Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based YouTuber known as "Travel With Jo," has been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence. Her own video from a 2023 iftar at the Pakistan High Commission, featuring expelled official Ahsan ur Rehman, surfaced as key evidence. Authorities claim she maintained contact with Pakistani officials post-visit and transmitted confidential data, violating the Official Secrets Act. Her devices are under forensic examination. The arrest underscores concerns over social media influencers being exploited for espionage. Malhotra, who promoted cross-cultural harmony, now faces serious national security charges. Investigations continue to determine the extent of her involvement and potential collaborators. (PC: NDTV & India Today)

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has urged Turkey to reconsider its support for Pakistan, emphasizing that India hosts 220 million Muslims—more than Pakistan. He highlighted historical ties between India and Turkey, such as Turkish pilgrims traveling through Ladakh to Mumbai for Hajj until 1920, and the teaching of Turkish in Ladakh until 1990. Owaisi asserted that Pakistan's claim as a representative of Muslims is misleading and that Pakistan has nothing to do with Islam. He also reminded Turkey of India's assistance during the 2023 earthquake, questioning the reciprocity of relations. In response to Turkey's stance, several Indian universities have suspended academic collaborations with Turkish institutions. (PC: ANI)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been appointed to lead a multi-party delegation to the U.S. to brief on Operation Sindoor, India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Tharoor's vocal support for the Modi government's actions has caused unease within Congress, prompting the party to clarify that his views are personal. Despite internal tensions, Tharoor emphasized that national interest supersedes party lines. He praised Operation Sindoor as a precise, morally justified response, targeting UN-designated terrorist bases while avoiding civilian harm. Tharoor also lauded the operation's name for its symbolic resonance. His inclusion in the delegation has sparked political debate, with Congress accusing the BJP of a "talent vacuum" and unilateral decision-making. (PC: India Today)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Indian armed forces penetrated 100 km into Pakistan, destroying terrorist camps in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. He praised the Army, Navy, and Air Force for their coordinated response, stating, "The terrorists thought their threats would intimidate us, but all three wings of our forces gave a fitting response, stronger than they could have imagined." The operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, targeted nine terror camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Shah emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India's air defense has been strengthened, warning that any further terror attacks would be met with even stronger responses. (PC: PTI)

On May 17, 2025, India imposed immediate restrictions on Bangladeshi consumer goods entering through northeastern land transit points. Imports of ready-made garments, plastics, wooden furniture, carbonated and fruit-flavoured drinks, processed foods, and cotton waste are now limited to Kolkata and Nhava Sheva sea ports. This decision follows India's earlier withdrawal of a trans-shipment facility for Bangladeshi exports via Indian territory. India's move is seen as a response to Bangladesh's continued restrictions on Indian exports through northeastern land ports. The strained trade relations coincide with political tensions after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled amid protests in 2024. Bangladesh's annual ready-made garment exports to India, valued at approximately $700 million, are expected to be significantly impacted. (PC: The Telegraph)

In the wake of escalating Indo-Pak tensions, renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar has vocally criticized Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, following a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. India responded with 'Operation Sindoor,' a four-day military campaign targeting militant bases in Pakistan and Kashmir, culminating in a tentative ceasefire on May 10. Akhtar, recalling the Kargil War, highlighted the respect Indian soldiers showed by burying fallen Pakistani troops with dignity. He condemned Pakistan's leadership for insensitivity and misplaced pride, urging moral clarity in addressing terrorism and cross-border violence. His remarks underscore the enduring scars from past conflicts and advocate for honest discourse between the nations. (PC: NDTV)

In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government is launching a 10-day diplomatic mission starting May 23, 2025, dispatching seven all-party MP delegations to key global capitals. Coordinated by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the initiative aims to present a united front against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Prominent MPs, including Shashi Tharoor, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Baijayant Panda, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Supriya Sule, and Shrikant ... will lead delegations to countries such as the US, UK, Japan, and Gulf nations. This outreach underscores India's commitment to combating cross-border terrorism and seeks to consolidate international support against Pakistan's alleged misinformation campaigns. (PC: India Today & YouTube)

In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor, India is dispatching seven all-party delegations to key global capitals to present its stance against cross-border terrorism. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will lead a nine-member delegation to the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia, while NCP leader Supriya Sule will head the delegation to Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Other leaders include Ravi Shankar Prasad (UK, France, Germany, EU, Italy, Denmark), Baijayant Panda (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria), Sanjay Kumar Jha (Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore), Shrikant Eknath Shinde (UAE, Liberia, DR Congo, Sierra Leone), and Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia). (PC: The Times Of India & India Today)

In a significant admission, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Indian missiles struck the Nur Khan Airbase and other locations during "Operation Sindoor." Sharif disclosed that he was alerted at 2:30 AM by the army chief about the attacks. This marks a departure from Pakistan's usual stance of denying Indian military actions on its soil. The acknowledgment suggests a shift towards transparency in Pakistan's military communications. While details about Operation Sindoor remain limited, this revelation could have profound implications for regional security and diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. The incident underscores the escalating tensions and the need for cautious diplomacy in the region. (PC: The Tribune)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has accepted the Modi government's invitation to lead an all-party delegation abroad, emphasizing national interest over politics. The delegation aims to present India's united stance against terrorism following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. Tharoor stated, "It is a very great honour... a matter of duty for all of us." Seven delegations, comprising members from both the ruling NDA and opposition INDIA bloc, will visit key partner countries, including UN Security Council members, to convey India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. Tharoor's participation underscores a bipartisan approach to national security, highlighting the importance of unity in addressing global challenges. (PC: Dawn & Hindustan Times)