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Global leaders have condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that killed at least 26 people, including Indian and foreign tourist.Militants affiliated with the Resistance Front (TRF) opened fire on a group of non-Muslim tourists in Anantnag district's Baisaran meadow.

The attack targeted non-Muslim tourists, with reports indicating that the attackers chose victims based on their religious identity. Among the dead were Indian citizens from several states, as well as foreign tourists from Nepal and the United Arab Emirates. The incident is regarded as the deadliest civilian attack in the region since the removal of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019. Authorities claim multiple injuries and widespread fear in the area.

The attack drew widespread condemnation from global leaders:

• United States: President Donald Trump expressed that the US stands firmly with India against terrorism. Vice President JD Vance, who was visiting India at the time, described the attack as a “devastating terrorist attack” and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

• Russia: President Vladimir Putin labeled the attack a “brutal crime” with no justification and offered condolences to the families of the victims.

• Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Indian people and government.

• France: Ambassador Thierry Mathou condemned the attack and expressed support for India in its fight against terrorism.

• Germany: Chancellor Scholz denounced the attack, offered condolences, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

• Israel: Foreign Minister Sa’ar mourned the victims and affirmed Israel’s solidarity with India against terrorism.

• Ukraine: The Ukrainian Embassy voiced concern and reiterated support for regional peace and security.

• Denmark: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the news from Pahalgam as terrible and extended condolences to the victims’ families .

• United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that attacks against civilians are unacceptable under any circumstances.

• European Union: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as vile and extended condolences, affirming that Europe stands with India.

• Other Nations: Leaders from countries including Israel, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine also condemned the attack and expressed support for India.

The international community's unanimous condemnation demonstrates a united front against terrorism and a shared commitment to assisting India during this difficult period.

In  response to the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to New Delhi. Home Minister Amit Shah visited Srinagar to examine the situation and coordinate the security reaction. Security personnel initiated a manhunt to catch the criminals, and a hotline was set up to help impacted travelers.

Over the past few months, Nepal and India have intensified bilateral engagement, yielding tangible progress in economic and development partnerships. Although Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to New Delhi remains uncertain, a series of ministerial meetings and bilateral mechanism discussions have taken place. Within two weeks, two senior ministers from Narendra Modi’s cabinet visited Nepal and met with Prime Minister Oli.

The past month witnessed a flurry of diplomatic activity, with three Nepali ministers traveling to India for meetings with their Indian counterparts. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba engaged in comprehensive bilateral talks with India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, focusing on enhancing political and economic collaboration. Meanwhile, Forest Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri met with India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, to discuss transboundary environmental conservation and sustainable forestry initiatives.

Another significant development occurred during Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav’s visit to New Delhi, where he met India’s Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil. The two leaders signed a landmark agreement to expand cooperation in water resource management, sanitation and hygiene—an area of critical importance for both nations. This agreement is expected to facilitate knowledge-sharing, infrastructure development and joint projects to address water scarcity and improve public health outcomes.

Indian Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar is currently in Nepal for a two-day official visit. According to Indian officials, the trip aimed to advance discussions on key power projects of mutual interest, including cross-border electricity trade and hydropower development. 

Over the past few years, energy cooperation between Nepal and India has seen remarkable progress, with Nepal exporting surplus hydropower to India and Indian firms investing in Nepal’s hydroelectric projects. This growing synergy in the power sector is expected to bolster Nepal’s energy independence while supporting India’s renewable energy goals.

Early this month, Nepal and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in agricultural science and technology. The agreement, which replaces a 1991 pact, covers a wide range of areas, including agricultural production, crop management, trade and marketing. Nepal’s Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and India’s Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, formalized the deal, which is expected to enhance food security, boost farmer incomes and promote sustainable farming practices through joint research and technology transfer.

In late March, the Nepal-India Joint Working Group convened to address critical border management issues. The discussions centered on curbing cross-border crime, improving border infrastructure—such as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs), roads and railway networks—and enhancing the operational capacity of security agencies. Both sides also explored collaborative measures for disaster risk reduction and management, recognizing the shared vulnerabilities to natural calamities like floods and earthquakes.

Further reinforcing security and trade ties, the two countries held the 21st Director General-level talks this month, focusing on measures to streamline cross-border commerce and combat smuggling. These discussions are crucial for ensuring smooth trade flows, particularly given Nepal’s reliance on Indian ports for third-country trade.

Despite the positive trajectory in bilateral relations, certain contentious issues remain unresolved. Nepal has persistently raised concerns over the delayed implementation of the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) report and lingering border disputes, particularly in regions like Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. India, however, maintains that these matters should be resolved through established bilateral mechanisms rather than public posturing.

Recently, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated this stance during a weekly press briefing, stating, “We have a bilateral mechanism with Nepal to discuss these issues. Unilateral actions do not alter ground realities.”

While Prime Minister Oli’s visit to New Delhi remains uncertain, he has met with his Indian counterpart Modi on two occasions—first on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2024 and again during the BIMSTEC summit early this month. These interactions suggest a willingness to maintain dialogue despite political sensitivities.

However, a new point of friction emerged last month when reports surfaced alleging India’s tacit support for Nepal’s pro-monarchy movement. India swiftly denied these claims, but the episode highlights the delicate nature of Nepal’s domestic politics and its implications for bilateral relations. Additionally, some analysts speculate that India may view Nepal’s growing engagement with China—particularly its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—with caution.

Foreign policy experts say that despite occasional political tensions, India has adopted a pragmatic approach by prioritizing economic and developmental partnerships with Nepal. This strategy aims to insulate mutually beneficial projects from geopolitical fluctuations while gradually addressing contentious issues through diplomatic channels.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, according to the Firstpost.

Prior to his first visit to Jeddah, Modi declared, "India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia, which have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years." He added both the countries  are mutually dedicated in promoting regional peace, prosperity, security, and stability, Firstpost reported.

This is PM Modi’s third visit since taking over the office in 2014.

India and the United States are making steady progress toward a bilateral trade agreement, according to official statements following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi, BBC reported.

Vance, on a four-day visit to India with his family, met Modi on Monday evening. The leaders discussed a range of key issues, including trade, defence, strategic technologies, and energy cooperation. A dinner was hosted by the Prime Minister in honor of Vance and his family.

“We are committed to mutually beneficial cooperation, including in trade, technology, defence, energy and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi said in a post on X, according to BBC.

The visit comes as India wants to reach a trade agreement with the United States before President Donald Trump's 90-day tariff truce expires on July 9. Prior to the halt, India faced potential tariffs of up to 27%.

Modi also expressed anticipation for President Trump’s upcoming visit to India, expected later this year during the Quad summit in Delhi.