Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad, marking the Chancellor’s first official visit to India. The two-day visit coincides with the celebrations of 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, aiming to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

The meeting at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation across trade, investment, technology, education, skilling, and mobility, while also exploring collaboration in defense, security, science, innovation, research, and sustainable development.

Prior to the talks, PM Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, where they paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, with Merz also signing the visitors’ book. The leaders then jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, highlighting the cultural and diplomatic significance of the visit, and flew a kite featuring Lord Hanuman.

The German Chancellor’s visit, from January 12 to 13, builds on prior high-level engagements, including discussions with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where both leaders agreed to further expand the bilateral strategic partnership. During that meeting, PM Modi invited Chancellor Merz to visit India officially. On January 13, Chancellor Merz will visit Bosch, Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), before departing for Germany. The visit also serves as a precursor to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, met with Tomasi Tunabuna, Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, on Friday at Krishi Bhawan to discuss ongoing collaboration and explore future areas of cooperation, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

The ministers held productive talks on various issues of mutual interest. They agreed to extend the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another five years and to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to further bilateral cooperation. Key areas discussed included student exchanges, training and capacity-building programs, technology sharing for small-scale machinery, and digital agriculture tools. The discussions also focused on enhancing research infrastructure, genetic exchange initiatives, and sharing knowledge to reduce food loss and waste.

Minister Chouhan shared details of the meeting on X, highlighting India’s historical ties with Fiji, strengthened by mutual respect, cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people connections. He emphasized that both nations recognize agriculture and food security as crucial areas of bilateral engagement.

The Fijian delegation included CharanJeath Singh, Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and the Sugar Industry; Jagannath Sami, High Commissioner of Fiji; Vinesh Kumar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sugar; Nitya Reddy, Chairman of the Fiji Sugar Corporation; and Paulo Daurewa, Counsellor at the High Commission of Fiji. Representing India were Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; M. L. Jat, Secretary of DARE; and other senior officials.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@ChouhanShivraj.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is set to make an official visit to Japan on January 13 and 14 for a high-level summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Lee’s office announced on Friday, January 9. The visit reflects continued efforts by both governments to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen cooperation on key regional and global issues.

The summit will be held in Nara City on January 13 and will be followed by a formal dinner between the two leaders. According to the presidential office, President Lee and Prime Minister Takaichi are expected to engage in detailed discussions on a wide range of topics, including regional security, international developments, and important economic and social matters affecting both countries. Their schedule also includes joint participation in several diplomatic events, underscoring the symbolic importance of the visit. In addition, President Lee will hold a separate meeting with South Korean residents living in Japan, reflecting his administration’s focus on strengthening ties with overseas Korean communities.

The primary objective of the summit is to advance South Korea–Japan relations in a stable and future-oriented direction, the presidential office said, emphasizing the importance of sustained dialogue between the two neighbors. Officials indicated that the talks may also cover sensitive regional issues, including the ongoing dispute between China and Japan. Another key topic expected to be raised is the possible participation of North Korean athletes in the Asian Games scheduled for September in Japan. Lee’s national security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, noted during a briefing on Friday that such discussions could contribute to easing regional tensions and promoting broader cooperation in East Asia.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

The closure of border crossings between Balochistan and Afghanistan has deepened Pakistan’s economic crisis, with Punjab reportedly losing over Rs80 billion per month due to stalled trade. Business leaders warn that the government’s inability to maintain stable cross-border commerce is worsening inflation and eroding investor confidence, according to The Balochistan Post.

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted that key trade routes have been effectively paralyzed since last October, hitting industries reliant on the Afghan market, including cement, agricultural chemicals, and food exports. The closures have also revealed the state’s failure to separate economic cooperation from political and security disputes, a recurring issue harming Pakistan’s economy.

Thousands of traders remain stranded on both sides, with estimates suggesting around 3,000 affected, mostly from Pakistan. Truckloads of perishable goods, including fresh and dried fruits from Afghanistan, are reportedly rotting at border points, causing severe financial losses. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s exports of vegetables, medicines, and construction materials have been disrupted, weakening the export sector further. Trade experts note that the Afghan border is crucial not only for bilateral trade but also as Pakistan’s gateway to Central Asia. The ongoing shutdown is amplifying economic stress, lowering incomes, and fueling public frustration.

Criticism has been directed at the federal government and revenue authorities for failing to assist affected traders. Business groups report that perished consignments have gone uncompensated, while transport operators face severe financial strain. Experts argue this reflects policy paralysis rather than unavoidable circumstances and have called for immediate diplomatic engagement to reopen the border crossings without delay.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Singapore’s “dead birds” hotline recorded its highest number of reports last year, reflecting a growing toll of birds killed after colliding with glass surfaces on buildings. The museum notes that the problem is expanding beyond sheer numbers, now affecting newer and sometimes rarer species as urban development intensifies. The report explores the causes behind these collisions, the reasons bird-friendly architecture has yet to become common practice, and the practical solutions—such as specially treated glass and façade modifications—that could significantly reduce bird deaths. Andrea Heng and Rani Samtani discuss these issues with Dr Tan Yen Yi, Research Fellow at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party has selected 46-year-old academic Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its leading candidate for the premiership in the February election. The move brings the influential Shinawatra family back into focus as Thailand grapples with deadly border clashes with Cambodia and internal challenges within the party. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the implications of his candidacy for party cohesion, border security, and the country’s political trajectory with Kevin Hewison, Emeritus Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Starting 6 pm tomorrow (13 Dec 2025), train commuters can check a single webpage for updates on trip delays. Daniel Martin talks with Professor Raymond Ong, Transport Analyst and Deputy Head (Research) at NUS’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Across the globe, Gen Z is moving beyond online activism and taking to the streets — pushing back against existing systems, highlighting inequality, and demanding a future they can trust. Many young people feel increasingly shut out, with rising youth unemployment and shrinking economic opportunities adding to their frustration. We speak with CNA senior correspondent Wei Du, who followed a wave of Gen Z demonstrations in Asia for an Insight documentary, and Dr. Eugene Mark, Fellow and Co-coordinator of Thailand Studies at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, to understand the forces behind this new wave of youth-driven protests.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.