To enjoy additional benefits. Updated July 09, 2024 02:59 pm IST. Published July 08, 2024 12:24 pm IST. To get the newsletter in your inbox every Monday,subscribe here. For many across the world, the poll outcomes of the United Kingdom, Iran, and France herald some relief and hope, as they broadly reflect a setback for conservative parties and rightwing forces. After 14 years in power, the Tories were finally voted out, while newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to begin the work of change . Our Londonbased correspondentSriram Lakshmantracked the election and its outcome closely. Notably, five independent proPalestine candidates, including former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, won in the U.K. s general elections, in the wake of Israel s devastating war on Gaza, which many voters deemed a key poll issue. While theresults have been welcomed by many, it is also important to be mindful of the remarkable performance of ultraright wing leader Nigel Farage, who won after losing seven times, and his party, Reform UK, that won more than 14 of the vote, albeit only four seats. As TheHindu editorialobserved, this will be a worry in the context of the party s openly xenophobic rhetoric against immigrants. It also brings to the fore the challenge in sustaining the new regimes amid the political and economic crises facing the world. Wasting no time settling in,Mr. Starmer spent his first few hoursin the office holding phone calls with U.K. allies and partners, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussing the Free Trade Agreement, the Prime Minister said he stood ready to conclude a deal that worked for both sides, Downing Street said, describing the IndiaUK relationship as strong and respectful . Meanwhile, in Iran, reformist candidateMasoud Pezeshkianwon the presidential runoff election, besting hardliner Saeed Jalili. His supporters want reform, but the establishment wants the status quo.Mr. The victory ofMr. Pezeshkian, a reformistwho opposes moral policing of women and calls for engagement rather than confrontation with the West shows that the Islamic Republic, plagued by economic woes and social tensions, is still capable of springing a surprise. The rest of the world must do more to engage with reformists in Iran, The Hindu s editorial on the poll outcome said. As our newsletter reaches you today, all eyes are also onFrance, where the left is emerging as the biggest group in the new parliament but has yet to even agree on a figure who it would want to be the new Prime Minister. How will these poll outcomes impact India? Our Diplomatic Affairs Editor Suhasini Haidar presents a detailed overview in her latest episode of Worldview.Watch here. Sri Lanka s Foreign Sabry Ali Sabry has said Colombo would lift the ban on foreign research vessels beginning next year. The ban was imposed in January 2024, after India repeatedly voiced concern about Chinese research vessels calling at Sri Lankan ports. Ourreport. Reflecting the trickyIndiaChina balancing actthat governments in our region are forced to pursue, a leading member of the Bangladesh government has said India is a timetested political friend of Bangladesh, and China is a friend necessary for Bangladesh to attain its developmental goals. Meanwhile, days ahead ofBangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina svisit to China, India s envoy to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has identified energy connectivity as a key pillar of the transformative changes that are shaping the IndiaBangladesh relationship. Should India review its Myanmar policy in view of the humanitarian crisis? Kallol Bhattacherjee spoke to former diplomatRajiv Bhatia and human rights lawyer Nandita Haksar. United KingdomFranceWorld. BACK TO TOP. Terms  conditionsInstitutional Subscriber. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by ourcommunity guidelinesfor posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.
Results from recent elections in the United Kingdom, Iran, and France show setbacks for conservative parties and right-wing forces. The Tories were voted out in the UK after 14 years, while reformist candidates won in Iran. In France, the left is the largest group in the new parliament. The UK's new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is already engaging with international allies. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will lift the ban on foreign research vessels next year, and India is navigating its relationships with China and Bangladesh.