n sync with PM Narendra Modi government’s religion diplomacy, which plays a pivotal role in its foreign policy, India has offered help to Vietnam to restore a Hindu temple in the country belonging to the Champ civilisation. The diplomacy comes at a time when Modi is visiting Vietnam capital Hanoi. The Myson temple has a striking resemblance to Indian temples built during the same period.

Saudi Arabia is eager to become a gateway to Japan and its culture in the Middle East as it seeks to deepen economic relations between the two nations [...] In an interview, he unveiled a plan for the state-run Saudi Press Agency to launch a Japanese-language website in December to promote information exchange between the two countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is in Delhi for talks, his second visit since he attended the India-Africa conference last October. In an e-mail interview to The Hindu’s Diplomatic Editor Suhasini Haidar, he speaks of cooperating with India on regional challenges from terror, indicating a shift from the critical line adopted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The two day (1-2 September) international conclave is attended by many distinguished scholars and participants from 70 nations. This year's theme will be 'Soft Power and Its Influence on Global Issues'. Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi delivered the key note speech while the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva delivered the introductory speech.

As the G20 summit in Beijing looms, the world’s great and upper-middleweight powers are primed for one of their best chances to flaunt, burnish and repair their global profiles. Canada has a steep hill to climb. [...] Trudeau has won the world over as few global leaders ever manage to.

The nation branding project will be discontinued in October in favour of an operation to promote the country. The announcement was made by Luxembourg's Secretary of State of the Economy at the opening of Luxembourg's first event dedicated to MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Events) tourism.