POLITICAL ISSUES
BAHRAIN
1. Construction begins for new Indian embassy building in Bahrain
Dubai, Monday, 9 December 2013
Construction of a new Indian embassy building in Bahrain began with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid laying the foundation stone for the US$7.43 million facility. It will cover approximately 7,800 square meters and will contain a residence for the staff, a library, a consular hall and an auditorium that can accommodate up to 500 people.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

EGYPT
2. India and Egypt seek to expand bilateral ties after meet of foreign ministers
Cairo, Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Taking forward issues of cooperation between Indian and Egypt, the Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs had broad ranging discussions with Egyptian representatives during his two-day visit during 21-22 December. This visit came as a continuation of the momentum in relations initiated by the visit of the Egyptian Foreign Minister, and was an opportunity to review the gamut of bilateral relations, particularly the economic dimension.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi; See Also: The Hindu, Chennai

IRAN
3. After N-deal, Iran reaffirms defence ties with India
New Delhi, Friday, 6 December 2013
The Iranian Navy's 28th flotilla, which comprises a frigate, submarine and a supply ship, was berthed in Mumbai for two days and the visiting personnel met top Indian Navy officials.
Source:  The Indian Express, New Delhi

4. New Delhi miffed as Iran asks India Inc visitors for HIV, Hepatitis, TB tests
New Delhi, Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Iran wants a high-level business delegation from India to test for HIV before issuing visas, angering New Delhi as such a demand is seen as discriminatory and politically incorrect.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi

5. India to pick Iran over Israel for petro meet
New Delhi, Monday, 30 December 2013
India has reportedly decided to invite Iran but keep Israel out of its most prestigious international petroleum conference, Petrotech-2014, to be held next month. The decision was made after consultations within the government over the last few weeks.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi

SAUDI ARABIA
6. Indian embassy in Riyadh launches online visa services
Riyadh, Monday, 16 December 2013
In an effort to ensure hassle-free travel of Saudi nationals, India has launched online visa services for those intending to visit for tourism, business and other purposes. Visas will be normally issued on the third working day except in cases which require detailed procedural formalities and clearances, the Indian embassy said.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi; See Also: The Economic Times, New Delhi

ECONOMIC ISSUES
IRAN
7. India imports 5.82 MT oil from Iran
New Delhi, Tuesday, 17 December 2013
India imported 5.82 million tons of crude oil from Iran during the first eight months of current fiscal. The imports during April-November are just over half of the 11 million tons target set for current fiscal.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi; See Also: The Hindu Business Line

8. Panel meets today to review India-Iran trade
New Delhi, Tuesday, 17 December 2013
The government is mulling a new strategy to boost trade with Iran, with a special focus on increasing the number of shipping lines, including the cost of insurance coverage.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

9. India cuts Iran oil imports by 0.6 per cent in Nov compared to last year
New Delhi, Wednesday, 18 December 2013
India’s oil imports from Iran declined by 0.6 per cent in November from a year ago to about 219,700 barrels per day.
Source: Reuters, UK

UAE
10. India, UAE ink investment pact
New Delhi, Friday, 13 December 2013
India and UAE signed a bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement (Bippa) that seeks to accelerate fresh capital inflows from the Emirates and provide a thrust to stalled projects. The deal was signed between Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, UAE’s Minister of State for Financial Affairs and India’s Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi; See Also: The Times of India, New Delhi; The Economic Times, New Delhi

11. UAE-based Borouge to expand operation in India
Mumbai, Monday, 16 December 2013
To meet the growing demand in India, Borouge, the UAE-based provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, is gearing up to expand its sales & marketing capabilities in India.
Source:  Business Standard, New Delhi

QATAR
12. Airline seats for LNG with Qatar may not pass muster
New Delhi, Friday, 27 December 2013
The government's plans to negotiate cheaper gas price with Qatar in exchange for increased airline seats between India and the Gulf nation is unlikely to find favour among all ministries.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi

13. Qatar fund in talks to invest $200 million in Indian property
Mumbai, Monday, 23 December 2013
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the gas-rich Gulf emirate, is in talks to invest US$200 million in residential property in India.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi; See Also: Reuters, UK

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
BAHRAIN
14. Bahrain Consul General booked for assault, molestation of society manager
Mumbai, Wednesday, 25 December 2013
A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Consul General of Bahrain Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Khaja at the Malabar Hill police station in south Mumbai on 13 December, for allegedly assaulting and verbally abusing the manager of his housing society.
Source: The Indian Express, Mumbai;See Also: The Times of India, New Delhi

QATAR
15. Veteran Indian social worker dies in Qatar
Dubai, Sunday, 22 December 2013
A veteran Indian social worker in Qatar, known for his efforts to help expatriates, passed away.  MV Abdul Khader Haji, 67, hailing from Kerala's Thrissur district, died at a hospital in Qatar's capital Doha yesterday after several weeks of ailment.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi; See Also: The Indian Express, Mumbai

SAUDI ARABIA
16. Seven Indians deported from Saudi Arabia for visa violation
Dubai, Sunday, 29 December 2013
Seven Indian workers have been deported from Saudi Arabia for visa violation. Some of the workers violated visa regulations intentionally, while the rest were cheated by their sponsors.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi; See Also: The Times of India, New Delhi

17. European-style single Gulf visa likely by mid-2014
Dubai, Tuesday, 24 December 2013
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are planning to launch a European-style single visa to allow Gulf-based expats and foreign businessmen to move easily across the borders of the six-member bloc.
Source: The Economic Times, New Delhi

COMPILED BY MANJARI SINGH

Manjari Singh is a doctoral candidate in School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND: P R Kumaraswamy