South Asia
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.
Bangladesh-Russia Nuclear Plant Deal Settled in Chinese Yuan
Bangladesh and Russia agreed to conduct an ongoing nuclear power plant deal entirely in Chinese Yuan.
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.
Pakistan’s Muted Ramadan Celebrations Due To Economic Crisis
Recent spikes of inflation and damaged crops have resulted in soaring food prices in Pakistan during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan
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.
Disputes Over Digital Law Send Bangladeshi Journalist To Jail
A Bangladeshi journalist was picked up from his residence by a group of individuals who identified themselves as the Criminal Investigations Department.
Sri Lanka Approves Liberalization of Fuel Market
Sri Lanka’s fuel market was a state monopoly under Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) until 2003, when the Indian Oil Corporation became the only other company allowed to operate.
Pakistan Inches Closer to IMF Loan After Saudi Arabia Comes to Its Rescue
Saudi Arabia greenlighted a $2 billion payout to Pakistan on Thursday, April 6, which will be a crucial step toward Pakistan securing IMF aid.
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.
Punjab Faces An Internet Blackout As Authorities Hunt Down Sikh Preacher
Over 30 million people in the North Indian state of Punjab have been affected by an internet shutdown, as imposed due to a search for Amritpal Singh Sandhu, a Sikh preacher who has been fighting to create a separate Sikh state.
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.
2022 Remittances Projection: India Set to Hit $100 billion in 2022
During their Migration and Development Brief, the World Bank stated that India is expected to receive a record $100 billion in remittance in 2022, the first time a single country has reached this number.
India’s Richest Man Acquires Stake in News Portal Raising Concern about Media Independence
The RRPR Holding officially announced on Monday, Nov. 30, that they had transferred their 29.1% shares of New Delhi Television (NDTV), India's leading news publication and TV channel, to the Adani Group. In August this year, the Adani Group also put out an open offer for an additional 26% stake in NDTV, which will potentially give the industrial conglomerate a controlling interest in the media house.