Category: Politics

Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid has met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for the first time in 14 years, the latest sign of friendly relations between the two regional powers after long and bitter relations.

Both leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the biggest annual gathering of world leaders, which is now underway in New York. In his meeting with Erdogan, Mr. Lapid said he praised the recent fixing of diplomatic ties between the countries and the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador to Turkey, this week.

Erdogan has expressed his keenness for warmer ties since Benjamin Netanyahu left office last year. After years of problematic relations, Mr. Erdogan has been a candid critic of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians. Israel, in turn, has opposed Turkey’s acceptance of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. But following Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s state visit to Turkey in March both, countries agreed to exchange ambassadors.

During their meeting in New York, Lapid thanked Erodgan for intelligence cooperation against attempts by Iran to execute attacks in Turkey and highlighted the issue of missing and captive Israelis, his office said. The leaders also discussed energy cooperation, the statement added. Erdogan has shown an interest in Turkey tapping into Israel’s resources of offshore natural gas fields in the Mediterranean.

India will be co-hosting the 6th IBSA Summit on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in November 2022 in Bali

The 10th India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA) Trilateral Ministerial Commission (ITMC) meeting was held in New York on 21 September. It was co-chaired by India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar. Carlos Alberto Franco França, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, and Dr. Joe Phaahla, Minister of Health of South Africa.

The Ministers assessed the whole range of IBSA cooperation. They welcomed new plans within IBSA, such as the maiden meeting of the IBSA National Security Advisors, the launch of cooperation amongst the Development Cooperation Agencies in the form of the IBSA Working Group on International/Trilateral Development Partnerships, and the first IBSA Senior Officials Meeting on Traditional Medicines.

The Ministers discussed global issues, such as cooperation in multilateral organizations, South-South cooperation, UNSC Reform, 2030 Agenda & Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change, countering terrorism, financing for development, WTO, and G20, among others. They also talked about regional issues such as the African Union, the Middle East Peace Process, and the Situation in Ukraine. The Ministers supported Brazil’s and India’s attempt to occupy permanent seats in the Security Council.

On Thursday, the Indian Defense Ministry signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd worth Rs. 1,700 crores. The deal is for buying additional dual-role capable missiles for the navy which will stimulate the Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) among the Defence sector. With dual-role capability, BrahMos missiles can be used for anti-ship and anti-land attacks.

The ministry said, “Induction of these dual-role capable missiles is going to enhance the operational capability of Indian Navy fleet assets significantly.” Indian armed forces use all three BrahMos variants, which can be launched from land, air, and sea. A Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft successfully fired an extended-range BrahMos missile in May, achieving a direct hit on its intended target in the Bay of Bengal.

With a range of 290 kilometres and a top speed of Mach 2.8 (nearly three times the speed of sound), the BrahMos missile is the fastest cruise missile in the world. 450-500 kilometres were the range of the extended range variant tested by the IAF in May.

Since June 2016, India has been a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime, making it possible to increase the missile’s range. Additionally, India is developing a BrahMos missile with an even longer range, capable of striking targets more than 800 kilometres away.

Thailand’s interim Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is playing his new role with great energy and enthusiasm- a temporary position that will give him a chance to improve his profile and strengthen power for his party as the national polls are around the corner.

Since Prawit was promoted from deputy PM to caretaker premier in late August after prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha was suspended from duties, the 77-year-old has attended top-level international and national meetings and paid a visit to all the flooded areas of Bangkok.

Prawit also met Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to discuss and keep a check on the capital’s flooding situation–a strange move for a politician who usually stays detached.

Many have also noticed a marked difference in Prawit’s looks, mannerisms, and attitude.

Earlier Prawit, a former army chief, who reportedly suffers heart disease, often appeared weak at events, depending on his helpers for physical support to walk or stand. Sometimes, he was also caught on camera, losing balance while walking.

But the veteran politician looked healthy and walked with no support as he made several government and party-related visits to provinces throughout September.

Questioned by reporters about his sudden vigor, Prawit quoted lyrics from a song by the famous Thai singer Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre, saying: “I use my heart to boost my energy.”

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called his visit to Egypt “highly productive” and expressed feelings positive about the MoU on defence cooperation signed between the two sides which will lead to “historic heights” for the Indo-Egyptian partnership.

He was visiting the strategically vital Arab nation for three days. Additionally, he shared photos of himself bidding goodbye to the host country’s officials.

He tweeted, Just concluded a highly productive visit to Egypt. I thank President H.E. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and my counterpart General (Mohamed) Zaki for warm hospitality and wide-ranging discussions. I am confident that the MoU on Defence Cooperation will take our partnership to historic heights.”

On Monday, Singh held extensive discussions with his Egyptian counterpart, General Mohamed Zaki. Furthermore, the MoU of Indian and Egyptian officials reached a consensus on improving joint exercises during the visit.

Mr Singh further added that he had an excellent meeting with Defense Minister Of Eygpt’s General Mohamed Zaki in Cairo and had a wide-ranging discussion on several initiatives to further expand bilateral Defence engagements.

In addition to Singh’s visit on Monday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and he discussed bilateral military-to-military cooperation, with the latter stressing that both countries must share expertise and best practices in countering the threat of terrorism.

At the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday (local time), EAM Dr S Jaishankar met with three presidents and four foreign ministers during the 77th session of the UNGA.

Mr Jaishankar is currently in the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). During his trip US, he interacted with France’s Emmanuel Macron, Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo, and Comoros’ Azali Assoumani. Jaishankar met with the president of Ghana at the UN in New York to talk about the continued collaboration between India and Ghana.

Apart from that, the External Affairs Minister also met four of his counterparts including Denis Moncada from Nicaragua, Alexander Schallenberg from Austria, Najla al-Mangoush from Libya and Mevlut Cavusoglu from Turkiye.

Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar met with Estonian counterpart Urmas Reinsalu on Wednesday (local time) at the UN headquarters in New York, as part of his 10-day U.S. visit. Additionally, Jaishankar met with Norway’s Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, Bolivia’s Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta, and the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

The nordic relationship, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and climate change were all on the agenda of conversation during Jaishankar’s discussion with the Norwegian Minister.

A deadlock over the 2015 nuclear deal remains between Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

During the meeting, Raisi met with the President of the European Council Charles Michel, as well as the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and his deputy Enrique Mora, who serve as coordinators of the nuclear talks that started in April 2021. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.

Following their separate talks, Bagheri and Mora discussed stalled efforts to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement the United States unilaterally abandoned in 2018.

According to Raisi’s website, the Iranian president stressed a major demand to his French counterpart that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conduct an investigation into several Iranian nuclear sites involving unexplained nuclear particles in order to conclude any agreement.

Raisi told Macron, “The agency’s approach towards technical issues must be away from pressures by others, and we believe that aching an argument will not be possible without closing Iran’s casses.”

He further added that Europe needs to manifest its policies are different from the US and do not act in accordance with US wishes and policies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday called on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo and both leaders talked about bilateral military-to-military cooperation, with the latter stating that both countries need to exchange their finest skills and best practices in combating the threat of terrorism.

“Privileged to call on the President of Egypt, H.E. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in Cairo today. India and Egypt continue to work on enhancing mutual trust and confidence. It was reaffirmed that both the countries are committed to expanding our multi-faceted cooperation,” tweeted Singh.

Singh, who arrived in Egypt on Sunday as part of his three-day visit, was warmly received by President El-Sisi. Singh also tweeted a photograph of him with the Egyptian President.

Sisi pointed out that bilateral relations between India and Egypt have been strong throughout history.

Singh lauded Egypt for taking a firm stand against terrorism.

 Both leaders agreed to further boost military cooperation and target joint training, defense co-production, and equipment maintenance. They emphasized the need for co-production and discussed particular proposals in that aspect.

During Singh’s visit, both sides will review the bilateral defense ties, inquire into new leads to strengthen military-to-military engagements, and focus on increasing cooperation between the defense industries of the two countries.

During the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) in New York from 20-26 September 2022, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will lead the UAE delegation.

It is expected that more than 150 heads of state and government will attend this year’s gathering on 24 September, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will explain the UAE’s policies, priorities, and vision for international peace, security, and cooperation.

During the summit, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will lead the UAE delegation to discuss urgent global challenges, such as climate change, conflict resolution, recovery from a pandemic, humanitarian emergencies, and food insecurity, with the Member States, UN officials, and other stakeholders.

UAE has become more involved in these priorities as a member of the UN Security Council, and it is working to promote conflict resolution, enhance women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace operations and conflict resolution, and support an improved international counterterrorism framework to address emerging threats. With the UN climate conference in 2023, the UAE is promoting greater action and cooperation to address the impact of global warming.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, summoned the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

The declaration said that the SCO member states think that it is vital to have an inclusive government in Afghanistan “with representatives from all ethnic, religious and political groups of Afghan society”. The member states said they call for the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, united, democratic, and peaceful state, free of terrorism, war, and drugs. They further added that considering the advancing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, they will continue to support and assist the Afghan people.

They stated that one of the critical factors in preserving and boosting security and stability in the SCO region is the quick conclusion of the situation in Afghanistan.

“Afghanistan’s ethnic groups are not included in this government. They have their complaints; therefore, they are leaving Afghanistan,” said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, head of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan. “This will have heavy implications for the government, which will face big issues if it doesn’t adjust itself with the requirements of the international community and the people of Afghanistan,” Gilani added.

The Taliban has stated nothing in this regard, but it has always stressed that its government is inclusive and termed the international community’s decision as an ‘interference’ in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.