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Indian Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav has emphasized India's unwavering commitment to global climate action and the need for collaborative efforts to safeguard the Himalayas and other mountain ecosystems. He expressed India’s dedication to addressing the global climate crisis. He noted, “It is a profound honour to represent India at this historic gathering. The name Sagarmatha, meaning ‘Head of the Sky,’ aptly encapsulates the majesty and the responsibility we bear in protecting the mountains that form the lifeblood of our planet.”

Yadav appreciated Nepal for hosting the Sambaad and stated that India, with its vast Himalayan region, shares a common ecological and cultural bond with its mountain neighbours. He stressed that South Asia accounts for only 4 percent of historical global CO₂ emissions, despite being home to nearly 25 percent of the global population. The Minister emphasized that the burden of the climate crisis continues to fall disproportionately on developing nations, while developed countries remain far from fulfilling their commitments to climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building.

Yadav further emphasized the immense biodiversity value of high-altitude ecosystems like the India and Nepal region. He stressed on the need for enhanced transboundary conservation efforts, calling on all Himalayan nations to collaborate under the International Big Cats Alliance to support joint protection initiatives for species such as snow leopards, tigers, and leopards. “The Alliance aims to foster conservation expertise, fund critical initiatives, and create a knowledge repository for the protection of these iconic species”, he stated.

The Minister also outlined a five-point call for global action to address the shared ecological challenges of mountainous regions.

• Enhanced Scientific Cooperation: Strengthening research collaboration, and monitoring cryospheric changes, hydrological cycles, and biodiversity.

• Building Climate Resilience: Investing in climate adaptation measures, early warning systems for disasters like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and climate-resilient infrastructure in mountain areas.

• Empowerering Mountain Communities: Ensuring that the welfare, needs and aspirations of local communities are at the heart of policy-making and their benefit from green livelihoods and sustainable tourism. Their traditional knowledge is an invaluable resource.

• Providing Green Finance: Making available adequate and predictable climate finance as per the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement for mountain Nations to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies effectively.

• Recognizing Mountain Perspectives: Ensuring that the unique vulnerabilities and contributions of mountain ecosystems are suitably featured in global climate negotiations and sustainable development agendas.

On the sidelines of the Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, where the two leaders engaged in a productive discussion on strengthening India-Nepal cooperation in the field of environment. He also called on the Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli. He conveyed to him greetings from the leadership in India and congratulated him for successfully organizing the first edition of Sagarmatha Sambaad. Both leaders noted the close and friendly relations between India and Nepal which are deeply rooted in historical, cultural, civilizational and people-to-people ties.

Ukrainian and Russian officials met in Istanbul for the first time since 2022, as part of an agreement of peace negotiations hosted by Turkey.

The meeting, facilitated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, saw no handshakes or signs of a thaw, with both delegations maintaining firmly opposing positions. Despite limited expectations, the talks are seen as a tentative step toward re-engagement, according to BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a strong international response if a ceasefire agreement is not reached.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting, "as soon as we can." Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded a halt to the violence, stating, "The killing must stop", BBC reported.

An Indian and a Filipino climber have died on Mount Everest, making them the first casualties of the current climbing season, as reported by Reuters.

Subrata Ghosh, 45, of India, died Thursday below the Hillary Step while descending from the summit. He reportedly refused to descend from the high-altitude "death zone."

Philipp II Santiago, 45, of the Philippines, died on Wednesday while trying to reach South Col. He collapsed while resting in his tent.

Both took part in an international expedition organized by Snowy Horizon Treks. The cause of death will be determined after post-mortem examinations, Reuters claimed.

Nepal has issued 459 climbing permits for Everest this season, which runs through May. About 100 climbers have already reached the summit.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday heard arguments over President Donald Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, a move that could reshape US immigration policy, BBC reported.

The central question in the case is whether lower federal courts can issue nationwide injunctions against presidential orders. The Trump administration claims that this option threatens executive authority, but a coalition of states cautions that it may result in uneven citizenship laws across the country.

The justices also looked into whether Trump's order violated the 14th Amendment, which provides citizenship to anyone born in the United States. A judgment is expected within the next months. A verdict in Trump's favor might give him more authority to enact immigration policies without congressional approval, according to BBC.

US President Donald Trump has called for an urgent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying no progress can be made in the Russia-Ukraine conflict without their direct talks.

Peace talks, mediated by Turkey, are scheduled to commence in Istanbul. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also in town for discussions with Turkish and Ukrainian officials, expressed low expectations for the outcome, as reported by BBC.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is sending his military minister, but criticized Russia for not being serious about genuine negotiations.

US, Ukrainian, and Turkish officials met Friday at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul ahead of upcoming Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

The US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ambassador Tom Barrack, and Special Representative Keith Kellogg. Ukraine was represented by Andriy Yermak, Rustem Umerov, and Andrii Sybiha. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chaired the meeting, joined by intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin, as reported by Associated Press.

A follow-up session with Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish delegations is scheduled, led by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky. It marks the first direct Ukraine-Russia contact since March 2022.

The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday announced over $200bn in agreements across aerospace, energy, and advanced technology.

Etihad Airways committed $14.5bn to purchase 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft with GE engines. Emirates Global Aluminum will invest $4bn in a new aluminum smelter in Oklahoma, according to Xinhua.

ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources will partner with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on a $60bn oil and gas expansion. RTX will collaborate with Emirates Global Aluminum and the UAE’s Tawazun Council on a Gallium project.

President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East tour with a visit to the UAE, where the country pledged to invest $1.4trn in the US over the next decade, Xinhua reported.

At least 170 people have been killed in Gaza, including 50 in a major Israeli offensive in the north, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency. The assault reportedly began early Friday with smoke bombs and heavy shelling, BBC reported.

This marks the largest ground operation in northern Gaza since March. The Israeli military has not commented.

Gaza remains under a full blockade for the 10th week, with no access to aid. US Senator Marco Rubio said the US is “troubled” by the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Ceasefire talks in Qatar between Israel and Hamas continue without progress, according to BBC.