News articles and essays on the Indian diplomacy at work around the world.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and the Kenya Revenue Authority for the exchange of pre-arrival information on goods moving between the two countries. The agreement was signed by CBIC Member Yogendra Garg and KRA Commissioner General Dr Lilian Nyawanda in the presence of senior officials from both sides.
Baerbock is scheduled to be in India on April 28, 2026, where she will hold bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. The discussions are expected to focus on cooperation within the United Nations system, global peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, technology governance and the need for stronger international coordination in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
The agreement eliminates customs duties on 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand, providing a major boost to Indian industries, particularly labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather. It is expected to enhance India’s competitiveness in global markets while expanding opportunities for exporters.
This year’s SCO meeting is taking place in the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil being witnessed due to the situation in West Asia. The SCO, one of the largest political & economic organisations of the region, may discuss measures to reduce the impact of the ongoing conflict.
During the meeting, Doval conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE leadership. According to the Indian Embassy in the UAE, both sides discussed measures to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, along with the regional situation and other matters of common concern.
The pact comes after negotiations that began in March 2025 and were concluded in December 2025, making it one of India’s faster recent trade agreements. New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has described the agreement as a major opening for exporters, while New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has projected it as a gateway to India’s 1.4 billion-consumer market.
The latest drawdown comes after the Maldives settled an earlier US$400 million swap facility that it had availed in October 2024 under the US Dollar/Euro Swap Window of the bilateral arrangement between the RBI and the Maldives Monetary Authority. The Maldives Foreign Ministry said the repayment reflected the government’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations.
The Minister highlighted that bilateral cooperation has been particularly strong in areas such as water management, agriculture and high-technology sectors. He also pointed to growing engagement in emerging fields such as semiconductors and innovation-led industries, reflecting the changing nature of India–Netherlands collaboration.
During the interaction, Doval reportedly described India as a large ship in which all citizens travel together, stressing that the country’s future depends on collective responsibility rather than isolated identities. His message was clear: Indians, irrespective of religion or community, are part of the same national journey, and the country can progress only when every section feels invested in that journey.
During the visit, Shri Prasada held meetings with senior Czech leaders, including Karel Havlíček, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade; Jan Sechter, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade; and Marie Chatardová, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. These meetings reviewed the progress of India–Czech economic ties and explored fresh opportunities in priority sectors where both countries can build stronger business and industrial linkages.
