Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose on Monday as investors awaited talks between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 0.77 per cent to a record high of 43,714.31, driven by consumer cyclicals, healthcare and industrials. The broader Topix index added 0.43 per cent to 3,120.96. South Korea's Kospi slipped 1.5 per cent to 3,177.28, breaking a two-session winning streak, while the Kosdaq fell 2.11 per cent to 798.05. China's CSI 300 rose 0.88 per cent to 4,239.41, its highest level since October 2024, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 0.37 per cent to 25,176.85. Taiwan's Taiex advanced 0.61 per cent to 24,482.52, topping its previous record close in July 2024. In India, the Nifty 50 index rose 1.21 per cent and the BSE Sensex gained 1.06 per cent as of 1:40 p.m. IST, amid reports the government plans to cut the goods and services tax on small petrol and diesel cars to 18 per cent from 28 per cent. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.23 per cent higher to 8,959.39, paring earlier gains after hitting an intra-day peak. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
