Category: Politics

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.

On Monday, India delivered two Dornier-228 aircraft to Guyana as part of a Line of Credit Agreement, marking a new phase in their partnership. The Indian Air Force team facilitated the delivery, initiated by diplomatic efforts led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and High Commissioner Dr KJ Srinivasa.

This demonstrates India’s commitment to enhancing Guyana’s defence capabilities, with President Ali’s visit to HAL in 2023 being a starting point. Guyana’s government, represented by Dr Ashni K Singh, expressed gratitude for India’s support and emphasised the importance of advanced technology in national security, particularly for the Air Corps and Coast Guard.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson addressed the delivery as a milestone in bilateral relations, enabling connectivity, medical evacuation, and disaster response.

Guyana’s President confirmed the arrival of the planes at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, highlighting their significance for the Guyana Defence Force. Despite geographical separation, India and Guyana share colonial histories, agrarian economies, and diverse societies.

Last month, a Defence Line of Credit was established with the Caribbean region, facilitated by the Export-Import Bank of India, totalling USD 23.37 million. This agreement, which constitutes the 292nd Line of Credit overseas from Exim Bank, serves to strengthen India’s dedication to cultivating international collaborations.

According to Japanese media outlets, the United States government is arranging a significant summit set to take place in July. The summit is likely to occur on the sidelines of a NATO gathering in Washington and will feature President Joe Biden alongside his counterparts from Japan and South Korea.

As per a report, the anticipated discussions during this summit are expected to encompass a wide array of pressing issues, ranging from fortifying deterrence measures against China to addressing North Korea’s persistent nuclear threat. Additionally, concerns regarding North Korea’s increasingly robust military collaboration with Russia are likely to be on the agenda.

Amidst the speculations, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi of Japan refrained from providing any official commentary on PM Fumio Kishida’s potential attendance at the July 9–11 NATO Summit. Furthermore, South Korea’s and the US’s offices remained silent and declined to offer any formal statements. 

This forthcoming summit follows President Biden’s hosting of a pivotal gathering in August, held at Camp David, where collaborative efforts to deepen military and economic ties between the United States, Japan, and South Korea were highlighted.

PM Kishida and President Yoon participated in previous NATO summits in 2022 and 2023, underscoring NATO’s concerted efforts to strengthen ties with key Indo-Pacific partners.

On Monday, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the country’s first female prime minister, marking a historic moment in Congolese politics. President Tshisekedi made a promise during his campaign, and the announcement represents a significant advancement in gender equality under the country’s leadership.

Former planning minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka steps into her new role at a crucial time for the nation, particularly in the conflict-ridden eastern region. Rich in minerals and resources, this region has been plagued by ongoing conflicts, which have caused millions of people to be displaced and are considered one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.

In her inaugural address on state television, PM Tuluka pledged to prioritise peace and development efforts, particularly in the troubled eastern provinces. She expressed deep concern for those affected by the ongoing violence and affirmed her commitment to seeking sustainable solutions.

However, her appointment coincides with the challenging task of forming a new government, requiring extensive negotiations with various political factions. Despite the hurdles, her appointment symbolises a breakthrough in Congolese politics, offering prospects for greater inclusivity and representation in governance.

India has continued its steadfast support of the bilateral development partnership by providing the second tranche of five billion Indian rupees (INR) or Ngultrum (Nu) to Bhutan for the GyalSung Project. India’s Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela presented the amount to Bhutan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo DN Dhungyel, on March 26, 2024.

The King of Bhutan has endorsed the GyalSung Project, which aims to empower Bhutanese youth through thorough skill development and encourage active participation in the country’s development.

This second instalment brings India’s total contribution to 10 billion INR/Nu under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2024. It specifies 15 billion INR/Nu in concessionary finance from India for the infrastructural construction of GyalSung academies. This funding is additional to India’s assistance to Bhutan under the plan.

The MoU builds upon earlier collaborations, including grant assistance of INR/Nu 2 billion for the DeSuung for GyalSung programme in February 2023.

The Indian Embassy expressed privilege in partnering with Bhutan on this initiative, highlighting its focus on youth and skilling at the core of nation-building endeavours.

Indian EAM S. Jaishankar met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan in Kuala Lumpur as part of his tour across Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The discussions aimed to bolster collaboration across political, economic, defence, and people-to-people connections between the two nations. They also delved into regional and international concerns of mutual interest.

Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the talks, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of Malaysia-India relations and the importance of enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as politics, economics, defence, digital technologies, startups, and consular affairs. Both ministers exchanged views on key regional issues including the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and Ukraine.

They anticipate strengthening their ties as they approach the completion of a decade of Enhanced Strategic Partnership. Plans for high-level visits and the 7th Joint Commission Meeting between Malaysia and India were also discussed.

This meeting marked the first interaction between Jaishankar and Hasan since Hasan assumed office in December 2023. Later in the day, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim and Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

In 2023, India ranked as Malaysia’s 12th largest global trading partner, with total trade valued at RM 77.76 billion (USD 16.53 billion).