Asia

Trump's administration congratulates Japan PM Takaichi

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on a Fox News program that Trump has a "great relationship" with Takaichi and "when Japan is strong, the U.S. is strong in Asia."

2026-02-08T23:34:16.554058+00:00 IST

Japan PM Takaichi welcomes Trump's message

"I am sincerely grateful to President Donald J. Trump for his warm words," Takaichi said in a post on X, adding that she looked forward to continuing close cooperation between the two countries.

2026-02-08T22:50:45.630036+00:00 IST

Minister Rajnath Singh to hold bilateral meeting with Dendias

The meeting comes amid steadily expanding strategic ties between New Delhi and Athens, with defence cooperation emerging as a key pillar of the broader bilateral relationship.

2026-02-08T21:29:05.264933+00:00 IST

Japan's ruling LDP secures two-thirds lower house majority

The landslide result marks a sharp increase from the party's pre-election strength of 198 seats and was widely attributed to Takaichi's personal popularity. The LDP and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), will together command a dominant presence in the chamber, reinforcing Takaichi's position after she took office in October.

2026-02-08T20:26:05.023851+00:00 IST

Japan’s LDP set to win two‑thirds lower house majority

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is certain to secure a two-thirds majority in the lower house in the Japanese Parliament, the House of Representatives, following Sunday's snap election, delivering a significant boost to her policy agenda, Kyodo News reported, citing early projections.

2026-02-08T18:13:31.174380+00:00 IST

PM Modi in Malaysia: BRICS Chairmanship, UNSC reforms in focus

Malaysia on Sunday welcomed India's Chairmanship of the BRICS 2026 Summit, scheduled later this year, and appreciated India's call for reforms to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to make global institutions more representative of contemporary realities, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the Southeast Asian country.

2026-02-08T18:04:35.976170+00:00 IST

Italian President praises Zayed Award

He expressed his appreciation for the role of the international community in supporting the peace process, noting that the trilateral summit held last August at the White House represented the latest manifestation of this support and contributed to achieving "historic steps forward".

2026-02-08T17:57:46.367743+00:00 IST

UAE welcomes Comprehensive Peace Plan for Sudan

In this regard, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan commends the leadership of US President Donald Trump in preventing Sudan from sliding further into extremism, fragmentation, and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.

2026-02-08T17:46:31.532126+00:00 IST

8 killed in explosion at biotech company in northern China

The tragic incident has prompted a formal investigation, while rescue and cleanup operations continue at the scene.

2026-02-08T17:37:16.256019+00:00 IST

Russian oil imports decided by buyers, not trade deal: Goyal

"The buying of crude oil, LNG, or LPG from the US is in India's strategic interest as we diversify sources. But the decisions are taken by the buyers themselves. The trade deal does not decide who will buy what and from where," Goyal told ANI.

2026-02-08T17:15:37.578517+00:00 IST

PM Modi congratulates Japan PM Takaichi on historic win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended warm congratulations to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi following her ruling coalition's projected historic victory in snap elections for Japan's lower house, the House of Representatives, emphasising that India-Japan ties remain vital for advancing global peace, stability, and shared prosperity through their robust Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

2026-02-08T16:55:44.726982+00:00 IST

India expected to see surge in Parkinson's disease: Experts

India is expected to see a significant surge in Parkinson's disease cases, potentially becoming the country with the second-highest number of patients globally. Experts at the 6th International Annual Symposium-2026 in Kerala highlighted the growing concern, especially among younger individuals in Southeast Asia.

2026-02-08T15:06:31.322179+00:00 IST

Japan’s Takaichi-led coalition on track for election victory

As per Kyodo News, citing its projections, Takaichi's ruling LDP, together with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), is poised to secure a supermajority of up to two-thirds of the 465 seats in the lower house of the National Diet, significantly surpassing the 233 seats required for a simple majority.

2026-02-08T15:01:19.107658+00:00 IST

India to need USD 80–100 bn in civil aviation products: Goyal

In an interview with ANI on the recently concluded India-US interim trade agreement framework, Goyal said India's expanding civil aviation market would drive significant demand for aircraft, engines, and spare parts in the coming years.

2026-02-08T13:57:00.288303+00:00 IST

European lawmakers urge Taiwan to boost defence

Taiwan should prioritise reinforcing its own national defence to deter any possible invasion by China as cross-strait tensions continue to escalate, several European lawmakers said on Friday, according to a report by the Taipei Times.

2026-02-08T13:29:03.031070+00:00 IST

"We don't have to. We intend to": Goyal on $500 bn India-US trade

Speaking to ANI, Goyal said the interim trade understanding does not require India to purchase specific quantities or values of goods from the US, adding that the estimates are based on India's growing commercial needs.

2026-02-08T13:02:22.606261+00:00 IST

Bangladesh faces rise in Islamist politics after uprising

A sharp rise in Islamist politics following the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh could have widespread negative consequences, particularly for women, according to a new research report released in Dhaka on Sunday.

2026-02-08T12:22:38.161974+00:00 IST

Ambassador Gor played a very important role: Piyush Goyal

Speaking to ANI, Goyal said he had no hesitation in recognising Gor's role in helping finalise and announce the agreement, calling him a "dear friend" as well as a "well-wisher" for the India-US relationship.

2026-02-08T12:04:38.913989+00:00 IST

Seychelles President Herminie arrives in New Delhi

According to a post on X by the Ministry of External Affairs, during his engagements in Chennai and Mumbai, Herminie met key stakeholders across sectors, including governance, industry, coastal management, and health, to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

2026-02-08T11:25:41.668483+00:00 IST

India, Malaysia explore deeper partnership in AI, Defence

The discussions took place during Prime Minister Modi's official visit to Malaysia from February 7 to 8, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

2026-02-08T11:21:55.570282+00:00 IST

Pak:Payment delays hit patient care at outsourced govt hospitals

13 hospitals have been awaiting payments for the July-September quarter, leading to financial difficulties for staff. Officials also noted that another instalment for the October-December period is overdue, though organisations are still awaiting the disbursement of funds that have already been released.

2026-02-08T10:42:05.800986+00:00 IST