Author: AsiaOne

PM Modi and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum virtually inaugurated Bharat Mart at the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai. DP World is constructing the Bharat Mart project.

Established with an aim to enhance India-UAE ties, Bharat Mart is anticipated to revolutionise trade relations by capitalising on Jebel Ali Port’s strategic location and logistical capabilities.

India’s exports could be greatly increased by this project, especially those from micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Bharat Mart wants to strengthen India’s position in the international market by giving it a platform to interact with customers from other countries. These nations include the Gulf countries, West Asia, Africa, and Eurasia.

PM Modi highlighted Bharat Mart’s pivotal role in enabling exports from India’s smaller sectors, predicting that it will serve as a portal to global markets on multiple continents.

The unveiling ceremony strengthens India’s and the UAE’s bilateral ties and marks a significant turning point in their long-term economic partnership.

The opening of the Bharat Mart is expected to promote cooperation and economic expansion. Additionally, it signifies both nations’s common goal of achieving inclusive development through strong commercial ties.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has declared that it will hold talks with India for full membership, recognising the strategic significance of India in tackling global energy and climate issues. Ministers from 31 member nations supported India’s request at the IEA’s 2024 ministerial conference in Paris, acknowledging its possible influence on global energy policy.

India, an IEA association country since 2017, formally applied for full membership in October. If accepted, India’s membership would significantly influence global energy dynamics, given its status as the world’s most populous country and its projected substantial energy demand growth over the next three decades.

PM Modi emphasised the benefits of India’s inclusion, citing its talent, technology, and innovation capabilities. He highlighted India’s potential to enhance IEA’s credibility and effectiveness through inclusivity.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for IEA’s efforts to integrate emerging economies like India, referencing recent collaborations with Kenya and Senegal. India’s critical role in determining the global energy landscape was emphasised by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, who also emphasised the importance of India’s involvement in international energy negotiations. Additionally, the IEA’s decision to begin formal membership negotiations with India reflects its recognition of the critical role that India must play in addressing global issues such as energy security, inclusive transitions, and climate change.

Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, a former general tied to past human rights abuses, claimed victory in Indonesia’s presidential election. He positioned himself as an heir to the current president, Joko Widodo, whose son was his running mate. The unofficial results showed Subianto leading with 57–59% of the votes, though election officials hadn’t declared a winner and other candidates hadn’t conceded.

Subianto’s background includes service under the cruel Suharto dictatorship, serving as a special forces commander connected to abductions and torture. Despite facing criticism, he pledged to pursue a peaceful solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict and to establish an Indonesian embassy in either the West Bank or Gaza.

Given Indonesia’s economic growth, infrastructure projects, and diplomatic influence, the election’s outcome is crucial. However, concerns about democratic values have arisen due to Subianto’s association with authoritarian regimes and his opponent’s familial ties to power. The election logistics were immense, spanning 17,000 islands and involving 270 million people.

Despite facing opposition from human rights activists due to his contentious past, Subianto’s candidature was characterised by efforts to soften his image through the use of social media platforms and portraying himself as a grandfather figure. In addition to his dishonourable discharge from the army, his involvement in kidnappings and torture remains controversial.