China

Jaishankar advocates for sovereign, rules-based Indo-Pacific at summit

15 Jul 2023 09:11 AM IST

In an indirect critique of China’s aggressive expansionist policies, S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, emphasised the necessity of an Indo-Pacific that is “free, open, inclusive, and rules-based” with due respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, during his address at the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers Meeting in

PM Modi humbled on getting France’s highest honour

14 Jul 2023 13:17 PM IST

‘Humbled’ at being conferred with France’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, PM Narendra Modi said it was an “honour for the 140 crore people of India”. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said this honour shows the deep affection of the people of France towards India

Official : During testing, the Japanese Epsilon rocket engine explodes

14 Jul 2023 12:20 PM IST

An official reported that a rocket engine exploded during a test on Friday, dealing the Japan Space Agency its latest setback. The explosion did not result in any injuries, according to the Kyodo News Agency. The incident happened about a minute into the second-stage engine’s ground test. According to the

GOP chairman subpoenas docs to find if US deviated from sanctioning after China balloon incursion

14 Jul 2023 12:11 PM IST

The House Foreign Affairs chairman said on Wednesday that he subpoenaed the State Department for classified documents that could indicate whether the U.S. deviated from its plans for sanctioning China after a Chinese surveillance balloon traversed sensitive military sites across North America Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said he has subpoenaed

IMF approves much-awaited USD 3 billion loan to Pakistan

14 Jul 2023 12:10 PM IST

In a relief to cash-strapped Pakistan, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday gave a final nod to a USD 3 billion “stand-by arrangement” for the country to support the government’s efforts to stabilise the ailing economy. The development came two weeks after the two sides reached a staff-level agreement

Iran summons Russian ambassador for comments on Persian Gulf dispute

14 Jul 2023 12:09 PM IST

Iran summoned Russia’s ambassador on Wednesday after Moscow released a joint statement with Arab countries earlier this week challenging Iran’s claim to disputed islands in the Persian Gulf. It marked a rare spat between Iran and Russia, which have deepened ties since Moscow invaded Ukraine, with Iran supplying killer drones

US Vice President Kamala Harris secures most tiebreaking votes in Senate

14 Jul 2023 12:08 PM IST

Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman or person of colour to serve as vice president, made history again on Wednesday as she matched the record for most tiebreaking votes in the U.S. Senate. The vote, her 31st, advanced the nomination of Kalpana Kotagal to the Equal Employment

UN says 2.4 billion people lacked constant access to food last year

14 Jul 2023 12:06 PM IST

The U.N. delivered grim news on global food security on Wednesday that about 2.4 billion people lacked constant access to food last year, as many as 783 million faced hunger, and 148 million children suffered from stunted growth. Five U.N. agencies said in the 2023 State of Food Security and

Kim Jong Un vows to boost nuclear capability

14 Jul 2023 12:04 PM IST

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his country’s nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the country’s second test-flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland U.S., state media reported Thursday. Kim’s statement suggests North Korea would ramp up weapons testing activities to

Forced sterilization of indigenous women continues in Canada

14 Jul 2023 12:03 PM IST

Decades after many other rich countries stopped forcibly sterilising Indigenous women, numerous activists, doctors, politicians and at least five class-action lawsuits allege the practice has not ended in Canada. Indigenous leaders say the country has yet to fully reckon with its troubled colonial past — or put a stop to

Chinese hackers steal emails of US Commerce Secretary Raimondo, State Department officials

14 Jul 2023 11:41 AM IST

Prior to State Secretary Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing in June, Chinese hackers broke into the email accounts of officials from the State Department and the Department of Commerce, according to a report by the New York Times citing US officials. The investigation is underway but the US officials, on

Photo exhibition organised in French Foreign Affairs building ahead of PM Modi’s visit

13 Jul 2023 12:34 PM IST

Celebrating the strong bilateral ties between India and France, the landmark building of French Foreign Affairs Ministry has been decked up ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country. French Ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain, informed that a photo exhibition is being organised at the building to celebrate India-France