Following are the top foreign stories at 17:00 Hours

Following are the top foreign stories at 17:00 Hours:

FGN32 PM-2NDLD INDONESIA

India, Indonesia ties elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Jakarta: India and Indonesia elevate their bilateral ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and called for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region as they signed 15 agreements including one on defence cooperation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held "productive discussions" with President Joko Widodo.

FGN24 PM-INDONESIA-MOSQUE

Modi, Widodo vist Istiqlal Mosque

Jakarta: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pay a visit to Indonesia's grand Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, during his first official visit to the country.

FGN22 PM-INDONESIA-CHARIOT

Modi, Widodo vist Arjuna Chariot statue

Jakarta: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Arjuna Wijaya Chariot statue, one of the iconic monuments in the heart of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, during his first official visit to the key East Asian country.

 

FGN20 PM-INDONESIA-TRADE

India, Indonesia agree to nearly triple bilateral trade to USD 50 billion

Jakarta: India and Indonesia have agreed to double their efforts to boost bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after holding comprehensive talks with President Joko Widodo.

FGN21 PM-INDONESIA-TERRORISM

Modi strongly condemns recent terror strikes on churches in Indonesia

Jakarta: Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the recent terror strikes on three churches in Indonesia and said India stands resolutely with Jakarta in its fight against terrorism.

FGN25 PM-INDONESIA-INDOPACIFIC

India, Indonesia for rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region

Jakarta: India and Indonesia underline the importance of a free, open, transparent, rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region, amidst China flexing its military muscles in the strategic East and South China Seas.

FGN37 PM-INDONESIA-ANDAMAN

India, Indonesia to set up task force to enhance connectivity between Andaman and Sabang

Jakarta: India and Indonesia agree to set up a special task force to enhance connectivity between the strategic Andaman and Nicobar Islands and provinces in Sumatera Island to promote trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts.

FGN36 PM-INDONESIA-DIASPORA

PM Modi announces 30-day free visa for Indonesian citizens

Jakarta: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 30-day free visa for Indonesian citizens and invited the diaspora to travel to their country of origin to experience the 'New India'.

FGN38 RUSSIA-2NDLD JOURNALIST

Ukraine blames Russia for murder of anti-Kremlin journalist

Kiev: Ukraine said Russia's "totalitarian machine" was behind the murder of anti-Kremlin reporter Arkady Babchenko, prompting furious denials from Moscow. (AFP)

FGN34 AFGHAN-2NDLD ATTACK

Militants kill one, wound five in attack on interior ministry in Kabul

Kabul: Militants launch a gun and bomb attack on the interior ministry in Kabul, killing one policeman and wounding at least five people, days after the Taliban vowed to target the Afghan capital. (AFP)

FGN35 BELGIUM-ATTACK-2ND LD INVESTIGATION

Belgium shooting rampage was terrorist act, prosecutors say

Brussels: The man who killed three people during a knife and shooting rampage through the Belgian city of Liege carried out an act of "terrorist murder," prosecutors said, and authorities were trying to establish whether he acted alone.