Asia

Earthquake of magnitude 4.2 strikes Pakistan

The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 25km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.

2026-02-13T22:19:24.465391+00:00 IST

Penpa Tsering to continue as leader of Tibetan Parl in Exile

The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration announced the preliminary election for the Sikyong and members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on Friday.

2026-02-13T22:18:36.534221+00:00 IST

MEA Secy (East) co-chairs 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogu

During the FPSD on Friday, both sides agreed to take forward the 'India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership' in 2026 through regular high-level engagements, including the visit of ROK's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT to India for the AI Impact Summit, Foreign Ministers led Joint Commission Meeting and several other ministerial and senior official-level dialogues.

2026-02-13T20:18:25.985630+00:00 IST

India, South Korea review ties at 6th FPSD

In an X post, the Indian Embassy of South Korea said, "Secretary (East) P. Kumaran co-chaired 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) with Park Yoon-joo and reviewed the whole gamut of the bilateral relations including sharing the views on high-level exchanges, economic and commercial issues, security, defence, S&T, Cultural and People to People ties."

2026-02-13T17:48:14.210078+00:00 IST

"Bangladeshi women have demolished Jamaat-e-Islami": MJ Akbar

Speaking to ANI, Akbar said, "The biggest message of this election is that the Bangladeshi women have demolished the Jamaat-e-Islami. They have done so because Jamaat represented an anti-women platform," while reacting to the results in Delhi.

2026-02-13T17:36:05.141562+00:00 IST

20 world leaders to gather for India-AI Impact Summit: MEA

Anchored in three guiding Sutras - People, Planet, Progress - the Summit reflects India's approach to shaping global cooperation on AI, with a focus on inclusive growth, sustainability and technological advancement.

2026-02-13T17:24:19.261024+00:00 IST

Sheikh Hasina calls Bangladesh polls “disgraceful chapter”

Sheikh Hasina challenged the legitimacy of Bangladesh's February 12 elections, calling them a "disgraceful chapter" for democracy. She alleged manipulation, unrealistic turnout figures, and irregularities, and demanded annulment of the polls, Muhammad Yunus's resignation, release of political prisoners, and fresh elections under a neutral caretaker government.

2026-02-13T16:57:40.804299+00:00 IST

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim hails BNP win in Bangladesh

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday warmly congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman and the party on their emphatic victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, describing the outcome as a clear triumph of democracy after a period of extraordinary challenges faced by the Bangladeshi people.

2026-02-13T16:10:26.020983+00:00 IST

Mauritius lauds India’s tech leadership ahead of AI summit

Mauritian Minister Jyoti Jeetun praised India's technological leadership ahead of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, calling Mauritius "very privileged" to participate. She confirmed Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam's attendance and highlighted strong India-Mauritius cultural and economic ties, as well as opportunities for Indian businesses to expand into Africa via Mauritius.

2026-02-13T15:17:41.284203+00:00 IST

China congratulates Bangladesh, hails BNP victory

China congratulated Bangladesh on a "smooth and successful" parliamentary election and praised the BNP's victory. The remarks came as Bangladesh's Election Commission declared results for 297 seats, showing a landslide for the BNP and strong 'Yes' support in a concurrent referendum, with some constituencies' results suspended.

2026-02-13T15:15:30.940963+00:00 IST

Pro-monarchists flood Kathmandu streets for ex-King Gyanendra

The former King was welcomed by supporters from the right-wing Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and pro-monarchy organisations, who chanted slogans against the existing political system.

2026-02-13T14:56:24.409010+00:00 IST

TTP threatens Pakistan’s security forces, rejects sectarian war

In a video released on Facebook, the outfit said that its fight is directed at the Pakistan Army, intelligence services, including the ISI and MI, and the police. The group attempted to draw a distinction between its campaign against state institutions and the region's diverse religious communities, insisting that Shias, Sunnis and Ismailis are not its enemies.

2026-02-13T13:34:31.056566+00:00 IST

Remarkable victory: Muizzu extends warm regards to Tarique Rahman

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman on the party's remarkable victory in the country's 13th National Parliamentary Elections.

2026-02-13T13:00:10.249829+00:00 IST

Taslima Nasreen welcomes defeat of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh

She said that the defeat of Islamist factions is not just a political change, but a temporary reprieve for secularism and women's rights. She highlighted Jamaat-e-Islami, specifically targeting Hindu homes and lives, forced imposition of veils and the exclusion of women from the political process, as well as the rise of extrajudicial violence and "moral policing."

2026-02-13T12:20:10.026543+00:00 IST

India emerging as global AI system-builder: Pratik Mathur

India's AI Impact Summit 2026 is not simply a technology event but a statement of strategic intent, Pratik Mathur, the country's Consul General in Shanghai has said in an article in a leading Chinese media outlet Caixin Global, noting that the next phase of global artificial intelligence race will be shaped by countries who can build large-scale, reliable and socially embedded AI ecosystems that integrate parameters such as data and real-world development.

2026-02-13T12:19:33.714969+00:00 IST

Puneet Agrawal appointed as next Ambassador of India to Thailand 

Agrawal, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1997 batch, is presently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

2026-02-13T11:33:20.040951+00:00 IST

PM Modi congratulates BNP’s Tarique Rahman on remarkable victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on BNP's election victory. Bangladesh's Election Commission declared results for 297 seats, with BNP and allies securing a majority. Two Chattogram seats remain suspended. A parallel referendum saw a 'Yes' win with 60.26 per cent turnout, Prothom Alo reported.

2026-02-13T11:01:22.743685+00:00 IST

Senge Sering accuses Pakistan of using sectarianism as a strategy

He maintained that many residents believe violence has been cultivated internally rather than imposed from abroad, a perception he described as steadily becoming part of a shared political narrative.

2026-02-13T10:42:45.404879+00:00 IST

Bangaldesh: BNP secures absolute majority with 209 seats

Bangladesh's Election Commission has declared the official results for 297 constituencies in the 13th National Parliament election.

2026-02-13T10:23:57.305645+00:00 IST

Former diplomat Veena Sikri hails Bangladesh poll outcome

Former High Commissioner Veena Sikri hailed Bangladesh's election results as a victory for democracy after the BNP secured an absolute majority. She called the outcome a setback for Islamist forces, highlighted voters' rejection of extremism, noted the Awami League's absence, and expressed optimism about stronger India-Bangladesh relations.

2026-02-13T10:15:36.258301+00:00 IST

"Aggression does not bring security": Iranian Ambassador

Responding to the statement by Israeli Ambassador to India, Rueven Azar, who on Thursday called on Iran to deliver on its commitments and prevent "destabilising" the region, Iranian envoy criticised Israel's policies, stating they're driven by occupation and aggression.

2026-02-13T10:14:34.519954+00:00 IST