During the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on November 16, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised India’s dedication to “freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters.” Addressing the meet, the minister highlighted the importance of fostering dialogue and reaching consensus among nations while adhering to international laws for resolving maritime disputes. On the sidelines of the meeting, the Union Defence Minister engaged in discussions with US Secretary of Defence Llo
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has partnered with Conservation International to champion environmental causes, the organisation announced on November 6. Ardern, now the sixth Arnhold Distinguished Fellow of the group, will dedicate two years to advocating internationally, particularly addressing issues impacting the Pacific and Antarctica. The role, classified as part-time, includes a stipend. This commitment to conservation is one of several new endeavours Ardern has undertaken since her unexpected resignation in January. Concurrently, she is pursuing dual fellowships at
The US mission in New Delhi has opened over 2.5 lakh interview appointments for visa applicants in India. In a post on X, the US embassy on November 1 said that more than a quarter-million non-immigrant visa appointments opened during the weekend. The most recent data from the US State Department indicates a significant reduction in wait times for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa categories. According to media reports, Delhi’s wait time has decreased from 542 days to just 37 days in the past week. In addition to Delhi, other consulates in India have also seen improved wait times. K
India sent the first consignment of emergency relief materials worth ₹10 crore to quake-struck Nepal on November 5. The relief materials arrived in Nepal via a special Indian Air Force C-130 flight at Nepalgunj. The consignment of over 11 tonnes of emergency relief materials included relief materials such as tents, blankets, tarpaulin sheets and essential medicines and medical equipment. The relief materials were handed over by the Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, on behalf of the Government of India, to the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Nepal, Purna Bahadur Khadka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on October 28 discussed the worsening security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. Both leaders expressed their concern over the increase in terrorism, violence, and civilian casualties in the region, largely owing to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The leaders agreed on the need to quickly restore peace and stability and provide humanitarian assistance to those who have been affected by the conflict. They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. “Pr
Former Singapore President Halimah Yacob was conferred the nation’s highest civilian honour on October 29, for “embodying so fully the Singapore Story – and for her lifetime of devoted and distinguished service.” Madam Halimah received the Order of Temasek (With High Distinction) from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the National Awards Investiture, held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central. She is the first Singaporean to be elected to the governing body of the International Labour Organisation, the first Malay woman to be elected an MP, the first female Spea
India has sent 38 tonnes of food and critical medical equipment to the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, said Ambassador R. Ravindra, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, on October 25. Representing India at the United Nations Security Council Open-debate on the “situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,” Ravindra said India was deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and large-scale loss of civilians in the ongoing conflict. “We also urge the parties to work towards creating conditions n
External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar is on a two-nation visit to Vietnam and Singapore from October 15-20 to bolster bilateral relations and cooperation in a wide range of areas. Jaishankar’s visit to Vietnam came at the invitation of his counterpart Bui Thanh Son. The two foreign ministers co-chaired a meeting of the India-Vietnam Joint Commission on economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation. During the visit, the minister travelled to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and held talks with the top Vietnamese leadership. He met members of the Indian community and unv
Business heir Daniel Noboa on October 15 won Ecuador’s presidential election. The 35-year-old leader won more than 52% of the vote, while his leftist adversary Luisa Gonzalez won about 48%, with more than 90% of ballot boxes counted. Noboa formed his own party, National Democratic Action, ahead of the election. The party has won the third-highest number of seats in August legislative elections. The leader will have just 17 months to govern, as he is serving a truncated term from December 2023 to May 2025. He will be able to run again in the regularly-scheduled 2025 contest. In his ele
The tallest statue of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar, the Principal Architect of India’s Constitution, outside India was formally inaugurated in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC, US, on October 14. More than 500 Indian-Americans from across the country and some from other countries attended the unveiling ceremony of the 19-feet-tall Statue of Equality. The statue located at the Ambedkar International Center (AIC) has been made by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also built the statue of Sardar Patel, Statue of Unity, installed on an island in river Narmada in Gujarat, India.