Category: Politics

Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ secured a parliamentary vote of confidence amidst ongoing political instability driven by alliance shifts. Prachanda, a former guerilla leader from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), received 157 out of 268 votes, surpassing the 138-vote threshold required for confidence in his third tenure since December 2022.

The vote followed Prachanda’s recent alliance shift from the Nepali Congress to the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), led by K P Sharma Oli. This action was taken in response to the Nepali Congress’s withdrawal of support, which made the confidence vote required by the constitution necessary.

The realignment of Prachanda’s alliance emphasises Nepal’s unstable political environment, which is characterised by frequent changes in the balance of power between the nation’s major parties. Parties now frequently prioritise gaining power above maintaining ideological consistency.

A post in The Kathmandu Post highlights historical precedent and the inevitability of new alliances being tested. Despite the CPN-UML’s pledge to stability and growth, the editorial emphasises the unpredictable nature of Nepali politics and the challenges ahead.

Prachanda’s political journey, which includes power struggles and coalition changes, is representative of Nepal’s continuous battle for stability in the face of enduring political rivalries and shifting alliances.

Denmark is all set to increase its defence budget by $5.9 billion over the next five years. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the nation aims to rectify defence shortcomings and fulfil NATO targets amid global challenges to the established order.

The move comes after Denmark reduced its military capabilities following the Cold War’s end in the early 1990s. Frederiksen highlighted the initiative’s defensive focus while carefully bringing up Russia’s recent military actions, including army deployments close to Finland following its NATO admission.

Under pressure from Washington, Denmark aims to raise military spending to 2% of GDP from 1.4%, with additional funding totalling 155 billion crowns over ten years. The plan includes extending conscription to 11 months and ensuring gender equality in military service.

Despite significant aid to Ukraine, including the donation of F-16 fighter jets, Denmark has yet to make substantial investments in its armed forces. The new funding seeks to expedite the attainment of NATO targets, now projected for next year instead of the previously estimated 2030 timeline.

Investments will prioritise land-based air defence systems and a heavy infantry brigade of up to 6,000 soldiers by 2028.

PM Narendra Modi and UK PM Rishi Sunak recently discussed the growing bilateral partnership and the ongoing negotiations for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement. Both leaders emphasised their commitment to strengthening this strategic partnership during a telephone conversation.

They highlighted the significance of securing a comprehensive deal that would foster mutual benefits, with bilateral trade currently valued at around GBP 36 billion annually. Britain and India have engaged in on-and-off negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) over the past two years, amid anticipation of national elections in both countries in 2024.

PM Modi is likely to win the third term, with election dates likely to be disclosed shortly. British Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch characterised the discussions as “challenging,” clarifying that the Indian election isn’t a decisive deadline.

In his recent conversation with PM Modi, Chancellor Rishi Sunak echoed British officials’ emphasis on the value of securing a comprehensive deal over expediency. Meanwhile, India recently inked a free trade pact with several European nations, committing to a tariff reduction while expecting $100 billion in investments over the next 15 years. This dynamic backdrop underscores the complexities and strategic considerations at play in the ongoing FTA negotiations between Britain and India.

Soomilduth Bholah, Mauritius’ Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, leads a high-level delegation from the Mauritius International Financial Centre (IFC) on an India Business Mission from March 14 to March 23, following the President’s recent visit to India. His visit spans key cities, including New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, aiming to boost the appeal of Mauritius to Indian investors. Additionally, it emphasises the government’s commitment to fostering a favourable environment for foreign investment.

Bholah highlights the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between Mauritius and India, noting the historical role of the Mauritius IFC in India’s growth. The visit underscores potential collaboration in investment, trade, sustainable financing, and technology. Discussions will focus on partnerships in financial services, IT, and private markets, with an emphasis on mutual benefits.

Recognising Mauritius’ unique location as a gateway to the continent, the mission also seeks to increase investment in Africa through the island nation. By utilising Mauritius’s networks and financial know-how, the delegation aims to boost investment in Africa, promoting its economic growth.

The visit aims to strengthen economic relations between Mauritius and India, encouraging cooperation and investment opportunities in a range of industries and boosting Mauritius’ position as an entry point for capital into Africa.

Japan seeks to secure long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from allies like Australia and the United States amid expiring contracts, including those with Russia, by the early 2030s.

With LNG accounting for a third of Japan’s power generation, JERA, its largest power generator, recently acquired a 15.1% stake in Australia’s Scarborough project. It highlights efforts to ensure reliable long-term supply amid concerns over disruptions from Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Despite a decrease in imports last year due to increased renewable energy use and nuclear reactor restarts post-Fukushima, Japanese LNG buyers have struck deals in Australia and the U.S., securing 10- to 20-year contracts for over 5 million metric tonnes annually. Political issues like Australia’s carbon emissions rules and U.S. LNG export licence freezes haven’t deterred Japan’s interest in these long-term supplies.

Kyushu Electric Power is exploring investments in U.S. projects despite the licence freeze, emphasising the stability of supply from North America and Australia. Through its participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and its collaboration with G7 members, Japan’s reliance on allies for energy security has increased as a result of Russia’s actions. Recent sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project highlight the importance of securing alternatives to Russian LNG.

Australia and Vietnam have elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, aiming to diversify supply chains away from China. Australian PM Anthony Albanese announced the upgrade, reflecting Vietnam’s successful “bamboo diplomacy” amid global tensions.

The partnership emphasises cooperation in climate, environment, defence, security, and education, with both nations exchanging 12 cooperation documents across various sectors.

Australia, a major supplier of essential minerals, is interested in working with Vietnam, a country with substantial unexplored mineral resources. To enhance vital mineral supply networks, an annual ministerial dialogue on energy and minerals is organised.

Vietnam’s plentiful rare earth deposits are what draw Australian miners there. With Vietnamese partners, Blackstone Minerals Ltd. and Australian Strategic Materials conduct rare earth business; nonetheless, some are unsure because of legal concerns. Australia serves as a major coal supplier to Vietnam, meeting a significant portion of its power generation needs. Coal shipments from Australia to Vietnam rose by 17% last year, constituting 39% of Vietnam’s total coal imports.

Vietnam’s key partners now include Australia, the United States, China, India, South Korea, Japan, and Russia. The partnership upgrade and enhanced cooperation signify a significant step towards strengthening ties and fostering economic and strategic collaboration between the two nations.

Moldova and France are about to bolster their bilateral relations by signing defence and economic cooperation accords in a major diplomatic step. The announcement came ahead of Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s scheduled visit to Paris on Thursday.

Against the backdrop of escalating concerns over Russia’s alleged attempts to destabilize Moldova, Western powers are rallying to bolster support for the Eastern European nation. President Sandu’s visit will take place at the same time when Western nations get together for a high-level audio conference led by France to discuss how to improve aid to both Moldova and Ukraine.

Moldova grapples with limited defence capabilities and enduringly strained relations with Moscow. Notably, Russia maintains a military presence, including troops and peacekeepers, in Transdniestria, a breakaway region of Moldova backed by the Kremlin for the past three decades.

President Macron’s upcoming reaffirmation of France’s unwavering support for Moldova’s independence, sovereignty, and security was highlighted during the French presidency.

Specific details regarding these agreements have yet to be disclosed. Recent developments have seen the Transdniestria region solicit Russia’s economic assistance to withstand perceived pressure from Moldova, a move dismissed by the pro-European Chisinau government as a propaganda stunt.

On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India aims to broaden its strategic ties with South Korea, focusing on critical technologies and semiconductors. Jaishankar’s goal in visiting South Korea and Japan is to strengthen ties between the two countries and look into potential areas of cooperation.

Co-chairing the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission Meeting in Seoul, Jaishankar emphasised expanding cooperation in defence, science, technology, and trade. Focusing on trilateral cooperation and Indo-Pacific trends, discussions covered a wide range of topics, including people-to-people interactions and cultural cooperation.

S Jaishankar highlighted the special strategic partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit, stressing the need to explore new areas like nuclear cooperation and supply chain resilience. He noted growing alignment on international issues, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.

Expressing optimism, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of translating goodwill into tangible outcomes, drawing on previous meetings for guidance. He congratulated Cho Tae-yul on his appointment as foreign minister and discussed cultural ties during his visit to Gimhae City.

Queen Heo Hwang-ok’s depiction of the relationship between Ayodhya and Korea highlights the profound historical and cultural ties that exist between the two countries.

South Korea and the United States have appointed envoys, Lee Tae-woo and Linda Specht, respectively, to initiate talks on cost-sharing for American troops stationed in South Korea. The action is unusually early for a contract that is scheduled to start in 2026; it could be an attempt to reach an agreement prior to Donald Trump’s possible reelection as US president.

Since the early 1990s, South Korea has been paying for local labour and military sites to offset the costs of 28,500 American troops stationed there as a deterrent to North Korea.

Both nations aim to strengthen their defence posture and alliance through these talks. While no date is set for negotiations, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lim Soo-suk, highlighted the need for advanced preparation due to the historical length of negotiations.

During Trump’s presidency, tensions arose over cost-sharing, with Trump pushing South Korea to pay up to $5 billion annually. The upcoming talks could potentially extend the Special Measures Agreement beyond 2026, anticipating Trump’s return. Past negotiations saw prolonged discussions, with Seoul eventually agreeing to a 13.9% increase in its contribution, the largest in nearly two decades.

On Tuesday, presumed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto assured a smooth power transition and hinted at privatising state-run enterprises while keeping key sectors under government control. He foresees potential 8% annual economic growth over the next few years. Prabowo advocates for a balanced approach where the state regulates strategic areas but allows the private sector to thrive.

Prabowo proposes rationalising and privatising state-owned enterprises, emphasising the need for private dominance in various sectors. He vows to continue Joko Widodo’s infrastructure modernization and plans to improve tax ratios without increasing taxes.

Addressing fiscal concerns, he suggests widening the fiscal gap to 2.8% of GDP while maintaining fiscal prudence. In addition, he promises to welcome and safeguard both domestic and foreign investments, seeks to achieve food self-sufficiency, and hopes to export food within four years.

Prabowo acknowledges the difficulties of democracy, calling it “very, very tiring” and messy, yet he suggests room for improvement without elaborating. After winning his third presidential run with the help of Joko Widodo’s influence, he is scheduled to take office in October, drawing criticism for unfair advantages and electoral influence. The official election outcome is due by March 20, marking Prabowo’s potential confirmation as president.