India and Oman’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into effect today amid the ongoing US-Iran war that has severely disrupted maritime traffic through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The pact, signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Muscat in December last year, grants duty-free access for India’s labor-intensive exports to Oman. Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the implementation, calling it a milestone for expanding markets, boosting exports, attracting investment, and creating jobs.

The Hormuz Strait handles about 20 percent of global oil consumption and 25 percent of seaborne oil trade, but conflict has tightened Iranian control, disrupting India’s energy imports from Gulf states. Oman’s ports, including Salalah and Duqm, remain operational due to their location outside the strait, making Oman a reliable trade and energy route during regional instability.

Under CEPA, Oman will eliminate tariffs on 98.08 percent of its tariff lines, covering 99.38 percent of India’s exports, while India will reduce or remove tariffs on 78 percent of its lines. The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral trade, though Oman’s small market size may limit export growth.

A 70-foot statue of footballer Lionel Messi was removed from Lake Town, Kolkata, following claims by the state’s Public Works Department and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul that its foundation bolts had loosened during a storm, posing safety risks. The statue, unveiled last December in Messi’s presence, had become a symbol of pride for sports-loving Bengalis. Authorities said it was taken down by crane to prevent accidents.

However, the removal has sparked criticism and questions among citizens about why the statue was not repaired instead of being completely removed. The report suggests that this action reflects a broader pattern of demolition and eviction under the current BJP government, which has been accused of prioritizing destruction over maintenance or improvement of existing structures.

Officials stated that the statue is currently in the custody of the Public Works Department and may later be relocated to Rabindra Sarobar or Eco Park, though the plan remains uncertain.

Abhijit Deepke, founder of the online-based youth organization 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP), has announced plans to return to India and lead street protests demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He urged young people to join peaceful demonstrations in Delhi, calling for government accountability. The announcement was reported by US News on Monday.

The CJP, which gained millions of followers within days, has drawn attention among Indian youth frustrated by unemployment, inflation, exam paper leaks, and result errors. Deepke claimed that about 800,000 students have signed a petition demanding the minister’s resignation. The Indian government has reportedly blocked CJP’s X account, and Deepke alleged attempts by hackers to seize their Instagram page. Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the group of receiving support from anti-India elements, though Prime Minister Modi has not commented.

The movement’s rise comes amid growing public discontent over fuel price hikes, gas shortages, and the Iran war’s impact. The government is also planning to transport exam papers via the Air Force after a recent medical entrance test was canceled due to leaks.

Schools and madrasas across West Bengal reopened on Monday after the summer vacation with a new directive from the state education department. According to the order, students must now sing 'Vande Mataram' along with the national anthem during the daily morning assembly. The directive specifies that the full version of 'Vande Mataram', which takes about three minutes and ten seconds to sing, must be performed, prompting schools to adjust their morning schedules accordingly.

Teachers reported that many students have not yet memorized the entire song, so schools are temporarily playing it on mobile devices to help them learn. Once students are familiar with the lyrics, the playback will stop, and they will sing it independently. Madrasas have also begun implementing the order in compliance with the government directive.

Some madrasa head teachers expressed that singing the first two lines poses no issue, but questions remain about the necessity of performing the full song. Despite these concerns, they confirmed that they will follow the official instructions for now.

A second consecutive attack on senior Trinamool Congress leaders has been reported in West Bengal. On Sunday morning, party MP Kalyan Banerjee was assaulted in Chanditala, Hooghly, while walking through his constituency due to traffic congestion. According to reports, an object struck his head from behind, causing him to fall. He was later assisted by police and security personnel. Before the incident, protesters allegedly waved black flags and chanted slogans. Banerjee later appeared with a bandaged head and addressed supporters.

Banerjee claimed that the attackers hurled a stone or cricket ball at him in what he described as a “planned murder attempt,” blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the assault. He also criticized the West Bengal Police for inaction while praising central security forces. The BJP has not yet issued an official response. The day before, Trinamool’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee faced a similar attack in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas.

Both incidents have intensified political tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, with each side trading accusations over the violence.

A five-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Saidul Ajaib area on Saturday evening, killing four people and injuring ten others. Authorities fear more people may still be trapped under the debris, and a large-scale rescue operation is underway to locate the missing individuals. The building, located on Western Marg, housed a coaching institute, a café, and several offices.

Officials reported that the structure was completely reduced to rubble, with debris falling onto a nearby tin-roofed canteen. At the time of the collapse, construction work was reportedly taking place on the upper floors. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the site to assess the situation.

Rescue teams continue to clear the wreckage as authorities work to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure the safety of surrounding structures.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee was physically assaulted on Saturday in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas, while visiting the family of a slain party worker. Protesters surrounded him, chanting slogans and throwing eggs and mud. His shirt was torn, and he was seen wearing a helmet for protection. Banerjee told reporters that he had informed police about the gathering of outsiders beforehand and criticized the lack of security. He was later rescued by police and central forces and taken to a private hospital in Kolkata, where Mamata Banerjee and other party leaders visited him.

Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the attack, calling the ruling authority “killers.” The BJP denied any involvement, describing the incident as spontaneous public anger. BJP leaders Shamik Bhattacharya and Sukanta Majumdar said the party does not support violence but claimed the public outrage reflected long-standing resentment against Trinamool rule. Congress and the Samajwadi Party also condemned the assault, with Akhilesh Yadav blaming the BJP government for fostering lawlessness.

The attack occurred amid internal discontent within Trinamool following its electoral defeat, with some members blaming Banerjee and the party’s strategist group for the setback.

Abhijit Deepke, founder of India’s satirical online initiative ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP), has announced plans to continue the group’s digital campaign. Speaking from the United States, he expressed concern that returning to India could expose him to legal complications or arrest. He also claimed that his family members in India have faced threats following the project’s rapid rise in popularity.

According to Deepke, the movement began as a humorous post on social media platform X, which quickly went viral among young people. Many users, particularly from the Gen-Z demographic and university circles, joined in by proposing the creation of a mock political party. Within a single day, over 50,000 people registered on the related website, and the initiative soon became known as the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’.

The group now claims over 22.5 million Instagram followers and more than one million registered members. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has responded by saying it has no concerns about the CJP, asserting that India’s youth remain optimistic and confident about the nation’s future.

An elderly couple in Newtown, West Bengal, were allegedly harassed at their home by a group led by local BJP leader Sujoy after their daughter married a Muslim man. A video reportedly shows the man threatening the couple, demanding that their son-in-law convert to Hinduism or that the family leave the neighborhood, which he claimed was a Hindu-only area. The couple, visibly distressed, pleaded that they had no one else to care for them, but their appeals were ignored as the threats continued.

The incident has triggered widespread anger, with accusations that local BJP leadership supported the intimidation. Reports claim Sujoy invoked senior party leader Suvendu Adhikari’s name while issuing threats. Observers say the episode reflects attempts to inflame Hindu-Muslim divisions in a state long known for communal harmony. The article warns that such coercion and harassment in the name of religion could signal a dangerous rise in divisive politics in Bengal.

The event has raised concerns about growing intolerance and the politicization of interfaith relationships in local communities.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said that if offering prayers on streets is considered wrong, the same rule should apply to all religions. Speaking at an Eid reunion event on Friday, he cited Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom, and criticized what he called a double standard in how religious practices are treated. Owaisi argued that objections are raised only against Muslim practices such as namaz and azan, while other religious processions and gatherings face no similar scrutiny.

He further questioned restrictions on meat sales during Hindu festivals, suggesting that if such bans are justified, liquor shops should also close during Ramadan. Owaisi accused authorities of deliberately creating controversies around Muslim rituals before major Islamic festivals like Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. His remarks came amid new administrative directives in several Indian states to prevent traffic disruptions caused by large gatherings.

In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently urged that prayers be conducted in an orderly manner, while West Bengal authorities moved Kolkata’s traditional Eid congregation from Red Road to Brigade Parade Ground to avoid road blockages.

Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing, who previously led the country’s military junta, has arrived in India for a five-day official visit. This marks his first foreign trip since assuming the presidency. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold discussions with business representatives.

Min Aung Hlaing seized power on February 1, 2021, ousting the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Following the coup, ASEAN barred Myanmar’s generals from its top summits, leaving the military-led administration increasingly isolated. Analysts view this visit as an opportunity for India to counterbalance China’s growing influence in Myanmar, secure access to the country’s rare mineral resources, and strengthen security along the northeastern border.

According to Crisis Group adviser Richard Horsey, Min Aung Hlaing aims to expand diplomatic engagement across the region and normalize ties with ASEAN, with support from Thailand and other member states. He may also visit Beijing soon to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, while India remains another key neighbor for Myanmar.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah has called on so-called 'Bangladeshi infiltrators' to voluntarily leave India, saying those who do so will face no legal action. Speaking during a three-day visit to Gujarat, Shah said the new BJP-led West Bengal government will assist anyone crossing the border back to Bangladesh without obstruction. He claimed that while thousands used to enter India daily, an equal number are now returning.

According to official data, 11 holding centers have been established across West Bengal to detain alleged Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants, with a total of 386 people currently held. The highest number, 335, are in Basirhat, where three camps operate. Other centers are located in districts including Murshidabad, Malda, Cooch Behar, and South Dinajpur.

State minister Dilip Ghosh made harsh remarks, warning that food supplies to detainees would soon stop and urging them to leave. He argued that the government bears no responsibility to feed them and compared the situation to Afghan repatriations from Pakistan, insisting that returning to Bangladesh is their best option.

The Indian government has sent a list of 2,680 individuals accused of living illegally in India to the government of Bangladesh. According to Indian officials, repatriation will begin once the verification of their citizenship is completed. The announcement was made by Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, during a weekly press briefing.

Jaiswal stated that in many cases, the verification process has been pending for five years or longer. In West Bengal, authorities have established multiple holding centers to identify and detain suspected illegal entrants. A total of 11 such centers are currently operational across various districts, housing over a hundred suspected infiltrators awaiting identity verification and subsequent legal action.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that all actions against foreign nationals residing illegally in India will follow legal procedures. It also expressed hope that the Bangladeshi government will expedite the citizenship verification process to facilitate repatriation.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced during his visit to India that New Delhi has pledged to purchase $500 billion worth of American goods over the next five years. The statement has sparked widespread discussion among global media, trade experts, and economic analysts, who are questioning what India has agreed to and whether it will benefit sufficiently from the deal. The commitment follows an interim trade agreement announced in February, when U.S. President Donald Trump reduced tariffs on Indian goods from 50 to 18 percent, and India expressed interest in increasing imports of U.S. energy, coal, and technology equipment.

Analysts have raised concerns about the timing of such a large import plan, given recent changes in global trade conditions. After the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated some of Trump’s earlier tariff measures, Washington imposed a uniform 10 percent tariff on trade partners. Experts question why India is proceeding with such a massive purchase without securing further concessions and why it is limiting supplier options in sectors like aviation. The deal is viewed as politically sensitive and economically risky for India amid currency depreciation, high oil prices, and uncertain global trade.

Additionally, concerns persist in India about U.S. tariff and immigration policies, as well as Washington’s warming ties with China and Pakistan, which analysts say could complicate India’s strategic and economic positioning.

The West Bengal state government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has handed over 721 hectares of land to India’s Border Security Force (BSF) for constructing border fencing. The announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday during a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. According to Shah, the land transfer took place within seven days of Adhikari’s swearing-in as chief minister. Of the total land, 600 hectares are located along various Bangladesh–West Bengal border areas, while 121 hectares are in the sensitive Chicken’s Neck region.

Amit Shah stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) now governs across the Ganga river basin. He added that after the establishment of detention centers in West Bengal, illegal immigrants have begun returning to their home countries voluntarily. Shah contrasted this with the previous administration under Mamata Banerjee, claiming that daily infiltration occurred during her tenure.

He further said that the state government is ready to assist those who wish to leave voluntarily and assured that no legal cases would be filed against them if they depart before formal identification begins.