Category: Politics

On Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met envoys of Latin American and Caribbean countries. The focus of the meeting was to boat overall bilateral ties ahead of Jaishankar’s visit to South America.

He tweeted on his official handle, “Pleasure to host Ambassadors in New Delhi from the Group of Latin America and the Caribbean countries- Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican, Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, and Uruguay”.

He further added that there is a lot of potential for growing the cooperation between the nations and he encourages their efforts. He further thanked them for their perspectives and insights as he heads to the region tonight.

Over the last few years, India has grown closer to the African continent. The Indian government has extended concessional loans to Africa totaling USD 12.3 billion and has completed 197 projects so far, Jaishankar explained last month.

As of 2021-22, India has a bilateral trade balance of $89.5 billion with Africa, up from USD 56 billion in the previous year.

In order to address issues such as food and energy security, oil marketing, and the extension of the Fixed Preference Agreement between India and MERCOSUR, Jaishankar will visit three key countries in South America – Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

On Wednesday, information released by the country’s Finance Ministry, Japan resumed its purchases of Russian oil in July. Due to the sanctions related to Ukraine, imports of Russian crude fell to zero in June.

Despite not disclosing the exact volume, the oil ministry said July imports from Russia were 65.4% lower than last year. In July 2021, LNG imports from Russia decreased by 26.1%, while coal imports decreased by 40.1%.

The price of global commodities rose 45.1% despite the decline in physical volumes of Russian fuel exports to Japan last year.

Tokyo will gradually reduce its dependence on Russian energy resources, but can’t immediately stop buying Russian oil, Japanese Economy, Trade, and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda announced in May.

In addition, Japan endorses the G7’s proposal to cap the price of Russian oil. During the same period, the imports of oil from all countries to Japan increased by 3.8%. Japan consumes 90% of its oil from the Middle East, but due to its proximity, Russia is an important energy supplier.

According to MOF data, Russian crude imports in June were 242,575 kiloliters, or 49,218 barrels per day, compared to 514,843 barrels per day in June 2021, or 107,942 barrels per day. Russian coal imports in Japan dropped both on a month-to-month and year-to-year basis in June.

A missile defense exercise conducted by the United States and its top two Asian allies Japan and South Korea, off Hawaii has raised the profile of military exercises that demonstrate cooperation in the face of threats.

A missile warning and ballistic missile search and tracking exercise were conducted during the multinational Pacific Dragon drills Aug 8-14. In a statement, the Pentagon said the three countries demonstrated their commitment to addressing North Korea’s threats, ensuring shared security, and bolstering the rules-based international order.

As a result of South Korea’s 2016 decision to host a U.S. military THAAD battery, the joint missile defense measures led by the United States have been a sore point with China. Yoon has been requested by Beijing to honour his predecessor’s assurances of not expanding the THAAD radar assets, participating in a U.S-led missile shield, or creating a trilateral military alliance involving Japan, which Beijing says can penetrate its territory.

Ministerial meetings were held in June between the three countries and the drills were agreed upon. In 2018 and 2020, despite the drills taking place every two years, they were not publicized due to tensions between Tokyo and Seoul.

The UK will shortly receive liquefied natural gas from Australia for the first time in six years, showcasing the European region’s torment in struggling with its worst energy crisis in decades.

The LNG tanker Attalos is en route to the UK with a cargo that started at Australia’s North West Shelf project, according to energy intelligence firm Kpler, According to the ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show, the vessel will reach the Isle of Grain terminal in the east London on Aug. 22

The UK and Europe usually import LNG from countries like Qatar, the US, and even Peru. Because of the hassles of long journeys and high demand from Asian buyers, imports from the Asia-Pacific region are a rare occurrence. Australia hasn’t delivered a single LNG cargo to Europe since 2016.

While Britain’s gas network is separate from the continent’s grid, the two are closely connected via pipelines. The UK does not have too much domestic storage and usually sends any excess gas to the European Union. This year, gas prices have surged in Europe and UK, with the market facing an acute shortage in recent weeks as Russia restricts supplies to the EU and a heat wave chars the region.

P. M Modi, addressing the nation from the red fort on the occasion of the 75^th year of India’s independence, said that the country was entering a crucial stage in its war against corruption, nepotism, and misogyny, among others. He also said these practices are not only prevalent in the political realm but also existed in other societal institutions and public life and, though it’s challenging to combat them, the country would do so.

In his speech, which was his ninth consecutive speech from the Red Fort, the P.M said the completion of 75 years of independence was a historic time for the country. This was the time to move in a new direction with a new resolution. “Our nation has proved that we have an inherent strength from our diversity and the common thread of patriotism makes India unshakeable,” Mr. Modi said, as he called India the “mother of democracy”.

He also asked the people to make big resolutions and spelled out “Panch Pran” (five resolves) to fulfill the dreams of our freedom fighters’ at India’s Independence centenary in 2047.

He said the countrymen should focus on the five pledges and remove any trace of the colonial mindset and slavery from our hearts and mind.

World leaders such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Indians on the 75th year of India’s independence on Monday, as they promised to further boost bilateral ties with the largest democracy in the world, which has made exemplary achievements. President Biden looked back on Mahatma Gandhi’s “enduring message of truth and non-violence” to honor 75 years of India’s freedom. Biden bought to light the fact that this year, the US and India celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. He vowed that the democracies of both countries would continue to stand side by side to defend the rules-based order, move on to a free and open Indo-Pacific and look into the global challenges.

“As people around the world, including nearly four million (40 lakh) proud Indian-Americans, celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence on August 15, the United States joins the people of India to honor its democratic journey, guided by Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring message of truth and non-violence,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden stated that India and the United States are indispensable partners and the collaboration between the two nations is further strengthened by the cordial relation between their people.” The vibrant Indian-American community in the United States has made us a more innovative, inclusive, and stronger nation”, he said.

On Monday, Kenya’s electoral commission chairman declared Deputy President William Ruto as the winner of the country’s close presidential race in an announcement that could presage a court challenge. A decision was made against Raila Odinga, who ran over five times.

With his appeal to struggling Kenyans’ economic concerns instead of their ethnic loyalties, the candidate shook up the East African nation’s politics. In last Tuesday’s election, Ruto won 50.5% compared to Odinga’s nearly 49%.

The “opaque nature” of the final steps, without giving details, was not acceptable to four of the seven electoral commissioners just before the announcement. Police rushed to restore order as the choir sang amid screams and scuffles in the auditorium. There was a throwing of the lectern on the stage and throwing of the lectern from the stage.

Following the announcement of the official results, commission chairman Wafula Chebukati announced two of the commissioners who remained behind had been injured. A quorum of commissioners was not constituted at the time of announcing a winner, according to Odinga’s campaign.

On Monday, a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft was handed over by India to the Sri Lankan Navy to further boost bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations.  The Indian envoy said that mutual understanding, mutual trust, and a cooperative approach enhance security between India and Sri Lanka.

There was a handover ceremony arranged for the same, which was attended by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. At the Sri Lanka Airforce base in Katunayake adjacent to the Colombo international airport, Vice Admiral S N Ghormade, the Vice Chief of the Indian Navy, was accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo, Gopal Baglay. He handed over the maritime surveillance aircraft to the Sri Lanka Navy while on a two-day visit to the country.

At the handing-over event, High Commissioner Baglay said, “Security of #India and #Srilanka is enhanced by mutual understanding, mutual trust, and cooperation. Gifting of Dornier 228 is #India’s latest contribution to this cause.”

He said, “Like fruits of other areas of cooperation with India, the gift of Dornier to @airforcecelk is of relevance to and a step to meet its requirement for maritime safety and security. It is an example of India’s strength adding to the strength of its friends”.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador intends to propose to the UN the creation of a commission, consisting of three world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to promote a five-year world truce, according to MSN.

Among the members of the top commission should be Pope Francis, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Mexican President. As a result of the commission, wars around the world could be stopped and an agreement was reached to seek a five-year truce.

At the press conference, Obrador said, “I will make the proposal in writing, I will present it to the UN. I have been saying it and I hope the media will help us to spread it. Because they do not speak when it is not convenient for them”.

Additionally, he said that the three of them met and came up with a plan for a truce for at least five years so that governments around the world can dedicate themselves to helping their people. This is especially true for the most vulnerable people who suffer the most as a result of the war. In five years, they hope to have no tension, no violence, and no war.

On Sunday, thousands of people gathered in Bogota to witness the swearing-in of Colombia’s first leftist president, Gustavo Petro. An ex-guerrilla and one-time mayor, the 62-year-old former leader will replace the deeply unpopular Ivan Duque, with plans for profound reforms in a nation plagued by economic inequality and drug violence.

Colombia, long run by a conservative elite, joined a growing leftist movement in Latin America after Petro’s hard-fought victory in June.

Petro addressed the crowd gathering in Bogota’s Bolivar Square, “I swear to God and promise the people that I will faithfully enforce the constitution and the laws of Colombia.”

Petro’s government should have the support of a left-leaning majority in Congress, who called on Colombian armed groups to lay down their weapons and accept legal perks “in return for peace.”

He promised to fight inequality and lead the country through a turning point in its history after decades of war between guerrilla groups and the government. Despite the country’s oil industry making up nearly half of its legal exports, Colombia’s president also announced that new oil exploration licenses will no longer be granted, as well as a ban on fracking.