Trump says 'very good meeting' expected with Xi ahead of high-stakes talks

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said he expects a "very good meeting" with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of planned talks this week, signaling optimism as the two leaders prepare for a high-stakes discussion. "We're going to have a very good meeting... we both look forward to meeting. It's going to be great," Trump said....more

Modi Visit To Netherlands From May 15 To Expand Multifaceted Partnership

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a three-dan official visit to the Netherlands from May 15. The visit is at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Netherlands Rob Jetten. This will be Prime Minister’s second visit to the Netherlands after his previous visit in 2017, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. During the visit, Prime Minister will call on their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten....more

India Needs a National Maritime Commission to Safeguard Strategic and Economic Interests: Experts

By Rear Admiral Dhiren Vig (Retd)

NEW DELHI: The growing instability in West Asia and the increasing weaponisation of maritime choke points have renewed calls for India to establish a National Maritime Commission (NMC) to strengthen maritime security, streamline governance and accelerate the country’s blue economy ambitions. Strategic analysts and maritime experts argue that recent geopolitical developments, including disruptions to oil and gas supply routes in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), have exposed vulnerabilities in India’s maritime preparedness and highlighted the urgent need for an apex-level maritime body....more

America at 250: Advancing Freedom Worldwide Still Matters

By Daniel Twining

WASHINGTON: America was built on a radical premise: that individual liberty is an unalienable, inherent right worth fighting for in the face of tyranny. Revolutionary at the time of our founding, this idea remains the bedrock of American democracy and strength. As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, we should acknowledge the endurance of these ideals and their relevance today....more

India ready to counter any cross-border misadventure: Navy chief designate

MUMBAI: Indian Navy chief designate Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has said the country has been a victim of terrorism for several years, and asserted that it remains prepared to counter and quell any "misadventure" from across the border. Operation Sindoor was targeted specifically at terrorists and terrorist camps that participated in a very dastardly incident in Pahalgam in 2025, said Swaminathan....more

UNGA President Annalena Baerbock Calls for Renewed Commitment to Multilateralism During Visit to India

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI: The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, today called for strengthened global cooperation and renewed commitment to the United Nations Charter amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing pressure on the international system. Speaking at a press briefing at UN House here, the President cautioned that multilateralism and international law are facing serious challenges....more

Lexus New Delhi Brings Japan to the Capital with ‘Whispers of Japan’ Evening

NEW DELHI: An evening of culture, cuisine and luxury came alive in the heart of the capital as Lexus New Delhi hosted “Whispers of Japan” recently, offering its customers an immersive experience inspired by the rich traditions of Japan. Around 75 Lexus guests gathered at the Janpath showroom for the exclusive event, which celebrated the spirit of Japanese hospitality and craftsmanship that defines Lexus....more

'Bing, Bing, Gone': Trump Shares AI Images Of Laser Attack On Iranian Aircraft

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump posted a series of AI-generated images depicting dramatic military strikes against Iran, as tensions over the fragile Middle East ceasefire continued to escalate. The images, uploaded to Trump's Truth Social account, portrayed fictional combat scenes involving American military forces targeting Iranian assets. One image showed a US warship blasting an aircraft marked with the Iranian flag using what appeared to be a high-powered laser weapon. The aircraft is shown exploding midair alongside Trump's caption, "Lasers: Bing, Bing, GONE!!!"...more

Putin says he thinks Ukraine conflict 'coming to an end'

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested Russia's conflict with Ukraine could be drawing to a close. Speaking after Saturday's scaled-back Victory Day military parade in Moscow, he said: "I think that the matter is coming to an end" - referring to the "special military operation" in Ukraine - while condemning Western support for Kyiv....more

Think of WFH, saving petrol, not buying gold for a year: Modi amid oil crisis

NEW DELHI: Amid the global oil shock triggered by the Middle East war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people to revive work-from-home practices, cut fuel consumption and even avoid buying gold for weddings for one year to help the country save foreign exchange. The remarks come against the backdrop of record-high fuel prices in many nations, from the US to neighbouring Pakistan, due to the Iran war fallout. Indians have been mostly cushioned from the blow, though this might change in the coming days....more

Rahul Gandhi dissents on CBI chief selection: 'Leader of Opposition is not a rubber stamp'

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his dissent over the CBI Director selection process, alleging that the exercise was “biased”. Gandhi said he could not “abdicate” his constitutional responsibility by participating in the process and asserted that the Leader of Opposition was “not a rubber stamp.”...more

India criticises China, raises 'reputation' question over support to Pakistan

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday tacitly criticised China for supporting Pakistan during a brief but intense conflict last year, saying responsible nations should reflect on how their efforts to shield terrorist infrastructure affect their global standing....more

Netherlands Becomes 1st European Nation to Join U.S. CCA Program

WASHINGTON: The Netherlands quietly became the first European country to formally join the American CCA (Collaborative Combat Aircraft) program and to fund the purchase of two of the first CCA, even as the European continent stares at a fractured relationship with the US....more

From Fuel Shock to Supply Chain Strain: How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Rippling Across Indian Industry

By Avica Kumar

NEW DELHI: India's energy security and industrial stability are coming under increasing strain as tensions around Iran continue to disrupt critical oil and gas supply routes. The fallout is no longer confined to global markets. Indian industries are now confronting escalating operational and financial risks, with cascading midstream and downstream impacts....more