Indonesia
On Thursday, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during a telephonic conversation with his Indonesian counterpart General Prabowo Subianto, discussed several regional security issues, specifically the significance of a “free and open maritime order based on the rule of law.” This comes as both countries have been growing increasingly concerned about China’s military activities in the Indo-Pacific.
According to a statement published by the Indian Ministry of Defence: “They expressed satisfaction at further promoting defence ties between the two countries. During the telephonic conversation, the Ministers reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and expressed commitment to further elevate engagements between the Armed Forces under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” Following the talk, Singh celebrated the conversation as a “fruitful and substantive discussion”.
United Arab Emirates
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan concluded his three-day trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday. Earlier this week, he arrived at the Abu Dhabi airport, where he was received by Pavan Kapoor, the Indian ambassador to the UAE.
During the visit, he convened with several Indian leaders to address the issues faced by Indians working in the UAE. Furthermore, he urged Indian businessmen in the Arab country to participate in the Narendra Modi government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” programmes.
Thereafter, he met with the UAE’s Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, wherein he discussed the need to enhance the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. Moreover, according to a tweet by the Indian leader, the two also held “fruitful discussions” on the “Indian Ocean Rime Association,” which the UAE continues to chair.
According to a statement published by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs prior to his visit, he also met with “UAE dignitaries” and held “talks with the UAE side on various bilateral and international issues of mutual interest,” specifically the welfare of Indian workers.
Uzbekistan
On the same day, India and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance mutual cooperation in developing and utilising solar energy. Furthermore, according to a statement by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the two countries also agreed to work towards the implementation of the aims set forth by the International Solar Alliance.
France
On Wednesday, Jawed Ashraf, the Indian ambassador to France, called upon French President Emmanuel Macron’s top advisor, Emmanuel Bonne, to discuss several issues “related to multilateralism, post-COVID economic recovery and vaccine development.
This meeting came as Indian and French air forces engage in their five-day joint exercise in Rajasthan. The current exercise is the sixth such edition of the “Garuda” exercise, with the previous one conducted in 2019 at the Air Force Base Mont-de-Marsan in France
Africa
On Tuesday, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar convened a meeting with the ambassadors from several African countries—Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Botswana, Burundi, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia—to discuss several issues of mutual importance. According to a tweet by S. Jaishankar, the leaders addressed: “COVID recovery, vaccines, air travel, and digital experiences.”
United Kingdom
On the same day, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri convened a meeting with British Minister for International Trade Ranil Jayawardena to discuss an “early harvest agreement” to further the Indian-UK “trade partnership.” This discussion comes less than a month after British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab’s four-day visit to New Delhi. During his trip, Raab convened for bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of External Affairs (EAM) S. Jaishankar. Further, he also conducted official discussions with Indian Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.
Russia
On Monday, the Russian embassy in New Delhi conducted a farewell event for several Indian military experts who were scheduled to depart for Moscow to attain training on the S-400 air defence systems that India has only recently acquired from Russia.
In an official statement following the meeting, Nikolay R. Kudashev, the Russian Ambassador to India said that the S-400 pact was a monumental moment in India and Russia’s “bilateral military and military-technical cooperation.” This deal, however, has irked the United States, who has warned India against this decision and even threatened to impose sanctions.
Japan
Last Friday, India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation in information and communication technologies. The document was signed during a virtual conference between the Indian Minister for Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad and the Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Takeda Ryota.
As a result of this agreement, the Japanese Ministry of Communication will boost its cooperation with the Indian Department of Telecom, specifically in the areas of “5G technologies, spectrum management, smart cities, high altitude platform for broadband in unconnected areas, disaster management and public safety.”
Following the meet, Prasad expressed his gratitude to Japan for assisting India to connect the Andaman and Nicobar islands with a “submarine optical fibre cable,” which he lauded as an example of the benefits the bilateral friendship. Further, he also called upon the Japanese side to invest in India and accelerate India’s progress in information and technology.
Just a few days later, on Tuesday, India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Specified Skilled Workers. The document was signed by Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and the Japanese Ambassador to India Suzuki Satoshi.
According to a statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the document aimed to “promote the movement of skilled workers from India to Japan.” Further, the MoC focusses on 14 specific industries, which includes nursing care, building cleaning, electric and electronic information and aviation. As a result of Tuesday’s discussion, Japan will now grant these workers the status of “specified skilled workers.”
Indian Diplomacy: Weekly Round-Up (15-22 January, 2021)
This week, Indian authorities convened several meetings with officials from #Japan, #UAE, and #Uzbekistan.
January 22, 2021
Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan arriving for his visit to UAE. SOURCE: KHALEEJ TIMES