India is set to pay around $2 billion to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia, a move reportedly concluded ahead of Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi. The agreement, after years of stalled talks over pricing and delivery, signals a deepening of defence ties between the two nations. The lease is expected to bolster the capabilities of the Indian Navy, expanding its under-sea deterrence posture in a strategic region. Analysts note that while conventional submarine contracts have advanced previously, this deal underscores a major leap in India’s maritime ambitions. (PC: Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his viral car ride with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was his own idea and a sign of their close friendship. He spoke to India Today ahead of his two-day state visit to India. Putin said the drive during the 2018 SCO Summit in China was not planned and that both leaders “simply got into the car as two friends.” They spoke about the summit and continued talking for 45 minutes after reaching the venue. Putin arrives in Delhi tonight for talks, a formal dinner, and key agreements marking 25 years of the India–Russia partnership. (PC: India Today)

India’s crude-oil imports from Russia plunged by around 38 % in October 2025 compared with earlier data, marking the steepest drop yet in this trading relationship amid growing Western sanctions on Moscow. Refiners in India are reportedly scaling back deals with Russian majors to comply with pressure from the US and EU, even as Russia remains a key supplier. The shift reflects New Delhi’s tightrope act—balancing energy security and relations with Moscow while addressing geopolitical and economic constraints imposed by the West. (PC: Reuters)

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delighted crowds at the 7th New Zealand Sikh Games in Auckland by making jalebis live. He joined local MP Rima Nakhle at the opening ceremony on November 30, meeting athletes, volunteers, and performers. Standing behind a steaming wok, Luxon piped the sweet batter into spirals as the crowd cheered. The video quickly went viral, with fans calling him the “coolest Prime Minister ever” and joking about trying his jalebis. The Sikh Games showcased sports like kabaddi, cricket, and Gatka martial arts, blending culture, competition, and community pride from participants across New Zealand and abroad. 

Musician Anoushka Shankar has criticised Air India after her sitar was damaged during a recent flight. She said she was “devastated” as the airline had charged a handling fee but still failed to protect the instrument. In a video shared on Instagram, she showed cracks on her sitar and said this was the first such incident in more than 15 years of travel. Anoushka questioned how the airline could be so careless, especially with a traditional Indian instrument. Fans and artists, including Zakir Khan and Vishal Dadlani, expressed support. Anoushka recently received multiple Grammy nominations for her new album.

The Trump administration has ordered stricter checks for H-1B visa applicants. A new State Department cable asks US diplomats to review LinkedIn pages and resumes of applicants to see if they worked in areas like content moderation, fact-checking, misinformation tracking or online safety. Officers must check if any applicant took part in restricting speech protected under US law. If so, the visa can be denied. The rule covers all visa types but focuses on H-1B workers, many of whom come from India’s tech sector. Both new and repeat applicants will face this review. (PC: India Today)

A Russian foreign-policy analyst says that for Vladimir Putin the foremost objective in his upcoming engagement with Narendra Modi is to protect the strategic partnership between India and Russia from external interference, notably from Donald Trump’s push on New Delhi to curb Russian energy and defence ties. The analyst argues Moscow views the relationship as a safety-net in a volatile international system—so maintaining it, even under Western sanctions regime, is critical. India’s balancing act between Russia and the West is therefore being framed by Russia as central to its geostrategic interests. (PC: AP)

Vladimir Putin has begun a two-day visit to India, with Narendra Modi hosting a private dinner followed by the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Key agenda items include defence procurement (notably additional S-400 air-defence systems and potential interest in Su-57 fighters) and energy security amid US sanctions on Russian crude. Bilateral talks will also cover trade, employment mobility and diplomatic coordination on the Ukraine conflict, reflecting India’s balancing act between major powers. (PC: AFP)

Indian trucker Rajinder Kumar, living illegally in the US since 2022, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangering after his semi-truck blocked two lanes on Oregon’s Highway 20, causing a crash that killed newlyweds William Carter and Jennifer Lower on November 24. ICE has lodged an arrest detainer against Kumar, who entered illegally near Lukeville, Arizona, and later obtained a California commercial licence and work permit in 2023. This marks the fourth fatal crash involving Indian nationals driving trucks illegally in the US. Previous incidents include Jashanpreet Singh killing three in California, Partap Singh causing a pileup, and Harjinder Singh’s Florida crash that left three dead. (PC: India Today)

The government informed the Rajya Sabha that 72,218 foreign students from about 200 countries are currently studying in India. Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar highlighted India’s growing global academic presence, noting that 54 higher education institutions have been ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2026, compared to just 11 in 2014–15. He added that ₹6,198.99 crore has been sanctioned for eight public institutions under the World Class Institutions scheme to grant Institution of Eminence status. So far, 12 institutions have been notified as IoEs. Majumdar credited the National Education Policy 2020 for boosting infrastructure, research, and innovation, helping Indian HEIs achieve their highest-ever global representation.(PC: NDTV & HT)