All articles tagged with #bilateral cooperation
Japan is strengthening its ties with Israel through high-level visits, including a parliamentary delegation and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's upcoming visit, focusing on deepening diplomatic, security, and humanitarian cooperation amid ongoing regional tensions.
Polish and Ukrainian leaders met to strengthen ties, reaffirm support against Russia, and address historical and economic issues, signaling regional unity and a strategic partnership despite internal political disputes in Poland.
President Biden and Prime Minister Sudani of Iraq reaffirmed their commitment to the enduring strategic partnership between their countries, discussing comprehensive bilateral cooperation, energy self-sufficiency, regional integration, economic reforms, and the lasting defeat of ISIS. They also pledged to review the mission of the Global Coalition in Iraq and transition to enduring bilateral security partnerships, while renewing their commitment to expand cooperation in all areas for the benefit of both nations.
The United States and Türkiye released a joint statement following the seventh meeting of the U.S.-Türkiye Strategic Mechanism, emphasizing their commitment to a positive bilateral agenda that addresses global challenges. Discussions covered various issues including regional priorities, counterterrorism, defense cooperation, economic growth, and climate change. Both countries reiterated their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, discussed the crisis in Gaza, and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism. They also addressed the Syrian crisis, broader issues in the Middle East and Africa, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the South Caucasus. Additionally, they discussed ways to bolster NATO coordination and solidarity, opportunities to transform the U.S.-Türkiye security and defense relationship, and the continuous growth in bilateral trade.
PM Modi thanked Qatar Emir for the release of eight ex-Indian Navy personnel, expressing gratitude for their return home and discussing deepening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and regional security. The release followed discussions during Modi's visit to Qatar, where he also emphasized the need for peace and stability in the region. The leaders discussed regional and global issues, including the situation in Gaza, and India looks forward to scaling up cooperation in key sectors.
India plans to replace its troops in the Maldives with civilians by May, following strained ties with the Maldives' new president, Mohamed Muizzu, who aims to end the country's "India First" policy. The troop pullout, agreed upon at a high-level meeting, is set to be completed by May 10, with the first set leaving by March 10. The move comes as global powers vie for influence in the Indo-Pacific region, with India and China both seeking closer ties with the Maldives.
India and the Maldives met to discuss the potential withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives, with New Delhi stating that they have agreed on mutually workable solutions without mentioning troop withdrawal, while the Maldives claimed that Indian troops will be replaced by May. The two countries also discussed bilateral cooperation and the operation of Indian aviation platforms providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services in the Maldives. The Maldivian President, who came to power in November, has urged India to withdraw its troops by March 15, as the Maldives has shifted into the orbit of China, its largest external creditor.
India and the Maldives have reached "mutually workable solutions" for operating Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives, with all Indian military personnel expected to be withdrawn by May. The solutions include replacing military personnel with civilian operators and expediting the implementation of development cooperation projects. Bilateral ties are strained as the Maldives seeks to reduce dependence on India and move closer to China, but both sides have agreed to hold the next meeting of the core group in Male to enhance their partnership in defense, security, economic, and development cooperation.
India will begin withdrawing its military personnel from the Maldives between March and May, replacing them with Indian civilian personnel and Maldivian defence personnel to operate the aviation platforms. This move follows President Mohamed Muizzu's campaign promise to remove Indian military presence from the Maldives. Both countries have agreed on a timeline for the withdrawal and are also discussing ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in defense, security, economic, and development partnerships.
The U.S. and China have initiated "productive" talks in Beijing regarding the fentanyl crisis, aiming to reduce the illicit supply of the synthetic opioid responsible for numerous overdose deaths in the U.S. The establishment of the U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group signals a cooperative effort between the two countries, despite their strained bilateral relationship. While progress has been made, there is recognition that more needs to be done to address both the demand and supply aspects of the fentanyl issue.
NASA-funded researchers have been given permission to apply for access to China's Chang'e-5 lunar samples, marking a rare possibility of cooperation between China and NASA. The move comes despite NASA Administrator Bill Nelson's previous support for maintaining restrictions on collaboration with China. The samples, collected by China's Chang'e-5 mission, are expected to provide valuable scientific insights into the geological history of the Moon and potentially inform NASA's future lunar exploration plans. Applications for access to the samples are open until December 22, 2023. This development could pave the way for future cooperation on missions such as China's Chang'e-6 lunar farside sample return mission and potentially even China's Tianwen-3 Mars sample return mission.
Malaysia has stated that Thailand expressed gratitude for their assistance in securing the release of Thai nationals held captive by Hamas. The Malaysian prime minister credited the wisdom of Hamas, with the help of Egypt, for securing the safe release of the hostages. The two leaders also discussed forming task forces to enhance bilateral cooperation in various areas, including tourism, trade, food security, agriculture, and border security. They also discussed the construction of a second bridge between the border towns and increasing efforts to prevent illegal hunting.
Russia's Foreign Ministry has criticized Iceland's decision to suspend its embassy operations in Moscow from August 1, citing an "all-time low" level of commercial, cultural and political relations between the countries. Iceland had also asked Russia to scale back its diplomatic activities in Reykjavik. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the decision "destroys" the entire range of Russian-Icelandic cooperation and warned that all anti-Russian actions of Reykjavik will be followed by a corresponding reaction.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela next week to expand bilateral cooperation on economic, political, and scientific issues. The tour will give Raisi face time with three regional allies, each of whom lead leftist governments that have been accused by critics of human rights violations. Iran and Venezuela are both members of OPEC.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela next week to expand bilateral cooperation in economic, political, and scientific issues. The tour will give Raisi face time with three regional allies, each of whom lead leftist governments that have been accused by critics of human rights violations. Iran and Venezuela are both members of OPEC.