NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD — India is planning to significantly increase its withdrawal of water from a major river that supplies Pakistan’s agricultural lands downstream. This move is reportedly in retaliation for a deadly April attack on tourists, which New Delhi attributes to Islamabad, according to four sources familiar with the matter.
Following the killing of 26 civilians in Indian Kashmir, which India labeled a terrorist act, Delhi suspended its participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty that regulates water use from the Indus river system. Despite a recent ceasefire agreement after the most intense fighting between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in years, the treaty has not been reinstated.
After the April 22 attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed officials to accelerate the planning and execution of projects on the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus rivers—three key rivers mostly allocated to Pakistan under the treaty, according to six sources speaking to Reuters. One major proposal under consideration is extending the Ranbir canal on the Chenab River from its current length to 120 kilometers. This canal, which was constructed in the 19th century before the treaty’s establishment, runs from India into Pakistan’s Punjab region, a vital agricultural zone, according to two sources.
India is allowed limited water extraction from the Chenab for irrigation, but expanding the canal—an effort experts say could take years—would enable India to divert up to 150 cubic meters of water per second, compared to about 40 cubic meters now, according to four people citing official documents and discussions. These government deliberations on the canal expansion have not been publicly disclosed before. The talks began last month and continue even after the ceasefire, according to one source.
India’s water and foreign ministries, along with Prime Minister Modi’s office, did not respond to Reuters’ inquiries. NHPC, India’s leading hydropower company that operates many projects in the Indus system, also declined to comment. In a recent speech, Modi said, “water and blood cannot flow together,” although he did not directly mention the treaty. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India will keep the treaty suspended until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan’s water and foreign ministries did not reply to requests for comment. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told lawmakers that Pakistan had formally protested India’s suspension of the treaty, deeming it illegal, and affirmed that Pakistan considers the treaty still valid. After India suspended the treaty in April, Pakistan warned that any attempt to stop or divert water meant for Pakistan would be regarded as an act of war. Approximately 80 percent of Pakistan’s agriculture depends on the Indus river system, as do nearly all of its hydropower projects serving the country’s population of around 250 million.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Thursday expressed doubts about the unity of the India bloc opposition alliance, saying he was unsure if it remained intact. Speaking at the launch of the book Contesting Democratic Deficit by Salman Khurshid and Mritunjay Singh Yadav, Chidambaram remarked that the alliance appeared to be showing signs of strain.
He said, "The future of the India bloc doesn't look very promising, as Mritunjay Singh Yadav mentioned. While he believes the alliance is still united, I am uncertain. Only Salman Khurshid, who was part of the negotiating team for the India bloc, can confirm this. If the alliance is indeed intact, I would be very pleased. However, it clearly shows signs of fraying." The Rajya Sabha MP expressed hope that the alliance could still be revived, adding, "there's still time to bring it together."
Chidambaram also warned that the India bloc faces a tough challenge against a "formidable machinery"—the BJP—which he described as being uniquely well-organized and powerful. "In my experience and understanding of history, no political party is as formidably organized as the BJP. It’s more than just a political party; it’s a machine behind another machine controlling many institutions in India. From the Election Commission to the lowest police station, the BJP exerts influence or control over these bodies. It’s a formidable system, as much as democracy allows," he said.
The book by Khurshid and Yadav discusses Congress's revival efforts before last year’s Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the emotionally resonant Bharat Jodo Yatra and the historic formation of the India bloc, which united diverse political forces. The authors recount how opposition parties came together to uphold the vision of an inclusive and pluralistic India.
Chidambaram emphasized that Indian elections remain resilient despite challenges. "While interference and manipulation may occur, elections in India cannot be outrightly undermined. No ruling party can secure 98 percent of the votes—that simply isn’t possible here," he said. He warned that if the 2029 general elections further consolidate BJP’s power, the country would be beyond repair. "The 2029 elections are crucial and must restore full democracy," he stressed.
Agreeing with Chidambaram, Khurshid acknowledged problems within the India bloc that require urgent attention. "We must address these concerns. Chidambaram’s comments remind us that we need to prepare for a major battle in 2029, focusing on uniting alliance partners," the former foreign minister said. He added that opposition parties need a broader vision to achieve a significant electoral turnaround. "If we only concentrate on how many seats to contest or focus on post-result scenarios, we risk missing the bigger goal of reversing electoral trends in the country," Khurshid said.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to hold their first direct peace talks in three years this Friday in Istanbul, with Turkey mediating the negotiations. However, officials and analysts anticipate little immediate progress in ending the ongoing conflict that has lasted over three years. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, is set to meet a relatively low-ranking Russian team headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.
The peace efforts began on an uneasy note Thursday when Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal for a face-to-face meeting. Additionally, the two delegations arrived separately in different Turkish cities, and their negotiating teams differ significantly in diplomatic stature.
While hopes for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy were low, the stalled peace process has disappointed those hoping for meaningful progress during the talks in Turkey. The two sides remain deeply divided over terms to end the war. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, visiting the Middle East, emphasized that a personal meeting between him and Putin is essential to break the deadlock. Ukraine has agreed to a US and European-backed full ceasefire lasting 30 days, but Putin has effectively dismissed the proposal by attaching extensive conditions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian and Western military analysts warn that Russian forces are preparing for a new offensive.
Following Putin’s refusal to meet Zelenskyy in Istanbul, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of not genuinely pursuing peace, criticizing the low-level Russian delegation as mere “theater.” Still, Zelenskyy confirmed that his defense minister would lead Ukraine’s team at the talks, signaling Kyiv’s commitment to peace efforts despite Russian reluctance. The Russian delegation reportedly includes three other senior officials, along with four lower-level experts appointed by Putin.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he planned to meet with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul on Friday, while the Russian team would meet with other US representatives. Rubio expressed hope for a joint meeting but tempered expectations, saying the only likely breakthrough would come from a meeting between Trump and Putin. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy traveled to Albania to attend a meeting with European political leaders on Friday.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from AP.
The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) Unit of Delhi Police’s Special Cell has uncovered an international investment fraud syndicate operating through mule bank accounts and cryptocurrency payments, arresting two individuals, one of whom has links to Chinese cyber networks. According to a Delhi Police statement, the case emerged after Ashok Kumar, a Delhi resident, filed a complaint on April 2, 2025, reporting a loss of Rs 64.75 lakh. The victim was tricked into investing in fake IPOs and stock trading via a fraudulent platform named Business Catalyst Market Ltd. He was persuaded to transfer money to five separate accounts.
A case was registered under Sections 318(4), 319(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Among the arrested, Vaddoriya Kewin Mukeshbhai (25) from Surat, Gujarat, a second-year BBA student, had previously been arrested in a digital arrest scam in Maharashtra. Abdul Barik (32) from Roorkee, who has a prior cybercrime record, responded to advertisements offering commissions for providing bank accounts and SIM cards.
DCP IFSO Dr. Hemant Tiwari, IPS, stated that the accused were receiving commissions in USDT (a stable cryptocurrency) via foreign wallets on Binance, a global crypto exchange. Authorities seized six mobile phones containing Chinese apps and online wallets used in cyber fraud. The investigation is ongoing to uncover more connected accounts and accomplices both domestically and internationally.
On May 15, the Delhi Police IFSO Unit of Special Cell dismantled a network involved in supplying and using mule/fake bank accounts linked to the IVR scam (Digital Arrest scam). The accused operated mule accounts to transfer crime proceeds overseas. During the operation, Rs 2.2 crore, three mobile phones, SIM cards, and other digital evidence were recovered and returned to victims.
Separately, on March 15, 2025, the IFSO Unit received a complaint from a 92-year-old retired surgeon who reported receiving multiple unsolicited calls on March 12, 2025. The callers impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Maharashtra Police, falsely claiming several FIRs had been filed against him.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
COVID-19 cases are rising sharply in Hong Kong and Singapore, signaling a fresh wave across Asia. Hong Kong has seen its highest positivity rate and severe cases in a year, while Singapore reported a 28% jump in cases and a 30% rise in hospitalizations. Authorities attribute the increase to waning immunity, though no new variant appears more dangerous. China and Thailand are also seeing growing infections. Health officials urge people, especially high-risk groups, to stay updated on vaccinations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.
Keir Starmer has stood by the language he used in a recent speech on immigration. However, several Labour MPs have expressed concern over his wording, with some even suggesting it resembled the rhetoric of Enoch Powell. John Harris interviews Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy to understand why she and others are alarmed. In addition, The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff and Kiran Stacey explore who is shaping the narrative—both in terms of messaging and political direction.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
As US President Donald Trump prepares to visit Gulf nations this week, a major objective will be to attract substantial new investments into the US economy. The region’s economic significance is underscored by the choice of Saudi Arabia as the first destination for his second term’s foreign visit. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Jessica Genauer, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Flinders University, to explore the anticipated business agreements on the agenda.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
India's military operations chief is set to meet with his Pakistani counterpart to discuss the next steps following the ceasefire. After some initial violations, there were no reports of explosions or projectiles overnight. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest update with insights from Dr. Christopher Snedden, a political scientist and author.
Disclaimer: This Video is taken from CNA.
In a special interview with the BBC, Prince Harry shared that his father refuses to communicate with him due to ongoing security concerns, even though Harry hopes for reconciliation with the Royal Family. Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng explore whether reconciliation between father and son is possible and what it would require, with insights from Marcus Harmes, Associate Director of Research at the University of Southern Queensland.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
