POLITICAL ISSUES

IRAN

1. Cabinet approves Bilateral MoU between India and Iran

New Delhi, Wednesday, 7 June 2017

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO), Iran in relation to mutual cooperation on matters pertaining to securities markets.Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

ISRAEL

2. India, Israel agree to work together to combat terrorism

New Delhi, Monday, 5 June 2017

India and Israel have agreed on the need to work together to combat the menace of terrorism, which was afflicting countries across the world. The discussion took place during a visit of Indian Parliamentary delegation to Israel.Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

3. India, Israel set to expand defence ties

New Delhi, Sunday, 11 June 2017

Afterprotected negotiation, India and Israel are close to concluding a deal for Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.  Source: The Hindu, Chennai

4. India, Israel sign ‘white shipping’ agreement

New Delhi, Monday, 12 June 2017

India and Israel signed a “white shipping” agreement to improve data sharing on non-classified merchant navy ships or cargo ships and the agreement was signed by, Admiral Lanba and Chief of the General Staff of Israeli Defence Force Lt Gen Gadi Eisenkot. Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi; See Also: Business Standard, New Delhi

5. Israel’s Prime Minister hails Modi’s upcoming visit as ‘very significant’

Jerusalem, Sunday, 25 June 2017

Israel’s Prime Minister hailed his Indian counterpart Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel. The first by an Indian premier as a ‘very significant step’ in strengthening bilateral relations that is on constant upswing. Source: The Hindu, Chennai; See Also: The Indian Express, New Delhi

6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost ties with Israel during 3-day visit next week

New Delhi, Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel on 4 July, Both Modi and Netanyahu will hold talks on ways to increase cooperation in key strategic areas, and are expected to, sign a slew of agreements in the fields of innovation, development, science, technology and space. Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi; See Also: The New Indian Express, Chennai; The Hindu, Chennai; Business Standard, New Delhi

KUWAIT

7. Kuwait airlift to Operation Raahat: Here is the major evacuation operations carried out by India

New Delhi, Thursday, 22 June 2017

India has a history of successful airlift and sea-based evacuation operations where a huge number of people were, brought back to the safety of Indian borders. India will operate special flights from June 25-28 to evacuate Indians from blockade-hit Qatar. Seven countries in the Gulf recently imposed a travel and trade boycott on Qatar. Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi

OMAN

8. India, Oman discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties

New Delhi, Sunday, 4 June 2017

External Affairs Shusma Swaraj held talk with Omani counterpart Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdhullah and discussed ways to further consolidate the strong bilateral relations and enhance project exports from India. Source: The Hindu, Chennai

QATAR

9. Government asks Indians in Qatar to ‘stay alert’

New Delhi, Thursday, 8 June 2017

As the Gulf crisis deepened between Saudi Arabia-led allies and Qatar, India is beginning to worry about its over 630,000 nationals who live and work in Qatar.Source: The Times of India, Mumbai; See Also: Hindustan Times, New Delhi

10. Saudi-Qatar situation is not like India and Pakistan: Saud Bin Al Mohammad Al-Stay 

New Delhi, Sunday, 18 June 2017

Saudi Ambassador Saud Bin Al Mohammad Al-Stay said that India’s firm stand on terror is appreciable, but rejected comparisons between the Saudi-Qatar relationships to India-Pakistan situation. Source: The Hindu, Chennai

11. India to operate special flights to bring Indians back from Qatar after blockade

New Delhi, Thursday, 22 June 2017India will operate a number of special flights for Indian citizens from Qatar, which is under travel and trade boycott from Gulf countries. The flights will be operated by,Air India and some private carriers to Doha, Qatar from Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai in India. Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi

New Delhi, Thursday, 22 June 2017

Responding to the Qatari crisis “It is not an evacuation. There is no need for evacuation. Indians there are safe and secure. There are regional political developments because of which there is a problem in connectivity,” said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson. Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi

SAUDI ARABIA

13. Indian techie forced to work as cleaner in Saudi Arabia rescued

Kolkata, Tuesday, 13 June2017

West Bengal CID brought back a software engineer who was forced to work in Saudi Arabia as a cleaner. Source:The Hindu, Chennai

14. Indian to return home after 24 years in Saudi Arabia: Report

New Delhi, Wednesday, 14 June 2017

A 52-year-old Indian national, who has been illegally living in the deserts of Saudi Arabia for 24 years, will soon return to India after the government announced a 90-day amnesty period, according to a media report.Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

ECONOMIC ISSUES

QATAR

15. Saudi-Qatar crisis: For Indians, a window of opportunity

Thiruvananthapuram, Tuesday, 6 June 2017

The bulk of the Indian expat community in the Gulf has traditionally been from Kerala. Of the estimated 650,000 Indians now in Qatar, some 300,000 are from Kerala. As Qatari employees are forced out of these countries and reciprocal action takes place in Qatar, job openings could emerge in Qatar. Indians could fill the jobs vacated by the citizens of these six nations. Source: The Indian Express, New Delhi 

SAUDI ARABIA

16. Saudi to impose family tax: What it means to 41 lakh Indians & their kins

New Delhi, Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Saudi Arabiahas always been a popular destination for job seekers. However, starting next month, things are about to change for the worse for expats. From July, Saudi will be collecting a new tax from expats and their dependents. The ‘dependent fee’ will be 100 Saudi riyals (approx. Rupees 1,723, as on Wednesday) per month for each dependent. The amount expected to increase gradually every year until 2020. Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

17. Egypt has contracted to import 20,000 tonnes of Indian rice

Cairo, Wednesday, 3 May 2017

A Cabinet’s statement came into light that Egypt, traditionally a rice exporter, has contracted to purchase 20,000 tonnes of Indian rice. Source: Business Standard, New Delhi

UAE

18. Tejas Networks gains after Abu Dhabi Investment, Amansa Holdings buy stake

Mumbai, Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Tejas networkwas up 4 per cent to Rupees 274 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), in early morning trade after institutional investors from the UAE bought the stake in the company via open market.Source: Business Standard