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The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern over the escalating risk of outer space becoming a battleground for conflict."We see an increasing threat of outer space serving as a launchpad for aggression and war," Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Konstantin Vorontsov said at a meeting of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly."Certain Western countries are openly advancing plans to deploy weapons in space," he added, pointing to the United States as a prime example - as part of its initiative that is focused on the comprehensive development of missile defense systems, including orbital interception capabilities, according to (TASS) news agency.Vorontsov warned that such developments could lead to "a significant destabilization of the current situation and spark an arms race in outer space."Vorontsov emphasized that preventing a full-scale arms race remains within reach. He called for the development of universal, legally binding norms that would prohibit the placement of weapons in space and the use of force against space assets.He highlighted Russia's efforts in this regard, including the updated Russian-Chinese draft treaty aimed at preventing the placement of weapons in outer space, as well as an international initiative advocating for no first deployment of weapons in space. Notably, 37 countries have already joined this initiative.Vorontsov also announced that Russia has submitted three draft resolutions on space security to the First Committee, urging all nations to support these proposals.

A top LuLu Group executive has called on Indian companies to shift from “transactional trade” to strategic investment and view Qatar as a launchpad for global markets.Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Qatar-India Joint Business Council meeting organised in Doha by Qatar Chamber, Dr Mohamed Althaf, Global Director of LuLu Group International, underscored Qatar’s world-class infrastructure, favourable tax regime, and access to major international trade corridors. He said: “Indian companies should look to Qatar as a springboard for global markets... they should think that this country also offers enormous infrastructure in terms of business, trade, and investments.”Dr Althaf noted that Qatar “has crossed beyond outdated models on commodity exchange” and “the buy and sell type of transaction,” and emphasised that the LNG-rich Gulf state has positioned itself as an investment destination with world-class infrastructure.He pointed to the recent visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to India, emphasising the reciprocal engagement of major investment houses “as signs of a maturing partnership”. “What we are looking at now is inward investment into Qatar, joint ventures, collaborations, and co-creative businesses,” Dr Althaf stressed.Dr Althaf emphasised that Qatar’s economic platform is well-positioned to support Indian firms in the smart manufacturing and digital transformation sectors, saying: “They have access to global markets and investment houses. India also has tremendous potential in terms of a lot of good startups and technology firms. That will be a very good synergy.”