Prashant Shukla

  L-R Ambassador Kevin Kelly, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar   and Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra  From 6 to 7 March 2025, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, officially visited Ireland. This visit, distinguished by diplomatic meetings, academic engagements, and strategic discussions, underscored the evolving global partnerships in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Despite the historical alliance and mutual support during both nations' freedom struggles, the Ireland-India relationship has not expanded as robustly as anticipated, particularly in contrast to Ireland's increasingly strong ties with China. Diplomacy and Academic Outreach During his stay in Ireland, Dr Jaishankar delivered a lecture entitled India's View of the World at University College Dublin (UCD). This address outlined India's foreign policy vision for a multipolar world and emphasised the significance of cultural, educational, and scient...

ReArm Europe: The Dawn of a New Global Power Dynamic The European Union's newly unveiled "ReArm Europe" plan marks a decisive turning point for the continent's defence, security, and role in shaping the global balance of power. As the EU prepares to mobilise close to €800 billion in defence spending, this historic rearmament drive is set to reshape relationships within the West, recalibrate global alliances, and redefine Europe's place in the emerging world order. Beyond its immediate scope, the plan raises critical questions about Europe's commitment to security, its partnership with the United States, and the strategic consequences for significant powers like India, China and Russia. The ReArm Europe plan comes against the backdrop of mounting geopolitical instability, driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising threats from authoritarian regimes. The EU's decision to dramatically increase its defence spending is as much a response to the immediate c...

  European leaders’ summit at Lancaster House, London London, 2 March 2025  — In a resolute display of unity and commitment, European leaders convened in London today for a high-stakes summit focused on bolstering Ukraine's defence capabilities and advancing the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. The summit culminated in significant pledges, underscoring Europe's steadfast support for Ukraine's sovereignty and security. UK Announces Landmark £1.6 Billion Defence Package . At the heart of the summit's outcomes was British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of a £1.6 billion export finance deal to equip Ukraine with over 5,000 state-of-the-art air defence missiles. This ambitious initiative is intended to fortify Ukraine's air defence infrastructure, safeguarding critical facilities from ongoing aggression. The deal is also set to stimulate job creation within the UK, with the missiles' production based in Belfast. "Europe f...

  Leaders from the European Union, and NATO in London to support Ukraine In the wake of growing tensions between Ukraine and its Western allies, Europe stands at a pivotal crossroads. The astonishing diplomatic fallout between Kyiv and Washington, sparked by United States President Donald Trump's shifting stance on Ukraine, has sent shockwaves through global politics and raised urgent questions about the future of transatlantic security. On Sunday, March 2nd, 2025, more than a dozen European leaders will gather in London for emergency crisis talks to reinforce security cooperation and reaffirm their support for Ukraine. This extraordinary summit reflects mounting fears that under President Trump's administration, the United States may fall short of providing Kyiv with the backing it desperately needs as negotiations with Russia take a controversial turn. As concerns grow over America's evolving position, Europe's leaders face a historic opportunity and responsibility to...

  The 2024 Irish General Election has etched a transformative chapter in the country's political narrative. With Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael reaffirming their prominence and Sinn Féin showcasing its growing influence, the election results underscore continuity and change. Against an electorate yearning for solutions to pressing crises, Ireland faces a pivotal moment in shaping its future. This future, in turn, will have implications for Ireland's role within the European Union. A Fragmented Mandate: Election Results and Coalition Building The election has revealed a vibrant yet fragmented political spectrum, challenging the conventional pathways to government formation. Fianna Fáil secured 21.9% of first-preference votes, translating to 48 seats, while Fine Gael garnered 20.8% and 38 seats. Sinn Féin captured 19% with 39 seats, reflecting its rising appeal as a voice for societal change. The remaining seats are held by smaller parties and independents, showcasing Ireland's di...