Month: June 2024

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-Top News India News USA

INDUS-X Defence Initiative Marks First Anniversary

Since its inception, INDUS-X has fostered robust private sector cooperation between the United States and India, paving the way for transformative partnerships among defence technology firms, investors, and researchers.

As the US-India INDUS-X initiative commemorates its first year, it stands as a beacon of transnational collaboration in defence innovation. Launched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Washington, DC, INDUS-X has swiftly advanced bilateral commitments through the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

“In its first year, INDUS-X has advanced both countries’ commitment to build a defence innovation bridge under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET),” read a release from US Department of Defence.

Since its inception, INDUS-X has fostered robust private sector cooperation between the United States and India, paving the way for transformative partnerships among defence technology firms, investors, and researchers. This initiative has not only bolstered technological exchange but has also laid the groundwork for strategic alliances crucial to both nations’ defence capabilities.

“INDUS-X has strengthened private sector cooperation between the United States and India by facilitating partnerships among defence technology companies, investors, and researchers,” the release added.

Highlighting its growing significance, the White House recently announced the upcoming third INDUS-X Summit, slated to convene in Silicon Valley in September 2024.

Co-hosted by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University, the summit will focus on leveraging private capital to propel defence innovation forward.

The India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was launched at an event in Washington, DC, USA, on June 21, 2023. The INDUS X event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Ministry of Defence, and the US Department of Defence (DoD) and hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC).

Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Promotion), MoD, Anurag Bajpai, led the Indian delegation in the two-day INDUS-X event. A reception for Indian and US government representatives, defence start-ups, think tanks, incubators, investors, industries and other stakeholders was organised on June 20, 2023.

The event also saw a first-of-its-kind joint showcasing of innovative technologies by Indian and US start-ups. 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups, from multiple domains of maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space, showcased their technologies to Indian and US stakeholders, the Ministry of Defence, said in a release earlier. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Canadian Dy PM Stumbles Over Question On Parliament Tribute To Nijjar

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-Top News Canada India News

Canadian Dy PM Stumbles Over Question On Parliament Tribute To Nijjar

Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland even did not comment on why Nijjar was on the no-fly list, why his bank accounts were frozen, or why such a person was paid tribute in Parliament.

Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland stumbed over a question posed to her on why Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was on the no-fly list and had his bank accounts frozen before his death, is now being honoured with a tribute in the Canadian Parliament.

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, a journalist asked Freeland on the paradox of honouring Nijjar despite past government actions against him.

The journalist questioned the reason behind this sudden change.

Freeland responded, emphasising the recent solemn anniversary and condemning the murder of a Canadian on Canadian soil. She praised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s stance post-assassination, calling it necessary but challenging.

“I do want to start by saying that this week was a very sad and solemn anniversary of the murder. I was in the House of Commons, and I guess all three of us were (referring to the two men sitting beside her). It was important to have a moment of silence to recognise this was the murder of a Canadian in Canada on Canadian soil, and that is entirely unacceptable. Second of all, I do want to say I was very proud of the prime minister and of the strong position he took after the murder.”

She further stated, “It was the right thing to do, but it wasn’t an easy thing to do.”

Freeland reiterated Trudeau’s commitment to equality under Canadian law and protection against threats, regardless of consequences. However, she evaded direct answers on why Nijjar was on the no-fly list, why his accounts were frozen, or the rationale behind Parliament’s tribute to him.

“The government of Canada will enforce our laws and protect all Canadians regardless of who is threatening them and what the consequences might be. Doing that was a big thing for the prime minister, and I think all of us should feel safer and more secure knowing that he will stand for Canadians and against the killers of Canadians no matter what”, she said.

However, Chrystia Freeland avoided answering the question of why there was sudden support for Nijjar after his death when the same government had put restrictions on him when he was alive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the G7 Outreach Summit, in Apulia.

The minister even did not comment on why Nijjar was on the no-fly list, why his bank accounts were frozen, or why such a person was paid tribute in Parliament.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, born in the Jalandhar district of India’s Punjab, migrated to Canada in 1997 and worked as a plumber in British Columbia. Desingated as a Khalistani terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Surrey Gurudwara on June 18 last year by unidentified assailants. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India lodges protest with Canada over extremists holding court

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-Top News Bangladesh India News

India, Bangladesh Cement Ties With Multiple Pacts

The agreements exchanged included a Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina oversaw the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

The ceremony took place at Hyderabad House in Delhi, marking a pivotal moment in India-Bangladesh relations.

The agreements exchanged included a Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership: Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Masood Bin Momen and India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra facilitated the exchange of documents, underscoring mutual commitments in digital collaboration.

A Shared Vision on the India-Bangladesh Green Partnership focused on environmental initiatives and sustainable development goals.

An MoU was exchanged on Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy: Strengthening ties in maritime security, cooperation, and exploring opportunities in the blue economy sector.

An MoU for Cooperation on Health and Medicine was renewed, reflecting ongoing collaboration in healthcare between the two nations.

Further, an MoU between In-Space and Bangladesh’s Ministry of ICT and Telecom was exchanged, enhancing cooperation in space technology and satellite communication, signed by Chairman and CEO of Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd Shahjahan Mehmood and Secretary Department of Space S Somnath.

An MoU was exchanged between the Ministry of Railways, India and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Railway. Aimed at enhancing railway connectivity and facilitating smoother cross-border transportation, the MoU was exchanged by Mohamed Humayun Kabir and Chairperson of the Railway Board Jaya Sinha.

Another MoU for Cooperation in Oceanography was exchanged to promote joint research and exploration in ocean sciences, signed by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mohammed Mustafizur Rahman and High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma.

An MoU between the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief was renewed to strengthen disaster management strategies and resilience efforts.

PM Modi and PM Hasina also oversaw the renewal of the MoU for Cooperation in Fisheries, which will continue joint efforts in sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture.

An MoU was also exchanged between DSSC (Defence Services Staff College) Wellington and DSCSC (Defence Services Command and Staff College) Mirpur which will promote military education and strategic studies cooperation, exchanged in the field of defence.

This exchange of MoUs came after PM Modi and the visiting Bangladesh PM held delegation-level talks.

PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh is on a two-day State visit to India from June 21 to 22, marking the first foreign guest on a bilateral State visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government.

PM Modi and PM Hasina also held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House today. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Faith In Indian Economy Grows As NRI Deposits Surge

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-Top News Economy India News

Faith In Indian Economy Grows As NRI Deposits Surge

The non-resident Indians (NRIs) deposited around $1 billion in the country in April alone.

Showing their confidence in the resilient Indian economy despite global macroeconomic conditions, non-resident Indians (NRIs) deposited around $1 billion in the country in April alone.

Last year, overseas Indians deposited $150 million in the same month, showing their growing belief in the Indian economy as there is increasing evidence of a trend upshift taking shape, which is shifting India’s growth trajectory from the 2003-19 average of 7 per cent to the 2021-24 average of 8 per cent or even more.

According to latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the surge in NRI deposits reflects the resilience of the Indian economy.

For the NRIs, There are three key deposit schemes in the country – the foreign currency non-resident (bank) or FCNR(B); the non-resident external rupee account or NRE(RA) and the non-resident ordinary (NRO) deposit scheme.

In April, NRIs deposited $583 million in the NRE(RA) scheme, followed by $483 million in the FCNR(B) scheme.

During the pandemic, NRI deposits grew to $142 billion from $131 billion.

India’s forex kitty surges to new lifetime high of $655.8 billion

Meanwhile, India’s foreign exchange reserves surged by $4.3 billion to scale a lifetime high of $655.8 billion, according to the latest RBI data.

India, with an expected 15.2 per cent share in world remittances in 2024, also continues to be the largest recipient of remittances globally.

An increase in the foreign exchange reserves reflects strong fundamentals of the economy and gives the RBI more headroom to stabilise the rupee when it turns volatile.

ALSO READ: India Now 3rd Largest Domestic Airline Market

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-Top News Asia News PAKISTAN

PML-N Faces Flak From Own Legislators Over ‘Tax-Heavy’ Budget

Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb

The legislators slammed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb for presenting a “tax-loaded and International Montery Fund (IMF)-dictated budget”.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) faced an unprecedented backlash in the National Assembly with lawmakers from even the treasury benches joining their opposition counterparts in lashing out at the government over the federal budget, Dawn reported.

The legislators on Friday slammed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb for presenting a “tax-loaded and International Montery Fund (IMF)-dictated budget”.

The second day of the budget debate yesterday was also marked by fierce criticism of the government by the members from both sides over the absence of the ministers, especially the finance minister, from proceedings.

The PPP, a key partner in the ruling coalition, continued its protest by only having a “token participation”, as its members attended the session but didn’t participate in the debate as a mark of protest over the alleged violation of an agreement reached with the PML-N at the time of the formation of the government after the February elections and for “not consulting” it on the preparation of the budget.

The boycott of the debate by the PPP came despite reports that the issues between the two parties had been settled after a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday evening

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

It is pertinent to note that five PML-N members also participated in the debate on Friday, but none of them supported the government’s economic policies and almost all of them complained that they were also “not consulted” by the finance minister and bureaucrats while preparing the budget.

Taking part in the debate, the opposition members belonging to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) took the government to task over the alleged “political victimization” of the party and demanded the immediate release of PTI’s founder and former premier Imran Khan, as well as other party activists who had been jailed in different cases.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif also attended the sitting for a few minutes, but most of the time the front treasury rows remained empty, drawing criticism from the lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.

The lawmakers grilled the finance minister over indirect taxation and for putting more burden on the salaried class, besides imposing sales tax on each and every item, including stationery items, books, packed milk, and medical equipment.

Most of the leaders termed it an “IMF-dictated budget” which, they said, had been presented only to appease foreign masters and to get more loans, Dawn reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Milk prices surge as Pakistan faces high inflation

Categories
-Top News Bangladesh India News

Hasina Gets Ceremonial Welcome At India’s Rashtrapati Bhavan

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning arrived at Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM.

Hasina on Friday morning arrived at Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Paying her tribute, the visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister laid floral wreaths at the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was laid to rest.

After she paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, PM Hasina was gifted a book and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Hasina arrived in India on Friday on a two day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This visit will give a “major boost” to India-Bangladesh ties, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post.

“PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh arrives in New Delhi on a State Visit to India. Warmly welcomed by MoS @KVSinghMPGonda at the airport. Bangladesh is a key partner and trusted neighbour of India. The visit will give a major boost to this celebrated bilateral partnership,” read Jaiswal’s post on X.

Jaishankar had yesterday called on the Bangladesh PM and following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her State visit highlights “close and abiding ties” between the two countries.

“Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her State visit to India underlines our close and abiding ties. Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership,” said Jaishankar in a post on X.

Newly-appointed External Affairs Minister of State (MoS) Kirtivardhan Singh welcomed the visiting Bangladesh PM at the airport upon her arrival.

This is the first incoming bilateral State Visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections, MEA said in a statement a day ago.

ALSO READ: Jaishankar: India will always be Lanka’s dependable partner

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-Top News China USA

China Sanctions Lockheed Martin Over Taiwan Arms Deals

The entities include Lockheed Martin Missile System Integration Lab, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, and Lockheed Martin Ventures

China has said that it has banned several business units of American aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. and three of its executives over arms deals the company has signed with Taiwan, the self-ruling island it claims as its own territory, media reports said.

The statement from China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the company’s cooperation with Taiwan had violated the country’s sovereignty, standard terminology in its discussions of any outside dealings that support the island’s government, the Independent reported.

The entities include Lockheed Martin Missile System Integration Lab, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, according to the statement.

All of their movable and immovable properties, and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen, the statement added.

The senior executives under sanction include James Donald Taiclet, chairman, president and chief executive officer; Frank Andrew St. John, chief operating officer; and Jesus Malave, chief financial officer.

China has been steadily growing its domestic aircraft industry, producing parts, planes and services for Airbus and producing its commercial jets. Foreign technology has played a large part in that process, but Chinese companies have increasingly developed the means to replace their overseas suppliers, The Independent reported.

The executives’ movable and immovable properties and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen, and it has been prohibited for any organisations or individuals within China to engage in any transactions, cooperation, or activities with them. They shall also be denied visas or entry into China, according to the statement.

Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, on Friday urged the US to honour its commitment to not support “Taiwan independence” and stop arming Taiwan in any form.

The newly approved US arms sales to Taiwan were reportedly worth about $360 million.

Taiwan relies heavily on US suppliers for arms, even as it works to boost its defence industries and increase mandatory military service for men from four months to one year. That comes against the backdrop of China’s rising threat to encircle or invade Taiwan to achieve what it calls a historical mission to annex the island.

Taiwan was formerly a Japanese colony and separated from mainland China amid a civil war in 1949.

ALSO READ: US lists China among ‘countries of concern’ aiding Russia

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-Top News UK News

Tories face election gambling scandal

Sunak says any election candidates or officials found to have broken rules would be kicked out of the party…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Thursday he was “incredibly angry” after more Conservative Party figures were put under investigation over alleged bets placed on the UK general election date.

Facing questions on the growing scandal from an audience of voters on live television, the beleaguered leader said any election candidates or officials found to have broken rules would be kicked out of the party.

His comments came hours after the Conservatives’ campaign director stepped aside following reports that he and his wife, a Tory candidate in the July 4 election, were under investigation by betting regulators.

Last week, another would-be MP, Craig Williams, who was a Sunak ministerial aide, was also being probed for staking £100 ($127) on the date before it was called.

London police said Wednesday that one of the prime minister’s police security detail had been arrested for allegedly placing a bet on the date.

“I was incredibly angry… to learn of these allegations,” Sunak said of the cases involving his party officials.

“If anyone is found to have broken the rules, not only should they face the full consequences of the law, I will make sure that they are booted out of the Conservative Party,” he added.

The Conservatives confirmed earlier that campaign director Tony Lee had started “a leave of absence” and that the Gambling Commission was looking into “a number of individuals.”

The regulator did not name individuals but the BBC reported that Lee and his election candidate wife Laura Saunders were under investigation.

Her lawyers said she would “be co-operating with the Gambling Commission” and claimed the report infringed her privacy rights.

The commission had already said it was looking at the claims regarding Williams.

Political bets are allowed in the UK, including on the date of elections, but using insider knowledge to do so is against the law.

The inquiries heap further misery on Sunak, whose party has trailed Labour by about 20 points in the polls for nearly two years, making it odds on to be dumped out of office after 14 years.

Labour’s campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden wrote to Sunak arguing the claims showed “a pattern of behavior” by the Tories focused on making “a quick profit.”

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer, tipped to become prime minister, has urged Sunak to withdraw support for those allegedly involved.

“It’s astonishing that we’re in this place… Rishi Sunak just needs to take action. He needs to account for exactly who knew what,” he said.

But at Thursday’s debate, Sunak insisted it was “right” that the probes were conducted “thoroughly” and “confidentially” before anyone is sanctioned.

“The integrity of that process should be respected,” he said.

Sunak announced the date of the election on May 22, in a rain-soaked statement outside Downing Street, taking his own party by surprise as he still had six months to call a vote.

Critics lambasted him for not using an umbrella and the campaign has hardly shifted the dial in his favor since, even with indications the British economy has turned a corner.

This week, he was ignored by a flock of sheep as he tried to feed them in southwest England while his personal ratings suffered after he left early from a D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration event. Two polls published on Wednesday predicted a record win for Labour, eclipsing even the landslide victory for Labour’s Tony Blair in 1997.

Pollsters YouGov said the Conservatives could slump to their “lowest seat tally in the party’s almost 200-year history.” Sunak could even become the first sitting prime minister to lose his own seat, according to a Savanta survey.

London police said a member of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, was held on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, then released on bail. The allegations against Williams came to light last week. He is alleged to have placed a bet on a July date for the election three days before Sunak called the vote.

The Metropolitan Police revealed in their statement that they were alerted by the Gambling Commission on Friday regarding allegations involving an officer from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command placing a bet. This command, a division of the Metropolitan Police, includes officers responsible for close protection duties for high-profile figures such as the prime minister and members of the royal family, requiring utmost discretion, as reported by NYT.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the oversight body responsible for investigating serious allegations against officers in England and Wales.

In response to inquiries, the Metropolitan Police reiterated their commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability within their ranks. The incident has raised concerns about the conduct of officers in sensitive roles and underscores the importance of upholding public trust and integrity in law enforcement.

Prime Minister Sunak’s surprise election announcement and the subsequent fallout from the betting allegations have added a new dimension to the political landscape, prompting scrutiny and calls for clarity regarding the ethical standards expected of those in positions of public trust.

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-Top News Politics UK News

Corbyn would have been better PM than Johnson, says Starmer

The Labour leader said that a landlord would not be able to get a final offer on rent from one possible tenant, then go to a second and ask them to bid something higher, and so on…reports Asian Lite News

Keir Starmer has said that Jeremy Corbyn would have made a better prime minister than Boris Johnson. The Labour leader made the comment in a special BBC Question Time programme in which he was pinned down over his past support for Corbyn.

Keir first refused five times to stand by his comment made in the run up to the 2019 election that Mr Corbyn, his predecessor as Labour leader, would have made a “great prime minister”.

But he eventually said: “He would be a better prime minister… look what we got, Boris Johnson, a man who made massive promises, didn’t keep them, and then had to leave parliament in disgrace.”

The comment is eye-catching since Keir has in recent years repeatedly distanced himself from Corbyn, a Left-winger who has since been forced out of the Labour Party. Corbyn is standing as an independent candidate at this election.

During the BBC programme, the Labour leader, who was booed as he entered the studio, claimed that too many homeowners were ‘ripping off’ their tenants. and he said they would be banned by law from accepting the highest offer of rent from potential tenants after “bidding wars”.

Keir said that landlords would not be allowed to go back and forth between potential tenants getting final offers, driving up the rent. He said that legislation would be tabled to bring about the change if Labour wins office, meaning that the new rules would be legally enforceable.

However, repeatedly pressed by Fiona Bruce, the BBC presenter, about how exactly the plan would work he gave few other details.

Keir said: “We have to stop the landlords ripping off tenants who are doing this bidding war: who’ll pay more until people are paying through the roof. We have to end that. We can pass legislation to say you can’t do it because it’s driving rents through the roof and it’s not fair. It’s taking advantage.”

On Thursday night, four political leaders were each grilled for 30 minutes on the BBC programme: Keir, Rishi Sunak, Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, and John Swinney, the SNP leader.

The Labour leader was also pinned down on the change in his position on trans issues, and faced criticism over his plans to apply VAT on private school fees. Describing his desire to bring in a law on how landlords can act in the rental market, Sir Keir said: “We can’t have this bidding war like this. We have to have a scheme in place to stop them driving rents up and up. Lots of renters are paying huge deposits and we have to stop that as well.”

The Labour leader said that a landlord would not be able to get a final offer on rent from one possible tenant, then go to a second and ask them to bid something higher, and so on.

The aim is to stop landlords from bounding tenants off each other in a way that artificially raises rents. But the full details of how the policy would work remains unclear.

Keir was challenged on his past support for Corbyn, the Left-wing Labour leader for the 2017 and 2019 election who has been forced out of the party.

At one point Bruce asked Keir to answer “yes or no” whether he was telling the truth when saying in the past that in 2019 Mr Corbyn would make a “great prime minister”.

Keir did not give a yes-no answer and the audience laughed. He defended his past position by saying: “In 2019 I campaigned for the Labour Party as I’ve always campaigned for the Labour Party. I wanted good colleagues returned to parliament.”

Keir also, after repeated pressing, admitted that NHS waiting lists may not return to normal years until five years into a Labour government.

The Labour leader at first declined to answer when asked at what time the public could know they would get an NHS appointment in under a month. Keir said “we will start the work on waiting lists on day one in government”, and later “we will get those operations going as quickly as we can with staff”.

ALSO READ-Sunak, Starmer face TV grilling by unhappy voters

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-Top News EU News Europe

Rutte set to be NATO chief as rival drops out

Romania’s security council on Thursday announced Iohannis had formally withdrawn and that the country backed Rutte…reports Asian Lite News

Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday clinched the race to become the next head of NATO at a pivotal time for the alliance, after sole challenger Romanian President Klaus Iohannis pulled out.

The veteran politician, 57, is expected to be formally named by NATO’s 32 nations in the coming days and should take over when current chief Jens Stoltenberg’s term ends on October 1.

Rutte will come in at a perilous moment for the Western allies as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags on and Donald Trump battles to reclaim the presidency in the United States come November.

After staking his claim for the job last year following the collapse of his coalition, staunch Ukraine backer Rutte quickly won the support of heavyweights the United States, Britain, France and Germany.

But he had to use all the diplomatic skills gleaned during almost 14 years in charge of the Netherlands to win over hold-outs led by Turkiye and Hungary.

Rutte overcame Turkish reticence with an April visit to Istanbul, before finally sealing a deal with Hungary’s Viktor Orban at a European Union summit this week.

That left the last sticking point as Iohannis, whose surprise bid had ruffled feathers among allies banking on a smooth appointment for Rutte ahead of a NATO summit in Washington next month.

Romania’s security council on Thursday announced Iohannis had formally withdrawn and that the country backed Rutte.

Rutte will have a lot on his plate when he assumes the reins from Norway’s former premier Stoltenberg, who led the alliance through its most consequential decades since the end of the Cold War.

Just weeks after his four-year term is expected to start, voters in the United States will go to the polls in a crunch vote to chose between incumbent Joe Biden and Trump.

The prospect of the volatile former president returning to the Oval office has rattled allies fearful that he could weaken superpower Washington’s role as Europe’s ultimate security guarantor.

Trump fueled those fears on the campaign trail by saying he would encourage Russia to attack NATO countries not spending enough on their own defense.

Like Stoltenberg, Rutte won plaudits for his careful handling of Trump during his first term in power — when the ex-reality TV star reportedly even mulled pulling the United States out of NATO.

“I think Mark Rutte is a very strong candidate,” Stoltenberg said on a visit to Washington Tuesday. “He has a lot of experience as prime minister. He’s a close friend and colleague.”

While Trump’s return could pose one major challenge — to NATO’s east Rutte will face the far more pressing menace from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin’s forces are currently on the front foot in Ukraine after more than two years of brutal conflict, and the NATO chief will have a key role marshalling aid from Kyiv’s weary backers.

At the same time Rutte will have to ensure the alliance is ready to defend against any potential future attack from Moscow — if, or more likely when, Putin is able to rebuild his forces.

Part of that will involve corralling European allies to spend more on defense — a key demand from Trump, and other US leaders.

This week NATO announced that 23 out of its 32 member countries had hit the alliance’s target of spending two percent of their gross domestic product on defense.

Dubbed “Teflon Mark” for his ability to remain in power for so long in the Netherlands, Rutte will become the fourth Dutchman to lead NATO since it emerged from the ashes of World War II to confront the Soviet Union.

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