Asia

Afghan Health Minister arrives in India for first official visit 

The Ministry of External Affairs of India welcomed the Afghan Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, on his first official visit to the country.

2025-12-16T13:27:30.824529+00:00 IST

Bangladesh celebrates victory over Pakistan in liberation war

December 16 is also observed as Vijay Diwas in India, marking the end of a nine-month war against Pakistan in 1971, where Indian forces and Mukti Bahini secured victory, leading to East Pakistan's liberation and the birth of Bangladesh.

2025-12-16T13:16:10.953575+00:00 IST

Campaign in full swing ahead of the election to choose top leader

The election campaign is in full swing ahead of voting to elect the top leadership of CPN-UML, led by former Nepali PM KP Sharma Oli, in Kathmandu.

2025-12-16T13:14:48.602570+00:00 IST

HRCP flags shrinking space for independent journalism in Pakistan

Pakistan's Human Rights Commission and journalists' bodies have raised concern over a 13-month ban on government advertisements to the Dawn Media Group, calling it economic coercion, an attack on press freedom, and urging the government to restore free, independent and responsible journalism.

2025-12-16T11:55:13.102364+00:00 IST

UKPNP condemns prolonged load shedding, power shortages

The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) has strongly condemned the ongoing power crisis, communication disruptions, and collective punishment in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). The party's spokesperson, Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan, released the statement on his X account.

2025-12-16T11:52:00.663623+00:00 IST

India, UAE agree on roadmap to deepen partnership

India and the UAE agreed on new initiatives and a forward-looking agenda to deepen cooperation across key sectors during talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi.

2025-12-16T11:02:22.609612+00:00 IST

India–Maldives joint military exercise EKUVERIN concludes

India and Maldives concluded the two-week Exercise EKUVERIN in Thiruvananthapuram, focusing on counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations, with both forces validating training objectives and reaffirming their commitment to military cooperation and regional security.

2025-12-16T10:27:13.984852+00:00 IST

Manila validating reports that Oz shooters visited Philippines

The National Security Council (NSC), which advises the president, is "aware of reports that the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia had previously travelled to the Philippines, and these reports are currently being validated," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing

2025-12-16T09:47:21.083116+00:00 IST

Nationwide tiger census begins in Nepal with 1,100 camera traps

The scientific exercise is being led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) under the Ministry of Forests and Environment, in coordination with the Department of Forests and Land Conservation.

2025-12-16T09:28:02.402018+00:00 IST

India reaffirms commitment to ties as Jaishankar wishes Bahrain o

In a post on X, Jaishankar said India remains committed to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Bahrain.

2025-12-16T09:21:33.545558+00:00 IST

PM Modi departs Jordan for Ethiopia as Crown Prince Al Hussein bi

In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "A successful visit to Jordan concludes. In a gesture reflecting the warm bilateral ties, HRH Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II drove PM @narendramodi to the airport and saw him off."

2025-12-16T09:13:44.826743+00:00 IST

‘Victory of 1971 a timeless inspiration’: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid his tributes on the 54th anniversary of Vijay Diwas and highlighted how the valour of the armed forces continues to serve as an inspiration to the country.

2025-12-16T08:31:53.605563+00:00 IST

PPP leader sounds alarm over economic strain and governance fail

Addressing the issue, Kazmi highlighted the sharp increase in university and college fees, which he said has made higher education unaffordable for poorer families. He warned that without urgent intervention, financial stress on students and parents could further deepen youth anger and social instability across the region.

2025-12-16T08:31:08.898718+00:00 IST

HRIC denounces politically motivated conviction of Jimmy Lai

Human Rights in China (HRIC), a New York-based international, non-governmental organisation (NGO) that addresses human rights and fundamental rights in China, has condemned the conviction of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai.

2025-12-16T08:27:44.456249+00:00 IST

Pak: Economic activity at risk as cargo strike disrupts supplies

Business leaders in Pakistan's Karachi have warned that economic activity in the port city and across the province may come to a standstill as a cargo transporters' strike enters its ninth day. According to Dawn, the ongoing strike has severely disrupted the movement of goods and threatens to shut down local production.

2025-12-16T08:25:15.850186+00:00 IST

India welcomes Gaza peace plan: MEA

India has reiterated its support for peace and stability in West Asia, welcoming the adoption of the Gaza Peace Plan during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delegation-level talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, the Ministry of External Affairs said while addressing the special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jordan.

2025-12-16T08:11:08.172423+00:00 IST

India, Jordan strongly condemn terrorism as PM Modi’s visit reviv

Briefing the media, MEA Secretary (South) Dr Neena Malhotra said the visit was the first full-fledged bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Jordan in 37 years and coincided with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

2025-12-16T07:36:26.808053+00:00 IST

Oxford event explores contemporary national liberation movements,

Khurshid Ahmed, Director of Research at BASC, participated as a key speaker. The programme, held in Oxford city, was attended by academics, students, and political and social activists, marking the first international public discussion in Oxford focused specifically on the armed national liberation struggle of the Baloch people.

2025-12-16T07:29:03.020367+00:00 IST

India, Jordan aim to double bilateral trade to $5bn in 5 years

India and Jordan have set a target to double their bilateral trade to USD 5 billion over the next five years, while strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including fertilisers, especially phosphates, the Ministry of External Affairs said while adressing the special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jordan.

2025-12-16T06:50:16.324024+00:00 IST

MS Patiyal appointed as Ambassador of India to Timor Leste

MS Patiyal has been appointed as India's next ambassador to Timor Leste, as per an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

2025-12-16T04:41:25.984428+00:00 IST

India-Bangladesh exchange visits to celebrate Victory Day

India and Bangladesh invited each other's War Veterans and serving officers to participate annually in the Victory Day celebrations to commemorate the Liberation War of 1971, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

2025-12-16T03:58:56.125125+00:00 IST