Foreign Affairs

Singapore passes new law on racial harmony, to check foreign interference

A new law consolidating existing statutes to preserve racial harmony and providing safeguards against foreign interference has been passed unanimously in the Singapore Parliament. New safeguards against foreign interference will be introduced in multi-racial Singapore where some 300 clan and business associations are to be designated as race-based entities subject to disclosures, such as receiving foreign donations. The law was passed on Tuesday. While the authorities already had powers to deal with conduct that threatened racial harmony, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said the Bill brought these powers together in one place, while affirming the importance of racial harmony in the multi-ethnic city-state. The new law empowers the authorities to issue restraining orders against individuals involved in making content that prejudices Singapore's racial harmony, taking close reference from the existing Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA). It also introduces a commu

China expanding military infra along LAC despite Oct pact, diplomatic talks

The expansion of Chinese infrastructure, including new roads, bridges, helipads, and gun positions, reportedly follows a similar pattern across all three sectors of the LAC

Trump team holds first meetings with Jaishankar, signals India top priority

Following US President Donald Trump's inauguration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NSA Mike Waltz held their first bilateral and international meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

As Trump takes over, Ukraine eyes peace with 'world leader' India's help

Donald Trump took the oath of office as the 47th US President during an indoor ceremony at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Monday

Donald Trump's inauguration: What a front-row seat for Jaishankar means

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Special Envoy

Bangladesh moves to drop secularism from Constitution: What we know so far

The existing principles-nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism-were established in the 1972 constitution, drafted after Bangladesh's independence during the 1971 India-Pakistan War

Pakistan, Bangladesh armies meet, say outsiders can't harm 'brotherly' ties

In a rare high-level meeting in Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Bangladesh's militaries stressed that their 'enduring partnership' must 'remain resilient against external influences'

South China Sea: China deploys 'monster ship' in Philippines maritime zone

Manila calls the presence of the Chinese vessel 'illegal' and 'unacceptable', deploying two of the Philippine Coastguard's largest ships to drive it away

Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal 'closer than ever' as Trump pressures Netanyahu

Trump's Mideast envoy reportedly had a 'tense' meeting with Netanyahu, pressuring the Israeli PM to accept key compromises to secure a hostage deal ahead of the January 20 US presidential inauguration

Singapore prez Tharman Shanmugaratnam to begin India visit on Tuesday

President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam will be on a five-day visit to India beginning Tuesday with an aim to give new momentum to the ties between the two countries. It will be Shanmugaratnam's first visit to India as Singapore president. Shanmugaratnam will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu, who will also host a banquet in his honour, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in statement, announcing the visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with the Singaporean president. "The President of the Republic of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam will pay a State visit to India from January 14-18. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, members of parliament and officials," the MEA said. Shanmugaratnam will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 16. He will also visit Odisha from January 17-18. "India and Singapore have extensive cooperation based on a long tradition of friendship,

Japan's PM heads to Malaysia, Indonesia to boost defence, economic ties

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday began a trip to Malaysia and Indonesia as part of an effort to strengthen defence and economic ties with Southeast Asia as China's threats grow in the region. The visit, his first for bilateral talks outside of international meetings, shows Japan's commitment to further those ties even as the US presence in the region may decrease after President-elect Donald Trump takes office later this month. Malaysia and Indonesia are maritime regional powers near vital shipping lanes and are key to Japanese and global security and the economy, and they share concerns over China's increasing assertiveness, officials say. Ishiba, who will meet Friday with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, hopes to strengthen security cooperation and discuss efforts to ensure stable supply chains with Malaysia, which is chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year. On Saturday, Ishiba and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will reportedl

US VP Harris calls foreign leaders before her last trip abroad next week

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday had telephonic conversations with several foreign leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, on the eve of her last trip abroad next week. During her calls with Macron and Scholz, Harris, 60, thanked them for their partnership throughout the Biden-Harris Administration. On Wednesday, Harris spoke to Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, Chair of Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica, President Bernardo Arvalo of Guatemala and President William Ruto of Kenya. Harris, who would hand over the vice presidency to Senator J D Vance from Ohio on January 20, will travel to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany from January 13 to January 17, her press secretary Ernesto Apreza said. On January 15, she will meet with leaders in Singapore and visit Changi Naval Base. On January 16, she will meet with leaders in Manama, Bahrain and visit Naval Support ActivityBahrain, the ...

Justin Trudeau resignation: From Jagmeet's U-turn to FM's exit, key moments

Trudeau, elected in 2015 after a decade of Conservative rule, was praised for reviving Canada's liberal identity but lost support recently amid surging living costs and concerns over immigration

Nuclear deal, space, defence: Key points from US NSA Sullivan's India trip

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited India from January 5-6 for his final overseas trip before leaving office

India protests China's new counties in Hotan, cites Ladakh overlap: MEA

MEA also stated it will closely monitor the situation and take necessary steps to protect India's interests in response to China's plan to build a mega dam on the Brahmaputra river

Pakistan FM to visit Bangladesh; Muhammad Yunus to reciprocate visit

Pakistan's Ishaq Dar will visit Bangladesh next month, the first such trip by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012, signalling warming ties between Dhaka and Islamabad after Sheikh Hasina's ouster

'Won't hurt India's interests, but...': Bangladesh Army chief on Northeast

Bangladesh Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman characterises India-Bangladesh relations as a 'give-and-take relationship' while describing China as 'a partner in our development'

Pakistan's 2025 New Year's resolution: Rake up Kashmir again with UNSC role

Pakistan begins its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council today, the first day of the new year

Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan missed TTP targets? Find out here

TTP-linked social media accounts claim all their commanders, including the media cell head, are alive and unharmed, refuting Pakistani security officials' assertions

US, EU slam conviction of Imran's followers: Why it may cost Pak billions

Pakistan Army's military courts recently sentenced 25 Imran Khan supporters to 2-10 years in prison for involvement in attacks on military installations during the May 2023 protests