Trinidad and Tobago has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first nation in the Caribbean to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), marking a significant advancement in regional digital transformation and strengthening bilateral ties with India. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar highlighted this development during his official visit to the country, describing it as a forward-looking step that reflects the growing convergence of technology, economic

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasised the deep familial ties between India and Suriname, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared history and mutual trust rather than mere diplomatic formality. During his maiden official visit to the South American nation, coinciding with 50 years of diplomatic relations, Jaishankar assured Suriname of India’s steadfast support in its development journey. The visit has opened new avenues for cooperation across mult

India and Vietnam have formally upgraded their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in their longstanding friendship. The announcement followed productive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. This elevation builds on a decade of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2016 and comes as both nations celebrate 54 years of di

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a firm condemnation of the recent drone and missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates that targeted the strategic Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ). The strikes injured three Indian nationals and triggered a significant fire at a key oil facility, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and global energy security. In a post on X on May 5, PM Modi described the incident as unacceptable, emphasising that targeting civilia

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrived in Suriname’s capital on 6 May 2026 for his first-ever official visit to the South American nation. This marks the second leg of his nine-day three-nation tour covering Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The visit comes at a significant moment as India and Suriname celebrate 50 years of formal diplomatic relations established in 1976. Upon landing at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, Jaishankar received a warm

India has reiterated its longstanding position on the traditional route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, dismissing Nepal’s recent territorial objections as unfounded and not supported by historical evidence. The Ministry of External Affairs described the use of the pass as a continuation of decades-old practice, emphasising that the arrangement is not a new development. This diplomatic exchange follows Nepal’s issuance of formal note

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen economic ties, driving bilateral merchandise trade beyond the historic $100 billion mark. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted this achievement, noting that the pact has not only boosted direct trade volumes but also opened new avenues for services and value-added exchanges between the two nations. The agreement, signed in February 2022

India has taken a measured step to support its refining industry and maintain energy stability by reducing export duties on key petroleum products. On April 30, 2026, the government announced cuts to export duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), effective from May 1. This adjustment comes as global oil markets continue to experience fluctuations influenced by developments in West Asia and evolving international supply patterns. India softens export taxes on diesel,

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reaffirmed the government’s strong resolve to achieve $2 trillion in total exports by FY 2030-31, with merchandise and services exports each contributing $1 trillion. This ambitious target was the centrepiece of a high-level review meeting chaired by Goyal, where senior officials discussed the detailed Plan of Action and progress under the Export Promotion Mission. India’s export sector has demonstrated notable resilience. In FY

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reached out to India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday evening for a detailed discussion on the evolving situation in West Asia. This conversation reflects the continued diplomatic engagement between India and Iran as the region navigates a fragile ceasefire and persistent challenges to stability. Jaishankar confirmed the call on social media, stating, “Received a phone call from Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Ar

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in important bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The meeting focused on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and exchanging perspectives on regional and global security matters, including the situation in West Asia. Singh described the interaction

Nepal Airlines, the national carrier of Nepal, has swiftly apologised following strong public backlash in India after a promotional network map shared on its social media platforms incorrectly showed the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as part of Pakistan. Nepal Airlines shared a route map in which J&K was shown as part of Pakistan | India Today The Onset of Controversy The incident unfolded on April 29 when the airline posted a graphic highlighting its flig

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar hosted Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Gabriela Sommerfeld Rosero, in New Delhi today, marking a significant step forward in deepening ties between the two nations. This high-level meeting, part of Sommerfeld’s three-day official visit to India from April 29 to May 1, 2026, reflects the growing momentum in India-Ecuador relations. The discussions focused on expanding collaboration across diverse sectors, inc

The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to withdraw from OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance, with the move set to take effect from May 1, 2026. This development, disclosed on April 28, represents a notable shift in the global oil landscape. As one of the cartel’s major producers with an output of approximately 4 million barrels per day and significant spare capacity, the UAE’s departure is expected to introduce greater flexibility in global crude supply. For India, the w

India has finalised a major long-term uranium supply agreement with Kazakhstan valued at over US$4 billion, marking one of the most significant nuclear fuel partnerships in Asia in recent years. The deal with Kazatomprom, the world’s largest uranium producer, will provide a reliable supply of natural uranium concentrates to support India’s ambitious expansion of its nuclear power programme. Kazatomprom’s shareholders overwhelmingly approved the transaction at an Extraordinary

India is poised to significantly enhance its air defence capabilities with the arrival of the fourth regiment of the advanced Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, expected by mid to late May 2026. This delivery, which has already begun shipping from Russia, coincides with the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the brief but intense four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. The system earned high praise for its performance during that operation, where it

India and New Zealand have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their economic relationship with the signing of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026. The pact, described by leaders on both sides as “historic” and a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity, marks a new chapter in bilateral ties between the two nations. Signed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay at Bharat

In a major success for Indian law enforcement and intelligence agencies, Salim Dola (59), a key associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and a prominent figure in the international narcotics trade, was deported from Turkey and brought to India early on Tuesday morning. He landed at Delhi’s technical airport aboard a special aircraft and was immediately taken into custody for interrogation. Dola was detained in Istanbul’s Beylikduzu district over the weekend through a coo

In a noteworthy development for India’s international energy portfolio, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) have announced a fresh oil and gas discovery in Libya. This success, achieved through a collaborative consortium, highlights the potential of sustained overseas exploration efforts at a time when global energy markets continue to experience fluctuations. Indian Oil, Oil India strike new oil and gas discovery in Libya amid global energy crisis. File

India has formally submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), outlining bolder climate targets for the period 2031–2035. This third NDC reflects the country’s continued commitment to balancing economic growth, poverty alleviation, and environmental stewardship while advancing its long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. The submission, approved b