A mother and son from Haryana have been elected mayors in the United Kingdom. Twenty-three-year-old Tushar Kumar became the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the UK after being elected Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council. A week later, his mother Parveen Rani became the first Indian-origin Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council. The family moved from Haryana to the UK in 2013. Tushar’s father said both of them have always been involved in community service and social work. The family still visits Haryana every year and remains connected to its roots.

China’s new export restrictions have raised concerns for India’s fast-growing electronics industry. The new rules limit exports of critical machinery, minerals and technologies needed for manufacturing. Industry experts fear this could delay factory expansion and increase dependence on Chinese supply chains. India’s electronics exports have grown from $8.6 billion in 2015 to $47 billion in 2025, with the government targeting $120 billion by the end of 2026. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the government is preparing plans to reduce dependence on certain countries. Companies are now pushing for stronger local manufacturing and supply chains.

Foreign ministers of the QUAD countries are meeting in New Delhi as the group increasingly focuses on economic cooperation instead of military goals. The QUAD includes India, the United States, Australia and Japan. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other leaders on Tuesday. The grouping was earlier seen as a response to China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. However, changing global politics, improving India-China ties and recent U.S.-China talks have reduced its military focus. The meeting is expected to discuss trade, regional cooperation and economic partnerships. (PC: X)

A new immigration policy by the Trump administration has created concern among Indian students and H-1B workers in the United States. Under the new approach, many Green Card applicants may have to return to their home countries to complete the process. USCIS said temporary visa holders are expected to leave the US after their stay ends. Experts fear the policy could disrupt careers and family life for thousands of Indians waiting for permanent residency. “Immigration pathways are getting tougher and tougher,” education expert Mayank Kumar said. The move has also raised doubts about the US as a stable long-term destination for Indian students. (PC: AP)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is closely monitoring the impact of the West Asia crisis on India’s economy. She said rising fuel and fertiliser prices have become major concerns. “India cannot afford fearmongering. We need to give confidence to the people with our words and actions,” Sitharaman said at a SIDBI event. She added that the government is focusing on the “3Fs” — fuel, fertiliser and foreign exchange reserves. The minister also warned about delayed MSME payments and said India’s economic challenges are mostly being driven by global events, not domestic weakness. (PC: X/@nsitharamanoffc)

Singapore authorities have charged 26-year-old Indian national Kanojiya Riken for allegedly harbouring 13 Indian immigration offenders whose visit passes had expired. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said officers raided a flat on March 3 and found 11 men and two women aged between 19 and 44 staying illegally in the country. Investigators said Riken allowed them to stay between December 2025 and March 2026 without verifying their immigration status. Two Singaporeans, Song Yi Da and Suba Priyadarshini, were also charged for employing Indian nationals without valid work permits. The overstayers were later deported from Singapore. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump made a surprise phone call to US Ambassador Sergio Gor during celebrations marking America’s 250th Independence Day at the US Embassy in New Delhi, expressing strong support for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking on speakerphone, Trump said he “loves India and Prime Minister Modi,” adding that India could count on him whenever needed. He highlighted America’s strong economy, praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and asked that his greetings be conveyed to Modi. Ambassador Gor said the Trump-Modi relationship continues to drive deeper India-US cooperation, while also hinting that an interim trade deal could be signed in the coming weeks.

The new BJP government in West Bengal has directed district magistrates to establish holding centres for detained foreigners and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation, following a Union Home Ministry directive issued last year. The move aligns with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s pledge to identify illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya residents and hand them over to the BSF for deportation. Officials said suspects can be detained for up to 30 days during citizenship verification. Those identified as illegal immigrants will have biometric data uploaded to the MHA portal before deportation. The decision reverses the previous Trinamool government’s refusal to implement the Centre’s directive, citing concerns over migrant harassment. (PC: The Telegraph)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that America’s relations with other countries at a “tactical” level would not come at the expense of its strategic partnership with India. Speaking alongside External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, Rubio stressed the importance of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and linked the concept to protecting international waterways globally. He accused Iran of blocking the Strait of Hormuz, holding civilian vessels hostage and supporting proxy terror groups, describing Tehran as the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. Jaishankar emphasized the need for safe and unimpeded maritime commerce amid growing concerns over regional instability and shipping disruptions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said racist remarks against Indians in the United States should be taken seriously. Speaking in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Rubio said “every country has stupid people” who make offensive comments online. He described the US as a welcoming country built by immigrants from around the world. Rubio also said recent changes in America’s immigration system are global and not aimed specifically at India. He added that Indian professionals and companies have made valuable contributions to the US economy over the years. (PC: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar)