Latest news with #MoU


Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Trump's 25 per cent tariff on India: An opportunity, and a step too far
US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, along with a penalty for procuring energy and military equipment from Russia, is a shocker at first sight. But, it also presents a moment for India to seize the initiative and do what is right without losing any more time. A free trade agreement that allows greater access for Indian products to the world's largest market and, at the same time, opens up its economy to American goods and services, is a win-win for both sides. India's exports to the US, at $86.5 billion in 2024-25 (April-March), were higher than those to any other country. Imports from the US, at $45.7 billion, were below only those from China ($113.5 billion), Russia ($63.8 billion) and the UAE ($63.4 billion). A no-deal, simply put, is not in India's interest. The effort should be to not just preserve, but enhance the gains from trade. Trump, no doubt, has overturned the predictable rules and principles governing the global trading order that delivered high growth and lifted the fortunes of millions across countries. His latest unilateral measure, subjecting India to a higher tariff than the UK (10 per cent), the European Union, Japan and Korea (15 per cent), Indonesia (19 per cent) or Vietnam (20 per cent), runs counter to the larger story of growing cooperation between the two countries. The last couple of years alone have seen significant movement towards the signing of a new 10-year defence partnership framework, an MoU to expand and diversify critical mineral supply chains and proposed amendments to India's nuclear liability law. For all the jarring notes in Trump's imperious actions and pronouncements, India must not lose sight of the big picture. If anything, it must hasten the process of clinching a long-delayed agreement that will also give a push to much-needed domestic economic reforms. And the approach should be based on export proactiveness rather than import defensiveness — as was evident in the recent India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. While Trump's 25 per cent import levy may be a pressure tactic for forcing India to lower both duties and non-tariff barriers on American products, his threatening to impose an additional 'penalty' for the country buying Russian oil and defence hardware is unacceptable. Just as signing a trade deal with the US is in India's interest, securing the energy needs of its population — including by sourcing oil from any country offering crude at discounted prices — is non-negotiable. It is possible this may entail a cost in the form of secondary sanctions linked to Russian supplies, which India will have to factor in going ahead. Recognising this cost is as important as converting the Trump threat into an opportunity to be seized.


Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra govt inks 2 MoUs to enhance school education, promote math, science learning
Advt Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with two organisations to provide quality, experiential learning and make education more engaging for students across the MoUs were inked with Khan Academy and Sri Sri Rural Development Trust (SSRDT) in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra agreements aim to bring technology-driven, learner-centric education into classrooms and promote foundational learning in mathematics and science, as well as holistic school development, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) at the MoU signing ceremony, Fadnavis said, "This is a crucial step toward making education more engaging and effective for students. These partnerships will play a vital role in nurturing curiosity and talent among young learners." Under the partnership with Khan Academy, the state will launch the 'Dr Jayant Narlikar Maths and Science Learning Enhancement Programme' for students from grades 1 to 10. The programme will offer curriculum-aligned content in Marathi and English to strengthen conceptual understanding, supported by self-paced video-based learning modules, said the initiative will be implemented over three years by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).The collaboration with Sri Sri Rural Development Trust, part of the Bengaluru-based Art of Living Foundation, will focus on implementing experiential learning models in 150 selected government schools. The programme includes school development planning, infrastructure improvement, teacher training, student capacity building, and enhanced community project will initially include model schools under the National Education Policy 's 'School Complex' concept, including PM Shri and CM Shri schools. The rural trust will focus on infrastructure, learning outcomes, and strengthening the school ecosystem, the statement added.


Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
India extends Rs4,850 crore line of credit to Maldives
Male: India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend a Rs4,850 crore line of credit to the Maldives, continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting the developmental needs of the South Asian nation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. The announcement came after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu during PM Modi's two-day visit to the Maldives as the Guest of Honour for the country's 60th Independence Day celebrations. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a press briefing, said that this will be the first line of credit extended to the Maldives denominated in Indian rupees, replacing the earlier dollar-denominated credit. "We have signed an MoU related to the extension of a fresh line of credit, of Rs 4850 crore to the Maldives. This is the first Line of Credit (LoC) extended to the Maldives that is denominated in Indian rupees. The Line of Credit (LoC) represents a continuation of the tradition of assistance to the development needs of the Maldives, and we expect that several infrastructure projects will be carried out as a result of this Line of Credit (LoC) agreement, benefiting the lives of citizens here in the Maldives," Misri said. He added that the two sides also signed a mandatory agreement to amend the existing dollar line of credit between India and the Maldives. "With the signature of this mandatory agreement, the annual debt repayment obligations of the Maldives will reduce by a sharp 40 per cent from nearly 51 million dollars annually to 29 million dollars," Misri said. On trade cooperation, the Foreign Secretary expressed optimism over the early conclusion of the proposed India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (IMFTA). "I cannot point to an exact timeline... This is an FTA that we should be able to conclude rather quickly," he said. India and the Maldives also signed agreements to enhance cooperation in multiple sectors, including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as to promote digitalisation. An MoU was signed between the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Ministry of Earth Sciences, and the Maldives Meteorological Services (MMS), Ministry of Tourism and Environment. The Maldives has also agreed to recognise the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) -- India's official book of drug standards.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Resecurity Partners with Iraq Cyber Events Response Team (IQ-CERT) to Advance National Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence
LOS ANGELES, July 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Resecurity, a U.S.-based global leader in threat intelligence and cybersecurity solutions, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Iraq Cyber Events Response Team – IQ-CERT. The agreement, coordinated through ICS Technologies, Resecurity's authorized distributor in Iraq, aims to strengthen Iraq's national cyber defense and accelerate the deployment of advanced threat intelligence technologies. IQ-CERT is a joint national team, responsible for securing national networks, data centers, and official websites. It plays a vital role in coordinating cybersecurity efforts across the public and private sectors, ensuring digital protection and resilience for institutions across Iraq. "Our partnership with IQ-CERT underscores Resecurity's mission to support national security through localized, AI-driven threat intelligence," said Gene Yoo, CEO of Resecurity. "We're proud to bring advanced capabilities to help Iraq detect, prevent, and respond to the evolving threat landscape." Strategic Goals and Areas of Cooperation Under the terms of the MoU, Resecurity and IQ-CERT will collaborate to: Enhance cyber resilience through the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and risk management technologies tailored for Iraq's digital ecosystem. Localize Resecurity's cybersecurity platforms to ensure compatibility with Iraq's language preferences, cultural context, and technical requirements. Combat fraud, digital identity abuse, and cybercrime targeting government institutions, financial organizations, and critical infrastructure. As part of this partnership, IQ-CERT will support the integration of Resecurity's technology into national frameworks and provide guidance to ensure successful implementation across key sectors. "IQ-CERT's cooperation with Resecurity aligns with Iraq's strategy to modernize its cyber defenses and adopt world-class solutions," said Mr. Mikhled, Director of the Cyber Security Department, IQ-CERT. "Together, we aim to reinforce the nation's cybersecurity readiness and protect our digital future." Public Launch and Industry Engagement The strategic partnership will be jointly announced by Resecurity and IQ-CERT during a prominent national cybersecurity and defense exhibition in Iraq. The event will highlight their shared commitment to safeguarding national interests through innovation, intelligence, and cross-sector collaboration. About Resecurity Resecurity® is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified endpoint protection, fraud prevention, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence platform. Known for providing best-of-breed data-driven intelligence solutions, Resecurity's services and platforms focus on early-warning identification of data breaches and comprehensive protection against cybersecurity risks. Founded in 2016, it has been globally recognized as one of the world's most innovative cybersecurity companies with the sole mission of enabling organizations to combat cyber threats regardless of how sophisticated they are. Most recently, by Inc. Magazine, Resecurity was named one of the Top 10 fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies in Los Angeles, California. As a member of InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), AFCEA, NDIA, SIA, FS-ISAC, and the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA), Singapore (AmChamSG), Korea (AmChamKorea), Mexico (AmChamMX), Thailand (AmChamThailand), and UAE (AmChamDubai). To learn more about Resecurity, visit About IQ-CERT (Iraq Cyber Events Response Team) IQ-CERT is a joint national cybersecurity team in Iraq, it is responsible for responding to cyber incidents, securing national digital infrastructure, and supporting cyber awareness across Iraq's public and private sectors. IQ-CERT plays a central role in protecting the country's cyberspace from emerging threats. Website: View source version on Contacts Shawn LovelandPress@


Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange signs MoU with Budapest Stock Exchange
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), one of the fastest-growing and leading exchanges in the Middle East, and the Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE), the second-largest exchange in Central and Eastern Europe, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a number of key initiatives. The signing took place on the sidelines of the state visit of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Hungary. The signing ceremony took place at the offices of the BSE in the presence of Saud Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Hungary. The MoU sets out to deepen relations between the two countries' capital markets and share best practices. The agreement also marks another important step in the BSE's efforts to build international relations, including in the Middle East. The development dovetails well with ADX's ongoing efforts and initiatives to strengthen relationships with leading global financial institutions. Within the framework of the agreement, the two parties will seek, among other things, to promote the visibility of the Hungarian and UAE capital markets by organising joint events such as investor roadshows, seminars and educational programs. The parties are also exploring the possibility of cooperation in the development and promotion of ETF products in order to provide investors in both markets with more diversified and modern instruments. The BSE and ADX will also analyse the possibilities of dual listings and cross-border trading. The two exchanges are also planning closer professional cooperation in the field of ESG. A key part of the agreement is the sharing and exchange of best practices, including on market developments, regulatory practices, product development and IT capacity building. The two parties will explore and evaluate appropriate pathways for the BSE to become part of the Tabadul Hub, a pioneering platform launched by ADX in 2022. As the region's first digital exchange based on a mutual market access model, Tabadul facilitates seamless cross-border trading by connecting exchanges through a digital network and enabling brokerage firms to provide remote access to international markets. On the signing of the MoU, Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), said, 'This collaboration with the Budapest Stock Exchange marks a key milestone in ADX's global integration journey, establishing a strong foundation for enhanced cooperation and innovation. Together, we aim to develop new financial products, including ETFs, indices, and other investment vehicles, to serve both local and international investors. The partnership also explores opportunities for cross-listings between the two markets, while the Tabadul Hub will further enhance digital connectivity and remote market access. This strategic alliance reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a dynamic and globally connected financial centre committed to sustainable growth and shared prosperity.' Tibor Tóth, CEO of the Budapest Stock Exchange, emphasised that the partnership not only strengthens the relationship between the two exchanges but also opens new opportunities for Hungarian and Emirati investors. 'We are confident that these new initiatives will make our markets even more attractive to both domestic and international investors. Tabadul is a unique platform and initiative providing exciting opportunities for BSE'. This strategic collaboration is set to provide a robust platform for financial growth and connectivity between the UAE and Hungary, reflecting ADX's and BSE's commitment to global economic progress.