Indian tourists may soon enjoy visa-free travel to Russia, with the new arrangement expected by spring 2025. Since August 2023, Indian travelers have already been eligible for e-visas, which are processed within four days. The upcoming visa-free travel agreement will further strengthen tourism ties between India and Russia. In 2023, Russia granted 9,500 e-visas to Indian visitors, placing India among the top five countries for easy travel access to Russia. Consultations between Mosc

On Friday, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, firing 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones, marking one of the heaviest attacks on the country’s energy sector since the invasion began nearly three years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the assault as part of Russia’s ongoing strategy to terrorize millions of people and demanded a strong global response. Ukraine's air defense systems intercepted 81 missiles, including 11 cruise miss

On Thursday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received a bomb threat via email, which was written in Russian. The threat, sent to the RBI's official website, claimed that the bank would be blown up. Following the threat, a case was registered at the Mata Rambai Marg (MRA Marg) police station in Mumbai, and an investigation has been launched. This incident comes after a similar threat was made to the RBI through its customer care number on November 16, with the caller claiming to

In a landmark energy agreement, Russia’s state oil company Rosneft has committed to supply 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day to India’s Reliance for the next 10 years, worth approximately $13 billion annually. This deal represents about 0.5% of global oil supply and strengthens energy relations between India and Russia, especially as Russia faces intense Western sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine. The deal is set to begin in January and will involve monthly deli

The potential fall of Syria’s Assad regime poses a serious challenge for Russia’s foreign policy and military strategy. One of Moscow's most prized assets from its involvement in Syria has been its naval base at Tartus, located on the Mediterranean coast. However, recent developments, including the departure of Russian warships from Tartus, signal that Moscow's long-term access to this crucial facility is at risk. This would be a major blow to Russia, which has historicall

During Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit to Russia, talks are progressing on a major defence agreement worth $4 billion that could significantly enhance India’s air defence infrastructure. The deal revolves around the acquisition of the Voronezh radar system, manufactured by Russia's Almaz-Antey Corporation, which specializes in anti-aircraft missile systems and radars. The Voronezh radar, with a range of over 8,000 km, is designed to detect threats such as ballisti

During the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum, President Vladimir Putin praised India’s economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly the "Make in India" initiative. Putin emphasized how this initiative has helped strengthen India’s manufacturing sector and attracted foreign investments, which have significantly contributed to India’s growing global economic position. He drew parallels between India's Make in India

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the country's 2025 budget, allocating $126 billion (13.5 trillion rubles) to national defence, which accounts for 32.5% of the total government spending. This marks a significant increase from last year’s budget, highlighting the ongoing strain the war in Ukraine has placed on Russia’s finances. The budget sets a new record, with military spending expected to account for over 6% of Russia's GDP. In contrast, expenditu

Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, using 90 missiles and 100 drones. The attack has left over one million people without electricity as temperatures drop, marking the 11th large-scale attack on Ukraine's power systems this year. Ukrainian authorities have accused Russia of "weaponizing winter," with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemning the use of cluster munitions against civilians and infrastructure. At

Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan, who is also overseeing the Panchayat Raj and Forestry Departments, has raised concerns over the whereabouts of two luxury BMW cars that were seized during a sandalwood trafficking bust. The vehicles were confiscated during the TDP government's tenure (2014-2019) following a major sandalwood smuggling operation. After their seizure, the high-end BMW cars were allocated to officers within the Forestry Department—one to the Special

Donald Trump’s allies have sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles for attacks inside Russian territory, calling it a dangerous escalation of the ongoing war. This move marks a significant policy shift with just two months left in Biden’s presidency, and it comes amid mounting tensions over the war’s direction and potential negotiations for peace. The new policy fulfills a long-standing

President Joe Biden has authorized a significant shift in U.S. policy by lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S.-provided long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russian territory. This decision allows Ukraine to deploy the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against Russian positions deep within its borders. The move comes at a critical juncture in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with Russian forces gaining ground and some 10,000 North Korean troops reportedly statio

In a recent interview with Sky News Australia during his visit, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar responded sharply to a question from Australian journalist Sharri Markson, who asked if India recognizes Australia's "angst" over its relationship w

In a significant operation in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, the local police successfully identified and destroyed five acres of illegal ganja cultivation in Degalarayi village, located in the G Madugula mandal. The operation was carried out with the help of advanced drone technology, a cutting-edge tool now being increasingly utilized by law enforcement in Andhra Pradesh. The use of drones allowed the police to detect the illegal crop cultivation in the thick forested area of the

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has raised concerns over the whereabouts of seven social media activists affiliated with the YSR Congress party who were reportedly arrested by the police for posting abusive messages against political rivals. The court admitted arguments on six habeas corpus petitions filed by the activists' family members and requested CCTV footage from the relevant police stations to determine the activists' status between November 4 and November 7. The state

In a historic and unprecedented move, Russia has imposed a staggering fine of $20 decillion—equivalent to a 2 followed by 34 zeros—against Google, specifically targeting its subsidiary YouTube. This astronomical penalty comes in response to YouTube's decision to block several Russian state-run media channels, including RT and Sputnik, following the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The fine was issued after a Russian court determined that Google had violated

Rescue of Indian Nationals: Forty-five Indian citizens who were illegally inducted into the Russian army and forced to fight in the Ukraine conflict have been rescued and discharged from military service, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The rescue operation was part of ongoing efforts to address the plight of Indian nationals who had been misled into joining the Russian military. The Ministry also reported that fifty more Indi