International Relations

The US says Ukraine has accepted a 30-day ceasefire proposal and agreed to start negotiations to end the war with Russia, if Moscow also accepts. The US says it will immediately restore military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Third Batch of Illegal Indian Immigrants Deported from US | Plane Lands in Amritsar

An aircraft carrying the third batch of illegal Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar on February 16, 2025, as part of the ongoing US crackdown under the Trump administration. The C-17 Globemaster brought back 112 deportees from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and other states. This follows two previous deportation flights within 10 days. Political tensions rise as concerns over in-flight shackling resurface. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar addresses the issue in Parliament. Stay tuned for the latest updates

U.S. State Dept Claims Free Panama Canal Access, Authorities Deny Any Such Deal | N18G

The U.S. government has allegedly reached an agreement allowing its ships to use the Panama Canal for free, which is expected to save millions in fees annually. However, the Panama Canal Authority has denied this claim. The news comes as the Panama Canal becomes a point of contention in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. Trump has criticized China's influence over the Canal and accused Panama of overcharging U.S. vessels. He even threatened to retake control of the Canal, citing concerns over regional financial security. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited Panama and held discussions with President Jose Raul Mulino, leading Panama to review China’s role in Canal operations. Panama also announced it would let its involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative expire. China, in turn, expressed dissatisfaction with U.S. remarks regarding its involvement in the Canal but stated cooperation with Panama remains unaffected.

Marco Rubio Meets Panama President Paul Mulino | Talks on Canal Future

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Panama City for crucial talks with President Jose Paul Mulino. They discuss the future of the Panama Canal amid renewed U.S. interest and concerns over Chinese influence. Stay tuned for insights into the potential new directions these discussions could take.

2024: A Year of Geopolitical Shifts and Unprecedented Conflicts

In 2024, the Middle East experienced transformative events that reshaped global security. Donald Trump made a dramatic political comeback, winning the U.S. presidency despite controversies. The Middle East saw continued conflict, with Israel fighting Hamas in Gaza, resulting in massive casualties. Syria’s regime fell in a surprise rebellion, altering regional dynamics. In Ukraine, Russian forces gained ground, with escalating casualties and intelligence strikes. Meanwhile, tensions in the South China Sea escalated as China asserted its claims, leading to violent confrontations with the Philippines. These events marked a year of significant geopolitical shifts with far-reaching consequences.

India Supports Cuba's Call to End Economic Embargo at UN Debate

India voiced its support for Cuba's resolution advocating for the end of the economic, commercial, and financial embargo. During a recent debate, First Secretary Sneha Dubey highlighted that India, as the world's largest democracy, upholds a strong commitment to multilateralism. She reaffirmed India's solidarity with the UN General Assembly, which clearly opposes domestic laws with extraterritorial effects. This stance underscores India's dedication to global cooperation and fairness in international relations.

Responsibility for damage caused to India-Canada ties lies with PM Trudeau alone: MEA

India-Canada diplomatic row escalates as Trudeau testifies on Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing. MEA responds, citing lack of evidence.

Israel-Iran war: How Israeli airstrikes are redefining middle eastern power dynamics with US support

Israel's military strikes against Iran's allies intensify Middle East tensions, sparking debates on US involvement and regional stability.

India needs to keep a close eye on Russia-China-Iran triangle

Long-term, existing cries of deep friendship notwithstanding, it will be a combination of new economic factors, centred around China, that will drive India’s levers of influence over Russia and Iran

The Eastern Window: Xi Jinping tries to charm US CEOs as foreign investment slides

The Chinese President is directly lobbying American business as foreign investments have slipped drastically. China is also worried about the potential of Donald Trump getting re-elected. Trump has already threatened to impose harsh tariffs on Chinese cars and other goods

Jaishankar, Ukrainian foreign minister Kuleba hold bilateral talks

Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba’s two-day visit to India comes amid efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the more than two-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict. He arrived here on Thursday.

EAM Jaishankar to pay 5-day visit to Singapore, Philippines & Malaysia

Jaishankar and his counterparts in the three countries may also exchange views on the current situation arising out of the Houthi militants targeting various cargo vessels in the Red Sea and other strategic waterways in the region.

US, China top military officials speak for first time in over a year

The video teleconference followed an agreement between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last month to resume military-to-military ties severed by Beijing after then-House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited self-ruled Taiwan in August 2022.

Ram Madhav emphasises India's autonomous stance in global affairs, asserts frontline role in the Global South

The RSS functionary highlighted India's distinct identity, characterised by a commitment to strategic autonomy that allows India to take positions based on its own assessments and interests.

Why India can and should play honest broker in Bangladesh 

India must mediate before the situation goes out of hand and radical elements like jihadi outfits start filling the vacuum left by a failing state. An understanding between the ruling and opposition parties to allow smooth conduct of election is key to putting Bangladesh back on the rails

The Eastern Window: Pakistan wooing the US—Should India be worried?

Pakistan is trying to enter into a security pact with the US and shed its image as a camp follower of China. India has reasons to worry if the US agrees to sign an agreement and supply more military hardware to Pakistan. For the US, it is an opportunity to counter Chinese influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan

India 'indispensable partner' for friendshoring: Janet Yellen

Yellen highlighted four priorities which she plans to work on this week: debt distress in emerging markets and developing countries, multilateral development bank evolution, support for Ukraine, and the global tax deal.

The Eastern Window: Why pretend to keep the US at arm's length?

India may adopt a neutral stance to meet short-term goals like getting cheap Russian oil, but in the long term, India’s future will be best served by closer alignment with the western hemisphere 

The Eastern Window: Tightrope walk for India at SCO meet

India is hosting the meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation which represents 40 percent of the world population and diverse political ideologies. The big question is whether this will provide an opportunity for India to reduce tensions with Pakistan and China and also preserve its non-alignment on the Ukraine issue 

The Eastern Window: Is Bhutan warming up to China?

The Bhutan King’s recent visit to New Delhi helped to further strengthen the ages old bond between the two countries. But a statement by Bhutan’s Prime Minister in late March seemed to boost China’s position on the Doklam issue, raising serious concerns in India 

The Eastern Window: How to stop Myanmar from acting as China’s spying arm

There is strong evidence that China is building a spying station at the Great Coco Islands in Myanmar to watch the Indian military base. The question is how to stop Myanmar from cooperating with China, given its dependence on Chinese trade and investments

India needs deeper economic ties with Indonesia to counter China

Indonesia carefully balances its handshakes, cultivating China, staying on the right side of the US, and carefully cultivating both India and Australia 

Optimistic time for India-US relations: US Commerce Secretary Raimondo

- ENRC seeks 21 mln pounds in legal costs from SFO and Dechert in dispute over fraud probe - Funds worth 800 mln pounds in dormant accounts to boost communities in England

The Eastern Window: This is what China thinks about Indian policy

A Chinese expert has predicted that the animosity between India and China would continue for at least 10 years. He does not think the border confrontation is the cause for the differences. It is India's leanings towards the US and the upcoming 2024 elections that are to blame for it. Curiously, he does not mention Pakistan

Not that Indians love the US less, but they love Russia more

Even as New Delhi strengthens commercial ties with Washington, it remains critically dependent on Russian oil and military supplies