An Air India flight bound for Vancouver, Canada, was forced to return to Delhi after nearly eight hours in the air when it was discovered that the aircraft lacked the necessary authorization to operate in Canadian airspace. The AI-185 flight departed Delhi at 11:34 a.m. local time on Friday and turned back near Kunming, China, after realizing the issue. The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft landed safely in Delhi after a total flight time of seven hours and fifty-four minutes.

According to the airline, the incident occurred because only its Boeing 777-300ER fleet currently holds permission to operate on the Canada route. Air India described the return as a “standard operating procedure” decision taken for operational reasons. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and the airline apologized for the inconvenience.

The airline’s ground team in Delhi arranged hotel accommodations and assistance for passengers before re-departing the same flight the following morning. The incident is expected to have significant financial implications due to high fuel consumption during the nearly nine-hour flight.

India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reportedly withheld the release of the Oscar-nominated film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” citing concerns that it could harm India-Israel relations. The Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was allegedly killed by Israeli soldiers while waiting to be rescued in Gaza.

Indian distributor Manoj Nandwana said he submitted the film for approval in February, hoping for a March release, but the CBFC blocked it, reportedly warning that the film’s release might damage diplomatic ties. He noted that the decision came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The film had already been barred from several Indian film festivals, including those in Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, and Kerala.

Badi Ali, co-founder of production company Watermelon Pictures, criticized the move as unreasonable, while director Ben Hania questioned on social media whether the relationship between the two democracies was so fragile that a film could threaten it.

India has appointed Vikram Doraiswami, currently serving as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, as its new ambassador to China. He will replace Pradeep Kumar Rawat and is expected to assume his duties in Beijing soon. Doraiswami, a 1992 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, previously served as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure and has also held ambassadorial roles in South Korea and Uzbekistan.

Doraiswami’s diplomatic experience includes earlier service in Beijing from 1996 to 2000, during which he studied the Chinese language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has also held senior positions in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, notably leading the Indo-Pacific division. Before joining the foreign service, he briefly worked as a journalist and earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Delhi.

The appointment comes as part of India’s efforts to rebuild relations with China following the 2020 border conflict, with both sides still maintaining troop deployments along the frontier.

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee announced her party’s election manifesto on March 20, 2026, during a press conference at her residence in Kalighat, Kolkata. The manifesto includes ten key promises, such as a monthly allowance for women and a new scheme called ‘Banglar Yuba Sathi’ to support unemployed youth. She also pledged initiatives for farmers’ development and guaranteed access to safe drinking water for every household.

Banerjee emphasized healthcare as the manifesto’s central commitment, announcing plans to hold medical camps in every block and small town across West Bengal to ensure government healthcare for all citizens. Additional pledges include transforming Kolkata into a major commercial hub for eastern India and the world, and improving access to education, housing, and administrative services.

She stated that her campaign activities would begin after the Eid festival.

Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Amarjit Singh Dulat has stated that Iran will not be defeated in the ongoing conflict triggered by joint US and Israeli attacks. In an interview published on Thursday by Indian news agency ANI, Dulat said India should stand by Iran, describing the country as a long-standing friend and ally.

Dulat emphasized that the current confrontation is not new, noting that tensions have persisted for the past two decades. He reminded that India and Iran have historically maintained close ties, with both nations supporting each other during times of crisis. According to him, India’s foreign policy should reflect this mutual trust and solidarity.

He further expressed confidence that India’s role in the present situation would be timely, balanced, and appropriate, reaffirming his belief that Iran would withstand Western and Israeli pressure without losing the war.

In February, 26-year-old Zubin Nath from Assam’s Chirang district died in an accident at a tile factory in Bengaluru, where he had worked for nearly five years. His father said he was informed that Zubin fell into a machine and died instantly. The next day, his body was brought home with the help of a contractor. Despite the tragedy, his death received little public attention.

According to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, 162 migrant workers from the state have died between September and February while working outside Assam. Opposition legislator Akhil Gogoi noted that the issue has received minimal political attention ahead of the state assembly elections. Residents from Cachar district reported multiple deaths in illegal coal mines in Meghalaya, while nine tribal workers from Karbi Anglong and Hojai died in a Chennai industrial accident last September.

Experts and opposition leaders argue that the exodus of workers exposes the lack of employment opportunities in Assam. Many rural residents, particularly from tribal and Muslim communities, are forced into hazardous jobs outside the state due to failed government projects and declining agricultural livelihoods.

India’s long-standing policy of ‘strategic autonomy’—maintaining balanced relations with major global powers—faces new challenges amid rising tensions involving Iran. For over a decade, New Delhi has engaged with multiple blocs, including the Quad with the United States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization with China, BRICS with Russia, and I2U2 with Israel and the UAE. The approach has aimed to protect national interests without overdependence on any single partner.

Recent developments around Iran have disrupted this balance, particularly affecting India’s priorities of ensuring expatriate safety, countering terrorism in neighboring states, and securing oil and gas supplies. Although diplomatic efforts have intensified, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar contacting Iranian leaders, only two Indian gas tankers have been cleared to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that 22 Indian vessels remain detained in the region.

The release of these ships may depend on India returning three seized Iranian vessels or sending medical supplies to Tehran. However, such moves risk straining India’s ties with Washington, which previously allowed limited Russian oil purchases under specific conditions.

At least seven people, including three children, were killed in a major fire that broke out on Wednesday morning in a residential building in the Palam area of southwest Delhi. According to the Delhi Fire Service, the blaze started around 7 a.m. in one of the rooms and quickly spread throughout the building.

Thirty fire service units rushed to the scene to bring the flames under control and rescue residents trapped inside. Officials said the dense population of the area made the rescue operation difficult. Local police and emergency response teams also joined the operation soon after the incident was reported.

During the rescue, seven bodies were recovered from the building, including those of three children. The fire caused extensive damage to the structure, destroying furniture and valuables inside, according to the Delhi Fire Service. The cause of the fire has not been detailed in the report.

Police in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, arrested 14 people for organizing an iftar gathering on a boat in the middle of the Ganges River and allegedly throwing leftover food into the water. The arrests followed the circulation of a video on social media showing the event. Authorities said the accused were charged with hurting religious sentiments, polluting the environment, and disturbing public order.

The case was filed at the Kotwali police station based on a complaint from a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing. The complaint stated that the Ganges is sacred to followers of Sanatan Dharma and that discarding food into the river desecrated its sanctity. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vijay Pratap Singh said the video, which went viral on Instagram, led to the investigation and subsequent arrests.

Police sources confirmed that the authenticity of the video is being verified and efforts are underway to identify others involved. River patrol surveillance has been increased to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has claimed that if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins the upcoming election again, he will imprison all opposition political leaders. In an interview with India Today, Kejriwal said such actions would be harmful to both democracy and the country.

Kejriwal compared the situation to other nations, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin jailed or killed opponents before elections, Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina imprisoned political rivals before winning, and Pakistan held elections after jailing Imran Khan. He alleged that after India’s election announcement, he and three AAP leaders were detained, and that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena were divided. According to him, if Modi returns to power, India will be left with only one party and one leader.

Kejriwal concluded that such developments would be extremely damaging to India’s democratic system and national well-being.

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced its candidate list for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, with party chief Mamata Banerjee set to contest from Bhabanipur. The announcement was made at her Kalighat office in the presence of party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The Bharatiya Janata Party had released its list a day earlier, naming Suvendu Adhikari as its candidate for the same constituency. The Bhabanipur contest is expected to be a high-profile rematch between Banerjee and Adhikari, who defeated her in Nandigram in 2021.

The list includes senior leaders such as Debashis Kumar (Rashbehari), Firhad Hakim (Kolkata Port), Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay (Ballygunge), and Shashi Panja (Shyampukur). Former Rajya Sabha member Kunal Ghosh will contest from Beleghata, while younger leaders like Trinankur Bhattacharya, Debanshu Bhattacharya, and Shirshannyo Banerjee have also been nominated. Abhishek Banerjee stated that the party has fielded 52 women candidates, more SC-ST representatives than reserved seats, and around 47 minority candidates.

Former minister Jyotipriya Mallick, accused in a ration corruption case, will contest from Habra, while Partha Chatterjee, jailed in a teacher recruitment scam, was excluded. Paresh Adhikari will contest from Mekhliganj.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended sanctions on India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), citing serious violations of religious freedom. In its 2026 annual report, the commission proposed designating India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), noting a significant deterioration in religious freedom conditions during 2025.

According to the report, India’s government introduced and enforced new laws targeting religious minorities and their places of worship, while several states strengthened anti-conversion laws with harsher penalties. The report also alleged widespread detention and deportation of religious refugees, and insufficient action against extremist groups involved in attacks on minorities. Specific incidents in Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, and other states were cited as examples of escalating violence and official inaction.

USCIRF urged the US government to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organizations responsible for these violations, including asset freezes and travel bans on groups such as the RSS.

India’s Election Commission has announced the schedule for assembly elections in four states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and West Bengal—and the union territory of Puducherry. The announcement was made in New Delhi by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on March 15, 2026. In West Bengal, voting will take place in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4 across all states and the union territory.

In West Bengal, the first phase on April 23 will cover all districts except Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, East Burdwan, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas, which will vote in the second phase on April 29. The announcement came shortly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that pending dearness allowances for government employees would be cleared and monthly stipends for mosque muezzins and Hindu priests would be increased.

The decision follows previous protests by state employees demanding payment of pending allowances, and a Supreme Court directive ordering the state government to settle the dues. A day before the schedule was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Kolkata and unveiled development projects worth 180 billion rupees for West Bengal.

India may postpone its planned trade agreement with the United States for several months, according to four unnamed Indian sources cited by Reuters. The delay follows a new U.S. investigation into alleged excess industrial production capacity among trade partners, which has heightened tensions between the two countries. India had expected to sign an interim deal in March before finalizing a broader agreement, but the timeline has now been pushed back.

Officials from both sides said they remain in contact to pursue a mutually beneficial deal, though no new signing date has been set. Talks reportedly slowed after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in late February, and Washington’s focus shifted to conflict with Iran. India has reduced but not halted imports of Russian oil, while U.S. officials have urged New Delhi to increase imports to ease global energy shortages.

Analysts said India’s cautious approach is reasonable given ongoing tariff uncertainty and the Section 301 investigation under the 1974 Trade Act. India may present its case to the U.S. Trade Representative or take the matter to the World Trade Organization if needed.

The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police arrested Philip Sangma on Saturday morning from the Shantipur Bypass area in Nadia district, India. He is accused of helping the suspects in the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, to flee. According to Indian media reports, the arrest followed information obtained from two previously detained suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, who were captured on March 7 near the Bongaon border.

During initial questioning, Philip reportedly admitted that he had long been involved in cross-border smuggling for money. After Hadi’s killing, he crossed into India to avoid pressure from Bangladeshi police and later planned to return to Bangladesh with Faisal and Alamgir’s help. However, their arrests led to increased scrutiny, resulting in his capture.

Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 and later died in Singapore on December 18 after receiving treatment in Dhaka and Singapore hospitals.