India’s satirical online movement, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has crossed 11.7 million Instagram followers, overtaking the Bharatiya Janata Party’s 8.7 million followers on the platform. The meme-driven movement was launched by social media creator Abhijeet Dipke after remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant comparing some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” sparked online backlash. The group describes itself as the “Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed” and uses humour to highlight unemployment, political privilege and youth frustration. Despite the social media milestone, the BJP remains India’s dominant political force electorally and organisationally across the country. (PC: Instagram)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a crucial Council of Ministers meeting at Seva Teerth in Delhi at 4 pm on Thursday, shortly after returning from his foreign visit. All Union ministers, including Cabinet ministers, ministers of state with independent charge and ministers of state, have been directed to remain in the national capital ahead of the high-level discussions. The meeting comes amid intensified political and economic deliberations within the government and is expected to focus on governance priorities, the evolving West Asia crisis and potential political developments. The gathering is being viewed as strategically significant as the Centre assesses domestic challenges alongside fast-changing global geopolitical and economic conditions affecting India’s policy and security landscape. (PC: India Today)  

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India in September for the BRICS summit in New Delhi, marking his first trip to the country since 2019 and the first after the 2020 eastern Ladakh military standoff. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to attend the SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan before the BRICS meeting, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Xi. The anticipated visit reflects gradual stabilisation in India-China ties following disengagement efforts at the Line of Actual Control. Recent confidence-building measures include resumed visas, direct flights, eased restrictions on Chinese firms, renewed border trade and the restart of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. (PC: PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced an Assam-style crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, saying the state would begin identifying, detaining and handing over undocumented migrants to the BSF for deportation. Referring to a May 2025 directive from the Union government, Adhikari said Bengal would implement a “detect, delete and deport” policy targeting immigrants not covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. Officials indicated “delete” likely refers to removing ineligible names from electoral rolls. The government also announced land transfers for new border fencing and BSF infrastructure along the Bangladesh border. Critics warned that sudden action targeting Muslim immigrants could heighten social tensions and polarise Bengal’s political climate further.

Thousands of Indian tech professionals in the US are facing mounting uncertainty after fresh layoffs at companies like Meta, Amazon and LinkedIn intensified pressure on H-1B visa holders. Under US immigration rules, laid-off workers typically get only 60 days to secure another sponsoring employer or leave the country, turning job losses into immigration crises. Many are attempting to switch temporarily to B-2 visitor visas, though immigration lawyers report stricter scrutiny and rising rejection rates. Massive AI-driven restructuring across Silicon Valley has deepened fears that hiring slowdowns may become permanent. With decades-long green card backlogs, home loans and families settled in America, many Indians are now reconsidering long-term plans and exploring opportunities in Canada, Europe or India. (PC: NDTV)

Britain has admitted it “handled clumsily” a controversial sanctions licence that allowed Russian oil products refined in countries like India and Turkey to continue entering the UK market, reigniting debate over Western criticism of India’s energy trade with Moscow. UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant apologised in Parliament for confusion surrounding the temporary waiver, which permitted imports of jet fuel and diesel refined from Russian crude to avoid supply disruptions during global energy instability linked to Middle East tensions. The development strengthens India’s long-standing argument that Western nations indirectly benefited from Russian energy while criticising others publicly. Reports estimate billions of pounds worth of refined Russian-origin oil products entered Britain through third countries after sanctions were imposed in 2022. (PC: Times Now)

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations Security Council after Islamabad raised Jammu and Kashmir during a debate on civilian protection in armed conflict. India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Harish Parvathaneni, accused Pakistan of hypocrisy, saying a country with a “long-tainted record of genocidal acts” had no standing to comment on India’s internal matters. He cited Pakistan’s alleged airstrike on Kabul’s Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital during Ramadan, referencing UNAMA figures claiming hundreds of civilian casualties and mass displacement. Parvathaneni also referred to allegations linked to Operation Searchlight in 1971, accusing Pakistan of systematic atrocities. India rejected Pakistan’s Kashmir remarks and called them an attempt to internationalise domestic issues.

US President Donald Trump said ongoing peace talks between the United States and Iran are on the “borderline” between a possible deal and renewed military strikes. Speaking at Joint Base Andrews, Trump warned the diplomatic window could close quickly if Tehran fails to provide “100% good answers” on its nuclear programme. He claimed Iran was moving toward developing nuclear weapons and said the issue would end “one way or the other.” Trump also stressed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid global oil concerns. Meanwhile, Iran confirmed it is reviewing a new US proposal while warning that any renewed attacks could trigger a wider regional conflict.

Russian fighter jets repeatedly intercepted a British Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft during a reconnaissance mission over the Black Sea, according to UK defence sources. The RAF spy plane was reportedly operating in international airspace when multiple Russian warplanes approached and shadowed it at close range. The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO over the ongoing Ukraine conflict and increased military activity in the region. British officials described the mission as lawful and routine, while Moscow accused Western nations of escalating surveillance near Russian territory. The repeated interceptions underline growing risks of military confrontation in the strategically sensitive Black Sea region. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are in their “final stages” and expressed hope for a diplomatic agreement to avoid further conflict. However, Trump warned that the United States remains prepared to launch military attacks if talks fail to produce an acceptable deal. The negotiations focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, regional security and reopening the Strait of Hormuz after recent disruptions to global oil shipments. Iran has continued indirect talks through mediators while insisting on sanctions relief and security guarantees. Oil markets reacted cautiously as fears of renewed conflict in the Middle East continue to impact global energy prices. (PC: X)