Amid an escalating row over the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat on Tuesday in retaliation for Canada's expulsion of an Indian diplomat on Monday. The two countries have traded accusations over possible links to Nijjar's killing. India's move reflects growing concerns over perceived Canadian interference in India's internal affairs and engagement in anti-India activities. The expelled Canadian diplomat has been given 5 days to leave as diplomatic tensions continue to rise between the two countries over the high-profile murder case.

India rejected Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations of the Indian government's involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement dismissing Trudeau's claims in the Canadian Parliament as 'absurd and motivated.' The statement said: "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated...We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law." In the statement, India also criticized the Canadian government for sympathizing with Khalistani terrorists by sheltering them on Canadian soil, which threatens India's sovereignty. 

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said intelligence suggests the Indian government could be behind the fatal shooting of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Trudeau termed it an 'unacceptable violation if proven. He is said to have raised the issue with PM Modi at G20. India earlier denied any involvement in Nijjar's murder. Nijjar, a Khalistan leader, was killed by masked gunmen outside a gurdwara on June 18, 2023. Trudeau said the shooting has outraged Canadians, leaving Sikhs worried. He has also expelled an Indian diplomat over the case and vowed to firmly press India for investigation cooperation.

The iconic Hoysala temple complexes of Belur, Halebid and Somnathapura in Karnataka have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The intricately sculpted sacred ensembles representing the Hoysala architectural style now join India's 40 other World Heritage Sites. The temples were on UNESCO's Tentative List since 2014 before getting the prestigious designation. The 12th century sites protected by the Archaeological Survey of India feature distinctive temple art and sculpture that showcase the craftsmanship of the Hoysala dynasty. Their World Heritage inscription celebrates Karnataka's glorious heritage and enhances global recognition of India's cultural wealth.

Faced with astronomical visa wait times in India spanning over a year in major cities, the US has opened a special visa processing window at its Frankfurt consulate. Appointment wait times in Indian consulates range from 441 days in Hyderabad to over 600 days in Kolkata. However, the US consulate in Frankfurt is offering visa interviews to Indians within just 3 days. The move aims to provide faster visa services by bypassing the severe backlog in India due to overwhelming demand. Indians can now opt for the Germany route to expedite their US visa rather than wait endlessly in India.

A former UK cop Rebecca Kalam has alleged routine racism within the West Midlands Police force against Sikhs, including officers using slurs and failing to distinguish Sikhs from Muslims. Her most startling claim was that protection officers for Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai referred to her as "tikka masala". A Sikh group advisor said the community has long complained of racism by the police. Kalam also cited misogyny and toxic masculinity in the force. While the Police accepted most of her complaints, a spokesperson said the accused represent a small minority tarnishing the wider force's professionalism. The Police aim to engage with Sikhs to address diversity and respect. (Pic 1 Image Courtesy: CHannel 4)

Australia's High Commissioner Philip Green said India has become the first country to return to and surpass pre-pandemic travel levels to Australia. In a tweet, he noted 100,000 Australians visited India last year, double the pre-COVID number. The envoy highlighted direct flights between the countries have nearly tripled. His remarks came after Australian PM Anthony Albanese's India visit. Green emphasized growing exchanges between the strategic partners, with India driving the tourism rebound. He termed people the "living bridge" between the nations. The upbeat assessment by the High Commissioner underscores strengthening India-Australia ties.

Nineteen nurses from Kerala were among 30 Indians arrested in Kuwait after authorities raided a private clinic where they worked. Kuwait's Human Resources Committee alleges the nurses violated foreign residency laws and lacked proper work licenses. However, families of the arrested nurses maintain they had valid visas and years of service at the clinic. The Indian Embassy and Union Government are facing appeals to intervene and secure the nurses' release, as they insist their documents were legally valid. The incident has sparked concern over the welfare of Indian expatriates working in Kuwait without the correct permissions.

The North American Association of Indian Students (NAAIS) expressed disappointment after Seattle police officers laughed about the death of Indian graduate student Kartik Vasudev. NAAIS said the incident raises concerns about police protecting the Indian student community. With over 100,000 Indian international students in the US, NAAIS urged local and national authorities to implement safety measures amid rising hate crimes. While appreciating calls to hold the officers accountable, NAAIS said the incident should prompt reflection on not minimizing Indian students' struggles. NAAIS seeks firm discipline against the officers involved to show Indian students' lives have equal value.

The town of Santiniketan in West Bengal has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the ongoing 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore as an experimental school and cultural center based on Indian traditions, Santiniketan houses Visva-Bharati University, established in 1921 as a 'world university' promoting the unity of humanity. With its unique pan-Asian architectural style distinct from British colonial and European modernist orientations, Santiniketan represents Tagore's visionary approach to education and culture. Prime Minister Modi hailed the prestigious inscription as a proud moment for India.