The Ministry of External Affairs responded to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's handwritten note to Umar Khalid, stating "expressing personal prejudices do not behove those in office." MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said public representatives should respect judiciary independence in other democracies rather than making such comments. Mamdani's note, shared by Khalid's partner Banojyotsna Lahiri, expressed solidarity after the Supreme Court denied bail to Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The court found both had "central," "formative," and "strategic" roles in the alleged conspiracy, placing them on a "qualitatively different footing" from five co-accused who were granted bail, including Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider.

In his recent interview with Guido Fawkes, Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami has outlined India’s Operation Sindoor doctrine as “zero tolerance for terror, rapid move to de‑escalation.” He alleges Pakistan’s state and military sustain proxy conflict by arming radicalised non‑state actors for attacks India cannot accept. Following a brutal attack on tourists, India struck only terrorist infrastructure on the first evening, opened the hotline immediately and formally ruled out Pakistani military targets, setting a ceiling on escalation. After Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, India replied with “greater capacity and greater accuracy” before agreeing to a ceasefire. Doraiswami says dialogue is impossible while cross‑border terror continues, framing India’s stance as surgically focused on terror networks while keeping channels to Pakistan’s military open.  

India highlighted a "disturbing pattern" of recurring attacks on Bangladeshi minorities, demanding swift and firm action against communal incidents. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized attributing attacks to personal rivalries or political differences, stating such disregard emboldens perpetrators and deepens minority insecurity. UK MP Priti Patel wrote to British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, expressing alarm over at least six Hindus killed within 18 days. She urged the UK to use its influence for Bangladesh stability and religious freedom protection. Recent violence includes the lynching of factory worker Dipu Chandra Das, murders of grocery shop owner Sarat Chakraborty Mani and journalist Rana Pratap, and Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das being stabbed and burned by a mob in Shariatpur district.

While being questioned lately by London journalist Ross Kempsell, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami portrayed Prime Minister Modi's view of Britain as warmly pragmatic, calling the UK a "partner of choice" across trade, investment, technology, education, and politics. As proof, Doraiswami cited Modi's July visit, when he added a 21-hour detour to squeeze in a London stop purely to advance the FTA. Modi has set "practical achievable targets" for the relationship and candidly told successive British leaders India is ready to do more. The past year is described as a "banner year" for bilateral ties, with the challenge now sustaining momentum beyond the trade-deal moment. Modi's travel sacrifice demonstrates Britain's strategic importance to India's global partnerships. (PC: X)

During a recent interview in London, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami offered a nuanced London safety assessment, conceding that statistically and anecdotally, petty theft of phones and expensive watches is more common in London than Delhi or Mumbai, mentioning his own stolen phones. However, he distinguished sharply between property crime and violent crime. On serious personal safety, Doraiswami argued London compares favorably with major global cities, young people routinely take the Tube at midnight, walk home, and feel secure. He made it clear that he isn't ignoring the pain of individual victims, but he argues that London is still safer than many other places for violent crime. At the same time, high costs and petty crimes are hurting the city's reputation with visitors. Although the diplomat praised London's overall security despite property crime challenges. (PC: Youtube/@guidofawkes8394)  

Bangladesh’s interim government announced the temporary suspension of visa services at key diplomatic missions in India, including New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala, citing security concerns as the primary reason. The move affects standard consular operations, though work and business visas remain exempt. Dhaka is also urging the United States to reverse a newly imposed visa bond requirement, a policy Bangladesh calls “unfortunate and painful” and says affects multiple countries. The tensions follow ongoing diplomatic strain between Bangladesh and India, partly tied to earlier visa restrictions and broader regional political sensitivities. (PC: The Hindu)

India has raised serious concerns over what it calls “recurring attacks on minorities” in Bangladesh, following a series of violent incidents targeting the Hindu community and other religious minorities. The Ministry of External Affairs said extremists have repeatedly assaulted minorities, their homes and businesses, creating fear and insecurity. New Delhi urged Dhaka to address these communal attacks firmly and criticised attempts to dismiss them as mere personal or political disputes. The government’s remarks come amid a wider pattern of reported violence, including murders, mob attacks and property damage, which have drawn international attention and diplomatic unease. 

A potential India–United States bilateral trade agreement could not be finalised largely because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a direct call to then-US President Donald Trump at a critical stage of negotiations, according to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Lutnick said the deal was “set up” but required leader-level engagement to close, and India’s hesitation meant the window passed while the US concluded agreements with other countries. By the time India returned to pursue the pact, Washington had moved on to other partners and harsher terms, including higher tariff rates. The talks have yet to produce a formal agreement. 

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a planned trade deal with India failed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call President Donald Trump within a set timeline. Speaking on the All-In Podcast, Lutnick said the deal was ready but needed a direct call from Modi to close it. He said India was given a window of “three Fridays” to act. When the call did not come, the US moved on to deals with countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Lutnick added that Washington has stepped back from the earlier terms. He said India could still return to talks in the future. (PC: India Today)

India and **Iran are set to inaugurate a diplomatic calendar of events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations, marking the milestone of formal ties established in 1950. The initiative will feature high-level engagements, cultural exchanges and strategic dialogues aimed at strengthening cooperation across trade, energy, connectivity and cultural ties as both nations emphasize their millennia-old historical and civilizational linkages. Iranian and Indian officials have reaffirmed their mutual commitment to expanding collaboration and deepening partnership based on shared heritage and interests. (PC: AP)