Page 2 - Foreign Affairs

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

Pakistan may fly Chinese stealth jets in 2 years: Could it outpace IAF?

Pakistan Air Force has reportedly approved the purchase of 40 J-35 stealth jets from China, with deliveries expected within two years

China in Doklam: Beijing builds 22 villages, takes 2% of Bhutan's territory

Report of China building 22 villages in Bhutan, including 8 near Doklam, coincides with NSA Ajit Doval's meeting on the India-China boundary issue in Beijing

Norway-India ties at their very best and growing: Norwegian envoy Stener

Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener expressed support for the 10-point peace plan and said that India is contributing towards conflict resolution just like Norway

Moldovan Foreign Minister Popsoi arrives in India for first official visit

Mihail Popsoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, arrived in India on Sunday, on his first official visit to India.Sharing a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson wrote, "Warm welcome to Deputy PM & FM @MihaiPopsoi of Moldova on his first official visit to India.""His visit will deepen India-Moldova bilateral ties and foster a stronger partnership," the post added.Popsoi will be on an official visit to India from December 15 to 17.The MEA earlier in a press release said that the official schedule of Popsoi will begin on Sunday, December 15, with him arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Terminal 3, at 05:15 am (IST).Later in the evening, at 08:00 PM, he will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at Hotel ITC Maurya.On Monday, December 16, Popsoi will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat.The visit will conclude on Tuesday, December 17, with Popsoi's departure from Delhi.Notably, ...

Italy grants citizenship to Argentine Prez Javier Milei for his heritage

Javier Milei, whose grandparents migrated from Italy to Argentina, was granted Italian citizenship based on his ancestral ties, according to Italy's foreign ministry

India dispatches 60 tonnes of emergency medical assistance to Jamaica

India has dispatched a fresh consignment of around 60 tons of emergency medical equipment, generators, and other utilities to Jamaica which will support the country's healthcare needs and enhance their disaster preparedness.Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal shared the details of the humanitarian assistance on Saturday."India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Jamaica. A consignment of approx 60 tons of emergency medical equipment, Gensets & other utilities has departed for Jamaica. This assistance will support health care needs and rehabilitation of medical infrastructure as well as strengthen the disaster preparedness of against Hurricanes," Jaiswal stated in a post on X.India and Jamaica share strong historical and cultural linkages, reflected in their shared colonial past, values of democracy and freedom, and passion for cricket.Recently, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness paid his first-ever visit

Burning saree to threats: Bangladesh's BNP protesting Indian 'interference'

Amid diplomatic chill caused by arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's criticism of India has intensified recently

Pressured by China, Pakistan plans security firm to guard Chinese nationals

Amid rising attacks on Chinese workers in Pakistan, Beijing pressures Islamabad to act. Pakistan now eyes a security firm, sparking questions on sovereignty and deepening tensions