New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) The recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of five Nordic countries — Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark — in Oslo, carries immense geopolitical significance as countries seek new economic and strategic partnerships amid rising global fragmentation and conflict-driven economic pressures, a report has said. The meeting took place several months after India and the European Union signed a free trade agreement and roughly a year after I…
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Paris, May 24 (IANS) French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had been banned from entering France effective immediately.In a post on social platform X, Barrot said on Saturday that the decision followed Ben-Gvir’s “unqualifiable” actions toward French and European citizens aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla.”We cannot tolerate French nationals being threatened, intimidated or subjected to violence in such a manner, especi…
Rome, May 23 (IANS) Pakistan’s education crisis exposes a deep governance failure, where official claims of combating extremism are undermined by allowing school materials and public narratives that reinforce the ideology sustaining it. For years, the education system in the country has remained a major concern among human rights advocates, minority representatives and education reformers, a report had detailed.Europe’s stance on human rights appears inconsistent when it overlooks the ideolo…
Nicosia/New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Cyprus, which expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism during President Nikos Christodoulides’ meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, continues to align closely with New Delhi, particularly on the security framework, because of Pakistan’s behavior.Nicosia, experts reckon, has a lot of issues with Pakistan, considering its close relations with Turkey.Last year, during PM Modi’s hi…
Brussels, May 22(IANS) The Council of the European Union (EU) announced on Friday a one-year suspension of customs duties on key nitrogen-based fertilisers such as urea and ammonia, aiming to alleviate the impact of the Iran war on EU farmers.The nearly complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted about one-third of global fertiliser trade, driving up prices sharply. In April, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations warned that a prolonged blockade could trigger an …
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at their meeting held here on Friday, agreed to elevate the relations between the two countries to a strategic level with deeper cooperation in defence and transport connectivity, according to senior government officials. Noting that Prime Minister Modi visited Cyprus last year, the officials said that the “traditionally excellent relations” have now been elevated to a strategic level. “Over the pas…
Geneva, May 22 (IANS) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk on Friday warned against the continued forced repatriation of Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers from host countries to Afghanistan, calling it a violation of international human rights and refugee law. “Afghan women, children and men continue to be pushed out of countries where they had sought safety, forcing them to return to Afghanistan against their will and exposing them to grave risk,” said Turk.Accord…
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides discussed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) during their meeting in New Delhi on Friday, recognising that the initiative has transformational potential in reshaping and promoting global trade, connectivity and prosperity. Addressing a special briefing on Cyprus President’s ongoing State Visit to India in New Delhi on Friday, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), …
New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the “strong and futuristic partnership” between India and Cyprus, which he said remains rooted in shared values. “Happy to have met President Nikos Christodoulides in Delhi. We held extensive deliberations on further strengthening the India-Cyprus friendship. Considering the close ties between our nations, we have decided to elevate our friendship into a Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi wrote on X after meeting Christodoulides…
Stockholm, May 22 (IANS) Italy’s support for Ukraine’s full European Union membership is unwavering, but work must be done with Ukraine to “lay the groundwork” allowing the country to complete the bloc’s rigorous accession process, especially in the area of combatting corruption, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday.“We are in favour of Ukraine joining the EU as a full member, but we must lay the groundwork to achieve this goal,” Tajani told reporters on the sidelines of a NA…