India and its key African and Indian Ocean Region partner Kenya this week upgraded their partnership during Kenyan President William Ruto’s New Delhi visit by issuing Joint Vision Statement on Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. The two sides also announced to strengthen their defence ties and jointly combat piracy, drug trafficking and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region. India also extended a line of credit of $250 million to modernise farming in Kenya as the two sides inked 5 pacts. Yet another New Delhi’s Indian Ocean Region partner – Oman – will seek to expand strategic partnership with proposed visit of its Sultan to India in mid-December. Oman will soon launch key infrastructure projects including Duqm Refinery and petrochemical industries, the Duqm Integrated Electricity and Water Station. Meanwhile, Seychelles have appealed for concessionary funding for island states. In neighbouring Madagascar incumbent president, Andry Rajoelina, was declared the winner for the third term. Mozambique, a state, along the Indian Ocean Region in key move has launched energy transition strategy. South Africans, meanwhile, continue to rally for permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as they marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 

India, Kenya cement defence ties to beef up security in Indian Ocean region

Indo Asian News Service | 5^th December 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenya President William Ruto on Tuesday (December 5) held discussions on strengthening defence ties between the two countries in order to strengthen maritime security and jointly combat piracy, drug trafficking and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region. The growing co-operation between India and Kenya in the field of defense is a symbol of our deep mutual trust and common interests, PM Modi said after the meeting. “In today’s discussion, we emphasised on holding joint military exercises, capacity building as well as linking the defense industries of both the countries. As countries connected to the Indian Ocean, maritime security, piracy and drug trafficking are matters of our common priority,” Modi said.

India extends $250 mn line of credit to Kenya, 5 bilateral deals signed

Hindustan Times | 5^th December 2023 

India and Kenya on Tuesday decided to bolster cooperation in health and agriculture, including an Indian line of credit of $250 million to modernise farming in the African country, even as the two sides signed five agreements in areas ranging from education to digital transformation.

President Ramkalawan delivers statement before the G77 and China Leaders’ Summit 

Seychelles Nation | 4^th December 2023

President Wavel Ramkalawan has reiterated his plea for all multilateral and international financial organisations under the control of the west to change their financing mechanisms to allow all island states to have access to concessionary funding. President Ramkalawan made the call in a statement as part of the G77 and China Leaders’ Summit, General Debate segment, on the margins of the 28th Session of the United Nations Conference of Parties, currently taking place in Dubai. 

India to host Oman Sultan as defence ties soar; focus also on West Asia

Times of India | 5^th December 2023 

In the first high-profile visit by an Arab leader to India since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, will be hosted by PM Narendra Modi in the middle of this month. Oman is India’s closest defence partner in the Gulf, and a key Indian Ocean maritime security partner which has allowed the Indian Navy access to the strategic Port of Duqm, but the visit will draw attention also for the sultan’s talks with PM Narendra Modi on the West Asia situation.

Several national projects set to be opened in Oman

Times of Oman | 3^rd December 2023 

The Secretariat General of National Celebrations has finished preparing the opening program for national projects in preparation for their opening coinciding with the celebration of the glorious 53rd National Day. The most important of these projects, which the Oman Investment Authority recently announced its opening, are the Duqm Refinery and petrochemical industries, the Duqm Integrated Electricity and Water Station, the Ras Markaz Crude Oil Storage Project, the Khuwaimah Shrimp Farm, and the “link” project for electricity transmission.

Madagascar leader wins presidential vote, constitutional court says

Reuters | 1^st December 2023 

Madagascar’s incumbent president, Andry Rajoelina, was declared the winner on Friday (December 1) of the Nov. 16 election by the country’s High Constitutional Court, which handed him a third term after dismissing various challenges to provisional results. “Andry Rajoelina is elected as the president of the republic of Madagascar and is taking his functions as soon as the swearing (in is conducted),” said court head Florent Rakotoarisoa. He received 58.96% of the votes cast, the court said.

COP28: Mozambique launches energy transition strategy at Climate Change Summit

Club of Mozambique | 4^th December 2023 

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi launched on December 2, in Dubai, the Energy Transition Strategy for 2023-2030, an initiative intended to place the country at the forefront of climate innovation, as well as making it an attractive investment destination. The launch took place during a panel at the United Nations Climate Change Summit, COP 28.

South Africans demand permanent Gaza ceasefire during pro-Palestine march

Aljazeera | 29^th November 2023 

Members of South African political parties and civil society organisations marched through the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday (November 29) demanding a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as they marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Rival political parties including the ruling African National Congress and the left-wing opposition Economic Freedom Fighters were among many demonstrators who marched across the Nelson Mandela Bridge to protest against Israel’s military offensive in Gaza against Hamas.