Category: India News

Categories
-Top News India News World News

Leaders of Guyana, Barbados welcome PM Modi at airport 

During his visit, PM Modi will address a special sitting of Guyana’s parliament….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was received by President of Guyana Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell, the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley along with four ministers from Guyana at a hotel in Georgetown. 

Earlier in an unprecedented gesture, PM Modi was received at the airport by President Irfan Ali, PM Mark Anthony Phillips and over a dozen Cabinet ministers. He has become the first Indian PM to visit the South American country in 56 years. 

During his visit, PM Modi will address a special sitting of Guyana’s parliament. He will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. 

Randhir Jaiswal took to social media platform X to post, “A special welcome! PM @narendramodi lands in Georgetown on a State visit to Guyana. In a special gesture, PM was warmly received by President @DrMohamedIrfaa1, PM Mark Anthony Phillips & Cabinet Ministers of & was accorded a ceremonial welcome, on arrival at the airport. This is the first visit by an Indian PM to Guyana in 56 years.” 

In a press briefing ahead of the PM’s visit to Guyana, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the Prime Minister’s visit comes at the invitation of Guyanese President Mohammad Irfaan Ali. 

Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar said, “Recently, there has been an uptick in high-level contacts between India and Guyana. President Irfaan Ali himself was a chief guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2023”. 

Elaborating on the Guyana visit, Mazumdar said that the PM will engage in delegation-level talks with President Irfaan Ali. 

The MEA official further said that Guyana is the fastest-growing economy in the world and asserted that India in future will get the opportunity to partner with them in various fields. “It is the fastest-growing economy in the world, and we will have opportunities for partnering with them in diverse fields,” Mazumdar said. 

“My visit to Guyana, at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture and values. I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy, as I address their Parliament,” the Prime Minister had earlier noted. (ANI) 

ALSO READ: Palestine Grateful for India’s Support

Categories
-Top News Asia News India News

India-Philippines at 75: A Look Back and Ahead 

As India and the Philippines celebrate 75 years of their diplomatic relations, it is pertinent to note that both have traversed a long path in their bilateral journey, holding common position on sensitive multilateral and regional issues, writes Mahesh Ranjan Debata 

On November 13, External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr Subramaniam Jaishankar, along with the Ambassador of the Philippines to India Josel F Ignacio and the Vice-Minister of Tourism of the Philippines Maria Rica C. Bueno released a joint logo, commemorating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. 

The logo has elements of the countries’ national flags and birds, signifying “enduring friendship, cultural bonds and shared values” they have maintained and sustained for over seven decades. 

What is more important about this special occasion is that it coincides with the completion of 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government’s Act East Policy, within the ambit of which India shares a special relationship with this Southeast Asian nation. 

The last couple of months have been eventful regarding the bilateral relationship between the two countries. 

On September 9, 2024, during the 14th India-Philippines Policy Consultation Talks and the Fifth Strategic Dialogue, and subsequently on the occasion of first ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue a month later on October 16, 2024, India and the Philippines agreed to enhance the existing cooperation in almost all the sectors, such as “defence and security, the maritime domain, trade and investment, healthcare, education, energy, agriculture, digital and financial technology, space, connectivity, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.” They vowed to take it to a new height. 

Joint Commission of India-Philippines Bilateral Cooperation 

The last one and half decades have witnessed a “growing and dynamic bilateral partnership” with the establishment of the Joint Commission on India-Philippines Bilateral Cooperation in 2011. The Joint Commission met further in 2013, 2015, 2020 and 2023, alternatively in New Delhi and Manila, providing the much-needed fillip to the bilateral relationship between the two through the signing of Joint Statements on their overall relationship. 

It is essential to mention the outcomes of two Joint Commission meetings in 2013 and 2023. The Joint Commission meeting on October 21, 2013 emphasized the need to convene a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in 2014 at New Delhi, which symbolized the commitment of both nations to combat the global menace. 

Last year (2023), India’s EAM and his Filipino counterpart discussed substantial cooperation in the above  mentioned sectors. They signed the Joint Statement on the 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation on June 29, 2023, which covered all the elements of bilateral cooperation. Both leaders stressed further expansion of cooperation in the two most important sectors, such as defence and trade. 

Defence Cooperation 

Defence cooperation included regular high-level interaction and dialogue between both countries’ defence agencies, training, and joint military exercises, and opening an Indian resident Defence Attache office in the Filipino capital. India agreed to extend a concessional Line of Credit to meet the defence requirements of the Philippines. 

Within the ambit of this bilateral defence cooperation, the Philippines became the first overseas client of India’s Brahmos shore-based anti-ship missile. BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract for a $375 million deal with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines on January 28, 2022 for supplying Brahmos missiles. This significantly boosts bilateral defence cooperation, specifically in India’s endeavour to become a major arms supplier worldwide under its ambitious ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ programme. 

Trade Cooperation 

Trade has remained the mainstay of New Delhi-Manila overall cooperation in the last few decades. Trade between India and its Southeast Asian neighbour has increased in the last one and half a dozen years. 

As per the Indian Commerce Ministry’s latest export-import data, the bilateral trade rose from $1 billion in 2010 to $ 1.9 billion in 2017 and nearly $3.6 billion in 2023-2024. During this period, India’s exports to the Philippines were $2.1 billion, and imports were almost $1.5 billion. 

During the second quarter (April-August) of 2024-2025, the trade between the two countries was $1.337 billion. During this period, India’s exports were $931 million, and imports from the Philippines were $406 million. 

Cooperation on Critical Regional and Global issues 

In addition to cooperation at the bilateral level, both countries have a common position on sensitive multilateral issues (working within the ambit of the UN, terrorism, and climate change.) and regional issues (cooperation within the ASEAN framework, Indo-Pacific, etc.) 

The steadfast support from Manila for India’s constant efforts for reform in the UN, especially in the UN Security Council, has added a new feather to their bilateral cooperation on international issues. 

Manila’s appreciation for the successful organization of the Voice of the Global South Summit in India last year (2023) symbolizes their decade-long relations and efforts towards the developing world. 

Besides, both countries have mutually agreed on a “free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region” so that this region is immune from any geopolitical tensions. 

In addition, both countries have shown tremendous interest in highlighting how bilateral cultural connection matters the most in realizing the potential of their bilateral partnership. 

Conclusion 

Suppose one analyses the bilateral engagement between India and the Philippines in the last 75 years. In that case, he can deduce that the two countries’ friendship, relationship and partnership are based on their mutual trust, understanding, and agreement on various bilateral issues, from trade and investment to defence and security to a joint stand on regional and global issues. 

Both nations know that specific problems, such as non-traditional security threats, confront humanity daily. Therefore, they make no stone unturned to raise concerns over these issues at regional and global fora. 

The way this relationship has progressed in the last decade or so, one can quickly sum up that this will herald a new-age Strategic Partnership auguring well for both nations. For India, the Philippines has been and will be helpful in future in realizing its engagement with Southeast Asian countries under the auspices of its ambitious Act East Policy. For the Philippines, India will be a friend in the coming times. 

(The writer teaches at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; views expressed here are his own) – India News Network ‘

ALSO READ: Palestine Grateful for India’s Support

ALSO READ: Putin’s India Trip Soon?

Categories
India News Sport Sports

Champions Trophy Plans in Limbo 

Sources said behind-the-scenes talks are ongoing to explain to the PCB why the hybrid model is the best option and why an ICC tournament needs the Indian cricket team…reports Asian Lite News 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) officials are trying to urge the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to work towards the hybrid model for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy next year through back-channel talks, as per sources. 

Sources said that back channel talks are going on to make PCB understand why the hybrid model is the best way to go for the tournament and why there cannot be an ICC tournament without the Indian cricket team. The sources have also said that top ICC officials are trying to get Pakistan stop making any statements against India. 

There are discussions going on with the host Pakistan and other participating teams of the Champions Trophy next year about the schedule and it is likely to be out in a couple of days or so, the sources added. 

India, the 2017 finalists, will not be playing their matches in Pakistan and their matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the source. 

PCB wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking reasons behind India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan to play the ICC Champions Trophy next year, Geo News reported. 

India conveyed its stance of not travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, citing ‘security concerns’. 

Speaking at a press interaction at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Naqvi said that PCB is still waiting for a reply from ICC. He also asked not to mix sports and politics.”We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had. We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy,” Naqvi was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying. 

He added that all the countries who qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025 are ready to visit Pakistan except India.”At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come. Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit,” he added. 

Earlier in the month, ICC conveyed to the PCB in writing that India would not travel to Pakistan to participate in the Champions Trophy, which will be held in early 2025.PCB consulted with the Pakistan government on the issue and is looking to present its stance. 

The Pakistan board wants India to travel to Pakistan as their team also went during the time of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in 2023. Last year, Pakistan hosted the Asian Trophy, but it was held in a hybrid model, with India playing its matches in Sri Lanka. India and Pakistan played their last bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, a white-ball series and now mostly play in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup. (ANI) 

ALSO READ: Head Backs Rohit, Warns on India 

Categories
-Top News India News Politics

Kharge seeks President’s intervention in Manipur 

Churachandpur [Manipur], Nov 19 (ANI): Members of Kuki organisations hold a rally carrying mock 'coffins' in remembrance of the deceased members of their community who died during unrest in the Manipur, in Churachandpur on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

Kharge in his letter emphasised that both the central and state governments have failed to restore peace and normalcy in the state …reports Asian Lite News

Amid the continued tension and unrest in Manipur, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, wherein he blamed the the “inordinate inaction” of both Centre and state governments towards restoring peace, and called for her intervention to ensure the protection of the lives and properties of the people of the state. 

Kharge in his letter emphasised that both the central and state governments have failed to restore peace and normalcy in the state adding that the people of the state have lost confidence in both governments. 

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted Kharge’s letter on X, and said, “@INCIndiaPresident @kharge ji has just written to the President of India on the deteriorating situation in Manipur and the Union Govt’s abysmal failure there over the last eighteen months.” 

Kharge in the letter said that more the 300 people have lost their last in Manipur for the last 18 months and nearly a lakh of the human population has been displaced. 

“The country has been inflicted with a grave tragedy of extraordinary proportions due to the unprecedented turmoil in Manipur for the last 18 months, the ongoing turmoil has taken more than 300 human lives, including women, children and even small babies. It has internally displaced nearly a lakh of the human population rendering them homeless and forcing them to live in different relief camps. The agony of the people continues unabated,” the letter said. 

Expressing concern over the deteriorating living conditions of the people of the state, the Congress chief added, “It has affected the economy of the state and the living conditions of its people with retail inflation going up to 10%. This has made the lives of the people of Manipur extremely difficult. Businesses are closed down, jobs are getting lost, professionals have left their own homes, essential food items, medicines, and essential commodities are in scarcity, national highways have been blocked since May of 2023, schools and educational institutions are shut down, and internally displaced persons are dying of suicide in relief camps. Manipur and its people are suffering silently, which in turn has taken a huge toll on the mental health of the entire population.” 

“As both the Union Government and the State Government of Manipur have completely failed in restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur during the last 18 months, the people of the state have apparently lost confidence in both the governments and reasonably so. With every passing day, the people of Manipur are becoming insecure on their own soil – their home turf having witnessed their infants, babies, children and women getting mercilessly killed. With no succour coming from the governments involved, they have been finding themselves completely isolated and helpless for more than 540 days now,” the letter added. 

Kharge further highlighted that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has visited Manipur three times in the last 18 months whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not visited even once. 

Tribals hold ‘coffin rally’ 

Thousands of men and women on Tuesday took part in a ‘coffin rally’ in Manipur’s Churachandpur in solidarity with the 10 Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal ‘Village Volunteers’, who were killed in a reported encounter with CRPF in Jiribam district on November 11. 

Jointly organised by Zomi Students’ Federation, Kuki Students’ Organisation and Hmar Students’ Association, thousands of men and women wearing black attire symbolically carried 10 dummy coffins to pay homage to the 10 slain Village Volunteers as all the 10 bodies are still kept in the morgue of a local hospital. 

The three tribal organisations on Monday urged the authorities of all schools and colleges in Churachandpur district and adjoining areas to close down their educational institutions and to send students from Class X and above to participate in Tuesday’s rally. 

The three organisations also urged people from all walks of life to participate in the ‘coffin rally’ in large numbers. After the post-mortem of all ten bodies was conducted in Assam’s Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the bodies were airlifted on November 16 to Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zo-Hmar inhabited district. 

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), an apex body of the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur, earlier said that they have decided that the last rites of 10 Village Volunteers, would not be performed till their postmortem examination reports are handed over to the families. “We have not yet received the post-mortem reports. We would wait for autopsy reports of all the martyrs’ bodies. We would not bury the martyrs before that,” senior ITLF leader Ginza Vualzong told the media after Sunday’s meeting. 

He said: “Our martyrs’ bodies would be placed in the district hospital morgue until post-mortem reports are available.” Vualzong said that after receiving the post-mortem reports of all 10 of them, an expert in this field would carefully review the autopsy reports for any irregularity. 

ALSO READ: Palestine Grateful for India’s Support

Categories
-Top News India News World News

Modi, Lula hold crucial talks 

The two leaders discussed a wide range of sectors, including energy, biofuels, defence, agriculture, and more, with a focus on improving cooperation…reports Asian Lite News 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Brazil. 

The two leaders also discussed a wide range of sectors, including energy, biofuels, defence, agriculture, and more, with a focus on improving cooperation. 

Sharing a post on X, Modi wrote, “Held talks with President Lula during the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Complimented him on various efforts of Brazil during their G20 Presidency.” 

“We took stock of the full range of bilateral ties between our nations and reaffirmed our commitment to improving cooperation in sectors like energy, biofuels, defence, agriculture and more,” the post added. 

Meanwhile, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also spoke about the meeting between Modi and Brazilian President and said that Modi assured India’s support to Brazil’s initiative of Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. 

Sharing a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, “India-Brazil — Building ties with an important Global South partner. PM @narendramodi met President @LulaOficial of Brazil, on the sidelines of the #G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. He thanked President Lula for successfully hosting the #G20 Summit.” 

The post added, “PM assured India’s full support to Brazil’s initiative of ‘Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.’ Discussions focused on exploring opportunities for greater cooperation in renewable energy, biofuels, defence, agriculture, healthcare, and digital technology.” 

Meanwhile, Lula lauded India’s “level of efficiency” in organising the G20 Summit last year and stated that Rio has tried to take inspiration from New Delhi while hosting the summit this year, sources said. 

While opening the bilateral meeting, President Lula told Modi that Brazil wanted to reach the level of efficiency in organizing the Summit that India had shown last year.” 

According to sources, President Lula told Prime Minister Modi that a lot of things that they have tried to do in their G20 have been inspired from the G20 in India. He added that Brazil wanted to reach the level of efficiency in organizing the Summit that India had shown last year 

The 2024 G20 Summit under the leadership of Brazil saw the launch of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, which gave a call to world leaders to rise up in the fight against hunger and poverty. 

President of Brazil Lula da Silva launched a global alliance against Hunger and Poverty. 

At the launch of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, Lula said, “Hunger and poverty are not the result of scarcity or natural phenomena. It is the product of political decisions that perpetuate the exclusion of a large part of humanity. The G20 represents 85 per cent of the 110 trillion dollars of the global GDP. It also accounts for 75 per cent of the 32 trillion dollars in trade in goods and services and two-thirds of the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants. It is up to those of us gathered around this table to take on the urgent task of ending this scourge that shames humanity.” 

Bringing attention to international reports, he said, “According to the FAO, in 2024 there will be 733 million people still facing undernourishment. It is as if the populations of Brazil, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Canada combined were going hungry. These are women, men, and children whose rights to life, education, development, and food are violated daily. In a world that produces almost 6 billion tons of food per year, this is unacceptable. In a world where military spending reaches 2.4 trillion dollars, this is unacceptable.” 

Modi also welcomed the Brazilian initiative to establish a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, underlining that the Global South was severely impacted by food, fuel and fertilizer crises created by the ongoing conflicts, and therefore, their concerns ought to be given primacy. 

ALSO READ: Palestine Grateful for India’s Support

Categories
-Top News China India News

Key India-China Defence Talks in Laos Today

The ministers will meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus)….reports Asian Lite News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun on Wednesday in Vientiane, Laos.

The two will meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). This will be their first meeting after the disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The last meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart was in April 2023 in India. Then Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu travelled to Delhi for the SCO Defence Ministers meeting.

The Laos meeting comes a month after India and China reached the disengagement agreement along the LAC.

Since then the situation in key flashpoints — Demchok and Depsang Plains — has shown improvement. The armies of both countries have dismantled temporary structures in these areas and the patrolling has also resumed. The steps are being taken to restore the status quo as of April 2020.

The relations between the two countries became strained following the clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. However, the LAC agreement now seeks to address the tension and maintain the pre-2020 status.

The meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Chinese counterpart is expected to build on this progress.

This interaction signals a potential step towards further easing the strained relations between the two neighbours.

On November 18, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit in Rio. Both noted the progress in the recent disengagement.

“We noted the progress in the recent disengagement in the India-China border areas. We also exchanged views on further steps in our bilateral ties and discussed the prevailing global situation,” Dr Jaishankar said on Tuesday.

These developments come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in October. Both agreed to work towards a “peaceful and stable” relationship by displaying maturity and mutual respect. They also highlighted the need to not allow differences on boundary-related matters to disturb peace and tranquillity along the LAC.

At the 11th ADMM-Plus, the Defence Minister will address regional and international security issues. Defence Ministers of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States will also meet in Laos

On the sidelines of the meeting, he will also meet with other counterparts, including those from the US, Australia, and Japan.

At the 11th ADMM-Plus, the Defence Minister will address regional and international security issues.

ALSO READ: Palestine Grateful for India’s Support

Categories
-Top News India News World News

PM Modi to Receive Top Honours from Guyana, Barbados

The award, presented by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, honours PM Modi for his leadership and the improvement of India-Nigeria relations….reports Asian Lite News

Guyana and Barbados are poised to bestow their highest national honours upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, increasing his total count of international accolades to 19.

Guyana will present ‘The Order of Excellence,’ while Barbados will grant the esteemed ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’ to the Prime Minister.

Prior to reaching Guyana, Prime Minister Modi wrapped up his trip to Nigeria, where he engaged in fruitful bilateral talks with President Tinubu. During this visit, Nigeria awarded the Prime Minister its top distinction, the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger’ (GCON).

The award, presented by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, honours PM Modi for his leadership and the improvement of India-Nigeria relations. Notably, the Prime Minister is only the second foreign dignitary to receive the GCON, a recognition that was first given to Queen Elizabeth II in 1969.

“Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India, and we work to deepen and broaden the same to the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries. You represent a very strong commitment to democratic values and norms. You have been doing a good job historically; winning three consecutive elections in a complex society is a feat that we respect so much,” said Tinubu.

“I will confer on you today, the Prime Minister of India, Nigeria’s National Honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger. This to signify Nigerian appreciation and commitment to India as a partner,” he added.

Earlier this week, Dominica announced its highest national honour, the ‘Dominica Award of Honour,’ for PM Modi in acknowledgement of his pivotal support during the Covid-19 pandemic and his commitment to fostering India-Dominica relations.

Dominica’s President Sylvanie Burton is set to confer the award during the India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, which Prime Minister Modi will be attending personally in the coming week after wrapping up his engagements in the G20 Summit at Rio de Janeiro.

This would eventually take the number of civilian honours received by PM Modi to a record 17, highlighting his leadership and India’s growing stature on the global stage.

It is also a reflection of India’s strengthened diplomatic relationships and the country’s expanding influence.

PM Modi has been conferred highest civilian honours in Saudi Arabia (King Abdulaziz Sash, 2016), Afghanistan (State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan, 2016), Palestine (Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award, 2018), UAE (Order of Zayed Award, 2019), Russia (Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, 2019 – received by PM Modi in July 2024), Maldives (Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, 2019), Bahrain (King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, 2019), US (Legion of Merit by the US Armed Forces in 2020), Bhutan (Order of the Druk Gyalpo, 2021) Papua New Guinea (Ebakl Award, 2023), Fiji (Companion of the Order of Fiji, 2023), Papua New Guinea (Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, 2023), Egypt (Order of Nile, 2023), France (Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, 2023), Greece (Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, 2023).

In addition to these highest civilian honours, PM Modi has received several prestigious awards from renowned global organisations.

In 2018, he was awarded the Seoul Peace Prize by the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation in recognition of his contributions to global harmony and world peace.

In the same year, the United Nations honoured PM Modi with its highest environmental accolade, the Champions of The Earth Award, for his bold environmental leadership.

In 2019, PM Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential Award, which is annually awarded to leaders who demonstrate outstanding national leadership.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded PM Modi the Global Goalkeeper Award in 2019 in recognition of his efforts to transform India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan into a mass movement for cleanliness.

In 2021, PM Modi received the Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award from Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) in recognition of his leadership on global energy and environmental sustainability.

ALSO READ: Palestine Grateful for India’s Support

Categories
-Top News Arab News India News

Palestine Grateful for India’s Support

India’s Representative Office to Palestine on Monday announced the release of the $2.5 million tranche….reports Asian Lite News

Palestine on Tuesday expressed its deep gratitude to India for releasing the second tranche of $2.5 million financial aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), thus fulfilling its pledged annual contribution of $5 million for the year 2024-2025.

In a statement, the Palestinian Embassy said, “We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Government of India for releasing the second tranche of $2.5 million to UNRWA, fulfilling its annual contribution of $5 million for the year.”

The Embassy further lauded India’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, stating, “We also acknowledge India’s pledge to continue providing humanitarian aid and medicines to UNRWA, assisting the agency in meeting its responsibilities toward the welfare of Palestinian refugees.”

Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Palestine, emphasised the significance of the financial support, calling it a “testament to India’s unwavering support” for UNRWA’s mandate, established in 1949.

“This financial contribution is a critical step in countering Israeli attempts to undermine UNRWA and halt its activities in Palestinian territories,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Highlighting the strong historical ties between India and Palestine, Jazer added, “The Palestinian people deeply value India’s support and look forward to its continued backing at both political and material levels until their aspirations for freedom, independence, and the establishment of their own state are realised.”

India’s Representative Office to Palestine on Monday announced the release of the $2.5 million tranche. Over the years, India has provided financial aid amounting to $40 million for UNRWA’s core programs and services, including education, healthcare, relief, and social services for Palestinian refugees.

“In addition to financial assistance, India remains committed to providing humanitarian aid and medicines to UNRWA, helping the agency fulfil its responsibilities toward the welfare of Palestinian refugees,” the Representative Office noted.

The Palestinian Embassy expressed hope that this financial support would continue to strengthen UNRWA’s efforts to serve Palestinian refugees, even as they face challenges in the region.

“The Indian contribution reaffirms its enduring commitment to UNRWA’s services and the Palestinian cause. We are grateful for this support, which highlights India’s role as a steadfast ally in our struggle for independence and self-determination,” the Embassy statement concluded.

India’s consistent financial aid and humanitarian assistance reflect its solidarity with the Palestinian people and its dedication to promoting peace and stability in the region.

New Delhi has for long supported a negotiated two-state solution, towards the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognised borders, living side by side in peace with Israel.

At the same time, India has also strongly and unequivocally condemned the October 7 terror attacks on Israel, last year, calling for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages, ceasefire, the need for continued humanitarian assistance, and adherence to international humanitarian law.

ALSO READ: Arab-Islamic Summit renews support to Palestine

Categories
-Top News Europe India News

Putin’s India Trip Soon?

Peskov was quoted as saying, “We place great importance on this moment, but at the moment, I don’t have any specific dates.”…reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin could visit India soon, the Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

“Well, I hope that soon, very soon we will determine the exact dates of his (Vladimir Putin) visit. But you know that our leaders exchange visits. So, of course, after two visits of Prime Minister Modi to Russia, now President Putin is expected to visit India. So we are looking forward to it. We will start preparing very carefully for this visit. We attach great importance to this moment. Right now I do not have any specific dates,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia’s leading news agency RIA Novosti.

The Presidential Press Secretary also mentioned that the Indian PM, thanks to his relations with the Russian President, can receive first-hand information on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“At least he (PM Modi) can receive information first-hand (from the Russian President), this is very important. This is very important for us. This gives Prime Minister Modi the opportunity to objectively assess the situation, and not under information and propaganda pressure from outside,” Peskov said at a meeting ‘New Opportunities for Cooperation between Indian and Russian Media: Strengthening Ties between the Peoples of India and Russia’ organised by Sputnik.

According to Peskov, the Russian President highly appreciates the assistance of all countries, especially those with which Moscow has good relations, like India.

“We really appreciate the efforts of all possible countries aimed at facilitating the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine . And especially when these efforts come from our great friends like India. In this sense, President Putin really appreciates the efforts made by Prime Minister Modi. And he is really grateful to Prime Minister Modi,” stated Peskov.

He highlighted that, due to the excellent bilateral relations, India gets the best Russian military equipment for the best price.

“I have no doubt that our products are the best and that their prices are affordable. So, we understand perfectly well that India is interested in all possible directions. They buy the best at better prices. So, our production is highly competitive, and we have no doubt that we provide our Indian friends with the best technologies,” he remarked.

At the same meeting, Peskov reflected that Moscow is ready to do its bit to normalise relations between New Delhi and Beijing.

“We are friends with both New Delhi and Beijing. We are ready to agree to all possible and necessary ways to normalise relations between our friends,” Peskov said.

ALSO READ: Scholz Calls Putin; Zelenskyy Says It Opened A ‘Pandora’s Box’

Categories
-Top News Arab News India News

Saudi eyes climate collaboration with Rajasthan   

The summit will also see the launch of the first Drought Resilience Observatory, aimed at converting scientific insights into actionable strategies to combat drought…reports Asian Lite News

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat desertification will take center stage at the upcoming UNCCD COP16 summit, scheduled from December 2 to 13 in Riyadh under the theme ‘Our Land. Our Future.’ 

Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, emphasized the shared challenges of arid climates faced by Saudi Arabia and regions like India’s Rajasthan. He pointed to India’s Ghandivan project in Jaipur as an example of successful community-driven ecosystem restoration, which could inspire similar efforts worldwide. 

“Globally, we lose land equivalent to four football fields every second. This degradation impacts food security, displaces communities, and intensifies conflicts,” said Faqeeha. Saudi Arabia is addressing these issues through initiatives like water conservation and ambitious rural development programs, alongside hosting COP16 to foster international cooperation for sustainable solutions. 

The summit will also see the launch of the first Drought Resilience Observatory, aimed at converting scientific insights into actionable strategies to combat drought. “With one-quarter of the world’s population already affected by drought and three-quarters projected to face water scarcity by 2050, urgent action is crucial,” he added. 

Highlighting India’s water crisis, Faqeeha cited Niti Aayog data showing that 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress. Sustainable water management, particularly in agriculture, will be a key agenda at COP16, recognizing the vital link between water security and land degradation. 

UNCCD COP16 will bring together 197 parties, including 196 countries and the European Union, to build on the progress of initiatives like the Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting programme. Saudi Arabia aims to push for stricter global standards and enhanced international cooperation to address these pressing challenges. 

UNCCD, one of the three Rio Conventions alongside climate and biodiversity treaties, remains the global voice for sustainable land management and resilience against desertification. 

ALSO READ: West reaffirms commitment to strengthen ties with India