Iran’s maritime actions on 14 May marked a sharp escalation in the ongoing confrontation in West Asia, coinciding with a fractious BRICS meeting in New Delhi.Within hours, Iranian forces seized a Chinese-operated floating armoury anchored off Fujairah and attacked the Indian‑flagged cargo vessel Haji Ali, which subsequently sank in the Gulf of Oman.The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre
India’s Astra Program Joins US And China In Ultra‑Long‑Range Air Combat Race
The unveiling of the AIM‑260 JATM by the United States marks a decisive step in ultra‑long‑range air‑to‑air missile warfare, closing the gap with China’s PL‑15 and PL‑17. India, meanwhile, is advancing its ASTRA Mk‑2 and ASTRA MK‑3 Gandiva programs, ensuring it remains competitive in this evolving domain with ranges of 200 km and 350 km respectively.The AIM‑260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (
Indo-Pak Dialogue: Dreams And Reality
by Nilesh KunwarUnexpected DevelopmentThe Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is an Indian right-wing volunteer organisation that’s often accused of being a paramilitary group advocating militant Hinduism and spreading communal hatred. This organisation is so despised in Pakistan that Prime Minister IMran Khan in his 2019 UNGA address described it as an organisation "inspired by Hitler and
India And Netherlands Elevate Ties To Strategic Partnership With Landmark Deals In Semiconductors And Green Hydrogen
PM Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Dutch PM Rob JettenIndia and the Netherlands have formally elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, unveiling a comprehensive roadmap that spans semiconductors, green hydrogen, defence, and water management.A landmark Tata Electronics–ASML agreement, the adoption of a Green Hydrogen Roadmap, and technical cooperation on
Iranian Foreign Minister Says India Can Play A Greater Role In West Asia Peace Efforts
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during his three‑day visit to New Delhi for the BRICS foreign ministers’ conclave, stated that India could play a greater role in bringing peace to West Asia. He emphasised that India’s strong relations with nearly all countries in the region and its good reputation made it well placed to contribute constructively to easing tensions.Araghchi welcomed
Su-57 Stealth Jet’s RCS On Par With — Or Greater Than — Rafale, Sukhoi Claims
Sukhoi’s own technical documentation places the Su‑57’s frontal radar cross section between 0.1 and 1 m², which means its stealth signature is equal to or greater than that of the Rafale, estimated at 0.05–0.1 m², reported a French based defence portal.This undermines Moscow’s claims of fifth‑generation stealth and highlights the detection advantage of Western fighters such as the F‑35, whose
India Warns Against Targeting Shipping In Strait of Hormuz Amid West Asia Crisis
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, has outlined New Delhi’s approach to tackling the ongoing energy and fertiliser crisis triggered by the conflict in West Asia. Speaking at the Special Meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply flows, Harish stressed that a combination of short‑term and
Dutch CEOs Laud Modi’s Vision, Highlight India–Netherlands Opportunities In Semiconductors, Infrastructure And Trade
Dutch business leaders have expressed strong admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India’s economic growth, highlighting expanding opportunities in semiconductors, infrastructure and trade after engaging with him at the CEO Round Table on Economic Ties in The Hague.The interaction underscored the growing depth of India–Netherlands economic relations and the wider potential for
Canada And India Advance Defence Cooperation Following Prime Minister Carney’s Visit
The High Commissioner of Canada to India, Christopher Cooter, held discussions with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on Saturday, focusing on advancing defence cooperation between the two nations.This meeting was positioned as a follow-up to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s state visit to India in February 2026, which had set the stage for a renewed and expanded partnership
Trump’s China Summit Falls Flat, Exposes Divergent Narratives And Limited Progress
The summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on 14 May 2026 was marked by sharply divergent narratives from Washington and Beijing. Both sides brought senior officials responsible for foreign affairs, defence and economic policy, with China represented by thirteen officials and the US by eleven. Xi repeated familiar language