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Saudi-Iran ice cap shows signs of thaw

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DETENTE? Relations between Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and King Salman of Saudi Arabia (right) are showing signs of improvement over a year after the Hajj tragedy that claimed 4,700 lives

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Quiet diplomacy on to bring the two warring countries closer

By Abu Turab

The advent of Donald Trump as the 45th President of United States has been accompanied by some interesting diplomatic moves in the Middle East, with arch rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran showing early inclination of rebuilding bilateral relations.

On January 25 Kuwaiti Emir Jabel al-Ahmed al-Sabah sent a “special message” to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani through his Foreign Minister. This was probably the outcome of early Riyadh-headquartered Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) efforts to open channels of dialogue to bring the two countries together, says the credible news website Al-Monitor.

On December 1, 2016, Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah was quoted as saying that GCC was trying to send a message to Tehran for inviting both countries to dialogue. He also said that Kuwait will be transmitting the message to Iran and that “contacts with Iran are ongoing to set a convenient date to divert that message.” Other members of the regional Council are Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Oman.

A Tehran-based Press TV report says that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, while receiving the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, said that “the power and capabilities of Iran have always been aimed at safeguarding regional security and stability and supporting neighbours.” He also reiterated Tehran’s commitment to supporting “any measures” that would promote regional stability and security.

On January 14, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, while speaking to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), disclosed that he has been carrying out certain mediatory measures since last year to help improve relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He further said that any crisis in the Iran-Saudi relations affects Iraq as well and a rapprochement between the two countries would benefit Iraq.

He disclosed that he has carried oral messages between Iranian and Saudi officials in the past few months and added that his country would make efforts to bring the positions of Tehran and Riyadh closer.

Ties between Tehran and Riyadh took downturn after a deadly human crush occurred during Hajj rituals in September 2015. Some 465 Iranians were among 4,700 killed in the tragedy.  Iranians’ violent reaction to Saudi Arabia prosecuting Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, was witnessed when protesters set fire to some portion of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran on January 2, 2016. Similar protest was also reported from Mashhad. Saudi Arabia unilaterally severed its diplomatic ties with Iran after the protests.

A large number of pilgrims from different countries were still being claimed by Saudi authorities as ‘missing.’ Over a hundred Indian pilgrims were killed and 32 remained missing in the tragedy.

In one analysis, Al-Monitor says that on January 17 Iranian president Hassan Rouhani hailed the efforts of at least a dozen countries, including Iraq and Kuwait for offering to mediate between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He expressed his willingness to be on good terms with everyone, especially the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had also expressed their desire to renew relations with Saudi Arabia.

The first breakthrough in Tehran-Riyadh relations was witnessed on September 28, 2016 when the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to curb oil production during the meeting in Algiers. The agreement resulted in the largest cut in oil production since 2008 forcing considerable price rise in the international market.

The agreement was possible only through a major Saudi concession which exempted Iran from capping production. As OPEC’s dominant producer, the Saudi’s wield enough clout to provide such a concession.

Recently on January 10, Head of Iranian Hajj Mission Syed Ali Qadi Askar announced receiving an invitation via Saudi Arabia’s consulate in New York to hold meetings to discuss plans for this year’s Hajj.

Iran had boycotted Hajj 2016 for not getting security guarantee of their nationals after the tragic death of its 465 nationals in the Hajj stampede 2015. Iran claimed the total number of Hajj pilgrims killed in the tragedy were 4,700 while Saudi authorities gave the total number of deaths at only 700. Earlier, 11 Iranian pilgrims were among more than 100 killed in a massive construction crane collapse in Mecca’s Grand Mosque.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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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Donald Trump

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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