External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking to Newsweek in New York on July 1, directly refuted former US President Donald Trump’s claim that trade leverage forced India and Pakistan into a ceasefire after April’s Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. Jaishankar, who was present during Prime Minister Modi’s May 9 call with US Vice‑President J.D. Vance, confirmed Pakistan launched a large assault that night prompting an immediate Indian response before US Secretary Rubio relayed Pakistan’s readiness to talk the next morning. A military‑to‑military call between the DGMOs of both nations then formalised the ceasefire. Trade and halt in hostilities, Jaishankar emphasised, evolved independently. (PC: Sputnik India)

Qari Abdul Rauf, a convicted leader of the Rochdale grooming gang has been spotted building a house in Charhoi, Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir, even as he remains free and working in Rochdale, UK. Rauf, found guilty in 2012 of trafficking and sexually abusing at least 47 underaged girls, served just 2½ years of a six‑year sentence. He claims statelessness to block deportation, while Pakistan refuses to accept him without travel documents. His UK neighbours fear for their children’s safety. Despite losing appeals in 2020 and 2022, Rauf lives off taxpayer-supported legal aid and delivers food locally. Critics warn his continued presence highlights systemic failures addressing grooming gangs. (PC: The Times)

At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described India as a “very strategic ally” in the Indo‑Pacific, praising President Trump’s “very good” rapport with PM Modi. She confirmed that a comprehensive India‑US trade deal is in its final stage, with announcements expected “very soon.” Talks coincide with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s attendance at the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The proposed agreement may eliminate reciprocal tariffs set to begin July 9, opening wider market access. Trump has accepted Modi’s invitation to the next QUAD summit in New Delhi, reinforcing deepening strategic and economic cooperation.(PC: Instagram)

China has said the border dispute with India is “complicated” and will take time to resolve. However, it is ready to discuss border marking and peace at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The statement follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Qingdao on June 26. Singh called for a roadmap and steps to lower tensions. China’s Foreign Ministry said both countries have held 23 rounds of talks and set up systems for communication. It added that China wants to keep talking and maintain peace in border areas through dialogue and cooperation. (PC: India Today)

Brazil has expressed interest in India’s Akash air defence system following its successful deployment during Operation Sindoor. Ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Brazil for the BRICS Summit from July 5–8, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed discussions on defence cooperation, including Akash, Garuda artillery guns, and Scorpene-class submarine maintenance. Operation Sindoor saw India repel aerial attacks from Pakistan using Akash and other systems. India’s swift response with indigenous defence platforms reportedly impressed Brazil. The visit is part of Modi’s five-nation tour, covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, focusing on bolstering strategic and defence partnerships. (PC: News18)

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has once again dog-whistled support for extremism, calling terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir a “legitimate struggle.” Speaking at a naval event in Karachi, Munir claimed Pakistan would always back Kashmiris' “right to self-determination” and warned India of a “befitting response” to any future attacks. He also called Pakistan a “net regional stabiliser” and cited past conflicts like Balakot and Operation Sindoor. Munir accused India of suppressing the Kashmiri movement and vowed to continue efforts against terrorism, while India maintains that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of the country. (PC: India Today)

India carried out precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during Operation Sindoor on May 7. Satellite images show major damage to two camps—Syedna Bilal in Muzaffarabad and Gulpur camp in Kotli. Both camps trained terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Drones were likely used for the attack. One building was split in half, and no harm was done to nearby areas. The strikes followed a terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Army sources say over 100 terrorists were killed. Experts say these strikes will hurt terror planning and morale in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6–7, during a five‑nation tour (July 2–9) through Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. At BRICS, where Brazil holds the rotating presidency, India will champion Global South priorities financial inclusion, climate action, AI governance, health access, combating terrorism and reforming global governance. Modi is also set for bilateral talks with Brazilian President Lula, aiming to expand cooperation in trade, defence, energy, space, agriculture and health. His visit follows a recent BRICS expansion that now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE and Indonesia. (PC: Manorama Yearbook & PTI)

Pakistan and China, with Bangladesh's participation, held a trilateral meeting in Kunming on June 19 to explore forming a new regional bloc aimed at supplanting the moribund SAARC. Diplomatic sources say the initiative is at an “advanced level,” with plans to invite other South Asian nations including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan though India’s involvement seems unlikely. Bangladesh’s government stressed it was merely an “official‑level” meeting, not a political alliance . The move comes amid SAARC’s dormancy since 2016, following India’s boycott after terrorist attacks, and signals China’s growing footprint in regional multilateralism.(PC: Mint, India Today, Reuters & AP)

An Indian contractor in the US shared on Reddit that a 55‑year‑old American colleague bluntly asked him to “stop speaking in meetings” because he couldn’t understand his accent. The 32‑year‑old, the only Indian on his team, was merely requesting an update and attached visuals. He said he “felt dismissed and insulted,” adding he has always communicated clearly and professionally, and had been with the client for over a year. After the incident, his manager advised communication with that colleague to go through him. Reddit users condemned the act as rude and bullying, recommending HR intervention and caption tools on platforms like Zoom or Teams. (PC: Unsplash)