India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, in Doha, reviewing bilateral relations with a focus on trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people ties. The meeting also included discussions on regional and global issues, including the situation in Gaza.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to the UAE on Sunday to discuss bilateral issues with his counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit is expected to include deliberations on the situation in Gaza and a review of the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will embark on a two-day state visit to India, marking the first such visit following the formation of India’s new government. The visit aims to solidify and expand the strong relationship between the two nations, with a focus on cooperation in various sectors, including trade, connectivity, and infrastructure development.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka, his first bilateral engagement since the new government took office, to strengthen ties and discuss a range of cooperation initiatives. He met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, reiterating India’s commitment to development assistance and capacity building programs. The visit also focused on key areas of cooperation, including power, energy, connectivity, infrastructure, aviation, digital, health, food security, education, and tourism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to messages from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Premier Nawaz Sharif, emphasizing India’s unwavering commitment to the well-being and security of its citizens. Nawaz Sharif had congratulated Modi for his third consecutive election victory and urged for a focus on hope and progressive ideas. Modi’s response referenced India’s stance that talks with Pakistan cannot take place in the presence of terrorism emanating from its territory. This was the first time that Pakistan had delayed sending a congratulatory message following a Modi election victory. Other leaders from neighboring countries, including Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi.
Emirates Airlines will resume its flight schedules from Dubai to Nigeria on October 1, 2024, following a pivotal meeting between Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi last September. The resumption of flights marks a move towards normalizing relations between the UAE and Nigeria, fostering increased travel and economic exchanges between the two nations.
The Maldivian tourism minister, Ibrahim Faisal, has urged Indian tourists to visit the country and support its tourism-dependent economy despite strained bilateral relations. Faisal emphasized the historical ties between the two nations and assured a warm welcome to Indian visitors. The call comes after a decline in Indian tourism to the Maldives due to derogatory remarks made by Maldivian officials against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Maldives has been facing a backlash and a drop in Indian tourist arrivals, with statistics showing a 42% decrease in the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s trip to Pakistan aims to improve bilateral relations following tensions earlier this year. The visit also comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East after Iran’s attack on Israel. Pakistan and Iran seek to combat terrorism and establish a consultation system for progress in various sectors. Raisi’s trip highlights Iran’s efforts to bolster ties with regional players, while Pakistan faces pressure to maintain its US and Saudi relations. Despite Pakistan’s energy needs, the US opposes the construction of an Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, citing sanctions risk.
