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Biden’s tour de Saudia Arabia

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Joe Biden’s west Asian tour should have been utilised to reset the American ties with different regional players and lay foundations for a more robust engagement but the results seem to be rather disappointing.

American President Joe Biden was on a four-day trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, his first trip to the Middle East since taking office last year, with a lot of expectations about resetting the ties with Saudi Arabia and also giving a new direction to US policies in the Middle East.

The visit started with meetings in Israel to expand security ties and discuss Iranian belligerence in the region. He next went to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he attempted to reassure regional leaders – and the rest of the world – that his administration remains committed to actively engaging in the Middle East and
counter any Russian or Chinese plans to expand their geopolitical influence.

US-Saudi ties
Coming in the backdrop of the continuing Russia-Ukraine war and spiralling global oil prices, the visit was also seen as a rapprochement by the US President to the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), whom he blamed for the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and thus pave the way for softening the Saudi stance on increased oil production.

However, the manner in which the two leaders greeted each other with a fist bump has been criticised both by fellow Democrats and Republicans, due to its undiplomatic nature and also as a middle ground to thaw the ice, perhaps on the advice of their key lieutenants.

Also the version given by Biden and Saudis as to whether the President admonished MbS seem to vary, thus indicating that the President was ready to give up his old stance for the Saudi agreement to increase its oil production, though ultimately he got no such assurance.

The meetings in Jeddah largely seemed to go along with the planned reset of the US relationship with the kingdom, and Biden announced several new areas of cooperation aimed at reshaping US-Saudi relations.

However, the President did strike an optimistic note that regional leaders would soon take action given that the next OPEC meeting will take place in early August, after his parley with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Riyadh.

US-Iran Ties
Biden is also under pressure to counter Iran’s growing influence in the region, and during the visit he made a commitment to the U.S. playing a large role in the Middle East for years to come.

In Israel, Biden repeatedly vowed to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon and said he believed diplomacy remained the best avenue to keep Tehran from obtaining one.

Biden has pushed for a revival of the Iran nuclear deal, which former president Donald Trump withdrew the US from in 2018, as he faces increasing pressure from key Middle East allies to produce a plan to contain Iran. But hopes appear to be fading that a deal will materialise, and the President acknowledged that the US is not going to wait forever; for a response from Iranian leadership.

US-Israel ties
America’s relationship with Israel has also been strained in recent years. Obama and former Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu shared a strained relationship over Palestine, and the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran also soured the relations.

But the Biden administration’s renewed efforts to re-implement the Iran nuclear deal, coupled with warnings over Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank, have further complicated US-Israeli relations again.

In addition, US is also worried about the growing Russian and Chinese influence in the region. Iran has cosied-up to Russia significantly in recent years and the Chinese have made themselves more useful both to the Saudis and Emiratis in defence and trade sectors.

The new approach
His critics say that Biden to an extent continued with the old American baggage. And if he really wants to rest the American foreign policy for West Asia and its Arab allies, it will have to adopt a more proactive and less preaching stance with a new perspective, too.

Biden himself said during the trip that he continues to believe that diplomacy is the best way to achieve a new outcome. But to achieve that outcome, he’ll have to pursue soft-diplomacy also.

Additionally, the US should try to give-up the mentality to solve every problem or conflict with military means and tactics, instead it should try to focus and see the alternative opportunities available to help the people of the Middle East achieve greater freedom and prosperity which they desire.

For this, the renewed American focus should prioritise its interests through better security management for itself and its allies. Ensuring that terrorist threats from the Arab world should remain a focus of US engagement in the region.

Further, it should focus on economic welfare of the region. The Middle East’s energy resources remain critical to the global economy. In addition, the US should try to foster lasting economic ties with emerging centres of innovation in the region.

Additionally, it should focus on values and rights, which the United States supports i.e. religious freedom, women’s rights, and freedom of expression.

These should be promoted through its soft diplomacy or public diplomacy channels. There is a huge aspiration amongst the people of the region to fill-up the chasm between what is available and what they wish for, ensuring dignity and prosperity for all.

At the same time, it should try to engage more with the young generation amongst the Arabs, the 13 th edition of the Arab Youth Survey found that over 90 per cent of Saudi youth, who form nearly two-thirds of the country’s population, see the US as an ally. This should be its target audience.

It should focus on boosting bilateral ties in new areas such as tourism, information technology, and clean energy and focus less on energy sector.

It should launch joint initiatives on human security challenges such as in the health sector, economic security, human rights, and climate change. It should engage in renewed diplomatic efforts to end conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Libya.

It should try to contain and engage Iran with diplomacy backed by a balanced regional security strategy.

Renewed diplomacy with Iran must include America’s regional security partners in order to produce lasting results. It should strive for greater regional integration with renewed and inclusive diplomacy on the Arab-Israeli front, too.

Overall, the visit failed to accomplish what Biden wanted to achieve in the region, and for any success the US will have to fully recalibrate its policy towards the Middle East, Iran and Israel in the short-term for long-term gains and keeping the Russians and Chinese at bay in the region.

(Asad Mirza is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He writes on Muslims, educational, international affairs, interfaith and current affairs. The views expressed are personal)

International News

PM Modi’s 75th Birthday: Leaders, Including Jaishankar, Amit Shah, Donald Trump, Extend Birthday Wishes

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising his leadership and commitment to building a self-reliant India.

“Join the nation in conveying best wishes to Prime Minister @narendramodi ji on his birthday. His transformative leadership and firm resolve to build an Atmanirbhar, Sammridh and #ViksitBharat serve as an inspiration. Wish him good health and many more years in the service of the nation,” Mr. Jaishankar posted on X.

Among those who wished the Prime Minister included US President Donald Trump who through a phone call expressed gratitude for India’s support on ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In a post on his social media account, Truth Social, Trump stated that PM Modi is doing a “tremendous job.” PM Modi also shared details of the call and thanked Trump for his wishes, calling him a “friend”. The Prime Minister also noted that he is “committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights.”

“Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and warm greetings on my 75th birthday. Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights. We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict,” PM wrote in an X post.

The greetings from the US President came on a day when the US Trade Representative, Brendan Lynch, was in the national capital to discuss next steps in bilateral trade negotiations. Lynch had a positive meeting with his counterpart, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, on Tuesday, with both sides deciding to intensify efforts to achieve an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended greetings to PM Modi on his 75th birthday, calling him a symbol of sacrifice and dedication.

In a post on X, Shah said the Prime Minister remains an inspiration for crores of Indians.

“Symbol of sacrifice and dedication, inspiration for crores of countrymen, heartfelt birthday wishes to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji on his 75th birthday. Modi ji, who has been working tirelessly, without stopping or tiring, for the welfare of the countrymen for more than five decades in social life, is a living inspiration of ‘Nation First’ for every citizen,” Shah wrote.

President Droupadi Murmu also extended her greetings to PM Modi on the occasion, saying he has “instilled a culture of achieving great goals” in the country through his extraordinary leadership.

“Heartfelt birthday greetings and best wishes to the Prime Minister of India, Shri @narendramodi ji. By exemplifying the pinnacle of hard work through your extraordinary leadership, you have instilled a culture of achieving great goals in the country,” the President posted on X.

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India, Japan can diversify trade basket, open new frontiers with renewed efforts: PM Modi

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Tokyo, Aug 29: Hailing the robust India-Japan economic and trade partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said with renewed efforts, both nations can diversify their trade basket, make it more balanced, and open up new frontiers as well.

In an interview with Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun, the Prime Minister said we must aim bigger and remain ambitious.

“The synergies across governments, businesses and people can create scale and speed in our economic partnership. As the world’s leading economies, we have been contributing to each other’s growth, competitiveness and dynamism,” PM Modi told the publication.

Japan has been a trusted partner in India’s infrastructure development across generations. The country has also been a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for India in key sectors, including automobiles, electronics, telecom, chemicals, finance, and pharmaceuticals.

According to PM Modi, the number of Japanese firms in India has grown steadily to around 1,500, while more than 400 Indian companies operate in Japan.

“Clearly, this is only the beginning — the real potential is much higher,” he noted.

“We maintain important trade relations, but it has not yet reached the levels envisaged under our CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement)… The 20th century saw Japan emerge as a major partner in India’s infrastructure development. I am confident that the 21st century will see Japan as a major partner in India’s innovation, manufacturing, and global value chains,” the Prime Minister emphasised.

On semiconductors, PM Modi told the publication that India’s semiconductor sector is on the cusp of transformation.

“We have put in place a comprehensive regulatory and policy framework, backed by incentives, to build a strong semiconductor and display ecosystem. Already, six semiconductor units are taking root in India, with four more on the way. By the end of this very year, ‘Made in India’ chips will be in the market, a clear demonstration of India’s design and manufacturing capabilities,” the Prime Minister said.

Japanese companies, with their technological strengths and global leadership, can play a pivotal role in this journey, he said, adding that a strong beginning has already been made.

“By combining India’s scale and capabilities with Japan’s advanced technologies, we can build a resilient and trusted semiconductor value chain,” PM Modi stressed, adding that this collaboration will support the technological ambitions of both our countries and enhance global supply chain security.

“I see semiconductor cooperation emerging as a major pillar of the India–Japan partnership. After all, in this digital century, chips are not just about computers, they are about competitiveness, credibility and confidence in the future,” he mentioned.

Some Japanese companies are positioning their production bases in India as hubs for third-country markets such as Africa.

According to PM Modi, India has seen multi-faceted reforms which make manufacturing in India easier than ever before.

“We have removed compliance burdens, rolled out incentives and ensured a large skilled workforce for companies to set base in India. Many global companies, including those from Japan, are setting up their production in India not only to cater to our domestic market, but also for the world,” he highlighted in his response.

Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corporation this week announced it will invest Rs 70,000 crore in India over the next five to six years. The investment will be used to increase production, introduce new car models, and protect its leadership position in the world’s third-largest automobile market.

“Just a couple of days back, I was at the Suzuki plant in India where we flagged off electric vehicles to be exported to a hundred countries, including Japan,” said PM Modi.

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International News

PM Modi’s China Visit: Bilateral Talks With Xi Jinping & Vladimir Putin Confirmed At SCO Summit Amid Trump’s Tarrif Row

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31 and Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 1 in Tianjin, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

The talks come at a sensitive moment, as India grapples with strained economic ties with the United States following tariff hikes by President Donald Trump.

India’s relationship with China, though still fragile, has shown signs of cautious improvement after years of confrontation. Tensions had escalated after the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, but sustained diplomatic and military engagements have since led to withdrawals from some key friction points along the Line of Actual Control.

Despite heavy deployments, both sides have worked to lower the risk of fresh escalation. This will mark Modi’s first visit to China in more than seven years, his last being the informal Wuhan summit with Xi in 2018. The upcoming meeting is expected to test whether the managed thaw between the two Asian neighbours can move into a more stable phase.

The meeting with Putin is equally significant. With Moscow under Western sanctions over the Ukraine war, Russia is seeking to reinforce its traditional partnership with India while expanding its alignment with China. Officials have hinted at possible trilateral discussions involving India, Russia and China, which may surface in the Modi-Putin talks.

The wider SCO summit will draw leaders from across Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. For China, it represents a stage to assert leadership of the Global South and to extend diplomatic support to Russia. For India, the gathering provides an opportunity to reaffirm its place in multilateral forums and present itself as a balancing force in shifting global alignments.

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