants will receive a direct link to pay through PaygovAccording to the US State Department the applications must not use any thirdparty website for posting the bond and the US government is not responsible for any money paid outside of its systems It stated A bond does not guarantee visa issuance If someone pays fees without a consular officerâs direction the fees will not be returned IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/very-unfortunate-yunus-advisor-on-us-adding-bangladesh-to-visa-bond-list-657539.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-chancellor-merz-to-visit-india-next-week-hold-talks-with-pm-modi--657587.html New Delhi Jan 9 IANS German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be on two day official visit to India beginning January 12 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra ModinbspMerz is scheduled to hold talks with PM Modi in Ahmedabad and both leaders will participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati RiverfrontnbspThis will be followed by bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar according to the statement released by the Prime Ministers Office This will be Chancellor Merzs first official visit to IndiaIn a statement the Prime Ministers Office stated The two leaders will review the progress made in the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership which has recently completed 25 years Their discussion will also focus on urther intensifying cooperation in trade and investment technology education skilling and mobility while also advancing collaboration in important domains of defence and security science innovation and research green and sustainable development and peopletopeople tiesThe two leaders will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance as well as engage with business and industry leaders of India and GermanynbspAhead of Chancellor Merzs visit German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Thursday discussing bilateral security and defence issues including priority areas for codevelopment and coproduction of defence equipmentnbspGerman Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann called on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh today The Ambassador conveyed new year greetings to the Defence Secretary on behalf of the German side They also discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues including priority areas for codevelopment and coproduction of defence equipment Directorate of Public Relations Ministry of Defence posted on XIn November last year PM Modi met German Chancellor Merz on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa PM Modi described the relationship between India and Germany as strong and expanding across key sectors including trade technology and innovationnbspThe Prime Minister had shared details of the interaction in a brief post on X in which he underlined the growing strategic and economic engagement between the two countriesnbspIt was wonderful to meet German Chancellor Mr Friedrich Merz Indias ties with Germany are robust especially in areas such as trade technology innovation and more PM Modi had written on XPM Modi and Friedrich Merz had also met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Canada in June last year This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Chancellor Merz assumed office in May 2025nbspGermany is one of Indias largest trading partners in the European Union and a leading source of investment engineering expertise and advanced technology https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/german-chancellor-merz-to-visit-india-next-week-hold-talks-with-pm-modi--657587.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-once-again-reminds-pakistan-of-its-deeply-stained-record-of-repression-of-minorities-657651.html New Delhi Jan 9 IANS The Ministry of External Affairs MEA on Friday hit out at Pakistan once again over its absurd allegations that efforts were being made to erase Muslim heritage in India Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Pakistan should look at the situation of minorities in their own country before making comment about othersWhen asked about Pakistan Foreign Office PFO spokesperson Tahir Andrabis recent remarks regarding a demolition drive in New Delhi Jaiswal said I need not elaborate or tell you what is the situation of minorities in that country and those people who make such comments should first look at their record before commenting on othersAndrabis remarks were made after a demolition drive was conducted near FaizeElahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area of Delhi to remove illegal encroachments According to officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi MCD the drive was conducted to clear unauthorised structures from land adjoining the mosque and nearby areas in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High CourtLast month India had categorically rejected Islamabads remarks on violence against minorities in India while also highlighting Pakistans abysmal record of persecuting religious minoritiesWe reject the reported remarks from a country whose abysmal record on this front speaks for itself Pakistans horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths is a well established fact No amount of finger pointing will obfuscate it read a statement issued by the MEA on the remarks made by a spokesperson of the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign AffairsIn November India had slammed Pakistan over its statements on flag hoisting at Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya conveying strongly and clearly that Islamabad has no moral standing to lecture others considering that the country holds a deeply stained record of bigotry repression and systemic mistreatment of its minoritiesAddressing a weekly media briefing MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Pakistan should instead focus on its own abysmal human rights recordWhen asked about Pakistan Foreign Ministrys statement on flag hoisting at Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya Jaiswal responded We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt they deserve As a country with a deeply stained record of bigotry repression and systemic mistreatment of its minorities Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights recordLast year a report in the New Delhibased International Centre for Peace Studies highlighted that the persecution of minorities in Pakistan especially the consistent framing of Hindus as the other the manipulation of Islam and antiIndia sentiment for political gain reveal the stark contradictions in the countrys national identityCiting Lahorebased Centre for Social Justice the report also said 344 blasphemy cases were documented in 2024 and between 20212024 at least 421 minority women and girls mostly Hindus and Christians with 71 per cent of them minors were subjected to forced conversion https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-once-again-reminds-pakistan-of-its-deeply-stained-record-of-repression-of-minorities-657651.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-plots-regime-change-in-afghanistan-amid-rift-with-taliban-cpec-looms-in-background-657439.html New Delhi Jan 8 With ties with the Afghan Taliban falling to an alltime low Pakistan is now plotting a regime change in Afghanistan Intelligence Bureau officials say The plan to effect a regime change has always been on Pakistanâs mind but the urgency to go ahead with the plan comes in the wake of China pressurising Pakistan to mend ties with Afghanistan The Taliban that rules Afghanistan is in no mood to mend ties with Pakistan There have been several tense exchanges between the two countries Even a temporary ceasefire is not holding up which has prompted Pakistan to carry out a major regime change operation in AfghanistanPakistan understands that it cannot get the people of Afghanistan on board to execute its plan The Afghan Taliban is well capable of handling protests and Islamabad does realise that Officials say that Pakistan will continue to battle directly against the Afghan Taliban forces to push them out of powerHowever for Pakistan to focus just on the Taliban will be a huge task considering the numerous problems it is facing back at home The biggest threats that Pakistan faces are from the Balochistan Nationalist Army BLA and TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP To counter the two Pakistan has roped in the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP The ISKP has allied with the LashkareTaiba and is expected to focus on regions such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPThese regions have a solid presence of the BLA and TTP Pakistanâs idea is to ensure that the ISKP and LashkareTaiba fight together against the BLA and TTP It does not want to enhance its troop presence in these regions to focus mainly on the Afghan Taliban Despite numerous efforts the Afghan Taliban has refused to come on board with PakistanIslamabad had hoped that it would play the big brother in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover While relations initially appeared to be fine over the years there has been growing mistrust Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the TTP It has also accused the Taliban without proof of allowing Afghanistan to be used as a launchpad against PakistanIn April 2024 the Afghan officials detained several Tajik nationals hired by the ISKP During their questioning they admitted that they were instructed to travel to Quetta Pakistan for training They also confessed that post the training period they were to be deployed to AfghanistanAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI has been training nearly 1000 people to carry out their regime change mission The idea is to train as many ISKP cadres as possible so that they could battle the Taliban in Afghanistan the official also addedThe Afghanistan situation is a matter of concern for Islamabad The Afghan Taliban has proven to be anything but weak and has inflicted a lot of damage on the Pakistan army Further within terror circles in Pakistan the ISI is being questioned about its failing ties with the Taliban The fact that the Taliban currently shares good ties with India has also not gone down too well with PakistanDuring a recent meeting the Chinese have told Pakistani officials that ties with the Taliban have to be mended China insisted that Afghanistan be part of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor Project 20 CPEC Beijing also conveyed to Pakistan that it has to mend ties with the Taliban so that the project does not face any hiccups This has put immense pressure on Pakistan to mend ways with the TalibanThe problem however is that there is too much mistrust between the two sides an official said This is one of the main reasons why peace talks between the two are failing despite a thirdparty mediation Another official said that Pakistan is running out of patience and with the dragon breathing down its neck it is going all out to effect regime change in AfghanistanA regime change would prove to be very beneficial for Pakistan If it manages to topple the Taliban it could install a puppet like in the case of Bangladesh Further it could work with China on the CPEC with Afghanistan being a party Lastly a puppet regime like in the case of Bangladesh would be antiIndia and this would be very beneficial for Pakistan officials add IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistan-plots-regime-change-in-afghanistan-amid-rift-with-taliban-cpec-looms-in-background-657439.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-seizes-tankers-over-sanctions-violations-657373.html Washington Jan 8 The Donald Trump administration on Wednesday said it has seized oil tankers operating outside US sanctions warning that illegal crude shipments will not be tolerated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the seizures targeted vessels linked to what she described as Venezuelaâs âshadow fleetâ adding that the administration was enforcing sanctions without exceptionâI believe youâre referring to the Bella One tanker that was seized this morningâ Leavitt told reporters She said the seizure followed a judicial warrant issued by a US federal court after the vessel was trackedâThis was a Venezuelan shadow fleet vessel that has transported sanctioned oilâ Leavitt said âThe United States of America under this President is not going to tolerate thatâLeavitt said the tanker was seized in the North Atlantic and that the crew could face prosecutionâThe vessel had a judicial seizure orderâ she said âThat means the crew is now subject to prosecution for any applicable violation of federal lawâShe added that the crew could be brought to the United States if necessaryLeavitt also confirmed the seizure of a second tanker the Sofia describing it as part of a broader enforcement effortâThere was another vessel this morning the Sofiaâ she said âThis is a stateless sanctioned dark fleet motor tankerâShe said the operation was carried out without incident and involved multiple US agenciesâThis occurred without incidentâ Leavitt said âThis vessel was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean SeaâAccording to Leavitt the US Coast Guard is escorting the vessel to the United StatesâThe US Coast Guard is escorting the Sofia to the United States for final dispositionâ she saidShe said the seizures were conducted as part of a coordinated enforcement campaignâTo answer your question directly this was through Operation Southern Spearâ Leavitt saidLeavitt rejected suggestions that the tanker seizures could escalate tensions with other major powers including RussiaâThis administration is going to fully enforce the sanctions policy of the United Statesâ she saidShe said the president was prepared to act even if enforcement drew criticismâHeâs not afraid to implement itâ Leavitt saidLeavitt stressed that maritime enforcement was central to the administrationâs broader foreign policyâThe President is going to enforce our policy thatâs best for the United States of Americaâ she saidOil tankers have become a growing focus of US sanctions enforcement as Washington targets revenue streams tied to sanctioned governments Maritime interdictions and vessel seizures are increasingly used to disrupt illicit oil trade conducted through false flags or stateless shipping networks IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-seizes-tankers-over-sanctions-violations-657373.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-israeli-counterpart-netanyahu-discuss-ways-to-strengthen-strategic-partnership-657359.html New Delhi Jan 7 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday with both leaders discussing ways to further strengthen the bilateral strategic partnershipnbspThe two leaders also discussed the regional situation and reaffirmed their shared resolve to fight terrorismnbspGlad to speak with my friend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and convey New Year greetings to him and the people of Israel We discussed ways to further strengthen the IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership in the year ahead PM Modi posted on XWe also exchanged views on the regional situation and reaffirmed our shared resolve to fight terrorism with greater determination he addednbspOn December 17 2025 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on Netanyahu in Jerusalem and conveyed warm wishes of PM ModinbspThey discussed enhancing cooperation between India and Israel across several sectors including technology economy skills and talent connectivity and securityIn a post shared on X EAM Jaishankar wrote Deeply appreciate the call on Prime Minister Israel Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem this evening Extended warm wishes of PM Narendra Modi Discussed deepening cooperation in technology economy skills and talent connectivity and security Valued his perspectives on regional and global developments Confident that our Strategic Partnership will grow from strength to strengthnbspFollowing the meeting PM Netanyahu also posted on X This evening I met in my office in Jerusalem with Indias Minister of External Affairs Dr S JaishankarEAM Jaishankar also met Israeli President Isaac Herzog where the two sides reviewed the IndiaIsrael strategic partnership and its continued advancementnbspTaking to X Jaishankar wrote Honoured to call on President Isaac Herzog of Israel today Conveyed warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Discussed our Strategic Partnership and its continued deepening Reaffirmed Indias steadfast support for enduring peace in the regionnbspEarlier on December 10 PM Modi received a telephone call from Netanyahu and the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in West AsiaDuring the talks both leaders discussed ways to strengthen the IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and reiterated their zerotolerance approach towards terrorismnbspAccording to a press note issued by the Prime Ministers office PM Modi reaffirms Indias support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the regionnbspNotably both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefitThe two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zerotolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations the PMO saidnbspThey also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia PM Modi reaffirmed Indias support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan it added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-israeli-counterpart-netanyahu-discuss-ways-to-strengthen-strategic-partnership-657359.html Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-weighs-embassy-reopening-as-venezuela-risk-persists-657232.html Washington Jan 5 The Trump administration is preparing for a possible reopening of the US Embassy in Caracas even as American officials warn that the security situation in Venezuela remains âfluidâ and continues to pose severe risks to US citizens âAs President Trump said we are making preparations to allow for a reopening should the President make that decisionâ a senior State Department official said underscoring that no final determination has yet been madeThe comments came as the US Embassy in Caracas issued a fresh security warning urging US citizens not to travel to Venezuela and to exercise heightened caution if already presentIn a statement the embassy said Venezuela remains under the highest US Travel Advisory classification due to âsevere risks to Americansâ including wrongful detention crime civil unrest and limited access to health careThe embassy noted that no commercial flights are currently operating in or out of Venezuela further complicating travel and evacuation options for foreign nationals It also reiterated that the US Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from Caracas in March 2019 and suspended embassy operations leaving all consular services â both routine and emergency â unavailableâThe US government continues to be unable to provide emergency services to US citizens in Venezuelaâ the embassy saidUS citizens currently in the country were advised to take precautions to ensure their safety establish multiple communication methods with family and friends outside Venezuela and enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program to receive security updatesThose seeking assistance were told to contact the US Embassy in Bogota Colombia which is responsible for Venezuelarelated consular mattersThe United States has not operated an embassy in Caracas since 2019 when diplomatic personnel were withdrawn amid a deepening political crisis and deteriorating security conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-weighs-embassy-reopening-as-venezuela-risk-persists-657232.html Tue, 06 Jan 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/avoid-non-essential-travel-to-iran-until-further-notice-mea-657208.html TehranNew Delhi Jan 5 India on Monday advised its nationals to avoid nonessential travel to Iran until further notice owing to the recent developments in the country Indian citizens and PIOs currently in Iran should exercise due caution avoid areas of protests or demonstrations and closely monitor news as well as the website and social media handles of the Embassy of India in Tehran read an advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAIndian nationals living in Iran on residentvisas are advised to register with the Indian Embassy if not already done so it addedIran is witnessing major protests in a number of cities over the sharp depreciation of the national currency rialClashes between the security personnel and protestors have resulted in several deaths in Iranian provincesEarler on Monday India time US President Donald Trump warned Iran against using violence to suppress protests saying the United States is closely monitoring the situation and would respond forcefully if Iranian authorities begin killing civiliansAboard Air Force One on his way back to the White House from MaraLago Trump was asked about reports of protesters being killed in Iran and his earlier comments that the US was âlocked and loadedââWeâll take a lookâ Trump said âWeâre watching it very closelyâTrump drew a clear line around the use of lethal force by Iranian authorities âIf they start killing people as they have in the past I think theyâre going to get hit very hard by the United Statesâ he saidThe US President did not specify what form a US response might take nor did he outline any immediate military or economic measures Notably the US has deployed considerable military asset in the regionTrumpâs comments in response to a question however underscored that Washington is actively tracking developments inside Iran and considering its options But he gave no timeline or trigger point âWeâre watching it very closelyâ he reiteratedWhile Trump did not draw direct comparisons during his Iran remarks his warning followed strong language directed at Venezuela Cuba and other countries he described as destabilising forces in their regionsTrump has previously accused Iran of violently suppressing dissent during past waves of protests and has used economic sanctions and military deterrence as pressure tools In this exchange he stopped short of announcing new measures instead emphasising vigilance and readinessâIf they start killing peopleâ Trump said repeating the condition under which US action could follow IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/avoid-non-essential-travel-to-iran-until-further-notice-mea-657208.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-to-receive-600-bn-in-tariffs-trump-657211.html Washington Jan 5 US President Donald Trump on Monday said the US has taken in and will soon receive more than 600 billion through tariffs arguing that the policy has strengthened the country financially and bolstered national security The President also accused the countryâs media of downplaying the issue ahead of a key Supreme Court decisionIn a post on his Truth Social platform Trump said âWe have taken in and will soon be receiving more than 600 Billion Dollars in Tariffs but the Fake News Media refuses to talk about it because they hate and disrespect our Country and want to interfere with the upcoming Tariff decision one of the most important ever of the United States Supreme CourtâThe President in his social media post asserted that framed trade measures are directly linked to the nationâs global standingâBecause of Tariffs our Country is financially AND FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY STANDPOINT FAR STRONGER AND MORE RESPECTED THAN EVER BEFOREâ Trump wroteSoon after coming to power in January 2025 Trump and his team used tariffs as a national security and foreign policy tool imposing massive tariffs on countries around the world on imports of their productsHe has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on the import of products from IndiaIndia pushing ahead to diversify exports amid US tariff turmoil ReportAccording to an article in the South China Morning Post New Delhi plans to diversify the countryâs exports away from the US and this approach is expected to gather pace ingoing aheadThe article highlights that ever since US President Donald Trump imposed penal import tariffs of 50 per cent on India last year New Delhi has maintained a resolute approach to the punitive levies even as it has kept the door open to negotiationsThe US is Indiaâs largest export market receiving about 18 per cent of its total goods exports including items such as garments and leather products with a vast diaspora readily snapping up products shipped from their homelandWhile it remains unclear whether the two countries can negotiate a trade deal given Indiaâs firm position on opening sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy to US products experts are sceptical that Washington will significantly roll back its tariffs the article states IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-to-receive-600-bn-in-tariffs-trump-657211.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fairpoint-2026-begins-with-the-sound-of-boots-not-diplomacy-657014.html New Delhi Jan 4 As US troops swooped down on Venezuela in a stealth night operation flashes of Indias own Operation Sindoor inevitably surfaced in the public imagination The Indian Armed Forces from May 710 2025 carried out a successful precision operation in Pakistan and Pakistanoccupied Kashmir followed by airstrikes across 11 Pakistani airbasesIt is tempting almost cathartic to ask What if India had gone further What if the terror masterminds sheltered by Pakistan Hafiz Saeed Masood Azhar Dawood Ibrahim or even its powerful Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had been scooped out in a similar fashionFor many Indians this is not merely a hypothetical question It reflects a longsimmering frustration with a neighbour that has perfected the art of exporting terror while playing the victim on global platformsFor most of this period New Delhi exercised restraint It was only after 2014 that this posture decisively changed with punitive yet calibrated responses becoming a declared policy Even this shift was framed within existing international norms avoiding actions that could be seen as unilateral overreach It is precisely this restraint that makes the Venezuela developments impossible to ignoreAgainst this backdrop the US action in Venezuela came as a shock to the global conscience When the US President announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country following a successful largescale strike and the country being taken over disbelief turned into uneaseSeveral countries including Russia and China expressed concern stressing that Venezuelans must be allowed to determine their destiny without destructive military intervention from outsideThe disturbing question that followed was simple yet profound how can one country enter another sovereign nation and capture its President and take over a country It felt like a return to ancient times when kings were seized territories subjugated and power determined by brute force rather than international norms This is 2026 barely days into the new year and such actions lay out an unsettling framework for the future of global politicsWhat makes the episode more jarring is the contrast with the rhetoric that preceded it On New Years Eve at his MaraLago estate in Florida US President Donald Trump proclaimed peace peace on Earth as his resolution for the year standing beside First Lady Melania TrumpFour days later the world witnessed an unprecedented action which the US is justifying with its own claims Maduro has been charged with narcoterrorism cocaine importation conspiracy firearms offences and related crimes The illegal conduct is alleged to have begun around 1999 and continued through 2025 according to the US authoritiesThe justifications apart the world cannot forget the Iraq war and the US claims on Saddam Hussein were finally found to be untrue years later But in between Iraq was destroyed and aided in the birth and growth of terror elements like ISIS Even in Afghanistan after decades of a mission the US finally abandoned the place with the brutal radical Taliban taking overHow the US Maduro mission proceeds is to be seen but the dissonance between words and action could not have been starkerWhile leaders institutions and international organisations routinely speak of peace the reality unfolding across continents tells a different story Conflict zones continue to smoulder without resolutionThe wars in RussiaâUkraine and IsraelâGaza show no sign of abating Tensions in Southeast Asia including flashpoints like VietnamâCambodia threaten to spiral Instead of deescalation more regions appear to be sliding into cycles of violence instability and strategic brinkmanshipThe year 2026 far from offering a fresh start opens amid rising global anxiety Power is increasingly being asserted unilaterally norms are being bent or ignored and military might is once again becoming the preferred language of influenceFor India these global tremors are not distant abstractions Trouble brews dangerously close to home Bangladesh once hailed as a development success story is witnessing a disturbing descent into chaosThe Hindu minority there is under sustained attack reports of killings intimidation and displacement are mounting Radical Islamist elements emboldened by political instability are pushing an aggressive antiIndia narrative Some have even issued reckless threats about attacking Indias northeastern states and severing the strategic Siliguri Corridor the chickens neckOn Indias western flank sits Pakistan the perpetual antagonist Economically bankrupt yet ideologically belligerent Islamabad remains ever eager to manufacture tensions with New Delhi Its military establishment continues its hostility towards India using terrorism as a strategic tool and pushing narcotics across the international borderIn such a hostile environment Indias actions are justified and cannot be casually questioned If the US claims its Venezuela operation was about narcoterrorism Indias charges against Pakistan are far graver harbouring and sponsoring terrorism waging proxy wars causing the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians spreading religious hatred attempting to destabilise India internally and aiding narcoterrorismThe world has already seen compelling proof of Pakistans role as a terror hub most notably when US forces eliminated Osama bin Laden on its soil Since then a disturbing number of terror attacks across the globe have traced their origins back to PakistanIf the US can do it with Venezuela then why not India do the same with Pakistan This question must be uppermost in the minds of the millions of Indians who have been directly or indirectly affected by Pakistansponsored terrorismThe world today stands at a crossroads drifting steadily towards unilateralism where nations look inward first and act alone The new year has begun on a troubling noteWhether it descends further into chaos or forces a collective rethinking of global conduct will depend on the choices made now by those who wield power and by those who live under its shadowDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fairpoint-2026-begins-with-the-sound-of-boots-not-diplomacy-657014.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/china-aims-to-extend-geopolitical-clout-to-thailand-via-bri-route-657029.html New Delhi Jan 4 China is now reported to be eyeing northern Thailand especially along the ThaiâMyanmar border with its Belt and Road Initiative BRI playbook to build strategic influence in the region Chinaâs move to extend its geopolitical influence in the area is disguised as development assistance according to an article in the Myanmarese media outlet The IrrawaddyThe proposal by a Chinese proxy is to construct a 172 km tunnel linking Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai The Chinese government is reportedly ready to give infrastructure fund support worth 3040 billion Thai bahts provided an MoU is signedOn paper the project addresses a genuine developmental bottleneck Mae Hong Son is one of Thailandâs poorest provinces and the poorest in the north economically marginalised by mountainous terrain and limited road access resulting in weak integration into national supply chains The tunnel promises to change this by dramatically reducing travel time and improving yearround connectivity For locals the appeal is obvious and efforts from the distant Thai capital have been sporadic underfunded or politically marginalised the article statedYet the strategic implications of Chinaâs presence in this plan extend well beyond provincial development China Highway Engineering Consulting a subsidiary of China Communications Construction a company that has been sanctioned by the United States since 2020 due to its role in South China Sea islandbuilding as a crucial player in Chinaâs BRI master plan is playing an active role in pushing the project in ThailandIt also has a lengthy track record of corruption and malpractices in development projects around the world Any involvement of the company should set alarm bells ringing the article observedThese connectivity projects in northern Thailand in other words do not exist in isolation they form part of an emerging crossborder logistical ecosystem that links Thailandâs upper north to key routes within Myanmar the article pointed outThis new project would result in a better transportation route for minerals from inside Myanmar and those might even be rare earth elements If the project gets underway then it could drive up demand for Myanmarâs minerals and in turn encourage the expansion of mining activities against the backdrop of political instability and the war economy there the article observesBut above all the project would have a grave environmental impact on Thailand and the whole Mekong and Salween River Basin Once again China delegates the risks to downstream communities while reaping profits from being the biggest player in the global critical minerals supply chain the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/china-aims-to-extend-geopolitical-clout-to-thailand-via-bri-route-657029.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-visit-france-and-luxembourg-hold-talks-with-leadership-657030.html New Delhi Jan 4 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar will be on an official visit to France and Luxembourg from January 49 During his visit to France the EAM will meet French leadership and hold talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean Noel Barrot In a statement Ministry of External Affairs MEA said They will discuss the progress made under the IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership and matters of global importance EAM will also address the 31st edition of the French Ambassadorâs Conference as the Guest of HonourDuring his visit to Luxembourg EAM Jaishankar will hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel and the senior leadership He will also interact with the members of the Indian community in LuxembourgIn November last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africas JohannesburgDelighted to meet President Macron during the Johannesburg G20 Summit We had an engaging exchange on different issues IndiaâFrance ties remain a force for global good PM Modi posted on X after the meetingThe two leaders had held a phone conversation in September last year exchanging views on efforts towards bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine while reiterating Indiaâs consistent support for peaceful resolution of the issue and early restoration of peace and stability in the entire regionThey had also spoken over the phone on August 21 2025 coordinating their positions on the war in Ukraine in order to move towards a just and lasting peaceDuring their conversations over the past few months the two leaders have reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral cooperation across different sectors including economic defence science technology and space They had reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening of the IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap the IndoPacific Roadmap and the Defence Industrial RoadmapPM Modi had thanked President Macron for accepting the invitation to the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in February 2026 and looked forward to welcoming the French leader in IndiaOn trade issues we agreed to strengthen our economic exchanges and our strategic partnership in all areas â this is the key to our sovereignty and independence Following up on the AI Action Summit held in Paris last February we are working towards the success of the AI Impact Summit to be held in New Delhi in 2026 For more effective multilateralism we agreed to work closely together in preparation for the French presidency of the G7 and the Indian presidency of the BRICS in 2026 Macron had posted on X on August 21 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-visit-france-and-luxembourg-hold-talks-with-leadership-657030.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-secretary-of-state-urges-realism-on-venezuela-transition-657046.html Washington Jan 4 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said expectations of an immediate democratic transition in Venezuela are unrealistic cautioning against demands for instant elections following the arrest of NicolÃs Maduro Speaking on CBS Face the Nation Rubio said comparisons with past US interventions were misplaced âPeople analyse everything through the lens of Iraq Libya and Afghanistanâ he said âThis is not the Middle EastâRubio said Washingtonâs focus in Venezuela is centred on addressing security threats in the Western Hemisphere âWe have a country that has cozied itself up to Iranâ he said adding that criminal groups have been allowed to operate freely from Venezuelan territoryHe acknowledged the role of opposition figures in the country âI have tremendous admiration for MarÃa Corina Machadoâ the top American diplomat said also praising Edmundo GonzÃlezHowever Rubio said immediate political change was not realistic âEveryoneâs asking why 24 hours after Nicolas Maduro was arrested there isnât an election scheduled for tomorrowâ he said âThatâs absurdââThese things take timeâ Rubio added âThereâs a processâAsked whether Venezuelaâs emerging leadership had committed to democratic principles Rubio declined to provide details âIâm not going to publicly get into details about any of those thingsâ he saidHe said Washington would judge leaders by their actions rather than assurances âWe are going to make our assessments on the basis of what they doâ Rubio saidRubio emphasised that the United States continues to retain leverage âIf they donât make the right decisions the United States will retain multiple levers of leverageâ he saidHe rejected suggestions that oil interests were driving US policy âThatâs not what happened hereâ Rubio said âWe arrested a narco traffickerâAt the same time Rubio said oil remains central to Venezuelaâs future economic recovery âTheir oil industry is completely destroyedâ he said âThey need investmentâHe added that oil wealth must ultimately benefit the population âRight now all of that wealth is stolenâ Rubio saidRubio warned that Washington would not tolerate the presence of hostile actors in the region âWe are not going to have a country like Venezuela in our own hemisphereâ he said âat the crossroads for Hezbollah and IranâThe top American diplomat said the Trump administrationâs approach would be guided by national interest and gradual changeâWe want Venezuela to transition to be a place completely different than what it looks like todayâ Rubio said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-secretary-of-state-urges-realism-on-venezuela-transition-657046.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-visits-paris-exhibition-showcasing-indian-heritage-deep-cultural-ties-657093.html Paris Jan 5 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar visited an exhibition in Paris titled Ce qui se trame woven stories between India and France which showcased Indias textile heritage expertise and craftsmanship underscoring the strong cultural connection between the two nations Visited exposition Ce qui se trame woven stories between India and France in Paris this evening The exhibition showcases Indias textile heritage savoirfaire and creativity It is also a reminder of the strong IndiaFrance cultural connect EAM posted on X on Monday Indian timeEAM Jaishankar is on an official visit to France and Luxembourg from January 49 During his visit to France the EAM will meet French leadership and hold talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean Noel BarrotIn a statement the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said They will discuss the progress made under the IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership and matters of global importance EAM will also address the 31st edition of the French Ambassadors Conference as the Guest of HonourDuring his visit to Luxembourg EAM Jaishankar will hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel and the senior leadership He will also interact with the members of the Indian community in LuxembourgIn November last year Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South AfricaThe two leaders also held a phone conversation in September and August last year exchanging views on efforts towards bringing an end to the conflict in Ukraine while reiterating Indias consistent support for a peaceful resolution of the issue and early restoration of peace and stability in the entire regionDuring their conversations over the past few months the two leaders have reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral cooperation across different sectors including economic defence science technology and spaceThey had reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening of the IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap the IndoPacific Roadmap and the Defence Industrial Roadmap IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-visits-paris-exhibition-showcasing-indian-heritage-deep-cultural-ties-657093.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korean-fm-vows-to-revamp-overseas-missions-to-expand-diversify-diplomacy-656700.html Seoul Jan 2 South Koreas Foreign Minister Cho Hyun vowed Friday to revamp diplomatic missions overseas in a way that will boost their operational efficiency as part of efforts to expand and diversify South Koreas foreign policy amid a shifting international landscape Cho made the remarks in a New Year message to foreign ministry officials signaling plans to streamline the missions deemed less efficient while reinforcing the functions of those stationed in key regionsFor missions that show limited effectiveness we will carry out efficient restructuring and reinforce core functions by focusing them on key missions Cho said in his speech Yonhap News Agency reportedHis remarks followed media reports that the ministry scrapped plans to open new embassies in several countries after President Lee Jae Myung questioned the need for the expansion reversing an initiative pushed for by the former Yoon Suk Yeol governmentCho called for overseas missions to better coordinate with South Korean public entities operating abroad to ensure the collaboration will produce outcomes benefiting Korean nationals and companies based in the countriesWe will introduce measures to systematically manage performance and service such as by reinforcing the authority of heads of overseas missions to better oversee locally operating public institutions and selecting officials capable of overseas assignments he saidCho also pledged to lead the ministry to pursue more summit diplomacy and widen the economic horizons of foreign policyIt has become more important than ever to explore and further expand new economic horizons he said We will strive to promote diplomacy that improves peoples livelihoods and revitalizes businessesLooking ahead we will step up summitlevel diplomacy and actively engage in diplomacy with key regions to diversify our diplomatic outreach Cho saidOn December 22 Cho Hyun said he would work to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula by seeking dialogue with North Korea and other relevant nations reiterating the governments efforts to reengage with PyongyangCho made the remarks in a keynote speech at an event hosted by the South KoreaUS Parliamentarians Union saying it is time to deeply reflect on what must be done to ensure security and peace on the peninsulaâThe two summit meetings between South Korea and the United States this year would provide a foundation for those effortsâ he said stressing the importance of âswiftly and properlyâ negotiating the agreements reached in the joint fact sheetHe added that South Korea should work to bolster deterrence while simultaneously seeking dialogue with North Korea and other relevant nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korean-fm-vows-to-revamp-overseas-missions-to-expand-diversify-diplomacy-656700.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/dhaka-hails-indias-initiative-to-take-relations-forward-but-fails-to-contain-hate-crimes-in-bangladesh-656708.html New Delhi Jan 2 Indiaâs External Affairs Minister S Jaishankarâs Dhaka visit to attend former Prime Minister Khaleda Ziaâs funeral on Wednesday and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visiting the High Commission in New Delhi to pay respects to the departed leader is significant given the current situation observed a leading Bangladesh daily âThe brief visit of Indiaâs foreign minister S Jaishankar to Dhaka over the past two days along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singhâs visit to the Bangladesh mission is significantâ said a Prothom Alo analysisâSince the popular uprising of 5 August 2024 which led to the fall of the Awami League government and Sheikh Hasinaâs flight to India relations between the two countries have deterioratedâ it addedEarlier Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah had posted on social media âXâ that following Jaishankarâs Dhaka visit India and Bangladesh can look forward to scripting a new chapter in bilateral tiesIncidentally Hamidullah was summoned back to Dhaka on Monday amid rising bilateral tensions between the two neighboursâAs India Hon External Affairs Minister HE Dr DrSJaishankar left Dhaka following a whirlwind 4hr visit Bangladesh amp India would look forward to script a new chapter in BangladeshIndia ties in shared interests driven by pragmatism and mutual interdependence as indeed briefly discussed with bdbnp78 Acting Chair trahmanbnp this afternoonâ he wrote on WednesdayThe last part was in reference to the External Affairs Minister meeting the deceased former Prime Ministerâs son Tarique Rahman who is Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP Acting Chairman and handing him Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs condolence letterAlso acknowledging the Defence Ministerâs visit Hamidullah wrote the next day âHonoured to welcome HE rajnathsingh Hon India Defense Minister at bdhcdelhi as he conveyed condolences of India and paid homage to former Bangladesh Prime Minister bdbnp78 Chairperson late BegumKhaledaZia in DelhiâFridayâs analysis in Prothom Alo appears to echo the High Commissionerâs observations on the development referring to his social media postsâYet barely a week later Rajnath Singhâs visit to the Bangladesh High Commission to pay respects to Khaleda Zia is significant In addition to honouring the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh his presence at the High Commission signals that Delhi is taking responsibility for ensuring the highest level of security at the missionâ wrote the newspaperâs Diplomatic Editor Raheed Ejaz on FridayThe piece however failed to mention the violence in Bangladesh and the killings of Hindu and other minority citizens It rather highlighted demonstrations and protests in India voicing the ongoing atrocitiesViolence in Bangladesh has sharply escalated with Hindu minority citizens facing targeted killings At least 12 Hindus were murdered in mob lynchings and extrajudicial attacks last month These incidents have heightened anxiety among minority communities and raised questions about Bangladeshâs ability to protect vulnerable groupsThe violence undermines social cohesion and democratic transition especially ahead of the February 12 electionsAuthorities often present each killing as an isolated crime but it reveals how political instability religious radicalism and weak institutions converge to leave minorities vulnerable The Prothom Alo piece headlined Delhi eager to take bilateral relations forward ended portraying Bangladesh authoritiesâ uncertaintyIt recounted that when Touhid Hossain Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government was asked whether Jaishankarâs visit would ease tensions between the two countries he replied âYou will have to look for the answer in the days ahead In the coming days you will see what happensâDhaka needs to reciprocate not appear uncertain passing on the responsibility and response to future IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/dhaka-hails-indias-initiative-to-take-relations-forward-but-fails-to-contain-hate-crimes-in-bangladesh-656708.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ysrcp-mp-urges-centre-to-ensure-safe-release-of-nine-fishermen-detained-by-bangladesh-656762.html Amaravati Jan 2 YSR Congress Party YSRCP MP Maddila Gurumoorthy on Friday urged the Union government to ensure the safe release of nine fishermen who were detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard In a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the MP said that nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh were apprehended by the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the mid sea of Bay of Bengal on October 21 2025 while they were operating a mechanised fishing vesselThe fishermen hail from Vizianagaram district and their families are in distress and undergoing mental agony he said and urged the Union government to use their offices to seek the release and safe return of the fishermenAccording to Gurumoorthy the fishermen inadvertently crossed the international maritime boundary near the West Bengal coast due to navigational lapses but were detained by the Bangladesh Coast Guard He said that there was no criminal intent involvedHe added the fishermen depend entirely on traditional fishing for their livelihood and that their prolonged detention has caused severe mental and financial distress to their familiesThe YSRCP MP from Tirupati added that Bangladesh is a signatory to international maritime laws and that provisions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea allow for the release of detained fishermen and vessels in such casesCiting humanitarian concerns Gurumoorthy appealed to the Centre and the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and ensure the fishermens early releaseThe state government had said that eight fishermen from Vizianagaram district were detained by the Bangladesh Navy after their boat allegedly strayed into the neighbouring countrys territorial watersThe state government contacted the MEA through the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi to secure the release of the fishermenA special legal team of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is providing legal aid for their releaseA charge sheet has been filed in Bangladesh against the fishermen prompting the Andhra Pradesh government to appeal to the Bangladesh Embassy for cooperation to allow continuous contact with the fishermens familiesUnion Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu took up the matter with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting steps for their swift return IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ysrcp-mp-urges-centre-to-ensure-safe-release-of-nine-fishermen-detained-by-bangladesh-656762.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-pakistan-exchange-lists-of-prisoners-nuclear-installations-656537.html New Delhi Jan 1 India on Thursday called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners fishermen along with their boats and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistans custody As both countries exchanged through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad the lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen in each others custody the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated that Pakistan has been asked to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentenceIndia has shared lists with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believedtobePakistani Similarly Pakistan has shared lists with details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody who are Indian or believedtobeIndian read a statement issued by the MEAThe Government of India has called for early release and repatriation of civil prisoners fishermen along with their boats and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistans custody Pakistan has also been urged to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civil prisoners who have completed their sentence In addition Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 35 civil prisoners and fishermen in Pakistans custody who are believedtobeIndian and have not been provided consular access so far it addedUnder the provisions of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access 2008 such lists are exchanged every year on January 1 and on July 1New Delhi asserted that it has asked the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety security and welfare of all Indian and believedtobeIndian civil prisoners and fishermen pending their release and repatriation to IndiaAs a result of the sustained efforts by the Government of India 2661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civil prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014 This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date the MEA statement mentionedThe two countries also exchanged on Thursday through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the agreement on the prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installation and Facilities between India and PakistanThe Agreement which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides inter alia that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first January of every calendar year This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992 another MEA statement detailed IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-pakistan-exchange-lists-of-prisoners-nuclear-installations-656537.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-shifted-toward-realism-on-ukraine-conflict-eu-moved-the-opposite-way-report-656569.html New Delhi Jan 1 Washingtonâs âchange in approachâ towards the war in Ukraine and United States President Donald Trump becoming âthe first Western leader to engage Russiaâ were termed the most consequential political developments of the year by Moscowâs global television network âFor the first time since the conflict escalated in 2022 Ukraine went through an entire year without launching a major theatreshaping offensive The contrast with previous years is starkâ according to an article published on the website of RT the statecontrolled international news television network âAfter three years in which politics tried to outrun the battlefield 2025 marked a significant reversal Ukraine has begun to collapse narratively economically and militarily For the first time since the conflict escalated there was no Ukrainian offensive whatsoever never mind one capable of reshaping the front linesâ said the article However the most consequential political development of the year was not Russiaâs breakthrough on the front lines but a change in Washingtonâs approach The commentary referred to the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyâs recent US visit where he sought President Trumpâs backing for a revised 20point peace plan Sundayâs meeting ended after more than three hours of talks in Florida with neither leader announcing any breakthrough âTrumpâs initiative effectively doorstepping Zelensky with a peace proposal just as his international reputation slumped over a 100 million corruption scandal involving his close associates was not about sympathy for Moscow but on the reality that wars between major powers end through negotiated settlement not narrative victoryâ claimed the unsigned article Incidentally Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the Zelensky meeting While the US President appeared noncommittal in backing Zelenskyâs peace plan even before the meeting Russia had termed it âradically differentâ from the one it was working on with Washington The article emphasised Ukraineâs position and WashingtonMoscow relations stressing the security interests of the US and Russia âThe âspirit of Anchorageâ as it came to be described rested on a simple premise peace in Ukraine is inseparable from a broader stabilisation of USRussia relations and any settlement must respect the security interests of both sidesâ the report said referring to the TrumpPutin meeting in the Alaskan city The report was critical of Europeâs stand noting âWhile Washington shifted toward realism the European Union moved in the opposite directionâIt claimed that under the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and VicePresident Kaja Kallas the European Union has âfully fused its political identity with Ukraineâs maximalist position moving from stakeholder to partisanâAccording to earlier reports Ursula von der Leyen has been emphasising the importance of Ukraines accession to the European Union as a guarantee of peace where the blocâs enlargement will benefit not only the countries that join but also Europe itself âEurope insisted on framing the conflict primarily in ideological terms â democracy versus authoritarianism good versus evil â and treated compromise as moral failure rather than diplomatic necessity That posture placed Brussels fundamentally at odds with the logic emerging from Washington after Anchorageâ asserted the article It said that the gambit to steal Russian assets frozen in the bloc failed rubberstamping the blocâs diplomatic irrelevance to any peace process it continuedIt added that the EU was not removed from negotiations by conspiracy or hostility it removed itself by making meaningful mediation impossible In an apparent reference to Moscowâs own peace plans the article stated âZelensky is no longer âwinningâ and the war will not be fought âfor as long as it takesâ Peace frameworks have been drafted elsewhere Texts have been exchanged between major powers before Kiev sees them It is invited to comment amend and react â not to define the processâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-shifted-toward-realism-on-ukraine-conflict-eu-moved-the-opposite-way-report-656569.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/rajnath-singh-visits-bangladesh-hc-offers-condolences-over-khaleda-zias-demise-656496.html New Delhi Jan 1 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday visited the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi to express condolences over the death of Bangladesh National Party BNP chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda ZianbspnbspSigning the condolence book Singh conveyed deep sorrow and extended his thoughts to Khaleda Zias family and the people of BangladeshnbspWent to the High Commission of Bangladesh in New Delhi Signed the Condolence Book expressing our profound sorrow at the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia Our thoughts are with her family and the people of Bangladesh the Defence Minister posted on XFollowing Singhs visit Bangladeshs High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah took to X stating Honoured to welcome HE Rajnath Singh Hon Indian Defence Minister at Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi as he conveyed condolences of India and paid homage to former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson late Khaleda Zia in DelhinbspEarlier on Wednesday External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar visited Dhaka to represent India at the funeral of Khaleda Zia the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh He conveyed the Indian governments condolences to the BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman on the passing of his mother and former Bangladesh PMIn a post on X the EAM said that upon arrival in Dhaka he met with Tarique Rahman and handed over to him a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra ModinbspConveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of India Expressed confidence that Begum Khaleda Zias vision and values will guide the development of our partnership he addednbspEAM Jaishankar acknowledged Zias contribution to democracy and expressed optimism about strengthening IndiaBangladesh ties in the wake of a democratic transition following the upcoming electionsSharing photos of EAMs meeting with Tarique Rahman Hamidullah posted on X stating HE Dr S Jaishankar Hon External Affairs Minister in Dhaka conveys condolences of the people and Govt of India as Bangladesh mourns passing of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia recognised her contribution to democracy and expressed optimism to strengthen India Bangladesh ties following democratic transition in Bangladesh thru the upcoming election Feb 2026nbspKhaleda Zia a threetime Prime Minister and longtime chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party died early Tuesday morning after a prolonged illness She was 80nbspShe was laid to rest with full State honours on Wednesday afternoon beside her husband countrys former President Ziaur Rahman at ShereBangla Nagar in Dhaka according to local media reports https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/rajnath-singh-visits-bangladesh-hc-offers-condolences-over-khaleda-zias-demise-656496.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/concerns-mount-with-chinas-wargames-around-taiwan-after-us-pledges-huge-arms-sale-656348.html New Delhi December 30 With Chinaâs ongoing wargames around Taiwan following the United Statesâ approval of its largestever arms sale to Taipei worth 111 billion the future of this part of the Pacific has attracted global attention and concern Calling Washingtonâs arms sales to Taiwan as serving merely as a cash machine for American arms dealers Chinaâs statecontrolled Peopleâs Daily media on Tuesday warned that it will offer no protective shield for the island US interests centre around the country being the global leader in semiconductor manufacturing but more so due to its strategic location Taiwan lies at the crossroads of Asia â off the eastern coast of China with South Korea to its north Japan to the northeast and the Philippines to the south The location is important since many shipping routes pass this wayGiven that onethird of global shipping passes annually through the South China Sea this has major implications for the US economy the National Security Strategy NSS of the United States of America observed Hence deterring a conflict over Taiwan ideally by preserving military overmatch is a priority We will also maintain our longstanding declaratory policy on Taiwan meaning that the United States does not support any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait added the document made public this month The Peopleâs Daily commentary on Tuesday reiterated Beijingâs stand Mentioning Washingtonâs recently pledged package of arms sales to Taiwan it said that the islands leader Taiwan President Lai Chingte has planned to continue spending massively on purchases of US arms in the coming eight years These facts have exposed the collusion between the US and the DPP to harm the interests of the people in Taiwan Detailing the Chinese Peoples Liberation Armyâs PLA series of drills around Taiwan codenamed Justice Mission 2025 the article cited dispatching troops from ground air naval and rocket forces to deter âTaiwan independenceâ separatist forces and external interference It asserted This sends an unequivocal message that Beijing at all times stands ready to crush any secession plot aiming to split Taiwan from the motherland Each escalation in provocation will be met with stronger countermeasures The PLA is ready to fight at any moment and is certain to prevail if and when it does fight The global community is watching with concern as tensions in the region mount to their highest in years China sees Taiwan as a âcore national interestâ tied to its national rejuvenation while the US views Taipei as a key partner for democracy security and global trade Beijingâs Justice Mission 2025 launched on Monday marks its largest war games in recent times simulating a blockade of Taiwanâs ports and practising strikes and counterstrikes Taiwanâs military has also conducted readiness drills warning that China aims to seize the island by 2027 While these drills are likely to disrupt sea and air traffic they simultaneously raised fears of conflict across East Asia Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and sees reunification as essential to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by 2049 Taiwanâs independence is viewed as a direct challenge to Chinaâs sovereignty The island is located right at the heart of the âFirst Island Chainâ which is critical for both the worldâs largest economies access to the Pacific The First Island Chain is a string of Pacific archipelagos from the Kamchatka Peninsula through Japan the Ryukyu Islands Taiwan the northern Philippines and down to Borneo and the Malay Peninsula It serves as both a natural barrier and a platform for power projection anchoring Washingtonâs alliances and containing Beijingâs influence in the Western Pacific This was also mentioned in US NSS which added that it provides direct access to the Second Island Chain and splits Northeast and Southeast Asia into two distinct theaters Meanwhile regional players like Japan and the Philippines have also been drawn into the conflict with Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichiâs statement that any attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo while Manilaâs naval vessels have reportedly been spotted in these waters IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/concerns-mount-with-chinas-wargames-around-taiwan-after-us-pledges-huge-arms-sale-656348.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-centrality-in-indo-pacific-a-strategic-prize-that-must-be-continuously-earned-report-656355.html New Delhi Dec 30 India is no longer a peripheral player in the affairs of IndoPacific but is becoming the fulcrum upon which regional stability and prosperity relies Indias centrality in the IndoPacific is a strategic prize that must be continuously earned through investment in maritime capabilities diplomatic engagement and economic integration a report has detailed Indias rise in the IndoPacific is driven by three factors the need to counterbalance Chinas assertive regional posture the opportunity to position itself as preferred alternative for democratic and likeminded countries and the economic need for integrating into supply chains and trade networks beyond its traditional South Asian neighbourhood a report in India Narrative mentionedIndia stands at a critical juncture in its geopolitical journey As the worldâs largest democracy and fifthlargest economy India is no longer a peripheral player in IndoPacific affairs but increasingly the fulcrum upon which regional stability and prosperity depend This transformation represents far more than a shift in diplomatic positioning â it reflects a fundamental realignment of global power dynamics where New Delhiâs agency and strategic vision have become indispensable to shaping the future of the worldâs most economically vibrant and strategically contested region it addedThe Quadrilateral Security Dialogue QUAD comprising India the United States Japan and Australia showcases New Delhis transformed role Despite being part of the Quad India continues to maintain strategic autonomy by not making military commitments while still benefiting from enhanced security cooperation technology transfer and coordinated initiatives that increase its regional capabilities without compromising its independent foreign policy trajectoryMaritime strategy is the backbone of Indias IndoPacific vision The Security and Growth for All in the Region SAGAR framework demonstrates Indiaâs commitment to freedom of navigation capacity building for partner nations and a rulesbased international order based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea the India Narrative report statedIndias most recent contribution to IndoPacific architecture was in December when Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi unveiled the IKIGAI Framework at the third IndoPacific Land Forces Summit hosted by Japan This framework showcases a watershed moment in Indias strategic thinking and developing a structured approach to military cooperation across the IndoPacific Indiaâs assuming the chairship of Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA in November demonstrates a watershed moment for showcasing continental leadershipIndiaâs centrality in the IndoPacific is not an inevitable outcome but a strategic prize that must be continuously earned through sustained investment in maritime capabilities diplomatic engagement and economic integration As India prepares to shape IORAâs trajectory deepen defense partnerships with European nations implement the IKIGAI Framework for military cooperation and navigate the recalibration of the Quad framework the region watches closelyA New Delhi that successfully balances strategic autonomy with effective partnerships security cooperation with economic engagement and ambition with restraint will define the character of IndoPacific governance for decades to come In this emerging order Indiaâs centrality reflects not merely New Delhiâs rise but the regionâs yearning for a great power that leads through consensus rather than coercionâa mission that recent institutional and military frameworks underscore as both urgent and achievable the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indias-centrality-in-indo-pacific-a-strategic-prize-that-must-be-continuously-earned-report-656355.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chinas-engagement-largely-declaratory-than-transformative-amid-growing-afghanistan-pakistan-conflict-656156.html Kabul Dec 29 The AfghanistanâPakistan conflict exposes the limits of Chinas diplomatic ceiling effective in financing infrastructure sustaining political partnerships and providing strategic cover to allied governments but constrained when conflict management requires confronting allies engaging fragmented actors or dealing with nationalist politics resistant to transactional solutions a report said on Monday It added that unless China reconsiders the assumptions guiding its regional diplomacy â moving beyond quiet mediation and the belief that economic incentives alone can resolve political conflicts â it may remain an influential regional actor but unlikely to become a stabilising force as expected by manyRenewed violence along the AfghanistanâPakistan border in recent months has underscored not only the fragility of relations between Kabul and Islamabad but also the constraints facing Chinas role as a regional diplomatic actor Exchanges of fire near major crossings Pakistans airstrikes that resulted in civilian casualties inside Afghanistan Kabuls retaliatory responses and repeated border closures mark a departure from the sporadic incidents of previous years What has emerged instead is a more entrenched cycle of escalation with both sides attempting to assert red lines along the disputed Durand Line a report in Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press Agency detailedAt the core of this confrontation lies a structural impasse that has resisted external mediation Pakistan continues to demand that the Taliban authorities take decisive action against the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP which Islamabad says operates from Afghan territory The Taliban for their part have either been unwilling or unable to meet the scale of enforcement Pakistan seeks Any largescale crackdown risks internal fragmentation within the Taliban whose cohesion depends on a delicate balance among competing factions it addedAccording to the report with economic and strategic interests such as the ChinaâPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC and emerging mining and connectivity projects in Afghanistan sustained instability along the border poses a direct concern for Beijing While China has both access to key decisionmakers and incentives to encourage deescalation in practice Beijings influence has remained largely limitedBeijings response has largely followed a familiar pattern calls for restraint dialogue and consultation among neighbouring states coupled with expressions of readiness to play a constructive role if requested Yet China has not initiated or led a substantive trilateral mechanism capable of addressing the underlying drivers of the crisis Its preference for quiet behindthescenes diplomacy has not altered the strategic calculations of either Kabul or Islamabad Violence has persisted grievances have deepened and Chinaâs engagement has remained largely declaratory rather than transformative the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/chinas-engagement-largely-declaratory-than-transformative-amid-growing-afghanistan-pakistan-conflict-656156.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-military-driven-foreign-policy-fuels-regional-stability--656166.html Islamabad Dec 29 The South Asian region is heading towards a volatile phase marked by deadly clashes renewed refugee flows and entrenched cycles of vengeance propelled by Pakistans military establishment a report said on Monday It added that the AfghanistanPakistan conflict has largely been shaped and sustained by a militaryled diplomatic framework that avoids accountability and thrives in an environment of chaosAccording to a report in âAsian News Postâ Islamabadâs militaryled strategy has failed to secure Pakistanâs borders safeguard its citizens and generate goodwill abroad Instead it has fueled widespread suffering humanitarian crises and destabilised the wider regionâThe ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan is not simply a clash between two neighbours It is the outcome of the Pakistan militarydriven diplomacy one built on crisis force and nationalsecurity posturing rather than honest dialogue Four years after the Taliban took over in Kabul the same Pakistani military and intelligence networks that once welcomed them are now blaming the Taliban for crossborder violence forcing Afghan refugees from Pakistan and launching airstrikes and shelling inside Afghanistanâ it detailedThis pattern of largely onesided violence the report said underscored not only the failure of Pakistanâs Afghanistan policy but also a deeper structural problem when the military controls the foreign policy peace ceases to be the goal and instead becomes an obstacleâBack in August 2021 many analysts believed a Talibanled Afghanistan would give Pakistan a strategic partner in the neighbourhood The Pakistan military saw value in reduced border friction regional leverage and a friendly regime in Kabul Some within Pakistans security establishment openly celebrated the Talibanâs return to power as a victory of the longheld strategic depth policy Over time however the reality proved sharply differentâ it statedBy the end of 2025 Pakistan accused the Taliban government of sheltering militants linked to suicide bombings and attacks inside Pakistan including those by the TehrikâeâTaliban Pakistan TTP The accusations led to an escalation of violence and further eroded trust between the two sidesThe report highlighted that violence unfolded despite fresh peace talks in Saudi Arabia involving negotiators from both sides The negotiations collapsed swiftly unable to bridge the deepseated distrust and mutual blameâThis pattern reveals a stark truth that the Pakistan militarydriven policy on Afghanistan has wholly failed to bring peace with the Taliban in the last four years It appears Rawalpindi wants to project strength orchestrating crises and using conflict to justify its permanent influence in the country Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir recently warned the Taliban to choose between friendly ties with Islamabad or support for âterrorist groupsâ a thinly veiled threat that highlights how coercion overrides diplomacy in Pakistan the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pakistans-military-driven-foreign-policy-fuels-regional-stability--656166.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/bdesh-jamaats-true-face-drives-ncp-to-the-brink-before-polls-under-isis-shadow--656146.html New Delhi Dec 29 The Muhammad Yunusled interim government in Bangladesh has promised to hold the muchanticipated elections on February 12 The road ahead is not an easy one as political alignments are changing rapidly while the country is also dealing with a wave of violence The National Citizens Party NCP which was formed by the students who led the protest to oust Sheikh Hasina is currently in disarrayThe NCP during its formation was completely aligned towards the JamaateIslami and now many within the party are questioning it While some want to align with the Jamaat ahead of the elections others feel that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP would be a better bet However there is one section which does not want to be a part of both and has decided to contest the elections independentlyBangladesh watchers say that the shift away from the Jamaat is not a sudden one They have realised that with the Jamaat in control it would be as good as giving the country away to Pakistan They are not wrong in their thinking the experts sayThe welcoming of the ISI easing of visa norms and opening of the sea route to Pakistan are seen by many as a dangerous trend They realise that the ISI is looking to make Bangladesh a terror launch pad against IndiaExperts also say that the same students who led the protests against Sheikh Hasina citing anarchy now realise that under the Jamaat the country would be in a worse conditionThe country has been getting negative press for its failing economy welcoming of Pakistan targeting of the minorities and the unending violence These students feel that if the Jamaat is at the helm this would become a new normal in the country There would be very little progress and more attempts would be made to implement the Sharia law and turn the nation into an Islamic stateIn addition to the ideological differences and what the Jamaat would turn the country into there are a few who have political differences The Jamaat had offered the NCP just 30 seats in the 350member Jatiya Sangsad The NCP was always aware that it would be a junior partner with the Jamaat But they had never anticipated that the offer of seats would be this poor They feel that they were used by the Jamaat to fulfil its large goal and that was to throw Hasina out of powerSome experts say that the way in which things are panning out within the NCP the party may cease to exist before the elections are held There are reports daily of internal discord resignations and difficult negotiations There is also opposition to one group wanting to align with the BNPExperts say that the BNP will be careful before it accepts any such offer by a faction of the NCP The BNP is in a comfortable position as of now Moreover it broke its alliance with the Jamaat as it did not want to adhere to a violent ideology The NCP is largely perceived to be proJamaat and the BNP would not want to engage with them The rift within the NCP began following the resignation of Asrhadul Haque a top leader of the party He was upset that the Jamaat was controlling the party and even offered Rs 15 crore Taka to the NCP for each of the constituencies it would fight the elections as an allyMost of the students who led the protest to oust Hasina believed that they needed better leadership However they realised that under a Jamaat leadership no good can happen in Bangladesh and it would just be a puppet of Pakistan where the focus would not be on developmentNCP leaders had initially decided to contest 125 seats but the fact that the Jamaat offered only 30 seats has angered many They questioned some of the NCP leaders for trying to give away too much to the Jamaat when the original part of the plan was to contest the elections aloneTanjuva Jabeen joint convener of the NCP after resigning took to social media and said that she would contest as an independent from Dhaka9 She also said that she is opposed to the alliance with the JamaatBangladesh watchers say that the Jamaat has effectively managed to break the NCP up as it does not want any vote split as it would prefer a direct contest with the BNPThe experts point out that the Jamaat will eventually end up finishing the NCP after the elections or probably sooner IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/bdesh-jamaats-true-face-drives-ncp-to-the-brink-before-polls-under-isis-shadow--656146.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/curtain-of-darkness-how-british-empire-denied-light-of-knowledge-to-further-its-despotism-655987.html New Delhi Dec 28 The British occupation of India was built upon a great lie the assertion that foreign dominion served the welfare and happiness of the inhabitants The East India Company EIC a vast trading corporation that had morphed into a territorial sovereign continually boasted of establishing courts of justice and creating new and valuable property for the natives claiming to have replaced a chaotic precarious past Yet this veneer of benevolence barely concealed a system weighed down by colossal debt maintained through military force and psychological manipulation and structured to systematically drain the resources of the conquered landBy 1813 as the EICâs charter approached its renewal a fierce internal debate raged in Britain should the gates of India be opened to Christian missionaries From the perspective of India this debate exposed the profound hypocrisy at the heart of British rule the administrators who claimed to bring enlightenment and justice actively suppressed the very spiritual and intellectual freedom that the petitioners sought to impartThe question of missionary access was not about faith it was about power control and the inherent fragility of a government that survived because its 60 million subjects remained unaware of the peculiar tenure by which they were ruled by a mere one million BritonsThe Suppressed Voice A Conspiracy of SilenceBefore addressing the explicit petition for Christian propagation one must grasp the absolute control the EIC exercised over all forms of intellectual and political discourse within India The British understood that stability rested on moral influence and in a great degree even by prejudice To maintain this delicate balance they implemented a rigorous system of censorship that rendered the press in India perfectly fetteredThe regulations required that newspapers receive the sanction of the secretary of the government before publication under the penalty of immediate embarkation for Europe The rationale for this draconian measure was openly discussed in Parliament the administration feared publications that could criticize native religion and customs thereby stirring up irritation and hostility Crucially they feared that uncensored information would expose the truth to the people informing natives of the peculiar tenure by which the British government held their powerCritics of the policy such as Sir Thomas Turton articulated the brutal clarity of this despotism Nothing could be more dangerous than freedom of discussion under a government founded upon blood and supported by injustice He noted the absurdity of speaking of press liberty in India where the government was not inferior to that of Tunis or Algiers Another critic Mr Whitbread observed that the ultimate objective was to keep the people of India in darkness as to the nature of their governmentThis climate of intellectual suppressionâa government that had usurped authority and power through conquest by compact and by forfeiture and possibly fraudâcreated the perfect environment to impede any unwelcome ideas including Christianity if those ideas threatened the political status quo The denial of the âlight of the Gospelâ as one observer noted was a move to support a political despotismThe Petition of Scorn Deplorable IgnoranceIt was against this backdrop of political fear and intellectual control that the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge SSPCK submitted its powerful petition to the House of Commons on February 19 1813The petition was twofold in its appeal it sought parliamentary provision in the Charter renewal to allow the Society to impart the benefits of Christianity to the natives of India and simultaneously to afford religious worship and instruction to Scottish members of the Church of Scotland residing in that part of the British empireThe urgency of their mission was justified by a severe moral indictment of the Indian populace The SSPCK noted that the native inhabitants have long been and still continue in a state of deplorable ignorance They further claimed that the people were addicted to various idolatrous and superstitious usages of the most degrading and horrible descriptionThis characterizationâin realityâwas not humanitarian concern but profound colonial arrogance It was an imperial judgment passed upon a civilization that had established complex political systems profound philosophical traditions and thriving industries long before the EIC arrived The accusation of deplorable ignorance was particularly galling coming from a nation whose own control over India rested on keeping the native population ignorant of their political statusThe petitioners also highlighted the impediments faced by Scottish members themselves Although official policy claimed perfect toleration prevailed in India the EICâs licensing system ensured that members of the Church of Scotland who were employed in civil and military departments were precluded from enjoying the ordinances of Christianity agreeably to the forms of the Church to which they are attached This exclusion occurred because the EIC was not in the habit of granting licenses to clergy outside of the established Anglican Church demonstrating that even British subjects were denied religious freedom if they belonged to a nonAnglican denominationThe Irony of Moral SuperiorityThe Scottish Societys zeal to correct Indias idolatrous and superstitious usages stood in sharp contrast to the actual moral landscape created by the British administration itself The records reveal that the EIC governance had produced an increase of crime enormous and widespread depravity1 Justice Denied Despite the Companyâs claims of established justice the judicial system was effectively inaccessible for many Civil justice was virtually denied to suitors due to exorbitant fees and stamped paper requirements sometimes amounting to 50 down to 7 and 6 per cent on the amounts claimed The overall cost of administering justice was even claimed to be higher in British India than in the whole of Europe2 Economic Devastation The system imposed by the British was a systematically engineered process of colonial underdevelopment Exploitative land revenue policies led to agrarian stagnation the growth of absentee landlordism and peasant misery Peasants were forced into debt traps and coerced by high arbitrarily fixed tax rates even when crops failed This deliberate economic destruction was the true deplorable ignorance concerning how to govern justly3 Moral Hypocrisy of War The British policy itself tolerated acts of barbarity that contradicted any claim to moral superiority The execution of the Killedar of Talnier fort after his surrender an act deemed questionable by European standards of justice even in war demonstrated that the British military apparatus could disregard principles of justice and humanity when convenientIn this context the argument that India needed saving from its own religious practices rings hollow The British government while censoring religious tracts that criticized native religion to avoid tumultuous proceedings was simultaneously funding its territorial acquisitions by incurring massive debts totaling around Â26 million by 1813 absorbed largely by military activities The perceived need to protect native customs was merely a tool to safeguard the fragile financial and military basis of their dominationThe TradeOff Commerce Over ConversionThe core issue preventing unrestrained missionary activity was the EICâs commercial monopoly itself which was up for renewal in 1814 The EIC feared that extensive European interaction particularly under the guise of religious instruction would destabilize the lucrative trade especially the vital commerce with ChinaThe policy of restricting religious influence was directly analogous to the EICs attempts to stifle Indias economic potential The use of Indianbuilt ships which utilized Indiaâs great natural advantages like durable teak wood was resisted primarily to protect the British shipbuilding industry and British seamen Preventing the use of Indian ships and sailors was an act of injustice and oppression that denied India the reward of its industryThe EIC argued that unrestricted importation from India would endanger any pledge on their part for the good government of India This meant the continuation of the colonial system military control revenue extraction and commercial privilege was paramount The government wisely thought that it should abstain from openly exerting itself to further Christianity lest they should be represented to the people as attempting to impose upon them a new religionThe resistance was thus purely pragmatic The introduction of Christianity was seen as a potential trigger that could unhinge the whole frame of Indian society a framework painstakingly erected upon military dominance and economic servitudeConclusion The Despots DilemmaThe debate over the impediments to Christian missionary activity in 1813 reveals a government caught in a terrible dilemma of its own making Having gained political and territorial control through means critics described as resting on blood and injustice the East India Company could only maintain its rule by stifling two things the freedom of political expression through the perfectly fettered press and the freedom of religious propagationThe irony is acute The EIC justified its presence by claiming to alleviate the deplorable ignorance of the native population Yet Parliament was told that giving the people access to even simple legal proceedings was dangerous and that spreading Christian light was risky because it might lead to tumultuous proceedingsUltimately the source of the impediment was not the hostility of the native population but the inherent instability of the colonial administration By restricting the clergy and suppressing Christian outreach the British were attempting to prevent any intellectual or moral force from exposing the raw nerve of their dominion They chose political survival over said spiritual outreach military security over so called moral consistency The door to âspiritual and intellectual freedomâ remained closed guarded not by religious conviction but by the overwhelming practical fear of imperial collapseThe Author is a researcher specialising in Indian history and contemporary geopolitical affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/curtain-of-darkness-how-british-empire-denied-light-of-knowledge-to-further-its-despotism-655987.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ukraine-has-become-loss-making-asset-in-americas-geopolitical-portfolio-expert-656095.html New Delhi Dec 29 IANS Among the US President Donald Trumps biggest surprises this year has been Washingtons change of course on Ukraine said one of Russias prominent figures in international relations and political science perhaps reflecting a global majoritarian viewnbspnbspWriting for the RT website of the statecontrolled international news television network formerly known as Russia Today Ivan Timofeev the Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council and member of Valdai Discussion Club also commended Indias resilience in face of US tariff pressurenbspThe Valdai Discussion Club is a nonprofit Russian thinktank and international discussion platformCommenting on the sharp shifts triggered by Trump after his return to the White House in January Timofeev said The US has moved from being Kievs closest political patron to a calculating actor focused squarely on its own interestsnbspUnderscoring the tectonic shift since the last regime he said The rhetoric of Russias unconditional defeat has been discarded in favour of negotiations and compromise If Ukraine has become a lossmaking asset in Americas geopolitical portfolio Trump has signalled then the loss must be recognisednbspWhile admitting that though the shift comprising a series of gestures that shocked many Western observers has not yet resolved the conflict but the door to diplomacy has been left ajar Moscow supports negotiations but does not intend to retreat from its positions he assertedHe began saying that if there were a competition for Breaking the Mould of the Year the US would be the runaway winner in 2025nbspThe international relations expert also mentioned Trumps decision to launch a trade war against more than seventy countries as another dramatic break with past practicenbspWhile China responded with serious countermeasures like retaliatory tariffs and strengthening Beijings negotiating hand by introducing export controls on rareearth metals vital to the US economy while at the same time seeking a negotiated deescalation he saidnbspIndia also refused to bend US tariffs on its purchases of Russian oil barely affected Delhis stance The same is broadly true of Brazil In several cases Washing ton applied tariffs for openly political reasons even where the trade balance was to its advantage he addedCommenting further on the shifting sands within White House Timofeev said that Trumps trade measures increasingly took on the character of sanctions which were on occasions accompanied by military strikes although the White House avoided sliding into a fullscale confrontation with IrannbspHe further pointed to the most unexpected development being deepening estrangement between the US and its traditional allies where Trumps revived talk of buying Greenland part of Denmark was symbolic in that respectnbspHe referred to US VicePresident JD Vances earlier criticism of European democracy and early Decembers new US National Security Strategy that urges Western Europe to return to its civilisational roots warns of the risks of war with Russia and casts Washington less as a belligerent and more as a mediator Even the EU has found itself targeted by American tariffsThe article largely reiterates Moscows current stand amidst its war in UkrainenbspIt also coincided with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskys US visit where he wanted President Trumps backing for a revised 20point peace plannbspIncidentally after more than three hours of talks in Florida neither leader announced any major breakthroughnbspInterestingly Trump spoke over phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his meeting with ZelenskynbspA Kremlin Foreign Policy Aide described the telephonic discussion as a friendly wellwishing and businesslike conversation for an hour and 15 minutes where Putin stressed the need to rely on the understandings reached between the Presidents at the summit in Alaska earlier this year https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ukraine-has-become-loss-making-asset-in-americas-geopolitical-portfolio-expert-656095.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/imf-ignores-its-own-report-to-okay-129-bn-loan-for-pakistan-655910.html New Delhi Dec 28 The International Monetary Fundâs Executive Board has paradoxically approved another 129 billion as financial support for Pakistan despite the multilateral institutions own report highlighting the corruption in the debtridden country which is coming in the way of repaying these loans The IMF has just released a 186page Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment that paints a grim portrait of Pakistanâs institutional decayThe timing is striking the diagnostic was published just before the Board meeting that approved the latest disbursement In effect the IMF has acknowledged that Pakistanâs governance vulnerabilities are systemic yet continues to lend without dismantling the ecosystem of capture that perpetuates the crisis according to an article by Dr Sakariya Kareem in the UKbased Asian Lite newspaperThe report is an institutional autopsy Corruption the IMF concludes is macrocritical embedded in the very structure of the state and economy It determines who prospers why growth remains anaemic and why Pakistan returns to the Fund every few years with its hand outThe evidence is damning In fiscal year 2024â25 alone actual expenditure overshot the approved budget by Pakistani Rs 94 trillion five times the previous yearâs overrun These deviations were not debated in the Parliament beforehand they were regularised after the fact through supplementary grants presented as fait accompli This pattern is not new Ministries spend knowing they will be bailed out the Finance Ministry accommodates them to avoid political backlash and the Parliament rubberstamps overruns that can exceed 10 per cent of the original budget the article points outThe Public Sector Development Programme PSDP meant to channel resources into growthenhancing infrastructure has become a graveyard of unfinished projects The IMF notes a large overhang of ongoing projects with a combined estimated cost of Rs 107 trillion Annual allocations hover around Rs 11 trillion meaning even without new projects it would take nearly a decade to clear the backlog Chronic delays cost escalations and substandard execution are the predictable result of a system without transparent criteria for project selection or prioritisationAnticorruption advocates argue that the IMF must live up to its promises by integrating anticorruption measures into its lending procedures When corruption is deemed macrocritical as in Pakistan the Fund should condition disbursements on verifiable governance reforms Without such accountability IMF support risks perpetuating the very vulnerabilities it diagnoses the article observesUltimately the IMF cannot clean Pakistanâs house These are tasks only Pakistanâs institutions can perform If corruption continues to eat away at public resources the gains from IMF support will not last The money will come reserves will rise but public confidence and economic strength will remain weak Each loan becomes a temporary reprieve not a path to sustainable growth the article statesIt points out that IMF conditionality requires countries to increase fiscal transparency which should have increased the likelihood that corrupt leaders will be called out on their misdealing But that doesnât appear to be happening in Pakistan which receives billions in IMF support even as the Fund itself warns that corruption poses existential risks to its economic futureUnless governance reforms move from paper to practice IMF lending will remain a revolving door for Pakistan stabilising crises without ever resolving them the article adds IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/imf-ignores-its-own-report-to-okay-129-bn-loan-for-pakistan-655910.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unremitting-hostility-against-minorities-in-bangladesh-matter-of-grave-concern-mea--655798.html New Delhi Dec 26 IANS Voicing its grave concern over the persistent incidents of violence targetting religious minorities including Hindus Christians and Buddhists in its neighbourhood India on Friday asserted that it is keeping a close watch on the ongoing developments in BangladeshnbspIndia is closely monitoring developments and has expressed grave concern over the continued hostility of minorities including Hindus Christians and Buddhists We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice More than 2900 incidents of violence against minorities including cases of killings arson and land grabs have been documented by sources during the tenure of the interim government These incidents cannot be brushed aside as mere media exaggerations or dismissed as political violence Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on FridaySlamming the unremitting hostility against minorities in Bangladesh India also rejected the false antiIndia narrative being projected in Bangladesh while reiterating that maintaining law and order and ensuring security is the responsibility of the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentWe have rejected the false narrative that is being projected in Bangladesh Maintaining law and order and security is the responsibility of the Bangladesh interim government To portray a narrative where things in some other direction is completely false and we reject that said JaiswalnbspOn Thursday Bangladeshi media reported the killing of another Hindu youth identified as 29yearold Amrit Mondal who was allegedly lynched by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union in Bangladesh late WednesdayLast week MEA stated that India continues to monitor the evolving situation in Bangladesh and conveyed strong concerns to Bangladeshi authorities regarding the attacks on minoritiesThe remarks came after a 25yearold Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das was brutally killed in a mob lynching incident over false blasphemy accusations by a Muslim coworker at his factory on December 18 The mob killed Das and then hung his body from a tree before setting it on firenbspIndia continues to keep a close watch on the evolving situation in Bangladesh Our officials remain in touch with the Bangladesh authorities and have conveyed to them our strong concerns at the attacks on minorities We have also urged that the perpetrators of the barbaric killing of Das be brought to justice the MEA addedBangladesh has witnessed escalating violence against minorities including Hindus under the Yunusled interim government sparking outrage among people and several human rights organisations across the globenbspEarlier on December 17 the MEA summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah to convey New Delhis strong concerns over the deteriorating security environment in BangladeshnbspAccording to the MEA the Bangladeshi envoys attention was drawn specifically to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in DhakaIndia outrightly rejected the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in BangladeshnbspThe MEA expressed concern that the Yunusled interim government neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidentsnbspIndia has also called on the Yunusled interim government to ensure the safety of Indian missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/unremitting-hostility-against-minorities-in-bangladesh-matter-of-grave-concern-mea--655798.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/groundless-and-irresponsible-china-slams-us-report-says-it-sows-discord-with-india-655689.html Beijing Dec 25 China on Thursday said that it firmly opposes a Pentagon report that distorts Beijings defence policies and drives a wedge between China and other countries including India to justify its own attempt to maintain military hegemony The Pentagons report distorts Chinas defence policy sows discord between China and other countries and aims at finding a pretext for the US to maintain its military supremacy China firmly opposes the report said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a daily press briefing in response to a question on a US report that said China probably seeks to capitalize on decreased tensions along the border with India to prevent the deepening of USIndia tiesThe spokesperson mentioned that Beijing views its relationship with New Delhi from a strategic and longterm perspectiveChina views and handles its relations with India from a strategic height and a longterm perspective We stand ready to strengthen communication enhance mutual trust promote cooperation and properly handle differences with India and advance a sound and stable bilateral relationshipThe boundary question is a matter between China and India and the current border situation between the two countries is generally stable with smooth communication channels China opposes relevant countrys groundless and irresponsible comments he addedAccording to a new US Defence Department report China continues to prepare for possible military confrontation with India along the Line of Actual Control even as both sides pursue diplomatic engagement to stabilise tiesThe report identifies Chinas Western Theatre Command as responsible for operations involving India It says the command is structured and trained for highaltitude conflict and border contingenciesIn 2024 Chinese forces conducted livefire drills and mobility exercises in mountainous terrain These activities were designed for combat in highaltitude and lowoxygen conditions according to the reportThe Pentagon assessment notes that China treats its territorial claims as core interests These claims it says are considered nonnegotiable by Beijing The report explicitly includes Indias Arunachal Pradesh within this frameworkAlthough India and China announced an agreement in October 2024 to disengage from remaining standoff points along the LAC the report urges caution It says the reduction in tension does not reflect a change in Chinas longterm military postureChinese leaders the report says likely seek to ease border friction to prevent closer strategic alignment between India and the United States At the same time Beijing continues to view USIndia defence cooperation with concernThe report points out that China remains wary of expanding US partnerships in the IndoPacific It sees these ties as limiting its strategic freedom including along its land bordersChinas broader military modernisation also has direct relevance for India The PLA is expanding its missile forces air power cyber units and spacebased surveillance These capabilities enable China to operate across multiple theatres simultaneouslyThe report notes that China has improved its ability to move forces quickly and sustain operations along its western frontier Logistics joint command structures and rapid mobilisation remain key focus areasWhile diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Beijing has increased the report stresses that mistrust remains deep It says both sides continue to view each other with suspicion particularly on security issuesChinas military activities along the India border the report concludes reflect preparation rather than reassurance Even amid talks and disengagement agreements the PLA continues to train for scenarios involving renewed confrontation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/groundless-and-irresponsible-china-slams-us-report-says-it-sows-discord-with-india-655689.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/icg-ship-sarthak-hosts-saudi-officials-reaffirms-growing-momentum-in-maritime-ties-655371.html Riyadh Dec 23 Highlighting the growing maritime ties between India and Saudi Arabia Indian Coast Guard ICG Ship Sarthak and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh hosted an onboard reception for Saudi officials from the Royal Navy Border Guards and Port Authorities along with the Indian community on Tuesday In the spirit of friendship An onboard reception was hosted by ICGS Sarthak and Embassy of India for Saudi officials from the Royal Navy Border Guards and Port Authorities along with the Indian community reaffirming the shared IndiaâSaudi commitment to maritime security the Embassy of India in Riyadh posted on XMeanwhile Indian Charge dAffaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia Abu Mathen George visited ICGS Sarthak where he was briefed on its goodwill visit to Saudi Arabia led by Captain of the ship Deputy Inspector General DIG Thiam NewtonThe visit included inspection of the Ceremonial Guard a tour of the ship and interaction with the crewOn Monday as part of the goodwill visit of ICGS Sarthak a yoga session was organised on the deck of the ship which was attended by members of the Indian community and school childrenContinuing efforts to strengthen maritime cooperation the ICGS Sarthak delegation led by Captain of the ship Thiam Newton met Rear Admiral Sajer bin Rafeed Al Anezi Commander Eastern Fleet Royal Saudi Naval Forces and Rear Admiral Yasser bin Ali Al Numair Commander King Fahad Naval Academy at Saudi Arabiaâs Al JubailEarlier on Sunday during the port call at Saudi port city Dammam Captain Thiam Newton accompanied by Indian Defence Attache Colonel Sarabjeet Singh met Saudi officials including Major General Ali A AlAhmari Commander of Border Guards Eastern Region and Captain Fahad Ahmed AlAmer Director General at King Abdulaziz PortAccording to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh the discussions reaffirmed the growing momentum in IndiaâSaudi maritime cooperationICG Ship Sarthak sailed into King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam on Sunday for a fiveday goodwill visitOfficials of Border Guards Royal Saudi Naval Forces and Port Authorities received ICGS Sarthak at DammamStrengthening IndiaSaudi Arabia maritime security cooperation Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Sarthak sailed into King Abdulaziz Port Dammam in Saudi Arabia today on a 5day Goodwill Visit the Indian Embassy in Riyadh posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/icg-ship-sarthak-hosts-saudi-officials-reaffirms-growing-momentum-in-maritime-ties-655371.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/brazilian-president-lula-could-visit-india-next-month-sources-say-655400.html BrasiliaNew Delhi Dec 23 President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva could visit India early next year top sources indicated to IANS on Tuesday The visit which could materialise at the end of January or early February 2026 is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between India and BrazilIt is expected that India and Brazil will solidify ties in key areas such as trade investment defence cooperation energy agriculture and technology during the proposed visitBoth sides may also explore ways to deepen their strategic partnership India and Brazil are close partners on international platforms like BRICS and the G20 and global economic issues development concerns and cooperation among developing nations are also expected to be on the agenda However an official confirmation of the visit is still awaited a top official indicatedPrime Minister Narendra Modi met the Brazilian President on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africas Johannesburg last month highlighting the continuous momentum in IndiaBrazil tiesIt is always a delight to meet President Lula India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people PM Modi posted on X along with photographs of him with Luiz Inacio Lula da SilvaPrime Minister Modi and President Lula have repeatedly reaffirmed the momentum generated during PM Modiâs visit to Brazil earlier this year while underscoring the shared commitment to deepen the IndiaBrazil Strategic PartnershipBoth leaders had met in BrasÃlia during PM Modis State Visit to the country in July which took place following his participation in the BRICS Summit in Rio de JaneiroBrazil had also conferred its highest honour the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross on Prime Minister Modi during his State Visit to the country The award was the 26th global honour for PM ModiDuring the landmark visit India and Brazil had agreed on a comprehensive framework to expand cooperation across key sectors including trade technology energy defence agriculture health and peopletopeople tiesAs they work on taking bilateral partnership to new heights both leaders have emphasised on having a peoplecentric approach to position India and Brazil as anchors of cooperation within the Global SouthIndia and Brazil play influential roles in multilateral platforms such as BRICS G20 and the UN with the strategic alignment carrying implications beyond bilateral ties touching on global governance climate action and equitable developmentPresident Lula who has long championed SouthSouth solidarity has expressed interest in leveraging Brazilâs agricultural and technological strengths to support mutual growth India meanwhile sees Brazil as a key partner in diversifying energy sources enhancing defence collaboration and promoting inclusive health initiatives IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/brazilian-president-lula-could-visit-india-next-month-sources-say-655400.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-proud-to-stand-by-sri-lanka-during-cyclone-ditwah-eam-jaishankar-655264.html Colombo Dec 23 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar will meet Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday in the aftermath of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched by India after Cyclone Ditwah devastated the island nation The EAM arrived in Colombo on Monday to a warm welcome by Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan RanasingheIn a post on X on Tuesday the EAM Jaishankar said Looking forward to calling on His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning India is proud to have stood by Sri Lanka during Cyclone Ditwah and of its support through Operation Sagar BandhuEAM Jaishankars visit to Sri Lanka the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated earlier in the day underscores Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone DitwahIndia launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 as the First Responder in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief HADR support to Sri LankaLast week India delivered relief supplies to various regions of floodhit Sri Lanka reflecting its steadfast commitment to assisting the neighbouring nation in times of crisis during Operation Sagar BandhuOn December 18 Indias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha visited the Kolonnawa suburb of Colombo and the Bhaktivedanta Childrens Home Gokulam in Wattala areas that have been severely affected by floods in the wake of Cyclone DitwahAs part of Indias continued assistance to the island nation High Commissioner Jha distributed assistance kits among families in Kolonnawa in coordination with All Ceylon Sufi Spiritual Association and among children of Gokulam at the ISKCON Temple in Colombo where they have been relocatedEarlier on December 14 an Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka delivering 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations while also facilitating the return of the Indian Army Field Hospital team which had been set up in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy following the successful completion of its humanitarian missionEfforts to restore critical road connectivity are progressing steadily Preparatory activities are underway at bridge sites in Chilaw and Kilinochchi with the damaged Kilinochchi Bridge fully cleared and ready for the installation of a Bailey Bridge facilitating smoother movement and improved access in the region the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said in a statementOn December 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing his condolences on the loss of lives and devastation caused in the island nation in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah while also assuring Indias continued support under the ongoing Operation Sagar BandhuAs PM Modi conveyed that the people of India stand in firm solidarity and support with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need President Dissanayake expressed his deep gratitude for New Delhis timely and effective assistancePresident Dissanayake conveyed his deep gratitude for Indias assistance in the wake of the disaster and appreciated the swift deployment of rescue teams and relief material He also conveyed the appreciation of the people of Sri Lanka for Indias timely and effective response efforts read a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMOExpressing his heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives and widespread devastation in Sri Lanka caused by Cyclone Ditwah PM Modi assured Indias continued support under Operation Sagar Bandhu in line with Vision MAHASAGAR and as First Responder IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-proud-to-stand-by-sri-lanka-during-cyclone-ditwah-eam-jaishankar-655264.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-lankan-prez-dissanayake-commits-to-reconstruction-package-under-op-sagar-bandhu-655295.html Colombo Dec 23 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on Tuesday and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modis wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah During this both leaders also inaugurated a 120foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province an area severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah The 110tonne bridge was airlifted from India and installed as part of Operation Sagar BandhuEAM Jaishankar also announced a reconstruction package of 450 million to Sri Lanka covering rehabilitation and restoration of road railway and bridge connectivity construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged and support for the health and education sectorsPleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today Conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modis warm wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah the EAM posted on XBuilding on our First Responder activity under Operation Sagar Bandhu India will commit to a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka covering Rehabilitation and restoration of road railway and bridge connectivity Construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged Support for health and education sectors in particular those that have been damaged by the cyclone Agriculture including to address possible shortages in the short and medium term Better disaster response and preparedness he addedEAM Jaishankar further said that India stands firmly with Sri Lanka building on the civilisational ties Neighbourhood First and Vision MAHASAGARThe External Affairs Minister arrived in Colombo on Monday to a warm welcome by Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan RanasingheHis visit to Sri Lanka underscores Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah according to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAIndia launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 as the First Responder in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief HADR support to Sri LankaLast week India delivered relief supplies to various regions of floodhit Sri Lanka reflecting its steadfast commitment to assisting the neighbouring nation in times of crisis during Operation Sagar BandhuOn December 18 Indias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha visited the Kolonnawa suburb of Colombo and the Bhaktivedanta Childrens Home Gokulam in Wattala areas that have been severely affected by floods in the wake of Cyclone DitwahAs part of Indias continued assistance to the island nation High Commissioner Jha distributed assistance kits among families in Kolonnawa in coordination with All Ceylon Sufi Spiritual Association and among children of Gokulam at the ISKCON Temple in Colombo where they have been relocatedEarlier on December 14 an Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka delivering 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations while also facilitating the return of the Indian Army Field Hospital team which had been set up in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy following the successful completion of its humanitarian missionEfforts to restore critical road connectivity are progressing steadily Preparatory activities are underway at bridge sites in Chilaw and Kilinochchi with the damaged Kilinochchi Bridge fully cleared and ready for the installation of a Bailey Bridge facilitating smoother movement and improved access in the region the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said in a statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-lankan-prez-dissanayake-commits-to-reconstruction-package-under-op-sagar-bandhu-655295.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-lankan-ministers-reiterates-indias-full-support-655303.html Colombo Dec 23 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa Labour and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha and Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe on Tuesday reiterating Indias full support to the island nations recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Cyclone DitwahnbspDelighted to meet Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath along with Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa Labour and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Labour and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha and Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe this afternoon EAM Jaishankar posted on XReiterated Indias full support to Sri Lankas recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah Discussed the implementation of reconstruction package offered and further relief measures he addednbspEarlier in the day EAM Jaishankar held a meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo and assured Indias steadfast commitment to Sri Lankas rebuilding following Cyclone DitwahnbspIn a statement shared on X EAM Jaishankar wrote Good to meet Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka in Colombo today Assured Indias steadfast commitment to Sri Lankas rebuilding post Cyclone Ditwah The reconstruction package offered by India is a reflection of the deep bonding between our two nationsEAM Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modis wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone DitwahnbspEAM Jaishankar also announced a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka covering rehabilitation and restoration of road railway and bridge connectivity construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged and support for the health and education sectors Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath was present during the meetingnbspPleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today Conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modis warm wishes and message of solidarity in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah the EAM posted on XBuilding on our First Responder activity under Operation Sagar Bandhu India will commit to a reconstruction package of USD 450 million to Sri Lanka covering Rehabilitation and restoration of road railway and bridge connectivity Construction of houses fully destroyed and partially damaged Support for health and education sectors in particular those that have been damaged by the cyclone Agriculture including to address possible shortages in the short and medium term Better disaster response and preparedness he addedDuring the meeting EAM Jaishankar and Vijitha Herath inaugurated a 120foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province an area severely affected by Cyclone DitwahnbspJointly inaugurated with FM HM Vijitha Herath in the presence of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake a 120foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge in the Kilinochchi District of Northern Province one of the areas severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah The 110 tonnes bridge was airlifted from India and installed as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu EAM Jaishankar posted on XThe External Affairs Minister arrived in Colombo on Monday to a warm welcome by Sri Lankan Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan RanasinghenbspHis visit to Sri Lanka underscores Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah according to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAnbspIndia launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 as the First Responder in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief HADR support to Sri Lanka https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-meets-lankan-ministers-reiterates-indias-full-support-655303.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankars-visit-strong-reflection-of-close-india-sri-lanka-friendship-fm-vijitha-herath-655304.html Colombo Dec 23 Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Tuesday expressed appreciation for External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankars visit to Colombo stressing that the visit is a strong reflection of the close friendship and enduring partnership between the two nations He also said that the visit stresses Indias role as a first responder through the launch of Operation Sagar BandhuDuring the joint press statement with EAM Jaishankar in Colombo Herath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi the government of India and EAM Jaishankar for Indias invaluable support in assisting Sri Lanka to overcome its economic challengesI warmly welcome Dr Jaishankar back to Colombo Dr Jaishankars visit at this time is deeply appreciated as it underscores Indias steadfast solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Ditwah he saidOn behalf of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake the government and the people of Sri Lanka I convey our profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi the government of India and to you Dr Jaishankar for Indias invaluable support in assisting Sri Lanka to overcome its economic challenges he addedHe recalled Indias assistance of 4 billion extended through lines of credit to Sri Lanka for essential goods and petroleum bilateral currency swaps and liability defermentHighlighting the multidimensional relationship between two nations Vijitha Herath said Sri Lanka and India share a longstanding multidimensional relationship rooted in geographical proximity deep historical and cultural ties shared values and expanding economic linkages Our bilateral relations continue to grow from strength to strength through regular highlevel engagements and close cooperation at political official and peopletopeople levelsIn this regard we deeply value Indias continued support in stabilising the Sri Lankan economy through assistance including emergency financing and foreign exchange support as well as 2066 million extended to settle payments due for projects completed under existing lines of credit We also sincerely appreciate Indias crucial role in Sri Lankas debt restructuring process including as cochair of the officer creditors committee which enabled the timely conclusion of discussions he addedHe spoke about Indias assistance following the adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Ditwah which includes providing over 10000 tonnes of relief material an Indian Army parafield hospital established in Mahiyangana which provided critical health care services to patients Indian army signalers successfully restoring connectivity after cyclonerelated disruptions and India providing approximately 10 tonnes of urgent medicinesDr Jaishankars visit today is particularly significant as he is here to announce a further relief package which will provide meaningful support to Sri Lankas recovery and rebuilding efforts Through this gesture India has once again demonstrated its enduring friendship and solidarity Herath said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankars-visit-strong-reflection-of-close-india-sri-lanka-friendship-fm-vijitha-herath-655304.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-visit-sri-lanka-on-tuesday-hold-talks-with-top-leadership--655120.html New Delhi Dec 22 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar will visit Sri Lanka on Tuesday as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with the top leadership of the island nationnbspThe visit underscores Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and takes place in the context of Operation Sagar Bandhu launched to address the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah the Ministry of External Affairs MEA statedIndia launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on November 28 as the First Responder in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah to provide urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief HADR support to Sri LankanbspLast week India delivered relief supplies to various regions of floodhit Sri Lanka reflecting its steadfast commitment in assisting the neighbouring nation in time of crisis during the Operation Sagar BandhuOn December 18 Indias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha visited the Kolonnawa suburb of Colombo and the Bhaktivedanta Childrens Home Gokulam in Wattala areas that have been severely affected by floods in the wake of Cyclone DitwahnbspAs part of Indias continued assistance to the island nation High Commissioner Jha distributed assistance kits among families in Kolonnawa in coordination with All Ceylon Sufi Spiritual Association and among children of Gokulam at the ISKCON Temple in Colombo where they have been relocatedEarlier on December 14 an Indian Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka delivering 10 tonnes of medicines and 15 tonnes of dry rations while also facilitating the return of the Indian Army Field Hospital team which had been set up in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy following the successful completion of its humanitarian missionnbspEfforts to restore critical road connectivity are progressing steadily Preparatory activities are underway at bridge sites in Chilaw and Kilinochchi with the damaged Kilinochchi Bridge fully cleared and ready for the installation of a Bailey Bridge facilitating smoother movement and improved access in the region the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said in a statementOn December 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing his condolences on the loss of lives and devastation caused in the island nation in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah while also assuring Indias continued support under ongoing Operation Sagar BandhunbspAs PM Modi conveyed that the people of India stand in firm solidarity and support with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of need President Dissanayake expressed his deep gratitude for New Delhis timely and effective assistancePresident Dissanayake conveyed his deep gratitude for Indias assistance in the wake of the disaster and appreciated the swift deployment of rescue teams and relief material He also conveyed the appreciation of the people of Sri Lanka for Indias timely and effective response efforts read a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMOnbspExpressing his heartfelt condolences on the loss of lives and widespread devastation in Sri Lanka caused by Cyclone Ditwah PM Modi assured Indias continued support under Operation Sagar Bandhu in line with Vision MAHASAGAR and as First Responder https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-to-visit-sri-lanka-on-tuesday-hold-talks-with-top-leadership--655120.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-discuss-cooperation-in-disaster-risk-reduction-655130.html Tokyo Dec 22 Indias Ambassadordesignate to Japan Nagma Mallick called on Japans State Minister for Disaster Management Akama Jiro on Monday discussing cooperation in disaster risk reduction and disaster resilience In a statement shared on X the Indian Embassy in Japan stated Ambassadordesignate Nagma M Mallick called on the State Minister for Disaster Management in Cabinet Office Japan HE Akama Jiro They discussed IndiaJapan cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster resilienceOn December 18 Mallick called on Japans Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Kiuchi Minoru and discussed various aspects of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between two nationsShe also held a meeting with Japans House of Representatives Member and JapanIndia Parliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Yasutoshi NishimuraFollowing the meeting the Indian Embassy in Japan posted on X Ambassadordesignate Ms Nagma M Mallick met H E Mr Yasutoshi Nishimura Honâble Member of the House of Representatives of Japan and Chairman of JapanIndia Parliamentary Friendship Group They discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen IndiaJapan Special Strategic and Global PartnershipOn December 15 the Indian diplomat held a meeting with the Speaker of Japans House of Representatives Fukushiro Nukaga and discussed various aspects of bilateral tiesOn November 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg discussing ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in sectors like innovation defence and talent mobilityHad a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation defence talent mobility and more We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations A strong IndiaJapan partnership is vital for a better planet PM Modi had posted on XIndiaJapan relations were elevated to a Global Partnership in 2000 a âStrategic and Global Partnershipâ in 2006 and a âSpecial Strategic and Global Partnershipâ in 2014 The defence and security partnership forms an integral pillar of IndiaJapan bilateral ties IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-japan-discuss-cooperation-in-disaster-risk-reduction-655130.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/asean-foreign-ministers-urge-cambodia-and-thailand-to-cease-hostilities-655162.html Kuala Lumpur Dec 22 The Foreign Ministers of Association of SouthEast Asian Nations ASEAN member countries who held a special meeting in Malaysias Kuala Lumpur on Monday to address the current situation between Cambodia and Thailand have urged both countries to exercise restraint and take immediate steps for the cessation of all forms of hostilities The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to ASEAN unity and solidarity as well as ASEAN Centrality in ensuring regional peace security stability and prosperity in accordance with the ASEAN Charter The participants of the meeting voiced serious concerns on the continued tensions and hostilities which have caused significant casualties damage to civilian infrastructure and displacement of people on both sides of the border according to the statement released by the ASEAN ChairThe members urged Thailand and Cambodia to ensure that civilians residing in the affected border areas are able to return without obstruction and in safety and dignity to their homes and normal livelihoods as they existed prior to the outbreak of hostilitiesThe meeting took place as the CambodiaThailand border conflict has reignited since December 7 with both sides accusing each other of initiating the attackThe statement said The Meeting urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps towards the cessation of all forms of hostilities The Meeting called on both countries to restore mutual trust and confidence and to return to dialogue including through bilateral mechanisms as well as making use of the good offices of the ASEAN Chair revive cooperation on humanitarian demining and implement military deescalation along their shared border under the observation of the AOT and to uphold the principles of international law peaceful coexistence and multilateral cooperation in the pursuit of a peaceful and durable resolution to the situationDuring the meeting Malaysia briefed the participants of the meeting on the efforts made by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as ASEAN Chair to encourage both nations to cease hostilities Cambodia and Thailand shared their respective positions during the meetingThe participants of the meeting recalled the ceasefire arrangement of 28 July the decisions of the Extraordinary General Border Committee GBC Meeting of 7 August and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on 26 October 2025 and urged both Cambodia and Thailand to fully implement themThe statement said The Meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international boundary and of international law for the promotion of peace security stability and prosperity in the region on the basis of mutual respect for the independence sovereignty equality territorial integrity and national identity in accordance with the United Nations Charter ASEAN Charter and Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia TACAccording to the statement the ASEAN Foreign Ministers welcomed the discussions on resumption of the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities The GBC will convene on 24 December 2025 to discuss the implementation and verification of the ceasefire The ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed hope for deescalation of hostilities at an earliest IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/asean-foreign-ministers-urge-cambodia-and-thailand-to-cease-hostilities-655162.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-in-advanced-stages-of-trade-talks-with-us-piyush-goyal-655182.html New Delhi Dec 22 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that India and the United States are in the advanced stages of negotiating a bilateral trade agreement Goyal told journalists that India has already finalised free trade agreements with three members of the Five Eyes FVEY intelligence alliance â Australia the UK and New Zealand The US and Canada comprise the other two members of the groupingThe minister said that they are also preparing to reengage Canada on a bilateral trade pact We are soon going to launch discussions for the ToR terms of reference with Canada also Goyal said adding that this reflects the growing strategic importance of India in world geopoliticsGoyals optimistic note comes against the backdrop of the talks held by Indian officials with the US delegation led by Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer in Delhi earlier this monthCommerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had also said earlier that India is very close to finalising an initial framework deal with the US aimed at lowering reciprocal tariffsWe are very close to closing the initial framework deal but I dont want to put a timeline to it Agrawal had said in a December 15 presser He added that India and the US have completed six rounds of talks covering both a Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA and an interim arrangement to reduce reciprocal tariffsThere is a reasonable expectation that the two countries will reach an interim agreement to lower steep tariffs on most Indian exports Agrawal saidGoyal earlier said that the ongoing trade talks between Indian and US officials are progressing well but at the same time ruled out any deadline for signing a dealCommenting on US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzers twoday visit to Delhi he said We had very good substantive discussions But I have said on record that a deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit We should never negotiate with deadlines because you tend to make mistakes thenAgrawal had said that the two sides exchanged views on matters related to IndiaUS trade and economic ties including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade AgreementUS President Donald Trump recently told reporters at the White House that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were going great and that a visit to Delhi could take place next yearTrump said that he plans to lower tariffs imposed on India at some point indicating that a breakthrough in the trade talks could come soonHowever India has made it clear that it would not compromise on the interests of farmers the dairy sector and workers in trade deals that it signs with other countriesIndia has already started buying more oil and gas from the US The move is aimed at reducing Indiaâs trade surplus with the US an issue that had figured in the earlier rounds of trade talksIn this context Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri had announced that Indiaâs public sector oil companies have successfully concluded a oneyear structured contract to import around 22 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the US Gulf Coast during 2026 This represents close to 10 per cent of Indiaâs annual LPG imports and marks the first such structured LPG contract with the US for the Indian market The minister described the decision âas a historic developmentâ noting that one of the worldâs largest and fastest growing LPG markets has now opened up to the United States IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-in-advanced-stages-of-trade-talks-with-us-piyush-goyal-655182.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fairpoint-when-gratitude-dies-extremism-thrives-bangladeshs-fall-654984.html New Delhi Dec 21 What is transpiring in Bangladesh at present should not astonish anyone as those who have been monitoring the steady yet persistent radicalisation taking place there were aware that this was inevitable The violence the rhetoric and the animosity aimed at India and Hindus are not mere spontaneous outbursts of anger They are the predictable outcome of a longbrewing ideological churn one that was never meant to reform Bangladesh but to build an antiIndia and antiHindu waveThe savage killing of Dipu Das by radical Islamist mobs followed by the macabre public display and celebration of his death exposed the depth of this rot It was not merely an act of violence it was a message A message of intimidation to minorities and a declaration of ideological dominance by forces that have long rejected Bangladeshs plural foundationsThe killing drew condemnation in India and several leaders across party lines including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who is otherwise vocal primarily on international Muslim causes like Gaza underlined how brutal and indefensible the act was Yet outrage both domestic and international has done little to put pressure on the current dispensation there to actIt is distressing to find most of Indias neighbourhoods seething in antiIndia diatribe Bangladesh has fallen so quickly and has forgotten what India has done for it It was India that gave it life in 1971 and saved it from the evil clutches of Pakistan but today Bangladesh wants a Pakistan in itself Shocking as it may seem that is the truth with Indias eastern neighbourBangladesh was never entirely secular in this sense but leaders like Sheikh Hasina made sustained efforts to preserve social cohesion and resist extremist pressures Her government despite its flaws stood against radical Islamist groups that sought to dominate public life and politics That fragile balance collapsed when extremist elements masquerading as a student movement seized the streets and eventually the narrative What followed was not reform but regressionSince then antiIndia sentiment and overt Hindu hatred have grown sharper and more menacing Radical groups no longer whisper their intentions they announce them openly Calls to destabilise Indias northeastern states are now made without fear This is no longer just Bangladeshs internal problem it is a direct threat to regional stability and Indias territorial integrityBangladeshs descent must also be viewed within the larger pattern of turbulence across Indias neighbourhood From Pakistans perpetual hostility to Nepals periodic flirtation with antiIndia nationalism from Sri Lankas oscillations to the Maldives recent antagonism India finds itself encircled by volatile politicsManaging this environment requires not emotional or kneejerk reactions but strategic patience a quality India has mastered over the decadesThe Maldives offers a telling example The India Out campaign fuelled by Islamist groups and amplified by political opportunism pushed bilateral relations to the brink President Mohamed Muizzu upon returning from China in early 2024 went so far as to accuse India of acting like a bullyBut geopolitics has a way of confronting rhetoric with reality When promised economic lifelines from Beijing and Gulf nations failed to materialise Male was forced to reassess Quiet course correction followed Muizzu attended Prime Minister Narendra Modis oathtaking ceremony in June 2025 signalling a thaw PM Modis later participation as the chief guest at the Maldives 60th Independence Day celebrations marked a clear resetSri Lankas trajectory has been similar After a phase of antiIndia posturing Colombo rediscovered strategic logic and situation President Anura Kumara Dissanayakes decision to make India his first foreign destination reaffirmed a truth Sri Lanka learns repeatedly geography and history make India indispensable Relations have steadily improved sinceNepal too oscillates between suspicion and pragmatism While certain factions continue to stoke antiIndia sentiment Kathmandu understands that its deepest economic cultural and political ties remain with New DelhiBangladesh however represents a different and far more dangerous challenge Here radical Islamist forces are not merely expressing resentment they are positioning themselves as instruments in Pakistans longstanding strategy of encircling and destabilising India These elements are attempting to turn Bangladesh into an eastern pressure point against IndiaNew Delhi for its part is cleareyed as it has always been Its subtle duckpolicy cool on the surface and wading hard underneath has always given it success Sentimentality has no place in foreign policy but neither does panic Engagement must continue where possible deterrence must be employed where necessary and vigilance must always prevail The regions stability depends on itBangladesh may have forgotten its past but India cannot afford to ignore the lessons of history especially when the costs of neglect are written in bloodThe tragedy is that Bangladeshs own future is being sacrificed at the altar of ideological extremism A nation that once symbolised resistance to religious authoritarianism is now flirting with the very forces of Pakistan If this trajectory continues Bangladesh risks internal implosion and hostility with its most reliable neighbourDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/fairpoint-when-gratitude-dies-extremism-thrives-bangladeshs-fall-654984.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-engine-of-global-workforce-shaping-new-era-of-mobility-eam-jaishankar-654874.html Pune Dec 20 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Saturday said that as developed nations grapple with ageing populations and economic stagnation India is surging ahead with a growing pool of trained human resources positioning itself as the engine of a global workforce and ushering in a new era of crossborder mobility Addressing the 22nd Convocation of Symbiosis International Deemed University EAM Jaishankar said old stereotypes about India are steadily fading with the country now being defined by its talent and skill baseHe said the world increasingly views India through its strong work ethic technological aptitude and familycentric cultureCiting recent achievements such as the indigenous 5G stack Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and the countrys lunar landing the External Affairs Minister said these milestones have laid a solid foundation for the next generation to build uponEAM Jaishankar said the world is undergoing a phase of ârebalancingâ noting that the global order established after World War II is clearly unravelling and giving way to a more complex multipolar system He urged graduating students to engage with the world with greater confidence and capabilityHe pointed out that the global economic and political pecking order has changed significantly with no single country regardless of power able to impose its will on all issues To remain competitive he said India must double down on the âMake in Indiaâ initiative and develop contemporary manufacturing capabilities to keep pace with rapid technological shiftsA large economy like India must develop substantial manufacturing capacities to match fastchanging technologies he saidThe External Affairs Minister identified globalisation rebalancing and multipolarity as the three key forces shaping the current transition marked by new centres of influence beyond the traditional West and a world no longer dominated by a single powerIn a post on X EAM Jaishankar said he was delighted to participate in the convocation and encouraged students from over 40 countries to step forward confidently into the global workplace as India assumes a larger role internationallyLater in the day Jaishankar took part in a session titled âDiplomacy to Discourseâ at the Pune International Literature Festival PILF 2025 where he drew parallels between coalition politics in Indiaâs past and the current global orderThe world today is like coalition politicsâ no coalition enjoys a majority he said adding that combinations are constantly forming and shiftingHe reiterated that India would align with different partners on different issues based on national interest stressing âWhatever helps my country that would be my choiceâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-engine-of-global-workforce-shaping-new-era-of-mobility-eam-jaishankar-654874.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-hands-over-three-quick-impact-projects-in-myanmar-654881.html Yangon Dec 20 Reaffirming its support for Myanmarâs development India handed over three Quick Impact Projects QIP on Saturday dedicated to the socioeconomic benefit of the people of Mandalay Region in the Southeast Asian nation The handingover ceremony for the QIP of the Weaving and Vocational sector Development Project was held in the presence of Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur Chief Minister of Mandalay Region U Myo Aung and Deputy Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Thaik Soe in MandalayâUnder this project a flexible rapier loom a modern hightech weaving machine made in India has been installed at the Saunder Weaving and Vocational Institute in Amarapura Mandalay Region The project aims to support vocational education development in weaving 10 traditional Myanmar arts handicrafts supported by deployment of modern machinery and technologyâ read a statement issued by the Embassy of India in YangonAdditionally another QIP for a onestory building for the Girls Training School in Mandalay Region was inaugurated by the Indian Ambassador Chief Minister U Myo Aung and Deputy Minister for Social Welfare Relief and Resettlement Than Soe in Mandalay on Saturday The new school building aims to provide a spacious safe and comfortable learning environment for young students from the Mandalay regionFurthermore a third QIP for Investigation into tarfree and dry type gasification process with slow pyrolysis products of agriculture waste was inaugurated in the presence of Ambassador Abhay Thakur and Htay Thwin Director General of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Myanmarâs Ministry of Science and TechnologyThe initiative supports rural electrification clean energy development and environmental conservation while promoting local capacitybuildingâThese projects under the QIP initiative of the MekongGanga Cooperation MGC framework underscores Indiaâs continued commitment to support Myanmarâs socioeconomic development through targeted peoplecentric initiatives spanning skill development child welfare and clean energy research etc The successful completion and handover of these projects further reaffirm the strong and enduring partnership between the two countriesâ the Indian Embassy mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-hands-over-three-quick-impact-projects-in-myanmar-654881.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-russia-hold-talks-in-moscow-on-north-korean-nuclear-security-issues-654965.html SeoulKyiv Dec 21 South Korea and Russia recently held closeddoors talks in Moscow on North Koreas nuclear programme and other pressing regional security issues diplomatic sources said Sunday According to the sources a South Korean Foreign Ministry official handling North Korean nuclear issues recently travelled to Moscow for meetings with Oleg Burmistrov the Russian Foreign Ministrys Ambassadoratlarge for the North Korean nuclear issue and other relevant officials Yonhap News Agency reportedThe South Korean official apparently asked Russia to play a constructive role in ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula with Seoul looking to reopen dialogue with North Korea next year and efforts being made to end the war in UkraineGiven Russias close ties with North Korea South Korea likely believes Moscow can play a decisive role in ensuring Pyongyangs return to dialogueExcept for the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in September this year the recent meeting was the first involving officials of Seoul and Moscow concerned with the North Korean nuclear issue since October 2024 when their bilateral relations took a turn for the worse due to North Koreas deployment of its troops to fight alongside Russia in UkraineSouth Korea also could have used the recent meeting to voice its concern about the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea which Seoul views as a potential security threat to the Korean Peninsula as per the sourcesDuring its recent policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung the Foreign Ministry said it will closely monitor talks on ending the Ukraine war and seek a constructive role for Russia on issues related to the Korean Peninsula while making efforts to restore ties with MoscowThe ministry also said it will continue diplomatic efforts to halt military cooperation between Russia and North Korea which it described as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-russia-hold-talks-in-moscow-on-north-korean-nuclear-security-issues-654965.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-values-partnership-with-key-eu-member-netherlands-eam-jaishankar-654604.html New Delhi Dec 19 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Friday asserted that India places immense value on its relationship with the Netherlands both bilaterally and as a key player of the European Union EU He stated that India looks to the Netherlands for support as New Delhi enters a decisive phase in negotiations with the EU on a Free Trade Agreement FTA In his opening remarks at a meeting with the Netherlandsâ Foreign Minister David van Weel in New Delhi EAM said Im really delighted that on this visit you have had an opportunity not just to meet some of my colleagues but also to see some parts of India and some areas of common interest I would like to perhaps start off with the meeting which our Prime Minister and your Prime Minister had in Johannesburg and I think they reiterated their commitment to take this relationship forward We value our relations with the Netherlands enormously bilaterally as well as a key player of the European UnionââToday as we meet we will recognise that a number of important agreements have been reached in the last few months which have added more dimensions to our cooperation We also count on your support as we are moving to what I hope is a decisive phase in our negotiations with the European Union on the Free Trade Agreement We have a strategic partnership in water and very strong cooperation in agriculture health science technology and shippingâ he addedEAM Jaishankar noted that the emergence of new and important areas of cooperation such as semiconductors offers an opportunity to elevate the ambition of the bilateral relationshipSo whether its semiconductors or digital or cyberspace or life sciences we would like to work more closely with you the EAM stressedForeign Minister David van Weel arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for an official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral tiesWelcoming the Dutch Foreign Minister the Ministry of External Affairs MEA in a post on X said His visit and engagements in Delhi and Mumbai will focus on further deepening and diversifying IndiaNetherlands bilateral tiesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-values-partnership-with-key-eu-member-netherlands-eam-jaishankar-654604.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-netherlands-need-to-stick-together-intensify-cooperation-dutch-fm-654608.html New Delhi Dec 19 Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said on Friday that India and Netherlands are very aligned psychologically and in mentality despite being nations of two different sizes geographically In his opening remarks during a meeting with External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday Wheel stressed that India and Netherlands need to stick together and increase their cooperation in these turbulent times when geopolitics is changing He also thanked EAM Jaishankar for the warm welcome extended to him in IndiaI believe in these turbulent times where geopolitics are changing countries like us who adhere to democracy who adhere to the international rulebased order who adhere to free trade need to stick together and intensify their cooperation in order to stand the test of time So Im really really happy that before arrival we were able to get to a letter of intent to work more together in the field of security and defense but also as you mentioned in the field of new technologies he saidI visited one of the Dutch companies yesterday NXP who is already very established here in India and who is willing to take the collaboration to the next step and there are more to come So I think that that as technologies play a larger role in our life the way we implement them to adhere to our norms and values and our democratic values I think it is very important and thereWe are two countries of completely different sizes geographically But I think psychologically and in mentality we are very much aligned and happy to work on that relationship the Dutch Foreign Minister addedOn Thursday the visiting minister held a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in DelhiFollowing their talks David van Weel in a post on X wrote Security depends on cooperation Indiaâs Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and I signed a Letter of Intent setting out our joint efforts aimed at deepening our partnership on defence amp maritime security This includes efforts to protect open and secure sea lanes in the IndoPacificHe also held a meeting with Congress MP and chair of Indiaâs Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs Shashi Tharoor discussing opportunities for cooperation between two nations and exploring how domestic debate shapes foreign policyA good conversation with Shashi Tharoor Chair of Indiaâs Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs We explored how domestic debate shapes foreign policy Indiaâs role on the global stage and opportunities for cooperation between India and the Netherlands he posted on XDavid van Weel arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after concluding his engagements in Mumbai During his visit he visited Netherlands Consulate in Mumbai and met students entrepreneurs and social partnersYesterday David van Weel paid a visit to our Consulate in Mumbai and also met with students entrepreneurs and social partners A ministerial visit is always a good opportunity to connect with the people who give shape to our bilateral ties At Netherlands Embassy in India and across the world the Netherlands Embassy in India stated on ThursdayDavid van Weel also met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and held discussions on further cooperation with the stateHonoured to meet with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss IndiaNetherlands cooperation in the state of Maharashtra including maritime innovation circular economy water and agriculture Encouraging to see the potential to deepen our partnership the Netherlands Foreign Minister wrote on X after the meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-netherlands-need-to-stick-together-intensify-cooperation-dutch-fm-654608.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-closely-monitoring-bdesh-situation-ready-to-deal-with-any-eventuality-tripura-cm-654619.html Agartala Dec 19 The Indian government is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Bangladesh and is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said here on Friday The Chief Minister said that following the exit of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a series of disturbing and destructive incidents have been reported in the neighbouring countryReacting to the prevailing situation CM Saha said the Tripura government has been regularly sending detailed reports to the Centre on developments arising from the unrest across the borderDreaded terrorists criminals and individuals involved in various crimes have been released from Bangladeshi jails CM Saha who also holds the Home portfolio told the media on the sidelines of a government eventStating that India and its armed forces are always prepared to handle any situation the Chief Minister said the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fully aware of the developments in Bangladesh and is keeping a close watch on the situationOur drone surveillance systems have made significant advancements The S400 mobile longrange surfacetoair missile SAM system has already demonstrated its capabilities CM Saha said adding that security arrangements and all necessary measures along the border are robust and wellequippedHe further said that paramilitary forces have enhanced vigilance and intensified border domination along the International Border since violence erupted in Bangladesh in JuneâJuly last year particularly after the fall of the Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League government on August 5 2024Tripura which shares an 856kmlong border with Bangladesh and is surrounded by the neighbouring country on three sides remains highly sensitive and vulnerable to crossborder developmentsMeanwhile media reports said that after Sharif Osman Hadi spokesperson of the radical group Inqilab Mancha succumbed to bullet injuries on December 18 a series of violent incidents were reported from different cities in Bangladesh including the capital Dhaka Hadi was undergoing treatment at a hospital in SingaporeEarlier on December 17 the Ministry of External Affairs MEA summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah to convey New Delhiâs strong concerns over the deteriorating security situation in BangladeshBangladesh has witnessed a sharp rise in violence and a worsening lawandorder situation under the Muhammad Yunusled interim government IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-closely-monitoring-bdesh-situation-ready-to-deal-with-any-eventuality-tripura-cm-654619.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-oman-free-trade-pact-likely-to-become-operational-within-3-months-piyush-goyal-654662.html New Delhi Dec 19 IANS Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA between India and Oman offering zero duty access to a range of Indian labourintensive exports is likely to become operational within the next three monthsnbspThe OmanUnited States trade agreement signed in 2006 took nearly three years to be implemented Learning from that experience India and Oman have decided to operationalise this agreement much faster the minister said at a briefingThe agreement provides for automatic approvals within 90 days for Indian pharmaceutical products and manufacturing units that are recognised by multiple countriesIndia and Oman signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA on Thursday during the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to MuscatThe CEPA secures unprecedented tariff concessions for India from Oman Oman has offered zeroduty access on 9808 per cent of its tariff lines covering 9938 per cent of Indias exports to Oman All major labourintensive sectors including gems ampamp jewellery textiles leather footwear sports goods plastics furniture agricultural products engineering products pharmaceuticals medical devices and automobiles receive full tariff eliminationIndia is offering tariff liberalisation on 7779 per cent of its total tariff lines which covers 9481 per cent of Indias imports from Oman by value For the products of export interest to Oman and which are sensitive to India the offer is mostly a tariffrate quota TRQ based tariff liberalisationTo safeguard its interest sensitive products have been kept in the exclusion category by India without offering any concessions especially agricultural products including dairy tea coffee rubber and tobacco products gold and silver bullion jewellery other labourintensive products such as footwear sports goods and scrap of many base metalsThe services sector a strong driver of Indias economy will also see wideranging benefits Omans substantial global services imports amount to 1252 billion with the share of Indias exports in Omans global imports basket as 531 per cent indicating significant untapped potential for Indian service providersnbspThe agreement features a comprehensive and forwardlooking services package with Oman extending substantial commitments across a broad spectrum of sectors including computerrelated services business and professional services audiovisual services research and development education and health services These commitments are expected to unlock significant new opportunities for Indian service providers promote highvalue job creation and support expanding commercial engagement between the two countriesA major highlight of the CEPA is the enhanced mobility framework for Indian professionals For the first time Oman has offered wideranging commitments under Mode 4 including a notable increase in the quota for intracorporate transferees from 20 per cent to 50 per cent together with a longer permitted duration of stay for contractual service suppliersextended from the existing 90 days to two years with the possibility of a further twoyear extensionThe agreement also provides for more liberal entry and stay conditions for skilled professionals in key sectors such as accountancy taxation architecture medical and allied services supporting deeper and more seamless professional engagementIANSspsvd https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-oman-free-trade-pact-likely-to-become-operational-within-3-months-piyush-goyal-654662.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/kremlin-warns-seizure-of-russian-assets-will-not-be-left-unanswered-654550.html Moscow Dec 19 The Kremlin has warned that seizure of Russian assets will not be left unpunished for its masterminds and Russia will use all available legal means to punish them local media reported on Friday We have repeatedly said that all actions related to expropriations of Russian assets will not be left unanswered Those who made decisions collectively those who made decisions individually and those who put them into practice will all bear responsibility Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said staterun news agency Tass reportedTo that end all possible legal mechanisms will be used he addedMeanwhile the leaders of the European Union have failed to reach a deal on a reparations loan for Ukraine raising a joint debt of 90 billion euros instead of a financing loan Hungary the Czech Republic and Slovakia will not be part of the scheme Euro News reportedEU leaders will raise 90 billion euros in joint debt to fund Ukraine for the next two years after they failed in their plan to issue a reparations loan EU leaders agreed to issue joint debt to keep Ukraine afloat in 2026 and 2027 against the blocs common budget after they faced a stalemate over Belgiums demand to secure unlimited guarantees before using the immobilised Russian assets hosted in the countryPrior to the summit held in Brussels on Thursday EU leaders had suggested that there was no plan B and made efforts to provide a reparations loan to Ukraine supported by the Russian Central Banks immobilised assets German Chancellor Friedrich Merz led the efforts but he was unsuccessful to secure loan for Ukraine as Belgian demands for unlimited guarantees made it impossibleFollowing the summit European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accompanied by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the primary goal of funding Ukraine has been achievedSpeaking to reporters Frederiksen stated The bottom line after today is that our support for Ukraine is guaranteedPrior to the summit Hungary had indicated that it would not agree to the EUs plan for providing a reparations loan to Ukraine Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has refused to give financial support to Ukraine and has repeatedly criticised European leaders for their handling of the RussiaUkraine conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/kremlin-warns-seizure-of-russian-assets-will-not-be-left-unanswered-654550.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/202-indians-recruited-into-russian-army-26-dead-50-awaiting-discharge-centre-in-rs-654349.html New Delhi Dec 18 As many as 202 Indian nationals have been recruited into the Russian armed forces since 2022 with 26 reported fatalities and seven missing the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday   The disclosure came in response to a question from Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale and Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala on the repatriation of Indians allegedly forced or illegally recruited to fight in the RussiaUkraine warMinister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said concerted diplomatic efforts by India have led to the early discharge of 119 Indian nationals while 50 individuals are still awaiting release from the Russian ArmyThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA remains in continuous engagement with Russian authorities to ensure their safety wellbeing and early return he addedThe government also confirmed that 26 Indians have lost their lives in the conflict while seven are reported missing as per information shared by the Russian sideOf the deceased the mortal remains of 10 Indian nationals have been repatriated to India while two were cremated locally in Russia with assistance from the Indian MissionâThe Ministry has provided assistance in repatriation of mortal remains of 10 deceased Indian nationals to India and local cremation of two deceased Indian nationalsâ the MoS saidâDNA samples of family members of 18 Indians who were reported dead or missing have been shared with the Russian authorities in an effort to help establish the identity of some of the deceased Indian nationalsâ he addedThe Indian Embassy in Russia has played a key role in assisting discharged nationals with travel documents air tickets and logistical support for their returnIt has also coordinated closely with families in India during the evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains ensuring consentbased decisions on cremation or transportationThe government said the issue has been taken up at multiple diplomatic levels including during interactions between leaders ministers and senior officials of both countries and assured Parliament that efforts will continue until all remaining Indians are discharged and brought home safely IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/202-indians-recruited-into-russian-army-26-dead-50-awaiting-discharge-centre-in-rs-654349.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-reaffirms-further-healthcare-support-to-kabul-during-afghan-ministers-visit-654374.html KabulNew Delhi Dec 18 IANS Afghanistans Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali held a meeting with Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda in New Delhi discussing ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sectorThe talks focused on boosting health cooperation sharing expertise between medical professionals building the capacity of Afghan health workers and ensuring the supply of quality medicines to Afghanistan Cancer treatment medical visas for Afghan patients and support for health facilities were also discussed Afghanistans Ministry of Public Health posted on X on ThursdayJalali thanked India for its recent support in the health sector and outlined additional needs to improve Afghanistans healthcare systemDuring the meeting Nadda reaffirmed New Delhis commitment to supporting the Afghan people including through the supply of medicines and vaccines He confirmed that a CT scan machine along with medicines and vaccines would soon be sent to a childrens hospital in KabulNadda added that India would work to ease access to medical treatment for Afghan patients and stood ready to extend further assistanceFollowing the talks with the Afghan Health Minister Nadda took to X Held a productive meeting with Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali Afghan Minister of Public Health Reaffirmed Indias commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan and discussed avenues to further strengthen this collaboration with particular focus on long term supply of medicinesMade a symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines reflecting Indias commitment to support the medical needs of the Afghan people A larger consignment of medicines vaccines and a 128slice CT scanner is also being dispatched to Afghanistan he addedNadda noted that India has supplied 327 tonnes of medicines and vaccines to Afghanistan over the past four years Proposals from the Afghan side for a radiotherapy machine and additional medical supplies are also being processedAfghan Health Minister Jalali also met Minister for AYUSH Ministry of Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy Unani Siddha and Homoeopathy Prataprao Jadhav during which the two sides discussed setting up a traditional medicine institute and research centre in Kabul training practitioners and signing a bilateral cooperation agreementJalali said standardising traditional medicine was essential and noted that Afghanistan had begun regulating the sector adding that Indias experience made its support especially valuable said the Afghan Ministry of Public HealthAccording to the Afghan Ministry Jadhav pledged support for establishing research centres developing curricula and expanding cooperation in traditional medicine in the futureTaking to X Jadhav wrote Strengthening bilateral healthcare ties Held a productive meeting with HE Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali Minister of Public Health of Afghanistan and Karan Yadav CdA Embassy of India Kabul We discussed enhancing cooperation in Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy for mutual wellbeing https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-reaffirms-further-healthcare-support-to-kabul-during-afghan-ministers-visit-654374.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 16:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-oman-sultan-hail-maritime-ties-and-strategic-partnership-654396.html Muscat Dec 18 IANS India and Oman on Thursday adopted a Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation reflecting their shared commitment to regional maritime security blue economy and sustainable use of ocean resourcesnbspPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik who held extensive discussions at the Al Baraka Palace on Thursday acknowledged that the relationship between the two maritime neighbours has stood the test of time and has transformed into a multifaceted strategic partnershipBoth leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations spanning trade investment defence security technology education energy space agriculture culture and people to people ties They also reviewed the ongoing initiatives and cooperation in the areas identified in the Joint Vision Document adopted during the Oman Sultans visit to India in December 2023The two leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations reaffirming that no justification can ever be accepted for such acts They underlined the importance of continued cooperation in this areaIn the Joint Statement released after their meeting the two sides commended the deepening cooperation in the defence sector and agreed to continue working together in this regard including joint exercises training and highlevel visits to achieve shared goals and contribute towards maintaining regional security and stabilityThey also agreed to undertake joint initiatives to prevent maritime crimes and piracy by enhancing maritime domain awareness and facilitating continued information exchangeBoth sides welcomed the MoU on Maritime Heritage and Museums enabling collaboration between museums including through joint exhibitions and research They also noted the upcoming maiden voyage of INSV Kaundinya to Oman highlighting our shared maritime traditions read the Joint StatementThe two leaders noted with satisfaction the deepening of cultural cooperation and strong people to people ties They welcomed the joint exhibition Legacy of IndoOman Relations and took note of ongoing discussions on culture digitization initiatives As per the Joint Statement both sides took note of the initiative to cooperate for the establishment of the ICCR chair Programme of Indian Studies at the Sohar University that shall promote cultural and academic exchanges between both countriesThe two sides expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians They welcomed the signing of the first phase of Gaza Peace Plan and reiterated their support for the plan They also reaffirmed their support for efforts to restore peace and stability and underlined the need for a just and lasting resolution through dialogue and diplomacy including the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state the Joint Statement addedBoth sides also acknowledged that centuries old peopletopeople ties remain a cornerstone of the OmanIndia relationship India conveyed its deep appreciation to the leadership of Oman for ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of the vibrant Indian community of around 675000 residing in Oman Omani side recognised the valued contributions of the Indian diaspora to Omans developmentPM Modis visit to Oman is of special significance as it takes place in the year marking 70th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries The Prime Ministers visit follows the State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India in December 2023On Wednesday Prime Minister Modi was received by Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs at the airport and was accorded a ceremonial welcome He was received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Thursday at the Al Baraka Palace https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-oman-sultan-hail-maritime-ties-and-strategic-partnership-654396.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/explained-india-oman-cepa-advances-new-era-of-economic-partnership-654399.html MuscatNew Delhi Dec 18 The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA between India and Oman offers unprecedented market access for Indian goods with zeroduty access on 9808 per cent of Omanâs tariff lines covering 9938 per cent of Indiaâs exports by value the government said on Thursday The CEPA secures unprecedented tariff concessions for India from Oman All major labourintensive sectors including gems and jewellery textiles leather footwear sports goods plastics furniture agricultural products engineering products pharmaceuticals medical devices and automobiles receive full tariff eliminationOut of the above immediate tariff elimination is being offered on 9796 per cent of tariff lines the Commerce Ministry said in a statementIndia is offering tariff liberalisation on 7779 per cent of its total tariff lines which covers 9481 per cent of Indiaâs imports from Oman by value For the products of export interest to Oman and which are sensitive to India the offer is mostly a tariffrate quota TRQ based tariff liberalisationTo safeguard its interest sensitive products have been kept in the exclusion category by India without offering any concessions especially agricultural products including dairy tea coffee rubber and tobacco products gold and silver bullion jewellery other labourintensive products such as footwear sports goods and scrap of many base metalsOmanâs substantial global services imports amount to 1252 billion with the share of Indias exports in Omans global imports basket as 531 per cent indicating significant untapped potential for Indian service providersOn Thursday India and Oman took a significant step in building a stronger economic partnership with the signing of CEPA under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the statement saidCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Omanâs Minister of Commerce Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef signed the agreementNearly 7 lakh Indian nationals reside in Oman including Indian merchant families with a presence of over 200â300 years contributing significantly to Omanâs economy and society Indian enterprises have built a strong presence in Oman with over 6000 Indian establishments operating across sectorsAnnual remittances of around 2 billion further reflect the depth of economic engagement Bilateral trade between India and Oman stands at over 10 billion with strong potential for expansion under the CEPA frameworkThe CEPA further provides for 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment FDI by Indian companies in major services sectors in Oman through commercial presence opening a wide avenue for Indiaâs services industry to expand operations in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/explained-india-oman-cepa-advances-new-era-of-economic-partnership-654399.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-and-oman-sultan-hail-maritime-ties-multifaceted-strategic-partnership-654402.html Muscat Dec 18 India and Oman on Thursday adopted a Joint Vision Document on Maritime Cooperation reflecting their shared commitment to regional maritime security blue economy and sustainable use of ocean resources Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik who held extensive discussions at the Al Baraka Palace on Thursday acknowledged that the relationship between the two maritime neighbours has stood the test of time and has transformed into a multifaceted strategic partnershipBoth leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations spanning trade investment defence security technology education energy space agriculture culture and people to people ties They also reviewed the ongoing initiatives and cooperation in the areas identified in the Joint Vision Document adopted during the Oman Sultans visit to India in December 2023The two leaders also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations reaffirming that no justification can ever be accepted for such acts They underlined the importance of continued cooperation in this areaIn the Joint Statement released after their meeting the two sides commended the deepening cooperation in the defence sector and agreed to continue working together in this regard including joint exercises training and highlevel visits to achieve shared goals and contribute towards maintaining regional security and stabilityThey also agreed to undertake joint initiatives to prevent maritime crimes and piracy by enhancing maritime domain awareness and facilitating continued information exchangeBoth sides welcomed the MoU on Maritime Heritage and Museums enabling collaboration between museums including through joint exhibitions and research They also noted the upcoming maiden voyage of INSV Kaundinya to Oman highlighting our shared maritime traditions read the Joint StatementThe two leaders noted with satisfaction the deepening of cultural cooperation and strong people to people ties They welcomed the joint exhibition Legacy of IndoOman Relations and took note of ongoing discussions on culture digitization initiatives As per the Joint Statement both sides took note of the initiative to cooperate for the establishment of the ICCR chair Programme of Indian Studies at the Sohar University that shall promote cultural and academic exchanges between both countriesThe two sides expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians They welcomed the signing of the first phase of Gaza Peace Plan and reiterated their support for the plan They also reaffirmed their support for efforts to restore peace and stability and underlined the need for a just and lasting resolution through dialogue and diplomacy including the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state the Joint Statement addedBoth sides also acknowledged that centuries old peopletopeople ties remain a cornerstone of the OmanIndia relationship India conveyed its deep appreciation to the leadership of Oman for ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of the vibrant Indian community of around 675000 residing in Oman Omani side recognised the valued contributions of the Indian diaspora to Omans developmentPM Modis visit to Oman is of special significance as it takes place in the year marking 70th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries The Prime Ministerâs visit follows the State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to India in December 2023On Wednesday Prime Minister Modi was received by Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs at the airport and was accorded a ceremonial welcome He was received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on Thursday at the Al Baraka Palace IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-and-oman-sultan-hail-maritime-ties-multifaceted-strategic-partnership-654402.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/as-pm-modi-concludes-landmark-visit-oman-sultans-brother-bids-farewell-with-namaste-654417.html Muscat Dec 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday afternoon emplaned for New Delhi after concluding his landmark visit to Muscat Oman Sultan Haitham Bin Tariks brother and the Sultanates Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said bid farewell to PM Modi at the airport following the conclusion of his engagements in the country Highlighting the historic relationship between both countries and their warm camaraderie the two leaders shook hands and hugged each other with the Oman Deputy PM also seen folding his hands in traditional Indian greeting Namaste as PM Modi waved goodbyeEarlier the Oman Sultan conferred The First Class of the Order of Oman on PM Modi for his exceptional contribution to IndiaOman ties and his visionary leadershipPrime Minister Modi dedicated the honour to the ageold friendship between the two countries and called it a tribute to the warmth and affection between the 14 billion people of India and the people of OmanThe conferment of the honour during the Prime Ministerâs visit to Oman coinciding with the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries imparted special significance to the occasion and to the Strategic PartnershipInstituted in 1970 by Sultan Qaboos bin Said the Order of Oman has been bestowed upon select global leaders including Queen Elizabeth Queen Maxim Emperor Akihito Nelson Mandela and King Abdullah of Jordan in recognition of their contribution to public life and bilateral relationsThis is the 29th such global honour for PM ModiPM Modi and Oman Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik also detailed discussions on Thursday on ways to further add greater depth to the strategic partnership Both leaders then witnessed the exchange of key Memorandum of Understanding MoUs and agreementsThe two leaders welcomed the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA terming it a milestone in bilateral ties and expressed confidence that it will strengthen the strategic partnership They also discussed issues of regional and global interestExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval and other officials attended the meeting held at the Al Baraka Palace in MuscatCelebrating 70 years IndiaOman Diplomatic ties An allencompassing relationship united by maritime heritage and shared destiny PM Narendra Modi met today His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik in Muscat Oman Both leaders noted that the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India Oman is a landmark in bilateral partnership They explored ways to further add greater depth to the IndiaOman Strategic Partnership Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on XThe leaders welcomed the signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA as a milestone in bilateral ties affirming that it would significantly strengthen IndiaOman strategic partnership Both exchanged views on a broad range of topics including defence security trade and investment energy agriculture technology new and emerging areas culture and peopletopeople ties among others They also discussed issues of regional and global interest he addedPM Modi addressed the Indian community members at Maitri Parv event in Muscat He also addressed the IndiaOman Business ForumAt the Business Forum in Muscat this morning which was attended by industry representatives from India as well as Oman highlighted the rich potential to deepen economic linkages Also invited businesses from Oman to invest and innovate in India PM Modi posted on XOn Wednesday PM Modi arrived in Omans Muscat for the third and final leg of his threenation visit Upon his arrival Omans Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariqk Al Said warmly received PM Modi at the airport A Guard of Honour was accorded to PM Modi as part of the ceremonial welcomeThis was Prime Minister Modis second visit to Oman underscoring the growing depth of the IndiaOman strategic partnershipPM Modi also received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community at the hotel in Muscat with hundreds of people carrying Indian flags chanting Modi Modi Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram as they enthusiastically welcomed the Indian PMPM Modi travelled to Oman after concluding his twoday State visit to Ethiopia IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/as-pm-modi-concludes-landmark-visit-oman-sultans-brother-bids-farewell-with-namaste-654417.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-targets-iran-oil-network-names-india-linked-shipping-firms-654458.html Washington Dec 18 The Trump Administration on Thursday sanctioned 29 vessels tied to a covert petroleum shipping network Among them are companies and operations linked to India involved in moving Iranian oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars The US Department of the Treasury said the action was aimed at cutting off revenue streams used by the Iranian regime to support terrorism and other illicit activitiesPrincipal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the United States was acting âto stem the flow of the Iranian regimeâs revenue used to support terrorism and other illicit activitiesâTreasury said the sanctions include a network of companies and vessels operated by Hatem Elsaid Farid Ibrahim Sakr an Egyptian businessman as well as multiple shipping firms active in countries including the United Arab Emirates India the Marshall Islands and Panama Sakrâs companies were linked to seven of the 29 vessels named in the actionâThis action further constrains Iranâs ability to export petroleum and petroleum products through obscure and fraudulent mechanismsâ Pigott saidIndialinked entities named include the Barbadosflagged vessel Flora Dolce owned and managed by Indiabased Rukbat Marine Services Co which has transported millions of barrels of Iranian fuel oil since April 2025The Panamaflagged Auroura owned and operated by Indiabased Golden Gate Ship Management was cited for transporting millions of barrels of Iranian petroleum products including naphtha and condensate Another vessel Ramya operated and managed by Indiabased Darya Shipping Private Limited was said to have transported more than 100000 barrels of Iranian petroleum products since September 2025According to the Treasuryâs Office of Foreign Assets Control OFAC the sanctioned vessels are part of Iranâs socalled âshadow fleetâ which exports Iranian petroleum and petroleum products through deceptive and fraudulent shipping practicesThe vessels and associated management firms have been involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and products including fuel oil bitumen naphtha and condensateTreasury said these vessels were part of a broader system in which companies are often created solely to own and manage individual ships masking beneficial ownership and enabling sanctions evasion Many of the vessels have been linked to years of Iranian petroleum shipments including significant volumes in 2025In a separate statement Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K Hurley underscored the administrationâs broader objective âAs President Trump has said repeatedly the United States will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weaponâ Hurley said âTreasury will continue to deprive the regime of the petroleum revenue it uses to fund its military and weapons programsâTreasury said the latest designations were imposed under Executive Order 13902 which targets Iranâs petroleum and petrochemical sectors Since President Trump resumed office his administration has sanctioned more than 180 vessels involved in shipping Iranian petroleum and petroleum products driving up costs for exporters and reducing the revenue Iran receives for each barrel sold IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-targets-iran-oil-network-names-india-linked-shipping-firms-654458.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-meet-omans-sultan-today-hold-comprehensive-review-of-bilateral-ties-654270.html Muscat Dec 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold comprehensive talks with Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Thursday focusing on the full spectrum of bilateral relations Discussions are expected to cover key areas including trade and investment energy cooperation defence and security technology agriculture and cultural exchanges The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interestThe Prime Minister is also expected to address business leaders from both countries at a business forum aimed at strengthening commercial and investment partnershipsEarlier on Wednesday PM Modi arrived in Muscat for the third and final leg of his threenation visit Upon his arrival Omans Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said warmly received PM Modi at the airportThe two leaders warmly greeted each other at the airport A Guard of Honour was accorded to PM Modi as part of the ceremonial welcomeLater PM Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community at the hotel in Muscat with hundreds of people carrying Indian flags chanting Modi Modi Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram as they enthusiastically welcomed the Indian PMPM Modi greeted and interacted with several members of the Indian community who had gathered in large numbers to welcome him He also witnessed several cultural performances during the welcome ceremonyThis is Prime Minister Modis second visit to Oman underscoring the growing depth of the IndiaOman strategic partnershipThe visit assumes special significance as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Oman It also follows Sultan Haitham bin Tariqs state visit to India in December 2023 reflecting the highlevel political engagement between the two countriesBriefing the media ahead of the visit Arun Kumar Chatterjee Secretary Consular Passport and Visa Overseas Indian Affairs in the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said this would be Prime Minister Modis second visit to Oman after his earlier trip in February 2018 He highlighted the enduring nature of IndiaOman ties rooted in centuriesold contacts through maritime trade and peopletopeople connectionsThe Honourable Prime Minister will undertake a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and exchange perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interest Chatterjee saidIndia and Oman currently share a comprehensive strategic partnership characterised by robust cooperation across diverse sectors Oman remains an important partner for India in the Gulf region with strong collaboration in energy security maritime cooperation and regional stabilityPrime Minister Modis visit is expected to further consolidate bilateral relations and provide fresh momentum to IndiaOman cooperation in the years aheadPM Modi arrived in Oman after concluding his twoday State visit to Ethiopia IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-meet-omans-sultan-today-hold-comprehensive-review-of-bilateral-ties-654270.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/dutch-foreign-minister-arrives-in-delhi-to-deepen-india-netherlands-bilateral-ties-654334.html New Delhi Dec 18 The Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for an official visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties Welcoming the Dutch Foreign Minister the Ministry of External Affairs MEA in a post on X said His visit and engagements in Delhi and Mumbai will focus on further deepening and diversifying IndiaNetherlands bilateral tiesâDuring his visit Van Weel will hold talks with External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh according to a media advisory issued by the MEAEarlier this month India and the Netherlands held 13th Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi discussing ways to strengthen the partnership in sectors such as critical technologies and innovation including semiconductors and AI science and technology green hydrogen and shipping defence and security as well as priority areas of Water Agriculture and Health WAH agendaThe two sides reiterated their intent to provide a strategic dimension to bilateral ties in various sectors India and the Netherlands welcomed the increasing interactions and exchanges at the highest political levels which have provided constant guidance and momentum to the bilateral ties according to the MEA statementPrime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 23 PM Modi noted that the bilateral partnership between the two nations is growing rapidly in sectors like energy technology innovation and water resourcesMet Mr Dick Schoof Prime Minister of the Government of the Netherlands on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg The bilateral partnership between our nations is growing rapidly in areas like water resources innovation technology and energy We will keep working to deepen trade and investment linkages in the times to come PM Modi posted on XDuring the meeting the two leaders discussed the possibilities of expanding mutual investments through the Strategic PartnershipIn a post on X PM Schoof wrote The Netherlands and India work closely together in the areas of trade security and innovation We are the fourth largest investor in India worldwide That is why it was good to meet briefly with Narendra Modi in South Africa during the G20 summit We discussed the possibilities of expanding mutual investments through the Strategic Partnership and my participation in the IndiaAI Impact Summit in New Delhi next year The Netherlands and India will continue to work closely together in the long term In a rapidly changing world it is important that we can continue to count on each other IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/dutch-foreign-minister-arrives-in-delhi-to-deepen-india-netherlands-bilateral-ties-654334.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/how-india-africa-ties-got-unprecedented-push-under-pm-modi-654096.html New Delhi Dec 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has elevated IndiaAfrica relations to a robust strategic partnership over the past 11 years of his tenure In the last year alone he has intensified Indias engagement with the continent through a series of highlevel visits that have revitalised diplomatic engagement and developmental tiesThe current tour to Ethiopia is among these highlevel visits Additionally PM Modis visits to South Africa in November of this year Ghana and Namibia in July Mauritius in March and Nigeria in November 2024 also mark a strategic outreach under his leadershipDuring his ongoing visit to Ethiopia Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday highlighted that India and Ethiopia have had contact communication and exchange for thousands of years and that both nations which are rich in languages and traditions are copassengers and partners of the Global SouthIn his remarks at the delegationlevel talks with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali held at the Ethiopian National Palace in Addis Ababa PM Modi said that visiting Ethiopia for the first time has truly filled his heart with immense joyThis visit marked a significant milestone in IndiaEthiopia relations with both nations elevating their ties to a strategic partnership It also witnessed the signing of multiple agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across diverse sectors including education health AI technology etcIn November Prime Minister Modi held a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg and discussed bilateral partnership particularly in boosting linkages of commerce culture investment and diversifying cooperation in technology skilling AI critical minerals and other sectorsDuring his visit to Ghana in July Prime Minister Modi said that as the worlds largest democracy the country remains a pillar of strength not only to the Global South but to everyone in these times of new and complex crises reaffirming that India remains a committed partner in Africas developmental journeyA strong India will contribute to a more stable and prosperous world said PM Modi in a historic address at the Parliament of Ghana in AccraIn the same month during his visit to Namibia the Prime Minister and Namibia President Netumbo NandiNdaitwah held highlevel talks and witnessed the exchange of two Memoranda of Understanding MoUs in the fields of health and entrepreneurshipIn addition it was announced that Namibia has joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure CDRI and the Global Biofuels AllianceIn March during his visit to Mauritius Prime Minister Modi met Mauritian PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam during which both leaders expressed satisfaction over their comprehensive discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and agreed that their special and close bilateral partnership acquired significant strategic depth after being raised to an Enhanced Strategic PartnershipDuring this the Mauritian PM thanked India for its continued assistance towards the refit of Coast Guard Ships Victory Valiant and Barracuda on a grant basis PM Modi noted that Mauritius is a special maritime partner for India under Vision SAGAR and reiterated Indias continued support and assistance to the island nation in augmenting its defence and security needsLast year in November during his visit to Nigeria Prime Minister Modi held intensive and fruitful discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and received the countrys highest national honour the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger GCON 3The leaders underscored the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and India linked by common historical experiencesThey discussed the scope for ties to flourish in sectors like defence energy technology trade health education and moreTinubu acknowledged Indias efforts to amplify the concerns of developing countries through the Voice of the Global South SummitsPM Modis outreach to African nations reflects a calibrated foreign policy approach aimed at deepening development cooperation and amplifying the voice of the Global South in the evolving geopolitical landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/how-india-africa-ties-got-unprecedented-push-under-pm-modi-654096.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-summons-bangladesh-envoy-over-deteriorating-security-environment-in-dhaka-654113.html New Delhi Dec 17 IANS The Ministry of External Affairs MEA summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah on Wednesday to convey New Delhis strong concerns over the deteriorating security environment in BangladeshnbspAccording to the MEA the Bangladeshi envoys attention was drawn specifically to the activities of some extremist elements who have announced plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in DhakanbspIndia outrightly rejected the false narrative sought to be created by extremist elements regarding certain recent events in BangladeshThe MEA expressed concern that the Muhammad Yunusled interim government has neither conducted a thorough investigation nor shared meaningful evidence with India regarding the incidentsnbspIndia has close and friendly relations with the people of Bangladesh rooted in the liberation struggle and strengthened through various developmental and peopletopeople initiatives We are in favour of peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free fair inclusive and credible elections conducted in a peaceful atmosphere read a statement issued by the MEAIndia called on the Yunusled interim government to ensure the safety of Indian missions and posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligationsnbspEarlier on Sunday India rejected assertions made by the Yunusled interim government stating that it has consistently expressed support for fair free inclusive and credible elections being held in the neighbouring nation in a peaceful atmospherenbspMEA said that India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities hostile to the interests of the people of BangladeshIndia categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note dated 14 December 2025 We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free fair inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere the MEA said in a statementnbspIndia has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh We expect that the interim Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections it added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-summons-bangladesh-envoy-over-deteriorating-security-environment-in-dhaka-654113.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-oman-free-trade-pact-to-unlock-opportunities-in-key-sectors-piyush-goyal-654191.html New Delhi Dec 17 IANS Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday that the proposed IndiaOman free trade agreement FTA would open significant opportunities across sectors including textiles food processing automobiles gems and jewellery agrochemicals renewable energy and auto componentsnbspAddressing the IndiaOman Business Forum in Muscat Goyal highlighted Omans strategic location as a gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC Eastern Europe Central Asia and Africa which offers enhanced market access for Indian businessesOmans Minister of Commerce Industry and Investment Promotion Qais Al Yousef in his address said that India has emerged as Omans thirdlargest trading partner and Oman continues to be a key destination for Indian investments across strategic sectorsnbspHe stated that Indian investments in Oman have more than tripled since 2020 reaching 5 billion spanning sectors such as green steel green ammonia aluminium manufacturing and logistics He emphasised that these investments reflect Indias confidence in Oman as a longterm operating baseGoyal also highlighted that the proposed free trade agreement FTA between the two countries is a defining milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries and noted that it would be the first free trade agreement Oman is entering into in nearly two decadesnbspThe minister highlighted that the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Oman coincides with the celebration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations He recalled Indias decision to invite Oman as a special guest during Indias G20 Presidency in 2023 as a reflection of the strong mutual trust and strategic partnership between the two countriesGoyal also underlined the potential for collaboration in services such as professional services accounting business process reengineering research and development tourism healthcare and education He identified four broad areas for future cooperation energy transition including green hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure development including ports and multimodal logistics food security through cold chains and food parks and collaboration between startup ecosystems particularly in deep tech logistics and artificial intelligenceReferring to the shared emphasis on youthled growth the minister highlighted the alignment between Indias vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Omans Vision 2040 He emphasised that the youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit in both countries provide a strong foundation for longterm economic cooperationnbspGoyal expressed confidence that the IndiaOman partnership built on trust shared history and complementary strengths is poised to enter a new phase of growth Businesses from both sides working together as trusted partners can fully leverage the opportunities emerging from the strengthened bilateral engagement he added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-oman-free-trade-pact-to-unlock-opportunities-in-key-sectors-piyush-goyal-654191.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-arrives-in-oman-on-final-leg-of-his-three-nation-visit-654205.html Muscat Dec 17 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Omans Muscat on Wednesday for the third and final leg of his threenation visit Upon his arrival Omans Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said warmly received PM Modi at the airport The two leaders warmly greeted each other at the airport A Guard of Honour was accorded to PM Modi as part of the ceremonial welcomeThis will be Prime Minister Modiâs second visit to Oman underscoring the growing depth of the IndiaOman strategic partnershipThe visit assumes special significance as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Oman It also follows Sultan Haitham bin Tariqâs state visit to India in December 2023 reflecting the highlevel political engagement between the two countriesDuring his stay Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold comprehensive talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq focusing on the full spectrum of bilateral relations Discussions are expected to cover key areas including trade and investment energy cooperation defence and security technology agriculture and cultural exchanges The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interestBriefing the media ahead of the visit Arun Kumar Chatterjee Secretary Consular Passport and Visa ampamp Overseas Indian Affairs in the Ministry of External Affairs said this would be Prime Minister Modiâs second visit to Oman after his earlier trip in February 2018 He highlighted the enduring nature of IndiaOman ties rooted in centuriesold contacts through maritime trade and peopletopeople connectionsâThe Honourable Prime Minister will undertake a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with His Majesty the Sultan of Oman and exchange perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interestâ Chatterjee saidHe added that Prime Minister Modi is also expected to address business leaders from both countries at a business forum aimed at strengthening commercial and investment partnershipsIn addition the Prime Minister will interact with the Indian community in Oman acknowledging their role in strengthening bilateral ties and contributing to Omanâs economic developmentIndia and Oman currently share a comprehensive strategic partnership characterized by robust cooperation across diverse sectors Oman remains an important partner for India in the Gulf region with strong collaboration in energy security maritime cooperation and regional stabilityPrime Minister Modiâs visit is expected to further consolidate bilateral relations and provide fresh momentum to IndiaOman cooperation in the years aheadPM Modi arrived in Oman after concluding his twoday State visit to Ethiopia In a special gesture Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali once again drove PM Modi in his car to the airport and personally bid farewell to the Indian leader as he emplaned for OmanDuring his visit PM Modi addressed the Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament PM Modi laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument in Addis Ababa and also visited the Adwa Museum where the officials briefed him about the history of the African nationPrime Minister Modi was also conferred Ethiopias highest civilian honour the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia for which he expressed his deep gratitude to the government and the people of the African nationPM Modi and Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali held bilateral discussions covering a wide range of issues including political cooperation economic engagement and strategic partnershipIn a notable and personal gesture Abiy Ahmed Ali had also received PM Modi at the airport on Tuesday and himself drove Prime Minister Modi from the airport to the hotel IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-arrives-in-oman-on-final-leg-of-his-three-nation-visit-654205.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/diaspora-connect-integral-part-of-india-ethiopia-strategic-partnership-indian-envoy-654211.html Addis Ababa Dec 17 Indias Ambassador to Ethiopia Anil Kumar on Wednesday said that the trajectory of ties between India and Ethiopia will be high stressing that increasing the bilateral relationship to strategic partnership showcases that the leadership of two nations has given directions to transform the main ideas into outcomes In an interview with IANS Ambassador Kumar stated that India and Ethiopias decision to elevate the partnership to a strategic level showcases that the relationship is more dynamic and far more closerThe trajectory of relationship will be high We have decided to elevate the relationship to strategic partnership So this means that we have to work much closer work in confidence and have to come up with tangible outcomes So increasing the relationship to the strategic partnership itself reflects that the leadership has given directions to us to bring the main ideas into outcomes so that we have good examples to prove on the ground It will span from political consultations discussions on international issues as well as economy and coproduction So peopletopeople and diaspora connect will also be an integral part of this strategic relationship between both countriesPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday concluded a twoday State Visit to Ethiopia during which he and Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali held bilateral discussions covering a wide range of issues including political cooperation economic engagement and strategic partnership The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding MoU spanning key sectors of cooperationKumar stated that the cooperation between India and Ethiopia in the field of education and skilling is wellknown and noted that over 2000 Indian students are pursuing their graduation or PhD programmes in IndiaOn being asked how India plans to expand cooperation with Ethiopia in the education sector he stated This week we have announced that the shortterm scholarship for graduation courses will be doubled So that will further increase the opportunities for the Ethiopian students to pursue higher degrees in India The main idea for capacity building is to address the critical gaps In the due course you will find that we come up with courses which run from one month up to two weeks and these are the courses which are intended to bridge the critical gaps in various sectors of economy including the knowledgebased economy and it has been extremely powerful So this education cooperation has much wider mandate and both the sides will sit down and discuss that how we can further increase the cooperation both in terms of numbers and the type of courses which we offer to them Kumar told IANSOn PM Modis receiving Ethiopias highest honour he said This is a very rare moment when Ethiopia has given its highest national award to a foreign head of state and head of government In fact Prime Minister Modi is the first person to receive this award and this shows the type of confidence and the type of expectations which Ethiopia has with the leadership Prime Minister Modi has offered this award to 14 billion people who are the wheels and the instruments for this good friendship which exists between both the countries It also brings us new energy enthusiasm and much stronger motivation to move forward and convert the friendship into tangible outcomes in coming months and yearsPM Modi was conferred Ethiopiaâs highest civilian honour the âGreat Honour Nishan of Ethiopia on Tuesday The award was presented by the Ethiopian Prime Minister in a special ceremony held at the Addis International Convention Centre in recognition of PM Modiâs exceptional contribution to strengthening IndiaEthiopia ties and his leadership as a global statesmanBy elevating the partnership to a strategic level the relationship will be more dynamic and far more closer We will be working on all aspects of diplomacy which starts from political consultations at bilateral and international levels and jointly working towards reforming the multilateral institutions When it comes to economic engagement it will span in various sectors where both the countries are having complementary relationship and the whole scheme is very wide It starts with agriculture irrigation fertilizer production sustainability education healthcare particularly the pharmaceutical production defence cooperation and it extends to the new areas of technology artificial intelligence machine learning etc the Indian Ambassador remarked IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/diaspora-connect-integral-part-of-india-ethiopia-strategic-partnership-indian-envoy-654211.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/blatant-attempts-at-distorting-history-to-absolve-certain-quarters-of-treason-bangladesh-media-654220.html New Delhi Dec 17 Even after 54 years of Bangladeshs birth there are blatant attempts to contrive and concoct historical narratives to absolve certain quarters of their treason and blame India observed an opinion piece in a Dhakabased newspaper on Wednesday December 17 Calling it mischievous manipulation of established historical facts the Daily Star article quoted a recent statement from JamaateIslami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar claiming it was India who had conspired to kill the countryâs intellectuals on December 14 1971 Martyred Intellectuals Day is observed in Bangladesh to commemorate the killing of over 1000 intellectuals by the then occupying Pakistani armed forces during the countryâs Liberation War The day is marked with various commemorative events including wreathlaying ceremonies at memorials and is observed with profound respect and grief across the country But Porwar claimed that it was part of a wellplanned plot by the Indian army and Indian intelligence agencies According to the Daily Star article âWith their newfound currency in the post2024 dispensation some JamaateIslami leaders are seeking to reverse a wellestablished narrative and turn it on its headâ It added that Porwarâs colleague in Chittagong having further distorted history by saying that âsomeone else used the name of the Pakistan army to carry out the killingsâ naming India âamong the suspectsâ The article dismissed such distortion adding âSuch a narrative to exonerate the axis of forces which unleashed nine months of untold brutality on our men women and children is preposterousâOn Wednesday itself the Ministry of External Affairs MEA summoned Bangladesh High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah and expressed concerns over security threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka Earlier this week leader of Bangladeshâs National Citizen Party NCP Hasnat Abdullah threatened to isolate Indias Seven Sisters the states on its Northeast in a statement offering refuge to insurgents over purported destabilisation of Bangladesh Soon after the MEA voiced concerns on Wednesday reports from Bangladesh said that a group of people was stopped by police while marching towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka They intended to raise several demands including the return of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others who fled there during and after the July uprising last year Incidentally former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been handed a death sentence over alleged atrocities during her rule Several other news reports and commentaries allege that the Muhammad Yunusled interim administration in Bangladesh has shown signs of accommodation toward Islamist groups These include policy shifts deregulatory moves and a permissive environment for hardline actors Among key indicators are lifting of bans on radical elements public appointments pardons spikes in sectarian incidents and changes in official rhetoric IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/blatant-attempts-at-distorting-history-to-absolve-certain-quarters-of-treason-bangladesh-media-654220.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-share-that-latest-talks-on-north-korea-different-from-past-working-group-seoul-official-654222.html Seoul Dec 17 South Korea and the United States share the understanding that their latest talks on North Korea policy are not the same as a nowdefunct dialogue channel under the former Moon Jaein government a foreign ministry official said Wednesday The official made the remarks after the unification ministry handling interKorean affairs decided not to join Tuesdays dialogue between the foreign ministry and relevant US agencies saying the talks could hinder Seouls peace efforts toward Pyongyang Yonhap News Agency reportedThe rift between the two ministries has emerged after several former unification ministers issued a statement claiming that the talks with the US mirror the working group channel that operated in 201719 and that it would only serve as a stumbling block in efforts to improve interKorean relationsThe working group was launched with an aim to coordinate on matters related to the sanctions in place against Pyongyang in order to expedite the process for interKorean exchanges and other cooperationBut it gradually came to be seen as an obstacle in the eyes of those who prioritized engagement with the North being labeled by them as a channel for US screening of what items can reach the North or notThere is a clear shared understanding on both the South Korean and US sides that this meeting which is aimed at implementing the joint fact sheet is fundamentally different from the past working group in terms of its purpose nature and background the official told reportersWe understand that there is some painful criticism the official said of the statement by the former ministers We should take them seriously and respond in a way that avoids misunderstanding and criticismThe foreign ministry has named Tuesdays meeting as followup talks on the joint fact sheet apparently pointing out that the discussions are focused on implementing the summit agreements reached between the allies regarding North Korea issuesThe official said the latest talks took place to exchange general positions of the two sides on the current geopolitical environment surrounding the Korean PeninsulaIt provided an opportunity for us to closely exchange views on how to open the door to dialogue at a time when talks have stalled and the international landscape has become more challenging than in the past he saidWe shared the view that it is urgent to bring North Korea back to dialogue and ease the current grave situation We explained our concept of denuclearization and approach to advancing that the official saidAsked about the unification ministrys comment that it could hold separate talks with the US on North Korea issues the official said the ministry is free to provide any explanations it considers necessary to the US sideThe unification ministry remains one of the ministries with which we work and communicate very closely he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-share-that-latest-talks-on-north-korea-different-from-past-working-group-seoul-official-654222.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ethiopias-economic-reforms-make-it-attractive-investment-destination-indian-envoy-on-pm-modis-visit-653841.html Addis Ababa Dec 16 Indias Ambassador to Ethiopia Anil Kumar Rai highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit stating that it comes at a time when the African nation is witnessing an economic transformation making it an attractive investment destination Speaking to IANS on Tuesday Rai said This visit is taking place at a time when Ethiopia has overcome many economic challenges and implemented very liberalised policiesAll this has been possible because of the rigorous homegrown economic reforms implemented under the able guidance of Abiy Ahmed the Prime Minister of Ethiopia These things have made Ethiopia an attractive place for investment he addedRai also highlighted the multiple sectors that have opened up for collaboration Many other avenues also have opened up particularly in the basic structure of the economy mining sector agriculture manufacturing exportoriented units banking and finance and knowledge systems So we see this visit will discuss the entire relationship and cooperation and take it forwardOn Indias relations with Ethiopia Anil Kumar Rai said Indias relationship with all countries including Ethiopia lies on its own merits So with this what we see is that every country is free to have its own diplomatic relations with other countries and generally those alignments are based on the strength and compatibility If you see Indias relationship with Ethiopia it is more than 2000 years old Indian teachers have trained the old generation of EthiopiansOn the upcoming BRICS summit in 2026 the ambassador emphasised Ethiopias strategic role stating The 2026 BRICS summit is going to take place at a time when the global system is relatively broken and trust between nations is not at its best BRICS which today commands roughly more than 50 per cent of the worlds population and more than 50 per cent of its GDP is an important forum that will deliberate on political economic and international issuesHe further noted Countries like Ethiopia newly entering BRICS will bring their knowledge and it will help BRICS to grow It will also help India to strengthen its perspective of cooperation with the developing countries in AfricaPM Modis current visit to Ethiopia the second leg of his ongoing threenation tour marks his firstever visit to the country and comes at a strategic time for IndiaAfrica relationsDuring the twoday visit scheduled for December 16â17 2025 PM Modi is expected to hold comprehensive discussions with PM Abiy Ahmed on bilateral cooperation trade investment and development partnershipsThe visit underscores Indias commitment to deepening SouthSouth cooperation strengthening ties with African nations and promoting knowledge and technology exchanges across key sectors Ambassador Rai stressed that the discussions during this visit are expected to chart a forwardlooking roadmap for IndiaEthiopia relations and enhance collaboration on multilateral platforms such as BRICS IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ethiopias-economic-reforms-make-it-attractive-investment-destination-indian-envoy-on-pm-modis-visit-653841.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-invites-jordanian-firms-to-partner-india-create-robust-economic-corridor-653864.html Amman Dec 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited Jordanian companies to partner India and reap the benefits of its 14 billion consumer market its strong manufacturing base and a stable transparent and predictable policy environment Jordanâs Free Trade Agreements FTAs and Indiaâs economic power could be combined to create an economic corridor between South Asia and West Asia and beyond said PM Modi and King Abdullah II while addressing the IndiaJordan Business Forum hereBoth leaders acknowledged the importance of increasing businesstobusiness ties between the two countries and called upon the industry captains from both sides to convert the potential and opportunities into growth and prosperityHighlighting Indiaâs success as the fastestgrowing major economy which is on course to become the thirdlargest economy in the world the Prime Minister stated that India offered immense business opportunities for its partners in Jordan and across the globePM Modi also proposed doubling bilateral trade with Jordan to 5 billion over the next five years The Prime Minister said that both countries can join hands to become trusted supply chain partners for the world highlighting opportunities for IndiaJordan business collaboration in the fields of Digital Public Infrastructure DPI IT Fintech Healthtech and Agritech and inviting startups from both nations to join hands in these areasHe noted that Indiaâs strength in the pharma and medical devices sectors and Jordanâs geographical advantage could complement each other and make Jordan a reliable hub for West Asia and Africa in these fieldsPM Modi also highlighted business opportunities for the two sides in the areas of agriculture cold chain food parks fertilisers infrastructure automobile green mobility and heritage and cultural tourism Speaking about Indiaâs green initiatives the Prime Minister suggested greater IndiaJordan business collaboration in the fields of renewable energy green financing desalination and water recycling IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-invites-jordanian-firms-to-partner-india-create-robust-economic-corridor-653864.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/afghan-health-minister-arrives-in-delhi-for-talks-on-healthcare-cooperation-653903.html New Delhi Dec 16 Afghanistans Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali arrived in India on Tuesday for his first official visit aimed at holding discussions to enhance bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector Extending a warm welcome to the Afghan Health Minister on his arrival the Ministry of External Affairs MEA took to X stating The visit reflects Indias enduring support for Afghanistans healthcare system and we look forward to productive discussionsIndia has contributed to Afghanistans health infrastructure reaffirming its steadfast support for the Afghan peopleEarlier this month India delivered 63734 doses of Influenza and Meningitis vaccines to KabulOn November 28 India delivered 73 tonnes of lifesaving medicines vaccines and essential supplements to Afghanistan to help meet healthcare needsAugmenting Afghanistans healthcare efforts India has delivered 73 tonnes of lifesaving medicines vaccines and essential supplements to Kabul to cater to urgent medical needs Indias unwavering support to the Afghan people continues the MEA posted on XThis is also the third ministeriallevel visit from Afghanistan to IndiaOn November 20 Afghanistans Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi arrived in New Delhi and held talks with External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar During this the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen trade connectivity and peopletopeople ties between the two nationsDuring the meeting EAM Jaishankar reiterated Indias support for the development and welfare of the people of AfghanistanPleased to meet the Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi this evening Discussed ways to strengthen our trade connectivity and peopletopeople ties Reiterated Indias support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan EAM Jaishankar posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/afghan-health-minister-arrives-in-delhi-for-talks-on-healthcare-cooperation-653903.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-arrives-in-israel-set-to-hold-talks-with-counterpart-gideon-saar-653924.html Jerusalem Dec 16 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar arrived in Israel on Tuesday where he is scheduled to hold talks with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar later in the day Israels Ambassador to India Reuven Azar welcomed EAM Jaishankar upon his arrival to the country Welcome to Israel Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar Azar posted on XOn December 14 EAM Jaishankar extended warm wishes to his Israeli counterpart Saar and the people of Israel on HanukkahWhile extending wishes to people of Israel on X EAM Jaishankar wrote Warmest wishes to FM Gideon Saar friends in Israel and all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world May the Festival of Lights bring peace hope and joy to all Chag SameachIn response to his wishes Gideon Saar in a post on X wrote Thank you dear friendEAM Jaishankar on Sunday also condemned the terrorist attack targetting the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah in Australias SydneyCondemn in the strongest terms the terror attack on Hanukkah celebrations in Bondi beach Australia Our thoughts are with the victims and their families Jaishankar posted on XOn December 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in West AsiaDuring the talks both leaders discussed ways to strengthen the IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and reiterated their zerotolerance approach towards terrorismAccording to a press note issued by the Prime Ministerâs office âPM Modi reaffirms Indiaâs support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the regionâFollowing their talks PM Modi in a statement shared on X wrote Spoke with my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu We reviewed progress in the IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen our cooperation Also reaffirmed our shared commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism India supports all efforts aimed at achieving a just and durable peace in the regionEAM Jaishankar arrived in Israel on Tuesday after concluding his visit to UAE where he cochaired the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan the UAEâs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi The two leaders reviewed all aspects of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE as well as identified key priorities for the futureTaking to social media platform X on Tuesday EAM Jaishankar said In todayâs world deeper IndiaâUAE cooperation advances shared interests and contributes to regional and global stabilityâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-arrives-in-israel-set-to-hold-talks-with-counterpart-gideon-saar-653924.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/terrorism-mutual-threat-israel-stands-with-india-fm-gideon-saar-653938.html Jerusalem Dec 16 Emphasising that terrorism poses a shared threat for both India and Israel the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday expressed solidarity with the people of India He underscored that the ties between the two countries constitute a longterm strategic partnership and expressed hope that his discussions with External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar would lead to the adoption of a comprehensive and ambitious working plan for the bilateral relations in 2026Addressing a joint press statement with EAM Jaishankar in Jerusalem Saar said Im very glad to host in Israel the foreign minister of India Dr Jaishankar It is also a good opportunity to thank you Minister for your hospitality during my visit to Delhi in November India faced only last November after my visit a terror attack It is another opportunity to pay our condolences to the people of India for this terrible terror attackTerror is a mutual threat for both countries and we are always standing with the people of India Our relations as we see it is a long term strategic partnership and today I believe that we will adopt a very comprehensive and ambitious working plan for our bilateral relations in 2026 Im looking forward to our discussions he addedThe Israeli Foreign Minister described India as the worlds largest democracy and one of the fastestgrowing economies saying that the future lies with India and Israel seeks to be a part of that journeyâIndia is the biggest democracy India is also the fastest growing economy in the world I believe that the future is India and it is natural that we want to have a share in the futureâ he stressedEAM Jaishankar arrived in Israel on Tuesday to hold bilateral consultations with Saâar on a wide range of issues aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countriesIsraels Ambassador to India Reuven Azar welcomed EAM Jaishankar upon his arrival in the country Welcome to Israel Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar Azar posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/terrorism-mutual-threat-israel-stands-with-india-fm-gideon-saar-653938.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/healthcare-buildings-to-be-built-with-indian-assistance-in-nepals-sindhupalchowk-653948.html Kathmandu Dec 16 Two health post buildings will be constructed in Indrawati Rural Municipality of central Sindhupalchowk district with Indian grant assistance the Indian Embassy in Nepal said on Tuesday Jhamka Nath Nepal Chairperson of the Rural Municipality and Narayan Singh First Secretary of the Indian Embassy jointly laid the foundation stones for the construction of health post buildings at Ward No 3 and Ward No 6 of the rural municipality according to a press statement from the Embassy They are being built with total financial assistance of approximately NPR 40 million The health posts will have twostoreyed buildings with suitable facilitiesâThese projects have been taken up as High Impact Community Development Projects HICDPs and the rural municipality will be responsible for implementing themâ the statement saidProjects under the HICDPs are implemented at the grassroots level through local authorities in the priority sectors of the Government of Nepal including health education drinking water sanitation and drainage rural electrification hydropower embankment and river training among othersEarlier known as Small Development Projects the HICDPs were launched in November 2003 through a bilateral agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India regarding Indiaâs grant assistance for the implementation of Small Development Projects through Nepali entities working at the local levelThese projects are an innovative and important segment of the development partnership with Nepal and are being implemented in the priority sectors of the Government of Nepal to create infrastructure that enhances the quality of life of the people of Nepal at the grassroots levelDuring the foundationlaying ceremony Rural Municipality Chairperson Nepal and other stakeholders appreciated the development support being extended by the Indian government They expressed confidence that the new health infrastructure would help enhance access to health services in the regionAs close neighbours India and Nepal are engaged in wideranging and multisectoral cooperation the Embassy said The implementation of HICDPs it added reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal to achieve growth and development apart from augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/healthcare-buildings-to-be-built-with-indian-assistance-in-nepals-sindhupalchowk-653948.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talks-on-using-russian-assets-for-ukraine-increasingly-difficult-eu-official-653694.html Brussels Dec 15 The European Unions discussions on financing future support for Ukraine including a plan to leverage frozen Russian state assets have become increasingly difficult an EU official said on Monday EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas made the remarks ahead of the EUs Foreign Affairs Council session in Brussels noting that EU leaders are due to meet on Thursday and Friday for the last summit of the yearThe bloc is working toward a decision on Ukraines funding at the gathering We will not leave the meeting before we get a result she said Xinhua News Agency reportedSeveral financing options remain on the table but the most credible option is a socalled reparations loan backed by frozen Russian assets Kallas addedThe financing push comes as the EU seeks to stabilise support for Ukraine into 2026 and 2027Western countries have frozen roughly 300 billion US dollars in Russian sovereign assets since the start of the RussiaUkraine conflict in February 2022 The European Union has immobilized about 210 billion euros about 2464 billion dollars of Russian central bank assets most of it held at Belgiumbased Euroclear in BrusselsEarlier this month EU governments agreed to indefinitely immobilize those Russian central bank assets a shift from the previous system of rolling renewals every six months to reduce the risk that a single member state could block the measureBelgium which holds the bulk of the immobilized assets has raised legal and financial liability concerns about the reparations loan Those concerns have complicated previous efforts to reach a deal on the proposed loanMeanwhile the Russian Foreign Ministry has criticised the European Union over its intention to use the countrys assets calling it an illegitimate institution and a gang that legitimises utterly criminal ideas the local media reportedSpeaking to reporters on December 5 Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called EU a criminal group and raised questions over their plan which she stressed has no legal basis Her remarks came after the European Commission announced its plan to seize Russian assets in Europe worth â210 billion under reparations loan scheme to support Ukraines financial needs and urged nonEU Western nations to become part of this initiative Russian staterun news agency TASS reportedShe said The European Union has become not just an illegitimate institution but better yet a gang that legitimizes utterly criminal ideas and decisions I believe this is unprecedented How else are they discussing this publicly Trying to find something to tie it to And knowing theres no legal basis for it theyre no longer creating coalitions but rather criminal groupsThe spokesperson warned that Russia will take harsh retaliatory measures if EU takes such a step and stressed that this would not only be a verbal response but also practical actionsZakharova said If these actions are committed â namely lets put it plainly theft â if there are attempts at banditry and the seizure of Russian assets then yes I can confirm that retaliatory measures are indeed being developed interdepartmentallyThis will not be a verbal response not just notes of protest It will involve both statements and practical actions They understand this perfectly well which is why theyre squirming like snakes in a frying pan she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/talks-on-using-russian-assets-for-ukraine-increasingly-difficult-eu-official-653694.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/addis-ababa-all-decked-up-ahead-of-pm-modis-first-visit-to-ethiopia-653703.html Addis Ababa Dec 15 Addis Ababa the capital and largest city of Ethiopia has been decked up with numerous hoardings and welcome posters ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis State Visit to the country starting Tuesday The entire city is adorned with vibrant posters and Indian flags as the country anxiously awaits the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 2011PM Modi who began his threenation tour on Monday is currently in Jordan He is scheduled to depart for the second leg of the visit and reach Ethiopia on Tuesday his first visit to the country which will be followed by a visit to OmanEthiopia is Indias important and trusted partner in Global South and the African context and PM Modi will be holding several significant engagements during his twoday visit which comes at the invitation of the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy AhmedAddis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union In 2023 during Indias G20 Presidency the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 In Addis Ababa I will hold detailed discussions with HE Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali and also have the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living there I will also have the privilege to address the Joint Session of Parliament where I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on Indias journey as the Mother of Democracy and the value that the IndiaâEthiopia partnership can bring to the Global South PM Modi stated in his departure statement on MondayThe Ethiopian Prime Minister has been a prominent participant and key speaker during the past editions of the Voice of Global South According to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the current visit reflects Indias commitment towards deepening SouthSouth cooperation and strengthening of partnership with AfricaThe visit will also help consolidate cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas including economy trade culture and peopletopeople contacts On the economic front discussions are expected to focus on diversifying trade enhancing connectivity and identifying new opportunities for investment in infrastructure IT mining agriculture and manufacturing said Neena Malhotra Secretary South at the Ministry of External Affairs MEA ahead of PMs visitIndia and Ethiopia share a long history of partnership in the sector of education skilling and capacity building India has been offering scholarship and training opportunities to Ethiopian students and professionals through ITEC and ICCR scholarships Here it is worth mentioning that several of the presidents or vice presidents which are equivalent to vice chancellors or registrars of Indian universities in Ethiopia have studied in India under ICCR and other governmentsponsored scholarship schemes Therefore ITEC continues to be a vital platform for skill upgradation and reskilling for human resource development in Ethiopia she addedThe visit is also expected to reinforce the strong role of the Indian diaspora in Ethiopia which serves as a natural bridge between the two countriesClimate action will be another important pillar of cooperation India continues to support Ethiopias renewable energy initiatives through the International Solar Alliance and International Solar Alliance engagement in Ethiopia has progressed substantially with several initiatives such as the establishment of Solar Technology Application Resource Center STARC at Addis Ababa University Also completion of Ethiopias first ever grid connected solar rooftop and many other such activities stated MalhotraThe visit reaffirms Indias role as a trusted and longterm partner for Ethiopia India remains committed to working with Ethiopia to build a stable secure and inclusive global order and in advancing Africas priorities in line with Agenda 2063 and common global objectives We feel that the upcoming visit is expected to give renewed momentum to bilateral ties and chart new pathways for cooperation in the years ahead she mentioned further IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/addis-ababa-all-decked-up-ahead-of-pm-modis-first-visit-to-ethiopia-653703.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/despite-islamabad-outreach-dhaka-to-celebrate-1971-surrender-of-pak-forces-and-creation-of-independent-bdesh-653731.html New Delhi Dec 15 Since the August 2024 student uprising and the subsequent regime change Bangladesh has recalibrated its foreign policy showing increased diplomatic engagement with Pakistan while adopting a more confrontational stance towards India Despite its Islamabad outreach marked with a cautious diplomatic thaw in 2025 Dhaka will celebrate Bijoy Dibos Victory Day on Tuesday December 16 that marks the surrender of Pakistani forces in 1971 and the creation of an independent Bangladesh say media reports Like every year official ceremonies and public celebrations will mark its independence from oppression and suppression by Pakistanâs armed forces sending a subtle yet strong reminder to Islamabad that history can not be erased and thus 1971 will forever remain etched in memory Preparations are underway to take a largescale special programme to celebrate the Victory Day including preparing to set a world record by parachuting with the highest number of national flags according to the Dhakabased Daily Sun To commemorate the end of the Liberation War and the birth of an independent Bangladesh December 16 is an annual national holiday and observed across the country with state ceremonies military parades and public remembrances These rituals continue to be a fixed part of the national calendar and civic life On the occasion the government has taken extensive programs to celebrate the great Victory Day while the day will begin with a 31gun salute in the city on Tuesday morning added the Dhaka Tribune The programs include placing wreaths at the monuments to pay homage to martyrs hoisting of the national flags a threeday victory fair parachuting with the highest number of national flags a band show cultural events arrangement of recitation essay writing and painting competitions on the Liberation War for children and an acrobatic show it elaborated The report also mentioned that President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus are expected to pay tributes to the braves of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the Savar National Martyrs Memorial on the outskirts of the capital at dawn on Tuesday Incidentally the countrys transitional political phase again came under question recently when the President announced his intent on stepping down after the February parliamentary election citing himself repeatedly being sidelined and âhumiliatedâ by the Yunusled interim administration Also the 2024 student protest was largely aimed against job quota reservations in civil service posts for the children and grandchildren of the freedom fighters who participated in the Liberation War After the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 the interim governmentâs diplomatic posture experienced significant change Historically aligned closely with India Bangladesh has since sought to diversify its partnerships and reduce Indian influence reflecting both political realignment and strategic recalculation The two countries began highlevel diplomatic meetings including Yunus engagements with Pakistani officials and scheduled visits by ministers from Islamabad after a 13year hiatus Also began military cooperation through officer exchanges joint training exercises and participation in Pakistanled multinational naval drills Visa restrictions were also removed easing peopletopeople exchanges and trade facilitation Reports of Bangladesh discreetly supporting Pakistan in regional forums such as opposing joint condemnation of Islamabad at the UN Human Rights Council and backing Pakistanâs humanitarian corridor proposals in Kashmirrelated conflicts Under the circumstances celebration of Victory Day itself is an explicit recognition within Bangladesh of its independence and of the leadership role played by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the liberation movement The same Mujibur Rahman whose statue was desecrated and pulled down during the violent protests even as the world watched and later his daughter Hasina handed a death sentence while in exile IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/despite-islamabad-outreach-dhaka-to-celebrate-1971-surrender-of-pak-forces-and-creation-of-independent-bdesh-653731.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-europe-map-ukraine-rebuilding-plan-led-by-blackrock-world-bank-653732.html Washington Dec 15 The United States and its European partners have begun shaping a largescale economic and reconstruction plan for Ukraine with BlackRock and the World Bank playing central roles as part of ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the RussiaUkraine war a senior US administration official said on Monday Requesting anonymity the official told reporters that the developmental issue featured prominently during two days of meetings in Berlin with the Ukrainian delegation including President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior European officials as negotiators focused on ensuring Ukraineâs longterm financial viability once the fighting endsBlackRock CEO Larry Fink âhas assembled a team pro bonoâ to work on the recovery framework alongside World Bank President Ajay Banga with both teams already engaging extensively with Ukrainian counterparts The groups the official said have been âdigging inâ on the scale of Ukraineâs financial challenges and potential solutionsâThis is a very tough financial situation for themâ the senior US administration official said noting that Ukraine faces multiple and overlapping burdens after nearly four years of war These include maintaining a strong military compensating civilians whose property was damaged supporting families of soldiers killed in the conflict and rebuilding destroyed infrastructure the official notedThe official said European leaders repeatedly stressed that Ukraine is âcritical to their securityâ and that Ukraines economic stability is essential to Europeâs longterm security As a result European partners indicated there would be âstrong financial supportâ to ensure Ukraine becomes âfinancially viable and strongâ in the postwar periodThe discussions also addressed how to encourage the return of displaced Ukrainians and how to structure a postwar economy anchored in transparency and effective governance The senior US administration official said plans were being developed to âbring people back to the countryâ while ensuring âthereâs a good transparent governmentâThe official said BlackRock and the World Bank were drawing on âbest practices all throughout the worldâ to design a framework that could attract investment and donor funding while reducing corruption risks Fundraising mechanisms and sequencing of support were also discussed with European partnersAnother key topic was the issue of frozen Russian funds The senior US administration official said talks explored âhow to try and find a way to use them for reconstruction in a way that hopefully can work through an agreementâ though no final decisions have been takenThe economic track the official said is intended to complement political and territorial negotiations rather than replace them âPresident Trump is trying to save Ukraine as a country and make sure that they then have the ability to be viableâ the official said emphasizing both military sustainability and longterm prosperityThe official added that the broader objective includes creating incentives for regional stability by encouraging Russia in the event of a peace settlement to reengage with the global economy This the official said could reduce the risk of renewed conflict by shifting incentives away from war and toward economic integrationThe Berlin meetings the senior US administration official said reflected an unusually collaborative effort with Ukrainians and Europeans âin and out of the different meetingsâ and ideas shared across delegations in real timeThe RussiaUkraine war since February 2022 has devastated large parts of the Ukrainian economy displacing millions of people and leaving critical infrastructure severely damagedMajor international institutions estimate Ukraineâs reconstruction costs will run into hundreds of billions of dollars making longterm external financial backing and governance reforms central to any durable postwar settlement IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-europe-map-ukraine-rebuilding-plan-led-by-blackrock-world-bank-653732.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russia-and-ukraine-edging-toward-deal-on-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-us-official-653735.html Washington Dec 15 Russia and Ukraine are moving closer to an understanding on the future of the critical Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant the White House said Monday adding this is part of the detailed discussions in Berlin on restoring operations at the facility as part of broader peace talks A senior US administration official said negotiators from Ukraine Russia and Europe devoted extensive time to the issue reflecting concern over the plantâs role in energy security and postwar recoveryâThere are two different aspects of thatâ the official said pointing to how the plant would be operated and how electricity would be divided While differences remain the talks have narrowed toward a conceptual agreementâAt the end of the day they both wanted it to be repaired and functioning in a good way and providing energyâ the official said One proposal under discussion would split power output evenly with negotiators nearing agreement on a â5050 split of the powerâ described as âa good outcomeâThe Zaporizhzhia plant Europeâs largest nuclear facility has been a focal point of international alarm since fighting erupted near the site early in the war The official said restoring stable operations could serve as an early confidencebuilding step between the sidesEnergy infrastructure featured prominently in the Berlin talks which also addressed ways to stabilise other critical facilities and reduce risks that could derail a future peace The official said energy was treated as both a technical challenge and a political priorityThe discussions extended beyond the plant itself Working groups examined broader territorial and infrastructure issues including economic arrangements to ease tensions in contested areasAmong the ideas discussed was the creation of an economic free zone though the official stressed that such proposals were exploratory and not bindingâWe spent a lot of time trying to define what that would mean how it operatesâ the official said adding that once concepts are clarified âit will really be up to the parties to work out the final issuesâAccording to the official facetoface meetings in Berlin helped accelerate progress allowing negotiators to identify common ground more quickly than in earlier remote talksEuropean officials participated throughout the discussions sharing concerns about Ukraineâs energy recovery and the broader implications for Europeâs energy securityBefore the war started in February 2022 Zaporizhzhia supplied a large share of Ukraineâs electricity IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russia-and-ukraine-edging-toward-deal-on-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-us-official-653735.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-visit-cements-india-jordan-economic-ties-5-key-mous-signed-653741.html New Delhi Dec 16 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Jordan has paved the way for deepening bilateral ties between India and the West Asian country with the signing of five MoUs in the areas of renewable energy water resource management cultural exchange digital solution and twinning between Petra and Ellora according to an official statement issued on TuesdaynbspPM Modi held extensive discussions with King Abdullah II of Jordan on ways to further deepen bilateral engagement in the fields of trade and investment defense and security renewable energy fertilizer and agriculture innovation IT and digital technologies critical minerals infrastructure health and pharma education and capacity tourism and heritage and culture and peopletopeople ties the statement saidPrime Minister proposed that the two countries should aim to enhance bilateral trade to 5 billion over the next 5 years He also called for collaboration between Jordans digital payment system and Indias United Payments Interface UPI Jordan is an important supplier of fertiliser to India and companies on both sides are in discussions for further substantive investment in Jordan to meet growing demand for phosphatic fertilizer in IndiaPM Modis first fullfledged visit to Jordan marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countriesIndia is Jordans third largest trading partner Jordan is also a leading supplier of phosphates and potash fertilizers for IndiaAround 17500 Indian nationals currently live in Jordan mostly working in textiles construction manufacturing and healthcareWhile India exports cereals frozen meat petroleum products animal fodder etc to Jordan fertilisers especially phosphates and potash are imported The commissioning of longterm joint ventures and the operation of Indianowned manufacturing units in Jordan reflect deep commercial integrationA joint venture Jordan India Fertiliser Company JIFCO between Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative IFFCO and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company JPMC was commissioned to produce and export phosphoric acid to India This venture originally valued at 860 million is a major source of phosphoric acid for IndiaOver 15 garmentmanufacturing companies owned by NonResident Indians NRIs also operate in Jordans Qualified Industrial Zones QIZs with a cumulative investment of about 500 million These companies manufacture garments in Jordan and export the finished products outside Jordan under the JordanUSA FTA frameworkBesides the IndianJordan Center of Excellence in Information Technology a nextgeneration IT facility at AlHussein Technical University HTU reflects the growing technology ties between the two countries The Center fully funded by India is equipped with stateoftheart IT infrastructure including the Super Computer PARAM Shavak and advanced training facilities The Government of India conducts master trainer courses for Jordanian experts in emerging fields such as Cyber Security Web Development Machine Learning and Big Data Analytics https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-visit-cements-india-jordan-economic-ties-5-key-mous-signed-653741.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-to-pakistan-will-counter-terrorism-with-all-its-might-653776.html United Nations Dec 16 In a strong and stinging rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate India served a notice to Pakistan that it will not tolerate Islamabadâs terrorism and will counter it âwith all its mightâ âLet me be clear India will counter Pakistansponsored terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with all its mightâ Indiaâs Permanent Representative P Harish said sternly on Monday local timeReacting to Pakistanâs Permanent Representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad taking a huge detour from the topic of Security Council debate Leadership for Peace to talk about the Indus Water Treaty Harish said it will be held in abeyance until Pakistan which is a global epicentre of terror credibly and irrevocably ends its support for crossborder and all other forms of terrorismâIndia put the treaty on hold because of Pakistanâs terrorism and wars that killed tens of thousands of Indians he saidâIndia had entered into the Indus Waters Treaty 65 years ago in good faith in a spirit of goodwill and friendshipâ he said âThroughout these six and a half decades Pakistan has violated the spirit of the Treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on IndiaâThe Pahalgam terror attack in April during which Pakistansponsored terrorists carried out âreligionbased targeted killings of 26 innocent civiliansâ was the most recentThe attack in which Hindus and a Christian were slaughtered was the last straw and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he was suspending the 1960 treaty signed by thenPrime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for sharing river waters with PakistanHarish ridiculed Pakistan for obsessively bringing up issues extraneous to topics under discussion at the UNAkramâs unwarranted reference to Jammu and Kashmir in todayâs open debate attests to its obsessive focus on harming India and its peopleâ he saidâA serving nonpermanent Security Council Member that chooses to further this obsession in all meetings and platforms of the UN in pursuit of its divisive agenda cannot be expected to fulfil its designated responsibilities and obligations he addedHarish questioned Pakistanâs commitment to democracy pointing to the recent 27th Amendment to its Constitution that establishes the supremacy of the military over the âwill of the peopleââPakistan of course has a unique way of respecting the will of its people by jailing a Prime Minister by banning the ruling political party and by letting its armed forces engineer a constitutional coup through the 27th amendment and giving lifetime immunity to its Chief of Defence Forces CDFâ he saidPakistanâs former Prime Minister Imran Khan who ran afoul of the military overlords is languishing in prison and his party Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI has been bannedThe 27th Amendment adopted last month gives Field Marshal Asim Munir a new constitutional position of CDF with lifetime immunity from prosecution and guarantees a term till 2030 empowering him to oversee the next general electionWhile Harish had to respond to Pakistanâs insinuations the focus of his speech was on the leadership of the UN in which the Security Council is meant to play a prime role but has often failedâThe quality and focus of the leadership displayed by members of the Councilâ he said ârepresents the most important aspect impinging on maintenance of international peace and securityâFor this a reform of the Security Council to make it fitforpurpose to tackle contemporary challenges is an urgent global imperativeâHe criticised the InterGovernmental Negotiations process for reform as âbarren and bereft of productive outcomesâ and said it must âmove towards timebound textbased negotiations at the earliestâReform should âenhance representation from underrepresented and unrepresented geographies in tune with todayâs realities in both the permanent and elected categories of membershipâ he saidThe top leader of the UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres completes his term at the end of next yearThe election of his successor should be held with âgreater transparencyâ Harish saidâThe new Secretary General must embody the aspirations of the overwhelming majority of humanity who are from developing countries of the Global Southâ he saidHarish questioned the current system of allocating top posts in the UN system on a âdivision of spoilsâ basis that gives some countries mainly the permanent members of the Security Council a monopoly over certain positionsâLeadership by definition must be inclusive for it to be representative legitimate and effectiveâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-to-pakistan-will-counter-terrorism-with-all-its-might-653776.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-fiji-discuss-bilateral-ties-issues-of-mutual-interest-653609.html Suva Dec 15 Indias High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta called on Fijis Minister for Immigration Viliame B Naupoto on Monday discussing matters of mutual interest including on skilled mobility peopletopeople ties and further strengthening of bilateral ties In a statement on X Indian High Commission in Fiji stated Veilomani Dosti High Commissioner Suneet Mehta paid a courtesy call on the Hon Viliame B Naupoto Minister for Immigration today Productive discussions were held on matters of mutual interest including on skilled mobility peopletopeople links and further strengthening of relations between India and FijiOn December 11 High Commission of India in Fiji and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Suva organised a cultural evening with the Know India Programme KIP Alumni in Fiji KIP Alumni shared their experiences about their visits to India and engaged in meaningful conversationsHigh Commission of India in Fiji and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Suva organised a vibrant Cultural Evening with the Know India Programme KIP Alumni in Fiji Honoured to have the Assistant Minister for MultiEthnic Affairs amp Sugar Industry Hon Shalen Kumar as the Chief Guest the Indian High Commission in Fiji posted on XThe evening brought together KIP alumni who shared reflections on their visits to India and engaged in meaningful conversations and enjoyed the cultural performances KIP continues to strengthen connections between India and the global Indian diaspora It provides young people with the opportunity to learn about Indiaâs culture history and shared ties it addedEarlier this month Mehta called on Fijis Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua and discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation During the meeting Mehta expressed Indias commitment to sharing its expertise in largescale digital identity platforms cybersecurity and innovative public service delivery with FijiIn a statement on X the Indian High Commission in Fiji stated High Commissioner Suneet Mehta was pleased to call on HonIoane Naivalurua Minister for Policing and Communications today Productive discussions were held focussing on strengthening our multifaceted cooperation including in digital AI India remains committed to sharing its expertise in largescale digital identity platforms cybersecurity and innovative public service delivery reflecting our broader partnership with Fiji in advancing inclusive and technologydriven governanceLast month India delivered a consignment of AntiRetro Viral ARV drugs to Fiji to assist in strengthening the island nations health programmeTaking to X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said A consignment of AntiRetro Viral ARV drugs has been dispatched to Fiji to support its health programme India remains committed to supporting Fiji in its public health response and humanitarian needs IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-fiji-discuss-bilateral-ties-issues-of-mutual-interest-653609.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-envoy-japans-house-of-representatives-speaker-discuss-bilateral-ties-653610.html Tokyo Dec 15 Indias Ambassadordesignate to Japan Nagma Mohamed Mallick held a meeting with the Speaker of Japans House of Representatives Fukushiro Nukaga on Monday discussing various aspects of bilateral ties Ambassadordesignate Ms Nagma Mohamed Mallick called on H E Mr Fukushiro Nukaga Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan and discussed various aspects of the IndiaJapan relationship the Indian Embassy in Japan posted on XOn December 12 Mallick met Special Advisor to Japanese PM Uno Yoshimasa and discussed opportunities for bilateral collaborationAmbassadordesignate HE Ms Nagma M Mallick met Special Advisor to Prime Minister of Japan HE Uno Yoshimasa and discussed opportunities for IndiaJapan collaboration the Indian Embassy in Japan stated on XEarlier she also held discussions with Yamaguchi Governor Tsugimasa Muraoka and Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Speaker Shungaku Yanai on strengthening bilateral ties with a focus on Yamaguchi PrefectureAmbassador Nagma Mohamad Mallick met Governor of Yamaguchi HE Mr Tsugimasa Muraoka and Speaker of Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly HE Mr Shungaku Yanai Also present at the meeting were Honourable members of Prefectural Assembly Mr Kenji Niki Mr Kenjiro Nishimoto and Mr Shinji Sakamoto who are office bearers of the IndiaASEAN regional Friendship and Economic Exchange Promotion League They discussed on ways to strengthen India Japan ties especially with focus on Yamaguchi Prefecture the Indian Embassy in Japan posted on X after the meeting The Indian Embassy along with the Yamaguchi prefecture also organised a business seminar in Yamaguchi to enlighten the participants on Indiaâs robust growth trajectory and opportunities for synergy between India and Yamaguchi In her opening remarks Mallick spoke about areas of complementarity between Yamaguchi and India while Governor Muroka highlighted the steps taken by the Embassy to organise this outreach event it addedEmbassy of India along with Yamaguchi prefecture organised a business seminar in Yamaguchi to enlighten the participants on Indiaâs robust growth trajectory and opportunities for synergy between India and Yamaguchi Ambassador Nagma Mohamad Mallick in her opening address highlighted areas of complementaries between Yamaguchi and India Governor HE Mr Tsugimasa Muroka highlighted the steps taken my Embassy of India to organise this outreach event Indian Embassy in Japan posted on XThe speaker of the Prefecture Assembly Mr Shungaku Yanai spoke about the newly formed India Japan friendship association in Yamaguchi prefectural Assembly Business presentation on Business Environment and Investment Opportunities in India was made by Ms Debjani Chakrabarti Minister Economic and Commerce from Embassy of India Mr Haranobu Hara from Global Strategy Team South Asia Planning Division JETRO made a presentation on Indiaâs business environment and trends among Japanese Companies it addedOn November 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in sectors like innovation defence and talent mobilityDescribing his meeting with Takaichi productive PM Modi noted that a strong IndiaJapan partnership is vital for a better planet It was the first meeting between PM Modi and PM Takaichi after the latter assumed office as Japans PMHad a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation defence talent mobility and more We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations A strong IndiaJapan partnership is vital for a better planet PM Modi posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-envoy-japans-house-of-representatives-speaker-discuss-bilateral-ties-653610.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-very-close-to-sealing-interim-trade-deal-with-us-top-official-653618.html New Delhi Dec 15 Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday that India is very close to concluding an interim trade deal with the US to bring down tariffs but stopped short of fixing any timeline on the issue We are very close on closing the initial framework deal but I dont want to put a timeline to it the Commerce Secretary told journalists hereWe have done six rounds of talks with the US where we have discussed both the BTA bilateral trade agreement as well as an interim deal to lower reciprocal tariffs Theres a fair expectation that both countries will be able to agree to a deal to lower reciprocal tariffs he saidThe visit of Deputy USTR was to take a stock of our trade relations and to see where we are on the BTA as well as the framework deal Agrawal saidUS Trade Representative USTR Jamieson Greer also said recently that the US has received the bestever offers from India on the proposed trade agreementSpeaking at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington Greer said that there is resistance in India to certain row crops corn soybean wheat and cotton being exported to its market from the USReacting to reports on allegations by American officials that India is dumping rice in the US Agrawal said More than 80 per cent of our rice exports to the US is Basmati rice which is higher than the general price of rice so there is no case of dumping here We already have a 50 per cent tariff on rice so I dont see additional duties on rice as of nowPrime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump also held a telephonic conversation last week following the visit of a highlevel team of US officials to Delhi for trade talksMeanwhile the government has implemented measures including GST rate cuts a promotion package to diversify export markets and introduced labour reforms to cushion the economy from the impact of punitive tariffs imposed by the US on Indiaâs exportsIndia is also working on diversifying its export market As part of this strategy the government is looking at as many as 300 products including engineering goods pharma agri and chemicals which can be exported to Russia with the two countries targeting a 100 billion trade by 2030 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-very-close-to-sealing-interim-trade-deal-with-us-top-official-653618.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-maldives-discuss-strengthening-defence-ties-tackling-drug-trafficking-653648.html Male Dec 15 Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti called on the Maldives Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy in Male on Monday with discussions focused on addressing maritime security challenges enhancing training engagements and cooperation against drug trafficking During the meeting the two officials also discussed various ongoing projects and ways to enhance maritime information sharing between navies of India and MaldivesVAdm Tarun Sobti DCNS called on Chief of Defence Force Maj Gen Ibrahim Hilmy during his maiden visit at Male Maldives Discussions focussed on addressing Maritime Security challenges enhancing training engagements and cooperation against drug trafficking The maiden visit of DCNS reaffirms Indian Navyâs commitment towards regional partners Progress of the ongoing projects and avenues to enhance maritime information sharing between both navies were also deliberated the Indian Navy spokesperson posted on X after the meetingMajor General Ibrahim Hilmy stated that he and Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti discussed strengthening defence ties between two nationsIt was an honour to meet Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti Deputy Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy at the Integrated Headquarters of Maldives National Defence Force and hold discussions on maritime security cooperation and strengthening of our close defence ties Major General Ibrahim Hilmy posted on XOn Sunday Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti arrived in Maldives to attend the closing ceremony of the eighth edition of Exercise EkathaVAdm Tarun Sobti UYSM AVSM VSM DCNS visited Maldives today to attend closing ceremony of 8th Edition of Ex Ekatha The visit aims to further strengthen robust amp growing maritime partnership between India and Maldives Indian High Commission in Maldives posted on XThe eighth edition of IndiaMaldives joint exercise Exercise Ekatha commenced in Maldives in November According to the Indian High Commission in Maldives the Joint Exercise being conducted in MNDF Central Area Command will further strengthen cooperation to address shared maritime challengesEarlier in October Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh called on Maldives Foreign Affairs Minister Abdulla Khaleel in Male holding discussions on military cooperation capacity building defence equipment promotion and regional security in the Indian Ocean Region IORDefence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh called on Minister of Foreign Affairs Maldives Dr Abdulla Khaleel during his official visit to Maldives today Wideranging discussions were held on military cooperation capacity building defence equipment promotion and regional security in the IORreaffirming defence as a key pillar of IndiaMaldives partnership Directorate of Public Relations Ministry of Defence posted on XThe Defence Secretary who was on a twoday official visit to the Maldives also called on National Security Advisor NSA Ibrahim Latheef with discussions focusing on capacity building on capability enhancement capacity building and emerging challenges in Indian Ocean Region the Indian Ministry of Defence stated on TuesdayIn a statement on X Directorate of Public Relations Ministry of Defence noted As part of the official visit to Maldives Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh called on National Security Advisor Maldives Ibrahim Latheef on 06 Oct 2025 Discussions focused on capacity building capability enhancement and emerging maritime challenges in IORRajesh Kumar Singh led the Indian side at the 6th edition of Annual Defence Cooperation Dialogue held between India and Maldives in Male Singh also called on Maldives Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon in Male IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-and-maldives-discuss-strengthening-defence-ties-tackling-drug-trafficking-653648.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/my-visit-will-boost-bilateral-linkages-says-pm-modi-after-arriving-in-jordan-653652.html Amman Dec 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence that his visit to Jordan will boost bilateral linkages between two nations As he began his twoday visit to the nation PM Modi also expressed gratitude to his Jordanian counterpart Jafar Hassan for the warm welcome at airport Landed in Amman Thankful to Mr Jafar Hassan Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations PM Modi posted on XIn a special gesture Jordanian PM Jafar Hassan welcomed PM Modi at the airport as he arrived in the country on a twoday visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein This fullfledged bilateral visit to Jordan is taking place after 37 yearsDuring the visit PM Modi will hold discussions with Jordans King where both leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan and exchange perspectives on regional issuesâThe visit marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries presents an opportunity to further strengthen IndiaJordan bilateral engagement explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace prosperity security and stabilityThis historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries During my visit I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein HE Mr Jafar Hassan Prime Minister of Jordan and will also look forward to engagements with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II In Amman I will also meet the vibrant Indian community who have made significant contributions to IndiaâJordan relations PM Modi said in his departure statement earlier in the dayThis is Prime Minister Modis first fullfledged bilateral visit to Jordan he had earlier transited through Jordan in February 2018 while on his way to the State of PalestineEven though it was a transit visit exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King making it more than just a transit visit This the current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill The relationship spans across sectors including political economic defence and strong peopletopeople ties Ministry of External Affairs MEA Secretary South Neena Malhotra said ahead of the Prime Ministers visitOur bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level Since the last visit of His Majesty in 2018 both the leaders have met four times with the latest being on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024 The leaders are in touch with each other telephonically as well and both the leaders also spoke recently in April 2025 after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attacks during which His Majesty condemned the terror attacks and said that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations His Majesty also reiterated his support for Indias fight against terrorism and both countries have cooperated in counterterrorism including by Indias participation in the initiatives launched by His Majesty such as the Aqaba process she addedIndia and Jordan also share strong economic ties with India being the third largest trading partner of Jordan and the bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at 28 billion dollars Jordan is also a leading supplier of fertilizers for India particularly phosphates and potash There is also a joint venture named Jordan India Fertilizer Company JIFCO with an investment of 860 million dollars between IFFCO of India and Jordan Phosphates Mines Company JPMC of Jordan According to the MEA in the field of investment there are around 15 garment companies with an investment of 500 million dollars located in the qualified industrial zones of JordanJordan is home to a vibrant Indian diaspora of over 17500 who are employed in different sectors such as textiles construction manufacturing and others As regards connectivity Royal Jordanian has recently started direct flights between Amman and Mumbai and plans to expand their operations to New Delhi Jordan provides tourist visa on arrival to Indian tourists and have recently started electronic visa stated Malhotra IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/my-visit-will-boost-bilateral-linkages-says-pm-modi-after-arriving-in-jordan-653652.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-receives-warm-welcome-from-indian-community-in-jordan-653666.html Amman Dec 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community in Jordans capital Amman on Monday Carrying Indian flags and chanting Modi Modi along with Bharat Mata Ki Jai gave a rousing welcome to PM Modi as he arrived at his hotel in the Jordanian capital PM Modi greeted people and interacted with children who had gathered there to welcome him PM Modi witnessed a cultural performance as he arrived in AmmanDeeply touched by the warm welcome extended by the Indian community in Amman Their affection pride in Indiaâs progress and strong cultural bonds reflect the enduring connection between India and its diaspora Also grateful for the role the diaspora continues to play in strengthening IndiaJordan relations PM Modi posted on XPM Modi has expressed confidence that his visit to Jordan will boost bilateral linkages between two nations As he began his twoday visit to the nation PM Modi also expressed gratitude to his Jordanian counterpart Jafar Hassan for the warm welcome at airportLanded in Amman Thankful to Mr Jafar Hassan Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations PM Modi posted on XIn a special gesture Jordanian PM Jafar Hassan welcomed PM Modi at the airport as he arrived in the country on a twoday visit at the invitation of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein This fullfledged bilateral visit to Jordan is taking place after 37 yearsDuring the visit PM Modi will hold discussions with Jordans King where both leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan and exchange perspectives on regional issuesâThe visit marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries presents an opportunity to further strengthen IndiaJordan bilateral engagement explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace prosperity security and stabilityThis historic visit will mark 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries During my visit I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein HE Mr Jafar Hassan Prime Minister of Jordan and will also look forward to engagements with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II In Amman I will also meet the vibrant Indian community who have made significant contributions to IndiaâJordan relations PM Modi said in his departure statement earlier in the dayThis is Prime Minister Modis first fullfledged bilateral visit to Jordan he had earlier transited through Jordan in February 2018 while on his way to the State of PalestineEven though it was a transit visit exceptional courtesies were accorded to him by His Majesty the King making it more than just a transit visit This the current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations marked by mutual trust and goodwill The relationship spans across sectors including political economic defence and strong peopletopeople ties Ministry of External Affairs MEA Secretary South Neena Malhotra said ahead of the Prime Ministers visitOur bilateral relations are marked by strong understanding at the leadership level Since the last visit of His Majesty in 2018 both the leaders have met four times with the latest being on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024 The leaders are in touch with each other telephonically as well and both the leaders also spoke recently in April 2025 after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attacks during which His Majesty condemned the terror attacks and said that terrorism should be rejected in all its forms and manifestations His Majesty also reiterated his support for Indias fight against terrorism and both countries have cooperated in counterterrorism including by Indias participation in the initiatives launched by His Majesty such as the Aqaba process she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-receives-warm-welcome-from-indian-community-in-jordan-653666.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-begin-three-nation-tour-to-jordan-ethiopia-and-oman-today-653508.html New Delhi Dec 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a threecountry tour starting Monday which will include Jordan Ethiopia and Oman PM Modi will arrive in Jordan on Monday at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein During the twoday visit to the Hashemite Kingdom Prime Minister Modi will meet King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan and exchange perspectives on regional issuesThis visit the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries presents an opportunity to further strengthen IndiaJordan bilateral engagement explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace prosperity security and stabilityIn the second leg of the visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali Prime Minister Modi will pay a State Visit to Ethiopia from December 16 This will be PM Modis first visit to the African nationHe will be holding wideranging discussions with Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of IndiaâEthiopia bilateral ties As partners in the Global South the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation read a statement issued by the MEAIn the final leg of his visit at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman Prime Minister Modi will visit Oman from December 1718India and Oman share an allencompassing Strategic Partnership underpinned by centuriesold bonds of friendship trade linkages and strong peopletopeople ties The visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the State visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023 This visit will be an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership including in the areas of trade investment energy defence security technology agriculture and culture as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest the MEA statedThis will be PM Modis second visit to Oman IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-begin-three-nation-tour-to-jordan-ethiopia-and-oman-today-653508.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trade-ai-and-diaspora-role-take-centre-stage-in-indiaus-relations-debate-653517.html Chicago Dec 15 Trade artificial intelligence and the role of diaspora media are among the key issues for the bilateral relationship between the two largest democracies of the world as eminent community members business leaders and diplomats observed as they examined the future trajectory of IndiaUS relations in this windy city on Sunday Ankit Jain of the USâIndia Strategic Partnership Forum described the bilateral relationship as âa long ongoing marriage â full of commitment but short dramaâHe said trade ties remained strong despite political headwinds âIndia is the largest trade partner of over 200 billionâ he said adding that US companies continued to invest heavily in India citing recent announcements by Amazon Microsoft and GoogleParticipating in a panel discussion during the India Abroad Dialogue here Jain warned that high tariffs could hurt both economies âIt makes no sense to have India at the highest 50 per centâ he said noting the impact on small and medium enterprises and inflation in the United StatesDebesh Kumar Behera Counsellor for Community Affairs and Security at the Indian Embassy said Indiaâs upcoming AI summit would focus on opensource innovation and indigenous capability âThe more open source we use the more it will help the communityâ he said outlining Indiaâs emphasis on data centres quantum computing and domestic AI modelsCommunity leaders stressed the diasporaâs role as an economic and cultural bridge âWe are the strongest community as far as AI development is concernedâ said Amitabh Mittal a community leader and successful businessman urging deeper engagement between nextgeneration Indian American entrepreneurs and Indiaâs innovation ecosystemMedia responsibility also featured prominently Vandana Jhingan a community media leader warned that misinformation and âyellow journalismâ were eroding trust âEverybody carries a smartphone and treats themselves like reportersâ she said arguing that responsible journalism required verification not narrativesShe said ethnic media needed stronger community support âEditorial has its job but publishers have to pay the billsâ she said calling on businesses to back credible diaspora outletsParticipants also discussed defence manufacturing semiconductors and space technology noting growing opportunities for cocreation âThere are over 3600 smaller organisations in America working in defence and spaceâ and many are led by nextgeneration Indian Americans said community leader and business leader Nirav PatelThe session concluded with calls for sustained engagement despite political uncertainty âThis is not the worst of times or the best of timesâ one speaker said âIt is just timeâIndia and the United States have expanded cooperation across defence technology and education over the past decade As both countries navigate political transitions diaspora leaders say sustained peopletopeople ties will remain a stabilising force IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/trade-ai-and-diaspora-role-take-centre-stage-in-indiaus-relations-debate-653517.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-american-community-leader-calls-for-tariff-reversal-to-bolster-indiaus-relations-653526.html Chicago Dec 15 Eminent Indian American physician and community leader Dr Bharat Barai warned that IndiaâUS relations could remain strained for the foreseeable future unless Washington reverses recent tariff measures arguing that New Delhi has been unfairly singled out amid broader global trade and energy dynamics In an interview with IANS Dr Barai said the momentum built in IndiaâUS ties over several administrations had been undermined following President Donald Trumps return to the White House particularly by trade actions driven more by politics than economicsDr Barai said the United States does have a trade deficit with India but noted that addressing it should have followed a calibrated economic approach âDoing X amount of tariffs purely on economic grounds to remove the trade deficit will be one thing and they impose 25 per cent that socalled reciprocal duty to wipe out the trade deficitâ he said adding that the rate should have been lower âmore like 15 per cent or soHe was particularly critical of the additional 25 per cent duty imposed as a penalty linked to Indiaâs imports of Russian oil While condemning Russiaâs actions in Ukraine Dr Barai said India had become âa sort of innocent bystander casualtyâ in a policy that lacked consistencyâChina is importing more oil than India but China has a Trump card and their Trump card is the rare earth metalsâ he said pointing to US and European dependence on Chinese rare earths for electric vehicles defence equipment and even advanced aircraft He also noted that several European countries continued to import Russian energy without facing comparable penaltiesâSo why single out India with 25 per cent additional import duty when China is only at 47 per cent Most European countries are around 15 per cent There is no extra duty on Hungary or Slovenia for continuing to import Russian oilâ he saidDr Barai attributed the tariff decisions to a small group within the administration naming President Trump immigration hardliner Stephen Miller and trade adviser Peter Navarro as key drivers of the policy He said many lawmakers privately disagreed but were reluctant to speak outâMany congressmen and senators are very unhappy about it in private when they have a conversation They do admit that this is wrong but they all are afraid that President Trump will try to take revenge on themâ he said adding that fear of primary challenges had kept them silentHe said recent electoral outcomes in states such as New Jersey and Virginia as well as a mayoral election in Miami reflected growing public discontent âHis policies are becoming very unpopular They are totally arbitrary made up by three people sitting in the Oval Office rather than the United States Congressâ Dr Barai said expressing hope that the Supreme Court would eventually rule that tariffs fall under Congressâs authorityOn the outlook for bilateral ties Dr Barai said the relationship could remain frozen unless a trade agreement removed the additional duty He noted that some Indian companies including Reliance had reduced Russian oil imports following sanctions on specific Russian firms but said India could not completely abandon a major energy sourceâFor India serving the population of 14 billion wherever they can find a reliable source and cheaper source of energy it is importantâ he said adding that India sourced only about 35 per cent of its oil from Russia while diversifying the rest from the Middle East Africa and Latin AmericaDr Barai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was acting in Indiaâs national interest and had handled pressure from Washington âvery diplomatically very politely very gentlemanlyâ without succumbing to it âHe is doing what is best for the people of Indiaâ he saidHe also argued that Indiaâs global standing had risen over the past year citing closer ties with Europe a free trade agreement with the UK stronger engagement with Africa and a recent defence pact with Australia âIndia is respected more than before except maybe in the United Statesâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-american-community-leader-calls-for-tariff-reversal-to-bolster-indiaus-relations-653526.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-prepares-domestic-framework-as-landmark-high-seas-treaty-nears-2026-enforcement-653185.html Kochi Dec 12 India has begun shaping a domestic framework to support the ratification and future implementation of the High Seas Treaty a global agreement set to come into force on January 17 2026 The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction BBNJ Agreement adopted in March 2023 under UNCLOS the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is widely viewed as a milestone in protecting marine biodiversity in international watersAt a national stakeholder consultation held in Kochi on Friday the Ministry of Earth Sciences MoES along with ICARâCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology CMLRE and various domestic and international partners examined Indiaâs readiness to implement the TreatyIndia is among the 145 signatories and 76 countries have ratified the agreement so farThe meeting brought together policymakers legal specialists scientists representatives from the fisheries industry and maritime stakeholders to assess scientific legal and institutional requirements for complianceExperts agreed that the Treatyâs enforcement marks a crucial turning point in global ocean governance with potential to ensure equitable access to highseas resources and strengthen conservation efforts amid intensifying challenges from climate change overfishing and pollutionSenior advocate Sanjay Upadhyay inaugurating the consultation said the BBNJ Agreement offers India and other coastal nations a strategic chance to close longstanding governance gaps in areas beyond national jurisdictionHe pointed to complex issues such as ownership of marine genetic resources and environmental accountability noting that the Treaty provides a structured approach to manage these sensitivities while protecting national interestsBay of Bengal Programme InterGovernmental Organisation BOBPIGO Director Dr P Krishnan emphasised Indiaâs strong scientific and technological capabilities in ocean researchHe urged the scientific community to increase its role in ocean governance and highseas management calling the treaty an opportunity to âbring science policy and law togetherâCMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said the Agreement has direct implications for Indiaâs fisheries as ecological changes in the high seas can affect fish availability within the countryâs Exclusive Economic ZoneDespite Indiaâs focus on nearshore and smallscale fisheries he noted that activities in international waters play a major role in determining resource patterns closer to shoreThe recommendations from the consultation will now be consolidated to shape Indiaâs domestic roadmap ahead of the next Conference of the Parties scheduled for August 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-prepares-domestic-framework-as-landmark-high-seas-treaty-nears-2026-enforcement-653185.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/tajikistan-sees-india-as-priority-partner-amid-growing-bilateral-engagement-report-653202.html Dushanbe Dec 12 India and Tajikistan have witnessed an upward trajectory in bilateral ties with official engagements growing notably in recent years through active diplomatic engagements and frequent bilateral visits The cooperation extends across key sectors including investment and trade human development security and advanced technology a report said on Friday Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon described India as an âimportant partnerâ and expressed optimism about expanding the multifaceted bilateral relationsâBoth countries have signed agreements for cooperation in different areas of mutual interest Tajikistan has gained significantly from its multisectoral cooperation with India Memorandum of Understanding MoU allowed exchange of technical knowledge equipment transfer in energy development and disaster management and offered access to satellite imagery disaster monitoring and scientific collaboration in space technologyâ a report in Tajikistanâs media outlet Asia Plus detailedOn the sidelines of the latest Shanghai Cooperation OrganisationSCO in Chinaâs Tianjin in September Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tajik President Rahmon held discussions on a wide range of issues and expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in the growing bilateral relationsâBoth countries have supported each other on the international platforms Tajikistan backed Indiaâs bid for UNSC permanent membership as well as SCO Member status while New Delhi supported Tajikistans accession to the World Trade Organisation WTO and United Nations Economic and Social Councilâ the report notedTajikistanâs Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin said that both countries are deepening cooperation across trade investment healthcare education culture and industry as well as in emerging fields such as digitalisation information technology and artificial intelligenceHe also emphasised the need to develop transport corridors including the Chabahar port and the NorthSouth corridor while advocating for the establishment of joint logistics centres and simplification of transit proceduresCiting Parviz Muhammadzoda a foreign policy expert at Tajik National University the report highlighted that the two countries share deep cultural and historical ties with India occupying a priority position in Tajikistanâs foreign policyâAnd this course is sustainable longterm and meets the objectives of ensuring the development of both countries There are still many untapped opportunities for the expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and India including within the framework of multilateral cooperation under the âCentral Asia Indiaâ platformâ Asian Plus quoted Muhammadzoda as saying IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/tajikistan-sees-india-as-priority-partner-amid-growing-bilateral-engagement-report-653202.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-three-nation-visit-to-help-boost-indias-exports-in-west-asia-africa-fieo-653091.html New Delhi Dec 12 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modis upcoming threenation visit to Jordan Ethiopia and Oman from December 1518 comes at a pivotal moment for Indias international trade expansion and presents farreaching opportunities to enhance the countrys economic footprint across West Asia and Africa the Federation of Indian Export Organisations FIEO said on FridaynbspnbspThe Prime Ministers visit to Jordan Ethiopia and Oman sends a strong signal of Indias commitment to strengthening economic and strategic relations with key partners in West Asia and Africa At a time when global supply chains are undergoing transformation deepening these partnerships will greatly support Indian exporters in accessing new markets diversifying trade routes and fostering longterm commercial collaborations FIEO President SC Ralhan saidnbspRalhan noted that Jordan is an important gateway to West Asia and the larger Middle East region Indias total bilateral trade with Jordan during AprilAugust 202526 touched 12 billion with exports of about 461 million in just five months Therefore enhanced economic dialogue with Jordan will further boost opportunities for Indian exporters in sectors such as pharmaceuticals engineering goods textiles IT services and food and agriproducts with a potential to increase exports to 5 billion by 2030The Prime Minister during the second leg of his visit on December 1617 will travel to Ethiopia a rapidly growing economy and one of the most important partners for India in Africa The FIEO chief said that Ethiopia is a key member of the African region and a vital partner in Indias SouthSouth cooperation The visit will play a crucial role in deepening trade investment and developmental partnerships Indian exporters particularly in automobiles machinery pharmaceuticals and education services see immense potential in Ethiopias expanding market when the bilateral trade between both nations touched 550 million he addedRalhan also emphasised that Oman has consistently been one of Indias most reliable economic partners in the Gulf PM Modis visit provides an excellent opportunity to explore new avenues in trade investment energy logistics technology food security and MSME cooperation Strengthening the bilateral framework with Oman will have a direct positive impact on Indias export sector which has grown to well over 4 billion of exportsnbspAs we are in the final stages of signing a trade agreement with Oman it will provide a muchneeded boost in doubling the bilateral trade and investment between the countries he added https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modis-three-nation-visit-to-help-boost-indias-exports-in-west-asia-africa-fieo-653091.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cabinet-gives-nod-for-india-oman-free-trade-pact-ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-653095.html New Delhi Dec 12 IANS The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved the proposed Free Trade Agreement FTA between India and Oman aimed at deepening trade and investment relations between the two countriesnbspThe approval comes ahead of Prime Minister Modis upcoming threenation visit to Jordan Ethiopia and Oman from December 1518 which is expected to open up farreaching opportunities to enhance the countrys economic footprint across West Asia and AfricaPM Modi during his last leg of the tour will visit Oman from December 1718 for the second time at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik The visit marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries India and Oman share a longstanding and multidimensional Strategic Partnership supported by strong trade ties energy cooperation and cultural linkagesnbspThis approval also comes a day after Omans Shura Council approved the Gulf nations proposed FTA with India The talks for the trade agreement officially termed the CEPA Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement formally began in November 2023The economic and commercial relations between India and Oman are robust and buoyant Bilateral trade during FY 20232024 reached US 8947 billion and for the FY 202425 reached 10613 US billion according to an official statementnbspBilateral investment flows have also been strong as reflected in numerous joint ventures established both in India and Oman There are over 6000 IndiaOman joint ventures present in Oman estimated to adding 75 billion to Omans economy in form of the total capital investment over a long period encompassing not just formal outward direct investment of 675 million but also the total value of all capital committed to JVs in different sectors and the third country investments made into Oman by Indian investors The cumulative FDI equity inflow from Oman to India during April 2000 to March 2025 is 60557 millionThe Sultanate of Oman is a strategic partner of India and an important interlocutor at the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC the Arab League and the Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA fora India and Oman are linked by geography history and culture and enjoy warm and cordial relations While peopletopeople contact between India and Oman can be traced back 5000 years diplomatic relations were established in 1955 and the relationship was upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2008 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/cabinet-gives-nod-for-india-oman-free-trade-pact-ahead-of-pm-modis-visit-653095.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-policy-oscillates-between-confrontation-and-conciliation-especially-for-india-china-652845.html New Delhi Dec 11 From oil to rice the United States refuses to accept any trade that can even hypothetically affect MAGA interests A punitive tariff has already been imposed on India for purchasing sanctioned Russian oil taking the total reciprocal tariff up to 50 per cent for several commodities The US instead wants New Delhi to buy American oil even at comparatively higher costs And while it wants American farm produce to enter India the reverse is not welcome yetUS President Donald Trumps main concern with Indian rice is that he has been told India is dumping rice into its market undercutting American farmers and driving down domestic prices He has threatened new tariffs on Indian rice exports to protect US agricultureThe term dumping was used to describe Indian exports that distort competition with US rice farmers complaining that imports from India Thailand and Vietnam are depressing pricesNew Delhi is already facing some of the highest US tariffs on its exports With White House signalling additional duties specifically targeting Indian rice there may arise complications in the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations Some reports quoted analysts saying that the threats may be driven more by domestic politics than trade logicThe US is only a small market for Indian rice about 274 lakh tons out of 6065 lakh tons exported in 2024â25 higher tariffs would likely hurt American consumers more than Indian exporters especially for premium basmati riceMeanwhile a White House document has underscored the need for trade and strategic partnership with New DelhiThe National Security Strategy of the United States of America November 2025 also reflected an interest in working to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nationWashingtons foreign policy is oscillating between confrontation and conciliation producing a cocktail of tariffs strategic deals and selective outreach that is reshaping its ties with both India and ChinaThe result â closer tactical cooperation with India in some areas but also friction and with China a mix of competition and transactional engagementAfter threatening China with tariffs running up to 130 per cent and freezing bilateral trade talks President Trump publicly revived the G2 idea in Busan South Korea on October 30Ahead of his meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping he posted on Truth Social THE G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLYâ and later described the summit as a âgreat oneâ that would bring âeverlasting peaceâ Several concessions followed the Busan talks with China pledging to buy American soybean and easing strictures on the export of rare earthsAnd about one month later White House released a document announcing its interest in aligning with the joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nationIt further stated to encourage New Delhi to contribute to IndoPacific security including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with Australia Japan and the United StatesThe last part is an important message to the other three leaders of the Quad With Beijing White House policy has been simultaneously confrontational and transactional While the US National Security Strategy frames China as a primary strategic competitor recent moves â such as permitting certain AI chip exports under strict conditions â show selective engagement where US economic interests alignWhile punitive measures push partners toward hedging transactional openings create shortterm cooperation on narrow issues The triangular dynamic between the US India and China is one of the most consequential features of contemporary geopoliticsWashingtons approach to New Delhi and Beijing reveals both the opportunities and the constraints of American strategy in Asia While India is framed as a partner and a critical player in the IndoPacific China is cast as the principal strategic competitor This divergence in framing sets the tone for how President Trump manages relations with the two countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-policy-oscillates-between-confrontation-and-conciliation-especially-for-india-china-652845.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/japanese-defence-minister-us-counterpart-discuss-china-radar-incident-patrol-of-chinese-and-russian-bombers-653131.html Tokyo Dec 12 Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Friday that he and his US counterpart Pete Hegseth held a telephonic conversation and shared concern over rising tensions in the region following recent radar lockon incident involving Japanese and Chinese fighter jets and a joint patrol of Chinese and Russian bombers near Japan local media reported The two ministers spoke for about 40 minutes and agreed that Japan and the US will continue to remain in contact to calm the situation Japans Kyodo News reportedDuring the telephonic conversation Hegseth and Koizumi also spoke about a joint patrol carried out by two Chinese and two Russian bombers over the East China Sea and Pacific near Japans Shikoku IslandSpeaking to reporters Koizumi stated that he and Hegseth agreed that these actions would only increase the tensions in the regionHe expressed Japans readiness in responding to these acts in a calm yet resolute manner while steadily carrying out surveillance activities in the seas and airspace surrounding our countryKoizumi further stated that China has not shared appropriate information with Japan including notice to air missions or navigational warnings such as the area in which the Chinese militarys flight training would be carried out He once again termed the radar lockon dangerous and an action that went beyond what is necessary for the safe flight of aircraftIn a statement the US Department of War said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke to his Japanese counterpart Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi today The two leaders discussed Japans efforts to increase its defense spending and strengthen its capabilities Chinas military activities and the importance of realistic training and exercises across Japan including in the Southwest Islands Secretary Hegseth and Defence Minister Koizumi reaffirmed the importance of the USJapan Alliance and underscored their commitment to deterring aggression in the AsiaPacificOn the afternoon of December 7 Japans ViceMinister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao to the Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the incident occurred on December 6 over international waters southeast of Okinawa Island when a J15 fighter jet which took off from the Chinese Navys aircraft carrier Liaoning intermittently illuminated a F15 fighter jet of the Japan Air SelfDefence Force that was conducting airspace violation measures against itIt was extremely regrettable that such a dangerous act had occurred and Takehiro Funakoshi expressed strong protest and strictly demanded that it not be repeated as per a statement issued after the meetingMeanwhile the Chinese government dismissed comments coming out of Tokyo as irresponsible hype and political manipulationWe would like to reiterate that the facts are very clear Chinas exercises and training activities in the relevant sea and air areas are in accordance with international law and practice and the relevant operations are professional and beyond reproach We strongly urge Japan to immediately cease its dangerous actions that interfere with Chinas normal exercises and training activities and to stop all irresponsible hype and political manipulation said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun while addressing a daily media briefing in Beijing on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/japanese-defence-minister-us-counterpart-discuss-china-radar-incident-patrol-of-chinese-and-russian-bombers-653131.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 23:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/piyush-goyal-says-trade-talks-with-us-going-well-but-no-deadline-for-deal-652942.html Mumbai Dec 11 Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that the ongoing trade talks between Indian and US officials are progressing well but at the same time ruled out any deadline for signing a deal Commenting on US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzers twoday visit to Delhi Goyal said We had very good substantive discussions But I have said on record that a deal is only done when both sides stand to benefit We should never negotiate with deadlines because you tend to make mistakes thenNegotiations are progressing well Weve had substantive discussions over several rounds of negotiations In the past I think five rounds have happened The current visit is not a negotiating round The current visit is being undertaken by a new deputy United States Trade Representative USTR who has joined about three months ago Its his first visit to India Were getting to know each otherIndiaâs Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and US Deputy Trade Representative Switzer held discussions here on Wednesday on the proposed bilateral trade agreement between the two countriesThe two sides exchanged views on matters related to IndiaUS trade and economic ties including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement the Commerce Ministry said in a post on XCommerce Secretary Agrawal said last month that India and the US are ânearing closureâ of their talks for signing the first tranche of the proposed Bilateral Trade AgreementAgrawal told journalists that the two countries have been holding regular virtual rounds of talks on the BTA Although no formal deadlines can be set on the issue the first stage of the trade talks is progressing swiftly he addedUS President Donald Trump sent positive signals on strengthening USIndia relations in November raising fresh hopes that a bilateral trade agreement between the worldâs two largest democracies could be signed soonTrump told reporters at the White House that his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were going great and that a visit to Delhi could take place next yearHe said that he plans to lower tariffs imposed on India at some point indicating that a breakthrough in the trade talks could come soonHowever India has made it clear that it would not compromise on the interests of farmers the dairy sector and workers in trade deals that it signs with other countriesIndia has already started buying more oil and gas from the US The move is aimed at reducing Indiaâs trade surplus with the US an issue that had figured in the earlier rounds of trade talks IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/piyush-goyal-says-trade-talks-with-us-going-well-but-no-deadline-for-deal-652942.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/not-working-on-temporary-respite-but-sustainable-peace-russia-652946.html Moscow Dec 11 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that Moscow will continue to work for its goals in Ukraine regardless of predictions made regarding the end of the war He stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has clearly and unambiguously outlined the objectives of Moscow the local media reported Our specific objectives were clearly and unambiguously outlined publicly by our President and discussed in detail in Anchorage where understandings were reached on how best to move toward achieving these goals in the context of not a ceasefire not a temporary respite but a sustainable peace And we will move along this path regardless of what deadlines anyone sets Russias staterun news agency Tass quoted Lavrov as saying during an Embassy roundtable on Ukraines settlement on ThursdayFor us the most important thing is the essence and the essence concerns the security of the Russian Federation and the safety of Russian people whom the Kyiv regime has declared terrorists and deprived of all rights This is our goal he addedOn Wednesday Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov while addressing a regular media briefing said that Russia is prioritising lasting and sustainable peace in Ukraine over a ceasefireAsked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys statement about Kyiv being ready to establish an energy truce he responded We are working on peace not a ceasefireSustainable durable and lasting peace achieved through the signing of documents on the matter is an absolute priority he addedZelensky stated that Ukraine was working on a proposal to have an energy truce with Russia indicating that he expected Russia to implement the mechanismEarlier this month Peskov had dismissed claims that Russian President Putin rejected the United States peace plan for Ukraine calling them incorrectNo it wouldnt be correct to say so Tass quoted Peskov as saying while responding to a question about whether reports suggesting that Putin had turned down the US peace plan for Ukraine could be considered accuratePeskov added that a telephonic conversation between Putin and US President Donald Trump could be arranged at any moment but stressed that progress must be made at the expert levelA telephone call is possible at any time and there is an opportunity of organising it promptly Peskov told reporters citing earlier remarks by Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov about the work that was underway at the expert levelIt is at the expert level that certain results should be achieved which will then form the basis for contacts at the highest level he addedPeskov also expressed gratitude to Trump and his administration for assistance in the peaceful settlement of the situation in Ukraine IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/not-working-on-temporary-respite-but-sustainable-peace-russia-652946.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-visit-jordan-ethiopia-and-oman-next-week-652951.html New Delhi Dec 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a threenation visit next week which will begin from Jordan and also include Ethiopia and Oman PM Modi will arrive in Jordan on December 15 at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein During the twoday visit to the Hashemite Kingdom Prime Minister Modi will meet King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the entire gamut of relations between India and Jordan and exchange perspectives on regional issues This visit the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries presents an opportunity to further strengthen IndiaJordan bilateral engagement explore new avenues of collaboration for mutual growth and prosperity and reiterate our commitment to promote regional peace prosperity security and stabilityIn the second leg of the visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali Prime Minister Modi will pay a State Visit to Ethiopia from December 16 This will be PM Modis first visit to the African nation He will be holding wideranging discussions with Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali on all aspects of IndiaâEthiopia bilateral ties As partners in the Global South the visit will be a reiteration of the shared commitment of the two nations to advance close ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation read a statement issued by the MEAIn the final leg of his visit at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman Prime Minister Modi will visit Oman from December 1718 India and Oman share an allencompassing Strategic Partnership underpinned by centuriesold bonds of friendship trade linkages and strong peopletopeople ties The visit will mark 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and follows the State visit of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to India in December 2023 This visit will be an opportunity for both sides to comprehensively review the bilateral partnership including in the areas of trade investment energy defence security technology agriculture and culture as well as exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest the MEA stated This will be PM Modis second visit to Oman IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-to-visit-jordan-ethiopia-and-oman-next-week-652951.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-likely-to-launch-regular-consultations-next-week-on-north-korea-policy-653055.html Seoul Dec 12 South Korea and the United States are likely to launch a regular consultative meeting as early as next week to strengthen their coordination on North Korea policy diplomatic sources said Friday as the allies explore ways to reengage Pyongyang Diplomatic authorities in Seoul and Washington are arranging for Jeong Yeondoo Vice Minister for Intelligence and North Koreas nuclear issues at the foreign ministry and acting US Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim to inaugurate the regular consultative meeting next week the sources said Yonhap News Agency reportedThe date is likely to be next Tuesday although no final decision has been madeSeoul and Washington have reportedly reached a consensus on the need for such a regular channel to enable timely consultations on North Korearelated issues as a closely coordinated policy stance has become more important than ever with both countries seeking to resume dialogue with PyongyangOnce the meeting is launched it is expected to focus on finetuning the pace and direction of the allies North Korea policy especially as the Lee Jae Myung administration gears up for fullfledged peacemaking efforts toward North Korea starting next yearOn December 9 Seouls Foreign Ministry said that South Korea and the United States are in discussions to hold a regular meeting on coordinating the allies policy on North KoreaForeign Ministry spokesperson Park Il made the remarks in a regular press briefing saying workinglevel talks have been underway for months to hash out the details of the proposed meetingâThrough the meeting we plan to discuss overall policy toward North Korea including ways to bring the North back to the dialogue tableâ Park saidSeoul and Washington have reportedly reached a consensus on the need to have such a regular channel to enable timely consultations on North Korearelated issues However the two sides are not considering setting up a permanent consultative body according to officialsThe move comes as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to mend frayed ties with North Korea and resume dialogue despite Pyongyangs silence toward Seouls peace overturesUS President Donald Trump has expressed his intent to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jongun to resume stalled diplomacyActing US Ambassador Kim reaffirmed Monday that the complete denuclearisation of North Korea remains the policy shared with South Korea after the phrase was absent from a new US security strategy document IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-likely-to-launch-regular-consultations-next-week-on-north-korea-policy-653055.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-italy-ties-built-on-democratic-values-commitment-to-stable-and-prosperous-world-eam-jaishankar-652671.html New Delhi Dec 9 Hailing ties between India and Italy External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the partnership between the two nations is based on democratic values respect for civilisation culture heritage and a commitment to a stable secure and prosperous world In his opening remarks at the meeting with Italys Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani here Jaishankar noted that his second visit to India this year demonstrates the growing momentum in bilateral tiesDeputy Prime Minister its a great pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to India This is your second visit this year It reflects the growing momentum and the third visitThe fact that you come so often is very welcome for us It shows a very strong commitment It has led to a very good relationship between us personally between our governments and our partnership which is built on democratic values it is on respect for civilisation for culture for heritage and our commitment to a stable secure and prosperous world he saidAs I said you know these meetings we have in each others countries but also sometimes if we are somewhere else are very useful We constantly talk to each other We renew our agenda Today I want to welcome you and your delegation to India Youve just had a very good meeting with the Prime Minister So I think in many ways that has given a very clear direction to the future development of our ties he addedHe expressed gratitude to Tajani for the Italian governments message of solidarity following the terrorist attack in New Delhi in November He also recalled the recent meeting held between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africas JohannesburgEAM Jaishankar said I want to thank you also for the message of solidarity from the government of Italy when we had this terror incident last month in New Delhi and of course recently when our Prime Ministers met in the G20 in Johannesburg we announced the joint initiative to counter financing of terrorism that was a very positive step We work with Italy We regard you as one of our closest partners in that including in the FATF the Financial Action Task ForceHe also said that he plans to discuss political cooperation defence maritime security space IndoPacific West Asia and the Ukraine conflict during his meeting with TajaniToday I would like to discuss with you political cooperation defence maritime security space in which you have great interest culture critical technologies see how we can take our strategic action plan forward how to promote peopletopeople ties and I would of course also like to discuss a number of regional and global issues what is happening in the IndoPacificWe both have an interest in what we call West Asia the Middle East for you I would also like to get your assessment on the Ukraine conflict and the diplomacy which is taking place in that regard We cooperate very closely in the United Nations and in other formats So Im sure well have a very good discussion he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-italy-ties-built-on-democratic-values-commitment-to-stable-and-prosperous-world-eam-jaishankar-652671.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russia-prioritises-lasting-peace-in-ukraine-over-ceasefire-kremlin-652678.html Moscow Dec 10 Russia prioritises lasting and sustainable peace in Ukraine over a ceasefire Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday Addressing a briefing Peskov said that Russia is working on peace and not a ceasefireAsked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys statement about Kiev being ready to establish an energy truce he responded We are working on peace not a ceasefire Russias staterun news agency Tass reportedSustainable durable and lasting peace achieved through the signing of documents on the matter is an absolute priority he addedZelensky stated that Ukraine was working on a proposal to have an energy truce with Russia indicating that he expected Russia to implement the mechanismPeskov had earlier this month dismissed claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the United States peace plan for Ukraine calling them incorrectNo it wouldnt be correct to say so Tass quoted Peskov as saying while responding to a question about whether reports suggesting that Putin had turned down the US peace plan for Ukraine could be considered accuratePeskov added that a telephonic conversation between Putin and Trump could be arranged at any moment but stressed that progress must be made at the expert levelA telephone call is possible at any time and there is an opportunity of organising it promptly Peskov told reporters citing earlier remarks by Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov about the work that was underway at the expert levelIt is at the expert level that certain results should be achieved which will then form the basis for contacts at the highest level he was quoted as saying by TassPeskov also expressed gratitude to President Trump and his administration for assistance in the peaceful settlement of the situation in UkraineâWe highly appreciate President Trumpâs political will to continue to seek solutions for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine Of course we are grateful for these efforts of the Trump administrationâ he saidThe Kremlin spokesperson noted that representatives of Russia are ready to meet with their colleagues from the US as often as needed for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine said PeskovHe was asked about this in the context of the sixth visit of the US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia who held a meeting with Putin in Moscow on Tuesday for discussions on UkraineâWe are all ready to meet as long as it takes to achieve a peaceful settlementâ Peskov said when asked how the Kremlin assesses the dynamics and how many more meetings may be needed at such a level to approach the peace agreements IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russia-prioritises-lasting-peace-in-ukraine-over-ceasefire-kremlin-652678.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/high-level-us-team-kicks-off-trade-talks-with-indian-officials-652689.html New Delhi Dec 10 Indiaâs Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer held discussions here on Wednesday on the proposed bilateral trade agreement between the two countries âThe two sides exchanged views on matters related to IndiaUS trade and economic ties including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement the Commerce Ministrys Department of Commerce said in a post on XSwitzer arrived in New Delhi along with a team of US officials for two days of trade discussions with their Indian counterpartsAhead of his meeting with the Commerce Ministry officials Switzer met Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and their discussions covered the strong IndiaâUS economic and technology partnership ongoing trade negotiations and opportunities to boost twoway trade and resilient supply chains the MEA spokesperson saidCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal struck an optimistic note ahead of the official meeting saying that talks are continuously progressing with the US as India is moving ahead towards signing a bilateral trade agreementCommerce Secretary Agrawal said last month that India and the US are nearing closure of their talks for signing the first tranche of the proposed Bilateral Trade AgreementHe told journalists that the two countries have been holding regular virtual rounds of talks on the BTA Although no formal deadlines can be set on the issue the first stage of the trade talks is progressing swiftly he addedUS President Donald Trump sent positive signals on strengthening USIndia relations in November raising fresh hopes that a bilateral trade agreement between the worldâs two largest democracies could be signed soonTrump told reporters at the White House that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were going great and that a visit to Delhi could take place next yearHe said that he plans to lower tariffs imposed on India at some point indicating that a breakthrough in the trade talks could come soonI think were pretty close to doing a deal with India thats good for everybody Trump said in answer to a question from the media at the ceremony for swearing in Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to IndiaHowever India has made it clear that it would not compromise on the interests of farmers the dairy sector and workers in trade deals that it signs with other countriesIndia has already started buying more oil and gas from the US The move is aimed at reducing Indiaâs trade surplus with the US an issue that had figured in the earlier rounds of trade talksIn this context Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri had announced that Indiaâs public sector oil companies have successfully concluded a oneyear structured contract to import around 22 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the US Gulf Coast during 2026 This represents close to 10 per cent of Indiaâs annual LPG imports and marks the first such structured LPG contract with the US for the Indian market The minister described the decision âas a historic developmentâ noting that one of the worldâs largest and fastest growing LPG markets has now opened up to the United States IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/high-level-us-team-kicks-off-trade-talks-with-indian-officials-652689.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-talks-with-netanyahu-reaffirms-zero-tolerance-on-terror-652697.html New Delhi Dec 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a telephone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in West Asia During the talks both leaders discussed ways to strengthen the IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and reiterated their zerotolerance approach towards terrorismAccording to a press note issued by the Prime Ministerâs office âPM Modi reaffirms Indiaâs support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the regionâNotably both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefitâThe two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zerotolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsâ the PMO saidâThey also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia PM Modi reaffirmed Indiaâs support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Planâ it addedThe two leaders agreed to remain in touchPM Netanyahu last month once again postponed his visit to India scheduled for later this year to meet with PM Modi The trip was delayed over security concerns after the deadly terror attack in New Delhi on November 10It was earlier reported that Netanyahu was planning to visit India before the end of this yearThat was the third time this year that the Israeli leader has cancelled a planned visit to IndiaEarlier Netanyahu cancelled a daylong visit to India on September 9 citing scheduling issues due to unprecedented repeat polls in Israel on September 17 He did so earlier as well before the April electionsThe last time PM Netanyahu visited India was way back in January 2018 while PM Modi travelled to Tel Aviv in 2017 becoming the first Indian prime minister to tour the Jewish state IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/pm-modi-talks-with-netanyahu-reaffirms-zero-tolerance-on-terror-652697.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-american-community-hailed-as-economic-bridge-amid-sharp-immigration-concerns-652730.html Washington Dec 11 The vital role of Indian Americans in strengthening the USâIndia partnership took centre stage during a Congressional hearing even as lawmakers sharply criticised the Trump administrations policies affecting visas immigration pathways and bilateral goodwill During the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asias hearing on the USâIndia strategic partnership on Wednesday local time Committee Chairman Bill Huizenga said more than 5 million Indian Americans contribute to the American economyâ They serve in our military they lead major companies describing the diaspora as a living bridge of shared values democratic principles and economic opportunityHe submitted a letter from the IndoAmerican Chamber of Commerce praising the hearing and reinforcing that the relationship is not just a diplomatic one but rather a living bridgeDhruva Jaishankar from ORF America provided detailed economic metrics noting that Indianorigin investors entrepreneurs students doctors and researchers contribute over 200 billion to the US economy and support at least 830000 American jobs in every one of the 50 states and territoriesBut the hearing also delivered blunt warnings Rep Sydney KamlagerDove condemned the administrations imposition of a 100000 fee on H1B visas 70 per cent of which are held by Indians calling it a rebuke of the incredible contributions Indians have made to Americas scientific and economic success She said such measures attack the peopletopeople ties between the US and IndiaRep Pramila Jayapal the first Indian American woman in the US Congress told the panel that legal immigration pathways are being shut down recalling her own journey on a student visa and later an H1B She said she is hearing from constituents about rising antiIndian hate adding that Indian Americans are extremely important to our economy an integral part of our societyâ leading cuttingedge research to save livesJayapal warned that tariffs and visa restrictions could push India closer to forums like BRICS and the SCO She said Indian businesses in her state report that the tariff increases represent the greatest threat to their business in over 120 yearsSameer Lalwani told lawmakers that hostility toward Indian students technologists and scientists could harm US innovation itself I would worry a little bit about the deterrence of students scientists and Indian businessesâ that we have encountered on our own technological prowess he saidThe testimony made clear that beyond defence and geopolitics the Indian American community remains one of the strongest pillars of bilateral cooperation and one of the most vulnerable to political decisions in Washington IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/indian-american-community-hailed-as-economic-bridge-amid-sharp-immigration-concerns-652730.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-maintaining-very-close-cooperation-on-all-north-korea-related-issues-us-envoy-652626.html Seoul Dec 10 South Korea and the United States are maintaining a very close partnership on all North Korearelated issues acting US Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim said Wednesday as the allies are seeking a regular meeting on coordinating their policy on the North Kim made the remark after he met Jeong Yeondoo head of the office of strategy and intelligence at the Foreign Ministry to discuss Seoul and Washingtons policy on North KoreaThe United States and Korea are closely coordinating on all issues but its very productive as always and we have a very close partnership on all North Korearelated issues Kim told reporters when asked if the two diplomats discussed launching a task force on North Korea policy Yonhap News Agency reportedBut Kim declined to comment when asked whether the US is concerned about Lees proposed policy goal to seek a nuclearfree Korean PeninsulaThe allies are in talks to hold a regular meeting on coordinating their policy on North Korea as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to mend frayed ties with the North and resume interKorean talksLast month Jeong was appointed to the viceministerial post responsible for intelligence and North Korean nuclear issuesOn December 8 a US envoy reaffirmed that complete denuclearisation of North Korea remains the policy shared with South Korea after a new US security strategy document showed the phrase was absent Ambassador Kim made the mark following his meeting with First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoonjoo days after the Donald Trump administration released its latest National Security Strategy NSSThe document includes no mention of North Korea and contains no language reaffirming the US commitment to its denuclearisation unlike the 2017 and 2022 versions raising concerns that North Korea issues could be pushed to the sidelinesPresident Trump and President Lee Jae Myung reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea in the joint fact sheet Kim told reporters when asked about the NSS referring to the joint summit document recently released by the alliesThat is our Korea policy right now he saidKim said North Korea was among the issues discussed during his meeting with Park including ways to best coordinate on related and other issuesKim also noted that Seoul has reaffirmed the importance of coordination on joint military exercises apparently referring to growing calls in South Korea to adjust the drills with the US as leverage to bring Pyongyang back to dialogueDefence Minister Ahn previously reiterated the absolute critical nature of coordinating on joint military exercises I think the words that he used were that military exercises are like the lifeline of a military Thats our expectation moving forward he saidAsked if the US is open to revising the nuclear energy pact to allow Seoul to enrich uranium and reprocess spent fuel the envoy said the two sides are still in discussionsWe are going to do our best to implement the joint fact sheet Kim saidThe joint fact sheet lays out the commitments on trade investment security and other issues made during the two recent summits between President Lee and US President Trump in August and OctoberIn the document the US states support for the process that will lead to South Koreas civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful use consistent with their existing bilateral nuclear energy pact and subject to US legal requirementsIn the recent highlevel talks in Washington Seoul and Washington agreed to launch working groups for followup talks on the joint fact sheet IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/south-korea-us-maintaining-very-close-cooperation-on-all-north-korea-related-issues-us-envoy-652626.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-trade-chief-calls-india-talks-as-best-offers-ever-received-652427.html Washington Dec 10 The United States is pushing ahead with intensive trade negotiations with India with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer telling lawmakers that New Delhi has made âthe best weâve ever received as a countryâ in ongoing discussions aimed at expanding market access for American farm products including grain sorghum and soy Speaking at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday Greer said a USTR team was currently âin New Delhi as we speakâ working through sensitive agricultural barriersHe acknowledged that âthere is resistance in Indiaâ to certain row cropsâ but stressed that Indiaâs latest proposals marked an unusual opening âTheyve been quite forwardleaningâ he told Senators in response to a questionGreer suggested that India was now âa viable alternative marketâ for US commodities at a time when American producers are facing piling inventories and fluctuating demand from China âWe have to find a way to manage that tradeâ he said adding that India represents a promising but historically difficult market to âcrackâCommittee Chair Jerry Moran who raised concerns about shrinking options for Kansas farmers pressed Greer on diversifying export destinations to reduce dependence on China Pointing to large stockpiles Moran said âIts such a difficult country to crackâ Greer responded that the diplomatic and commercial outreach with India was further along than in past administrationsGreer said Indiaâs engagement was occurring in parallel with a global reorientation of US trade relationships aimed at lowering deficits and building reciprocal access âWere opening market access all over the world in places like Southeast Asia and even in Europeâ he said These new openings he argued strengthen Washingtonâs hand with major partners such as India and help farmers secure âstructural constant accessâGreer also signaled that broader tariff and marketaccess issues would arise with India in sectors beyond agriculture When asked about the future of zerotariff commitments for civil aviation parts under the 1979 Aircraft Agreement he said discussions with India were âfairly far advancedâ adding âWe can certainly talk about extending treatment to those countriesâ if theyre willing to play ball and come to the table and give the United States the market access it should haveâMoran also highlighted India as a potential major buyer of ethanol derived from US corn and soy Greer did not elaborate on India specifically but noted that âa lot of other countriesâ have agreed to open their markets for US ethanolâ He added that the European Union had committed to purchase â750 billion in US energy productsâ over several years including biofuelsSeveral senators raised concerns about the stress facing American farmers amid volatile tariffs and shifting Chinese purchases Greer insisted that the administrationâs push for reciprocal deals was creating new opportunities for exporters saying the United States was âbreaking the mold of conventional wisdom in Washingtonâ and gaining commitments from trading partners on tariffs regulatory barriers and FDA acceptance for medicinesThroughout the hearing Greer returned repeatedly to the administrationâs view that aggressive negotiation including tariffs remains essential to enforcing commitments and unlocking markets âThey respond to enforcementâ he said âThatâs how were able to generate compliance and market openingâIt is worth noting that IndiaâUS trade ties have expanded significantly over the past decade with the two governments negotiating market access across agriculture digital services aviation pharmaceuticals and critical mineralsIndia remains one of Americaâs fastestgrowing export destinations though agriculture continues to face longstanding tariff and sanitary restrictions officials believeTalks accelerated after the launch of the USâIndia Strategic Trade Dialogue and ongoing frameworks linked to the IndoPacific Economic agenda as both governments seek supplychain diversification and deeper commercial integration in the face of geopolitical realignments IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-trade-chief-calls-india-talks-as-best-offers-ever-received-652427.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 06:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-experts-warn-of-strains-stakes-in-india-us-partnership-652437.html Washington Dec 10 The USIndia strategic partnership long viewed in Washington as a cornerstone for stability in the IndoPacific has come under unusually sharp scrutiny as leading analysts warned lawmakers that the relationship faces its most serious political and economic headwinds in years In prepared remarks submitted to a Congressional committee ahead of a hearing on India on Wednesday three India experts told the House Foreign Affairs Committeeâs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia that while defence technology and maritime cooperation continue to deepen the partnership has been destabilised by tariffs trade disputes and the Trump administrationâs renewed highlevel outreach to Pakistanâs military leadershipSameer Lalwani from the German Marshall Fund said the United States views India as âa major power and one of the most consequential in the 21st century given our shared interests democratic institutions and visions of international orderâ India he said is âpoised to become a pole in the international systemâ offering the United States strategic economic opportunity technological scale and expanding military capabilityOn the IndoPacific he stressed that the two countries âboth seek a multipolar Asia that checks the pacing challenge of China and its attempts at coercion military aggression or geopolitical dominanceâ Indiaâs forward posture along the Line of Actual Control he said reflects its effort âto defend its borders and deter further Chinese aggression or âsalamislicingâ incursionsâLalwani warned that IndiaChina relations remain âlargely adversarialâ shaped by âeconomic coercionâ âviolent border clashes in 2020â and ârecent battlefield collusion with Pakistanâs military campaign against IndiaâIndiaâs ties with Russia he noted are narrowing to âhydrocarbons nuclear energy and conventional weaponsâ with New Delhi âdecisively tilting towards Americaâ in maritime security and emerging technologiesJeff Smith of the Heritage Foundation described the IndiaUS partnership as âone enduring successâ amid two decades of American foreignpolicy turbulence but said 2025 had been âchallengingâ for bilateral ties He traced the downturn to the administrationâs tariff actions an IndiaPakistan confrontation in May and the political fallout from Washingtonâs embrace of Pakistan Army chief Asim MunirSmith said expectations were high after Prime Minister Modiâs February visit to Washington but âthree things then happened to derail this positive momentumâ These included â25 per cent âliberation dayâ tariffsâ Indiaâs Operation Sindoor against Pakistanbased terrorists and a US intervention portrayed at home as equating India with Pakistan When a second tariff linked to Russian oil followed Smith said it left âproAmerican voices in New Delhi on the defensiveâDhruva Jaishankar of ORF America testified that bilateral progress is now âat a political standstillâ primarily due to âdifferences over i trade and tariffs and ii renewed US engagement with Pakistanâs military leadershipâ He warned that this environment ârisks jeopardising mutuallybeneficial cooperation onâ trade technology energy and defence cooperationâ outlined earlier this year by President Trump and Prime Minister ModiOn the tariff dispute he noted that âIndia was imposed a tariff of 25 per cent which took effect on August 7â followed by another 25 per cent tied to Russian oil purchases With a Bilateral Trade Agreement largely negotiated but unannounced India now confronts âamong the highestâ tariff levels applied to any major US partner a situation he said âprevents further opportunities at broadening and deepening the economic partnershipâYet Jaishankar emphasised that cooperation has not stalled across the board He cited the new â10Year Defense Framework Agreementâ recent approvals for Javelin missiles and Excalibur munitions and major exercises from Diego Garcia to Alaska Joint work in space AI and energy has also advanced despite strained politics IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-experts-warn-of-strains-stakes-in-india-us-partnership-652437.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-trade-representative-rick-switzer-meets-fs-vikram-misri-discusses-economic-and-trade-ties-652454.html New Delhi Dec 10 IANS US Deputy Trade Representative USTR Rick Switzer who arrived in India to engage in highlevel discussions with top officials met Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri here before his meetings with the Commerce and Industry Ministry officialsnbspIn his meeting with Misri the discussions covered the broad IndiaUS economic and technology partnership and ongoing trade negotiations according to the Ministry of External AffairsForeign Secretary Vikram Misri met US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer Discussions covered the strong IndiaUS economic and technology partnership ongoing trade negotiations and opportunities to boost twoway trade and resilient supply chains the MEA said in an X postnbspThe visit of the US delegation led by newlyappointed Switzer and the chief negotiator for the India trade deal Brendan Lynch has renewed hopes for the conclusion of the IndiaUS trade dealEarlier Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had said India is hopeful of clinching the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement BTA with the United States by the end of this year as most issues have already been resolved According to him the country is optimistic of finding a solution within this calendar year and there are areas which are nonnegotiable for IndianbspIndia is negotiating two deals with the US one for a trade deal and the other to address additional reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US The trade pact regarding tariffrelated issues will cover both the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs and the 25 per cent oil tariffsAgrawal said that the trade deal will be beneficial for Indian exports when higher US tariffs are removednbspIndias exports to the US have increased Agrawal informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Thursday He said that the two countries have been holding regular virtual rounds of talks on the BTA and the first stage of IndiaUS trade talks is progressing swiftly https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-trade-representative-rick-switzer-meets-fs-vikram-misri-discusses-economic-and-trade-ties-652454.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/expect-china-to-assure-that-indian-travellers-will-not-be-selectively-targetted-detained-or-harassed-mea-652045.html New Delhi Dec 8 India on Monday said that it expects the authorities in China to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targetted arbitrarily detained or harassed The strong statement came after an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh was arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities at the Shanghai International Airport last month an incident which was termed by New Delhi as a clear violation of international norms and bilateral understandingWe expect the Chinese authorities to provide assurances that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports will not be selectively targetted arbitrarily detained or harassed and that regulations governing international air travel would be respected by the Chinese side Randhir Jaiswal the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on MondayThe MEA would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to China or while transiting through the country he addedPrema Wangjom Thongdok an Indian citizen hailing from Arunachal Pradesh had alleged that she was detained for 18 hours by the Chinese immigration officials during what was supposed to be a brief threehour layover while travelling from London to Japan on November 21She said that the officials refused to accept her Indian passport claiming her birthplace Arunachal Pradesh was part of ChinaFollowing the shocking incident India had strongly taken up the matter with the Chinese sideChinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel The actions by the Chinese authorities also violate their own regulations that allow visa free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries the MEA stated on November 25New Delhi has also continuously reiterated Indias consistent position that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the countryThis is a fact beyond dispute No amount of denial or misrepresentation by China can alter this reality read a statement issued by the MEA IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/expect-china-to-assure-that-indian-travellers-will-not-be-selectively-targetted-detained-or-harassed-mea-652045.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-welcomes-steps-taken-by-uk-govt-to-sanction-khalistani-terror-entities-652050.html New Delhi Dec 8 India on Monday welcomed the actions taken by the United Kingdom UK government against antiIndia Khalistani extremist elements hoping that both countries will continue to work closely in further strengthening the counterterrorism and security cooperation While addressing a regular media briefing on Monday the Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the steps taken by the UK government strengthen the global fight against terrorism and help to curb illicit financial flows and transnational crime networksWhen asked about UK governments action against Babbar Khalsas Gurpreet Singh Rehal and Babbar Akali Lehar group Jaiswal responded We welcome the steps that have been taken by the UK government to sanction antiIndia extremist entities which strengthen the global fight against terrorism and extremism and help to curb illicit financial flows and transnational crime networks Such individuals and entities pose a threat not just to India and the UK but to people across the world We look forward to continuing to work very closely with the UK side in further strengthening our counter terrorism and security cooperationOn December 4 the UK Treasury announced an asset freeze and Director disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal Rehal who is suspected of belonging to organisations involved in terrorism in India It also announced an asset freeze against a group Babbar Akali Lehar for promoting and supporting the same terrorist groupHM Treasury assesses Rehal is involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Leharâs terrorist activities including promoting and encouraging carrying out recruitment activities for providing financial services to as well as supporting and assisting those organisations including through purchasing weapons and other military materiel HM Treasury also assesses that Babbar Akali Lehar is associated with and involved in Babbar Khalsaâs terrorist activities by promoting and encouraging and carrying out recruitment activities for the group and itself read a statement issued by the UK governmentAccording to the statement all funds owned held or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar in the UK are subject to an asset freeze These sanctions will stop UK individuals and entities from dealing with any funds or economic resources owned held or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar or making funds economic resources and financial services available to or for their benefitEarlier in October Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer discussed the Khalistani extremist issue during their discussions held in Mumbai during latters visit to IndiaWhile addressing a special media briefing on Starmers visit to India Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that PM Modi during the talks emphasised that radicalism and violent extremism had no space in democratic societies and the need to act against them in the legal frameworkWhen asked whether Khalistani extremist issue was raised during the talks between PM Modi and Starmer Misri responded Yes it is a subject that had come up in the discussions in July It was flagged again during the discussions held today and Prime Minister emphasised that radicalism and violent extremism had no space in democratic societies and in particular should not be allowed to use the freedoms or abuse the freedoms provided by democratic societies and there was need to move against them within the legal frameworks that are available to both sidesIndia has earlier too shared its concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the UKDuring his visit to UK in July PM Modi said that forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedomWe thank Prime Minister Starmer and his Government for strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism We also agree that the forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account said PM Modi while making a press statement alongside his UK counterpart StarmerPM Modis statement came amid growing concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the United Kingdom who have in the past also created ruckus at the Indian High Commission in London IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-welcomes-steps-taken-by-uk-govt-to-sanction-khalistani-terror-entities-652050.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/italian-deputy-pm-tajani-to-visit-india-hold-talks-with-eam-jaishankar-652337.html New Delhi Dec 9 Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani will arrive here on Wednesday for a threeday official visit to India During his visit Tajani will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Wednesday He will travel to Mumbai and attend official engagements on Thursday according to a media advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEATajani is scheduled to depart from Mumbai on Friday after concluding his engagements in IndiaOn November 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africas Johannesburg and discussed deepening bilateral ties across various sectors including trade investment defence innovation AI space and educationFollowing the meeting PM Modi in a post on X wrote Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni The IndiaItaly Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength greatly benefitting the people of our nationsIn another post on X PM Modi said We discussed further advancing our cooperation in sectors such as trade investment defence innovation AI space and educationIndia and Italy are announcing a Joint Initiative for cooperation in combating financing of terrorism This is a necessary and timely effort which will strengthen humanityâs fight against terrorism and its support networks he addedEarlier in September Jaishankar met Tajani on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly UNGA in New York and discussed bilateral ties developments in the Mediterranean Middle East Ukraine and IndoPacificDiplomatic ties between India and Italy were established in 1947 India and Italy celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023 The two countries enjoy a strong peopletopeople connect with a large Indian diaspora according to the MEA Italy is Indias fourth largest trading partner in the European Union after Germany Belgium and the Netherlands IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/italian-deputy-pm-tajani-to-visit-india-hold-talks-with-eam-jaishankar-652337.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-india-ties-face-political-standstill-expert-warns-652118.html Washington Dec 9 India and the United States risk undermining more than two decades of strategic progress unless they urgently resolve growing political strains over tariffs and Washingtonâs renewed engagement with Pakistan policy expert Dhruva Jaishankar said in a written statement submitted to the House Foreign Affairs Committee ahead of a key hearing scheduled for Wednesday Jaishankar Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation America told lawmakers in his written testimony that the USIndia partnership â built steadily through bipartisan effort in both countries â now faces âa political standstillâ driven largely by disputes over trade and the US outreach to Pakistanâs military leadershipHe said the relationship strengthened since 1998 through economic convergence and IndoPacific coordination is at risk of losing momentum at a time when both countries confront Chinaâs expanding footprint and instability across key regions The partnership he wrote has rested on âmutuallybeneficial economic opportunities in both countriesâ and âstrategic coordination particularly in the IndoPacific amid Chinaâs rise and growing assertiveness and more recently in stabilizing the Middle EastâBut progress on several fronts he cautioned is now jeopardized âThe present situation risks jeopardizing mutuallybeneficial cooperation on i the ambitious bilateral agenda outlined by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi in February 2025â and ii strategic cooperation between the two countries in the Quad in the Middle East and on global affairsâ he saidThe statement submitted Monday provides a detailed account of the advances in USIndia ties over nearly three decades â from the lifting of sanctions in 1999 to the 2008 civil nuclear agreement expanded defense interoperability the Quadâs revival and Indiaâs integration into USled coordination on space critical minerals and artificial intelligenceJaishankar pointed to Chinaâs increasingly assertive military posture as a fundamental driver of strategic convergence He cited Chinaâs incursions along the disputed land boundary with India the 2020 Galwan clashes its âlargest naval buildups in historyâ and a widening network of dualuse ports across the IndoPacific âChinaâs military capabilities now rival those of the United Statesâ he wroteJaishankar also stressed that India faces Chinese pressure on the maritime front noting that India has expanded naval patrols since 2017 and deepened cooperation with regional partners including through the Quadâs IndoPacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiativeTurning to the latest friction with Washington he said the bilateral relationship was jolted after Indiaâs retaliatory strikes on Pakistan following a deadly April terrorist attack and by Washingtonâs subsequent highprofile engagement with Pakistanâs military leadershipHe recalled Pakistanâs long record of supporting terrorist proxies saying âPakistanâs continued support for terrorism â and its contributions to conflict and instability in the broader region â still constitute a major political and security challengeâAnother major source of strain is trade Jaishankar said US tariffs imposed after talks on a Bilateral Trade Agreement stalled have become âamong the highest on any countryâ and now threaten exporters workers and investors on both sides He warned that the longer these duties remain in place the more they will be seen in India as âan act of political hostilityâYet he noted that cooperation has continued in several areas this year including a new 10year Defense Framework Agreement major defence sales expanded military exercises NASAsupported human spaceflight the codeveloped NISAR satellite launch and Indiaâs landmark 13billion LNG import deal with the United StatesJaishankar said the partnership still holds enormous potential across four pillars â trade energy technology and defense â and highlighted upcoming opportunities in artificial intelligence critical minerals semiconductor supply chains and defence coproduction under the USIndia TRUST initiative IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-india-ties-face-political-standstill-expert-warns-652118.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-buys-fuel-where-it-is-profitable-reaffirms-putins-top-aide-652014.html Moscow Dec 8 Dmitry Peskov the Press Secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said that India is purchasing energy resources where it deems them advantageous This policy he told the media in Moscow will continue following Putins State Visit to India last week India being and remaining a sovereign state carries out foreign trade operations and purchases energy resources where it is beneficial for India Peskov was quoted as saying by Russias Tass news agency during a regular media briefing during which he also termed Putins India visit as a very successful oneAnd as far as we understand our Indian partners will continue this policy to ensure their economic interests he concluded while answering a question about whether New Delhi would continue to purchase fuel from Moscow Tass reportedOn Friday after concluding his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi Putin stated that Russia remains a reliable supplier of energy resources to India and will ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies for the rapidly growing Indian economyHe also thanked PM Modi for the warm and cordial welcome extended to the visiting delegation asserting that he has established a close working and personal contact with the Indian PM and together they constantly monitor the development of RussianIndian cooperation in all its strategic areasI am pleased to note that countries are consistently transitioning to national currencies in mutual settlements Their share in commercial transactions now stands at 96 per cent Sustainable channels for interbank credit and financial cooperation have been established Russian economic operators are expanding the use of Indian rupees earned through export contractsLarge joint projects are financed in Russian rubles Our energy partnership is developing successfully Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources and everything necessary for Indias energy sector development We are ready to continue to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies for the rapidly growing Indian economy the Russian President mentioned after holding extensive talks with PM Modi at the Hyderabad House during the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual SummitIn their meeting both leaders discussed all aspects of IndiaRussia relations which remain deeprooted and multifaceted They also reaffirmed mutual commitment to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia besides also discussing regional and global issues of mutual interestPutin mentioned that both sides deeply and thoroughly examined the entire range of current issues of RussianIndian multifaceted cooperation and exchanged views on pressing global and regional issuesThe joint statement we adopted with Mr Modi outlined priority objectives for further strengthening ties in politics and security economics trade humanitarian affairs and culture As you have seen a substantial package of intergovernmental interdepartmental and corporate agreements was also signed he saidThe leaders witnessed exchange of several documents including Memorandum of Understanding MoUs on Trade and Commerce Migration and Mobility Maritime Cooperation Health and Food Safety Fertilizers Academic Exchanges Media Cooperation and enhancing PeopletoPeople ties IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-buys-fuel-where-it-is-profitable-reaffirms-putins-top-aide-652014.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/japan-rejects-chinas-claim-about-interference-by-jsdf-fighter-jets-652027.html Tokyo Dec 8 Japan on Monday rejected Chinas claim that interference by its SelfDefence Forces SDF fighter jets during Chinese naval training led to radars being locked on the aircraft Addressing media in Tokyo Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that the Air SelfDefence Force jets had kept a safe distance from the Chinese military aircraft off Japans southernmost prefecture of Okinawa on Saturday Japanbased Kyodo News reportedKihara termed the communication between Chinese and Japanese authorities extremely important despite Chinas retaliatory measures over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis earlier remarks on how Japan could react if Taiwan faces an attack Takaichi remarked in November that Tokyo could get involved if Taiwan faces an attack from China which considers the selfruled island part of its territoryMinoru Kihara said the radar locks were dangerous acts beyond what was necessary for the safe flight of aircraft and that Japan will take all possible air and maritime surveillance measures while closely monitoring the Chinese militarys activitiesHe called radar locks dangerous acts beyond what was necessary for the safe flight of aircraft and said that Japan will take all possible air and maritime surveillance measures while closely monitoring military activities of ChinaHis remarks came after the Japanese Defence Ministry stated that Chinese J15 aircraft from the carrier Liaoning locked radar on an ASDF F15 at about 432 pm local time on Saturday and on another aircraft at around 637 pm local time over high seas southeast of Okinawas main islandDuring their exercise in the Pacific Chinese fighters helicopters and the carrier Liaoning carried out nearly 100 training takeoffs and landings on Saturday and Sunday according to Japanese Defence Ministry sparking fears about a hairtrigger situationOn Sunday the Chinese navy said that Japanese aircraft repeatedly approached and disrupted the Chinese naval training maritime area and airspace and endangered flight safetyOn the afternoon of December 7 Japans ViceMinister for Foreign Affairs Takehiro Funakoshi summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao to the Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs detailed that the incident occurred on December 6 over international waters southeast of Okinawa Island when a J15 fighter jet that took off from the Chinese Navys aircraft carrier Liaoning intermittently illuminated a F15 fighter jet of the Japan Air SelfDefence Force that was conducting airspace violation measures against the J15 fighter jetIt was extremely regrettable that such a dangerous act had occurred and Takehiro Funakoshi expressed strong protest and strictly demanded that it not be repeated read the statement issued after the meetingMeanwhile the Chinese government dismissed comments coming out of Tokyo as irresponsible hype and political manipulationWe would like to reiterate that the facts are very clear Chinas exercises and training activities in the relevant sea and air areas are in accordance with international law and practice and the relevant operations are professional and beyond reproach We strongly urge Japan to immediately cease its dangerous actions that interfere with Chinas normal exercises and training activities and to stop all irresponsible hype and political manipulation said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun while addressing a daily media briefing in Beijing on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/japan-rejects-chinas-claim-about-interference-by-jsdf-fighter-jets-652027.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/china-russia-and-india-emerging-economies-important-members-of-global-south-beijing-652030.html Beijing Dec 8 Terming China Russia and India as emerging economies and important members of the Global South a spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said that good ties among these three nations will not only serve their own interests but also contribute to reginal and global peace security stability and prosperity Addressing a regular press conference in Beijing on Monday Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun expressed Chinas readiness to work with Russia and India to promote the development of bilateral ties He also expressed Chinas willingness to work with India to view and handle bilateral ties from a strategic and longterm perspective and promoting the stable development of bilateral tiesWhen asked about Chinas view regarding Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to New Delhi last week and his comments on IndiaChina ties Guo Jiakun said China Russia and India are all emerging economies and important members of the Global South Maintaining good relations among the three countries not only serves their own interests but also contributes to regional and global peace security stability and prosperity China is willing to continue to work with Russia and India to promote the development of bilateral relationsRegarding ChinaIndia relations China is willing to work with India to view and handle ChinaIndia relations from a strategic and longterm perspective promote the sustained healthy and stable development of bilateral relations better benefit the two countries and their people and make due contributions to maintaining peace and prosperity in Asia and the world he addedRussian President Putin was on a twoday State visit to India from December 45 The visit spread over two packed days in the national capital featured summitlevel talks ceremonial engagements and a series of bilateral discussions covering defence economic cooperation energy ties and regional securityDuring the visit President Putin held formal talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi with both leaders reviewing the state of the IndiaRussia partnership as it completes 25 years since being designated a Strategic Partnership The discussions were followed by the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit during which the two sides released a Joint Statement outlining priorities for the coming yearsPutin was also hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at a banquet in Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 5 In her address President Murmu described the IndiaRussia relationship as steadfast for many years and said it would continue to strengthen in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/china-russia-and-india-emerging-economies-important-members-of-global-south-beijing-652030.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ndaa-names-india-key-partner-in-us-nuclear-indo-pacific-plans-651848.html Washington Dec 8 The latest US defence authorisation bill assigns India a key role in Washingtonâs IndoPacific and nuclear strategies directing sustained consultations on Indiaâs nuclear liability rules and placing New Delhi among a select group of partners shaping a new defence industrial architecture in the IndoPacific region to meet the China challenge Congressional leaders on Sunday released the compromise version of the fiscal 2026 National Defence Authorisation Act NDAA a sweeping policy measure that among other things embeds India across multiple strands of US strategic planningâfrom civil nuclear cooperation to defence coproduction and regional maritime security The bill which has passed every year for six decades is expected to move through the House later this weekA major Indiaspecific section of the NDAA mandates the United States to âestablish and maintainâa joint consultative mechanism with the Government of the Republic of Indiaâ under the USâIndia Strategic Security Dialogue convening regularly âto assess the implementationâ of the 2008 civil nuclear cooperation agreement The mechanism is also tasked âto discuss opportunities for the Republic of India to align domestic nuclear liability rules with international normsâ and âto develop a strategyâ for bilateral and multilateral diplomatic engagements on these issuesThe bill requires the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress for five years detailing the outcomes of this joint assessmentâan unusually sustained oversight requirement that signals renewed political attention in Washington to the longstalled civil nuclear track with IndiaIndia also features prominently in the NDAAâs International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025 which classifies New Delhi as an âally or partner nationâ alongside OECD members for the purposes of global civil nuclear cooperation In addition the legislation directs the administration to establish a 10year strategy to expand US nuclear exports and explicitly analyse competition with âthe Russian Federation and the Peopleâs Republic of China up and down the supply chainâAt the heart of the IndoPacific provisions India is placed among a small circle of priority partnersâalongside Australia Japan South Korea the Philippines and New Zealandâin a new Partnership for IndoPacific Industrial Resilience The initiative is intended âto strengthen cooperation among the defence industrial basesâ of participating countries and to expand joint capability development supplychain security and defence innovationUnder the programâs authorities the Secretary of Defence may enter into agreements establish working groups provide technical assistance and engage industry and academia to advance codevelopment and coproduction goals Annual reporting requirements run through 2031 underscoring the longterm weight Washington assigns to this industrial networkBeyond industrial cooperation Congress lays out a broader strategic directive for the region It calls for âbroadening United States engagement with India including through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogueâ to advance âthe shared objective of a free and open IndoPacific regionâ through military exercises defence trade humanitarian assistance and âgreater cooperation on maritime securityâ The NDAA also restates Congressâs expectation that the Pentagon continue to expand its regional posture and multilateral coordination to strengthen deterrence against ChinaIn another structural move the bill authorises a new AmbassadoratLarge for the Indian Ocean Region tasked with coordinating US diplomacy across Indian Ocean littoral states and âidentifyingâlines of effortâ of greatest strategic interest Among the envoyâs responsibilities is reinforcing US engagement âto counter malign Peopleâs Republic of China influence activities in the Indian Ocean regionâThese provisions collectively signal that India is not only a beneficiary of US regional strategy but an integral contributor to the architecture Washington is building to manage longterm competition with Beijing They also revive longdormant nuclear cooperation channels by pressing for alignment on liability rulesâa prerequisite for any major US reactor project in IndiaIn recent years IndiaâUS defence ties have expanded through foundational agreements intelligencesharing arrangements joint exercises and emerging coproduction programs The IndoPacific has become the principal theatre where the two countriesâ strategic interests converge shaped by shared concerns over Chinaâs maritime assertiveness and regional influence IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/ndaa-names-india-key-partner-in-us-nuclear-indo-pacific-plans-651848.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-eus-maros-sefcovic-hopes-for-productive-engagements-in-india-651970.html New Delhi Dec 8 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met Maros Sefcovic European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security in New Delhi on Monday expressing hope that the visiting delegationâs engagements in India would be productive Taking to the social media platform X Jaishankar wrote in a post âA pleasure to meet European Trade amp Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in New Delhi today Confident that the Commissioner and his team will have productive discussions in IndiaâLast month a joint statement issued following the 11th IndiaEuropean Union Foreign Policy and Security Consultations and the 6th Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in Brussels noted that India and the European Union look forward to constructive negotiations aiming at the timely and successful conclusion of a Security and Defence Partnership and a Security of Information AgreementThe meetings held on November 1819 assessed the full spectrum of the bilateral relationship and reviewed implementation of the IndiaâEU Strategic Partnership A Roadmap to 2025 which is reaching completion this yearAccording to the Joint Statement both sides welcomed the very positive momentum in EUâIndia relations including the landmark College of Commissioners visit to India in February the first EUâIndia Strategic Dialogue in Brussels held by HRVP Kaja Kallas and EAM Jaishankar in June and the EUs adoption of the Joint Communication on the Strategic Agenda on India in SeptemberThe two sides reaffirmed the shared ambition to conclude negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year and to accelerate negotiations on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications They underlined the importance of cooperation at the multilateral level and of continued dialogue on economic issues including on supply chain diversification Both sides also noted the progress in the IndiaEU Trade and Technology Council TTC and looked forward to the next TTC Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in 2026 read the statementEarlier on October 29 EAM Jaishankar met a delegation of the European Parliamentâs Committee on International Trade in New Delhi discussing ways to maximise convergences and deepen cooperationSecretary West at the Ministry of External Affairs MEA Sibi George and other officials were also presentPleased to meet delegation of European Parliamentâs Committee on International Trade INTA today in Delhi Discussed how India and the European Union can maximise convergences and deepen cooperation This can stabilise the global economy and strengthen democratic forces The early conclusion of the IndiaEU FTA can make a big difference to these objectives EAM Jaishankar then posted on X after his meeting with the EU delegation IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-eus-maros-sefcovic-hopes-for-productive-engagements-in-india-651970.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/top-us-official-begins-india-visit-set-to-hold-foreign-office-consultations-with-fs-misri-651981.html Washington Dec 8 US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker has arrived in India for an official visit during which she is scheduled to meet senior Indian officials to discuss regional security economic cooperation and shared priorities in the IndoPacific including through the Foreign Office Consultations with Foreign Secretary FS Vikram Misri The US Embassy in India noted that Hookers visit to India will help advance US President Donald Trumps priorities for a strong USIndia partnership and a free and open IndoPacificThe US Mission is pleased to welcome US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker to India As we continue to press forward in the USIndia relationship on a number of issues critical to our economic and national security the Under Secretaryâs visit will help advance US President priorities for a strong USIndia partnership and a free and open IndoPacific the US Embassy in India posted on XApart from New Delhi Hooker will also travel to Bengaluru where she will visit the Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO and meet leaders from Indias dynamic space energy and technology sectors to promote innovation in USIndia research partnerships and to explore opportunities for expanded cooperation according to the statement released by the US Embassy and Consulates in IndiaIn a statement the US Embassy in India stated Under Secretary Hookers visit will focus on advancing the USIndia strategic partnership deepening economic and commercial ties including increasing American exports and fostering collaboration in emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and space explorationLast week India and the United States reviewed a wide range of traditional and emerging threats and challenges such as terrorist recruitment abuse of technology for terrorist purposes and financing of terrorism during the 21st Meeting of the IndiaUS Joint Working Group JWG on Counter Terrorism CT and the 7th Designations Dialogue held in New DelhiBoth sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including crossborder terrorism They expressed concern over the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs drones and AI for terrorist purposesThey strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 and the recent heinous terror incident near the Red Fort New Delhi on November 10 2025 and stressed that those responsible for terrorism should be held accountable read the Joint Statement issued after the meetingsParticipants from India and the United States discussed strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation including through information sharing and cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests Both sides also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against challenges including through training cybersecurity exchange of best practices and information sharing through continued bilateral and multilateral effortsAccording to the MEA both sides emphasised that confronting terrorism requires concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner Against this backdrop the two sides renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism including in the UN Quad and the Financial Action Task Force FATFThe two sides had called for additional designations of ISIS and alQaida affiliates and LashkareTaiba LeT and JaisheMohammad JeM and their proxy groups supporters sponsors financiers and backers under the UN 1267 sanctions regime ensuring their members face a global asset freeze travel ban and arms embargo IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/top-us-official-begins-india-visit-set-to-hold-foreign-office-consultations-with-fs-misri-651981.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/quad-members-works-on-bolstering-disaster-response-capabilities-across-indo-pacific-651988.html Hawaii Dec 8 Underscoring the Quads commitment to reliable and effective life saving support for the people of the region officials from India Australia Japan and United States discussed strengthening the groupings disasterresponse capabilities across the IndoPacific during the recentlyheld 4th Annual Quad Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response HADR Strategic Meeting and Tabletop Exercise in Hawaiis Honolulu As a founding pillar of the Quad partnership HADR is a cornerstone of the groups efforts to advance peace security prosperity and resilience in the IndoPacific read a Joint Statement issued after the annual meeting hosted by the United States from December 25The Quadâs coordinated delivery of humanitarian assistance in response to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar in March this year was a testament to the Quadâs ability to mobilize resources and rapidly deliver lifesaving assistance it addedThe Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief HADR in the IndoPacific partnership was announced by the Quad Leaders in Tokyo on May 24 2022 as part of a shared vision for a free and open IndoPacific that is inclusive and resilientA few months later the Foreign Ministers of Australia India and Japan and the Secretary of State of the United States met in New York in September 2022 and signed into operation the Guidelines for the Quad HADR PartnershipThe signing of the Guidelines marked a significant moment in Quad cooperation which traces its origin from the 2004 ad hoc Tsunami Core Group which catalyzed international response efforts in the aftermath of the tsunami that devastated many countries in the regionAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the partnership has been designed to respond to the vulnerabilities of the IndoPacific region and serves as a dedicated framework for Quad partners to coordinate their disaster response operations in the region The mechanism augments their capacity and capability interoperability and operational synergy to undertake HADR operationsA request for international assistance is needed before Quad partners may act in coordination under the Partnership Quad partners may provide joint or coordinated individual assistance in crisis preparation or alert crisisresponse or post crisis review phases of disaster response Any humanitarian action will be carried out with respect for the sovereignty territorial integrity and national unity of the affected state the MEA has detailed before IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/quad-members-works-on-bolstering-disaster-response-capabilities-across-indo-pacific-651988.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iranian-fm-araghchi-expresses-tehrans-readiness-to-continue-nuclear-energy-programme-651993.html Tehran Dec 8 Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has expressed Tehrans determination to continue with its peaceful nuclear energy programme stressing that the facilities not Irans nuclear technology were destroyed in the attacks the local media reported In an interview with Japans Kyodo News Araghchi said We are a committed member of NPT and we have every right to enjoy the peaceful use of nuclear technology like Japan Japan is also a committed member of NPT and it is enjoying its right to peaceful use of nuclear technologyAsserting that the Iranian nuclear sites were destroyed and heavily damaged by the US and Israeli airstrikes in June Araghchi called the attacks a clear and major violation of international law as the facilities were under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEAHe voiced concerns regarding the safety of the bombed Iranian nuclear sites and stressed that Iran wants Japan to share its experience regarding past atomic disasters and help protect the facilities Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA reported citing Kyodo NewsI have no doubt that Japan has good knowledge on how to improve the safety of nuclear facilities and that knowledge can be shared with Iran said Araghchi citing environmental medical and technical safety measures taken in the aftermath of nuclear crisisOn resuming nuclear talks with the US Araghchi stated that it depends on the approach Washington takesIt depends on the US If they change their approach and are prepared for a fair and balanced outcome of a mutually beneficial negotiation we are prepared too Itâs a fact that we donât have any good experience negotiating with the US Araghchi saidLast month Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected claims that Tehran had sent a message to the United States through third countriesIn a televised address he seemed to dismiss Western media reports suggesting that a message was sent by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud ahead of the latters visit to the US Xinhua News Agency reportedThey fabricate rumours claiming that the Iranian government has sent a message to the United States through some country which is pure lies and such a thing definitely did not exist Khamenei saidAs per media reports Pezeshkians letter stated that Iran does not seek confrontation and aims to strengthen regional cooperation and remains open to resolving the nuclear dispute through diplomacy provided its rights are guaranteed IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/iranian-fm-araghchi-expresses-tehrans-readiness-to-continue-nuclear-energy-programme-651993.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-outlines-hard-edged-defence-posture-to-deter-china-in-indo-pacific-651804.html Washington Dec 7 The United States has outlined a more rigid defence posture to counter Chinas growing military and economic influence in the IndoPacific In its new National Security Strategy the Trump administration calls the region one of the next centurys key economic and geopolitical battlegrounds and says the US must be prepared to deny aggression anywhere in the First Island ChainThe strategy released later this week says earlier US policy toward Beijing was built on mistaken American assumptions about China It argues that decades of engagement strengthened China at the expense of American workers and industriesAmerican elites over four successive administrations of both political parties were either willing enablers of Chinas strategy or in denial the report saysThe document lists a series of practices Washington intends to confront including predatory statedirected subsidies and industrial strategies unfair trading practices and grandscale intellectual property theftIt also cites threats to supply chains including minerals and rare earth elements and points to Chinese exports of fentanyl precursors that fuel Americas opioid epidemicDefence planning places special attention on Taiwan The island provides direct access to the Second Island Chain and splits Northeast and Southeast Asia into two distinct theatres the strategy saysThe administration reaffirms the longstanding US position that it does not support any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan StraitThe document warns that Chinese control of the South China Sea could allow a potentially hostile power to impose a toll system or close and reopen it at will Onethird of global shipping passes through those waters The strategy calls for strong measures to ensure they remain openTo sustain deterrence the administration says the US must preserve a military balance favourable to the United States and to our allies in the region It pledges deeper investment in highend capabilities citing AI quantum computing autonomous systems and advanced energy technologiesThe strategy also puts more responsibility on US allies Our allies must step up and spendand more importantly do much more for collective defence it says That includes granting additional access to US forces increasing defence spending and investing in deterrencefocused capabilitiesIndia is identified as a central partner The strategy says Washington must continue to improve commercial and other relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to IndoPacific security including through deeper cooperation in the QuadThe documents release comes as Washington and Beijing compete across technology trade and maritime security US officials have long viewed China as the pacing challenge in military planning with Taiwan and the South China Sea seen as flashpoints that could shape the regional balance for decadesThe Trump administrations new strategy formalises that view IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/us-outlines-hard-edged-defence-posture-to-deter-china-in-indo-pacific-651804.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-discusses-bilateral-ties-evolving-world-order-at-india-japan-forum-651822.html New Delhi Dec 7 IANS External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the evolving world order and the imperative of IndiaJapan cooperation at the opening session of the IndiaJapan Forum here on SundayPleased to participate in the opening session of IndiaJapanForum in New Delhi Discussed the evolving world order and the imperative of deeper IndiaJapan cooperation EAM Jaishankar said on XAccording to an official statement the IndiaJapan Forum provides a platform for Indian and Japanese leaders to shape the future of bilateral and strategic partnerships through deliberation and collaboration The Ananta Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs MEA have convened the forumThe aim of the forum is to bolster cooperation leverage opportunities exchange ideas build mutual trust and develop a joint agenda for future cooperation it saidOn Friday Indias Ambassadordesignate to Japan Nagma M Mallick held a meeting with Japans Minister of Environment Ishihara Hirotaka discussing opportunities for collaboration between the two nationsOn November 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in sectors like innovation defence and talent mobilityOn October 27 EAM Jaishankar met with his Japanese counterpart Motegi Toshimitsu on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysias Kuala Lumpur as both discussed expanding bilateral ties and agreed to work closely to implement the joint vision for the next decade of IndiaJapan cooperationIndiaJapan relations were elevated to a Global Partnership in 2000 a Strategic and Global Partnership in 2006 and a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014 according to the MEA The defence and security partnership forms an integral pillar of IndiaJapan bilateral ties In recent years the defence exchanges have gained strength due to growing convergence on strategic matters and their significance is growing from the common outlook on issues of peace security and stability of the IndoPacific Region https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/eam-jaishankar-discusses-bilateral-ties-evolving-world-order-at-india-japan-forum-651822.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-south-korea-explore-space-cooperation-discuss-strengthening-ties-651725.html Seoul Dec 6 Indian Ambassador to South Korea Gourangalal Das and Korea Aerospace Administration KASA Administrator Yoon Youngbin on Saturday explored areas of space cooperation and ways to build businesstobusiness B2B engagements in both countries The Indian envoy and KASA administrator met at the Indian Embassy in Seoul and held talks on enhancing space cooperation between India and South Korea According to the Embassy the discussions stemmed from the recently concluded Memorandum of Understanding MoU between KASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation ISROThe two sides explored specific areas of space cooperation and ways to build businesstobusiness B2B engagements between the emerging private space sector in both countries The Ambassador also congratulated KASA on the successful fourth NURI rocket launchThe MoU between KASA and ISRO was signed to jointly pursue space projects utilise science and technology infrastructure and operate ground stationsAccording to KASA this agreement is expected to further strengthen strategic partnerships particularly with the Global SouthOn November 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jaemyung met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa reaffirming their commitment to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countriesBoth leaders had last met in June this year on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canadas KananaskisFollowing their first meeting PM Modi had said that India and South Korea seek to work together in sectors like commerce investment technology green hydrogen space shipbuilding and moreThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA had stated on June 18 that PM Modi and President Lee reaffirmed their commitment to deepening IndiaSouth Korea Special Strategic Partnership by exploring new avenues for cooperation through partnerships in areas of trade and economy critical and emerging technologies including culture and P2P peopletopeople contacts among othersNoting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries special strategic partnership President Lee had expressed hope for elevating bilateral relations to a new level across the board IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-south-korea-explore-space-cooperation-discuss-strengthening-ties-651725.html Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/misleading-govt-refutes-news-report-on-new-2-bn-india-russia-nuclear-submarine-deal-651529.html New Delhi Dec 4 The Union government on Thursday refuted a news report that claimed India has signed a deal to lease a 2 billion nuclearpowered submarine from Russia Terming the report as misleading the Press Information Bureau PIB said in a factcheck post on X that no new deal had been signed between the two countriesThe PIB statement clarified that the submarine lease referred to in the story which was published by news agency Bloomberg is based on a contract signed almost six years ago in 2019 The delivery of the submarine is scheduled for 2028 it addedThe Bloomberg report which appeared just ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putins twoday visit to Delhi on Thursday had said that India was preparing to finalise a 2billion lease for a nuclearpowered attack submarineThe PIB in an earlier statement said the IndiaRussia bilateral relationship has remained strong and stable over the past 78 years with a shared commitment to a multipolar world as well as to expand the engagement beyond the traditional military nuclear and space cooperationIn the past two years the bilateral trade has expanded significantly During President Putinâs visit starting on Thursday discussions will be held on ways to increase exports from India as well as developing new models of cooperation Both countries are also looking to strengthen interregional cooperation especially with the Russian Far East and promote connectivity initiatives like the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor the ChennaiVladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor and the Northern Sea Route according to an official statement issued on ThursdayThe statement also highlighted that defence is one of the most important parts of the strong friendship and strategic partnership between India and Russia The longstanding and wideranging military technical cooperation between the two countries has evolved from a buyerseller framework to one involving joint research development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems Russia is also an important source for the supply of defence equipment engines spare parts and components Several defence platforms are also assembled or produced in India such as T90 tanks and Su30 MKI aircraft Both sides have also been exploring codevelopment and coproduction of defence equipment and platforms including the possibility of export to other countries such as the Brahmos missile system IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/misleading-govt-refutes-news-report-on-new-2-bn-india-russia-nuclear-submarine-deal-651529.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-bolster-bilateral-ties-in-fisheries-dairy-sectors-651541.html New Delhi Dec 4 Russia on Thursday said it was ready to import more fish and meat from India and the two countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in emerging aquaculture technologies including deepsea fishing vessels Discussions were held on these issues between Indiaâs Minister of Fisheries Animal Husbandry amp Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Russias Agriculture Minister Oxana Lut at a meeting in Krishi Bhawan hereDuring the meeting both sides discussed expanding mutual trade in fisheries animal and dairy products resolving market access issues and fasttracking establishment listings for exports The discussions also focused on collaboration in research education and emerging aquaculture technologies including deepsea fishing vessels aquaculture emerging technologies and processing according to an official statement issued after the meetingSingh underlined the potential to diversify Indiaâs exports to Russia with products such as shrimp prawns mackerel sardines tuna crab squid and cuttlefish The Russian side expressed readiness to import fish and fishery products meat and meat products and showed interest in developing the trout market through a joint technical project that could lead to joint ventures the statement saidHe highlighted that India exported fish and fishery products worth 745 billion in 202425 including 127 million to RussiaLut informed about Russiaâs readiness to cooperate in fisheries animal husbandry and dairy sectors building on the successful history of agricultural collaboration She noted that some items are manufactured in Russia and some in India and the products which Russia needs can be supplied by India and the products which India needs can be supplied by Russia to India for strengthening mutual trade She highlighted that India is the secondhighest exporter of shrimp to RussiaSingh thanked Russia for listing 19 Indian fisheries establishments on its Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance FSVPS platform recently taking the total listed Indian establishments to 128 He also requested the Russian minister to expedite the listing of pending establishments regular updates of activity details and the revocation of temporary restrictions He also urged early approvals for Indian entities in the dairy buffalo meat and poultry sectors and assured full cooperation from the Indian side in this regardFor the export of butter and dairy products the minister mentioned that 12 Indian manufacturing companies of dairy products including AMUL Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation GCMMF are awaiting registration with the FSVPS He requested the Russian side to consider approving these establishments for listing in FSVPSBoth sides agreed to work on coldwater fisheries including trout genetic improvement in fisheries and aquaculture To achieve this the exchange of expertise including officials researchers and students would be taken up by both sidesIndia proposed the creation of a structured mechanism to advance in these areas to strengthen the cooperation and requested the Russian side to finalise and facilitate the signing of the draft MoU already shared with themLut also emphasised that Russia would like to have cooperation with India in veterinary vaccine development equipment manufacturing and animal disease management She stressed upon further cooperation at the level of Universities research and development institutes from both sides and such cooperation will be further strengthened by collaborative courses exchange of students academia scientists for innovation and advanced technologies the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-bolster-bilateral-ties-in-fisheries-dairy-sectors-651541.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/welfare-of-world-only-through-path-of-peace-says-pm-modi-in-meeting-with-putin-651650.html New Delhi Dec 5 Reiterating Indias position on Ukraine conflict Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that New Delhis stance is not neutral and it supports every effort towards peace He stated that the welfare of the world is only through the path of peace During his meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi PM Modi said We have been engaged in constant communication after the Ukraine crisis You made us aware of everything from time to time as a true friend I believe that trust is a great powerThe welfare of the world is only through the path of peace Together we must look for the pathways to peace With the efforts that have been ongoing for the past few days I am confident that once again the world will return to peaceIn recent days whenever I have spoken with leaders of the global community and discussed this issue in detail I have always said that India is not neutral India has a clear position and that position is for peace We support every effort toward peace and stand shouldertoshoulder with every effort for peace he addedPM Modi expressed hope that the world will be free from the ongoing tensions and global community will move forward on a path of progress in the right directionThe world has faced numerous crises from Covid19 to the present We hope that very soon the world will be free from these tensions and that the global community will move forward on a path of progress in the right direction I am confident that today we will discuss many issues The economic ties between India and Russia should be further strengthened and together we reach new heights With such a highly optimistic approach we will advance our meeting This is my strong belief he saidPM Modi called President Putins visit to India historic He further said It has been 25 years since you took office in 2001 and first visited India In that first visit itself a strong foundation for a strategic partnership was laid I am overjoyed personally too that my relations with you on a personal level have also completed 25 yearsEarlier PM Modi welcomed Russian President Putin at the Hyderabad House in the national capital on Friday where the two leaders are deliberating on strengthening bilateral ties and bolstering cooperation across many segments including economy defence and tradeBefore arriving for the Hyderabad House President Putin paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat by laying a wreath He was flanked by Union Minister of State MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to the RajghatThe Russian President was also accorded ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan and given a guard of honourRussian Presidents India itinerary remains packed for the day He is scheduled to attend a business event later in the day and will be hosted by the President Droupadi Murmu for a banquet in the evening before flying back home later tonight IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/welfare-of-world-only-through-path-of-peace-says-pm-modi-in-meeting-with-putin-651650.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-friendship-steady-like-pole-star-amid-global-uncertainty-pm-modi-651686.html New Delhi Dec 5 IANS Hailing IndiaRussia ties Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the friendship between the two countries has remained like a pole star amidst the ups and downs faced by the world in the past 80 yearsnbspWhile making a joint press statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin following their talks at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Friday PM Modi said that the ties between two nations have stood the test of time and thanked Putin for his friendship and unwavering commitment to India while recalling the efforts made by the Russian leadership to elevate bilateral tiesToday I am delighted to welcome President Putin to the 23rd IndiaRussia Summit today His visit comes at a time when our bilateral relations are experiencing several historic milestones 25 years back President Putin laid the foundation for our strategic partnership 15 years ago in 2010 our partnership was granted the status of a Special Privileged Strategic Partnership For the past two and a half decades he President Putin has nurtured this relationship with his leadership and visionHis President Putin leadership under all circumstances has elevated our ties to new heights I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Putin my friend for this deep friendship and unwavering commitment to India The world has seen many ups and downs over the past eight decades Humanity has faced many challenges and crises and amidst all this the IndiaRussia friendship has remained like a pole star This relationship founded on mutual respect and deep trust has always stood the test of time he addedRecalling recent heinous terror attacks in both countries PM Modi said that India and Russia have stood together in the fight against terrorismToday we also discussed regional and global issues India and Russia have long cooperated shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism Whether its the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on Crocus City Hall the root of all these incidents is the same India firmly believes that terrorism is a direct attack on the values of humanity and global unity against it terrorism is our greatest strengthPM Modi announced that India and Russia will cooperate to train Indian seafarers in polar waters We will now cooperate to train Indian seafarers in polar waters This will not only strengthen our cooperation in the Arctic but will also create new employment opportunities for Indias youthReiterating Indias stance on Ukraine conflict he said India has advocated for peace in Ukraine from the very beginning We welcome all efforts to find a peaceful and lasting solution to this issue India has always been ready to contribute and will continue to do soPM Modi also termed energy security as a strong and important pillar of IndiaRussia partnership He stated that cooperation between India and Russia in civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realising shared clean energy prioritiesEnergy security has been a strong and important pillar of the IndiaRussia partnership Our decadesold cooperation in civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realising our shared clean energy priorities We will continue this winwin cooperation Our cooperation in critical minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains across the world stated PM ModiEarlier taking the IndiaRussia Special and Privileged Partnership ahead PM Modi warmly welcomed President Putin at the Hyderabad House to participate in the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual SummitWith both countries sharing a longstanding and timetested bond the two leaders are holding comprehensive and detailed discussions aimed at further strengthening the bilateral relations https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/india-russia-friendship-steady-like-pole-star-amid-global-uncertainty-pm-modi-651686.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russian-president-putin-to-being-two-day-india-visit-today-defence-trade-and-energy-talks-on-agenda-651435.html New Delhi Dec 4 Russian President Vladimir Putin will begin his twoday visit to India on Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to host him for a private dinner shortly after he arrives in New Delhi The 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit scheduled for Friday comes at a time when the US has imposed punitive sanctions on New Delhi and will focus on strengthening defence cooperation along with discussions on trade and energy partnershipsAhead of the visit Moscow has also cleared a key defence agreement with India signalling renewed momentum in bilateral military cooperationPutin is expected to land in New Delhi on Thursday evening after which PM Modi will host him for a private dinner mirroring the gesture the Russian President made when he hosted PM Modi during the latters visit to Moscow last yearThis marks Putins first trip to India since the invasion of Ukraine On Friday he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome before formal talks beginKremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier indicated that the two sides might discuss the potential supply of Russias Su57 fighter jets to IndiaThe visit is expected to yield multiple agreements including one to facilitate the movement of Indian workers to Russia The two governments may also deliberate on Indias proposed free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union which New Delhi has been pursuing to enhance strategic and economic cooperationFollowing the summit with PM Modi President Putin will attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu He is also scheduled to launch the new India channel of Russias staterun broadcaster RT signalling an expansion of media outreach and softpower engagementIn a statement issued on November 28 the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said The forthcoming State Visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations set the vision for strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/diplomacy/russian-president-putin-to-being-two-day-india-visit-today-defence-trade-and-energy-talks-on-agenda-651435.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:08:00 +0530