Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will visit India on May 14-15 to participate in the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting hosted under India’s chairmanship amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The Iranian Embassy confirmed that Araghchi will hold discussions with S. Jaishankar and other participating ministers on regional stability, multilateral cooperation and economic resilience. The meeting is being viewed as a significant step in strengthening India-Iran ties and serves as a precursor to the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi in September. Meanwhile, Wang Yi will skip the meeting due to Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing, with China represented by Ambassador Xi Feihong instead.

India and Russia are in advanced talks to sign a preliminary agreement on critical minerals focused on exploration, processing and technological collaboration. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the proposed deal will primarily cover lithium and rare earths while also facilitating corporate investments between the two countries. The agreement could reportedly be signed within two months. India is seeking to reduce dependence on China, which dominates global critical mineral supplies and processing technology, while securing overseas resources for its energy transition and infrastructure growth. New Delhi has already signed similar agreements with Argentina, Australia and Japan, and is also negotiating with Peru and Chile. India may also revisit Rosatom’s lithium project in Mali if conditions stabilise. (PC: Shutterstock)

Dutch travel creator Meike Hijman went viral after sharing how three strangers helped her during a solo motorcycle journey across India when her bike suffered a flat tyre on a highway. In an Instagram video, Hijman said she panicked after being stranded alone without knowing how to repair the puncture or find assistance. The clip shows local men stopping to inspect the tyre, attempting a temporary repair and guiding her to a nearby mechanic. The video drew widespread praise online, with many users calling it a reminder of everyday kindness in India and highlighting how travellers often remember such unexpected acts of generosity.

India issued a strong response after reports claimed Chinese personnel provided technical support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Responding to the revelations, Randhir Jaiswal said responsible nations should reflect on whether backing attempts to shield terrorist infrastructure harms their global reputation. India reiterated that Operation Sindoor was a “precise, targeted and calibrated” strike aimed at terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Reports cited Chinese engineer Zhang Heng admitting his team offered on-site support to Pakistan’s military operations involving Chinese-made J-10CE fighter jets. Indian officials had earlier alleged China assisted Pakistan through intelligence, cyber activity and information warfare during the conflict.

India on Tuesday responded strongly to reports that China provided technical support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said responsible countries should consider how such actions affect their global reputation. The operation was launched after the Pahalgam terror attack in 2025, in which 26 tourists were killed. Reports said Chinese engineers helped Pakistan operate Chinese-made fighter jets during the conflict. India said the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. China has not officially commented on the reports. (PC: PTI)

Bengaluru-based IT professionals Danish Abdi and Vrushali Prasade created history by becoming the first couple to complete a side-by-side open-water swim from Sri Lanka to India via the historic Ram Setu route. The duo swam nearly 32 kilometres across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar to Dhanushkodi in 10 hours and 45 minutes while battling rough waves, shifting winds and powerful ocean currents. Their expedition, conducted under strict safety supervision with support boats, paramedics and Indian Coast Guard personnel, drew widespread praise online. Remarkably, both are software professionals who reportedly began serious swimming training only four years ago and documented the challenge to inspire aspiring athletes and adventurers.

Bangladesh responded sharply after the new BJP-led West Bengal government announced plans to transfer land to the Border Security Force for fencing the India-Bangladesh border. Bangladesh Prime Minister adviser Tarique Rahman’s foreign affairs adviser Humaiun Kobir said Dhaka “cannot be intimidated with barbed wire” and urged India to adopt a more humane approach toward border issues. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision during his first cabinet meeting after assuming office. Bangladesh also raised concerns over alleged “push-back” incidents involving undocumented migrants. Responding to Dhaka’s remarks, India said the issue must be viewed in the context of repatriating illegal Bangladeshi nationals and called for bilateral cooperation. (PC: PTI)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will skip the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi due to “scheduling reasons”, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. Beijing also indicated that it would not send any other high-level representative for the May 14 gathering, resulting in the absence of senior Chinese participation at the key BRICS diplomatic event hosted by India. The announcement comes amid continued geopolitical and strategic sensitivities involving regional and global powers within the BRICS grouping. The meeting in New Delhi is expected to focus on multilateral cooperation, economic coordination and global geopolitical developments among BRICS member nations. China’s decision not to send senior leadership has drawn attention given the significance of the forum and India’s hosting role. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal urging Indians to avoid foreign travel and overseas weddings for at least a year comes even as official data shows spending by Indian tourists abroad has already been declining for the past two years. According to Reserve Bank of India data, the major increase in outward foreign exchange spending is now driven largely by high-net-worth individuals investing in foreign movable and immovable assets, including overseas property, debt and equity investments. The analysis suggests leisure travel and destination weddings are no longer the primary contributors to outbound dollar outflows. The findings add a new dimension to the debate around capital outflow, foreign spending patterns and economic nationalism amid global economic uncertainty.

Two Bengaluru-based IT professionals, Danish Abdi and Vrushali Prasade, created history by becoming the first couple to complete a side-by-side open-water swim from Sri Lanka to India via the historic Ram Setu route. The duo swam nearly 32 kilometres across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar to Dhanushkodi in 10 hours and 45 minutes on May 7. Battling rough waves, shifting winds and powerful ocean currents, the couple completed the demanding expedition under strict safety supervision from support boats, paramedics and the Indian Coast Guard. Their achievement has drawn widespread praise online and is being hailed as a landmark moment for Indian open-water swimming.