India and Canada have reset diplomatic ties after a 2-year freeze, with PM Modi attending the G7 Summit in Canada and meeting new Canadian PM Mark Carney. High commissioners will return, and trade talks resume. Carney distanced himself from pro-Khalistan groups, unlike predecessor Trudeau. Simultaneously, India declined Donald Trump’s invite, citing unease over Trump’s lunch with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir and repeated claims of mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire. Trump’s tariff threats and attempts to hyphenate India-Pakistan have further strained US-India relations. Canada now appears more aligned with Indian interests than the unpredictable US stance under Trump. (PC: India Today)

India’s PM Narendra Modi has firmly clarified to US President Donald Trump that the May 2025 ceasefire with Pakistan—triggered by India’s “Operation Sindoor” following the April 22 Pahalgam attack—was achieved solely through direct military communication, with no US mediation or trade leverage . Modi emphasized India’s “no-mediation” policy and briefed Trump on the measured nature of the counter-strikes . After their G7 phone call, Trump conceded that Modi and Pakistan’s military leadership “decided” to de-escalate, retracting his earlier mediation claims . The episode reinforces India’s diplomatic autonomy and highlights Modi’s decisive stance on terrorism and regional security. (PC: India Today)

A charter flight carrying 110 Indian nationals—primarily medical students from Urmia Medical University—landed in New Delhi early on June 19, under Operation Sindhu. These students were moved overland from Iran to Armenia before boarding the evacuation flight . Among them, 90 are from Jammu & Kashmir and their arrival brought relief to anxious families, who praised Prime Minister Modi and EAM Jaishankar . The MEA confirmed more evacuation flights are underway to safely bring back remaining Indian students stranded in Iran amid escalating Israel‑Iran hostilities. (PC: The Hindu)

US President Donald Trump has claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, saying, “I stopped the war.” This comes after a 35-minute call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which Modi reportedly stated that India acted only in response to terror and never accepted US mediation. India’s Foreign Secretary clarified the ceasefire followed a Pakistani request via military channels, not any US involvement. Trump made the remarks before hosting Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir. Despite India’s repeated rejections, Trump insisted he used trade pressure to achieve peace and claimed “not one story” was written about his role. (PC: NDTV)

A recent The Hindu podcast highlights India’s ascent to the fourth-largest global economy in nominal GDP terms, overtaking Japan—projected at around US $4.19 trillion for 2025 . IMF data shows sustained GDP growth (~6.2%), with rapid expansion from 10th in 2014 to 4th today . However, per‑capita income remains modest (~US $2,900), underlining persistent socioeconomic gaps . The podcast cautions against over‑reliance on nominal GDP, proposing purchasing power parity (PPP) and living standard metrics for richer insight. It urges deeper structural reforms—labour, agricultural, and education—to ensure inclusive, sustainable progress as India eyes third‑largest status. (PC: AP7AM)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a 35-minute phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Trump extended an invitation for Modi to visit the U.S. after attending the G7 summit in Canada. Modi politely declined, citing a prior international commitment . During the call, he also clarified that the U.S. had not played any role in brokering the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan—countering Trump’s earlier assertions . The conversation underscores India’s position on managing its regional affairs independently and avoiding third-party mediation on sensitive bilateral issues. (PC: AP)        

Chef Vijay Kumar, hailing from Tamil Nadu, has won Best Chef: New York State—his first-ever James Beard Award—at the ceremony held on June 16, 2025, in Chicago . Leading Semma, the Michelin‑starred South Indian restaurant, he dedicated the honour to “a dark‑skinned boy from Tamil Nadu,” celebrating the power and inclusivity of heritage cuisine . Semma, opened in 2021 by Unapologetic Foods, is renowned for bold rustic dishes like nathai pirattal and foxtail millet khichdi, reflecting Kumar’s upbringing . His win highlights a landmark moment: Indian cuisine—and Tamil Nadu’s rich culinary traditions—taking centre stage in America’s gastronomic spotlight. (PC: The Hindu)

Air India flight AI2145, scheduled from Delhi to Bali on 18 June 2025, was advised to return to Delhi mid‑air due to a volcanic eruption near Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, as confirmed by the airline and authorities. The aircraft diverted safely, passengers disembarked in Delhi, and were offered hotel accommodation, full refunds, or complimentary rescheduling. Meanwhile, Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki erupted on Flores Island, spewing ash up to around 10 km high. The eruption prompted evacuations, forced cancellation of dozens of flights including to and from Bali and raised the disaster alert to its highest level. No casualties were reported. (PC: Getty Images)

Indian PM Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney met on June 17 at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, their first bilateral since 2023’s fallout over the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Carney described Nijjar’s death as a “sensitive legal matter” and stressed the need for careful law‑enforcement dialogue and cooperation amid ongoing judicial proceedings. The leaders agreed to reappoint high commissioners, restore diplomatic services, and deepen cooperation on trade, labor, and global supply‑chains. Modi emphasized shared democratic values; Carney praised India’s strategic role. Despite symbolic protests from Canada’s Sikh community, the meeting marks a pragmatic reset in Canada‑India relations. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke for 35 minutes by phone on June 18, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. Modi firmly told Trump that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan resulted solely from direct military‑to‑military discussions without any third‑party, particularly U.S., mediation refuting Trump’s claim. He outlined that India now regards terrorism as “actual war” and briefed Trump on Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack. Trump also conveyed condolences over Pahalgam. Modi declined an invitation to visit the U.S. on his return from Canada due to prior commitments. (PC: Times Now & Hindustan Times)