POLITICAL ISSUES
IRAN
1. Kerala’s 17 missing flew to Iran before going off radar
New Delhi, Thursday, 14 July 2016
A senior intelligence official said that India has sought Iran’s help in tracing 17 persons from Kerala, who have been missing for over a month, and were suspected to have joined the Islamic State.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

IRAQ
2. IS may have set up sleeper cells in India: Iraqi envoy
New Delhi, Thursday, 14 July 2016
Islamic State may have set up sleeper cells in India owing to the influence of foreign-funded Islamic seminaries and preachers who teach an exclusivist version of Islam, says the new Iraqi Ambassador to India.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

ISRAEL
3. India expresses concern over ‘fragile’ situation in Middle East
New Delhi, Wednesday, 13 July 2016
India has expressed concern over the “increasingly fragile and unpredictable” situation in the Middle East, saying the growing threat of terrorism and radicalism has added to the complexities in the region.
Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi

SAUDI ARABIA
4. 10,000 Indian workers facing food crisis in Saudi Arabia: Sushma
New Delhi, Sunday, 31 July 2016
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that in what has come as a shocking development, over 10,000 Indian workers in Saudi Arabia are facing a “food crisis”,
Source: The Financial Express, Noida; See Also: The times of India, New Delhi; The Hindu, Chennai

TURKEY
5. Turkey coup Attempt: MEA India provides helpline numbers to Indian citizens
New Delhi, Saturday, 16 July 2016
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup has offered help to Indian citizens in Turkey, as the situation in there continues to grow tense due to a coup attempt.
Source: The Express, New Delhi

UAE
6. Mathrubhumi Group launches FM station in UAE; Dulquer Salmaan Brand Ambassador
Mumbai, Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Club FM, the radio division of the Mathrubhumi Group, has launched its first radio station in UAE targeting the Malayalee diaspora.  It would be aired on the frequency modulation of 99.6 degrees, and would offer news, entertainment and music programmes.
Source: The Economics Times, Mumbai

ECONOMIC ISSUES
IRAN
7. India’s biggest shipping firm to resume sailing to Iran
New Delhi, Tuesday, 5 July 2016
The Chairman of India’s biggest shipping company said that Shipping Corporation of India would resume sailing to Iran, transporting an oil cargo for a state-run refiner.
Source: The Economics Times, Mumbai

8. India explores Iran textile market
Mumbai, Saturday, 9 July 2016
Indian garment exporters are exploring business opportunities with Iran to reduce their dependence for growth on the European Union and American market.
Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

UAE
9. Indian-owned food production firm launches new unit in UAE
Dubai, Friday, 1 July 2016
An Indian-owned food importing company has launched its new the food production facility in the UAE with an investment of US$95.2 million.
Source: The Economics Times, Mumbai

10. Rajesh Exports bags Rs 786 crore order from UAE
New Delhi, Thursday, 14 July 2016
Rajesh Exports the world’s largest gold jewellery maker said that it has bagged a contract worth Rs 786 crore from UAE to export gold and diamond jewellery and medallions.
Source: The Economics Times, Mumbai

COMPILED BY SUNIL KUMAR

Sunil Kumar 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