 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, in Alberta, Canada. File image/PTI")
Are you prepared for a news-packed day? Wednesday, July 23, is set to be a busy, busy day in the world of news as well as sports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-nation tour to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 until July 26. Today, Russia and Ukraine are also all set to hold new peace talks as a follow-up to the two rounds of peace talks held in Istanbul. Also, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on July 23, German government spokesperson Steffen Meyer said.
In India, the funeral of VS Achuthanandan, Kerala’s former chief minister, will be held today. Moreover, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct a major, large-scale exercise in Rajasthan along the India-Pakistan border. Owing to this, a Notice to Airmen (Notam) has been issued in connection with the exercise.
Today, also marks the start of the fourth Test match between India and England scheduled to be played in Manchester.
Here’s what to expect from this very busy Wednesday.
Modi embarks on UK visit
Starting today, July 23, PM Modi will begin his two-nation tour to the United Kingdom and Maldives. The Ministry of External Affairs said that Modi’s visit to UK comes at the invitation of his British counterpart, Keir Starmer. This will be PM Modi’s fourth visit to the nation since assuming office in 2014.
“The PM will embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom tomorrow, 23rd July, for discussions with Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will also call upon King Charles III. Interaction is also planned with the business leaders, both from India and the UK. This will be Prime Minister’s fourth visit to the UK since assuming office,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced.
Modi’s visit to UK will see him signing the much-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Moreover, he will hold wide-ranging discussions with Starmer on the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations, including the issue of Khalistani elements on British soil.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsRussia-Ukraine peace talks
On Wednesday, a third round of ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is set to take place in Istanbul, Turkey. This comes after previous talks in May and June failed to yield any results.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that talks will be held today.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has downplayed any chances of a positive outcome from the meeting. The Russian side said on Tuesday that there was no basis to expect miracles from a proposed third round of direct Russian-Ukrainian peace talks, and declined to give any time frame for a potential agreement to end the war.
Macron to meet Germany’s Merz in Berlin
French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday in Berlin, where the two will discuss the 30 per cent tariffs Trump has threatened on all EU goods if no agreement is reached.
The two leaders, according to a report in Le Monde, will also discuss nuclear energy at the meeting today. The meeting is intended to lay the groundwork for the Franco-German Council of Ministers, planned for late August.
France has long advocated that nuclear energy should not be penalised in Brussels, as atomic power accounts for nearly 70 per cent of its primary energy production. After years of fierce debate between Berlin and Paris, France hopes for a policy shift with the return of conservatives to power in Germany, especially since Merz presented himself as a staunch supporter of nuclear energy.
IAF to hold exercises in Rajasthan
A Notice to Airmen (Notam) has been issued for a large-scale Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise scheduled for July 23–25 in Rajasthan along the India-Pakistan border.
According to sources, the Indian Air Force is set to carry out a major military exercise in Rajasthan, covering areas from Barmer to Jodhpur.
“The exercise is scheduled to take place in Rajasthan near the International Border, is part of the IAF’s regular operational readiness drills. It could be between two or three commands of IAF. We keep issuing Notam during such exercise to keep airspace cleared of any civilian aircraft,” said the official.
The intensive drill will including frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30 aircraft, along with air-defence system and support systems. The drill will also involve preparedness during night operations.
VS Achuthanandan’s funeral in Kerala
The state of Kerala in India is in mourning after news broke that former chief minister and Communist stalwart VS Achuthanandan passed away. Achuthanandan, known widely as VS, will be cremated today at the Valiyachudukadu funeral ground in his home district of Alappuzha.
Earlier on Monday, his remains were kept at the party’s former state headquarters, AKG Study Centre, in Thiruvananthapuram before being taken to his house.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said VS’s death marked the end of an era. “His death is a loss for the party and the state. His life was a remarkable chapter in the history of Kerala as well as of the revolutionary movement. He has been a symbol of struggle, unflinching determination and uncompromising fighting spirit. As chief minister, he had been instrumental in taking Kerala forward. He got involved in several issues, including human rights, women’s rights and the environment. He played a crucial role in bringing several social issues to mainstream politics,” Vijayan said.
India take on England in fourth Test match
The historic Old Trafford ground in Manchester will play host to the penultimate Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy from Wednesday.
While India strive to bounce back from their painstaking defeat at Lord’s and draw level at 2-2, the hosts will aim to seal the fate of the series with a decisive lead.
However, things won’t be easy for the Indian side. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder while Arshdeep Singh will also miss it due to injury.
England, meanwhile, has made just one change to their squad; Liam Lawson will replace Shoaib Bashir, who has also been ruled out of the remainder due to finger injury sustained in the 3rd Test.
The match will start today at 3.30 pm IST.
With inputs from agencies