RIYADH, 17 March 2022, (TON): Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Riyadh.”

Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership council.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and British PM Boris Johnson attend a Saudi-UK Strategic Partnership Council meeting. (SPA)

The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in various fields and opportunities to develop it.

They also discussed regional and international issues of common interest including the latest developments in Ukraine.

Earlier, Johnson met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nayhan, in Abu Dhabi.

LONDON, 17 March 2022, (TON): Tunisian President Kais Saied met with Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini.

The meeting at Carthage Palace covered military cooperation between the two countries amid the ongoing 23rd session of the Tunisian-Italian military commission.

The military discussions follow talks between Tunisian Defense Minister Imed Memmich and Italian Ambassador Lorenzo Fanara, where the latter said Rome is ready to help Tunisia develop its military capabilities.

The two sides also discussed migration, as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

Saied reaffirmed Tunisia’s keenness to enhance ties with Italy, which have been demonstrated through cooperation against pandemic and at various other governmental levels.

DHAKA, 17 March 2022, (TON): Bangladesh and Japan would explore scopes for signing a free trade agreement for boosting bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation.

Planning minister MA Mannan told “a dialogue on Wednesday that Japan would be a strong contender for signing a free trade agreement with Bangladesh and the bilateral trade relations would be smoother if the agreement is signed.”

He said at the dialogue on Bangladesh-Japan partnership organized by Centre for Policy Dialogue organised the event “based on the experiences of the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan over the past 50 years, we’re looking forward to the next 50 years which is going to be much better, stronger and warm.”

Japanese ambassador to Dhaka ITO Naoki said that Tokyo was considering a joint study on framing the FTA with Bangladesh.

He added “if we can start the process and frame it, this will help boost our economic partnership but this has to be reciprocal.”

Naoki noted that there was a need to focus to train the Bangladeshi workforce for catering the needs of Japanese market.

KABUL, 17 March 2022, (TON): Sultan Masood Daqiq, an Afghan with international experience in humanitarian and development projects, has said “he is trying to set up a company in Afghanistan that would give more profits to the Baitul Mall.”

Daqiq, who arrived in Kabul from Germany 10 days ago after 38 years, met with Nooruddin Azizi, deputy Acting Minister of Industry and Trade.

During the meeting, Azizi said that industry is new in Afghanistan and investing in this country can have good results because no work has been done here.

He urged Daqiq to bring his capital to the country and encourage other investors abroad to invest in Afghanistan.

He added that there is no problem for investment in the country and the government supports and facilitates all investors.

KABUL, 17 March 2022, (TON): The interim government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has approved the establishment of an exclusive commission aimed at inviting and getting Afghan figures in exile returned to Afghanistan.

The commission is named “Repatriation and Connection” and was ratified at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

A press release made public by the Administration of Affairs of the IEA reads “Repatriation and Connection” commission will be led by Shahabudin Delawar, the acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum.

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Minister of Information and Culture Khairullah Khairkhwa, acting Minister of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of vice Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, acting Army Chief of Staff Fasihudin are members.

NEW DELHI, 17 March 2022, (TON): Hardline Hindu groups are demanding restrictions on wearing the hijab in classrooms in more Indian states after a court upheld a ban on the traditional Islamic headscarf in Karnataka state, worrying Muslim students.

The Karnataka High Court decision, backing the southern state's ban on the hijab in February, has also been welcomed by top federal ministers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, who say “students should avoid wearing religious clothing in class.”

There is no national guideline on uniforms in India and states often leave it to schools to decide what their students should wear.

Rishi Trivedi, president of the Hindu-first group Akhil Bharat Hindu MahaSabha, said "we are a Hindu nation and we do not want to see any kind of religious outfit in educational institutes of the country.”

"We welcome the court verdict and want the same rule to be followed throughout the country."

NEW DELHI, 17 March 2022, (TON): Sources said that Indian Oil Corporation the nation’s top oil firm, has bought as much as 3 million barrels of crude oil that Russia had offered at steep discount to prevailing international rates.

Sources aware of the matter said “IOC bought Urals crude for May delivery at a discount of USD 20-25 a barrel to dated Brent.”

As the US and other western nations slapped sanctions on Moscow, Russia has begun offering oil and other commodities at discounted prices to India and other large importers.

IOC made the purchase on modified terms that require the seller to deliver it to the Indian coast so as to avoid any complications that sanctions may lead to in arranging shipping and insurance.

They said “Unlike the sanctions the US imposed on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme, oil and energy trade with Russia has not been banned. This means international payment systems are available to settle any purchase made from Russia.”

DHAKA, 17 March 2022, (TON): British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said “the United Kingdom is keen to expand its investment in Bangladesh.”

The UK envoy said this while visiting the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsharai and Sitakunda upazilas of Chittagong and Sonagazi Upazila of Feni, said a press release.

IFC Country Manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal Martin Holtmann also visited the industrial city.

Executive Member of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority Mohammad Irfan Sharif, Project Director of the BSMSN Development Project Abdullah Al Mahmud Faruk and other senior officials were present on the occasion.

During the visit, BEZA officials briefed the envoy about various development activities, investment proposals, industrial installations, one stop service center and service management provided by BEZA through a powerpoint presentation.

DHAKA, 17 March 2022, (TON): Bangladesh has expressed its keenness to scale up the level of engagement in friendship and cooperation as well as proposed a time-bound roadmap to enhance relationship with Saudi Arabia.

These were stated at the first ever Political Consultations between the Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at a city hotel.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud led their respected sides.

 During the Consultations, both the sides took stock of the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest in regional and multilateral arena.

 Among the issues that came up for review and discussion were increased bilateral trade and investment, recruitment of skilled manpower, Hajj management, education, health, environment and climate change, ICT and tourism.

WASHINGTON, 16 March 2022, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.  Secretary Blinken emphasized the continuing importance of the U.S.-Azerbaijani bilateral partnership and the U.S. commitment to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region.

Noting recent reports of escalation between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, the Secretary called for the sides to show restraint and intensify diplomatic engagement to find comprehensive solutions to all outstanding issues. 

He also stressed the importance of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Azerbaijan.