India strongly rejected Pakistan's criticism of PM Modi hoisting a saffron flag at Ayodhya's Ram Temple. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Pakistan's remarks, calling it a "country with a deeply stained record of bigotry" with no moral standing to lecture others. Pakistan had protested the flag-raising, claiming it pressured minorities and erased Muslim heritage, referencing the demolished Babri Masjid. On Tuesday, Modi raised a 22-foot saffron flag and led rituals performed by 108 priests under scholar Ganeshwar Shastri's guidance. He declared a "500-year-old resolve" fulfilled. The Supreme Court ruled in 2019 favoring Hindu plaintiffs after the 1992 mosque demolition. Modi laid the temple's foundation in 2020.

Several US-based X accounts recently exploited old photos of Rajendra Panchal, a 40-year-old Pune helper, to post racist content targeting Indians. Panchal suffered a jaw fracture at age one, leading to TMJ ankylosis, a condition fusing his jaw to his skull. Unable to afford surgery, he survived 38 years on liquids until receiving free treatment in 2017. Racist American users circulated his pre-surgery images, calling Indians "deformed job-stealers," aligning with Trump's MAGA rhetoric. One post garnered 11 million views. A September 2025 report documented 680 high-engagement anti-Indian posts totaling 281 million views, with 70% framing Indians as "invaders." This xenophobia intensified under Trump's second term, targeting even disability. (PC: X via Mohammed Zubair)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated Safran’s new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for aircraft engines in Hyderabad, highlighting India’s growing civil aviation sector. The facility, designed to service up to 300 LEAP engines annually, will employ over 1,000 skilled Indian technicians by 2035. During the event, Safran Chairman Ross McInnes, born in India, joked he was “Made in India,” referencing the “Make in India” campaign, prompting Modi to burst into laughter. Modi emphasized India’s rapid aviation growth, noting domestic carriers have ordered over 1,500 planes. He assured investors they are “co-creators” in India’s development journey, calling investment in India “the smartest business decision of this decade.”

Kapil Sharma, actor-comedian, addressed repeated shootings at his Kaps Cafe in Surrey, Canada, since its July opening. The cafe was targeted three times on the following dates, July 10, August 7, and October 16 though no injuries occurred and no group claimed responsibility. Sharma suggested Canadian police may lack power under local rules to control such incidents, contrasting it with Mumbai’s efficiency where he never felt unsafe. He noted each attack ironically drew larger crowds to his cafe. The matter escalated to Canada’s federal government and parliament discussions. At his film trailer launch, Sharma expressed faith, saying, “It is all ok if god is with me,” despite the unsettling events.

India strongly rebuked Pakistan’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisting the saffron flag atop Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Islamabad’s remarks as “contemptible,” stressing Pakistan’s “deeply stained record of bigotry, repression, and systemic mistreatment of minorities.” Pakistan had labeled the November 25 Dhwajarohan ceremony “Islamophobia” and “heritage desecration,” linking it to the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition and alleging discrimination against minorities. India rejected these claims outright, urging Pakistan to “turn its gaze inwards” and address its own human rights failings. The flag-hoisting marked the formal completion of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, consecrated in January 2024.

India confirmed receiving Bangladesh's extradition request for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and is examining it through ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India remains committed to Bangladesh's best interests, including peace, democracy, stability, and inclusion. Bangladesh initially requested extradition in December and again this month after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Hasina to death for crimes against humanity related to July 2024 demonstrations. Hasina called the tribunal "rigged," claiming it lacks democratic mandate under the unelected interim government. She alleged the death penalty reveals extremist figures' intent to eliminate her and nullify the Awami League, calling the trials a scapegoat tactic distracting from Dr. Mohammad Yunus's government failures. (PC: Wikimedia Commons)

India strongly rejected China's explanation regarding the detention of Arunachal Pradesh native Pema Wangjom Thongdok at Shanghai airport, calling Beijing's actions "unhelpful" to ongoing efforts to normalize bilateral ties. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India lodged strong demarches with China in both Beijing and Delhi immediately after the incident. Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen from West Kameng district living abroad for 14 years, alleged Chinese immigration officials declared her passport "invalid" during a November 21 layover because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. She was detained, questioned, and prevented from boarding her connecting flight from London to Japan during what should have been a three-hour layover, turning it into a traumatic ordeal. (PC: X)

The government of India on November 26 strongly rejected remarks by Pakistan criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the flag‑hoisting at the Ram Mandir. In a stern response, External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan, with its “deeply stained record of bigotry, repression and systemic mistreatment of minorities,” lacked the moral authority to comment on India’s internal religious and cultural affairs. India dismissed Islamabad’s statement as hypocritical and urged it to focus on its own human‑rights issues instead of intervening in India’s domestic matters. 

India has strongly criticised China for detaining Prema Wangjom Thongdok from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Prema said Chinese officials mocked her nationality, calling her passport “invalid” because her birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the incident “does not help the process of normalising ties.” India lodged a strong protest and stated that “Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.” Prema demanded strict action and said she was held for hours during her transit to Japan. China denied the allegations and claimed the actions followed its regular procedures.

India has strongly criticised Pakistan for its comments on the recent flag-hoisting at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Ministry of External Affairs said Pakistan has “no moral standing” to speak on the issue. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan should look at its own poor human rights record instead of giving “hypocritical” lectures. India rejected Pakistan’s remarks and said the country has a long history of mistreating its minorities. Pakistan had earlier claimed that the flag-hoisting was part of rising pressure on religious minorities and an attempt to erase Muslim heritage. India dismissed these claims completely. (PC: HT)