POLITICAL

EGYPT

India-Egypt to have combined military exercise

New Delhi, Monday, 21 January 2019

The Indian Army will conduct military exercises with African nations at the Aundh Military station and College of Military Engineering in Pune, where Egyptian Army will also participate along with other countriesbetween 18 to 27 March. The joint exercise named 'India-Africa Field Training' is being conducted with an aim to synergise United Nations peacekeeping operations. Source:India Today

ISRAEL   

Israeli PM planning to visit India soon; second time in two years

New Delhi, Friday, 18 January 2019

National Security Adviser of Israel Meir Ben-Shabbat, visited India on 15 January and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi “to discuss issues related to bilateral relations, including the advancing of security deals.” Ben-Shabbat was invited by his Indian counterpart AjitDoval. Source:Economic Times

IRAQ

15 youths of Nizamabad stuck in Iraq

New Delhi, Thursday, 17 January 2019

A group of 15 Indian youth, native of the Nizamabad district, trapped in the Iraqi city Erbil for the last few days. It was reported that all were cheated by travel agents who offered them employment in Iraq. Source:Deccan Chronicle

MOROCCO

India, Morocco conclude key pact for mutual recognition of academic qualifications

New Delhi, Thursday, 24 January 2019

India and Morocco have signed a key pact to Facilitate Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications and Morocco becoming one of the few to conclude such a pact with india. Source:Economic Times

OMAN

65 per cent drop in Indian migrants to Oman

Muscat, Sunday, 13 January 2019

The demographics of the Indian community in Oman are changing according to data from the Ministry of External Affairs and the number of Indian expats dropped by more than 60 per cent. Source:Oman Times

QATAR

Qatar Museums officially announces India as 2019 Year of Culture Partner Nation

Doha, Tuesday, 1 January 2019

Qatar Museums declared India as the Official Partner Nation for the 2019 Year of Culture and this announcement kick-starts an array of exhibitions, festivals, competitions and events over the next 12 months.Source:The Peninsula Qatar

SUADI ARABIA

Saudi Crown Prince to visit India in February

New Delhi, Wednesday, 30 January 2019

Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman is expected visit first time India in February. The visit comes months afterthe Crown Prince had sought dialogue between India and Pakistan. In the annual cultural event of Janadriya festival, the Kingdom chose India as the ‘Guest of Honour’ in 2018. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj paid a visit and participated in the festival.Source:The Hindu

ECONOMIC

IRAN

Iran to double down on investment in oil's growth engine India

New Delhi, Wednesday, 9 January 2019

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Tuesday said his country has been the most reliable energy supplier to India and will remain so despite sanctions re-imposed by US President Donald Trump's administration.“Iran is the most reliable energy provider for India. We have never allowed any consideration to impede our economic relations with our partners. We have always been there and we will always be there,” said Zarif, who is on a tour to New Delhi. Source:Deccan Herald

KUWAIT

Cabinet approves India-Kuwait pact on domestic workers

New Delhi, Wednesday, 23 January 2019

The Union Cabinet approved a MoU with Kuwait on the recruitment of domestic workers.The move is likely to benefit around 300,000 Indian workers deployed in Kuwait, including about 90,000 female domestic workers.Source:The Hindu

PALASTINE 

India gave $72.1 million to Palestine as project assistance

New Delhi, Wednesday, 2 January 2019

India gave US$72.1 million as aid to Palestine to develop projects through capacity building and budgetary support. Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh told the Lower House that the major projects that are being undertaken setting up of the Institute of Diplomacy, India-Palestine Technology Park, hospital, women empowerment centre, printing press and schools. Source:Time of India

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