Harsimrat Kaur Randhawa, a 21-year-old student from Punjab studying at Mohawk College in Canada, was tragically killed in Hamilton after being struck by a stray bullet during a violent altercation between two groups. She was reportedly waiting at a bus stop on her way to work. The incident has deeply shaken her family in India, who have pleaded with the Indian government to help repatriate her body for last rites. The case has reignited concerns over the safety of international students in Canada. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Saudi Arabia on April 22-23, 2025, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This marks Modi's third trip to Saudi Arabia and follows the Crown Prince's visit to India in September 2023. The visit will focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation across key sectors including trade, energy, defense, and people-to-people ties. Additionally, the discussions will cover regional security issues, such as the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader security concerns in West Asia. (PC: AP)

India has strongly condemned the abduction and brutal murder of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a 58-year-old Hindu leader and vice-president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad's Biral unit, in Bangladesh's Dinajpur district. Roy was forcibly taken from his home and later found dead, sparking outrage in India. The Ministry of External Affairs accused Bangladesh's interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, of failing to protect minority communities and described the incident as part of a broader pattern of systematic persecution. India urged Bangladesh to uphold its constitutional responsibility to safeguard all minorities. (PC: NDTV)  

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reports that approximately 327 international students have had their U.S. visas revoked or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records terminated, with about 50% of these students being Indian nationals. Many of the affected students were on Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program allowing international graduates to work in the U.S. Among the Indian students, 65% were on OPT, and 87% had some form of interaction with law enforcement, including minor infractions such as traffic tickets or dismissed charges. (PC: The Indian Express)

India has strongly condemned the abduction and brutal murder of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu leader and vice-president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad’s Biral unit, in Dinajpur district. Roy was taken from his home and beaten to death, sparking outrage over rising attacks on minorities. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern, stating this is part of a pattern of systematic persecution against Hindus in Bangladesh. India urged the Bangladeshi government to uphold its constitutional responsibility and ensure the safety and rights of its minority communities. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Harsimrat Randhawa, a 21-year-old Indian student at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, was tragically killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop en route to work. Hamilton Police reported that a passenger in a black car fired at a white sedan, with one bullet fatally striking Randhawa. The incident occurred around 7:30 PM near Upper James and South Bend Road. Authorities are treating it as a homicide and are seeking dashcam or security footage from the area. The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed deep sorrow and is providing assistance to Randhawa's family. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of Indian students in Canada. (PC: Flamborough Today)

The Pakistan Navy's planned naval exercise off Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, was canceled following India's concerns. The exercise, involving the warship PNS Taimur, was perceived by India as a strategic move by Pakistan in the Indian Ocean region. Sri Lanka, considering India's objections, decided to call off the exercise to maintain regional stability and its diplomatic relations with India. This incident highlights the sensitive nature of military collaborations in the Indian Ocean and the influence of regional powers on such decisions. Sri Lanka's decision underscores its balancing act between neighboring countries' interests and its own strategic autonomy. India appreciated the move, viewing it as a positive step towards regional cooperation and understanding. (PC: The Hindu)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on April 22-23, marking his first trip to the kingdom in his third term. The agenda includes discussions on trade and investments, energy cooperation, the revival of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC), and defense partnerships. Modi is expected to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah. This visit precedes U.S. President Donald Trump's anticipated trip to Saudi Arabia in mid-May. The regional context includes ongoing tensions, such as the Houthi disruptions in the Red Sea and the aftermath of the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, which have impacted the IMEEC project. India aims to engage with Saudi Arabia to restore regional stability and advance mutual interests. (PC: India Today)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Elon Musk discussed strengthening India-US collaboration in technology and innovation during a phone call, revisiting their earlier meeting in Washington DC. Modi emphasized India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the US, especially in emerging tech sectors. Musk, who leads Tesla, SpaceX, X, and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is pursuing major business ventures in India, including Starlink's satellite internet rollout and Tesla’s entry. The conversation comes amid growing trade tensions with the US and ahead of Vice-President JD Vance’s visit to India on April 21 to bolster economic and geopolitical ties. (PC: Getty Images)

On April 17, 2025, UNESCO inscribed two iconic Indian texts—the Bhagavad Gita and the Natyashastra—into its prestigious Memory of the World Register. This recognition celebrates their global cultural, philosophical, and artistic significance. The Bhagavad Gita, part of the Mahabharata, is revered for its spiritual guidance, while the Natyashastra is an ancient treatise on drama, dance, and music. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it a proud moment for India, highlighting their timeless contributions to civilization. With this, India now has 14 entries in the UNESCO register, which preserves invaluable documentary heritage worldwide. (PC: The Indian Express)