Bangladesh’s cricket boycott exposes deepening cracks in South Asian diplomacy

By Biman Mukherji Bangladesh’s recent pull-out over perceived security concerns for the showpiece T20 World Cup cricket hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month has underscored the unprecedented way regional political tensions have spilled over into sports. Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the 20-team event on Saturday after the International Cricket Council rejected […]

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India contains Nipah virus outbreak, some Asian countries tighten health screenings

NEW DELHI: Indian authorities said they had contained a Nipah virus outbreak after confirming two cases in the eastern state of West Bengal, as several Asian countries tightened health screenings and airport surveillance for travelers arriving from India. India’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that two Nipah cases had been detected since December and that all […]

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Indian diplomats’ families face no security threat in Bangladesh: Foreign adviser

There is no situation in Bangladesh that poses a security risk to Indian officials or their family members, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain said today (28 January). Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he dismissed speculation that Indian diplomats were sending back family members due to security concerns. “There is no concern. […]

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EU and India to explore defence cooperation, draft document says

The European Union and India will explore possibilities for Indian participation in European defence initiatives, according to a draft security and defence partnership document seen by Reuters. The new partnership comes at a time when Europe is seeking to reduce its dependence on the US and China and deepen its diplomatic and economic ties to […]

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China’s Xi says India, China are ‘friends, partners’

China’s President Xi Jinping said China and India were “good neighbours, friends and partners” as he wished President Droupadi Murmu congratulations on the South Asian nation’s Republic Day, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Monday. Xi said that over the past year, China-India relations have continued to improve and develop and are of “great […]

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Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

By Biman Mukherji India’s increasing engagement with Gulf nations is driven more by trade and energy security, even as it seeks to forge a defence partnership with the United Arab Emirates amid deepening rivalries in the region, according to analysts. Last week, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a brief stop in […]

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EU leaders begin India visit ahead of ‘mother of all deals’ trade pact

New Delhi: Europe’s top leaders have arrived in New Delhi to participate in Republic Day celebrations on Monday, ahead of a key EU-India Summit and the conclusion of a long-sought free trade agreement. European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in India over the weekend, […]

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India to recreate ‘Operation Sindoor’ at upcoming Republic Day parade

The Indian military is set to recreate its tri-services campaign against Pakistan from last May during the 77th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on 26 January. The display, an annual exhibition of the country’s military and diplomatic reach, will feature the specific aircraft formations and hardware used during the 88-hour conflict. Air Commodore Manish […]

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‘Yunus A Murderous Fascist’: Sheikh Hasina In 1st Public Address In Exile

New Delhi: In her first address to a public gathering in India since leaving Bangladesh in 2024, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina launched a blistering attack on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of running an “illegal, violent” regime and plunging the country into what she described as an age of terror, lawlessness and democratic […]

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India, EU ramp up push for ‘historic’ free-trade deal amid US tariff tensions

By Biman Mukherji India and the European Union are stepping up a long-delayed push for a free-trade agreement as New Delhi prepares to host the bloc’s top leaders later this month, with both sides signalling urgency amid mounting pressure from US tariffs and a shifting global order. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in […]

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