Japan’s incoming Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to appoint Takeshi Iwaya, a former Defence Minister, as his Foreign Minister. Ishiba is also considering Yoshihide Suga, a former Prime Minister, for the position of LDP Vice President. The new cabinet is expected to be formed this week, with Katsunobu Kato likely to be named Finance Minister and Yoshimasa Hayashi retaining his position as Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday during the latter’s official visit to the country. The meeting comes amid ongoing discussions about global energy markets and international relations.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has nominated Abbas Araqchi, a seasoned diplomat and former chief negotiator in nuclear talks with world powers, as the country’s new foreign minister. The nomination is subject to approval by the Iranian parliament, which will review the nominated cabinet members over the next week.
Former Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh passed away on Saturday at the age of 92. Singh was a career diplomat and held numerous important positions, including India’s ambassador to Pakistan and Minister of External Affairs. He was also a prolific author.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and several others were tragically killed in a helicopter crash on Monday. The incident occurred during an hours-long search in a foggy, mountainous area in the northwest of Iran, according to state media. Raisi has long been considered a potential successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A fatal helicopter crash has claimed the lives of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, along with other high-ranking officials. The helicopter, carrying the president and his entourage, crash-landed in a mountainous region of East Azerbaijan province, resulting in the tragic loss of all passengers.
On April 8, Moosa Zameer, the Foreign Minister of the Maldives, arrived in India for an official visit. Zameer expressed his anticipation for productive discussions and experiencing India’s vibrant culture. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) welcomed Zameer’s visit and stated that discussions on bilateral and regional issues were scheduled. The visit is a testament to the close maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives, and it is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, has strongly condemned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for failing to hold Hamas accountable for sexual violence committed during conflicts. In a report submitted to the UN Security Council, the omission of Hamas from the list of groups suspected of sexual violence has drawn the ire of the Israeli government.
