International
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with PMs of Italy, Japan on sidelines of G7 Summit
Apulia (Italy), June 15 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Italy and Japan after the conclusion of the G7 Summit’s Outreach Session in Italy’s Borgo Egnazia on Friday.
PM Modi began the day holding back-to-back bilaterals with French President Emmanuel Macron, British PM Rishi Sunak, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He then attended the G7 Outreach Session on AI and Energy, Africa and Mediterranean which was followed by interactions with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, before the official photo-op.
Imparting further momentum to the India-Italy partnership, PM Modi congratulated Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the success of the G7 Summit.
“The leaders held discussions on expanding India-Italy Strategic Partnership in various spheres, including defence, cyber security, trade and investment, manufacturing, space, telecom, AI, digital, critical minerals, clean energy, and mobility, among others,” the Ministry of External Affairs said after the bilateral between PM Modi and Meloni.
After holding talks with Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, PM Modi said: “It was a delight to meet PM Kishida on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy. Strong ties between India and Japan are important for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“Our nations look forward to working together in defence, technology, semiconductors, clean energy and digital technology. We also wish to advance ties in infrastructure and cultural linkages.”
The visit to Italy was Prime Minister Modi’s first overseas trip after assuming office for the third consecutive term, and also his fifth consecutive participation in the G7 Summit.
Before leaving for Italy, PM Modi had warmly recalled his visit to the country for the G20 Summit in 2021.
“Prime Minister Meloni’s two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth to our bilateral agenda. We remain committed to consolidating the India-Italy strategic partnership, and bolstering cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions,” the Prime Minister had said in his departure statement.
After the conclusion of the G7 Summit’s Outreach Session, PM Modi met with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet POTUS Joe Biden. India and USA will keep working together to further global good,” the PM posted on X along with pictures of his meeting with the US President.
He also interacted with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Jordan King Abdullah, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the event.
–IANS
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International
Xi Jinping congratulates Iran’s Pezeshkian on presidential election win
Beijing, July 6 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to Masoud Pezeshkian, congratulating him on his election as the President of Iran.
In his message, Xi said China and Iran enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries more than half a century ago.
In the face of the complex regional and international landscapes, China and Iran have always supported each other and stuck together through thick and thin, continuously consolidating strategic mutual trust, steadily promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and maintaining sound communication and coordination on regional and international affairs, which has not only benefited the two peoples, but also made positive contributions to promoting regional and world peace and stability, Xi added.
The Chinese President also said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Iran relations, and is willing to work with Pezeshkian aiming to guide the deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
–IANS
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International
PM Modi congratulates Keir Starmer, discusses India-UK FTA
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended an invitation to newly-elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for an early visit to India as both leaders agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The two leaders spoke over phone as PM Modi congratulated Starmer on his and Labour Party’s “remarkable victory” in the general elections.
“Pleased to speak with Keir Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
Both leaders recalled the historic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK.
“Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic, and political development of the UK. The two sides agreed to continue to promote close people-to-people ties. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
–IANS
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International
Labour govt will reconnect Britain, promises new UK Foreign Secretary
London, July 6 (IANS) Asserting that “diplomacy matters”, Britain’s new Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Saturday that the new Labour government will begin with a “reset” with Europe on climate and with the global South.
Outlining his priorities following his appointment, Lammy highlighted that the world is currently facing “huge challenges” with more countries engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II.
“This government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home. What happens here in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office is essential.
“Diplomacy matters. We will begin with a reset with Europe, on climate, and with the global South. And a gear-shift when it comes to delivering on European security, global security, and British growth,” Lammy said in a statement released by the UK Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
The 51-year-old Labour Party politician promised that the new government is determined to deliver for working people and committed to building a better future for everyone.
“It is the honour of my life to stand before you as Foreign Secretary. A descendant of enslaved people. A black, working-class, man from Tottenham. A community which never produced a Foreign Secretary before. This speaks to what a modern, multicultural Britain can be. Proudly internationalist,” he said.
Lammy also mentioned that Britain has “enormous potential” and that the change has begun now – a slogan with which the Keir Starmer-led party fought the general elections.
–IANS
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International
Pak's macroeconomic environment was challenging in 2023: Central bank
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment in the calendar year 2023 remained challenging amid rising inflation, weak foreign exchange inflows, pressures on external account and local currency, and low business confidence, particularly in the first half, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said.
However, the policy measures and regulatory interventions that were taken to address growing imbalances coupled with securing a nine-month stand-by agreement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped improve the macroeconomic conditions in the second half of 2023, the SBP said in its financial stability review for 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.
Inflation started falling, economic growth recovered, and the exchange rate stabilised towards the year-end, the central bank said in the report.
Against this backdrop, the financial sector exhibited strong growth and performance, and maintained financial soundness and operational resilience, it added.
The asset base of the financial sector expanded by 27 per cent in 2023, mainly driven by the banking sector, according to the report.
–IANS
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International
Flood alert for Pakistan provinces as monsoon season begins
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about the potential for flash floods and urban flooding due to the ongoing torrential rain, marking the beginning of the monsoon season in various parts of the country.
The National Emergency Operation Centre of the NDMA anticipates that the ongoing rain may cause flash floods in local streams of Islamabad, parts of east Punjab, and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the authority said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.
The torrential rain may also cause urban flooding in several districts of the two provinces, including their densely populated capital cities, the statement added.
The NDMA also advised provincial disaster management authorities and local administrations to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate measures to safeguard the at-risk population, the statement read.
The NDMA also urged citizens to download its mobile application for disaster alerts, which provides notifications, guidelines, and precautionary measures to address urban flooding in their areas so they can stay alert and informed.
–IANS
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