Author: Arif ArifArman

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday met in Gandhinagar on the sidelines of the third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBGs) meeting under the Indian G20 Presidency. The leaders discussed issues such as strengthening the multilateral development banks and harnessing opportunities presented by crypto assets. Sitharaman pointed out that the recent state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States last month and his meeting with the US President enhanced the strength and dynamism of the US-India partnership. Addressing a press conference, Sitharaman said, “Our discussions…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prioritized pursuing a “neighbourhood first” policy with Sri Lanka being at the forefront of this approach, according to Trueceylon News. PM Modi has throughout his nine-year tenure as Prime Minister, set an exemplary standard for others to emulate. His transformative endeavours have propelled India from its modest beginnings towards prosperity, as per Trueceylon News. India’s economy has during PM Modi’s tenure, experienced substantial growth, surpassing the 3.5 trillion US dollar mark from its initial 1 trillion dollars in 2014. This progress serves as tangible evidence for Sri Lanka, India’s prominent neighbour, that India…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India-Sri Lanka Joint Committee, which was established under MOU on Passenger Transportation by Sea, held a virtual meeting on July 14 and discussed the strengthening of connectivity and resumption of ferry services between the two countries, the High Commission of India, Colombo said in a press release. The two sides were led respectively by Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Government of India and KDS Ruwanchandra, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation of the Government of Sri Lanka. The productive discussions focused on the resumption of ferry services between the…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday suspended an order of the same court that prohibited the transfer of land to the Pakistan Army for corporate farming on a 20-year lease, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. The judgement was pronounced by a two-member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi after hearing the Punjab government’s petition seeking the annulment of a ruling by the LHC’s single-member bench. The Punjab government said that the complainants Lahore-based lawyers were not affected parties and noted that it is not the court’s job to regulate agricultural policies. Earlier in June, the LHC’s single-member…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met his Bangladeshi counterpart Abdul Momen on the sidelines of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Thailand’s capital Bangkok. “Pleased to meet Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen. Discussed ongoing bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Also exchanged views on regional issues,” Jaishankar tweeted. Earlier this month, on July 6, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary East Saurabh Kumar and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen held in-depth consultations on Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) issues in Dhaka.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Taiwan has detected the highest number of navy vessels around the country in a single day “in recent times,” reported Taiwan News. According to the Ministry of National Defence (MND), sixteen navy vessels and fifteen Chinese military aircraft were detected in the vicinity of Taiwan. Taiwan News quoted, Duan Dang, a freelance writer working in Vietnam, as saying that sixteen People’s Liberation Army Navy shifts were spotted around Taiwa in a single day “in recent times.” There were fourteen vessels when US Houses Speaker Nancy Pelosi came to Taiwan in 2022. Taiwan News was launched in 1949 and…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India on Sunday gifted 43 ambulances and 50 school buses to Nepal under the Nepal-India Development Partnership Programme. At a ceremony held in the embassy premises, Nepal’s Minister for Science, Education and Technology handed over the keys to beneficiary organizations in the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava. Addressing the event, the Minister for Science, Education and Technology, Ashok Rai, thanked the Indian government for vehicular support stating it would facilitate students during their studies. “Currently, the schools are unevenly distributed. Previously there was no mapping of the schools but now we are planning to…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In order to fast-track its energy transition, the United States (US) is working with India on an investment platform to deliver a lower cost of capital and increased private investment, US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen said on Monday. Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat along with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today, Yellen said that the collaboration between the two nations spans a wide range of issues, including catalyzing the clean energy transition. Yellen said, “Our collaboration spans a range of economic issues, including commercial and technological collaboration, strengthening supply chains, and catalyzing the clean energy transition.” “In…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: With high corporate confidence, economy’s expansion and technological advancement and innovation, India’s growth parameters are pointing in the right direction. Moreover, India’s rise as a global superpower was also well-demonstrated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent trip to the United States, where he addressed Congress, met with prominent business figures, and dined at the White House, Capital Group reported. Over the past 10 years, India has experienced comparatively stable politics, and corruption is lower than it was a decade ago, allowing economic development to take precedence. The Capital Group believes that India is poised for a period of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Amid the continuously depleting forex reserves, the Government of Pakistan has been pushing for outsourcing the operations of major airports. The finance minister has already convened multiple meetings of the committee formed to engage foreign operators for outsourcing, Dawn reported. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told the stakeholders to finalise formalities to outsource the operations of Islamabad International Airport (IIA) by August 12, the final day of the incumbent government’s term, Dawn reported quoting sources. Dawn is a national daily of Pakistan that reports on politics and current affairs of Pakistan. The minister chaired a meeting of the steering…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering congratulated India for the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, sayng that the mission displays the nation’s vision and commitment to science. “I rejoice with @ISRO and PM @narendramodi for successful launch of Chandrayaan-3. Displays your vision and commitment to science and learning beyond horizon,” the Bhutan PM tweeted on Saturday. “May India and humanity benefit immensely from this mission,” he added. Responding to the Bhutanese PM’s tweet, congratulating India on the launch of its third lunar mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday tweeted, “Thank you, Excellency, for your warm words. Indeed, success of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday met his Myanmar counterpart Than Swe, with the discussions centred on connectivity initiatives, especially about the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. They also underlined the importance of ensuring peace and stability in the border areas. Jaishankar, who arrived in Bangkok on Saturday, met the Myanmar Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism meeting. In the meeting, Jaishankar also raised the human and drug trafficking issues. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, “Met H.E. U Than Swe on the sidelines of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting in Bangkok today.…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Cross-border railway connection between India and Nepal, the Kurtha-Bijalpura rail section of the Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas has become operational from Sunday. The Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Prakash Jwala launched the operation in the sector amid a ceremony held at Bijalpura. The Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India Kathmandu Prasanna Shrivastava, political leaders from Madhesh Pradesh, and representatives of the Government of Nepal (GoN) were also present at the launch event, a release from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu stated. The handover of this section to the GoN was done during the recent visit of Prime Minister of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: After concluding his official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared a video bearing highlights from his trip to the Gulf nation and said both the countries will continue to work closely for global good. Sharing a video on Twitter on Sunday that featured him attending important events in the UAE, PM Modi, wrote, “India and UAE will keep working closely to further global good! Here are highlights from yesterday…” On July 15, Prime Minister Modi reached Delhi Airport after successfully completing his France and UAE visit. “Concluding a productive UAE…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the trade between India and the United Arab Emirates has reached USD 85 Billion and the target of USD 100 Billion would be hopefully reached before G20. PM Modi met the United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed several bilateral issues. “Our bilateral trade has grown by 20 per cent. For the first time, we have achieved USD 85 billion trade and soon we will achieve the target of USD 100 billion. If we decide, we can cross this milestone before the G20,” said PM…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Farmers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur are rejoicing as tomato prices surge to a historic high of Rs 150 per kilogramme, delivering them enormous income and newfound optimism for the future. Following years of confronting severe obstacles, this unanticipated increase has offered a much-needed boost to the region’s agricultural community. Mohammad Aslam Bhat, a diligent farmer from the Bain village in the Chenani block of the Udhampur district, expressed his satisfaction at this season’s extraordinary gains. While part of his tomato fields was damaged by unexpected rain, the remaining crop performed very well, allowing him to earn significant…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The religious minorities, mainly Hindu and Christian women and children continue to be oppressed and persecuted, at the same time facing the risk of being kidnapped, forcibly converted, raped, and coerced into a “marriage” with an older or elderly man, Gatestone Institute reported. Pakistan is a country whose culture and institutions are largely shaped by a religious ideology that has no regard for anything outside its system. According to Shiva Kachhi, president of the minority group called Pakistan Darawar Ittehad (PDI), it is rare for a Hindu girl to be returned to her family because the police are…

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: At the 28th Council of the International Seabed Authority being held in Kingston, Jamaica, negotiations resumed on Environmental Impact Assessment. Bangladesh delegate Rear Admiral (retd) Md. Khurshed Alam, Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tookpart in the deliberations and significantly contributed to the negotiations. The meeting of the Council is taking place from July 10-21, 2023 and the ISA Assembly will meet from July 24-28, 2023. Delegates deliberated on the meaning of ‘cumulative effects’ within the context of synergetic effects and expressed a preference for differentiating between ‘impacts’ and ‘effects’. Deliberations also took place…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India and France have committed to eliminate single-use plastic products pollution and progressively reduce and eliminate consumption and production of certain single-use plastic products, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Pollution due to littered and mismanaged plastic waste is a global environmental issue that must be urgently addressed. It has adverse impacts on ecosystems in general and marine ecosystems in particular. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) defines single-use plastic products as “an umbrella term for different types of products that are typically used once before being thrown away or recycled”, which include…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: India and France on Friday said that they believe in free, open, inclusive, secure and peaceful Indo-Pacific regions. The two nations noted that they seek to secure economic and security interests and build a balanced and stable order in the region. The two nations have released India-France Indo-Pacific Roadmap. The roadmap said that India and France are strategically located resident powers and key partners with vital stakes in the Indo-Pacific. The Indo-French partnership in the Indian Ocean has become an important focus of our bilateral relations. In 2018, India and France agreed on a ‘Joint Strategic Vision of…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and discussed issues related to peace and tranquillity in India-China border areas. Jaishankar’s discussions with Wang Yi, who is also the Director of the Office of the CPC Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, also covered EAS/ARF agenda, BRICS and the Indo-Pacific. “Just concluded meeting with Director Wang Yi of the Office of the CPC Central Commission for Foreign Affairs. Discussed outstanding issues related to peace & tranquility in border areas. Our conversation also covered EAS/ARF agenda, BRICS and the Indo-Pacific,” tweeted Jaishankar following their meeting. The…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Secretary General of the Muslim World League and President of the International Islamic Halal Organisation, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, said India is a great example of Unity in Diversity and his visit to the Akshardham temple in the national capital on Thursday only served to reinforce the belief. Al-Issa, who is on a five-day visit to India, spent three hours at the Swaminarayan Akshardham on Thursday. On visit to the shrine, which draws visitors from across the globe, he said, “India is a great example of Unity in Diversity and my visit to Akshardham – a…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: In a historic moment, French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (local time). It is the highest French honour in military or civilian orders. With this, PM Modi becomes the first Indian PM to receive this honour. PM Modi thanked French President Macron for the honour on behalf of the people of India. The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace where Macron hosted PM Modi for a private dinner. “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion…

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Iran Khodro Industrial Group (IKCO), Iran’s largest automobile manufacturer, is aiming for expansion of its automotive business to additional nations despite the US sanctions, following its successful car exports to Russia and has now set its sights on India. After having captured the markets of Venezuela and Russia the company, Iranian automaker Khodro, is determined to increase its car production to meet the demands of its partner countries. Leila Yusufi, the logistics manager at Khodro, expressed confidence in expanding the market to India when questioned about the company’s plans for the Indian market. She stated, “Certainly, if India…