The United States is engaging with India over the issue of Ukraine and this will continue in the upcoming Quad summit in Japan next month, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters here. “We have had a number of engagements, as you know, with leaders in India about our approach to supporting the Ukrainians in this war, whether that is sanctions and the enormous sanctions package we’ve put in place or, of course, the assistance we’ve provided. We will convey the same sentiments in this meeting,” Psaki said. She was responding to a question on the Quad summit in Japan in May and how the issue of Ukraine would be raised or discussed. The Quad comprises Japan, India, Australia and the United States and the US Administration has said President Joe Biden will be meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi there. “This meeting is several weeks away, so a lot can certainly happen. And as you know, other members of Quad have also been vital partners and supporters of the … [Read more...] about US to Keep Engaging with India On Ukraine, to Continue During Upcoming QUAD Summit: White House
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India Must Lead Quad Effort to Pull Out Sri Lanka from Clutches of China’s Debt Trap Diplomacy
The statement issued by Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was nothing short of an intimation, nay confirmation, of the apocalyptic economic crisis that the island nation confronts. The numbers thrown by Mr Wickremesinghe are self-explanatory of the mess that he will need to clean up to put Sri Lanka back on track. Government revenues cover only 40 per cent of the expenditure being incurred. The fiscal deficit is around 13 per cent of GDP. The foreign exchange reserves are virtually non-existent. According to Wickremesinghe, “It is a challenge for the treasury to find USD 1 million.” Petrol stocks are down to just one day. Sri Lanka is looking at power cuts of around 15 hours a day because a quarter of the electricity is produced from oil which the government has no money to buy. There are huge shortages of medicines. Shortages of virtually every other commodity, including food, are inescapable. With the government being “compelled to print money” to pay … [Read more...] about India Must Lead Quad Effort to Pull Out Sri Lanka from Clutches of China’s Debt Trap Diplomacy
Thailand Gets India-made Covid Vaccine Covovax Under Quad Initiative
Thailand on Thursday received 200,000 doses of India-made Covovax vaccines as part of a flagship initiative of the Quad grouping to help countries combat the coronavirus pandemic. The vaccine doses were handed over to Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Bangkok by India’s Ambassador to Thailand Suchitra Durai, Australian envoy Allan McKinnon, Japan’s Nashida Kazuya and US Charge d’Affaires James Wayman, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. “The consignment comprising 200,000 doses of Made in India, Covovax vaccines was presented to Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health of Thailand on April 21 in Bangkok,” it said. This is the second consignment of vaccines delivered by India under the Quad vaccine partnership, after the inaugural supply to Cambodia on April 12. The Quad vaccine partnership was announced by leaders of the four-nation grouping at their first summit on March 12 last year. The MEA said the vaccine doses … [Read more...] about Thailand Gets India-made Covid Vaccine Covovax Under Quad Initiative
IndiGo Appoints Pieter Elbers as New CEO as Ronojoy Dutta Set to Retire; Details Here
The country’s largest domestic budget carrier IndiGo on Wednesday announced the appointment of Pieter Elbers as its Chief Executive Officer, replacing incumbent Ronojoy Dutta. The 71 year-old Dutta, who came to helm the airline in January 2019, has decided to retire on September 30, after guiding the airline through the turbulent Covid period, IndiGo said in a statement. Elbers’ appointment, which is subject to regulatory approvals, will be effective from on or before October 1, it said. Since 2014, Elbers (52) has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Air France KLM Group, the airline said. “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Pieter Elbers as the Chief Executive Officer of the company. India promises to be the last bastion of enormous growth globally and given Elbers’ deep understanding of the business, his legendary leadership qualities coupled with his energy and passion, … [Read more...] about IndiGo Appoints Pieter Elbers as New CEO as Ronojoy Dutta Set to Retire; Details Here