Japan Minister Visits India as Makarim Verdict Looms, South Korea Eyes Megaprojects

Japan's Minister of State for Economic and Security Cooperation, Sanae Takaichi, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a two-day visit. The trip aims to strengthen bilateral ties in technology and infrastructure, with a focus on joint projects in the Indo-Pacific region. Meanwhile, Indonesia is awaiting a court verdict in the trial of former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, widely known as "Ahok." Purnama is charged with blasphemy against Islam, a case that has sparked mass protests and drawn international attention to religious freedom in the country. In South Korea, the government has announced plans for several megaprojects, including a high-speed rail link between Seoul and the southern port city of Busan. The initiative is part of a broader effort to boost economic growth and reduce regional disparities. The project is expected to cost over 20 trillion won and create thousands of jobs.