LONDON (Ruby Hyder) – A major new voice in British foreign policy emerged yesterday with the formal launch of the Eurasia Policy Council (EPC), an independent think tank dedicated to the geopolitics, economics, and environmental security of Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region.
The high-profile inauguration, hosted by the Independent Media Group UK, was held in the historic River Room of the House of Lords under the patronage of Lord Ghorban Hussein. The event drew a distinguished assembly of peers and MPs, serving and former diplomats, leading British academics, and executives from energy, mining, and infrastructure firms. The gathering also featured senior delegations from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Iran, signaling the Council’s ambition to act as a genuine bridge between London, Brussels, and the rapidly evolving Eurasian space.

A Platform for a Complex Era
The EPC establishes itself as a non-partisan, evidence-based institution at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, and accelerating climate impacts. Its mission is to provide rigorous analysis and foster strategic dialogue to address the region’s most pressing challenges.

In his keynote address, Lord Qurban Hussain described Eurasia as “standing at the crossroads of the world’s most acute challenges – from great-power competition and fragile supply chains to the existential threat of climate change.” He praised the EPC for creating “a neutral, expert-led platform that will allow policymakers, scholars and business leaders to confront these issues with intellectual rigour and mutual respect.”

Strategic Pillars and Climate Focus
The Council has outlined a four-pillar strategy to guide its work:
•⁠ ⁠Rigorous Research: Conducting peer-reviewed analysis on geopolitical and economic trends.
•⁠ ⁠High-Level Dialogue: Facilitating diplomatic and track-1.5 dialogue between the UK, EU, and Eurasian states.
•⁠ ⁠Sustainable Investment: Promoting green technology transfer and responsible economic partnerships.
•⁠ ⁠Climate Resilience: Building stability through a dedicated focus on transboundary water management, renewable energy, and disaster-risk reduction.

Speakers unanimously emphasized that climate change is not a peripheral issue but a central driver of instability and opportunity. Dr. Robert Hamilton, an authority on climate security, stated, “The EPC’s decision to place climate resilience at the heart of its agenda is both courageous and necessary.” He noted that water scarcity in key basins and glacial retreat are already reshaping the region’s geopolitical landscape.

Economic and Strategic Imperatives
The economic potential of Eurasia was a key theme. Afzal Khan MP welcomed the initiative as “timely and essential,” noting the EPC will help Britain build “deeper, more resilient relationships with a region that is vital for energy security, critical minerals, and the future of the rules-based international order.”
Echoing this, strategist Salman Sheikh highlighted that “Eurasia is not only a geopolitical pivot but an emerging hub of green energy, rare-earth elements and sustainable transport corridors.” He affirmed the EPC’s role in championing “evidence-based partnerships that deliver inclusive growth rather than zero-sum competition.”
A Long-Term Commitment
Speaking at the event’s close, Founders of EPC, Raza Syed and Prof.Shabnam Delfine ,announced the launch the beginning of “a long-term British and European commitment to understanding and engaging with Eurasia not as a distant periphery, but as a vital partner in solving shared global challenges.”
The Council has announced an ambitious initial program, with its first major report on water security in Central Asia slated for Spring 2026 and an inaugural annual conference in London next autumn. By positioning itself at the intersection of policy, commerce, and environmental security, the Eurasia Policy Council aims to become an indispensable actor in the UK’s foreign-policy ecosystem, navigating the complexities of a region at the heart of tomorrow’s global challenges.

The government is “working to remove” Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s last honorary military title at the King’s request, the defence secretary has said.

John Healey said King Charles had “indicated that’s what he wishes”.

Andrew, who was stripped of his title as a prince on Thursday, retained his rank as a Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy after giving up his other military positions in 2022.

Healey told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “This is a move that’s right, it’s a move the King has indicated we should take and we’re working on that at the moment.”

Andrew spent decades in public life as a war hero and prince, but has since suffered a major fall from grace.

The King’s younger brother had a 22-year career in the Royal Navy, and served as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.

He also commanded the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cottesmore.

This week, he lost his last remaining royal titles and privileges following months of pressure over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has always denied wrongdoing.

Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, royal author and journalist Valentine Low said this latest move, to lose his final military title, will be a “blow” to Andrew.

“Royals, and particularly Andrew, are very proud and determined to hang onto military titles,” he said.

“It seems the King is intent on taking absolutely everything away from his brother. It’s a flinty eyed ruthlessness he’s displaying.”

Andrew had already returned his other military titles and royal patronages in 2022, and stopped using the title His Royal Highness in an official capacity, after he was accused of sexual abuse in a civil case in the US.

He later settled the case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, a victim of sex trafficking and abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, who alleged Andrew sexually abused her when she was a teenager – something Andrew has consistently denied.

Military titles that Andrew lost at the time included colonel of the Grenadier Guards – one of the most senior infantry regiments in the British army.

He also lost several overseas honorary roles, including colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers Of Canada, and colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.

Paris ( Imran Y. CHOUDHRY):- Ambassador of Pakistan to France, Madam Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, has presented her credentials as Ambassador of Pakistan to the Principality of Monaco. The presentation of credentials ceremony was held on 7th October 2025 at the Royal Palace in Monaco.

On arrival at the Royal Palace, Ambassador Madam Baloch reviewed the Compagnie des Carabiniers of the Prince de Monaco before she was escorted to the Salon des Glaces for the formal presentation of her credentials to His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco.

After presentation of her letters of credence, Ambassador Baloch presented the warmest greetings of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan to His Highness Prince Albert.

She conveyed Pakistan’s earnest desire to further promote bilateral dialogue and exchanges with the Principality of Monaco.