Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a historic visit to Austria from July 9-10, marking the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 41 years. This visit commemorates 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Austria. The visit will involve discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation, including addressing global challenges.
Keir Starmer’s first month as Prime Minister will be packed with international diplomacy, including meetings with US President Joe Biden and European leaders. Labour has outlined its plans for a ‘progressive realist’ foreign policy, including a focus on strengthening ties with the European Union, addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and navigating a complex relationship with China. The article provides a detailed overview of Labour’s approach to key international issues.
Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, condemned terrorism and expressed hope for improved relations between India and Pakistan. He emphasized the US’s deepening ties with India, particularly in economic and security cooperation, while acknowledging the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Taliban government has defended its exclusion of Afghan women from UN-led engagement talks in Qatar, claiming that women’s rights are an internal matter. The Taliban delegation, led by Zabihullah Mujahid, will participate in the talks while civil society groups, including women’s rights organizations, will meet with international envoys and UN officials separately. The Taliban has faced widespread condemnation for its restrictive policies towards women, which have been described as ‘gender apartheid.’ The talks aim to increase international coordination on engagement with the Taliban, but the exclusion of women and the lack of human rights issues on the agenda have raised concerns.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Russia in July, marking his first trip to the country since the start of the Ukraine conflict. While a specific date has not been revealed, preparations for the visit are underway.
Nicaragua has appointed an ambassador to Afghanistan, marking a rare move to strengthen diplomatic ties with the Taliban regime. The appointment comes despite the Taliban’s lack of formal recognition by the international community, including the United States. This move has raised questions about Nicaragua’s stance on human rights and women’s rights in Afghanistan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Vietnam, seeking to bolster ties and demonstrate international support amid the Ukraine war. The visit comes as Hanoi navigates a delicate balancing act between its close relationship with Russia and its growing ties with other major powers, particularly the US and China.
The Canadian Parliament observed a moment of silence in memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist killed a year ago. This action has sparked controversy, with India accusing Canada of harboring terrorists and tensions rising between the two nations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has embarked on his first trip to North Korea in 24 years, meeting with Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. This visit is expected to reshape Russia-North Korea relations amid international isolation for both countries. Experts predict the trip will focus on strengthening defense cooperation, potentially leading to a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty.”
Britain’s approval of arms export licenses to Israel has significantly decreased since the start of the Gaza war, dropping to a 13-year low. While other countries like the US and Germany have increased arms sales to Israel, the UK’s approval for the period between October and December 2023 fell to a mere $1.09 million, a sharp decline from the £20 million approved in the same period in 2022. The UK government continues to issue licenses for certain military items, including components for aircraft and small arms ammunition for training, but the majority of recent approvals have been for non-lethal items such as body armor and military helmets. The decrease in arms sales comes amid criticism from politicians and human rights groups regarding the lack of transparency and public information surrounding these sales. Several other countries, including Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands, have imposed restrictions on arms exports to Israel due to concerns about how the weapons might be used.
