Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister, completing 4,399 consecutive days in office and surpassing the record of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The milestone is being marked at a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) conclave in New Delhi, attended by chief ministers, deputy chief ministers and senior coalition leaders. The meeting is expected to pass a resolution congratulating Modi and discuss governance priorities, welfare schemes, infrastructure development and the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted India’s expanded global engagement during the past 12 years, while leaders from India and abroad, including US Senator John Cornyn, offered congratulatory messages recognising Modi’s tenure and leadership. (PC: X)

India has accused Pakistan of spreading fake news to divert international attention from alleged human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), amid escalating unrest in Rawalkot. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan was attempting to conceal reports of severe police brutality, which allegedly left several people dead and many injured. The violence followed a crackdown on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a protest movement opposing government policies and political representation arrangements in the region. Clashes between protesters and security forces reportedly resulted in multiple casualties, with conflicting death toll figures emerging. India said the developments reflected growing dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s governance and called for accountability.

India has significantly increased its imports of Russian crude oil to around 2–2.5 million barrels per day, up from 1.05 million barrels per day in February 2026, according to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Addressing concerns over Western pressure to reduce Russian energy purchases, Puri said India had never been instructed to stop buying Russian oil. He clarified that sanctions applied only to specific entities and that oil purchases are conducted by private companies rather than the Indian government. The minister also stated that recent US sanctions exemptions and policy changes concerning Russian oil, introduced amid Middle East tensions, have had no impact on India’s energy procurement strategy. (PC: News On Air)

NASA has announced the crew for Artemis III, its next major Moon programme mission, though the flight will no longer attempt a lunar landing. Instead, Artemis III will operate in low Earth orbit and test docking procedures with prototype lunar landers. Veteran astronaut Randy Bresnik will command the mission, joined by pilot Luca Parmitano of Italy and mission specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. The change follows delays in SpaceX’s Starship programme and concerns about the readiness of critical technologies such as orbital refuelling. Additional setbacks include damage to Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch infrastructure. NASA currently aims to launch Artemis III in 2027, with lunar landing missions planned afterward.

The United States carried out military strikes on Iran after President Donald Trump accused Tehran of being responsible for the downing of a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command described the attacks as a “proportional response” to Iranian aggression, while Iranian officials vowed retaliation. According to a US official, the helicopter crashed after colliding with an Iranian drone during a patrol mission near Oman, though investigators have not determined whether the collision was intentional. The incident further strained a fragile two-month ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island following the American strikes and condemned the action.

Indian government bonds slipped as escalating US-Iran tensions pushed crude oil prices higher, overshadowing optimism generated by the Reserve Bank of India’s recent policy measures. The benchmark 6.48% 2035 government bond yield stood at 6.9758%, little changed from the previous close after an earlier policy-driven rally. Brent crude surged about 4.5% to nearly $97 per barrel amid concerns over renewed conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy shipping route. Higher oil prices pose risks to India’s inflation outlook and current account deficit. Market participants said geopolitical risks were having a stronger influence on bond sentiment than recent RBI initiatives aimed at attracting foreign investment. (PC: X)

US Senator John Cornyn of the Republican Party congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest continuously serving elected Prime Minister, completing 4,399 days in office. Cornyn praised Modi’s leadership, highlighting achievements including lifting 250 million people out of poverty and helping make India the world’s fastest-growing major economy. He also described the US-India relationship as stronger than ever under Modi’s tenure. The milestone comes as NDA leaders prepare to felicitate the Prime Minister at a meeting in New Delhi. The development coincides with ongoing India-US trade negotiations, with both countries advancing discussions on market access, trade facilitation, customs procedures, economic security and broader bilateral cooperation. (PC: X)

An India-born entrepreneur is among 17 naturalised Americans facing denaturalisation proceedings as part of a major US Justice Department crackdown on citizenship obtained through alleged fraud or misrepresentation. Prosecutors allege that Neeraj Sharma, former CEO of New Jersey-based Magnavision LLC, filed fraudulent H-1B visa petitions containing forged signatures and fabricated documents. Authorities further claim Sharma falsely stated in his 2017 citizenship application that he had not committed undisclosed offences or provided false information to US officials. After later being convicted in connection with visa fraud, Sharma became a target of citizenship revocation efforts. If successful, denaturalisation could ultimately expose affected individuals to deportation proceedings. (PC: IndiaToday)

The BJP has adopted a measured stance toward the growing protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a newly formed movement campaigning against paper leaks and examination-related controversies. Senior party leaders described the demonstrations as a legitimate part of democracy and rejected characterisations of Gen Z protesters as “anti-establishment”. While acknowledging that concerns raised by students and young people deserve attention, BJP leaders indicated there was no immediate need for the government to formally engage with protest organisers. The remarks come amid increasing pressure from sections of the opposition and activists demanding accountability over examination irregularities and calls for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the issue. (PC: Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

India has reportedly paused final approvals for Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service due to security concerns. Officials are worried about the use of Starlink terminals during the recent Iran conflict and the challenges of regulating a US-based operator during geopolitical tensions.   According to reports, security clearance for Starlink remains pending despite the company obtaining a satellite communication licence in India last year. Authorities are seeking assurances that the service can comply with India's security requirements.   The delay has also affected plans related to satellite spectrum allocation. Starlink says it continues to work with Indian authorities and has established infrastructure in the country. (PC: Bloomberg)