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India’s Diplomatic Decline: Losing Neighbors to China’s Influence in South Asia
Explore India’s diplomatic decline as neighbors pivot to China’s influence in South Asia and global forums like the G7 sideline Delhi. Can India reclaim its clout in 2025? India’s diplomatic decline is stark. In 2014, Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as Prime Minister, with SAARC leaders at Rashtrapati Bhavan, screamed regional dominance. Fast forward to 2025, and India’s grip is slipping. Neighbors are flocking to China’s influence in South Asia, global powers snub India at forums like the G7, and domestic politics fuel anti-India vibes. Can India bounce back, or is this a deeper crisis? South Asia’s Pivot: China’s Influence Grows India’s diplomatic decline is clearest in South Asia. Modi’s 2014 SAARC invite was a flex, uniting leaders from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and beyond. Now, SAARC’s dead, stalled since the 2016 Uri attack spiked India-Pakistan tensions. Pakistan’s $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and India’s 2019 Kashmir move have cemented hostility. Nepal’s 2019 Kalapani border spat and Belt and Road deals with China have cooled ties. Sri Lanka, despite India’s $4 billion aid in 2022, leased Hambantota Port to China for 99 years. Maldives kicked out Indian troops after a pro-China shift in 2023. Bangladesh, post-2024 coup, ousted Sheikh Hasina—now exiled …
Haryana Travel Vlogger Faces Espionage Allegations: Police Debunk Misinformation in Jyoti Rani Malhotra Case
Hisar, Haryana, May 22, 2025 — Jyoti Rani Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Hisar, known for her YouTube channel “Travel with Jo” boasting over 377,000 subscribers, was detained by the Indian authorities on May 16, 2025, accused of espionage activities for Pakistan. In a press release issued on May 21, 2025, Hisar Police Superintendent Shashank Kumar Sawan stated that Malhotra faces charges under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly compromising India’s national security. However, the police have clarified that investigations are ongoing, with no evidence yet confirming that Jyoti Malhotra shared sensitive military or strategic data, countering sensationalised media reports. The case came to light after Punjab Police provided intelligence on May 7, 2025, revealing Jyoti’s interactions with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from New Delhi on May 13, 2025, for spying. According to the FIR lodged at Hisar’s Civil Lines Police Station, Jyoti Malhotra connected with Danish in 2023 while arranging a visa for travel to Pakistan, which she visited at least twice. During these trips, she allegedly engaged with Pakistani intelligence operatives, including individuals named Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, …
Countries Team Up in WHO’s Emergency Drill to Prepare for Future Outbreaks
A Fictional Virus Outbreak Highlights the Power of Collaboration and Trust in Crisis Response Over the past two days, the World Health Organization (WHO) brought together more than 15 countries, along with over 20 regional health agencies and partners, to test a new way of working together during health emergencies. Called Exercise Polaris, this two-day simulation marked the first real-world test of the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC)—a system designed to strengthen national emergency teams, coordinate expert support, and streamline collaboration between countries. The simulation imagined a fictional virus spreading rapidly across the globe. Countries such as Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia, Uganda, and Ukraine activated their national emergency systems to share updates, align strategies, and launch coordinated responses. Several other countries participated as observers. Meanwhile, major global health partners—including Africa CDC, European CDC, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and established emergency networks—joined forces to support the leading nations. More than 350 health experts from around the world participated in the exercise. They responded to the fictional outbreak as if it were real—testing how effectively they could share information, offer technical guidance, and deliver emergency support. The exercise emphasized the importance of …
No Boundaries for Nature: The Myanmar Earthquake and Its Ripple Effects on Bangkok Tourism
A Natural Disaster’s Lasting Echoes Across Borders Nature doesn’t respect borders, and the recent earthquake in Myanmar is a stark reminder of that. On March 28, 2025, a powerful 7.7-magnitude quake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, sending shock waves across Southeast Asia. Over 1,600 lives have been lost in Myanmar so far, with the death toll still climbing as rescue efforts persist. Hundreds of miles away, in Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok, a high-rise building under construction collapsed, claiming at least 12 lives and leaving dozens missing. But the damage didn’t stop at physical destruction—it’s now hitting Thailand’s tourism industry hard. An Instant Blow to Bangkok’s Tourism Imagine planning a dream vacation to Bangkok—vibrant markets, stunning temples, and rooftop views—only to cancel it overnight. That’s the reality for many travelers since the quake. Posts on X and early reports suggest foreign tourist arrivals to Thailand could drop by 10-15% in the two weeks following the disaster, as safety concerns ripple through the travel community. Ticket cancellations have surged, and Bangkok, a city that thrives on its 20 million annual visitors, is feeling the pinch. The Tourism Authority of Thailand insists that Bangkok’s airports, public transport like the BTS Skytrain, and major attractions …
US Slaps 26% Tariff on Indian Exports, Triggering Price Surge and Economic Ripples
26% US Tariff on Indian Exports Sparks Economic Concerns: What It Means for India and Its People. New Delhi, April 3, 2025 – The United States has rolled out a 26% tariff on Indian goods, effective April 9, 2025, as part of President Donald Trump’s push to address global trade imbalances. This move, announced during Trump’s “Liberation Day” address, has sent ripples through India’s economy, raising fears of reduced exports, a weaker rupee, and rising prices for everyday items. With India exporting around $66 billion worth of goods to the U.S. annually, the tariff could hit hard, affecting everything from jobs to the cost of living. A Blow to India’s Exports and Economy India sends a wide range of products to the U.S., including medicines, textiles, car parts, and gems. Experts estimate this tariff could slash India’s export earnings by $2 billion to $7 billion each year. That’s a significant chunk for an economy already navigating global trade tensions. The impact might slow India’s GDP growth by 0.05% to 0.3%, a modest but noticeable dent. Jobs are at risk too, especially in export-heavy regions like Gujarat, known for its diamond trade, Tamil Nadu, a textile hub, and Maharashtra, a pharmaceutical …
