This week’s headline features a story from Asia:

The 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane on October 10, 2024, celebrated a decade of India's Act East Policy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing support for ASEAN unity and centrality. He announced a 10-point plan focusing on connectivity and resilience, including the 2025 ASEAN-India Year of Tourism with a USD 5 million commitment, increased scholarships for ASEAN students, and initiatives in disaster resilience, health, and cyber policy. The summit concluded with two joint statements reinforcing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and outlining a new plan of action for 2026-2030, emphasizing India's role in digital transformation.

Europe: India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, expressed concerns regarding the European Union's "irrational standards," describing them as trade barriers that hinder business relations. He indicated that additional EU tariffs on select imports could lead India to consider reciprocal measures, particularly considering the ongoing negotiations for a trade pact.

North America: India has secured a $4 billion deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US, enhancing its intelligence, surveillance, and strike capabilities. The deal strengthens India-US defense ties and boosts India's defense modernization efforts, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.

South America: Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino's five-day visit to India from October 5-9, 2024, deepened bilateral ties, co-chairing the 7th India-Argentina Joint Commission Meeting with India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar. Discussions focused on sectors like defence, energy, IT, and pharmaceuticals, while business delegations explored trade opportunities, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Asia: The 21st ASEAN-India Summit on October 10, 2024, celebrated a decade of India's Act East Policy. Prime Minister Modi announced a 10-point plan to enhance connectivity, including a USD 5 million tourism fund, increased scholarships, and initiatives for disaster and cyber resilience, along with a new Plan of Action for 2026-2030.

Australia : India and Australia aim to expand their Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ecta) into a broader trade pact, focusing on areas like e-commerce, intellectual property, and sustainability, while Australia seeks additional tariff concessions on agricultural and dairy products.

Africa: South African importers and consumers have expressed relief as India withdraws its ban on non-basmati white rice exports, imposing a floor price of USD 490 per tonne. The eased restrictions are expected to stabilize global rice prices and meet South Africa's annual demand of 10 million tonnes.