PM Modi to address Parliaments of Ghana, Namibia, Trinidad & Tobago during 5-nation visit : MEA
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 5-nation visit, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs informed that the Prime Minister will address the parliaments of Ghana, Namibia and Trinidad & Tobago.
In a special briefing on Monday, Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER) said that in Ghana, the visit is taking place after 30 years.
The visit will see delegation-level talks during which the bilateral relations will be reviewed, and also discuss various ways to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations.
'The next day, Prime Minister will be addressing the parliament and he also will be interacting with the Indian community there, which is about 15,000 in number', Secretary Ravi said in his remarks.
Speaking about PM Modi's visit to Namibia, Secretary Ravi said, 'Prime Minister will visit Namibia on 9th July, and this visit is also important. It's coming after 27 years.'
He added, 'There will be delegation-level talks, one-on-one discussions, and he will also address the Parliament. The substance of the relationship is, again, as you know, that India and Namibia have had a very strong relationship for a very long time.
Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) briefed on PM Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago. In her remarks she said that PM Modi would be visiting Trinidad and Tobago at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamala Prasad Bisessar.
'This marks the first visit by Prime Minister Modi to T&T (Trinidad and Tobago) as Prime Minister, and is the first Bilateral Visit by an Indian Prime Minister to T&T since 1999.'
She added, 'The visit comes at an opportune time, as this year, in 2025, the country is commemorating 180 years of the arrival of Indian immigrants to Trinidad and Tobago. This shared history forms the bedrock of our close and enduring people-to-people ties.'
Dr Malhotra said, 'In a special gesture, PM Modi will also address the joint session of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. The visit is expected to strengthen the bilateral partnership across key areas and reaffirm our enduring ties with the Caribbean.'
She called the PM's address to the Parliament of being 'symbolic of our strong parliamentary traditions as well as democratic values.'
Sharing a novel fact, Dr Malhotra noted in her remarks, 'The chair in the parliament, the speaker's chair in the parliament has been gifted by India, which is again a symbolic reminder of the strong democratic and parliamentary traditions between our two countries.'
PM Modi will embark on a five-nation visit from July 2, during which he will attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil and hold meetings with leaders of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Namibia to strengthen bilateral ties.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
an hour ago
- Gulf Insider
Swiss To Vote On 50% Inheritance Tax That Risks Exodus Of The Super-Rich
In a national referendum set for November, the people of Switzerland will vote on whether the country should impose a 50% inheritance tax on the wealthiest of people — under a regimen so harsh that not even surviving spouses would be spared from the rapacious confiscation. Naturally, this is triggering predictions of a mass-exodus of wealthy people, with opponents pointing to a wave of departures the United Kingdom has witnessed in the wake of its own recent wealth-seizure move. Under the proposal, a 50% federal tax would apply to inheritances and gifts above 50 million francs — about $63 million. The measure isn't supported by the legislative Federal Assembly nor the executive Federal Council. However, under Swiss law, public proposals must be put to a nationwide plebiscite if 100,000 supporting signatures are collected. The signature campaign was led by Switzerland's Young Socialists. Reliably sounding like an elementary school group project, under the Young Socialists proposal, the confiscated wealth would be thrown down a woke rathole, with all proceeds used to combat 'climate change.' While Swiss inheritance taxes at the cantonal level provide an inheritance tax exemption for transfers to spouses and direct descendants, the socialists' proposal for the 50% federal tax would not. Peter Spuhler, 66-year-old owner of steel giant Stadler Rail, decried the proposal as a pending 'disaster for Switzerland,' estimating the tax would seize upwards of 2 billion Swiss francs A popular vote for the new inheritance tax on Nov 30 could hammer Switzerland's long-held status as a premier tax haven for the world's wealthiest people. A consortium of opponents that includes centrists and conservatives is already working to dissuade Swiss voters from indulging any impulses to soak the rich. 'The brutal 50% inheritance tax threatens the existence of family businesses and causes high economic costs. It's a setback for everyone,' said the organization in a statement. In April, a new tax rule took effect in the UK, imposing a 40% inheritance tax on the global assets of 'non-doms,' a term that refers to residents of the UK who are considered under British law to have their permanent home — their domicile — in another country. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is already considering avenues by which the change can be undone, after it promptly triggered an exodus of wealthy people eyeing alternatives like the United Arab Emirates, Italy and, yes, Switzerland. Among those who are either considering departure from the UK or have already done so: Egypt's richest man, Nassef Sawiris, and Indian steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, who has lived in the UK for 30 years. Georgia Fotiou, a lawyer advising private clients at Zurich-based Staiger Law, says the proposal is already harming Switzerland's ability to benefit from the UK's own inheritance-tax folly. 'In terms of the chance for Switzerland to attract people leaving the UK, the damage has been done. The timing was terrible,' she told the Financial Times . 'It hasn't stopped everyone from coming but more have chosen Italy, Greece, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere instead.' To become law, the proposal must clear two hurdles, garnering not only a majority of support nationwide, but also in a majority of Switzerland's 26 cantons. Despite the substantial likelihood of failure, the proposal already has some wealthy people on the move, say Swiss tax advisors and wealth managers. They caution that even a defeat — if it's by a relatively modest margin — could leave mega-wealthy individuals hesitant about the country. As Frédéric Rochat, managing partner of Geneva-based Lombard Odier, told the Times , 'It needs to be voted down with such an overwhelming majority [that this possibility can] be put to bed for 20 years.'
Daily Tribune
5 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Gulf Anchor
TDT | Manama Bahrain Engages Saudi, US Ambassadors His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Deputy King, met with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and the United States yesterday at Riffa Palace, reinforcing Bahrain's position as a trusted partner in both regional and global diplomacy. The separate meetings with His Excellency Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, and His Excellency Steven C. Bondy, Ambassador of the United States, underscored Bahrain's close ties with both nations and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and development. Bilateral strength In his meeting with the Saudi envoy, His Royal Highness reaffirmed the enduring strength of Bahrain–Saudi relations, rooted in historical ties and sustained by growing cooperation across multiple sectors. HRH credited the guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for driving this partnership forward, and highlighted the support of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. His Royal Highness noted that joint initiatives and multisectoral cooperation between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia continue to expand, reflecting the two kingdoms' alignment on regional priorities. Strategic alliance Later that day, HRH the Deputy King met with the US Ambassador, HE Steven C. Bondy. During the meeting, His Royal Highness praised the historical partnership between Bahrain and the United States, reinforced by agreements such as the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). HRH described C-SIPA as a key framework in advancing cooperation across multiple domains. His Royal Highness also stressed the critical role of the United States, together with its partners, in supporting regional security and sustainable development efforts. Discussions included regional and global issues of common interest. Shared priorities In both meetings, His Royal Highness highlighted Bahrain's commitment to deepening ties with its strategic allies and supporting stability and progress in the region. The presence of HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and HE Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, at both engagements further reinforced the significance of the diplomatic consultations. These twin meetings on the same day reflect Bahrain's active diplomatic engagement and its growing role as a convening space for strengthening international cooperation.
Daily Tribune
5 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Modi boosts India-Africa ties
AFP | Accra Indian Prime Minister Nerendra Modi yesterday outlined plans for deeper ties between his country and Africa, as New Delhi increasingly vies for a stronger economic presence on the continent along with China and Russia. In a speech to Ghana's parliament, Modi highlighted a major rail project that opened in the west African nation last year, financed by the India Export-Import Bank. He also underlined his country's expanding diplomatic development and business footprint in Africa. 'Over 200 projects across the continent enhance connectivity, infrastructure and Industrial capacity,' Modi said. On the political front he welcomed 'the establishment of Ghana-India Parliamentary Friendship Society in your parliament'. Modi's visit is the first to Ghana by an Indian leader in three decades. But India's rival China remains the most important backer of infrastructure across the continent, a position only strengthened as the United States and other Western powers slash aid programmes. In a meeting Wednesday, Modi and Ghanaian President John Mahama agreed to deepen security and mining ties. In November 2024, the Indian prime minister visited Nigeria, discussing trade and security at a time when Indian companies had expressed interest in investing in Nigerian industries including steel. The Indian prime minister also yesterday called for a greater global diplomatic role for both his country and Africa, warning that 'the world order created after the Second World War is changing fast'. Global South's voice Modi noted that the African Union had been admitted as a permanent member to the G20 while India held the rotating presidency of the bloc. Progress on worldwide challenges including climate change, diplomacy, 'terrorism' and pandemics 'cannot come without giving voice to the Global South', he added. Resource-rich Ghana is Modi's first stop in a tour that will take the Indian premier to four other countries in Africa, the Caribbean and South America. The visit to Accra came as he made his way to Brazil for a summit of the BRICS group of emerging economies on Sunday and Monday. Highlighting his own country's economic development aspirations to become a 'developed nation by 2047,' Modi said 'India remains a committed partner in Africa's development journey.
