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Iraq votes for Parliament in first elections after IS defeat

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Iraq votes for Parliament in first elections after IS defeat

In an exercise to strengthen democratic set up in non-GCC Arab country without having much US influence and “growing Iranian influence”, Iraqi people have started polling their votes for the fourth parliament after removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003 on Saturday morning.

The landmark parliamentary elections in the country are being held for the first time after defeating Daesh (IS) terror group with the help of Iranian military advisors, intelligence sharing and weapons supplies along with Mobilization Forces raised after landmark fatwa of Ayatollah Siestani, comprising all sections of the country.

However, US led coalition also claim of fighting against Daesh (IS) which has never attracted appreciation by Iraqi government.

According to media reports a total of 6,990 candidates from 87 lists (parties) are contesting for 329 seats with nearly 2,011 female candidates who are guaranteed 25 percent, or 83, of the seats. Nine seats will be allocated to minorities.

There are 18 provinces in the country with different population ratio in different areas. Shia majority community dominates in the southern provinces, Sunnis are more in the central region while Kurds are in majority in several north-eastern provinces.

Iraq votes for Parliament in first elections after IS defeat

Political observers don’t expect a dramatic government shake-up in the country. However, this is expected to be considered as a referendum on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s tenure and his pledge to be more inclusive during the next tenure, if elected.

On May 4, Iraq’s most revered religious leader Grand Ayatollah Siestani, through his representative Ayatollah Mehdi Karbalai in holy Karbala city, had urged voters not to re-elect “corrupt” Members of Parliament during the elections.

Ayatollah Karbalai, while addressing the Friday sermon, had suggested that voters should “avoid falling into the trap of those who want to fool you”, including- “those whom you have known”- a reference to outgoing MPs running in the polls.

The most important issues dominated throughout the campaign included corruption, security, poverty, the influence of Iran and the future of US forces currently in the country.

The main lists (parties) can be divided into Shia, Sunni and Kurdish coalitions, with Shia parties being the most prominent due to their greater number in the overall population which is considered to be over 70%. Two major Sunni coalitions and four Kurdish ones are contesting the elections.

Read More: Referendum in Iraq’s Kurdish North Sets Cat Among Pigeons

The main Shia lists contesting the elections include: Nasr Coalition headed by current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Dawat al-Qanoon, headed by current Vice President and former PM Nouri al-Maliki, Fatah Coalition, led by Hadi al-Amiri, Hikma Coalition headed by Ammar al-Hakim and al-Saidoon Coalition, also known as Sadrist movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, allied with Iraqi Communist Party.

Iraq votes for Parliament in first elections after IS defeat

Recently Saudi Arabia has also indicated interest in the internal Iraqi politics with an objective of curbing Iranian influence in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr, was the important visitor to Saudi Arabia holding meeting with most powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman in July last year.

However, during a summit with US President Donald Trump in May 2017, Saudi Arabia did not invite Shia Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Instead Iraq’s Sunni president Fuad Masum participated in the meeting when more than 50 heads of Muslims states met Trump under Saudi auspices.

Observers believe that no single group is expected to win 165 seats required for forming next government. Instead the bloc winning the highest number of seats will have to bring together smaller groups.

Read More: Kurdistan dream collapses, Barzani not to remain President

Some analysts, probably influenced by Saudi Arabia led GCC, has been talking of the possibility of  spending months before selection of new prime minister. Until the new prime minister is chosen, Haider al-Abadi, the current PM will continue to officiate.

Political power is traditionally divided along sectarian lines among the offices of prime minister, president and parliament speaker. Since the first elections following 2003 Saddam Hussein’s fall, Shia majority has held the position of prime minister, while the Kurds have held the presidency and Sunnis have held the post of parliament speaker.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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