Thousands of Indian tech workers in the US are facing uncertainty after layoffs at companies like Meta, Amazon and LinkedIn. Many of them work on H-1B visas linked to their jobs. Under US immigration rules, laid-off workers usually get only 60 days to find a new employer or leave the country. The situation has created stress for many families. Some workers are trying to switch to visitor visas for more time, while others are considering moving back to India or searching for jobs in other countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India in September for the BRICS summit in New Delhi, marking his first trip to the country since 2019 and the first after the 2020 eastern Ladakh military standoff. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to attend the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan before the BRICS meeting, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi. The anticipated visit reflects gradual stabilisation in India-China ties following disengagement efforts at the Line of Actual Control. Recent confidence-building measures include resumed visas, direct flights, eased restrictions on Chinese firms, renewed border trade and the restart of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. (PC: PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced an Assam-style crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, saying the state would begin identifying, detaining and handing over undocumented migrants to the BSF for deportation. Referring to a May 2025 directive from the Union government, Adhikari said Bengal would implement a “detect, delete and deport” policy targeting immigrants not covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. Officials indicated “delete” likely refers to removing ineligible names from electoral rolls. The government also announced land transfers for new border fencing and BSF infrastructure along the Bangladesh border. Critics warned that sudden action targeting Muslim immigrants could heighten social tensions and polarise Bengal’s political climate further.

Thousands of Indian tech professionals in the US are facing mounting uncertainty after fresh layoffs at companies like Meta, Amazon and LinkedIn intensified pressure on H-1B visa holders. Under US immigration rules, laid-off workers typically get only 60 days to secure another sponsoring employer or leave the country, turning job losses into immigration crises. Many are attempting to switch temporarily to B-2 visitor visas, though immigration lawyers report stricter scrutiny and rising rejection rates. Massive AI-driven restructuring across Silicon Valley has deepened fears that hiring slowdowns may become permanent. With decades-long green card backlogs, home loans and families settled in America, many Indians are now reconsidering long-term plans and exploring opportunities in Canada, Europe or India. (PC: NDTV)

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council after Islamabad raised Jammu and Kashmir during a debate on civilian protection in armed conflict. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, accused Pakistan of hypocrisy, saying a country with a “long-tainted record of genocidal acts” had no standing to comment on India’s internal matters. He cited Pakistan’s alleged airstrike on Kabul’s Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital during Ramadan, referencing UNAMA figures claiming hundreds of civilian casualties and mass displacement. Parvathaneni also referred to allegations linked to Operation Searchlight in 1971, accusing Pakistan of systematic atrocities. India rejected Pakistan’s Kashmir remarks and called them an attempt to internationalise domestic issues.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23-26 for his first official trip to the country, focusing on strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, energy and regional security. According to the US State Department, Rubio’s itinerary includes Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi, where he will hold high-level meetings with senior Indian officials. The visit will also coincide with the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 26. Rubio is expected to join Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for discussions on major geopolitical developments, including the ongoing West Asia crisis and broader Indo-Pacific security challenges. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome sparked online attention after Modi offered her a packet of Parle Melody chocolates, turning the interaction into a viral moment of “toffee diplomacy.” The video, shared by Meloni on X, highlighted a lighter side of Indo-Italian engagement and drew widespread reactions across social media. Parle Products thanked Modi for “taking Parle Melody to the global stage” and called it a proud moment for the company and Indian confectionery. Melody, long considered a nostalgic favourite in India, gained unexpected international visibility through the exchange, with many users celebrating the cultural symbolism and warmth reflected in the gesture between leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Food and Agriculture Organization’s highest honour, the Agricola Medal, during a ceremony at FAO Headquarters in Rome. Accepting the recognition, Modi dedicated the honour to India’s farmers, fishermen and 140 crore citizens, calling agriculture the “main stream” of India’s identity. FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu praised Modi’s leadership in transforming India’s agricultural landscape through farmer-centric reforms, food security programmes and welfare initiatives. The FAO highlighted India’s support for over 800 million people through food schemes, direct income support to 110 million farmers, promotion of natural farming and millets, and India’s push for digital public infrastructure during its G20 Presidency aimed at empowering developing nations.

Thousands of Indian tech workers in the US are facing mounting uncertainty after fresh layoffs at companies including Meta, Amazon and Oracle. Under H-1B visa rules, laid-off employees get only 60 days to secure a new sponsoring employer or leave the country. Many are now attempting to switch temporarily to B-2 visitor visas to extend their stay, but immigration lawyers say approvals and status-change requests are facing tighter scrutiny, more paperwork and rising denial rates. The crisis comes amid over 110,000 tech layoffs in 2026. Indians, who received nearly 284,000 approved H-1B petitions in FY25, are among the worst affected due to long green card backlogs, prompting many to explore Canada and Europe as alternative destinations. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that India and Italy are now “closer than ever” after high-level talks in Rome. Both leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership,” focusing on defence cooperation, innovation, trade, maritime connectivity, and counter-terror financing. They also launched a joint initiative against terror financing and discussed collaboration in artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space, and clean energy. Modi highlighted the importance of Indo-Pacific security and invited Meloni to visit India, while both leaders stressed diplomacy and stronger global cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. (PC: AP)