US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mingon Houston on Wednesday (local time) emphasised that India is an "essential partner" of Washington in the Indo-Pacific region as the talks for a bilateral trade agreement between both nations are underway.
Netanyahu's trial testimonies were postponed due to his U.S. visit, where he will hold key diplomatic and security meetings. The Jerusalem court approved the delay after a closed-door meeting. Other defense witnesses will testify instead, according to The Jerusalem Post.
US President Trump doubts a trade deal with Japan, threatening to impose higher tariffs as the current pause ends. Despite false claims about Japan's rice and car imports, trade talks continue but remain stuck over car tariffs, with no progress after recent meetings.
Russian President Putin and French President Macron spoke by phone for the first time since 2022, discussing Ukraine and the Middle East. Putin blamed Western policies for the Ukraine conflict, while both leaders agreed diplomacy is key to resolving global tensions, RT reported.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US bombing of the Fordo nuclear site caused serious damage. He warned talks may resume only if strikes stop, but stressed Iran can recover quickly. Trump claimed Iran's program was "obliterated," though assessments are ongoing, The Hill report
Doha hosted UN-led talks with Afghan authorities and global partners to boost private sector growth and fight narcotics. Ministries discussed health, banking, and poverty issues. *Tolo News* said the meetings aimed to coordinate international support and strengthen regional cooperation for A
An official from one of the Arab mediating countries said that major hurdles remain and that the sides will still need to hold proximity talks in order to close remaining gaps.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reaffirmed that India-US will soon strike a trade deal with "much less tariffs", allowing both countries to compete.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting (QFMM) in Washington, focusing on preparation for annual India-Japan prime ministerial talks later this year.
Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful, while the US and Israel say they aim to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Araghchi said Iran would not reengage in talks unless it received guarantees that no further military attacks would occur during the negotiations.