Russia and Indonesia are looking to expand their cooperation after talks between President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Putin invited Prabowo as the forum’s main guest of honour. It was their sixth meeting. Putin described Indonesia as one of Russia’s key partners in Southeast Asia. He said bilateral trade grew by more than 12% last year. The two countries already trade in areas such as agriculture and energy. Bilateral trade was worth around $5 billion in 2025, according to Prabowo. That was a 21.7% rise
Greece has signed a $3.5 billion defence agreement with Israel to build a new integrated air defence network. The deal was signed at the Israeli Ministry of Defence headquarters in Tel Aviv on August 31, following around three years of negotiations between the two countries. The system, known as the Achilles Shield, is expected to be fully operational within 35 months, putting completion around mid-2029. Israel’s Defence Ministry called it the largest defence export deal in the two countries’ history and one of the biggest of any kind Israel has signed. Athens will also become only the
India and Belgium are strengthening economic and defence ties following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on September 3. The two sides reached ten agreements covering trade, defence and technology, and set a goal of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Theo Francken, his counterpart, separately, where most of these agreements were finalised, including a pact covering joint weapons production. De Wever arrived with a delegation of 15 Belgian defence companies.
The UAE has become a major economic and strategic force in Africa. Estimates of its exact standing vary by measure. Chatham House puts it as the continent’s fourth-largest foreign direct investor over the past decade, with roughly $59.4 billion invested. Emirati officials cite a separate figure of more than $110 billion committed between 2019 and 2023. They say this places the UAE fourth globally after the US, China and the EU. Ports have been central to this expansion. Dubai-based DP Gulf State Expands Regional InfluenceWorld has developed projects across the continent as it builds its
India and the United Kingdom are working together to develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for four Landing Platform Docks planned for the Indian Navy. The two countries are expected to sign an inter-governmental agreement for the project. The move follows a 2024 agreement between their defence ministries to work together on electric propulsion for Indian naval ships. The Statement of Intent was signed in Portsmouth on November 28, 2024. The four Landing Platform Docks are expected to be built at an Indian shipyard and will use a full-electric propulsion system. E
Indonesia is set to host its largest multinational military drills as Super Garuda Shield 2026 brings together more than 6,000 personnel for field training and tactical operations across the country. The annual event is scheduled to run from August 31 to September 11, with this year’s edition placing greater emphasis on multidomain operations that integrate ground, maritime, air and cyberspace capabilities in coordinated training scenarios. Fifteen countries are expected to take part, while at least 12 additional nations will attend as observers. The expanded participation reflects th
Malaysia has announced plans to deploy its Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, known as SMART, to Nepal following devastating floods and landslides that have caused widespread destruction in the country. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the National Security Council and National Disaster Management Agency, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, had been tasked with coordinating with the Nepalese government to facilitate the team's deployment. The unit will assist with search and rescue operations and help locate Malaysians affected by the disaster, whil
The European Union has allocated €2 million in humanitarian aid to support communities affected by devastating flash floods in Nepal. The floods have killed more than 300 people, while EU-funded partners are already providing emergency assistance on the ground. The funding will address urgent needs including food, healthcare, clean water, sanitation and shelter for affected communities. The new allocation comes alongside almost €3 million in humanitarian aid Nepal received earlier this year for disaster preparedness. EU-funded partners had already pre-positioned shelter suppli
The Philippines and Malaysia are strengthening labour cooperation as both countries advance shared employment priorities under ASEAN. Philippine DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres led discussions with Malaysia's Deputy Secretary General Dr Haji Mohd Shaharin bin Umar. The talks took place alongside the 22nd ASEAN Senior Labour Officials Meeting in Bangkok. Both sides discussed cooperation covering green jobs, gig work, skills development and renewable energy initiatives. The Philippines also sought Malaysia's support for several Philippine-led ASEAN documents addressing labo
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv on August 24, his first overseas trip as prime minister. The visit coincided with Ukraine's 35th Independence Day and included talks on continued British support. Burnham announced that Britain would provide Ukraine with blueprints for producing long-range Storm Shadow missiles. Defence company MBDA has been authorised to declassify specifications for UK-made components used in the Anglo-French missile. The move could help Ukraine and France advance plans for domestic assembly of the weapons in Ukraine. Britain has previously supplied