COVID-19 has emerged as an important form of diplomatic currency around the world as nations try to showcase their soft power gains. In this race, India has an edge as India is already a pharmaceutical giant having produced some 60 per cent of global vaccines and now justly seeking to strengthen ties and expand its influence in its neighbourhood and beyond, observes Dr Rajaram Panda.
'These efforts by Beijing can be weaponised one day with economic, security and political implications for India.'
India's largest mobile operator Reliance Jio Infocomm will land the multi-terabit India-Asia-Xpress (IAX) undersea cable system in Hulhumale, Maldives, according to a statement on Monday. The high capacity and high-speed IAX system will connect Hulhumale directly with world's major internet hubs in India and Singapore. Jio's IAX project will land in the Maldives in collaboration with Ocean Connect Maldives, the statement said. The IAX system originates in Mumbai in the west and connects directly to Singapore, with branches including additional landings in India, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Vaani is lost in thought... Kajol wears a lemon... Shriya holidays in the Maldives...
The message from Sunday's event will undoubtedly reverberate globally. It's a landmark occasion that will be remembered for generations and will inspire many other states to introduce the story of Rajendra Chola into school curricula, says Tarun Vijay.
Film folk are already enjoying their summer getaways in London, Dubai, Kashmir and even a jungle safari in Maharashtra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a tree sapling to King Charles III as part of his 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' environmental initiative during their meeting at Sandringham Estate.
In line with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, the largest share of aid portfolio has been granted to Bhutan with the allocation of Rs 2,068 crore.
AIFF opens application process for new men's head coach position after Marquez's exit
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will accompany Prime Minister Narendra Modi to London for the signing of the free trade agreement between India and the UK on July 24, an official said on Monday. The two countries announced the conclusion of the negotiations for the trade agreement on May 6.
Like other Bollywood stars, former Miss World Manushi Chillar took a trip to the Maldives.
Arjun explores Incredible India... Bhumi visits a temple... Mouni's day is ruined...
Bollywood celebs show you how to look great this summer.
Havelock should be your destination for 2024. It is love at every sight!
Travellers are keen to explore traditional Indian arts and crafts like Madhubani painting in Bihar, pottery and weaving workshops in Rajasthan, or Kathakali and Kalaripayattu training in Kerala.
Rajapaksa, his wife Loma and their two security officers were expected to leave for Singapore on board SQ437 from Male on Wednesday night but did not board the aircraft due to security concerns, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.
Everyone in Bollywood, it seems, is taking turns to soak in the sun in the Maldives.
In a statement, the police said that they were treating the incident as a serious issue, and the Serious and Organised Crime Department was investigating it with "utmost urgency."
Sunil Chhetri returns to the national team,
Don't you love going on a holiday? Bollywood stars love it too!
JV to export e-carts, aim for 10% global market share, $1 bn turnover and innovation in driverless tech.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has promised safe return passage for every foreigner involved in the lucrative eight-team league.
Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as angry protesters stormed the prime minister's office in Colombo, hours after president Gotabaya Rajapksa fled to the Maldives on a military jet, amid the country's worst economic crisis in decades.
Shraddha gets a haircut... Rhea takes a selfie... Bipasha's back in Maldives...
Vivek Oberoi takes a trip to the Maldives with wife Priyanka and children Vivaan and Ameyaa.
The South Asia Postgraduate Excellence Award 2025 is an initiative by University of Nottingham which offers scholarships to international students who excel academically and demonstrate a strong passion for their chosen field.
It remains a mystery that when its scientists were accused of selling technologies which did not exist in ISRO, ISRO's leadership did not say to the public that they were searching in a dark room for a black cat which was not there, points out Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
India has for the first time secured a place among the top 100 out of 167 countries ranked for their progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a report published on Tuesday. According to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 10th and latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR), India ranks 99th on the 2025 SDG Index with a score of 67, while China ranks 49th with 74.4 and the US 44th with 75.2 points.
'Last to get on the Maldives bandwagon, but I fully get the hype'.
Rohit Sharma has hit pause on the cricketing chaos for a well-earned family escape to the Maldives.
Bipasha Basu and Karana Singh Grover's daughter Devi turns two, and the proud parents rushed off to the Maldives to celebrate the big day.
India has ranked 131 out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, slipping two places from its position last year.
Alaya is in Paris... Sanya takes a selfie... Shriya promotes a new show...
Anushka sweats it out... Adah is on her toes... Janhvi gets ready for the lockdown...
'But sometimes the team doesn't know how to draw. And today, if you couldn't win the game before the minute 90-91, at least try to be in a position to avoid the defeat. But I feel that India is still in the fight.'
After Taapsee Pannu, Neha Dhupia, Mandira Bedi and badminton star Saina Nehwal, it is Varun Dhawan's turn to head out to the Maldives.
India thrash Sri Lanka 8-0 in SAFF U19 C'ship opener
'There is suffering everywhere.' 'The cases of Covid are multiplying.' 'Please don't taunt those who are suffering.'
