Diplomacy and Global Politics

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty ​At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani is visiting India (17-18 February 2025). He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and a business delegation. On his arrival, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, in a rare diplomatic gesture, extended a warm welcome to the Amir of Qatar. Breaking the formal diplomatic protocol, PM Modi went to the airport to receive his ‘brother’, Amir of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, upon his arrival in India. This would be the second visit of His Highness the Amir of Qatar to India. His Highness earlier visited India on a State Visit in March 2015. His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar had been accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. HH the Amir held discussions with Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Later, PM Modi and HH Sheikh ...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty On February 16, 2025, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Oman to participate in the 8 th Indian Ocean Conference there. Dr. Jaishankar delivered the key note address in the conference. In his speech, he underscored India’s commitment to strengthen regional cooperation and ensure a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean region. Dr. Jaishankar’s visit also commemorate 70 years of India-Oman diplomatic relation. In this occasion Dr. Jaishankar unveiled a logo, specially designed to celebrate this occasion, along with H.E. Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. The logo symbolizes the long-standing partnership between India and Oman built on history, culture and strong people to people ties. To celebrate the occasion Dr. Jaishankar also launched a book Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman, along with the Foreign Minister of Oman. The book was brought out by the Embassy of India in Muscat. The book highlights the rich ...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty On 9 th February, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation and declared 9 th February as ‘Gulf of America Day’. In his inaugural speech on 20 th January, 2025, US President Trump vowed to rename Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of America’. On the same day, he signed an executive order to rename the area. The area is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, mostly surrounded by the North American continent. The area bounded on the northeast, north, and northwest by the State of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida; on the southwest and south it is surrounded by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo; and on the southeast by Cuba. For detail Gulf of America Day, 2025

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty   On 10 th February, 2025, Prime Minister Modi has begun his visit to France and USA. At the invitation of President Macron, he will visit France from 10 to 12 February. Before leaving the country, PM Modi made a statement. The most interesting part of the statement is the cordial way he addressed two world leaders President of France Emmanuel Macron and President of the USA, Donald Trump as ‘My Friend’. In the statement, he reiterated his schedule in Paris, where he will co-chair the AI Action Summit, a gathering of the world leaders and global tech CEOs. He also expressed his expectation from the summit, that is, to exchange views on collaborative approach to AI technology for innovation and larger public good in an inclusive, secure and trustworthy manner. In the bilateral segment, PM Modi elaborate that his ‘will provide an opportunity to review the progress on 2047 Horizon Roadmap for India-France strategic partnership along with my frie...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty At the invitation of President Macron, PM Modi will visit France in the next week. He will be there from 10th to 12th February, 2025. PM Modi will arrive Paris in the evening of the 10th February. On the 11th of February, the Prime Minister will co-chair the AI Action Summit, along with President Macron. The Summit is going to be held at the Grand Palais in Paris. Considering the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence in all sectors of economy, polity, society and governance, this summit is highly significance. This is the third such high level summit that is being held in the very recent past. The first of these was in the UK in 2023, the second one in the Republic of Korea in 2024, and now this one in France. In this regard, Diplomacy and Global Politics has tried to understand the significance of the Summit. The AI Action Summit will bring together heads of State and Government, international organizations and companies of all sizes, representat...

  By S. Chakraborty At the invitation of President Macron, PM Modi will visit France in the next week. He will be there from 10 th to 12 th February, 2025. In this regard, a brief discussion on India-France strong bonding is relevant. India and France share a special relationship. Both the countries traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations in a number of areas. In 1998, then Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and French President Jacques Chirac elevated the relationship to Strategic Partnership – the first for India with any country. In 2015, in his first term, PM Modi chose France as the first European country to visit. 2023 France and India celebrated 25 years of Strategic Partnership. During the same time, at the invitation of President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Modi concluded a historical visit as the Guest of Honour at the National Day of the French Republic. All these established consistent high-level diplomatic engagement betwe...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty Recently, Panama withdrew its association with Chinese Belt and Road Initiative or BRI project. Panama is the first Latin American country to pulled out from this ambitious Chinese project. More than 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries are among the participants of BRI project. President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed that Panama already sent formal 90-day notice for the withdrawal has been submitted to Beijing. Responding the situation, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that considering the overall situation and bilateral relations, China is hopeful that Panama will take the right decision. China also accused the US to use pressure and coercion to sabotage the BRI project. On Friday, China summoned Ambassador Miguel Humberto Lecaro Barcenas over Panama’s decision to not renew the MOU on cooperation with China on the BRI. The main point of discord is the Panama Canal, an 82 km long canal that connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pa...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty On 12th and 13th February, 2025, at the invitation of the President of the USA, PM Modi will pay an official visit to the United States. Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Mishri shared a tentative programme schedule of PM Modi. During his visit to the US, Prime Minister Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with President Trump in both the restricted and delegation level formats. Two countries have mutual interests in a number of areas, for example, trade, investment, technology, defense cooperation, counter terrorism in the security of the Indo-Pacific, and of course, people-to-people relations. Senior U.S. administration figures are expected to call on Prime Minister during the visit. PM Modi will also have the opportunity to interact with business leaders and with members of the Indian community. Around 5.4 million strong Indian community lived in the U.S. and more than 350,000 students from India are pursuing studies in various universities. For detail ...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty At the invitation of President Macron, PM Modi will visit France in the next week. He will be there from 10 th to 12 th February, 2025. Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Mishri shared a tentative programme schedule of PM Modi. PM Modi will arrive Paris in the evening of the 10 th February. At that evening, he will attend a dinner that is being hosted by President Macron at the Élysée Palace in honor of visiting Heads of Government and Heads of State. The dinner is also likely to be attended by a large number of CEOs from the tech domain and a number of other distinguished invitees to the summit. On the 11th of February, the Prime Minister will co-chair the AI Action Summit, along with President Macron. Considering the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence in all sectors of economy, polity, society and governance, this summit is highly significance. This is the third such high level summit that is being held in the very recent past. The first of ...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty On 7 th February, 2025, Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri informed media about Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to France and the US. At the invitation of President Emanuel Macron, PM Modi will be visiting France from 10 th to 12 th February, 2025. France is going to organize the AI Action Summit. PM Modi will co-chair the Summit along with President Macron of France. PM Modi and President Macron will also jointly inaugurate the newest Consulate General of India in Marseille. PM Modi and President Macron maintained a very cordial relation. The two leaders have been in regular touch with each other. Last year, President Macron was the Chief Guest at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations. Last year, PM Modi and President Macron also met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy and G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. On 12 th and 13 th February, 2025, at the invitation of the President of the USA, PM Modi will pay an official visit to the Unit...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty On 6 th February, 2025, Shri Kartikeya Sharma, member of Rajya Sabha, expressed his concern regarding the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the 1985 Kanishka bombing. The attack claimed 329 lives, among them majority were India-origin, and 24 Indian nationals. He asked the current status of India's engagement with the Canadian Government and other partners, regarding the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the Kanishka bombing and the details thereof; he also asked the details of the steps being taken by the Ministry to ensure that all perpetrators of the bombing are extradited to India; and whether there is any mechanism in place to ensure that the Canadian Government is held accountable for any perceived lapses in their investigation or prosecution of the perpetrators, if so, the details thereof? Answering the question, the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh clearly ...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty On 6 th February, 2025, The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs Mr. Kirti Vardhan Singh answered questions related to China’s decision to build world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River. Diplomacy and Global Politics has already reported the issue China Approved Plans to Construct Dam on Transboundary River Brahmaputra .   The concern was raised by Rajya Sabha member, Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala and Shri Sanjay Raut. The main concern of both the question were to understand hydrological and ecological implications of the dam on the Northeast India; the unilateral stand of China regarding the transborder river which flows through Tibet, India and Bangladesh; whether India received any assurance from China regarding water sharing; India’s stand to prevent water-related hostilities in future; and whether India raised the concern in international organisations like UN or Makong River Commission for collective action? Expressing ...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty Demolishing the recent hue and cry regarding deportation of illegal Indian migrants from the USA, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar presented his statement in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on 6 th February, 2025. In his statement Dr. Jaishankar pointed out the importance of people-to-people connection between India and the USA. At the same time, he also mentioned the significance of legal mobility and migration. He also briefly described how illegal migration could associate themselves with other illegal activities. Helpless, forced to work under inhumane condition, easy prey to various crimes – illegal migration is not good for those trapped illegal migrants too. It is the obligation of all nations to take back their nationals, if they are found to be living illegally abroad – a general accepted principle in international relations. In this connection, Dr. Jaishankar mentioned that deportation from the USA is not a new process. He als...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty Accelerating the relationship with Arab world, India organized the First India-Arab Universities’ Presidents’ Conference from at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The two days conference was organized by Ministry of External Affairs in association with University Grants Commission (UGC) as the knowledge partner, and the League of Arab States (LAS) as the co-organizer. The conference was organized under the education vertical of the Executive Program for implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between India and League of Arab States. The Indo-Arab Conference mainly aimed at harnessing the potential of higher education in ways that transcend the national borders and to lay the groundwork for future collaboration in the field of Higher education between India and the Arab world. Prime focus of the conference was on Higher Education and Skill Development Cooperation between India and LAS. The conference touched issues like Development and Prosperity; ...

 By Dr. S. Chakraborty Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi congratulated Mr. Bart De Wever on assuming office of Prime Minister of Belgium. In his post on Social Media platform, Mr. Modi expressed confidence to work together to further strengthen India-Belgium ties and enhance collaboration on global matters. India has long and strong diplomatic relations with Belgium. Belgium was one of the few European countries, which established diplomatic relations with newly independent India in 1947. Since then, both the countries continued high-level diplomatic exchange. India and Belgium have strong trade relations. Belgium is one of the biggest trading partners of India. India also Belgium’s one of the biggest trading partners, outside EU. Besides that, in FY 2023-2024 Foreign Direct Investments from Belgium into India was estimated at over USD 3.94 billion.   For detail PM congratulates H.E. Mr. Bart De Wever on assuming office of Prime Minister of Belgium   India and Belgiu...

  By Dr. S. Chakraborty US President Donald Trump has announced new tariffs on all goods imported from China, Mexico and Canada. Last year, together, these three countries accounted for more than 40% of imports into the US. Trump said, beginning on Tuesday, the US would impose tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico and 10% tax on goods from China. Energy supply from Canada only faces a lower 10% tariff. Clarifying the stand, the White House said, tariff announcement has become ‘necessary to hold China, Mexico and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the United States.’ The White House goes further and stated that Mexico government has an ‘intolerable alliance’ with Mexican drug trafficking organizations. US President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the measure had been taken through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to counter major threat from illegal immigration and drug trafficking. All the thr...