India news: Modi hails Seychelles as valued maritime partner

Here are the latest developments from India on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28:

India, Seychelles hold bilateral talks, discuss economic cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held delegation-level talks with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie.

The meeting, which was a part of the Indian leader's state visit to the East African island country, saw the two sides review the full scope of their bilateral ties.

At a joint press conference with Herminie, Modi said discussions were progressing on India's special economic package for Seychelles amounting to $175 million, announced during the Seychelles leader's visit to the South Asian nation earlier this year.

"Under this initiative, work is being carried out in sectors such as social housing, transport, skill development, food security, education, and defense," he said.

Modi also shared his government's vision of maritime security being ensured alongside economic prosperity in the Indian Ocean.

"Our vision is to make the Indian Ocean an Ocean of Opportunity," Prime Minister Modi said.

"We believe the Indian Ocean is our shared home. Its security, sustainability and prosperity are our shared responsibility." he added.

Later in the day, Modi became the first Indian prime minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles.

Seychelles on Sunday also conferred the Indian leader with the honorary 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' title.

"I humbly accept this honour and dedicate it to all those countries that are fighting the challenge of climate change and consider environmental protection their responsibility towards future generations. This is a pressing challenge which we have to overcome together," Modi said in a post on X.

Sonam Wangchuk begins hunger strike at CJP protest

Indian climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday began an indefinite hunger strike at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where the viral Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been holding a days-long demonstration to demand the resignation of the country's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities in examinations.

"We won't stop till accountability is set," the CJP said in an instagram post, announcing Wangchuk's strike.

Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat — the memorial of the torchbearer of non-violent resistance during India's freedom struggle — earlier in the day.

Since June 20, the youth protest party has been holding a sit-in demonstration in the national capital asking Pradhan to step down after a slew of exam cancellations and paper leaks.

Following its formation in May, the CJP — a parody of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) — quickly moved from the online space to protesting on the streets of several Indian cities.

The collective's name comes from remarks made by India's chief justice Surya Kant in which he likened some unemployed young people to "cockroaches" and "parasites," drawing a social media outrage.

India's Gen Z 'Cockroaches' protest national exams fraud

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India issues advisory to Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims over China permissions

India’s foreign ministry has issued an advisory for Indian nationals undertaking a sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet.

The ministry said in a statement that it had received multiple requests for help from Indian pilgrims stuck in Nepal during the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra without a mandatory entry permit and visas for China.

The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi strongly urged those embarking on the pilgrimage to verify whether their private tour operators are registered and authorized.

"Commencing travel without confirmed documentation or in anticipation of obtaining the necessary documentation increases the likelihood of being stranded," it said as it advised citizens to not start their journey from India until all necessary travel documents have been obtained.

Around 52 Indians traveling to Kailash Mansarovar are presently stranded in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu and have sought urgent help for the onward journey, news agency ANI reported.

Tibet has demanded autonomy since its annexation by China in 1950. Beijing does not recognize the Tibetan government-in-exile which is headquartered in India’s himalayan city of Dharamshala.

Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar hold a holy significance for a number of religions, including Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism.

Following the 2020 conflict between Indian and Chinese troops along a disputed border in Ladakh’s Galwan valley, ties between the two countries soured.

Indian pilgrims were unable to cross the border to the holy sites in Tibet for five years over the coronavirus pandemic and the geopolitical flare-up that followed.

In 2025, Beijing and New Delhi agreed to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Earlier on June 20, the first batch of pilgrims from this year’s Kailash Mansarovar Yatra had crossed into China through the India-China border at the Nathu La Pass in the Himalayas, reports said.

Modi presents made-in-India patrol vessel to Seychelles

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday handed over a fast patrol vessel made in India to the Seychelles, reaffirming New Delhi's commitment to bolster the archipelago nation's maritime security and enhance bilateral defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

The specialized maritime vessel, PS LESPWAR, was presented in the presence of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie in a high-level handing-over ceremony.

Modi also handed over six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles and five laser radial boats.

The Indian leader called the transfer "another important milestone" in what he described as a growing partnership with Seychelles in defense and maritime security.

"It is also the latest in a series of capability-building initiatives that reflect India's steadfast commitment to supporting the security priorities of Seychelles," Modi said in a statement on X.

Modi is slated to attend the Golden Jubilee commemoration of Seychelles' 1976 independence from the United Kingdom as a guest of honor.

In another reflection of India's effort to boost military cooperation with Seychelles, marching contingents of the Indian Army and Navy will take part in the country's 50th National Day celebrations.

We are restarting our rolling coverage of the biggest news and events creating a buzz in India this weekend.

Anticipation is running high in the world of cricket over whether the Indian men's team would be able to recover after registering a historic defeat against Ireland on Friday. The teams are set to play the second and final T20 international of the India vs Ireland series at Stormont, Belfast in the evening.

Cricket lovers are also eagerly waiting to see if India's 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will finally make his debut.

A diplomatic bonhomie is currently on display in the Indian Ocean with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Seychelles.

Sunday marks the second day of Modi’s trip, which is aimed at strengthening ties with the island country as part of New Delhi's key maritime policy to expand its influence in the Global South.

We are pausing our coverage. Thank you for reading!

Stay tuned for more India news tomorrow and more details on Modi's trip to Seychelles.

Modi arrives in Seychelles, meets giant tortoise

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Seychelles on Saturday afternoon and was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honor as he kickstarted his official visit to the East African nation.

Modi was received by Seychelles President Patrick Herminie on the tarmac.

The Indian leader later posted a photo of a car ride with Herminie.

The Indian diaspora had also gathered at the airport to greet the prime minister.

Modi described Seychelles as a "valued maritime partner" and a "close friend in the Indian Ocean."

"Looking forward to a productive visit aimed at further strengthening our longstanding ties and enhancing cooperation for the benefit of the people of our nations," he wrote on X upon landing.

One of the first events in Modi's order of business was a meeting with Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, Indian media reports said.

At an estimated age of 193 as of 2026, Jonathan is the oldest known living animal.

Modi shared glimpses of his visit to the Giant Tortoise Enclosure at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden with Herminie.

Trump likely to visit India in early 2027, Rubio tells IANS

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington was seeking to arrange President Donald Trump's visit to India early next year as a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries is in the works, Indian news agency IANS reported on Saturday, citing an exclusive interview.

"We're hoping. That's what we're working towards sometime early next year to have the President come," Rubio told IANS on being asked if Trump's visit could take place in 2027.

Rubio himself is likely to travel to India this ​year to prepare for Trump's visit, ​he told IANS.

"I look forward to returning before the end of the year and setting up a Presidential visit in the early parts of next year," IANS quoted the Secretary of State as saying.

Ties between New Delhi and Washington hit a rocky patch in the past year after the US slapped high tariffs on Indian goods as a punitive measure over India's purchase of Russian oil.

Rubio told IANS that said the US-India relationship is "very strong" as he spoke of last week's meeting between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of theG7 summit.

"I think it's going fantastic. I mean, it's very strong," Rubio said in the interview.

"We had a great meeting with the Prime Minister. The President did at the G7," he added.

Rubio also said that the US ⁠hoped ​to conclude the US-India trade deal which has been in the making for months, with negotiations currently underway.

"We're ​on the last inches of getting it done and it's very ​positive," he tolds IANS.

Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi slated to visit India

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit New Delhi on July 1 to 3 for the 16th edition of the India-Japan Annual Summit.

The visit marks Takaichi’s first official trip to India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with Takaichi.

The two leaders are expected to take stock of and strengthen the full spectrum of cooperation between New Delhi and Tokyo, according to India's foreign ministry.

8 more bodies from Qatar gas blast repatriated to India

The last of the bodies of the Indian victims from Qatar's Ras Laffan gas explosion have been repatriated to India.

The mortal remains of 8 Indian nationals were sent to India a day after 4 bodies were repatriated, the Indian embassy in Doha said early on Saturday.

A total of I2 Indian nationals were among the 13 people killed in the June 21 blast that occurred at the Barzan gas processing facility.

Qatar described the explosion as a "technical accident".

The Indian embassy said on Saturday that the Indian nationals injured in the incident have all received appropriate medical attention.

Ireland leaves India stumped with historic T20 win

India's men's cricket team suffered a shocking loss at Friday's opening T20 international in Belfast as Ireland etched its first ever win over the reigning world champions.

India stood all out for 148 with seven balls remaining and were defeated by 34 runs.

It was Ireland's first-ever victory over India in any format.

The setback also marked India's first T20 defeat since lifting the World Cup trophy in March.

Ireland was put to bat first. It quickly recovered from 51-4 to knock out 182 runs for 9 wickets at Stormont.

India was all out for 148 with seven balls remaining and lost by 34 runs.

Two Ireland debutants took a total of five wickets.

Indian-born Jai Moondra took home two wickets in his four over rally and also put an end to a 35-run partnership between India's Shivam Dube and Axar ​Patel.

Medium-pacer Matt Hollard dismissed Ishan Kishan in his second delivery on debut.

He also picked up the wicket of new India captain Shreyas Iyer, who was playing his first T20 since 2023.

Hollard wrapped up for 3-28 with Washington Sundar's wicket.

"We are not going to forget what happened and there's a lot to learn from this game," Iyer said after India's defeat.

All eyes had also been on a record-shattering debut of India's wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

But the 15-year-old batting sensation was held in reserve.

India and Ireland are set to meet again on Sunday for the second game of the two-match series.

Modi leaves for Seychelles, visit expected to boost bilateral ties

India's Prime Minister Narendrai Modi on Saturday embarked on an official visit to Seychelles as New Delhi looks to bolster relations with its key partner in the Indian Ocean.

Modi will participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the country's National Day during the two-day trip which comes at the invitation of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie.

India's longstanding diplomatic ties with Seychelles are also marking 50 years, having been established following the East African nation's independence on June 29, 1976.

"Seychelles is a valued maritime neighbour and a key partner in our Vision MAHASAGAR, as well as in advancing the interests of the Global South," Modi said on X ahead of his departure, referring to New Delhi's Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions initiative — its crucial maritime policy in the Indian Ocean.

India and its geopolitical rival China are competing for influence in the Indian Ocean.

Tracking the tense relationship between India and China

Modi will hold bilateral talks with Herminie on the full spectrum of cooperation between the two nations, according to a statement from India's foreign ministry.

The Indian leader is also expected to address the National Assembly of Seychelles.

Modi, who last visited the country in 2015, has been made the Guest of Honor for the jubilee.

A contingent of the Indian defense forces and two Indian Navy ships will take part in the celebrations.

"The visit will reaffirm the strong and enduring friendship between India and Seychelles and reinforce the shared commitment of both countries to enhance the bilateral relationship across all sectors," the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said earlier this week.

This is Dharvi Vaid Dhulia from DW's studio in New Delhi, bringing you all the biggest news and events that are creating a buzz in India today.

Cricket lovers in the country are still reeling from the astounding outcome of the India vs Ireland T20 match that saw the Indian men's team lose to Ireland for the first time in any format.

The question remains whether India's beloved 'men in blue' can spring back from the defeat in their next face-off against the Irish on Sunday.

Meanwhile, monsoon rains in the capital seem to be playing a game of tag! Delhi has recorded a slight rise in minimum temperature amid forecasts of rains in the next few days.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has jetted off to the scenic archipelago of Seychelles to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of that country's National Day,

Upon his arrival back in India, Modi is set to host Japan's Prime Minister Sanae ​Takaichi for a bilateral summit.

Stay with us as we bring you all this and more.