Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement is not beneficial for the Maldives Economy. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal he said that the operationalization of FTA is impacting Maldives govt revenue. 

The Maldives-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in December 2017 during the administration of former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, it marked the Maldives' first FTA with any country. The FTA has been effective since January 2025. India, a traditional partner, expressed concerns in early 2025, warning that the FTA could affect Maldives’ economic health and influence Indian policies in the region.

The former president also spoke on India ties, etc.

China Maldives FTA in not beneficial for Maldives economy, says Former Maldives President Nasheed

If you are an Indian residing in the U.S., or planning to move there, chances are that you are constantly refreshing your browser on U.S. immigration policies—especially as they continue to evolve. Recent changes are raising major concerns, particularly for H-1B, F-1, and Green Card holders. Although India isn't officially on any U.S. travel ban list, those with U.S. visas are now facing significant delays, stricter screenings, and even random detentions at airports.

Indian nationals face increased visa delays and detentions

The family of the 20-year-old Indian-American student, who mysteriously disappeared from a beach in the Dominican Republic, has sent a letter to the Dominican authorities. The family has expressed faith in the investigation and asked investigators to declare their daughter dead.

Sudiksha Konanki missing case: Parents of missing student ask officials to declare their daughter dead

Estonia's Foreign Secretary, Jonatan Vseviov has said that India can be a powerful voice, in response to Delhi's role when it comes to Russia Ukraine war. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he said, 'India is a major global power. 21st could be Indian century. It's voice matters. We want India to use to powerful voice...India can be strong voice in side of UN charter, territorial integrity'. The comment come amid talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Asked about ties, he said relationship hold, 'great potential'.India opened its embassy in Tallinn in December 2021, while Estonia established its embassy in New Delhi in February 2012, signalling commitment to deepening ties. Economically, trade between India and Estonia remains modest but shows potential. In 2007, bilateral trade was valued at €30.8 million, with India s Estonia’s 34th largest import partner and 37th largest export partner.

Estonia laud India's efforts in containing war

Signalling a clear intent to have cooperation with India on Semiconductors, Malaysia's Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong has said that, 'Malaysian companies can work with Indian companies, with foreign companies in India in a trilateral way". 

Malaysia’s semiconductor industry is mature, with major global players like Intel, Infineon, and Broadcom operating facilities there, particularly in hubs like Penang and Kulim. The country is now pushing to move up the value chain into areas like integrated circuit (IC) design and advanced packaging, as outlined in its National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS). 

India, meanwhile, has been aggressively pursuing its semiconductor goals, with initiatives like the $10 billion India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) aimed at attracting investment and fostering domestic manufacturing. 

Speaking on India ties to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he said, 'India plays an important role not only for Malaysia, but ASEAN. We need to work together in current global environment. We need to see each other as collaborators"

'Malaysia wants collaboration with India on Semiconductor,' says Minister Liew Chin Tong

Estonia says India is a powerful voice amid Ukraine war

UK MP Lord Karan Bilimoria has called for an early conclusion of India-UK FTA. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he said, 'We need to do this deal & 'this FTA will bring trade to $100 bn. Let's do the deal".

Lord Karan Bilimoria is a member of the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the UK Parliament. Born on November 26, 1961, in Hyderabad, India, Karan Faridoon Bilimoria is a British-Indian businessman and of Zoroastrian Parsi descent. 

He termed the attack on the Indian High Commission by Khalistani extremists as 'completely unacceptable'. The Khalistani extremists were involved in the attack on the Indian High Commission in 2024. 

He also lauded the role of the 2 million-strong Indian diaspora in the UK.

UK MP Lord Karan Bilimoria: Need to conclude FTA; Slams attack on Indian High commission

Thailand foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa has batted for strong ties with India. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal he said, 'we have a long a history together. India is strong and strategic partner of Thailand'. He pointed  food security, energy security, Human security as areas of cooperation between the 2 countries. The minister recalled how India last year sent Buddha relics to Thailand. He said,'I would like to express my appreciation to India, to exhibit relics of Lord Buddha to Thailand. Very good opportunity to show the strong link'. He minister also spoke about fake Job scam, Myanmar, & upcoming Bimstec summit.

Thai FM Maris Sangiampongsa bats for strong ties with India

India news, pakistan, south asia: This comes after the Pakistan Foreign Office commented on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks in the podcast with Lex Fridman.

‘Instead of spreading lies, vacate our territory’: India blasts Pakistan for its remarks on Jammu and Kashmir

Poland's Deputy Foreign Minister and Secretary of State, Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski has said that PM Modi can ask President Putin to withdraw Russian forces. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, the deputy FM pointed, that faced with threats of tactic Nuclear retaliation, US, China, India tried to dissuade Russia & that PM Modi against use of nuclear weapons. India-Poland ties have seen significant high-level visits, with PM Modi visiting the country last year. Bartoszewski spoke about India ties, ceasefire in Ukraine etc. Watch to know more!

Poland calls on India to mediate Russia-Ukraine war

Curfew has been imposed in several areas of Nagpur following violent protests over the grave of Aurangzeb. Authorities took action under Section 163 to restore order after clashes erupted. Watch to know more!

Nagpur violence: Protest over Mughal ruler Aurangzeb's grave turns violent

Hungary foreign minister Péter Szijjártó has lauded India's role when it comes to Russia Ukraine war. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, FM Szijjártó said,'We respect the role of India & PM Modi. He consistently spoke about stopping the war, in favour of peace'.

Modi’s visits to Moscow in July 2024 and Kyiv in August 2024 showed India’s willingness to act as a bridge between the conflicting parties, conveying messages and advocating for negotiations.

The Hungarian FM pointed that India-Hungary ties have "improved a lot in past few years, based on respectful cooperation". He pointed out, 'PM Modi, PM Orban are patriotic leaders, who consider national interest number one'

Dismissing criticism over importing energy from Russia, he said, 'We don't care of European criticism on improving Russian energy. We have been importing energy from Russia. Russia proved to be a reliable partner.'

PM Modi spoke in favour of peace, Hungary FM Péter Szijjártó on war in Ukraine

Starlink is likely to face a spectrum tax in India, which had been abolished for terrestrial network providers, such as Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea a few years back. Watch in for more details!

Elon Musk's Starlink likely to face spectrum tax in India

The Norway Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has said that his country can work with India for 'lasting peace'. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, he explained that the lasting peace has to be 'fair peace' & "not any peace at any price, it has to be lasting". 

The war in Ukraine is in 3 year and talks are underway for a ceasefire, led by the Trump administration. 

Terming India-Norway ties "close and developing" he pointed that Norway parliament is set to ratify India-EFTA trade pact.

Can work with India for lasting peace, Norway FM Eide on war in Ukraine

India's share of global arms imports fell to 8.3% in 2020–24, making it the 2nd-largest arms importer, after Ukraine, as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report. Watch to know more!

India second-largest arms importer after Ukraine

According to the Union Tourism Ministry, Ayodhya’s total visitors rose from 600,000 in 2020 to over 160 million in 2024. The growing influx has driven employment across multiple sectors, including hospitality, transport, and retail.

Ayodhya at the heart of India’s religious tourism boom

After becoming the first country to achieve a soft landing on the Moon's south pole region, India plans to launch a fifth lunar probe carrying a 25-kilogram rover, in collaboration with Japan's JAXA.

India: Centre Approves Chandrayaan-5 Moon Mission

Indian govt gives nod to Chandrayaan-5 moon mission

India approves Chandrayaan-5 moon mission

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on Monday and presented her with Ganga water from the Maha Kumbh. Watch in for more details!

Indian PM Modi gifts a vase containing 'Gangajal' to US intel chief

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu urged people to learn as many languages as possible and appealed to them to stay away from "unnecessary politics over languages". Watch in for more details!

Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu calls for linguistic freedom in education

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Christopher Luxon of New Zealand hold joint press meet at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

India-New Zealand ties: India, New Zealand hold negotiations on free trade agreement

US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard is in India, marking the first high-level trip from the Trump administration. Gabbard met NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit.

US Intel Chief Tulsi Gabbard meets NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

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