World

An India-bound container vessel, Epaminondes, was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz. Among the 21 crew members is vice-captain Sanjay Mahar from Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar. His family reported that the crew faced gunfire but remained safe inside the ship.

President Donald Trump has dispatched envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoffe to Pakistan for continued negotiations with Iran. White House press secretary Karolina Leavitt confirmed that the envoys will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Islamabad.

The Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini reached Las Palmas, marking its first Canary Islands visit, as part of Lokayan 26 deployment, boosting maritime ties and preparing for a trans-Atlantic voyage to US events

India said the Iran situation remains serious, with the Ministry of External Affairs confirming over 2,400 evacuations, while embassy staff in Tehran continue assisting nationals amid a fragile ceasefire extended by Donald Trump

Annalena Baerbock will visit India on April 28 to meet S. Jaishankar for discussions on multilateral issues, AI governance, and global challenges, while also paying tribute at Rajghat during her official programme

An Indian seafarer aboard the Iranian-held vessel Epaminondas is safe, officials confirmed, amid escalating Strait of Hormuz tensions involving ship seizures by Iran, with multiple Indian crew members across vessels being monitored by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways

The White House said Donald Trump extended a Jones Act waiver by 90 days, easing shipping rules for foreign vessels transporting oil and gas amid post-Iran conflict disruptions, aiming to stabilize supply and energy prices

India and the United States concluded three-day trade talks on April 23, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stating both sides agreed to stay engaged, advancing discussions on market access, digital trade, and a proposed bilateral trade agreement framework

  Analysts examine whether the Strait of Hormuz could again see US naval escorts like the 1980s “Tanker War.” Rising Iran-linked attacks and modern asymmetric warfare complicate security efforts despite potential US intervention to protect global oil shipping 

Uncertainty surrounds Masood Azhar as reports suggest declining health and internal dissent within Jaish-e-Mohammed. Cadres question his whereabouts while intelligence agencies say he is unwell but not critically ill, with leadership reportedly seeking succession plans

China will send two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, to Zoo Atlanta under a 10-year conservation deal. The move strengthens US–China “panda diplomacy” amid strained ties and upcoming high-level political engagement

Wildfires are intensifying across eastern United States, with scientists linking rising incidents to climate change, drought, and storm debris. Increased fuel and dry conditions are driving more frequent, destructive fires, especially in densely populated forest regions

In Washington, General Upendra Dwivedi was inducted into the International Hall of Fame at the US Army War College, becoming the third Indian Army chief honoured, highlighting growing India-US defence cooperation and strategic ties

US President Donald Trump praised Indian tennis player Dhakshineswar Suresh at the National Champions Day event in Washington DC. The Wake Forest star clinched the 2025 NCAA Division I title and has been a rising talent in Indian tennis

India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s social media post targeting immigrants and birthright citizenship, calling the remarks “uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste.”

Prachi Gaikwad won gold in junior women’s 50m rifle 3 positions at ISSF Junior World Cup in Cairo, while Naraen Pranav bagged bronze in junior men’s 10m air rifle. India now leads the medal tally with two golds and seven other medals

The US sought to contain controversy after President Donald Trump reposted remarks calling India a “hellhole”, with officials clarifying he considers India a “great country”. India reacted cautiously, as diplomatic efforts aimed to defuse tensions triggered by the post

India welcomed Japan’s decision to review its defence equipment and technology transfer rules, calling it a boost to bilateral security cooperation. MEA said defence ties remain a key pillar of the India–Japan strategic partnership, supporting tech and industrial collaboration

India’s ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra said India’s transformation is driven by strong economic growth, governance reforms, digital and physical infrastructure, and technological innovation. He highlighted deepening India–US ties and India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047

France has waived transit visa requirements for Indian travellers passing through its airports, effective April 10, 2026. The move, agreed during PM Modi–President Macron talks, aims to ease travel, strengthen bilateral ties, and boost people-to-people connectivity between India and France

India confirmed 22 seafarers aboard two foreign-flagged ships targeted in the Strait of Hormuz are safe. Authorities are coordinating evacuations, monitoring the situation, and assisting nationals as tensions persist, while maritime operations and port activities in India remain unaffected

US President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to target Iranian small boats allegedly mining the Strait of Hormuz and intensify mine-clearing operations. The directive escalates military tensions in the critical global oil route amid ongoing US-Iran maritime conflict

The US seized an oil tanker linked to Iranian crude smuggling in the Indian Ocean, escalating tensions after Iran captured vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has disrupted global shipping, pushed oil prices above $100, and increased economic strain worldwide

India confirmed 14 ships have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz while 14 remain in the Persian Gulf amid rising tensions. Iran has attacked multiple vessels, including India-bound ships, prompting diplomatic protests from New Delhi over maritime safety and regional instability