Category: Politics

Saudi officials officially launched the Global Harmony Initiative in Riyadh on Wednesday night, a scheme aimed at celebrating the Kingdom’s different ethnicities and cultures. The program seeks to investigate the professional and personal lives, social activities, economic contributions, success stories, and cultural integration of its participants.

This collaborative project, which includes the Quality of Life Program, Saudi Vision 2030, the General Entertainment Authority, and the Ministry of Media, will host a variety of activities during the Riyadh Season. These activities will highlight the cuisines, cultures, styles, music, and legacy of countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, the Philippines, and Bangladesh.

The opening ceremony, presented by journalist Fatma Fahad at the Movenpick Hotel, featured a video presentation emphasising unity through variety, with important statements including “No language or culture separates us” and “Saudi Arabia will remain your land, and its people are your people.”

Suhel Ajaz Khan, India’s envoy, praised the program as a constructive move towards developing relations between expatriate communities and Saudi society, while Indonesia’s ambassador expressed optimism about the project’s future extension, citing the Kingdom’s rapid progress under its leadership.

US President Joe Biden will visit Berlin on Thursday for high-level talks with the leaders of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom to discuss Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. With Kyiv pleading for immediate assistance from its Western friends, Biden’s summit will seek to discuss diplomatic steps to end the conflict, which has lasted two and a half years.

The meetings will also address the fast-rising situation in the Middle East, where efforts to curb destruction have stalled.

Biden’s journey comes after Hurricane Milton forced him to postpone his planned three-day state visit to Germany last week. He’s now making up for it with a shorter, more focused visit. After landing in Berlin late Thursday, Biden will meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday before attending a larger European gathering in the afternoon.

This journey followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s diplomatic tour of Western countries, during which he unveiled his “victory plan” for bringing Russia to the bargaining table. The war in Ukraine, its future course, and continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty will dominate conversations.

Growing concerns for a larger battle in the Middle East, notably between Israel and Iran, will also be an important focus.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman will lead the Saudi delegation to the European Union-Gulf Cooperation Council (EU-GCC) Summit in Brussels, Belgium, on October 16. This move follows King Salman’s directions and reflects Saudi Arabia’s continuous commitment to regional cooperation.

Prior to the conference, Crown Prince Mohammed travelled to Cairo to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Their discussions centred on improving Saudi-Egyptian relations in a variety of sectors, as well as regional security and stability challenges, notably in the Arab and Islamic spheres. The leaders emphasised the importance of ongoing partnership in addressing Middle Eastern concerns.

During their visit, both presidents saw the signing of agreements to form the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council and encourage mutual investment. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Egyptian colleague Badr Abdelatty both signed the council agreement. In addition, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih and Egyptian Minister of Investment Hassan El-Khatib inked an agreement to preserve and expand bilateral investments.

After leaving Cairo, the Crown Prince thanked El-Sisi for the warm reception and reaffirmed the strong connections between the two countries.

Tuesday’s meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi in Cairo focused on regional de-escalation and covered $5 billion in new Saudi investments. According to Sisi’s administration, both leaders called for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, expressing worries over prolonged regional violence associated with the Palestinian issue.

The decision to strengthen mutual investments and the establishment of a Saudi-Egyptian coordination committee were among the outcomes of the conference. They talked on “regional security and stability” prior of Prince Mohammed’s journey to Brussels for an EU-Gulf summit, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

In light of Egypt’s economic difficulties, the crown prince proposed a $5 billion investment in Egypt last month, indicating the kingdom’s support for Egypt’s privatisation initiatives. Mostafa Madbouly, the prime minister, hinted at impending statements about the privatisation of banks and airports.

As Cairo battles a serious economic crisis, Saudi investments are essential to Egypt’s economic recovery and complement larger backing from the UAE and international organisations. Concerns about transparency and initiatives to enhance Egypt’s investment climate have caused development to be sluggish despite recent investment pledges.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in Islamabad for the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) session. On October 16, 2024, Pakistan will host the summit, which will emphasize member-state trade and economic cooperation.

The attendance of Jaishankar, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, highlights India’s strong participation in the SCO. He made it clear that he was just there for the summit and not for one-on-one discussions with Pakistan. “This visit is about supporting the SCO framework, not India-Pakistan relations,” Jaishankar said.

As foreign delegations, including some 900 participants, assembled for the conference, Pakistan imposed strict security measures in Islamabad. The Pakistan Army and Rangers are among the security personnel that have been positioned near important government locations, especially the Red Zone region. To maintain safety, authorities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have temporarily closed key routes and businesses.

14 accommodation spots have been reserved for the visiting delegates, and 124 cars are ready for transportation, 40 of which are for other officials and 84 of which are for heads of state.

India signed a ₹32,000 crore agreement with the US to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator drones, significantly enhancing its defence capabilities. The agreement, reached during the recent Quad Leaders’ Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, includes the establishment of an MRO facility in India.

The drones will be distributed across India’s defence services, with 15 Sea Guardians for the Navy and eight Sky Guardians for the Army and Air Force. In addition to UAVs, India will acquire modern weapons, such as 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and 310 laser-guided Small Diameter Bombs.

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement, which includes basing privileges at four Indian locations: INS Rajali, Porbandar, Sarsawa, and Gorakhpur. The purchase, previously valued at ₹34,500 crore, was accelerated to meet the Defence Acquisition Council deadline.

The MQ-9B drones, which are known for their stealth and endurance, can fly at speeds of up to 442 km/h and at altitudes of 50,000 feet. They have an operational range of 2,000 miles without refuelling and can transport payloads weighing up to 1,700 kg. These drones can handle both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, providing extended mission capability in all weather circumstances.

Australia is aggressively pursuing stronger ties with Thailand through four strategic methods, indicating a willingness to cooperate despite changes in Thailand’s political scene. Bilateral commerce remains a focus, providing an opportunity to expand expertise across a wide range of areas.

Nicholas Moore, Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, stated that despite changes in Thailand’s government, Australia remains committed to long-term collaboration. “Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s strategy, aiming towards 2040, highlights that while short-term challenges exist, the future of Thai-Australian relations looks promising,” he told reporters.

Amid complicated regional dynamics, Australia is seeking to increase its influence and capitalise on trade and investment opportunities. Ambassador Angela Macdonald stated that since her appointment, Australian businesses have found various prospects in Thailand, thanks to the Board of Investment and the Eastern Economic Corridor office, which have addressed business problems promptly.

While China’s Belt and Road Initiative expands its influence, Moore emphasised that Australia’s established connections with Southeast Asian countries secure long-term commerce. He emphasised the necessity of mutual understanding in increasing trade volumes and researching market-specific tactics.

Looking ahead, Australia is willing to support Thailand’s climate resilience projects. Collaborative projects, such as Bangkok’s flood management plan under the Mekong-Australia Partnership, demonstrate Australia’s commitment to tackling climate concerns together.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Vientiane, Laos, for a two-day visit to attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit. He was greeted with a guard of honour and met with Vilayvong Bouddakham, Laos’ Minister of Home Affairs.

Before his departure, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of the East Asia Summit as a forum for discussing Indo-Pacific peace and security. This year commemorates a decade of India’s Act East Policy, which has strengthened ties with ASEAN countries, particularly Laos, through common cultural linkages like Buddhism and the Ramayana.

During the visit, he will evaluate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN and talk about future collaboration. He expressed confidence in further expanding bilateral relations with Laos, saying, “I look forward to my meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to deepen our bilateral ties.”

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised the East Asia Summit’s importance in developing strategic confidence and offering a forum for regional leaders to discuss critical concerns. The ASEAN-India Summit will assess developments in India-ASEAN ties and identify potential areas for collaboration.

PM Modi’s visit highlights ASEAN’s significance in India’s Indo-Pacific Vision, which prioritises regional security through the SAGAR program.

Dr. Munir Al-Dasouki, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), gave a presentation on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030-driven efforts to promote innovation at the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum in Kyoto, Japan. He underlined how science and technology may be used to address global concerns like food security, climate change, health problems, and advances in artificial intelligence.

By 2026, Saudi Arabia hopes to produce 600 tonnes of green hydrogen, which will cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by almost 5 million tonnes. To further demonstrate its dedication to sustainability, the monarchy has constructed carbon capture and storage facilities that will have a capacity of 9 million tonnes by 2027 and 44 million tonnes by 2035.

Dr. Al-Dasouki discussed the public health accomplishments of KACST, pointing out that eco-friendly techniques would result in a 70% decrease in dengue fever cases by 2027. He also presented a platform for tracking farming practices that, by 2027, will save 9 billion cubic meters of groundwater.

To promote digital transformation, Saudi Arabia launches projects in gaming, Web 3, and AR, investing in young scientists. By bringing lab ideas to market, the “Garage” incubator supports 200 entrepreneurs from more than 50 nations.

The 12th Meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments (HLJTFI) in Mumbai highlighted opportunities for increased economic engagement, particularly in food parks, digital payments, and green energy.

The meeting,  co-chaired by Piyush Goyal, minister of commerce for India, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, managing director of ADIA, showcased the expanding collaboration, strengthened by the CEPA.

India and the UAE decided to expedite the establishment of food parks to improve food security in the UAE, generate employment, and raise farmer incomes. ADIA’s subsidiary at GIFT City and the India-UAE office of Invest India were among the new initiatives revealed. The previous BIPPA was superseded by the Bilateral Investment Treaty, which guarantees investors equitable treatment and dispute settlement.

One of the topics of discussion was how to connect the UAE’s AANI and India’s UPI to facilitate easier cross-border payments for the more than 3 million Indians living in the UAE. Goyal pointed out that these programs encourage investment, innovation, and sustainable development.

The Joint Task Force continues to play a critical role in enabling investments in industries such as energy, digital currency, and aerospace, hence promoting economic progress for both India and the United Arab Emirates.