India and Oman on Thursday signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement was signed by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef. It would lower trade barriers, enhance market access and provide a stable and predictable framework for businesses operating in both economies, officials said.

Bilateral trade between India and Oman has recently crossed the $ 10 billion mark, and the CEPA is expected to significantly expand trade volumes, boost investment flows, generate employment and unlock opportunities across multiple sectors. For Oman, the pact is particularly notable as it is only the second free trade agreement it has signed with an individual country and the first in nearly 20 years.

Describing the agreement as a historic breakthrough, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the CEPA would have a transformative impact on India-Oman relations. The PM arrived in Oman on Wednesday on the final leg of his three-nation tour, where he was received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at the Al Baraka Palace. The PM was conferred the prestigious Order of Oman (First Class) by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening India-Oman relations and his visionary leadership

Beyond economic cooperation, the two leaders reviewed defence and security ties, with particular emphasis on maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and the safety of critical sea lanes.

The leaders welcomed the convergence between Oman Vision 2040 and India’s long-term development goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, noting that both frameworks emphasise sustainable and inclusive growth. Several memoranda of understanding were signed during the visit, covering maritime heritage and museums, agriculture and allied sectors, and higher education.

The visit holds special significance as India and Oman mark 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. PM Modi described the milestone as a reflection of the deep historical, maritime and cultural links that bind the two nations.

Oman is India’s third-largest export destination among Gulf Cooperation Council countries. India-Oman trade stood at around $ 10.5 billion in 2024-25, with petroleum products and urea accounting for the bulk of India’s imports, while exports include fuels, chemicals, food products, machinery, textiles and steel.

Modi’s visit to Oman, his second to the Gulf nation, comes at the invitation of Sultan Haitham. Earlier, he visited Ethiopia and Jordan, underlining India’s expanding diplomatic and economic engagement across West Asia and Africa.

With the signing of the CEPA, India and Oman have signalled a clear intent to anchor their partnership in deeper economic integration while broadening cooperation in strategic, cultural and people-centric domains

Courtesy - The Pioneer  

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invoked history, heritage, and civilisational identity as he reflected on the legacy of Sindh and its deep cultural ties with India. Speaking at an event, he said that although the Sindh region is not part of India today, “borders can change,” and there may come a time when the land could “return home” to India.

He noted that Sindh—located along the Indus River—became part of Pakistan after Partition in 1947, leading to the displacement of countless Sindhi families who migrated to India. Singh emphasised that the Sindhi Hindu community, particularly leaders of the older generation such as Lal Krishna Advani, never emotionally reconciled with the separation of Sindh from India. Quoting Advani, he said Sindhi Hindus have always considered the Indus River sacred, and even many Muslims in Sindh historically regarded its waters with the reverence reserved for Mecca’s Aab-e-Zamzam.

Reiterating India’s civilisational bond with the region, Singh stated that Sindh’s cultural and spiritual imprint remains firmly embedded in India’s identity. “Civilisationally, Sindh will always belong to India,” he said, adding that the people of Sindh—regardless of borders—will continue to be cherished as part of India’s extended civilisational family.

The ruling NDA has delivered a landslide victory in Bihar, securing 202 of the 243 assembly seats and leaving the Opposition Mahagathbandhan with just 35. Calling the mandate unprecedented, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the verdict had “taken Bihar by storm,” asserting that while some parties relied on the old “MY” (Muslim–Yadav) formula, voters forged a new “MY” alliance — Mahila (women) and Yuva (youth). He also suggested that Bihar’s wave would influence neighbouring Bengal, promising to end “Jungle Raj” there as well.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the state with 89 seats, followed closely by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU with 85. Allies Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) won 19 seats, Hindustani Awam Morcha five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha four.

On the Opposition side, Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD managed just 25 seats — a dramatic fall from its 75-seat tally in 2020. The Congress won six seats, CPI(ML) two, CPM one, and IIP one. Meanwhile, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM surprised many by winning five seats in Seemanchal.

Poll strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party, once seen as a potential disruptor, failed to make any impact, polling fewer votes than NOTA. The NDA’s sweeping victory is being credited to strong women voter turnout and effective caste outreach.

Investigations into the deadly car bomb near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed nine people, have revealed direct links to Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), police sources said Tuesday. The blast, caused by an improvised explosive device packed with ammonium nitrate fuel oil inside a Hyundai i20, is believed to have been executed by JeM operative Dr Umar Mohammed from Pulwama.

Umar reportedly detonated the explosive after two associates, Dr Mujammil Shakeel and Dr Adil Ahmed Rather, were arrested in a multi-state anti-terror operation. Nearly 3,000 kg of explosives were seized from Shakeel’s premises in Haryana’s Faridabad, highlighting the scale of the planned attacks.

The investigation has also uncovered the role of a woman, Shaheena Shahid, a medical professional linked to Shakeel, who may head the Jaish’s newly formed women’s wing, Jamat-ul-Muminat, in India.

Founded by Masood Azhar, Jaish-e-Mohammed has been rebuilding after losing key leaders and family members in Indian air and missile strikes following the Pulwama and Pahalgam attacks. Its shift toward recruiting educated professionals, including doctors, marks a dangerous evolution in the terror group’s tactics, blending intellect with ideology.

Less than a week before Phase 1 of the Bihar assembly elections 2025, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unveiled its manifesto, promising massive employment generation and women-led economic transformation. Released in Patna by BJP chief JP Nadda and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Sankalp Patra lays out a roadmap to create one crore government jobs and transform Bihar into a hub of development and opportunity.

Employment and Youth Development
With a focus on reversing migration, the NDA pledged to conduct a state-wide skill census and set up mega skill centres in every district to provide youth with industry-relevant training. The manifesto also announced Centres of Excellence for sports and a Bihar Sports City to nurture athletic talent.

Women Empowerment
Promising to make one crore “Lakhpati Didis,” the alliance aims to provide financial aid of up to ?2 lakh under the Chief Minister’s Women’s Employment Scheme. Initiatives like “Mission Crorepati” will further promote women entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

Infrastructure and Industry
The NDA plans to build seven expressways, four international airports in Patna, Darbhanga, Purnia, and Bhagalpur, and metro networks in four cities. Ten new industrial parks per district, 100 MSME parks, and a defence and semiconductor corridor are on the agenda to boost manufacturing and jobs.

Farmers and Welfare
A new Karpuri Thakur Kisan Samman Nidhi will increase farmers’ annual assistance to ?9,000, while fishermen’s support will also double. The manifesto commits ?1 lakh crore for agricultural infrastructure.

Education and Social Justice
Plans include an Education City, global university tie-ups, and free education from KG to PG for poor families. The NDA also pledged ?2,000 monthly aid for SC students and development of Sitamarhi into “Sitapuram,” a global spiritual destination.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday urged GST officers to combine firmness with fairness—be polite and empathetic to honest taxpayers while acting decisively against evaders. Speaking at the inauguration of a CGST building, she stressed that the next-generation GST must not only simplify rates but also transform the taxpayer’s experience. “There is no iron wall between you and the trader,” she said, calling for proactive trade facilitation and technology-driven grievance redressal.

In a most fierce salvo, India has issued a stern warning to Pakistan: stop supporting terrorism or risk losing your place on the world map. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at an Army post in Rajasthan's Anupgarh, declared that India will no longer exercise restraint if Pakistan continues state-sponsored terrorism.

While speaking at EIA University in Colombia, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said India's biggest internal threat is the "attack on democracy." Rahul emphasized that India’s diversity, religious, linguistic, and cultural, requires a democratic structure to thrive. “India is a conversation between its people. Right now, that democratic space is under attack,” he said, warning against rising centralisation and suppression.

Rahul Gandhi contrasted India’s system with China’s, saying, “We cannot suppress diversity with authoritarianism like China does. India’s structure won’t accept it.” He also warned of growing internal rifts and the need to protect regional languages and traditions.

Addressing global shifts in energy, Gandhi said major powers rise during transitions. “The British dominated coal and steam; the US dominated oil and petrol engines. Now, we face a shift to electric. China is leading that race,” he noted, urging India to find a democratic model of production that competes globally.

The BJP hit back, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla calling Gandhi the “Leader of Propaganda.” He accused Gandhi of maligning India abroad and undermining institutions.

Addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of ending what he called “seven unendable wars.” Trump declared, “In just seven months, I have ended seven wars that were said to be unendable. Some lasted 31 years, one lasted 36 years.”

He listed the conflicts as Israel-Iran, India-Pakistan, Rwanda-DR Congo, Thailand-Cambodia, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Egypt-Ethiopia, and Serbia-Kosovo. According to Trump, these conflicts were “raging with countless thousands of people being killed,” and his intervention brought them to an end.

The US President also criticised the UN, accusing it of failing to live up to its mandate. “It’s empty words, and empty words don’t solve wars,” he remarked.

Trump’s remarks revived controversy around his May 10 announcement on social media, where he claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. New Delhi has firmly denied any US role, stressing that the ceasefire was agreed through direct talks between the Indian and Pakistani militaries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified in Parliament that no foreign leader pressured India to halt Operation Sindoor after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also confirmed India’s stance, saying Islamabad never agreed to third-party mediation.

Khalistani terrorist Inderjit Singh Gosal, a close aide of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been arrested in Ottawa, Canada, in a significant crackdown on extremist activities. Gosal, 36, is accused of multiple firearms-related offences and is regarded as one of the principal organisers for the US-based Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in Canada. His rise in the outfit followed the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, after which he became a central figure in mobilising separatist activities.

This marks his second arrest within a year. In November 2024, Gosal was detained by Peel Regional Police for his alleged involvement in a violent attack at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area, where worshippers were assaulted. Despite serious charges, he was granted conditional release.

His latest arrest comes shortly after India and Canada restored full diplomatic ties, signaling a shift in Ottawa’s earlier permissive stance on Khalistani separatists operating under the banner of free speech. Gosal has long been linked to Pannun, serving not only as his right-hand man but also as his personal security officer. India designated Pannun an “individual terrorist” in 2020, while SFJ remains banned as a terror outfit.