Air India Express has launched daily non-stop flights between Bengaluru and Bangkok from Thursday. The service aims to offer convenient travel for people from Bengaluru and nearby areas, especially during the festive season. The flight will leave Bengaluru at 11 am IST and reach Bangkok at 4:45 pm. The return flight from Bangkok will take off at 5:45 pm IST and land in Bengaluru at 8:30 pm. To mark the launch, the airline announced special fares starting at ₹16,800 for a round trip. One-way tickets cost ₹9,000 from Bengaluru and ₹8,850 from Bangkok. Bookings are now open. (PC: Reuters)

India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has said the US is likely to withdraw the 25% penal tariffs imposed on Indian goods by November 30, 2025. Alongside, reciprocal tariffs levied by India are expected to drop from 25% to 10–15%. The rollback aims to ease the burden on Indian exporters in sectors like textiles, engineering goods, and food products, which faced duty costs as high as 50%. Recent talks between India’s Commerce Ministry and the US Trade Representative reflect positive momentum, though final confirmation is still awaited.

U.S. President Donald Trump has classified Afghanistan, India, China, and Pakistan among the world’s “major drug transit or major illicit drug-producing countries.” This designation stems from their roles in the cultivation, production, or transit of narcotics and precursor chemicals that feed the global drug trade. Although inclusion on this list doesn’t automatically reflect insufficient government efforts against drugs, it could impact international cooperation and funding. The move has drawn attention to regional drug-control policies and may intensify diplomatic pressure on the listed nations to improve monitoring, enforcement, and cross-border counter-narcotics collaboration. (PC: ETV)    

The European Commission has proposed a new strategic agenda to significantly elevate its bilateral relations with India. The strategy aims to intensify cooperation across trade, investment, green technologies, digital transformation and security. Key components include stronger alignment in supply chains, joint work on climate and clean energy, and increased people-to-people engagement. The agenda promises that both sides will benefit from greater economic growth and mutual stability. It also reflects the EU’s broader ambition to diversify its international relationships and reduce dependencies while consolidating its strategic autonomy. (PC: Bloomberg)

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday, praising his role in strengthening India-Russia ties. Both leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict, with Modi saying India is ready to contribute to peace efforts through dialogue and diplomacy. The call marked their third conversation since August. A day earlier, Modi had spoken with US President Donald Trump on Ukraine, supporting his peace initiatives. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also greeted Modi. India reiterated its commitment to deepening ties with Russia, the EU, and Italy while promoting peaceful solutions. (PC: X)

King Charles marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday by gifting him a Kadamb tree, inspired by Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. The gesture follows PM Modi’s earlier gift of a ‘Sonoma’ tree to the King during his July UK visit. The exchange highlights India-UK cooperation on climate and clean energy. Leaders worldwide, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, sent greetings. PM Modi expressed gratitude, saying the affection and blessings from people strengthen his resolve to work for a “Viksit Bharat.” Celebrations included BJP’s launch of ‘Seva Pakhwada’ events. (PC: X)

Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, a senior Jaish-e-Mohammed commander, has made a second admission linking Masood Azhar to major terror attacks in India. In a new video, he said Azhar planned the 2001 Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attack from his base in Balakot, Pakistan. He described Azhar as “Amir-ul-Mujahideen” who spread fear in Delhi and Mumbai. Kashmiri also revealed that recent Indian strikes in Bahawalpur killed Azhar’s family members. His confession strengthens India’s stand that Pakistan shelters terror groups. The video leaves Islamabad with little space to deny terror safe havens. (PC: India Today)

Ishikawa Yoshihisa, Japan’s Consul General in Kolkata, is preparing to celebrate his first Durga Puja in the city. Dressed in a dhoti-kurta, he recently visited Kumartuli to watch artisans shaping idols and expressed his joy at experiencing the festival. “I have read about Durga Puja, but the pandals and the cheer in the air must be felt in person,” he said. He plans to participate in a Pujo parikrama and visit both large and small pandals. Ishikawa also praised Kolkata’s warmth and history, stressinthe need for g stronger Japan-Kolkata ties through business, student exchange, and cultural collaboration. (PC: TOI)

A group of 56 Indians alleged mistreatment by Georgian officials at the Sadakhlo border while entering from Armenia. Dhruvee Patel, one of the travellers, shared on Instagram that the group had valid e-visas but was made to wait over 5 hours in freezing cold without food or toilets. She said passports were taken away for 2 hours and travellers were forced to sit on the footpath “like cattle.” Patel also claimed officials filmed them “like criminals” but stopped them from recording. Calling the treatment “shameful & unacceptable,” she urged India to take a strong stand. MEA has not yet responded. (PC: NDTV)

India joined the Zapad-2025 military drills in Russia and Belarus, sending 65 personnel. The exercises involved 100,000 troops, warships, nuclear-capable bombers, and artillery. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in military fatigues, personally supervised the drills at the Mulino Training Ground. Forces from Iran, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, and Mali also joined. For the first time, US military observers attended the drills, signaling a shift in ties with Belarus. India’s role drew attention because of rising trade tensions with Washington after 50% tariffs on Indian imports. New Delhi said its aim was to strengthen cooperation with Russia. (PC: India Today)