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Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned Monday of a possible Indian military incursion following a terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, Firstpost reported.

Asif said Pakistan had reinforced its forces and taken strategic decisions in response to the perceived threat. He emphasized that Pakistan would use nuclear weapons only if its existence were directly threatened.

India has blamed Pakistan for the attack at Pahalgam, but Islamabad denies involvement and has called for an independent investigation. Asif emphasized that India's language was becoming more aggressive, and that the Pakistani military had briefed the government on the possibility of escalation, according to the Firstpost.

The attack has heightened tensions between the two countries, who have fought multiple conflicts over the disputed Kashmir region.

The Indian government has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets like Dawn News and ARY News, accusing them of spreading provocative content. Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s channel, with over 3.5 million subscribers was also restricted, according to the Firstpost.

The action follows a terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed. Officials said the banned channels were found disseminating misinformation aimed at inciting communal tensions, based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Individual channels owned by Pakistani journalists Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq were also attacked, as were channels such as The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama.

As stated by the Firstpost, the Indian government sent a strongly worded letter to the BBC, protesting to the portrayal of the Pahalgam attackers as "militants" in its reporting. Authorities stated that they will closely examine the BBC's future coverage on the matter.

India and France will sign a Rs 63,000 crore agreement on Monday for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets, officials said. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the French Ambassador will sign the deal in Delhi; defence ministers of both nations will join virtually, according to the Firstpost.

Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security on April 9, the contract covers 22 single-seat and four twin-seat Rafale M aircraft, along with maintenance, training, logistics, and indigenous production support.

The Rafale M jets will be deployed on INS Vikrant to bolster carrier-based operations amid performance issues with the MiG-29K fleet. The acquisition is a stopgap measure until India’s indigenous carrier-borne fighter is ready, Firstpost reported.

Sources said the signing event is likeli to be held outside the Defence Ministry headquarters at South Block.The addition will expand India’s Rafale fleet to 62, enhancing its 4.5-generation fighter strength.

The U.S. State Department said on Sunday Washington was in touch with both India and Pakistan while urging them to work towards what it called a "responsible solution" as tensions have risen between the two Asian nationsfollowing a recent Islamist militant attack in Kashmir, Reuters reported.

In public, the U.S. government has expressed support for India after the attack but has not criticized Pakistan. India blamed Pakistan for the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed over two dozen people. Pakistan denies responsibility and called for a neutral probe.

"This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels," a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.

"The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution," the spokesperson added, according to Reuters.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which murdered 26 civilians, but sources suggest Pakistan and China colluded to weaken the official statement.

Unlike the UNSC's 2019 Pulwama statement, which called for cooperation with the "Government of India," the most recent version just mentions "all relevant authorities." According to The Times of India, Pakistan, with China's support, pushed for the softer expression to avoid India taking the lead in the inquiry.

Pakistan, a non-permanent UNSC member, also issued a separate statement expressing “concern” but stopped short of condemning the attack. Islamabad is now demanding for a "independent" investigation, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed support for a neutral investigation.

The US initially proposed a stronger draft, but tough negotiations led to a diluted final version. The move has raised fresh concerns in New Delhi as it tries to manage its uneasy ties with Beijing, The Times of India reported.

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday while reiterating Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, said that Pakistan as a responsible country was open to participate ‘in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation’ into Pahalgam incident.

He said contrary to it on the Eastern border, their neighbour continued a pattern of exploitation and levelling of baseless allegations and false accusations without credible investigation or verifiable evidences in the recent tragedy of Pahalgam which was ‘yet another example of this perpetual blame game which must come to a grinding halt.’

Addressing a passing out parade of Pakistan Military Academy cadets, the prime minister said that water had been a vital national interest of Pakistan and lifeline for its 240 million people and “Let there be no doubt at all that its availability would be safeguarded at all costs and circumstances.”

In an apparent reference to India’s announcement of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, the prime minister said “Any attempt to stop, reduce and divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty will be responded to with full force and might and no one should remain under any kind of false impression and confusion.

- APP

Pakistan has called for an international investigation into the deaths of 26 men in Indian-administered Kashmir, expressing a willingness to cooperate with global inspectors.

While India has accused Pakistani groups of being behind the attack, Islamabad strongly denied any participation and criticized New Delhi for using the tragedy to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and pursue domestic interests, Reuters reported.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has warned that rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors could result in regional instability and calamity.

Although the group Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility for the attack, Indian authorities allege it is linked to Pakistan-based terrorist networks, as stated by Reuters.

Minister Asif rejected these accusations, asserting that such groups are no longer active in Pakistan and that their remaining members are either under house arrest or in custody.

Apple plans to assemble most iPhones sold in the US in India by the end of 2026, reducing its dependence on China amid ongoing trade tensions. The move would double its current Indian output, as stated by Reuters.

The company is in talks with manufacturers such as Foxconn and Tata Group to expand its operations. In March, Apple exported $2bn worth of iPhones from India to the United States, marking a record shipment.

India's push to become a global manufacturing hub, which includes recent tax cuts on mobile components, has contributed to Apple's expansion, Reuters reported.

Currently, India accounts for only 20% of worldwide iPhone production.

Nepal and India have intensified their diplomatic engagements over the past few months. The surge in high-level ministerial visits and agreements underscores a pragmatic approach taken by the two countries to boost economic, environmental and security partnerships while navigating existing challenges.

Within this short span, two senior Indian ministers visited Nepal, while three Nepali ministers traveled to India for talks. Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba’s discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi focused on political and economic collaboration, while Minister for Forest Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri’s meeting with his Indian counterpart focused on transboundary environmental conservation. During Minister for Water Supplies Pradeep Yadav’s visit to New Delhi, the two countries signed an agreement expanding cooperation in water resources management, sanitation and hygiene. The two countries have expressed commitment to address water scarcity and improve public health through joint infrastructure projects and knowledge-sharing.

Meanwhile, India’s Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar’s visit focused on cross-border electricity trade and hydropower development. Officials of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Power Grid Corporation of India signed an MoU to advance two critical trans-border transmission lines in the presence of Khattar and Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. Complementing this, a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in agricultural science and technology, signed by Agriculture Minister Ramnath Adhikari and India’s Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Kathmandu aims to enhance food security and sustainable farming through joint research and innovation. Security and trade ties have also seen progress. The Nepal-India Joint Working Group and director general-level talks addressed border management, cross-border crime and trade facilitation which are crucial for Nepal’s reliance on Indian ports. India recently renewed Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certifications for over 100 industries, which will help resume long-stalled export of products like cement, steel and agro products to India. 

There are some concerning issues as well. Nepal harbors resentment with India over delayed Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) Report and handling of border issues. Recent allegations of India’s support for Nepal’s pro-monarchy movement, though swiftly denied by India, highlight the delicate nature of Nepal’s domestic politics. India’s wariness of Nepal’s engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) adds another layer of complexity. Despite these tensions, both nations have prioritized economic and developmental partnerships. Such partnerships are crucial for Nepal given withdrawal of the USAID support and impending graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, which could impact international development support to Nepal.  

The one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC meeting earlier this month and Wednesday’s telephone conversation between the two leaders following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam of Kashmir signal a commitment to strengthening ties. While Oli’s potential visit to New Delhi remains uncertain, this pragmatic approach—emphasizing mutual benefits while gradually addressing contentious issues—is paving a promising path for Nepal-India relations.

The United Nations has called for “maximum restraint” from India and Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives on April 22.

As stated by Hindustan Times, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric condemned the attack and emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of disputes through “meaningful mutual engagement.”

“We appeal to both governments to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further,” Dujarric said during a press briefing.

The Pahalgam incident marks one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, further escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Pakistan announced a series of retaliatory operations in response to India's punitive measures following the April 22 terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 people.

In a statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee, Islamabad rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any diversion of water would be treated as an act of war. Pakistan also suspended the Simla Agreement and all bilateral agreements with India, according to the Firstpost.

Diplomatic and cross-border ties have been further shattered. The Wagah border crossing has been closed, SAARC visas for Indian nationals—except for Sikh pilgrims—have been suspended, and Indian defense and military advisors in Islamabad have been branded persona non grata and forced to go by April 30. The Indian High Commission's workforce has also been reduced to 30 members.

Pakistan has also closed its airspace to Indian-operated planes and banned all trade, even through third-country routes, Firstpost reported.

The government warned of a "full-spectrum national power response" to any danger to its sovereignty, indicating a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries.

The official X account of Pakistan’s government was suspended in India on Thursday, two days after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.

According to Firstpost, the account was withheld by the Indian side in response to a legal order.

The development comes after India's government cut ties with Pakistan on Wednesday in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam.

For users outside India, the @GovtofPakistan account remains accessible.

In reaction to a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people—25 Indians and one Nepalese tourist, India has declared a number of important diplomatic and strategic steps against Pakistan.

According to Firstpost, the Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which was a long-standing water-sharing arrangement between the two countries.This suspension will remain in effect until Pakistan takes credible and irreversible steps to end its support for cross-border terrorism.

Additionally, India has closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing, a key land route between the two countries, with immediate effect.  The government has also revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), requiring those currently in India under this scheme to leave within 48 hours.

Further actions include the deportation of Pakistan's military, naval, and air advisors stationed in New Delhi, who have been deemed persona non grata and given one week to leave. India would also withdraw its own defense, navy, and air advisors, as well as five support personnel, from the High Commission in Islamabad, Firstpost reported.

These actions reflect a decisive shift in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism and signify a substantial escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the terror attack in Pahalgam, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. A spokesperson conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured, Firstpost reported.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif distanced the country from the incident, stating, “We have absolutely nothing to do with it. We reject terrorism in all its forms and everywhere.” He attributed the attack to local dissent and what he called “homegrown forces” in the region, as stated by Firstpost.

The Resistance Front (TRF), an outfit affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the April 22 afternoon attack.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims had been brought to Srinagar on wednesday. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, who arrived in the city shortly after the incident, paid tribute by placing flowers on the coffins at the Police Control Room.

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.

At least 26 people have been killed, including foreign tourists, after terrorists struck a prime tourist  location of Pahalgam in South Kashmir on tuesday. As stated by The Hindu, the attackers are suspected to be from The Resistance Front (TRF).

Gunmen emerged from nearby forests and fired indiscriminately, causing panic. The remote location hindered rescue efforts, though locals and security forces assisted in evacuations. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, while Home Minister Amit Shah visited Srinagar to oversee the response. A helpline has been established for affected families, according to The Hindu.

Political leaders, including Omar Abdullah, Priyanka Gandhi, and Rajnath Singh, denounced the incident, calling it unprecedented and cowardly. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed solidarity with India. 

Authorities have launched a manhunt and promised heightened security in the region.