The US Embassy in India has asked all F, M, and J visa applicants to make their social media accounts public. This will help officials check their background before giving visas. The rule applies to students and exchange visitors. Platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn will be reviewed. The US says this step is to protect national security and stop fraud. The move follows the restart of student visa processing after a short pause last month. Officials will look for posts that may be seen as anti-American. The rule is part of stricter checks under the Trump administration.

Siraj Ali Ansari, a 25-year-old engineer from Ramapali village in Bihar's Siwan district, has gone missing in Iran amid escalating conflict with Israel. Employed as a Quality Control Engineer in a petroleum firm, Siraj last contacted his family on June 17, stating he was safe but bombings were occurring just 1 km away. His phone has been unreachable since. His father and relatives have appealed to the Indian government and Siwan authorities for urgent intervention. With over 1,700 Indians evacuated under Operation Sindhu, Siraj’s family hopes he too can be safely rescued. He is the eldest of four siblings. (PC: NDTV)

Aniruddha Bera, a PhD scholar from West Bengal’s Salboni, is taking shelter in a bunker at Tel Aviv University as missile attacks continue in Israel. Since June 13, when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran, Bera has relied on alert apps to reach safety within 90 seconds. Despite nearby missile strikes, he praised Israel’s warning system and said life is slowly returning to a “new normal.” Registered under India’s Operation Sindhu, he hopes to return home soon. “The Indian embassy is doing everything possible,” Bera told India Today, expressing gratitude and sharing that his family remains deeply concerned. (PC: India Today)

A National Investigation Agency investigation has linked the April 22 Pahalgam massacre where five militants killed 26 civilians in Baisaran Valley to a long‑running militant cell infiltrating from Poonch since early 2023. The group, entering via the Dehra Ki Gali–Bufliaz corridor, carried out ambushes in Poonch late 2023 and then split into tactical teams targeting Sonmarg and Gulmarg in October. One former local operative, Junaid, was neutralised in Srinagar in November, and forensics tied his mobile data back to the cell. Intercepted communications reveal a sprawling support network. Authorities now view the Pahalgam strike not as isolated, but the culmination of a coordinated militant campaign. (PC: The Hindu, Charzan Holidays & Exotic Miles)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has departed for Moscow on a two‑week mission, the second phase of the post‑Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach to Russia and the UK—reportedly without prior sign‑off from party leadership. He reportedly sought a pre‑departure meeting with AICC chief Kharge, which was denied. This ruffled feathers among state and national leaders. Kerala rivals criticized Tharoor’s autonomy, citing his decision to skip Nilambur campaigning (“I do not go where I am not invited”), although KPCC leader Sunny Joseph affirmed he was officially a star campaigner. AICC’s Venugopal emphasized that boundaries must be respected, but also defended individual freedom. (PC: JLF USA)

A special flight under Operation Sindhu brought back over 280 Indians from war-torn Iran to Delhi on Sunday. The evacuees included more than 200 students from Jammu and Kashmir and several pilgrims returning from Ziarat. The Mahan Air flight (W50071A) landed at IGI Airport, where many passengers waved Indian flags and thanked the government for a swift rescue. Launched Wednesday, Operation Sindhu aims to evacuate Indians amid escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Two earlier flights brought home 1,000 citizens, including 500 Kashmiris. Returnees described living in fear as hostilities grew and expressed deep gratitude for the safe and timely evacuation. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke today with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing deep concern over recent escalations in the region and urging immediate de‑escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy. The leaders discussed the current situation in depth, underlining the urgent need for calm. Modi reiterated India’s commitment to peace and shared diplomatic engagement, while Pezeshkian welcomed the conversation. Both emphasized diplomacy over conflict, reflecting a shared vision for stability amid mounting tensions. The call underscores India’s proactive role in fostering regional dialogue and echoes global appeals for restraint. (PC: X)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has confirmed that the three perpetrators behind the April 22 Pahalgam massacre in Baisaran Valley where 26 tourists were shot based on religious identity were Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar‑e‑Taiba. Investigators have arrested two locals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Pahalgam, under Section 19 of the UAPA. The duo admitted to harboring the terrorists in a seasonal hut at Hill Park, providing them with food, shelter and logistical aid before the attack. Following the tragedy hailed as one of the most gruesome to target civilians, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” striking terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir. Ongoing investigations continue.(PC: Times of India)

On June 16, 2025, the U.S. State Department upgraded India to a Level‑2 advisory, urging “increased caution” amid rising rape, violent crime, and terrorism risks . The update highlights that rape is “one of the fastest growing crimes in India,” with sexual assaults occurring at tourist sites, markets, transit hubs, and governmental areas . Authorities warn terrorists may strike with “little or no warning.” The advisory specifically cautions women against traveling alone and warns U.S. citizens of limited emergency support in rural zones of Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, and northeastern states . Travelers are also reminded that satellite phones and GPS devices are illegal, punishable by steep fines or jail time. (PC: Times of India)  

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar cautioned that India’s relations with neighbouring countries will inevitably face turbulence, but Delhi is building resilient systems rooted in shared mutual interest to withstand volatility . Speaking on DD India, he stressed that engaging with India offers benefits, while distancing carries costs—though Pakistan remains a unique case due to its army-defined hostility . Jaishankar cited improved border infrastructure and stronger ties with the Gulf, ASEAN, and Indo-Pacific regions as key stabilizers, citing past operations like Ganga and Sindhu as evidence of India’s assertive diplomacy . He noted that despite regime changes, countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal maintain working relationships due to this “culture of collective interest.” (PC: PTI)