Negotiations with US should not start before preconditions fulfilled, Iran parliament says
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Al Arabiya
14 minutes ago
- Al Arabiya
Modi joins Maldives Independence Day celebrations, signals easing tensions amid China rivalry
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated Saturday in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives, concluding a two-day visit to the island nation. During the trip, Modi also announced financial assistance and formally launched talks on a proposed free trade agreement. The two-day visit was seen as crucial to India's ambition to control the seas and shipping routes of the Indian Ocean in a race with its regional rival China. It signaled a thaw in diplomatic tensions that followed the election of pro-China Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in 2023. Modi joined a distinguished gathering at Republic Square in the capital Malé, where a military parade and cultural performances marked the anniversary of the Maldives gaining independence from British rule in 1965. On Friday, following talks with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Modi announced a credit line of $565 million to support development projects in the Maldives. The visit coincided with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 1965. It also saw the start of talks on a free trade agreement. The two leaders oversaw the exchange of signed agreements to cooperate in sectors such as fisheries, health, tourism, and digital development. Modi also handed over dozens of heavy vehicles donated by India to strengthen the Maldives defense forces. The Maldives—an archipelago nation strategically located in the Indian Ocean—is a focal point in the growing geopolitical rivalry between India and China. Tensions grew when Muizzu, who favored closer ties with China, was elected in 2023 after defeating the India-friendly incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Leading up to the election, Muizzu had promised to expel Indian soldiers deployed in the Maldives to help with humanitarian assistance. Last year, New Delhi replaced dozens of its soldiers in the Maldives with civilian experts. Measures by Modi to promote tourism in India's Lakshadweep archipelago off the southwestern coast of the Indian mainland also sparked anger from Maldivians who saw it as a move to lure Indian tourists away from their country. Indian celebrities then called for a tourism boycott of the Maldives. Tensions escalated last year when President Muizzu visited China before India, a move widely interpreted in New Delhi as a diplomatic snub. On his return, Muizzu outlined plans to reduce the Maldives' reliance on India for medical services, pharmaceuticals, and essential imports such as food staples. Relations started to improve after Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony for a third five-year term last year. Muizzu has since toned down his anti-Indian rhetoric, and official contacts with New Delhi have intensified amid growing concern about the Maldives economy. During a visit by Muizzu to India last October, India pledged financial support to the Maldives, which has been struggling with debt. This included $100 million in short-term government loans and agreeing to a $400 million currency swap to help stabilize the Maldivian economy. India has long been a key development partner for the Maldives. However, the island nation has also deepened ties with China, joining its Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 to build infrastructure and expand trade–part of Beijing's broader effort to increase its global influence.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Sri Lanka in talks with Middle East Green Initiative to explore climate partnership
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is exploring a potential partnership with the Middle East Green Initiative, Colombo's envoy to Riyadh told Arab News on Saturday, as the island nation seeks to step up partnerships to combat climate change. Sri Lanka — home to 22 million people — is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and is particularly at risk of extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought. On Monday, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh facilitated an introductory virtual meeting between its Ministry of Environment and the MGI secretary-general 'to explore potential ways and means for cooperation and partnership in the fields of environmental protection and sustainable development,' according to a statement. Led by Saudi Arabia, the MGI was established in 2021 as a regional alliance aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change and forging collaborations to meet global climate targets in the region. 'The MGI is an important regional initiative spearheaded by Saudi Arabia in combating challenges posed by climate change. We are pleased to see Saudi Arabia is giving a great leadership role in promoting climate action and environmental protection,' Ameer Ajwad, Sri Lanka's envoy to Saudi Arabia, told Arab News. Colombo is also keen to share its experience in climate resilience efforts. 'Sri Lanka is actively contributing to the global multilateral climate initiatives. Sri Lanka's expertise and rich experience in the field will be also useful for the MGI process for fostering environmental collaboration and advancing shared climate objectives,' Ajwad said. 'For example, Sri Lanka could contribute its expertise in the field of mangrove conservation and sea grass management, et cetera.' Sri Lanka has led several climate resilience efforts throughout the years, including restoration of its mangrove forests following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The country made a commitment to become the first to replant all of its mangrove forests — a goal the government sought to achieve by providing microloans and education to communities in exchange for mangrove conservation. In 2022, it launched the Sri Lankan Climate Prosperity Plan to attract foreign investment and accelerate climate adaptation while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Hamas rejects Trump remarks on Gaza talks breakdown
Hamas officials expressed surprise on Saturday at US President Donald Trump's accusation that the group 'didn't really want' a ceasefire and hostage release deal for Gaza. Trump made the allegation of Friday a day after Israel and the United States quit indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar that had lasted nearly three weeks. 'Trump's remarks are particularly surprising, especially as they come at a time when progress had been made on some of the negotiation files,' Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP. 'So far, we have not been informed of any issues regarding the files under discussion in the indirect ceasefire negotiations,' he added Al-Nunu, who is close to Hamas's most senior political officials, said he was 'surprised' that Israel and the United States had left the talks. Announcing the recall of US mediators on Thursday, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of not 'acting in good faith.' Though not part of the Hamas negotiating team, Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq insisted the group had shown 'flexibility' in the talks. 'The American statements deliberately ignore the real obstructionist to all agreements, Netanyahu's government, which continues to put obstacles, deceive and evade commitments,' he said. Both Hamas officials called on the United States to be more even-handed in its role as mediator in the quest for a ceasefire after more than 21 months of fighting. 'We call for an end to the US bias in favor of Netanyahu, who is obstructing any agreement,' al-Nunu said.
