INDIA

Violence in Kashmir: A New Test of Strength for the Indian Government?

A rare and brutal attack struck the Indian region of Kashmir on Tuesday, when gunmen opened fire on a group of travelers near the popular tourist area of Pahalgam, killing at least 26 people. It marks one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in years, in a region gripped by a separatist insurgency since 1989. According to initial information ...

India Hunts Gunmen Who Massacred 26 in Kashmir Tourist Hotspot

Indian security forces in Kashmir carried out a major manhunt Wednesday, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists, slaughtering 26 people in the region's deadliest attack on civilians since 2000. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short a state visit to Saudi Arabia, decried the "heinous act" and pledged that the attackers ...

Vance in India for Tough Talks on Trade

US Vice President JD Vance began a four-day visit to India on Monday as New Delhi looks to seal an early trade deal and stave off punishing US tariffs. Vance's visit comes two months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House. A red carpet welcome with an honour guard and troupes of ...

Diamonds: Precious Stones Under Siege

Over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds are polished in India, cementing the country’s status as the global epicenter of brilliance. Yet, the sparkle of this thriving industry is under threat. A 27% US tariff, introduced by Donald Trump, casts a long shadow over India’s diamond trade, while retaliatory measures from India add fuel to the ...

Macron Courts Modi in Quest for Geopolitical 'Independence'

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited southern France with a packed schedule on Wednesday, fostering a relationship that Paris sees as an alternative to great power rivalries. Macron took Modi for dinner in the picturesque southern town of Cassis on Tuesday, before Wednesday's visit to the Mediterranean ...

Kumbh Mela: A Sacred Journey of Hindu Faith and Rituals

On February 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, dressed in saffron and holding prayer beads, participated in a sacred ritual during the Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious gathering. A week after a tragic stampede claimed at least 30 lives, millions of pilgrims have already bathed in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical ...

15 Dead in India Stampede at Hindu Mega-Festival

A pre-dawn stampede at the world's largest religious gathering killed at least 15 people in India Wednesday, with many more injured after a surging crowd spilled out of a police cordon and trampled bystanders. Deadly crowd incidents are frequent occurrence at Indian religious festivals, including the Kumbh Mela, which attracts tens of millions of ...

Mumbai’s Art Deco Heritage Faces Threats from Urban Modernization

A towering cinema with a roofline reminiscent of an ocean liner stands out in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, a testament to the city’s remarkable Art Deco heritage, which campaigners warn is in urgent need of protection. Just a short walk away lies a state-run insurance office adorned with Egyptian-style carvings, alongside a palm-lined ...

Zakir Hussain: The Tabla Maestro Who United the World

Zakir Hussain, the undisputed master of the tabla, made his mark in the history of music by building bridges between the East and the West. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai into a family of musicians, he was the son of the renowned Alla Rakha and was destined for an exceptional career. A true child prodigy, he gave his first public concert at the ...

Vinyl Revival in India: A Slow but Steady Journey

"I feel like a child in a toy store," says Saji Pillai, who has never tired of the magic of making a vinyl record: engraving the mold, pressing the disc, and hearing the crackle of the first note under the needle.  In recent years, this seasoned professional in the music industry imported records from Europe for his own label or for film ...