India and France have formalized a Rs 63,000-crore deal for 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy. The agreement, signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India as the Republic Day chief guest, includes 22 single-seater and 4 twin-seater jets, strengthening India’s naval aviation. The Rafale-M jets, designed for carrier operations, will be deployed on the INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya aircraft carriers. The deal also covers associated weapons, simulators, spares, and maintenance support. This move follows the Indian Navy's selection of Rafale-M over the F/A-18 Super Hornet after extensive trials. The procurement is seen as a major step in enhancing India’s maritime capabilities amid regional security challenges. (PC: The Print & Euractiv)

Kiwiana Immigration reports a surge of mid-aged Indians (35–50 years) migrating to New Zealand, prioritizing family-centric opportunities over salary gains, says CEO Pawandeep Singh. Driven by the desire for their children’s brighter futures, migrants are attracted to New Zealand’s peaceful environment, predictable lifestyle, and robust, free primary and secondary education system. Singh highlighted that Indians now form the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, with a 22% growth over the past decade, totaling 2.92 lakh people. In 2024, India became the leading source country for migrants to New Zealand, with 27,100 individuals relocating, primarily pursuing prospects in IT and healthcare sectors. (PC: The New York Times & Full Suitcase)

After the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated with multiple ceasefire violations at the LoC. China voiced support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and urged restraint, while the U.S. called for a “responsible resolution.” India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed the Attari border. The NIA took over the investigation, identifying Lashkar-e-Taiba’s proxy TRF behind the attack. Indian security forces demolished suspected terrorists' homes, while citizens and diplomats were repatriated across borders. Prime Minister Modi expressed deep grief and pledged a harsh response. Kashmiris openly protested against Pakistan after decades. (ABC News)

Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Kupwara districts on Sunday night. Defence officials reported that Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked firing targeting forward Indian positions in Poonch's Krishna Ghati sector and Kupwara's Tangdhar sector. Indian troops responded befittingly to the provocation. No casualties were reported on the Indian side. Ceasefire violations by Pakistan have become a recurring concern despite a renewed agreement in February 2021 to strictly observe the 2003 ceasefire understanding. For the fourth consecutive night, the Pakistan Army resorted to firing at the LoC, officials said on Monday morning. In the last few days, the ceasefire violation took place mostly in the Kashmir region. It is the first time that the exchange of fire has been reported in the Jammu region since the Pahalgam terror attack. (PC: Kashmir Observer & Business Standard)

After India's order expelling all Pakistani nationals post the Pahalgam terror attack, heartbreaking scenes unfolded at the India-Pakistan border. Eleven-year-old Zainab and eight-year-old Zenish, visiting Delhi to meet their grandmother, were forced to return to Pakistan without their Indian-citizen mother. Tearfully, Zainab pleaded for compassion, highlighting the trauma innocent families now face. Similar tragedies affected other families caught in bureaucratic limbo, as Indian mothers and Pakistani children were forcibly separated. Families have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for urgent intervention, stressing that while terrorists must be punished, innocent lives should not suffer collateral damage. (PC: India Today)

Following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed at least 26 people including foreign tourists, members of the Indian diaspora staged protests across the globe. Demonstrations were held in Paris, Zurich, Helsinki, Melbourne, Spain, and other cities, condemning terrorism and honoring the victims. In London, tensions escalated when a Pakistani diplomat made a threatening gesture towards protesters. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, suspending key agreements and expelling military attachés, vowing strong action to ensure justice for the victims. (PC: News18)

Hundreds of Pakistani nationals are exiting India via Attari-Wagah after India, citing the Pahalgam terror attack, suspended visa services. Those with specific visa categories were ordered to leave by April 27 or face action under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as families, especially children, were separated from mothers holding Indian passports. Sarita Kanwer and 11-year-old Zainab shared emotional farewells. Many lamented rushed departures and disrupted family visits. As tensions mount, about 272 Pakistani nationals have returned home, alongside 629 Indians, including diplomats. Innocent civilians, visiting for medical and familial reasons, now bear the brunt of political fallout. (PC: India Today & Reuters)

Adnan Sami criticized former Pakistan minister Fawad Hussain for suggesting the singer should leave India after the Pahalgam attack. Hussain’s comment about Sami's status in India was met with Sami’s sarcastic retort on social media, calling Hussain an "illiterate idiot." Sami, an Indian citizen since 2016, clarified his roots as Peshawari, not Lahori, and mocked Hussain's lack of basic knowledge. The controversy follows the Indian government's order for Pakistani nationals to leave by April 27, 2025. Pakistan nationals with medical visas must leave by April 29, 2025. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi issued an open threat to India, warning of a full-scale war if India suspends the Indus Waters Treaty. He claimed Pakistan’s 130 nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles like Ghori, Shaheen, and Ghaznavi are strategically hidden and ready. Abbasi mocked India’s countermeasures after the Pahalgam terror attack, saying Pakistan’s airspace closure could bankrupt Indian airlines. He also accused India of deflecting blame for the terror attack. Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted Pakistan’s past support for terror groups, blaming Western countries for manipulating Pakistan into prolonged conflicts. (PC: OpIndia & Pakistan Today)

Following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, expressed deep anguish and vowed the "harshest response" against the perpetrators and conspirators. The NIA has officially taken over the probe from J&K Police, intensifying evidence collection at the attack site. Meanwhile, Pakistan troops have initiated 'unprovoked fire' across the LoC for the third consecutive night, to which India retaliated. Top Indian officials confirmed discussions are underway for military retaliation options against Pakistan, signaling a firm stance. Modi emphasized India's unity against terrorism, stating the nation’s strong willpower is its greatest strength. (PC: Shutterstock)