Category: Politics

At President Vladimir Putin’s request, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow’s Atom Centre in a major step to deepen Indo-Russian nuclear energy cooperation. Following the announcement of intentions to build six more nuclear power units in India, Rosatom, the state nuclear enterprise of Russia, made this visit.

The visit by Prime Minister Modi highlights the strategic alliance between Russia and India, especially in the energy industry. Modi talked about the prospects for more cooperation and developments in nuclear technology while giving a tour of the Atom Centre. India’s dedication to increasing its nuclear energy capacity was emphasised throughout the visit, which is essential for supplying the nation’s increasing energy needs and lowering its carbon footprint.

The construction of six additional nuclear facilities by Rosatom in India is a component of a larger agreement meant to strengthen bilateral nuclear energy cooperation.

With nuclear energy cooperation playing a critical role in determining the future of energy security and sustainable development for both countries, this strategic collaboration ushered in a new era in Indo-Russian relations.

PM Modi arrived in Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, marking the beginning of his two-day visit to Russia. In 2019, he received Russia’s highest state honour, the “Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First.”

Indian diaspora people gathered at The Carlton Hotel to greet him with Indian flags, posters and shouts of “Modi Modi.” Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met him. To commemorate his arrival, performers dressed in Indian garb performed.

President Vladimir Putin invited Modi, who stated that he was looking forward to strengthening the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between Russia and India. In a post on X, he expressed his joy and stressed the value of closer bonds for reciprocal gain. PM Modi and President Putin are scheduled to meet to talk about issues in the region and bilateral relations.

Austria is one of the two countries on the trip that includes this stop. Modi underlined the need to fortify ties with Russia and Austria, two nations with which India has a long-standing affinity. Following his visit to Moscow, PM Modi will make his first trip to Austria in forty years. He is excited to meet with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and President Alexander Van der Bellen in Austria.

According to Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, Japan wants to strengthen its security relationships on a trilateral and quadrilateral basis with the US, Australia, and the Philippines.

This declaration was given at a joint news conference in Manila after Japan and the Philippines signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) permitting the deployment of troops for operations and training. Japan’s defence and foreign ministers are in Manila on Monday for “two-plus-two” negotiations with their Philippine counterparts.

After being approved by legislators in both nations, the deal, which was worked out by Kihara and Gilberto Teodoro, the defence secretary of the Philippines, will go into force.

In light of China’s increasing assertiveness, especially concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea, the RAA is an important step towards strengthening defence ties. Tensions in the region have increased as a result of recent clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships.

Longtime US allies Japan and the Philippines want to offset China’s influence. Japan has inked similar agreements with Britain and Australia and is a major supplier of security equipment to the Philippines. The Philippines intends to pursue a similar agreement with France and already has one with the US and Australia.

New Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to rebuild Britain after Labour’s landslide victory ended 14 years of Conservative rule. When speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street, Starmer emphasised the importance of restoring public confidence in politics by stating that “actions, not words, can heal this lack of trust.” He pledged to put the nation above the party, assuring all Britons that his government would work for them regardless of their choice in politics.

There was applause for Starmer, echoing Tony Blair’s victory in 1997. He noted the difficulties that lay ahead, pointing to the years of turmoil and controversy under the Conservatives, who had suffered a historic defeat. With the Conservatives losing 250 seats and Labour gaining over 410, Rishi Sunak resigned. Sunak took ownership of the loss and expressed regret for the party’s shortcomings.

Polls show little support for Starmer, who faces financial difficulties including high taxes, debt, and failing public services, even in the wake of Labour’s triumph. Starmer pledged to revoke the Conservatives’ Rwanda asylum policy and refrain from raising taxes on the working class. He promised to help Ukraine against Russia while working quickly and diligently to repair EU relations.

Emilie Chandler, a moderate, is still in a three-way contest for her parliamentary constituency in Magny-en-Vexin, raising the possibility of a far-right win. The far-right National Rally (RN) needs to win Chandler’s Val d’Oise constituency to gain a majority in Sunday’s election. Candidates that receive at least 12.5% of the vote in France’s election system can advance to the second round, which frequently helps the extreme right.

Chandler, who came in third place with 25% of the first-round votes, continues despite her limited chances, justifying her choice as essential to her constituents. Approximately 300 constituencies across the country held three-way elections, but more than 200 of the third-place finishers withdrew to oppose the far right. According to polls, this “republican front” may not win as many seats as expected for RNs, but it may still gain the highest share.

Fearing the rhetoric of the far right, local business owner Mourad Elferdi—an NFP voter—criticised Chandler’s choice. While RN candidate Anne Sicard emphasised cultural pride and immigration worries, NFP candidate Maximilien Jules-Arthur termed Chandler’s move “shameful” and disputed the existence of dangerous ideas.

Veteran Gerard De Dios switched his allegiance to RN, citing concerns about crime and insecurity in his defence of three-way contests that honour voters’ preferences.

In Keir Starmer’s cabinet, Angela Rayner has been named Britain’s next Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Levelling Up. Well-known for her tremendous political clout, her goal is to successfully direct the administration.

Rayner, a Stockport native born in 1980, grew up on a council estate before dropping out of school when she was sixteen and expecting her first child. After overcoming early obstacles, she went on to serve as a carer and union representative before becoming the North West convenor for Unison, which represents 200,000 people. As the first female MP for Ashton-under-Lyne, Rayner joined parliament in 2015 and has held several shadow cabinet posts.

Rayner encountered and conquered internal party problems after being elected as the Labour Party’s deputy leader in 2020. Her pragmatic attitude and left-leaning stance are well-known, with her emphasis on the importance of winning elections to carry out Labour’s policies.

Significant abuse has been inflicted upon Rayner, including rape and threats of murder. She has been embroiled in controversy over comments she made regarding Conservatives being “scum” and an inaccurate piece in the Mail on Sunday. There was no police action taken in response to inquiries about her living situation or tax situation.

Representing more than 3 billion people, the SCO Summit is an important occasion that is crucial to multilateral cooperation, economic progress, and regional stability. Kazakhstan highlights the significance of the SCO in its foreign policy as a founding member. Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan’s deputy foreign minister, emphasised the country’s dedication to equality, respect for one another, and reaching consensus.

More than 150 events with an emphasis on energy, digitization, and environmental preservation were held when Kazakhstan was the SCO president. Vassilenko mentioned that the United Nations Environment Programme has been partnered with and that 2024 has been declared the SCO Year of Ecology. The summit’s objectives are to build ties between member states, improve commerce, address security concerns, and advance environmental protection.

The SCO Initiative “On World Unity for Just Peace and Harmony,” put up by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has garnered unanimous support. Vassilenko highlighted Kazakhstan’s emerging prominence as a medium-sized power and its function as a centre for global diplomacy.

This year, Kazakhstan is also the chair of five other significant international organisations, which is indicative of President Tokayev’s successful foreign policy. The nation, which produces 60% of the GDP of Central Asia, experienced a notable expansion in its economy and an influx of international capital.

With a sharp rise in the number of Members of Parliament with Indian ancestry, the UK general election on Thursday is predicted to produce the most diverse Parliament in the history of the nation. Based on an analysis by the British Future think tank, if the Labour Party gains a majority, it will have the highest number of Members of Parliament who are members of ethnic minorities (14%).

Fifteen Members of Parliament with Indian ancestry were elected in the previous election; many of them are running again, along with a few new candidates.

Important British Indian candidates to keep an eye on are Rajesh Agrawal, the former deputy mayor of London, running in Leicester East, and Praful Nargund, the Labour candidate running in Islington North. The latter constituency will be watched carefully since Keith Vaz, a former member of parliament, is running as an independent. Sikhs in Britain and other candidates of Indian descent are aiming to win substantial ground for Labour.

Meanwhile, it is anticipated that previous Cabinet members Priti Patel, Suella Braverman, and PM Sunak will keep their positions. There will be about 158 new MPs in the next Parliament, representing a major change in favour of more diversity.

The opposition Labour Party’s resounding victory will put an end to the 14-year Conservative Party rule under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. British elections are open to refugees and immigrants from Commonwealth nations like Nigeria, India, and Malaysia.

After missing the election in his home country of India, Paulraj, 27, who relocated to Britain in February of last year, expressed his eagerness to cast his ballot. “They are giving us an opportunity, like British citizens,” Paulraj said, speaking from his position as a part-time ambassador at the university in Manchester. He came here on a student visa.

Salford resident and Malaysian student Teh Wen Sun is excited to cast her ballot for an immigration-friendly party. In response to increasing pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), housing, and schools—all of which are a result of immigration, a significant issue in Britain—Sunak has pledged to lower net migration levels. Rwanda has been suggested as a destination for asylum seekers, and Sunak has tightened visa regulations.

Support worker Oyinkansola Dirisu, 31, of Manchester, is planning to vote for Labour in the hopes that the party’s immigration policy will be more lenient. Nigerian Esther Offem, 26, is still on the fence but has a little preference for the Conservatives.

Prime Minister Hasina’s visit to India in Modi 3.0 began a “golden era,” accomplishing more in ten years than forty.

As part of the SAGAR theory, the Indo-Pacific vision, and its “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” policies, India sees Bangladesh as an essential neighbour. On the other hand, India is the biggest Asian market for Bangladeshi goods, and Bangladesh views India as a reliable friend and important development partner.

Ten agreements were signed during the visit, strengthening bilateral and sub-regional cooperation. Both leaders presented a “futuristic vision” that was based on India’s “Viksit Bharat by 2047” and Bangladesh’s “Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041.”

Partnerships in the areas of sustainability, the environment, and the blue economy were highlighted.

Agreements on data-sharing and temporary water-sharing arrangements were made in the field of water resources management. A joint technical committee was established in response to the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, which is set to expire in 2026. India will help Bangladesh manage and preserve the Teesta River.

New areas of cooperation include energy, digital cooperation, space (India helped launch a satellite for Bangladesh), and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Together with modernization initiatives and cooperative exercises, the defence collaboration will expand.