India on Monday strongly condemned the drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates, calling the strike “unacceptable” and a “dangerous escalation” amid rising tensions in West Asia.   In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “India is deeply concerned at the attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE. Such actions are unacceptable and represent a dangerous escalation.” New Delhi urged all sides to exercise restraint and return to dialogue and diplomacy.   Reports said the strike caused a fire near the plant’s perimeter, though no injuries or radiological leaks were reported. The UAE has accused Iran of carrying out multiple drone and missile attacks in recent days. (PC: The Week)

India on Sunday rejected reported remarks by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on press freedom and minority rights during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands. Responding to questions raised by a Dutch journalist over the absence of a joint press interaction, MEA Secretary Sibi George defended India’s democratic record. “Such observations stem from a lack of understanding about India’s democratic and civilisational character,” he said. George added that India remains a “vibrant and pluralistic society” where all communities continue to flourish under strong constitutional and democratic institutions. (PC: India Today)

India and the Netherlands have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to The Hague. Modi held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The two countries signed agreements in trade, defence, cybersecurity, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, space, health and agriculture. They also discussed water management, climate change and education. Both leaders supported a stronger India-European Union partnership and welcomed progress on a free trade agreement. They also called for diplomacy to address conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. (PC: X/@narendramodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, on Sunday. It is one of Sweden’s highest honours for foreign leaders. This is Modi’s 31st international award. He arrived in Sweden for a two-day visit and was welcomed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at Gothenburg Airport. The two leaders held talks on trade, technology, defence and other areas of cooperation. Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025. Modi had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 for the first India-Nordic Summit.

Dr Sangram Patil has returned to the UK after being stranded in India for four months over a Facebook post critical of the BJP. Mumbai Police issued a Look Out Circular in January 2026, stopping him from leaving the country. On May 5, the Bombay High Court allowed him to travel after he agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Patil said, “How can a 12-word sentence on social media attract an FIR and a Look Out Circular?” He said the case cost him nearly ₹50 lakh in legal fees and lost salary and almost caused him to lose his job with the UK National Health Service.

One Indian worker was killed and three others were injured after Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russia on Sunday. The Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed the incident and said officials visited the injured workers in hospital. The embassy is working with local authorities and the company to provide support. The attack killed four people in total, including three in the Moscow region and one in Belgorod near the Ukraine border. Several buildings and infrastructure were damaged. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes were justified and warned that Russia must end the war to stop such attacks. (PC: AP)

An Indian worker was killed and three others were injured after Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia’s Moscow region. The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed the casualty and said officials visited the attack site and hospitals treating the injured workers. Russian authorities reported that hundreds of Ukrainian drones targeted multiple regions, with Moscow facing its biggest aerial assault in over a year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended the strikes as retaliation against recent Russian attacks on Kyiv. The incident highlights the growing risks faced by foreign nationals amid the escalating Russo-Ukrainian War. (PC: India Today)

An Indian restaurant owner living in Japan for nearly 30 years broke down while speaking about being asked to leave the country after authorities denied the renewal of his business manager visa under stricter immigration rules. Manish Kumar, who runs a restaurant in Saitama Prefecture, said he spent decades building a life there with his family and community support. “My children only speak Japanese... To tell me unilaterally to go back to India — how is that humane?” he said emotionally. Japan recently raised the minimum capital requirement for business visas from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. (PC: India Today)

A Marshall Islands-flagged LPG tanker carrying around 20,000 tonnes of liquified petroleum gas has reached Kandla Port in Gujarat after crossing the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports. The vessel, identified as “Symi”, passed through the strategically important waterway on May 13 amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns over global fuel supply routes. The shipment arrived as India faces rising fuel costs following a sharp increase in commercial LPG prices. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stressed fuel conservation and energy security, while India and the UAE signed new agreements on long-term LPG supply and strategic petroleum reserves. (PC: HT)

An Adelaide court has sentenced Indian-origin massage therapist Sumit Satish Rastogi to 13 years and 10 months in prison for sexually abusing 61 women at a massage parlour in Australia. Rastogi pleaded guilty to 97 offences, including aggravated indecent assault and indecent filming, committed between October 2021 and July 2022. South Australia District Court Judge Carmen Matteo described his conduct as “out of control” and said he exploited women who trusted him during treatment sessions. Several victims spoke about lasting trauma and loss of trust caused by the abuse. Rastogi is likely to be deported after completing his sentence. (PC: India Today)