Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima on Saturday during his visit to the Netherlands. Talks are expected to focus on semiconductors, renewable energy, defence, technology and trade. Modi said the India-EU free trade agreement will help strengthen economic ties. He will also meet Dutch business leaders and interact with the Indian community. The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade partners and investors in Europe.

India’s first locally built Airbus C295 military transport aircraft is expected to roll out soon from Tata Advanced Systems Limited’s facility in Vadodara. The same aircraft model was recently used by the United States Air Force in a mission to rescue pilots from Iran. The aircraft is being produced under a ₹21,935 crore deal between Airbus and the Indian Air Force. India will receive 56 C295 aircraft, with 40 being manufactured in the country. The project marks a major step in India’s private defence manufacturing sector. (PC: Airbus, Indian Air Force)

State-run oil companies on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by ₹3 per litre across India. This is the first retail fuel price hike since 2022. In Delhi, petrol now costs ₹97.77 per litre and diesel ₹90.67. Compressed natural gas prices were also raised by ₹2 per kg in and around Delhi. The increase comes as the US-Iran conflict has pushed global crude oil prices above $108 per barrel. Oil companies are still facing heavy losses despite the hike. Opposition parties criticised the move, saying it will increase the burden on common people. (PC: ANI)

Iran and Oman are reportedly coordinating efforts to manage ship movements through the strategic Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the Gulf continue to disrupt global energy trade. Iranian officials are pushing for a new system requiring vessels to coordinate with Tehran and potentially pay transit-related fees, a move criticized by Western diplomats as unlawful under international maritime law. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of global oil shipments, making the situation critical for international markets. Several countries, including the UAE and China, are exploring alternative shipping arrangements while global powers urge de-escalation to avoid further economic and energy instability. (PC: Reuters)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Pune-based chemistry professor, identified as PV Kulkarni, in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal. Investigators allege that Kulkarni, who was associated with the examination process through the National Testing Agency (NTA), used insider access to leak question papers before the exam. The controversy has impacted nearly 23 lakh students across India and triggered nationwide outrage over exam security failures. The probe has expanded across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and other states, with multiple arrests already made. Following the scandal, the government cancelled the exam and announced a re-test on June 21, along with stricter security reforms. (PC: NDTV)

The Central government revised export duties on petroleum products effective May 16, increasing the levy on petrol exports to ₹3 per litre while reducing duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Diesel export duty was cut to ₹16.5 per litre and ATF levy to ₹16 per litre. The move aims to balance government revenue with domestic fuel availability amid volatile global crude oil prices and ongoing West Asia tensions. Officials clarified that excise duties on petrol and diesel sold within India remain unchanged, ensuring no immediate rise in retail fuel prices for consumers across the country. (PC: PTI)

The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati). In its 242-page judgment, the court relied on principles from the Supreme Court’s 2019 Ayodhya verdict, including evaluation of historical records, ASI surveys, and evidence of continuous worship. The bench quashed a 2003 ASI order allowing shared religious use and directed the state to consider separate land for a mosque for Muslims. The court also dismissed a Jain claim over the site, calling available archaeological evidence insufficient to prove it was originally a Jain temple. (PC: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly denied reports claiming the Central government was considering a new tax, cess, or surcharge on foreign travel. Responding to media speculation linked to rising crude oil prices and the ongoing West Asia crisis, Modi called the claims “totally false” and said there was “not an iota of truth” in them. He clarified that the government has no plans to restrict overseas travel and reaffirmed its commitment to improving “Ease of Doing Business” and “Ease of Living.” The reports had suggested a temporary levy was being discussed to manage fiscal pressure caused by global geopolitical tensions and higher import costs. (PC: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi during the first leg of his five-nation tour, securing a landmark defence framework, major energy agreements, and $5 billion in UAE investments into India. The UAE pledged investments through Emirates NBD, ADIA, and International Holding Company across banking, infrastructure, and finance sectors. India and the UAE also strengthened cooperation on strategic petroleum reserves, LPG supply, gas storage, defence technology, maritime security, cyber defence, AI supercomputing, and shipbuilding. Modi reaffirmed support for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it critical for regional stability, energy security, and global trade amid ongoing West Asia tensions. (PC: X)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Pakistan is currently helping facilitate communication between the United States and Iran amid escalating West Asia tensions, but suggested India could emerge as a stronger long-term mediator. Speaking in Delhi during the BRICS Summit, Lavrov said Pakistan was assisting in establishing dialogue channels between Washington and Tehran to address “urgent problems.” However, he noted that India’s extensive diplomatic experience makes it better suited for a sustained mediation role if both sides seek long-term engagement. Lavrov’s remarks come amid growing geopolitical uncertainty surrounding US-Iran relations, maritime security concerns, and wider regional instability across West Asia.