News,Insights and events from India’s neighborhood .
UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche welcomed the Cabinet decision, describing it as an important step towards enabling people displaced for many years to return safely and with dignity.
Noor made the remarks during a reception at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi marking five years since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul. The event was significant as it was the first public Victory Day reception organised by Afghanistan’s current authorities in India since the change of government in August 2021.
The significance for India is considerable. As the country expands indigenous production of aircraft, UAVs, missiles, sensors, electronic warfare systems and other advanced technologies, engineers and specialists working inside the defence-industrial ecosystem increasingly possess knowledge that can itself become a target of foreign cyber-espionage operations.
Prathamshree Mahavihar forms part of Patan’s historic network of Buddhist monasteries, locally associated with the traditional bahi and bahal architectural traditions of the Kathmandu Valley. These complexes serve as places of worship, ritual practice, community gathering and preservation of Newar Buddhist traditions. The project covered the Gusthal Bahi and its Agam, a sacred component of the monastic complex used for religious and ceremonial functions.
Rear Admiral You made the remarks at a reception held in New Delhi on July 21, 2026, to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. He described India and China as important neighbours passing through critical stages of national development and rejuvenation.
A Memorandum of Understanding for the project was signed on July 13, 2026, by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and Dr Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Mass Media. Sri Lankan Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa attended the signing ceremony.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the National Flag will be flown at half-mast across the country on all government buildings where it is regularly displayed. The government also announced that no official entertainment events will take place during the day of mourning.
India reaffirmed that its engagement with Afghanistan remains focused on practical support for ordinary people. Healthcare, food security, education and capacity building continue to be key pillars of this relationship. These sectors directly support Afghanistan’s recovery and strengthen the long-standing people-to-people connection between the two countries.
During the interaction, Wang said China is prepared to implement the important understanding reached between the leaders of the two countries and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. He emphasised that India and China, as two of the world’s largest developing countries and major voices of the Global South, have a responsibility to work together in support of stability, development and self-reliance among developing nations.
Doval said India welcomes the US-Iran understanding and hopes that it will work in a constructive manner. His use of the phrase “cautious optimism” reflects India’s balanced diplomatic approach: welcoming de-escalation while remaining mindful of the complex political and security dynamics in West Asia.
