Asia

Indian Visa Centre in Dhaka reopens after brief closure

The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Dhaka resumed its operations on Thursday, a day after it was temporarily closed due to security concerns over an anti-Indian march to its High Commission in Bangladesh.

2025-12-18T13:30:45.037588+00:00 IST

India, Oman welcome first phase of Gaza Peace Plan

India and Oman on Thursday welcomed the signing of the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan and reiterated their support for the initiative, while underlining the need for a just, lasting and negotiated resolution to the conflict, including the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.

2025-12-18T13:09:16.731987+00:00 IST

China Eastern to launch daily Delhi–Shanghai flights from Jan 2

China Eastern Airlines will begin daily nonstop flights between Delhi and Shanghai from January 2 next year. The move is part of broader efforts to restore India-China air connectivity, with plans to resume the Kolkata-Kunming route and introduce a Mumbai-Shanghai service.

2025-12-18T12:50:31.285188+00:00 IST

China detains Tibetans over illegal gold mining protest in Kardze

Around 80 Tibetans were arrested in Kashi village after protesting illegal gold mining, with seven still missing, according to Phayul. Authorities reportedly carried out door-to-door arrests, imposed restrictions and allegedly mistreated detainees amid heightened surveillance and security measures.

2025-12-18T12:21:48.239342+00:00 IST

Rajnath Singh meets Netherlands’ Foreign Minister in New Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, David Van Weel, in New Delhi on Thursday, reaffirming the strong and growing defence partnership between the two countries.

2025-12-18T11:59:46.583384+00:00 IST

India closes visa centres in Khulna, Rajshahi amid protests

India has shut down visa application centres in Khulna and Rajshahi in Bangladesh due to anti-India protests, an official of the High Commission of India in Dhaka said on Thursday.

2025-12-18T11:43:06.660338+00:00 IST

CDS General Dwivedi outlines ‘IKIGAI’ framework

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday addressed the 3rd Land Forces Summit hosted by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), where he outlined the 'IKIGAI' Framework as a roadmap for enhancing land power cooperation among Indo-Pacific nations.

2025-12-18T11:35:50.340505+00:00 IST

Beijing sending Taiwan officials abroad to harass Taiwanese

China has assigned two to four individuals specialising in Taiwan issues to its embassies in various democratic nations to observe and intimidate Taiwanese, actions that the host countries are unlikely to accept, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen stated, as reported by Taipei Times.

2025-12-18T11:00:23.027045+00:00 IST

India inaugurates HICDP school project in Nepal’s Sankhuwasabha

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu on Thursday inaugurated a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) in the Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal's Koshi Province, marking another milestone in India-Nepal development cooperation.

2025-12-18T10:57:06.177478+00:00 IST

Pak: Punjab records just 1% conviction rate in child abuse cases

Despite alarming levels of child abuse in Pakistan, conviction rates remain extremely low, leaving victims without justice. Experts and rights bodies cite weak investigations, delayed legal processes and systemic failures, highlighting the urgent need for legal and institutional reforms to protect children.

2025-12-18T10:30:40.065533+00:00 IST

US nod for arms sale to Taiwan, China says stop “dangerous act"

The US has approved USD 11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, one of Washington's largest-ever weapons packages for the self-ruled island. The US State Department announced the deal late on Wednesday (local US time) during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump.

2025-12-18T09:22:42.963150+00:00 IST

Pak: Army deployment, firing reported in Mir Ali

A fresh wave of violence has gripped the Mir Ali region of North Waziristan, triggering fear, injuries, and widespread disruption to civilian life, according to a post shared by PTM Holland on X.

2025-12-18T09:21:56.842928+00:00 IST

Nepal: KP Oli wins third consecutive term as party chairman

Former Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli won the third consecutive term as the party chairman through voting in the 11th general convention of the party.

2025-12-18T08:52:55.458264+00:00 IST

Peshawar University protests over disappearances enter third day

A demonstration by students from various organisations at the University of Peshawar continued into its third day on Thursday, protesting the disappearance of two fellow students, as reported by Dawn.

2025-12-18T08:20:35.561607+00:00 IST

Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel arrives in India

David van Weel, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, arrived in India on Thursday. He will have engagements in Delhi and Mumbai, aimed at strengthening the ties between the two countries.

2025-12-18T07:57:19.916032+00:00 IST

BLF chief Allah Nazar warns China, West against investing

The leader of the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, has cautioned China, Western nations, and states in the Middle East against investing in Balochistan, stating that the recent incident in Nokkundi should be interpreted as a "clear national message" that foreign initiatives operating under Pakistan's "forced occupation" will not be tolerated, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP).

2025-12-18T07:36:23.472619+00:00 IST

Oman-India share historic trade relations, cooperation: Al Yousef

Oman and India share historic trade relations and cooperation, a bond rooted in heritage, said Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, at the India-Oman Business Forum.

2025-12-18T07:21:33.325448+00:00 IST

India–Korea ties deepen as trade, culture expand: Outgoing DCM

As he prepares to assume his next role, a senior Korean diplomat has described his tenure in India as 'one of the greatest journeys' of his life, marked by historic milestones, expanding people-to-people ties, and growing economic engagement between the two countries.

2025-12-18T07:08:33.128021+00:00 IST

US announces over USD 10 bln arms sales package for Taiwan

In a statement issued today, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanked Washington for the proposed arms sale, saying that it demonstrates the US' commitment to enhancing Taiwan's self-defence capabilities, as highlighted in the National Security Strategy Washington released earlier this month.

2025-12-18T06:17:53.283361+00:00 IST

India-Afghanistan hold discussions to strengthen cooperation

Afghan Public Health Minister Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali held a meeting with MoS Prataprao Jadhav to discuss enhancing cooperation in traditional medicine systems between India and Afghanistan. They also focused on exploring pathways for mutual cooperation in education, research, regulation, and healthcare delivery.

2025-12-18T05:44:38.105859+00:00 IST