India firmly rejected Pakistan's allegations linking New Delhi to deadly Balochistan attacks that killed dozens, calling them "baseless" and diversionary tactics. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Pakistan to address internal grievances instead of making "frivolous claims," highlighting Islamabad's record of suppression and human rights violations in the region. The Saturday attacks across Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki killed 17 law enforcement personnel and 31 civilians. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility under "Operation Herof," alleging 84 security personnel killed. Pakistan's military claimed killing 133 separatists over two days. Balochistan faces a decades-long insurgency by ethnic Baloch groups demanding autonomy and resource control. (PC: X/@MEAIndia)

India has slashed Bangladesh's budget allocation by 50% to Rs 60 crore in Union Budget 2026-27, down from Rs 120 crore, amid escalating diplomatic tensions. The reduction follows violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, and Bangladesh's foreign policy shift toward Pakistan after Sheikh Hasina's fall in 2024. The MEA criticized Bangladesh's interim government for attributing attacks to personal rivalries, stating it emboldens extremists. Bangladesh has strengthened Pakistan ties through visa-free diplomatic travel, revived trade commissions, and restored direct flights after 14 years. India allocated no funds for Iran's Chabahar port project due to US sanctions. Bhutan remains India's largest aid recipient at Rs 2,289 crore. (PC: X)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman targeted the Opposition over India's economic performance, citing Elon Musk's post on IMF data showing India and China's dominant role in global growth. Speaking to university students after presenting Budget 2026-27, she highlighted that China contributes 26% and India 17% to global GDP growth, together accounting for 43%. Sitharaman urged the Opposition to acknowledge India's strengthened economic position, expressing confidence in bridging the gap with China. Musk had commented that "the balance of power is changing" when sharing the IMF chart. The IMF projects global growth at 3.3% in 2026, citing technology investment and fiscal support as key drivers despite geopolitical and trade risks.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said the global “balance of power is changing” after new data from the International Monetary Fund showed India ahead of the United States in driving global growth. IMF projections for 2026 place India among the top contributors to world GDP growth. India is expected to add 17 per cent, compared to 9.9 per cent from the United States. China and India together may account for over 40 per cent of global growth. The IMF also expects global inflation to ease, while trade tensions remain a risk. (PC: Reuters)

India has reduced its financial allocation to Bangladesh to Rs 60 crore in Union Budget 2026-27, down from Rs 120 crore last year. The cut comes as ties between the two neighbours remain under strain. The External Affairs Ministry recently told Parliament it is monitoring reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and has raised the issue with Dhaka at political and diplomatic levels. Officials have also expressed concern over explanations given for such incidents. Bangladesh’s recent outreach to Pakistan has drawn attention in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Bhutan remains the largest recipient of Indian foreign aid with a higher allocation this year. (PC: NDTV)

India has not set aside funds for the Chabahar port project in Union Budget 2026, amid rising US-Iran tensions and uncertainty over sanctions waivers. In earlier years, the government allocated about Rs 100 crore annually for the project. Chabahar port in Iran is a key connectivity route for India to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan. It is also seen as a strategic counter to China-backed Gwadar port in Pakistan. The US had granted India a temporary sanctions waiver for Chabahar that is valid till April 26, 2026. Officials say India is still in talks with the US on the project framework. (PC: X)

Non-resident Indians can now invest directly in Indian shares through the Portfolio Investment Scheme, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Union Budget 2026 speech. The scheme lets overseas investors buy and sell stocks using a special RBI-approved bank account. It also defines limits and compliance rules for each transaction. The individual investment cap for persons resident outside India has been raised from 5% to 10%, while the overall company limit goes up from 10% to 24%. Investments made under this route can be repatriated. The government will also review FEMA rules for non-debt instruments to simplify overseas investment flows. (PC: NDTV)

Records released by the US Justice Department from Jeffrey Epstein’s seized devices show message exchanges with businessman Anil Ambani between 2017 and 2019, according to a report by The Wire. The messages refer to requests for help on US political access and discussions linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priorities. A May 2019 New York meeting is described in Epstein’s texts as involving a Modi “representative”. The report says Ambani attended a meeting at Epstein’s residence that day. It adds that the claim about a Modi representative is not independently confirmed. India’s external affairs ministry has earlier dismissed similar Epstein-linked references as unreliable. (PC: X)

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India after research confirmed they were taken illegally from temples in Tamil Nadu in the 1950s. The idols include Shiva Nataraja, Somaskanda, and Saint Sundarar with Paravai from the Chola and Vijayanagar periods. Museum researchers traced old temple photographs from 1956 to 1959 with support from the French Institute of Pondicherry. The Archaeological Survey of India verified that the removals violated Indian law. One sculpture will later be displayed on long-term loan to explain its history and return. The museum said the decision follows a detailed provenance review. (PC: The Indian Express)

Newly released Epstein files mention filmmaker Mira Nair, the mother of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. An email from 2009 shows Nair attended an afterparty for her film Amelia at the home of Ghislaine Maxwell. The email was sent by publicist Peggy Siegal to Jeffrey Epstein. It said guests had a “tepid” response to the film. The party was also attended by Bill Clinton and Jeff Bezos. The United States Department of Justice has released millions of Epstein-related records. (PC: AFP)