Author: Moez Pirzada

New Delhi: Seoul is keen on securing a bilateral visit for President Yoon Suk Yeol to India in early 2024, according to persons aware of the matter. While Yoon visited India for the G20 summit in September, a bilateral visit is expected to push certain key initiatives in the relationship. These include prospective cooperation on advanced technologies, trade and a migration and mobility agreement. Queries mailed to the External Affairs Ministry and the South Korean Embassy in New Delhi were not answered at press time. Cooperation in critical and emerging technologies has been a focus of bilateral ties. The matter…

Geneva: In a significant diplomatic move, India has spearheaded recommendations for Canada to fortify measures preventing attacks on worship places and effectively address hate speech. The proposals were presented during the UN Human Rights Council Review meeting, where diplomats from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka shared their insights and recommendations. Indian diplomat Mohammed Hussain noted legislative enactments such as the National Housing Strategy Act and the Accessible Canada Act while addressing the issue at the Council meeting. “We note the enactment of the National Housing Strategy Act, Accessible Canada act, and National strategy to combat human trafficking,” said Hussain addressing the…

Borabanda/Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad: In the narrow lanes of Bharatnagar Basti, Borabanda, Mohammed Azharuddin trots door to door, shaking hands and seeking votes. It’s a bit like taking singles that slowly but surely add up to a good score. The cricketer-turned-politician’s electoral pull is being put to the test as he makes his assembly poll debut on his home turf, Hyderabad. Azharuddin, whose brilliant cricketing career was cut short by the match-fixing scandal, had joined the Congress before the 2009 general elections. He went on to win the Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) Lok Sabha seat that year, but was defeated when he contested…

ISLAMABAD: Uzbe­kistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and In-charge of Trade and Investment Dr Jamshid Khodjaev has arrived in Pakistan for a crucial two-day visit aimed at exploring ways to bolster bilateral trade and investment relations. This high-profile visit underscores the growing economic ties between the two nations and is expected to further cement their partnership in the realms of trade and investment. An official announcement from the commerce ministry said on Monday that during the visit Dr Khodjaev would meet senior government officials to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in a range of sectors, including trade and investment. He will also…

North Korea’s advancing nuclear threats continue to command significant attention from South Korean and US policymakers and analysts. North Korea has conducted over 100 missile tests since the start of 2022. In addition, the Commander of US Forces Korea testified in April 2023 that a seventh North Korean nuclear test was not a matter of “if” but “when.” Pyongyang also issued a new nuclear forces employment law in September 2022, which not only established a first-use doctrine, but also broadened the conditions triggering nuclear use to “encompass almost all thinkable nuclear, non-nuclear and political crisis situations.” This new policy partly reflects North Korean concerns about the…

The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) & Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) JF-17 Thunder Block III fighters are making their debut appearance at an international defense exhibition, the Dubai Air Show 2023. The Pakistan Air Force has released a promotional video of the JF-17 landing at Dubai, mixed with several shots from inside and outside the cockpit of performing acrobatic maneuvers. A Super Mushshak trainer aircraft is also another Pakistani exhibit. India’s LCA Tejas will also compete for media and commercial interest as both aircraft aim to foray into the global single-engine light fighter space. Being held from November 13 to 17 at the…

New Delhi: India’s demand for electricity for running household air conditioners is estimated to expand nine-fold by 2050 and will exceed total power consumption in the whole of Africa today, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said today. In its latest World Energy Outlook, IEA said India will see the largest energy demand growth of any country or region in the world over the next three decades. It projected India’s energy supply to rise from 42 exajoules (EJ) in 2022 to 53.7 EJ in 2030 and 73 EJ in 2050 under stated policies scenarios and 47.6 EJ by 2030 and 60.3 EJ…

KATHMANDU: India has taken a fresh step to integrate Nepal’s electricity with its market by allowing Nepal to sell its power generated by two hydroelectric projects to its real time energy market. It is the first time that that Nepal has got approval to sell its power in the Real Time Market (RTM) where, according to Nepal Electricity Authority, which is solely responsible for bilateral trade of electricity till date, Nepal can sell power by participating in bids just one hour 15 minute earlier than selling the power. The Central Electricity Authority of India on Saturday granted approval to sell power…

Copenhagen (26/10 – 76.9) UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea called on Tajikistan to adapt and review its laws, policies, and practices regarding religion or belief following her 10-day visit. She stated that the implementation of religious freedom and belief in the country is a cause for concern. During a press conference at the UN office in Tajikistan, she also urged Tajikistan’s authorities to “leave the past behind and protect freedom of religion and belief.” Ghanea stated, “This will contribute to development, peace, and understanding in the country. The shadow of civil war looms over…

Berlin (22/10 – 75) UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, reported during his trip to the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in Tajikistan, he met with representatives of civil society and residents of the region. Varennes arrived in Tajikistan for a working visit on October 9 till October 20. The UN Special Rapporteur told journalists that the residents of Gorno-Badakhshan informed him about violations of their rights in 2021-2022, particularly concerning the rights of detainees and cases of harsh treatment by law enforcement agencies. He stated, “People are complaining about religious restrictions as well as limitations on the use…