Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martinez Diaz and Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa arrived in New Delhi on March 16 to participate in the Raisina Dialogue 2025, India's premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics. Hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, the event is scheduled from March 17-19. The Dialogue annually gathers leaders from politics, business, media, and civil society to deliberate on global challenges and explore cooperation opportunities. Structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, it includes heads of state, cabinet ministers, and thought leaders from various sectors. Earlier, Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba also arrived to attend the event.

Today, New Delhi hosts a pivotal conference chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, uniting intelligence chiefs from approximately 20 nations, including the US, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand. Notable attendees are US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, Canada's Intelligence Chief Daniel Rogers, and UK's MI6 Chief Richard Moore. The agenda focuses on enhancing intelligence-sharing to combat terrorism and transnational crimes. Discussions will also address global challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and unrest in West Asia, alongside strategies to tackle digital space crimes. Additionally, Gabbard is set to address the Raisina Dialogue and engage in a bilateral meeting with Doval to discuss Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a profound three-hour podcast with MIT AI researcher Lex Fridman, set to release on March 16, 2025. Fridman, renowned for in-depth discussions with global figures like Elon Musk and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described the conversation as one of the most powerful experiences of his life. The podcast delves into Modi's childhood, his time in the Himalayas, and his political journey. Fridman had expressed admiration for Modi, calling him one of the most fascinating individuals he has studied. This marks Modi's second podcast appearance, following a recent discussion with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. Listeners can anticipate insights into Modi's personal and political life, reflecting on India's evolving role in technology and global affairs.

Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia University, self-deported after her U.S. visa was revoked over alleged support for Hamas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused her of advocating violence and terrorism, leading to the State Department's cancellation of her F-1 visa on March 5. Srinivasan utilized the newly launched CBP Home App to voluntarily leave the U.S. on March 11. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that advocating for violence forfeits the privilege to reside in the U.S. In related actions, Palestinian student Leqaa Kordia was arrested for overstaying her visa, and the Trump administration withdrew $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, citing inadequate protection of Jewish students.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned, prompting the Liberal Party to seek his successor by March 24. Anita Anand, the Indian-origin Transport Minister, is a leading contender. Born in Nova Scotia to Indian physician parents, Anand has held key roles since her 2019 parliamentary entry, including Minister of Public Services and Procurement, where she secured COVID-19 vaccines, and Minister of National Defence, addressing military misconduct and supporting Ukraine. Her academic tenure includes professorships at the University of Toronto and Yale Law School. If chosen, Anand would be Canada's first woman of colour and first person of Indian descent to serve as Prime Minister.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P. Harish, firmly rebuffed Pakistan's reference to Jammu and Kashmir during a UN General Assembly session observing the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. He asserted that such unjustified mentions neither validate Pakistan's territorial claims nor justify its cross-border terrorism practices. Harish emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir "was, is, and will always be an integral part of India." He also criticized Pakistan's "fanatical mindset" and record of bigotry. This response followed remarks by Pakistan's former foreign secretary, Tehmina Janjua, during the session. Additionally, India dismissed Pakistan's allegations of India's involvement in the recent Balochistan train hijacking, urging Pakistan to address its internal issues instead of shifting blame.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed gratitude to global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for their efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine. Speaking on March 13, Putin acknowledged their "noble mission" and emphasized that any ceasefire must address the root causes of the conflict. His remarks follow a 30-day temporary truce proposal backed by the U.S. and Ukraine during talks in Saudi Arabia. Putin reiterated Russia's stance on achieving a lasting peace rather than a short-term pause. China, Brazil, and South Africa were also recognized for their diplomatic efforts.

Kannada actress Ranya Rao, currently incarcerated in connection with a gold smuggling case, has penned a letter to the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) asserting her innocence and alleging mistreatment by investigating officers. In her correspondence, Rao claims she was wrongfully implicated and details instances of alleged harassment during the investigation process. She urges the DRI to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry into her case, expressing concerns about her safety and well-being while in custody. The actress's allegations have raised questions about the conduct of the investigation and the treatment of individuals in custody.  

Raphael Satter, a Washington-based Reuters journalist, has sued the Indian government after his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status was revoked in December 2023. The Ministry of Home Affairs accused him of publishing investigative work that "maliciously" damaged India's reputation. His report alleged that an Indian IT firm, Appin, engaged in global hack-for-hire operations. Satter, who obtained OCI through marriage, denies violating Indian laws. His legal team argues that the government has not justified the revocation on security grounds. The Delhi High Court will hear the case on May 22, 2025, amid concerns over press freedom in India.  

At a United Nations General Assembly session, India strongly rebuked Pakistan for its "unjustified" reference to Jammu and Kashmir. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, asserted that such statements do not validate Pakistan’s claims and condemned its support for cross-border terrorism. Speaking during a session on combating Islamophobia, Harish criticized Pakistan’s continued efforts to internationalize Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a display of fanaticism and bigotry. He reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir remain an integral part of India, highlighting Pakistan’s history of using terror as a state policy.