India is concerned recent trade pacts signed by the Maldives will likely hurt the archipelago's cash-strapped economy, the Indian foreign ministry said on Friday, in a reference to agreements between the Maldives and China,

The annual Kailash Mansarovar yatra will resume this summer. For Hindus Mount Kailash in Tibet is a sacred place believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. A dip in the Mansarovar lake's icy cold waters is said to wash away the pilgrim's sins.

For all this "dam for a dam" water war, relations between the two nations along their disputed Himalayan border are not currently at boiling point. In recent years, there have been skirmishes between Indian and Chinese troops in the area but 2024 "witnessed a thaw", with both sides "withdrawing troops from two flashpoints", said VOA News.

Malé has been facing a liquidity crisis. Last year, India rolled over $100 mn worth of loans, while offering roughly $750 mn in currency swap lines to support neighbouring country.

After a recent diplomatic breakthrough, both India and China have come out with their statements. A careful reading reveals interesting convergences and divergences on various key issues. Take a look.

India and China have agreed to resume direct air services after nearly five years, India's foreign ministry said on Monday (Jan 27), signalling a thaw in relations between the neighbours after a deadly 2020 military clash on their disputed Himalayan border.

If Beijing built too much infrastructure, New Delhi built too little. But the flashy new metro systems in smaller cities are an exception

India and China have agreed to resume direct air services between the two countries, New Delhi said in a statement on Monday after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing.

India is concerned recent trade pacts signed by the Maldives will likely hurt the archipelago's cash-strapped economy, the Indian foreign ministry said on Friday,

India will take into account recent agreements by Maldives authorities while framing its policies towards the country, New Delhi said on Friday, adding that the agreements would likely cause revenue loss for the island nation.

Trump wants more from India, however. In his phone conversation with Modi earlier this week, Trump emphasized to the Indian leader the importance of New Delhi’s increasing its procurement of American military equipment. The U.S. lags far behind Russia and France in arms sales to India.