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Thursday, April 9, 2026

US, India agree to further cooperation under Pax Silica

Washington, Apr 9 (PTI): India and the US on Thursday agreed to further their cooperation under Pax Silica and broader economic and technology engagements, including in AI and critical minerals. The issues figured during discussions Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had here with US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob S Helberg. “Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had a productive meeting with the US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg @UnderSecE. They agreed to take forward cooperation under Pax Silica and the broader economic and technology engagements, including in AI and critical minerals,” the Indian Embassy in the US said in a post on X. India formally joined Pax Silica on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in February, marking a significant step in technology cooperation between New Delhi and Washington. Pax Silica brings strategic partnerships and coordinated action across every layer of the supply chain. Misri is on a three-day visit to the US to review the bilateral relationship, particularly in trade and defence sectors. Misri on Thursday also interacted with experts from think tanks here on the India-US relations and the ongoing geopolitical developments and their implications on global energy, food and economic security. “Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri engaged in dialogue with leading thought leaders in Washington DC’s strategic community on the current state and future trajectory of India–US bilateral ties,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. He said Misri also discussed ongoing geopolitical developments and their implications for global energy, food, and economic security. “Foreign Secretary interacted with the think tank community on India-US partnership -- the opportunities to be seized and the challenges to be addressed in a rapidly evolving world order,” the Indian Embassy in the US said in a social media post. PTI SKU GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-india-agree-to-further-cooperation-under-pax-silica-1835638

India finalising agreement to supply oil, gas to Mauritius amid West Asia crisis: Jaishankar

Port Louis, Apr 9 (PTI): India is finalising an agreement for the supply of oil and gas to Mauritius to strengthen its energy security amid the crisis due to the West Asia conflict, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said here on Thursday. Jaishankar, who is in Mauritius to attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, said the ongoing crisis in West Asia as Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam reminded him, has underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, especially in the energy sector. The West Asia war and Iran’s chokehold of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of global oil passes, had halted shipping and sent global oil prices soaring. “We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security for Mauritius,” he said. Jaishankar said he was also pleased to note that an Indian public sector enterprise was developing the country’s first floating solar power project. “India and Mauritius share an expanding and dynamic partnership in clean energy and environment-friendly solutions,” the EAM said. “Building on our cooperation in renewable energy, including the 8 MW solar power plant at Henrietta, we also work closely with the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance,” Jaishankar said. The EAM said he is also looking forward to handing over the last lot of e-buses to Mauritius to further strengthen sustainable public transportation and reduce carbon emissions. “In the span of just over a year, the partnership between our nations has witnessed remarkable and substantive progress,” he said. Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Mauritius in March last year, he said the two countries jointly agreed to elevate bilateral ties to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’. “This elevation equally reflects the expanding scope and deepening substance of our cooperation across a wide range of shared priorities,” he said. Jaishankar also recalled Ramgoolam’s visit to India in September last year for his first bilateral overseas visit. “That visit was marked by a significant milestone, namely the joint announcement of a Special Economic Package, tailored to Mauritius' development priorities and aspirations,” he said. “Your visit again in February this year for the AI Impact Summit, immensely contributed to the deliberations in this important area as well as to steer our bilateral relations forward,” the EAM said. Jaishankar said he called on the prime minister for wide-ranging discussions on various facets of bilateral relationship, encompassing maritime cooperation, development partnership, health, education, capacity building, and people-to-people ties. Jaishankar, after concluding his Mauritius trip, will visit the United Arab Emirates from April 11 to 12. The US and Iran agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire on Wednesday as the two countries prepare for high-stakes talks in Pakistan to convert the ceasefire into permanent peace agreement. PTI GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-finalising-agreement-to-supply-oil-gas-to-mauritius-amid-west-asia-crisis-jaishankar-1835634

Hungarians Seek New EU Policy, Maintain Hard Line On Ukraine

Edited by: Alex Berry As Hungary's April 12 general election nears, opinion polls continue to point to a slight lead for Peter Magyar, the challenger to longstanding incumbent Viktor Orban, albeit with many voters still undecided and results varying by polling institute. A poll published by IDEA in Hungary on Thursday found that 30% supported Orban's Fidesz party, 39% supported Magyar's Tisza, while a potentially decisive 21% said they were yet to decide how they would vote. But another study published on Thursday by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) suggests that while Orban is not out of the running in his bid for a sixth term as prime minister, even his supporters are prone to disagree with him on some foreign policy points. It suggests that a majority of voters in the EU and NATO member state — and even around half of the supporters of Fidesz — would like to see changes in the country's antagonistic stance towards the EU. However, it also found voters were skeptical of support for Ukraine against Russia and opposed Kyiv's ambitions to join the bloc. Approval for the current US administration was split quite clearly along party lines as Washington lobbies for Orban's reelection. Three in four Fidesz supporters called Donald Trump a good leader for the US, while four in five Tisza supporters called him a bad one. <h2>What were the findings on Hungary's EU policies?</h2> The representative poll of 1,001 people conducted between March 26 and April 1 pointed to a majority desire for less friction in ties with the EU — overwhelmingly within Magyar's camp but also across around half of Orban's supporter base. <ul> <li>43% of those polled called for a 'very different approach' to EU relations</li> <li>Another 25% wanted 'minor adjustments' to the current approach</li> <li>Only 19% said they wanted to 'keep the current approach'</li> <li>That figure rose to 44% among Fidesz supporters, but still 45% wanted either major or minor change, with the remainder undecided</li> <li>A whopping 91% of supporters of Magyar's Tisza wanted a realigned EU relationship</li> <li>77% of respondents said they supported Hungary's EU membership</li> <li>66% also said that the country should join the eurozone and adopt the single European currency</li> <li>Only 15% of respondents voiced distrust in the EU, compared to 47% in Orban and 32% in Magyar</li> </ul> "Despite Viktor Orban's protracted criticism of the European Union, our new survey reveals that two-thirds of Hungarians 'trust' the EU and overwhelmingly support maintaining their country’s membership of the bloc," Pawel Zerka, senior policy fellow and polling lead at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said. <h2>What were the findings on the Russian invasion of Ukraine?</h2> Orban has made criticism of the EU and of support for Ukraine in its war against Russia into a core campaign point. At last month's EU leaders' summit, the last one before the election, Orban blocked approval of a major loan for Kyiv first agreed last December. The study found that the government's opposition to support for Ukraine "has cut-through" with the public, which largely opposed Kyiv's desire to join the bloc. <ul> <li>77% of Fidesz supporters wanted to keep the current approach to Ukraine, while only 11% of Tisza supporters felt this way</li> <li>Only 26% of respondents endorsed financial support for Ukraine, but 47% of Tisza supporters did so</li> <li>56% opposed Ukraine joining the EU; 50% of Tisza supporters endorsed the idea, while 77% of Fidesz supporters 'strongly opposed' it</li> <li>36% supported the transit of military aid through Hungary to its neighbor, 77% of Fidesz supporters and 30% of Tisza supporters opposed the notion</li> <li>66% of Tisza supporters want to stop buying Russian oil (Hungary is exempt from EU oil sanctions), but 77% of Fidesz supporters oppose the idea</li> <li>62% of Fidesz supporters even said they perceived Ukraine as 'an adversary — with which we are in conflict,' while 19% of them saw Russia as an 'ally' and another 57% as a 'necessary partner'</li> </ul> "Hungary's European partners should not expect a complete U-turn on foreign policy matters in the event of a Magyar victory," Piotr Buras, senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Warsaw office, said. "Indeed, on the subject of Ukraine, there is division and skepticism among Tisza and Fidesz voter blocs about the merits of future financial packages for Kyiv and approving Ukraine's bid to join the European Union. This suggests that Budapest won't become easily aligned with all the aspects of EU foreign policy, irrespective of Sunday's result." <h2>Which issues were the main priorities for voters in Hungary?</h2> The ECFR's findings also suggested that these stark divisions on foreign policy questions might not prove the decisive factors in Sunday's vote. Only 6% of respondents, for instance — 10% of Tisza supporters and 2% of Fidesz supporters — considered "relations with the EU" as the single most important issue facing Hungary at present. Tisza supporters instead pointed to corruption and governance (31%), public services (18%) and the cost of living and inflation (17%) as their top three issues. Fidesz supporters, meanwhile, named energy security (22%) and cost of living and inflation (20%) at the top of the tree. The poll, just like the Hungarian IDEA survey also released on Thursday, found that roughly one in five people were still undecided. Roughly 60% of this cohort also said that they would definitely turn out to vote on Sunday. (Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/hungarians-seek-new-eu-policy-maintain-hard-line-on-ukraine-1835627

Israel Strikes Lebanon Again, Ceasefire At Risk As Iran Maintains Hormuz Blockade

Israel launched fresh strikes on Lebanon on Thursday, intensifying tensions in the Middle East and putting a fragile ceasefire at risk. The latest attacks follow the deadliest wave of Israeli strikes in the conflict so far, which reportedly killed more than 250 people and raised fears of a wider escalation. The developments come just as diplomatic efforts were gaining momentum, with Iranian negotiators expected to travel to Pakistan for the first round of peace talks with a US delegation scheduled for Saturday. <h2>Ceasefire Under Strain as Iran Refuses to Back Down</h2> Despite the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, there was no indication that Tehran had lifted its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has triggered unprecedented disruption to global energy supplies. Iran has made its position clear: no agreement will hold as long as Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue. In response to the latest attacks targeting Hezbollah, Tehran reportedly shut the strategic waterway again on Thursday, reversing its earlier decision to reopen it temporarily. <h2>Netanyahu Vows Continued Strikes Against Hezbollah</h2> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military action, saying operations against Hezbollah would continue “wherever necessary”. In a statement, he said Israeli forces had eliminated Ali Youssef Kharshi, described as a close aide to Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. Netanyahu also said the Israeli Defence Forces carried out overnight strikes on key infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including weapons depots, launch sites and operational headquarters. “Our message is clear: whoever acts against Israeli civilians will be struck,” he said, adding that operations would continue until security is restored in northern Israel. <h2>Civilian Areas Hit, Casualty Figures Vary</h2> The strikes reportedly hit busy commercial and residential areas in central Beirut, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire with Iran. Casualty figures remain unclear, with Reuters reporting more than 250 deaths, while the Associated Press put the toll at 182. <h2>Lebanon Not Covered by Ceasefire, Say US and Israel</h2> Netanyahu said Lebanon was not included in the two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, a position echoed by US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. In a televised address, Netanyahu said Israel had struck around 100 targets in a matter of minutes, calling it one of the most significant blows to Hezbollah since earlier operations. He added that Israel had established security zones beyond its borders in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/lebanon-israel-strikes-again-ceasefire-at-risk-as-iran-maintains-hormuz-blockade-benjamin-netanyahu-1835579

Massive Crowds In Tehran Mark 40 Days Since Ali Khamenei’s Killing

A massive rally was held in Tehran on Thursday to mark 40 days since the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing thousands into the streets in a show of mourning and political defiance. The gathering also underscored growing public scepticism over the recently announced two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States, with many attendees questioning its durability and intent amid continued regional tensions. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> 🎦 Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends the ceremony marking the 40th day since the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at 'Republic Square' in Tehran. <a href="https://t.co/iqSuWonRll">pic.twitter.com/iqSuWonRll</a> — IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) <a href="https://twitter.com/iribnews_irib/status/2042182426030723300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <h3 data-section-id="157i2uw" data-start="444" data-end="472">Hezbollah Under Pressure</h3> Hezbollah has strongly condemned Israel’s latest strikes, echoing the stance taken by the Lebanese government. The group has accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilians when it fails to achieve its primary military objective-the disarmament of Hezbollah. However, the Iran-backed group finds itself in an increasingly precarious position. It had been relying on Tehran to broker a broader ceasefire that would extend to Lebanon. Iranian officials have suggested that de-escalation in Lebanon forms part of the wider understanding, but this has been firmly rejected by both Israel and the United States. US President Donald Trump has also made it clear that Lebanon is not covered under the current ceasefire framework. <h3 data-section-id="2q6dkp" data-start="1295" data-end="1323">Ceasefire Limits Exposed</h3> Despite the uncertainty, Hezbollah has continued cross-border rocket fire and has attempted to slow Israel’s ground operations in southern Lebanon. Yet, the balance of power remains heavily tilted. Israel retains control of the skies, allowing it to carry out sustained aerial strikes that have resulted in widespread destruction and mounting civilian casualties. This military dominance has intensified pressure on both the Lebanese population and its government, raising concerns about the humanitarian and political fallout. Hezbollah’s strategy had hinged on Iran leveraging its influence to calm the Lebanese front, but that expectation has yet to materialise. The situation highlights the limitations of the current ceasefire, which appears narrowly defined and insufficient to contain broader regional hostilities.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-news-live-massive-crowds-in-tehran-mark-40-days-since-ali-khamenei-s-killing-1835575

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Trump's 'Right Hand' JD Vance To Lead US-Iran Peace Talks In Pakistan, Tehran Confirms Participation

The United States is set to begin a fresh round of high-level diplomacy with Iran this weekend in Pakistan, with Vice President JD Vance leading the American delegation, the White House confirmed on Wednesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump is “dispatching his negotiating team” to Islamabad, marking the first in-person engagement between the two sides since a temporary ceasefire was reached. <h3>Vance To Lead US Delegation</h3> Leavitt said Vance, whom she described as Trump’s “right-hand man," will spearhead the talks alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner. “Vice President JD Vance has played a very significant and key role in this since the very beginning. Of course, he's the president's right-hand man. He is the vice president of the United States. He's been involved in all of these discussions. He'll be leading this new phase of negotiations in Islamabad later this week,” she said. “I can announce that the President is dispatching his negotiating team, led by the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, Special Envoy Witkoff, and Mr Kushner, to Islamabad for talks this weekend. The first round of those talks will take place on Saturday morning, local time, and we look forward to those in-person meetings,” Leavitt added. <h3>Tehran Confirms Participation In US Talks</h3> Iran has confirmed its participation, with President Masoud Pezeshkian approving Tehran’s involvement. According to Iranian state media, the delegation will be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier warned Washington against what he described as mixed signals on the ceasefire. “The Iran-U.S. Ceasefire terms are clear and explicit: the U.S. must choose--ceasefire or continued war via Israel. It cannot have both. The world sees the massacres in Lebanon. The ball is in the U.S. court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments,” he said in a post on X. The talks come after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire following weeks of escalating conflict. Trump had earlier paused what he described as a “bombing and attack” campaign, calling a 10-point proposal from Iran workable. The Islamabad meeting is expected to focus on de-escalation and a possible longer-term framework, with both sides entering direct negotiations for the first time since hostilities began. <h3>Vance Warns Iran Over Hormuz, Nuclear Demands</h3> Vance reiterated that the ceasefire hinges on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and complying with US expectations. “We are seeing signs that the Straits are starting to reopen... The deal is a ceasefire, a negotiation -- that's what we give -- and what they give is that the Straits are going to be reopened. If we don't see that happening, the President is not going to abide by our terms if the Iranians are not abiding by their terms,” he said, speaking while departing Hungary. He also dismissed Iran’s claim that Lebanon was included in the truce. “The Iranians thought that the ceasefire included Lebanon, and it just didn't. We never made that promise. We never indicated that was going to be the case,” Vance added. Outlining Washington’s position, Vance said the US would push for strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program. “We don't want Iran to have the capacity to build a nuclear weapon. The President has also said that we don't want Iran to enrich uranium towards a nuclear weapon, and we want Iran to give up the nuclear fuel. Those are going to be our demands during the negotiation,” he added. The upcoming Islamabad meeting is seen as a critical test of the fragile pause in hostilities, with both sides expected to navigate deep disagreements over regional security and Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-ceasefire-trump-right-hand-jd-vance-to-lead-1st-round-peace-talks-pakistan-tehran-confirms-participation-1835429

Foreign Secretary Misri reviews defence, trade ties with senior US officials

Washington, Apr 9 (PTI): India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met senior US defence official Michael Duffey and discussed ways to further deepen the defence industrial, technology and supply chain linkages between the two countries.Misri, who is on a three-day visit here, had a “fruitful interaction” with Duffey, the Under Secretary in the Department of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment at the Pentagon near here.“Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri had a fruitful interaction with the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition & Sustainment Mike Duffey @USDASDuffey at the Pentagon,” the Indian Embassy in the US said in a post on X.“The two principals discussed ways to further deepen the defence industrial, technology and supply chain linkages between India and the US, in line with the ambitious goals laid out in the Framework for the bilateral Major Defence Partnership signed last year,” the embassy said.Misri also met under secretaries Jeffrey Kessler and William Kimmitt in the Department of Commerce here.Kessler is the Under Secretary for Bureau of Industry and Security, while Kimmitt is the Under Secretary for International Trade Administration.“Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri met Under Secretaries Jeffrey Kessler @BISgov and William Kimmitt @TradeGov to expand cooperation in commercial and critical technologies - key to transforming the India-US partnership for the 21st century. They also discussed building resilient and trusted supply chains,” the embassy said.Misri is visiting the US to review bilateral trade and defence relations and discuss global developments, including the crisis in West Asia.His visit comes as both the US and India work to stabilise the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain.The relations witnessed a major downturn after the US imposed punitive tariffs on India and President Donald Trump made controversial assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes last May. PTI SKU ARI(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/foreign-secretary-misri-reviews-defence-trade-ties-with-senior-us-officials-1835428