[ NATIONAL ]

India set to sign CEPA trade pact with UAE

CEPA with the UAE will have clauses for protecting the interests of domestic firms.

Developments in Afghanistan will have wider ramifications to Central Asia region: India at UN

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti on Wed (local time) said that developments in Afghanistan will have wider ramifications to the Central Asia region.

India more than just a partner for open, secure Indo-Pacific: US State Dept officials

Top US State Department officials on Thu said that India is more than just a partner in the vision laid out by the Biden administration to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and the choices made now will decide the future for an open, secure, and resilient region.

Don’t panic, India urges its nationals in Ukraine, as the situation remains tense

India Wed issued a fresh advisory for its nationals in Ukraine — especially students — urging them not to panic, and said the govt is in talks with its counterparts in Kyiv to increase the number of flights between the countries. The advisory, issued in the form of ‘frequently asked questions’ (FAQs), said the Indian embassy in Ukraine continues to “function normally to provide all services to its nationals” while issuing emergency helpline numbers. The embassy also added that the Ministry of External Affairs is also in discussions with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and various airlines to increase flights. The MEA said as of now, available flight connections are Delhi-Kyiv (Ukraine International Airlines), and other connecting flights via Sharjah, Dubai, Almaty, Frankfurt, and Doha. Ukrainian Ambassador to India Igor Polikha has said that the ”situation (in Kyiv) is strenuous but not critical.

Govt suspends CHRI’s license for violating FCRA rules on many grounds: MHA officials

ANI – Days after the Delhi High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by NGO Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) against suspension of its registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs said the organization “failed to adhere rules mandated to be followed under FCRA on many grounds and violated it”. The rules violated by the CHRI include “failure in submitting an annual return for 2018-2019 as well as the details of the project for which the NGO received foreign contribution”, (officials). The ground of suspension of CHRI’s FCRA license also includes violation as there were instances where “foreign contribution received in India by the NGO was spent for benefit of society outside Indian territory as well as providing consultation to an entity abroad and showing the professional fees earned for it, as foreign contribution in its annual return”.

SC seeks the Centre’s response on the impact of MACP benefits on the OROP scheme

ANI – A bench of The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to apprise how many personnel have been granted Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP). SC asked the Central Govt to file an affidavit mentioning how many persons have received the MACP and Assured Career Progression (ACP). The bench also sought to know the financial outlay of the govt, if directions are issued for factoring MACP for One Rank One Pension (OROP). During the hearing, the Court also pulled up Center over the OROP scheme and said that the govt’s hyperbole on OROP presented a much rosier picture than has been given. The bench has asked the govt to apprise it whether there was any policy before that if there is any affirmation by the Cabinet when Finance Minister made a statement. The matter is listed for further hearing on Feb 23. The Court was hearing a petition filed by the Indian Ex-servicemen Movement. The petitioner has challenged the govt’s policy of reviewing the pension of retired military personnel once in 5 years. The petitioner claimed that the govt has defeated the purpose of the OROP scheme by linking OROP and MACP.

Damien Symon with id @detresfa_ twitted with a pic read as “AreaWarning: India issues a notification for the launch of an experimental flight vehicle over the Bay Of Bengal, included in the danger zone is Abdul Kalam Island – the probable launch site Launch Window |0530 hrs 26- and 1825 hrs of 27 Feb 2022”. area includes 170x<96 km(1)

PM Modi to inaugurate rail lines between Thane and Diva on Fri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two additional railway (5^th and 6^th) lines connecting Thane and Diva via video conferencing. He will also flag off 2 suburban trains of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. These 2 additional railway lines have been built at an estimated cost of ₹620 crores and feature a 1.4 km long rail flyover, 3 major bridges, and 21 minor bridges. This new railway line will facilitate the Railways to launch 80 to 100 more local train services by the year-end, enabling a reduction in the crowds between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT)-Kalyan/Karjat and Kasara.

You would’ve seen developments being monitored by Embassy. They’ve issued a couple of advisories. We’ve set up control rooms…I don’t think any decision on evacuation has been taken, our Embassy continues to function normally & provide services to Indian nationals in Ukraine: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs weekly 1^st in-person press briefing Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

• EAM S Jaishankar will be on a visit to Germany and France from Feb 18^th to 23^rd.
• In Germany, he’ll participate in Munich Security Conference.
• He’ll also hold bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers & other delegates who would be attending the conference:
• At Munich Security Conference, he’ll participate in a panel discussion on Indo-Pacific and will also lead discussions at an Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav event being hosted by our Consulate General of India in Munich and Observer Research Foundation on the sidelines of the Conference.
• Thereafter EAM goes to Paris, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.
• At his invitation, EAM will also attend the EU Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific on 22nd Feb.
• Noted that Canada Govt has invoked emergency. Indian mission has issued an advisory.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

ASEAN to discuss Myanmar military violence, visit by special envoy

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers will be discussing how to approach the Myanmar military as the group seeks an immediate cessation of violence and a visit by a special envoy to Myanmar on Thu. The meeting will take place in Cambodia, which holds the bloc’s rotating chair. Some of the ministers will take part in the talks online, reported NHK World. Brunei, which assumed the ASEAN chairmanship last year, aimed to name its second foreign minister, Erywan Yusof, as the bloc’s envoy to Myanmar. But Myanmar’s military turned down the offer. The foreign ministers are expected to approve Cambodia’s bid to have it’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn named ASEAN’s envoy to Myanmar, reported NHK World. The talks come after Myanmar’s military turned down ASEAN’s request that the country send a non-political representative instead of a military-appointed foreign minister to the meeting. Uncertainty looms over whether the ministers can reach a breakthrough despite Myanmar’s absence in the talks.

Want good ties with neighbors but didn’t allow fencing on Pak-Afghan border: Taliban

ANI – Expressing his desire to have good ties with all its neighbors, the Taliban-appointed Defence Minister of Afghanistan has said that the outfit has not allowed anybody to put a fence on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Maldives bill on ‘India Out’ campaign to neutralize relations between two countries

ANI- A bill termed as ‘Bill on combating actions affecting diplomatic ties established between the Maldives and Foreign countries’ was recently submitted to the People’s Majlis to stop actions that may adversely affect relations between New Delhi and Male.

Six terrorists were killed in Pakistan’s Balochistan province in exchange for fire

Six terrorists were killed in Pakistan’s Balochistan province during an exchange of fire with security forces in Injirkan Range near the district’s Buleda area on Wed, reported local media. The terrorists were involved in recent attacks on military personnel in Balochistan’s Kech district, reported Dawn citing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). On Feb 5, a total of 20 terrorists and its 9 security personnel were killed in a 3-day clearance operation in Balochistan which was launched after terrorists attacked security forces camps in the Panjgur and Naushki areas of the province.

The federal cabinet has approved a 4^th, 15-year lease agreement with a Chinese company

Jasarat- Metallurgical Corporation of China, to extract gold and copper deposits from Saindak in Balochistan. The Chinese company will now be able to continue working on the project until 2037. Federal Energy Minister Hamad Azhar says the federal govt’s share of profits has been increased in the agreement. In addition to increasing the royalty and rent of the Balochistan govt, further investment has also been ensured. Azhar has said that the agreement was reached with the consultation and consent of the Balochistan govt. However, nationalist parties in Balochistan have termed the decision of the federal govt as a violation of the constitution and stated that after the 18^th amendment, the rights over minerals belong to the provinces, so the federation should transfer the Saindak project to Balochistan.

Changes in cabinets coming soon, says Fawad Chaudhry

Dawn-To keep the ruling coalition intact amid the opposition’s plans to overthrow the govt, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has decided to make changes in the federal and Punjab cabinets by inducting leaders from allied parties, sources told Dawn on Wed. Prime Minister Imran Khan has also asked some frontline PTI leaders to concentrate on restructuring and strengthening the party to better tackle the threat from opposition parties. Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Special Assistant to the PM on Political Affairs Shehbaz Gill revealed on Wed about the changes in the federal and Punjab cabinets. (source)-Mr Khan would appoint 5 ministers of state in the ministries of defense, planning, education, energy, and overseas Pakistanis. PM had asked Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Energy Min Hammad Azhar, and Education Min Shafqat Mehmood to handle party affairs and take steps to strengthen the party.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates arrives in Pakistan on the first-ever visit

Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for his first-ever visit to the country, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health (SAPM) Dr. Faisal Sultan shared. During his visit, Gates will review progress on polio eradication efforts and meet President Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, and provincial health officials, the SAPM tweeted. In Oct last year, the PM urged Gates to consider providing humanitarian assistance to poverty-stricken people in Afghanistan. Bill Gates had pledged his foundation’s continued support to the country’s polio program.

China looks to strengthen its strategic tie-ups in the Middle East to replace the US

ANI – Finding it a “great opportunity”, China is seeking to strengthen its strategic tie-ups in the Middle East in the fields of energy, technology, and infrastructure, as the US is uprooting itself from the whole middle eastern region after investing heavily in the region.

Beijing expresses concern over ban on Chinese apps in India, says it damages interests of Chinese companies

ANI – Beijing has expressed concerns over the ban on more than 220 Chinese mobile applications in India, saying it affected the Chinese companies’ interests, reported Sputnik. Chinese Commerce Ministry’s spokesperson Gao Feng during a press briefing on Thu said that the ban damages the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. Govt of India to ban 54 Chinese apps that pose a threat to India’s security. Earlier in June last year, India banned 59 Chinese mobile applications including the widely-used social media platforms such as TikTok, WeChat, and Helo keeping in view the threat to the nation’s sovereignty and security.

India set to sign CEPA trade pact with UAE

HT-India, which is currently negotiating about half a dozen issues comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPA), is set to sign the first such bilateral pact with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a virtual summit Fri, with adequate protections for domestic industry.

“Negotiations for CEPA were launched in Sept 2021 and have been completed,” the external affairs ministry (MEA) said in a statement announcing the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan.

(Source)- The CEPA with the UAE will have clauses protecting the interests of domestic industries and providing them a gateway to West Asia and Africa.

• MEA- “The agreement will take India-UAE economic and commercial engagement to the next level.
• [The] UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner, and bilateral trade and investment ties are expected to see significant enhancements.

India is negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UK, Australia, EU, Canada, and Israel, and all of them have negative lists of items where limited or no tariff concessions will be granted.

• This will be done to protect the interests of domestic industry.
• The CEPA with the UAE will be the second major trade deal after the India-Mauritius CECPA signed in Feb 2021, one of the people said.
• The India-UAE agreement is of strategic significance for both partners. We see a potential of $100 billion in bilateral trade in five years. It is a win-win for both.

During the virtual summit, Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed are expected to lay out their vision for the relations between the two sides at a time when India is celebrating 75 years of independence and the UAE the 50^th anniversary of its foundation.

• The leaders will also discuss bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues, the external affairs ministry said.
• Both countries collaborated closely during the pandemic in the critical areas of healthcare and food security.

Ajay Sahai, director general and CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said: “The UAE is India’s second-largest export destination, next only to the US and the growth of our exports to the UAE has been very encouraging.

• In the first 9 months of the current financial year, our exports to the UAE have already crossed $25 billion.”
• As per official data, the trade balance is, however, tilted in favor of the UAE, with imports surpassing the $43-billion mark during Jan-Dec 2021.
• Sahai said the CEPA will facilitate greater access for Indian exports to other Gulf Cooperation Council markets as they follow the same technical standards as the UAE.
• It may also give a boost to India’s jewelry exports.

India more than just a partner for open, secure Indo-Pacific: US State Dept officials

ANI – Top US State Department officials on Thu said that India is more than just a partner in the vision laid out by the Biden administration to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and the choices made now will decide the future for the open, secure, and resilient region.

In a telephonic press conference, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu discussed the Biden-Harris Administration’s recently-released Indo-Pacific Strategy, which sets forth Washington’s vision for a region that is open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.

Lu said, “India is more than just a partner. We work more closely with India on daily basis than any country in the region.”

Kritenbrink – “US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had “open and honest discussion” on Ukraine/Russia crisis and while it is “complex issue” but both sides “talk about every issue, including tough one” during the recently concluded Quad.

Lu-“Blinken and Jaishankar discussed strategic partnership and way to strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation of the Quad,” said.

• “The US had ‘honest’ discussion on Russia/Ukraine crisis in Melbourne and Indo-Pacific future depends on choices we make now“.
• Talking about the economic framework in the Indo-Pacific region, Lu said that he was excited about it.
• Talking about the impact of the crisis in Ukraine on the US’s Indo-Pacific strategy, Kritenbrink said, “The stakes are high when we look at the crisis in Ukraine.
• We look at the recent statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• We can’t dismiss the challenge that the vision they put forward opposes our approach to the region and the world.
• We believe that our vision will win the support of the wider world.

That is our affirmative vision for the region in contrast to the vision put forward by President Putin and Xi,” added Kritenbrink.

The Biden Administration has made historic strides to restore American leadership in the Indo-Pacific and adapt its role for the 21^st century.

In the last year, the US has modernized its longstanding alliances, strengthened emerging partnerships, and forged innovative links among them to meet urgent challenges, from the competition with China to climate change to the pandemic.

“We envision an Indo-Pacific that is open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure–and we are ready to work together with each of you to achieve it,” Biden had said during East Asia Summit on Oct 27 last year.

• This strategy outlines President Biden’s vision to more firmly anchor the United States in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the region in the process.
• Its central focus is sustained and creative collaboration with allies, partners, and institutions, within the region and beyond it.

The US hopes India will support America if Russia attacks Ukraine

The US has hoped that India, which is committed to a rules-based international order, will stand by its side in case of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, which as per the Biden administration seems imminent with Moscow adding 7,000 troops to Ukraine’s border in recent days.

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said on Wed that there was a discussion on Russia and Ukraine during the recently concluded Quad ministerial in Melbourne that included foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

He said there was a “strong consensus” in that meeting that there needs to be a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis.

Developments in Afghanistan will have wider ramifications to Central Asia region: India at UN

ANI – India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti on Wed (local time) said that developments in Afghanistan will have wider ramifications to the Central Asia region.

Participating in UNSC open debate on “Cooperation between the UN and the Regional and Sub-Regional Organizations in Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Cooperation between the UN and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)“, he said,

“The developments in Afghanistan will have wider ramifications to the Central Asia region, particularly the possible growth in international terrorism and drug trafficking emanating from the Afghan territory”.

• UNSC Resolution 2593 reflects the expectations of the international community that Afghan soil should not be used for sheltering, training, planning, or financing terrorist acts.
• He said, “The international community needs to take cognizance of the concerns which Central Asian countries have on developments in Afghanistan,”
• CSTO consists of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of its establishment this year.
• Central Asia is central to India’s vision of an integrated and stable extended neighborhood.
• The diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries have completed 30 meaningful years.
• “We, therefore, support active engagement between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations, and in line with the Charter of the UN,” he added.
• India also noted the ongoing cooperation between the UN and CSTO based on the 2010 Joint Declaration.
• The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia has also contributed further to the strengthening cooperation on issues of shared interest and concern.
• In the spirit of our development partnership with the Central Asian region, India offered, inter alia, a US$ 1 billion Line of Credit for priority developmental projects.
• India is also providing grant assistance for the implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects for furthering socio-economic development in the countries of the region.

India’s steps to modernize the infrastructure of the Chabahar port in Iran, which will become an important link in trade and transport communications between the markets of Central and South Asia, has been appreciated by Central Asian countries.

Amid the humanitarian crisis worsening by the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wed called for more cooperation between the world body and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Afghanistan.

Xinhua- At a Security Council meeting on UN-CSTO cooperation, Guterres also said that terrorism remains a constant threat, not only to the security of Afghanistan and the region but to the entire world.

[ NEIGHBORHOOD ]

Maldives bill on ‘India Out’ campaign to neutralize relations between two countries

ANI- A bill termed as ‘Bill on combating actions affecting diplomatic ties established between the Maldives and Foreign countries’ was recently submitted to the People’s Majlis to stop actions that may adversely affect relations between New Delhi and Male.

• The genesis of the bill was the ‘IndiaOut‘ campaign spearheaded by former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, known for his pro-China stance.
• Yameen constantly targeted India for its presence in the Maldives for his political gains, reported International Forum for Right and Security (IFFRAS).
• Yameen used this campaign to reinvigorate his political ambitions, taking an anti-India stand to make it a major political issue for the 2023 general elections.
• Issues relating to the campaign were first red-flagged by former President and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.
• He submitted the issue to the Parliament’s Security Services Committee (241 Committee) on Jan 24.
• Nasheed stated that the campaign hosted by the opposition poses a national threat and also against Maldivians living in India, as per the intel received by him.
• He said the issue will help determine the amount of damage dealt with the Maldives from such an activity organized against a bilateral nation, reported IFFRAS.
• Severing ties with India or for a matter of fact, any foreign ally who can play as Maldives’ benefactor, in the long run, is a risky proposition for the Maldives.
• As an economy that’s heavily dependent on tourism, Maldives can’t stake to jeopardize relationships with any international player, be it China or India, reported IFFRAS.
• The Foreign Secretary, Abdul Gafoor Mohamed has said that besides India, other countries have also raised their concerns and has requested strengthened security
• it was not only India that was expressing concerns but other countries that have set up embassies in the Maldives have also raised concerns regarding the matter.

Any country, let alone the Maldives, cannot afford to let a huge market like India, which not only provides monetary and security support but also contributes to a major chunk of tourism-related income to be on receiving end of politically motivated groups.

Such actions will not only affect the diplomatic relations but also will erode the goodwill between people of both countries. The bill in itself tries to rectify such a precarious scenario.

The US has no choice but to work with Pakistan, says envoy

Dawn -The US has no choice but to work with Pakistan on the way ahead in Afghanistan, says a senior US official while elucidating the Biden administration’s new policy for the region. At a discussion at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on Tue, US Special envoy for Afghanistan Tom West acknowledged ‘Pakistan’s role in arranging a peace deal with the Taliban but also complained that Islamabad often ignored Washington’s suggestions.

• “And I think we don’t have a choice but to work with Pakistan on the way ahead.”
• He was the only speaker at this discussion which focused on US consultations with the Taliban, other Afghans, and the international community since the Taliban takeover.
• The response made it clear that while Pakistan supported the peace process, it did not always accept US proposals.
• West also made it clear that Islamabad’s reluctance often irked Washington.

Tolo News -Washington is not backing “organized armed opposition” to Taliban, says US envoy.

• West denied that Washington is backing “organized armed opposition” to the Taliban.
• West said that the US would “discourage other powers from doing so as well.”
• He blamed Pakistan for not taking “meaningful steps” when it had an opportunity to help with a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan, which it did not take.

Talking about the US decision to split US$ 7 billion frozen funds between 9/11 victims and humanitarian relief, West suggested that the decision was made “to protect the assets for Afghanistan”.

Want good ties with neighbors but didn’t allow fencing on Pak-Afghan border: Taliban

ANI – Expressing his desire to have good ties with all its neighbors, the Taliban-appointed Defence Minister of Afghanistan has said that the outfit has not allowed anybody to put a fence on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

• This comes as the Taliban have refused to accept the Durand Line as the ‘official’ boundary between Afghan and Pak.
• There have been frequent skirmishes between Taliban and Pak security forces along the border after the fall of Kabul last Aug.

In his latest interview, Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid said that “according to the Doha agreement we will not allow anybody to use our land.” “We want good relations with all our neighbors.”

Yaqoob Mujahid has said that fencing on the border is a complicated issue.

• The former Afghan govt had permitted Pakistan to put up a fence on the border. The fence has covered along part of the border.
• A very small area has remained unfenced. So far we have not taken any decision about the fencing on the border.
• In the past few weeks, the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the Taliban are turning hostile over the issue of Durand Line and cross-border “terror activities”.

The Washington-based group Global Strat View said that there are signs of growing uneasiness among the Afghan population and the interim Taliban cabinet over Pakistan’s high-handedness.

• The TTP claimed responsibility for a recent attack launched from Afghanistan, which killed five Pakistani soldiers.
• Pakistan’s National Security Advisor, Moeed Yusuf, warned the Taliban govt that Islamabad would strike inside Afghanistan unless the TTP stops cross-border attacks.

China looks to strengthen its strategic tie-ups in the Middle East to replace the US

ANI – Finding it a “great opportunity”, China is seeking to strengthen its strategic tie-ups in the Middle East in the fields of energy, technology, and infrastructure, as the US is uprooting itself from the whole middle eastern region after investing heavily in the region.

In Jan this year alone, senior representatives from Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey, have visited China to discuss investments in security technology, infrastructure, and energy resources including oil, a Canada-based think tank, International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS) said on Wed.

IFFRAS – Saudi Arabia’s Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud was the 1^st foreign minister who came come to China.

A meeting between Faisal Al Saud and Wang Yi, Foreign Minister was held in Wuxi, Jiangsu province of East China on Jan 10 where the two nations expressed their great interest in each other’s Marquee schemes such as “Vision 2030” and “Green Middle East” of Saudi Arabia and “Belt and Road Initiative” of China.

IFFRAS- While other foreign Ministers who visited China last month were Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

• These meetings may pave the way for a China-GCC FTA (Free Trade Agreements).
• These visits of FMs might prove to be a symbiotic relationship where both China and the Middle East can develop cooperation.
• Apart from physical visits, there have been many virtual meetings as well between the Arab nations and China.
• To boost its relationship with the Middle East, China has also contributed greatly during COVID-19 times.
• China’s pharmaceutical juggernaut, Sinopharm has developed a local COVID vaccine manufacturing plant in the KIZAD zone of UAE, according to IFFRAS.
• Meanwhile, there have also been talks among China and Iran to revive the 2015 Iranian Nuclear Deal.
• In a report by NYT, analysts claim that in a larger picture, China’s reluctance in engaging in regional politics unlike the US could prove to be deleterious for Sino-Arab relations.

Expressing concern at China’s rapidly growing global footprint, various experts have highlighted that South and Southeast Asia are the areas of Beijing’s key strategic interest, with the goal of “weakening the US and its allies”.

In a seminar hosted by The Democracy Forum titled “China’s battle for influence in South & Southeast Asia: Can it succeed?”, various panelists discussed how regional governments have responded to Chinese engagements.

1. https://twitter.com/detresfa_/status/1494193940849098754