Category: Politics

On Monday, India delivered two Dornier-228 aircraft to Guyana as part of a Line of Credit Agreement, marking a new phase in their partnership. The Indian Air Force team facilitated the delivery, initiated by diplomatic efforts led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and High Commissioner Dr KJ Srinivasa.

This demonstrates India’s commitment to enhancing Guyana’s defence capabilities, with President Ali’s visit to HAL in 2023 being a starting point. Guyana’s government, represented by Dr Ashni K Singh, expressed gratitude for India’s support and emphasised the importance of advanced technology in national security, particularly for the Air Corps and Coast Guard.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson addressed the delivery as a milestone in bilateral relations, enabling connectivity, medical evacuation, and disaster response.

Guyana’s President confirmed the arrival of the planes at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, highlighting their significance for the Guyana Defence Force. Despite geographical separation, India and Guyana share colonial histories, agrarian economies, and diverse societies.

Last month, a Defence Line of Credit was established with the Caribbean region, facilitated by the Export-Import Bank of India, totalling USD 23.37 million. This agreement, which constitutes the 292nd Line of Credit overseas from Exim Bank, serves to strengthen India’s dedication to cultivating international collaborations.

According to Japanese media outlets, the United States government is arranging a significant summit set to take place in July. The summit is likely to occur on the sidelines of a NATO gathering in Washington and will feature President Joe Biden alongside his counterparts from Japan and South Korea.

As per a report, the anticipated discussions during this summit are expected to encompass a wide array of pressing issues, ranging from fortifying deterrence measures against China to addressing North Korea’s persistent nuclear threat. Additionally, concerns regarding North Korea’s increasingly robust military collaboration with Russia are likely to be on the agenda.

Amidst the speculations, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi of Japan refrained from providing any official commentary on PM Fumio Kishida’s potential attendance at the July 9–11 NATO Summit. Furthermore, South Korea’s and the US’s offices remained silent and declined to offer any formal statements. 

This forthcoming summit follows President Biden’s hosting of a pivotal gathering in August, held at Camp David, where collaborative efforts to deepen military and economic ties between the United States, Japan, and South Korea were highlighted.

PM Kishida and President Yoon participated in previous NATO summits in 2022 and 2023, underscoring NATO’s concerted efforts to strengthen ties with key Indo-Pacific partners.

On Monday, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the country’s first female prime minister, marking a historic moment in Congolese politics. President Tshisekedi made a promise during his campaign, and the announcement represents a significant advancement in gender equality under the country’s leadership.

Former planning minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka steps into her new role at a crucial time for the nation, particularly in the conflict-ridden eastern region. Rich in minerals and resources, this region has been plagued by ongoing conflicts, which have caused millions of people to be displaced and are considered one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.

In her inaugural address on state television, PM Tuluka pledged to prioritise peace and development efforts, particularly in the troubled eastern provinces. She expressed deep concern for those affected by the ongoing violence and affirmed her commitment to seeking sustainable solutions.

However, her appointment coincides with the challenging task of forming a new government, requiring extensive negotiations with various political factions. Despite the hurdles, her appointment symbolises a breakthrough in Congolese politics, offering prospects for greater inclusivity and representation in governance.

India has continued its steadfast support of the bilateral development partnership by providing the second tranche of five billion Indian rupees (INR) or Ngultrum (Nu) to Bhutan for the GyalSung Project. India’s Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela presented the amount to Bhutan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, on March 26, 2024.

The King of Bhutan has endorsed the GyalSung Project, which aims to empower Bhutanese youth through thorough skill development and encourage active participation in the country’s development.

This second instalment brings India’s total contribution to 10 billion INR/Nu under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2024. It specifies 15 billion INR/Nu in concessionary finance from India for the infrastructural construction of GyalSung academies. This funding is additional to India’s assistance to Bhutan under the plan.

The MoU builds upon earlier collaborations, including grant assistance of INR/Nu 2 billion for the DeSuung for GyalSung programme in February 2023.

The Indian Embassy expressed privilege in partnering with Bhutan on this initiative, highlighting its focus on youth and skilling at the core of nation-building endeavours.

Indian EAM S. Jaishankar met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan in Kuala Lumpur as part of his tour across Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The discussions aimed to bolster collaboration across political, economic, defence, and people-to-people connections between the two nations. They also delved into regional and international concerns of mutual interest.

Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the talks, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of Malaysia-India relations and the importance of enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as politics, economics, defence, digital technologies, startups, and consular affairs. Both ministers exchanged views on key regional issues including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and Ukraine.

They anticipate strengthening their ties as they approach the completion of a decade of Enhanced Strategic Partnership. Plans for high-level visits and the 7th Joint Commission Meeting between Malaysia and India were also discussed.

This meeting marked the first interaction between Jaishankar and Hasan since Hasan assumed office in December 2023. Later in the day, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

In 2023, India ranked as Malaysia’s 12th largest global trading partner, with total trade valued at RM 77.76 billion (USD 16.53 billion).

On Tuesday, Brazil and France initiated a joint investment programme aimed at safeguarding the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and Guyana, committing 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) from public and private sources over four years. 

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative during his visit to Brazil, where he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Belem.

In a joint statement, both leaders pledged to collaborate in protecting tropical forests, aiming to halt Amazon deforestation by 2030 to mitigate global warming. This commitment precedes Brazil’s hosting of the COP30 climate talks in 2025. Their agenda includes developing financial instruments and market mechanisms for environmental preservation. 

Macron and Lula met with Indigenous elders and went to see a sustainable chocolate production plant. Raoni Metuktire, an Indigenous leader, received the Legion of Honour from Macron for his environmental advocacy.

A 1,000-kilometre railway called Ferrograo, supported by soy growers, alarmed Raoni because of what she saw as its detrimental effects on Indigenous communities. After disagreements during President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration, ties between France and Brazil are mending despite prior hostilities. Officials from France voiced hope for the revival of bilateral relations.

On Tuesday, the Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialised Pollution Control Vessel stationed in Manila Bay, Philippines, participated in a bilateral maritime cooperation initiative. The vessel is equipped with advanced marine pollution control gear and a Chetak Helicopter.

This deployment will be from March 25 to April 12 and will address marine pollution concerns and enhance cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). This step marks the third consecutive mission to ASEAN countries. Earlier, it visited Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia in 2023.

To provide equipment demos and training on pollution response, the ship arranges port calls in Muara, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila. Additionally, the ship is carrying 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets who will take part in beach cleanup efforts as part of the ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’.

By strengthening the current Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Coast Guards of the Philippines and Vietnam, this tour also strengthens bilateral connections. Professional exchanges, cooperative exercises, and visits aimed at enhancing capacity are all on the programme, demonstrating India’s dedication to regional maritime security and safety.

 General Sudhir Ravindran, the Samudra Paheredar, has a proven track record in various Coast Guard operations, including pollution response, surveillance, counter-crime, and search and rescue missions.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praises the significant growth in defence cooperation with the Philippines, reaffirming the US commitment to protect the Philippines against aggression in the South China Sea. Blinken’s visit to Manila highlights US support for regional allies.

Amidst China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, Blinken’s visit aims to reinforce solidarity with the Philippines, particularly following recent incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels.

Blinken emphasises the security and economic interests of the Philippines, stressing the region’s strategic significance while reaffirming the United States’ commitment to safeguarding its allies by establishing mutual defence treaties. However, China disapproves of American intervention in the South China Sea and asserts that it lacks jurisdiction over maritime disputes.

Blinken’s current visit precedes a trilateral summit in Washington involving US President Joe Biden, President Marcos, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, focusing on promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific. During the visit, Blinken is expected to reassure

Marcos continued US security commitments, particularly regarding potential armed attacks against Philippine assets, invoking the 1951 US-Philippines mutual defence treaty. Marcos has expressed concern over recent tensions with China, prompting diplomatic exchanges between Manila and Beijing.

On Monday, Mexico’s top presidential contender, Claudia Sheinbaum, pledged continued support for state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) while advocating for renewable energy. In contrast to the perspective of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaum is committed to strengthening Mexico’s renewable energy capabilities.

Additionally, she plans to maintain Pemex’s daily crude production at approximately 1.8 million barrels, meeting additional demand for renewable energy. She confirms that Pemex and the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) will continue to operate as public entities, with strategies to increase refinery efficiency, reduce petroleum imports, and broaden Pemex’s involvement in lithium extraction and renewable energy production via thermal processes.

Furthermore, she emphasises strengthening Pemex amid climate change challenges while maintaining its significance to Mexico. Key aspects of her plan include halting gas flaring, enhancing Pemex’s sustainability, and ensuring stable fuel and electricity prices.

She proposes boosting energy transmission networks, upholding CFE’s dominance in the electricity market, and implementing stricter emissions and energy efficiency standards. Sheinbaum further places emphasis on the expansion of the electric vehicle industry.

The strategy emphasises her dual approach, which involves encouraging renewable energy initiatives while maintaining Pemex’s traditional role in oil production. This is done in support of a balanced energy strategy that is in line with climate objectives.

On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s legislature passed a new national security law, known as Article 23, unanimously within two weeks of its proposal. This legislation targets offences like treason, sabotage, and espionage, imposing sentences ranging from years to life imprisonment.

The leader of Hong Kong has hailed the law as a historic moment, and it is soon to go into effect. Despite concerns about potential consequences, including sanctions and international criticism, lawmakers expressed their determination to prioritise national security. After a brief period of public consultation, the pro-Beijing members of the Legislative Council swiftly approved the bill.

However, there are fears that its extraterritorial reach may restrict free speech beyond Hong Kong’s borders. Critics, including the US government, warn that the law will further curtail freedoms and suppress dissent. Foreign governments, notably the UK, express grave concerns, viewing the law as a breach of Hong Kong’s autonomy and the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The US Congressional-Executive Commission on China urges additional measures to protect American interests. China defends the law, emphasising its role in safeguarding stability and prosperity.

The impact on Hong Kong’s status as a global financial hub remains uncertain, with some fearing its unique character is being eroded amidst US-China tensions.