Arab Summit
Arab leaders back counteroffer to Trump's Gaza plan as ceasefire falters
Arab leaders meeting in Cairo on Tuesday are set to endorse a counterproposal to US President Donald Trump's call for the Gaza Strip to be depopulated and transformed into a beach destination, even as the continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is uncertain. The summit hosted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is expected to include the leaders of regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whose support is crucial for any postwar plan. Israel has meanwhile embraced what it says is an alternative US proposal for the ceasefire itself and the release of hostages taken in Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. It has blocked the entry of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gaza to try to get Hamas to accept the new proposal and has warned of additional consequences, raising fears of a return to war. The suspension of aid drew widespread criticism, with human rights groups saying it violated Israel's obligations as an occupying po
 "Arab leaders back counteroffer to Trump's Gaza plan as ceasefire falters")
Biden failed to make Israeli-Palestinian talks a priority: Arab leaders
From its first months in office, the Biden administration made a distinctive decision on its Middle East policy: It would deprioritise a half-century of high-profile efforts by past US presidents, particularly Democratic ones, to broker a broad and lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Since Richard Nixon, successive US administrations have tried their hands at Camp David summits, shuttle diplomacy and other big-picture tries at coaxing Israeli and Palestinian leaders into talks to settle the disputes that underlie 75 years of Middle East tensions. More than other recent presidents, Joe Biden notably has not. Instead, administration officials early on sketched out what they called Biden's policy of quiet diplomacy. They advocated for more modest improvements in Palestinian freedoms and living conditions under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline government, which has encouraged settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and which includes coalition
 "Biden failed to make Israeli-Palestinian talks a priority: Arab leaders")
India committed to spotlight, concerns of developing nations: MoS
Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Tuesday shared India's commitment to spotlight the priorities, perspectives and concerns of the developing nations, including the Arab world, during its G20 Presidency. The minister of State for External Affairs said despite the challenging global context, trade between India and the Arab world has escalated, currently standing at over USD 240 billion. He emphasised the Arab world's significant contributions to India's energy and food security, providing approximately 60 per cent of India's crude oil imports and over 50 per cent of its fertiliser needs. Addressing the India Arab Partnership Conference organised by Ficci, the minister said shared cultural heritage through linkages of language, customs, and traditions continue to lend energy to the historical bond between India and the Arab nations. "The Arab world is indeed a part of India's extended neighbourhood. Our shared views on major international developments, strong economic and commercial
 "India committed to spotlight, concerns of developing nations: MoS")
Will not bar Qatar from Arab summit in Riyadh, says Saudi crown prince
The prince described Iran, Turkey and militant groups as the "contemporary triangle of evil"
 "Will not bar Qatar from Arab summit in Riyadh, says Saudi crown prince")
