1. PM Modi meets Paraguayan President, holds talks on agriculture, pharma, technology
2. ‘India’s tolerance has limits’: India and Pakistan generals trade warnings at global defence summit over terror, Kashmir
3. INDIA bloc to push for special session of parliament on Pahalgam attack
4. US-India Trade Deal on the Horizon, Says Commerce Secretary
5. PM Modi Unlikely to Attend G7 Summit in Canada

What Else

1. PM Modi to Visit Maldives Next Month
2. Russia to Deliver Remaining S-400 Units to India by 2025-26
3. India Probes Pakistan’s Role in Kidnapping of Three Indians in Iran
4. Landslide Strikes Indian Army Camp in Sikkim, 3 Dead and 6 Missing
5. Himanta Tears Into Pakistan Over Brahmaputra River Threat: ‘Even If China…’
6. Finland Opens New Honorary Consulate in Ahmedabad
7. ‘Balochistan Integral to Pakistan’, Says ISPR DG
8. Grenade Attack Injures 3 in Quetta, Including Police Officer
9. Pakistan Slams India’s “Weaponisation of Water” at UN Talks
10. Mass Escape from Karachi’s Malir Jail During Earthquake
11. Bangladesh’s Election Timing and Reforms in Focus
12. July Charter to Be Announced Through Consensus
13. Maldives to receive Guardian-class patrol boat from Australia
14. Nepali Congress to Hold Mass Gatherings in Support of Republican System
15. India’s Duty Cut on Edible Oils to Hit Nepal’s Exports

PM Modi meets Paraguayan President, holds talks on agriculture, pharma, technology

• PM Modi held talks with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena at Hyderabad House, discussing ways to enhance cooperation in agriculture, pharma, technology, renewable energy, and health.
• President Pena strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and expressed solidarity with the Indian people.
• The leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest.
• PM Modi highlighted the potential for close economic cooperation, particularly in digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, health, and space.
• A high-level delegation accompanies President Pena and will also visit Mumbai to meet state leaders, business representatives, and tech innovators.
• This visit marks the first state visit by President Pena to India and only the second visit by a Paraguayan President.
• India and Paraguay have maintained warm and friendly ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 1961, with cooperation in various sectors including trade, agriculture, health, and IT.
• The talks aim to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation. (more)

‘India’s tolerance has limits’: India and Pakistan generals trade warnings at global defence summit over terror, Kashmir

• India and Pakistan’s senior military leaders exchanged sharp remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, highlighting growing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
• India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan emphasized India’s new line of defense against terrorism, referencing Operation Sindoor, a military response to an Apr 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza warned of a lowered war threshold and urged conflict resolution over management.
• The two leaders reiterated their countries’ stances on cross-border terrorism and the Kashmir issue.
• General Chauhan stated that India wants to put an end to the “proxy war of terror” it has faced for decades.
• Gen Mirza emphasized the need for a crisis management mechanism to prevent devastating consequences and called for an early resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with UNSC resolutions.
• The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions and differing perspectives between India and Pakistan on regional security issues.
• Both nations have been engaged in a longstanding dispute over Kashmir and accuse each other of supporting terrorism. (more)

INDIA bloc to push for special session of parliament on Pahalgam attack

• The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance leaders are meeting today to demand a Special Session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and its implications on national security and foreign policy.
• The Opposition wants a “full and frank debate” after 7 multi-party delegations return from their international tour, which aims to highlight Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
• They argue that while foreign nations have been briefed, the Indian Parliament hasn’t.
• Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj K. Jha wrote to PM Modi on Jun 2, 2025, demanding a Special Session, citing concerns over foreign interference, particularly the US President’s claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan.
• However, Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar expressed reservations about holding a Special Session, emphasizing the need for confidentiality on sensitive issues.
• The meeting may see absentees, with a decision pending on whether to send a joint letter or individual pleas (more)

US-India Trade Deal on the Horizon, Says Commerce Secretary

• A potential trade deal between the United States and India could materialize in the “not too distant future,” according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
• Lutnick is optimistic about reaching a trade agreement with India soon, but has concerns that need addressing. He wants India to:
• Open its markets: Reduce tariffs, which currently reach up to 100% in some sectors, to reasonable levels.
• Reduce arms purchases from Russia: Lutnick urged India to distance itself from Russia and instead buy military equipment from the US.
• Scale back alignment with Brics: He expressed concerns about India’s involvement in the Brics grouping, particularly the de-dollarization efforts led by China, saying it’s not a way to build goodwill in America.
• In return, the US is willing to offer India special access to certain key markets in the American marketplace.
• Lutnick believes a trade deal could be reached in the “not too distant future,” possibly by July 9, to avoid new US tariffs. T
• The US-India trade relations are currently facing challenges, including a 27% tariff on Indian exports and a 50% tariff on Indian steel.
• India may respond by suspending trade benefits for US goods and raising customs duties on American metal imports. (more, more)
• “President Trump is going to make sure that he takes care of India, whom he deeply, deeply admires and respects, and we are going to have a great, great relationship together,” says US Commerce Secretary.

PM Modi Unlikely to Attend G7 Summit in Canada

• PM Modi is unlikely to attend the G7 summit in Canada from Jun 15 to 17 due to strained relations between India and Canada.
• The tensions stem from Canada’s handling of Khalistani separatists and accusations over India’s alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which India denies.
• Canada has not formally extended an invitation to Modi, and even if one arrives at the last minute, India would face logistical issues and potential disruptions from separatist groups.
• This marks the first time Modi will miss the summit since 2019, highlighting the current diplomatic rift between India and Canada.
• The strained relations have raised concerns about the impact on bilateral ties and India’s global influence.
• Canada has extended invitations to leaders of Australia, Ukraine, South Africa, and Brazil, but Modi’s attendance remains uncertain. (more)

PM Modi to Visit Maldives Next Month

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Maldives next month, marking his first trip since the Muizzu government took office in Nov 2023.
• The visit coincides with the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
• PM is expected to focus on inaugurating India-supported projects, particularly the Greater Male Connectivity Project, a mega infrastructure initiative boost the Maldivian economy.
• The visit follows a period of strained ties after derogatory remarks by Maldivian ministers, but relations have improved since President Muizzu visited India last year, which included a ₹3,000 crore currency swap deal.
• India has been a key partner for the Maldives, providing support during crises like the 2004 tsunami and COVID-19, and training for the Maldivian National Defence Force.
• The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and regional stability. (more)

Russia to Deliver Remaining S-400 Units to India by 2025-26

• Russian Dy Chief of Mission to India, Roman Babushkin, confirmed that the country is committed to delivering the remaining two units of the S-400 air system to India by 2025-26.
• The S-400 system has reportedly performed “very efficiently” during recent India-Pakistan tensions.
• Babushkin expressed openness to expanding bilateral cooperation in air defense and anti-drone systems, highlighting Russia’s experience in countering drone threats.
• The two countries signed a $5.43 billion deal for five S-400 squadrons in 2018, with 3 already delivered.
• Babushkin also mentioned the ongoing defense dialogue between India and Russia, which includes discussions on anti-drone systems.
• Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may visit India soon, although exact dates are yet to be finalized.
• This development underscores the strengthening defense partnership between India and Russia. (more)

India Probes Pakistan’s Role in Kidnapping of Three Indians in Iran

• India is investigating Pakistan’s possible involvement in the kidnapping of three Indians who went missing in Iran on May 1.
• The families of Hushanpreet Singh, Jaspal Singh, and Amritpal Singh received ransom calls from Pakistani phone numbers, raising suspicions about the ISI’s role.
• The Indian Embassy in Iran has taken up the matter with Iranian authorities, requesting urgent assistance in tracing the missing individuals.
• An agent from Punjab had promised the men jobs in Australia via the Dubai-Iran route but is now missing, prompting authorities to probe potential links with the Pakistan government. The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has assured cooperation in the investigation. This incident is the second case of Indians going missing in Iran in over a year, prompting Iran to caution Indians about traveling through illegal agencies. (more)

Landslide Strikes Indian Army Camp in Sikkim, 3 Dead and 6 Missing

• A massive landslide hit an Indian Army camp in Sikkim’s Lachen district on Sunday evening, triggered by intense rainfall.
• Three people, including two jawans, Lance Naik Munish Thakur and Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, and civilian porter Abhishek Lakhada, were killed.
• Six others, including Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Sandhu, his wife Squadron Leader Arati B Sandhu, and their daughter Amaira, are missing.
• The Army is conducting rescue operations under challenging terrain and weather conditions.
• Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh are also affected by heavy rainfall, with at least 34 people killed in the past three days. (more)

Himanta Tears Into Pakistan Over Brahmaputra River Threat: ‘Even If China…’

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rejected Pakistan’s claims that China could block the Brahmaputra River’s flow to India.
• He stated that 65-70% of the river’s volume is generated in India through monsoon rainfall and tributaries, while China contributes only 30-35%. [As we reported a few months back]
• Sarma emphasized that even if China reduced the water flow, it might help India mitigate annual floods in Assam.
• He described the claims as Pakistan’s “manufactured threat” following India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, asserting India’s sovereign rights over its water resources (more)
• China has warned India about its actions regarding the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, with Victor Zhikai Gao, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, stating, “Don’t do onto others what you don’t want done to you.”
• This caution hints at China’s strategic grip on the Brahmaputra River, crucial to India’s water security.
• China plans to construct the world’s largest hydroelectric dam on the Brahmaputra in Tibet, worth $137 billion, despite India’s concerns.
• The dam’s proximity to the Indian border has raised geopolitical anxieties.
• China has also stopped sharing hydrological data on the Brahmaputra since 2022. (more)
• [A state CM’s response wasn’t even warranted; otherwise, only BT-like news portals would cite a Chinese professor’s words as a warning.]

Finland Opens New Honorary Consulate in Ahmedabad

• Finland’s Embassy in India is to launch a new Honorary Consulate in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Jun 9, 2025.
• Kulin Lalbhai, a prominent Gujarat-based business leader, has been appointed as the Honorary Consul.
• The consulate aims to strengthen ties between Finland and Gujarat, focusing on digitalization, education, sustainability, and innovation.
• Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta will attend the opening ceremony with a high-level business delegation.
• This development marks a significant milestone in Finland-India relations, highlighting Finland’s commitment to deepening regional collaboration in India. (more)

[Neighborhood]

‘Balochistan Integral to Pakistan’, Says ISPR DG

• ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan and cannot be detached from the country.
• He dismissed the narrative of Balochistan’s separatism as baseless, citing the province’s deep integration into Pakistan’s economy and society.
• Chaudhry attributed terrorism in Balochistan to India, claiming it has no ideological foundation and is entirely fueled by New Delhi.
• He accused India of providing financial support to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army.
• The DG emphasized the unity of Pakistan’s people, saying they are all brothers and cannot be divided.
• He also highlighted the strong bond between the people and the armed forces, describing it as a timeless relationship of love.
• Chaudhry’s remarks were made during the Hilal Talks 2025 programme organised by the military’s media wing. (more)

Grenade Attack Injures 3 in Quetta, Including Police Officer

• A grenade explosion targeted a police patrol in Quetta’s Eastern Bypass area on Mon, injuring three people, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Manzoor Shaheed Police Station.
• Unidentified assailants attacked Bakra Mandi.
• The injured officers were rushed to a government hospital for treatment.
• Law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in response to the attack.
• Security has been tightened in sensitive zones across the city. In a separate incident in Mastung, a man was fatally shot, sparking a public protest.
• The victim’s family and residents demonstrated on the Quetta-Karachi Highway, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
•  The incidents have raised concerns about public safety and security in Balochistan. Authorities are working to apprehend the perpetrators and restore order. (more)

Pakistan Slams India’s “Weaponisation of Water” at UN Talks

• Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led a high-level delegation to the UN, meeting with China’s Permanent Representative, Fu Cong, and Russia’s Permanent Representative to discuss India’s aggressive actions in the region.
• Bilawal condemned India’s “weaponisation of water” by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a clear violation of international law.
• He emphasized that resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is crucial for lasting peace in South Asia and urged China and Russia to support efforts for regional stability.
• Bilawal reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, diplomacy, and dialogue, while also highlighting Pakistan’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• The delegation also met with ambassadors of the UN Security Council’s elected members, conveying Pakistan’s principled stance against India’s escalating provocations. (more)

Mass Escape from Karachi’s Malir Jail During Earthquake

• At least 216 inmates escaped from Karachi’s Malir Jail during an earthquake-related evacuation on Monday night.
• Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah confirmed that over 80 prisoners have been recaptured, while a search operation is underway for the remaining fugitives.
• The jailbreak occurred when inmates were taken out of their barracks as a safety precaution during the tremors, with over 600 prisoners outside their cells at the time.
• Sindh’s Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar described the situation as one of the most serious jailbreaks in recent years, hinting at potential staff negligence.
• A joint operation involving police, Rangers, and other forces was launched to track the escapees.
• One inmate reportedly died, and four were injured during the chaos. The jail administration plans to register cases against all escapees under the law (more)

Bangladesh’s Election Timing and Reforms in Focus

• The timing of Bangladesh’s next national election has sparked debate among key stakeholders.
• Chief Adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the election could be held between Dec and June, but not beyond June 30.
• National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam believes announcing an election date before the July Charter’s declaration might disrupt reforms.
• The charter is expected to outline a framework for future governance, fundamental reforms, and electoral system changes, including potentially decreasing the voting age.
• NCP wants the government to declare the charter before announcing the election date, allowing for a two-month window to implement reforms.
• In contrast, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed thinks there’s no reason to delay the election beyond December.
• The NCP has also expressed concerns about the Election Commission’s neutrality and called for its restructuring.
• As discussions between the government and 30 political parties continue, the chief adviser is “expected to play a fair role” in determining the election schedule and implementing reforms.
• [It’s ironic that an external appointee, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring a “free and fair election” in Bangladesh]
• The debate highlights the complexities of Bangladesh’s path to a free and fair election, with stakeholders pushing for credible and inclusive polls. (more, more, more)
• The July Charter is expected to outline key reforms in Bangladesh, including:
• Electoral System Reforms: Restructuring the Election Commission to ensure neutrality and fairness.
• Governance Framework: A new framework for future governance, potentially including constitutional changes.
• Voting Age Reduction: Possibly decreasing the voting age to increase youth participation.
• Fundamental Reforms: Changes to the system of governance to ensure free and fair elections.

July Charter to Be Announced Through Consensus

• Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasized the importance of reaching a consensus with all political parties for the July Charter’s announcement.
• The charter aims to outline key reforms for Bangladesh’s future governance.
• Yunus expressed hope that the government would be able to prepare a comprehensive charter by minimizing differences among political parties.
• The National Consensus Commission, chaired by Yunus, is working towards announcing the charter in July.
• Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz stressed the importance of succeeding in their responsibility, as the commission’s tenure concludes in Aug 2025.
• The commission has been engaging with political parties through dialogue, with the second round of talks beginning recently.
• Representatives from various parties and stakeholders involved in the reform process attended the meeting.
• The commission’s efforts aim to review and finalize recommendations from 5 key reform commissions on the constitution, judiciary, electoral system, public administration, and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
• Through this consensus-driven approach, the government hopes to create a framework for future governance that is widely accepted and beneficial for Bangladesh’s welfare. (more)

Maldives to receive Guardian-class patrol boat from Australia

• Australia will gift a Guardian-class Patrol Boat to the Maldives to enhance its maritime security capabilities.
• The vessel, currently under construction, is expected to be completed in 2026.
• Additionally, Australia will gift a multi-beam echo sounder to support the Maldives’ hydrographic capabilities.
• The gift is part of Australia’s efforts to deepen its defence partnership with the Maldives and contribute to regional security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The announcement was made by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon in Male. (more)

Nepali Congress to Hold Mass Gatherings in Support of Republican System

• The Nepali Congress has decided to organize mass gatherings across the country to support the republican system and counter growing pro-monarchy and pro-Hindu movements.
• The party’s decision comes after the largest communist parties, CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre), held similar gatherings in Kathmandu.
• Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed concern over the systematic and serious nature of the monarchist protests, which demand the restoration of the Hindu state and monarchy abolished in 2008.
• The party emphasized that attempting to breach the constitutional framework through unconstitutional means is inappropriate and clarified that it will not support the agenda to revive the monarchy. (more)

India’s Duty Cut on Edible Oils to Hit Nepal’s Exports

• India has halved the customs duty on crude palm oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil to curb retail prices and protect domestic refiners.
• This move is expected to drastically cut into Nepal’s booming exports of refined edible oils to India, which had surged due to duty-free provisions under the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.
• The duty reduction will give Indian refiners a competitive edge, allowing them to save 19% in costs by importing crude oil instead of refined oil.
• Nepal’s exports, which involve minimal processing and repackaging, may not be sustainable in the long term.
• Experts urge the Nepali government to rethink its trade strategy, focusing on promoting exports of goods produced in Nepal or ensuring substantial value addition before re-export.
• Nepal’s edible oil exports to India surged in recent months, with soybean oil exports increasing 90-fold and sunflower oil exports rising 62-fold.

The Indian govt’s move may prompt Nepal to shift from opportunistic trade practices to a more stable, value-added model that supports long-term industrial and economic development. (more)