world

Dhaka: The India-Bangladesh bus service has resumed after nearly 18 months, marking a significant step in strengthening cross-border connectivity between the two nations. The Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata and Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala routes of the International Maitree Bus Service are now operational again. On the first day, the bus departed from Kolkata, passed through Dhaka, and reached the Akhura Integrated Check Post in Agartala. This resumption reflects the strengthening ties between India and Bangladesh following Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s tenure. Just last week, both countries reinstated visa services, further easing cross-border travel. Boost to Tourism, Trade, and Culture Speaking to the media, Tourism Minister Sushant Chaudhary emphasized the importance of enhanced regional co...

Islamabad/Mogadishu: Somalia is in talks with Pakistan to acquire 24 JF-17 fighter jets, marking the East African nation’s largest defense investment in decades. The deal, estimated at $900 million, comes as Somalia faces heightened regional tensions following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland in December 2025. Strengthening Somalia’s Air Force The JF-17 jets, co-developed by China and Pakistan, are sought by Somalia to modernize its air capabilities and strengthen defenses against insurgent threats, particularly from the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. Al-Shabaab, linked to Al-Qaeda, controls large rural areas in southern and central Somalia and frequently targets Mogadishu and surrounding urban centers. A Somali defense official confirmed the ongoing talks, emphasizing that the pur...

Islamabad: A new video released by Pakistani terrorist Saifullah Kasuri, the alleged mastermind behind the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, reveals plans for a maritime assault on India, reminiscent of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Kasuri, a high-ranking operative of the notorious Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and one of its most wanted terrorists, has vowed to carry out an attack by sea in 2026. Threat from the Sea Citing CNN-News18, Kasuri claims that Pakistan, after asserting dominance in the air in 2025, now plans to extend its control to the sea. He states that no “enemy” will find a safe space on land, air, or water, describing the planned operation as “Allah’s will.” In the video, he swears an oath that Pakistan will soon assert control across all strategic domains. Security s...

Doha/Islamabad: Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated sharply after a Pakistani airstrike inside Afghan territory, killing 17 members of a single family and drawing widespread international condemnation. With the Taliban reportedly preparing a counterattack, Pakistan has rushed Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to Qatar to seek diplomatic support and avert further escalation. Failed Airstrike Sparks Alarm Intelligence sources indicate that the Pakistani airstrike failed to neutralize any high-ranking Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders. As a result, the Pakistani military is reportedly on high alert along the Durand Line, anticipating retaliatory operations by Taliban forces. The strike has left Pakistan anxious, prompting Shahbaz Sharif’s sudden diplomatic t...

Kathmandu/Siliguri: In a major development ahead of Nepal’s national elections on March 5, Balen Shah, a key contender for the Prime Ministership, has effectively sidelined China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project from his election manifesto. The move has significant strategic implications for India, as the project lies near the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country. China’s BRI Project Under Fire The Nepal-China Friendship Industrial Park in Jhapa-5, envisioned as a multi-billion-dollar symbol of Nepal-China friendship, was initiated in February 2021 by former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli as part of China’s BRI program. Balen Shah’s decision to exclude it from his manifesto dir...

Malé/New Delhi: In a surprising geopolitical move, the Maldives has laid claim to the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, challenging Mauritius’ sovereignty over the disputed territory. This development comes as President Mohammed Muizzu reverses previous policies and asserts Maldives’ rights over overlapping maritime zones within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Background: A Disputed Strategic Territory The Chagos archipelago, including the strategically significant Diego Garcia, was separated from Mauritius by the UK in 1965. The largest island hosts a joint US-UK military base. Mauritius has maintained sovereignty over the islands, supported by the 2016 ruling of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). In 1992, the Maldives and the UK held discussions to d...

Tel Aviv/New Delhi: Israel has offered India the technology behind its highly successful Iron Dome air defense system, raising the prospect of a major defense upgrade during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel. The two countries are expected to finalize multi-billion-dollar defense deals covering missiles, AI technology, drones, and air defense systems. Iron Dome: Proven Shield Against Rockets and Missiles The Iron Dome has been a critical defense asset for Israel in conflicts against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and Houthi forces in Yemen. The system intercepts rockets, missiles, and drones with a claimed 90% success rate. It uses radar to detect incoming threats and deploys Tamir interceptor missiles only against targets threatening populated areas. The system has su...

Dhaka: Bangladesh is actively seeking to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), even as India maintains a hands-off approach. The move comes as Pakistan and Bangladesh attempt to inject new life into the organization, which has been largely dormant since 2016. Bangladesh Reaffirms Commitment to SAARC Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaid Islam, recently met SAARC Secretary General Mohammad Gulam Sarwar to discuss ways to advance regional cooperation. A statement from Dhaka emphasized Bangladesh’s “strong support for SAARC processes and commitment to working with member states to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in South Asia.” Islam highlighted Bangladesh’s historical role in promoting regional collaboration, citing late...

Tel Aviv: Tensions are brewing in Israel’s Knesset ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled address. Opposition parties have announced they will boycott Modi’s speech, creating an awkward situation for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The Controversy The dispute began when Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana decided not to invite the Supreme Court President to a special parliamentary session. Opposition leaders argued that the Netanyahu government was sidelining the judiciary, making it impossible for them to participate in Modi’s address under these circumstances. The potential boycott has put Modi’s visit in a delicate position. Having half of the Israeli Parliament empty during a speech by a close ally could send the wrong message. Israeli broadcaster KAN ...

Ottawa/New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India this week, beginning a diplomatic tour that will also take him to Japan and Australia. Notably, all three countries are core members of the Quad, alongside the United States. Observers suggest that Carney’s itinerary may send a subtle, yet pointed, message to Washington, highlighting Canada’s evolving Indo-Pacific strategy. Strategic Messaging in the Indo-Pacific Carney arrives in Mumbai on Thursday, kicking off a carefully choreographed tour that could be interpreted as a “Quad Minus One” initiative. By engaging India, Japan, and Australia—while bypassing the U.S.—Canada appears to be signaling its intent to strengthen high-level partnerships in defense, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals, withou...