South America's Mercosur trade bloc is set to meet in Uruguay on Thursday, with a chance they could announce a long-delayed trade deal with the European Union. Last-minute negotiations are ongoing to finalize the agreement. The deal, backed by most South American countries and strongly supported by Germany and Spain, faces resistance from France. French leaders worry that increased agricultural imports could harm their powerful farming sector. Negotiators from all sides met in Brazil last week, according to senior diplomatic and government sources. Virtual talks have continued this week
As South Africa prepares to assume the G20 presidency in December, it has pledged to carry forward Brazil’s agenda for the group, which represents the world’s largest economies, including 19 countries and the European and African Unions. Zane Dangor, South Africa’s G20 sherpa, confirmed the country will align closely with Brazil’s priorities while leading negotiations next year. South Africa plans to focus on global solidarity, sustainable development, and tackling inequality. “We need to move away from an approach solely focused on economic growth and address inequality and its
Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will visit Britain for a two-day state visit starting Tuesday. Hosted by King Charles, the trip includes meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other key figures, aiming to strengthen ties between Britain and Qatar. Accompanied by an official delegation, including Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Emir’s visit highlights Britain’s push for co-investors in infrastructure projects, particularly clean energy systems. Starmer is also looking to finalize a trade deal with the Gulf C
India’s ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ (ONOS) plan, approved on November 25, aims to improve public access to research by negotiating a single national subscription fee for journals. First proposed in the 2020 draft National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, ONOS addresses the high costs journals charge for access. It replaces consortium-based negotiations with a centralized approach, allowing even underfunded government institutes access to expensive journals. However, ONOS is limited to publicly funded institutes and perpetuates reliance on commercial publishers. Many jou
India has the lowest per capita emissions among G20 countries, making it a leader in climate efforts. As G20 President, India is using this position to push for global climate action. The challenge is urgent. The IPCC warns that global warming will exceed 1.5°C this century if action is delayed. Developing nations, especially in the Global South, face the biggest risks due to fewer resources and existing problems. Since G20 nations produce 80% of global emissions, their actions can change the course. India Leads by Example India is the only G20 country meeting its climate targets fo
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Kuwait on Thursday for the Gulf Cooperation Council ministerial meeting. The meeting will finalize the agenda for the Supreme Council's 45th session, scheduled for Sunday in Kuwait City. Leaders from across the Gulf are expected to attend the session. Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya personally welcomed Faisal bin Farhan upon his arrival.
India and France have immense potential for partnerships in renewable energy, said Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday. He highlighted the success of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-led by the two countries, calling it a “runaway success.” Speaking at the Asia Pacific Commission (APAC) 2024 Forum organized by the French Foreign Trade Advisors, Goyal noted that over 100 countries have joined the ISA. Goyal elaborated on the alliance’s mission to bring clean and renewable energy to emerging and less-developed nations. He emphasized that sustainable pra
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, said the Keir Starmer government is ready to restart Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with India. He described the FTA as an "ongoing process" and noted that the UK completed its internal review in July. After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in Brazil, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that FTA talks between the UK and India would relaunch in 2025. Speaking to ANI, Doraiswami said, "The FTA is an ongoing process. The government that came to power here in the UK in July completed their in
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged U.S. President Joe Biden to approve Nippon Steel's $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel, highlighting the deal's importance to bilateral relations, according to sources familiar with the matter. Biden expressed his opinion against the purchase, stating possible threats to national security, along with a major effect on U.S. labor organizations. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has been asked to review the deal and provide a recommendation before President-elect Trump takes office on January 20. Government agency
Italy and Japan have strengthened their defence sector collaboration by signing a bilateral deal in Rome, the Italian government announced on Monday. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya formalised the agreement, named the Acquisition and Cross-Service Agreement (ACSA). The agreement streamlines acquisitions, supplies, and exchanges in military operations and ensures rapid mobilization of aid during emergencies and natural disasters. Both nations also collaborate with Britain on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a project to develop an a