Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks on Operation Sindoor were “taken out of context.” He made this statement while briefing the Standing Committee on External Affairs. The clarification came after Rahul Gandhi accused the government of warning Pakistan ahead of India’s retaliatory strike. “The fact is that India had informed Pakistan about the precise strikes after the initial phase of its commencement,” Misri told the committee, according to sources. He also spoke about the operation’s success. Jaishankar’s media clip had triggered political debate, with the Congress targeting the government over national security. (PC: PTI)

The Supreme Court has rejected a plea by a Sri Lankan man seeking to stop his deportation from India. The man, once jailed for alleged links to the LTTE under the UAPA, claimed his life was at risk if he returned to Sri Lanka. He said his wife and children were living in India and that he came here on a valid visa. But the court said India is already struggling with its population and cannot shelter everyone. Justice Dipankar Datta remarked, “This is not a dharmashala.” The court also said fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 apply only to citizens. (PC: HT_PRINT)

On May 19, 2025, the UK and EU finalized a landmark post-Brexit agreement to reset trade and defence ties. The deal allows UK firms like BAE and Rolls-Royce to participate in the EU's €150 billion defence procurement program. It also reduces trade barriers, eases food and visitor access, and introduces a 12-year mutual fishing arrangement. Prime Minister Keir Starmer projects a £9 billion economic boost by 2040, emphasizing benefits like cheaper food and enhanced energy security. While critics like Nigel Farage oppose the deal, Starmer maintains it preserves UK independence while fostering cooperation. The agreement also opens discussions on youth mobility and the Erasmus+ exchange program. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) employs a multifaceted strategy—dubbed "wine, women, and wealth"—to extract sensitive information from Indian officials. This includes honey-trapping, offering lavish gifts, and exploiting personal vulnerabilities. The ISI targets individuals across various sectors, including military, diplomatic, and scientific communities, often using social media platforms for initial contact. These operations are meticulously planned, with agents undergoing rigorous training to manipulate and compromise targets effectively. The approach underscores the ISI's commitment to gathering intelligence through human sources, complementing its cyber-espionage efforts. Indian counterintelligence agencies remain vigilant, but the persistent and adaptive nature of these tactics presents ongoing challenges to national security. (PC: Politico)

President Donald Trump's proposed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" aims to impose a 5% tax on all international money transfers made by non-US citizens, including H-1B visa holders and green card holders. This tax would affect nearly 4.5 million Indians in the U.S., potentially costing the Indian community $1.6 billion annually, based on the $32 billion remitted from the U.S. to India in 2023-24. The tax applies to all remittances, including investment income and stock option proceeds, with no exemption threshold. The bill also allocates $46.5 billion for border wall construction and immigration enforcement, including hiring additional agents and imposing a $1,000 fee on asylum seekers. (PC: Mint)

On May 19, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar over the loss of Indian aircraft during Operation Sindoor, referencing Jaishankar's earlier remarks about informing Pakistan at the operation's start. Gandhi labeled this action a "crime" and demanded transparency. The Ministry of External Affairs accused Gandhi of misrepresenting facts, clarifying that the communication with Pakistan occurred after the operation commenced. BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya criticized Gandhi, alleging he echoed Pakistan's narrative. Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian jets, including Rafales, a MiG-29, and a Su-30, but India has neither confirmed nor denied these claims. Air Marshal A.K. Bharti stated that all pilots returned safely but withheld further details. (PC: PTI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially denied reports suggesting India's withdrawal from the upcoming Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that no such decision has been made, labeling the claims as baseless. This statement comes amid speculations that India might pull out of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events due to escalating tensions with Pakistan. Saikia emphasized that the matter hasn't even been discussed within the board, reaffirming India's commitment to participating in ACC tournaments. The BCCI's clarification aims to quell rumors and maintain focus on the sport amidst geopolitical concerns. (PC: PTI)

UK-based academic Nitasha Kaul has had her Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status revoked by the Indian government for alleged "anti-India activities" driven by "malice and complete disregard for facts or history." Kaul, who was deported from Bengaluru airport in February 2024 shortly after arrival, shared the cancellation notice on social media, labeling it a "vindictive" act of "transnational repression" targeting her scholarly critiques of the Modi administration's policies. The incident has ignited debates on freedom of expression and the rights of OCI holders, with critics arguing it reflects a broader pattern of suppressing dissenting voices, while government sources defend the action as a sovereign decision to protect national interests. (PC: India Today)

On May 19, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over former U.S. President Joe Biden's diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. In a message on X, Modi extended his best wishes for Biden's quick and full recovery, also conveying thoughts to Dr. Jill Biden and their family. Biden's office stated that while the cancer is aggressive, it is hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management. Global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, former U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Barack Obama, also extended their wishes for Biden's swift recovery. (PC: Hindustan Times)

On May 19, 2025, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged sacked teachers and non-teaching staff to pursue legal avenues and trust the state government, following the Supreme Court's April verdict invalidating 25,753 school appointments due to recruitment fraud. Banerjee emphasized, "Fight legally. We are also fighting legally with all the means available to us," and criticized ongoing street protests, asserting that movements should have boundaries. She attributed the job losses to opposition-led legal actions and external provocations, stating, "They did not lose their jobs because of us." The state has filed a review petition, and the Supreme Court has mandated fresh recruitment advertisements by May 31 and completion by December 31. (PC: Business Standard)