Category: Politics

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has given Holtec International a regulatory license to design and build nuclear reactors in India. This is a huge step forward in the nearly two-decade-old nuclear pact between India and the United States.

According to reports, the DoE approved Holtec on March 26, allowing nuclear cooperation between the two countries. The license authorises Holtec to exchange ‘unclassified small modular reactor (SMR) technology’ with three Indian firms—Holtec Asia, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, and Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd—under US rule ’10CFR810′. The authorisation is valid for ten years and is evaluated every five years.

However, Holtec is prohibited from exporting technology to Indian government firms such as NPCIL, AERB, and NTPC Ltd since India has not supplied the necessary non-proliferation assurances. Holtec may subsequently seek to incorporate them. The US has stipulated that the technology cannot be shared without its approval and must only be used for peaceful reasons. Holtec must also provide quarterly updates on technological transfers.

Holtec was founded by Indian American Krishna P. Singh and has operations in Gujarat and Pune. If full-scale manufacturing commences, the business intends to increase its staff, a significant step towards cementing the India-US nuclear collaboration.

The United Arab Emirates participated in the Global Conference on AI, Security, and Ethics in Geneva, confirming its commitment to responsible technological development. Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, met with foreign experts, including Robin Geiss, Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), to address AI’s expanding role in global security and its ethical implications.

During the conversations, Sharaf emphasised the importance of international collaboration in regulating artificial intelligence. He stated that when non-state actors acquire access to crucial technologies, there is an urgent need for global safeguards. He emphasised the significance of responsible knowledge sharing among states and the implementation of solid regulatory frameworks for international peace and security.

Jamal Al Musharakh, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, expressed similar thoughts. He added that global cooperation within the UN system is critical to guarantee that AI serves humanity’s collective interests by fostering peace and shared values.

Diplomats, military officials, corporate leaders, academics, and representatives from civil society all attend the annual UNIDIR meeting. It enables professionals to investigate the influence of AI on national, regional, and global security and resilience.

Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary, and Christopher Landau, US Deputy Secretary of State, recently discussed ways to decrease trade obstacles, boost defence and technology collaboration, and combat illegal immigration to the US. The conversation aimed to promote a fair and balanced bilateral commercial partnership.

According to a statement issued by the US Department of State, Landau expressed gratitude for India’s help in combating illegal immigration. He emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation between the two countries. The discussions also addressed security and development in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US government’s decision to begin enforcing reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports on April 2 coincided with the high-level negotiations. During the encounter, Misri congratulated Landau on his confirmation by the US Senate and invited him to visit India.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised India and the US’ growing strategic relations, citing expanded trade, defence, and technological agreements. Both sides underlined their commitment to further conversation on major bilateral issues.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in India recently cancelled 2,000 visa appointments scheduled using bots, confirming its zero-tolerance approach against visa scheduling infractions. In a post on X, the embassy emphasised its firm opposition to unauthorised agents misusing the visa system.

Analysts describe the post-1945 world order as being stuck between the old and new power structures, undergoing a seismic change. Even though there have been conversations about this change for more than ten years, current occurrences highlight how real it is. This transformation is exemplified by the high-profile meeting between US Senator Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia, as well as the heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on March 5.

This geopolitical reshuffling enables middle powers to establish themselves by using both hard and soft power to protect national interests. Joseph Nye popularised the term “soft power,” which denotes a country’s ability to influence others through culture, ideals, and diplomacy rather than coercion. A combination of soft and hard power, known as “Smart Power,” has emerged as the favoured tactic, even though military force and economic penalties are still essential.

Saudi Arabia has emerged as a vital diplomatic player, hosting crucial meetings to resolve the Russia- Ukraine crisis. Its transition, characterised by social reforms and programs such as NEOM, indicates a purposeful image shift.

His Excellency Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, met with His Excellency Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, to explore how Dubai and India can strengthen their trade and investment connections. The meeting was held at the Dubai Chambers offices and was attended by His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers.

Both sides emphasised the importance of developing bilateral trade and investment prospects, as well as Dubai and India’s deep economic cooperation. His Excellency Al Mansoori remarked that Dubai is committed to promoting global economic cooperation and that Indian enterprises continue to play an important role in Dubai’s progress. He emphasised that Indian enterprises are the largest foreign business community in Dubai, contributing considerably to a variety of industries.

The meeting also focused on collaboration in information technology, logistics, and aviation. Discussions focused on Dubai’s World Logistics Passport program, which aims to streamline global trade and reduce costs. Indian entrepreneurs were encouraged to use Dubai as a gateway to foreign markets, utilising the Dubai Foreign Chamber’s global network.

With 16,623 new Indian companies joining Dubai Chambers in 2024, the discussions reaffirmed Dubai’s standing as a favoured investment destination.

On March 20, White House cryptocurrency czar David Sacks met with Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to explore the emerging landscape of artificial intelligence and digital currency. The meeting highlighted the growing intersection of emerging technology and global finance.

Sacks, a significant authority in US technology policy, commented on the participation via the social media platform X. He regarded the conversation as smart and profound, emphasising the significance of international cooperation in these areas. “It was an honour to meet with Sheikh Tahnoon to discuss AI and cryptocurrency,” he wrote.

Sheikh Tahnoon, a leading figure in the UAE’s national security and economic policy, expanded on the importance. He highlighted AI’s revolutionary potential across industries and the growing significance of digital currencies in transforming financial institutions. Investment prospects at the junction of these technologies were also a hot topic.

The gathering exemplifies a growing trend of US-UAE collaboration in new digital ecosystems. As technology advances, Sheikh Tahnoon emphasised the need for alliances and forward-thinking initiatives in promoting long-term success.

Sacks, a former tech entrepreneur turned policy advocate, continues to play a key role in developing US blockchain policies.

In a historic step to strengthen Singapore’s ties with India, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Changi Airport Group (CAG), and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) have launched their first tripartite collaboration. The year-long agreement, which runs from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, aims to promote Singapore’s brand presence, improve trade relations, and attract high-value Indian travellers.

This initiative’s primary goal is to highlight Singapore’s enhanced tourism experiences while presenting it as a leading global aviation hub. The agreement also includes the Friends of Singapore Fellowship (FOSF) program, which will send 30 well-known Indian digital content creators to the island nation. Through entertaining material, they will showcase destinations such as Sentosa Island and Changi Airport, providing Indian customers with a different perspective on Singapore.

Juliana Kua, STB’s Assistant Chief Executive, stated that this program builds on the success of past roadshows in India. She believes it will increase interaction and provide memorable experiences for Indian guests.

This relationship coincides with the 60th anniversary of India and Singapore’s diplomatic relations. To mark this achievement, STB has created special discounts and packages for Indian travellers at important retail and hospitality sites.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated the importance of solid diplomatic relations between Japan, South Korea, and the United States, emphasising that they remain intact. His statements were released by South Korea’s foreign ministry on Friday, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Tokyo.

The encounter occurred prior to a three-way foreign ministers’ summit between Japan, South Korea, and China. During the meetings, the three countries agreed that keeping peace on the Korean Peninsula is a joint duty. South Korea’s foreign minister confirmed that collaboration between the three countries will remain a priority.

These negotiations came after a rare summit in Seoul in May, where Japan, South Korea, and China pledged to strengthen trade relations and reaffirm their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. The discussions take place at a time of increased regional anxiety, including U.S. trade sanctions and North Korea’s developing military ties with Russia.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya noted that he, Cho, and China’s Wang Yi held open discussions on regional and international issues, underlining their commitment to future collaboration.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Cairo on Saturday for a crucial meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, with a focus on improving bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional stability.

The two leaders addressed ways to improve collaboration in trade, investment, and development while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening economic connections, notably in infrastructure, energy, and finance. They also discussed regional issues, emphasising the significance of collaborative efforts to achieve stability and progress.

The summit emphasised the UAE’s long-standing diplomatic and strategic cooperation with Egypt. Both countries continue to collaborate closely to advance mutual interests and expand chances for economic cooperation. Their conversations emphasised a common vision for regional prosperity and reaffirmed continued efforts to improve diplomatic interaction.

Following the negotiations, President El-Sisi arranged an iftar dinner to honour Sheikh Mohamed and his delegation. The cordial response reflected the two countries’ strong historical ties and mutual respect.

Sheikh Mohamed left Cairo later that evening, with President El-Sisi and other Egyptian authorities bidding him farewell. His visit highlighted the UAE and Egypt’s longstanding friendship, reinforcing their commitment to regional cooperation and economic development.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is scheduled for a crucial three-day visit to Singapore from March 24 to 26, 2025, to strengthen marine cooperation between the two countries. His visit coincides with Singapore Marine Week, a major worldwide event to which he has been invited by the Singaporean government to engage in significant discussions about the future of marine trade.

Sonowal plans to attend high-level meetings with his Singaporean counterpart and other maritime officials. These discussions will primarily focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation and identifying potential prospects in the maritime sector. One of the highlights of his visit will be his participation in the debate “Navigating Global Maritime Trends in 2025 and Beyond,” which will bring together worldwide stakeholders to discuss the future of maritime trade and innovation.

During the tour, Sonowal will meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other top officials to strengthen India’s maritime partnerships. He is set to meet with Brigit Gijsbers of the Netherlands to discuss deeper international collaborations. A crucial milestone will be the signing of a Letter of Intent for a Green Digital Shipping Corridor between India and Singapore, which would promote trade and sustainability.