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UAE President, Indian FM Discuss Bilateral Relations

This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)
This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)
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UAE President, Indian FM Discuss Bilateral Relations

This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)
This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on Friday with Indian Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar various aspects of their bilateral relations.

The officials tackled the importance of cooperating to boost and advance their relations within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership and the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed received a written letter from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding strengthening the strategic relations between their countries and the prospects of developing them to serve their common interests.

Sheikh Mohamed then discussed with his guest a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Jaishankar is visiting the UAE to attend the meetings of the 14th session of the UAE-India Joint Committee and the third session of the UAE-India Strategic Dialogue, which was held in Abu Dhabi.

On Friday, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired the third session of the UAE-India Strategic Dialogue.

Sheikh Abdullah and Jaishankar discussed issues of common interest and prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation, in line with the CEPA agreement between the UAE and India.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Sheikh Abdullah underscored the deep-rooted strategic relations between the UAE and India, and the continuous growth in their cooperation at all levels, thanks to the support of their leaderships.

He stressed that the UAE and India have succeeded in establishing an advanced and sustainable model for their strategic relations, which has yielded many significant achievements across several sectors.

The two countries are eager to strengthen ties to advance their common interests and those of their peoples, he added.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed the UAE-India CEPA, signed last February, has broadened the horizons for developing and strengthening their economic relations to drive sustainable development in both countries.

For his part, Jaishankar praised the UAE-India strategic partnership and the strong historical relations that their countries, their leaderships and peoples share.

He also stressed the keenness to strengthen and develop UAE-India strategic relations to meet the aspirations of their leaderships, noting that the strides made within the framework of their partnership are a source of pride and a driver to seek more successes to achieve common development goals.

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Gulf

Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
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Somalia Cancels All UAE Deals

A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)
A meeting of the Somali government. (Somali National News Agency)

Somalia's government said on Monday that it was annulling all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, including port deals and defense and ‌security cooperation, ‌citing ‌evidence ⁠the UAE had ‌undermined its national sovereignty. 

"The Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates, ⁠including those involving federal governmental ‌institutions, affiliated entities, and ‍regional administrations ‍operating within the territory ‍of the Federal Republic of Somalia," a statement from Somalia's Council of Ministers said. 

"This decision applies to all agreements ⁠and partnerships relating to the ports of Berbera, Bosaso, and Kismayo ... (and) bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the statement added. 

Gulf

Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
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Somali Foreign Minister: Any Unilateral Recognition of Breakaway Regions Is Unviable

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali (Somali Foreign Ministry)

At a highly sensitive regional juncture, Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali issued a clear warning against any unilateral recognition of breakaway regions, describing such moves as unviable and politically irresponsible, with negative repercussions for bilateral relations and regional stability.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Ali stressed the alignment between Mogadishu and Riyadh on the need to shield the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical rivalries.

He said his second visit to Saudi Arabia within two weeks reflects the depth of coordination with the Kingdom amid rapidly evolving regional developments, particularly those related to maritime security and the Horn of Africa.

Objectives of the Saudi visit

Ali said the primary aim of his visit was close consultation with Saudi Arabia on accelerating regional developments, notably those affecting the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and maritime navigation security.

He added that discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across political, economic, security and development fields, while ensuring full coordination on issues touching on Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and stability.

He noted that the visit — his second to Riyadh in less than two weeks — underscored the intensity of engagement with the Kingdom at a delicate moment, saying that his previous meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan featured frank and constructive talks aimed at preventing escalation, maintaining regional balance and upholding international law.

Ali also highlighted the convening of an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address what he described as the “illegal violation of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” calling it further evidence of Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in supporting regional stability.

Historic relations

The foreign minister described relations between Somalia and Saudi Arabia as “strong, historic and strategic,” grounded in shared faith, longstanding people-to-people ties and converging regional interests.

He said Somalia views the Kingdom as a key partner in national recovery, security-sector reform, economic stabilization and regional diplomacy, adding that current discussions are focused on translating this partnership into tangible outcomes that benefit both countries and reinforce wider regional stability.

Firm rejection of recognition of “Somaliland”

Ali stressed that the Somali federal government “categorically rejects” any declaration or action aimed at recognizing any part of Somalia as a separate entity. Such steps, he said, lack any legal basis, violate Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contravene international law, the UN Charter, the OIC charter and African Union principles.

He expressed Somalia’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s principled stance in support of Somali unity, as well as for regional and international partners that have voiced solidarity with Mogadishu.

He warned that unilateral recognition would not merely be a political position but a “destabilizing precedent” threatening the regional order. He added that Somalia is addressing the issue through balanced diplomacy and close coordination with regional and international partners.

A pivotal and constructive Saudi role

Ali said Saudi Arabia plays a “pivotal and constructive” role in promoting stability and security in the Arab world, the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa, noting that its leadership in diplomacy, de-escalation and maritime security is widely recognized and appreciated.

Potential repercussions

The foreign minister warned that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland would be “legally and practically null and void,” further exacerbating fragility in a region already facing serious security, humanitarian and climate challenges. He said that such moves encourage fragmentation, fuel proxy conflicts and open the door to external interference, undermining the security of the Horn of Africa and international maritime navigation.

Militarization of the Red Sea

Ali said Mogadishu and Riyadh share a vital interest in protecting one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, stressing the need to keep the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden free from militarization and illegal activities.

“We agree on the necessity of keeping the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden away from militarization, illicit activities and geopolitical brinkmanship,” he underlined.

 

 

Gulf

New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
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New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)

A new humanitarian aid convoy from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) crossed the Rafah border into Gaza on Friday with essential food baskets for Palestinians affected by the ongoing crisis, as part of the Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, has established several new camps in Al-Qarara area of southern Gaza and Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis in preparation for winter.

Through these efforts, KSrelief aims to alleviate the severe suffering caused by the dire living conditions in Gaza, ensuring that vital food and shelter reach those in the most vulnerable areas.