FirstUp: PM Modi embarks on 5-nation visit and more… Top news today

It is a busy Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for his eight-day visit to five countries. He will be travelling to Ghana, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, and Namibia.

The Amarnath Yatra is also beginning today. Security arrangements have been strengthened for the pilgrimage after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April.

From today until July 4, a Buddhist conference will take place in McLeodganj, Dharamshala. There is speculation that the Dalai Lama could name his successor in the coming days.

Wang Yi’s visit to the European Union is ongoing. He left for the trip on Monday.

England and India now move to Birmingham for the second Test in the five-match series.

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Let’s take a look at the events:

PM Modi to begin 5-nation tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins an eight-day visit to five countries today.

This will be one of his longest and most expansive foreign trips, taking him across two continents.

The last time PM Modi went on a similar five-country tour was in 2016, when he visited the USA, Mexico, Switzerland, Afghanistan and Qatar from June 4 to June 8.

This time, he will travel to Ghana, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, and Namibia from July 2 to July 9. The schedule includes a four-day stay in Brazil for the Brics summit.

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Today, he departs from Delhi for Ghana. This will be his first official visit to the country, and the first Prime Ministerial visit from India to Ghana in thirty years.

Buddhist religious conference begins in Dharamshala

A Buddhist religious gathering begins today in McLeodganj, Dharamshala, and will continue until July 4.

More than 100 Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders are expected to take part, and the Dalai Lama is set to share a video message, according to The Indian Express. American actor Richard Gere, who is a supporter of Tibetan Buddhism, may also attend.

The Dalai Lama turns 90 on July 6. Many believe he may soon reveal his successor, including whether the tradition of recognising a reincarnated Dalai Lama should continue.

He has said his next incarnation will be born in a “free world” and not within China.

China foreign minister Wang Yi in Europe

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi will continue his visit to the European Union, as China looks to strengthen ties with trading partners while facing tariff pressure from the United States.

He began his trip to Europe on Monday.

The visit includes stops at the EU headquarters in Brussels, as well as France and Germany.

However, tensions remain between the two sides, especially over trade. The EU runs a trade deficit of $357.1 billion with China, and Beijing’s close relationship with Moscow during the Ukraine war has also raised problems.

This is Wang’s first visit to Germany since the new conservative-led government took office in May.

In France, he is expected to meet Jean-Noel Barrot, the minister for Europe and foreign affairs, who travelled to China in March.

India vs England, 2nd Test

After a hard-fought opening match in Headingley, the second Test of the five-match series between India and England begins today in Birmingham.

The teams are competing for the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy.

The first Test saw five centuries and over 800 runs scored in total, but India fell short of victory.

Missed chances in the field, batting collapses, and a lack of experience in the bowling line-up gave England the edge, helping them chase down a target of 371.

Historically, the average first-innings score at Birmingham in Test matches is close to 320.

With inputs from agencies