Latest news with #bilateralties
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
India hails ‘milestone' trade deal in talks with visiting British FM
British foreign minister David Lammy is on a two-day visit to India. (EPA Images pic) NEW DELHI : Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said today a trade deal with Britain was 'truly a milestone' that will boost bilateral ties as he welcomed his counterpart David Lammy to New Delhi. India and Britain struck a long-delayed free trade agreement last month after negotiations were re-launched in February. Britain has sought to bolster trade ties across the world since it left the European Union under Brexit, a need that became more pressing after the US unleashed a global tariff blitz that risks causing weaker economic growth. 'The recent conclusion of the India-UK FTA… is truly a milestone which will not only propel our two-way trade and investment but will also have a positive effect on other strategic aspects of our bilateral ties,' Jaishankar said after meeting Lammy, who is on a two-day visit. 'It would also contribute to the strengthening of supply and value chains,' he said. The accord will slash tariffs on imports of UK goods into India, including whisky, cosmetics and medical devices. In exchange, Britain will cut tariffs on imports of clothes, footwear and food products, including frozen prawns, from India. Britain and India are the sixth and fifth-largest global economies respectively, with a trade relationship worth around £41 billion and investment supporting more than 600,000 jobs across both countries. They hope the free-trade agreement will increase trade between them by about £25.5 billion, as well as boost the British economy and wages. Talks were re-launched in February after stalling under Britain's previous Conservative administrations. Lammy said before his visit the deal with India was 'just the start of our ambitions'.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan PM Sharif meets Saudi Crown Prince, wishes him on Eid
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his official visit to the Kingdom on the occasion of Eid ul Adha. The two leaders discussed regional developments and ways to strengthen economic cooperation. The meeting took place at Mina Palace, where both sides emphasised the importance of deepening bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, and development aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Pakistan's economic goals. 'I was honoured to meet my dear brother, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on this blessed occasion,' Sharif said in a post on X. 'I conveyed the heartiest Eid greetings on behalf of the people of Pakistan and expressed our deep appreciation for the Kingdom's positive and constructive role during the recent Pakistan-India crisis, which led to the ceasefire understanding,' he added. The Saudi Crown Prince praised Pakistan's role in supporting regional peace and also acknowledged efforts made during the Hajj season. 'We commend the continuous efforts made by you, those working across various government sectors, and the male and female volunteers in implementing the state's policies to enable pilgrims to complete their rituals in security and tranquility,' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Anwar receives courtesy call from new Malaysian ambassador to the US, discusses diplomacy and foreign investment
PUTRAJAYA, June 6 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today received a courtesy call from the new Malaysian Ambassador to the United States (US), Tan Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob. Anwar said that they discussed, among others, measures to strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and the US, including strategic efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments. 'Among (the topics) touched on included strengthening Malaysia-US ties as well as efforts to attract quality and high-impact foreign investments from the country,' he posted on Facebook today. The Prime Minister also wished Muhammad Shahrul Ikram all the best on his appointment, while stating his confidence in the former to elevate Malaysia's aspirations, image and reputation to the highest level. On June 3, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, presented the instrument of appointment to Muhammad Shahrul Ikram in a ceremony at Istana Negara. Muhammad Shahrul Ikram is the former Foreign Ministry's secretary-general and he replaces Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, whose term as the Malaysian Ambassador to the US concluded on Feb 8. The Pahang-born Muhammad Shahrul Ikram holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Ecology from Universiti Malaya and has attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in the US. He started his career as an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer in the Foreign Ministry in 1988 and served as the ministry's secretary-general from Jan 6, 2019, to May 31, 2022. Throughout his 35 years in public service, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram has been posted as Malaysian Ambassador to Qatar, Malaysian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations in New York. While at the Foreign Ministry, he also served as deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Relations), director-general of the Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat (during Malaysia's 2015 Asean Chairmanship) and Secretary of the Multilateral Political Division. His other previous diplomatic assignments included the Malaysian missions in Vienna, Washington and Beijing. — Bernama
Asharq Al-Awsat
03-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Egypt, Iran to Hold Regular Political Consultations to Develop Relations
Egypt and Iran agreed on Monday to continue discussions to develop their relations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Cairo for talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty. During a press conference with Araghchi, Abdelatty announced the launch of political consultations between Egypt and Iran to discuss bilateral ties. An Egyptian presidency statement said Sisi and Araghchi stressed the importance of continuing efforts to 'explore prospects of developing ties between their countries.' Abdelatty confirmed that there was a mutual desire to develop relations. For his part, Araghchi said this was his fourth time meeting Sisi and that he had met the foreign minister of Egypt over ten times, reflecting Iran's keenness on developing ties. 'There is a desire to expand relations, political consultations and cooperation on the political and economic levels and all others,' he added. 'We have a desire to overcome obstacles that have been impeding these ties. The opportunity is available now more than ever,' he stated. 'Trust between Cairo and Tehran has never been this high,' he noted. Egypt and Iran had severed diplomatic relations in 1979 before restoring them to the level of charge d'affaires eleven years later. Egyptian and Iranian officials have met several times over the past two years to tackle the possibility of developing relations. The Iranian presidency in May 2023 ordered that the necessary measures be taken to boost ties with Egypt. Sisi and late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met in Riyadh in November 2023. Huda Raouf, head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi's visit to Cairo sought to explore just how much rapprochement can be achieved with Egypt. Iran has been trying to improve relations in recent years, while Egypt has been reluctant, she noted. The FM's visit is a notable development, which may lead to greater rapprochement in the future, especially when it comes to tourism, trade and cooperation in regional files, starting with the war on Gaza and Red Sea security, she remarked. Sisi and Araghchi also discussed the 'rapid developments in the region.' Sisi expressed Cairo's rejection of the 'expansion of the conflict,' urging a de-escalation 'to avert a regional war that will have dangerous repercussions on the security of all regional countries and their people.' He therefore underscored the 'importance of the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States' over Tehran's nuclear program, said an Egyptian presidency spokesman. Sisi stressed the need for an 'immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid.' Talks between Araghchi and Abdelatty also tackled Gaza, as well as the developments in Syria and Lebanon and Red Sea security. Abdelatty stressed the need to 'protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the importance of restoring calm in the region.'
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Crown Prince arrives in Oman for official visit
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan has arrived in Oman for an official visit, Oman's news agency said on Monday. During the visit, Sheikh Hamdan will meet with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Prime Minister of Oman. The Crown Prince, who is also UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, will discuss bilateral ties with senior Omani officials.
