February 17, 2025 10:08 AM

Ukraine, Europe will be part of ‘real’ peace talks, says Rubio, as US weighs Putin’s motives

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday said Ukraine and Europe would be part of any "real negotiations" to end Moscow's war, signaling that U.S. talks with Russia this week were a chance to see how serious Russian President Vladimir Putin is about peace. America's top diplomat played down European concerns of being cut out of the initial talks between Russia and the United States set to take place in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. In an interview with CBS, Rubio said a negotiation pro...

February 18, 2025 5:54 PM

US, Russia to meet in Saudi Arabia over Ukraine war

U.S. and Russian officials met on Tuesday in Riyadh for their first talks on ending the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv and its European allies watched anxiously from the sidelines and Moscow raised a new demand that NATO formally disavow a membership promise it made to Ukraine in 2008. The talks in the Saudi capital underscored the rapid pace of U.S. efforts to halt the conflict, less than a month after President Donald Trump took office and six days after he spoke by phone to Russian President Vladim...

February 11, 2025 4:19 PM

Inaugural Olympic Esports Games to be held in 2027 in Saudi Arabia

The first Olympic Esports Games will be held in two years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday, as part of a 12-year-deal with the country signed last year. The IOC has been looking into Esports for several years, forming a dedicated commission to find opportunities to tap into a younger generation involved with gaming. With its traditional audience base gradually ageing, the governing body is trying to connect with a younger generation of potential Olym...

January 13, 2025 3:30 PM

Saudi Arabia plans to enrich and sell uranium, energy minister says

Saudi Arabia plans to monetize all minerals, including by selling uranium, Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Monday. "We will enrich it and we will sell it and we will do a 'yellowcake,'" Prince Abdulaziz told a conference in Dhahran, referring to a powdered concentrate of the mineral used to prepare uranium fuel for nuclear reactors. It requires safe handling although it poses few radiation risks. Saudi Arabia has a nascent nuclear programme that it wants to expand to ...

December 11, 2024 8:08 PM

COP16 in Riyadh: turning the tide on Desertification

As the 16th session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16) nears its conclusion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the atmosphere is charged with urgency. Delegates are racing to finalize agreements that could redefine humanity’s approach to one of its most pressing environmental challenges: desertification and land degradation. With the conference wrapping up on December 13, the stakes have never been higher. A sobering new report reveals that over 75% of the Earth’s land...

December 2, 2024 9:31 AM

UNCCD COP16 opens today with India set to showcase landmark Green Project

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification's sixteenth Conference of Parties (COP16) is beginning today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time West Asia hosts this crucial environmental conference. India will join representatives from 197 nations at this milestone event, which coincides with UNCCD's 30th anniversary. India's delegation, led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, will participate in a significant side event at ...

November 13, 2024 4:55 PM

EAM Jaishankar and Saudi FM Al Saud discuss bilateral ties, economic and defence cooperation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held high-level talks in New Delhi on Wednesday, marking the second meeting of the Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Committee under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The discussions centered on reinforcing the robust and multifaceted ties between the two nations, including economic, defence, and cultural cooperation. In his opening remarks at the meeting, the EAM ...

November 13, 2024 3:08 PM

EAM Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, in New Delhi on Wednesday for high-level bilateral discussions. The meeting, which took place at the iconic Hyderabad House, marks a significant step in strengthening the growing strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. Following the meeting, the two leaders engaged in deliberations for the second session of the Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Committee of ...

September 16, 2024 3:25 PM

EAM Jaishankar arrives in Geneva, pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, starting his visit by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. In a post on X, he said, "Started my visit to Geneva by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. In a world of polarisation and conflict, Bapu's message of harmony and sustainability is more relevant than ever." During his stay, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis to review the strong partnership between India and Switzerland...

August 30, 2024 1:25 PM

India and Saudi Arabia sign landmark agreement on public sector auditing

In a significant move to enhance bilateral cooperation in public sector auditing, India and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding today in Riyadh. The agreement was signed by Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and Dr. Hussam Al-Angari, President of the Saudi General Court of Audit. The signing ceremony was also attended by Dr. Suhel Khan, the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The MoU aims to foster collaboration and facilitate the exchange of expert...