Category: Politics

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) has announced the completion of joint naval exercises with the United States, the Philippines, and Canada in the South China Sea. During Sunday’s manoeuvres, ships from the Royal Canadian Navy, the Philippine Navy, the United States Navy, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force all participated.

Collectively, these four nations have never before participated in “Maritime Cooperative Activity” like this. The participating vessels were put through their paces in a series of training exercises designed to test their coordination skills, particularly those involving navigation and communication. Along with the US, Philippine, and Australian navies, Japan’s MSDF took part in a comparable Maritime Cooperation Activity in the South China Sea in April.

To promote security, peace, and maritime order in the region, Japanese officials from the MSDF emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration with Japan’s partners and allies. This partnership comes at a time when China’s involvement in the region is on the rise, and Philippine vessels have been repeatedly disrupted by Chinese patrol ships.

These nations are showing solidarity by conducting this exercise together in response to the threats to regional stability caused by China’s aggressive naval activities.

After 30 years of ANC control in South Africa, Friday marked a momentous shift as the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) agreed to form a new national unity government. With 283 legislative votes, President Cyril Ramaphosa was able to achieve a second term.

Since Nelson Mandela’s election win in 1994, which abolished apartheid, no political shift has been as dramatic as this cooperation between the two formerly antagonistic parties. “It will once again be a privilege and pleasure to serve this great nation,” Ramaphosa, 71, told parliament, praising the new administration as a hopeful and inclusive age.

DA leader John Steenhuisen hailed the occasion as historic, stressing the importance of putting the country’s future first.

The new power-sharing dynamic was highlighted when an ANC politician was chosen speaker and a DA member was elected deputy speaker of the National Assembly. Others see the alliance as a vehicle for constructive change, despite the fact that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and certain members of the ANC are hostile to the DA’s involvement.

Expecting either rapid reforms or policy continuity, investors have greeted the arrangement with open arms.

On June 17, a historic nature restoration bill was agreed upon by EU member states, marking the first major environmental policy to be passed since the recent elections to the European Parliament. To comply with the law, member states must restore 20% of their land and sea by 2030. At a summit in Luxembourg, EU environment ministers gave their stamp of approval to the strategy, clearing the road for its implementation.

Environmental Minister Leonore Gewessler of Austria played a crucial role in getting the legislation passed since she backed it even though her conservative coalition allies were against it. The policy’s stated goal is to turn around the deterioration of 81% of Europe’s natural environments. Targets like rehabilitating peatlands to absorb CO2 emissions are among them.

Despite last year’s agreement on the law, it was met with criticism from certain governments and demonstrations by farmers who were dissatisfied with the expenses associated with EU standards. As a result of Hungary’s sudden withdrawal of support, which eliminated the slim majority in favour, the vote was delayed from its March schedule.

The European Union has taken a giant leap forward in its fight against environmental crises and for the restoration of biodiversity with this historic decision.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met in New Delhi to review the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. After meeting with S Jaishankar, India’s minister of external affairs, and Ajit Doval, his Indian counterpart, Sullivan briefed Modi on the status of bilateral cooperation under the iCET initiative.

These include developments in the fields of semiconductors, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, defence, and space.

The increasing cooperation and harmony on regional and international matters has pleased PM Modi. The Middle East tensions have delayed the deployment of iCET, which Sullivan hoped to assess on his visit. The extradition of Nikhil Gupta from the Czech Republic, who was involved in a conspiracy against a leader of Khalistan, prompted the visit.

Sullivan and Jaishankar’s extensive discussions brought attention to iCET, and they are scheduled to release a joint statement that highlights collaboration and progress. Following the initial session in January of last year, this second iCET meeting emphasises the significance of the initiative.

A major step forward in defence cooperation between India and the US was the agreement for GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics to manufacture F414 jet engines for the Indian Air Force. They also discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a plan to increase trade and investment between the three regions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met several world leaders in Apulia, Italy, during the G7 Summit. His one-day visit included bilateral meetings and a group photo with US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, among others. PM Modi’s central position in the photo drew the attention of Indians, symbolising India’s prominence.

The G7 Summit, attended by the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, and the EU, marked India’s 11th participation and PM Modi’s fifth consecutive presence. Italy also invited leaders from 11 developing countries across Africa, South America, and the Indo-Pacific.

Reflecting public sentiment, a user said, “Modi stands tall as a unique leader in world history, drawing global support while India emerges as a prominent figure.” Another emphasised India’s unexpected centre-stage presence despite not being a G7 member.’

PM Modi departed for New Delhi on Saturday, describing the summit as “very productive” and highlighting discussions on global issues and collaborative solutions. He thanked Italy for its hospitality. 

The Ministry of External Affairs shared PM Modi’s departure images, underscoring fruitful dialogues on global issues and India’s enhanced partnerships resulting from the summit.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Italy for the G7 Summit, India will use its participation to highlight problems facing the global south.

India is a prominent member of the South Asian community and just finished leading the Group of Twenty (G20). As per the reports, PM Modi would bring attention to the issues faced by these nations during his remarks at the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. The prime minister held three plenary sessions at the 2023 G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, highlighting the importance of inclusive global development.

On January 1, 2024, Italy became the G7 president for the seventh time, and the 50th G7 Summit will be held in Apulia from June 13 to 15. The heads of state from each of the seven member nations and the EU’s top diplomats and commission chiefs are scheduled to gather for the summit.

Italy has sent invitations to several states and international organisations to join the Outreach Session, continuing a tradition begun at past G7 Summits. The Outreach Session of the G7 Summits is an event in which India has participated eleven times, with PM Modi making his fifth appearance.

Italy has elevated its bilateral relations with India to a “Strategic Partnership,” with an emphasis on defence, the Indo-Pacific, energy, and science and technology. Italy is the 18th biggest foreign investor and fourth major trade partner for India within the European Union.

At the G7 Summit Outreach Sessions in Puglia on June 14, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni extended an invitation to Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India. The 75th anniversary of this alliance was celebrated last year.

Trade between the two countries hit $15 billion in 2022–23, a testament to the robustness of economic connections.

Technology, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and manufacturing account for the bulk of India’s $400 million in Italian investments. About 60,000 people are employed by more than 700 Italian enterprises in India. Joint research funding under the Executive Programme of Cooperation 2022-24 and the Italian Excellence Platform in Gujarat are two notable efforts.

The signing of a MoU in 2023, together with the formation of the Joint Defence Committee and the Military Cooperation Group, all served to strengthen defence cooperation. In addition to celebrating shared heritage, the two countries actively promote cultural understanding through an extensive exchange programme that benefits from Italy’s sizable Indian diaspora.

President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives reportedly sought ways to strengthen bilateral collaboration with India during his first official visit to the nation. Despite his well-known pro-China views, Muizzu was present at the swearing-in ceremonies for both the Union Council of Ministers and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi began his third term in office as the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

On Tuesday, Muizzu returned to Male. According to the foreign ministry, Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation for the visit. President Droupadi Murmu hosted a banquet while President Muizzu was in town, and bilateral cooperation served as the main topic of discussion.

President Murmu greeted the Maldivian administration and expressed her confidence that Muizzu will continue to lead the nation to prosperity. The two leaders emphasised people-to-people connections, economic ties, and development collaboration while acknowledging the long-standing, complex ties between their countries.

Additionally, S. Jaishankar met with Muizzu and expressed hope for more collaboration. A delegation from the highest level of government accompanied Muizzu. After previous visits to Turkey and China, this was his first journey to India after entering office in November 2023. Since Muizzu took office, there has been tension between India and the Maldives.

India welcomed Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and other new BRICS members at a significant gathering that Russia, which assumed the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, organised. At the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in western Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod, senior diplomat Dammu Ravi represented India.

 A spokeswoman for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, tweeted, “India warmly welcomes the new member.” Upholding multilateralism and international law, addressing global and regional trends, and incorporating new members into BRICS procedures were the main topics of discussion during the summit.

Subjects such as global health, climate pledges, UN reform, and resistance to protectionist policies were also covered.

Argentina was accepted as well, but it withdrew. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi both attended the meeting. The EAM of India usually attends; however, S. Jaishankar was unable to do so because of his recent reappointment.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia highlighted that the BRICS organisation had grown to include ten countries and emphasised its values of multipolarity, openness, and sovereign equality. Putin revealed that around 250 events would take place during the BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s arch-conservative Brothers of Italy group won the most votes in the European parliamentary election, as initial results showed, boosting her standing both at home and abroad. Based on preliminary results, projected projections showed that Brothers of Italy received 28.3%, exceeding 26% from the national ballot for 2022 and more than four times the result in the 2019 EU election.

“Much obliged!” Meloni shared a picture of a victory symbol on social media. With a 23.7% lead, the Democratic Party (PD), the main opposition, lagged, while the 5-Star Movement, with its lowest national performance since 2009, came in third at 10.5%. Support for Meloni’s ruling alliance increased from less than 43% in 2022 to over 46%.

This vote will undoubtedly strengthen the administration, according to Senator Licia Ronzulli of Forza Italia. The late Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia came in fourth place with 10%, behind the League with 8.5%, which put more pressure on Matteo Salvini, the League’s leader.

Meloni’s win is a component of a wider far-right upsurge in Europe. She has improved her image globally, but she stands in stark contrast to the setbacks that German Chancellor Scholz and French President Macron have experienced.