Israel’s Growth Outlook Brightens Amid OECD Reform Recommendations
Politics

Israel’s Growth Outlook Brightens Amid OECD Reform Recommendations

According to an OECD analysis released Wednesday, Israel's economy is expected to improve well over the next two years if geopolitical tensions lessen. The analysis predicted a GDP growth of 3.4% in 2025 and 5.5% in 2026, following a slow 0.9% increase in 2024 due to conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Bank of Israel predicts that the economy will increase by 4% in 2025 and 4.5% in 2026. OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann presented the biennial survey to Israel's Social-Economic Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich appreciate

Read more

Greece Unveils €25 Billion Defence Overhaul to Embrace High-Tech Warfare
Politics

Greece Unveils €25 Billion Defence Overhaul to Embrace High-Tech Warfare

Greece plans to invest €25 billion over the next decade to upgrade its military and adapt to emerging high-tech warfare capabilities. Defence Minister Nikos Dendias presented the ambitious makeover to parliament, underlining the necessity for a technologically advanced defence strategy. The "Achilles Shield" air defence system is at the centre of this development, meant to improve security in the face of ongoing tensions with Turkey. Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, have a history of territorial disputes in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, which have brought them close

Read more

India-Thailand Trade Relations Poised for Growth as PM Modi Embarks on Key Visit
Politics

India-Thailand Trade Relations Poised for Growth as PM Modi Embarks on Key Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Thailand, which begins Thursday, is aimed at improving economic and investment ties between the two countries. India's rapidly developing market continues to draw Thai investors, and Indian investments in Thailand have steadily increased in recent years. Thailand has made investments in India's infrastructure, real estate, agro-processing, electronics, automotive, food processing, hospitality, and renewable energy sectors. One of the most significant investments occurred in 2021, when Global Renewable Synergy Co., Ltd invested $453.29 million

Read more

India and US Advance Towards Bilateral Trade Agreement Amid Tariff Pressures
Politics

India and US Advance Towards Bilateral Trade Agreement Amid Tariff Pressures

India and the United States are making substantial progress towards finalising a Bilateral Trade Agreement as the deadline for US reciprocal tariffs approaches on April 2. Following an intervention by the Prime Minister's Office, India has agreed to the Terms of Reference (ToR) for negotiations, paving the way for future discussions. The ToR establishes the foundation for the trade agreement and requires approval from the highest political authority before actual negotiations may commence. After four days of deliberations, US officials left India without finalising the Terms of Reference.

Read more

Finance Minister to Unveil ‘NITI NCAER States Economic Forum’ Portal on April 1
Politics

Finance Minister to Unveil ‘NITI NCAER States Economic Forum’ Portal on April 1

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to officially launch the "NITI NCAER States Economic Forum" portal on April 1. The platform is intended to provide a comprehensive database of economic, social, and fiscal statistics for Indian states during the past three decades, up to the fiscal year 2022-23. The platform, created in collaboration between NITI Aayog and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), divides data into five core verticals: demography, economic structure, fiscal health, education, and healthcare. Its goal is to provide researchers, policymakers, and analysts

Read more

US Clears Holtec to Build Nuclear Reactors in India, Strengthening India-US Energy Ties
Politics

US Clears Holtec to Build Nuclear Reactors in India, Strengthening India-US Energy Ties

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has given Holtec International a regulatory license to design and build nuclear reactors in India. This is a huge step forward in the nearly two-decade-old nuclear pact between India and the United States. According to reports, the DoE approved Holtec on March 26, allowing nuclear cooperation between the two countries. The license authorises Holtec to exchange 'unclassified small modular reactor (SMR) technology' with three Indian firms—Holtec Asia, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, and Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd—under US rule '10CFR810'. The authorisation i

Read more

UAE Champions Responsible AI Innovation at Global Conference in Geneva
Politics

UAE Champions Responsible AI Innovation at Global Conference in Geneva

The United Arab Emirates participated in the Global Conference on AI, Security, and Ethics in Geneva, confirming its commitment to responsible technological development. Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, met with foreign experts, including Robin Geiss, Director of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), to address AI's expanding role in global security and its ethical implications. During the conversations, Sharaf emphasised the importance of international collaboration in regulating artificial intelligence. He stated that

Read more

India, US Discuss Trade Barriers, Immigration, and Strategic Cooperation
Politics

India, US Discuss Trade Barriers, Immigration, and Strategic Cooperation

Vikram Misri, India's Foreign Secretary, and Christopher Landau, US Deputy Secretary of State, recently discussed ways to decrease trade obstacles, boost defence and technology collaboration, and combat illegal immigration to the US. The conversation aimed to promote a fair and balanced bilateral commercial partnership. According to a statement issued by the US Department of State, Landau expressed gratitude for India's help in combating illegal immigration. He emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation between the two countries. The discussions also addressed security and developm

Read more

Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar: Redefining Global Influence Through Soft Power
Politics

Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar: Redefining Global Influence Through Soft Power

Analysts describe the post-1945 world order as being stuck between the old and new power structures, undergoing a seismic change. Even though there have been conversations about this change for more than ten years, current occurrences highlight how real it is. This transformation is exemplified by the high-profile meeting between US Senator Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia, as well as the heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on March 5. This geopolitical reshuffling enables middle powers

Read more

Dubai Chambers, Indian Ambassador Discuss Stronger Trade Ties and Investment Growth
Politics

Dubai Chambers, Indian Ambassador Discuss Stronger Trade Ties and Investment Growth

His Excellency Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, met with His Excellency Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, to explore how Dubai and India can strengthen their trade and investment connections. The meeting was held at the Dubai Chambers offices and was attended by His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. Both sides emphasised the importance of developing bilateral trade and investment prospects, as well as Dubai and India's deep economic cooperation. His Excellency Al Mansoori remarked that Dubai is committed t

Read more