The World This Week On India

Published By : Admin | February 18, 2025 | 16:28 IST

This week, India reinforced its position as a formidable force on the world stage, making headway in artificial intelligence, energy security, space exploration, and defence. From shaping global AI ethics to securing strategic partnerships, every move reflects India's growing influence in global affairs.

And when it comes to diplomacy and negotiation, even world leaders acknowledge India's strength. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his tough negotiating style, put it simply:

“[Narendra Modi] is a much tougher negotiator than me, and he is a much better negotiator than me. There’s not even a contest.”

With India actively shaping global conversations, let’s take a look at some of the biggest developments this week.

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AI for All: India and France Lead a Global Movement

The future of AI isn’t just about technology—it’s about ethics and inclusivity. India and France co-hosted the Summit for Action on AI in Paris, where 60 countries backed a declaration calling for AI that is "open," "inclusive," and "ethical." As artificial intelligence becomes a geopolitical battleground, India is endorsing a balanced approach—one that ensures technological progress without compromising human values.

A Nuclear Future: India and France Strengthen Energy Security

In a world increasingly focused on clean energy, India is stepping up its nuclear power game. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed their commitment to developing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), a paradigm shift in the transition to a low-carbon economy. With energy security at the heart of India’s strategy, this collaboration is a step toward long-term sustainability.

Gaganyaan: India’s Space Dream Inches Closer

India’s ambitions to send astronauts into space took a major leap forward as the budget for the Gaganyaan mission was raised to $2.32 billion. This is more than just a scientific milestone—it’s about proving that India is ready to stand alongside the world’s leading space powers. A successful human spaceflight will set the stage for future interplanetary missions, pushing India's space program to new frontiers.

India’s Semiconductor Push: Lam Research Bets Big

The semiconductor industry is the backbone of modern technology, and India wants a bigger share of the pie. US chip toolmaker Lam Research announced a $1 billion investment in India, signalling confidence in the country’s potential to become a global chip manufacturing hub. As major companies seek alternatives to traditional semiconductor strongholds like Taiwan, India is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global supply chain.

Defence Partnerships: A New Era in US-India Military Ties

The US and India are expanding their defence cooperation, with discussions of a future F-35 fighter jet deal on the horizon. The latest agreements also include increased US military sales to India, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. Meanwhile, India is also deepening its energy cooperation with the US, securing new oil and gas import agreements that reinforce economic and security ties.

Energy Security: India Locks in LNG Supply from the UAE

With global energy markets facing volatility, India is taking steps to secure long-term energy stability. New multi-billion-dollar LNG agreements with ADNOC will provide India with a steady and reliable supply of natural gas, reducing its exposure to price fluctuations. As India moves toward a cleaner energy future, such partnerships are critical to maintaining energy security while keeping costs in check.

UAE Visa Waiver: A Boon for Indian Travelers

For Indians residing in Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, visiting the UAE just became a lot simpler. A new visa waiver, effective February 13, will save Dh750 per person and eliminate lengthy approval processes. This move makes travel to the UAE more accessible and strengthens business and cultural ties between the two countries.

A Gift of Friendship: Trump’s Gesture to Modi

During his visit to India, Donald Trump presented Prime Minister Modi with a personalized book chronicling their long-standing friendship. Beyond the usual diplomatic formalities, this exchange reflects the personal bonds that sometimes shape international relations as much as policies do.

Memory League Champion: India’s New Star of Mental Speed

India is making its mark in unexpected ways, too. Vishvaa Rajakumar, a 20-year-old Indian college student, stunned the world by memorizing 80 random numbers in just 13.5 seconds, winning the Memory League World Championship. His incredible feat underscores India’s growing reputation for mental agility and cognitive excellence on the global stage.

India isn’t just participating in global affairs—it’s shaping them. Whether it’s setting ethical AI standards, securing energy independence, leading in space exploration, or expanding defence partnerships, the country is making bold, strategic moves that solidify its role as a global leader.

As the world takes note of India’s rise, one thing is clear: this journey is just getting started.

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Strategic Reset: PM Modi’s Saudi Visit to Deepen India’s Role in West Asia
April 21, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 22–23, 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia comes at a critical stage — one shaped by shifting global power dynamics and a fast-transforming West Asia.

It is his third visit after landmark trips in 2016 and 2019, and includes the second summit of the Strategic Partnership Council — a mechanism born out of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2019 India visit.

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PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, 2019

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PM Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, 2016

This visit is set to reframe bilateral ties from transactional cooperation to transformative partnership, expected to cement India’s presence in the Gulf as a strategic player, while also offering Saudi Arabia a reliable partner amidst global uncertainties, including oil market volatility and regional security challenges.

Energy: The Basis and Prospect

Strengthening collaboration in the energy sector remains an important aspect of India-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia ranks as India’s third-largest source of crude oil and LPG, constituting almost 18% of India’s LPG imports. The growth in energy trade in 2023-24 was $25.7 billion.

Both countries appear keen to expand their cooperation beyond the traditional focus on oil trade. Saudi Aramco’s interest in exploring partnerships with Indian companies, such as BPCL and ONGC, reflects a deepening confidence in India’s energy sector and signals a shift toward more strategic, long-term collaboration, including joint investments and co-development initiatives.

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Meeting the Minister of Energy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2019.

Furthermore, the visit is expected to lead to the conclusion of new MoUs, including in the area of green hydrogen — a development that aligns with India’s clean energy ambitions and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy for economic diversification. These initiatives hold the potential to enhance India’s long-term energy security while supporting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to adapt to evolving global energy dynamics and maintain a strong position in international markets.

IMEC: A Corridor of Connectivity and Influence

Perhaps the most geopolitically significant agenda item is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Launched at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023, IMEC envisions a seamless multi-modal transport and trade corridor connecting India to Europe via the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, occupying the central railroad leg of this route, holds the key to its implementation.

The Saudi segment is still the longest corridor and most neglected segment. It is anticipated that PM Modi’s visit will pave the way for a forward-thinking roadmap. The promise of IMEC is that it will provide a key alternative to trade routes like the Suez Canal by improving resilience and reducing reliance on traditional maritime routes. IMEC links Indian Ports (Mundra, Kandla, and JNPT) with UAE and Saudi Ports (Fujairah, Khalifa, Dammam, and Ras Al Khair), which are resilient and secure against traditional choke points like the Suez Canal.

IMEC aligns well with Saudi Arabia’s vision of emerging as a key logistical hub between the East and West. For India, it complements the Act West policy by enhancing connectivity to Europe and Africa through reliable and secure trade routes. The corridor also promotes regional transparency, fosters multilateral cooperation, and supports sustainable infrastructure development, offering a complementary and balanced alternative within the evolving global connectivity landscape.

Economic and Investment Outlook

As always, trade and investment will also take center stage in terms of dialogue. From joint military exercises, such as Al Mohed Al Hindi, to significant defense exports — including a $300 million artillery ammunition deal in 2024 — the relationship is moving toward deeper institutional engagement. The upcoming talks are expected to cover areas such as intelligence sharing, joint training programs, and co-production of defense equipment.

Against the backdrop of challenging global economic conditions and Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to diversify beyond an oil-dependent framework, India presents a promising destination for long-term, strategic investment. By working together to facilitate a more enabling investment environment, both nations can unlock mutually beneficial opportunities that support sustained economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance industrial collaboration.


Shared Stakes in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

Finally, the visit carries wider strategic significance amid an evolving regional landscape marked by shifting diplomatic dynamics. Saudi Arabia’s engagement with Iran, facilitated in part by China and acknowledged by the United States, reflects a broader effort to recalibrate longstanding regional relationships. As countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait take a more autonomous stance in shaping their foreign policy priorities, India’s balanced and constructive approach enables it to engage across the spectrum. This reinforces its image as a credible and responsible partner committed to regional stability and dialogue.

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PM’s roundtable interaction with Saudi Business Leaders, 2016.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia symbolizes far more than a routine diplomatic engagement — it reflects a recalibration of India’s foreign policy towards deeper integration with West Asia’s evolving political and economic ecosystem. Hence, Saudi Arabia is vital for India’s strategic outreach in the Middle East, offering access to key regional dynamics. In return, India serves as a stable, dependable partner for Saudi Arabia, especially amid economic diversification and regional shifts in a changing global landscape.

The essence of the visit is a departure from routine diplomatic activity; it marks an operational shift in India’s foreign policy towards deeper integration in the political and economic dynamics of West Asia. As the two leaders convene, they are not just strengthening bilateral ties — they are scripting a new chapter in India’s global rise and Saudi Arabia’s regional transformation.