India has strongly reacted to the demolition of a statue of Lord Vishnu in a disputed border area between Thailand  and Cambodia, calling the act deeply disrespectful and hurtful to the sentiments of millions of devotees worldwide. The incident occurred amid ongoing military tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours and has drawn attention to the vulnerability of religious and cultural symbols during geopolitical conflicts. The statue, reportedly constructed in 2014

The Union Cabinet’s approval of Delhi Metro Phase V(A) marks a significant milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen urban public transport. With this decision, the government has sanctioned the construction of new metro corridors aimed at improving connectivity across Central Delhi, South Delhi and the Indira Gandhi International Airport zone. The expansion reflects a broader vision to reduce traffic congestion, promote sustainable mobility and support the capital’s

India is set to introduce its first-ever National Anti-Terror Strategy, marking a historic shift in the country’s approach to combating terrorism. The move reflects the growing recognition that terrorism today is no longer confined to conventional battlefields or isolated regions but operates through complex networks involving technology, radicalisation, cross-border linkages, and financial channels. The forthcoming strategy aims to provide a comprehensive, standardised frame

India has once again stepped forward as a dependable neighbour by announcing a $450 million relief and reconstruction package for Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah. The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar  during his visit to Colombo as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , at a time when Sri Lanka  is grappling with large-scale humanitarian and infrastructural damage caused by the cyclone. Jaishankar  descri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  on Wednesday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisatio n (ISRO) after the successful launch of the BlueBird Block‑2 communication satellite, calling the mission a “proud milestone” in the country’s expanding space capabilities. The satellite was deployed aboard ISRO’s LVM3‑M6  heavy‑lift rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh , early on December 24, marking another high point in India’s space explorati

India’s defence preparedness received a significant boost as the Defence Research and Development Organisation  (DRDO) successfully completed the User Evaluation Trials (UETs) of the Akash Next Generation (Akash-NG) surface-to-air missile system. The trials mark a crucial step toward the system’s induction into active service, reinforcing India’s layered air defence architecture at a time of evolving regional and global security challenges. Conducted with the active participa

India’s emergency response ecosystem has taken a significant leap forward with Google officially activating its Emergency Location Service (ELS) for Android users in the country. The rollout begins with Uttar Pradesh , making it the first Indian state to fully integrate this advanced location-sharing technology with its emergency services. The initiative is expected to dramatically improve response times during critical situations, especially in cases where callers are unable

India’s space ambitions reached a new high as the Indian Space Research Organisation  (ISRO) successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite, the heaviest foreign satellite ever lifted from Indian soil, aboard its powerful LVM3-M6 launch vehicle. The mission, conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, stands as a defining moment in India’s emergence as a reliable global hub for heavy commercial satellite launches. With this achievement, I

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi , has once again stirred a major political controversy following remarks he made during an interaction in Berlin, Germany . Speaking at an academic event at the Hertie School, Gandhi alleged that India’s electoral process had been compromised, repeating his claim that elections in certain states were marred by what he described as “vote theft.” His comments, delivered on an international platform, immedia

On December 22, 2025, India and New Zealand  concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that promises to transform bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The agreement, expected to be ratified in early 2026, comes as both nations seek to expand trade partnerships and diversify markets. By providing zero-tariff access for Indian exports and opening New Zealand’s services sectors to Indian firms, the pact represents one of India’s most strategically significant t

India and Estonia are moving toward a significant milestone in their bilateral relationship with discussions underway for a comprehensive defence cooperation agreement. The proposed pact, currently in the form of a draft memorandum of understanding, aims to establish structured collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology exchange, and strategic engagement. If finalised, it would mark the first major defence framework between New Delhi and the Baltic nation, reflecting

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar  is visiting Sri Lanka  as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s  Special Envoy, underlining the strategic and humanitarian importance New Delhi places on its closest maritime neighbour. The visit comes at a critical juncture as Sri Lanka continues to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which inflicted widespread damage on infrastructure, livelihoods, and essential services across the island nation. Jaishankar’s engageme

India and New Zealand  have reached a major milestone in their bilateral relationship with the successful conclusion of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The announcement was made following a telephonic conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi  and New Zealand  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, underscoring the political commitment on both sides to deepen economic engagement. The agreement is being described as historic and ambitious, reflecting shar

India and Saudi Arabia  have taken another important step in strengthening their diplomatic relationship with the signing of a mutual visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports. The agreement, signed in Riyadh, allows eligible officials from both countries to travel for short stays without the need for prior visas. This move reflects the growing trust and strategic alignment between New Delhi and Riyadh and is expected to facilitate smoot

India and Oman  have entered a new phase of economic cooperation with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a landmark trade pact expected to come into force within the next three months. Signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s  official visit to Muscat, the agreement reflects a shared intent to deepen bilateral trade, enhance investment flows, and strengthen long-term strategic engagement between the two nations. Unlike several earlier

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  concluded a landmark two-day visit to Oman, a trip that strengthened diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations. His visit, which celebrated 70 years of India-Oman relations, marked a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation. PM Modi wraps up his Oman visit | Firstpost A Warm Send-Off As PM Modi  departed Muscat for New Delhi, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, who is also

Parliament on Thursday passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, marking a historic shift in India’s nuclear energy policy. The legislation, cleared by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session, aims to modernise the country’s atomic energy framework and accelerate the expansion of clean and reliable power generation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi  welcomed the passage of the bill, des

India’s decision to invite European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026 marks a significant diplomatic moment. It is rare for leaders representing an entire regional bloc to be accorded this honour, and the move reflects India’s growing emphasis on strengthening ties with the European Union as a collective strategic partner, rather than engaging only at the

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  was awarded the First Class of the Order of Oman, the Sultanate’s highest civilian honour, during his state visit to Oman. This distinction, previously conferred on global leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, Emperor Akihito, and King Abdullah of Jordan, marks a historic recognition of PM Modi’s contributions to strengthening international relations and global diplomacy. The award also represents the 29th international honour besto

India and Oman have entered a new phase of economic partnership with the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking one of India’s most ambitious trade deals in the Gulf region. Finalised during high-level discussions in Muscat, the agreement reflects a shared intent to deepen commercial engagement at a time when global trade is increasingly shaped by tariff wars, protectionism, and supply-chain disruptions. The CEPA is designed to expand cooper