Author: Editorial Desk

India’s landmark accord with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)—comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland—promises an exciting shift for Indian consumers. Signed recently, this trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA) paves the way for Swiss watches, chocolates, biscuits, and clocks to grace the Indian market with reduced customs duties over time. Set for enactment within a year, subject to international ratification protocols, this pact symbolizes a strategic enhancement of economic ties. Officials spotlight concessions for iconic Swiss watch brands and chocolates, signaling a new phase of luxury accessibility for Indian shoppers. Prestigious Swiss brands like Rolex, Omega, and Cartier, along…

Italy embarks on an ambitious journey to fortify economic ties and advance regional cooperation with Central Asia, seizing the strategic ‘Middle Corridor’ as a pivotal conduit for mutual growth and sustainable development. This venture took center stage at a distinguished conference hosted by the Senate of the Italian Parliament on March 9, themed ‘The Middle Corridor: A Safe Transit Route between Italy, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia.’ Orchestrated by the Italian Institute for Asia (ISIA), the gathering convened notable figures, including Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, esteemed parliamentarians, analysts, and diplomatic leaders from Central…

A coalition led by the United States successfully neutralized 28 drones launched by Yemen’s Houthis targeting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in the maritime conflict. This response to the Iran-aligned rebels’ substantial attack underscores the strategic imperative of safeguarding crucial trade routes. The offensive by the Houthis targeted commercial and military vessels, indicating with missile strikes on a ship purportedly American and deploying drones against US naval forces. Initiated in November as a declaration of solidarity with Palestinians amid conflict in Gaza, these attacks threaten the vital Red Sea passage, essential for…

The conclusion of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Japan marks a pivotal moment for India-Japan relationship. The Ministry of External Affairs underscored this trip as a critical opportunity to assess and invigorate the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between these two nations. Spanning three days, the visit encompassed comprehensive discussions, setting a transformative agenda across multiple sectors. Commencing on March 6, subsequent to engagements in the Republic of Korea, Dr. Jaishankar’s itinerary in Tokyo focused on global challenges within the Indo-Pacific, the Global South, alongside advocacy for United Nations reforms. Dialogues with Japanese leadership spotlighted a shared…

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) reports a continued descent in the benchmark for global food commodity prices for a seventh successive month this February. This trend stems predominantly from a reduction in international cereal quotations, significantly overshadowing the escalations observed within milk and meat prices globally. The FAO Food Price Index, tracking monthly shifts in international prices for a basket of globally-traded food commodities, registered an average of 117.3 points during February. This figure indicates a decline of 0.7% relative to January and a marked 10.5% retreat from the analogous month the preceding year,…

Negotiations for a significant India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) are poised to surpass the electoral timelines of both nations, with ongoing dialogues on pivotal market access for goods and services yet to reach a consensus. Despite a concerted push and a series of elevated engagements — marked by a UK delegation’s recent visit to India and an Indian official delegation’s trip to London — the complexities inherent in the agreement necessitate a pause until the emergence of new administrations in both countries. India anticipates the formal initiation of its election process by mid-March, with the expectation of inaugurating a new…

China’s senior diplomat, Wang Yi, delivered a pointed critique against the United States on Thursday, accusing it of perpetuating a flawed perception of China and leveraging trade restrictions and trade barriers to impede Beijing’s progress. Despite recent dialogues aimed at thawing bilateral relations, including a notable discussion between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last November, Wang expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of follow-through on US commitments. Speaking at a press conference during the National People’s Congress, Wang questioned the equity of a global order that permits one nation’s prosperity at the expense of…

India and South Korea embark on a strategic expansion of their bilateral relations, targeting pivotal areas like next-gen technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen, and professional mobility. This advancement emerged from the Seoul-based bilateral joint commission, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul at the helm. Described by Jaishankar as both comprehensive and productive, the 10th joint commission meeting traversed an array of subjects from defense to trade and cultural exchanges. Highlighting the session’s significance, Jaishankar mentioned the exploration of trilateral cooperation and shared regional challenges and interests, particularly within the Indo-Pacific framework. Jaishankar’s comments shed light…

The new military assistance agreement between the Maldives and China heralds a nuanced recalibration of power dynamics within the Indian Ocean, illustrating a profound deepening of bilateral military ties. Under President Mohamed Muizzu’s stewardship, the Maldives is set to acquire complimentary ‘non-lethal’ military apparatus alongside specialized training from the Chinese military, an announcement that underscores a deliberate pivot towards enhancing national sovereignty and autonomy against the backdrop of regional geopolitical tensions. Engagements between President Muizzu and high-level Chinese officials, including Major General Zhang Baoqun of the International Military Cooperation Office and Ren Shengjun, President of the Export-Import Bank of China,…

Morocco and Switzerland embark on innovative strategies to elevate economic collaboration and amplify integration across their productive sectors.This dedication surfaced during a dialogue at Bern, featuring Ryad Mezzour, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, alongside Guy Parmelin, Swiss Federal Councillor for Economic Affairs, Education, and Research. Parmelin lauded the economic partnership’s fruitful outcomes, highlighting bilateral trade’s robust growth and potential avenues for expansion. 2022 witnessed trade between the nations ascending to $778 million Swiss francs, marking an 18.9% surge over 2021. Swiss exports to Morocco escalated by 19.3%, with Moroccan exports to Switzerland climbing by 18.6%. He underscored the equilibrium…