Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Every September 3, China organizes an elaborate military parade in Tian’anmen Square, Beijing, commemorating its victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This year’s event is expected to follow tradition with an impressive display of military strength. Among the invited world leaders are Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Modi declined similar invitations in previous years, including in 2015, the geopolitical context in 2025 is significantly different. India’s current diplomatic approach toward China appears to be softening, especially in contrast to its previous stance that normalization depended on restoring…

With India’s 79th Independence Day around the corner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon citizens to contribute their ideas for his 2025 address. Taking to platform X, Modi invited people from all walks of life to suggest topics they would like him to include in his upcoming speech. He encouraged participation through the Open Forum on MyGov and the official NaMo App. The Prime Minister’s message read: “As we near Independence Day, I am eager to hear from fellow Indians. What themes or ideas should this year’s speech reflect? Share your views through MyGov or the NaMo App.” To…

The United States has officially imposed a 25% tariff on products imported from India, following an announcement made by President Donald Trump on Thursday via his social media platform, Truth Social. This tariff policy went into effect today and includes an undisclosed additional penalty. Trump defended the move by pointing to India’s “excessive trade restrictions” and its ongoing defense and energy partnerships with Russia, particularly while the war in Ukraine continues. In his trademark blunt tone, Trump wrote, “ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY… MAGA!” He slammed India’s non-monetary trade…

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed their growing defense partnership during the 13th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting, which took place in New Delhi on July 30, 2025. Unfolding for the first time at the Secretary level, the meeting was led by India’s Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and UAE’s Under Secretary of Defense, Lt. General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi. The dialogue underscored the intent to align defense cooperation with the rapidly expanding relations in commerce, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. A key area of focus was the strengthening of military training programs. India proposed customized training…

 India has emerged as the leading exporter of smartphones to the United States for the first time during the April–June quarter of 2025, overtaking China in a dramatic shift driven by Apple’s strategic manufacturing decisions. According to data released by Canalys, now part of Omdia, smartphones made in India now account for 44% of all US-bound shipments—up significantly from 13% in the same quarter a year ago. Meanwhile, the share of Chinese-assembled phones imported by the US fell sharply from 61% in Q2 2024 to just 25% in Q2 2025. Apple has been at the center of this change, ramping…

In a major international development, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has officially named The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as the perpetrator behind the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. The attack, which occurred on April 22, claimed the lives of 26 civilians, most of them tourists, and marked one of the deadliest attacks on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai strikes. The UNSC’s monitoring committee released its findings on July 24, linking TRF to the brutal incident. According to the report, five terrorists attacked a popular tourist location in Pahalgam, resulting in the mass killing…

 On July 29, 2025, Indian Ambassador to Egypt Suresh Reddy hosted India’s Under-17 squash team in Cairo during their participation at the World Junior Squash Championships. This prestigious event, held at the Black Ball Sporting Club from July 27 to August 1, has gathered 38 teams from 22 nations. The Indian delegation includes four male and four female players. Among them, 17-year-old Anahat Singh stood out by clinching a bronze medal in the individual women’s singles category. Her win marks a milestone—India’s first medal in the junior squash worlds since 2010, when Dipika Pallikal last secured one. The Indian women’s…

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a strong statement in the Rajya Sabha, declaring that India is no longer a soft state. He confirmed that Indian security forces have successfully neutralized the three terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam massacre, which resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives. Addressing the Upper House during the debate on Operation Sindoor, Singh stated that forensic analysis had conclusively matched the weapons recovered from the encounter site with those used in the Pahalgam attack. According to Singh, the coordinated operation led to the elimination of all three militants, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance…

On July 28, renowned Baloch human rights advocate Mir Yar Baloch addressed a heartfelt letter to Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The message, arriving just hours before a scheduled debate on Operation Sindoor in Parliament, commended the Indian government and citizens for their unified stance against terrorism fueled by Pakistan. Writing on behalf of the 60 million citizens of the Republic of Balochistan, Baloch extended warm solidarity to India’s 1.4 billion people. He lauded India’s firm position against Pakistan-backed cross-border attacks and praised the decision of opposition parties to align with the government and military during a pivotal national…

On July 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt homage to the fallen Indian soldiers who gave their lives in the 1999 Kargil conflict. As the nation observed the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, PM Modi reflected on the unmatched bravery and dedication of India’s armed forces, commemorating the country’s decisive victory over Pakistani intruders. Taking to social media, the Prime Minister shared his message with the nation: “Warm wishes to fellow Indians on Kargil Vijay Diwas. This day reminds us of the unmatched bravery and selfless sacrifice of the brave sons of Bharat who laid down their lives…