An Indian student, Mohammed Abdul Arfath, found dead in Cleveland, Ohio, after being missing for over a month. Indian consulate in New York expresses condolences. Arfath's father last spoke to him on March 7 before his phone went off. He received a ransom call later claiming Arfath was kidnapped. Arfath's death marks the 11th of an Indian student in the US this year. Uma Satya Sai Gadde, another student, died recently in Cleveland. Investigation ongoing. Indian mission in Washington lacks full-time Ambassador three months after Taranjit Singh Sandhu's retirement.

Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni, founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharati and World Peace Centre, received the prestigious American Presidential Award at Capitol Hill. He's the first Indian monk to be honored with this recognition. Congressman Brad Sherman emphasized Acharya Lokesh's contributions to global peace. President Joe Biden praised Acharya Lokesh's dedication to promoting non-violence and cooperation worldwide. The President congratulated him for his service to humanity and the nation.

ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 team bagged the esteemed 2024 John L. 'Jack' Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration. Their remarkable achievement in raising space exploration standards was recognized. Last August, Chandrayaan-3 nailed a historic landing on the Moon's south pole, marking India's pioneering success in the feat. India’s Consul General in Houston, DC Manjunath, accepted the award at the Space Symposium in Colorado. Space Foundation CEO Heather Pringle praised India's leadership in space, calling it a global inspiration.

An official investigation into foreign meddling in Canada's elections concludes India didn't attempt to influence the 2021 polls, per a panel of Canadian officials. While China was found to interfere in past elections, no evidence implicates India. Prime Minister Trudeau faces scrutiny as Canada's Security Intelligence Service alleged Indian and Pakistani interference in prior elections. India refuted claims, emphasizing its commitment to non-interference in democratic processes. Tensions rise between India and Canada amid strained ties, exacerbated by previous allegations and diplomatic fallout. Trudeau's testimony before the probe panel looms, heightening scrutiny on foreign interference allegations.

In the midst of a concerning trend of missing students in the US, 17-year-old Indian-American student Ishika Thakore, reported missing earlier, has been found safe by Frisco Police. Ishika, last seen on Monday night in Texas, sparked worry amid a string of mysterious student deaths. Police located her later on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for support. The incident adds to the growing list of missing or deceased Indian-American students in the US this year, raising questions about student safety and well-being. Details regarding Ishika's recovery and circumstances remain undisclosed.      

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti lauds India's developmental journey, inviting individuals to experience the future firsthand by visiting the country. He expresses gratitude for his role as leader of the US Mission in India, facilitating his engagement with India's forward-thinking initiatives. Additionally, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan highlights the deepening partnership between the two nations, particularly in technology and security realms. Amid recent scrutiny over a foiled assassination plot, Garcetti commends India's cooperation in the investigation but underscores the importance of maintaining diplomatic boundaries.            

Indian-origin construction company owner Buta Singh Gill and another man were fatally shot at a construction site in Edmonton, Canada. Gill, known for his ties to the Punjabi community and active involvement in a Sikh temple trust, succumbed to the gunfire while checking on his workers. The Edmonton Police Service is investigating the incident, which also left a 51-year-old man hospitalized. Former city councillor Mohinder Banga mourned Gill's loss, emphasizing his altruistic nature and deep community connections. The senseless act of violence has shocked and saddened the Punjabi and East Indian communities, rallying support for Gill's family.

Durendran Vicknesh Venkatraman, a 46-year-old Indian-origin security officer, faces charges in Singapore for providing false information about safely disposing of a fake bomb used in a simulation exercise. Venkatraman allegedly failed to dispose of the device, leading to panic when it was found abandoned. Authorities deployed police resources and barred entry to 100 people until confirming it was a fake bomb. Venkatraman's case is adjourned to April 30. If convicted, he faces up to six months in jail and a fine of up to 5,000 Singaporean dollars for giving false information to a public servant.

India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, issued a sharp response to Beijing's recent move to rename 30 places in Arunachal Pradesh, questioning the implications on territorial sovereignty. Addressing a poll rally in Arunachal Pradesh's Namsai area, Singh challenged China by asking, "What if we rename parts of China? Would those areas then become parts of our territory?" This retort comes after China's list of new names along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh sparked tensions. Singh reaffirmed Arunachal Pradesh's integral status in India and warned against any attempt to undermine India's sovereignty. The Ministry of External Affairs had previously rejected China's claims on Arunachal Pradesh.

The US has refrained from involvement in the dispute between India and Pakistan over assassination allegations. Responding to Pakistan's accusations against India, the US urged both nations to avoid escalation and seek resolution through dialogue. US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized their stance, stating they wouldn't interfere in the matter. The dispute arose from a report alleging India's involvement in targeted killings on Pakistani soil. While Canada also supported the claims, India's Ministry of External Affairs denounced them as "false and malicious propaganda." India reiterated its stance against targeted killings in other countries.