External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to embark on a significant five-day diplomatic mission to Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia, commencing on March 23. The primary objective of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations and address shared regional concerns. Jaishankar's itinerary begins in Singapore, where he will engage with counterparts and dignitaries. The visit, extended at the invitation of host countries, highlighted India's commitment to enhancing ties with key partners in Southeast Asia. According to S Jaishankar, the tour will prioritise strengthening
A government panel has recommended India adopt simultaneous elections for state assemblies and the national parliament, aiming to enhance transparency, inclusivity, and governance efficiency. Before the upcoming elections, the panel that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration appointed submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu. However, implementing the proposed "one nation, one election" policy would require parliamentary approval and state ratification, and it might encounter opposition from states run by PM Modi's rivals who raise federalism concerns. The panel, led by
Nepal's Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda,' secured a parliamentary vote of confidence amidst ongoing political instability driven by alliance shifts. Prachanda, a former guerilla leader from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), received 157 out of 268 votes, surpassing the 138-vote threshold required for confidence in his third tenure since December 2022. The vote followed Prachanda's recent alliance shift from the Nepali Congress to the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), led by K P Sharma Oli. This action was taken in response to the Nepali Congress
Denmark is all set to increase its defence budget by $5.9 billion over the next five years. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the nation aims to rectify defence shortcomings and fulfil NATO targets amid global challenges to the established order. The move comes after Denmark reduced its military capabilities following the Cold War's end in the early 1990s. Frederiksen highlighted the initiative's defensive focus while carefully bringing up Russia's recent military actions, including army deployments close to Finland following its NATO admission. Under pressure from Washington
PM Narendra Modi and UK PM Rishi Sunak recently discussed the growing bilateral partnership and the ongoing negotiations for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement. Both leaders emphasised their commitment to strengthening this strategic partnership during a telephone conversation. They highlighted the significance of securing a comprehensive deal that would foster mutual benefits, with bilateral trade currently valued at around GBP 36 billion annually. Britain and India have engaged in on-and-off negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) over the past two years, amid anticipation of nationa
Soomilduth Bholah, Mauritius' Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, leads a high-level delegation from the Mauritius International Financial Centre (IFC) on an India Business Mission from March 14 to March 23, following the President's recent visit to India. His visit spans key cities, including New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, aiming to boost the appeal of Mauritius to Indian investors. Additionally, it emphasises the government's commitment to fostering a favourable environment for foreign investment. Bholah highlights the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between
Japan seeks to secure long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from allies like Australia and the United States amid expiring contracts, including those with Russia, by the early 2030s. With LNG accounting for a third of Japan's power generation, JERA, its largest power generator, recently acquired a 15.1% stake in Australia's Scarborough project. It highlights efforts to ensure reliable long-term supply amid concerns over disruptions from Russia's actions in Ukraine. Despite a decrease in imports last year due to increased renewable energy use and nuclear reactor restarts post-Fu
Australia and Vietnam have elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, aiming to diversify supply chains away from China. Australian PM Anthony Albanese announced the upgrade, reflecting Vietnam's successful "bamboo diplomacy" amid global tensions. The partnership emphasises cooperation in climate, environment, defence, security, and education, with both nations exchanging 12 cooperation documents across various sectors. Australia, a major supplier of essential minerals, is interested in working with Vietnam, a country with substantial unexplored mineral resources
Moldova and France are about to bolster their bilateral relations by signing defence and economic cooperation accords in a major diplomatic step. The announcement came ahead of Moldovan President Maia Sandu's scheduled visit to Paris on Thursday. Against the backdrop of escalating concerns over Russia's alleged attempts to destabilize Moldova, Western powers are rallying to bolster support for the Eastern European nation. President Sandu's visit will take place at the same time when Western nations get together for a high-level audio conference led by France to discuss how to improve aid t
On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India aims to broaden its strategic ties with South Korea, focusing on critical technologies and semiconductors. Jaishankar's goal in visiting South Korea and Japan is to strengthen ties between the two countries and look into potential areas of cooperation. Co-chairing the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission Meeting in Seoul, Jaishankar emphasised expanding cooperation in defence, science, technology, and trade. Focusing on trilateral cooperation and Indo-Pacific trends, discussions covered a wide range of topics, including peo