It is in this background that the first ever DPRK-US summit took place in Singapore, where KJU reiterated his “firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula”. While there was no mention of CVID or any timelines, yet Mr Trump promptly announced that “there is no longer a nuclear threat” from Pyongyang. ROK is highly export-dependent (39 per cent of GDP in 2017) and views India as a key prospective trade and economic partner. Insecure, impoverished and isolated, DPRK poses a serious threat to international peace and security, by amassing an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), in defiance of UN/US sanctions and breach of its own non-proliferation commitments. The latter also proposed denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula (KP), if the ROK and US display goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability, and take progressive and synchronous measures, for achieving it. However, there is sufficient room for cautious optimism.Prime Minister Modi was also conferred the prestigious “Seoul Peace Prize” for his efforts to promote global peace and harmony, as well as foster inclusive economic growth in India and improve the quality of life. L&T is currently co-producing Korean K-9 “Vajra” artillery guns for the Indian Army, after successful field trials. It has the distinction of being the first developing country in the world to join the ranks of OECD nations in 1996.

It now boasts of a per capita income of $30,000, up from $94 in 1961. The challenge is compounded by an acute trust deficit between the sides. Seoul and Washington welcomed the offer. He aptly described ROK as a “truly natural partner”. Korean conglomerates called “chaebol”, like KIA Motors and Samsung, invested around $2 billion in India over the last couple of years alone and are keen to qualitatively expand their footprint. Reeling under the impact of crippling economic sanctions and wary of Mr Trump’s sabre-rattling, KJU had decided to sue for peace, signalling a desire to embrace economic growth, seek development assistance and accept restrictions on its WMD programme. The decades-long journey to the Singapore (June 12, 2018) and Hanoi summits has been extremely arduous. Both capitals recognise that his mediatory role has been instrumental in facilitating the US-DPRK summits. In President Moon Jae-in, who visited India last July, he has found an ally that is as committed to the relationship.In early 2018, its 35-year old dictator Kim Jong-un (KJU) abruptly changed course by offering dialogue and engagement with ROK and the US.On the other hand, the mercurial Mr Trump, whose presidency is now embroiled in major controversies, is craving for a conspicuous foreign policy success. For Pyongyang it is an existential issue. Relenting from their “all or nothing” approach, the Americans have agreed to the second summit with North Korea, otherwise known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Hanoi on February 27 and 28.Pyongyang has done it yet again. The sides are actively exploring possibilities to collaborate in harnessing the gains from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.South Korea, geographically a tiny nation with a population of 50 million, is an industrial, innovation and hi-tech powerhouse. A Korea Start-up Centre (KSC) would similarly be established in India to promote collaboration among startups, as also commercialise their ideas, technologies and designs.The South Korean President, since assuming office in May 2017, has also been relentlessly pursuing peace and rapprochement with North Korea. It views its arsenal as an insurance against regime change. The Chinese advice to DPRK will have an important bearing on the outcome. Washington may settle for a freeze on the North’s ICBM and thermonuclear programmes, moratorium on further tests, dismantlement of the ICBM engine test and launch site at Tongchang-ri, and the critical Yongbyon nuclear facility, in the presence of international inspectors.There are numerous imponderables and tripwires ahead. North Korea is notorious for running circles around its interlocutors and persisting with surreptitious fabrication of WMD. Notwithstanding Pyongyang’s lip service, the global strategic community knows it will never completely surrender its nuclear option.Earlier this month, on February 21 and 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to South Korea (otherwise Republic of Korea, or ROK), a dynamic democracy with which we enjoy a “special strategic partnership”.

That Mr Modi chose Seoul for probably his last overseas visit before the forthcoming general election is testimony to the mutual desire PEEK bearings to infuse a new momentum in bilateral partnership.5 billion in 2018), security and defence, science and technology, IT, cultural as well as people-to-people. He is convinced of his abilities to strike a suitable deal with KJU. He has been deftly nudging Pyongyang and Washington towards the dialogue table. In the past decade or so, with steadily growing synergies between Asia’s third (India) and fourth largest economies, bilateral ties have flourished in a variety of areas including economic, trade ($21. We are in discussions for more defence deals with Seoul, which is open to investing in the newly established Indian defence industrial corridors.During his visit, the PM inaugurated the “India Korea Startup Centre” which he noted, would serve as a “hub for Korean startups and Indian talent to freely communicate”. The American ability to stay the course will be severely tested, as will KJU’s bona fides. In return, the US will normalise ties with DPRK, clear a peace pact, dilute sanctions, allow humanitarian assistance and resumption of economic exchanges.Expectedly a stalemate followed, with DPRK insisting on a reciprocal step-by-step progress and the US on CVID.. Posturing aside, the US appears to have realised that “progressive, reciprocal and limited denuclearisation (PRLD)” is their best bet.The proposal embodied both an opportunity and a challenge. President Trump took everyone by surprise in agreeing to meet KJU unconditionally. It has procured, utilised and improved upon, the best of Western technologies and equipment. It has successfully stared down the mightiest power in the world. Tens of thousands of Indian engineers are already working shoulder-to-shoulder with their Korean counterparts in both countries to develop cutting-edge technologies and applications.However, the US demanded an upfront commitment of “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation (CVID)”, which is not acceptable to DPRK. In 2017, it tested a thermonuclear device and an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), bringing the continental US within reach for the first time.Given its complicated security situation, South Korea has invested heavily in defence, notwithstanding the American security umbrella.

"Nothing is decided," Macron said as he arrived at the summit, insisting on "clarity" from May about what Britain wants. All that was needed was ratification by the British and European Parliaments. Others suggested a longer delay would likely be needed, given the depth of Britains political disarray. Just two days before Britain was due to leave the EU, its leaders spent a long dinner meeting wrangling over whether to save Britain from a precipitous and potentially calamitous Brexit, or to give the foot-dragging departing nation a shove over the edge. Several days of talks between Mays Conservative government and the main opposition Labour Party aimed at finding a compromise have failed to produce a breakthrough. Tusk said in a tweet that the British leader had agreed to the longer "flexible" extension, which means Britain can leave before October if it ratifies a withdrawal deal with the EU. Some were sympathetic, but French President Emmanuel Macron struck a warning note shortly before the European leaders met.

Leaders of the 27 remaining EU member states met for more than six hours before agreeing after midnight to postpone Brexit until October 31.But they cant force her out until the end of the year, after she survived a no-confidence vote in December. Many leaders said they were inclined to grant a Brexit delay, though Macron had reservations after hearing May speak. Every British initiative to get a deal has floundered so far. She added that she was hopeful it could be as soon as May 22 — a key date since that would avoid the need for Britain to participate in elections for the European Parliament.May pleaded with them at an emergency summit to delay Britains exit, due on Friday, for a couple more months while the UK sorts out the mess that Brexit has become."This means additional six months for the UK to find the best possible solution," Tusk wrote. As Britains departure date of March 29 approached with no resolution in sight, the EU gave Britain until Friday to approve a withdrawal plan, change course and seek a further delay to Brexit, or crash out of the EU with no deal to cushion the shock.But UK lawmakers rejected it — three times..An official in the French presidents office said the British leader hadnt offered "sufficient guarantees" to justify a long extension. Mays future, meanwhile, is uncertain. The two sides said they would resume their discussions Thursday. Economists and business leaders have warned that a no-deal Brexit would lead to huge disruptions in trade and travel, with tariffs and customs checks causing gridlock at British ports and possible shortages of goods.May said a June 30 deadline was enough China plain bearings Manufacturers time for Britains Parliament to ratify a Brexit deal and pass the legislation needed for a smooth Brexit. May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were filmed laughing over a tablet bearing an image showing the two of them speaking to their respective Parliaments on Wednesday wearing similar blue jackets. A disorderly Brexit would hurt EU nations, as well as Britain, and all want to avoid it.

In contrast to some testy recent summits, there were signs of warmth and even humour. Many Conservative Party lawmakers would like her to quit now and let a new leader take charge of the next stage of Brexit."What is important is that any extension enables us to leave at the point at which we ratify the withdrawal agreement," May said as she arrived in Brussels.She has previously said that "as prime minister" she could not agree to let Britain stay in the EU beyond June 30, and she has also promised to step down once Brexit is delivered.Brussels: European Union leaders and Britain on Thursday agreed to a Brexit extension that will allow the UK to delay its EU departure date until Halloween.Several months have passed since May and the EU struck a deal laying out the terms of Britains departure and the outline of future relations.May spoke to the 27 EU leaders for just over an hour, before they met for dinner without her to decide Britains fate. Labour favours a softer Brexit than the government has proposed, and wants to retain a close economic relationship with the bloc. May signalled she would accept a longer extension, as long as it contained a get-out-early cause should Britain end its Brexit impasse.European Council President Donald Tusk presented the offer to May, who had asked for a delay only until June 30. But British lawmakers have rejected her divorce deal three times, and attempts to forge a compromise with her political opponents have yet to bear fruit. "Whats indispensable is that nothing should compromise the European project in the months to come," he said.