Global Political Calendar: Japanese FM in Beijing, elections and more

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Japanese foreign minister visits China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) celebrates the Day of the Sun, world's largest election kicks off in Indonesia, and the second phase of polling starts in India.

Japanese FM visits China

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono is currently in China for an official visit from April 13 to 15 at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The pair will co-chair the 5th China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue, attend the opening ceremony of the "China-Japan Youth Exchange Promotion Year," and hold talks.

Officials from the two countries will also discuss macroeconomic policy, bilateral economic and trade relations, third-party market cooperation and innovation cooperation during the high-level economic dialogue.

DPRK's Day of the Sun

On April 15, the DPRK will celebrate the Day of the Sun, the 107th anniversary of the birth of the country's late founder Kim Il Sung, grandfather of Kim Jong Un. It is the country's most important national holiday with large-scale celebration events including mass dances and fireworks displays.

DPRK authorities usually invite large numbers of foreign journalists to parade events on this day, as well as diplomats and NGO workers resident in Pyongyang.

Whether Pyongyang will stage another parade this year remains unknown.

All in one day: Indonesia faces world's largest election

Indonesians will head to polls on April 17, which will be the world's largest election day, as for the first time up to 193 million Indonesians will vote for a president, vice president and legislatures across the country on the same day.

All eyes will be on incumbent Joko Widodo as he squares off once more against former army general Prabowo Subianto in what is expected to be a tight rematch of the last presidential race in 2014.

More than 300,000 candidates are now campaigning, competing for 20,528 seats in Indonesia's 34 provinces and more than 500 districts and municipalities.

Though formal results are expected to come out some weeks after the election, quick counts by some reputable polling companies will give indicative results on the evening of the voting day.

India's marathon election enters phase two

India's five-week long election is scheduled to be held in seven phases, starting from April 11. The second phase, due on April 18, will cover 97 constituencies across 13 states.

The election will see over 2,000 registered parties compete for the backing of around 900 million eligible voters to win seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. The winning party or coalition will nominate the prime minister.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won a majority in 2014, faces a resurgent Congress led by Rahul Gandhi. The final round of voting won't take place until May 19, with results expected on May 23.

Day-by-day

Monday: Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono continues his three-day visit to China, German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in Berlin.

Tuesday: South Korean President Moon Jae-in visits Turkmenistan (to April 18), Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman pays a working visit to Slovakia, Merkel welcomes Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov in Berlin.

Wednesday: Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Adbulaziz Al Saud visits Moscow, Indonesia elections kick off.

Thursday: Iran marks National Army Day, South Korean President Moon Jae-in visits Uzbekistan (to April 21), the second phase of polling starts in India, Estonia's President Kersti Kaljulaid visits Moscow.

Friday and Saturday: Quiet days in politics.

Sunday: South Korean President Moon Jae-in visits Kazakhstan (to April 23), Pakistan Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi visits Japan (to April 24), a presidential election is held in North Macedonia, the second round of Ukraine's presidential election kicks off.