Russia and India are set to introduce a bilateral agreement to simplify travel and boost tourism ties. The agreement will facilitate visa-free group tourist exchanges between the two nations, following the successful implementation of similar arrangements with China and Iran. The first discussion on the draft agreement is scheduled for June, with an anticipated signing by the end of the year.
The White House has lauded India for its vibrant democracy and the participation of its citizens in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The statement comes just days after President Biden’s controversial remarks, in which he categorized India as a ‘xenophobic’ nation that does not welcome immigrants. While the Biden administration has clarified that the president was making a broader point about the inclusivity of American democracy, it has also emphasized the strength of the India-US relationship during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
Several Indian states are facing extreme heatwaves with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red and orange alerts for regions including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Gujarat, warning of severe health risks. Additionally, rainfall is expected in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, while the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea around May 19.
A severe heat wave is gripping northwest India, with Najafgarh in southwest Delhi recording the highest temperature in the country so far this season at 47.4 degrees Celsius. Nineteen places in Rajasthan, 18 in Haryana, eight in Delhi, and two in Punjab have reported temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. The situation is expected to worsen in the next five days, with more than 54 crore people likely to experience extreme heat. Climate scientists have attributed the intense heat to human-caused climate change. The India Meteorological Department has issued heatwave alerts for several parts of India, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat, warning of potential health risks for vulnerable populations.
A former Google engineer of Indian descent, Deedy Das, has ignited a social media debate by questioning why Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) praise India but choose not to live there. Das’s series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) sparked a discussion about the reasons behind NRIs’ decision to reside abroad.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made several statements at the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) annual general meeting, expressing India’s stance on relations with Pakistan, China, and its neighbors. He highlighted India’s low tolerance for cross-border terrorism from Pakistan and encouraged them to dismantle such activities for normalized relations. Regarding China, Jaishankar questioned the possibility of doing business with a country that had disturbed peace and tranquility in border areas. He also emphasized the promotion of domestic manufacturing and procurement to support Indian businesses. In relation to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, no specific details were provided in the given content.
The T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and India’s hopes rest heavily on the shoulders of former skipper Virat Kohli, as per former Australian Test captain Tim Paine. Paine believes that a strong performance from Kohli is directly proportional to India’s chances of lifting the trophy. While Kohli has been in scintillating form in the IPL, his counterpart Glenn Maxwell has struggled. Kohli’s past record in World Cups has been impressive, but whether he can replicate his RCB form for the Men in Blue remains to be seen.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi disclosed that he dispatched a special envoy to Israel during Ramzan to urge the cessation of bombings in Gaza. Modi also mentioned that he does not subscribe to token secularism and had independently visited both Israel and Palestine. Additionally, he expressed India’s intention to make its own decisions regarding the Chabahar Port agreement with Iran, despite US sanctions warnings.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has highlighted India’s assertive and confident foreign policy stance, particularly regarding China. In an interview, Jaishankar emphasized the Modi government’s leadership in navigating complex international scenarios and underscored India’s clear and confident positions on global issues, with a specific focus on China.
The United Nations has revised India’s economic growth projections for 2024 upward to 6.9%, reflecting robust public investment and resilient private consumption. This represents an increase from the initial forecast of 6.2%. Despite subdued external demand weighing on merchandise exports, the country’s strong performance in pharmaceuticals and chemicals exports is expected to contribute to overall growth. The UN noted that inflation in India is projected to decelerate, remaining within the central bank’s target range. The positive outlook for India is also supported by the region’s projected 5.8% growth, driven by a recovery in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. However, the report highlights that tight financial conditions and external imbalances pose risks to South Asia’s growth trajectory.
