A British Royal Navy F‑35B stealth fighter, valued at $110 million, has been stranded at Thiruvananthapuram Airport since June 14 after an emergency landing due to low fuel and bad weather. A hydraulic snag was discovered post‐landing, preventing its return to HMS Prince of Wales. A small Royal Navy technician team attempted repairs but failed. Now, a 40‑member UK engineering team and specialized tow vehicle are inbound, aiming to shift the jet into Air India’s MRO hangar to shield it from monsoon rains. Parking fees may apply for the extended stay. If on‑site repairs don’t succeed, airlifting the F‑35B via military transport remains an option. (PC: CISF, PTI & CNBC)

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign the SCO joint communiqué in Qingdao, citing its omission of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, mostly tourists. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar supported the decision, noting a SCO member widely understood as Pakistan refused to include terrorism while the bloc aims to fight it. The draft did reference Pakistan’s Jaffar Express hijacking, seen as a diversion tactic. Singh highlighted India’s “zero tolerance,” praising Operation Sindoor, and warned against double standards. He urged holding terrorists' sponsors accountable, calling for SCO unity against cross‑border terrorism.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the draft joint communique of the SCO defence ministers’ meeting in Qingdao on June 26. The statement omitted any mention of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian tourists, while referencing the Jaffar Express hijacking in Pakistan’s Balochistan. India criticized this selective treatment, accusing one unnamed nation widely understood to be Pakistan, supported by China of blocking terrorism references. Singh emphasized India’s “zero tolerance” stance, citing recent Operation Sindoor and placing responsibility on countries that sponsor or shelter terrorists. Lacking consensus, the SCO released no statement. This move underscores India’s insistence on explicit anti-terror language in multilateral forums.

Zohran Mamdani, 33, surged in NYC’s Democratic mayoral primary and ignited intense debate in India after branding Prime Minister Modi a “war criminal” over the 2002 Gujarat riots and pledging to arrest Netanyahu if he visits NYC. Asserting his Muslim-Gujarat heritage, he claimed Muslims are nearly absent in Modi’s Gujarat a figure disputed. His remarks went viral, blasting through Indian social platforms and earning both praise for his candor and backlash accusing him of misinformation and Hinduphobia. His campaign, anchored in progressive calls to cut rents, raise wages and tax the wealthy resonates strongly in South Asian NYC suburbs. The cross-border controversy spotlights diaspora identity, political discourse and global polarization. (PC: X)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on June 27 in Qingdao during the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting. India proposed a four‑point formula to ease border tensions and improve bilateral ties: full adherence to the 2024 disengagement plan, ongoing de‑escalation efforts, expedited border demarcation and delimitation, and leveraging the special‑representative mechanism to establish new confidence‑building processes. Singh also raised concerns about Pakistan‑sponsored cross‑border terrorism, affirming Operation Sindoor as “India’s principled position.” He welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a six‑year hiatus. Exchanging a Madhubani painting, both sides committed to maintaining “positive momentum,” while India declined to sign any SCO terrorism‑diluting declaration.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Defence Ministers’ communique in Qingdao (June 25–26), citing the absence of any mention of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people . He stressed “no double standards” and called for unified condemnation of cross‑border terrorism, highlighting India’s right to self‑defence through Operation Sindoor . Singh pointed out that the draft statement referenced Balochistan unrest but omitted India’s concerns, prompting New Delhi to withhold endorsement and leaving the meeting without a joint communique. (PC: AP)

New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has come under political fire after reports surfaced alleging that a Pakistan-based PR campaign was promoting his candidacy. Leaders from both India’s BJP and Congress parties criticized Mamdani, accusing him of indirectly benefiting from propaganda allegedly linked to Pakistan’s ISPR. Mamdani, a sitting New York State Assembly member, has denied any involvement with foreign campaigns. The controversy has sparked debate on diaspora politics and foreign interference. While the BJP condemned the promotion of "anti-India narratives," Congress leaders voiced similar concerns, marking a rare alignment between the rival parties on an international issue. (PC: PTI)  

India refused to sign a joint statement at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the document ignored the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people but mentioned Balochistan, hinting at Pakistan’s influence. India called this unfair and strongly opposed it. Singh urged SCO members to unite against terrorism and criticised countries that support terror. He said India's zero tolerance for terrorism was shown during Operation Sindoor. India’s stand at the summit highlights its demand for clear global action against terror and refusal to accept double standards on terrorism in international forums. (PC: AFP)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China, said, “We have shown that epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe and we will not hesitate to target them.” He reaffirmed India’s zero tolerance for terrorism and called for united global action. Singh cited Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 after the Pahalgam attack, saying it dismantled cross-border terror infrastructure. He stressed, “Peace and prosperity cannot co-exist with terrorism.” Singh urged SCO members to act against sponsors and supporters of terrorism, adding that only strong, joint efforts can build peace, trust, and security in the region. (PC: Reuters)

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao on June 26, 2025, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed that “peace, security and trust deficit” constitute the major challenges in the region . Without explicit naming, he condemned the use of cross‑border terrorism as policy, urging SCO nations to reject double standards . Singh underscored India’s commitment to multilateral reforms as essential for dialogue, cooperation, and crisis prevention . His strong stance on terrorism followed the Pahalgam attack, signaling India’s readiness to confront terror networks disguised under proxy groups. (PC: X)