China has, for the first time, officially acknowledged providing on-site technical support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes on terror camps in 2025. Engineers from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute told Chinese state broadcaster CCTV that they assisted the Pakistan Air Force during the four-day conflict. Engineer Zhang Heng said the team worked under extreme conditions to ensure Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets performed effectively. Another engineer, Xu Da, described the aircraft as a “child” they nurtured. The revelation underscores deepening China-Pakistan military integration and Beijing’s expanding operational involvement in regional conflicts. (PC: India Today)

Nepal on Friday reiterated its commitment to resolving its border dispute with India through diplomatic dialogue, amid renewed tensions over the Lipulekh Pass route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said Nepal had conveyed its concerns to both India and China regarding the pilgrimage route through territory Kathmandu claims as its own. Nepal maintains that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani belong to it under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. India recently rejected Nepal’s objections, calling the territorial claims an “unilateral artificial enlargement.” The annual pilgrimage will run from June to August through Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La. (PC: X)

Two Indian crew members are among 149 people aboard the MV Hondius, where a deadly hantavirus outbreak has killed three passengers and infected eight others. Operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, the ship remains under global health scrutiny as authorities race to contain the rare Andes strain, which can spread through close human contact. The health status of the Indian crew members remains undisclosed. The outbreak is believed to have originated during a birdwatching tour in Ushuaia, Argentina. The vessel has departed Cape Verde and is heading to Tenerife, Spain, for passenger screening and disinfection. The World Health Organization said public risk remains low but warned additional cases may emerge during the lengthy incubation period. (PC: Reuters)

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)