India watches Iran's protests with unease, fearing a weakened state would disrupt its strategic environment. Iran serves as India's vital western corridor to Central Asia via Chabahar Port and a crucial counterweight to Pakistan's regional influence. A collapse risks jeopardizing connectivity projects and India's multi-alignment policy.
President Droupadi Murmu received credentials from the new ambassadors of the United States and Austria, and the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago at Rashtrapati Bhavan. US Ambassador Sergio Gor highlighted the strong relationship between the US and India, emphasizing dialogue to resolve differences. Austrian Ambassador Dr. Robert Zischg expressed his honor and looked forward to deepening bilateral engagement.
Operation Sindoor, a swift 22-minute joint military strike on nine terror camps in Pakistan, remains active, with India maintaining vigilant surveillance. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi highlighted this decisive response to the Pahalgam attack, showcasing India's readiness to protect national interests and sovereignty. The operation also saw veterans contributing to strategic planning.
China's renewed claim over the Shaksgam Valley, an area India considers its integral territory, has reignited a strategic dispute. Beijing's defense of infrastructure construction, linked to CPEC, draws a sharp response from New Delhi, which rejects the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement as illegal and invalid.
India and Greece have initiated their first Joint Services Staff Talks in New Delhi, aiming to bolster defence partnerships and military-to-military cooperation. The dialogue focused on expanding bilateral engagement through exchange programs, capability development, and enhancing operational ties, signaling a new era of trust and shared security commitments.
India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has vehemently denied allegations of the Indian government's involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, demanding concrete evidence. Patnaik stressed that accusations lack substantiation and that ongoing legal proceedings do not implicate India as a state. He reiterated India's willingness to act if credible proof is provided.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, celebrating India's diverse harvest festivals. He highlighted their significance in honoring nature, farmers, and cultural traditions, wishing for prosperity and well-being for all citizens.
The Indian Army is prepared to integrate women into infantry roles, contingent on societal readiness, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated. He emphasized gender neutrality and uniform standards, noting a sequential induction into combat roles. The Army is also undergoing significant modernization, focusing on drone capabilities, advanced weaponry, and self-reliance in ammunition for future warfare.
West Delhi commuters will soon experience relief as the Delhi government launches a Rs 64.04 crore project to repair roads and upgrade stormwater drains along the Nangloi-Najafgarh corridor. This initiative aims to improve drainage, reconstruct roads, and enhance safety, addressing years of neglect and waterlogging issues.
Delhi's government has approved a Carbon Credit Monetisation Framework to generate revenue from its environmental initiatives like electric vehicles and urban forestry. This no-financial-liability model will allow the city to sell tradable carbon credits, creating a new funding stream for pollution control and sustainability projects.
A court in Chandausi has ordered an FIR against former Sambhal officials and police personnel following the 2024 violence. The order came after a plea from a man whose son was allegedly shot by police during a court-ordered survey of Shahi Jama Masjid, which resulted in fatalities and injuries.
