Page 6 - Bilateral Ties

Trump speaks with India, Vietnam, Israel on trade deals ahead of deadline

While US President Donald Trump had initially framed tariffs as non-negotiable, he later hinted at possible compromises

PM Modi holds first talks with Bangladesh CA Yunus after Hasina exit

India-Bangladesh ties have been strained following reports of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and India's decision to grant asylum to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

India, Nepal ink 10 MoUs worth NRs 625 million for development projects

India and Nepal have signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for high-impact community development projects in the Himalayan nation to be funded by Indian assistance amounting to NRs 625 million, according to an official release. The agreements were signed on Tuesday for development in the education, health, and culture sectors, the Indian embassy here said in a press release. "These High Impact Community Development Projects #HICDP are being built with (the) Government of India's financial assistance at a total cost of NRs 625.00 million in Education, Health and Culture Sectors under Nepal-India Development Cooperation'," the embassy said in a post on X. It added that implementing these projects will "help provide better educational, healthcare and cultural facilities to the people of Nepal." The projects undertaken include the construction of three schools, one monastery, one e-library at a school, and two health post buildings. With this, India has taken up over 573 HICDP

Ready to work with India on bilateral ties, says Chinese foreign ministry

The remarks, which were delivered by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun came as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties

Chile's President Gabriel Boric meets Jaishankar, pays homage at Raj Ghat

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font arrived in New Delhi on Monday for his first state visit to India, receiving a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour. He was warmly received at the airport by Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita.Official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed Boric's arrival on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Bienvenido, President Gabriel Boric Font! President Gabriel Boric Font of Chile landed in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Accorded a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour. Warmly received by Union Minister of State Pabitra Margherita at the airport."At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Boric's visit from April 1-5 aims to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Chile.The Chilean President is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, members of parliament, senior officials, business representatives, media, and key figures engaged in India-Chile cultural ...

India, Uganda hold 3rd Joint Trade Committee meeting to boost ties

Both sides acknowledged that the current trade volume does not reflect the full potential of their partnership and committed to taking focused measures

Donald Trump's tariff cut hopes from India too ambitious: Mark Linscott

No country's exporters favour new tariffs and there can be real impacts, especially for price-sensitive sectors that face plenty of competition in global markets, Linscott said

Industrial goods tariffs be India's focus during trade talks with US: GTRI

Both sides hope to finalise the first tranche of the agreement by the fall of 2025

Key India-US trade negotiations next week to finalise BTA contours

Both sides are aiming to finalise the first tranche of a "mutually beneficial" deal by the fall of 2025

EAM Jaishankar, Georgian FM discuss trade, investment, tourism, education

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi to discuss strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, tourism, and education.After the meeting, Jaishankar shared details of their discussions, highlighting areas of cooperation between the two countries."Nice to meet FM Maka Botchorishvili on the sidelines of #Raisina2025. Explored opportunities for advancing our political, trade, investment, tourism and education cooperation," Jaishankar said.In response, Botchorishvili expressed her appreciation for the meeting and India's hospitality."Great honour & privilege to meet Foreign Minister @DrSJaishankar during my first visit to India. Enjoyed a productive discussion focused on our cooperation with significant potential to expand bilateral ties across various fields, including economics, education, tourism and many others," she wrote.The Georgian Foreign Minister added, "I'm ...

'India believes in inclusive, just order', says MoS Pabitra Margherita

Highlighting India's commitment to the LAC region, he mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Guayana recently and attending the India-CARICOM summit

Expanding India-Georgia ties important for us: Georgian foreign minister

Bochorishvili also stressed the need for a structured political dialogue to explore untapped potential in trade, logistics, and education

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit Saudi Arabia to boost bilateral ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Saudi Arabia from March 19-22 to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance economic cooperation, the Foreign Office said on Tuesday. A FO statement said Sharif's delegation will include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, key federal ministers and senior officials. During the visit, the prime minister will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the statement said. The two leaders will discuss ways to boost trade, enhance partnerships in key sectors, and facilitate greater economic collaboration. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance economic cooperation, and promote investment between the two countries, the statement said. It said matters of mutual interest and concern, including global and regional developments, particularly the Gaza situation, evolving Middle East dynamics, and issues related to the Muslim Ummah, will figure high on the agenda. The prime minister's visit underscores the deep-rooted ...

This will be breakthrough year for India and EU: Ex-Swedish PM Carl Bildt

Bildt stated that both sides are committed to reaching an agreement by the end of the year

India, New Zealand sign major pact to boost defence, security ties

India and New Zealand on Monday inked a mega pact to institutionalise their defence and security ties even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed concerns to his Kiwi counterpart over certain unlawful elements carrying out anti-India activities in the Pacific island nation. Modi and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held wide-ranging talks with a focus on ramping up overall bilateral ties, especially in areas of trade, defence, education and agriculture. In his media statement, Modi said both sides decided to strengthen and institutionalise defence and security partnership and a roadmap will be prepared for cooperation in the defence industry sector. "We both are unanimous against terrorism. Whether it is the Christchurch terrorist attack of March 15, 2019, or the Mumbai attack of November 26, 2008, terrorism in any form is unacceptable," he said. The prime minister said strict action is necessary against those guilty of terrorist attacks. "We will continue t

PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon

The meeting comes amid a growing push to enhance bilateral ties, with both leaders set to discuss economic cooperation, trade expansion, and regional security

India has agreed to cut tariffs, says Trump amid bilateral trade talks

India and the US are holding discussions on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) aimed at reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers

Friendless EU suddenly wants India's approval amid shifting global ties

Europe's leaders have correctly decided that they now need as many friends: Japan, the South Americans, India, the Gulf kingdoms as they can possibly cobble together

MoS Margherita represents India in swearing-in ceremony of Uruguay's Prez

Margherita said he conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the new government of Uruguay

Best of BS Opinion: India needs to recalibrate in a changing world order

Today's editorials and columns look at the world through the lens of relationships, and how they don't always turn out as intended