An all-party Indian delegation, led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, faced a brief delay at Moscow airport due to a Ukrainian drone attack intercepted by Russian defenses. The delegation, comprising MPs from BJP, AAP, RJD, Samajwadi Party, and former diplomats, is on a mission to convey India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism following Operation Sindoor—a retaliatory strike against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack. Their itinerary includes visits to Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain to present a united national front against terrorism. Russia's defense ministry reported intercepting 112 Ukrainian drones, including 24 targeting Moscow, leading to over three hours of flight disruptions, affecting the delegation's schedule. (PC: The Times Of India & NDTV)

India abstained from the IMF's $2.1 billion bailout to Pakistan, citing concerns over fund misuse for terrorism and Pakistan's poor track record with IMF programs. India highlighted Pakistan's high debt burden and the military's significant role in its economy. Despite these concerns, the IMF defended the bailout, stating Pakistan met all required targets and imposed 11 new conditions, including budget approvals and financial strategies. The IMF acknowledged the India-Pakistan conflict and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution. (PC: The New Indian Express & India Today)

In a candid interview with a Dutch media outlet, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar asserted that Pakistan's army is deeply entrenched in terrorism, urging the global community to cease overlooking this reality. He highlighted that the most notorious terrorists on the UN sanctions list reside openly in Pakistan, with their locations and activities well-known. Jaishankar emphasized that terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstance and criticized the recent attacks targeting Jammu and Kashmir's tourism industry, noting the deliberate religious undertones. He reaffirmed India's stance that Jammu and Kashmir's accession in 1947 is a settled historical fact and dismissed any international mediation, stating that the issue is strictly bilateral. (PC: Sputnik India)

On May 22, 2025, an IndiGo flight 6E 2142 from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm, leading the pilot to request temporary access to Pakistani airspace from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to avoid severe turbulence. Lahore ATC denied the request, compelling the pilot to remain within Indian airspace and declare an emergency with Srinagar ATC. The aircraft sustained significant nose damage but landed safely in Srinagar with around 220 passengers unharmed. Notably, a Trinamool Congress delegation was aboard. This incident underscores the operational challenges and geopolitical sensitivities affecting cross-border airspace usage, especially during emergencies. (PC: News18)

In a sharp critique during an interview with Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar accused Pakistan of allowing UN-designated terrorists to operate openly in its major cities with the support of state and military institutions. He dismissed claims that Pakistan is unaware of their whereabouts, emphasizing that the presence and activities of these individuals are internationally recognized. Jaishankar warned that any future terrorist attack originating from Pakistani soil would have consequences. He also praised India's Operation Sindoor as a strong and necessary step in the fight against terrorism. (PC: Hindustan Times)  

In a key diplomatic outreach, India’s Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, reaffirmed India’s uncompromising stance on terrorism, declaring “zero tolerance” as the global standard. This declaration came during the visit of a multi-party Indian delegation to Tokyo, which included TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee. The visit aimed to galvanize international backing against cross-border terrorism, particularly after the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22. Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya expressed strong support for India’s anti-terror position. The delegation also held strategic dialogues with Japanese think tanks and former PM Yoshihide Suga to reinforce India's global anti-terror narrative. (PC: ANI)  

In response to Pakistan's military shortcomings exposed during India's Operation Sindoor, China and Pakistan held a key meeting on May 16, 2025. The focus was on enhancing Pakistan's access to China's BeiDou satellite navigation system and integrating advanced 5G communication technologies. Although BeiDou support was already available during the operation, Indian forces effectively disabled Pakistan's Chinese-built air defense with BrahMos missiles and S-400 systems. The meeting reflects China’s push to reinforce Pakistan’s defense capabilities amid growing regional tension and highlights deeper strategic ties between the two nations in the face of Indian military advancements. (PC: India Today)  

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar carrying over 220 passengers, including five TMC MPs, encountered severe mid-air turbulence near Amritsar. The pilot sought emergency clearance from Pakistani airspace to avoid a hailstorm, but the request was denied by Lahore ATC. The aircraft pressed on and flew through the storm, suffering nose damage but landing safely in Srinagar. Videos from the flight showed a panicked cabin as passengers prayed and cried during the ordeal. The DGCA is investigating the incident amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions following Operation Sindoor, which has led to reciprocal airspace restrictions between the two nations. (PC: News18)

India has urged Turkey to act with greater sensitivity following its support for Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. “Relations are built on sensitivities to each other’s concerns,” said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing. He called on Turkey to press Pakistan to dismantle its terror infrastructure and end cross-border terrorism. India accused Turkey of supplying armed drones used in attacks on Indian civilians and soldiers. In response, India revoked security clearance for Turkish firm Celebi Aviation and top IITs suspended academic ties with Turkish institutions, citing national security and concerns over Ankara’s growing alignment with Islamabad. (PC: India Today)

On May 22, 2025, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, reversed its support for a proposed humanitarian corridor through Myanmar’s Rakhine State after Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman called it a threat to national sovereignty. The corridor, initially backed by Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, aimed to deliver aid to conflict-hit areas. However, it drew criticism for potentially serving foreign strategic interests. National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman clarified that no such plan would proceed. General Zaman also urged elections by December 2025 and warned against civilian interference in military affairs, highlighting rising political-military tensions. (PC: AFP)