US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made an unscheduled visit to New Delhi, holding a "highly productive" lunch meeting with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss deepening trade and economic ties between the two nations. The visit follows the US Supreme Court's February 20 ruling invalidating President Trump's sweeping global tariffs imposed under emergency powers. Trump subsequently invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a 10% global tariff valid for 150 days. The court ruling disrupted a carefully negotiated interim bilateral trade agreement framework established through a February 6 joint statement. Experts warn any future tariff arrangement must operate within the constitutional constraints now reaffirmed by the Supreme Court. (PC: HT)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a heartfelt "personal debt" to India during a joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi, revealing that his first or second date with wife Sara took place at an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv. He praised the food as "unbelievable" and credited the restaurant to Reena Pushkarna, widely known as Israel's "Curry Queen," who is celebrated for introducing authentic Indian cuisine to Israel. Netanyahu had previously shared this anecdote during Modi's 2017 Israel visit. PM Modi's two-day official state visit to Israel included a special airport welcome by Netanyahu and his wife. Both nations pledged to deepen their defence partnership through joint development and technology transfers.

India and Israel elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership" during PM Narendra Modi's second state visit to Israel. Following delegation-level talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, both nations signed wide-ranging agreements covering trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace, and digital payments. A landmark agreement was reached for UPI adoption in Israel, while both sides committed to advancing a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement. Modi announced an India-Israel critical and emerging technologies partnership spanning AI, quantum technologies, and critical minerals. Defence cooperation will expand through joint development and military hardware production under a technology transfer framework. Modi also strongly backed the Gaza Peace Initiative, reaffirming India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and commitment to Middle East stability.

The Indian Army's Western Command has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, declaring that any future provocation will draw a far harsher response than Operation Sindoor. Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, GOC of 2 Corps, confirmed Operation Sindoor 2.0 is ongoing with preparations on a significantly larger scale across land, sea, and air. He recalled how the original Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in May last year, brought Pakistan to its knees within four days, forcing Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar dismissed Pakistan's nuclear threats as a bluff, reaffirming India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism under PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

In a significant diplomatic shift, the Canadian federal government has stated it no longer believes India is linked to violent crimes in Canada. The announcement came during a media briefing ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming nine-day visit to India, which includes stops in Mumbai and New Delhi for talks with PM Narendra Modi. Senior Canadian officials confirmed that robust diplomatic engagement between national security advisers had resolved concerns about foreign interference. Relations between both nations had severely deteriorated following the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, leading to diplomat expulsions and a prolonged standoff. Ottawa's reset signals a shift toward pragmatic foreign policy and deeper economic engagement with India. (PC: The Hindu)

Indian-origin paediatrician Dr Neha Gupta, 37, from Oklahoma, has been charged with murdering her four-year-old daughter Aria Talathi in Florida in June 2025. US authorities released her chilling 911 call, in which she claimed her daughter fell into a pool at a short-term rental home while they slept. Gupta told dispatchers she couldn't swim and was unable to rescue the child. However, autopsy results proved Aria was already dead before being placed in the pool as no water was found in her lungs or stomach. Investigators believe she was smothered. Aria's father, who was seeking full custody and had concerns about Gupta's mental state, was unaware his daughter had been taken to Florida. Gupta's next court appearance is in May.

India delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan at the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir's development budget is more than double Pakistan's recent IMF bailout package. India's representative Anupama Singh categorically rejected allegations by Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, accusing them of running an "echo chamber." Singh reaffirmed J&K as an integral part of India, calling its 1947 accession legally irrevocable. She cited the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge as proof of J&K's progress, mocking Pakistan's denials as "La-la-land" thinking. She also dismissed Pakistan's democracy lectures, highlighting its history of incomplete civilian government terms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day Israel visit yielded landmark outcomes, elevating India-Israel ties to a "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity." A major highlight was the agreement to introduce UPI digital payments in Israel, alongside progress on a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement. Both nations signed multiple agreements covering trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace, and defence, including joint development and production of military hardware. Modi strongly backed the Gaza Peace Initiative, asserting humanity must never fall victim to conflict. India and Israel also announced a critical and emerging technologies partnership spanning AI, quantum computing, and critical minerals. Discussions also covered the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and I2U2 framework cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a joint press briefing with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, reaffirmed India's strong stance against terrorism and full support for Gaza peace efforts. Modi declared that "humanity must never become a victim of conflict," endorsing the US-led Gaza Peace Plan endorsed by the UN Security Council as a pathway to "just and durable peace." He emphasized India's commitment to continued dialogue with all nations for regional stability, including addressing the Palestine issue. Modi and Netanyahu jointly condemned terrorism in all forms. This marks Modi's second visit to Israel as Prime Minister, his first being in 2017, further cementing the newly announced Special Strategic Partnership between both nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said humanity must not suffer because of conflict as he backed the Gaza Peace Plan during his visit to Israel. He spoke at a joint press briefing with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.   Modi said, “Humanity must never become a victim of conflict.” He added that the UN-endorsed Gaza Peace Plan offers a path to peace and that India fully supports it.   He said India will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries. Addressing Israel’s parliament, he stressed that terrorism threatens peace everywhere and called for wisdom and courage in efforts toward stability. (PC: India Today)