Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student from the University of Pittsburgh, has gone missing from the Riu Republica Hotel beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Authorities suspect she may have drowned after being caught by a large wave on March 6. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, urged officials to consider other possibilities, including kidnapping and human trafficking. Search operations, including helicopters and water patrols, are underway. The Indian Embassy is assisting the family, while the University of Pittsburgh has pledged support. Dominican authorities continue to investigate her disappearance.

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that India has not committed to reducing tariffs in its ongoing negotiations with the United States. This clarification follows U.S. President Donald Trump's recent assertion that India agreed to "cut their tariffs way down." Barthwal emphasized India's support for free trade and the importance of liberalization to enhance bilateral trade. He cautioned that a tariff war could be detrimental, potentially leading to a recession. India aims to protect critical domestic industries while being open to bilateral tariff reductions. The discussions are part of efforts to establish a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement, with India seeking time until September for further negotiations.

Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Viral Acharya believes Donald Trump’s tariffs on Indian goods may benefit India by pushing the government to lower trade barriers. Acharya told Bloomberg that increased competition would force Indian firms to raise standards, leading to better jobs and a stronger manufacturing base. He emphasized that strategic partnerships with foreign companies could drive innovation and knowledge transfer. Acharya suggested phased tariff reductions to ensure a predictable policy environment. Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan, set for April 2, 2025, could significantly impact Indian exports.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mauritius has generated significant excitement within the Indian diaspora community. The visit underscores the growing ties between India and Mauritius, emphasizing key areas like economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and strategic collaboration in the Indian Ocean region. Modi's trip is expected to enhance trade, investment, and bilateral partnerships. The Indian community in Mauritius, with its historical and cultural roots, has warmly embraced the visit, anticipating increased cooperation between the two nations. This visit marks a new chapter in strengthening India-Mauritius relations.  

Mark Carney, former Goldman Sachs executive, has succeeded Justin Trudeau as the Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Liberal Party following Trudeau's resignation in January 2025. Carney, in a video resurfacing after his election, suggested the possibility of "rebuilding relationships with India." This statement comes amid strained ties between Canada and India, which soured following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Carney also emphasized the need for Canada to diversify its trade relations with like-minded nations, signaling potential diplomatic shifts.  

Balesh Dhankhar, a prominent Indian-Australian community leader, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison by an Australian court for the premeditated rapes of five Korean women. The Downing Centre District Court imposed a non-parole period of 30 years on March 7. Dhankhar, a former IT consultant, lured victims aged 21 to 27 through fake job ads, drugging and assaulting them in Sydney. Found guilty of 39 offenses, including 13 counts of rape, his crimes were deemed manipulative and highly predatory. Dhankhar previously led a BJP-linked group and served as a Hindu Council spokesperson before his 2018 arrest.  

On March 10, 2025, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat directed the Citizenship Commission to revoke the passport of Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision followed revelations that Interpol had twice rejected India's requests for an alert notice against Modi due to insufficient judicial evidence, which would have led to the automatic denial of his citizenship application. Napat emphasized that Vanuatu citizenship is a privilege and should not be used to evade extradition. He stated that Modi's intention appeared to be avoiding extradition, contradicting the legitimate reasons for obtaining Vanuatu citizenship.   

Indian migrant Gurpreet Singh was deported from the US in chains under President Trump’s strict immigration policies. The 39-year-old, who hoped to claim asylum, was among thousands of undocumented Indians seeking a better future. His deportation, along with others, sparked outrage in India, with opposition leaders questioning Modi’s silence. Singh described the inhumane treatment, saying, “Even women were bound the same way.” The Indian government raised concerns, leading to policy changes for women detainees. The crackdown has driven smugglers underground, deterring future illegal migration. Singh blames unemployment, saying, “There are no opportunities for us here.”

Authorities in the Dominican Republic are searching for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student from the University of Pittsburgh, who went missing on Thursday while on spring break in Punta Cana. She was last seen walking on the beach wearing a brown bikini. A missing person’s poster describes her as 5'3", with black hair and brown eyes. Defensa Civil, a local rescue team, suspended the search Saturday night but will resume Sunday. University officials stated they are working with her family and Virginia authorities to assist efforts. Konanki, expected to graduate in 2026, previously attended Thomas Jefferson High School.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, California, was vandalized with anti-India graffiti, including messages like "Hindus go back," alarming the local Hindu community. This incident precedes a scheduled 'Khalistan referendum' event in Los Angeles, raising concerns about escalating religious tensions. BAPS Public Affairs condemned the act, emphasizing unity and resilience against hate, stating, "We will never let hate take root." The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) also denounced the vandalism, highlighting the recurrence of such attacks and urging authorities to investigate. Notably, similar incidents occurred last year, including vandalism at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento. Local law enforcement has yet to issue an official statement regarding the recent incident.