Category: Politics

During the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 16, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised India’s dedication to “freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters.”

 Addressing the meet, the minister highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue and reaching consensus among nations while adhering to international laws for resolving maritime disputes.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Union Defence Minister engaged in discussions with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on how India and the US could collaborate to support ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific.

Additionally, Rajnath Singh met with his Indonesian and Vietnamese counterparts, Prabowo Subianto and General Phan Van Giang, to assess bilateral defense relations.

India put forth a proposal to co-chair an Expert Working Group on Counter-terrorism during the meeting, recognising terrorism as a serious threat to international peace and security, especially in the ASEAN region. The proposal received endorsement from ADMM-Plus, underscoring the shared concern about terrorism among countries in the region.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has partnered with Conservation International to champion environmental causes, the organisation announced on November 6. Ardern, now the sixth Arnhold Distinguished Fellow of the group, will dedicate two years to advocating internationally, particularly addressing issues impacting the Pacific and Antarctica. The role, classified as part-time, includes a stipend.

This commitment to conservation is one of several new endeavours Ardern has undertaken since her unexpected resignation in January. Concurrently, she is pursuing dual fellowships at Harvard University’s Kennedy School and working on a leadership book.

Ardern expressed her longstanding dedication to global climate action, citing her 15-year advocacy in the New Zealand Parliament. Notably, her government declared a climate emergency in 2020, symbolically aligning with other nations. Although the declaration lacked additional statutory powers or funding, Ardern emphasized its significance in recognizing the challenges faced by the next generation.

Reflecting her commitment to environmental causes, Ardern previously implemented a ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration and plastic shopping bags. Conservation International CEO M. Sanjayan hailed Ardern’s appointment as a victory for the conservation and climate movement, praising her leadership qualities and determination to deliver crucial environmental solutions.

The US mission in New Delhi has opened over 2.5 lakh interview appointments for visa applicants in India. In a post on X, the US embassy on November 1 said that more than a quarter-million non-immigrant visa appointments opened during the weekend.

The most recent data from the US State Department indicates a significant reduction in wait times for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa categories. According to media reports, Delhi’s wait time has decreased from 542 days to just 37 days in the past week.

In addition to Delhi, other consulates in India have also seen improved wait times. Kolkata’s wait time has dropped to 126 days (previously 539), Mumbai stands at 322 days (formerly 596), and Chennai at 341 days (previously 526). Hyderabad is the only location that experienced a slight increase, from 506 to 511 days.

Wait times may vary for those who are eligible for interview waivers. For those looking to travel sooner, another option is to apply for B1/B2 visas at international destinations they plan to visit. In February, the US Embassy in India announced that Indian nationals can apply for B1/B2 visas at international destinations. US visa wait times in international destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Dubai, UAE, range from 2 to 466 days, respectively.

India sent the first consignment of emergency relief materials worth ₹10 crore to quake-struck Nepal on November 5. The relief materials arrived in Nepal via a special Indian Air Force C-130 flight at Nepalgunj.

The consignment of over 11 tonnes of emergency relief materials included relief materials such as tents, blankets, tarpaulin sheets and essential medicines and medical equipment.

The relief materials were handed over by the Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, on behalf of the Government of India, to the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Nepal, Purna Bahadur Khadka.

On the midnight of November 3, Nepal was struck by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake. So far, the quake has taken the lives of 157 people and injured over 250 others. India will send more consignments to Nepal in the coming days.

Indian government’s help to Nepal coincides with the role of first responder it played after the Himalayan country was hit by a massive earthquake in 2015. India then carried out its largest disaster relief operation abroad called Operation Maitri.

So far, India has extended $1 billion to Nepal under its long-term assistance for post-earthquake reconstruction in housing, education, health, and cultural heritage sectors. This includes rebuilding 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on October 28 discussed the worsening security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. Both leaders expressed their concern over the increase in terrorism, violence, and civilian casualties in the region, largely owing to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The leaders agreed on the need to quickly restore peace and stability and provide humanitarian assistance to those who have been affected by the conflict. They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.

“President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, in which views were exchanged between the two leaders on the latest developments in the Israeli military operations in the Gaza strip, and the danger of continuing the current escalation, whether due to its grave effects on the lives of civilians, or the threat it poses to security,” a Facebook post from the Egyptian Presidency spokesperson said.

On October 27, India abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict. India’s abstention was due to its concerns that the resolution did not specifically mention Hamas, and it stressed the need for the UN to send a clear message against terrorism.

Former Singapore President Halimah Yacob was conferred the nation’s highest civilian honour on October 29, for “embodying so fully the Singapore Story – and for her lifetime of devoted and distinguished service.”

Madam Halimah received the Order of Temasek (With High Distinction) from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the National Awards Investiture, held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central. She is the first Singaporean to be elected to the governing body of the International Labour Organisation, the first Malay woman to be elected an MP, the first female Speaker of Parliament, and the first female to occupy the highest office in the land.

The leader began her career in the labour movement in 1978, and became the deputy secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress. She contributed extensively to formulating, strengthening and enforcing labour standards locally and internationally over her 33 years of devoted service.

Madam Halimah was elected to Parliament in 2001, and served four terms as an MP. She was appointed to political office in 2011, as Minister of State first in the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and later in the Ministry of Social and Family Development. She was elected the eighth president of Singapore in 2017, after serving as Speaker of Parliament for four years from 2013.

India has sent 38 tonnes of food and critical medical equipment to the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, said Ambassador R. Ravindra, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, on October 25.

Representing India at the United Nations Security Council Open-debate on the “situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,” Ravindra said India was deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and large-scale loss of civilians in the ongoing conflict. “We also urge the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and for restarting direct negotiations, including through de-escalation and issuing violence,” he added.

The deputy permanent envoy to the UN condemned the attacks unequivocally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first global leaders to convey his condolences over the loss of lives.

He reaffirmed India’s support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, which can lead to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side in peace with Israel, taking into account the legitimate security concerns of Israel.

India reiterated the need for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations.

External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar is on a two-nation visit to Vietnam and Singapore from October 15-20 to bolster bilateral relations and cooperation in a wide range of areas.

Jaishankar’s visit to Vietnam came at the invitation of his counterpart Bui Thanh Son. The two foreign ministers co-chaired a meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Commission on economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation. During the visit, the minister travelled to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and held talks with the top Vietnamese leadership. He met members of the Indian community and unveiled Mahatma Gandhi’s bust in Ho Chi Minh City.

India and Vietnam have a robust comprehensive strategic partnership, and Vietnam is a key member of India’s Act East Policy, the external affairs ministry said. The union minister’s visit provided an opportunity to review progress in several areas and discussed ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation, it added.

Jaishankar will next travel to Singapore, where he will meet his Singaporean counterpart and the country’s top leadership. He will also chair a regional conference of Indian heads of missions.

In 2015, the relationship between India and Singapore was upgraded to a strategic partnership. This year, numerous ministerial discussions took place between the two countries during the G20 meetings presided over by India. Singapore, as a guest nation, was invited to the G20 gatherings. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a trip to New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit in September.

Business heir Daniel Noboa on October 15 won Ecuador’s presidential election. The 35-year-old leader won more than 52% of the vote, while his leftist adversary Luisa Gonzalez won about 48%, with more than 90% of ballot boxes counted.

Noboa formed his own party, National Democratic Action, ahead of the election. The party has won the third-highest number of seats in August legislative elections. The leader will have just 17 months to govern, as he is serving a truncated term from December 2023 to May 2025. He will be able to run again in the regularly-scheduled 2025 contest.

In his election campaign, Noboa made a special point to woo young people, as did his competitor Gonzalez, with events at universities towards the end of the campaign. About a quarter of the 13 million Ecuadoreans obliged to vote are between the ages of 18 and 29.

As president of the South American country, Noboa has pledged to improve the economy and create jobs for young people, and address rising crime and violence. The economy of Ecuador has struggled since the coronavirus pandemic and motivated many thousands of citizens to migrate – and sharply rising crime. Noboa has said he will balance meeting Ecuador’s foreign debt obligations with the needs of the population, and pledged to beef up security at ports and airports – the hot spots for drug smuggling.

The tallest statue of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar, the Principal Architect of India’s Constitution, outside India was formally inaugurated in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC, US, on October 14. More than 500 Indian-Americans from across the country and some from other countries attended the unveiling ceremony of the 19-feet-tall Statue of Equality.

The statue located at the Ambedkar International Center (AIC) has been made by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also built the statue of Sardar Patel, Statue of Unity, installed on an island in river Narmada in Gujarat, India.

Spread over 13 acres, the AIC in Accokeek township, about 22 miles south of the White House, would consist of a library, convention center, and Buddha Garden, among others. The statue will not only inspire millions of Indians residing in the US, but also all communities, including Black, Hispanic and others, believe his followers. The unveiling ceremony of the statue was followed by cultural performances by Indian-Americans from various parts of the country.

Born on April 14, 1891, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly’s most crucial Drafting Committee. He died on December 6, 1956, months after he embraced Buddhism on October 14 that year, the day celebrated as Dhamma Chakra Parivartan Din.