India

EU, India seal landmark free trade deal after nearly two decades of talks Pact touted as “mother of all deals” creating a market of two billion people; formal signing to follow legal review The European Union and India have agreed on a sweeping free trade deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday, declaring the pact the “mother of all deals” and a “free trade zone of two billion people.” “Europe and India are making history today,” von der Leyen said on X, adding that both sides are set to…

NEW DELHI/DUBAI — India signed a $3 billion liquefied natural gas supply deal with the United Arab Emirates on Monday, elevating India to the UAE’s top customer and deepening ties as the two countries pledged to expand trade and pursue a strategic defense partnership. Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Gas will supply 0.5 million metric tons of LNG annually to Hindustan Petroleum Corp. for 10 years. ADNOC Gas said the contract lifts the total value of its agreements with Indian buyers to more than $20 billion,…

NEW DELHI — India on Friday reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, distancing itself from growing regional moves to recognize North Western State of Somalia amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa. Responding to questions at a routine press briefing about the self-declared North Western State of Somalia administration, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored New Delhi’s long-held position in favor of Somalia’s unity. “India has longstanding…

India rejects claims of talks with North Western State of Somalia, denies any move toward recognition NEW DELHI — India has dismissed viral social media posts claiming New Delhi held official talks with North Western State of Somalia and was preparing to recognize the self-declared republic, calling the reports “fake” and urging the public to be vigilant against misinformation. In a brief fact-check posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected assertions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi…

When Global Rules Weakened: North Western State of Somalia and India’s Perspective Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia is more than a bilateral gambit. It is a marker of a world in which the “rules-based international order” no longer restrains hard power or strategic ambition. In the Horn of Africa, at the mouth of the Red Sea, a long-standing diplomatic taboo has been broken—and the global reaction has revealed how much sway norms have lost over interests. The shift predates this moment. By 2026,…

KOLKATA, India — Lionel Messi’s much-hyped tour of India lurched into chaos at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium after his appearance at a ticketed fan event ended abruptly, triggering unrest in the stands and on the pitch. Police detained the chief organiser, pledged refunds for ticket holders and said the mishandling would not go unpunished. Messi had been scheduled to spend 45 minutes at the event but departed after roughly 20 minutes. Tickets were priced from about 3,500 rupees (approximately €33), more than half the average…

At least 25 people were killed when a fire tore through a crowded nightclub in Arpora, a popular tourist hub in northern Goa, around midnight local time, the state’s chief minister said. Tourists were among the dead in the blaze at the Birch nightclub, according to authorities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the deaths “deeply saddening” and said he had spoken with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Modi added that the state government was providing “all possible assistance” to victims and their families. Sawant told…

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s pledge to maintain “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel to India crystallized the central dilemma at the heart of his state visit to New Delhi: energy security versus geopolitical cost. At a summit dominated by energy, defence and trade, President Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to translate decades-old ties into concrete guarantees even as the United States applies heavy pressure — including 50% tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump — to penalize New Delhi for continued…

Blast in Old Delhi near Red Fort Kills at Least Eight; Authorities Vow Swift Probe A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded stretch of Old Delhi near the historic Red Fort yesterday, killing at least eight people and wounding scores as flames engulfed several vehicles and sent smoke billowing through narrow market lanes. Authorities, treating the incident under anti‑terrorism laws, said forensic teams and specialist units were combing the scene, but stopped short of confirming whether the blast was an attack.…

Somali traders count losses after cargo ship bound for Bosaso burns in Indian port Rapid response, heavy losses BOSASO — A commercial vessel chartered by traders in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland State state caught fire early on Monday while anchored off Porbandar in India’s Gujarat state, leaving burned cargo, a shaken crew and questions about the fragility of food supply chains that stretch from South Asia to the Horn of Africa. The ship, identified by Indian authorities as Jamnagar and reportedly operated by HRM and…