Latest news with #anti-terror
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
European Union looking forward to trade deal with India: VP, European Parliament
Brussels: Christel Schaldemose, the Vice-President of the European Parliament in charge of Asia, expressed optimism on Thursday about the finalisation of an impending trade deal between the EU and India. Talking to ANI after an all-party Indian delegation met her as part of India's anti-terror outreach post Operation Sindoor, she said she was looking forward to the negotiations to finalise a trade agreement and other agreements between the EU and India. "India is an amazing country, and we could learn a lot from them... I'm looking forward to the negotiations to finalise a trade agreement and other agreements between the EU and India," Christel Schaldemose said. On the meeting with the BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad-led multi-party delegation, she said, "I was grateful to meet this important delegation from India. When a big democracy comes and tells us how we need to condemn terrorist attacks, and convey the message to our counterparts, we will, of course, listen." On June 2, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism that India could finalise its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) ahead of the year-end deadline, citing minimal divergences between the two economic blocs. Minister Goyal emphasised the complementary nature of the Indian and European economies. "There are not too many issues where we have divergence of opinion. We have both complementary economies," he stated during his recent visit to France. "In most cases, what is of interest to India does not hurt the European economy. And likewise, goods and services that Europe would like to provide to India only support our growth story." The minister acknowledged that certain sensitive areas require careful negotiation on both sides. "Obviously, in any trading relationship, there are certain sensitive issues on both sides which we have to resolve amicably in the interest of both the European Union and India," Goyal noted. India has positioned itself strongly on key issues concerning the EU, particularly regarding gender equality and sustainability. "We are proud of our sisters and our women and the fantastic work they have done and continue to do," Goyal said. "Therefore, if you have a subject like gender, India is on the front foot. When it comes to subjects like sustainability, India is right at the forefront." Once finalised, this FTA would be one of the most significant for India, as the EU is its second-largest trading partner after the US. This commitment to finance FTA by the end of 2025 builds on the strategic direction given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during the landmark visit of the EU College of Commissioners to New Delhi in February 2025. After a nine-year lull, India and the EU re-launched negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in 2022. The talks had reportedly stopped in 2013.
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Calls for Kneecap boycott spread across Europe
European venues are facing pressure to ditch Kneecap ahead of a planned continental tour. The Irish rappers are being investigated by a Metropolitan Police anti-terror unit over on-stage shouts of ' up Hamas, Up Hezbollah ' and 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' These comments have led to widespread calls for Glastonbury Festival organisers to remove the group from the lineup, where they are scheduled to perform on the Saturday. The controversy has extended to Europe, where prominent Jewish groups are encouraging venues to boycott the band. Kneecap are set to play at a string of European events including the Netherlands, Spain, and France, which has the largest Jewish community outside of Israel and the US. But the European Jewish Congress (EJC), which represents communities in 37 states, has called for the band's upcoming gigs to be cancelled. Raya Kalenova, the EJC executive vice-president, said: 'Freedom of expression has limits and those freedoms cannot include the right to support violence and terrorism. 'We call on concert venues to cancel these events.' Kneecap's tour plans also include dates in Greece, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic, where they are billed to play the Rock for People festival. It is understood that event organisers have been contacted with requests to pull the Kneecap gig. The Federation of the Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic has echoed calls for the band to be shunned. They said: 'We fully share the concerns about the Northern Irish band Kneecap and we find their political activism worrying and alarming. 'In our view, any legitimising of extremism and supporting terrorism in the public space is unacceptable. We would like to see the band banned from their tour.' German gigs cancelled The increasing pressure for a European boycott comes after venues in Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin quietly cancelled Kneecap's planned gigs without any official statement. It is understood that there had been concern from within the Jewish community in Germany about venues hosting Kneecap in light of the Met Police investigation. The Belfast-born trio composed of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, have become known for songs fusing comic and pro-Republican lyrics. There were calls for the group to be kicked out of the US in April following a performance at the Coachella festival in California where they projected a message stating 'F--- Israel'. Following the concert, footage was shared which showed a band member apparently shouting, 'Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah,' at a London show in 2024. One band member could be seen draped in a Hezbollah flag. Both groups are proscribed terrorist organisations, and support for them can be deemed an offence under the UK's Terrorism Act 2000. Further footage surfaced from 2023 of the band shouting 'the only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP'. The chants were condemned by the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess. Kneecap later apologised. Footage from both gigs was referred to the Metropolitan Police, and an anti-terror unit is currently looking into potential offences. There have been high-profile calls for Kneecap gigs, including a planned set at Glastonbury, to be dropped in light of this investigation. Several UK gigs, including one at the Eden Project, have been cancelled. 'Dangerous and irresponsible' Dan Jarvis, a Home Office minister, warned Glastonbury organisers to 'think very carefully' about who performs at the festival amid calls for Kneecap to be removed from the line-up. Mr Jarvis described the group's remarks as 'dangerous and irresponsible'. Amid the furore, Kneecap released a statement on their views, saying: 'Let us be unequivocal – we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation's history. 'We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.' The band has previously clashed with the Conservative Party. In 2023, the band applied for £14,250 of British taxpayer funding through the Music Export Growth Scheme, intended to support UK acts abroad. Kemi Badenoch, then-business secretary, blocked the grant, which was later passed by Labour. But Kneecap brought a legal challenge or discrimination which the incoming Labour government did not contest as there was 'no public interest'.
