Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Mauritian Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam over the telephone, reaffirming India’s commitment to further strengthening its long-standing and close partnership with the island nation. The leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral relations and reiterated their shared vision of enhancing cooperation across strategic, economic and people-centric sectors that are central to India’s engagement in the Indian Ocean Region.

A new white paper has spotlighted the significant and long-standing contribution of the Indian diaspora to the making of modern Britain, positioning the community as the country’s most economically successful migrant group and a key pillar of its growth story. The report, unveiled on 5 February at the House of Lords, documents how Indian migrants have shaped the United Kingdom’s recovery, prosperity and innovation across several decades, offering a narrative that resonates strongly with I

Four Indian students were among more than six people injured after a knife attack inside a foreign students’ hostel at a state medical university in Ufa, Russia, on Saturday, prompting swift action by local authorities and immediate intervention by the Indian Embassy to assist those affected. Two police officers responding to the incident were also wounded while attempting to detain the suspect, officials said. According to information released by Russia’s Interior Ministry, the attack took place in the sports hall area of the dormitory, where a group of students had gathered. A teenage boy, reportedly 15 years old, allegedly entered the premises carrying a knife and began assaulting individuals inside the building. The sudden violence caused panic among students, many of whom are international scholars pursuing medical and professional studies in the city. Law enforcement officers quickly arrived at the scene and moved to restrain the attacker. During the arrest, the suspect resisted and stabbed two police officers before turning the weapon on himself. Both officers sustained injuries while trying to subdue the teenager, underscoring the intensity of the confrontation. The suspect was subsequently overpowered and taken into custody. Authorities said the injured students and officers were transported to a nearby clinical hospital for treatment. Medical teams attended to their wounds, and most were reported to be in stable condition. The suspect was admitted to a children’s hospital and remains in serious condition. Officials have not publicly released the identities of those injured, though confirmation that four Indian nationals were among the victims has drawn particular attention in India. The Indian Embassy in Russia acknowledged the incident and assured that all necessary steps are being taken to support the affected students. In a statement, the embassy said it is in constant contact with local authorities and the university administration. Officials from the Indian Consulate in Kazan have traveled to Ufa to provide on-ground assistance, including medical support and coordination with hospitals and families back home. The episode has raised concerns among Indian families whose children study abroad, particularly in medical institutions across Russia that host a large number of Indian students. Over the years, Ufa and several other Russian cities have become popular destinations for Indian aspirants seeking affordable medical education, making student safety a critical issue for both governments. Investigators are currently examining the circumstances that led to the knife attack and are working to determine the motive. Security measures around the campus and hostel areas have been strengthened, and university authorities are expected to review existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents. Counseling and support services may also be offered to students affected by the traumatic event. As the situation continues to develop, Indian officials have urged students and their families to remain calm while monitoring updates from the embassy. Further information regarding the condition of the injured and the progress of the investigation is expected in the coming days.

Berlin’s primary international airport remained shut on Friday after severe winter weather created dangerous layers of black ice across runways and taxiways, forcing authorities to suspend flight operations and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The closure disrupted departures and arrivals across Germany and impacted several international routes, including those used by Indian travellers connecting through European hubs. Airport officials said persistent freezing rain and

India is on the brink of securing a major economic breakthrough as negotiations with the United States move into the final phase of what officials are calling a historic trade agreement. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has indicated that the remaining details are being worked out and that the deal could be concluded very soon, raising expectations of stronger exports, new investments and deeper strategic cooperation for Indian industry. Speaking at the end of his recent visit to Washington, Jaishankar described the discussions as productive and forward-looking. He held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and participated in the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, where supply chains, energy security and future technologies were central themes. According to the minister, the proposed trade pact marks the beginning of a new chapter in India-US relations and carries “vast possibilities” for both economies. For Indian businesses, the agreement is expected to deliver tangible benefits. One of the most significant provisions under consideration is a sharp reduction in US tariffs on select Indian goods. Duties that previously stood as high as 50 percent may be lowered to around 18 percent, a move that could make Indian products more competitive in the American market. Exporters in sectors such as manufacturing, engineering goods, electronics and clean energy components are likely to see improved access and better margins. Analysts believe such measures could create new jobs and provide momentum to India’s broader growth strategy. Another key focus of the talks has been cooperation on critical minerals including lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements. These resources are essential for electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors and renewable energy technologies, areas where India is rapidly expanding its domestic capacity. With global demand for these materials rising sharply, securing reliable and diversified supply chains has become a strategic priority. The United States is seeking trusted partners to reduce dependence on a handful of dominant suppliers, and India’s geological potential and growing industrial base position it as an important collaborator. Jaishankar also expressed support for the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, or FORGE, an initiative aimed at building resilient mineral partnerships. Participation in such frameworks could help India attract investment, technology transfers and expertise while strengthening its role in global supply networks. Officials say this aligns with the government’s push for self-reliance in high-tech manufacturing and clean energy production. Beyond trade and minerals, the discussions covered defence cooperation, advanced technology, energy projects and broader diplomatic coordination. Observers note that the relationship between New Delhi and Washington has steadily expanded over the past decade, and the current negotiations reflect growing trust and shared strategic interests. The deal is being viewed not only as an economic arrangement but also as a step toward reinforcing India’s global standing. While final terms are yet to be formally announced, the optimism surrounding the talks suggests that both sides are keen to move quickly. If concluded as expected, the agreement could serve as a milestone for India’s trade policy, opening new markets and strengthening its position in global supply chains. For Indian viewers and businesses alike, the prospective pact represents an opportunity to accelerate growth, enhance competitiveness and deepen one of the country’s most important international partnerships.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval conveyed a firm and uncompromising message during a visit to Washington months before the public announcement of a renewed India–US trade deal, underscoring that New Delhi would not yield to pressure or public criticism during negotiations. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Doval told senior American leadership that India was prepared to take a patient approach to trade talks rather than accept terms it considered unfair or

Russia has said it has not received any formal communication from India indicating that the country plans to stop purchasing Russian oil, casting doubt on recent claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that New Delhi had agreed to halt such imports as part of a new trade agreement with Washington. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow has yet to hear any official statement from the Indian government suggesting that energy flows between the two countries are being curtail

United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an extensive telephone conversation on Wednesday, discussing a wide range of economic and geopolitical issues that could influence global trade flows, energy markets, and strategic stability across Asia, developments closely watched in India and other emerging economies. Sharing details of the exchange on his social media platform, Trump described the interaction as “excellent” and said the leaders engage

Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated sharply this week after the US military shot down an Iranian drone that it said approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in an aggressive manner in the Arabian Sea. The development has drawn attention in New Delhi as well, given India’s heavy dependence on energy imports and trade routes that pass through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, areas now witnessing renewed military activity and diplomatic strain.