Latest news with #bilateral ties


The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Germany closing small-boat loophole in new treaty with UK
& Elizabeth Piper Britain and Germany signed a wide-ranging friendship treaty, marking German chancellor Friedrich Merz 's first visit to London and aiming to deepen bilateral ties. The treaty builds on recent efforts to reset UK- EU relations, following French president Emmanuel Macron 's visit, and signals increased cooperation among Europe's leading powers. Key areas of cooperation include defence, with pledges for joint export campaigns of military equipment and a new German defence tech factory in Britain. The agreement also covers transport, including a new direct rail link, and joint efforts to combat irregular migration, with Germany committing to outlaw facilitation of illegal crossings. Germany pledged to outlaw the facilitation of illegal migration to Britain, with a law change that would give law enforcement the ability to investigate warehouses where small boats are stored.


NHK
4 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Albanese, Xi agree to strengthen bilateral ties in Beijing talks
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with China's President Xi Jinping during a six-day visit to the country. The two leaders held talks in Beijing on Tuesday and agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. Xi said the lesson for the bilateral relationship is that "a commitment to equal treatment to seeking common ground while sharing differences, pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and our people." Albanese said his country values the relationship with China and will "continue to approach it in a calm and consistent manner, guided by our national interest." The meeting came against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's sweeping trade tariffs. China is Australia's largest trading partner and the two leaders agreed to maintain an open dialogue. Albanese said he raised concerns over the Chinese navy's live-fire exercises in waters between Australia and New Zealand in February. The prime minister said Xi responded by saying both countries conduct exercises.


Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
India's EAM Jaishankar meets Chinese President Xi Jinping, apprises him of recent development in bilateral ties
Beijing: Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, along with fellow Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers, called on Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. During the meeting, Jaishankar apprised Xi of the recent development of bilateral ties. Jaishankar conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Xi Jinping. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard." Jaishankar is on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting. On Monday, Jaishankar held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable and constructive relationship. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Held detailed talks with Politburo Member and FM Wang Yi in Beijing this evening. Spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable & constructive relationship." "Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalizing people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures & roadblocks. Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory. Look forward to attending the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin tomorrow. India is committed to ensuring good outcomes and decisions," he added. He also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday and noted the improvement in bilateral ties. Jaishankar expressed confidence that discussions during his visit will maintain that positive trajectory. He expressed India's support for China's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency. "Pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after my arrival in Beijing today. Conveyed India's support for China's SCO Presidency. Noted the improvement in our bilateral ties. And expressed confidence that discussions during my visit will maintain that positive trajectory," Jaishankar posted on X. Jaishankar arrived in China after concluding his visit to Singapore. This is External Affairs Minister's first visit to China since relations soured following the deadly military clash in Galwan in 2020. Jaishankar's visit follows visits by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who had travelled to China in June for the SCO meetings. Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval -- part of a planned round of dialogue under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism aimed at resolving the decades-old boundary dispute. The 2020 Galwan Valley standoff between India and China was the worst border clash in over 40 years, resulting in the death of soldiers on both sides. The incident sharply escalated tensions and brought bilateral ties to a historic low. The decision to revive the SR dialogue and other dormant channels was reportedly taken during a brief exchange between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year. There have been a few glimmers of positive movement, most notably the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after nearly five years.


Russia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Russia-US talks to continue despite efforts to derail them
Russia will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with the US despite recent tensions and efforts to disrupt bilateral ties, presidential envoy and the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, has said. Dmitriev has been a prominent participant in Moscow's contacts with Washington. He was part of the Russian delegation that held meetings with US officials during previous rounds of dialogue under the administration of President Donald Trump. In a Telegram post on Monday, Dmitriev insisted that 'constructive dialogue between Russia and the US is more effective than deliberately doomed attempts at pressure.' He argued that the approach of former US President Joe Biden's administration had failed and was 'proven ineffective.' Dmitriev also noted that talks between the two countries would continue regardless of 'titanic efforts' to undermine them. He did not elaborate which specific efforts he was referring to. The Russian official stressed that mutual respect, realism, and economic cooperation are 'the foundation of global security and a sustainable world.' Since returning to office, Trump has broken from his predecessor's policy of attempting to isolate Russia. He has re-established communications with Moscow and has held several phone calls with President Vladimir Putin. Recently, however, Trump has expressed growing frustration over stalled Ukraine negotiations and has hinted at a potential policy shift on Russia. Last week, Trump said he would make an 'important announcement' on Monday regarding US-Russia relations. He has also recently pledged additional support to Kiev, including Patriots – without clarifying whether he was speaking about air defense systems or ammunition for them. US Senator Lindsey Graham has said the upcoming announcement will be 'very aggressive' and may involve offensive arms deliveries or new sanctions. He has also stated that the US Senate is looking to pass a sanctions bill that would allow Washington to impose 500% tariffs on nations that continue to trade with Russia. The bill would give Trump a 'sledgehammer' to use against Moscow, the hawkish senator said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia is 'carefully recording all the nuances' in Trump's statements and is awaiting the announcement to 'understand what President Trump meant.'


Reuters
5 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
China, India should continue practical cooperation, Chinese VP tells Indian minister
BEIJING, July 14 (Reuters) - China and India should steadily advance practical cooperation, China's Vice President Han Zheng told India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday, the official Chinese news agency said. During the meeting in Beijing, Han said both countries should also respect each other's concerns, and promote stable development of bilateral ties, Xinhua reported.