Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A.S. Dulat has said that India is gradually becoming diplomatically and politically isolated on the international stage. In an interview with a British media outlet, cited by Pakistan’s Geo News, Dulat stated that India’s long-held belief that Pakistan would collapse due to internal crises has proven wrong. He added that India’s efforts to diplomatically isolate Pakistan have not succeeded, and instead, India now faces growing pressure in regional affairs.

Dulat highlighted that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is gaining increasing global recognition, noting that former U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly praised him. He further said Pakistan’s active mediation between the United States and Iran has strengthened its diplomatic standing, allowing it to present itself as a responsible and balanced state internationally.

Discussing Kashmir, Dulat attributed ongoing unrest to local frustration and deprivation. He also mentioned that India-Pakistan diplomatic ties have nearly stalled, with border tensions and military clashes worsening the situation. He referred to an 87-hour conflict in May 2025 that ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, after which Pakistan’s regional role became more visible.

Indian media reported a tragic incident in Gujarat’s Morbi district where a man allegedly handed over his wife and underage daughter to their landlord for sexual exploitation after failing to pay rent. The man reportedly agreed to this act in exchange for 2,000 rupees. Police have arrested both the man and the landlord following the complaint.

According to authorities, the family had moved from Surendranagar to Morbi about six months earlier in search of livelihood and rented a house for 2,000 rupees per month. Due to severe financial hardship, they had been unable to pay rent for four months. The man then reached a deal with the landlord to settle the dues through the exploitation of his wife and daughter.

Police said the victim’s grandmother filed a complaint at Morbi police station, leading to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant laws. A third suspect is being sought in connection with the crime.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly accused the United States of pressuring countries to stop buying Russian oil, calling such actions unfair. He argued that more nations should import energy from Russia. Meanwhile, Ajay Srivastava, former Indian trade official and head of the Global Trade Research Initiative, voiced concern over India’s energy security, noting that the country imports about 90 percent of its oil, much of it from the Gulf region, which faces uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

Srivastava said roughly 30 percent of India’s oil imports from Russia last year faced complications due to US pressure, describing the situation as an emergency. He added that while the US is increasing its own oil exports and India has imported more from America, the US still lacks sufficient capacity to meet global demand. He urged India to secure a long-term deal with Russia and not yield to Washington’s pressure.

Journalist and diplomatic analyst Smita Sharma offered a different view, saying India cannot openly oppose the US given trade and investment pressures. She noted that India may continue importing Russian oil quietly while leaning closer to the US and Israel within global alliances.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi issued a strong warning to Pakistan, saying the country must decide whether it will remain on the world map or disappear into history if it continues to shelter terrorists and engage in hostile acts against India. He made the remarks on Saturday, May 16, at an event held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.

Speaking during an interactive session titled 'Sena Samvad', organized under the platform 'Uniform Unveiled', General Dwivedi reiterated India’s long-standing firm stance against terrorism. His brief but sharp statement has reportedly heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The comments came just days after India’s government and armed forces celebrated the first anniversary of 'Operation Sindhur' with great ceremony.

When asked how the Indian Army would respond if a situation similar to 'Operation Sindhur' arose again, the Army Chief recalled his earlier remarks, emphasizing that Pakistan’s actions would determine its own fate.

On April 11, 2026, eight teachers and 163 children from Bihar traveling by Patna–Pune Express to a madrasa in Maharashtra were forcibly deboarded at Katni railway station in Madhya Pradesh. The Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force acted on a written complaint from a Child Welfare Committee member alleging the children were being taken for labor. The minors were questioned and later returned home after verification with their families.

Families and madrasa authorities maintained the children were traveling for religious and general education, carrying all necessary documents. Local activists and lawyers argued that the incident reflected bias against Muslim communities and misuse of trafficking laws. Officials said the action was based on precautionary grounds to ensure child safety. Similar detentions of 59 minors bound for a madrasa in Odisha were also reported.

The case highlighted poverty and lack of residential madrasa facilities in Bihar’s border districts, prompting parents to send children to other states for free education and lodging. The incident has sparked debate over child protection procedures and the treatment of minority students during interstate travel.

The two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi concluded without a joint statement after disagreements emerged over the ongoing Iran war. Host nation India issued only a chair’s statement, noting that member states held differing views on the Middle East conflict. Tehran had urged the group to condemn what it described as a U.S.-Israel war against Iran and accused the United Arab Emirates of direct involvement in military operations against it.

According to India’s statement, BRICS members expressed varied positions on ending the war and emphasized respect for state sovereignty, regional integrity, adherence to international law, and the protection of civilian lives. The statement also reaffirmed that Gaza is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories and underscored the importance of unifying the West Bank and Gaza under the Palestinian Authority. Support for Palestinian self-determination and the creation of an independent state was reiterated, though one member country reportedly objected to the Gaza reference.

As the 2026 BRICS chair, India’s statement concluded by calling for unity among developing nations in addressing global crises.

A new directive issued by the West Bengal government ahead of Eid al-Adha has triggered widespread fear and controversy across the state. The Home Department’s order imposes strict conditions on animal sacrifice, requiring a joint fitness certificate from local authorities and a government veterinarian before slaughtering cows, buffaloes, or bulls. Only animals over 14 years old or those permanently unfit for work may be slaughtered, with violations punishable by six months’ imprisonment and fines. The directive has reportedly intensified the activities of self-proclaimed cow protection groups, especially in Muslim-majority areas, creating a tense atmosphere.

Many Muslims view the order as a deliberate attempt to restrict their religious practices and marginalize their community socially and economically. Analysts argue that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s BJP-led government is using the directive to deepen communal polarization. Economists warn that the restrictions could severely disrupt the livestock and meat trade, affecting thousands of livelihoods and damaging the rural economy and leather exports.

Experts caution that such policies, driven by sectarian motives, could inflict lasting harm on West Bengal’s economy and social harmony.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has strongly condemned what it described as systematic state oppression and post-election violence against minority Muslims in India, as well as recent restrictions by the newly formed West Bengal government that effectively ban cow slaughter. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the organization’s central president Nurul Islam and secretary general Sibgatullah denounced these actions as discriminatory and harmful to the religious and economic rights of Muslims, particularly ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha festival.

The statement alleged that following the West Bengal assembly election results, more than 34 incidents of planned violence targeted Muslims in several districts, including Cooch Behar, North and South 24 Parganas, and Kolkata. It cited an APCR report claiming widespread destruction of Muslim homes, businesses, and mosques. The leaders also referred to a broader pattern of persecution, mentioning the NRC and CAA laws in Assam, the revocation of Article 370 in Kashmir, and the demolition of the Babri Mosque.

Chhatra Shibir urged immediate cessation of violence in West Bengal, withdrawal of the discriminatory slaughter ban, and called on the UN, OIC, Arab League, and global human rights bodies to take effective action against the ongoing oppression of Muslims in India.

After a long period of price stability, the Indian government has increased fuel prices nationwide. On Friday, authorities announced a hike of three rupees per liter for petrol and diesel, and two rupees per kilogram for CNG. The decision follows growing pressure on foreign exchange reserves, rising global crude oil prices, and a weakening rupee. In Delhi, petrol now costs 97.77 rupees per liter and diesel 90.67 rupees, while prices in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai have also risen accordingly.

India had avoided fuel price hikes since April 2022, even cutting prices by two rupees per liter before the March 2024 general elections. However, surging crude oil import costs—rising from about 69 dollars per barrel in February to over 113 dollars in recent months—have strained the economy. As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India spent about 174 billion dollars on crude oil imports in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Economists warn that India’s current foreign exchange reserve of around 690 billion dollars may be insufficient to handle global uncertainty. Former RBI Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra suggested reserves should reach at least one trillion dollars to ensure economic stability.

Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran has alleged that Muslims in West Bengal are facing systematic persecution under the guise of secularism in India. Speaking on Friday at the party’s Nayapaltan office in Dhaka, he claimed that after the recent elections, armed groups linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have carried out violent attacks, looting, and arson against Muslim communities with the support of the new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He also said that cow and buffalo slaughter had been banned in the state, targeting the Muslim community.

Dr. Iran stated that Muslims in various Indian states are facing threats to their civil rights, religious freedom, and security. He urged international human rights organizations to investigate incidents of minority persecution in West Bengal and other parts of India and to take effective action. The event was organized to mark the 30th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Matin, the party’s founder.

During the event, Dr. Iran also recalled Maulana Matin’s political legacy, describing him as a strong voice against oppression and a key figure in Bangladesh’s nationalist movements.

India and the United Arab Emirates have reached several key agreements focused on defense cooperation, energy security, and infrastructure development. The accords were signed in Abu Dhabi during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, part of his five-nation tour, in the presence of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Abu Dhabi also announced a $5 billion investment in various Indian sectors.

Among the agreements, the strategic defense partnership received the most attention, aiming to expand security and military collaboration. Two additional memorandums of understanding were signed to enhance energy cooperation through strategic oil reserves and liquefied petroleum gas supply, expected to strengthen India’s energy security. Plans were also announced to establish a ship repair hub in Vadinar, Gujarat, to boost maritime infrastructure and industrial cooperation.

During the bilateral meeting, Modi emphasized dialogue and diplomacy to address regional crises and praised the UAE’s leadership for its composure in difficult times. He condemned attacks on the UAE and reaffirmed India’s support, also appreciating the UAE government’s care for Indian residents in the country.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has declared the disputed Bhojshala complex as a Saraswati temple, ruling in favor of Hindu petitioners. The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi. The court observed that evidence showed the site functioned as a Sanskrit learning center and temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. It also noted that Hindu worship at the site had continued without interruption. The court invited the Muslim community to apply for separate land in the district to build a mosque.

The Bhojshala site has long been contested, with Hindus identifying it as a temple built by King Bhoj and Muslims claiming it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. Under a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrangement, Hindus and Muslims alternated worship on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Hindu side challenged this arrangement, seeking exclusive worship rights.

Following a court order in March 2024, the ASI conducted a 98-day scientific survey and reported that the current structure reused parts of an earlier temple. The Muslim side argued in court that the ASI report was biased and favored Hindu claims.

The West Bengal government has ordered that all government and government-aided schools must sing the national song 'Vande Mataram' during morning assemblies. The directive, issued by the state’s School Education Department, requires schools to record videos of the assemblies as proof of compliance. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the practice will become mandatory from next Monday.

According to the official circular dated May 13, school heads have been instructed to ensure that all students participate in singing the song before classes begin each day. Previously, schools in the state typically sang only the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana', and later included 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal', a song from the anti-partition movement. The new directive adds 'Vande Mataram' to the daily routine.

The decision has prompted questions among teachers about how both the national anthem and the national song can be accommodated within the limited time of morning assemblies.

Uncertainty has emerged over whether a final declaration will be issued at the BRICS meeting held in India, as differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have complicated the discussions, according to Iranian state media. Deputy Foreign Minister Jeym Gharibabadi stated that the UAE’s presence in the New Delhi meeting created a “communication problem” between the two countries, making the negotiation process more difficult.

Separately, the UAE denied a claim by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had visited the Gulf state during a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said those conspiring with Israel to create division should be held accountable. He urged BRICS nations to condemn what he called the “illegal aggression” of the United States and Israel.

Araghchi added that peaceful coexistence requires full understanding and calm relations between the two nations, emphasizing the need for dialogue to resolve tensions.

The Government of India has imposed a ban on sugar exports effective until September 30, 2026. The decision, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, applies to all categories of sugar including raw, white, and refined. The export policy has been changed from 'restricted' to 'prohibited', marking a significant policy shift. Authorities indicated that the ban could be extended if necessary.

According to the government, the measure aims to ensure adequate domestic supply of sugar. The decision follows earlier policies that allowed limited exports in anticipation of surplus production. Experts cited in the report suggest that the move is intended to control inflation risks arising from uncertainty linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The export restriction represents a major adjustment in India’s trade policy for sugar and may influence both domestic pricing and international sugar markets if extended beyond the current deadline.