Category: Politics

India and Japan pledged to strengthen bilateral health cooperation during a meeting conducted on the sidelines of the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, marking a significant step forward.

On Monday, officials said that both countries reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to strengthening the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2018, signalling a firm commitment to mutual health initiatives. The key elements of this enhanced alliance include the expansion of cooperation into new areas, most notably digital health, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, senior care, and the fight against non-communicable diseases.

By utilising technological breakthroughs, both countries want to overcome the difficulties faced by an ageing population and lifestyle-related diseases. Officials highlighted the next Joint Working Group meeting, which will allow for more detailed planning and implementation of cooperation projects.

Furthermore, the two countries want to expand their present programme to teach Indian nursing personnel in Japanese. This effort seeks to equip nurses for employment opportunities in Japan, addressing the country’s healthcare workforce demands while also giving career options for Indian professionals.

The agreement highlights a shared commitment to using innovation and strategic collaboration to address global health issues. Through this alliance, India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to advancing global public health initiatives.

U.S. President Joe Biden emphasised strengthening democracy in Africa and beyond during Kenyan President William Ruto’s formal visit to the White House. This was the first African president to visit the White House since 2008, and it highlighted new security, technology, and debt reduction collaborations between the two countries.

In honour of Kenya’s 60th anniversary of independence, Biden reflected on his early travels there and underlined the country’s significance as a democratic ally in Africa.

The two presidents unveiled several initiatives, including steps to lessen Kenya’s heavy debt load, the majority of which is owed to China, as well as U.S.-backed investments in green energy and health manufacturing. With its $250 million commitment, which includes $180 million for affordable housing projects, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation increased its overall investment to nearly $1 billion in Kenya.

Kenya became the first nation in sub-Saharan Africa to be named a major non-NATO ally, after Israel and Qatar in this regard. Both presidents emphasised the necessity for the international community to aid developing nations in debt reduction, investments in sustainable development, and climate technology.

In addition, it included support for the Somali government in its fight against terrorism, as well as the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

On Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Germany for a three-day state visit, the first by a French president in 24 years, ahead of next month’s European Parliamentary elections. Macron’s visits to Berlin, Dresden, and Muenster highlight the importance of the German-French alliance in the face of concerns such as the Ukraine conflict and Donald Trump’s probable re-election.

Macron emphasised the importance of strengthening Franco-German relations. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reiterated this sentiment, emphasising the necessity of collaboration on geopolitical concerns such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the United States election.

Despite differing leadership styles and public confrontations on matters like defence and nuclear energy, Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have lately reached an agreement on fiscal reform and power market subsidies. Analyst Yann Wernert pointed out that these conflicts reflect the two countries’ participation in tough issues, such as EU expansion.

The visit intends to demonstrate the effectiveness of the German-French relationship, despite ongoing differences on major subjects such as European defence. The possibility of Trump’s reelection, which could change NATO dynamics, is increasing this anxiety. Macron supports a self-sufficient European defence, whereas Germany relies on the United States’ military cover.

The Indian and French armies are sharpening critical jungle survival and mountain operation skills during the 7th edition of Joint Exercise Shakti. This biennial event, which is being held in Umroi, Meghalaya, from May 13 to 26, aims to improve multi-domain operating capabilities in semi-conventional circumstances.

The soldiers of both countries are diligently honing the survival skills necessary for self-preservation in hostile settings. These exercises simulate tactical actions in the real world. An Indian military spokeswoman stated, “Exercise Shakti enables both sides to share best practices in joint operations.” “It fosters interoperability, camaraderie, and bonhomie between our armed forces.”

Ninety French soldiers from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade and ninety Indian soldiers, mostly from the Rajput Regiment, are participating in the drill. Responses to terrorist acts, setting up cooperative command posts, intelligence gathering, helicopter operations, cordon and search manoeuvres, and the use of drone and counter-drone systems are all examples of tactical drills.

Exercise Shakti intends to strengthen defence cooperation and bilateral ties between France and India in addition to improving operational readiness. Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi of the Indian Army and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou attended the opening ceremony on May 13. Observers from the Indian Navy and Air Force also participated.

On Tuesday, the Philippines and the United States agreed to train Filipinos in building and operating nuclear power plants to enhance the country’s electricity supply.

This accord comes after a nuclear cooperation pact signed in November that opened the door for US funding in the Philippines’ atomic energy industry. The Philippine Department of Energy and the Philippine-American Educational Foundation must offer scholarships and exchange programmes focused on renewable energy and civil nuclear power, according to the new agreement.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink said, “This will assist the Philippines in producing the trained labour force required to construct a clean energy infrastructure, including cutting-edge nuclear power plants.”

Nuclear power has always been a particular interest of President Ferdinand Marcos, who even had thoughts of bringing back a $2.2 billion facility from his father’s time. The agreement reached in November in San Francisco during an Asia-Pacific summit guarantees protections against transferring nuclear material for use in weapons.

Under the US Atomic Energy Act, agreements known as “123 agreements” are essential for US nuclear corporations to invest without breaking non-proliferation rules. A civil nuclear industry working group for Southeast Asia will also be formed in Manila to facilitate the connection between US corporations and Philippine partners.

The UAE wants to lead the world in AI and is using large investments to diversify its economy away from oil. The government-backed company G42 is in charge of this effort. With this endeavour, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global centre for artificial intelligence.

Al Olama highlighted the strategic cooperation that the US and the UAE share, implying that new cooperative agreements are bound to occur. Microsoft recently revealed a $1.5 billion investment in G42, acquiring a board seat and a minority share, allowing the two to further expand their partnership. G42 will use Microsoft’s cloud services for its artificial intelligence applications under this agreement, which comes with security guarantees for both nations.

This collaboration fits Washington’s plan for countering Beijing’s technical innovations. Four Chinese firms have been placed on a U.S. blacklist for attempting to obtain AI chips for use in military applications. Al Olama responded that the UAE is still impartial and welcoming of international trade when asked about possible divestiture from Chinese tech companies.

Al Olama also emphasised the value of nuclear energy as part of a varied energy mix in luring AI investments to the UAE. Though there have been conversations, no concrete plans have been made about small modular nuclear reactors.

On Monday, the 4th vote of confidence in Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ was passed by Parliament in the 18 months since he took office. The primary opposition party, the Nepali Congress, chose not to participate in the ballot in a show of protest against Home Minister and Deputy PM Rabi Lamichhane, who is charged with embezzling cooperative funds.

In the 275-member House of Representatives (HoR), Prachanda, 69, a veteran guerilla leader from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), garnered 157 votes. 158 legislators took part in all, with one sitting in neutral.

Prachanda won a majority in the Parliament, and Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire formally declared him the winner. The confidence vote was required when the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) withdrew its support last week. For the government to continue in power, at least 138 votes were required.

Due to calls from the Nepali Congress for a parliamentary investigation into Lamichhane’s purported role in the scheme, the session was postponed. A PM is required by the constitution to seek a vote of confidence following the withdrawal of support from an ally.

On March 13, Prachanda had secured his third straight vote of confidence.

India will participate in key summits promoting global peace, security, and development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed, referring to invitations to attend the G-7 meeting and the Ukraine peace summit. In an interview with PTI, PM Modi highlighted India’s dedication to advocating for human-centred development for a prosperous and peaceful world and raising the issues of the Global South.

Modi stated that his availability would be contingent on schedule, arrangements, and other obligations. June 13–15 will see the G-7 summit in Italy, while June 15–16 will see the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland. According to PM Modi, these invitations are in line with the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) and demonstrate India’s important role in world affairs.

The EU is a “non-enumerated member.” The G-7, which consists of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, is based on the ideas of pluralism, liberal democracy, and representative government. The ongoing peace negotiations in Ukraine, where Kyiv has asked India to play a constructive role in countering Russia, highlight India’s growing importance.

Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, met with Dr S. Jaishankar, his counterpart from India, in March for discussions on bilateral relations and the Peace Formula.

On Sunday, the meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan focused on finalising a strategic agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

According to a statement, the semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the two countries, which are almost finished, was examined at the meeting in the Saudi city of Dhahran. The United States’ security guarantees and potential civilian nuclear aid to Saudi Arabia were among the main topics of discussion.

The leaders also spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stressing the need to work towards a two-state solution and resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They emphasised how important it is to put an end to hostilities with Hamas and make sure that Gaza is receiving humanitarian help.

This meeting takes place amid larger attempts to stabilise the Middle East. Sullivan will also be visiting Israel to talk further about regional initiatives on security and peace. Despite being an oil-rich country, Saudi Arabia’s interest in nuclear energy fits with its long-term objectives for reducing emissions and using renewable energy, even if there are still worries about possible nuclear proliferation.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic of the conservative, pro-European HDZ party was sworn in for a third term last month when the Croatian parliament accepted his cabinet. The far-right Homeland Movement (DF) and the HDZ forged an alliance, which allowed the DF to win three ministerial places in the 18-member cabinet. This coalition was crucial to Croatia’s entry into the EU’s Schengen area and the euro zone.

One goal that Plenkovic emphasised was a “successful, vital, just, sustainable, and sovereign Croatia.” 79 of the 141 MPs voted in favour of the government, 61 against, and one did not vote. The DF, which is well-known for its anti-immigrant stance and defence of traditional values, is concerned about a rightward tilt. However, under HDZ’s leadership, experts predict that important immigration and minority rights policies won’t alter.

According to political analysts Davor Gjenero and Teneo’s Andrius Tursa, the government will stick to its centrist, pro-EU policies while maintaining a resolutely pro-Western and pro-Ukrainian position. Due to the dominance of the DF, the minority Serb party is not included in the coalition agreement.

With 61 seats obtained by HDZ in the 151-seat parliament, a majority was only possible with the 14 seats held by DF and the backing of minority parties—apart from the Serb SDSS.