Latest news with #South-South
Morocco World
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Rachid Talbi El Alami Receives Former South African President Jacob Zuma
Rabat – The President of Morocco's House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi El Alami, met on Thursday in Rabat with former South African President and leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, Jacob Zuma, who is visiting Morocco with an accompanying delegation. The meeting brought together the presidents of the parliamentary groups and caucuses within the House of Representatives. According to a statement from the chamber, the discussions highlighted Zuma and his party's clear position in support of Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara. They emphasized that the plan offers a concrete framework for local governance by the populations of the region, while safeguarding Morocco's sovereignty over its territories. Zuma and his delegation acknowledged the historical and legal context underpinning Morocco's claim to the Sahara, stressing that Morocco's efforts to recover its territorial integrity align with the MK Party's commitment to protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of African nations. The talks also highlighted Morocco's Africa-focused policy under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, a policy rooted in solidarity, fostering development across the continent, and promoting South-South cooperation, all while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and refraining from interfering in their internal affairs. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss shared parliamentary interests and to express the Moroccan parliament's willingness to strengthen ties with South African lawmakers at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Also in attendance were Mohamed Chaouki (National Rally of Independents group), Abderrahim Bouazza (Authenticity and Modernity group), Allal Amraoui (Istiqlal Party group), Abderrahim Chahid (Socialist–Ittihadi Opposition group), Driss Sentissi (Haraki group), Rachid Hamouni (Progress and Socialism group), and Abdellah Bouanou (Justice and Development parliamentary caucus).
News18
6 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Brazil's Grand Gesture To India: Modi & Lula Set To Take Ties To New Level In Signal To China
Last Updated: From shared global goals, defence collaboration, biofuel cooperation to counterbalance to China, India & Brazil are on a trajectory that reflects the emerging voice of Global South As Prime Minister Narendra Modi gears up for a state dinner hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the significance of the moment goes far beyond ceremonial grandeur. This dinner, alongside the BRICS summit in Brazil, is beyond just a diplomatic courtesy and should rather be seen as a carefully calibrated geopolitical signal. Brazil's Message According to diplomatic reports, the invitation to PM Modi may have even prompted Chinese President Xi Jinping to skip the summit for the first time, wary of appearing sidelined as India takes centre-stage in Latin America, especially in light of PM Modi's other visits to Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. The red carpet will be laid out for PM Modi, and Xi's presence would have risked looking like a 'supporting actor". Despite Brazil's insistence, Xi will be skipping the summit, a first in 12 years. But Brazil didn't flinch. Despite China's snub, President Lula went ahead with his invitation, standing firmly by his decision to host Modi for the state dinner. This is an indicator of the growing momentum behind India-Brazil ties, and the emerging architecture of South-South cooperation. Together, the two countries will be sending a loud message to China. Each photo op, each meeting, each toast raised during the state dinner carries symbolic weight. Brazil's refusal to recalibrate its plans in the face of Chinese displeasure signals two things: One, that India's influence in Latin America is rising. And two, that Brazil sees long-term value in strengthening its partnership with India—even if it ruffles feathers in Beijing. Modi and Lula: Building a Personal Equation The Modi-Lula dynamic has played a crucial role in this diplomatic moment. Since 2023, the two leaders have met four times, cementing a working relationship rooted in mutual respect and aligned global goals. During the G20 Summit in 2024, Lula told Modi that many aspects of Brazil's G20 presidency had been inspired by India's successful hosting the previous year. The remark was an honest acknowledgement of India's rising stature as a global agenda-setter and that Brazil, a prominent voice in Latin America, welcomes this phenomenon. Lula has also expressed solidarity with India on national security concerns. After the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, Lula reached out to PM Modi to express support in the fight against terrorism—a rare gesture of strategic alignment from a South American power. From Strangers to Friends Of course, India-Brazil ties haven't always been smooth. In 1961, Brazil sided with Portugal during India's liberation of Goa. In 2009, it sold anti-radiation missiles to Pakistan despite Indian protests. But such incidents are now distant echoes in an otherwise growing and maturing relationship. India-Brazil ties strengthened after Jair Bolsonaro became Brazil's President in 2018, as both countries shared scepticism toward China, especially its Belt and Road Initiative. Then came a pivotal moment. Bolsonaro visited India as the Republic Day chief guest in January 2020. Ahead of the visit, Brazil backed India on the Citizenship Amendment Act and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, calling them internal matters. Strategic Synergy in Defence Defence ties are ripe with promise and will be a major highlight of discussions between the two leaders. Brazil has shown keen interest in Indian-made defence platforms such as the Akash air defence system, which gained recognition after its deployment during Operation Sindoor when India repelled a coordinated drone and missile attack from Pakistan. India is also in discussions with Brazil over possible deals involving Garuda artillery guns, coastal surveillance systems, secure battlefield communications, offshore patrol vessels, and support for Scorpene-class submarine maintenance. Brazilian delegations have explored cooperation on BrahMos supersonic missiles and Akash air defence systems, showing how global instability is driving the demand for reliable, battle-tested defence solutions. This defence partnership has mutual benefits in order. On the aerospace front, Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and India's Mahindra Defence have already signed an MoU to collaborate on the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. Brazil is eyeing co-production and potential co-export opportunities with India, a move that could bolster both countries' defence manufacturing goals. As defence turns into a key element, the larger economic relationship is worth a review, as there is not just promising potential but progress underway. India and Brazil have developed a robust trade relationship, with bilateral trade reportedly surpassing $15 billion, weighted mildly in India's favour. Key Indian exports include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, and engineering goods, while Brazil supplies crude oil and agricultural products such as sugar and soybeans. Despite the strong base, both sides acknowledge there's more potential to be tapped—especially in services, energy, and biofuels. As two of the world's leading producers of biofuels, India and Brazil are working closely under initiatives such as the Global Biofuel Alliance, launched during India's G20 presidency and supported by Brazil. Brazil's significance to India also lies in its natural resource wealth. As a critical supplier of crude oil, rare earths, and other minerals, with substantial production capacity, Brazil becomes an important partner for India. Moreover, Indian companies have a growing presence in Brazil, with total investment crossing $6 billion. Major players like Tata Motors, Glenmark, and Zydus Cadila operate in the country, catering to Brazil's large and diverse consumer market. In contrast, Brazilian investments in India are around $1 billion, with opportunities now opening up in sectors like defence, aviation, and green energy. Given Brazil's status as the seventh-largest economy (nominal GDP: $2.12 trillion) with a population of over 212 million, it's an attractive destination for Indian firms seeking Latin American expansion. Multilateral Alignment: G4, G20, BRICS, and Beyond India and Brazil are partners in several key multilateral platforms—G20, BRICS, WTO, and notably, the G4 grouping that includes Japan and Germany. Together, they advocate for UN Security Council reform and support each other's bid for a permanent seat, reflecting their aspirations for a more equitable global governance framework. Their shared commitment to multilateralism, climate responsibility, and democratised technology access sets them apart from bloc-based power politics that often stifle global consensus. This makes their partnership globally relevant. From shared global goals and defence collaboration to biofuel cooperation and strategic counterbalance to China, India and Brazil are on a trajectory that reflects ambition, mutual benefit and the emerging voice of the Global South. About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India. tags : Brazil BRICS Summit China prime minister narendra modi view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 05, 2025, 11:28 IST News opinion Brazil's Grand Gesture To India: Modi & Lula Set To Take Ties To New Level In Signal To China Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. 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Morocco World
7 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
PAM Leadership Receives Jacob Zuma
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, coordinator of PAM's collective leadership, which also includes Minister of Culture Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, met with Zuma to discuss prospects for strengthening cooperation and partnership between the two political formations and their respective countries on various matters of mutual interest. Speaking to the press following the meeting, Zuma described the talks with PAM officials as 'fruitful and forward-looking,' highlighting the leading roles Morocco and South Africa can play in advancing development across the African continent. Zuma also commended Morocco's economic progress, describing the country as one of the most dynamic economies on the continent. He further emphasized the need for African countries to unite, take ownership of their development and destiny, and fully leverage their resources free from foreign interference. Zuma stressed the importance of engaging younger generations in shaping Africa's future, noting that the two parties agreed to exchange visits and establish a platform for dialogue and consultation on issues of shared concern. In a similar statement, El Mansouri said the meeting formed part of parallel diplomacy efforts aimed at bolstering cooperative ties, particularly with countries in southern Africa. She noted that the approach aligns with the far-sighted vision of King Mohammed VI to strengthen South-South cooperation as a strategic choice for the Kingdom, to build a shared future based on cooperation, solidarity, and integration among peoples. El Mansouri also noted that the position expressed by Zuma's party in support of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara represents a major boost to joint efforts between the two countries and their respective political forces. Earlier in the week, following his talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, Zuma said his party considers Morocco's autonomy plan 'a pathway to meaningful local governance for the populations of the Sahara region, while preserving Morocco's sovereignty over the territory.' MWN with MAP
Morocco World
a day ago
- Business
- Morocco World
El Salvador Reiterates Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan
Rabat – Felix Ulloa, Vice President of El Salvador, reiterated his country's determination to boost relations with Morocco, with San Salvador viewing the North African country as inspiring. The official made remarks today, a few weeks ahead of the 26th anniversary of Throne Day, when King Mohammed VI acceded to the throne. Morocco celebrates Throne Day on July 30, which is marked by a royal speech nd a royal audience to high-level officials, who review annual developments including economic growth, employment, and socio-economic achievements. Bilateral ties between Morocco and El Salvador experienced positive momentum, following the country's decision to withdraw recognition of the self-styled SADR run by Polisario and controlled by Algeria. The vice president stressed the importance of the position, which reflects a genuine political will to strengthen the partnership between the two countries. He also reiterated his country's steadfast support for Morocco's territorial integrity and for the Autonomy initiative, which he described as a 'serious, realistic, and credible' political solution to the regional dispute. Over 113 countries now supp ort Morocco's autonomy initiative as a serious, credible, and viable political solution to end the dispute. 'Thanks to the visionary leadership of his majesty the King, Morocco has succeeded in leading a comprehensive development process, thus strengthening its position as an emerging regional power and a reliable partner in Africa, Latin America, and beyond,' Ulloa said. Citing Morocco's assets as a key player in several sectors, the official recalled his country's cooperation with the North African country in renewable energy, citing the Noor Ouarzazate solar complex, which is one of the largest energy transition projects worldwide. Hailing Morocco's inspiring development plans, Ulloa said the country's development model combines political stability and infrastructure investment, which has allowed the country to play a central role in both African and international contexts. 'Morocco has become a regional model in terms of governance and sustainable development,' he said, recalling Morocco's key contribution to South-South cooperation, particularly with Central American and Caribbean countries.
Maroc
2 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, Gambia Partner to Strengthen Cooperation in Public Sector Auditing
Morocco and Gambia signed a memonrandum of understanding on Monday in Rabat aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in public sector auditing. The agreement was signed by and between the First president of the Kingdom's court of accounts and her Gambian counterpart Modou Ceesay, with a view to establishing a framework for effective collaboration between the two institutions, and strengthening their respective professional capacities. The MoU is part of a shared commitment to promoting transparency, responsibility, accountability, and integrity in the management of public finances in both countries. Under the terms of the agreement, the two parties undertake to promote the exchange of expertise and run joint activities, such as consultations, seminars, conferences and round tables on topics of common interest. The agreement also covers the implementation of capacity-building and professional development programs, including the participation in face-to-face learning workshops or webinars both in Morocco and Gambia. Both parties are also set to share relevant information and documents, guidelines, best practices and innovative methodologies in public auditing. Speaking on the occasion, Gambia's Auditor General noted that the agreement would enable greater sharing of knowledge in the field of auditing, capacity building and support for the reforms underway in both countries. Ceesay also conveyed his country's willingness to benefit from Morocco's experience in results-based management and the digitization of audit institutions. The Gambian Auditor General welcomed Morocco's successful organization of the session of the Governing Board of the African Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI), held recently in Rabat, and the installation of the headquarters of the General Secretariat of this pan-African organization in the Kingdom's capital. For her part El Adaoui underlined the strategic significance of this partnership in consolidating good governance, and welcomed the growing cooperation with Gambia's National Audit Office "in a spirit of mutual exchange of professional practices." El Adaoui tackled the two institutions' commitment to transparency and efficiency in public management, expressing the Kingdom's dedication to the values of solidarity and South-South cooperation. MAP:14 July 2025
