Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia on April 22, 2025, marked a significant enhancement in bilateral relations. Co-chairing the inaugural Strategic Partnership Council meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, both leaders signed eight agreements spanning energy, digitalization, desalination, and anti-corruption. They reaffirmed a $100 billion investment commitment, including $50 billion for the West Coast Refinery project. New collaborations were identified in space, semiconductors, and fintech, with plans to implement UPI and RuPay in Saudi Arabia. Discussions also covered regional issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict and maritime security. The leaders endorsed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, aiming to boost connectivity and economic growth across regions. (PC: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR)

Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Vatican has entered the traditional nine-day mourning period, Novendiale. The papacy is now vacant, and a Conclave will soon be held to elect the next Pope. Of the 252 Cardinals in the College, 135 are eligible to vote, including four from India. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis from Kerala, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao from Goa, Cardinal George Koovakad from Kerala, and Cardinal Anthony Poola from Andhra Pradesh will represent India. Cardinals Oswald Gracias (Mumbai) and George Alencherry (Kerala), both over 80, are ineligible. Over a billion faithful await their next spiritual leader. (PC: Diocesan Family Service Centre Goa/Malankaratvm/Archdiocese of Hyderabad/National Catholic Register)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted US Vice President JD Vance and his family at his official residence in Delhi during Vance’s first official visit to India. Both leaders reviewed the rapid progress in the first phase of the India-US trade deal and reaffirmed their goal of achieving $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. They also discussed regional and global matters, stressing dialogue and diplomacy. Modi extended warm wishes to Vance’s family and expressed optimism for deeper ties. The leaders emphasized cooperation in defence, energy, and technology, while Modi looked forward to President Trump’s upcoming visit to India. (PC:X/narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with US Vice President JD Vance at his Delhi residence on Monday. Accompanied by his wife Usha and their children, Vance's visit aims to fast-track a US-India trade deal amid the looming threat of Donald Trump’s paused tariffs. The Vance family earlier visited Akshardham temple and a local emporium. Security was heightened in Delhi as Vance met with key Indian officials including S. Jaishankar and Ajit Doval. The talks focused on strengthening economic and strategic ties. Vance is scheduled to visit Jaipur and Agra next, blending diplomacy with cultural engagements. (PC: ANI)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi during his four-day visit, focusing on advancing a bilateral trade deal amid a U.S.-China trade war. The meeting, followed by delegation-level talks, coincides with the Trump administration's 90-day pause on new tariffs for India, providing a window to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement. India seeks increased U.S. investments in technology, manufacturing, automobiles, and energy sectors. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to visit Washington for IMF meetings and further trade discussions. India emphasizes that any deal must address its concerns and not be rushed, aiming for completion by end of July. (PC: NDTV & Rediff)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance commenced a four-day official visit to India on April 21, 2025, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their children. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and address trade issues amidst the Trump administration's tariff threats. Vance met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss enhancing economic and defense partnerships, with a goal to double trade to $500 billion by 2030. India is open to reducing tariffs on over half of its U.S. imports, which totaled $41.8 billion in 2024. The visit also includes cultural engagements, underscoring Vance's personal ties to India through his wife, Usha, a practicing Hindu of Indian origin.

India aims to finalize the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. by September–October 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced during her U.S. visit. This initiative follows President Donald Trump's April 2 imposition of reciprocal tariffs, with a 90-day suspension granted on April 9, excluding China and Hong Kong. Sitharaman emphasized the importance of this agreement beyond tariff issues, highlighting the U.S. as one of India's largest trading partners. High-level engagements are underway, including meetings with the U.S. Treasury Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative's office. Simultaneously, U.S. Vice President JD Vance is visiting India to discuss bilateral relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PC: LinkedIn)

Following Pope Francis's death, four Indian cardinals are eligible to vote in the upcoming papal conclave. These include Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Mumbai), Cardinal George Alencherry (Syro-Malabar Church), Cardinal Anthony Poola (Hyderabad), and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad. Koovakad, the youngest at 51, was elevated to cardinal in December 2024 and appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in January 2025. His prior roles include organizing Pope Francis’s international trips. Poola, the first Dalit cardinal, has focused on social welfare. Alencherry and Gracias bring extensive ecclesiastical experience. Their participation underscores India's growing influence in the Catholic Church's global leadership. (PC: AP/College Of Cardinals Report/Meta/Abaca Press/Alamy)

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Delhi, the Congress party has posed five critical questions, urging Modi to address key concerns affecting Indian citizens. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted issues such as the deportation of Indian citizens and the fear experienced by Indian students in the U.S., the undermining of the WTO's multilateral trading system, the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the WHO, and the potential adverse effects of bilateral trade liberalization on Indian farmers, industries, and MSMEs. These questions coincide with Vance's four-day visit, during which he is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife and their three children. (PC: X Handle of PM Modi)

Australia has imposed student visa restrictions on applicants from six Indian states—Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir—due to a surge in fraudulent applications. Reports indicate that some individuals are misusing student visas to gain residency rather than pursuing genuine education. In response, certain Australian universities have ceased accepting applications from these regions, while others have implemented stricter verification processes. This move aims to protect the integrity of Australia's education system but has caused concern among genuine Indian students and education consultants. India remains a significant source of international students for Australia, and these developments may impact bilateral educational ties and the upcoming admission cycle. (PC: Amber & Shutterstock)