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EU Concerned Over Caribbean ‘Golden Passport’ Sale

Five Caribbean nations granted citizenship to 88,000 individuals from countries like Iran, Russia, and China…reports Asian Lite News

The European Union has expressed security concerns regarding the trade of “golden passports” and has committed to strengthening visa controls, The Guardian reported.

This comes after it was revealed that five Caribbean nations have granted citizenship to 88,000 individuals from countries like Iran, Russia, and China.

According to a report published by The Guardian, for the first time, the true scope of the Caribbean passport trade has been unveiled. Several countries offer citizenship to foreign nationals, with prices starting at $100,000 per person.

The report claimed that Dominica, a small island with a population of just over 70,000, has issued 34,500 passports, which is more than four times the previously disclosed number by Dominica’s government.

Similarly, St Kitts and Nevis, with a population of 48,000, has issued 36,700 passports, double the estimated figure up to 2018.

In total, five Caribbean states, including Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and Dominica, have collectively issued 88,000 passports.

The commission has put forward a proposal for the revision of regulations, citing worries that “golden passports” may facilitate activities such as “organized crime, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption,” the Guardian quoted report as saying.

The commission is seeking the authority to temporarily revoke visa exemptions for nations that offer citizenship to individuals lacking a “genuine connection” to the country.

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India Signs Two MoUs With Dominican Republic

On meeting Rodriguez, President Murmu emphasized that capacity building is one of the central pillars of Indian-Dominican Republic cooperation…reports Asian Lite News

India on Wednesday signed two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in ocean sciences and medical product regulation with Dominican Republic.

The MoUs were signed during a meeting between Raquel Pena Rodriguez, the Vice President of Dominican Republic, and India’s Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar here in the national capital.

The two leaders also held discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in diverse sectors including trade, pharmaceuticals, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), agriculture, food processing, space, higher education, capacity building, Ayurveda and Yoga.

Taking to X, Office of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar shared about the significant move saying, “H.E. Ms. Raquel Pena Rodriguez, the Vice President of Dominican Republic met Hon’ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar in New Delhi today. Discussions between the two leaders focused on enhancing cooperation in diverse sectors including trade, pharmaceuticals, ICT, agriculture, food processing, space, higher education, capacity building, Ayurveda and Yoga.”

In another post, the Vice President office said “two cooperation MOUs in Ocean Sciences and medical product regulation were signed during the meeting.”

On October 3, Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena Rodriguez called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

On meeting Rodriguez, President Murmu emphasized that capacity building is one of the central pillars of Indian-Dominican Republic cooperation.

“She was happy to note that recently, India has organized two Special Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training courses for Dominican Republic officials, in the critical fields of cyber security and remote sensing,” the President’s Secretariat said in a statement.

Apart from this on October 3, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Dominican Republic Vice President Raquel Pena Rodriguez and discussed further strengthening of bilateral ties, particulary in trade, commerce, education, defence, space and renewables.

In a post shared on X, Jaishankar stated, “Delighted to meet VP @RaquelPenaVice of the Dominican Republic this evening in New Delhi Discussed further strengthening of our bilateral ties, especially in trade & commerce, education, defence, space and renewables. Exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues as well.”

On October 2, Rodriguez also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. In a post on X, Rodriguez stated, “Today I visited the Mahatma Gandhi memorial in New Delhi, a tribute to one of the most influential leaders in the fight for Indian independence. Having the opportunity to be here strengthens the commitment to continue working for a more peaceful and harmonious future for all.”

Raquel Pena Rodriguez arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India. She will also deliver a lecture on India-Dominican Republic relations at the Indian Council for World Affairs.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a press release said, “The visit is significant as it is takes place at a time when India-Dominican Republic bilateral relationship is entering its 25th year.”

Notably, the two nations established diplomatic relations on 04 May 1999.MEA in the press release said, “Dominican Republic is an important partner of India in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

The visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, comes closely on the heels of that of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to that country in April 2023. It will provide another opportunity to continue high level discussions to further deepen and broaden our mutually beneficial relationship.” (ANI)

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Vice President of Dominican Republic Calls On President Murmu

President Murmu welcomed the Vice President of the Dominican Republic on her first visit to India….reports Asian Lite News

Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena Rodriguez on Tuesday called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

On meeting Rodriguez, President Murmu emphasized that capacity building is one of the central pillars of Indian-Dominican Republic cooperation.

“She was happy to note that recently, India has organized two Special Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training courses for Dominican Republic officials, in the critical fields of cyber security and remote sensing,” the President’s Secretariat said in a statement.

President Murmu welcomed the Vice President of the Dominican Republic on her first visit to India.

Noting the 25th anniversary of India-Dominican Republic diplomatic relations, the President said, “The timing of this visit is very apt as India and the Dominican Republic are marking the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.”

She further stressed that the bilateral relations between the two countries are warm and friendly, “anchored on the strong foundation of shared values of democracy, and a broad convergence of views on global issues.”

President Murmu noted that the Dominican Republic is India’s 8th largest trading partner in Latin America, according to the statement.

Moreover, she showed confidence noting that there is a potential to further diversify the trade basket.

“She said there is scope for working together and exchanging our experience and expertise in areas such as pharmaceutical products, marine science, meteorology, disaster resilient infrastructure and digital payments technologies,” the statement said.

Furthermore, the two nations’ leaders agreed that continuing exchanges and contacts between India and the Dominican Republic would further strengthen their bilateral ties. 

Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena Rodriguez arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India.

She will hold discussions with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and other Indian dignitaries.

She will also deliver a lecture on India-Dominican Republic relations at the Indian Council for World Affairs.

“The visit is significant as it takes place at a time when India-Dominican Republic bilateral relationship is entering its 25th year. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 04 May 1999,” the MEA said in an official release.

Diplomatic relations between India and the Dominican Republic were established in May 1999.

Dominican Republic is an important partner of India in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic comes closely on the heels of that of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to that country in April 2023, the MEA release added.

Training and exchange of good practices have constituted the two main areas of cooperation between India and the Dominican Republic. Both nations have expressed their willingness to continue working together and to identify new initiatives. (ANI)

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Dominican Republic Vice President kick starts 3-day visit

Diplomatic relations between India and the Dominican Republic were established in May 1999. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in May 2001 in Santo Domingo to hold regular Foreign Office consultations…reports Asian Lite News

Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena Rodriguez arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India.

Raquel Pena Rodriguez will call on President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and other Indian dignitaries.

She will also deliver a lecture on India-Dominican Republic relations at the Indian Council for World Affairs.

“Furthering – ties! A warm welcome to VP @RaquelPenaVice of the Dominican Republic, as she arrives in New Delhi on her first-ever visit to India,” the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi posted on social media platform, X.

The Dominican Republic Vice President is set to visit India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Jagdeep Dhankhar. This will be the first-ever visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic to India. She is on a visit to India from October 3-5.

“The visit is significant as it takes place at a time when India-Dominican Republic bilateral relationship is entering its 25th year. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 04 May 1999,” the MEA said in an official release.

Diplomatic relations between India and the Dominican Republic were established in May 1999. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in May 2001 in Santo Domingo to hold regular Foreign Office consultations.

Dominican Republic is an important partner of India in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The visit of the Vice President of the Dominican Republic comes closely on the heels of that of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to that country in April 2023, the MEA release added.

India’s exports to the Dominican Republic are small but growing.

Training and exchange of good practices have constituted the two main axes of cooperation between India and the Dominican Republic. Both nations have expressed their willingness to continue working together and to identify new initiatives.

Within the framework of the ITEC program, Dominican professionals have been receiving training since 1999 in Indian institutions in various disciplines. A centre of Excellence for Information Technologies set up in 2011 in Santiago, with the support of the Indian government, operated with three Indian instructors for a period of two years. (ANI)

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