Italy vows not to ease temporary restrictions on third-country nationals from Spain

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Rome, Aug 7 (IANS) Italy will not reverse its decision to temporarily suspend the application of the Schengen Agreement for third-country nationals arriving from Spain until at least August 15 amid national security and border control concerns, the Italian government said on Friday.

The government said Italy “does not accept ultimatums or external pressure” on matters concerning national security and border management.

The temporary measure will remain in place until authorities are certain that there are no security or terrorism risks to Italy, no new large-scale migration waves toward Europe, and no irregular migrants heading to Italian territory via Spain, the government said.

Italian authorities noted that Spanish officials have warned of a possible new wave of migrant arrivals in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta around August 15, adding that the situation will be reassessed only after related security risks have been ruled out, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The government stressed that the measure is not directed against Spain, describing it as “a friendly country.” It added that Italy had adopted similar temporary border measures in the past, including with Slovenia, while other European countries had also imposed comparable controls on Italy and Spain.

Italy said it remains ready to maintain constructive dialogue with the Spanish government once the current security concerns subside.

The government also said the temporary controls do not apply to Spanish or other European Union citizens travelling by air or sea, and that Italian border authorities will seek to minimise disruptions to legitimate cross-border travel.

The dispute came after Italy announced recently that it would temporarily reintroduce border controls for third-country nationals entering from Spain under the Schengen framework, citing concerns over irregular migration and potential security risks linked to migration flows through Spain.

The move prompted objections from Madrid, as it argued that the measure was disproportionate and inconsistent with the Schengen area’s principle of free movement.

–IANS

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Indian Naval ships Tamal, Surat depart Jeddah after port call

New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) Underscoring the growing naval engagement and maritime cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Indian Naval warships INS Tamal and INS Surat concluded their port call at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 30, an official said on Monday.

The ships participated in a Passage Exercise with RSNF Corvette HMS Jazan and thereafter continued with their planned deployment, he said.

During the port call, the ships engaged extensively with the Royal Saudi Naval Force and Saudi Border Guard through sports fixtures and personnel interaction. The ships also hosted the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, on board on August 28, said the official in a statement.

The Commanding Officers of INS Tamal and INS Surat called on RAdm Mansour Bin Saud Al-Juaid, Western Fleet Commander of RSNF, and Maj Gen Fahad Bin Majid Al-Duajani, Commander of the Royal Saudi Border Guard in Mecca Region.

Both sides deliberated on non-traditional security challenges in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Region. The need for joint operations and extensive information sharing was recognised by both sides.

INS Tamal hosted a cultural programme onboard, which was attended by senior Saudi officials, functionaries from the Embassy of India, Riyadh and eminent members of the Indian diaspora.

The visit strengthened defence collaboration and friendly ties with Saudi Arabia and provided an opportunity for both navies to share Best Practices and explore avenues for further engagements.

Earlier, Saudi naval and Indian officials accorded a warm welcome to INS Tamal as the Indian Navy’s newest stealth frigate arrived at Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah for a port call on August 27.

INS Tamal arrived in Jeddah on passage to India post-commissioning in Russia.

The stealth frigate arrived in Saudi Arabia from Greece’s Souda Bay, where the ship’s crew engaged with the Hellenic Navy and NATO functionaries during the port call from August 19 to 22.

This included the Commanding Officer’s call on Commodore Dionysios Mantadakis, Base Commander of Souda Bay Naval Base, Captain Kouplakis Iiias, Head of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC), and Captain Stephen Steacy, Commanding Officer of the Naval Support Activity of the US Navy on August 19.

The discussions during the meetings focused on operational matters and maritime cooperation.

A cross-deck visit for the crew of INS Tamal was conducted onboard the multi-role amphibious assault unit ITS Trieste, a Landing Helicopter Dock of the Italian Navy, at Souda Bay.

–IANS

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Parliament approves Indian Ports Bill 2025

New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) The Rajya Sabha on Monday approved the Indian Ports Bill 2025, which aims to consolidate laws related to ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business, and ensure optimum utilisation of India’s coastline.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 12, and now, with the approval of both the Houses of Parliament coming through, it will be sent to the President of India for her assent.

The Bill was moved in the Upper House by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, amid a ruckus by the opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

The minister said that the bill aims to establish and empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports, besides the establishment of the Maritime State Development Council for fostering structured growth and development of the port sector.

The bill provides for the management of pollution, disaster, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports; ensure compliance with India’s obligations under international instruments to which it is a party; take measures for the conservation of ports; provide for adjudicatory mechanisms for the redressal of port-related disputes and address matters connected therewith, Sonowal further explained.

The bill replaces outdated provisions of the British-era Indian Ports Act, 1908, with modern and contemporary regulations. It aims to simplify port procedures and digitalise operations to enhance ease of doing business.

The legislation also emphasises sustainability, incorporating green initiatives, pollution control, and disaster management protocols for sustainable port development. Furthermore, it seeks to improve port competitiveness through transparent tariff policies and better investment frameworks, while ensuring uniform safety standards and planning across all Indian ports.

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, will reduce logistics costs by speeding up cargo movement and enhancing connectivity. The bill is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities in port operations, logistics, warehousing, and allied industries.

Additionally, the bill outlines strict anti-pollution measures and eco-friendly port practices, contributing to a cleaner environment. Exporters and MSMEs will benefit from streamlined procedures and improved infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks and facilitating smoother operations, according to an official statement.

–IANS

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GST officials cannot access data from advocate’s CPU without presence, consent: Delhi HC

New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has observed that the GST Department ought not to access data from the seized CPU of an advocate without his presence and consent, cautioning that such action could result in a serious breach of confidentiality and attorney-client privilege.

A Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Shail Jain was hearing a plea by advocate Puneet Batra, who challenged a recent search of his Mayur Vihar office and the seizure of documents and electronic devices, including his CPU.

In his petition, Batra, a practising advocate, argued that the GST Department’s action had breached confidentiality, as his CPU contained sensitive client documents unrelated to the ongoing probe against one of his clients, M/s Martkarma Technology Pvt. Ltd., a gaming company.

On the other hand, the GST Department contended that although the petitioner is an advocate, he was not merely representing the company in an attorney-client capacity, but was involved in managing its business and affairs.

In its judgment, the Delhi High Court refrained from making any observation on the petitioner’s role or on whether he was involved in running the client’s business.

“The only direction that the Court is inclined to pass at this stage, without going into the merits of this matter, is to permit the CPU to be analysed by the GST Department, subject, however, to various precautions and conditions,” the Justice Singh-led Bench said.

It took a stern view of the seizure, stressing that the attorney-client privilege must be preserved.

“GST officials ought not to be permitted to open the CPU or computer of any advocate without his presence and consent, inasmuch as the same could lead to serious breach of confidentiality and attorney-client privilege,” the Delhi High Court observed.

“The GST Department is cautioned that, unless there are exceptional circumstances and subject to further orders that may be passed by the Court, if any advocate’s office is to be searched or a computer is to be opened, the same ought to take place in the presence of the advocate and not otherwise,” it added.

However, it permitted the GST Department to examine the petitioner’s CPU, subject to adherence to a detailed protocol.

The Justice Singh-led Bench directed that the CPU may be examined only in the presence of Batra, his legal representatives, IT officials from the Delhi High Court, and forensic experts from both sides.

It added that, upon accessing the CPU, the last date of data access, the nature of files accessed during the earlier inspection by GST officials, and whether any files were deleted, copied, or removed, along with the corresponding dates and times, will be determined.

Further, the Delhi High Court ordered that the entire hard drive will be cloned, and only files relating to the gaming company and associated entities will be shared with the GST Department.

“After the above procedure is undertaken, the CPU itself shall be sealed and shall remain in the custody of the GST Department, subject to the condition that the same shall not be accessed or opened without further orders of this Court,” it said.

The Delhi High Court further ordered that “no coercive measures shall be taken against the petitioner (advocate)” until further consideration of the case. The inspection of the CPU is scheduled for September 11 and 12, with the next hearing fixed for October 30.

–IANS

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