India has formally asked Venezuelan authorities to investigate the death of Indian seafarer Rakesh Chauhan after his body was returned with several vital organs reportedly missing. The Ministry of External Affairs said the Indian Embassy in Caracas has taken up the matter and sought a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding his death and the handling of his remains. Chauhan's family has questioned the official account of his death and demanded justice. The government has assured full diplomatic support as it presses Venezuela for answers and a transparent investigation into the disturbing case. (PC: HT)

Air India has started using shorter flight routes through Jordan and Syria after security conditions improved in parts of the Middle East. The airline said the change will reduce travel time while keeping safety as the top priority. Earlier, many flights had to take longer routes because of regional tensions and closed airspace. Air India is also restoring more international services to Gulf countries. Air India Express has restarted flights on several routes, including Kuwait, Muscat, and Salalah. The airline said it will continue to closely monitor the situation, as airspace availability can change depending on regional developments.

India on Friday said its stand on the Indus Waters Treaty has not changed. The Ministry of External Affairs said the treaty remains in abeyance because of Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan must end such support in a credible and permanent way. His remarks came after Pakistani ministers warned India against stopping the flow of water under the treaty. Pakistan said any move to restrict water would be illegal and could affect regional peace. India suspended the treaty after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and has maintained its position since then.

India has strongly condemned the demolition of a 125-year-old historic gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province, describing it as a "despicable act" that reflects the continued neglect of minority religious heritage. The shrine, considered significant to the Sikh community, was reportedly razed during redevelopment work, sparking outrage among Sikh groups and heritage activists. India urged Pakistan to ensure the protection, preservation, and respectful maintenance of Sikh religious sites and other minority places of worship. The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of religious heritage in Pakistan, with calls for accountability and stronger measures to safeguard historically important sites. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit New Zealand on July 10, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in more than 40 years. The landmark trip is expected to strengthen India–New Zealand ties through discussions on trade, investment, education, technology, defence cooperation and regional security. Modi is also expected to engage with the Indian diaspora and explore ways to expand collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit reflects both nations' commitment to deepening strategic and economic relations amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges in the Asia-Pacific. (PC: X)

India and Japan have agreed to strengthen their energy partnership as escalating tensions in West Asia raise concerns over global oil and gas supplies. During high-level talks, both countries pledged closer cooperation on energy security, clean energy technologies, strategic reserves and resilient supply chains. The discussions focused on reducing vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions while expanding collaboration in renewable energy, hydrogen and advanced technologies. With both nations heavily dependent on imported energy, the renewed partnership aims to ensure stable supplies, diversify energy sources and reinforce their broader strategic relationship in the face of an increasingly uncertain global energy landscape. (PC: X)

    The Indian Navy successfully prevented a piracy attempt on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden after responding swiftly to a distress call. Naval personnel intercepted the suspected pirate skiff, forcing the attackers to abandon their assault and ensuring the ship's safe passage. The incident highlights the Navy's continued role in safeguarding vital international shipping routes. Meanwhile, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) warned that three commercial vessels and their crews remain in captivity after being seized by Somali pirates, urging sustained international cooperation to combat piracy and protect maritime security in the region. (PC: The Hindu)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strongly condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, during the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit in New Delhi. The leaders denounced the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and the Red Fort blast, calling for those responsible to be brought to justice. They urged coordinated international action against UN-designated terrorist organisations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Al-Qaeda and ISIS. The summit also reaffirmed both nations' commitment to strengthening strategic, defence, economic and technology cooperation while promoting a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region. (PC: AP)

A British woman has shared her decade-long battle with neurocysticercosis after doctors discovered 38 parasites in her brain, years after a 2007 trip to India. The rare infection, caused by pork tapeworm larvae, led to severe headaches, seizures, psychosis, and long-term neurological complications. She underwent extensive treatment with antiparasitic drugs and steroids before her condition gradually improved. Medical experts note that neurocysticercosis is typically spread through food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs rather than simply eating pork, highlighting the importance of hygiene and sanitation in preventing the disease. (PC: Instagram)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed the India–Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership during their summit in New Delhi, highlighting shared interests in security, technology and economic growth. Modi warmly referred to Takaichi as India's “little sister,” reflecting the close bilateral relationship. The two leaders announced major agreements on artificial intelligence, economic security, critical minerals, energy resilience and defence co-development, alongside a roadmap for over $10 billion in new Japanese investments. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, stronger supply chains and expanded cooperation in advanced technologies and regional stability. (PC: X)