South Asia
Indian Prime Minister Modi Strengthens Ties with US Leaders During Visit
Last weekend, US President Joe Biden met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders from Japan and Australia to discuss the future of one of his key foreign policy platforms: the Quad Partnership.
Prime Minister Modi calls for climate equity at COP28
The Indian delegation to the The United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) pledged to redouble efforts moving away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, among many other commitments, led by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conference, the only multilateral decision-making body on climate change, is taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
Workers Rescued from a Tunnel Collapse in India After a 17 Day Wait
On Tuesday, rescuers freed 41 construction workers trapped under a collapsed tunnel in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, after spending 17 days under rubble. The laborers, all migrant workers from poorer states in India, quickly reunited with their families after their release.
State Elections in India Begin, Testing Support for the BJP
On Tuesday, the state legislature elections within the Indian states of Mizoram and Chhattisgarh began. Elections in the states of Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are set to begin later this week.
The Geopolitical Implications of Sri Lanka Allowing Chinese Ship to Dock
On Oct.25, an advanced Chinese research vessel, Shin Yan 6, docked on the port of Colombo amidst India’s fears of China extending its influence over to the Indian subcontinent on an unprecedented scale.
Police Commandos Targeted During Manipur Unrest
On Oct. 31, suspected insurgents ambushed a group of police commandos sent to the Indian state of Manipur, resulting in a shootout. The situation ended when the Assam Rifles successfully rescued the police from the situation.
India Resumes Visa Services in Canada after Diplomatic Fallout
The Indian Embassy in Ottawa, Canada announced the resumption of visa services on Oct. 25 in Canada, after a diplomatic fallout between the two countries over the last couple of months.
Indian Police Raid Local News Outlet
On Oct. 3, at around 6:30 AM, Indian police staged several raids on the office and private homes of employees at NewsClick – an English-language independent news outlet focusing on “progressive movements.”
Indian Supreme Court Declines to Legalize Same Sex Marriage
On October 17, 2023 in New Delhi, the Indian Supreme Court reached the verdict of denying the recognition of same-sex marriages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration previously opposed petitions to the court because they view the ideology of same-sex marriage as incompatible with the “Indian family unit concept” of a husband, wife, and children.
India’s Response to the War in Gaza
The Indian government is showcasing a diplomatic leaning towards Israel, considering the strong ties between the two countries and the strategic partnerships between them. A key factor is also the close friendship that the two prime ministers share. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrained from taking an absolute neutral position in the Israel-Palestine conflict, unlike his predecessors.
Indian Government Ramps Up Infrastructure Spending
The Indian government drastically increased its infrastructure spending on public goods, such as roads, railways and bridges, for the foreseeable future.
India Surpassing China as the Most Populous Country in the World
India is about to surpass China’s population given UN projections analyzed using fertility levels.
Indian Supreme Court Set to Hear Petitions to Legalize Same-Sex Marriages
The Supreme Court of India is currently hearing a petition to legalize same-sex marriages.
Rahul Gandhi Attacks Modi’s Adani Connections
India’s primary opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, labels Modi’s dealings with the Adani Group a “symbol of corruption” during an election rally.
COVID-19 Cases Spike in India
India reported a total of 3,823 new COVID-19 infections on April 1, a jump of 27% from the previous day - the highest single-day spike in COVID-19 infections in over 6 months. The surge is representative of a wider spread of COVID-19 in India, with a 437% increase in cases and a 114% rise in deaths.
Indian Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi Sentenced to Jail and Expelled From Parliament
A district court in Gujarat sentenced Rahul Gandhi, the face of the Indian National Congress, India’s most prominent opposition party, to a two-year jail sentence under defamation charges.
Digital Payments in India have Reached a Zenith
Digital payments have seen explosive growth within India in recent years. Overall, India had the largest number of digital payments of any country in 2021, at 48 billion -- more than the next 4 countries combined.
G20 Summit in Bengaluru Concludes
India recently hosted the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors meeting in the city of Bengaluru. This is the first major G20 meeting since India assumed the presidency of the G20 in December 2022.
BBC headquarters raided by Indian Tax Officials after Documentary on Modi
The Indian income tax department conducted raids in BBC’s Mumbai and Delhi headquarters on Tuesday Feb. 14, alleging tax evasion.
Indian Army Returns After Providing Relief In Turkey
After providing extensive services and aid to Turkey after an earthquake struck the area, the Indian Army’s medical team is returning back home.