In a pact with Australia, the UK committed 25 million pounds (S$46 million) to bolster security in the Indo-Pacific, and the leaders of both countries expressed "grave concerns" about Chinese policies in Xinjiang. A video call between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Thursday (Feb 17) also called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and warned Russia against invading Ukraine. In a joint statement post-meeting, the leaders said, “They agreed on the need for de-escalation and underscored that any further Russian incursion in U
On Monday, Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan visited the United Arab Emirates for the first time since 2013. In a pivot toward economic partnership, the two countries mend ties strained by animosity. The Gulf state’s de facto ruler Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan greeted Erdogan. Crown Prince visited Ankara last November where investments worth billions of dollars were signed. At Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport before his departure, Mr. Erdogan said, “During the visit, we aim to develop the momentum we have captured with the United Arab Emirates and to take the ne
A deal worth more than $500 million will be signed between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Moroccan army to provide the Barak MX air and missile defense system. As a flexible and modular missile defense system, the Barak MX system can protect against a wide range of missile threats and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). There are three types of interceptors in the Barak family: Barak-MRAD, which intercepts missiles up to ranges of 35 kilometers; Barak-LRAD, which can intercepts missiles up to the range of 70 kilometers; and Barak-ER, which can intercepts missiles up to the range
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett became the first Israeli leader to make an official visit to Bahrain. This historic trip highlighted the strengthening ties between Israel and some Arab governments. Mr. Bennett's visit would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but builds on a diplomatic thaw that began in 2020 when Israel forged formal ties for the first time with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, revived diplomatic relations with Morocco, and improved relations with Sudan. Saudi Arabia, the Arab world's most powerful nation, considers Bahrain as a proxy for Saud
On Monday, Malaysia's Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob flew from Kuala Lumpur and arrived at 8:30 at the Brunei International airport for an official visit. The two-day visit is his first after becoming the prime minister in August. On Tuesday, Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah is scheduled to meet Datuk Seri Ismail. PM's wife Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin and PM Ismail were welcomed by Brunei's Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah and Pengiran Anak Puteri Masna upon arrival at Brunei International Airport at 8.30 pm. A welcoming ceremony was planned at the international airport to welcome the prime
On Saturday, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed delivered a message from Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on easy to strengthen bilateral relations. At the Dubai Expo 2020, Robert Borje, Duterte's special envoy and assistant on foreign affairs, conveyed the message to UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. Both parties discussed joint cooperation and multiple issues of common interest. Malina's participation at Expo 202 and its role in enhancing joint cooperation among the two nations in various fields like industry and trade was also reviewed. Robert Borje w
On Sunday, the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was re-elected as the president for the second term of five years by a special parliamentary assembly. Ahead of the election, Steinmeier was endorsed by very influential political parties for the largely ceremonial head of state. With a big majority by a special assembly made up of parliament members of the lower house and 16 German states representatives, the president was elected. 66-year-old Steinmeier has served two stints as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s foreign minister before becoming the president in 2017 and was chief of st
The Indian government grants the implementation of a 'Unitary Digital Identity framework', modeled after the Aadhaar card. Sri Lanka's Cabinet has decided to prioritize implementation of the Framework as a national-level program under the Rajapaksa administration According to a statement released in media by the Department of Government Information stated the under the proposed Unitary Digital Identity Framework, it is anticipated to establish a personal identity verification device based on biometric data, a digital tool that will represent the identities of individuals in cyberspace.
On Thursday, Indian External Minister Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar will begin his visit to Australia. He will be attending the Quad meeting (India, Austalia, Japan, United states) of the Foreign Ministers. He will be discussing vaccines, technology, and regional security issues, including China. During Mr. Jaishankar’s first visit to Australia as EAM, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the meeting will the four minister and will exchange their views on regional strategic issues. They will give their hsharedf vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. He s
Post the success of BrahMos with the Philippines, India is eyeing a debut contract for LCA Tejas fighter jets with Malaysia. One of the ASEAN nations, Malaysia, is evaluating its option to buy the light fighter jets. Designed by Aeronautical Development Agency, Tejas was manufactured by the HAL in India for the IAF and Navy. The fighter jet Tejas is considered as one of the lightest supersonic fighters in the world and it has the capability to carry beyond visual range, air-to-air, air-to-surface, standoff weapons, and precision-guided. Even though the LCA Tejas has already proven its m