Category: Politics

UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Tunisian President Kais Saied on the country’s Independence Day, which is observed annually on March 20. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, both sent similar remarks. Their outreach emphasises the close diplomatic connections between the two countries.

Sheikh Mohamed remarked on the UAE-Tunisia friendship, highlighting common goals and historical ties. He saw Tunisia’s independence as a sign of its cultural heritage and a stepping stone towards future collaboration between the Gulf and North Africa. Prime Minister Kamel Madouri was recognised for his leadership during Tunisia’s transformational journey.

The UAE’s signals convey not only political goodwill but also socioeconomic cooperation, strengthening regional unity. Such actions demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to expanding ties throughout the Arab world, fostering stability, and shared progress.

As Tunisia marks a milestone, the UAE’s congratulatory position reflects its larger diplomatic policy. These statements demonstrate a desire to strengthen alliances, improve economic links, and preserve cultural linkages in a constantly changing geopolitical world.

US President Donald Trump hosted UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the White House, where they discussed the future of economic and scientific collaboration. Trump revealed details of the meeting on Truth Social, emphasising the two countries’ close relations and common commitment to world peace and security.

The meetings focused on increasing the UAE’s investment in the United States, notably in technology and energy. Sheikh Tahnoon was apparently looking for wider access to modern semiconductor chips, which had been restricted by laws imposed by former President Joe Biden. The UAE has made significant investments in AI technology, but these restrictions have hampered its goals.

Trump’s administration is presently analysing these limits and discussing future policy changes. Prior to the meeting, reports indicated that Sheikh Tahnoon intended to highlight Abu Dhabi-based MGX’s involvement in a $100 billion AI infrastructure investment unveiled during Trump’s first week in office.

While Trump did not reveal the details of their meeting, Vice President JD Vance lauded the UAE as a vital AI partner, recognising its role in improving energy production, which is critical for artificial intelligence development.

On March 18, 2025, India and Malaysia conducted a high-level bilateral meeting in New Delhi to discuss cooperation in trade, investment, and technology. Union Minister Jitin Prasada met with Malaysia’s Deputy Minister, Liew Chin Tong, at Vanijya Bhawan to promote commercial connections. A primary topic on the agenda was the continuing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), with both parties pledging to move quickly to reach a fair and beneficial agreement by 2025.

Bilateral trade problems, market access, and economic cooperation were crucial to the negotiations. The semiconductor industry appeared as a possible area for partnership, with Malaysia’s strong manufacturing capabilities complementing India’s growth objectives. Both countries recognised the opportunity for technological exchange and personnel development in this sector.

Another critical discussion focused on the Bureau of Indian Standards’ Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS), which ensures that foreign items comply with India’s safety and quality rules. Malaysia remains India’s third-largest commercial partner in ASEAN, with trade worth USD 20.02 billion in 2023-24.

The meeting was attended by senior diplomats and officials from the Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry, as well as major Indian ministries.

Indonesia and Singapore have decided to work together on family development projects to increase community welfare in both countries. The alliance demonstrates their common commitment to improving family well-being through research-driven programs and policy exchanges.

During a meeting with Singapore’s Minister of Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, Indonesia’s Minister of Population and Family Development Wihaji emphasized the necessity of collaboration despite disparities in governance, culture, and population size.

“Despite Singapore’s advanced status, there are many areas where we can collaborate, such as research on family development,” Wihaji said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He also emphasized urban family development as an important area of concern. He proposed incorporating additional Asian countries, such as the Philippines, into these programs. Singapore’s devotion is demonstrated by its Ministry of Family Development, he added.

Other possible areas for collaboration include increasing service provider capacity, boosting community nutrition, encouraging young entrepreneurship, and sharing best practices in urban administration.

Minister Zulkifli stressed Singapore’s emphasis on prevention in social welfare. The government provides proactive support to families through the family coach program, which identifies and assists troubled households early on.

Singapore and India are set to sign a Letter of Intent (LoI) for a Green Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC), which will improve maritime cooperation and link India’s marine sector to global shipping networks. The deal is anticipated to be signed during Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s visit to Singapore next week.

Sonowal, who leads the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, will attend the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) on March 24–28. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) hosts the event, which brings together prominent worldwide industry leaders.

The GDSC will connect India’s shipping sector to Singapore’s world-renowned maritime hub, boosting trade and sustainability efforts. The SMW will also welcome marine ministers from Estonia, France, Portugal, Norway, and the Netherlands.

India will have a prominent representation at the event with an ‘India Pavilion,’ which will include the Indian Ports Association, Cochin Shipyard, Indian Maritime University, Shipyards Association of India, and major shipbuilders such as L&T Shipyard, Swan Defence, and Garden Reach Shipyards.

Singapore and Vietnam are reaffirming their commitment to regional healthcare collaboration by opening a new Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC) in Hanoi. The program, led by the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI) and Hanoi Medical University (HMU), seeks to improve medical research, academic partnerships, and healthcare innovation throughout Southeast Asia. The RCC will serve as a major point for information sharing and talent development, resulting in improved healthcare networks between the two nations.

This collaboration extends a long-standing partnership between SingHealth institutions, Duke-NUS Medical School, HMU, and other stakeholders. Previous cooperative projects between Vietnam and Singapore have focused on critical healthcare sectors such as mental health, noncommunicable illnesses, pathogen genomics, early childhood development, and health system innovation. The Hanoi RCC will build on these efforts by supporting student and researcher exchanges, providing resources for local medical research, and building regional healthcare collaborations.

The launch coincides with the signing of a MoU by HMU, SingHealth, Duke-NUS Medical School, and SDGHI, which reinforces commitments to medical education and research. HMU and SDGHI are also co-hosting a two-day Global Health Symposium, which will bring together experts from Asia and the United States to debate important health concerns and global objectives.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand met at Hyderabad House in New Delhi to talk about ways to strengthen their relationship. Luxon landed in India on Sunday for a five-day official visit, his first since becoming New Zealand’s leader. His visit comes at an important time, as both countries aim to expand commerce, digital connection, and strategic relationships.

As part of his tour, Luxon will be the keynote speaker at the 10th Raisina Dialogue. In addition to meeting PM Modi, he is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The two leaders’ conversations centred on strengthening economic cooperation and trade partnerships. They also looked into prospects for increased digital collaboration, such as UPI connectivity and digital transactions. PM Modi welcomed New Zealand institutions to establish campuses in India, highlighting the two countries’ long-standing educational relations.

Luxon praised India’s hospitality, calling the government “incredibly generous and welcoming.” He stated that he led the largest-ever business and community delegation accompanying a New Zealand Prime Minister to India. Discussions on trade, education, and technology are intended to strengthen India-New Zealand relations in a variety of areas.

Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is currently in India to attend a high-profile security meeting as well as the Raisina Dialogue, a major global geopolitical and economics forum. Her visit is the first by a senior official from the Trump administration to India.

Gabbard is on a multi-nation trip of the Indo-Pacific, including stops in Japan, Thailand, and France. During her visit to India, she is anticipated to meet with key leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She will give the keynote talk at the Raisina Dialogue on March 18. However, neither the US nor Indian officials have officially disclosed the facts of her engagement.

This is her second foreign tour, having attended the Munich Security Conference in Germany after being confirmed as DNI in February. Shortly after her arrival, Gabbard attended a security summit convened by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, which included top intelligence and security officials from around 20 countries. The National Security Council Secretariat held the closed-door conference, which focused on intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism measures, and the vulnerabilities posed by developing technology.

Officials said India is also concerned about anti-India elements operating abroad, particularly pro-Khalistan groups.

India and New Zealand have officially begun discussions for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking an important milestone in their economic partnership. This would be India’s second trade agreement in the Oceania region, following its FTA with Australia in April 2022. The pact intends to improve trade relations and open up new economic prospects for both nations.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence about the development, saying, “We are delighted to announce the start of India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement negotiations.” This milestone shows our common goal of strengthening commercial connections and boosting economic growth.” He made the statement after meeting with New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister, Todd McClay, in New Delhi. The talks will take place immediately before Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon.

Luxon, who arrived in India for his first official visit on Sunday, emphasised the country’s economic and strategic importance to New Zealand. “India provides enormous opportunities for New Zealand.” That’s why I’m here with a senior delegation of business and community leaders,” he explained.

Bilateral trade between the two countries has continuously increased, topping $1 billion during the April- January period of the fiscal year 2024-25.

On March 11, Vietnam’s Minister of Finance, Nguyen Van Thang, met with Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Tan See Leng, to discuss measures to improve bilateral economic connectivity. Their meetings took place during Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Singapore, highlighting both nations’ commitment to improving bilateral relations.

During the discussions, Minister Thang expressed gratitude for Singapore’s support and highlighted Vietnam’s commitment to economic engagement. He emphasised Vietnam’s continuous efforts to reorganise its state administrative apparatus and increase governance effectiveness. He noted that the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance will continue to work closely with Singapore to ensure that the Vietnam-Singapore Economic Connectivity Framework is effectively implemented.

As the fourth-biggest economic partner in the area and Vietnam’s largest ASEAN investor, Minister Thang appreciated Singapore’s position. He emphasised that using Singapore’s skills in finance and innovation will help Vietnam accelerate economic growth and improve regional trade.

To achieve these goals, Thang proposed organising the 2025 Vietnam-Singapore Economic Connectivity Meeting in Vietnam. Minister Leng responded by welcoming the idea and expressing excitement about expanding bilateral collaboration under the comprehensive strategic partnership framework.