Asia

EAM Jaishankar holds meeting with NSA Ajit Doval

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is holding a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan in the parliament.

2026-03-09T08:55:37.078278+00:00 IST

Trichy Airport operates 8 flights to Gulf Region amid West Asia Conflict

The escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has continued to reverberate through global aviation networks, forcing widespread airspace closures, flight cancellations and rerouting across Middle East corridors and beyond.

2026-03-09T08:30:35.434526+00:00 IST

Quetta ATC declares 12 Baloch activists "proclaimed offenders"

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta has declared 12 Baloch activists, including Sabiha Baloch, as proclaimed offenders. Charged under strict anti-terror laws, activists argue these legal actions are a systemic attempt by Pakistan to intimidate and silence voices protesting human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

2026-03-09T08:28:48.179315+00:00 IST

HRCP demands release of Aurat March activists

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has demanded the immediate release of organisers and participants of the Aurat March in Islamabad who were detained by police on International Women's Day.

2026-03-09T07:20:45.781946+00:00 IST

India-Japan joint exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 culminates

The seventh India-Japan military exercise, Dharma Guardian 2026, concluded in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, on March 8. Focusing on counter-terrorism and urban warfare, the joint training enhanced interoperability and strategic ties. The exercise culminated in a successful 48-hour validation phase, reaffirming both nations' commitment to regional security and defence cooperation.

2026-03-09T07:19:17.664537+00:00 IST

India sends 1,000 metric tons of rice to Malawi

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, "India-Malawi partnership for food security. To support Malawi's efforts towards food security following the drought caused by the El Nino effect, India has dispatched a humanitarian consignment of 1,000 metric tons of rice from the Nhava Sheva Port to the people of Malawi. A reiteration of India's continued commitment to supporting partners in the Global South and advancing the spirit of South-South cooperation."

2026-03-09T07:18:24.151992+00:00 IST

Interest of Indian consumer always overriding priority: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that the Indian consumer's interest is the "overriding priority" amid the West Asia crisis. He warned of supply chain disruptions, confirmed 67,000 Indians have returned home, and defended the humanitarian decision to allow an Iranian warship to dock in Kochi for repairs.

2026-03-09T06:54:53.963469+00:00 IST

"Safety of Indians our main priority": Jaishankar says PM Modi closely monitoring West Asia developments

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed Parliament that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the Iran conflict. With two Indian mariners dead and thousands of citizens in the region, India is coordinating evacuations and relocation efforts, while warning that the crisis poses a "serious" threat to global energy security.

2026-03-09T06:40:14.347501+00:00 IST

Jaishankar briefs Parliament on "worsened" West Asia crisis

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed the Rajya Sabha on the escalating West Asia crisis following US-Israeli strikes on Iran that triggered wider regional conflict. India urged restraint, emphasised dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation, and confirmed that the Cabinet Committee on Security is monitoring the situation and addressing concerns of Indians in the region.

2026-03-09T06:12:20.199802+00:00 IST

Pakistan remains Beijing's top arms importer

India's total arms imports declined slightly over the past decade, partly due to its increasing ability to design and produce weapons domestically.

2026-03-09T05:39:45.240467+00:00 IST

Singapore PM speaks with Gulf leaders

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has held discussions with Gulf leaders regarding the escalating tensions in the Middle East, highlighting Singapore's concern over the evolving regional conflict and the safety of its citizens abroad.

2026-03-09T04:48:02.263864+00:00 IST

"At a critical juncture": Iran pledges allegiance to new Leader

Iran's Foreign Ministry and its diplomats have declared allegiance to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution. Describing the transition as a "critical juncture," the ministry emphasised that the move ensures national unity and sovereignty amid ongoing "military aggression" by the US and Israel.

2026-03-09T04:20:03.460815+00:00 IST

Qatar condemns Iranian attack on Al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia

The government of Qatar has strongly condemned an attack attributed to Iran that targeted a residential facility in Al-Kharj, a city in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and leaving several others injured.

2026-03-09T04:04:16.912140+00:00 IST

Vote counting in Nepal enters final phase, Balen led party dominates the parliament heading for two-third majority

The Balen-led Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set for a historic two-thirds majority in Nepal's parliament. With 124 FPTP seats and nearly 50% of the PR vote, the RSP is projected to secure 185 seats in the 275-member House, comfortably crossing the 184-seat threshold.

2026-03-09T03:53:36.907960+00:00 IST

No Indian fatalities in the Al Kharj incident: Indian embassy

In a post on X, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia wrote, "It is a matter of relief that there has been no Indian fatality in the unfortunate incident at Al Kharj yesterday evening. The Embassy has been in touch with the concerned Saudi authorities regarding this issue. Counsellor (CW) Shri Y. Sabir visited Al Kharj last night and met the injured Indian national involved in this unfortunate incident. He is currently receiving treatment at a government hospital in Al Kharj."

2026-03-09T02:40:56.837764+00:00 IST

Taiwan detects 8 PLAN vessels around its territory

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said on Monday that it recorded the presence of 8 PLAN vessels around its territory.

2026-03-09T01:09:42.588716+00:00 IST

Pak’s monthly oil import bill could skyrocket to USD 600 Million

Amid the developing security situation in West Asia, Pakistan could see its monthly oil import bill soar to a whopping USD 600 million, the country's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday, as reported by Dawn. Already reeling under economic stress, the country's Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said that they would request the International Monetary Fund for relief in the petroleum levy.

2026-03-09T00:00:17.431135+00:00 IST

Air India shares flight sched for services to Jeddah, Muscat, UAE

Amid the developing security situation in West Asia and the Gulf, Air India issued a travel advisory on Sunday, noting that Air India and Air India Express would continue with their scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat. It further noted that in addition to the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express would operate a total of 32 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates on Monday to assist in bringing stranded travellers home to India.

2026-03-08T19:21:39.126470+00:00 IST

EAM to address Lok Sabha on West Asia situation tomorrow

According to the list of business of the Lok Sabha issued on Sunday, Jaishankar will address the Lok Sabha to brief members on the current developments in the region.

2026-03-08T17:37:16.052554+00:00 IST