All articles tagged with #bilateral ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Ukraine conflict and deepening India-Russia strategic ties amid US-imposed tariffs on Russian oil, with Modi reaffirming India's position on Ukraine and planning to host Putin in India for the upcoming summit.
India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar praised the positive trajectory of India-China relations during his visit to Beijing, emphasizing the importance of practical cooperation and mutual respect, amidst ongoing efforts to improve bilateral ties despite historical border disputes.
Ukraine's foreign minister visits India to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation, as India, a historic Russian ally, has refrained from criticizing Moscow over the war in Ukraine and emphasized the need for diplomacy and dialogue to end the conflict. India has expressed willingness to contribute to peace efforts and has increased engagements with Western powers while trying to reduce dependence on Moscow for arms and technology. Ukraine seeks to enhance trade and economic ties with India, particularly in agricultural exports, aviation cooperation, and pharmaceutical and industrial product trade.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the UAE to inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi and hold bilateral meetings with top UAE leadership to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The visit reflects the close ties between India and the UAE, with a focus on enhancing economic, cultural, and political linkages. The two countries have recently signed agreements to promote cross-border transactions and are among each other's top trading partners. The Indian community in the UAE is also expected to be a highlight of the visit, with about 3.5 million Indians living in the emirates.
Canada's NSA Jody Thomas stated that India is now cooperating with the Canadian probe into the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, marking an "evolution" in India's position on the issue. While India had initially been dismissive of the allegations, Thomas mentioned that her discussions with Indian officials, particularly NSA Ajit Doval, had been fruitful. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship between the two countries, highlighting the significance of ties and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and France have agreed to collaborate on joint production of defence equipment, including helicopters and submarines, for the Indian armed forces and for friendly countries. The agreement was reached during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders also discussed expanding bilateral ties in areas such as defence production, nuclear energy, space research, and the use of artificial intelligence for public services. Additionally, agreements were made for the manufacturing of civilian helicopters and the purchase of jet engines, as well as intensifying cooperation in the southwest Indian Ocean.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Maldivian counterpart Moosa Zameer in Kampala to discuss the strained bilateral ties between the two countries, including the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, with both leaders expressing commitment to strengthening cooperation. The relationship between India and the Maldives has faced tension following derogatory remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Maldivian leaders, and the Maldivian President's pledge to remove Indian military personnel from the country.
Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, visited Fujian, China, to strengthen bilateral ties and sign agreements, emphasizing China's role as a valued ally and integral collaborator in the Maldives' development. The visit is expected to include talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and meetings with provincial officials and the China Communications Construction Company Limited to enhance collaboration in mutual interest areas, marking a new historical starting point in China-Maldives relations.
Indian-American lawmakers, in a statement, have warned that the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani militant Gurpatwant Singh Pannu could damage bilateral ties between the US and India if corrective steps are not taken. The lawmakers revealed that the Biden administration provided them with a classified briefing on the "murder-for-hire plot of an American citizen," which convinced them of the culpability of unnamed Indian government officials. They called for a full investigation, accountability, and assurances that such incidents will not happen again. The decision to brief the lawmakers marks a setback in bilateral engagement in the law and order and terrorism sphere, despite India's announcement of an investigation.
The Taliban has warned Pakistan against its "cruel" treatment of Afghan refugees amid Islamabad's anti-migrant crackdown, urging the country not to seize their personal property and assets. Pakistan's decision to ask all undocumented refugees, including nearly 1.7 million Afghans, to leave has strained ties with the Taliban-led Afghanistan. The Taliban minister called on the United Nations to intervene and ensure the refugees' dignified return. As the October 31 deadline approaches, thousands of Afghans are fleeing Pakistan to avoid potential imprisonment, while Pakistani security forces conduct thorough searches for undocumented foreign residents.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties, amidst the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of a Khalistani separatist. The two leaders did not take questions from the media. The US has been urging India to cooperate in the Canadian investigation into the killing, while India has rejected the allegations as "absurd" and "motivated". Jaishankar also met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and US Trade Representative Katherine Tie to discuss progress in bilateral relations and economic ties.
Israel has been admitted into the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing Israelis to travel to the US for tourism or business trips of up to 90 days without a visa. The move solidifies a major boost to bilateral ties between the two countries and comes after years of efforts from both governments. Israel met the key requirement of a visa application refusal rate below three percent, and the US expects to have its electronic systems prepared for Israel's admittance into the VWP by November 30. However, the US reserves the right to suspend or terminate Israel's membership in the program if it fails to comply with the VWP requirements.
Kuwait has warned that bilateral ties with Lebanon could sour after Lebanon's caretaker Economy Minister, Amin Salam, urged Kuwait to rebuild a portion of Beirut's port destroyed in the 2020 blast. Kuwait's Foreign Minister criticized Salam's comments, calling them "incompatible" with political norms and urging him to retract them. This comes after tensions between Lebanon and Gulf countries, including Kuwait, escalated in 2021. Meanwhile, Kuwait has advised its citizens in Lebanon to stay vigilant due to ongoing clashes in a Palestinian refugee camp, and Saudi Arabia's embassy has urged its citizens to leave the country.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced that Poland has agreed to purchase additional South Korean weapons, following last year's $13.7 billion arms deal. The leaders of both countries expressed their commitment to expanding bilateral ties in strategic areas such as nuclear power and defense, with Poland expressing interest in producing South Korean arms domestically. The details of the additional arms deal were not disclosed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Egypt's highest honor by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi during his two-day visit to Cairo, where the two leaders signed a declaration to elevate Egyptian-Indo ties to a "strategic partnership." The visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties, including increasing trade to $12 billion annually within five years. Both countries have deep ties dating back to the 1950s and have resisted pressure from the West to condemn the Russian war in Ukraine.