India-New Zealand partnership gets big boost with FTA, closer maritime ties

IANS | September 23, 2026 2:07 PM

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The elevation of India-New Zealand ties to a “Strategic Partnership,” following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country in July this year, was quickly followed by the ratification of the free trade agreement ( FTA) by New Zealand's Parliament, after which the two countries are moving towards their first bilateral naval exercise as part of the closer maritime cooperation, according to an article published by the Lowy Institute.

Rights group condemns ‘fabricated’ murder case against Bangladeshi journalist, warns of threat to press freedom

IANS | September 23, 2026 1:45 PM

Paris, Sep 23 (IANS) A leading international human rights organisation strongly condemned the implication of Bangladeshi journalist and human rights defender Russell Rana in what it described as a “fabricated murder” case, warning that the move poses a serious threat to press freedom, human rights advocacy and the rule of law in the South Asian nation.

India-Germany submarine deal awaits final Indian approval: German Ambassador

IANS | September 23, 2026 1:42 PM

New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) The proposed India-Germany submarine deal has been finalised on the German side and the necessary documents have already been agreed upon, German Ambassador to India Dr Jasper Wieck said on Wednesday, adding that the agreement now awaits the completion of internal processes by the Indian side.

BLF claims its female unit targetted Pakistani military convoy in Balochistan (Ld)

IANS | September 23, 2026 1:17 PM

Quetta, Sep 23 (IANS) Baloch armed group, Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), has claimed that several Pakistani military personnel were killed and injured in the first attack carried out by the group's newly formed female unit, in which they targetted a Pakistani military convoy on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) highway near Turbat in Balochistan, local media reported on Wednesday.

EAM Jaishankar discusses collaboration in AI, space, energy with counterparts from UAE, France

IANS | September 23, 2026 11:51 AM

New York, Sep 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot participated in the India-UAE-France trilateral on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, where they discussed collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI), space, health sciences, energy and culture.