Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow would not interfere in the "delicate" bilateral relations between India and China, expressing confidence in their ability to resolve border disputes amicably. He also discussed Russia's independent partnerships with both nations, touched upon India-Pakistan ties, and highlighted ongoing and proposed defence cooperation with India, including the BrahMos missile and a potential Su-57 fighter jet project.
The Indian men's junior squash team secured their spot in the pre-quarterfinals of the World Squash Junior Team Championships by defeating Brazil and the Netherlands 3-0. The women's team also started strong, beating Chinese Taipei 3-0, with World Junior champion Anahat Singh being rested.
Pakistan is reportedly pursuing Chinese J-35 stealth fighters while China already operates hundreds of J-20 stealth aircraft.
Newly-crowned Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth will lead India's challenge at the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton tournament. Tanvi's recent historic win and Srikanth's return to full fitness set high expectations for the Indian contingent across singles and doubles categories.
Indian rifle shooters Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon have won a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou. This medal brings India's total tally to four, including one gold, one silver, and two bronze. Both athletes expressed confidence and motivation from this achievement, with Himanshu marking his maiden senior World Cup podium.
India's Senior B and Men's A bridge teams have successfully advanced to the semifinals of the fifth Asia Cup Bridge Championship, held in Panaji. The Senior B team topped the Swiss league, while the Men's A team secured a third-place finish, setting the stage for Friday's knockout rounds.
India's defence expenditure surged to $92.1 billion in 2025, making it the world's fifth-largest military spender, according to SIPRI data. This 8.9 per cent year-on-year rise was primarily driven by operational and procurement needs following heightened regional tensions with Pakistan in May 2025.
India concluded the third day of the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships with a total of 11 medals, adding three more on Saturday. Distance runner Shivaji Parashuram secured his second silver medal in the men's 10,000m, while Priya won bronze in discus throw and Shravani Sangle claimed bronze in the 400m hurdles.
Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu advanced to the second round of the China Open after a tough match against compatriot Unnati Hooda. In a significant upset, Ayush Shetty defeated world No. 11 Alwi Farhan in the men's singles. However, India's men's and mixed doubles pairs were eliminated from the BWF Super 1000 tournament.
Indian Seniors have taken the lead in their section at the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championship in Panaji, while China has shown strong dominance across other categories. India's "A" and "B" teams are also in contention for a podium finish, with the tournament progressing towards the semifinal rounds.
Young Indian shuttler Rounak Chouhan, ranked 80th, caused a significant upset at the US Open by defeating world number six and top seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in straight games. Other Indian players, including Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree, Devika Sihag, and Kidambi Srikanth, also advanced to the quarter-finals.
Indian badminton players, including Kidambi Srikanth, faced a challenging start at the Canada Open Super 300 event, with most shuttlers failing to advance past the opening round. Only Tanya Hemnath and Aakarshi Kashyap secured spots in the women's singles second round.
India's senior bridge teams, both A and B, have made an impressive start at the fifth Asia Cup Bridge Championship in Goa, positioning themselves among the top contenders after the opening day. While the senior teams excelled, the women's teams faced a challenging start.
Indian badminton players, led by Isharani Baruah and Kiran, are set to compete in the Macau Open Super 300, with a strong contingent across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. The tournament, starting Tuesday, will see several Indian shuttlers facing international opponents in their opening rounds.
Indian badminton players, led by Isharani Baruah and Kiran, are set to compete in the Macau Open Super 300, with a strong contingent across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. The tournament, starting Tuesday, will see several Indian shuttlers facing international opponents in their opening rounds.
Indian women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced to the second round of the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament. Rounak Chouhan also secured a spot in the men's singles main draw, while other Indian players like Kidambi Srikanth and several women's singles participants are set to compete.
India concluded the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships in 11th place with 11 medals, while the women's team secured third position in the rankings. China dominated the event, leading both the overall medal tally and the women's team rankings.
A lesson for India is to clearly define objectives beforehand, so that the adversary or other parties do not attempt to mitigate them midway.
PV Sindhu secured a straight-game victory at the Singapore Open, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also advanced. Other Indian shuttlers faced setbacks in the tournament.
Indian javelin thrower Sachin Yadav finished eighth in his Diamond League debut in Rome with a throw of 79.18m, significantly below his personal best. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won the event with a historic 92.62m throw, the second longest by an Asian.
Malvika Bansod, Ashmita Chaliha, and Devika Sihag progressed to the second round of the Malaysia Masters Super 500, while Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy faced early exits.
H S Prannoy believes Lakshya Sen's injury significantly impacted India's chances at the Thomas Cup, while Chirag Shetty expressed disappointment at the muted reception following their bronze medal win.
Young Parth Rakesh Mane finished seventh in the men's 10m air rifle competition at the ISSF World Cup in Munich. The 18-year-old shooter from Maharashtra also broke the junior national record in qualification. Other Indian shooters participated in the event, with mixed results.
Mumbai's Kiaan Shah, representing Rayo Racing, achieved his best international karting result with a second-place finish in round 2 of the RMC Asia Trophy in Pattaya, Thailand.
Divya TS secured fourth place in the women's 25m pistol, and Gajanan Khandagale finished fifth in the men's 10m air rifle at the ISSF World Cup in Granada.
India's U20 women's team suffered a 0-5 defeat against Australia in the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, leaving their knockout stage hopes hanging by a thread.
India continued its impressive performance at the ISSF Junior World Cup, with Prachi Gaikwad winning gold in the women's 50m rifle 3-positions, and Vanshika Chaudhary and Sejal Kamble securing gold and silver respectively in the women's 10m air pistol final. Naraen Pranav also added a bronze in the men's 10m air rifle.
Lakshya Sen displayed remarkable mental and physical strength to defeat China's Shi Yu Qi in a thrilling three-game badminton match at the BWF world tour event in Birmingham.
The logic of war plus the gathering storms in US politics as the midterms loom large leave him with no real alternative but to negotiate, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met in Islamabad in what analysts say is the formal opening of a new diplomatic formation that could reshape the post-war regional order. Their immediate goal is a ceasefire; their larger ambition is to ensure that neither Iran nor Israel emerges from this war in a dominant position. Pakistan's foreign minister then flew directly to Beijing and mooted a Chinese role as guarantor of any eventual agreement. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.
Taking Kharg would give the US control over virtually all of Iran's oil exports and thus provide significant leverage, notes Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War. It would also put American troops within range of Iran's remaining missiles, drones, and artillery on a piece of real estate that is just eight square miles in size, and just 15 miles from the Iranian mainland.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is set to miss the All England Championships after being stranded in Dubai due to travel disruptions. Other Indian shuttlers face challenges reaching the tournament.
Alliances fight wars effectively only when they share an endgame. If Israel acted without US knowledge, then the military alliance is operating without real coordination at the level of strategic targeting. Neither picture is reassuring in a war that is no longer regional in its consequences. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.
Pakistan plans to procure 40 jets of advanced Chinese stealth fighter J-35, which, if materialised, will mark the first export of China's latest jet. The sale would mark Beijing's first export of fifth-generation jets to a foreign ally and is expected to recalibrate regional dynamics, particularly in relation to Pakistan's rival India. The acquisition of new aircraft was pursued despite the serious economic crisis faced by Pakistan. China has helped Pakistan to jointly develop and operate the J-17 Thunder fighter jet, the mainstay of the PAF. China has delivered four advanced naval frigates to the Pakistan Navy in the last few years to enable it to play a bigger role along with its navy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.
China displayed a range of new weapons at a military parade, including laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, giant underwater drones, and fifth-generation aircraft.
The proposal, expected to be worth over Rs 2 lakh crore, including the indigenous content of more than 60 percent, is expected to be taken up for discussion by the Defence Procurement Board headed by the defence secretary in the next few weeks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit focused on strengthening ties with India, including defense cooperation and trade, amidst a changing geopolitical landscape.
The Russians have termed Putin's visit to India, his first to this country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, as 'Druzhba Dosti', which means 'friendship' in Russian and Hindi respectively.
Vice Admiral K Swaminathan highlights concerns over Pakistan's arms procurement and China's growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean Region.
What was the aim of Operation Sindoor? Why was the operation halted so soon? asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).
