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Gravitas Global Headlines: US-India security cooperation | Saudi-Iran embassy opening

A secret meeting of world's spy chiefs was allegedly held in Singapore over the weekend. The meeting was reportedly attended by spy chiefs from India, US & China. What did they discuss? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Spy Chiefs from India, US & China reportedly met in Singapore

US and Canada were conducting joint drills in Taiwan Strait when Chinese warship came dangerously close to US vessel. US has condemned China's dangerous maneuver while China says US' actions were 'provoking'. Will the ties between two superpowers continue to fray? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: 'Dangerous interaction' between Chinese & US warships in Taiwan Strait

It is indeed an honour for an Indian prime minister when he is invited to address a joint session of the Congress (parliament) of the United States, which, despite its hiccups, remains the world's sole superpower and the most powerful democracy to boot. The honour due this month for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doubled when you realise that about 18 years ago, he was denied a visa by the same country.

In 2005, Modi, then Gujarat chief minister and nowhere seen to be in the race to become the PM of the world's most populous democracy, was denied a diplomatic visa by the State Department because he was not qualified for that purpose and on top of that his existing tourist/business visa was revoked in a move clearly linked to Hindu-Muslim riots in his state in 2002. The visa denial was on the ground that Modi was seen as a person under the Immigration and Nationality Act "responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom." The then-Congress party-led UPA government in New Delhi did request the US to review the decision in favour of its opposition BJP leader, but that did not work.

We have come a long way from there, haven't we?

Modi has indeed visited the US five times after assuming office in 2014 and things have changed a lot but it is time to add a few caveats because diplomacy is simply not what it used to be.

Relations between countries are broadly seen as relations between its peoples, but in a world where liberalism, freedom of speech and democracy are expected to hang together (at least in principle), leaders have to contend with many facets of diplomacy. That is exactly the reality check Modi needs as he heads to the US for what is clearly a strategic bilateral relationship being taken to the next level.

But first, the small detail of whether Modi's honour is rare as Indian prime ministers go. The rarity of his visit would come more from the fact that the joint Congress session delegates would be listening to a man to whom the State Department once denied a mere tourist visa than from his stature as the Indian PM, as his gushing followers on WhatsApp forwards suggest.

Modi is the sixth Indian PM after Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh to address the joint session. I believe the significance is greater now more because of the geopolitical situation in which the US keen to enlarge its Asian influence to contain China amid India emerging as a key economic power with a vast technological army.

The fact that Modi's June 22 speech would be his second to a joint Congress session after the visa denial makes it truly unprecedented and magnificent. He last addressed the House of Representatives and Senate members together in 2016.

I have, however, little doubt that Track III diplomacy will continue to nag Modi. I define Track III diplomacy as a new-age term in a world connected by the Internet and social media to describe close contact, conversations, shouting matches and coordinated protests done by political dissidents and civil society groups of various countries.

Track II diplomacy is a term normally used to describe informal and unofficial meetings between private individuals to read a common ground between official negotiators of two countries. These could be academics, activists, business leaders or non-governmental organisations. They usually have the blessings of the government of the day.

Track III is a study in contrast. You could call it contra diplomacy that influences bilateral relations beyond the hugs, kisses and photo opportunities that show official bonhomie.

It is now a hard reality because most democracies are now strained by concerns on extremism, dissidence and right-wing politics that bring race, religion, freedom of speech and human rights into mainstream diplomacy focused on security and trade. The reality gets harder when you realise that media conversations and Congressional hearings, Track III can influence Track II and I.

When Modi faced Washington's visa ban in 2005, US Ambassador David Mulford mentioned that the "two great and vibrant democracies share common values on the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and representative government."

The simple fact is that a lot has changed in both the US and India since then.

Democrat President Joe Biden's Republican predecessor Donald Trump has faced extensive criticism or allegations of racism. In India, Modi has right-wing ideologues who frown on American "wokeism" that is now questioning the Indian practice of caste on US soil. And these wokes are close to Biden's Democratic party, whether Modi likes it or not. Anti-US protests are so common in India, that individual American presidents would be least bothered unlike Modi supporters fretting over US 'wokeism'. Trump and Modi both have fans and critics in each other's country.

Modi's biggest baiter, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has been in the US addressing the Indian diaspora, Stanford University dons and students and other forums slamming Modi's politics, policies and personality. US civil rights groups will continue to target Modi, no matter what.

Modi's followers see this as an "anti-national" move as they expect (somewhat naively) that post-colonial ideas of national unity should be the norm. But India is no longer a freshly-minted independent nation. It is a colourful, noisy, reasonably mature democracy.

On a recent visit to Australia, Modi pointed to the fact that his address to the Indian diaspora was attended by both the current Labor Prime Minister and the previous one from the Liberal Party sitting now in the opposition. While he did get a rockstar tag for his Sydney Olympic Park address to a 21,000-strong crowd, it is equally true that he was criticised in Canberra by Indian dissidents and human rights groups joining hands with Australian Greens at a private event hosted in Australia's national parliament premises where a BBC documentary critical of Modi was screened -- whereas it is banned in India.

Historians and rights activists do not forget things in a hurry -- and that is the beauty of liberalism and democracy. As significantly liberal democracies, Australia and the US are more accepting of this truth. When he actually lands in the US, private conversations on Modi will not be limited to what is said in public by officials. Track III realism is part of the new normal. 
 
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

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It is indeed an honour for an Indian prime minister when he is invited to address a joint session of the Congress (parliament) of the United States, which, despite its hiccups, remains the world's sole superpower and the most powerful democracy to boot.

It is indeed an honour for an Indian prime minister when he is invited to address a joint session of the Congress (parliament) of the United States, which, despite its hiccups, remains the world's sole superpower and the most powerful democracy to boot. The honour due this month for Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doubled when you realise that about 18 years ago, he was denied a visa by the same country. In 2005, Modi, then Gujarat chief minister and nowhere seen to be in the race to become the PM of the world's most populous democracy, was denied a diplomatic visa by the State Department because he was not qualified for that purpose and on top of that his existing tourist/business visa was revoked in a move clearly linked to Hindu-Muslim riots in his state in 2002. The visa denial was on the ground that Modi was seen as a person under the Immigration and Nationality Act "responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom." The then-Congress party-led UPA government in New Delhi did request the US to review the decision in favour of its opposition BJP leader, but that did not work. We have come a long way from there, haven't we? Modi has indeed visited the US five times after assuming office in 2014 and things have changed a lot but it is time to add a few caveats because diplomacy is simply not what it used to be. Relations between countries are broadly seen as relations between its peoples, but in a world where liberalism, freedom of speech and democracy are expected to hang together (at least in principle), leaders have to contend with many facets of diplomacy. That is exactly the reality check Modi needs as he heads to the US for what is clearly a strategic bilateral relationship being taken to the next level. But first, the small detail of whether Modi's honour is rare as Indian prime ministers go. The rarity of his visit would come more from the fact that the joint Congress session delegates would be listening to a man to whom the State Department once denied a mere tourist visa than from his stature as the Indian PM, as his gushing followers on WhatsApp forwards suggest. Modi is the sixth Indian PM after Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh to address the joint session. I believe the significance is greater now more because of the geopolitical situation in which the US keen to enlarge its Asian influence to contain China amid India emerging as a key economic power with a vast technological army. The fact that Modi's June 22 speech would be his second to a joint Congress session after the visa denial makes it truly unprecedented and magnificent. He last addressed the House of Representatives and Senate members together in 2016. I have, however, little doubt that Track III diplomacy will continue to nag Modi. I define Track III diplomacy as a new-age term in a world connected by the Internet and social media to describe close contact, conversations, shouting matches and coordinated protests done by political dissidents and civil society groups of various countries. Track II diplomacy is a term normally used to describe informal and unofficial meetings between private individuals to read a common ground between official negotiators of two countries. These could be academics, activists, business leaders or non-governmental organisations. They usually have the blessings of the government of the day. Track III is a study in contrast. You could call it contra diplomacy that influences bilateral relations beyond the hugs, kisses and photo opportunities that show official bonhomie. It is now a hard reality because most democracies are now strained by concerns on extremism, dissidence and right-wing politics that bring race, religion, freedom of speech and human rights into mainstream diplomacy focused on security and trade. The reality gets harder when you realise that media conversations and Congressional hearings, Track III can influence Track II and I. When Modi faced Washington's visa ban in 2005, US Ambassador David Mulford mentioned that the "two great and vibrant democracies share common values on the freedom of speech, freedom of religion and representative government." The simple fact is that a lot has changed in both the US and India since then. Democrat President Joe Biden's Republican predecessor Donald Trump has faced extensive criticism or allegations of racism. In India, Modi has right-wing ideologues who frown on American "wokeism" that is now questioning the Indian practice of caste on US soil. And these wokes are close to Biden's Democratic party, whether Modi likes it or not. Anti-US protests are so common in India, that individual American presidents would be least bothered unlike Modi supporters fretting over US 'wokeism'. Trump and Modi both have fans and critics in each other's country. Modi's biggest baiter, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, has been in the US addressing the Indian diaspora, Stanford University dons and students and other forums slamming Modi's politics, policies and personality. US civil rights groups will continue to target Modi, no matter what. Modi's followers see this as an "anti-national" move as they expect (somewhat naively) that post-colonial ideas of national unity should be the norm. But India is no longer a freshly-minted independent nation. It is a colourful, noisy, reasonably mature democracy. On a recent visit to Australia, Modi pointed to the fact that his address to the Indian diaspora was attended by both the current Labor Prime Minister and the previous one from the Liberal Party sitting now in the opposition. While he did get a rockstar tag for his Sydney Olympic Park address to a 21,000-strong crowd, it is equally true that he was criticised in Canberra by Indian dissidents and human rights groups joining hands with Australian Greens at a private event hosted in Australia's national parliament premises where a BBC documentary critical of Modi was screened -- whereas it is banned in India. Historians and rights activists do not forget things in a hurry -- and that is the beauty of liberalism and democracy. As significantly liberal democracies, Australia and the US are more accepting of this truth. When he actually lands in the US, private conversations on Modi will not be limited to what is said in public by officials. Track III realism is part of the new normal. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Modi's US visit a rebound from historic lows, but dissident notes abound

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin's diplomatic visit to India is the centre of attention. The US defence secretary has arrived in India's capital city of New Delhi after taking part in the Shangri-La Summit in Singapore. Austin is currently in India for a two-day visit to discuss a variety of bilateral issues with India's defence minister, Rajnath Singh. This is the defence secretary's second visit to India; the previous one was in March 2021.

Rajnath Singh & Lloyd Austin meeting: US-India defence cooperation in focus | World DNA

All eyes on - Lloyd Austin's diplomatic trip to India - he is currently on a two-day visit to India - to discuss a range of bilateral issues with India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The whole world is watching his arrival in India. Watch the video to know more.

India's Defence Min Rajnath Singh to host US' Lloyd Austin, Germany's Boris Pistorius | World DNA

Tensions are high in the Taiwan Strait a US and a Chinese warship had a dangerous interaction. This comes as ties between the two superpowers continue to worsen. Take a look at the incident as the US Navy released a new video showing Chinese warships coming within 137 years of its destroyer in the Taiwan Strait. To know more watch this interview with Elisabeth Braw who is a Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

U.S.-China ships close encounter in Taiwan Strait

China defends intercepting the US destroyer at Taiwan Strait

As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis fights the lawsuits with what critics have described as a blank check from the state's supermajority Republican legislature, the mounting legal costs have come heavily at the expense of Florida’s taxpayers. WION tells you more in this report.

Florida Governor DeSantis criticised for wasting taxpayers' money

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on enhancing India-US defence ties, regional security and other issues. Lloyd Austin arrived in New Delhi on Sunday on a two-day tour.

Lloyd Austin India Visit: Agreement on new roadmap for India-US industrial cooperation

The United States Navy, on Sunday&nbsp;(June 4) said its personnel along with the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in&nbsp;the Persian Gulf after three&nbsp;fast-attack boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard allegedly “harassed” it.&nbsp;

<h2>What did the US Navy say about the incident?</h2>

In a statement, the US Navy claimed that there were three fast-attack vessels of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard with armed troops on board which approached a merchant ship&nbsp;on Sunday afternoon.&nbsp;

The US Navy responded to the ship’s call with its guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul, while the Royal Navy dispatched its frigate HMS Lancaster, the latter also launched a helicopter for surveillance.&nbsp;

The incident took place around 4:56 pm (local time) when an internationally-flagged merchant vessel made a radio distress call and the “civilian crew” said the US Navy, in a statement, adding&nbsp;that three fast-attack boats approached and followed the merchant vessel at a “close distance”. 
 
“The fast-attacked craft were assessed to be from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy,” said the US Navy.&nbsp;It added, “The situation de-escalated approximately an hour later when the merchant vessel confirmed the fast-attack craft departed the scene. The merchant ship continued transiting the Strait of Hormuz without further incident.”&nbsp;

The US Navy also released black-and-white images of the alleged incident which they said was taken by the US Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon overhead. The images show three small boats approaching a commercial ship. However, the US Navy did not identify the merchant vessel involved.

<h2>What else do we know about the reported incident?</h2>

A report by the Associated Press, citing ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com, said that a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier named Venture “erratically” changed its course as it travelled through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf around the same time the&nbsp;incident took place.&nbsp;

Additionally, the report also said that its location matched information about the incident given by the UK Maritime Trade Operations, a military operation which oversees traffic in the region. As per the media report, the ship’s registered manager was Trust Bulkers of Athens, Greece.&nbsp;

The latest incident also comes amid a series of maritime confrontations which have reportedly involved Tehran after the US withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018. Notably, about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp; 
 
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The United States Navy, on Sunday (June 4) said its personnel along with the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf after three fast-attack boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard allegedly “harassed” it.

The United States Navy, on Sunday (June 4) said its personnel along with the United Kingdom Royal Navy came to the aid of a merchant ship in the Strait of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf after three fast-attack boats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard allegedly “harassed” it. What did the US Navy say about the incident? In a statement, the US Navy claimed that there were three fast-attack vessels of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard with armed troops on board which approached a merchant ship on Sunday afternoon. The US Navy responded to the ship’s call with its guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul, while the Royal Navy dispatched its frigate HMS Lancaster, the latter also launched a helicopter for surveillance. The incident took place around 4:56 pm (local time) when an internationally-flagged merchant vessel made a radio distress call and the “civilian crew” said the US Navy, in a statement, adding that three fast-attack boats approached and followed the merchant vessel at a “close distance”. “The fast-attacked craft were assessed to be from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy,” said the US Navy. It added, “The situation de-escalated approximately an hour later when the merchant vessel confirmed the fast-attack craft departed the scene. The merchant ship continued transiting the Strait of Hormuz without further incident.” The US Navy also released black-and-white images of the alleged incident which they said was taken by the US Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidon overhead. The images show three small boats approaching a commercial ship. However, the US Navy did not identify the merchant vessel involved. What else do we know about the reported incident? A report by the Associated Press, citing ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic.com, said that a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier named Venture “erratically” changed its course as it travelled through the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf around the same time the incident took place. Additionally, the report also said that its location matched information about the incident given by the UK Maritime Trade Operations, a military operation which oversees traffic in the region. As per the media report, the ship’s registered manager was Trust Bulkers of Athens, Greece. The latest incident also comes amid a series of maritime confrontations which have reportedly involved Tehran after the US withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018. Notably, about 20 per cent of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US, UK navies respond to ‘distress call’ in Strait of Hormuz after Iranian boats ‘harassed’ ship

Lloyd Austin meets Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval

India's Rajnath Singh holds talks with US counterpart Lloyd Austin in New Delhi

As India and US discuss measures to counter the escalating Chinese aggression, the focus is on India's challenges with China in the Eastern Ladakh region. Western countries see India as a deterrent against increasing Chinese aggression in the region. WION tells you more in this report.

Chinese aggression crucial part of US-India Defence Chief talks

The United States and European countries have renewed discussions on ways to confront Iran over its nuclear movements amid growing fears that the Islamic Republic’s fierce extension of its programme would trigger a regional war.

The move would highlight a transformation in the Western way of thinking. It would also underline concerns about the growing crisis as Tehran has augmented uranium to such levels that United States officials have cautioned that it could beget adequate material for a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks.

“There is recognition that we need an active diplomatic plan to tackle Iran’s nuclear programme, rather than allowing it to drift,” Financial Times quoted a Western diplomat as saying. “The thing that worries me is that Iran’s decision-making is quite chaotic and it could stumble its way into war with Israel.”

As per FT reports, the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom ceased diplomatic efforts to clinch the crisis in the month of September. This came after Tehran infuriated the Western governments by saying no to a draft proposal to revitalise the 2015 nuclear deal, launched a violent crackdown on anti-regime demonstrators, sold armed drones to Russia and arrested a number of European nationals.

However, in recent months, there has been contact with Iranian officials, including a meeting in Oslo in the month of March between the officials from France, Germany and the UK and Iran’s nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-releases-2-austrians-1-danish-with-assistance-from-oman-belgium-599839">Iran releases 2 Austrians, 1 Danish with assistance from Oman, Belgium</a>

The US special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, has met several times with Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, say diplomats and analysts, reported FT.

The talks were mainly aimed at the possibility of a prisoner exchange with Iran, FT quoted a person close to the administration as saying. Tehran holds at least three US-Iranian nationals.

<h2>Iran releases 2 Austrians, 1 Danish national</h2>

Iran freed two Austrian and one Danish national who had been detained there.&nbsp;

Alexander Schallenberg, the foreign minister of Austria, expressed his relief on Friday (June 2) that Kamran Ghaderi and Massud Mossaheb were returning home after "years of arduous detention in Iran."

Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said he was “happy and relieved that a Danish citizen is on his way home to his family in Denmark after imprisonment in Iran,” reported Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

As per the experts, a successful US prisoner exchange could improve the environment for any nuclear talks.&nbsp;

<h2>Iran's enriched uranium stockpile over 23 times the limit of 2015 deal</h2>

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday (May 31) that Iran has apparently significantly increased its stockpile of enriched uranium in recent months, continuing its nuclear escalation.&nbsp;

However, IAEA has received a "possible explanation" from Iran over nuclear material at an undeclared site and has decided to close the file, news agency AFP reported citing a report it has seen.&nbsp;

In its report, IAEA said that the estimated stockpile of enriched uranium in Tehran had reached more than 23 times what was set as the limit.&nbsp;

The nuclear deal was signed in 2015 and Iran agreed to a pact with six major powers (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States + Germany) to limit its nuclear programme. It was harder for Iran to obtain a weapon in return for relief from economic sanctions.&nbsp;

But former US President Donald Trump reneged on the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. Trump's decision led Tehran to start violating the agreement's nuclear limits about a year later.&nbsp;

But in recent time, there has been negotiations and talks to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but so far, there has not been any breakthrough.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United States and European countries have renewed discussions on ways to confront Iran over its nuclear movements amid growing fears that the Islamic Republic’s fierce extension of its programme would trigger a regional war.

The United States and European countries have renewed discussions on ways to confront Iran over its nuclear movements amid growing fears that the Islamic Republic’s fierce extension of its programme would trigger a regional war. The move would highlight a transformation in the Western way of thinking. It would also underline concerns about the growing crisis as Tehran has augmented uranium to such levels that United States officials have cautioned that it could beget adequate material for a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks. “There is recognition that we need an active diplomatic plan to tackle Iran’s nuclear programme, rather than allowing it to drift,” Financial Times quoted a Western diplomat as saying. “The thing that worries me is that Iran’s decision-making is quite chaotic and it could stumble its way into war with Israel.” As per FT reports, the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom ceased diplomatic efforts to clinch the crisis in the month of September. This came after Tehran infuriated the Western governments by saying no to a draft proposal to revitalise the 2015 nuclear deal, launched a violent crackdown on anti-regime demonstrators, sold armed drones to Russia and arrested a number of European nationals. However, in recent months, there has been contact with Iranian officials, including a meeting in Oslo in the month of March between the officials from France, Germany and the UK and Iran’s nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani. Also read: Iran releases 2 Austrians, 1 Danish with assistance from Oman, Belgium The US special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, has met several times with Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, say diplomats and analysts, reported FT. The talks were mainly aimed at the possibility of a prisoner exchange with Iran, FT quoted a person close to the administration as saying. Tehran holds at least three US-Iranian nationals. Iran releases 2 Austrians, 1 Danish national Iran freed two Austrian and one Danish national who had been detained there. Alexander Schallenberg, the foreign minister of Austria, expressed his relief on Friday (June 2) that Kamran Ghaderi and Massud Mossaheb were returning home after "years of arduous detention in Iran." Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said he was “happy and relieved that a Danish citizen is on his way home to his family in Denmark after imprisonment in Iran,” reported Al Jazeera. As per the experts, a successful US prisoner exchange could improve the environment for any nuclear talks. Iran's enriched uranium stockpile over 23 times the limit of 2015 deal The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday (May 31) that Iran has apparently significantly increased its stockpile of enriched uranium in recent months, continuing its nuclear escalation. However, IAEA has received a "possible explanation" from Iran over nuclear material at an undeclared site and has decided to close the file, news agency AFP reported citing a report it has seen. In its report, IAEA said that the estimated stockpile of enriched uranium in Tehran had reached more than 23 times what was set as the limit. The nuclear deal was signed in 2015 and Iran agreed to a pact with six major powers (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States + Germany) to limit its nuclear programme. It was harder for Iran to obtain a weapon in return for relief from economic sanctions. But former US President Donald Trump reneged on the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. Trump's decision led Tehran to start violating the agreement's nuclear limits about a year later. But in recent time, there has been negotiations and talks to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but so far, there has not been any breakthrough. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US, Europe resume discussions over ways to deal with Iran's growing nuclear programme

With its 1.4 billion people, India is the third largest greenhouse gas emitter after china and the US. The country is now taking its first steps towards climate transition with volume targets.

Study: Climate transition costs, benefits unevenly distributed

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin: We see bullying and coercion from China

Senior officials from about two dozen of the world's major intelligence agencies held a secret meeting on the fringes of the Shangri-La Dialogue security meeting in Singapore this weekend, five people told Reuters.

Such meetings are organised by the Singapore government and have been discreetly held at a separate venue alongside the security summit for several years, they said. The meetings have not been previously reported.

The US&nbsp;was represented by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, the head of her country's intelligence community, while China was among the other countries present, despite the tensions between the two superpowers.

Samant Goel, the head of India's overseas intelligence gathering agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, also attended, an Indian source said.

"The meeting is an important fixture on the international shadow agenda," said one person with knowledge of the discussions. "Given the range of countries involved, it is not a festival of tradecraft, but rather a way of promoting a deeper understanding of intentions and bottom lines.

"There is an unspoken code among intelligence services that they can talk when more formal and open diplomacy is harder - it is a very important factor during times of tension, and the Singapore event helps promote that."

All five sources who discussed the meetings declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A spokesperson for the Singapore Ministry of Defence said that while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, "participants including senior officials from intelligence agencies also take the opportunity to meet their counterparts."

"The Singapore Ministry of Defence may facilitate some of these bilateral or multilateral meetings," the spokesperson said. "Participants have found such meetings held on the sidelines of the (dialogue) beneficial."

The US&nbsp;Embassy in Singapore said it had no information on the meeting. The Chinese and Indian governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand operate what is called the Five Eyes network to gather and share a broad range of intelligence, and their intelligence officials meet frequently.

Larger meetings of the intelligence community are rarer, and almost never publicised.

Although few details were available on the specific discussions in Singapore, Russia's war in Ukraine and transnational crime figured in the talks on Friday, the person with knowledge of the discussions added. On Thursday evening, the intelligence chiefs held an informal gathering.

No Russian representative was present, one of the sources said. Ukraine's deputy defence minister, Volodymr V. Havrylov, was at the Shangri-La Dialogue but said he did not attend the intelligence meeting.

Another of the sources said the tone at the meeting was collaborative and cooperative, and not confrontational.

At the main security dialogue, more than 600 delegates from 49 countries held three days of plenary sessions, as well as closed-door bilateral and multilateral meetings at the sprawling Shangri-La Hotel.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave the keynote address while US&nbsp;Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu and counterparts from Britain,

Japan, Canada, Indonesia and South Korea also spoke.

Haines was among the official US&nbsp;delegates to the Shangri-La Dialogue. At a discussion on cybersecurity in the main meeting, she said in response to a question from a Chinese military officer that cooperation between countries was essential.

"It is absolutely critical, even when there is distrust, and even when you are facing in effect adversaries, that you still try to work through and cooperate on issues of mutual interest and also try to manage the potential for escalation," she said.

US&nbsp;officials said on Friday that CIA Director William Burns visited China last month for talks with Chinese counterparts as the Biden administration seeks to boost communications with Beijing. 
 
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Senior officials from about two dozen of the world's major intelligence agencies held a secret meeting on the fringes of the Shangri-La Dialogue security meeting in Singapore this weekend, five people told Reuters.

Senior officials from about two dozen of the world's major intelligence agencies held a secret meeting on the fringes of the Shangri-La Dialogue security meeting in Singapore this weekend, five people told Reuters. Such meetings are organised by the Singapore government and have been discreetly held at a separate venue alongside the security summit for several years, they said. The meetings have not been previously reported. The US was represented by Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, the head of her country's intelligence community, while China was among the other countries present, despite the tensions between the two superpowers. Samant Goel, the head of India's overseas intelligence gathering agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, also attended, an Indian source said. "The meeting is an important fixture on the international shadow agenda," said one person with knowledge of the discussions. "Given the range of countries involved, it is not a festival of tradecraft, but rather a way of promoting a deeper understanding of intentions and bottom lines. "There is an unspoken code among intelligence services that they can talk when more formal and open diplomacy is harder - it is a very important factor during times of tension, and the Singapore event helps promote that." All five sources who discussed the meetings declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter. A spokesperson for the Singapore Ministry of Defence said that while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, "participants including senior officials from intelligence agencies also take the opportunity to meet their counterparts." "The Singapore Ministry of Defence may facilitate some of these bilateral or multilateral meetings," the spokesperson said. "Participants have found such meetings held on the sidelines of the (dialogue) beneficial." The US Embassy in Singapore said it had no information on the meeting. The Chinese and Indian governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand operate what is called the Five Eyes network to gather and share a broad range of intelligence, and their intelligence officials meet frequently. Larger meetings of the intelligence community are rarer, and almost never publicised. Although few details were available on the specific discussions in Singapore, Russia's war in Ukraine and transnational crime figured in the talks on Friday, the person with knowledge of the discussions added. On Thursday evening, the intelligence chiefs held an informal gathering. No Russian representative was present, one of the sources said. Ukraine's deputy defence minister, Volodymr V. Havrylov, was at the Shangri-La Dialogue but said he did not attend the intelligence meeting. Another of the sources said the tone at the meeting was collaborative and cooperative, and not confrontational. At the main security dialogue, more than 600 delegates from 49 countries held three days of plenary sessions, as well as closed-door bilateral and multilateral meetings at the sprawling Shangri-La Hotel. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave the keynote address while US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu and counterparts from Britain, Japan, Canada, Indonesia and South Korea also spoke. Haines was among the official US delegates to the Shangri-La Dialogue. At a discussion on cybersecurity in the main meeting, she said in response to a question from a Chinese military officer that cooperation between countries was essential. "It is absolutely critical, even when there is distrust, and even when you are facing in effect adversaries, that you still try to work through and cooperate on issues of mutual interest and also try to manage the potential for escalation," she said. US officials said on Friday that CIA Director William Burns visited China last month for talks with Chinese counterparts as the Biden administration seeks to boost communications with Beijing. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India joins world's spy chiefs meet in secret conclave in Singapore

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin India visit: US-India defence cooperation in focus

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe : Defense Chiefs of US and China are in a war of words hitting out to each other for making provocative moves. The two Nations militaries have also been involved in a face-Off in the air and the Sea. The latest standoff incident between the United States and China took place in the Taiwan .

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Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin's diplomatic visit to India is the centre of attention. The U.S. defence secretary has arrived in India's capital city of New Delhi after taking part in the Shangri-La Summit in Singapore. Austin is currently in India for a two-day visit to discuss a variety of bilateral issues with India's defence minister, Rajna Singh. This is the defence secretary's second visit to India; the previous one was in March 2021.

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US-China tensions are on the rise again and Taiwan continues to be the flash point for the same. In the latest US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin rebuked China for refusing to hold military talks leaving the superpowers deadlocked over Taiwan and disputes in the South China Sea.

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India joins world's spy chiefs meet in secret conclave in Singapore

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