Nation

New Delhi: The Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal are gearing up for a major naval spectacle as warships from the U.S., Russia, Japan, and Australia set sail towards India. The Indian Navy is preparing for MILAN-26, a high-profile international naval exercise scheduled along the Visakhapatnam coast, Andhra Pradesh, from February 15 to 25, 2026. MILAN-26: A Strategic Showcase MILAN-26 is part of India’s broader MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—which aims to establish India as a leading maritime power while ensuring regional security, trust, and collective protection of maritime interests. Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, briefed President Droupadi Murmu in Delhi about pr...

New Delhi: The U.S. Embassy in India has issued a strong warning to Indians, particularly students and professionals, regarding U.S. visa regulations. Authorities have cautioned that violating immigration laws, whether knowingly or unknowingly, could have severe consequences, including permanent denial of entry into the United States. What the Embassy Said The U.S. Embassy emphasized that a visa is a privilege, not a right. Any breach of U.S. laws or visa conditions could result in: Permanent denial of re-entry into the U.S. Revocation of the existing U.S. visa. Deportation from the U.S. Ineligibility for future U.S. visas. Potential criminal prosecution under U.S. law. This warning was shared via the Embassy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting t...

New Delhi: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro felt a sense of familiarity during his visit to Delhi, especially when passing through Simón Bolívar Marg in Chanakyapuri. Bolívar, known as El Libertador, led several Latin American countries to independence from Spanish colonial rule. Delhi also honors other Latin American leaders, including Benito Juárez and José de San Martín, with streets named after them. Maduro’s Previous Visits to India President Maduro has visited India multiple times. He first came in 2005 in a private capacity, returned as Venezuela’s Foreign Minister in 2012, and then as President in 2015. On this visit, the Venezuelan leader once again traversed familiar parts of Delhi, from Indira Gandhi International Airport to his hotel, taking particular note of Simón Bo...

New Delhi: India has always prioritized maintaining strong ties with its neighbouring countries under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. However, questions are now being raised about Pakistan’s place in this framework. India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has addressed this issue during his visit to Luxembourg, revealing a stark reality about India-Pakistan relations. Speaking on India’s engagement with its neighbours, Jaishankar highlighted that India consistently supports neighbouring nations during challenging times. He cited examples of friendly countries such as Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, while indicating that Pakistan remains an exception due to its policies. During his remarks, Jaishankar referred to India’s timely assistance during natural disasters like cyclones ...

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for heavy rainfall in three southern states while a severe cold wave grips 29 cities in northern India on January 8, 2026. Citizens have been advised to exercise caution, particularly in northern plains and hilly regions, as extremely low temperatures and dense fog are expected. Heavy Rainfall in Southern States IMD has forecast intense rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, and fishermen have been instructed to stay away from the coast. Winds in these areas may reach 30–40 km/h, adding to the hazardous conditions. Severe Cold Wave in Northern India Northern India is experiencing one of the harshest cold waves in recent years, affect...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India’s “Reform Express” is gaining momentum, with the country poised for robust economic growth. Official estimates indicate that India’s real GDP is expected to grow by 7.4% in FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% in FY 2024-25. According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), GDP growth at constant prices for FY 2025-26 is projected at 8.0%. PM Modi attributed this performance to the NDA government’s broad investment incentives and demand-driven policies, which are driving sustained growth across sectors. Sectoral Performance Driving Growth The Prime Minister emphasized, “Whether it is infrastructure, manufacturing incentives, digital public services, or ease of doing business, we are working to realise our vision of a prosp...

New Delhi: In a major leap towards modern warfare, the Indian Army has begun raising 15–20 ‘Shaktibaan’ regiments, equipped with swarm drones, loitering munitions, and long-range unmanned aerial systems capable of striking enemy targets from 5 to 500 kilometres away. According to defence officials cited by ANI, these Shaktibaan regiments will be part of the Regiment of Artillery and are aimed at bridging a critical capability gap in long-range precision strikes. Initial units have already become operational. Part of Major Force Restructuring Plan The creation of Shaktibaan regiments is a key element of the large-scale force restructuring envisioned by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, designed to prepare the Army for the challenges of modern, technology-driven warfare. With t...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified that there is no bar on the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from constituting a committee to investigate allegations of corruption against Justice Yashwant Verma of the Allahabad High Court. The issue arose after the Rajya Sabha recently rejected a notice regarding the proposal to initiate such an inquiry. A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma expressed disagreement with senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Justice Verma, who contended that following the resignation of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Deputy Chairman had no authority to reject the notice for initiating a motion to remove the judge. Supreme Court Flags ‘Procedural Gaps’ While delivering oral observations, th...

New Delhi: The delivery of Apache attack helicopters to India has once again come under the spotlight following recent remarks by former US President Donald Trump. While India has finally received all its Apache helicopters by December 2025, defence experts believe geopolitical factors—particularly Pakistan’s role—may have contributed to the delays. Trump recently claimed that India had ordered 68 Apache helicopters from the United States and that delivery delays had prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise concerns directly with him. However, this claim is factually incorrect. India ordered a total of 28 Apache helicopters, all of which have now been delivered. Why Apache Helicopters Are Crucial for India The renewed debate has brought attention to why Apache helicopters ar...