Category: Politics

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.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to address a joint U.S. Congress session on April 11 during his official visit to Washington, which marks the first address by a Japanese leader in nine years.

Scheduled to meet President Joe Biden and attend a state dinner on April 10, Kishida aims to reaffirm Japan’s alliance with the United States amidst challenges from China and North Korea.

Kishida’s visit highlights the commitment to peace, prosperity, and global democracy shared by both nations. The topics of discussion will include bolstering cooperation in economic security, outer space, and emerging technologies, along with trilateral collaboration involving South Korea and multilateral engagement with like-minded partners.

House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasised the importance of condemning tyranny and championing freedom worldwide.

In a letter to Kishida, bipartisan leaders expressed anticipation for enhanced collaboration, both in the Indo-Pacific and globally. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi highlighted the speech’s significance in strengthening Japan-U.S. ties.

In addition, Kishida, representing Hiroshima, might discuss his support for nuclear disarmament. Considering Japan’s dependence on the U.S. nuclear umbrella, attention will be focused on Kishida’s position, in contrast to Shinzo Abe’s 2015 speech, which acknowledged regret for wartime conduct.

India and South Africa have officially lodged objections against an investment agreement during a World Trade Organisation (WTO) conference in Abu Dhabi, effectively stalling its adoption. On Wednesday, delegates and a document both confirmed this development.

About 125 countries support the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement, which aims to improve the investment climate and encourage foreign direct investment. The document emphasised the absence of unanimous consensus, rendering the matter inappropriate for inclusion in the meeting’s agenda.

Negotiations geared towards establishing new global trade regulations across various domains are slated to conclude on Thursday. However, delegates expressed dissatisfaction with the limited progress achieved thus far, aside from the formal induction of two new WTO members: East Timor and Comoros.

There is still a paragraph in the draft deal package addressing climate change, indicating discord among members regarding this critical issue.

Reflecting on the ongoing negotiations, one trade delegate remarked, “It’s difficult to ascertain whether we’ll achieve anything or if we’re simply on the path to failure.” This sentiment encapsulates the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the discussions.

In the current impasse, the complexities of global trade governance are emphasized, highlighting the difficulties in reaching consensus among WTO members on issues like investment agreements and climate change.

Qatar aims to strengthen its LNG exports, targeting a 25% global market share by 2030. Amidst the US’s export approval pause, Qatar plans a new 16 million tons per year project by 2030. It further aims to increase annual capacity to 142 million tons. Qatar’s dominance in LNG has been established by this growth, which is being fueled by 250 trillion cubic feet of additional gas in the North Field.

Securing long-term contracts with significant players like China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Eni SpA, TotalEnergies SE, and Shell Plc is essential to its strategy. With demand expected to increase by 50% by 2040, particularly in Asia, Qatar’s growth satisfies demands around the world.

Experts estimate that Qatar’s growth will affect LNG projects around the world, especially in the US and East Africa, where funding and pledges are difficult to come by. Qatar may offer reasonable rates by utilising its status as the lowest-cost producer, reserves, cost-effective expansion, and industry contacts.

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s  Ira Joseph emphasizes Qatar’s proactive approach to LNG supply dominance. By offering favourable terms and securing financing for future projects, Qatar’s expansion reflects cost competitiveness and strategic advantages.

TSMC, the leading Taiwanese chipmaker, inaugurated its inaugural Japanese plant, marking its crucial involvement in Tokyo’s ambitious endeavour to revitalize its semiconductor manufacturing sector. Japan’s reliance on TSMC emphasises its dominant position in the foundry business and concerns over China’s technological advancement.

TSMC’s presence in Japan has catalyzed investment in a sector pivotal for economic security, complementing Japan’s support for domestic ventures like Rapidus. By 2027, Taiwan is expected to control two-thirds of advanced foundry capacity, with Japan aiming for a 3% global share.

With investments exceeding $20 billion, TSMC plans mass production later in the year and a second plant, boosting Japan’s chip access. Collaborations with Sony and Toyota aim to exceed 100,000 12-inch wafers monthly, vital for electronics, automotive, and defence.

Japan’s conducive work culture and supportive government have appealed to TSMC, which has facilitated technology export approvals, especially for advanced node technologies below 16 nanometers. Japan’s expertise in photoresists, image sensors, and packaging augments chip performance, attracting Taiwan’s chip companies to support TSMC and participate in Japan’s growing chip sector.

TSMC’s entry into Japan is an important step toward the semiconductor industry’s recovery, promoting technological exchange and economic growth. Taiwan-Japan cooperation has potential for the world chip market as Japan welcomes its newfound vibrancy.

India emphasized the imperative of addressing geopolitical issues constructively and seeking common ground at a G20 ministerial meeting in Brazil amidst global conflicts. Brazil assumed the G20 Presidency from India on December 1, 2023, marking the first ministerial meeting under its helm.

V Muraleedharan, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, highlighted India’s stance on various conflicts: advocating for dialogue in the Russia-Ukraine war and supporting a two-state solution for Israel-Palestine. He condemned terrorism and stressed securing sea lanes amidst Red Sea vessel attacks.

Muraleedharan emphasised the importance of constructive diplomacy and common ground on geopolitical issues, reiterating India’s support for Brazil’s Presidency. He urged the G20’s focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change. The theme ‘Building a Just World & a Sustainable Planet’ aligns with India’s vision of ‘One Earth One Family One Future.’ The G20 FMM, in its 10th meeting, has evolved into a significant platform for discussing international issues among members.

Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, urged reforms in the United Nations and criticized its inability to prevent conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza. He highlighted the inadequacy of multilateral institutions in dealing with current challenges, citing the Security Council’s paralysis.