The Hindu is reporting that Pakistan is scheduled to host in-person talks between the United States and Iran on Friday, with the goal of solidifying a fragile ceasefire and preventing further escalation in West Asia. The U.S. and Iran had previously agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire. Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, confirmed Tehran's delegation participation, noting skepticism in Iran due to alleged ceasefire violations by Israel. He stated that the Iranian delegation would arrive in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran. The U.S. delegation, reportedly led by Vice President J.D. Vance, is also expected, though their arrival time has not been announced.
In other news, Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to take his oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, which is seen as a step towards the formation of a new government in Bihar. Kumar arrived in the national capital on Thursday.
The Congress party will convene a meeting of its working committee on Friday to discuss proposed amendments to the women's reservation law, a delimitation exercise, and the conflict in West Asia, according to sources.
The Telangana High Court has adjourned the hearing on a plea for anticipatory bail filed by Congress leader Pawan Khera to Friday. The case involves allegations Khera made against the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In sports, The Hindu reports that at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Hansika Lamba and Neha secured bronze medals. Meenakshi Goyat reached the final of the 53kg category. Several other Indian wrestlers are set to compete for medals on Friday.
Additionally, India's Under-19 girls' table tennis teams performed strongly, winning three team titles at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships qualifiers in Shimla. Bangladesh won the Under-19 boys' title. Singles and doubles events are scheduled to begin on Friday.
In boxing, Indian athletes, including Minakshi Hooda and Preeti Pawar, won gold medals at the Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar. Men's finals featuring Indian boxers Vishwanath Suresh and Sachin Siwach are scheduled for Friday.
Finally, in cricket, the Rajasthan Royals are set to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL match on Friday.