PM Modi leaves for India after concluding two-day visit to Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday left for home after concluding a two-day visit to Malaysia during which he held wide-ranging talks with his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, focusing on boosting defence and security ties.
"A memorable visit concludes! After a successful visit to Malaysia, marked by special warmth and hospitality and anchored in our close cultural bonds, PM
@narendramodi has departed for India. The visit produced significant outcomes that will add substantial strength to India–Malaysia ties," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on social media.
ALSO READ: Adequate safeguards for India in trade agreement with US: Goyal
Several important bilateral documents, including on security cooperation, UN peacekeeping, semiconductors, health and medicine, disaster management, combating corruption, audio-visual co-production, vocational education and social security for Indian workers, were exchanged during the visit.
Following his meeting with the Malaysian PM Ibrahim, Modi said India and Malaysia share a "special relationship", and both sides are committed to expanding their ties in diverse sectors.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of security, defence, AI, digital technologies and semiconductors.
Earlier in the day, Modi received a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.
The Prime Minister also met Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao in Kuala Lumpur and conveyed the gratitude of all Indians for INA’s extraordinary courage, legacy, and sacrifice.
He also met with Malaysia’s Indian-origin Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators in Kuala Lumpur and appreciated their active role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
On Saturday, Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at an event where he hailed the community for serving as a living bridge between India and Malaysia. He also announced a new consulate in the archipelago nation and the Thiruvalluvar Scholarship to enable students to study in India.
Modi said India is seen as a “trusted partner for growth” and it was reflected in the recent trade deals it has agreed with various countries, including the UK, USA and the EU.
Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to a grand red-carpet reception, with Ibrahim receiving him at the airport, signalling a new momentum in the bilateral relations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
