India has officially confirmed a six-month exemption from US sanctions on Iran’s Chabahar Port, effective retrospectively from The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the exemption ensures uninterrupted Indian operations at the port, which plays a crucial role in connecting India with Afghanistan and Central Asia through the Indian Ocean. India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) had signed a 10-year, $370 million deal with Iran to develop the port’s Shahid Beheshti terminal. Cha

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi kicked off his Bihar election campaign with a fiery speech in Muzaffarpur, where he launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Drawing attention to the recently concluded Chhath Puja, Gandhi mocked the Prime Minister for taking a dip in a “specially made pond” while devotees in Delhi prayed in a polluted Yamuna. “If you tell Narendra Modi to dance for votes, he will dance on stage,” he quipped, accusing the PM of doing anything for politic

India is working closely with Thailand to repatriate around 500 Indian nationals detained after escaping a Chinese mafia-run cybercrime hub in Myanmar’s KK Park, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The operation follows a Myanmar junta raid on the compound last week, which forced hundreds of trafficked workers including Indians to cross into Thailand’s Mae Sot region, where they are currently under detention. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that India plans to send

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc during his rallies in Darbhanga, Begusarai, and Samastipur, mocking Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sonia Gandhi for allegedly promoting dynastic politics. Shah claimed that both leaders wanted to make their sons Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar Chief Minister and Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister but “both posts were not vacant.” His remark sparked strong reactions as the BJP intensified its campaign ahead of the Bihar Assembly electio

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

India is set to launch Trishul 2025, a major military exercise off the coast of Gujarat beginning October 30, focusing on the Rann of Kutch and the Sir Creek region. The Army has deployed tanks, armed helicopters, and missile units, while the Navy has stationed frigates and destroyers, and the Air Force has sent Su-30MKIs and Rafales. The exercise covers a swathe of north-west Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan until November 10, amid rising tensions with Pakistan, which has expanded military inf

Many Indians who migrate abroad continue to maintain strong financial ties with their home country through various savings and investment instruments, including the Public Provident Fund (PPF). However, once an individual’s residential status changes under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), different rules come into play. The guidelines determine whether Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can hold or operate PPF accounts and how the proceeds are managed upon maturity. Under exis

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has sharply criticised the United Nations, saying the global body has become increasingly ineffective and paralysed by internal divisions. Speaking in New Delhi at the release of a commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Jaishankar said the organisation’s decision-making has failed to reflect the realities of its membership or the priorities of the modern world. He emphasised that meaningful reforms are

Satellite imagery from US-based intelligence firms and open-source analysts has revealed a major new Chinese air-defence complex near the India border in Tibet’s Gar County. The facility, located roughly 65 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and facing India’s Nyoma airfield, includes command buildings, vehicle sheds, radar positions, and hardened munition storage. The most notable feature is a cluster of covered missile launch positions believed to be equipped with retractable roof

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the long-standing Kafala system, a major labour reform hailed as a landmark shift for millions of migrant workers across the Gulf region. The decision marks a new chapter in the kingdom’s ongoing transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, an ambitious roadmap to modernize the economy, attract foreign investment, and improve the country’s global image. The Kafala system, which governed the relationship between empl

Japan made history on Tuesday as Sanae Takaichi was appointed the country’s first woman prime minister after a decisive vote in the lower house of parliament. Her elevation marks a groundbreaking moment in a nation where political and corporate leadership remains overwhelmingly male. Takaichi, a prominent conservative and known China hawk, secured 237 votes in the 465-member House of Representatives, crossing the majority threshold in the first round itself. She is expected to formally assu

Direct flights between Shanghai and New Delhi are set to resume from November 9 after a gap of nearly five years, marking a major step toward restoring travel and economic links between India and China. The airline operating the route has confirmed that ticket sales have already begun for the much-anticipated service, which is expected to benefit both business and leisure travelers. The decision follows a recent agreement between the two governments to normalize travel and trade connections, sig

Washington — U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday that India will no longer buy oil from Russia, asserting that the South Asian nation has already begun reducing its dependence on Moscow’s energy supplies. Speaking at the White House during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump said the move reflects a broader international effort to isolate Russia economically over its invasion of Ukraine. “India will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump

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

Hours after United States President Donald Trump asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that New Delhi would soon halt the purchase of oil from Russia, the Indian government issued a carefully worded statement reiterating its independent energy policy. The clarification underscored India’s commitment to protecting its national interests and consumers amid global price volatility, without directly confirming or denying Trump’s remarks. In a s

India has announced the reopening of its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, marking a significant step in restoring engagement with the Taliban-led government. The decision, revealed during a bilateral meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on October 10, represents the first high-level diplomatic dialogue between the two nations since the Taliban took power in August 2021. India had shut

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has rejected suggestions that India’s economy is struggling, emphasizing instead that the country is on a remarkable growth path. Speaking during his first official visit to India, he stated that India is well on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2028. His remarks came as he stood beside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praised India’s economic progress, describing it as one of the most inspiring growth stories in the world toda

India is rapidly emerging as an economic superpower, said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to Mumbai on Thursday. He highlighted that India, the world’s largest democracy, is on track to become the third-largest economy by 2028. “The United Kingdom is perfectly placed to be a partner in this journey,” Starmer said while addressing reporters in Mumbai. Earlier in the day, Keir Starme

Paul Kapur, a noted American academic and expert on South Asian security, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the United States government. Known for his hardline stance against Pakistan’s military establishment, Kapur’s appointment marks a significant shift in Washington’s regional approach, especially amid renewed tensions in South Asia. His selection comes as the US seeks to redefine its engagement with both India and Pakistan whil