Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are strengthening maritime security cooperation to safeguard regional stability and uphold international law. The three Southeast Asian nations are pursuing a flexible framework that reinforces Association of Southeast Asian Nations-led regionalism while allowing each country to maintain strategic autonomy. A growing web of bilateral arrangements has become the foundation of the emerging trilateral cooperation, particularly through operational coordination between coast guards. Analysts note that practical
President of Finland Alexander Stubb arrived in New Delhi on a state visit to India and was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour upon his arrival in the national capital. President Stubb is visiting India from March 4 to March 7 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and expand cooperation in areas such as trade and other sectors of mutual interest. In a post on the social media platform X, Pre
Clad in an olive-green flying suit and helmet, President Droupadi Murmu undertook a 25-minute sortie as co-pilot in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter ‘Prachand’ near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer district on Friday. The helicopter took off from the Indian Air Force station in Jaisalmer after a briefing by the captain, with the President waving from the cockpit before departure. Flying over the Pokharan firing range ahead of the ‘Vayu Shakti’ firepower demonstration, Murmu delivered a message to the nation from the cockpit, describing Prachand as a powerful symbol of s
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday joined a select group of global leaders to have received top state honours from both Israel and Palestine, underscoring India’s balanced engagement in West Asia. During his two-day state visit to Israel, his second since 2017, PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset. He was welcomed by lawmakers with chants and applause. Following his address, he was conferred the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal,” the highest parliamentary honour, by Speaker Amir Ohana, in recognition of his personal leadership in strengtheni
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday crossed the milestone of 100 million followers on Instagram, becoming the first world leader to achieve the feat on the platform. Having joined Instagram in 2014, PM Modi’s account has grown over the past decade into the most-followed political profile globally. His follower count is more than double that of US President Donald Trump, who currently has around 43.2 million followers. Among other world leaders, Prabowo Subianto has about 15 million followers, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva around 14.4 million, Recep Tayyip Erdogan roughly 11.6 million,
In a striking gesture ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, was illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour, a symbolic tribute to the growing warmth in India-Israel ties. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared a nighttime image of the building glowing in saffron, white, and green, as PM Modi began his two-day state visit to Israel on February 25. The gesture is being viewed as both a personal honour and a reflection of the expanding bilateral partnership. This marks PM Modi’s second visit to Israel in nine years. During his landmark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated India’s agricultural transformation and cultural resurgence during the 131st episode of Mann Ki Baat. He highlighted a nationwide movement to preserve heritage seeds, applauding farmers for driving meaningful change. Referring to Kerala’s Thrissur district, he noted that farmers cultivate nearly 570 varieties of rice, including indigenous, medicinal, and interstate strains. He described the effort as more than agriculture, a people-led campaign to safeguard India’s seed legacy. The results, he said, are reflected in national data, wit
The India–Japan joint military exercise Dharma Guardian 2026 is set to be held at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, from February 24 to March 9. Conducted annually on an alternating basis between the two countries, the exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), particularly in joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations. According to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, the two-week engagement will focus on joint planning, synchronised tactical drills, and specialised combat training. Activities
India has gifted the Maldives its first high-speed ferry to operationalise new transport links between key atolls, marking a major boost to maritime connectivity in the island nation. The vessel, built with Indian assistance, will operate under the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) system, connecting Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls. It is the first of 12 ferries planned under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Phase III agreement signed in January 2025. The project involves a total grant of MVR 100 million (approximately ₹55 crore) and focuses on strengthening maritime connectivity
India and France have elevated their bilateral ties to a new level by announcing a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’, reaffirming their shared commitment to global stability, prosperity, and a rules-based international order. The announcement was made during the Mumbai visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, following a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Lok Bhavan. Addressing the media, both leaders expressed their resolve to deepen cooperation across strategic sectors. On the occasion, they virtually inaugurated the assembly line of Tata Advanced Sy