News brief: Big stories of the day

Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday announced the adoption of Joint Action Plan with Sweden.The strategic innovation partnership with Sweden aims to strengthen cybersecurity and work on smart cities, energy and transportation.

Anti-Pakistan banners stating "Pakistan must answer for crimes against humanity" and "must question Pakistan for enforced disappearances in Balochistan" were seen in London ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The Jodhpur High Court has decided to pronounce the verdict in the Asaram rape case in the Jodhpur jail.

After India summoned Pakistan's deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah over Pakistan's refusal to allow consular access to Sikh pilgrims in Punjab province, Shah said  Islamabad is "always happy to host Sikh pilgrims".

Germany's role in the Syrian peace process must be to secure the channels of communication with Russia that are necessary to achieve a political solution to the country's seven-year-old civil war, foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday.