Category: Politics

On Saturday, India and Russia celebrated their 77th anniversary of diplomatic ties, highlighting a resilient partnership across diverse sectors such as defence, energy, trade, and culture. Over the years, Russia has played a crucial role in strengthening India’s energy security and defence capabilities. 

Currently, efforts are underway to enhance connectivity in the Eurasian space. Additionally, there are endeavours to achieve an early conclusion of the FTA between the Eurasian Economic Union and India, efficiently promote the North-South Transport Corridor, relaunch the Vladivostok-Chennai Eastern Maritime Corridor, strengthen independent financial and payment mechanisms, synchronise customs regimes, multiply joint ventures, and expand tourism and humanitarian linkages.

In 2024, the two countries will celebrate several significant jubilees. These include the 555th anniversary of the famous journey by the Russian merchant Afanasy Nikitin to India and the 150th birth anniversary of the iconic Nicholas Roerich.

India’s former envoy to Russia, DB Venkatesh Varma, stated that decades of careful diplomacy between India and Russia had fostered a unique partnership resilient to internal changes and global shifts. He emphasised the rarity of such enduring collaboration in contemporary international relations. Varma highlighted the need to revitalise the strategic alliance to better align with the demands of a multipolar world.

US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced increased military cooperation to confront China during a state visit to the White House.

The US-Japan alliance has undergone a major upgrade, with agreements including constructing an air missile defence network with Australia and creating unified command structures. They underlined that these actions are entirely defensive and intended to protect international law from unilateral attempts to use force to change the status quo.

The leaders also declared mutually beneficial cooperation to accelerate the development of nuclear fusion and agreements in the fields of economics and technology. They both stated that they anticipated seeing a future US mission where a Japanese person would become the first person who is not American to set foot on the moon.

They also seek to improve defence collaboration using roughly seventy agreements, one of which will modernise the US military command system in Japan. Potential collaboration between Japan and the US on the Aukus defence partnership was also discussed, while Japan’s full membership is still up for debate.

In addition to addressing Congress, Kishida will take part in debates about Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea. Biden said he agreed with Japan’s efforts to start talks with North Korea.

On Tuesday, Simon Harris became Ireland’s youngest premier at 37. He left university at 20 to work in politics, became a councillor at 22, and an MP at 24. He oversaw the nation’s response to COVID-19 throughout his time in the cabinet, which began before he reached thirty. 

Harris hopes to strengthen his party’s position by possibly creating coalitions with independent candidates, given the difficulties of overturning Sinn Fein’s lead in opinion polls before the next election. Harris believes that Fine Gael is still a centrist party despite efforts to return to its centre-right positions. Though others are sceptical that he would move the party away from its current position, his past work on issues like abortion rights proves his broad range.

His ability to compromise and work within coalition frameworks will be crucial because there won’t be much time for significant policy changes. Colleagues acknowledge his willingness to work with others despite their differences in politics, which may be important in upcoming coalition talks. 

In Ireland’s political climate, Harris must strike a balance between party values and the necessity of cooperation as he fulfils the duties of prime minister.

On Tuesday, a joint declaration was signed by Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands. This denotes a coordinated effort among these North Sea bordering countries to protect underwater infrastructure, particularly in light of potential threats such as those from Russia.

These nations aim to improve their ability to exchange critical information by pledging to cooperate, which will be essential to safeguarding important maritime assets. This agreement emphasises how crucial international cooperation is in tackling marine security issues.

Following the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022, Western European governments have made the security of underwater cables and pipelines a top concern. These pipes demonstrate the fragility of such infrastructure and are essential for moving gas across the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.

NATO issued a warning in May 2023 against possible Russian destruction of underwater cables in retaliation for Western assistance to Ukraine. The concern has intensified in light of the growing threats to international security, especially in the wake of the Gaza War.

The North Sea is essential to advancing Europe’s aspirations for renewable energy and improving energy security. Protecting essential energy infrastructure requires strengthened partnerships with northern European allies to ensure resilience against potential threats or disruptions.

The USA, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines conducted joint naval and air drills in the South China Sea, coinciding with China’s regional exercises. The goal of the multilateral exercise, which took place in the West Philippine Sea, was to improve participant forces’ maritime skills and collaboration. It included division tactics and communication drills.

Even if it wasn’t overt, China’s aggression in the area was a driving force behind the drill. The defence minister of Japan opposed forceful unilateral reforms and underlined the importance of the South China Sea for maintaining regional stability. The head of defence for the Philippines emphasised how the exercises will help to fortify the four countries’ long-lasting alliance and collective self-defence.

China’s Southern Theatre Command retaliated by arranging its drills to impose control over the region’s stability. Other claimants and their allies are concerned about China’s militarisation of the South China Sea islands because they fear limitations on their freedom of movement. International attention has been drawn to the recent escalation of hostilities between Manila and Beijing, particularly in the vicinity of the Second Thomas Shoal.

The US, Japan, and the Philippines had a trilateral summit before the exercises to enhance regional security coordination by expanding collaboration, especially in defence.

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian embarked on a diplomatic journey to Oman, marking the initial leg of a pivotal regional tour. This move comes amidst heightened tensions following a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus nearly a week ago.

The ministry revealed that Amirabdollahian’s visit to Oman was accompanied by a delegation comprising political and parliamentary figures. The agenda includes bilateral issues between Iran and Oman as well as regional issues, particularly Gaza.

The recent escalation began with a suspected Israeli airstrike targeting Iran’s embassy compound in Syria. Iran claimed the strike resulted in the deaths of seven Revolutionary Guard commanders, including three senior members. This incident has raised concerns globally, particularly within the United States, which is on high alert, anticipating potential retaliatory actions by Iran against Israeli or American interests in the region.

In response to perceived threats from Iran, Israel’s military has intensified airstrikes in Syria, specifically targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, both of which provide support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Israel, known for its policy of ambiguity regarding military operations, declined to comment on the reported strike last week, maintaining its stance of not discussing operations reported in foreign media.

On Thursday, Kuwait opened its first polling stations since Sheikh Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah took office in late 2023. According to the official news agency, the elections, which are the fourth to be held since December 2020, are set to end at midnight local time.

The people will choose representatives from five electoral seats for the 18th legislative term of the National Assembly. 200 candidates are running for 50 seats in the parliament this year since political parties are banned in Kuwait. All of these candidates are running as individuals.

There are 834,733 voters eligible to vote and there is variation in the number of voters in each constituency. The first constituency has 41 candidates and 104,038 voters; the second has 39 candidates and 95,302 voters; the third has 32 candidates and 143,693 voters; the fourth has 48 candidates and 220,932 voters; and the fifth has 40 candidates and 270,768 eligible voters.

To make the voting process easier, 123 vote boxes have been placed at specific schools around Kuwait. Kuwait is at a turning point in its political history as a result of its residents using their democratic rights to vote and determine the future trajectory of their country.

Ousmane Sonko, the new prime minister of Senegal, who is well-known for rallying youth support, succeeded his ally Bassirou Diomaye Faye in securing the presidency. The appointment was made just hours after Faye was sworn in as president of the country in West Africa after winning the election on March 25 by a wide margin.

Despite being barred from the most recent election due to a defamation conviction, Sonko, a critic of former president Macky Sall, supported Faye to succeed him.

Former tax inspectors Sonko and Faye support Senegal’s independence from French colonial ties and are against corruption. After his appointment, Sonko promised development and improvement. Renegotiating contracts and adopting a new currency are among the things in their manifesto.

Analysts anticipate that Sonko’s appointment will boost the prime minister’s status and give Faye’s administration impetus.

Sonko faced legal troubles, including arrest and trial on various charges, which he claims were politically motivated. Faye was released under a new amnesty law intended to reduce tensions but still had to deal with legal issues.

Sonko is still a prominent figure in Senegalese politics, despite backlash over his views on homosexuality and the controversial comments made during his rape trial.

China, Russia, and North Korea are increasingly launching cyberattacks, so Japan, the United States, and the Philippines are teaming up to create a collective cyber defence network. At their trilateral summit in Washington on April 11, Presidents Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are expected to reach an agreement on this cooperation.

This initiative aims to protect critical infrastructure and government facilities. There are currently cybersecurity negotiations between the United States and Japan, as well as ongoing discussions with the Philippines. The United States and Japan offer support to the Philippines in response to cyberattacks, with China being the main suspect.

As demonstrated by Russia’s hybrid warfare during its invasion of Ukraine, cyberspace has become a new theatre of operations.

In March 2022, the Self-Defence Forces of Japan formed a cyberdefense unit to implement active cyberdefense tactics. The United States, the Philippines, and Japan might work together to avert attacks. The U.S., possessing robust cyber defence capabilities, offers its expertise to Japan and the Philippines.

Furthermore, joint patrols in the South China Sea to prevent Beijing’s maritime invasions and strengthening supply chains for essential supplies like nickel and semiconductors will also be topics of discussion during the summit.

Indonesia purchases two submarines from the state-owned French Naval Group to be constructed domestically. This comes after recent defence contracts with French businesses, which included the 2022 purchase of 42 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.

The 18 torpedoes and missile-capable diesel-electric Scorpenes will be constructed at the PT PAL shipyard in Indonesia. Technology transfer is part of the agreement, and Indonesians will handle management and maintenance, producing a large number of skilled jobs.

The CEO of the military group, Pierre Eric Pommellet, applauds the collaboration and highlights that the submarines support Indonesia’s military power and maritime sovereignty.

The 72-metre-long Scorpene, which can dive 300 metres and support a crew of 31 sailors for more than 12 days, is a testament to Indonesia’s desire to become a leader in submarine technology.

This decision fits in with France’s attempts to fortify relations in the Asia-Pacific following the repercussions of the Australian submarine agreement, in which Canberra chose to use nuclear-powered technology from the United States and Great Britain, upsetting Paris. France aims to strengthen its connections with the region, meanwhile, Indonesia’s faith in its engineering abilities is a step towards defence technology independence.