Nepal Prime Minister Balen Shah is preparing to meet the ambassadors of India and China this week, marking a significant shift in his diplomatic approach after completing his first 100 days in office. The move comes after Shah followed a self-imposed rule of avoiding one-on-one meetings with foreign envoys, choosing instead to engage ambassadors only in group interactions. According to official information reported by The Kathmandu Post and dipl

India has strongly raised concerns over the safety of its merchant seafarers after four Indian crew members were killed in a Russian missile strike on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila. The discussion highlighted India's demand for better protection of civilian merchant mar

Iran sanctions block long-term economic growth, according to a senior Iranian official who says the country cannot achieve sustainable development without reconnecting to the global financial system. While temporary measures have kept trade moving, officials argue that lasting economic progress requires renewed access to international banking, investment and financial markets.

Meloni pushes back amid US controversy Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has responded to recent tensions with US President Donald Trump, stating that she is not anti-American but also refuses to be “kneeling” in political relationships. Her remarks come amid an ongoing public exchange that has drawn attention to the state of Italy–US relations and broader Western unity. Meloni stressed that her posit

Reports emerging from diplomatic channels suggest that Iran has extended formal communication to India regarding participation in upcoming state-level funeral and memorial ceremonies linked to its top leadership structure. While official confirmation from either government remains limited, the development is being viewed as part of ongoing West Asia diplomatic engagement. India reviews representation strategy

Giorgia Meloni rejected Donald Trump’s G7 photo claim on Friday, June 19, 2026, calling the account “completely made up.” The dispute has since moved beyond a personal exchange, with Italy’s foreign minister canceling a planned visit to the United States. The Italian prime minister responded after Trump told Italian broadcaster La7 that she had strongly wanted a photograph with him during the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, held from Monday, June 15, through Wednesday

US VP Vance Confronts Israeli Critics on Iran Deal US Vice President JD Vance delivered a sharp warning to Israeli cabinet ministers on Thursday, June 18,2026 regarding their public criticisms of the US-Iran agreement. Speaking at a White House briefing, Vance underscored that the United States remains Israel’s primary ally and cautioned that attacking Washington could undermine national interests. Alleged Misreading of US Support Vance em

Marco Rubio’s India visit became more than a routine diplomatic tour. The US Secretary of State’s trip brought together serious India-US discussions, Quad cooperation, regional security concerns, critical minerals strategy and public attention around India’s extreme summer heat. Rubio visited India from May 23 to May 26, 2026, with his schedule covering Kolkata, Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. His visit came at a time when Washington and New Delhi were trying to stren

Historic Summit Marks a New Phase for US-China Relations On Thursday, May 14, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump to Beijing for a high-stakes summit, marking a critical moment in the evolving relationship between the two global powers. Xi set the tone for the summit by stressing the importance of cooperation over confrontation, calling for a stable US-China relationship as a foundation for global stability. “A stable China-US relationship is a

Trump repost triggers diplomatic unease between US and India A social media post by Donald Trump has drawn criticism in India after he amplified remarks from a podcast that described the country in derogatory terms. The controversy prompted a swift response from U.S. officials seeking to stabilize diplomatic messaging and reaffirm bilateral ties. Podcast remarks by Michael Savage ignite backlash The controversy stems from comments made by American radio host Michael Savage, who, during an episode of his “Savage Nation” podcast, criticized U.S. birthright citizenship policies. In his remarks, Savage grouped India and China among nations he labeled negatively while arguing that immigration policies are being exploited. Trump reposted both a transcript and video clip of the segment, bringing wider attention to the remarks. The repost quickly circulated online, triggering criticism in India and raising concerns about its potential impact on U.S.-India relations. US Embassy reiterates strong bilateral partnership In response, the U.S. Embassy in India issued a statement emphasizing the strength of ties between Washington and New Delhi. A spokesperson clarified that Trump has previously described India as “a great country” and referred to its leadership in positive terms, signaling an effort to contain diplomatic fallout. India responds cautiously through official channels India’s Ministry of External Affairs reacted with measured restraint. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged awareness of the reports but declined to elaborate further, reflecting a cautious diplomatic approach while avoiding escalation. Broader debate on immigration fuels controversy Savage’s podcast remarks were part of a broader critique of U.S. immigration law, particularly the principle of granting citizenship to children born in the country regardless of parental status. He argued that the system is vulnerable to misuse, specifically referencing immigrants from Asian countries. The episode also included criticism of the U.S. Supreme Court’s role in shaping birthright citizenship policy and called for a national referendum on the issue. However, the language used in describing immigrants and foreign nations drew widespread condemnation, shifting focus from policy debate to diplomatic sensitivity. The incident highlights how political messaging and media amplification can quickly influence international relations, particularly between longstanding partners like the United States and India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to undertake a two-day visit to Israel from February 25 to 26, according to sources familiar with the development. The programme for the trip is currently being finalised, but officials indicate that the visit will include high-level engagements aimed at strengthening the already robust India–Israel partnership. During the visit, Modi is likely to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, where discussions are expected to focus on key bilateral an

India’s national security advisor Ajit Doval conveyed a firm message to senior United States officials months before the announcement of a new trade agreement between New Delhi and Washington, underscoring that India would not yield to public pressure or coercive tactics during negotiations. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Doval made it clear during meetings in Washington that India was prepared to wait out the current US administration if necessary rather than accept terms it viewed as unfavorable. The visit took place in early September, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, signaling an active diplomatic phase for New Delhi across major global powers. During his interaction with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Doval reportedly emphasized that while India remained committed to reviving trade talks, it expected a more measured tone from Washington and less public criticism that could complicate bilateral ties. Officials said Doval sought to put recent acrimony behind the two countries and expressed interest in restarting substantive discussions on a trade deal that has been under negotiation for several years. At the same time, he warned that India would not be “bullied” by President Donald Trump or senior members of his team, stressing that any agreement must respect India’s economic interests and strategic autonomy. The remarks came months before Trump publicly announced progress on a trade deal with India following a phone call with Modi on February 2. That announcement marked a fresh attempt by both sides to rebuild momentum in economic cooperation after a period marked by tariff disputes and disagreements over market access. Diplomatic observers note that India’s approach reflects a broader foreign policy strategy that balances engagement with firmness. By signaling willingness to continue talks while resisting overt pressure, New Delhi appears intent on safeguarding domestic priorities while preserving its long-term partnership with Washington. The United States remains one of India’s largest trading partners, and both governments view closer economic integration as central to strengthening strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific. The Washington meeting is seen as part of quiet backchannel diplomacy aimed at lowering tensions and creating space for practical negotiations. With both sides now indicating readiness to resume dialogue, officials say the focus will be on rebuilding trust and advancing a mutually beneficial trade framework that supports growth and stability in the relationship.

Spain has formally joined India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, marking a significant diplomatic development that strengthens India’s expanding leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region and deepens cooperation with European partners. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares handed over Spain’s Declaration of Accession to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi earlier this week, officially confirming Spain’s entry into the India-led framework launched in 2019. The m

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said he held a constructive and wide-ranging discussion with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on key areas of bilateral and strategic cooperation between the two countries. The conversation reflected the ongoing engagement between New Delhi and Washington as both sides continue to strengthen ties across multiple sectors of mutual interest. In a message shared on social media platform X, Jaishankar described the interaction as a “good conversation,” noting that the talks covered important subjects including trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence collaboration and energy security. These areas have emerged as central pillars of the evolving India-US partnership, particularly in the context of shifting global economic and geopolitical dynamics. The discussion on trade and economic engagement comes at a time when both countries are exploring ways to deepen supply chain resilience and expand market access. Cooperation on critical minerals has gained added importance amid global efforts to secure resources essential for advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies and strategic industries. Nuclear cooperation and defence ties were also part of the agenda, underscoring the growing convergence in security interests and technological collaboration. Energy cooperation featured prominently in the talks, reflecting shared priorities related to energy security, sustainability and long-term growth. India and the United States have increasingly worked together on conventional and clean energy initiatives, including efforts to address climate challenges while meeting rising energy demands. Jaishankar said both sides agreed to remain in close touch on these and other issues, signalling continuity in diplomatic engagement and policy coordination. The exchange highlights the emphasis placed by both governments on maintaining regular dialogue to address global challenges, regional stability and economic opportunities. The conversation forms part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to reinforce the strategic partnership between India and the United States, which continues to expand across political, economic and security domains.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told American lawmakers on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is seeking to acquire Greenland through negotiations rather than through any immediate use of military force. The remarks were delivered during a closed-door briefing with congressional leaders, according to reports familiar with the discussion. Rubio attempted to reassure lawmakers that the administration’s current approach is centered on diplomacy, even as debate over Greenland has intensifi

India on Monday strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations of mistreatment of religious minorities, asserting that Islamabad lacks the moral authority to comment on such matters given its own record. Responding to remarks from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, New Delhi said attempts to highlight alleged incidents in India cannot mask Pakistan’s well-documented history of systemic discrimination and persecution of minorities. The response came after Pakistani Foreign Affairs spokespers

Israel has become the first member of the United Nations to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking a significant diplomatic development for the self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa. The announcement ends decades of international non-recognition for Somaliland, which has operated as a separate political entity since breaking away from Somalia in 1991 following a prolonged civil conflict. The recognition was formalised on Friday when Isr

New Delhi: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the American sanctions imposed on Iran will not affect the Chabahar Port project, a critical component of India’s regional connectivity and trade strategy. The confirmation underscores New Delhi’s commitment to maintaining strategic investments in the port, even as it continues its dialogue with the United States on broader trade and diplomatic issues. The Chabahar Port, located on Iran’s southeastern c

During his official visit to Japan on Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump met with the families of Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korea several decades ago. The emotional meeting took place in Tokyo, where relatives of the victims shared their ongoing struggle for answers and appealed for international cooperation to bring their loved ones home. President Trump expressed deep sympathy and reaffirmed Washington’s full and unwavering support for Japan’s efforts to re

India is once again at the center of global diplomatic attention after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil imports. The Indian government swiftly denied the statement, emphasizing that its energy decisions are made independently and based solely on national interest. This move highlights New Delhi’s determination to maintain strategic autonomy amid increasing international pressure. Over the past two years