 "China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is in India for a three day visit. Today, he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter's official residence. File image/AP")
What can you expect from the world when it comes to news today?
On August 19, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, ahead of the latter’s first visit to China in seven years.
Today, PM Modi is also expected to address MPs from the National Democratic Alliance, touching upon the alliance’s legislative agendas and the upcoming vice-presidential election.
In India’s financial capital, Mumbai, a red alert has been sounded owing to the heavy rains that have been lashing the city for the past three days. Moreover, the Yamuna river in Delhi may breach the danger mark today.
Today, also marks the day when India’s BCCI selection committee will announce the 15-member Indian team for the 2025 Asia Cup.
Here’s what to know.
China’s Wang Yi to meet PM Modi
In India for a three-day visit, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, at 5:30 pm, according to a schedule released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
This comes after the Chinese leader will participate in the 24th meeting between the special representatives on India-China boundary question.
Wang’s visit marks a major development amid ongoing military and diplomatic talks between the two countries following the 2020 standoff in eastern Ladakh, which led to heightened tensions and a deterioration in bilateral ties.
According to officials, Wang is likely to brief the prime minister on the SCO agenda and recent developments in Sino-India relations. He and Jaishankar are also expected to finalise the agenda for Modi’s meeting with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit.
India’s Asia Cup squad to be announced
India’s cricket selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, will meet today and finalise the 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament is scheduled from September 9 to 28.
The biggest question is whether Shubman Gill, despite his reputation as an all-format star and recent Test heroics, can fit into a T20 team that has been thriving under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership. There’s also the big question over fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. As per reports, the 31-year-old has made himself available for the tournament.
Impact Shorts
View AllPM Modi to address crucial NDA meeting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parliamentary party meeting today. This get-together of the ruling alliance’s MPs is being held after a considerable gap, news agency PTI said.
Notably, the NDA meeting will take place after the alliance announced its candidate for the vice presidential elections — Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
The meeting also comes in the middle of a session which has been all but a washout so far, except for a two-day discussion on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, due to a united Opposition’s ceaseless protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar by the Election Commission.
Yamuna likely to cross danger mark
The water level of the Yamuna river in Delhi is likely to breach the danger mark today after it continuously rose on Monday. Authorities attribute the release of water from the upstream Wazirabad and Hathnikund barrages in Haryana every hour to the rising water level of the Yamuna in Delhi.
As per the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Yamuna water level stood at 205.24 metres at the monitoring station at the Old Railway Bridge on Monday noon. It is projected to rise further to 205.7 metres by 8 pm. The river has remained above the warning level of 204.5 metres for the past three days.
Evacuation orders are issued once the water level touches 206 metres. As part of precautions, the district administrations have been asking residents to move to safer ground.
Mumbai under red alert
Mumbai witnessed heavy rainfall for the third consecutive day on Monday, prompting the weather bureau to issue a red alert for the city and adjoining districts until Tuesday.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis earlier said that Mumbai received 177 millimetres of rain in a six-eight hour period on Monday. He has asked citizens to observe all precautions since more rain is expected throughout the day, along with high tides.
The intense downpour has crippled life in Mumbai with vehicular movement being hampered as well as flights being deferred or cancelled.
With inputs from agencies