Before the start of the eighth edition of the men's T20 World Cup, in Australia, here's looking at a list of players who have won the Man-of-the-Tournament awards in the mega event

From Shahid Afridi to David Warner: Player of the Tournament winners in T20 WC history

All women, married or unmarried, will have the right to safe and legal abortion - A historic ruling by the Supreme Court of India. Provisions of India’s abortion law now includes the word "partner" instead of "husband".

India's Apex Court: All women, married or unmarried, will have the right to safe and legal abortion

India's Apex Court: All women, married or unmarried, will have the right to safe and legal

The Covid pandemic is all part over, restrictions have been lifted ant the world is ready to travel again but if you want to visit the United States, it looks like you will have to wait till 2024, here's why!

Want a US visa? Wait till 2024! Indians fume at 800-day waiting period

Swedish defence products firm SAAB recently announced that its Carl-Gustaf M4 rocket launcher will be manufactured in India, a country where the Gustaf has been in use since decades. What’s special about this weapons system? Why is it so famous and feared? What’s India’s history with the Carl-Gustaf? Let’s get into it...

Carl-Gustaf M4 | The most feared weapons system to be made in India

Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari&nbsp;said on Wednesday that the relations between Pakistan and the United States are no longer linked to India or Afghanistan. Bhutto is currently in the United States for discussions over enhanced trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.&nbsp;

“Not only I am pleasantly surprised, but I am absolutely impressed by the new foreign policy approach of the US towards Pakistan,” Bilawal said at Washington DC-based think-tank, Woodrow Wilson Centre.&nbsp;

“There is also an increased feeling in our [Pak-US] interaction that we are no longer hyphenated – Afghanistan-Pak or Pak-India. Only Pak-US that’s a good thing,” he added.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-and-pacific-island-nations-agree-to-declaration-of-partnership-says-blinken-520760">United States and Pacific island nations agree to ‘declaration of partnership’</a>

Bhutto also launched an attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he said that India has changed a lot since 2010. He said that Modi is not like his predecessors Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh and even talked about the 2002 riots in Gujarat.&nbsp;

He also said that the reaction from India in the aftermath of United States’ decision to give $450 million to upgrade Pakistan’s fleet of F-16 aircraft did not surprise&nbsp;him.&nbsp;

“Obviously, Indians are going to be upset, let them be,&nbsp;kiya karein&nbsp;(what do we do),”&nbsp;he said.&nbsp;

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar had criticised the US decision regarding the F-16 fighter jets and said that the relationship between the US and Pakistan has not served both countries well.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-ready-to-offer-any-help-needed-to-resolve-the-visa-backlog-problem-mea-jaishankar-tells-us-520788" hreflang="en">India ready to help US resolve the visa backlog problem, says MEA Jaishankar</a>

“Everybody knows where and against whom F-16 fighter jets are used. You're not fooling anybody by saying these things. Very honestly, it is a relationship that has ended up serving neither Pakistan nor serving American interests well... for the US to reflect what the merits of the relationship [are] and what they get by keeping it sort of continuing,” Jaishankar said at a community event in Washington.&nbsp;

United States was quick to respond as state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the White House doesn’t view its ties with New Delhi&nbsp;and Islamabad "in relation to one another”.&nbsp;

"We don't view our relationship with Pakistan... our relationship with India... in relation to one another... both partners of ours with different points of emphasis...," he said. 
&nbsp;

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Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that the relations between Pakistan and the United States are no longer linked to India or Afghanistan.

Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that the relations between Pakistan and the United States are no longer linked to India or Afghanistan. Bhutto is currently in the United States for discussions over enhanced trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. “Not only I am pleasantly surprised, but I am absolutely impressed by the new foreign policy approach of the US towards Pakistan,” Bilawal said at Washington DC-based think-tank, Woodrow Wilson Centre. “There is also an increased feeling in our [Pak-US] interaction that we are no longer hyphenated – Afghanistan-Pak or Pak-India. Only Pak-US that’s a good thing,” he added. Also read | United States and Pacific island nations agree to ‘declaration of partnership’ Bhutto also launched an attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he said that India has changed a lot since 2010. He said that Modi is not like his predecessors Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh and even talked about the 2002 riots in Gujarat. He also said that the reaction from India in the aftermath of United States’ decision to give $450 million to upgrade Pakistan’s fleet of F-16 aircraft did not surprise him. “Obviously, Indians are going to be upset, let them be, kiya karein (what do we do),” he said. Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar had criticised the US decision regarding the F-16 fighter jets and said that the relationship between the US and Pakistan has not served both countries well. Also read | India ready to help US resolve the visa backlog problem, says MEA Jaishankar “Everybody knows where and against whom F-16 fighter jets are used. You're not fooling anybody by saying these things. Very honestly, it is a relationship that has ended up serving neither Pakistan nor serving American interests well... for the US to reflect what the merits of the relationship [are] and what they get by keeping it sort of continuing,” Jaishankar said at a community event in Washington. United States was quick to respond as state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the White House doesn’t view its ties with New Delhi and Islamabad "in relation to one another”. "We don't view our relationship with Pakistan... our relationship with India... in relation to one another... both partners of ours with different points of emphasis...," he said.

Pak-US ties no longer linked to India, Afghanistan: Foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto

India has reportedly signed a $250 million deal to export arms and ammunition to Armenia, which is currently engaged in a tense stand-off with its neighbour Azerbaijan.&nbsp;

According to the Economic Times newspaper, India will be sending indigenously developed multi-barrel Pinaka launchers, anti-tank rockets, and other range of ammunitions to the former Soviet region.&nbsp;

﻿The Pinaka system has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is manufactured by Indian private firms. &nbsp;

The rocket system, which is currently in service with the Indian Army,&nbsp;can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds.&nbsp;

Though this is the first time that India is exporting Pinaka missile system to another country, the south Asia nation has already exported weapons to Armenia.&nbsp;

In 2020, India had bagged a $43 million deal to supply four Swathi radars to Armenia. &nbsp;

These are weapon locating radars that can track incoming artillery projectiles and pinpoint the location of enemy gun positions for counter-action. &nbsp;

India has been looking to boost its arms exports and has taken various measures to enhance domestic production under its ‘Make in India’ policy.&nbsp;The Centre has set a target to sell weapon systems worth Rs 35,000 crore overseas by 2025.

Notably, there has been an exponential increase in defence exports. In 2020-21, India exported&nbsp;equipment worth&nbsp;$90 million compared to&nbsp;$23 million in 2014-15. &nbsp;

In January this year, India inked a $375 million deal with the Philippines to provide the BrahMos cruise missile to the country’s navy. &nbsp;

The Philippines navy will use this as an anti-ship shore-based missile that has a range of 290-km.&nbsp;

BrahMos missile was jointly made by India's DRDO&nbsp;and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

India has reportedly signed a $250 million deal to export arms and ammunition to Armenia, which is currently engaged in a tense stand-off with its neighbour Azerbaijan.

India has reportedly signed a $250 million deal to export arms and ammunition to Armenia, which is currently engaged in a tense stand-off with its neighbour Azerbaijan. According to the Economic Times newspaper, India will be sending indigenously developed multi-barrel Pinaka launchers, anti-tank rockets, and other range of ammunitions to the former Soviet region. ﻿The Pinaka system has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is manufactured by Indian private firms. The rocket system, which is currently in service with the Indian Army, can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Though this is the first time that India is exporting Pinaka missile system to another country, the south Asia nation has already exported weapons to Armenia. In 2020, India had bagged a $43 million deal to supply four Swathi radars to Armenia. These are weapon locating radars that can track incoming artillery projectiles and pinpoint the location of enemy gun positions for counter-action. India has been looking to boost its arms exports and has taken various measures to enhance domestic production under its ‘Make in India’ policy. The Centre has set a target to sell weapon systems worth Rs 35,000 crore overseas by 2025. Notably, there has been an exponential increase in defence exports. In 2020-21, India exported equipment worth $90 million compared to $23 million in 2014-15. In January this year, India inked a $375 million deal with the Philippines to provide the BrahMos cruise missile to the country’s navy. The Philippines navy will use this as an anti-ship shore-based missile that has a range of 290-km. BrahMos missile was jointly made by India's DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India to export Pinaka rocket launchers, ammunition to Armenia in $250m deal: Report

Tech giant Oracle has been fined $23 million by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for breaking the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The punishment was issued for funnelling money to corrupt officials in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and India.

World Business Watch: SEC fines Oracle $23 mn for bribing officials in India, Turkey, and UAE

Canada has released a travel advisory cautioning its citizens to not travel to the areas that share borders with Pakistan in Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan of India. Canada has given this advice to its people due to the presence of landmines and unforeseen security situation.

WION Dispatch: Canada asks its citizens not to visit states bordering Pakistan in India

India's Supreme Court has begun live-streaming the proceedings of its constitutional bench. While this is a historic first for India, there are a few countries where the top court's proceedings are routinely streamed live. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: India's Supreme Court starts live-streaming hearings

India has banned the Popular Front of India (PFI) for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a gazette banning the PFI after the second nationwide rage on the outfit.

India bans radical outfit, Popular Front of India, for five years

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, during a press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, said the two countries have "the most consequential partnership" in the world.

He said both countries have made significant progress in elevating their partnership through organisations like QUAD, the G20, and other global organisations, including at the United Nations. India's takeover of the G20 presidency in December this year is a way to drive more global cooperation and action, he added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Important discussion today with Indian External Affairs Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USIndia</a>'s continued collaboration on global health challenges, climate change and clean energy, food security, and the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USIndiaAt75?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USIndiaAt75</a> <a href="https://t.co/aZcMn9oXrP">pic.twitter.com/aZcMn9oXrP</a>
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1574821349763305478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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During their bilateral&nbsp;meeting on Tuesday, Blinken and Jaishankar discussed how both countries could achieve their economic, geopolitical, and security goals, including strengthening the India-US partnership.

Blinken referred to this alliance as an essential need to address every political challenge that people face, including climate change, health, and food security.

Blinken said, "Over the past years, we have made real progress in elevating that partnership bilaterally that is directly between us through institutions like the QUAD and the G-20 and in international organisations, including at the United Nations."

Jaishankar stated that the scope and depth of the US-India relationship have grown significantly, PTI reported. The Indian external affairs minister specifically mentioned that his conversation with Blinken also included a discussion on the turmoil in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific situation.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Our conversation covered the Ukraine conflict, its fuel-food-fertilizer implications, the Indo-pacific, resilient supply chains, climate change, Agenda 2030 , mobility, trusted research and G-20. 
 
Thank <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecBlinken</a> for his warm reception and many courtesies.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1574849967444922379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A day earlier, Jaishankar had also met defence secretary Llyod Austin and commerce secretary Gina Raimondo.

Blinken said that US and India are looking for new ways to develop a much stronger economic partnership, through Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which both countries introduced in May.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, during a press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, said the two countries have "the most consequential partnership" in the world.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, during a press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, said the two countries have "the most consequential partnership" in the world. He said both countries have made significant progress in elevating their partnership through organisations like QUAD, the G20, and other global organisations, including at the United Nations. India's takeover of the G20 presidency in December this year is a way to drive more global cooperation and action, he added. Important discussion today with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar about #USIndia's continued collaboration on global health challenges, climate change and clean energy, food security, and the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine. #USIndiaAt75 pic.twitter.com/aZcMn9oXrP — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 27, 2022 × During their bilateral meeting on Tuesday, Blinken and Jaishankar discussed how both countries could achieve their economic, geopolitical, and security goals, including strengthening the India-US partnership. Blinken referred to this alliance as an essential need to address every political challenge that people face, including climate change, health, and food security. Blinken said, "Over the past years, we have made real progress in elevating that partnership bilaterally that is directly between us through institutions like the QUAD and the G-20 and in international organisations, including at the United Nations." Jaishankar stated that the scope and depth of the US-India relationship have grown significantly, PTI reported. The Indian external affairs minister specifically mentioned that his conversation with Blinken also included a discussion on the turmoil in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific situation. Our conversation covered the Ukraine conflict, its fuel-food-fertilizer implications, the Indo-pacific, resilient supply chains, climate change, Agenda 2030 , mobility, trusted research and G-20. Thank @SecBlinken for his warm reception and many courtesies. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 27, 2022 × A day earlier, Jaishankar had also met defence secretary Llyod Austin and commerce secretary Gina Raimondo. Blinken said that US and India are looking for new ways to develop a much stronger economic partnership, through Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which both countries introduced in May. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Jaishankar, Blinken discuss ways to strengthen shared economic, security and geopolitical goals

Canada warns citizens against travelling to Pakistan border areas in India

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed a joint press conference in Washington DC. During the address, Blinken praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'not the time for war' comment.

Indian EAM S Jaishankar and US State Secy Antony Blinken address joint press conference

Let us take a look at stories generating interest across WION's social media channels.

Trending on WION | Study: India might see double-digit salary increase in 2023

Pakistan's official language is Urdu, and when it comes to reading US foreign policy on the country, it is best to read it like the language's script: from the right to the left. Power comes first, democracy later.&nbsp;

As Uncle Sam offers $450 million to maintain F-16 fighter jets to a nation that has often been accused of harbouring or encouraging terrorism, it does smell of great irony when the somewhat lapsed superpower cites countering terrorism as one of the stated objectives for the aid package. To understand this, we must understand both America and Pakistan with a sense of detail.&nbsp;

But first, let us see what has changed for India, whose foreign minister Subrahamanyam Jaishankar minced no words as he lambasted Washington with a who-do-you-think-you-are-trying-to-fool attitude, inviting a State Department response that the US does not view Pakistan through an Indian lens.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/f-16-aid-to-pakistan-us-responds-to-indian-foreign-minister-jaishankars-critical-remarks-520248">F-16 aid to Pakistan: US responds to Indian foreign minister Jaishankar’s critical remarks</a>

On the ground, little has changed in India's perception of the US: it is an intimate adversary, with a middling and meddling approach, singing the glories of shared democratic/liberal values and paeans to the virtues of free-market economics even as it footsies with Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, depending on an ad-hoc mix of its self-appointed role as a globocop, an agent of Wall Street capitalism and a practitioner of visa protectionism that hurts India's service exports.&nbsp;

What has really changed is that under Dr. Jaishankar, India has skipped elegant diplomatese for sarcasm and a clear calling out of double standards. Much before his F-16 shot, the Minister of External Affairs had taunted&nbsp;the US on its questioning India's purchase of Ukraine-sanctions-tainted Russian oil even as Europe shopped for gas from Russia.&nbsp;

In a way, this is all diplomacy-as-usual because both India and the US pursue their interests independently. Washington has compromised on democratic values and India has let go of its old Panchsheel principle of opposing interventions into national sovereignty by being publicly neutral on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine under whatever pretext.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-purchases-for-the-month-would-be-less-than-what-europe-does-in-an-afternoon-jaishankar-on-russian-oil-470374">&nbsp;Our purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon: Jaishankar on Russian oil</a>

As an old Hindi/Urdu saying goes: Hamam mei sab nange hain. Everybody is naked in this bathtub.&nbsp;

Is there a deeper truth in all this but for episodic reiteration of every country pursuing its own interests? There is, for both India and the US, if they are to truly be the strategic allies they want/claim to be. Short-term diplomacy may be in narrow self-interest, but long-term views must align with core principles. India cannot drag its feet for too long as a neutral power even as Russia eats slices of Ukraine as if that country was some Italian pizza. The US, on the other hand, cannot be unconditionally friendly to the Pakistan army without considering its history (and that of its spy arm, the Inter-Services Intelligence) of effectively creating the atavistic Taliban in Afghanistan or of the Pakistani state playing ball with China on everything from business to the Kashmir dispute.&nbsp;

Somewhere along the way, there has to be a joint Indo-US plan in which Pakistan has a role, not a standalone US plan in which India and Pakistan have separate roles. This is for Washington to realise and act on, and for India to drive home.&nbsp;

New Delhi needs to reconcile with the idea that Pakistan, as an increasingly stronger democracy with an English-speaking civil society culture nurtured by British colonialism (and admittedly Indian civilisational roots), is a strange beast that needs special treatment beyond the caricatured desh-ka-dushman (enemy of our country) approach practised by the Narendra Modi government. This requires a painful mix of soft diplomacy, an assertive style and backroom deal-making.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-appears-in-public-for-first-time-since-sco-summit-amid-rumours-520401" hreflang="en">Xi Jinping appears in public for first time since SCO Summit</a>

And yes, this requires a quid-pro-quo from the US in the form of a visible role for India as an international interlocutor, not the patronising mention of India as a South Asian good boy.&nbsp;

India needs to understand that history may not be favourable for Islamabad's diplomatic gains, but geography most certainly is. Geopolitics certainly beats democratic dalliances, at least in the current phase of international diplomacy. Dr. Jaishankar understands this for sure, but how to drive a deal in such a context is where India's diplomacy is at. This requires deal-making diplomacy, not just biting words.&nbsp;

What rings true for India, above all this, after all those American handshakes, is a hard truth of foreign policy best expressed in a self-referential couplet by Pakistan's Urdu poet Ahmad Faraz:&nbsp;

Tum takalluf ko bhi ikhlaas samajhtey ho Faraz&nbsp;

Dost nahi hota har haath milane wala&nbsp;

(You mistake mere formality for affection, dear Faraz&nbsp;

Not everybody who shakes your hand is your friend).&nbsp;

Pakistanis can teach India some fine diplomacy lessons, for sure.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Pakistan's official language is Urdu, and when it comes to reading US foreign policy on the country, it is best to read it like the language's script: from the right to the left.

Pakistan's official language is Urdu, and when it comes to reading US foreign policy on the country, it is best to read it like the language's script: from the right to the left. Power comes first, democracy later. As Uncle Sam offers $450 million to maintain F-16 fighter jets to a nation that has often been accused of harbouring or encouraging terrorism, it does smell of great irony when the somewhat lapsed superpower cites countering terrorism as one of the stated objectives for the aid package. To understand this, we must understand both America and Pakistan with a sense of detail. But first, let us see what has changed for India, whose foreign minister Subrahamanyam Jaishankar minced no words as he lambasted Washington with a who-do-you-think-you-are-trying-to-fool attitude, inviting a State Department response that the US does not view Pakistan through an Indian lens. Also read | F-16 aid to Pakistan: US responds to Indian foreign minister Jaishankar’s critical remarks On the ground, little has changed in India's perception of the US: it is an intimate adversary, with a middling and meddling approach, singing the glories of shared democratic/liberal values and paeans to the virtues of free-market economics even as it footsies with Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, depending on an ad-hoc mix of its self-appointed role as a globocop, an agent of Wall Street capitalism and a practitioner of visa protectionism that hurts India's service exports. What has really changed is that under Dr. Jaishankar, India has skipped elegant diplomatese for sarcasm and a clear calling out of double standards. Much before his F-16 shot, the Minister of External Affairs had taunted the US on its questioning India's purchase of Ukraine-sanctions-tainted Russian oil even as Europe shopped for gas from Russia. In a way, this is all diplomacy-as-usual because both India and the US pursue their interests independently. Washington has compromised on democratic values and India has let go of its old Panchsheel principle of opposing interventions into national sovereignty by being publicly neutral on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine under whatever pretext. Also read | Our purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon: Jaishankar on Russian oil As an old Hindi/Urdu saying goes: Hamam mei sab nange hain. Everybody is naked in this bathtub. Is there a deeper truth in all this but for episodic reiteration of every country pursuing its own interests? There is, for both India and the US, if they are to truly be the strategic allies they want/claim to be. Short-term diplomacy may be in narrow self-interest, but long-term views must align with core principles. India cannot drag its feet for too long as a neutral power even as Russia eats slices of Ukraine as if that country was some Italian pizza. The US, on the other hand, cannot be unconditionally friendly to the Pakistan army without considering its history (and that of its spy arm, the Inter-Services Intelligence) of effectively creating the atavistic Taliban in Afghanistan or of the Pakistani state playing ball with China on everything from business to the Kashmir dispute. Somewhere along the way, there has to be a joint Indo-US plan in which Pakistan has a role, not a standalone US plan in which India and Pakistan have separate roles. This is for Washington to realise and act on, and for India to drive home. New Delhi needs to reconcile with the idea that Pakistan, as an increasingly stronger democracy with an English-speaking civil society culture nurtured by British colonialism (and admittedly Indian civilisational roots), is a strange beast that needs special treatment beyond the caricatured desh-ka-dushman (enemy of our country) approach practised by the Narendra Modi government. This requires a painful mix of soft diplomacy, an assertive style and backroom deal-making. Also read | Xi Jinping appears in public for first time since SCO Summit And yes, this requires a quid-pro-quo from the US in the form of a visible role for India as an international interlocutor, not the patronising mention of India as a South Asian good boy. India needs to understand that history may not be favourable for Islamabad's diplomatic gains, but geography most certainly is. Geopolitics certainly beats democratic dalliances, at least in the current phase of international diplomacy. Dr. Jaishankar understands this for sure, but how to drive a deal in such a context is where India's diplomacy is at. This requires deal-making diplomacy, not just biting words. What rings true for India, above all this, after all those American handshakes, is a hard truth of foreign policy best expressed in a self-referential couplet by Pakistan's Urdu poet Ahmad Faraz: Tum takalluf ko bhi ikhlaas samajhtey ho Faraz Dost nahi hota har haath milane wala (You mistake mere formality for affection, dear Faraz Not everybody who shakes your hand is your friend). Pakistanis can teach India some fine diplomacy lessons, for sure. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

When US's F-16 aid talks Urdu diplomacy to Pakistan, a handshake is not a hug for India

Marking a historic shift towards increased transparency, all constitutional bench hearings before India's Supreme Court will now be live-streamed.

Live Streaming of proceedings: India's push for transparency in judiciary

In December 2021, `Durga Puja in Kolkata’ was included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A team of officials of UNESCO have already arrived in Kolkata to witness the Durga Puja celebrations in person.

UNESCO team in Kolkata to witness the Durga Puja celebrations in person

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Washington praised PM Narendra Modi’s remark on the Ukraine war during the recent SCO summit.

Jaishankar-Blinken meet: US State Secy Blinken praises Indian PM Modi's stance on Ukraine war

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will depart for Tokyo on Monday evening to attend the state funeral of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, scheduled on Tuesday. During his visit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.

WION Dispatch: Indian PM Modi to fly to Tokyo to attend Shinzo Abe's funeral

This week on South Asia Diary with Mariam Wardak: + Floods suspend Pakistan's railway operations + Constitutional crisis grips Nepal + Bangladesh mystic 'exorcises demons' with psychiatry + War-ravaged Tamils pushed to the brink Monday 8:30 PM IST | 3 PM GMT

South Asia Diary | Floods suspend Pakistan railways | Constitutional crisis grips Nepal

Electric flying taxis can now become a reality in India too. Urban air mobility player FlyBlade India has inked an MOU with Embrear’s Eve Air Mobility to bring at least 200 electric vertical take-off and landing to India by 2026.

WION Business News | Electric air taxis ready for takeoff in India

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is all set to meet US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The Indian diplomat has reached Washington and was welcomed by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

WION Dispatch: Indian EAM Jaishankar to meet US State Secretary Antony Blinken in Washington

In a historic move, India's top court live streamed its actual proceedings for the public. One of the first proceedings live streamed by the Apex Court was a plea heard by a five-judge bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, challenging reservation for economically weaker sections.

WION Dispatch: Historic move by India's top court, makes proceedings public

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