Eid al-Adha, also called Bakrid, is a very crucial festival for Muslims all over the globe. It is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” This day honours the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who was asked by God to sacrifice his son.&nbsp;Ibrahim agreed to follow God’s command, but before he could do it, God sent a sheep to be sacrificed instead. This shows the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God.&nbsp;Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha by starting the day with a special prayer at mosques or open grounds. After the prayer, those who can afford it sacrifice an animal such as a goat or, sheep. Many Muslims also donate, do charity.&nbsp;Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/eid-al-adha-2025-moon-sighting-timings-in-india-uk-us-and-uae-all-you-need-to-know-1749209497523">Eid al-Adha 2025 | Moon sighting timings in India, UK, US, and UAE. All you need to know</a>&nbsp;On this day, families come together to enjoy meals, wear new clothes, and visit friends and neighbours. It is also a time to give charity and help others in need.&nbsp;In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in Saudi Arabia. The festival date may vary slightly depending on local moon sightings,&nbsp;Let's have a look at the moon sighting timings in India&nbsp;June 6: Moonrise at 2:09 PM IST, Moonset at 1:59 AM (June 7)June 7: Moonrise at 5:24 PM IST, Moonset at 3:00 AM (June 8) When is it celebrated? &nbsp;The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It coincides with the culmination of the sacred pilgrimage Hajj. It is one of the five pillars of Islam.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in Saudi

Arabia.

Eid al-Adha, also called Bakrid, is a very crucial festival for Muslims all over the globe. It is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” This day honours the story of Prophet Ibrahim, who was asked by God to sacrifice his son. Ibrahim agreed to follow God’s command, but before he could do it, God sent a sheep to be sacrificed instead. This shows the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha by starting the day with a special prayer at mosques or open grounds. After the prayer, those who can afford it sacrifice an animal such as a goat or, sheep. Many Muslims also donate, do charity. Also Read | Eid al-Adha 2025 | Moon sighting timings in India, UK, US, and UAE. All you need to know On this day, families come together to enjoy meals, wear new clothes, and visit friends and neighbours. It is also a time to give charity and help others in need. In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in Saudi Arabia. The festival date may vary slightly depending on local moon sightings, Let's have a look at the moon sighting timings in India June 6: Moonrise at 2:09 PM IST, Moonset at 1:59 AM (June 7) June 7: Moonrise at 5:24 PM IST, Moonset at 3:00 AM (June 8) When is it celebrated? The festival is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It coincides with the culmination of the sacred pilgrimage Hajj. It is one of the five pillars of Islam.

In India, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, because the moon is expected to be sighted a day later than in SaudiArabia.

Eid al-Adha 2025: Know the significance and date in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, scheduled for later this month. He thanked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the invitation.The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister."Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister&nbsp; @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month," PM Modi said in a post on X.PM Modi further said that India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour."As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit," he added.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkJCarney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkJCarney</a> of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada…&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1930972984782844146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ties between India and Canada deteriorated during former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s time in office over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.Recently, India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, spoke to his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, taking the first step to mend the strained bilateral relations between the two countries.Jaishankar said he “discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties” with Canada’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand and “wished her a very successful tenure”.G7 SummitCanadian Prime Minister is set to host this year's G7 Summit in the resort of Kananaskis in Alberta on June 15-17.It will mark the second time, the town will host a global gathering, as first happened in 2002.However, this summit is significant as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the G7.G7 is a group comprising the world's most advanced economies, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. The European Union also participates in the discussions and meetings.

The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, scheduled for later this month. He thanked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the invitation. The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister. "Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month," PM Modi said in a post on X. PM Modi further said that India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour. "As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit," he added.

The Canadian prime minister called PM Modi on Friday (June 6), to extend an invitation to the Indian prime minister.

PM Modi gets G7 invite as Canadian PM Mark Carney dials him - Will it help reset India-Canada ties?

The world's highest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir.The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed.Notably, it is 35 metres taller than the iconic Paris Eiffel Tower.PM Modi celebrated the hoisting of the tricolour on the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge describing it as a moment of immense national pride and a testament to India’s growing capability to build futuristic infrastructure in the most challenging terrains.<h2>A key milestone for Indian engineering - Here's why</h2>It all goes back to 2003 when the bridge project was approved. The bridge is 1.31 km long and its construction took two decades to complete.Undoubtedly, the Indian government called it the "biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history".The bridge is made with 28,660 mega tonnes of steel that can withstand sub-zero temperatures as well as up to 40 degrees.Surprisingly, the bridge is taller than the popular attraction Eiffel Tower in Paris by 35 times, and is at least five times the height of Qutub Minar.Notably, the Chenab bridge is designed in a way that also allows trains to pass through at a low speed even if a pier supporting the structure gets damaged.It was challenging for the engineers to construct it as construction is a tall task in the Himalayan region, as there is a need for transporting huge machinery and other resources.Moreover, the biggest obstacle in the construction was the area's challenging topography and its remote location.The bridge is built in a way, that it can withstand wind speeds up to 266 km/hr and strong earthquakes. It took years and years of research and consultation to ensure that it was made strong enough to train movement and withstand bad weather conditions.&nbsp;

The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed.

The world's highest railway bridge, Chenab Bridge, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 6) in Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed. Notably, it is 35 metres taller than the iconic Paris Eiffel Tower. PM Modi celebrated the hoisting of the tricolour on the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge describing it as a moment of immense national pride and a testament to India’s growing capability to build futuristic infrastructure in the most challenging terrains. A key milestone for Indian engineering - Here's why It all goes back to 2003 when the bridge project was approved. The bridge is 1.31 km long and its construction took two decades to complete. Undoubtedly, the Indian government called it the "biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history". The bridge is made with 28,660 mega tonnes of steel that can withstand sub-zero temperatures as well as up to 40 degrees. Surprisingly, the bridge is taller than the popular attraction Eiffel Tower in Paris by 35 times, and is at least five times the height of Qutub Minar. Notably, the Chenab bridge is designed in a way that also allows trains to pass through at a low speed even if a pier supporting the structure gets damaged. It was challenging for the engineers to construct it as construction is a tall task in the Himalayan region, as there is a need for transporting huge machinery and other resources. Moreover, the biggest obstacle in the construction was the area's challenging topography and its remote location. The bridge is built in a way, that it can withstand wind speeds up to 266 km/hr and strong earthquakes. It took years and years of research and consultation to ensure that it was made strong enough to train movement and withstand bad weather conditions.

The bridge was built at a cost of around Rs 1,400 crore and is the highest rail and arch bridge in the world with a dock height of 359 metres from the river bed.

Taller than Eiffel Tower, Qutub Minar: Chenab Bridge was India's BIGGEST engineering challenge - Here's why

With an aim of tech boost, OpenAI has collaborated with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Information Technology and launched "OpenAI Academy", marking its first international expansion of educational platforms.The partnership between OpenAI and IndiaAI Mission will help in building nationwide AI capabilities across sectors, offering targeted training to students, developers, educators, civil servants and entrepreneurs.Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to make the partnership formal.OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is currently in Delhi, and has been touring across Asia Pacific, covering countries including Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and Singapore.He has been meeting the leaders of these countries as well as the governments and potential private sector partners to discuss opportunities.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-outpacing-the-world-openai-ceo-sam-altman-lauds-ai-adoption-wave-in-india-8918916">Also read: 'India outpacing the world': OpenAI CEO Sam Altman lauds AI adoption wave in India</a>&nbsp;As part of the program, OpenAI will host webinars and hands on workshops across six Indian cities. The academy will support the "FutureSkills" pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience.According to the rollout, the program will offer a mix of digital and in-person learning, designed specifically to meet the needs of Indian population. The content will be available in both Hindi and English, as well as other additional regional languages in future, to cater wider audience.Moreover, the OpenAI content will be available on the iGOT Karmayogi platform to assist in building the capacity of government officials.Notably, the organisation has also planned to give up to $100,000 in API credits to 50 fellows or startups approved by the IndiaAI Mission.It will also train one million teachers for the use of Generative AI technology and will hold hackathons across seven states, targeting approximately 25,000 students.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/openai-makes-codex-free-for-all-chatgpt-users-here-s-what-it-means-1749059913587">Also read: OpenAI makes codex free for all ChatGPT users: Here’s what it means</a>

The academy will support the FutureSkills pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience.

With an aim of tech boost, OpenAI has collaborated with the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Information Technology and launched "OpenAI Academy", marking its first international expansion of educational platforms. The partnership between OpenAI and IndiaAI Mission will help in building nationwide AI capabilities across sectors, offering targeted training to students, developers, educators, civil servants and entrepreneurs. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to make the partnership formal. OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is currently in Delhi, and has been touring across Asia Pacific, covering countries including Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and Singapore. He has been meeting the leaders of these countries as well as the governments and potential private sector partners to discuss opportunities. Also read: 'India outpacing the world': OpenAI CEO Sam Altman lauds AI adoption wave in India As part of the program, OpenAI will host webinars and hands on workshops across six Indian cities. The academy will support the "FutureSkills" pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience. According to the rollout, the program will offer a mix of digital and in-person learning, designed specifically to meet the needs of Indian population. The content will be available in both Hindi and English, as well as other additional regional languages in future, to cater wider audience. Moreover, the OpenAI content will be available on the iGOT Karmayogi platform to assist in building the capacity of government officials. Notably, the organisation has also planned to give up to $100,000 in API credits to 50 fellows or startups approved by the IndiaAI Mission. It will also train one million teachers for the use of Generative AI technology and will hold hackathons across seven states, targeting approximately 25,000 students. Also read: OpenAI makes codex free for all ChatGPT users: Here’s what it means

The academy will support the "FutureSkills" pillar of the IndiaAI Mission by widening access to AI skills training for a large audience.

OpenAI x IndiaAI Mission: OpenAI launches first academy in India - Here's all you need to know

After a four-year delay, the national census, along with the caste enumeration exercise is likely to begin on March 1, 2027, according to government sources.Reportedly, the preparations for the large-scale national census have been scheduled.According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census. The exercise is expected to begin across the country from March 1, 2027.Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand, the process is likely to begin from October 2026.In April, the Union government announced that caste-based enumeration will be part of the next Census. The decision came following a cabinet committee on political affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."The Modi government, committed to social justice, has taken a historic decision today," Home Minister Amit Shah said in an X post in Hindi.He added that the decision will empower all economically and socially backward classes, promote inclusion and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived.The country's population count has been conducted every 10 years since 1951, but the census work in 2021 could not be carried out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner had prepared 31 questions to be asked to the citizens during the census exercise.The census of India is recorded every decade, with the first one being held in 1872. The first census post-Independence was recorded in 1951 and the last one in 2011.According to the 2011 data, India's total population was 121 crore, the sex ratio was 940 females per 1,000 males, the literacy rate was 74.04 per cent and the population growth was 17.64 per cent from 2001 to 2011.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/committed-to-the-values-centre-announces-caste-enumeration-to-be-part-of-next-census-9019009">Also read: ‘Committed to the values’: Centre announces caste enumeration to be part of next Census</a>

According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census.

After a four-year delay, the national census, along with the caste enumeration exercise is likely to begin on March 1, 2027, according to government sources. Reportedly, the preparations for the large-scale national census have been scheduled. According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census. The exercise is expected to begin across the country from March 1, 2027. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand, the process is likely to begin from October 2026. In April, the Union government announced that caste-based enumeration will be part of the next Census. The decision came following a cabinet committee on political affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Modi government, committed to social justice, has taken a historic decision today," Home Minister Amit Shah said in an X post in Hindi. He added that the decision will empower all economically and socially backward classes, promote inclusion and pave new paths for the progress of the deprived. The country's population count has been conducted every 10 years since 1951, but the census work in 2021 could not be carried out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner had prepared 31 questions to be asked to the citizens during the census exercise. The census of India is recorded every decade, with the first one being held in 1872. The first census post-Independence was recorded in 1951 and the last one in 2011. According to the 2011 data, India's total population was 121 crore, the sex ratio was 940 females per 1,000 males, the literacy rate was 74.04 per cent and the population growth was 17.64 per cent from 2001 to 2011. Also read: ‘Committed to the values’: Centre announces caste enumeration to be part of next Census

According to the sources, the Union government has set a tentative schedule for both population and caste census.

After 17 years, national census in India to begin in March 2027 | All you need to know

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is in India today as part of his four-nation trip to South and Southeast Asia. He will be in India till June 5. The trip coincides with the fifth anniversary of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a part of the bilateral relationship between the two nations with a shared agenda of security, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.Marles retained his office following the Australian Labour Party's recent victory in the 2025 parliamentary election. This is the first visit by a senior Australian minister since then. He met in New Delhi with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the strategic partnership between India and Australia.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First port of call in India is a run and a chai from the local market! <a href="https://twitter.com/HCICanberra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HCICanberra</a> <a href="https://t.co/0QAJL2oqCg">pic.twitter.com/0QAJL2oqCg</a>&mdash; Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardMarlesMP/status/1930163968976531463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rajanth Singh thanked Marles for the continued support of Australia even during the turbulent period of the India-Pakistan conflict that followed after Pahalgham attack. He reiterated both nations' commitment to enhance collaboration in defence technology, joint exercises, joint research and development, maritime security and surveillance.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Reviewed the full range of the India- Australia defence partnership during the extremely fruitful meeting with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardMarlesMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichardMarlesMP</a> in New Delhi. His personal commitment and leadership in strengthening bilateral defence… <a href="https://t.co/VSGAEyBOQN">pic.twitter.com/VSGAEyBOQN</a>&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1930179647506923532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"It was heartening to note the significant milestones achieved in our bilateral defence relations since our last meeting. I hoped that in the coming years we would work with renewed momentum, effectively contributing to the growth of bilateral defence relations... Largely due to your commitment and leadership in strengthening India-Australia defence and security cooperation, in the past three years, bilateral defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of our comprehensive strategic partnership. I looked forward to a productive discussion today and hoped it would lay a firm ground for further cementing the India and Australia defence ties. This meeting was happening at a time when India was facing extreme challenges at our western border. We had taken steps in response to the barbaric incident in Kashmir. We thanked Australia for its support on this issue. We would be talking more about this later in the meeting," said Rajnath Singh.Marles, in response, expressed solidarity and showed Australia's commitment to working closely with India in fighting terrorism.&nbsp;"The opportunity to work closely with you again over the next three years was really exciting. I had deeply appreciated our relationship over the last three years and the progress that we had made. I wanted to pass on our Prime Minister's condolences to India for all the lives lost in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Our thoughts and our prayers were with the families of those who were killed in the appalling terrorist attack. We wanted to make clear that Australia stood with India and all countries in combating terrorism. We acknowledged and welcomed the stoppage in military activity. We saw this as an act of Indian leadership. But we would continue to work with India as we combat terrorism in all its forms," said Marles.Notably, Richard Marles' visit builds upon previous agreements, such as the 2022 Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), with ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).Richard Marles is on a four-nation trip to Maldives, Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia, reflecting Australia's commitment to building stronger regional partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is currently on a key diplomatic tour, marking a significant moment in the growing partnership between Canberra and New Delhi.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is in India today as part of his four-nation trip to South and Southeast Asia. He will be in India till June 5. The trip coincides with the fifth anniversary of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a part of the bilateral relationship between the two nations with a shared agenda of security, and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. Marles retained his office following the Australian Labour Party's recent victory in the 2025 parliamentary election. This is the first visit by a senior Australian minister since then. He met in New Delhi with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the strategic partnership between India and Australia.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is currently on a key diplomatic tour, marking a significant moment in the growing partnership between Canberra and New Delhi.

India, Australia deepen defence ties amid Indo-Pacific focus during Richard Marles’ visit

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Monday debunked Pakistan's threat of a hypothetical scenario, “What if China stops the water of Brahmaputra”, calling it another baseless "scare tactic". He said that Pakistan is "spinning another manufactured threat.This supposed theory was circulating on social media following India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Notably, a senior aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, resonated with such claims by saying that China can also take action with the Brahmaputra. &nbsp;Himanta Biswa Sharma refuted all such claims. He said that the Brahmaputra is a river that grows when it flows through India, owing to Indian geography and topology. China contributes only 30-35 per cent of the water in the Brahmaputra. The rest of it is generated in India from rain and tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili and other rivers like Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, which flow from Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills. "The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream — it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory," he said.He said that Pakistan should know this, that “even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year.”&nbsp;He further said Pakistan have exploited India for 74 years under the Indus water treaty, it now panics as India is exercising its sovereign rights.China has already constructed multiple dams in its 50 per cent catchment, eg on Yarlung Sangpo in Tibet, the Zangmu Dam and plans for a massive super dam near Arunachal Pradesh. However, they do not store or divert water.&nbsp; Moreover, India and China do not have a water sharing agreement; it has a hydrological data (water level, rainfall) sharing agreement, which China have previously suspended. The Memorandum of Understanding has expired in June 2023, since it is not a treaty, so it is non-binding; hence no such compulsion between the two nations. In an RTI enquiry Ministry of Jal Shakiti said China has not shared hydrological data on hydro structure since 2022.

Himanta Biswa Sharma debunked Pakistan's threat of China stopping the water of the Brahmaputra, calling it a manufactured threat.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma on Monday debunked Pakistan's threat of a hypothetical scenario, “What if China stops the water of Brahmaputra”, calling it another baseless "scare tactic". He said that Pakistan is "spinning another manufactured threat. This supposed theory was circulating on social media following India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Notably, a senior aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Ihsaan Afzal, resonated with such claims by saying that China can also take action with the Brahmaputra. Himanta Biswa Sharma refuted all such claims. He said that the Brahmaputra is a river that grows when it flows through India, owing to Indian geography and topology. China contributes only 30-35 per cent of the water in the Brahmaputra. The rest of it is generated in India from rain and tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, Kameng, Manas, Dhansiri, Jia-Bharali, Kopili and other rivers like Krishnai, Digaru, and Kulsi, which flow from Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills. "The Brahmaputra is not a river India depends on upstream — it is a rain-fed Indian river system, strengthened after entering Indian territory," he said. He said that Pakistan should know this, that “even if China were to reduce water flow (unlikely as China has never threatened or indicated in any official forum), it may actually help India mitigate the annual floods in Assam, which displace lakhs and destroy livelihoods every year.” He further said Pakistan have exploited India for 74 years under the Indus water treaty, it now panics as India is exercising its sovereign rights. China has already constructed multiple dams in its 50 per cent catchment, eg on Yarlung Sangpo in Tibet, the Zangmu Dam and plans for a massive super dam near Arunachal Pradesh. However, they do not store or divert water. Moreover, India and China do not have a water sharing agreement; it has a hydrological data (water level, rainfall) sharing agreement, which China have previously suspended. The Memorandum of Understanding has expired in June 2023, since it is not a treaty, so it is non-binding; hence no such compulsion between the two nations. In an RTI enquiry Ministry of Jal Shakiti said China has not shared hydrological data on hydro structure since 2022.

Himanta Biswa Sharma debunked Pakistan's threat of China stopping the water of the Brahmaputra, calling it a manufactured threat.

Himanta Biswa Sharma debunks Pakistan's manufactured threat of “What if China stops the water of Brahmaputra”

In Sikkim, around 1,500 tourists were stranded on Saturday (May 31) as landslides triggered by continuous heavy rainfall blocked key roads.<h2>Teesta River water levels rise to dangerous levels</h2>The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a red alert as heavy rains raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels.Speaking to ANI, Superintendent of Police (SP), Mangan district, Sonam Detchu Bhutia said that due to a cloudburst, water levels have increased by four metres.“There was heavy rain last night; there was also a cloudburst in the upper areas. The water level of the Teesta River has increased by 4 metres… The roads are broken at multiple places.”On Sunday (June 1) the Indian weather agency issued an orange alert for Sikkim's Gyalshing, Namchi, Soreng, Gangtok and Pakyong districts for the next 24 hours.As per reports, authorities are closely monitoring water levels in low-lying and landslide-prone areas, and emergency services have been activated. In anticipation of unforeseen emergencies, disaster response teams have also been put on standby in all affected districts.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Mangan, Sikkim: Water level of the Teesta river increases following heavy rainfall in the region. (Source: IPR, Mangan) <a href="https://t.co/ahXPLSXkjJ">pic.twitter.com/ahXPLSXkjJ</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1929020153812885983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Car plunges into Teesta River</h2>As per the SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia, rescue operations to search for nine missing people were underway on Saturday. On May 29, a tourist vehicle carrying 11 people plunged into the Teesta River near Chubombu, Mangan district. Two people were rescued soon after.In conversation with ANI, the SP said that "The tourists went missing after the incident in which their vehicle fell into the river. Two of them were rescued safely on the night of May 29.""ITBP, SDRF, and NDRF conducted a rescue operation yesterday. But the car that had fallen into the river could not be pulled out as it was stuck in debris. We did not find any bodies near it," he revealed."The Deputy Commissioner is at the spot... The SDM and SDPO are directed to carry out the search operations non-stop... There are six tourists from Odisha, two from Tripura and two from UP... There were 11 people, including a driver from Sikkim," he added.As per reports, a portion of the under-construction Sankalang Bridge in North Sikkim has been washed away as the Teesta River water swells to hazardous levels. Watch it here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VIDEO | A portion of the under-construction Sankalang Bridge in North Sikkim is washed away by the Teesta River following heavy rainfall. The bridge is crucial for North Sikkim, as it is the only connection linking Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachung, and Lachen to the rest of the… <a href="https://t.co/1Wa4Pcy5nu">pic.twitter.com/1Wa4Pcy5nu</a>&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1929030182540878300?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as heavy rains raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels.

In Sikkim, around 1,500 tourists were stranded on Saturday (May 31) as landslides triggered by continuous heavy rainfall blocked key roads. Teesta River water levels rise to dangerous levels The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a red alert as heavy rains raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels. Speaking to ANI, Superintendent of Police (SP), Mangan district, Sonam Detchu Bhutia said that due to a cloudburst, water levels have increased by four metres. “There was heavy rain last night; there was also a cloudburst in the upper areas. The water level of the Teesta River has increased by 4 metres… The roads are broken at multiple places.” On Sunday (June 1) the Indian weather agency issued an orange alert for Sikkim's Gyalshing, Namchi, Soreng, Gangtok and Pakyong districts for the next 24 hours. As per reports, authorities are closely monitoring water levels in low-lying and landslide-prone areas, and emergency services have been activated. In anticipation of unforeseen emergencies, disaster response teams have also been put on standby in all affected districts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert as heavy rains have raised the water level in the Teesta River to potentially dangerous levels.

Sikkim rains: 1,500 tourists stranded as heavy rains trigger landslides; Red alert issued as Teesta swells to dangerous levels

In a move aimed at curbing rising kitchen expenses and stabilising the edible oil market, the Indian government has halved the basic import duty on key crude edible oils.&nbsp;As reported by Reuters, the decision, announced on May 30, is expected to bring some relief to households battling food inflation while also giving a much-needed boost to India’s vegetable oil refining sector.&nbsp;Here’s a detailed look at why the move was made, what’s fuelling the price spike globally, and how this may impact your monthly grocery budget.<h2>Why did the government cut the duty?</h2>The Centre has reduced the basic customs duty on crude palm oil, crude soyoil, and crude sunflower oil from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, according to a government notification cited by Reuters.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once you factor in the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess and the Social Welfare Surcharge, the effective import duty now stands at 16.5 per cent, down from 27.5 per cent, as per PTI, quoting Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra.&nbsp;This move serves a dual purpose: to soften retail edible oil prices for inflation-hit consumers and to encourage the import of crude oils over refined ones, hereby strengthening domestic refining operations by giving them a cost advantage.<h2>Edible oil inflation is real</h2>The timing of the duty cut is directly linked to rising edible oil prices. According to April 2025 data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, edible oil inflation rose by 17.4 per cent year-on-year, despite a healthy domestic mustard harvest.&nbsp;Mustard oil prices have climbed by 25 per cent, averaging over ₹170 per litre. Palm oil, widely used in Indian households and the food industry, has surged by 34 per cent to ₹134 per litre. Sunflower oil prices are up 30 per cent, while soyoil which is usually more stable has still seen an 18 per cent increase, now retailing at around ₹147 per litre.&nbsp;These sharp hikes have made cooking oils a significant burden on household budgets, and the problem isn’t just homegrown.<h2>What’s driving the global price surge?</h2>A combination of international supply shocks and geopolitical disruptions has pushed edible oil prices higher worldwide.&nbsp;Crop damage in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina has hit soyabean and sunflower output, as reported by Bloomberg. At the same time, export restrictions from Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s top palm oil producers, have tightened global availability.&nbsp;Geopolitical conflicts are also adding pressure. The ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, both major exporters of sunflower oil, have disrupted trade routes and caused uncertainty in global supply chains, according to Reuters.&nbsp;Given that India reportedly imports more than 70 per cent of its edible oil requirements, these global disruptions quickly translate into higher domestic prices. India’s primary suppliers include Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand for palm oil, and Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine for sunflower and soyoil.<h2>A boost for domestic refiners</h2>The duty cut has been welcomed by India’s edible oil industry, particularly by refiners who process imported crude oil.&nbsp;“This is a win-win situation for vegetable oil refiners and consumers,” said B.V. Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), speaking to PTI.&nbsp;With the duty gap between crude and refined oil widening to 19.25 per cent, it is now more cost-effective to import crude oils and refine them locally. Industry experts believe this will improve capacity utilisation at domestic units and eventually help bring down retail prices.&nbsp;The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) also expressed support. Its president, Sudhakar Desai, told PTI, “We thank the government for accepting our recommendation to increase the duty differential. It will help revive the refining sector.”<h2>The policy see-saw</h2>This cut reverses an earlier policy shift made in September 2024, when the government increased the basic customs duty on crude edible oils from zero to 20 per cent, raising the total effective duty to 27.5 per cent. The aim then was to protect Indian oilseed farmers and control the influx of cheaper imported oils.&nbsp;But with food inflation mounting and global edible oil prices rising sharply, the government has recalibrated its approach which is likely with an eye on both consumer sentiment and upcoming elections. For many Indian households, cooking oil is a non-negotiable staple, and unchecked prices risk becoming a political liability.<h2>What happens next?</h2>The reduction in import duty is expected to ease edible oil prices in the short term, especially for palm, soy, and sunflower oils. It could also increase demand in the retail market and give a cost advantage to domestic refiners over fully processed imports.&nbsp;However, the long-term impact will depend heavily on global dynamics. If supply disruptions persist due to geopolitical unrest or climate-related crop failures and the prices may remain volatile despite the duty cut.&nbsp;For now, the Centre has sent a clear message: it is willing to intervene when international headwinds threaten domestic stability. Whether this move will bring sustained relief remains to be seen, but it could offer some cushion to consumers, and a lifeline to India’s refining industry.

Business & Economy: This move aims to soften retail edible oil prices for inflation-hit consumers and encourage crude oil imports over refined ones, strengthening domestic refining operations.

In a move aimed at curbing rising kitchen expenses and stabilising the edible oil market, the Indian government has halved the basic import duty on key crude edible oils. As reported by Reuters, the decision, announced on May 30, is expected to bring some relief to households battling food inflation while also giving a much-needed boost to India’s vegetable oil refining sector. Here’s a detailed look at why the move was made, what’s fuelling the price spike globally, and how this may impact your monthly grocery budget. Why did the government cut the duty? The Centre has reduced the basic customs duty on crude palm oil, crude soyoil, and crude sunflower oil from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, according to a government notification cited by Reuters. Once you factor in the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess and the Social Welfare Surcharge, the effective import duty now stands at 16.5 per cent, down from 27.5 per cent, as per PTI, quoting Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra. This move serves a dual purpose: to soften retail edible oil prices for inflation-hit consumers and to encourage the import of crude oils over refined ones, hereby strengthening domestic refining operations by giving them a cost advantage. Edible oil inflation is real The timing of the duty cut is directly linked to rising edible oil prices. According to April 2025 data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, edible oil inflation rose by 17.4 per cent year-on-year, despite a healthy domestic mustard harvest. Mustard oil prices have climbed by 25 per cent, averaging over ₹170 per litre. Palm oil, widely used in Indian households and the food industry, has surged by 34 per cent to ₹134 per litre. Sunflower oil prices are up 30 per cent, while soyoil which is usually more stable has still seen an 18 per cent increase, now retailing at around ₹147 per litre. These sharp hikes have made cooking oils a significant burden on household budgets, and the problem isn’t just homegrown. What’s driving the global price surge? A combination of international supply shocks and geopolitical disruptions has pushed edible oil prices higher worldwide. Crop damage in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina has hit soyabean and sunflower output, as reported by Bloomberg. At the same time, export restrictions from Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s top palm oil producers, have tightened global availability. Geopolitical conflicts are also adding pressure. The ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, both major exporters of sunflower oil, have disrupted trade routes and caused uncertainty in global supply chains, according to Reuters. Given that India reportedly imports more than 70 per cent of its edible oil requirements, these global disruptions quickly translate into higher domestic prices. India’s primary suppliers include Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand for palm oil, and Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine for sunflower and soyoil. A boost for domestic refiners The duty cut has been welcomed by India’s edible oil industry, particularly by refiners who process imported crude oil. “This is a win-win situation for vegetable oil refiners and consumers,” said B.V. Mehta, Executive Director of the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA), speaking to PTI. With the duty gap between crude and refined oil widening to 19.25 per cent, it is now more cost-effective to import crude oils and refine them locally. Industry experts believe this will improve capacity utilisation at domestic units and eventually help bring down retail prices. The Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) also expressed support. Its president, Sudhakar Desai, told PTI, “We thank the government for accepting our recommendation to increase the duty differential. It will help revive the refining sector.” The policy see-saw This cut reverses an earlier policy shift made in September 2024, when the government increased the basic customs duty on crude edible oils from zero to 20 per cent, raising the total effective duty to 27.5 per cent. The aim then was to protect Indian oilseed farmers and control the influx of cheaper imported oils. But with food inflation mounting and global edible oil prices rising sharply, the government has recalibrated its approach which is likely with an eye on both consumer sentiment and upcoming elections. For many Indian households, cooking oil is a non-negotiable staple, and unchecked prices risk becoming a political liability. What happens next? The reduction in import duty is expected to ease edible oil prices in the short term, especially for palm, soy, and sunflower oils. It could also increase demand in the retail market and give a cost advantage to domestic refiners over fully processed imports. However, the long-term impact will depend heavily on global dynamics. If supply disruptions persist due to geopolitical unrest or climate-related crop failures and the prices may remain volatile despite the duty cut. For now, the Centre has sent a clear message: it is willing to intervene when international headwinds threaten domestic stability. Whether this move will bring sustained relief remains to be seen, but it could offer some cushion to consumers, and a lifeline to India’s refining industry.

India reduced customs duty on edible crude palm oil, soyoil, and sunflower oil from 20% to 10%.&nbsp;

India cuts crude edible oil import duty: What it means for consumers and the industry?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday said that India is being forced by the US and QUAD into military operations, even though it was formed for trade purposes. QUAD alliance, which consists of the United States, Japan and Australia, are organising naval and military exercises."We spoke to our Indian friends back then and they told us that their interest in joining the Quad is exclusively of a trade of economic nature and cooperation in other peaceful areas," said Lavrov on Friday. He said that India must have realised the militarisation agenda of the trade alliance.Lavarov is optimistic about reviving the trilateral forum between Russia-India-China (RIC Troika), "Now that, as I understand, an understanding has been reached between India and China on how to calm the situation on the border, it seems to me that the time has come to revive this RIC troika."Lavrov said that the format was established by the Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov as a valuable forum for trade and economic cooperation. It has already conducted 20 ministerial meetings at the level of heads of the foreign ministries, trade and financial organisations.&nbsp;Lavrov is reported to travel to India in June. He argued earlier that the West, especially the US, intends to create antagonism between India and China. The renaming of Asia-Pacific as Indo-Pacific was a strategic move to isolate China in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov QUAD alliance, consisting of the United States, Japan and Australia, and formed with trade interests to are organising naval and military exercises, and India must understand the agenda 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday said that India is being forced by the US and QUAD into military operations, even though it was formed for trade purposes. QUAD alliance, which consists of the United States, Japan and Australia, are organising naval and military exercises. "We spoke to our Indian friends back then and they told us that their interest in joining the Quad is exclusively of a trade of economic nature and cooperation in other peaceful areas," said Lavrov on Friday. He said that India must have realised the militarisation agenda of the trade alliance. Lavarov is optimistic about reviving the trilateral forum between Russia-India-China (RIC Troika), "Now that, as I understand, an understanding has been reached between India and China on how to calm the situation on the border, it seems to me that the time has come to revive this RIC troika." Lavrov said that the format was established by the Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov as a valuable forum for trade and economic cooperation. It has already conducted 20 ministerial meetings at the level of heads of the foreign ministries, trade and financial organisations. Lavrov is reported to travel to India in June. He argued earlier that the West, especially the US, intends to create antagonism between India and China. The renaming of Asia-Pacific as Indo-Pacific was a strategic move to isolate China in the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov QUAD alliance, consisting of the United States, Japan and Australia, and formed with trade interests to are organising naval and military exercises, and India must understand the agenda&nbsp;

Lavrov says India is being forced by the QUAD and the US into military operations

Iran's Ambassador to India, Dr Iraj Elahi, dubbed India a 'close friend' of his country and said that he welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal about the Pahalgam terror attack, Ambassador Elahi said, ''India as a rising power needs stability and peace...happy that tensions have reduced'.The ambassador spoke on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Iranology hall of the Department of Persian, Jamia Millia Islamia. The renovation has been supported by Iran Culture House and the Iran Embassy.The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon.Read the full interview here:WION: How do you see India-Iran ties? Dr Iraj Elahi: Iran and India have deep, ancient cultural and civilisational connections. But it is not enough. We need to study this and promote this connection and improve the educational and training facility regarding Iranology. In this regard, with the partnership and cooperation of the Vice Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia, opened a hall by the name of Iranology hall, which is supposed to be in service of all Indian students and Indian professors, those who are keen to study and do research about Iran.WION: We have seen reports of three Indian nationals missing in Iran. Any update? Dr Iraj Elahi: You know, in fact, we, as Iranians, were not aware of this incident, unfortunately. According to the reports which were released in the Indian media, three Indians have travelled to Iran at the encouragement of an agent. We are not aware of what really happened to them, but we, as Iranian authorities, are trying to follow up on the issue. The Iranian foreign ministry is in close contact with the embassy of India in Tehran. We follow to reach the conclusion and send these three Indian nationals safely to India. We try to find and solve the issue and send them back. Law enforcement of Iran is following the issue, it is under investigation.WION: We saw a deadly terror attack in India in Pahalgam. We saw the Iranian support as well. What do you have to say about the support, which was extended by Iran, to India? Dr Iraj Elahi: India is a close friend and neighbour to Iran. Of course, Pakistan is also a neighbour. You know, we believe that India is a rising power and needs stability and peace. So the whole region needs peace for the prosperity of its people. It doesn't make any difference if they are Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, or Indian. We express our concern, and we express our readiness to the Indian government that we are ready to do whatever they need. India is wise, and they have done what is necessary to ceasefire and Alhamdulillah, we are happy that the tension has decreased between India and Pakistan.WION: What is the status of the Chabahar port? Dr Iraj Elahi: India and Iran are implementing their commitment according to the main agreement which was signed last year. India is investing there, and Iran is completing the project of a railway which connects Chabahar to Zahedan, to the Iranian national railway network.&nbsp;

The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon.

Iran's Ambassador to India, Dr Iraj Elahi, dubbed India a 'close friend' of his country and said that he welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal about the Pahalgam terror attack, Ambassador Elahi said, ''India as a rising power needs stability and peace...happy that tensions have reduced'. The ambassador spoke on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Iranology hall of the Department of Persian, Jamia Millia Islamia. The renovation has been supported by Iran Culture House and the Iran Embassy. The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon. Read the full interview here: WION: How do you see India-Iran ties? Dr Iraj Elahi: Iran and India have deep, ancient cultural and civilisational connections. But it is not enough. We need to study this and promote this connection and improve the educational and training facility regarding Iranology. In this regard, with the partnership and cooperation of the Vice Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia, opened a hall by the name of Iranology hall, which is supposed to be in service of all Indian students and Indian professors, those who are keen to study and do research about Iran. WION: We have seen reports of three Indian nationals missing in Iran. Any update? Dr Iraj Elahi: You know, in fact, we, as Iranians, were not aware of this incident, unfortunately. According to the reports which were released in the Indian media, three Indians have travelled to Iran at the encouragement of an agent. We are not aware of what really happened to them, but we, as Iranian authorities, are trying to follow up on the issue. The Iranian foreign ministry is in close contact with the embassy of India in Tehran. We follow to reach the conclusion and send these three Indian nationals safely to India. We try to find and solve the issue and send them back. Law enforcement of Iran is following the issue, it is under investigation. WION: We saw a deadly terror attack in India in Pahalgam. We saw the Iranian support as well. What do you have to say about the support, which was extended by Iran, to India? Dr Iraj Elahi: India is a close friend and neighbour to Iran. Of course, Pakistan is also a neighbour. You know, we believe that India is a rising power and needs stability and peace. So the whole region needs peace for the prosperity of its people. It doesn't make any difference if they are Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, or Indian. We express our concern, and we express our readiness to the Indian government that we are ready to do whatever they need. India is wise, and they have done what is necessary to ceasefire and Alhamdulillah, we are happy that the tension has decreased between India and Pakistan. WION: What is the status of the Chabahar port? Dr Iraj Elahi: India and Iran are implementing their commitment according to the main agreement which was signed last year. India is investing there, and Iran is completing the project of a railway which connects Chabahar to Zahedan, to the Iranian national railway network.

The ambassador pointed to a 'deep, cultural, civilisational connection' between the two countries. He also spoke about the three missing Indians and said the Iranian Foreign Ministry and Indian Embassy in Iran were in touch, and the focus will be to 'send them back' soon.

Iran Envoy Dr Iraj Elahi calls India a close friend; welcomes ceasefire with Pakistan

In an unusual sight, a video posted on Instagram by a DJ, DJ AJ (@djajmumbai), has taken the internet by storm. The viral clip shows a 400-person Indian wedding procession taking over New York’s Wall Street.&nbsp;The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, including lehengas, sarees, sherwanis, and kurta pajamas, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop.&nbsp;Sharing the post, DJ AJ wrote, “We shut down Wall Street for a 400-person baraat—who would’ve ever thought?!”&nbsp;“Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic,” he added.&nbsp;The clip features a remix version of the popular song ‘Empire State Of Mind’ by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys with a twist of Punjabi beats. In another clip, the massive crowd can be seen dancing to scores of Bollywood numbers.&nbsp;

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKMu-RTzdTY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by DJ AJ (@djajmumbai)</a></div></blockquote>
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&nbsp;<h2>Social media reacts</h2>&nbsp;The video has been circulated widely on social media, as people pour in amused reactions and praising the Indian culture and weddings.&nbsp;Several social media users commented, “Amazing”, “superb”, and “crazy”.&nbsp;Talking about Indian weddings, a user said, “Indian marriages are beautiful and fun with full of music and emotions.”&nbsp;“Vibrant Indian culture. People all over the world want to see our Indian weddings. Enjoy guys, this is our beautiful India,” said another.&nbsp;“How much did it cost,” wondered one user.&nbsp;“Now Trump will apply baarat tax on Indians,” a user joked, referring to the recent tariff moves by US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;While a few users also criticised for blocking the road and playing loud music, some countered by saying they had taken permission for the massive wedding procession.

The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop.

In an unusual sight, a video posted on Instagram by a DJ, DJ AJ (@djajmumbai), has taken the internet by storm. The viral clip shows a 400-person Indian wedding procession taking over New York’s Wall Street. The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, including lehengas, sarees, sherwanis, and kurta pajamas, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop. Sharing the post, DJ AJ wrote, “We shut down Wall Street for a 400-person baraat—who would’ve ever thought?!” “Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic,” he added. The clip features a remix version of the popular song ‘Empire State Of Mind’ by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys with a twist of Punjabi beats. In another clip, the massive crowd can be seen dancing to scores of Bollywood numbers.

The footage captures people dancing in vibrant traditional attire, creating a lively atmosphere in the iconic financial street of the world as the New York skyline is seen in the backdrop.

WATCH | Indian wedding procession of 400 people takes over Wall Street in US, video goes viral

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (May 29) said that 1,080 Indians have been deported from the United States since President Donald Trump came into power in January 2025. It added that India has close cooperation with the US on migration issues, especially the deportation of illegal Indian nationals.&nbsp;“We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues, on deportation of Indian nationals who are either in illegal status there or who travel illegally; we take them back once we receive details about them,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly briefing.&nbsp;He added, “The update on the numbers is that since January of 2025, we have some 1080 Indians who have come back or who have been deported from the United States. Of these, around 62 per cent have come on commercial flights.”&nbsp;Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants.&nbsp;The MEA spokesperson stated that the welfare of Indian students abroad remains of “utmost priority” to the government and India will continue to follow further developments in the matter.&nbsp;“While we note that issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered a merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time,” Jaiswal said.&nbsp;Trump administration pauses student visa appointments&nbsp;On Wednesday (May 28), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo ordering US embassies and consular offices to stop scheduling new appointments for student visas “until further guidance is issued”, as it gears up to expand social media screenings for applicants, reported Politico.&nbsp;“Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor … visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” read the cable.

Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday (May 29) said that 1,080 Indians have been deported from the United States since President Donald Trump came into power in January 2025. It added that India has close cooperation with the US on migration issues, especially the deportation of illegal Indian nationals. “We have close cooperation between India and the United States on migration issues, on deportation of Indian nationals who are either in illegal status there or who travel illegally; we take them back once we receive details about them,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly briefing. He added, “The update on the numbers is that since January of 2025, we have some 1080 Indians who have come back or who have been deported from the United States. Of these, around 62 per cent have come on commercial flights.” Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants. The MEA spokesperson stated that the welfare of Indian students abroad remains of “utmost priority” to the government and India will continue to follow further developments in the matter. “While we note that issuance of a visa is a sovereign function, we hope that the application of Indian students will be considered a merit, and they will be able to join their academic programs on time,” Jaiswal said. Trump administration pauses student visa appointments On Wednesday (May 28), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a memo ordering US embassies and consular offices to stop scheduling new appointments for student visas “until further guidance is issued”, as it gears up to expand social media screenings for applicants, reported Politico. “Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor … visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued [separate telegram], which we anticipate in the coming days,” read the cable.

Jaiswal also highlighted that India is aware of reports suggesting updated guidelines issued by the US government regarding Student and Exchange Visitor visa applicants.

MEA reveals 1,080 Indians deported from US since Trump's takeover in January 2025

Thirteen people were left stranded in no man's land in the India-Bangladesh border, including a woman and a newborn. The Indian Border Security Force on Wednesday attempted to deport 67 individuals through the Koch Bihar border in West Bengal. Bangladesh took back 54 of them but refused to take back the remaining 13, questioning their citizenship.They were left stranded on the zero line. Bangladeshi leaders accused India of ‘pushing in’ undocumented citizens. It stressed that these actions are challenging the sovereignty of Bangladesh. It insists that if there are any illegal immigrants in India, then they should be sent back through a diplomatic channel; this sort of action is dehumanising at the very least. India claims that the number of such immigrants is huge, making the process a burden for the administration.&nbsp;India and Bangladesh are separated by a 4,096.7-km-long border, and these skirmishes along the border show the growing hostility between the two nations. The long stretch of the border is not properly fenced. India has recently started work on fencing the border, which was blocked by the Bangladesh Border Security Force in January, causing a controversy.&nbsp;Ties between India and Bangladesh have been souring over the years, these can be attributed to the political developments in both nations. Since 2014, there has been a growing anti-immigrant rhetoric in New Delhi, citing security risks. On the other hand, since the ousting of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ties with the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, have not been positive for New Delhi.&nbsp;Yunus famously said in a meeting with Chinese diplomats, “We are the guardians of the sea, the seven northeastern states of India are landlocked, connected to India via a strategic chicken neck.”Even though the meeting was about inviting economic investments from China, the mention of the strategic chicken neck must have sounded alarm bells in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Thirteen people, including a woman and a newborn, were left stranded in a no-man's land between India and Bangladesh.

Thirteen people were left stranded in no man's land in the India-Bangladesh border, including a woman and a newborn. The Indian Border Security Force on Wednesday attempted to deport 67 individuals through the Koch Bihar border in West Bengal. Bangladesh took back 54 of them but refused to take back the remaining 13, questioning their citizenship. They were left stranded on the zero line. Bangladeshi leaders accused India of ‘pushing in’ undocumented citizens. It stressed that these actions are challenging the sovereignty of Bangladesh. It insists that if there are any illegal immigrants in India, then they should be sent back through a diplomatic channel; this sort of action is dehumanising at the very least. India claims that the number of such immigrants is huge, making the process a burden for the administration. India and Bangladesh are separated by a 4,096.7-km-long border, and these skirmishes along the border show the growing hostility between the two nations. The long stretch of the border is not properly fenced. India has recently started work on fencing the border, which was blocked by the Bangladesh Border Security Force in January, causing a controversy. Ties between India and Bangladesh have been souring over the years, these can be attributed to the political developments in both nations. Since 2014, there has been a growing anti-immigrant rhetoric in New Delhi, citing security risks. On the other hand, since the ousting of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ties with the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, have not been positive for New Delhi. Yunus famously said in a meeting with Chinese diplomats, “We are the guardians of the sea, the seven northeastern states of India are landlocked, connected to India via a strategic chicken neck.” Even though the meeting was about inviting economic investments from China, the mention of the strategic chicken neck must have sounded alarm bells in New Delhi.

Thirteen people, including a woman and a newborn, were left stranded in a no-man's land between India and Bangladesh.

13 stranded in no man's land as India, Bangladesh deny to recognise their citizenship

In a financial year marked by volatile global headwinds, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) delivered a record ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) surplus to the government, by 27.3 per cent from the previous year’s ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion).&nbsp;According to the RBI Annual Report for FY2024–25, this sharp jump in net income was driven by higher foreign exchange transaction gains, interest from foreign securities, and a cautious hike in its contingency risk buffer.&nbsp;While this windfall gives the Centre significant fiscal breathing space for its capital spending and welfare programs, the report also outlines a bold technology-forward vision for FY26 anchored around digital currency pilots, AI deployment, and cross-border innovation.<h2>Stronger balance sheet, bigger dividend</h2>As per the annual report, the central bank’s net income surged 27.3 per cent year-on-year to ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) in FY25, up from ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion) the previous year. This includes gains of ₹11.1 lakh crore ($133.2 billion) from foreign exchange transactions, and ₹9.7 lakh crore ($116.4 billion) in interest income from foreign securities.&nbsp;The RBI’s balance sheet expanded 8.2 per cent to ₹76.25 lakh crore ($915 billion), with foreign assets accounting for over 74 per cent of the total. Notably, the central bank’s gold holdings rose by 57.5 metric tonnes to 879.6 metric tonnes as of March 2025.&nbsp;A significant portion of the income of ₹2.68 lakh crore ($32.16 billion) has already been transferred to the central government as surplus, a move expected to ease fiscal pressures, support capital spending, and inject liquidity into the banking system by early July, according to economists cited in the report.&nbsp;The report also highlights that the Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB), which helps cushion against economic shocks was maintained at 6.5 per cent, the same level as FY24.&nbsp;Inflation, growth, and monetary policy: RBI’s balancing actThe RBI’s latest report offers a cautiously optimistic view of the Indian economy. According to the central bank, headline inflation is likely to converge to the 4 per cent target over the next 12 months, thanks to a favourable mix of macroeconomic conditions.&nbsp;These include easing global supply chain pressures, softening of international commodity prices, and above-normal rainfall boosting agricultural output.&nbsp;At the same time, GDP growth for FY26 is projected at 6.5 per cent, with the momentum driven by private consumption, healthy corporate and banking balance sheets, and the government’s continued focus on capital expenditure.&nbsp;In response to moderating inflation and subdued economic momentum, the RBI has already cut the policy repo rate by 50 basis points since February, and adopted a ‘growth-supportive’ accommodative stance in April.&nbsp;However, the path forward is not without risks. The RBI flagged a range of external headwinds, rising protectionism, geopolitical conflicts, and volatile financial markets that could threaten both inflation and growth targets. Of particular concern is the return of US tariffs under President Donald Trump, which have added uncertainty to global trade flows and emerging market stability.&nbsp;According to the report, “While the outlook remains promising, downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation persist due to evolving global dynamics.”<h2>Digital rupee, FX platform, and CBDC pilots: What’s next for RBI?</h2>The RBI is making it clear that India’s digital financial future is no longer experimental, it’s strategic.&nbsp;According to the report, the RBI will expand the pilots for central bank digital currency (CBDC) in both retail (e₹-Retail) and wholesale (e₹-Wholesale) segments. Building on groundwork laid over the past two years, the central bank now plans to test cross-border CBDC transactions, both bilateral and multilateral to make global payments faster, more transparent, and more secure.&nbsp;In addition, the RBI will link its FX-Retail platform with Bharat Connect, a move aimed at democratising access to forex markets for small businesses and individual users. This is particularly significant as India’s foreign exchange reserves peaked at $704 billion in September 2024, and the RBI was the top net seller of forex among Asian central banks in January 2025, according to estimates from Nomura and DBS Bank.&nbsp;The digital push doesn’t end there. The RBI will also roll out new CBDC use cases, such as B2B payments under the Unified Ledger Interface (ULI), and scale up Milehunter.ai™, its AI-driven analytics platform. To accompany this digital acceleration, the central bank will also develop a framework for the responsible and ethical use of AI in the financial sector.&nbsp;These pilots and platforms, the report notes, are designed to overcome persistent inefficiencies in the current system, especially those related to turnaround time, traceability, and cross-border transaction costs.<h2>Bank fraud amount triples despite drop in cases</h2>One of the more concerning takeaways from the report is the sharp rise in the value of bank frauds.&nbsp;While the total number of fraud cases declined by 34 per cent to 23,953 in FY25, the value of frauds tripled to ₹36,014 crore ($432.17 million), up from roughly ₹12,000 crore ($144 million) in FY24.&nbsp;According to the RBI annual report, this spike was largely due to the reclassification of 122 legacy fraud cases worth ₹18,674 crore ($224.08 million), after a March 2023 Supreme Court ruling mandated re-examination.&nbsp;Private sector banks reported the highest number of fraud incidents at 14,233 cases, accounting for 59.4 per cent of total frauds. But in terms of value, state-owned banks bore the brunt, accounting for ₹25,667 crore ($307.99 million) (71.3 per cent of total fraud value) compared to ₹10,088 crore ($121.05 million) by private lenders.&nbsp;Most of these frauds occurred in two areas:• Digital payments (cards/internet): 13,516 cases, ₹520 crore ($6.24 million)• Loan/advances segment: 7,950 cases, ₹33,148 crore ($398 million)&nbsp;The RBI noted that while digital frauds dominate in private banks, loan-related frauds remain concentrated in public sector banks, raising concerns about credit risk monitoring and recovery.&nbsp;

Business & Economy: One of the more concerning takeaways from the RBI report is the sharp rise in the value of bank frauds.

In a financial year marked by volatile global headwinds, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) delivered a record ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) surplus to the government, by 27.3 per cent from the previous year’s ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion). According to the RBI Annual Report for FY2024–25, this sharp jump in net income was driven by higher foreign exchange transaction gains, interest from foreign securities, and a cautious hike in its contingency risk buffer. While this windfall gives the Centre significant fiscal breathing space for its capital spending and welfare programs, the report also outlines a bold technology-forward vision for FY26 anchored around digital currency pilots, AI deployment, and cross-border innovation. Stronger balance sheet, bigger dividend As per the annual report, the central bank’s net income surged 27.3 per cent year-on-year to ₹2.69 lakh crore ($32.28 billion) in FY25, up from ₹2.11 lakh crore ($25.32 billion) the previous year. This includes gains of ₹11.1 lakh crore ($133.2 billion) from foreign exchange transactions, and ₹9.7 lakh crore ($116.4 billion) in interest income from foreign securities. The RBI’s balance sheet expanded 8.2 per cent to ₹76.25 lakh crore ($915 billion), with foreign assets accounting for over 74 per cent of the total. Notably, the central bank’s gold holdings rose by 57.5 metric tonnes to 879.6 metric tonnes as of March 2025. A significant portion of the income of ₹2.68 lakh crore ($32.16 billion) has already been transferred to the central government as surplus, a move expected to ease fiscal pressures, support capital spending, and inject liquidity into the banking system by early July, according to economists cited in the report. The report also highlights that the Contingency Risk Buffer (CRB), which helps cushion against economic shocks was maintained at 6.5 per cent, the same level as FY24. Inflation, growth, and monetary policy: RBI’s balancing act The RBI’s latest report offers a cautiously optimistic view of the Indian economy. According to the central bank, headline inflation is likely to converge to the 4 per cent target over the next 12 months, thanks to a favourable mix of macroeconomic conditions. These include easing global supply chain pressures, softening of international commodity prices, and above-normal rainfall boosting agricultural output. At the same time, GDP growth for FY26 is projected at 6.5 per cent, with the momentum driven by private consumption, healthy corporate and banking balance sheets, and the government’s continued focus on capital expenditure. In response to moderating inflation and subdued economic momentum, the RBI has already cut the policy repo rate by 50 basis points since February, and adopted a ‘growth-supportive’ accommodative stance in April. However, the path forward is not without risks. The RBI flagged a range of external headwinds, rising protectionism, geopolitical conflicts, and volatile financial markets that could threaten both inflation and growth targets. Of particular concern is the return of US tariffs under President Donald Trump, which have added uncertainty to global trade flows and emerging market stability. According to the report, “While the outlook remains promising, downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation persist due to evolving global dynamics.” Digital rupee, FX platform, and CBDC pilots: What’s next for RBI? The RBI is making it clear that India’s digital financial future is no longer experimental, it’s strategic. According to the report, the RBI will expand the pilots for central bank digital currency (CBDC) in both retail (e₹-Retail) and wholesale (e₹-Wholesale) segments. Building on groundwork laid over the past two years, the central bank now plans to test cross-border CBDC transactions, both bilateral and multilateral to make global payments faster, more transparent, and more secure. In addition, the RBI will link its FX-Retail platform with Bharat Connect, a move aimed at democratising access to forex markets for small businesses and individual users. This is particularly significant as India’s foreign exchange reserves peaked at $704 billion in September 2024, and the RBI was the top net seller of forex among Asian central banks in January 2025, according to estimates from Nomura and DBS Bank. The digital push doesn’t end there. The RBI will also roll out new CBDC use cases, such as B2B payments under the Unified Ledger Interface (ULI), and scale up Milehunter.ai™, its AI-driven analytics platform. To accompany this digital acceleration, the central bank will also develop a framework for the responsible and ethical use of AI in the financial sector. These pilots and platforms, the report notes, are designed to overcome persistent inefficiencies in the current system, especially those related to turnaround time, traceability, and cross-border transaction costs. Bank fraud amount triples despite drop in cases One of the more concerning takeaways from the report is the sharp rise in the value of bank frauds. While the total number of fraud cases declined by 34 per cent to 23,953 in FY25, the value of frauds tripled to ₹36,014 crore ($432.17 million), up from roughly ₹12,000 crore ($144 million) in FY24. According to the RBI annual report, this spike was largely due to the reclassification of 122 legacy fraud cases worth ₹18,674 crore ($224.08 million), after a March 2023 Supreme Court ruling mandated re-examination. Private sector banks reported the highest number of fraud incidents at 14,233 cases, accounting for 59.4 per cent of total frauds. But in terms of value, state-owned banks bore the brunt, accounting for ₹25,667 crore ($307.99 million) (71.3 per cent of total fraud value) compared to ₹10,088 crore ($121.05 million) by private lenders. Most of these frauds occurred in two areas: • Digital payments (cards/internet): 13,516 cases, ₹520 crore ($6.24 million) • Loan/advances segment: 7,950 cases, ₹33,148 crore ($398 million) The RBI noted that while digital frauds dominate in private banks, loan-related frauds remain concentrated in public sector banks, raising concerns about credit risk monitoring and recovery.

Amid global tension, the central bank of India's annual report for FY24- 25 delivered a record ₹2.69 lakh crore surplus to the government, by 27.3 per cent from the previous year’s ₹2.11 lakh crore.&nbsp;

From ₹2.69 lakh cr surplus to digital rupee pilots: Here's what RBI’s FY25 annual report outlines

Good news for India's salaried workforce: the Government of India has ratified the rate of interest of EPF (Employees Provident Fund) at 8.25 per cent for FY25. This would ensure stable and relatively high returns for over seven crore EPFO subscribers in the country. The move, green-lit by the Ministry of Finance, enables the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to begin crediting the annual interest into the accounts of millions of workers.The decision, as per reports, was finalised at the 237th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, chaired by Labour &amp; Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya."The Ministry of Finance has given concurrence to an 8.25 per cent rate of interest on the EPF for the 2024-25 fiscal year, and the labour ministry sent a communication regarding this to the EPFO on Thursday," revealed a labour ministry official while speaking to news agency PTI.This marks the second consecutive year the interest rate has been maintained at 8.25 per cent.<h2>Key highlights: What you need to know</h2>- 8.25 per cent Interest Rate on EPF for FY25- Interest is tax-free (up to a specified limit), which is a big plus for salaried professionals- New EDLI (Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance) benefits announced: ₹50,000 minimum life insurance for deaths even within the first year of service. Furthermore, EDLI payouts are now available even if there's a two-month gap between jobs.This is expected to result in higher benefits to families of over 5,000 individuals who die during service every year, ensuring a wider safety net for them.<h2>EPFO interest rates</h2>Going back five years, the EPFO interest rate between 2020 and 2021 was 8.50 per cent. In 2021-22, it was reduced to 8.10 per cent (the lowest since 1977-78). The next year, 2022-23, it was increased slightly to 8.15 per cent. Last year, 2023-24, it was increased further to 8.25 per cent.

The decision, as per reports, was finalised at the 237th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, chaired by Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Good news for India's salaried workforce: the Government of India has ratified the rate of interest of EPF (Employees Provident Fund) at 8.25 per cent for FY25. This would ensure stable and relatively high returns for over seven crore EPFO subscribers in the country. The move, green-lit by the Ministry of Finance, enables the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to begin crediting the annual interest into the accounts of millions of workers. The decision, as per reports, was finalised at the 237th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, chaired by Labour & Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. "The Ministry of Finance has given concurrence to an 8.25 per cent rate of interest on the EPF for the 2024-25 fiscal year, and the labour ministry sent a communication regarding this to the EPFO on Thursday," revealed a labour ministry official while speaking to news agency PTI. This marks the second consecutive year the interest rate has been maintained at 8.25 per cent. Key highlights: What you need to know - 8.25 per cent Interest Rate on EPF for FY25 - Interest is tax-free (up to a specified limit), which is a big plus for salaried professionals - New EDLI (Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance) benefits announced: ₹50,000 minimum life insurance for deaths even within the first year of service. Furthermore, EDLI payouts are now available even if there's a two-month gap between jobs. This is expected to result in higher benefits to families of over 5,000 individuals who die during service every year, ensuring a wider safety net for them. EPFO interest rates Going back five years, the EPFO interest rate between 2020 and 2021 was 8.50 per cent. In 2021-22, it was reduced to 8.10 per cent (the lowest since 1977-78). The next year, 2022-23, it was increased slightly to 8.15 per cent. Last year, 2023-24, it was increased further to 8.25 per cent.

The decision, as per reports, was finalised at the 237th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, chaired by Labour &amp; Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

EPFO interest rate for FY25 set at 8.25%: Here's what it means for you

May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted six underground nuclear tests in Chagai, Balochistan, that altered the strategic dynamics of South Asia forever. Pakistan became the seventh nuclear power in the world and the first Muslim nation to hold Nuclear Power. Pakistan commemorates May 28 as "Youm-e-Takbir", which translates to “Day of God’s Greatness” or "The Day of Greatness". The journey, however, was a mixture of resilience, scientific brilliance, fear, insecurity and existential threat.&nbsp;<h2>Where it all started&nbsp;</h2>“If India builds the bomb, we will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own,” said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1965, not in Parliament or closed doors, but to international media.This statement is emblematic of the logic of Pakistan's nuclearisation.There was domestic turmoil in India over nuclearisation. The wounds from the war with China in 1962 were fresh. In 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb at Lop Nor. India started contemplating its own nuclear program. Amid great internal resistance and pressure from the international community over non-nuclear proliferation in 1974, India detonated its first Nuclear Bomb, code-named ‘Smiling Buddha’, deep in the deserts of Pokhran. Across the border, Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto saw it not just as a threat, but as a warning. The scars of the independence of Bangladesh, then East Pakistan, were deep.<h2>The spy who built the bomb</h2>While the whole world was busy with the noise of the Cold War and the Soviet-Afghanistan conflict, Pakistan was silently developing its nuclear program with assistance from China. Abdul Qadeer Khan, born in India, a nuclear physicist, metallurgical engineer, was the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. It is opined that he borrowed classified nuclear centrifuge designs from the Dutch company URENCO, where he was working.&nbsp;He was later convicted by a Dutch court of nuclear espionage, selling nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran, and Libya, making nuclear proliferation a global phenomenon. But many believed he was just the face of the program sponsored by the Pakistani state.&nbsp;Former CIA director George Tenet called Khan ‘at least as dangerous as Osama-bin-laden’.Either way, by 1980, he was working in a lab in Kahuta on the uranium enrichment of Pakistan. The town became synonymous with nuclear secrecy. It was deep, secretive, and hidden under layers of deception; scientists maintained code names, shipments were disguised, and carried around in a ghostly manner.<h2>The tensions, sanctions, and sabotage&nbsp;</h2>“India has acquired nuclear weapons at very great cost, very great risk and at very great sacrifice to intimidate and blackmail Pakistan. . . To extract political concessions, to establish domination over the sub-continent, to exercise hegemony over the neighbouring states,” said Bhutto, reacting to the &nbsp;1974 tests of India.&nbsp;Deterrence was the sole motto, according to Bhutto, for some time in Pakistan's nuclear programme. The second was self-reliance. The limitations of the Mutual Defence Alliance of 1953 and its membership of SEATO and CENTO were already exposed. Pakistan argued that it had been facing an arms embargo from the United States; India was supposed to face the same, but since India was not using US weaponry, that embargo only worked with Pakistan. Post 1965 Soviet Union started pouring India with weapons. This made Pakistan extremely uncomfortable and changed the dynamic of the military balance.&nbsp;In the 1980s, the CIA started monitoring Pakistan through its satellites. The Pressler Amendment of 1990 threatened to impose various sanctions on Pakistan if it ever crossed the nuclear threshold.&nbsp;“We had Mossad plans to hit Kahuta. The risk of a nuclear Pakistan was too high,” &nbsp;said a retired Israeli Air Force officer, as quoted in Haaretz.&nbsp;Pakistan continued to deny it and built its nuclear capacity in silence. By the early 1990s, everyone knew it had it, but never tested it.By May 11 and 13 of 1998, India conducted five nuclear detonations. Immediately, Pakistan faced numerous pressures to exercise restraint. Bill Clinton personally connected with the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and advised, “Don’t test. If you do, you’ll trigger a dangerous arms race”However, Pakistan was boiling internally; they wanted to test their mettle. People in Islamabad and Karachi urged not to let go of this chance. &nbsp;After the test of May 13 in India, the rhetoric was such that the nuclear weapon was being corroborated with religion, and the question was about parity between Hindu and Muslim. Indian nuclear tests were considered as the ‘Hindu Bomb’; Pakistan's tests were needed for a ‘Muslim Bomb’.<h2>Youm-e-Takbir</h2>May 28, 1998, Pakistan detonated its first nuclear weapon in Chagai, Balochistan. Sanctions followed immediately, but Pakistan had shown its dedication and perseverance."Today, we have restored the balance of power in South Asia,” said Nawaz Sharif in a statement. The West was outraged, but Pakistan was jubilant. It had achieved what it had set out to do: parity with India.More than a decade later, how has it fared?The most inseparable or unsaid part of Pakistan's nuclear doctrine was its foreign policy ambition to attain its objectives in the Kashmir valley. The nuclear capability has deterred India on numerous occasions from pursuing military actions against Pakistan. Since 1998, Pakistan have been propagating Kashmir as a nuclear flash point.Muslim religious leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed, in September 1994, urged the Bhutto government: “Let us wage jihad for Kashmir. A nuclear armed Pakistan would deter India from a wider conflict”. &nbsp;However, the recent developments have shown that Pakistan can not continue supporting terrorism in Kashmir, flexing its nuclear muscle. It has to manage deterrence, and at the same time, avoid a conventional conflict.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

As Pakistan commemorates the 27th anniversary of its nuclear tests on Youm-e-Takbir. Let us look at the journey that altered the strategic dynamics of South Asia forever. 

May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted six underground nuclear tests in Chagai, Balochistan, that altered the strategic dynamics of South Asia forever. Pakistan became the seventh nuclear power in the world and the first Muslim nation to hold Nuclear Power. Pakistan commemorates May 28 as "Youm-e-Takbir", which translates to “Day of God’s Greatness” or "The Day of Greatness". The journey, however, was a mixture of resilience, scientific brilliance, fear, insecurity and existential threat. Where it all started “If India builds the bomb, we will eat grass, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own,” said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1965, not in Parliament or closed doors, but to international media. This statement is emblematic of the logic of Pakistan's nuclearisation. There was domestic turmoil in India over nuclearisation. The wounds from the war with China in 1962 were fresh. In 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb at Lop Nor. India started contemplating its own nuclear program. Amid great internal resistance and pressure from the international community over non-nuclear proliferation in 1974, India detonated its first Nuclear Bomb, code-named ‘Smiling Buddha’, deep in the deserts of Pokhran. Across the border, Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto saw it not just as a threat, but as a warning. The scars of the independence of Bangladesh, then East Pakistan, were deep. The spy who built the bomb While the whole world was busy with the noise of the Cold War and the Soviet-Afghanistan conflict, Pakistan was silently developing its nuclear program with assistance from China. Abdul Qadeer Khan, born in India, a nuclear physicist, metallurgical engineer, was the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program. It is opined that he borrowed classified nuclear centrifuge designs from the Dutch company URENCO, where he was working. He was later convicted by a Dutch court of nuclear espionage, selling nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran, and Libya, making nuclear proliferation a global phenomenon. But many believed he was just the face of the program sponsored by the Pakistani state. Former CIA director George Tenet called Khan ‘at least as dangerous as Osama-bin-laden’. Either way, by 1980, he was working in a lab in Kahuta on the uranium enrichment of Pakistan. The town became synonymous with nuclear secrecy. It was deep, secretive, and hidden under layers of deception; scientists maintained code names, shipments were disguised, and carried around in a ghostly manner. The tensions, sanctions, and sabotage “India has acquired nuclear weapons at very great cost, very great risk and at very great sacrifice to intimidate and blackmail Pakistan. . . To extract political concessions, to establish domination over the sub-continent, to exercise hegemony over the neighbouring states,” said Bhutto, reacting to the 1974 tests of India. Deterrence was the sole motto, according to Bhutto, for some time in Pakistan's nuclear programme. The second was self-reliance. The limitations of the Mutual Defence Alliance of 1953 and its membership of SEATO and CENTO were already exposed. Pakistan argued that it had been facing an arms embargo from the United States; India was supposed to face the same, but since India was not using US weaponry, that embargo only worked with Pakistan. Post 1965 Soviet Union started pouring India with weapons. This made Pakistan extremely uncomfortable and changed the dynamic of the military balance. In the 1980s, the CIA started monitoring Pakistan through its satellites. The Pressler Amendment of 1990 threatened to impose various sanctions on Pakistan if it ever crossed the nuclear threshold. “We had Mossad plans to hit Kahuta. The risk of a nuclear Pakistan was too high,” said a retired Israeli Air Force officer, as quoted in Haaretz. Pakistan continued to deny it and built its nuclear capacity in silence. By the early 1990s, everyone knew it had it, but never tested it. By May 11 and 13 of 1998, India conducted five nuclear detonations. Immediately, Pakistan faced numerous pressures to exercise restraint. Bill Clinton personally connected with the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and advised, “Don’t test. If you do, you’ll trigger a dangerous arms race” However, Pakistan was boiling internally; they wanted to test their mettle. People in Islamabad and Karachi urged not to let go of this chance. After the test of May 13 in India, the rhetoric was such that the nuclear weapon was being corroborated with religion, and the question was about parity between Hindu and Muslim. Indian nuclear tests were considered as the ‘Hindu Bomb’; Pakistan's tests were needed for a ‘Muslim Bomb’. Youm-e-Takbir May 28, 1998, Pakistan detonated its first nuclear weapon in Chagai, Balochistan. Sanctions followed immediately, but Pakistan had shown its dedication and perseverance. "Today, we have restored the balance of power in South Asia,” said Nawaz Sharif in a statement. The West was outraged, but Pakistan was jubilant. It had achieved what it had set out to do: parity with India. More than a decade later, how has it fared? The most inseparable or unsaid part of Pakistan's nuclear doctrine was its foreign policy ambition to attain its objectives in the Kashmir valley. The nuclear capability has deterred India on numerous occasions from pursuing military actions against Pakistan. Since 1998, Pakistan have been propagating Kashmir as a nuclear flash point. Muslim religious leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed, in September 1994, urged the Bhutto government: “Let us wage jihad for Kashmir. A nuclear armed Pakistan would deter India from a wider conflict”. However, the recent developments have shown that Pakistan can not continue supporting terrorism in Kashmir, flexing its nuclear muscle. It has to manage deterrence, and at the same time, avoid a conventional conflict.

As Pakistan commemorates the 27th anniversary of its nuclear tests on Youm-e-Takbir. Let us look at the journey that altered the strategic dynamics of South Asia forever.&nbsp;

Youm-e-Takbir: How Pakistan became a nuclear power

Cricket Australia has officially announced Wednesday (May 28) that India will tour Australia in late 2025 for a white-ball series featuring three <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/odi">One Day Internationals (ODIs)</a> and five <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/t20i">T20 Internationals (T20Is)</a>. In an Instagram post, Cricket Australia stated the high-stake series is set to begin on October 19 and will run till November 8.&nbsp;The ODI series will kick off at Perth Stadium on 19 October, followed by matches at Adelaide Oval on October 23 and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/sydney-cricket-ground">Sydney Cricket Ground</a> on 25 October.&nbsp;&nbsp;These three 50-over matches will be closely followed by five T20Is in Canberra ( 29 October), Melbourne (31 October), Hobart (2 November ), Gold Coast (6 November) and Brisbane (8 November).&nbsp;Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jitesh-survives-rathi-run-out-appeal-at-non-striker-end-heres-what-the-rule-says-1748412723483">Jitesh survives Rathi's run-out appeal at non-striker end. Here's what the rule says</a>&nbsp;This tour comes a competitive five-match Border-Gavaskar Test series held earlier in 2025. Cricket Australia expects strong interest from fans once again, both in stadiums and across broadcast and digital platforms.&nbsp;“We smashed many records for attendance, viewing audiences and digital engagement last summer and we're confident that this incredible momentum will continue throughout what promises to be an engrossing season,” Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia CEO was quoted saying.&nbsp;The last time when India played a white-ball series under the captaincy of Virat Kohli in Australia, the ODI leg was won by the hosts 2-1, while India triumphed back in the T20I series with a 2-1 victory over the Kangroos.&nbsp;This upcoming tour could also be of added significance as it might be the final ODI appearance in Australia for senior Indian players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, adding a layer of emotions to the fierce contest.

This tour comes after the two sides faced off in the 2023 World Cup final in India followed by a competitive five-match Border-Gavaskar Test series held earlier in 2025. 

Cricket Australia has officially announced Wednesday (May 28) that India will tour Australia in late 2025 for a white-ball series featuring three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20 Internationals (T20Is). In an Instagram post, Cricket Australia stated the high-stake series is set to begin on October 19 and will run till November 8. The ODI series will kick off at Perth Stadium on 19 October, followed by matches at Adelaide Oval on October 23 and the Sydney Cricket Ground on 25 October. These three 50-over matches will be closely followed by five T20Is in Canberra ( 29 October), Melbourne (31 October), Hobart (2 November ), Gold Coast (6 November) and Brisbane (8 November). Also Read | Jitesh survives Rathi's run-out appeal at non-striker end. Here's what the rule says This tour comes a competitive five-match Border-Gavaskar Test series held earlier in 2025. Cricket Australia expects strong interest from fans once again, both in stadiums and across broadcast and digital platforms. “We smashed many records for attendance, viewing audiences and digital engagement last summer and we're confident that this incredible momentum will continue throughout what promises to be an engrossing season,” Todd Greenberg, Cricket Australia CEO was quoted saying. The last time when India played a white-ball series under the captaincy of Virat Kohli in Australia, the ODI leg was won by the hosts 2-1, while India triumphed back in the T20I series with a 2-1 victory over the Kangroos. This upcoming tour could also be of added significance as it might be the final ODI appearance in Australia for senior Indian players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, adding a layer of emotions to the fierce contest.

This tour comes after the two sides faced off in the 2023 World Cup final in India followed by a competitive five-match Border-Gavaskar Test series held earlier in 2025.&nbsp;

India to tour Australia in late 2025 for white ball series. Check schedule inside

Arunachal Pradesh reported its first case of COVID-19 in the current wave on Wednesday (May 28), as the total number of active cases in India has surged to 1000.&nbsp;According to health officials, a 34-year-old pregnant woman and her mother in Itanagar have tested positive. The woman is undergoing treatment in the hospital for fever and mild cough, while her mother is in isolation as she remains asymptomatic.&nbsp;State Surveillance Officer Lobsang Jampa urged people to remain calm, saying that the new strain of the virus is not as severe as the previous variants.&nbsp;“The health department is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus,” he said.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-variant-jn1-covid-virus-is-more-contagious-but-is-it-a-cause-for-worry-1748410451237">COVID-19 variant JN.1 is more contagious, but is it a cause for worry?</a>&nbsp;<h2>Active cases cross 1,000</h2>&nbsp;India has recorded 1010 active cases according to the data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday (May 26). Maximum cases reported are in Kerala, with over 400 active cases. Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have also seen a rise in cases.&nbsp;So far, six deaths have been reported, three in Maharashtra, two in Kerala, and one in Karnataka. However, the ministry said that more details are awaited before the deaths can be attributed to COVID-19.&nbsp;Delhi has reported 104 active cases with a sudden rise in cases within a week. A senior Delhi Government health official confirmed the figures but said that the situation remains under control and authorities are closely monitoring any potential surge.&nbsp;On Friday (May 23), the Delhi government issued an advisory directing hospitals to prepare for any possible surges. The hospitals have been advised to ensure the availability of beds, essential drugs, functional equipment like ventilators and BiPAP machines.

According to health officials, a 34-year-old pregnant woman and her mother in Itanagar have tested positive.

Arunachal Pradesh reported its first case of COVID-19 in the current wave on Wednesday (May 28), as the total number of active cases in India has surged to 1000. According to health officials, a 34-year-old pregnant woman and her mother in Itanagar have tested positive. The woman is undergoing treatment in the hospital for fever and mild cough, while her mother is in isolation as she remains asymptomatic. State Surveillance Officer Lobsang Jampa urged people to remain calm, saying that the new strain of the virus is not as severe as the previous variants. “The health department is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus,” he said. Also read | COVID-19 variant JN.1 is more contagious, but is it a cause for worry? Active cases cross 1,000 India has recorded 1010 active cases according to the data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Monday (May 26). Maximum cases reported are in Kerala, with over 400 active cases. Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu have also seen a rise in cases. So far, six deaths have been reported, three in Maharashtra, two in Kerala, and one in Karnataka. However, the ministry said that more details are awaited before the deaths can be attributed to COVID-19. Delhi has reported 104 active cases with a sudden rise in cases within a week. A senior Delhi Government health official confirmed the figures but said that the situation remains under control and authorities are closely monitoring any potential surge. On Friday (May 23), the Delhi government issued an advisory directing hospitals to prepare for any possible surges. The hospitals have been advised to ensure the availability of beds, essential drugs, functional equipment like ventilators and BiPAP machines.

According to health officials, a 34-year-old pregnant woman and her mother in Itanagar have tested positive.

Arunachal Pradesh records first COVID-19 case, total active infections over 1,000 in India

As the probe continued, it was revealed that Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, was aware that she was interacting with officials from Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).Data had been recovered from three phones belonging to Jyoti Malhotra, which revealed her chat records, call logs, video footage and financial transactions connecting her to four Pakistani operatives, according to Indian media Hindustan Times.Police said that Jyoti was aware of the positions held by the operatives who approached her."The forensic report reveals that she was in direct contact with at least four Pakistani intelligence operatives, and she received special treatment during her trips to Pakistan. We are examining recovered digital data,” an earlier report quoted the official.Malhotra, after getting arrested, confessed that she was in contact with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jyoti-malhotra-police-custody-ends-to-appear-in-court-today-spying-for-pakistan-1748240626253">Also read: Jyoti Malhotra spying case: YouTuber appears in Hisar court after police custody ends</a>&nbsp;"She confessed to her direct communication with Danish. She was also in contact with several other YouTube influencers. Her three mobile phones and laptop, along with two phones belonging to Harkirat Singh, the IT in-charge of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), have been sent for forensic examination,” police spokesperson Vikas Kumar said.Moreover, the data is now being investigated for more leads in the case.Jyoti, 33, was among the 12 individuals arrested this month from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in connection with an alleged Pakistan-linked spy network operating in northern India.The 33-year-old has travelled to Pakistan several times and made vlogs highlighting the food, culture and locations there. She also praised the hospitality she received during her visit to Pakistan.She had also visited Pahalgam just three months before terrorists linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) killed 26 civilians in a dastardly terror attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jyoti-malhotra-s-new-video-with-gunmen-in-pakistan-surfaces-1748250636405">Also read: Jyoti Malhotra's new video with gunmen in Pakistan surfaces</a>

Data had been recovered from three phones belonging to Jyoti Malhotra, which revealed her chat records, call logs, video footage and financial transactions

As the probe continued, it was revealed that Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan, was aware that she was interacting with officials from Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Data had been recovered from three phones belonging to Jyoti Malhotra, which revealed her chat records, call logs, video footage and financial transactions connecting her to four Pakistani operatives, according to Indian media Hindustan Times. Police said that Jyoti was aware of the positions held by the operatives who approached her. "The forensic report reveals that she was in direct contact with at least four Pakistani intelligence operatives, and she received special treatment during her trips to Pakistan. We are examining recovered digital data,” an earlier report quoted the official. Malhotra, after getting arrested, confessed that she was in contact with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish. Also read: Jyoti Malhotra spying case: YouTuber appears in Hisar court after police custody ends "She confessed to her direct communication with Danish. She was also in contact with several other YouTube influencers. Her three mobile phones and laptop, along with two phones belonging to Harkirat Singh, the IT in-charge of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), have been sent for forensic examination,” police spokesperson Vikas Kumar said. Moreover, the data is now being investigated for more leads in the case. Jyoti, 33, was among the 12 individuals arrested this month from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in connection with an alleged Pakistan-linked spy network operating in northern India. The 33-year-old has travelled to Pakistan several times and made vlogs highlighting the food, culture and locations there. She also praised the hospitality she received during her visit to Pakistan. She had also visited Pahalgam just three months before terrorists linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) killed 26 civilians in a dastardly terror attack. Also read: Jyoti Malhotra's new video with gunmen in Pakistan surfaces

Data had been recovered from three phones belonging to Jyoti Malhotra, which revealed her chat records, call logs, video footage and financial transactions.

Did Youtuber Jyoti Malhotra know her Pakistani friends were from ISI? Here's what her phone data revealed

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated an Indian Railways Locomotive Manufacturing Plant in Dahod, Gujarat, on Monday (May 26) and laid its foundation stone.Further, PM Modi also launched several development projects in Dahod, worth over Rs 24,000 crore.The Indian prime minister was joined by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, as he flagged off the first electric locomotive produced at the facility.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-entire-nation-is-united-against-terrorism-filled-with-anger-pm-modi-in-mann-ki-baat-1748152241622">Also read: 'Entire nation is united against terrorism, filled with anger': PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat</a><h2>What is this new project?</h2>The new plant in Dahod is set to produce 9000 HP electric locomotives for both domestic use and international export.Moreover, the locomotives will help in increasing the freight loading capacity of Indian Railways. The electric locomotive can haul freight trains at a speed of 120 kmph and a power of 9000 horsepower.PM Modi inaugurated the manufacturing plant as part of his vision to improve connectivity and develop world-class travel infrastructure, according to a release issued by PM office.<h2>Watch video here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Locomotive Manufacturing plant of the Indian Railways in Dahod This plant will produce electric locomotives of 9000 HP for domestic purposes and for export. The locomotives will help in increasing the freight loading… <a href="https://t.co/jVOB2FB1GB">pic.twitter.com/jVOB2FB1GB</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1926883694888755626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;As per the statement, the engines will be equipped with air conditioning, and a toilet facility for the driver, and an advanced cover system to enhance safety and prevent accidents.It also aligns with PM Modi's vision of enhanced connectivity and building world-class infrastructure. Notably, they are equipped with regenerative braking systems and are engineered to reduce energy consumption.Along with this project, he also flagged off two major train services, the Vande Bharat Express between Veraval and Ahmedabad, and a new express train connecting Valsad and Dahod.PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Gujarat from May 26 to 27, and he held a roadshow in Vadodara today while expressing gratitude to the people of Vadodara.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-an-expression-of-the-values-and-emotions-of-indians-pm-modi-during-dahod-rally-1748249630631">Also read: Operation Sindoor 'an expression of the values and emotions of Indians': PM Modi during Dahod rally</a>

The new plant in Dahod is set to produce 9000 HP electric locomotives for both domestic use and international export.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated an Indian Railways Locomotive Manufacturing Plant in Dahod, Gujarat, on Monday (May 26) and laid its foundation stone. Further, PM Modi also launched several development projects in Dahod, worth over Rs 24,000 crore. The Indian prime minister was joined by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, as he flagged off the first electric locomotive produced at the facility. Also read: 'Entire nation is united against terrorism, filled with anger': PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat What is this new project? The new plant in Dahod is set to produce 9000 HP electric locomotives for both domestic use and international export. Moreover, the locomotives will help in increasing the freight loading capacity of Indian Railways. The electric locomotive can haul freight trains at a speed of 120 kmph and a power of 9000 horsepower. PM Modi inaugurated the manufacturing plant as part of his vision to improve connectivity and develop world-class travel infrastructure, according to a release issued by PM office. Watch video here

The new plant in Dahod is set to produce 9000 HP electric locomotives for both domestic use and international export.

PM Modi inaugurates 'locomotive manufacturing plant' of Indian Railways in Gujarat's Dahod - What is it? Watch video

&nbsp;India's National Disaster Response Force, a specialist force meant to tackle natural and man-made disasters, has mobilised a hazardous material (HazMat) truck and a 30-member team from Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, to Kollam, Kerala, where suspected chemical-laden shipping containers are washing ashore. This is in the aftermath of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA3, carrying 640 containers and massive amounts of fuel, sinking off Kochi in the morning hours of Sunday (May 25). The NDRF team has been mobilised following a request from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.The HazMat truck is purpose-built to monitor and deal with chemical, biological, and nuclear risk situations. Such vehicles are equipped with detection and identification equipment, NBC filtration systems, and decontamination chambers. They also have communication capabilities for live audio, video, and data exchange with remote command centres. The truck is expected to reach Kollam in the late hours of Monday.Though the ship sank about 70 km off its destination port city of Kochi, the sinkage site is barely 35 km from Alappuzha (Aleppey) district in Kerala. Initial reports indicate that multiple containers are washing ashore in coastal regions south of Kochi, Kerala. It is noteworthy that rough sea conditions, gusty winds and rainfall prevail in the region, owing to the active southwest monsoon.The Liberia-flagged container vessel was sailing on a day-long voyage between two ports in Kerala-from Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, to Kochi, when it began to tilt sideways at noon on Saturday &nbsp;(May 24). All 24 crew members of the cargo ship have been rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.Of the 640 containers carried by the sunken vessel, 13 contained hazardous cargo, and 12 contained calcium carbide. The ship had in its tanks 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil. Indian Coast Guard ship Saksham, with pollution response equipment, has been positioned at the scene.The sensitive coast of Kerala is home to both a vivid biodiversity and a major tourist hotspot. ICG has geared up pollution response preparedness and coordination with the state administration for all possible scenarios. ICG aircraft with advanced oil spill mapping technology is undertaking an assessment of the situation, ICG had said.According to the Indian Coast Guard, at around 1:25 pm Saturday, the shipping company MSC's officials intimated Indian authorities regarding the cargo vessel that was taking in water and tilted significantly. The shipping firm requested immediate assistance. In response, the Indian Coast Guard deployed two ships and its Dornier short-range maritime patrol aircraft. An Indian Navy vessel was also part of the operation.The sunken vessel's 24 crew members comprised a Russian, a Georgian, two Ukrainians, and 20 Filipinos.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Based on a request from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a> Govt,<a href="https://twitter.com/04NDRF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@04NDRF</a> has mobilized a Hazardous Materials truck(handles Nuclear, chemical, Bio risks) + specialized team to Kollam, to deal with a possible chemical spill risk, as shipping containers from the sunken MSC ELSA3 cargo ship are washing ashore.. <a href="https://t.co/2e9p5Xhq7t">https://t.co/2e9p5Xhq7t</a> <a href="https://t.co/JUhJSnmSZU">pic.twitter.com/JUhJSnmSZU</a>&mdash; Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1926852045257970166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is in the aftermath of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA3, carrying 640 containers and massive amounts of fuel, sinking off Kochi in the morning hours of Sunday (May 25). The NDRF team has been mobilised following a request from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.

India's National Disaster Response Force, a specialist force meant to tackle natural and man-made disasters, has mobilised a hazardous material (HazMat) truck and a 30-member team from Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, to Kollam, Kerala, where suspected chemical-laden shipping containers are washing ashore. This is in the aftermath of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA3, carrying 640 containers and massive amounts of fuel, sinking off Kochi in the morning hours of Sunday (May 25). The NDRF team has been mobilised following a request from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. The HazMat truck is purpose-built to monitor and deal with chemical, biological, and nuclear risk situations. Such vehicles are equipped with detection and identification equipment, NBC filtration systems, and decontamination chambers. They also have communication capabilities for live audio, video, and data exchange with remote command centres. The truck is expected to reach Kollam in the late hours of Monday. Though the ship sank about 70 km off its destination port city of Kochi, the sinkage site is barely 35 km from Alappuzha (Aleppey) district in Kerala. Initial reports indicate that multiple containers are washing ashore in coastal regions south of Kochi, Kerala. It is noteworthy that rough sea conditions, gusty winds and rainfall prevail in the region, owing to the active southwest monsoon. The Liberia-flagged container vessel was sailing on a day-long voyage between two ports in Kerala-from Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, to Kochi, when it began to tilt sideways at noon on Saturday (May 24). All 24 crew members of the cargo ship have been rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy. Of the 640 containers carried by the sunken vessel, 13 contained hazardous cargo, and 12 contained calcium carbide. The ship had in its tanks 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil. Indian Coast Guard ship Saksham, with pollution response equipment, has been positioned at the scene. The sensitive coast of Kerala is home to both a vivid biodiversity and a major tourist hotspot. ICG has geared up pollution response preparedness and coordination with the state administration for all possible scenarios. ICG aircraft with advanced oil spill mapping technology is undertaking an assessment of the situation, ICG had said. According to the Indian Coast Guard, at around 1:25 pm Saturday, the shipping company MSC's officials intimated Indian authorities regarding the cargo vessel that was taking in water and tilted significantly. The shipping firm requested immediate assistance. In response, the Indian Coast Guard deployed two ships and its Dornier short-range maritime patrol aircraft. An Indian Navy vessel was also part of the operation. The sunken vessel's 24 crew members comprised a Russian, a Georgian, two Ukrainians, and 20 Filipinos.

This is in the aftermath of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA3, carrying 640 containers and massive amounts of fuel, sinking off Kochi in the morning hours of Sunday (May 25). The NDRF team has been mobilised following a request from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.

NDRF hazmat team moves to Kerala to deal with chemical spill risk

India has rewritten the global economic leaderboard. With a GDP of $4 trillion, the country has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) data cited by NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam.&nbsp; &nbsp;The announcement marks a pivotal moment in India’s growth story one driven by structural reforms, demographic strength, and resilient consumption.<h2>What NITI Aayog said</h2>According to a report by ANI, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam confirmed that India has now overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.&nbsp;“We are a $4 trillion economy as I speak… and this is not my data. This is IMF data. India today is larger than Japan,” Subrahmanyam told ANI. &nbsp;The IMF’s April World Economic Outlook estimates India’s nominal GDP will reach $4.187 trillion in FY2026, narrowly surpassing Japan’s projection of $4.186 trillion. India held the fifth position globally until 2024.&nbsp;Looking ahead, Subrahmanyam told ANI that India is well-positioned to overtake Germany, “It’s only the United States, China, and Germany which are larger… If we stick to what is being planned, it’s a matter of another two, two and a half to three years, we would become the third-largest economy.” &nbsp;He added that India’s economic trajectory is backed by its young and expanding population. “India is at a takeoff stage… and we are blessed with this demographic window for the next 20 to 25 years. The Prime Minister has already asked states to draft vision documents and this planning is showing visible results,” Subrahmanyam said, as quoted by ANI.<h2>India’s rise&nbsp;comes amid global trade tensions</h2>India’s economic leap comes at a time when global trade tensions are high, and the country is actively negotiating across multiple trade corridors. Post Donald Trump’s returned to Oval office, the US imposed up to 26 per cent tariffs on specific Indian goods. These remain in effect, with India now seeking a full exemption as part of bilateral negotiations.&nbsp; The first phase of a restructured trade agreement is anticipated by July 2025, according to recent reports. Dialogue between New Delhi and Washington has intensified. India is pushing for tariff relaxations in sectors like agriculture and textiles, while the US is keen on securing digital trade guarantees and enhanced data access. India has also finalised a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom. Under the pact, tariffs on 90 per cent of British exports to India will be reduced, with 85 per cent of goods becoming fully duty-free over the next 10 years, an ambitious effort to expand India’s trade network beyond traditional partners. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and tightening global credit conditions, the IMF projects India’s economy to grow by 6.2 per cent in 2025 and 6.3 per cent in 2026.&nbsp; These figures remain well above the projected global growth of 2.8 per cent and 3.0 per cent, reinforcing India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy. India’s journey from the fifth largest to the fourth-largest economy reflects both economic resilience and strategic execution.&nbsp; As trade dynamics shift and global economies grapple with uncertainty, India’s sustained growth, favourable demographics, and policy clarity position it to potentially overtake Germany and enter the top three global economies soon.&nbsp;

Business & Economy: The announcement marks a pivotal moment in India’s growth story one driven by structural reforms, demographic strength, and resilient consumption.

India has rewritten the global economic leaderboard. With a GDP of $4 trillion, the country has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) data cited by NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam. The announcement marks a pivotal moment in India’s growth story one driven by structural reforms, demographic strength, and resilient consumption. What NITI Aayog said According to a report by ANI, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam confirmed that India has now overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. “We are a $4 trillion economy as I speak… and this is not my data. This is IMF data. India today is larger than Japan,” Subrahmanyam told ANI. The IMF’s April World Economic Outlook estimates India’s nominal GDP will reach $4.187 trillion in FY2026, narrowly surpassing Japan’s projection of $4.186 trillion. India held the fifth position globally until 2024. Looking ahead, Subrahmanyam told ANI that India is well-positioned to overtake Germany, “It’s only the United States, China, and Germany which are larger… If we stick to what is being planned, it’s a matter of another two, two and a half to three years, we would become the third-largest economy.” He added that India’s economic trajectory is backed by its young and expanding population. “India is at a takeoff stage… and we are blessed with this demographic window for the next 20 to 25 years. The Prime Minister has already asked states to draft vision documents and this planning is showing visible results,” Subrahmanyam said, as quoted by ANI. India’s rise comes amid global trade tensions India’s economic leap comes at a time when global trade tensions are high, and the country is actively negotiating across multiple trade corridors. Post Donald Trump’s returned to Oval office, the US imposed up to 26 per cent tariffs on specific Indian goods. These remain in effect, with India now seeking a full exemption as part of bilateral negotiations. The first phase of a restructured trade agreement is anticipated by July 2025, according to recent reports. Dialogue between New Delhi and Washington has intensified. India is pushing for tariff relaxations in sectors like agriculture and textiles, while the US is keen on securing digital trade guarantees and enhanced data access. India has also finalised a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom. Under the pact, tariffs on 90 per cent of British exports to India will be reduced, with 85 per cent of goods becoming fully duty-free over the next 10 years, an ambitious effort to expand India’s trade network beyond traditional partners. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and tightening global credit conditions, the IMF projects India’s economy to grow by 6.2 per cent in 2025 and 6.3 per cent in 2026. These figures remain well above the projected global growth of 2.8 per cent and 3.0 per cent, reinforcing India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy. India’s journey from the fifth largest to the fourth-largest economy reflects both economic resilience and strategic execution. As trade dynamics shift and global economies grapple with uncertainty, India’s sustained growth, favourable demographics, and policy clarity position it to potentially overtake Germany and enter the top three global economies soon.

Amid global trade tension, NITI Aayog CEO said that with a GDP of $4 trillion, India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy,

India surpasses Japan to become 4th largest economy at $4 Trillion: NITI Aayog CEO

India is seeing a fresh uptick in COVID-19 infections, with cases surfacing in several states including Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi. One death has been reported from Thane in Maharashtra, but health officials and doctors are urging people not to panic.As of 24 May, there are 18 active Covid cases in Thane, 273 in Kerala, and 35 in Karnataka, of which 32 are from Bengaluru, and 23 fresh cases were logged in Delhi. Isolated infections have also been reported in cities like Hyderabad and Noida.<h2>New subvariants detected, but WHO says risk is low</h2>Alongside the JN.1 variant, which remains the dominant strain in India, new subvariants such as NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 have been recorded. According to data from INSACOG, one case of NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu in April, and four instances of LF.7 were identified in Gujarat this May.The World Health Organization (WHO) currently lists both LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 as “Variants Under Monitoring” rather than more serious designations such as “Variants of Concern” or “Variants of Interest”.“Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level,” WHO said. “Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.”<h2>Most cases remain mild and manageable at home</h2>Doctors have reiterated that the JN.1 variant while spreading across parts of the country, is not dangerous. Most people are showing only mild symptoms and are recovering at home.Dr Dhruv Chauhan, spokesperson for the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network, advised the public to remain calm.“This is not a lethal variant and it's always better to take precautions like maintaining hand hygiene, wearing masks where necessary such as in hospitals or crowded places and following respiratory hygiene. It is also important to get your symptoms checked by a qualified doctor,” Dr Chauhan said.He added, “The public should remember that panic and chaos can cause more health issues than the disease itself.”<h2>India continues to monitor the situation closely</h2>The Union Health Secretary recently reviewed the COVID-19 situation. Officials told ANI news agency that the majority of the cases are mild and patients are being treated at home.“The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and, through its multiple agencies, is proactively monitoring the situation closely,” sources said.Among the states seeing a rise in cases are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi, which reported 23 new infections on Friday and issued advisories to hospitals.While the recent increase in cases has raised eyebrows, especially as neighbouring countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China also report spikes, doctors and health agencies stress that the current variants do not pose a serious health threat, provided basic precautions are followed.

As of 24 May, there are 18 active Covid cases in Thane, 273 in Kerala, and 35 in Karnataka, of which 32 are from Bengaluru, and 23 fresh cases were logged in Delhi. Isolated infections have also been reported in cities like Hyderabad and Noida.

India is seeing a fresh uptick in COVID-19 infections, with cases surfacing in several states including Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi. One death has been reported from Thane in Maharashtra, but health officials and doctors are urging people not to panic. As of 24 May, there are 18 active Covid cases in Thane, 273 in Kerala, and 35 in Karnataka, of which 32 are from Bengaluru, and 23 fresh cases were logged in Delhi. Isolated infections have also been reported in cities like Hyderabad and Noida. New subvariants detected, but WHO says risk is low Alongside the JN.1 variant, which remains the dominant strain in India, new subvariants such as NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 have been recorded. According to data from INSACOG, one case of NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu in April, and four instances of LF.7 were identified in Gujarat this May. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently lists both LF.7 and NB.1.8.1 as “Variants Under Monitoring” rather than more serious designations such as “Variants of Concern” or “Variants of Interest”. “Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level,” WHO said. “Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease.” Most cases remain mild and manageable at home Doctors have reiterated that the JN.1 variant while spreading across parts of the country, is not dangerous. Most people are showing only mild symptoms and are recovering at home. Dr Dhruv Chauhan, spokesperson for the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network, advised the public to remain calm. “This is not a lethal variant and it's always better to take precautions like maintaining hand hygiene, wearing masks where necessary such as in hospitals or crowded places and following respiratory hygiene. It is also important to get your symptoms checked by a qualified doctor,” Dr Chauhan said. He added, “The public should remember that panic and chaos can cause more health issues than the disease itself.” India continues to monitor the situation closely The Union Health Secretary recently reviewed the COVID-19 situation. Officials told ANI news agency that the majority of the cases are mild and patients are being treated at home. “The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and, through its multiple agencies, is proactively monitoring the situation closely,” sources said. Among the states seeing a rise in cases are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi, which reported 23 new infections on Friday and issued advisories to hospitals. While the recent increase in cases has raised eyebrows, especially as neighbouring countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China also report spikes, doctors and health agencies stress that the current variants do not pose a serious health threat, provided basic precautions are followed.

As of 24 May, there are 18 active Covid cases in Thane, 273 in Kerala, and 35 in Karnataka, of which 32 are from Bengaluru, and 23 fresh cases were logged in Delhi. Isolated infections have also been reported in cities like Hyderabad and Noida.

Thane reports Covid death as JN.1 variant spreads: Is the new variant dangerous? All your questions answered

The monsoon has arrived in India's Kerala. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday (May 24) announced that the Southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala, eight days earlier than the normal onset date of June 1.<h2>Earliest monsoon since 2009</h2>This marks the earliest onset of the monsoon in Kerala in 16 years, since 2009, said the weather department."The Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today, the 24th May, 2025, against the normal date of 1st June. Thus, the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before the normal date. This is the earliest monsoon onset over Kerala after the year 2009, when it was set in over Kerala on 23rd May 2009," said the IMD, as reported by news agency ANI.For a monsoon to be declared, at least 60 per cent of the 14 weather stations across Kerala and adjoining area must record 2.55 mm or more rainfall for two consecutive days.IMD said that in addition to Kerala, a well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central Arabian Sea off the south Konkan coast concentrated into a depression and lay centred earlier today."The Well Marked Low pressure area over east-central Arabian Sea off south Konkan coast concentrated into a depression and lay centered at 0530 Hrs IST of today, the 24th May 2025 over eastcentral Arabian Sea and adjoining south Konkan coast near latitude 17.20 N &amp; longitude 73.00E, about 40 km northwest of Ratnagiri. It is likely to move nearly eastwards and cross south Konkan coast between Ratnagiri and Dapoli as a depression during forenoon of today, the 24th May 2025," said the weather agency.<h2>Will the rest of India get respite soon?</h2>In Rajasthan, which is experiencing a heat wave, the hot weather is expected to continue for five days with several districts experiencing temperatures as high as 48 degree Celsius.Several parts of Tamil Nadu have been placed under a red alert for May 25 and 26.Forecast for North India show persisting heat and temperatures reaching up to 42 degrees celcius.

“The Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today, the 24th May, 2025, against the normal date of 1st June. Thus, the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before the normal date,” said IMD.

The monsoon has arrived in India's Kerala. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday (May 24) announced that the Southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala, eight days earlier than the normal onset date of June 1. Earliest monsoon since 2009 This marks the earliest onset of the monsoon in Kerala in 16 years, since 2009, said the weather department. "The Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today, the 24th May, 2025, against the normal date of 1st June. Thus, the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before the normal date. This is the earliest monsoon onset over Kerala after the year 2009, when it was set in over Kerala on 23rd May 2009," said the IMD, as reported by news agency ANI. For a monsoon to be declared, at least 60 per cent of the 14 weather stations across Kerala and adjoining area must record 2.55 mm or more rainfall for two consecutive days. IMD said that in addition to Kerala, a well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central Arabian Sea off the south Konkan coast concentrated into a depression and lay centred earlier today. "The Well Marked Low pressure area over east-central Arabian Sea off south Konkan coast concentrated into a depression and lay centered at 0530 Hrs IST of today, the 24th May 2025 over eastcentral Arabian Sea and adjoining south Konkan coast near latitude 17.20 N & longitude 73.00E, about 40 km northwest of Ratnagiri. It is likely to move nearly eastwards and cross south Konkan coast between Ratnagiri and Dapoli as a depression during forenoon of today, the 24th May 2025," said the weather agency. Will the rest of India get respite soon? In Rajasthan, which is experiencing a heat wave, the hot weather is expected to continue for five days with several districts experiencing temperatures as high as 48 degree Celsius. Several parts of Tamil Nadu have been placed under a red alert for May 25 and 26. Forecast for North India show persisting heat and temperatures reaching up to 42 degrees celcius.

“The Southwest Monsoon has set in over Kerala today, the 24th May, 2025, against the normal date of 1st June. Thus, the southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala 8 days before the normal date,” said IMD.

Monsoon arrives 8 day early in Kerala - earliest onset since 2009. Will you get respite from heat? IMD prediction

As he and fellow crew members aboard the International Space Station circle the Earth at nearly 28,000 kmph, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be having a video interaction with students from India. "Our astronaut will be directly interacting with the student community... two such events we are planning across the country," Sudeesh Balan, Project Director at ISRO told WION's Sidharth M.P.&nbsp;If all goes per plan, the American Axiom-4 mission piloted by Indian Air Force Test Pilot Group Captain Shukla will liftoff on June 8th from &nbsp;Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. However, the launch date is subject to changes in weather and other technical factors. Axiom-4 will carry a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts would be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule.&nbsp;Axiom-4 is a unique and exciting opportunity for ISRO in International cooperation and collaboration. The experience and know-how from this mission are significant for us and would feed into Gaganyaan program, which is India's own mission to send our astronauts to space and return them safely. Missions like Axiom-4 would motivate young minds to be passionate about space technology, Balan added.&nbsp;Further, Shukla will also be performing experiments in STEM(Science, Tech, Engineering, Math), and these will be made available as recorded educational videos, as part of the Axiom-4 mission outreach activity.&nbsp; Dana Weigel, Manager, International Space Station Program, NASA, told WION's Sidharth M.P, that NASA and ISRO have a unique joint agreement for working onboard together during this mission. "This is a little different than other missions and we'll be having an ISRO member to do joint research. These are Human research programme experiments with NASA. These experiments will be different from the seven biological experiments that Shukla will be doing for ISRO," she added.&nbsp;<h2>About the Axiom-4 astronaut mission</h2>&nbsp;This mission will facilitate the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, given that each nation’s first and only government-sponsored spaceflight had taken place more than 40 years ago. The Ax-4 crew members will represent their nations in Low Earth Orbit and perform scientific experiments and demonstrations that are of high national importance. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the Axiom-4 mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.&nbsp;Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station, and the second Indian to fly to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew on a Soviet Mission in 1984. The Indian Government has paid almost $64mn(Rs.550cr) for Shukla's training and spaceflight as part of Axiom-4.&nbsp;As per the present launch timeline, Shukla will blastoff to space on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket at 6:41 pm Indian time, Sunday, 8th June. The launch will be carried out from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. This launch pad was built in the 1960s to accommodate the Saturn V rocket that was used in the Apollo series of missions, including the maiden moon landing by Apollo11. Further, this launchpad has been used for multiple launches of the space shuttle. Since 2019, this site has been leased to SpaceX, which launches its Falcon9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.&nbsp;

Axiom-4 will carry a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts would be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule.

As he and fellow crew members aboard the International Space Station circle the Earth at nearly 28,000 kmph, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be having a video interaction with students from India. "Our astronaut will be directly interacting with the student community... two such events we are planning across the country," Sudeesh Balan, Project Director at ISRO told WION's Sidharth M.P. If all goes per plan, the American Axiom-4 mission piloted by Indian Air Force Test Pilot Group Captain Shukla will liftoff on June 8th from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. However, the launch date is subject to changes in weather and other technical factors. Axiom-4 will carry a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts would be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule. Axiom-4 is a unique and exciting opportunity for ISRO in International cooperation and collaboration. The experience and know-how from this mission are significant for us and would feed into Gaganyaan program, which is India's own mission to send our astronauts to space and return them safely. Missions like Axiom-4 would motivate young minds to be passionate about space technology, Balan added. Further, Shukla will also be performing experiments in STEM(Science, Tech, Engineering, Math), and these will be made available as recorded educational videos, as part of the Axiom-4 mission outreach activity. Dana Weigel, Manager, International Space Station Program, NASA, told WION's Sidharth M.P, that NASA and ISRO have a unique joint agreement for working onboard together during this mission. "This is a little different than other missions and we'll be having an ISRO member to do joint research. These are Human research programme experiments with NASA. These experiments will be different from the seven biological experiments that Shukla will be doing for ISRO," she added. About the Axiom-4 astronaut mission This mission will facilitate the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, given that each nation’s first and only government-sponsored spaceflight had taken place more than 40 years ago. The Ax-4 crew members will represent their nations in Low Earth Orbit and perform scientific experiments and demonstrations that are of high national importance. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the Axiom-4 mission, while ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station, and the second Indian to fly to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew on a Soviet Mission in 1984. The Indian Government has paid almost $64mn(Rs.550cr) for Shukla's training and spaceflight as part of Axiom-4. As per the present launch timeline, Shukla will blastoff to space on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket at 6:41 pm Indian time, Sunday, 8th June. The launch will be carried out from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. This launch pad was built in the 1960s to accommodate the Saturn V rocket that was used in the Apollo series of missions, including the maiden moon landing by Apollo11. Further, this launchpad has been used for multiple launches of the space shuttle. Since 2019, this site has been leased to SpaceX, which launches its Falcon9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.

Axiom-4 will carry a crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station, where they would stay for two weeks and perform 60 experiments. The astronauts would be flying on the SpaceX Falcon9 rocket and the Crew Dragon capsule.

An out of the world video call: From space, Astronaut Shukla to address Indian students

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 23) warned Apple's Tim Cook to manufacture and build iPhones in the United States or face 25% tariffs.The US president also said that earlier also he informed Tim Cook that he expects that their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United &nbsp;States of America, will be built in the US, and not India or anywhere else."I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United &nbsp;States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else," he said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-pushes-apple-to-halt-india-production-9074849">WATCH | Trump pushes Apple to halt India production</a>&nbsp;"If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank you for your attention to this matter!," Trump added.

This comes as Apple is pushing to extend its manufacturing in India.Moreover, during Qatar's visit, Trump noted a conversation with Tim Cook, criticising Apple's rising investment in India."I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday. I said to him, 'my friend, I treated you very good. You're coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you're building all over India," he said."I don't want you building in India. India can take care of themselves," Trump reportedly told Cook.Notably, Apple has produced nearly $22 billion worth of iPhones in India in the year ending March 2025, which showed a sharp surge, as it was 60% more as compared to last year.A Reuters report highlighted that the smartphone maker stepped up production and chartered cargo flights to ferry 600 tons of iPhones to the United States to ensure sufficient inventory as Trump’s tariffs threaten to push up costs.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/foxconn-commits-1-5-billion-to-expand-iphone-production-in-india-1747726834497">Also read: Foxconn commits $1.5 billion to expand iPhone production in India</a>

The US president also said that earlier also he informed Tim Cook that he expects that their iPhone’s will be built in the US, and not India or anywhere else.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 23) warned Apple's Tim Cook to manufacture and build iPhones in the United States or face 25% tariffs. The US president also said that earlier also he informed Tim Cook that he expects that their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America, will be built in the US, and not India or anywhere else. "I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else," he said. WATCH | Trump pushes Apple to halt India production "If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank you for your attention to this matter!," Trump added.

The US president also said that earlier also he informed Tim Cook that he expects that their iPhone’s will be built in the US, and not India or anywhere else.

Trump's BIG warning to Apple: Make iPhones in US, not in India or face 25% tariffs

Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday (May 22) said that India expects Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end support for terrorism. It added that the Celebi matter has been discussed with the Turkish embassy.&nbsp;A week earlier, on May 15, the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services, a Turkish firm that handles a large part of the services at nine major airports in India, over concerns regarding national security. The move came in response to Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan during the India-Pakistan conflict over the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.&nbsp;“We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades. Relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other’s concerns,” Jaiswal said during the MEA briefing on Thusday (May 22).&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/boycottturkey-trends-amid-controversy-over-turkeys-poitical-and-economic-actions-9062844">#BoycottTurkey trends amid controversy over Turkey's political and economic actions</a>&nbsp;He added, “Celebi matter has been discussed with the Turkish Embassy here. But I understand that this particular decision was taken by the Civil Aviation Security.”&nbsp;In the recent months, there has been a growing proximity between Turkey and Pakistan in terms of strategic defence ties. The Turkish government, along with supplying military hardware, has also conducted military training for the Pakistani army.&nbsp;Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-revokes-security-clearance-for-turkish-ground-handling-firm-celebi-airport-services-after-operation-sindoor-9072657">Turkey under fire for siding with Pakistan, Indian govt revokes security clearance for Turkey's Celebi Airport Services</a>&nbsp;<h2>India-China talks on cross-border terrorism</h2>&nbsp;The MEA also announced talks between National Security Advisor (NSA) and Chinese Foreign Minister and Special Representative on Boundary Issue Wang Yi on May 10.&nbsp;“NSA conveyed India’s resolute stance against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The Chinese side is well aware that mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity remain the basis of India-China relations,” the MEA spokesperson said.

A week earlier, on May 15, the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services, a Turkish firm that handles a large part of the services at nine major airports in India, over concerns regarding national security.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday (May 22) said that India expects Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end support for terrorism. It added that the Celebi matter has been discussed with the Turkish embassy. A week earlier, on May 15, the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services, a Turkish firm that handles a large part of the services at nine major airports in India, over concerns regarding national security. The move came in response to Turkey’s alleged support for Pakistan during the India-Pakistan conflict over the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. “We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades. Relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other’s concerns,” Jaiswal said during the MEA briefing on Thusday (May 22). Also read | #BoycottTurkey trends amid controversy over Turkey's political and economic actions He added, “Celebi matter has been discussed with the Turkish Embassy here. But I understand that this particular decision was taken by the Civil Aviation Security.” In the recent months, there has been a growing proximity between Turkey and Pakistan in terms of strategic defence ties. The Turkish government, along with supplying military hardware, has also conducted military training for the Pakistani army. Also read | Turkey under fire for siding with Pakistan, Indian govt revokes security clearance for Turkey's Celebi Airport Services India-China talks on cross-border terrorism The MEA also announced talks between National Security Advisor (NSA) and Chinese Foreign Minister and Special Representative on Boundary Issue Wang Yi on May 10. “NSA conveyed India’s resolute stance against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The Chinese side is well aware that mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity remain the basis of India-China relations,” the MEA spokesperson said.

A week earlier, on May 15, the Indian government revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services, a Turkish firm that handles a large part of the services at nine major airports in India, over concerns regarding national security.

India expects Turkey to ‘urge Pakistan to end support for terrorism’, says Celebi matter discussed with Turkish Embassy

Urban India isn’t cooking, it’s ordering. Whether it’s stacked burgers or millet bowls, city dwellers are increasingly trading in their chapati dinners for convenience cuisine.&nbsp; &nbsp;According to a new Deloitte-FICCI report, nearly 50 per cent of urban consumers’ food budgets now go toward prepared foods, dining out, and deliveries, a striking reflection of how deeply lifestyle, income, and convenience are reshaping the nation’s foodscape.<h2>What the Deloitte-FICCI report highlights</h2>The report doesn’t just capture a passing trend; it paints a picture of a profound economic shift. With rising incomes and accelerating urbanisation, the average Indian consumer regardless of income bracket and is choosing more varied, processed, and protein-rich diets over traditional staples.&nbsp;“Consumers across income groups are moving beyond traditional staples toward more varied, protein-rich, processed diets,” the report states, signalling a future were convenience trumps custom. &nbsp;One of the most notable shifts is the emergence of premiumisation. Higher-income groups are no longer settling for basics they’re actively seeking better quality, indulgent, and health-conscious foods, even if that means shelling out more for it. But this appetite for innovation isn’t restricted to metros.&nbsp;Rural India, too, is undergoing a quiet food revolution. Since the early 2000s, rural spending on core staples like cereals, vegetables, and pulses has seen a steady decline.&nbsp;&nbsp;For the first time, expenditure on beverages and processed foods in rural households has overtaken that on cereals. This pivot is largely fuelled by smaller, affordable SKUs and better market penetration by food companies.&nbsp;“As rural prosperity increases, consumer behaviours are converging,” said Anand Ramanathan, Partner and Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte South Asia. “Tier 2, Tier 3 cities and beyond are emerging as key growth powerhouses.”&nbsp;The report points to a massive, untapped opportunity for India’s food processing sector, noting that with 52 per cent of India’s land area suitable for agriculture, the sector is poised for a boom.&nbsp;<h2>Health is the new hunger</h2>&nbsp;Wellness is no longer a niche, it’s mainstream. According to the Deloitte-FICCI report, urban consumers are actively seeking high-protein, low-sugar, gut-friendly, and organic food options.&nbsp; Traditional Indian superfoods like millets and makhana have made a comeback, celebrated for their nutritional punch and cultural resonance. “The urban youth population is increasingly becoming health-conscious and shifting towards millet consumption,” the report notes. This trend has sparked the rise of start-ups focused on millet-based snacks, breakfast options, and beverages, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Clean eating is becoming a priority for the urban Indian. The survey found that over 90 per cent of consumers consider clean labels — products made with minimal, natural, and recognisable ingredients — important while making food purchases. Nearly 31 per cent of these consumers are even willing to pay over 10 per cent more for items that carry organic or natural claims. This has given rise to functional foods, with growing adoption of products enriched with probiotics, prebiotics, and other nutritional fortifications. From gut-friendly yoghurts to fortified juices and superfood bars, the market is expanding rapidly. Start-ups and global brands are reformulating traditional products for Indian palates while enhancing their health benefits.&nbsp;“As India moves towards a $5 trillion GDP by FY28 and aims to become a developed country by 2047, a larger and more affluent consumer base will demand better, safer and more convenient food options,” the report adds.<h2>Dining out surge post-pandemic &nbsp;</h2>India’s restaurant sector may have taken a hit during the pandemic, but it’s bouncing back with force. The India Food Services Report 2024 by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) shows just how robust this rebound is.&nbsp;The sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1 per cent, reaching ₹7.76 trillion by FY28. The organised food services segment, which includes dine-in restaurants, cloud kitchens, and QSRs is projected to grow even faster at 13.2 per cent CAGR, capturing over 52.9 per cent of the total market share by the same period.&nbsp;&nbsp;As of now, the food services industry employs around 8.5 million people, a number forecast to surpass 10.3 million by FY28.&nbsp;The reasons behind this boom are multifaceted. The rise of quick-commerce platforms delivering everything from restaurant meals to gourmet snacks in under 30 minutes has reportedly made dining out (or in) easier than ever. Additionally, a young, aspirational population is increasingly dining out not just for sustenance but for social capital and lifestyle.&nbsp;&nbsp;This demand is not limited to metros; tier 2 and 3 cities are emerging as hotbeds of dining culture, driven by better infrastructure, rising incomes, and a desire to emulate urban habits.

The report doesn’t just capture a passing trend; it paints a picture of a profound economic shift. With rising incomes and accelerating urbanisation, the average Indian consumer regardless of income bracket and is choosing more varied, processed, and protein-rich diets over traditional staples.

Urban India isn’t cooking, it’s ordering. Whether it’s stacked burgers or millet bowls, city dwellers are increasingly trading in their chapati dinners for convenience cuisine. According to a new Deloitte-FICCI report, nearly 50 per cent of urban consumers’ food budgets now go toward prepared foods, dining out, and deliveries, a striking reflection of how deeply lifestyle, income, and convenience are reshaping the nation’s foodscape. What the Deloitte-FICCI report highlights The report doesn’t just capture a passing trend; it paints a picture of a profound economic shift. With rising incomes and accelerating urbanisation, the average Indian consumer regardless of income bracket and is choosing more varied, processed, and protein-rich diets over traditional staples. “Consumers across income groups are moving beyond traditional staples toward more varied, protein-rich, processed diets,” the report states, signalling a future were convenience trumps custom. One of the most notable shifts is the emergence of premiumisation. Higher-income groups are no longer settling for basics they’re actively seeking better quality, indulgent, and health-conscious foods, even if that means shelling out more for it. But this appetite for innovation isn’t restricted to metros. Rural India, too, is undergoing a quiet food revolution. Since the early 2000s, rural spending on core staples like cereals, vegetables, and pulses has seen a steady decline. For the first time, expenditure on beverages and processed foods in rural households has overtaken that on cereals. This pivot is largely fuelled by smaller, affordable SKUs and better market penetration by food companies. “As rural prosperity increases, consumer behaviours are converging,” said Anand Ramanathan, Partner and Consumer Industry Leader, Deloitte South Asia. “Tier 2, Tier 3 cities and beyond are emerging as key growth powerhouses.” The report points to a massive, untapped opportunity for India’s food processing sector, noting that with 52 per cent of India’s land area suitable for agriculture, the sector is poised for a boom. Health is the new hunger Wellness is no longer a niche, it’s mainstream. According to the Deloitte-FICCI report, urban consumers are actively seeking high-protein, low-sugar, gut-friendly, and organic food options. Traditional Indian superfoods like millets and makhana have made a comeback, celebrated for their nutritional punch and cultural resonance. “The urban youth population is increasingly becoming health-conscious and shifting towards millet consumption,” the report notes. This trend has sparked the rise of start-ups focused on millet-based snacks, breakfast options, and beverages, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Clean eating is becoming a priority for the urban Indian. The survey found that over 90 per cent of consumers consider clean labels — products made with minimal, natural, and recognisable ingredients — important while making food purchases. Nearly 31 per cent of these consumers are even willing to pay over 10 per cent more for items that carry organic or natural claims. This has given rise to functional foods, with growing adoption of products enriched with probiotics, prebiotics, and other nutritional fortifications. From gut-friendly yoghurts to fortified juices and superfood bars, the market is expanding rapidly. Start-ups and global brands are reformulating traditional products for Indian palates while enhancing their health benefits. “As India moves towards a $5 trillion GDP by FY28 and aims to become a developed country by 2047, a larger and more affluent consumer base will demand better, safer and more convenient food options,” the report adds. Dining out surge post-pandemic India’s restaurant sector may have taken a hit during the pandemic, but it’s bouncing back with force. The India Food Services Report 2024 by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) shows just how robust this rebound is. The sector is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1 per cent, reaching ₹7.76 trillion by FY28. The organised food services segment, which includes dine-in restaurants, cloud kitchens, and QSRs is projected to grow even faster at 13.2 per cent CAGR, capturing over 52.9 per cent of the total market share by the same period. As of now, the food services industry employs around 8.5 million people, a number forecast to surpass 10.3 million by FY28. The reasons behind this boom are multifaceted. The rise of quick-commerce platforms delivering everything from restaurant meals to gourmet snacks in under 30 minutes has reportedly made dining out (or in) easier than ever. Additionally, a young, aspirational population is increasingly dining out not just for sustenance but for social capital and lifestyle. This demand is not limited to metros; tier 2 and 3 cities are emerging as hotbeds of dining culture, driven by better infrastructure, rising incomes, and a desire to emulate urban habits.

Deloitte-FICCI report reveals shocking details about Urban Indians choices. The report reveals nearly 50 per cent of urban consumers’ food budgets now go toward prepared foods, dining out, and deliveries.&nbsp;

Urban Indians now spend half their food budget outside the home highlights Deloitte FICCI report

India is poised to weather ongoing global economic turbulence, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest bulletin, which highlights strong macro fundamentals, easing inflation, and strategic foreign exchange management.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the same time, New Delhi is navigating shifting global trade currents — from a critical tariff truce with the US to the successful conclusion of a landmark free trade agreement with the United Kingdom.&nbsp;“The global economic outlook remains clouded amidst shifting policy landscapes and lingering vulnerabilities,” the RBI said in its May bulletin. “India stands well-positioned to navigate the ongoing global headwinds with confidence, ready to harness emerging opportunities and consolidate its role as a key driver of global growth.”<h2>RBI eases rates, inflation cools</h2>Retail inflation dropped to 3.16 per cent in April, marking the third consecutive month below the RBI’s 4 per cent target and the lowest level since July 2019. With inflationary pressures easing, the central bank adopted an ‘accommodative’ monetary policy stance, cutting rates for the second time in April and signalling further support to spur growth.&nbsp;The bulletin also warned of increasing temperature anomalies affecting vegetable prices, calling for quicker adoption of climate-resilient crops to support long-term price stability.<h2>Forex reserves surge amid rupee rally</h2>In a sign of active intervention, the RBI reported a net purchase of $14.36 billion in the spot foreign exchange market in March, reversing a $1.6 billion net sale in February. This move came as the Indian rupee appreciated over 2 per cent during the month, buoyed by a weaker US dollar and strong foreign inflows.&nbsp;The rupee traded between 85.39 and 87.44 per US dollar in March and stood at 85.6375 on 22 May. Meanwhile, the RBI’s net forward sale contracts stood at $84.35 billion by end-March, indicating continued efforts to manage currency volatility.<h2>IMF outlook: India to remain fastest-growing major economy</h2>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) echoed a similarly positive tone. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF projected India’s economy to grow by 6.8 per cent in 2025, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world.&nbsp; The Fund credited robust domestic demand, public infrastructure spending, and resilient services exports for India’s growth momentum, even as global growth remains subdued.&nbsp;The IMF also praised India’s efforts in maintaining macroeconomic stability, especially amid tight global financial conditions and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.<h2>Navigating to global trade tension&nbsp;</h2> The RBI’s optimism comes as India recalibrates its global trade strategy. Following President Donald Trump’s 9 April announcement of a 90-day tariff pause, India is racing to clinch a trade deal with the US to prevent a punitive 26 per cent tariff on Indian exports.&nbsp; The pause provides a narrow window for negotiation, with New Delhi eyeing quicker access for key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT services. In contrast, India has scored a major breakthrough on the western front. Earlier this month, India and the UK concluded negotiations for a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) — a deal in the works since January 2022. The India-UK trade pact aims to double bilateral trade from $60 billion to $120 billion by 2030. It eliminates import duties on 99 per cent of Indian goods entering the UK, granting enhanced access for sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, auto parts, and agriculture. In return, British firms will gain broader access to India’s fast-growing market, including in areas like legal services, education, and renewable energy.&nbsp; India has also ensured protection for sensitive sectors, maintaining a balance between liberalisation and domestic interests.&nbsp;

Business & Economy: RBI's bulletin comes at a time when New Delhi is navigating shifting global trade currents — from a critical tariff truce with the US to the successful conclusion of a landmark free trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

India is poised to weather ongoing global economic turbulence, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest bulletin, which highlights strong macro fundamentals, easing inflation, and strategic foreign exchange management. At the same time, New Delhi is navigating shifting global trade currents — from a critical tariff truce with the US to the successful conclusion of a landmark free trade agreement with the United Kingdom. “The global economic outlook remains clouded amidst shifting policy landscapes and lingering vulnerabilities,” the RBI said in its May bulletin. “India stands well-positioned to navigate the ongoing global headwinds with confidence, ready to harness emerging opportunities and consolidate its role as a key driver of global growth.” RBI eases rates, inflation cools Retail inflation dropped to 3.16 per cent in April, marking the third consecutive month below the RBI’s 4 per cent target and the lowest level since July 2019. With inflationary pressures easing, the central bank adopted an ‘accommodative’ monetary policy stance, cutting rates for the second time in April and signalling further support to spur growth. The bulletin also warned of increasing temperature anomalies affecting vegetable prices, calling for quicker adoption of climate-resilient crops to support long-term price stability. Forex reserves surge amid rupee rally In a sign of active intervention, the RBI reported a net purchase of $14.36 billion in the spot foreign exchange market in March, reversing a $1.6 billion net sale in February. This move came as the Indian rupee appreciated over 2 per cent during the month, buoyed by a weaker US dollar and strong foreign inflows. The rupee traded between 85.39 and 87.44 per US dollar in March and stood at 85.6375 on 22 May. Meanwhile, the RBI’s net forward sale contracts stood at $84.35 billion by end-March, indicating continued efforts to manage currency volatility. IMF outlook: India to remain fastest-growing major economy The International Monetary Fund (IMF) echoed a similarly positive tone. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF projected India’s economy to grow by 6.8 per cent in 2025, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world. The Fund credited robust domestic demand, public infrastructure spending, and resilient services exports for India’s growth momentum, even as global growth remains subdued. The IMF also praised India’s efforts in maintaining macroeconomic stability, especially amid tight global financial conditions and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Navigating to global trade tension The RBI’s optimism comes as India recalibrates its global trade strategy. Following President Donald Trump’s 9 April announcement of a 90-day tariff pause, India is racing to clinch a trade deal with the US to prevent a punitive 26 per cent tariff on Indian exports. The pause provides a narrow window for negotiation, with New Delhi eyeing quicker access for key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT services. In contrast, India has scored a major breakthrough on the western front. Earlier this month, India and the UK concluded negotiations for a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) — a deal in the works since January 2022. The India-UK trade pact aims to double bilateral trade from $60 billion to $120 billion by 2030. It eliminates import duties on 99 per cent of Indian goods entering the UK, granting enhanced access for sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, auto parts, and agriculture. In return, British firms will gain broader access to India’s fast-growing market, including in areas like legal services, education, and renewable energy. India has also ensured protection for sensitive sectors, maintaining a balance between liberalisation and domestic interests.

&nbsp;According to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest bulletin, India is poised to weather ongoing global economic turbulence, highlighting strong macro fundamentals, easing inflation, and strategic foreign exchange management.&nbsp;

RBI says India remains resilient as global trade landscape shifts

A Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi with more than 220 people on board experienced turbulence midair on Wednesday (May 21) due to inclement weather, prompting the pilot to report the “emergency” to air traffic control at Srinagar. “The flight later landed safely here,” officials said.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Indigo flight 6E2142 enroute Delhi to Srinagar experienced bad weather (hail storm), emergency reported by Pilot to ATC SXR (Srinagar)," an official of the Airport Authority of India said. He said the flight landed safely at Srinagar at 6.30 pm.&nbsp;See the video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">I had a narrow escape while flying from Delhi to Srinagar. Flight number <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/6E2142?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#6E2142</a>. Hats off to the captain for the safe landing.<a href="https://twitter.com/IndiGo6E?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiGo6E</a> <a href="https://t.co/tNEKwGOT4q">pic.twitter.com/tNEKwGOT4q</a>&mdash; Sheikh Samiullah (@_iamsamiullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/_iamsamiullah/status/1925183095520588034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, the IndiGo airlines also issued fresh advisory. A statement was put on X. It read, “#6ETravelAdvisory: Heavy rain and thunderstorm in #Delhi, #Chandigarh and #Kolkata is impacting flights. We understand weather delays are never easy, we sincerely appreciate your patience. Do check your flight status before heading to the airport.”&nbsp;Delhi Airport also issued fresh travel advisory for the passengers.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Passenger Advisory issued at 20:29 Hours<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DelhiAirport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DelhiAirport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PassengerAdvisory?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PassengerAdvisory</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DELAdvisory?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DELAdvisory</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BadWeather?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BadWeather</a> <a href="https://t.co/WrQYP42x6b">pic.twitter.com/WrQYP42x6b</a>&mdash; Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiAirport/status/1925204945982382102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Heavy rain and hailstorm in Delhi-NCR&nbsp;Heavy rain lashed several part of the national capital. The IMD has issued a red alert across entire Delhi-NCR after the city received heavy rainfall and hailstorms.&nbsp;Wind speed reached 79 kmph over Safdarjung and touched 72 kmph over Palam area. Central Delhi’s Gol Market and Lodi Road also reported hailstorm. Rain along with hailstorm was also reported in Noida.&nbsp;The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted thunderstorms with rainfall for the national capital on Wednesday (May 21), which could provide some respite from the increasing temperatures. It is anticipated that the highest temperature will be approximately 39 degrees Celsius, while the minimum will probably be around 28 degrees Celsius.&nbsp;On Tuesday (May 20), after heavy rains battered the Indian city of Bengaluru and caused flooding in several areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings of orange alert ( 8 cm to 10 cm of rain) for Bengaluru and a yellow alert at various places across Karnataka.

Indigo flight from Delhi-Srinagar lands safely after mid-air turbulence; airline issues fresh advisory

A Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi with more than 220 people on board experienced turbulence midair on Wednesday (May 21) due to inclement weather, prompting the pilot to report the “emergency” to air traffic control at Srinagar. “The flight later landed safely here,” officials said. "Indigo flight 6E2142 enroute Delhi to Srinagar experienced bad weather (hail storm), emergency reported by Pilot to ATC SXR (Srinagar)," an official of the Airport Authority of India said. He said the flight landed safely at Srinagar at 6.30 pm. See the video here:

IndiGo flight 6E2142 from Delhi to Srinagar landed safely after experiencing hail storm, declared Aircraft on Ground by airline

Indigo's Delhi-Srinagar flight lands safely after mid-air turbulence; Delhi Airport issues fresh travel advisory

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