Indian EAM S. Jaishankar met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad bin Haji Hasan in Kuala Lumpur as part of his tour across Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The discussions aimed to bolster collaboration across political, economic, defence, and people-to-people connections between the two nations. They also delved into regional and international concerns of mutual interest. Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the talks, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of Malaysia-India relations and the importance of enhancing cooperation in various sectors such as politics, economics, d
On Tuesday, Brazil and France initiated a joint investment programme aimed at safeguarding the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and Guyana, committing 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) from public and private sources over four years. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative during his visit to Brazil, where he met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Belem. In a joint statement, both leaders pledged to collaborate in protecting tropical forests, aiming to halt Amazon deforestation by 2030 to mitigate global warming. This commitment precedes Brazil's hosting o
On Tuesday, the Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialised Pollution Control Vessel stationed in Manila Bay, Philippines, participated in a bilateral maritime cooperation initiative. The vessel is equipped with advanced marine pollution control gear and a Chetak Helicopter. This deployment will be from March 25 to April 12 and will address marine pollution concerns and enhance cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). This step marks the third consecutive mission to ASEAN countries. Earlier, it visited Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia in 2023.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praises the significant growth in defence cooperation with the Philippines, reaffirming the US commitment to protect the Philippines against aggression in the South China Sea. Blinken's visit to Manila highlights US support for regional allies. Amidst China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, Blinken's visit aims to reinforce solidarity with the Philippines, particularly following recent incidents involving Philippine and Chinese vessels. Blinken emphasises the security and economic interests of the Philippines, stressing the region's strategi
On Monday, Mexico's top presidential contender, Claudia Sheinbaum, pledged continued support for state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) while advocating for renewable energy. In contrast to the perspective of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaum is committed to strengthening Mexico's renewable energy capabilities. Additionally, she plans to maintain Pemex's daily crude production at approximately 1.8 million barrels, meeting additional demand for renewable energy. She confirms that Pemex and the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) will continue to operate as public entitie
On Tuesday, Hong Kong's legislature passed a new national security law, known as Article 23, unanimously within two weeks of its proposal. This legislation targets offences like treason, sabotage, and espionage, imposing sentences ranging from years to life imprisonment. The leader of Hong Kong has hailed the law as a historic moment, and it is soon to go into effect. Despite concerns about potential consequences, including sanctions and international criticism, lawmakers expressed their determination to prioritise national security. After a brief period of public consultation, the pro-Bei
On Sunday, India and the Maldives had the third edition of their Core Group meeting in Malé, focusing on Indian personnel deployment for aviation platforms in the island nation. As India had announced earlier, the meeting emphasised the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's deadline for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, set for March 10, propelled discussions. Both sides reviewed the delegation of Indian technical personnel enabling the operation of aviation platforms providing humanitarian and medical services to Maldiv
The Ministers of Health representing the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) gathered in Astana recently to discuss the improvement of healthcare collaboration, particularly among countries such as India. There were crucial deals and reciprocal assistance developed during the gathering, which included distinguished delegation chiefs. Discussions with the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare centered on growing cooperation in a variety of fields, including the enhancement of medical education, technology exchange, and the production of medical devices. The p
The largest general election in history is expected to take place in India from April to June, with the announcement of the results on June 4. The election, which will determine the 18th Lok Sabha and have around one billion eligible voters, is a significant democratic endeavour. Almost a billion people will cast ballots in this six-week, seven-phase election extravaganza, which will see unprecedented participation. Concurrently, four state assemblies—Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim—will also conduct polls, with Odisha's elections spread over four phases. To fa
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to embark on a significant five-day diplomatic mission to Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia, commencing on March 23. The primary objective of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and address shared regional concerns. Jaishankar's itinerary begins in Singapore, where he will engage with counterparts and dignitaries. The visit, extended at the invitation of host countries, highlighted India's commitment to enhancing ties with key partners in Southeast Asia. According to S Jaishankar, the tour will prioritise strengthening