In a major benefit under the newly signed £25.5 billion UK-India Free Trade Agreement, Indian workers temporarily posted to the UK will be exempt from paying National Insurance contributions for up to three years. This “double contribution” clause prevents Indian professionals from having to pay both Indian and UK social security, significantly reducing their financial burden. The agreement, hailed as the UK’s largest post-Brexit trade pact, also enhances access for Indian goods to the UK and slashes tariffs on British exports, including whisky, automobiles, and medical equipment.  

  Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed India has suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, vowing it will “never be restored” after the Pakistan‑backed Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025 . He emphasized India’s sovereign right to divert river waters to Rajasthan, stating Pakistan “will be starved of water” . Reflecting on national security, Shah lauded Operation Sindoor—the missile strike campaign launched in May—as decisive, underlining the power of India’s indigenous Akash and BrahMos systems to reshape regional dynamics. He added that such actions sent a “strong message” to Pakistan on cross‑border terrorism and water security, reinforcing India’s stance on protecting its interests. (PC: PTI)        

On June 21, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cautioned Pakistan that Operation Sindoor is not over, warning any new terrorist attack on Indian soil would trigger “disastrous consequences” . Speaking to soldiers in Udhampur ahead of International Yoga Day, he hailed the mission as a “powerful message” that India’s shifting counter‑terror policy now combines strength and strategy . Launched in May to strike terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK following the April Pahalgam attack, the operation marked a strategic elevation—being a “natural progression” from earlier drone and air strikes . Singh emphasized both military precision and soldiers’ well‑being: “If you are strong, our borders will be strong.” (PC: PTI)

King Charles III delivered a heartfelt message at London's Strand on June 21, 2025, praising yoga as a force that “promotes the global principles of unity, compassion and wellbeing” . His message emphasized the 2025 theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” highlighting its role in securing a healthier future for all generations . The event, hosted by India’s High Commission in partnership with King’s College London, featured asanas, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices, reflecting the growing popularity of yoga across the UK . Hundreds participated, celebrating yoga’s power to heal and unite. (PC: AP)

A special charter flight carrying 290 Indian students—mostly from Jammu & Kashmir—landed in New Delhi late on June 20, 2025, under Operation Sindhu. Iran granted a temporary airspace exception, permitting three evacuation flights in response to the escalating Israel–Iran conflict . The students were first relocated to Mashhad from Tehran and flown on an Iranian airline arranged by Indian authorities . This mission forms part of a broader evacuation effort involving over 500 Indian nationals to date . Grateful yet shaken, many evacuees reported hearing missile strikes in Tehran before departing . India’s MEA affirmed ongoing evacuations via Turkmenistan and Armenia as the situation unfolds. (PC: X)        

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam on June 21, 2025, along a 26 km coastal corridor from RK Beach to Bheemili. Under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” over 3 lakh participants practiced the Common Yoga Protocol alongside Modi, connecting with more than 10 lakh locations nationwide via the ‘Yoga Sangam’ portal—part of the month-long “Yogandhra” campaign that trained millions. Modi emphasized yoga as “a pause button humanity needs” and called it the start of “Yoga for Humanity 2.0,” envisioning inner peace shaping global policy. Stringent security and logistical preparations ensured smooth execution. (PC: Rediff)      

Pakistan’s government has formally recommended former U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, praising his “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” during the heightened India–Pakistan crisis this spring . Islamabad credited Trump—alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and VP J.D. Vance—with helping broker a ceasefire on May 10, 2025, amid fears of a nuclear escalation . The nomination follows Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir’s visit to the White House, where he reportedly pitched the idea in person . India, however, has rejected external mediation claims, maintaining the ceasefire resulted from its own military efforts. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed on Friday that he declined US President Donald Trump’s dinner invitation, choosing instead to visit Odisha. Speaking in Bhubaneswar, Modi said Trump had personally called him during the G7 Summit in Canada, urging him to stop in Washington. “Thank you for the invitation, but it is very important for me to go to the land of Mahaprabhu,” Modi responded, referring to the Jagannath Temple. The visit also marked the first anniversary of the BJP government in Odisha. Modi praised the state’s progress and accused the Congress of neglecting tribal regions during its rule. (PC: HT)

The Israel-Iran conflict escalated on Day 8 with both sides launching missiles at each other’s military installations. Israel claimed overnight airstrikes in Tehran targeted missile production facilities and a nuclear weapons research center. In response, Iran fired missiles at Israeli military bases, state media reported. Iran also named a new intelligence chief for the Revolutionary Guards after his predecessor was killed in a prior Israeli strike. Meanwhile, the White House said US President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks on potential US military involvement, keeping diplomacy open. The international community continues to call for de-escalation. (PC: India Today)

In a rare diplomatic gesture, Iran has temporarily opened its otherwise restricted airspace to allow three charter flights as part of Operation Sindhu, evacuating approximately 1,000 Indian nationals—mainly students—from conflict-affected Mashhad . The first flight, carrying 110 students evacuated via Armenia on June 17–18, landed in Delhi on June 19, with two more flights scheduled for June 20–21 . Coordinated by India’s MEA and embassy teams, this operation highlights strong humanitarian cooperation amid escalating military tensions involving missile and drone exchanges in the region. (PC: X)