The Capitals: New Delhi seals deal to operate Chabahar port for a decade; and more

New Delhi

In January 2024, The Capitals reported on New Delhi's crucial strategic breakthrough in Tehran after External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar's visit to the Iranian capital. 

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi (R) meets India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Tehran on January 15, 2024 | AFP

Five months after Jaishankar's Tehran visit in which the two sides committed to a "long term cooperation framework" over Chabahar port's development, India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for equipping and operation of general cargo and container terminals of Chabahar port. 

Shortly, the US State Department pointed out that "any entity considering business deals with Iran needs to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions". But as WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal noted, Washington's current stance is in sharp contrast with its 2018 position when they granted a sanction waiver specifically for Chabahar Port's development with New Delhi's support. 

The Chabahar Port project is central to India's regional connectivity strategy, and serves as a vital gateway for Indian goods into Afghanistan and Russia. The port's strategic location provides an alternative route for landlocked Afghanistan to access international markets, reducing its dependence on Pakistan.

Beijing, China

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping attend a concert marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China in Beijing on May 16, 2024 | AFP

For the second time in the last six months, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing. This was Putin's first visit abroad after his presidential re-election for an unprecedented fifth term. "Television images conveying the majesty of protocol and military pomp associated with a state visit were designed to impress and convey that the Russia-China relationship is in its best phase," former ambassador Rajiv Bhatia wrote on WION to argue that while Russia and China have their differences, Putin and Xi chose not talking about them.

Also read | Russia, China have their differences but Putin and Xi are not talking about them

Putin's Beijing visit was part of celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Beijijng. 

The joint statement on ‘Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination’ for the ‘New Era’ in bilateral relations that focused on "mutual respect, equality and support for each other’s core interests and major concerns".

"Does it not smell like an alliance?" ambassador Bhatia asked.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, Slovakia | Google Earth

Nearly 200 km east of Slovak capital Bratislava, Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot five times allegedly by a 71-year-old writer as the 59-year-old leader was meeting and greeting people in the town of Handlova. 

A video shared on social media showed Fico approaching a small group of people in a public square. Suddenly, a man emerged and discharged a pistol from close range, resulting in five gunshots.

Tomas Taraba, Fico’s deputy initially accused the centre-left political opposition, saying it had "blood on its hands".

Fico, who is expected to survive, dominates Slovak politics. He has been prime minister for 10 of the past 24 years.

But in 2018, he was forced to resign in disgrace after the assassination of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova led to nationwide protests against his Smer party's alleged ties to corrupt oligarchs.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ wrote to the Federal Parliament Secretariat this week to take a vote of confidence from the House of Representatives on May 20. As per Article 100 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, the prime minister should table a motion in the House for the vote of confidence within 30 days if a political party in a coalition government withdraws its support to the Prime Minister.

PM Prachanda will seek a vote of confidence after the Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP), Nepal withdrew its support to the PM on May 13 after the split in the party.

This is the fourth time that PM Dahal, who became the Prime Minister of Nepal on December 25, 2022, has to undertake a floor test. The present coalition government needs the support of 138 MPs to secure a vote of confidence.

That's all for the capitals this week. See you next weekend.