FirstUp: PM Modi in Bhutan, Phase 2 of Bihar election... The headlines of the day

It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Bhutan to strengthen ties with its neighbouring nation. Meanwhile, the second phase of the Bihar election polls will take place today.

EAM S Jaishankar will be in Canada to attend the G7 foreign ministers ’ meeting. Iraq’s parliamentary elections will take place today. The world will mark Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I.

Here is all that is set to take place across the world today.

PM Modi in Bhutan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Bhutan from today. The focus will remain on strengthening cooperation in energy, infrastructure and development projects and reinforcing its special ties with the country amidst China’s bid to increase its influence in the region.

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi and King of Bhutan  Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk will inaugurate the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed jointly by the two governments.

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PM Modi will be present for the grand festivities marking the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King of Bhutan. But beyond the royal celebration, he will be sitting down for high-level bilateral talks with his counterpart, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, to strengthen the close friendship between our nations.

Bihar phase II elections will begin

The second phase of polling for the Bihar Assembly elections will take place today. The electoral fortunes of 1,302 candidates will be sealed today, with 3.70 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 Assembly segments.

The districts going to the polls include West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj, and all those sharing borders with Nepal. Votes will be cast at 45,399 polling stations, of which 40,073 fall in rural areas. Over half of the electorate (2.28 crore) is aged between 30 and 60 years. Only 7.69 lakh are in the 18-19 years age group.

Bihar recorded its “highest-ever” voter turnout as the first phase of the Assembly election ended with 64.66 per cent votes polled.

Jaishankar in Canada for G7 foreign ministers’ meet

EAM S Jaishankar will be visiting Canada today to attend the G7 foreign ministers’ meet. The visit comes less than a month after Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s two-day trip to New Delhi.

The relationship has been deeply chilled by the diplomatic crisis that unfolded in 2023 and 2024 while Justin Trudeau was in office. Now, with a new chapter opening, leaders on both sides are making the difficult choice to move past that low point and get things back on track.

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He will be attending the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meet in Ontario’s Niagara region on November 11-12. The focus will remain on global security, economic resilience and international cooperation.

Iraq parliamentary elections

Iraqis will elect a new parliament on Tuesday, which will be a key test for Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Early voting came to an end on Sunday (November 9) with a voter turnout of 82.42 per cent.

Candidates are vying for 329 seats, including nine reserved for minorities.  The incumbent Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is seeking a second term with his “Reconstruction and Development” coalition, campaigning on improved public services and national stability. He faces competition from other major blocs like the State of Law coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki, Kurdish parties (KDP and PUK), and Sunni alliances.

Armistice Day to take place

Armistice Day will be marked across the Commonwealth and the United States. The day is marked by solemn ceremonies and moments of reflection to honour the end of World War I hostilities and commemorate the sacrifices of all who have served in conflicts since.

Communities, workplaces, and public squares across the nation observe a two-minute silence at 11 am while parades, memorial services, and wreath-laying ceremonies are held in local towns in the United Kingdom. In America, official ceremonies, such as the one in Norfolk, Virginia, often include the laying of wreaths to commemorate fallen service members.

With inputs from agencies