Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a sharp question during his visit to Oslo. Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng called out, “Why don’t you take questions from the freest press in the world?” Modi did not reply and left the venue. Later, MEA Secretary Sibi George said, “We are proud to be a democracy,” while defending India’s human rights record. The tense exchange went viral online and sparked political reactions in India. Rahul Gandhi said, “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear.” (PC: FB/@helle.l.svendsen)  

25-year-old man from Odisha was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia, officials said. The victim, A Rameya, was from Madhabandha village in Ganjam district. He had gone to Russia in March in search of work and joined a company there in April. He died during a drone strike in the Moscow region on Sunday. His family was informed by a friend working with him. The Ganjam district administration has contacted the Resident Commissioner in Delhi and the Indian Embassy to bring his body back to Odisha. Rameya was reportedly planning to get married later this year.

A Pakistani military officer has come under criticism after claiming that Fatah-1 missiles struck two Indian airbases that do not exist. In an interview with a local TV channel, Captain Muneeb Zamal said Pakistan successfully targeted “Rajouri Airbase” and “Mamun Airbase” during Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos in 2025. However, Rajouri is a district in Jammu and Kashmir and has no Indian Air Force base, while Mamun is only a military cantonment near Pathankot in Punjab. The remarks triggered online jokes and criticism. Pakistan had launched drone and missile attacks after India’s Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has reached out to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeking a phone interview amid the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Norway visit. Lyng, who recently questioned PM Modi over press freedom during an event in Oslo, asked Gandhi on social media if he would be available for an interview to discuss his views on the visit. The development comes after Rahul Gandhi criticised Modi over the incident and shared a video of the exchange online. The controversy has sparked political debate in India and drawn international attention over media freedom and public questioning of leaders.

A Pakistani military officer has sparked online debate after claiming that Fatah-1 missiles struck two Indian airbases named “Rajouri Airbase” and “Mamun Airbase” during Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos. However, no such Indian Air Force airbases exist. Rajouri is a district in Jammu and Kashmir, while Mamun is a military cantonment near Pathankot in Punjab. In an interview with a local Pakistani channel, Captain Muneeb Zamal said both targets were “successfully engaged”. The remarks triggered widespread reactions online, with many social media users mocking the claims and questioning Pakistan’s military credibility during the 2025 India-Pakistan tensions. (PC: India Today)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on September 12-13 to attend the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi, according to the Kremlin. The visit will be Putin’s second trip to India within a year after attending the India-Russia Annual Summit in December 2025. India is chairing the BRICS grouping this year and will host several related meetings across the country. The summit comes amid growing global focus on BRICS, which now includes new members such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. India and Russia are also expected to discuss defence, energy and regional security cooperation during the visit. (PC: X)

A tense exchange unfolded during an official media briefing in Oslo after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng repeatedly questioned India’s record on press freedom, minority rights and human rights. Responding sharply, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic institutions and media landscape, saying critics often rely on “selective reports” by NGOs without understanding India’s scale and diversity. George highlighted constitutional guarantees, women’s voting rights and India’s electoral democracy as examples of its commitment to equality and freedoms. The confrontation came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Norway visit and later triggered political reactions and debate online. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway sparked controversy after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng shouted, “Why don’t you take questions from the world’s freest press?” as he exited a joint media appearance in Oslo without taking questions.   The issue later escalated during a Ministry of External Affairs briefing, where MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George firmly defended India’s democratic values and media environment. “We are proud to be a democracy,” George said, adding that India guarantees constitutional rights and legal remedies for citizens. He also criticised perceptions shaped by “some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs” during the tense exchange with foreign journalists.

The United States has approved a proposed $428 million defence support package for India covering sustainment services for AH-64E Apache helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzer artillery systems. The package includes logistics support, engineering assistance, technical services, spare parts, training and long-term maintenance under the Foreign Military Sales programme. The US State Department said the deal strengthens the strategic India-US partnership and enhances India’s ability to address future security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Major contractors involved include Boeing, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. Washington also stated the package would not alter the regional military balance. (PC: X)

The United States has extended a temporary sanctions waiver allowing Russian seaborne oil already in transit to reach buyers until June 17, offering relief to major importers such as India amid continued global energy uncertainty. The move comes as India’s imports of discounted Russian crude remain near record highs following disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict and instability around the Strait of Hormuz. While the waiver does not remove sanctions on Russian energy exports, it allows ongoing shipments to continue without immediate legal complications. Indian refiners are expected to maintain current procurement levels, helping stabilise domestic fuel supplies while balancing geopolitical pressure from Western sanctions frameworks and volatile global oil markets.