Asia

China backs Iran defending itself against US-Israeli strikes 

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart on Monday that Beijing supports Tehran in defending itself against strikes by the United States and Israel, as the conflict in the Middle East widened further, Al Arabiya English reported.

2026-03-02T14:39:27.901889+00:00 IST

US Assistant Secretary S Paul Kapur arrives in India

In a post on X on Monday, the US Embassy in India said, "Welcome to India, @State_SCA Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur! Looking forward to productive meetings with Indian partners this week as we continue advancing U.S.-India partnership."

2026-03-02T14:29:15.771429+00:00 IST

PM Modi discussed developments in Iran with Canadian counterpart

During the Ministry of External Affairs briefing on Canadian PM Mark Carney's official visit to India, Secretary (East) P Kumaran stated that PM Modi emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve underlying issues, avoiding targeting of civilians.

2026-03-02T14:27:13.495514+00:00 IST

India, Philippines strengthen Maritime cooperation in New Delhi

The two sides exchanged assessments of developments in the Indo-Pacific region and shared perspectives on Law of the Sea. They explored avenues of collaboration at multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations, ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) and IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium). Cooperation at ASEAN platformsduring Philippines' ASEAN Chairship and the ASEAN-India Maritime year of cooperation were deliberated upon, a release stated.

2026-03-02T14:01:09.493824+00:00 IST

India-Canada CEPA talks gain momentum, targeting 2026 deal: MEA

India and Canada are moving forward with Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) talks, aiming to conclude by 2026 after the leadership change in Canada (with Mark Carney as Prime Minister), leading to a strategic "reset."

2026-03-02T13:30:38.715520+00:00 IST

Prime Minister Modi dials Saudi Crown Prince, Bahrain King

PM Modi spoke with Saudi Crown Prince, Bahrain King, Israel's Netanyahu, and UAE President amid Middle East conflict. He condemned attacks, urged de-escalation, checked on Indian diaspora safety. CCS reviewed Iran strikes, retaliations, and directed aid for affected Indians while pushing for peace.

2026-03-02T13:26:59.429548+00:00 IST

7 killed as protests over Khamenei's death rock Gilgit-Baltistan

In Gilgit and Skardu, angry protestors set fire to local offices of the United Nations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Gilgit.

2026-03-02T13:26:08.455518+00:00 IST

"Impressed by vibrancy of Indian civil society": UNHRC Commission

Turk noted that civil society plays a key role in upholding India's democratic traditions and protecting the rights of minorities, and emphasised that civic space must be vigorously defended so they can work without hindrance.

2026-03-02T13:04:06.533884+00:00 IST

Malaysia Airlines reroutes Europe flights amid West Asia crisis

"Malaysia Airlines confirms that all services to London and Paris continue to operate as scheduled. To ensure the highest safety standards, our flights are utilising alternative routes to avoid affected regions. While this may result in slightly longer flight times, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our absolute priority," the airline said.

2026-03-02T12:07:53.597390+00:00 IST

PM Modi outlines 5 priorities in India-Canada ties

Addressing business leaders, PM Modi said, "To move these shared ambitions forward, I will put some suggestions before you," before detailing sector-specific proposals aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic partnership.

2026-03-02T12:00:27.042143+00:00 IST

PM Modi on renewing momentum of CEPA with Canada

Addressing the business leaders at the India-Canada CEOs Forum, PM Modi said, "Today, Prime Minister Carney and I took some important decisions to advance our shared vision. We are continuously moving forward to take bilateral trade to the level of 50 billion dollars. We will finalise the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as soon as possible."

2026-03-02T11:26:53.146658+00:00 IST

TV BRICS to showcase Russian winter through literary texts

According to TV BRICS, Students from 14 Indian universities will participate in the telebridge. The participants represent 13 cities across nine states, including Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolhapur, and institutions from Gujarat, West Bengal, Kerala, and other regions.

2026-03-02T11:23:31.353914+00:00 IST

"Our relations have taken a light-year leap": PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday outlined a bold vision for India-Canada relations, aiming to take bilateral trade to $50 billion through the lens of a "light-year leap" and strategic synergy after the leadership change in Canada (with Mark Carney as PM), leading to a strategic "reset."

2026-03-02T11:06:19.610935+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 5 Chinese vessels around itself

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected five Chinese naval vessels around its territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Monday.

2026-03-02T11:05:18.997649+00:00 IST

Pak: Multiple roads closed in Karachi due to protests

The Dawn reported that ten people were killed in Karachi and two in Islamabad as protests erupted countrywide against the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli attacks.

2026-03-02T10:07:20.472174+00:00 IST

PoJK: Health workers protest in Muzaffarabad

Health department employees in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir staged a strike at Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Muzaffarabad, demanding immediate acceptance of their long-pending Charter of Demands.

2026-03-02T09:53:42.879217+00:00 IST

China expresses concern over West Asia conflict

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said, "China is deeply concerned about the spillover of the military strikes by the #US and #Israel against #Iran, which had affected Iran's neighbouring countries. China believes that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Gulf countries should also be fully respected."

2026-03-02T09:36:09.710711+00:00 IST

Foreign tourists bask in Holi celebration in Kathmandu

Hundreds of foreign tourists on visit to Nepal drenched themselves in colours along with the revelers celebrating Holi, the festival of colours in Kathmandu Durbar Square.

2026-03-02T09:33:05.091853+00:00 IST

Nepali interim PM calls on voters to take part in Thursday polls

Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Monday called on voters to participate in the March 5 election for the Nepal House of Representatives.

2026-03-02T09:21:19.551306+00:00 IST

India and Canada to launch defence dialogue, says PM Modi

Following the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), Prime Minister Modi addressed the media, saying, "Friends, we will work to increase defence industries, maritime domain awareness and military exchanges. For this purpose, we have decided to establish the India-Canada Defence Dialogue. Friends, people-to-people ties are the real strength of our relations. Today, to strengthen these ties, we have taken many important decisions."

2026-03-02T09:02:51.311342+00:00 IST

Canadian PM says CEPA aims to conclude by year-end

Speaking on the deepening economic engagement between the two countries, Carney said, "We're advancing towards a Canada-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the aim to conclude by the end of this year. This ambitious agreement will reduce barriers, increase certainty, unlock opportunity for exporters, investors, and workers in both our countries, with the aim to double trade by the end of this decade."

2026-03-02T08:43:53.112079+00:00 IST