Odesa attack on Indians, Nepal policy shifts and Typhoon deaths mark Sunday

A vessel carrying four Indians was attacked at Odesa as Nepal sought easier travel and currency rules with India. The day's developments also brought Typhoon deaths in China, Beijing's outreach to Maldives and a Berlin manhunt.

In Short

• Indian Embassy said two crew members were safe, two remained untraced
• Nepal asked India to accept national identity cards for cross-border travel
• Kathmandu restored entry and exit of Rs 200 and Rs 500 notes

A series of developments across Europe and Asia on Sunday included an attack on a merchant vessel carrying Indians at Ukraine's Odesa port, policy moves by Nepal on travel and currency with India, deaths caused by Typhoon Noul in China, a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, and a manhunt in Germany after a deadly van-ramming near Berlin's Pride festival.

The Indian Embassy in Kyiv said two of the four Indians on board the vessel at Odesa are safe, while the fate of the other two was not known. In Nepal, authorities sought India's recognition of the National Identity Card as a valid travel document and also eased long-standing curbs on Indian currency notes. In China, Typhoon Noul left 10 people dead in Guangdong, while in Germany police issued a wanted notice for a suspect after one person was killed and at least 16 others were injured.

A merchant vessel with four Indians aboard came under attack at Ukraine's Odesa port, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv said. It said two of the Indians are safe, while the fate of the other two is not known.

In Nepal, a senior official said the country has requested India to recognise the National Identity Card as a valid travel document for Nepali citizens visiting India. If accepted, the card can be used alongside the existing citizenship certificate and passport.

Nepal also allowed Indian and Nepali nationals to bring into or take out of the country Indian currency notes of Rs 200 and Rs 500 denominations. The move ends a restriction that had remained in place for nearly a decade, under which only notes of up to Rs 100 denomination were permitted after India's 2016 demonetisation.

In China, 10 people were killed in rain-triggered floods after Typhoon Noul made landfall early Sunday in the southern province of Guangdong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also greeted Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on the country's 61st independence anniversary and said Beijing wants to advance a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Male.

In Germany, authorities issued a wanted notice for a fugitive suspect in the van-ramming near Berlin's Pride festival. The attack left one person dead and injured at least 16 others.

Overall, the day saw a mix of security, diplomatic and weather-related developments, including concern over the Indians aboard the vessel at Odesa, Nepal's moves on travel and currency with India, fatalities from Typhoon Noul in China, China's outreach to the Maldives, and the continuing hunt for a suspect in Germany.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends