RUSSIA IRAN COOPERATION PACT
Narendra Modi is shoring up Russia ties as Vladimir Putin deepens China embrace
India, the world’s third-largest crude consumer, has become a major buyer of Russian oil, and is reliant on its military hardware supplies. At the same, relations between China and India have been at a low point since land-border clashes in 2020.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs security pacts with EU, 2 member nations
The agreement with the EU lays out the bloc's commitment to help Ukraine in nine areas of security and defence policy-including arms deliveries, military training, defence industry cooperation and demining.
US and allies clash with Tehran and Moscow over Iranian nuclear programme at UN Security Council
The United States and key European allies clashed with Iran and Russia over Tehran's expanding nuclear program The US vowed to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran in a UN Security Council meeting. The US and its allies accused Iran of escalating nuclear activities beyond limits agreed upon in a 2015 deal. Iran and Russia defended Tehran's nuclear program oversight and blamed the US for sanctions.
Moscow expects to sign new co-operation pact with Iran in 'very near future', RIA reports
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stated that a new comprehensive cooperation agreement with Iran is close to completion and expected to be signed shortly. The agreement aims to replace a 20-year strategic pact signed in 2001, focusing on security, energy, industry, and technology. Details of the new agreement remain undisclosed, but the two countries have strengthened ties, particularly in investment, military, and energy sectors, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions.
What is this defense deal between Russia and North Korea? Will it threaten China?
A top US defense official has said that a recently concluded defense deal between Russia and North Korea could threaten China. He added that any instability in the region could derail China’s economic and strategic objectives.
PM Modi may give SCO Summit a skip amid strained China ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may skip the July 3-4 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana amid chill in ties with China. He may depute external affairs minister S Jaishankar to represent India.
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With its new pact with North Korea, Russia raises the stakes with the West over Ukraine
In a significant move, President Putin's visit to North Korea showcased Russia's willingness to challenge Western interests, particularly in the context of the Ukraine crisis. The pact signed with Kim Jong Un includes mutual military assistance and the possibility of weapons shipments to North Korea. This agreement marks the strongest tie between the two countries since the Cold War. Putin's actions have raised concerns in Washington and Seoul, with South Korea considering supplying arms to Ukraine in response. However, Putin warned against this, indicating potential repercussions.
Russia-North Korea pact could dent China's influence, but Beijing still holds sway over both
China appears concerned as Russia and North Korea strengthen ties through a new defence pact, potentially challenging China's influence over North Korea. Experts suggest China is struggling to respond due to conflicting goals of maintaining peace in Korea while countering the US. China's weak public response may indicate uncertainty on how to proceed. Concerns include Russia aiding North Korea's weapons program and the potential for a new Cold War alliance.
Russia and North Korea sign partnership deal that appears to be the strongest since the Cold War
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed an agreement pledging mutual aid against "aggression," signaling stronger ties amid their standoffs with the West. The summit marked Putin's first visit to North Korea in 24 years and raised concerns over potential arms deals for Russia's war in Ukraine. The agreement enhances security, trade, and cultural ties. U.S. and South Korean officials expressed alarm, and Putin’s subsequent visit to Vietnam underscores Russia’s efforts to bolster alliances amid global tensions.
Russian economy has withstood what even China could not have achieved: Prof. Alexander Dynkin
Prof. Alexander Dynkin discussed the significance of the Primakov Readings International Forum and the role of BRICS in shaping global economic trends. He emphasized India's pivotal role in BRICS and highlighted the growth potential in Russia-India ties. Dynkin provided insights into the Russian economy, foreign policy priorities, and commitments towards fostering regional stability and collaboration, especially in Africa. His analysis underscored Russia's resilience and strategic positioning in the evolving global landscape.
India and US to address barriers to trade and cooperation
The U.S. and India are forging deeper strategic ties, with mutual concerns about an ascendant China in the Indo-Pacific region, even though India has maintained its close relationship with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Iran rebukes G7 statement over its nuclear programme escalation
Iran urged the G7 to move away from past destructive policies, following a statement condemning Iran's nuclear program escalation. The G7 cautioned against Iran's nuclear enrichment progress and potential missile transfers to Russia. Iran rejected claims linking Ukraine's conflict to Iranian-Russian cooperation, stating some countries aim to maintain sanctions. The U.N. called on Iran to cooperate and reverse actions, but Iran increased uranium enrichment activities despite IAEA concerns.
G7 warns Iran over continuing nuclear programme escalation
The G7 leaders warned Iran to halt nuclear enrichment activities and avoid transferring ballistic missiles to Russia, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue and compliance with IAEA regulations.
BRICS Foreign Ministers call for ensuring zero tolerance for terrorism
Foreign Ministers of the BRICS nations strongly condemned terrorism and termed it criminal and unjustifiable. They reaffirmed their commitment to combatting terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism and terrorism financing. They emphasised the primary responsibility of States in combating terrorism and called for zero tolerance and rejected double standards in countering terrorism. The ministers also addressed drug trafficking, anti-corruption efforts, and nuclear disarmament in their joint statement following a meeting in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod.
BRICS calls for enhanced use of local currencies in trade between member countries
"They recalled the paragraph 45 of the Johannesburg II Declaration tasking the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the BRICS countries to consider the issue of local currencies, payment instruments and platforms and to report back to the BRICS Leaders," according to the Joint Statement.
India welcomes Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia joining BRICS
The meeting on Monday was the first ministerial meeting following BRICS expansion in 2023 when Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa as full-fledged BRICS members.
Iran lodges protest with China about sovereignty issue
Iran's foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador in Tehran to protest a China-UAE statement regarding Iran's sovereignty over Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb islands. The islands are also claimed by UAE.
Chabahar pact important milestone; to provide connectivity to Afghanistan, Central Asia: PM
PM Narendra Modi highlighted India's milestone Chabahar port contract for Afghan connectivity, promoting regional trade via the International North-South Transport Corridor and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The agreement involved IPGL's investments and debt, and the INSTC offers an alternative trade route to Russia, bypassing the Suez Canal.
Iran looking at some investments from India in Chabahar region after pact on port operation, says envoy
Iran is looking at some investments from India in Chabahar region post a long-term deal on the Chabahar Port operations, a top Iranian diplomat has said. Talking to PTI, Davoud Rezaei Eskandari, Acting Consul General of Iran in Mumbai, also said that the Chabahar Port deal could be a turning point for its "most relations" with India.
How might a US-Saudi civil nuclear deal work?
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, key for U.S.-Saudi relations and Israeli-Saudi reconciliation under Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
India, Russia to sign pact for visa-free tourism this year
"India is at the final stage of internal state coordination," Nikita Kondratyev, director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry's Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects, said on the sidelines of the International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024" in Kazan.
Visa free group travel between Russia and India expected by the end of this year: Minister
Russia and India are set to enhance tourism ties through visa-free group tourist exchanges. Consultations for a bilateral agreement will start in June, aiming for completion by year-end. Russia plans to follow successful models with China and Iran, fostering greater tourism cooperation between nations.
Chabahar brings to fore India's hidden infrastructural play
Modi government's infrastructure upgrade includes a vast network of roads, bridges, and high-speed trains. The transformation extends to invisible sectors like ports, with Chabahar Port key to India's geopolitical strategy. The International North-South Transport Corridor will boost trade with Europe and Russia, while ongoing port development supports Modi's vision of a manufacturing powerhouse.
India to ink 10-year Chabahar Port pact with Tehran today
This is the first time India will take over management of a port overseas. The port, which is seen as India's key connectivity link to Afghanistan, Central Asia and the larger Eurasian space, will help counterbalance Pakistan's Gwadar port as well as China's Belt and Road Initiative. There are plans to link Chabahar with the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) that connects India with Russia via Iran. The port will enable India to bypass Pakistan to access Afghanistan, and ultimately Central Asia.
India’s counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar port: New Delhi signs 10-year Chabahar Port pact with Iran
India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran on Monday to manage Chabahar Port, marking its first overseas port management venture. The move, amidst a bustling election season, is viewed as a significant geopolitical gesture towards Iran, with potential regional ramifications. This agreement underscores India's strategic interest in Chabahar, which serves as a vital link to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the larger Eurasian region, offering an alternative to Pakistan's Gwadar port and China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Industry asked to name items from areas where India can be self-reliant
The fact that India's exports between April and January of FY24 were $3.7 billion and its imports, primarily from Russia's crude oil imports, were $51.7 billion, is what worries New Delhi. Additionally, the bloc has free trade agreements with Iran, China, Vietnam, and Serbia; these agreements may have an effect on the competitiveness of Indian industry in any of the EAEU markets.
Russia's Shoigu meets Iranian counterpart, says ready to expand military co-operation, says RIA
The two ministers were attending a meeting in Kazakhstan of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a security grouping that includes Russia, India, China, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Russia nudges Azerbaijan to play active role in INSTC that would boost trade with India
Azerbaijan has been slow in full implementation of INSTC, which has otherwise contributed to increase in India-Russia trade since 2022. Armenia is also interested in developing a branch of INSTC. While the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan route is another branch of INSTC, another branch is the Iran-Caspian Sea route.
Russia's security head says the US shares blame for a concert hall attack that killed 144
The head of Russia's national security council suggested that the United States shares blame for the Moscow concert hall attack that killed 144 people, despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility. Russian officials, including President Putin, have accused Ukraine, without evidence, of organizing the attack. Patrushev claimed the attack's "customer and sponsor" leads to Ukrainian special services, controlled by the US. The SCO meeting in Kazakhstan discussed these claims. Russia arrested suspects linked to the attack, alleging they were heading to Ukraine.
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