Romania’s new coalition government sworn in

Kuwait City, Dec 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with a cross-section of Indian workers during his visit to a labour camp in Mina Abdullah area of Kuwait, his first official programme after arriving in the West Asian nation on a historic visit, earlier in the day.

The labour camp has a workforce of around 1500 Indian nationals hailing from different states of India.

During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi enquired about the well-being of Indian workers and discussed various welfare schemes initiated by the Indian government over the past 10 years.

“The visit to the labour camp is symbolic of the importance attached by the Prime Minister to the welfare of Indian workers abroad. In the last few years, the government has undertaken several technology-based initiatives such as E-Migrate portal, MADAD portal and upgraded Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana for the welfare of Indian workers abroad,” said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after the visit.

The government led by PM Modi remains at the forefront in providing unwavering support to its nationals at times of their need and PM’s visit to the camp on Saturday assumes significance, especially after the fire tragedy at a labour housing facility in the Mangaf area of Kuwait City in June this year which resulted in deaths of dozens of Indian workers.

Within hours of assuming charge, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh was sent to Kuwait on the direction of Prime Minister Modi who was himself keeping track of rescue efforts on June 12 despite major political developments at home, including swearing-in ceremonies of governments in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has been working in a mission mode since the tragic incident, constantly checking safety measures at the labour camps and places where Indian workers are staying.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi arrived in Kuwait Saturday afternoon, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Gulf nation in 43 years.

The PM received a grand welcome upon his arrival as he began his historic two-day visit, which is expected to take India’s close ties with the Gulf countries to another level, at the invitation of the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Later, as he arrived at the hotel, PM received a rousing welcome by the Indian community.

“Received a heartwarming welcome from the vibrant Indian diaspora in Kuwait. Their energy, love and unwavering connection to India are truly inspiring. Grateful for their enthusiasm and proud of their contributions to strengthening ties between our nations,” said PM Modi.

He also met 101-year-old Mangal Sain Handa, a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who now resides in Kuwait, besides receiving copies of Ramayana and Mahabharata translated in Arabic language by Abdullah Baron and published by Abdullateef Alnesef.

“Happy to see Arabic translations of the Ramayan and Mahabharat. I compliment Abdullah Al-Baroun and Abdul Lateef Al-Nesef for their efforts in translating and publishing it. Their initiative highlights the popularity of Indian culture globally,” PM Modi posted on X.

The Prime Minister will also be accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Bayan Palace, following which he will be holding separate meetings with the Amir of Kuwait and the Crown Prince of Kuwait.

Delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister of Kuwait will be held thereafter during which the Prime Minister will review with the leadership of Kuwait the entire spectrum of bilateral relations including in areas such as the political, trade, investment, energy, culture and people-to-people ties, and the steps that both sides need to take to further enhance them.

The Crown Prince will be hosting a banquet in honour of the Indian PM. During his visit, PM Modi will also attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup as a special guest of the Amir of Kuwait.

“Today, I am embarking on a two-day visit to Kuwait at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait. We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners but also have shared interest in peace, security, stability and prosperity in the West Asia region,” the Prime Minister said in his departure statement, earlier in the day.

“It would be an opportunity to chalk out a road map for a futuristic partnership for the benefit of our people and the region. I eagerly look forward to meeting the Indian diaspora in Kuwait who have immensely contributed to the strengthening of bonds of friendship between the two nations,” the statement added.

PM Modi also said that he remains confident that his visit will further strengthen and reinforce the special ties and bonds of friendship between the people of India and Kuwait.

–IANS

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Jakarta, Dec 23 (IANS) Floods and landslides have been hitting several regions in the Southeast Asian archipelago in the past week, as millions of travellers began to hit the road and flock to popular tourist sites for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

More than 55,000 residents living in the region of Barru in the Indonesian province of South Sulawesi have been affected by floods reaching a depth of up to 1.2 metres and landslides in several areas since last week. The country’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) also reported that one has been killed in the disaster in the region.

“The flood-affected areas include several villages in seven sub-districts,” said Abdul Muhari, BNPB spokesperson, on Monday, adding that some major roads were closed in landslides, hampering accessibility for those affected residents.

The regional authorities, Muhari said, have conducted emergency response efforts, including providing temporary shelters for those in need.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, more than 10,000 residents living near the northern coastline have been affected by tidal floods since Friday. The floodwaters reached a depth of up to 1 metre in some areas, causing traffic and train service disruptions.

The city administration and the central government have been developing more than 20 km of sea dike in the city’s northern area in the past few years to prevent coastal flooding, Xinhua news agency reported.

The tidal flooding has reportedly also hit Banyuwangi in the province of East Java since Sunday, inundating 1200 homes.

Floods triggered by heavy rains also hit the country’s popular holiday island of Bali, where a number of major roads have been inundated. Some tourists were reportedly evacuated using rescue boats. Local authorities were also forced to carry out suction with water pumps and regulate traffic flow to manage the situation.

Torrential rains continued to hit some regions despite the country’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) along with relevant stakeholders having carried out weather modification efforts to reduce rain intensity over the past two weeks.

The BMKG has warned that most of Indonesia is entering the rainy season, with rainfall intensity expected to increase by 20 per cent due to a weak La Nina, which typically brings wetter conditions.

The rainy season is projected to peak in late December for most of Sumatra and southern Java, while central and northern Java will likely see the peak in January.

–IANS

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Damascus, Dec 19 (IANS) The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Thursday accused Turkish troops and allied factions of escalating attacks near Syria’s border city of Kobani.

The SDF said in a statement that Turkish forces and their “mercenaries” launched a full-scale assault Wednesday on the southern outskirts of Kobani, specifically near the Tishreen Dam area.

The group added its fighters repelled the attackers by nightfall, but Turkish drones and artillery continued to strike various parts of Kobani. In addition, Turkish military reinforcements, including tanks and armored vehicles, were said to be massing along Syria’s northern border.

The SDF emphasised its support for recent US-led de-escalation efforts and the positive stance adopted at the Aqaba meeting, which was held on December 14 with a focus on efforts to halt combat operations in Syria.

The militia, however, called on the global community to take a “clearer and firmer” position against Turkish escalation, urging Arab states and concerned nations to denounce what it termed “an ongoing campaign to seize Syrian territory.”

“We do not seek further conflict, but we will not hesitate to defend our people and our land,” the militia warned, Xinhua news agency reported.

The SDF also encouraged residents in Kobani to arm themselves and form a united front against any invasion attempts.

“Every village and corner of Kobani can become a fortress of resistance,” it said, warning there would be no “picnic” for any invading force.

Ankara has long viewed the SDF group with suspicion due to its links to Kurdish militants inside Turkey.

–IANS

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