India has crossed a historic milestone by overtaking Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, with its nominal gross domestic product estimated at around $4.18 trillion. This achievement places India behind only the United States , China , and Germany , underscoring the country’s rapid economic ascent and growing influence in global economic affairs. The development reflects a decisive shift in global economic rankings, driven by India’s sustained growth, demo

Bangladesh has recently witnessed a disturbing surge in mob violence targeting members of its Hindu minority, raising serious concerns both domestically and internationally. The lynching of two Hindu men within days of each other has intensified fears about the safety of religious minorities and has prompted a strong diplomatic response from India, which has described the situation as “worrisome” and unacceptable. The most recent incident took place in Rajbari district, wher

The Oxford Union, one of the world’s most prestigious debating societies, recently became the stage for a high-voltage discussion on India–Pakistan relations. The motion under consideration questioned whether India’s policy towards Pakistan was genuinely rooted in national security or merely a populist political strategy. While the debate itself drew attention due to earlier controversies and withdrawals, it was an Indian law student, Viraansh Bhanushali, who ultimately com

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

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

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

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 is poised to make a significant stride in its defence diplomacy with the impending export of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia . Valued at more than ₹4,000 crore (around $450 million), these deals underscore India’s growing role as a trusted defence partner in the Indo-Pacific region and highlight its emergence as a global supplier of advanced military technology. The BrahMos missile can travel at almost three times the speed of sound, rea

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 the United States are edging closer to finalising a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement, as negotiations between the two countries enter an advanced stage. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has confirmed that recent discussions with U.S. trade officials have been constructive, signalling steady progress toward a framework that could significantly deepen economic ties between the world’s two largest democracies. The latest round of talks concluded afte

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

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

The COVID-19 pandemic did more than disrupt economies; it fundamentally altered global geopolitics and trade priorities. Supply-chain breakdowns, rising protectionism, and growing strategic rivalries forced nations to rethink economic dependencies. For India, this moment became an opportunity. After years of cautious engagement with free trade agreements, New Delhi has adopted a far more assertive trade diplomacy, positioning FTAs as both economic tools and strategic instrume

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