India has confirmed that it is actively engaging with the United States to ensure the continuity of its operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port under an existing sanctions waiver that remains valid until April 26, 2026. The discussions come amid the strategic significance New Delhi attaches to the port as a key gateway for regional connectivity, trade, and humanitarian assistance. Speaking on the matter,

The United States State Department is preparing to pause visa processing for applicants from approximately 75 countries beginning January 21, according to an internal departmental directive. The measure instructs consular officers to deny visa applications under existing immigration law while the department conducts a broad reassessment of screening and vetting standards. The pause is described as indefinite, with only very limited exceptions expected during the review period. The c

​Warships from China, Russia and Iran arrived in South African waters on Friday to participate in a week-long multinational naval exercise off the coast of Cape Town, drawing attention amid heightened global tensions and renewed scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign policy positioning. The exercise, titled “Will for Peace 2026,” is being conducted under the framework of the BRICS group of emerging economies and is scheduled to continue until next Friday. South Africa’s armed forces sa

India has ushered in a new phase of insurance regulation with Parliament clearing the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, a move that comes at a time when trust between insurers and policyholders is increasingly strained. For millions of Indians, insurance is ultimately judged not by policy documents or premium receipts but by the ease and fairness of claim settlement. Delays, repeated document requests, late-stage exclusions, and opaque rejections have long plag

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations and treaties, marking one of the most extensive reversals of US participation in global institutions in recent history. According to a White House memorandum, the administration determined that continued involvement in these bodies was contrary to the interests of the United States, citing concerns over sovereignty, ideological alignment, and financial comm

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

China on Wednesday strongly criticized reported United States demands aimed at reshaping Venezuela’s oil partnerships, calling the move an act of coercion that violates both national sovereignty and international law. Beijing’s response follows media reports that Washington has sought exclusive control over Venezuela’s oil sector as part of its political and economic engagement with the South American nation. Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spoke

US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Venezuela following a dramatic military operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that additional military action remains a possibility if the South American nation does not comply with US demands, signaling a sharp escalation in Washington’s posture toward the region. The operation, conducted

Russia sharply criticized the United States on Saturday following reports of a large-scale military strike on Venezuela, describing the operation as an act of armed aggression and warning that the situation risks further destabilization if restraint is not exercised. The condemnation came after a series of explosions were reported in Caracas in the early hours of the morning, raising fears of a major escalation in an already volatile geopolitical standoff. In a statement issued by t

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

India has closed the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka following growing security concerns and escalating diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh. The decision was taken after intelligence inputs warned of threats from extremist elements and provocative statements made by certain Bangladeshi political leaders. The closure reflects India’s increasing concern over the safety of its diplomatic missions and personnel in the neighbouring country. The Indian Visa Application Centre lo

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation on Thursday, December 11, as confirmed by US Ambassador Sergio Gor. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi expressed his support for President Trump’s ongoing efforts to help bring peace to Ukraine. The call comes at a time when both nations are navigating trade tensions following the United States’ decision earlier this year to impose a 50% tariff on select Indian goods. According to

The Reserve Bank of India has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it down from 5.5% to 5.25%. This marks a total reduction of 125 basis points in 2025, sparking fresh hope among homebuyers for affordable loan EMIs as banks prepare to revise lending rates. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which met on December 3, 4 and 5, voted unanimously after assessing inflation control, liquidity status and growth expectations. Governor Sanjay Malhotra confirmed the move, addin

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly defended the Taliban government's right to maintain political and economic relations with India, pushing back against Pakistan’s criticism over Kabul-Delhi engagement. Speaking at a conference in Kabul, Muttaqi dismissed Islamabad's accusations that India supports anti-Pakistan groups, calling them inconsistent and politically motivated. He reminded that Pakistan itself maintains diplomatic presence in New Delhi with act

India has been elevated to major power status in the Asia Power Index 2025, marking a significant milestone in New Delhi’s expanding global profile. The latest edition of the Index places India third in its overall ranking, behind only the United States and China, reflecting a steady enhancement of the country’s economic strength, military capability and regional influence. The ranking signals a turning point for India, which has long sought to consolidate its role as a central player in

India is preparing for one of its busiest wedding seasons, with nearly 46 lakh weddings expected in 2025 and spending projected at around Rs 6.5 lakh crore. As celebrations grow grander, Indian weddings often resemble Bollywood productions with choreographed sangeets, elaborate décor and multi-day festivities. But with budgets crossing Rs 30–35 lakh for most weddings, and luxury ceremonies easily exceeding Rs 1 crore, families are pouring unprecedented amounts into these events. With such

Tensions between China and Japan escalated sharply this week after Beijing delivered a series of unusually forceful warnings against any potential Japanese involvement in the Taiwan Strait. China’s defence ministry declared that Japan would face what it called a crushing defeat at the hands of the People’s Liberation Army if Tokyo attempted to intervene militarily in a Taiwan conflict. The warning, issued on Friday, followed a similar statement from China’s foreign ministry a day earlie

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