Authorities in West Bengal have intensified a major crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi migrants after security agencies identified new infiltration routes along the India-Bangladesh border. Investigators revealed that migrants were allegedly entering through riverine stretches, fake identity networks, and porous border areas before moving to different Indian states. Police and border forces have conducted multiple raids across districts, detaining several suspected illegal migrants and agents accused of arranging forged Aadhaar and voter ID documents. Officials say the operation aims to dismantle organised trafficking and infiltration networks. The development has reignited political debate over border security, illegal migration, and identity verification in eastern India. (PC: India Today)

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has expressed confidence that the proposed India-US trade agreement could be finalised in the coming weeks or months. Speaking at an event at IIT Delhi, he described India as a "trusted partner" and called the relationship between the two countries the defining partnership of the 21st century.   Gor said cooperation between India and the US is growing in areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and space research. He also highlighted the TRUST initiative, aimed at strengthening collaboration in critical technologies and supply chains between the two nations. 

British MP Rupert Lowe has sparked controversy after saying, "I don't believe we should import millions of Pakistanis and Indians to do jobs that unemployed Brits should be doing." The remarks were made in a series of social media posts and triggered widespread criticism.   Lowe also criticised immigration policies and claimed that migration was changing the cultural identity of some parts of the UK. Critics accused him of promoting racial and religious divisions through sweeping statements about immigrant communities.   Official data, however, shows Indian and Pakistani communities form a small share of the population in his constituency. (PC: Reuters)

Japan has suspended imports of Indian mangoes after officials found problems in pest-control procedures at an export treatment facility in Uttar Pradesh. The decision affects popular varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra and Banganapalli. Japanese inspectors raised concerns during a visit in March and later stopped accepting shipments certified after March 25. Japan follows strict rules to prevent the entry of pests like fruit flies. The ban is the first of its kind in nearly 20 years. Exporters say the move is a major setback as Indian mangoes earn premium prices in Japan. Farmers are also facing crop losses due to extreme weather. (PC: AFP)

The United Nations will posthumously honour two Indian peacekeepers on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers for their sacrifice during UN missions. Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh, who served with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan, deployed with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), will receive the prestigious Dag Hammarskjold Medal from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The UN will also recognise Major Abhilasha Barak with the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for promoting women empowerment and gender sensitisation during her Lebanon deployment under UNIFIL. Major Barak is also India’s first woman combat helicopter pilot. (PC: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised India’s strong support for Israel, saying the country shows “absolutely crazy love” for Israel at a time when many nations criticise it globally. Speaking at a conference in the West Bank, Netanyahu highlighted India’s growing importance in Israel’s diplomatic outreach and noted his large Indian follower base. His remarks follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February 2026 visit to Jerusalem, where both nations upgraded ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity”. India and Israel agreed to expand cooperation across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semiconductors, defence, biotechnology, agriculture, fintech, water management and space technology, while also exploring integration between India’s UPI and Israel’s payment system.

Amid a crackdown on illegal immigration in West Bengal, hundreds of Bangladeshi migrants are gathering near border points, revealing how organised middlemen networks allegedly enabled illegal entry into India. Migrants described crossing rivers or slipping through “patrolling gaps” identified by dalals, sometimes within 10 minutes, after paying agents between Rs 2,000 and Rs 20,000. Several claimed forged Aadhaar, voter and ration cards were arranged with political assistance, while some accessed welfare schemes and voted in India. Authorities have intensified monitoring along the India-Bangladesh border as migrants voluntarily return fearing detention or deportation. The testimonies highlight an alleged ecosystem involving traffickers, forged documentation networks, welfare misuse and border-security vulnerabilities nationwide. (PC: India Today)

An investigation has raised concerns over the functioning of VFS Global visa centres as record numbers of Indians apply for Schengen visas to Europe. More than a million Indians seek Schengen visas annually, with applications more than doubling since the pandemic due to rising incomes and increased international travel. At the centre of the process is VFS Global, the Zurich-and-Dubai-headquartered visa outsourcing giant handling applications for most European countries. The concerns emerged after 150 inspection reports by European authorities, covering VFS Global centres across 20 EU member states between 2020 and 2025, reportedly flagged operational lapses. The findings have triggered scrutiny over issues including handling of personal data, transparency in service charges, and broader operational standards at visa processing centres. (PC: X)

A 22-year-old Indian-origin student from Gujarat’s Anand district was stabbed to death in Canada’s Niagara region on May 15, triggering concern among Indian families with children studying abroad. Vidhi Megha, originally from Borsad, had been living in Canada for three years to pursue higher education while working part-time to support herself. She was reportedly attacked in broad daylight by an unidentified assailant and later succumbed to fatal stab injuries at a nearby hospital. Canadian police have launched an investigation but have not disclosed details about the suspect or motive. Vidhi’s family has appealed to the Indian government to expedite the return of her body to India for final rites and funeral ceremonies.

A 22-year-old Indian student from Gujarat, identified as Vidhi Megha from Anand district’s Borsad town, was stabbed to death in Canada’s Niagara region in a shocking daylight attack. Vidhi had been living in Canada for four years, pursuing law studies while working part-time and preparing to apply for permanent residency. The attack reportedly took place on May 15 after she left her residence. Locals rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival. Canadian authorities suspect a robbery attempt may have led to the murder, and one suspect has been arrested. The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of Indian students abroad. (PC: India Today)