Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6–7 during a five‑nation tour (Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, Namibia). Modi is expected to push India’s Global South agenda, notably anti‑terror cooperation and economic partnerships. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin will skip the in‑person summit & join virtually while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represents Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also opting out of the summit, sending Premier Li Qiang in his stead, marking Xi’s first BRICS absence since 2013. Their absence highlights shifting dynamics within the expanded BRICS grouping. (PC: News18 & Sugarcane.org)

On June 27, 2025, India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification banning import of select jute and flax products—including yarn, woven fabrics, and bast fibres—from Bangladesh through all land border ports; henceforth, such goods must arrive solely via the Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra . The regulation exempts transit shipments destined for Nepal and Bhutan but prohibits re‑exports from those countries . The move, a response to bilateral tensions, is expected to hit land‑transport reliant traders, raising costs and logistical challenges for Bangladesh’s jute industry. (PC: AFP)

Zohran Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old democratic socialist of Indian descent, claimed victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo . His grassroots campaign—centered on rent freezes, free public transit, universal childcare, and taxing the wealthy—energized young, South Asian, Muslim, and progressive voters . But his policies and outspoken support for Gaza, criticism of Modi and Netanyahu, and controversial tax proposals prompted backlash from moderates, business leaders, Republicans, and even legal scrutiny . If elected, Mamdani would become NYC’s first Muslim, South Asian, and millennial mayor—symbolizing a broader ideological shift within the Democratic Party. (PC: The Print)

On 27 June 2025, India firmly rejected a “supplemental award” issued by a Pakistan-backed Court of Arbitration under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which claimed competence over its Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects in Jammu & Kashmir . The Ministry of External Affairs labeled the arbitration “illegal”, refusing to recognize the court’s jurisdiction and denouncing it as a “charade at Pakistan’s behest” . India also underscored that it has placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance since April's Pahalgam terror attack and is no longer bound by its obligations until Pakistan credibly renounces support for cross-border terrorism. (PC: India Today)

India has strongly rejected a “supplemental award” by a Court of Arbitration on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs called the tribunal “illegally constituted” and stated its actions violate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). India also blamed Pakistan for staging a “charade” to deflect attention from its support for terrorism. Following the April Pahalgam attack, India suspended its IWT obligations until Pakistan renounces cross-border terrorism. The MEA reiterated that no tribunal has jurisdiction over India’s sovereign actions. Pakistan first objected to the projects in 2006, alleging they violate water-sharing terms. (PC: News18)

A UK Royal Air Force F-35B fighter jet was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India on 14 June due to an engineering issue. According to the British High Commission, the aircraft will undergo repairs at the airport's Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility. UK engineering teams are expected to arrive soon with specialist equipment. Once repairs and safety checks are completed, the jet will return to active service. British authorities thanked Indian officials and the airport for their support and confirmed close cooperation on safety and security. No further details have been shared pending ongoing technical evaluations. (PC: X)

At the June 26 SCO defence ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun to advocate a “permanent solution” to the long‑standing, undemarcated 3,800 km border. He pressed for a structured, time‑bound roadmap involving disengagement, de‑escalation, formal border‑management mechanisms, and eventual demarcation. Singh also emphasized bridging the post‑2020 confrontation trust deficit and maintaining peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control. Both nations agreed to continue consultations. This marks a shift from India’s earlier stance of seeking early resolution toward pushing a definitive and lasting settlement. (PC: X)

At June 25–26 defence ministers’ meeting of the SCO in Qingdao, India declined to endorse the joint communique due to the absence of any mention of terrorism, notably the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar endorsed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s stance, stressing that “when the main purpose of the organisation is to fight terrorism,” omitting it was “unacceptable.” He noted consensus failed because one country—widely believed to be Pakistan—blocked the reference, making the statement “meaningless” without unanimity. (PC: PTI)

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, meeting Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun at the SCO Defence Ministers’ Summit in Qingdao, urged a permanent solution to border demarcation and structured de-escalation measures. The two held in-depth discussions on maintaining peace and tranquility along the Indo-China border and agreed to continue consultations at multiple levels. Singh stressed reactivating established mechanisms for disengagement, de‑escalation and delimitation to rebuild trust post‑2020 stand-off. He also updated on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor targeting Pakistan-based terror networks. (PC:X)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, fresh off a rare‑earth trade pact with China, has hinted at a “very big” bilateral trade agreement with India. Speaking at the White House’s “Big Beautiful Bill” event, he emphasized selective diplomacy: “We’re not going to make deals with everybody… Some we … send a letter… you pay 25, 35, 45 per cent.” Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed February discussions between Trump and Prime Minister Modi aimed to finalize a mutually beneficial pact. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described negotiations as “very, very good” and predicted a deal “in the not‑too‑distant future.” The accord aims to deepen trade, investment, and strategic ties between the world’s two largest democracies. (PC: Instagram)