India has rejected Bangladesh’s allegation that the banned Awami League has opened offices in New Delhi and Kolkata. The caretaker government in Dhaka, led by Muhammad Yunus, warned such activity could harm ties. It also accused ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and party leaders in India of planning events against Bangladesh’s interests. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was “not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities” and added, “The press statement by the interim government of Bangladesh is thus misplaced.” Ties remain tense as Bangladesh seeks Hasina’s extradition and India calls for free and fair elections. (PC: PTI)

Russia reaffirmed its commitment to continue supplying oil to India at a 5%–7% discount, declaring the arrangement “very profitable” and highlighting a “very, very special mechanism” designed to bypass U.S. pressure . The discounted oil—now accounting for around 35% of India’s imports—offers New Delhi economic relief and supports domestic fuel affordability . Meanwhile, despite U.S. tariffs targeting India’s exports over its reliance on Russian energy, Indian refiners including Indian Oil Corp and BPCL are resuming purchases amid widening discounts of about $3 per barrel. (PC: NDTV)

India and China are preparing to resume direct flights, suspended since early 2020 due to COVID-19 and border tensions. The decision followed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi. Both sides agreed to update the Air Services Agreement and ease visas for tourists, businesses and media. Airlines like IndiGo and Air India are ready to restart services, while Chinese carriers also plan to return. Lack of direct flights has caused high fares and long travel times. The move is expected to boost travel and trade between the two countries. (PC: X)

Russia on Wednesday strongly defended India after US President Donald Trump announced fresh tariffs and sanctions targeting New Delhi’s purchase of discounted Russian oil.  Russian Embassy official Roman Babushkin in New Delhi said such “unjustified and unilateral” steps would not deter Moscow-India ties. “India matters very much for Russia,” the official declared, stressing cooperation in defense, energy, and trade. Moscow also pointed to joint projects in nuclear energy and space as evidence of deepening trust. The remarks come as India faces Western criticism but continues balancing strategic relations with both Russia and the US. (PC: India Today)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NSA Ajit Doval, and EAM S. Jaishankar in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral ties. Both nations stressed that peace along the LAC is essential for stability and growth. Key takeaways include resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra from 2026, enhanced border trade, hydrological data sharing, and greater military-level dialogue. India also accepted President Xi Jinping’s invite to attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin (Aug 31–Sept 1, 2025). Both sides pledged to back each other’s upcoming BRICS summits, signaling cautious but constructive engagement. (PC: X)  

Pakistani school textbooks systematically depict Hindus—and by extension India—as oppressors and untrustworthy, reinforcing religious and societal division. Texts from early grades make explicit claims, such as “Honesty for non-Muslims is merely a business strategy,” while praising Islamic ideology and promoting jihad, often ignoring co-existence or multicultural history . This ideological framing dates back to General Zia-ul-Haq’s 1979 Islamisation policy, which drastically reshaped curricula toward religious indoctrination . Observers and reports note that this narrative fosters historical bias, anti-Hindu prejudice, and a siege mentality, prompting calls for educational reform. (PC: AFP)

Russia has strongly backed India after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs to 50% on Indian goods over Russian oil imports. Roman Babushkin, a senior Russian diplomat in New Delhi, called the US pressure “unjustified and unilateral.” He said India is a trusted friend and Russia will never impose sanctions, unlike the West, which has “weaponised the economy.” Babushkin added that if Indian exports face problems in the US, Russia will welcome them. He praised recent phone calls between PM Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin and confirmed Putin will visit India later this year. (PC: HT)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in New Delhi on August 19, 2025, marking a positive diplomatic turn following years of border tensions since the 2020 Ladakh clash. They emphasized mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and set the foundation for renewed engagement, including resuming direct flights, issuing journalist visas, and promoting business and cultural exchanges. Concurrent border talks involving NSA Ajit Doval focused on de-escalation, boundary delimitation, and confidence-building measures. Additionally, China agreed to address India’s critical supply needs, including rare earths and tunnel-boring machinery. (PC: AP)

In an effort to pressure Russia amid the Ukraine war, President Donald Trump has raised U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 50% by imposing an additional 25% levy on top of an existing 25%, according to the White House press secretary . The administration frames this move as "secondary pressure" on Moscow due to India's significant purchases of Russian oil . India strongly condemned the decision as unfair and selective, pointing out that other countries buying Russian oil are not similarly penalized . Prime Minister Modi responded defiantly, pledging to bear “a very heavy price” rather than cede ground on national interests. (PC: AP)

A harrowing video has emerged of a hate crime that took place on August 15, 2025, outside Wolverhampton railway station, where two Sikh men were brutally attacked by three teenagers. The footage shows the victims lying on the ground while one attacker kicks them repeatedly; in the turmoil, their turbans were forcibly removed . The individuals were arrested at the scene and later released on bail . The incident has drawn widespread condemnation—from British Transport Police, local officials, and Sikh leaders—highlighting ongoing concerns over racial and religious intolerance.