Oxford University’s Ashmolean Museum will return a 500-year-old bronze sculpture of the Hindu saint Tirumankai Alvar to India. The decision follows a claim by the Indian High Commission four years ago, asserting the artifact was looted from a Tamil Nadu temple. The repatriation, part of a broader movement to return cultural treasures acquired during colonial times, comes after the museum’s investigation confirmed the sculpture’s provenance. This aligns with Oxford’s previous commitment to return looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria.

India extends a warm welcome to Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia as they join the BRICS alliance, announced during the Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Russia. Despite the absence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, senior diplomat Dammu Ravi led the Indian delegation, emphasizing the country's commitment to multilateralism and upholding international law. The expanded BRICS reaffirms cooperation across politics, economy, and culture, endorsing comprehensive UN reforms and peaceful conflict resolution. The move underscores India's global diplomatic engagement and commitment to fostering inclusive partnerships for sustainable development.

American-Sikh lawyer Jaspreet Singh implores US Vice-President Kamala Harris to intervene in securing the release of Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh, currently detained in Assam. Singh, representing various Sikh organizations, deems Singh's detention unjust, emphasizing the need for international attention. Amritpal, elected from jail, faces terror charges, sparking outcry over human rights violations. Jaspreet Singh mobilizes support from American leaders, planning to engage over a hundred Congressmen. Despite past legal entanglements, the case underscores cross-border tensions and efforts for justice.

Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif extends congratulatory wishes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a notable outreach amid geopolitical tensions. Modi acknowledges the gesture, hinting at the possibility of dialogue. Additionally, Nawaz Sharif advocates for joint efforts towards regional stability, emphasizing hope over hostility. The exchange recalls past diplomatic gestures, including Modi's surprise visit to Lahore in 2015 and the recent symbolic gesture of a gifted turban. Despite strained relations over Kashmir and terrorism, Modi's inauguration witnesses participation from regional leaders, affirming India's commitment to regional diplomacy.

Four days after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau congratulated Narendra Modi on his re-election, PM Modi responded, urging India and Canada to work together based on “mutual understanding and respect for each other’s concerns.” This exchange follows persistent tensions over allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which India strongly denies. Despite these allegations straining diplomatic ties, Modi’s reply signals a call for cooperative efforts while addressing unresolved issues. Trudeau had earlier emphasized fostering a relationship grounded in human rights and the rule of law.

MR Rangaswami, founder and chairman of Indiaspora, was thrilled to watch the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in New York on June 9. He was joined by 100 members of the nonprofit organization, which aims to inspire the Indian diaspora to make a positive impact. The group traveled in special buses and had a great time cheering on the teams. For Rangaswami, a software executive and entrepreneur, it was his first T20 match and he found it exhilarating. The event was a great example of community engagement and collaboration, aligning with Indiaspora's mission.

Oxford University will repatriate a 500-year-old bronze statue of Tirumankai Alvar, a revered Tamil poet-saint, to India. The nearly 60 cm-tall idol, looted from a South Indian temple during British colonial rule, was housed at the Ashmolean Museum. The Indian High Commission's claim was supported by Oxford’s council on March 11, 2024, and awaits Charity Commission approval. This move aligns with a broader effort to address colonial-era artifacts' repatriation, following the universities' precedent set by the return of the Benin Bronzes. The Ashmolean Museum stated it is committed to ethical stewardship of cultural heritage.

Yuvraj Goyal, 28, from Punjab's Ludhiana, was shot and killed in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 7. He had moved to Canada in 2019 on a student visa and recently obtained permanent residency. Police found him dead after responding to a shooting call at 8:46 am. Four suspects, aged 20-23, have been charged with first-degree murder. Goyal's family in Ludhiana has been left shocked by the tragedy. The motive is still under investigation. Goyal worked as a sales executive and had no criminal record, leaving police searching for a motive behind his sudden and senseless killing.

The head of Canada's intelligence agency, David Vigneault, made two secret visits to India in February and March to discuss the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Vigneault shared intercepted communications and other information with Indian officials, sources said. The visits came before Canada arrested four Indian nationals in connection with Nijjar's murder. The case has strained India-Canada relations, with India denying any government involvement in the killing. Nijjar, declared a terrorist by India in 2020, was shot dead in Vancouver last year. The incident sparked tensions between the two nations, with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleging potential Indian government links.

Four Indian students from Novgorod State University drowned in Russia’s Volkhov River, with their bodies recovered and set to be flown back to India. The students, identified as Jia Pinjari, Jishan Pinjari, Mohammad Yakub Malik, and Harshal Desalei, all hailed from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. They were on a walk when a strong wave swept them away despite their family's pleas during a video call. A fifth student, Nisha Sonawane, was rescued but remains in critical condition. The Indian embassy has issued an advisory urging caution around water bodies.