On May 29, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio submitted a reorganization plan to Congress, proposing an expanded role for the India Desk within the State Department. The plan suggests that the official currently overseeing India and Bhutan would also manage relations with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. This restructuring aims to streamline operations by reducing the number of Deputy Assistant Secretaries in the South and Central Asia Bureau from four to three. Afghanistan and Pakistan would remain under a separate deputy assistant secretary. The initiative aligns with the Trump administration's goals of enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness in foreign policy operations. (PC: Reuters)  

India has urged Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, to conduct inclusive, free, and fair elections promptly. The call comes amid escalating protests by government employees and demands from opposition parties, including the BNP, for elections by December 2025. Yunus, however, has proposed June 2026 after reforms. India’s foreign ministry emphasized the need to respect the people's mandate and warned against deflecting governance issues onto external factors. Relations between the two nations have strained since former PM Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India, following accusations of minority repression under the interim administration. (PC: ANI)

India has urged Canada to avoid giving political space to pro-Khalistan extremist elements promoting violence and separatism. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s long-standing concerns and urged Canada to take concrete action against those advocating anti-India agendas. The call comes amid recent diplomatic exchanges, including a phone call between Indian EAM S. Jaishankar and Canadian FM Anita Anand, the first since she assumed office. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed interest in improving ties with India, following strained relations due to allegations involving the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar under the previous Trudeau administration. (PC: PTI)

On May 29, 2025, New York City's iconic Wall Street experienced an unexpected cultural celebration as a 400-person Indian wedding procession, known as a 'baraat,' turned the financial district into a lively dance floor. The groom's entourage, adorned in traditional Indian attire, danced energetically to a mix of Bollywood and pop music spun by DJ AJ. The groom himself was seen dancing atop a car, accompanied by American groomsmen in coordinated ethnic outfits. The event, capturing the fusion of Indian traditions with the urban backdrop of Manhattan, quickly went viral on social media, highlighting the global reach of Indian cultural festivities.    

India has firmly responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer for talks, setting clear preconditions: Islamabad must hand over wanted terrorists and vacate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that "terror and talks cannot go together." He added that any future dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir would only be about the process of vacating PoK. Jaiswal also confirmed the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan ends support for cross-border terrorism. The response follows Sharif’s remarks in Iran, where he expressed willingness to resolve issues, including Kashmir and water security, through dialogue. (PC: News18)

India has denied US claims that tariff threats by former President Donald Trump helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan earlier this month. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that discussions with the US during Operation Sindoor, which targeted Pakistan-based terror camps, never included tariffs. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the ceasefire was directly negotiated between New Delhi and Islamabad. The clarification follows a US court filing where Trump’s administration cited trade leverage as a diplomatic tool to avert war. However, the judge rejected the justification, blocking Trump's proposed tariffs from taking effect. (PC: India Today)

On May 29, 2025, India introduced a revamped visa system for Afghan nationals, unveiling the 'New AFGHAN Visa' module on its official portal. This initiative offers six distinct visa categories, with a primary focus on medical visas, which will be assessed individually. The move signifies India's cautious yet progressive engagement with Afghanistan under Taliban governance. Additionally, the policy permits Afghan nationals to reside in India for up to two years on humanitarian grounds, granting exemptions from police reporting for individuals below 12 or above 65 years of age. This development follows the Taliban's appeal to India to facilitate visas for Afghan students, patients, and businessmen. (PC: Firstpost)  

In a significant admission, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that India launched preemptive BrahMos missile strikes on key Pakistani airbases during the night of May 9–10, 2025. The strikes, part of India's Operation Sindoor, targeted 11 military installations, including the strategic Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi. Sharif revealed that Pakistan had planned retaliatory action for early May 10, but India's swift offensive disrupted these plans. The operation was a response to Pakistan's drone and missile attacks on Indian civilian areas. Satellite imagery has since confirmed extensive damage to Pakistani military infrastructure, highlighting the precision and impact of India's strikes. (PC: India Today)      

India has suspended the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the decision reflects growing frustration over Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism. The treaty, signed in 1960, governs water-sharing of the Indus river system between the two nations. India declared the suspension will remain until Pakistan dismantles terrorist infrastructure. Additionally, India has shut the Wagah-Attari border crossing, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and revoked all Pakistani visas. (PC: PTI)  

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi refuted Pakistan's claim of representing all Muslims, asserting that India is home to 240 million proud Muslims. He criticized Pakistan for spreading false narratives about Indian Muslims and supporting terrorism. Owaisi urged Pakistan to dismantle extremist groups to bring regional peace and called on the international community to reinstate Pakistan on the FATF grey list. Highlighting Pakistan's alleged ties with terrorists, he cited a photograph showing Pakistan's army chief with a US-designated terrorist. Owaisi is part of a multi-party Indian delegation visiting Gulf countries to inform them about India's counter-terrorism efforts and address concerns following recent terror attacks. (PC: ANI & Ummid)