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By Advik S Mohan and Padmashree Anandhan
TURKEY
Kurdistan Workers’ Party claim terrorist attack in Ankara
On 25 October, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) claimed the attack on Turkey’s defence firm in Ankara where five were killed and 22 injured. PKK issued a statement in Telegram: “The act of sacrifice at TAI campus in Ankara at around 15:30 local time on Wednesday was carried out by a team of the immortals battalion.” Earlier, Turkey’s government stated on having proof against involvement of the PKK. It also launched airstrikes on PKK in northern Iraq and Syria. The PKK group is considered as terror group by Turkey, the US and the EU since 1984. Since then, the PKK was found to be engaged in an armed conflict and has claimed up to 40,000 civilian and military victims. It is observed to have 60,000 members of “fighters, supporters and sympathisers.” Main operations are deemed to take place in Kandil mountains in northern Iraq and is also one the hotspots for Turkey’s bombing. However, the resolution efforts began after Recep Tayyip Erdogan President of Turkey initiated the peace efforts although it collapsed in 2015 over new wave of violence. (Burak Ünveren, “Turkey, the Kurds and the PKK,” Deutsche Welle, 25 October 2024; “Kurdistan Workers' Party claims deadly Ankara attack,” Deutsche Welle, 25 October 2024)
GERMANY
Government promises more visas for skilled Indian workers
On 25 October, Deutsche Welle reported on the Federal Government of Germany had promised to increase the number of visas provided to skilled Indian workers. The German government agreed to increase the number of visas provided to skilled Indian workers to 90,000 from 20,000. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany stated that Germany was open for skilled labour. Additionally, Scholz informed that Indians worked in economically beneficial sectors such as medicine, IT, and nursing care. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India welcomed the agreement as mutually beneficial for both India and Germany, towards a better future for the Indo-Pacific and the entire world. According to the Ministry of the Interior of Germany, Indians are the nationality most likely to find work in Germany under the opportunity card scheme. The Ministry informed there were 780 successful applications from India. (“Germany promises India more visas for skilled workers,” Deutsche Welle, 25 October 2024)
GEORGIA
Ruling party draws support from sports figures before election
On 25 October, Politico reported that the ruling government in Georgia was relying upon sports figures for support before the parliamentary elections. Lasha Talakadze, a three-time Olympic gold medallist in weightlifting, and Geno Petriashvili, an Olympic gold medallist in wrestling are both candidates for the ruling party Georgian Dream in the elections. Talakadze stated that having careers in both politics and sports was not incompatible, and he would be the voice of Georgian athletes in the parliament. Nino Samkharadze, a political analyst at the think tank Georgian Institute of Politics stated that political parties used uncontroversial sports athletes as candidates in order to help influence voter behavior. Georgian Dream has also made efforts to associate with the popular national football team, with four national team players appearing in a television ad. (Dato Parulava, “Georgia’s ruling party brings in the muscle for election,” Politico, 25 October 2024)
Election marred by crackdown on critical voices
On 25 October, Politico reported that the Government of Georgia was facing accusations of targeting journalists and opposition figures critical of the government. Nika Gvaramia, the former Minister of Justice of Georgia and an opposition politician who was convicted of abuse of power and sentenced to over three years in prison stated that the ruling government could try to intimidate or suppress the vote. The Georgian government also raided the houses of Eto Buziashvili and Sopo Gelava, two researchers with the Atlantic Council who had published a report alleging the Georgian government was focused on obtaining economic benefits from Russia. Additionally, investigators also searched the offices of Concentrix, a US tech giant and Fortune 500 firm specialized in outsourcing. Luka Pertaia, a Georgian reporter stated the Georgian government was trying to deliberately intimidate voters, civil society and opposition politicians. According to Pertaia, this created the perception that anyone associated with the West would be targeted. The EU has suspended the candidate status of Georgia, due to backsliding on human rights after the passage of laws targeting Western-backed organizations and the LGBTQ community. The ruling Georgian Dream party has claimed closer ties with the West will lead to conflict with Russia. (Gabriel Gavin, “Climate of intimidation haunts Georgian elections,” Politico, 25 October 2024)
THE UK
Government announces new freeports in plan to boost economic growth
On 25 October, the BBC informed that the UK Government was scheduled to announce the creation of five new freeports and a new investment zone in the upcoming UK budget. Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK informed the creation of the freeports was part of a plan to help create thousands of jobs and ensure more trade in the UK. The freeports are areas located near shipping ports or airports, where imported goods do not have tariffs imposed upon them. Businesses operating in freeport areas also pay lower amounts of national insurance and property taxes, with the intention of boosting economic activity like trade, investment, and job creation. According to the UK Government, freeports in the UK have attracted GBP 2.9 billion of investment and created an estimated 6,000 jobs. Tariffs in freeports are paid only on finished products transported to other parts of the UK. Starmer stated the freeports were functioning well. However, he acknowledged they could be better with improvements like better structures and more involvement from local authorities. This was in response to criticism that freeports only move economic activity away from one part of the country to another, rather than creating new opportunities or roles. Starmer also informed a new investment zone would be created in the East Midlands, with the aim of boosting high tech green industry. (Tom Espiner, “UK pledges thousands of new jobs in freeports plan,” BBC, 25 October 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Scholz and Modi hold meeting before business conference
On 25 October, Deutsche Welle reported on Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, and Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India meeting before their co-chairing of Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) between India and Germany. Scholz informed Germany wanted to use the IGC to improve cooperation with India on defence and military matters. He also urged the swift conclusion of free trade talks between the EU and India. Scholz and Modi also inaugurated the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK). Additionally, the German Chancellor is scheduled to visit Goa where ships from the German Navy will make a pre-scheduled port call as part of German deployment in the Indo-Pacific. (Dharvi Vaid, “Germany’s Scholz, India’s Modi meets in New Delhi,” Deutsche Welle, 25 October 2024)
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