India on Thursday said repatriation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals remains a “core issue” in ties with Bangladesh, responding to Dhaka’s concerns over alleged migrant “push-ins” along the Assam and West Bengal border. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Bangladesh to cooperate in expediting the return of at least 2,862 identified illegal immigrants. Bangladesh recently placed border guards on alert and warned of action if migrants are forcibly sent through unguarded border stretches. While Dhaka raised concerns following political developments in eastern India, New Delhi did not address reported differences between the Centre and state governments on handling illegal migration. The issue has emerged as a major diplomatic and border-security concern between Delhi and Dhaka.

India on Thursday rejected allegations in a Canadian intelligence report accusing New Delhi of foreign interference, calling the claims “baseless imputations.” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India respects sovereignty and does not interfere in other nations’ internal affairs. He urged such concerns to be handled institutionally rather than through politicised public narratives. Simultaneously, India highlighted that the same CSIS report acknowledged the threat posed by Canada-based Khalistani extremist groups. The report noted extremist elements misuse democratic freedoms in Canada to promote separatism, radicalisation and violent activities. New Delhi reiterated concerns over threats to diplomats, vandalism of religious sites and pro-Khalistan activities, while maintaining that Ottawa has failed to adequately act against extremist networks operating from Canadian soil.

American comedian Louis C.K. sparked widespread debate after praising what he called India’s “functioning poverty” during a discussion about his recent India tour. Comparing Indian cities with New York City, he said he saw fewer homeless people and less open drug abuse in India than on New York streets. Louis described India’s informal housing systems as offering survival opportunities for the poor, unlike the harsh economic conditions in the US. His comments quickly went viral online, with many users supporting his observations while others criticized the comparison as oversimplified and insensitive toward poverty realities in both countries. (PC: Mint)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal said Kolkata’s revival is essential for reducing India’s east-west economic gap and driving growth in Eastern India. Speaking at an event on state economies, Sanyal said West Bengal’s share in the national economy has fallen from around 11% after Partition to nearly 5.5% today. He said Kolkata was once a major industrial and financial centre, but its decline slowed the entire eastern region. Sanyal added that rebuilding Kolkata’s industrial strength and improving links with global supply chains would help Eastern India grow faster and support India’s long-term economic goals.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit India from May 24–26 for bilateral discussions and the upcoming Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. According to reports, Rubio will meet S. Jaishankar, Ajit Doval, and call on Narendra Modi. The visit comes amid efforts to stabilise India-US relations following friction over tariffs and sanctions. Sergio Gor said Washington values its growing strategic partnership with India. The Quad meeting is expected to focus on Indo-Pacific security, economic coordination, and regional geopolitical challenges. (PC: AP)

On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army released a video calling India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack “resolute, calibrated and precise.” The operation, launched on May 7 last year, targeted nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including bases linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. India said over 100 terrorists were eliminated. The strikes triggered a brief military escalation with Pakistan before a ceasefire understanding on May 10. Narendra Modi later described Operation Sindoor as India’s “new normal” against terrorism.

Bangladesh has expressed concern over potential migrant pushbacks following recent electoral developments in India, particularly in West Bengal and Assam. Officials in Dhaka said they hope no such incidents occur but have placed border forces on heightened alert as a precaution. Authorities are closely monitoring the frontier for any unusual movement or enforcement actions. The development reflects sensitivities around cross-border migration and bilateral coordination. While no confirmed pushbacks have been reported, the situation underscores the need for careful handling of border management amid shifting political dynamics. (PC: PIB)

Narendra Modi and To Lam elevated India–Vietnam relations to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership, setting a $25 billion trade target by 2030. During talks in New Delhi, both sides signed 13 agreements covering digital payments, rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, education, banking, and culture. The move aims to deepen cooperation across economic and strategic sectors amid evolving geopolitical challenges. Defence collaboration and supply chain resilience were also key focus areas. The upgraded partnership signals stronger bilateral alignment and reflects both nations’ intent to expand engagement across critical and emerging domains.

The Pakistan Navy assisted an Indian vessel, MV Gautam, stranded in the Arabian Sea after a critical power failure. Responding to a distress alert relayed by Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Pakistan deployed PMSS Kashmir with support from the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. The crew including six Indians and one Indonesian received food, medical aid, and technical assistance. The vessel, drifting without propulsion, posed navigational risks. Indian authorities, including the Coast Guard, coordinated follow-up measures, urging towing arrangements. The episode highlights cross-border maritime cooperation despite broader geopolitical tensions in the region.

Former Norwegian minister Erik Solheim praised India’s democratic system after the BJP’s victories in West Bengal and Assam. In a post on X, Solheim said the world should “celebrate Indian democracy” instead of fearing it. He highlighted the high voter turnout and said elections in India are held on a scale much bigger than most Western nations. Solheim also defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi against criticism from sections of Western media. He said India’s democracy is deeply linked to its traditions and history. Solheim added that election results in India are accepted across the political system.