Category: Politics

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.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Mauritius’ highest civilian award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius’s president, Dharam Gokhool, awarded the medal during a magnificent event on the island nation. With this award, PM Modi becomes the first Indian leader to acquire such high recognition.

Accepting the prize, Modi expressed sincere gratitude, describing it as not only a personal honour but also a tribute to 1.4 billion Indians. He highlighted the centuries-long cultural and historical linkages between India and Mauritius. He emphasised that the award represents both nations’ shared ambitions and commitment to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Prime Minister Modi is in Mauritius for a two-day visit at the invitation of his Mauritian counterpart, Navinchandra Ramgoolam. The visit has strengthened diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During the visit, eight memoranda of understanding were signed, spanning a wide range of development activities. PM Modi also pledged India’s contribution to the construction of a new parliament building in Mauritius. He referred to Mauritius as a “gateway to Africa” and emphasised India’s commitment to strengthening ties with its maritime neighbour.

Mark Carney, the recently elected leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, has stated that he wants to restore relations with India, which have been strained under departing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The 59-year-old, who is generally projected to become Canada’s next Prime Minister, has placed a high priority on improving trade and diplomatic relations with India. Speaking in Calgary this week, he emphasised the necessity of developing commerce with friendly countries and highlighted the importance of re-establishing ties with India.

“What Canada will seek to do is diversify its commercial partnerships with like-minded countries. And there are chances to rebuild relationships with India—there must be a common sense of values underlying the commercial engagement. Carney stated, “If I am Prime Minister, I look forward to the opportunity to build that.”

Despite being fresh to electoral politics, Carney has spent decades in finance, assisting governments in navigating economic crises. His leadership is likely to take a practical approach to policymaking. On Sunday, he was voted to lead Canada’s Liberal Party in the 2018 federal election.

Additionally, Carney declared in a bold remark that Canada will never be a part of America and promised to sustain punitive tariffs against the US.