Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday led to several significant agreements and investment commitments spanning defence, energy, infrastructure, and banking sectors. India and the UAE signed a Framework Agreement on Strategic Defence Partnership, marking a step forward in strengthening bilateral security cooperation. The two sides also concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Petroleum Reserves along with an agreement on the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), further deepening energy collaboration.
In the maritime domain, both countries agreed to establish a Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar through an MoU. Additionally, investment commitments worth around USD 5 billion were announced in Indian infrastructure projects, as well as in RBL Bank and Samman Capital. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE visit is part of a broader five-nation tour from May 15 to 20, which also includes the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, aimed at expanding India’s strategic partnerships in trade, technology, energy, innovation, and green growth. Following the UAE, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the Netherlands for talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten and meetings with the Dutch royal family, focusing on semiconductors, green hydrogen, defence, innovation, and water management.
He will then travel to Sweden for bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, with a focus on AI, emerging technologies, and green transition, before attending the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Norway, where regional cooperation and supply chain resilience are expected to be key topics.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, speaking on Thursday at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, urged BRICS members and the wider international community to strongly condemn what he described as violations of international law by the United States and Israel amid rising tensions in West Asia.
He said Iran sees BRICS as a sign of an emerging global order shaped largely by countries of the Global South. Araghchi added that what once seemed like an aspiration has now become reality, though still fragile, as he accused declining Western powers of reacting with “desperation and aggression” in an attempt to reverse this shift.
He framed Iran’s confrontation with Western countries as part of a broader struggle against Western dominance, arguing that Iran’s actions serve the interests of BRICS nations and the Global South. According to him, Iranian forces have sacrificed in opposition to what he called Western hegemony and perceived American immunity.
Expressing gratitude for support from BRICS members, he called for stronger collective efforts to challenge what he described as a sense of US superiority and accountability gaps in the international system. He also said many BRICS countries are familiar with American pressure tactics and coercion.
Araghchi further accused Western nations of contributing to violations of sovereignty and supporting violence across the Global South. He urged BRICS and other international actors to condemn US and Israeli actions against Iran, uphold the UN Charter, and take concrete steps to curb impunity and prevent escalation of conflicts. He concluded that BRICS could become a key pillar in creating a more balanced and fair global order. The meeting, held on May 14–15, is focused on global governance, development issues, and geopolitical challenges, with India currently holding the BRICS chairmanship.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@Iran_in_India.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) has stated that the Strait of Hormuz has been “significantly expanded,” now treating it as a wide strategic maritime corridor stretching from Jask and Sirik to areas beyond Qeshm Island and Greater Tunb Island. According to IRGC Navy political deputy Mohammad Akbarzadeh, Iran has redefined how it views the boundaries of this key waterway. He said the earlier perception of the strait as a narrow zone around islands like Hormuz and Hengam is no longer valid under Iran’s current naval approach.
He explained that the operational area has expanded from a traditional width of about 20–30 miles to roughly 200–300 miles (around 500 km), forming what he described as a “crescent-shaped” zone extending across a much larger maritime region. Akbarzadeh further said the Strait of Hormuz is now considered a broad operational theatre under Iranian oversight, stretching between key coastal and island points, rather than a confined passage.
Reaffirming Iran’s stance, he added that the country is closely monitoring regional maritime activity and will not tolerate any infringement on its waters or interests. He emphasized Iran’s commitment to defending its territorial integrity “at all costs,” including through military readiness. The IRGC also indicated that it will regulate shipping routes through the strait, allowing only designated corridors and warning of strict action against vessels that deviate from approved paths.
These declarations come amid heightened regional tensions, which Iranian officials link to recent conflicts involving the US and Israel. Iran has also imposed tighter controls on vessels it considers hostile, citing retaliatory measures against what it describes as restrictive actions on its maritime trade.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran has several possible options for handling ongoing regional tensions, including engaging in negotiations based on “dignity” and “authority.” He emphasized that any diplomatic efforts should be aligned with national interests and supported by Iran’s military strength, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).
Speaking at a meeting with the commander-in-chief and senior officials of the Faraj police force, Pezeshkian also reviewed their performance during what Iranian authorities described as a “recent imposed war.” He highlighted the importance of strengthening Iran’s internal security system, including improving infrastructure, equipment, and the role of grassroots security units.
Outlining Iran’s strategic choices, the president said the country could either pursue dignified negotiations that safeguard national rights, remain in a state of neither war nor peace, or continue confrontation. He noted that Iran’s preferred approach is diplomacy backed by military achievements and national strength, ensuring that battlefield successes are reflected in diplomatic outcomes.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran’s proposals are intended to protect its national interests while also contributing to regional and global stability, according to state-linked media. He described Iran’s position as reasonable and cooperative, while accusing the United States of maintaining unrealistic demands and continuing its “maximum pressure” policy.
Baghaei reiterated Iran’s claims that it is acting as a responsible regional power and rejected allegations of aggression, stressing opposition to coercion. He also outlined Tehran’s demands, including ending hostilities, lifting restrictions, unfreezing Iranian assets, and ensuring secure regional transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump criticized Iran’s response to a US proposal aimed at reducing regional tensions, calling it “totally unacceptable” in a post on Truth Social, following Iran’s reported reply delivered via diplomatic channels.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
As the Iran war continues and energy shortages worsen, China has increased its influence in Asia by helping fuel-dependent countries manage supply disruptions while promoting its renewable energy technology. After the U.S. and Israel attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, China restricted oil-product exports, tightening supplies of fuel like diesel and jet fuel for several Asian nations. While Asia struggles with rising energy costs, China is in a stronger position due to large reserves, reduced oil dependence, and major investments in clean energy. Beijing has held talks with several countries and positioned itself as a stable alternative by offering support through green energy solutions rather than fossil fuels.At the same time, the crisis has helped China expand exports of solar panels and electric vehicles, strengthening its role in global energy security.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.
On the eve of Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore how the US president’s stance on relations with Xi Jinping has evolved since his first presidential campaign, and what both leaders are likely hoping to gain from the meeting. The discussion also highlights the group of technology CEOs accompanying Trump, including Elon Musk of Tesla and Apple chief Tim Cook, and explains why trade issues are expected to dominate the agenda. The segment examines how Trump’s ballroom project escalated to an estimated billion-dollar cost and questions who is ultimately expected to fund it.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Jonathan Freedland talks with law professor and author Leah Litman about the recent rulings of the conservative-majority Supreme Court, upcoming cases, and the debate over whether the court is now being seen more as a political body than a purely judicial one.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Since the beginning of March, three cabinet secretaries have either resigned or been removed from the US administration. Reports now indicate that additional officials may also be at risk of losing their positions. Jonathan Freedland discusses with MS NOW White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López why Donald Trump appears to be acting with greater decisiveness and severity in his second term.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Donald Trump has reportedly ordered a large-scale naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz following unsuccessful peace talks held in Pakistan. The operation is said to target ships moving through Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In a related discussion, analysts including Stephen Zunes provided insights on the latest developments, as presenters Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examined the situation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
