Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a two-day visit to India on Thursday, seeking to boost sales of Russian oil, missile systems, and fighter jets amid strained ties from U.S. pressure. Putin, accompanied by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and business leaders, aims to restore energy and defence partnerships with New Delhi. India's Russian crude imports are hitting a three-year low following tightened sanctions, though defence ties remain strong as India operates numerous Russian military systems. Putin's delegation includes CEOs from Sberbank, Rosoboronexport, Rosneft, and GazpromNeft. Discussions will cover advanced Su-57 fighters, additional S-400 systems, and civilian nuclear energy partnerships, despite concerns about potential reactions from U.S. President Donald Trump. (PC: Reuters)

India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to assist Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah's devastation. The National Disaster Response Force and Indian Air Force are conducting extensive rescue and relief operations across multiple regions. NDRF teams performed rescues in Kochikade, Puttalam, and Badulla, while IAF Mi-17 helicopters evacuated 34 citizens, including children, from Kotmale to Colombo and distributed medical aid and food supplies. INS Sukanya arrived in Trincomalee carrying relief materials. An IAF C-17 airlifted NDRF teams and equipment from Pune, delivering 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel, and 8 tonnes of equipment. The cyclone has claimed 334 lives, with 370 people still missing, according to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre.

The CID Intelligence Wing of Rajasthan Police arrested Prakash Singh alias Badal, a 34-year-old Punjab resident, for espionage activities on behalf of Pakistan's ISI. He was detained near a military installation in Sri Ganganagar district while conducting surveillance. According to officials, Badal had been sharing photographs and videos of Indian Army movements across Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat, including military bases, border infrastructure, and construction activities. He maintained contact with ISI handlers via WhatsApp using accounts created through stolen OTPs. In exchange for intelligence, he received substantial payments. Following his detention on November 27 and subsequent interrogation by multiple agencies, a case was registered under the Official Secrets Act on December 1. Investigations continue to uncover his network. (PC: India Today) 

Pakistan has rebuilt and reactivated 72 terror launch pads along the Jammu frontier seven months after India's Operation Sindoor extensively damaged terror infrastructure, the Border Security Force announced Saturday. BSF Deputy Inspector General Vikram Kunwar revealed that despite Pakistan's stated policy shift moving facilities to depth areas, twelve launch pads resurfaced near the International Border in Sialkot and Zafarwal, while sixty emerged across the Line of Control. Operation Sindoor, launched May 6-7 retaliating against April's Pahalgam attack killing 26, destroyed 118 Pakistani posts and surveillance systems across Hiranagar, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch. Pakistani Rangers have returned to abandoned posts while BSF deploys counter-drone systems, ground surveillance radars, and modern technology to monitor border activity and evolving threats. (PC: NDTV & TOI)

Rajasthan's CID Intelligence arrested Punjab resident Prakash Singh alias Badal for allegedly spying for Pakistan's ISI under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. The 34-year-old Ferozepur man was detained near Ganganagar's Sadulwali military station after surveillance revealed his contact with Pakistani intelligence through social media since May. Officials allege Badal collected classified information about Indian Army vehicles, military installations, border geography, railways, bridges, and construction projects across Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat. He reportedly helped Pakistani handlers create Indian WhatsApp accounts by obtaining OTPs from Indian mobile numbers, receiving payment for espionage activities. Technical analysis confirmed allegations after interrogation at Jaipur's central facility. This marks another espionage arrest following similar cases in Rajasthan and Haryana. (PC: India Filings)

Elon Musk said his partner, Shivon Zilis, is half-Indian and was given up for adoption as a baby. Speaking on Nikhil Kamath's podcast, Musk revealed that one of their sons has the middle name “Sekhar,” after Indian-American physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. Zilis grew up in Canada and now works at Musk’s AI company, Neuralink, as Director of Operations and Special Projects. She has a degree in Economics and Philosophy from Yale. The couple has four children: twins Strider and Azure, daughter Arcadia, and son Seldon Lycurgus. Musk praised Indian talent in the US amid rising visa restrictions. (PC: NDTV)

India is set to propose a fresh defence procurement engagement with Russia during Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit, according to a Bloomberg News report. The discussions are expected to centre on the acquisition of Russian Su‑57 stealth fighter jets and the advanced S‑500 missile defence system, under the framework of the nations’ Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. The deal is still subject to verification and official confirmation. (PC: Reuters)

Elon Musk said Starlink is ready to launch in India and will help improve internet services in rural areas. Speaking on a podcast with Nikhil Kamath, he said Starlink uses thousands of low-orbit satellites to give fast and reliable internet. These satellites can connect with each other through laser links, even if ground cables are damaged. Musk said Starlink is useful during disasters because it keeps working when local networks fail. He added that the service is best for remote areas where fibre cables are hard to install. In big cities, Starlink will support only small pockets without good internet.

Elon Musk said that the United States has gained a lot from talented Indians, during his talk on Nikhil Kamath’s “WTF is” podcast. He explained that America needs skilled people and that good talent is always in short supply. Musk also spoke about border control and said that weak rules under the Biden government led to illegal immigration. He added that the H-1B visa programme has been misused by some companies but should not be shut down. Musk said US tech firms depend on skilled workers from countries like India and China, and limiting visas could hurt America. 

The UK and India concluded the eighth edition of the biennial army exercise, Ajeya Warrior, in Rajasthan on November 30. British A Company 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles and India’s 21st Sikh Regiment trained together from November 17, focusing on peace enforcement and counter-terrorism operations in urban and semi-urban areas. Soldiers shared tactics on IEDs, drones, urban drills, and weapons. The exercise ended with a battle group-level final exercise under integrated command. Both armies also took part in fitness, sports, and cultural activities. Officials said the exercise strengthened interoperability, mutual respect, and UK-India defence ties. (PC: X)