 "FirstUp: Modi to hold talks with UK PM Keir Starmer, Rajnath Singh's Australia visit... Big news today")
It’s shaping up to be a busy Thursday, with a packed lineup of high-profile events.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who landed in Mumbai on Wednesday for his first official visit to India.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet with his Australian counterpart and other senior leaders as part of efforts to deepen defence and strategic cooperation between India and Australia.
Adding to the diplomatic buzz, Taliban acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will arrive in India, marking the first visit by a senior Taliban leader since the group took power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Sweden, where the Nobel Prize for Literature is set to be announced later today, drawing global attention to who will take home one of the world’s most prestigious literary honours.
In sports, Team India will take on South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup in Visakhapatnam, promising an exciting face-off on the field.
Here’s a look at all that’s happening today.
Modi and Starmer to hold talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday for high-level bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening trade, defence, and fintech collaboration between the two nations.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both leaders will also attend the India–UK CEOs Forum and the Global Fintech Fest, where they are expected to engage with top business and industry leaders.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsKey topics on the agenda include the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), seen as a cornerstone of the countries’ future economic partnership.
The Global Fintech Fest is expected to see a large turnout, with around 7,500 companies, 800 industry speakers, 400 exhibitors, and 70 regulators from India and abroad participating.
Rajnath Singh’s Australia visit
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has embarked on a two-day official visit to Australia at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles.
During his stay, Singh is expected to hold meetings with his Australian counterpart and other top officials to explore new avenues for defence cooperation, maritime security, and strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
This visit is significant as it marks the first trip by an Indian Defence Minister to Australia under the current government since 2014.
Taliban foreign minister in India
Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, is set to arrive in New Delhi for an official visit.
During the trip, Muttaqi is expected to meet India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and engage in talks spanning bilateral cooperation, trade, and consular matters.
According to Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban’s foreign ministry, the agenda will include exports of dry fruit, health sector collaboration, port access, and improved consular services.
Muttaqi is among several Taliban officials listed under UN sanctions, which include asset freezes and a travel ban. However, such sanctions have in the past allowed temporary exemptions for diplomatic visits.
Nobel Prize in Literature to be announced
This Thursday, the Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced in Stockholm.
Cross-referencing odds from various bookmakers, as compiled by Nicerodds, places the Indian writer Amitav Ghosh at the top.
In addition to the previously mentioned contenders, it highlights several other perennial favourites: the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, British-American Salman Rushdie, Canadian poet Ann Carson, and the Antigua-born, Jamaica Kincaid.
Also ranked highly on the lists are Margaret Atwood, Lyudmila Ulitskaya, and Ersi Sotiropoulos.
India v South Africa at ODI Women’s World Cup
Harmanpreet Kaur’s Team India will look to extend their winning streak when they face Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa in their third match of the ODI Women’s World Cup 2025.
The game is scheduled at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, with a 3 PM IST start.
Team India Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud
South Africa Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (C), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Nondumiso Shangase, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune
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