West Asia

Attacks on vessels in Red sea impact our trade: Centre tells Parliament

India remains "concerned" at the evolving situation in West Asia and attacks against commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea threaten freedom of navigation and "impact our trade", the government informed the Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a query also said the government has "raised the issue" with the countries in the region and the Indian Missions are "closely monitoring" the situation to mitigate its impact. He was asked about the details of special measures that are being taken by the government to safeguard India's energy security in view of the possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea due to the Israel-Iran conflict and the diplomatic efforts being made by the government to mitigate the impact of this conflict on India's trade routes, especially the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. "India remains concerned at the evolving situation in West Asia. Attacks against commercial vessels i

Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, and what his rise means for Syria's future?

Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has long sought to distance himself from his extremist roots as the 42-year-old leader of HTS, the group that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assa

India adopts balanced approach to West Asia conflict: Jaishankar in Bahrain

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India's approach to the conflict that has been going on in West Asia since last year is balanced as it looks at the issues in all their complexities and also has a fundamental commitment to justice and equity. Jaishankar, 69, also reiterated that India supports a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue during an interaction with the Indian community here. As a country that itself has been impacted so deeply by terrorism, we are very strongly opposed to terrorism and hostage-taking. They should never be excused or condoned, Jaishankar said. But at the same time, it is very important that any action which is taken by any government or any armed force must always take care of civilian casualties and must always be respectful of humanitarian law, the minister said. Jaishankar further said that India has been contributing to the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), the primary relief agency

Syrians wave revolutionary flag to celebrate end of Assad family's rule

Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, putting an end to the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule but raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown. Russia, a close ally, said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads th

Israel shells northern Gaza hospital, disrupting service, say doctors

The health ministry of Hamas-run Gaza said a doctor was killed with his family in an Israeli airstrike near the Kamal Adwan Hospital on Saturday night

SC to decide if Palestinian authorities can be sued in US for attacks

The Supreme Court agreed Friday to settle a years-long legal dispute over whether Palestinian authorities can be sued in US courts by Americans killed or wounded in terrorism attacks in the Middle East. The federal appeals court in New York has repeatedly ruled in favour of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the Palestinian Authority, despite Congress' efforts to allow the victims' lawsuits to be heard. That court's latest decision, last year, struck down a law enacted in 2019 specifically to allow the lawsuits to move forward. The Supreme Court typically takes on cases in which lower courts have invalidated federal laws. The question for the justices is whether the 2019 law is unconstitutional, as the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals found, because it denies fair legal process to the PLO and PA. The case probably will be argued in the spring. Both the victims and the Biden administration had urged the high court to step in. The attacks occurred in the early 2000s, killing 3

Syria launches counterattacks in attempt to halt insurgents' advance

The Syrian military rushed in reinforcements and struck Idlib city Sunday in an attempt to push back insurgents from advancing farther after seizing Aleppo and surrounding strategic locations in an adjacent province in a surprise offensive. The insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took over most of Aleppo on Saturday and claimed to have entered the city of Hama. There was no independent confirmation of their claim. The swift and surprise offensive is a huge embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad and raises questions about his troops' preparedness. It also comes at a time when Assad's allies Iran and groups it backs and Russia are preoccupied with their own conflicts. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travels to Syrian capital Damascus later Sunday. He told reporters that Tehran will back the Syrian government and army. Arab leaders, including Jordan's King Abdullah II and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in calls with Assad ...

Oil falls more than 2% after reports of possible West Asia peace deal

Israel said on Monday it is moving toward a ceasefire in the war with Hezbollah but there are still issues to address

India supports ceasefire in West Asia, favours two-state solution: EAM

India supports an immediate ceasefire in West Asia and favours a two-state solution in the long-term, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Monday as he condemned terrorism, hostage-taking and civilian casualties in military operations. Speaking at the 10th edition of the MED Mediterranean Dialogue in Rome, Jaishankar said that India regards large-scale civilian casualties in military operations to be unacceptable and added that international humanitarian law cannot be disregarded. "In immediate terms, we should all support the ceasefire... In the longer term, it is imperative that the future of the Palestinian people be addressed. India favours a two-state solution," he said. Voicing concerns over the widening of the conflict in West Asia, Jaishankar said that India has been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran at the highest levels to advocate restraint and enhance communication. He said an Indian contingent like Italy is in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL. Indian naval sh

What's behind West Asia's multibillion push to attract global sports stars?

There's little doubt that the Gulf nations' strategic investments in sports has bolstered their economies and provided a fillip to tourism. But there is another side to it

In response to Shaddadi base attack, US strikes Iran-backed group in Syria

The action on militia group's weapons storage and logistics headquarters facility comes after a rocket attack on US personnel at Patrol Base Shaddadi

Saudi Arabia important factor for stability in West Asia: EAM Jaishankar

EAM Jaishankar emphasised India's commitment to condemning acts of terrorism and hostage-taking while expressing deep concern over the continuing deaths of civilians

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant steps down, Israel Katz takes over

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant officially stepped down Friday in a ceremony that replaced him with Israel Katz, the former foreign minister, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired Gallant earlier this week. Israel has been rocked by Gallant's dismissal, with the news setting off mass protests across the country. Many in Israel view Gallant as the sole moderate voice in a far-right government, and see his removal as a sign that the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu has lost interest in returning hostages still held in Gaza. Israel Katz, his replacement, currently serves as foreign minister and is a longtime Netanyahu loyalist and veteran Cabinet minister. Also Friday, the Israeli military body handling aid to Gaza, COGAT, said it is preparing to open a new aid crossing into Gaza as the deadline for a US deadline to increase desperately-needed aid into the war-ravaged territory approaches. But the body did not say when the crossing will open nor if aid will be .

Engineering firms expect pipeline to remain robust amid West Asia crisis

Engineering exports to West Asia countries such as the UAE rose by 50 per cent

Israeli Ambassador calls India key part of resolution of West Asia conflict

He also commented on Israel's expectations from the government of India when it comes to the tensions in West Asia. We are continuing our dialogue with the Indian government

PM Modi holds talks with Greece counterpart to strengthen bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Greece counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis have appreciated the momentum in bilateral ties following recent high-level exchanges. An official statement said on Saturday that the two leaders reiterated their firm commitment to further strengthening the India-Greece strategic partnership. In his call to Modi, Mitsotakis warmly congratulated him on his re-election in the general elections. They reviewed the progress in a number of areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade, defence, shipping and connectivity, in a follow-up to Mitsotakis's visit to India earlier this year. The two leaders also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of interest, including the IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) and developments in West Asia, the statement said.

L&T wins 'major' orders in West Asia, Africa to expand high-voltage grid

The orders are estimated to be valued between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 10,000 crore

Israel warns Iran again after Oct 26 attack: 'Will hit places we spared'

Israel targeted Iran's military bases on Saturday as a response to the October 1 attack, in which Iran launched a barrage of missiles on Israel

Sacheerome targets 30-40% annual growth in West Asian fragrance market

Indian fragrance and flavour company Sacheerome is targeting a 30-40 per cent annual growth in the Middle East market as it deepens its footprint in the region, aiming to establish Dubai as its second home, Chief Perfumer and Managing Director Manoj Arora has said. Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the Beautyworld Middle East Expo 2024, in which the company is showcasing its products, Arora said the company's expansion aligns with a global vision to lead in niche fragrance and flavour experiences by 2030. "We aim to become a global leader in unique fragrance and flavour experiences by 2030. We are eying a growth of 30-40 per cent year-on-year in the Middle East region," Arora said. "We have world-class R&D and robotic manufacturing in India, and establishing an R&D, Application, Evaluation Center, and Warehouse in Dubai will sharpen our ability to meet regional demands faster and more creatively, Arora said. "India's rich resources and lower operational costs give us a ...

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