Latest news with #StrategicPartnership
NHK
2 days ago
- Business
- NHK
New Zealand freezes Cook Islands financial aid over China ties
New Zealand has announced it halted millions of dollars in financial aid to the Cook Islands. The move comes amid Wellington's growing concern over the island group's deepening ties with China. In a statement on Thursday, the government said about 18 million New Zealand dollars, or about 11 million US dollars, in development funding for fiscal 2025-26 would be paused. The Cook Islands has been self-governing in free association with New Zealand, which is committed to defending it. The two nations are obliged to consult mutually on defense and security. But in February, the Cook Islands signed a strategic partnership agreement with China, which New Zealand says it was not consulted on. The Cook Islands says the agreement with China didn't contain security or defense matters. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters on Thursday, "We were unhappy and dissatisfied with the fact that the Cook Islands' government wasn't open or transparent about its international agreements." Wellington also says it will not consider significant fresh funding until the Cook Islands takes steps to restore trust.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
"Delighted to hold talks..." PM Modi meets German Chancellor
Kananaskis [Canada], June 18 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, commemorating 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. 'Delighted to hold talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in will keep working together in areas like counter terrorism and striking down on terror financing,' posted PM Modi on X. This meeting was the first between the two leaders since Chancellor Merz assumed office in May 2025. PM Modi congratulated Chancellor Merz on his victory and thanked the German government for their condolences on the recent tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. PM Modi invited Chancellor Merz to visit India at a mutually convenient time, further solidifying their bilateral relationship. Building on this engagement, Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, posted on X that the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz marked 25 years of the steadfast India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Both leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key areas of trade and investment, defence and security, green and sustainable development partnership, green energy, technology, innovation, education and mobility. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Prime Minister Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for Germany's strong solidarity and support to India in the fight against terrorism. Echoing these sentiments, Prime Minister Modi also shared details of the meeting on X. He said he was delighted to hold talks with Chancellor Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit and described India and Germany as close friends connected by shared values. He noted that this year marks 25 years of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and said they discussed how to work even more closely in areas like IT, manufacturing, semiconductors, sustainability, research and innovation, read the Ministry of External Affairs press release. Furthering these discussions, he added that they also spoke about deepening defence and security linkages and that both sides will continue working together in areas like counter-terrorism and tackling terror financing. The two leaders expressed happiness at the sustained momentum in the bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation across priority sectors. Both sides agreed to further deepen and diversify the Strategic Partnership as it reaches the milestone of 25 years. They also acknowledged that terrorism constitutes a major threat to peace and stability in the world. In this context, Prime Minister Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for Germany's strong expression of solidarity with and support to India's efforts in the fight against terrorism. They exchanged views on key regional and international developments, with Prime Minister Modi conveying that he looked forward to welcoming Chancellor Merz in India at a mutually convenient time. (ANI)
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
A new horizon for Japan-Kuwait ties
By Kenichiro Mukai, Ambassador of Japan to the State of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, successfully concluded his first official visit to Japan from May 28 to 31, 2025. The visit had special meanings for both countries. Firstly, this was the first high level visit to Japan by the Kuwaiti leadership in nine years, since the visit by Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, late Prime Minister in 2016. Secondly, during the visit, both countries agreed on upgrading the bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and five memoranda on bilateral cooperation were signed. Thus, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled has taken Japan-Kuwait relations to another level with this visit. Third, His Highness Sheikh Sabah met with His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito and His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino, respectively, and deepened the longstanding friendship between the Japanese imperial family and the Kuwaiti ruling family. As Ambassador, I attended the summit meeting, followed by working lunch, between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and His Highness Sheikh Sabah accompanied by high-ranking officials, including His Excellency Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was very fruitful, in a friendly atmosphere, discussing bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly in the fields of clean energy and decarbonization, in addition to electricity and desalination, as well as cooperation in regional and international affairs. Signing of five memoranda During the visit, the following five memoranda were signed: •Memorandum of Cooperation on Training of Diplomats between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, aiming to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation through diplomatic training, and it will further strengthen the bond between the two ministries. •Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy of the State of Kuwait, promoting comprehensive cooperation in the field of electricity, water, and renewable energy. •Memorandum of Cooperation on Direct Investment between the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), facilitating the further expansion of investment by Japanese companies in Kuwait. •Memorandum of Cooperation on International Cooperation between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Kuwait Arab Fund for Economic Development (KFAED), strengthening cooperation in aid activities for developing countries. •Memorandum of Understanding between the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) and the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Kuwait Diplomatic Institute on Training of Diplomats, reinforcing cooperation in the field of training. Visit to Expo 2025 Osaka His Highness the Crown Prince visited Expo 2025 Osaka, touring pavilions including those of host country Japan, Kuwait, and the GCC countries. His Highness was received with an enthusiastic welcome from Japanese and Kuwaiti people, and tourists who happened to be there. I had known that the Kuwait Pavilion was very popular, but I was impressed to see so many people standing in line, waiting for their turn to enter the pavilion. His Highness's visit seemed to further increase the popularity of the Kuwait Pavilion. Towards future-oriented cooperation Japan-Kuwait relations, rooted in oil cooperation since 1958, recognition of Kuwait's independence in 1961, Japan's support during the 1990 Gulf War, and Kuwait's warm assistance following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, have always been supported by trust and friendship. Going forward, both countries will continue to advance multifaceted and sustainable cooperation in various sectors including politics, economics, and culture, founded on shared values and mutual interests. I am firmly convinced that this visit by His Highness the Crown Prince will serve as a new horizon for our two countries, leading to further development of Japan-Kuwait relations.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
"Delighted to hold talks...will keep working together in areas like counter terrorism, terror financing": PM Modi meets German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
Kananaskis [Canada], June 18 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, commemorating 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. 'Delighted to hold talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in will keep working together in areas like counter terrorism and striking down on terror financing,' posted PM Modi on X. This meeting was the first between the two leaders since Chancellor Merz assumed office in May 2025. PM Modi congratulated Chancellor Merz on his victory and thanked the German government for their condolences on the recent tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. PM Modi invited Chancellor Merz to visit India at a mutually convenient time, further solidifying their bilateral relationship. Building on this engagement, Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, posted on X that the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz marked 25 years of the steadfast India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Both leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key areas of trade and investment, defence and security, green and sustainable development partnership, green energy, technology, innovation, education and mobility. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Prime Minister Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for Germany's strong solidarity and support to India in the fight against terrorism. Echoing these sentiments, Prime Minister Modi also shared details of the meeting on X. He said he was delighted to hold talks with Chancellor Merz on the sidelines of the G7 Summit and described India and Germany as close friends connected by shared values. He noted that this year marks 25 years of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries and said they discussed how to work even more closely in areas like IT, manufacturing, semiconductors, sustainability, research and innovation, read the Ministry of External Affairs press release. Furthering these discussions, he added that they also spoke about deepening defence and security linkages and that both sides will continue working together in areas like counter-terrorism and tackling terror financing. The two leaders expressed happiness at the sustained momentum in the bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation across priority sectors. Both sides agreed to further deepen and diversify the Strategic Partnership as it reaches the milestone of 25 years. They also acknowledged that terrorism constitutes a major threat to peace and stability in the world. In this context, Prime Minister Modi thanked Chancellor Merz for Germany's strong expression of solidarity with and support to India's efforts in the fight against terrorism. They exchanged views on key regional and international developments, with Prime Minister Modi conveying that he looked forward to welcoming Chancellor Merz in India at a mutually convenient time. (ANI)
NDTV
4 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
PM Modi Meets With World Leaders On Sidelines Of G7 Summit In Canada
Kananaskis, Canada: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met with the leaders of South Korea, Mexico, South Africa and Australia on the sidelines of the G7 Summit here. Prime Minister Modi held a pull-aside with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, officials said. "The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership by exploring new avenues for cooperation through partnerships in areas of trade & economy, critical & emerging technologies, green hydrogen, shipbuilding, culture & P2P among others," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X. PM @narendramodi met President Mr. Lee Jae-Myung @Jaemyung_Lee of Republic of Korea on the sidelines of the 51st #G7Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening 🇮🇳-🇰🇷 Special Strategic Partnership by exploring new avenues for cooperation… — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 17, 2025 They also discussed regional & global issues, he said. PM Modi also met with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and shared perspectives on key global and regional issues, including priorities of the Global South. It was the first meeting between the two leaders. "Boosting India-Mexico warm & historical ties. PM @narendramodi met President Dr @Claudiashein of Mexico, on the sidelines of 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada," Mr Jaiswal said in another post on X. "Both sides discussed avenues to further deepen India-Mexico cooperation in trade, pharmaceuticals, S&T, digital innovation and shared perspectives on key global & regional issues, including priorities of the Global South," he added. The prime minister also met with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. "Good to meet my friend, PM Albanese of Australia during the G7 Summit in Canada!" PM Modi said on X. Good to meet my friend, PM Albanese of Australia during the G7 Summit in Canada! @AlboMP — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2025 Sharing a photo of his interaction with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on X, Modi said he was happy to interact with him. PM Modi was earlier welcomed by his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney as he arrived here for the G7 Outreach Session. Earlier, Modi had said he would be discussing important global issues and emphasise the priorities of the Global South as he meets world leaders at the G7 Summit. This is PM Modi's first visit to Canada in a decade.
