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India-Israel partnership holds key to value-based IMEC alternative to China’s BRI

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent state visit to Israel marked a strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries as part of a “sophisticated geo-economic gambit,” according to an article in The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune.

The article highlights that PM Modi’s address to the Knesset outlined both his government’s broader strategic outlook and Israel’s place within it. In his remarks, PM Modi signalled a commitment to building a regional architecture designed to embed India more deeply into trade and connectivity to its west with an anchor role for Israel.

That effort is driven in large part by New Delhi’s search for strategic autonomy as it seeks to escape China’s growing shadow in the Indo-Pacific. No longer defined by its Cold War-era doctrine of non-alignment, India is now prioritising issue-based coalitions and partnerships with countries whose strategic trajectory is durable and predictable. This logic, in turn, favours states whose survival and prosperity are tied to the stability of the rules-based international order, the article states.

At the heart of India’s vision for the Eastern Mediterranean is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). IMEC is much more than simply a commercial route. It is designed to offer India’s international partners a “values-based” alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), thereby reducing Beijing’s leverage over Eurasian trade and energy flows, the article points out.

Over the past decade, Beijing has leveraged large-scale investments in transportation, energy, and telecommunications to establish a strong presence across the Middle East, South Asia, and Europe. This has created a structural interdependence in which economic relationships are inextricably linked to Chinese strategic interests.

From a strategic perspective, IMEC represents an effort to break up this monopoly. It serves as a normative counterweight to China’s model of state-centric control and top-down financing. Instead, it envisions a smaller and more flexible framework in which the economic and political interests of partners, while not identical, overlap in their desire to mitigate Chinese unilateralism.

For India, a reliable corridor requires anchor states such as Israel and Greece which offer institutional stability and technological maturity. While other prospective routes may offer more convenient geography, they lack the normative reliability and security predictability that India requires for long-term strategic investment.

Nevertheless, China’s structural advantage remains formidable. The BRI rests on a foundation of already-commissioned projects and established logistical networks, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the strategic Port of Gwadar. Furthermore, China’s influence is further reinforced by its deep diplomatic engagement with Iran and the Gulf states, as well as its control over critical infrastructure components such as subsea communication cables.

For this reason, the challenge for IMEC is not simply to propose a technical alternative, but to establish institutional credibility and long-term resilience.

For New Delhi and its partners, the corridor’s viability depends on its ability to create a de-risked ecosystem that prioritizes transparency and distributed governance over dependency and top-down control, the article states.(Agency)

Rs 150 crore fraud detected at Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Panchkula branch, bank orders probe

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
A major financial irregularity has come to light in Haryana, where the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has found discrepancies of over Rs 150 crore in its fixed deposits with Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The development comes just a month after a Rs 590-crore fraud was reported at the Chandigarh branch of IDFC First Bank.

According to NDTV Profit report, the civic body had invested funds in fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) at the bank’s Sector 11 branch.

However, the issue surfaced when the corporation requested the maturity amount of a Rs 58-crore deposit to be transferred into its account.

While bank records initially showed that the transfer had been completed, the money never reached the corporation.

A closer investigation revealed that the bank statement itself was fake, and the funds had allegedly been diverted into fraudulent accounts.

Officials later found that all the fixed deposits linked to this case were forged and that no actual money was present in the accounts, as per the report.

Reacting to the development, Kotak Mahindra Bank said it is cooperating with authorities and has started a detailed reconciliation of the fixed deposits and related accounts after being approached by the municipal corporation.

Officials said the total discrepancy could be over Rs 150 crore, and further details are expected to emerge as the probe progresses, the report stated.

Meanwhile, last month, another private lender IDFC First Bank had disclosed a Rs 590 crore fraud at its Chandigarh branch.

In an exchange filing on February 22, the private lender said that it will pursue strict disciplinary, civil and criminal action against the employees and other external individuals responsible, in accordance with applicable law.

However, on the same day, the Haryana Government de-empanelled IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank from handling government business with immediate effect after an alleged fraud of around Rs 590 crore came to light.(Agency)

Kerala polls: Rahul Gandhi’s Kozhikode visit postponed due to Sonia Gandhi’s health issues

Kozhikode, March 25, 2026
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s much anticipated campaign visit to Kerala’s Kozhikode on Wednesday has been postponed, following the hospitalisation of his mother and veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

The development has prompted a swift recalibration of the Congress campaign schedule in Kerala, with party President Mallikarjun Kharge stepping in to lead the outreach for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

Rahul Gandhi, a former Wayanad Lok Sabha member, which borders various Assembly constituencies in Kozhikode, was set to visit the district, however, the Congress leaders said that the LoP will return as the Assembly polls in Kerala take place on April 9.

The LoP’s visit was expected to energise Congress workers and provide momentum in closely contested Assembly seats, particularly in the Malabar region, where electoral battles are often intense and finely balanced.

However, the sudden health concerns involving Sonia Gandhi necessitated LoP Rahul Gandhi’s decision to stay back in Delhi, leading to the postponement of his Kozhikode visit.

Party sources indicated that Sonia Gandhi’s health condition required immediate attention, prompting Rahul Gandhi to prioritise family responsibilities over political engagements.

While no fresh date has been officially announced for the LoP’s Kerala visit, Congress leaders expressed hope that he would join the poll campaign at a later stage, depending on the situation.

Meanwhile, Congress President Kharge will spearhead the poll campaign efforts in the poll-bound state.

Kharge is expected to address a series of public meetings and interact with Congress workers, focusing on consolidating support for UDF candidates.

The Congress President’s presence is seen as significant, particularly at a time when the party is looking to maintain poll campaign momentum amid evolving political dynamics.

Veteran state Congress leaders have downplayed concerns over the change in Rahul Gandhi’s schedule, asserting that the UDF campaign machinery remains robust and well coordinated.

They emphasised that the alliance continues to enjoy grassroots support and is confident of translating it into electoral gains, which was hugely visible at the December held local body polls, causing a jolt to the CPI-M-led Left Front.(Agency)

Sanjay Dutt says ‘admire your vision’ as he pays a visit to Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu

Sanjay Dutt meets Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu

Mumbai, March 25, 2026
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt paid a visit to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Expressing his delight on receiving a warm welcome from the CM, Sanjay penned a gratitude note on social media, saying, “Chandrababu Naidu Garu, it’s always a pleasure meeting you sir. I truly admire your vision for Andhra Pradesh and the energy you bring to building it. Thank you for the warm welcome. (Folded hands emoji)@ncbn.official (sic)”

The ‘Sajaan’ actor also uploaded a couple of photos from the meeting, which took place in the Chief Minister’s residence at Undavalli, on his official social media handle.

The photos showed the CM presenting Sanjay with a bouquet, along with some other souvenirs.

The two reportedly talked about the development of the film industry in Andhra Pradesh during the meeting.

Work-wise, Sanjay is basking in the success of his latest release “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge”. He essayed the role of SP Chaudhary Aslam, a determined officer aiming to completely clean Lyari and end the gang war.

Up next, he will soon star in the forthcoming laughter ride, “Dhamaal 4”.

Helmed by Indra Kumar, the project will retain the core cast of the popular ‘Dhamaal’ franchise, including Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Mishra, and Jaaved Jaaferi.

However, this time, Esha Gupta, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Anjali Anand, Upendra Limaye, Vijay Patkar, and Ravi Kishan will also be a part of the ensemble cast.

Jointly backed by Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashok Thakeria, Indra Kumar, Anand Pandit, and Kumar Mangat Pathak, “Dhamaal 4” is being presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in collaboration with Devgn Films, a T-Series Films, Maruti International, and Panorama Studios production.

Over and above this, Sanjay will also be a part of Riteish Deshmukh’s historical drama, “Raja Shivaji”.(Agency)

SC declines plea against Centre’s ‘Vande Mataram’ circular

New Delhi, March 25, 2026
The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a plea challenging the Centre’s recent circular regarding the singing of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ at official and public functions, observing that the petition was “premature” as the guidelines do not mandate compliance or prescribe any penal consequences.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, remarked that the January 28 notification issued by the Union government was merely advisory in nature.

During the hearing, the CJI Kant-led Bench repeatedly underlined that the circular does not make the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory. “We will hear all this when there are penal consequences or when it is made mandatory. This notification is advisory. No penal consequences, also,” the apex court remarked.

Senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for the petitioner, argued that even in the absence of explicit penalties, the advisory could create a situation of indirect compulsion.

He argued that individuals refusing to sing or stand in respect of the national song may face social pressure or discrimination. “There is always a burden on those who refuse. In the garb of an advisory, people can be compelled to conform,” Hegde submitted, adding that “patriotism cannot be compelled” and that the Constitution must protect individual conscience.

However, the CJI Kant-led Bench said that the apprehensions raised by the petitioner regarding possible discrimination were speculative at this stage. “If there are any penal consequences or instances of discrimination, you are free to approach this Court,” the apex court said, while dismissing the plea.

The petition had challenged the Centre’s circular, which suggested that ‘Vande Mataram’ may be sung in educational institutions and public functions.

The government has maintained that the guideline is intended to promote respect for the national song and is not enforceable by law. The issue also comes amid renewed focus on the historical and cultural significance of ‘Vande Mataram’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently invoked the “enduring spirit” of ‘Vande Mataram’ during a discussion in the Lok Sabha marking 150 years of its composition.

He described it as a unifying force that played a pivotal role during India’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire generations.

Composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and later included in his novel Anandamath, ‘Vande Mataram’ was set to tune by Rabindranath Tagore and first presented at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.

The song went on to become a powerful rallying cry during the independence movement, resonating with leaders such as Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose. In 1950, India’s first President, Rajendra Prasad, accorded ‘Vande Mataram’ the status of the national song.(Agency)

Farah Khan reveals Anil Kapoor’s wife Sunita sends food for her kids when she’s away, calls her ‘BFF in sukh and dukh’

Mumbai, March 25, 2026

Filmmaker Farah Khan has revealed that Sunita Kapoor, the wife of Anil Kapoor, makes it a point to send food for her three children whenever Farah is out of town, further calling Sunita as her “BFF in sukh and dukh.”

On Sunita Kapoor’s birthday on March 25, Farah penned a heartfelt note, highlighting her friend’s unwavering support and care. She shared how Sunita ensures her children are looked after even in her absence, making her feel at ease while travelling for work.

“I started out as @anilkapoor’s friend.. but down the years @kapoor.sunita took over as someone whose friendship i cherish. She’s the best friend one can have, ever giving, always there for you.. whether its to send food for my kids whn im out of town, or to find me house help.. to just holding my hand whn im going through a bad patch..”

She further wrote, “If u have Sunita as ur friend ur very lucky.. coz shes all heart! Im so happy iv earned this friendship coz it is hard earned.. happy birthday @kapoor.sunita u r very loved n appreciated by all who know you.”

In another post, Farah wrote, “Happiest birthday @kapoor.sunita .. always the best friend in dukh n sukh.. my giver of advice & food.. i am lucky to have you as my friend.”

The pictures shared by Farah in a carousel post on social media, capture their close bond, including warm hugs and candid moments, reflecting a friendship that has evolved over decades.

For the uninitiated, Sunita Kapoor is the wife of Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor and the mother of actress Sonam Kapoor, Harshvardhan Kapoor and producer-designer Rhea Kapoor

Over the years, Sonam has often credited her mother for shaping her personality and being a constant support system.

Talking about Sunita and Anil Kapoor, the couple tied the knot in 1984 and have been married for over four decades.

Anil has always spoken in his earlier interviews of how Sunita has stood by him through his early struggles in the film industry.

Known for her warmth and hospitality, Sunita hosts the large Karva Chauth celebrations at her Mumbai residence every year, that is attended by many Bollywood celebrities including Shilpa Shetty, Geeta Basra, Madhoo, and many others.

Sunita, who is grandmother to Sonam Kapoor’s son Vayu, is now set to welcome her second grandchild soon.

Sonam had announced her pregnancy last year and has since been seen flaunting her baby bump at various professional events.(Agency)

Deepti Naval takes trip down memory lane with old photograph from younger days

Deepti Naval takes trip down memory lane with old photograph from younger days

Mumbai, March 25, 2026

Veteran actress Deepti Naval took a walk down memory lane, sharing a nostalgic throwback moment on social media.

Deepti took to Instagram, where she shared a few sepia-toned photographs in a camera reel format. In the image, the award-winning actress is seen seated indoors, holding a camera, exuding a calm and introspective presence.

The actress posted a photograph capturing a reflective mood, accompanied by a simple caption: “Another time . . .”

The 74-year-old actress made her debut in 1978 with Shyam Benegal’s film Junoon. Two years later, she played a lead role in Ek Baar Phir. Alongside Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi, she became an actress in 1980s Parallel cinema, playing roles in films like Kamla and Ankahee.

She was often cast with Farooq Sheikh and they became an iconic on-screen couple of the early 1980s, with films such as Chashme Buddoor, Saath Saath, Kissi Se Na Kehna, Katha, Rang Birangi and Faasle. Three decades later, they reunited in Tell Me O Kkhuda. Their last film together was Listen… Amaya. She returned in the 2000s with social dramas like Bawandar and Firaaq.

Deepti has been active on television with telefilms and serials such as Sauda, Tanaav and Muqammal. She returned with the daily soap Mukti Bandhan.

The actress made her theatre debut with the poetic stage show Ek Mulaqaat, in which she played celebrated Punjabi writer Amrita Pritam. She also appeared in an episode of Made in Heaven, a web series directed by Zoya Akhtar.

Last month, Deepti visited Punjab and was seen spending some good time in the fields, while also attending a literary festival in Chandigarh.

Sharing glimpses from her visit, Deepti captioned one of her posts, “In the fields of Punjab . . .” The actress in the pictures shared, seems to be enjoying a quiet and scenic getaway amid her professional commitments.

She was recently seen in Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders, a crime thriller film directed by Honey Trehan. The film stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitrangada Singh, with Radhika Apte making a special appearance.(Agency)

Played Ranji for MP, picked by RR in 2018, now owns an IPL franchise: Meet RCB’s new chairman Aryaman Vikram Birla

New Delhi, March 25, 2026

Aryaman Vikram Birla will become the new chairman of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru after a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group and Times Internet Limited acquired the defending Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League champions for Rs 16,660 crore.

Bolt Ventures (Bolt) and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy (BXPE, Blackstone) are the other members of the consortium that have jointly bought the RCB, one of the eight original franchises of the IPL that was formed ahead of the inaugural edition in 2008.

Aryaman, the son of chairperson of Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla, is a former cricketer who played for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket.

Aryaman enrolled himself for district trials in Madhya Pradesh in 2014. Prior to that, he had a three-month stint in England under former Middlesex cricketer Paul Weekes, playing for West Hampstead Cricket Club and the London Schools Cricket Association.

He spent four years in the junior circuit in Madhya Pradesh and also captained the MP U23 team, before being handed a Ranji Trophy debut in October 2017. The left-handed batter played nine first-class matches for Madhya Pradesh and scored 414 runs, including one century against Bengal at the Eden Gardens. He also scored 36 runs in four List-A matches.

He registered in the IPL 2018 mega auction and was bought by inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals for Rs 30 lakh. However, he did not play a single match for the franchise and was released ahead of the 2020 season.

Aryaman had been through a number of injury setbacks and, in 2019, took an “indefinite sabbatical from cricket”, citing “severe anxiety related to the sport.” He did not return to cricket and is currently the director of the Aditya Birla Group.

Aryaman, who holds an MBA with honours from Harvard Business School, a Master’s degree in Global Finance from Bayes Business School, and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai, has held leadership roles across multiple businesses of the Aditya Birla Group, including fashion, paints, and real estate.

He serves on the board of the Group’s apex body, Aditya Birla Management Corporation, as well as on the boards of several key Group companies, including Grasim Industries, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail (ABFRL), and the Group’s digital-first fashion platform, TMRW.

He is the founder of Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality, the Group’s fast-growing hospitality platform, and Aditya Birla Ventures, its venture capital arm focused on investing in high-growth start-ups across emerging sectors.(Agency)

Only 26 per cent of Australians supportive of war on Iran: Poll

US on Iran nuclear proposal AirStrike Israel war UAE

Canberra, March 25, 2026

Only 26 per cent of Australians approve of the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran and half the population would oppose the deployment of Australian troops, a poll has found.

The latest edition of The Essential Report, a monthly poll on social and political issues conducted by independent firm Essential Research, found that 10 per cent of Australians strongly approve and 16 per cent approve of the US and Israel’s decision to initiate strikes on Iran, Xinhua news agency reported.

By comparison, 27 per cent of respondents said they strongly disapprove of the war and 15 per cent said they disapprove, with the remaining participants either neutral or unsure.

Asked about Australia’s involvement in the ongoing conflict, 50 per cent of participants in the poll said they would oppose sending troops to support US-Israeli ground operations in Iran, compared to 21 per cent who said they would support such a move.

Respondents were also more likely to oppose than support Australia sending weapons and equipment to support third-party nations impacted by Iranian retaliatory strikes, such as the United Arab Emirates.

A clear majority of respondents, 60 per cent, were supportive of Australia working with international organizations to help peace talks and prevent further escalation.

In terms of diplomatic and trade relationships, 34 per cent of participants in the poll said that Australia should be working less closely with the United States, up from 14 per cent in 2021.

The poll of 1,008 people last week found 43 per cent disapproved of the US and Israeli bombardment of Iran, while just 26 per cent backed the move. Some 31 per cent were unsure or responded “don’t know”.(Agency)

Delhi: Crime Branch busts illegal LPG racket, seizes 183 cylinders in Sangam Vihar

New Delhi, March 25, 2026

In a major crackdown on illegal LPG operations, the Delhi Police Crime Branch (ANTF) has seized 183 Indane gas cylinders from multiple godowns in Sangam Vihar, uncovering a significant hoarding and illegal refilling racket. Four accused, all registered delivery personnel of an authorised LPG agency, have been taken into custody.

Acting on specific and credible Intelligence, the Crime Branch conducted coordinated raids at three rented premises in the L Block area of Sangam Vihar, South Delhi. The operation, supervised by ACP Satendra Mohan, resulted in the recovery of 154 filled and 29 empty cylinders along with refilling equipment, exposing serious violations of safety norms and regulatory guidelines.

The accused – Sher Singh (35), Suraj Parihar (36), Raghu Raj Singh (53), and Jitender Sharma (39) – were found illegally storing cylinders meant for daily distribution and transferring LPG from filled cylinders into empty ones using iron pipes, iron pokers, and weighing scales. The illicitly-filled cylinders were then sold in the open market at higher rates, generating undue profits.

“The operation highlights a deliberate misuse of the LPG distribution system, exploiting the ongoing public concern over cylinder shortages,” said DCP/ANTF Rahool Alwal.

Recoveries from the raids included: First Premises: 58 filled and 7 empty cylinders; 2 iron pipes, 1 iron poker, and 1 electronic weighing scale (accused: Sher Singh and Suraj Parihar)

Second Premises: 59 filled and 7 empty cylinders; 3 iron pipes, 1 iron poker, and 1 electronic weighing scale (accused: Raghu Raj Singh)

Third Premises: 37 filled and 15 empty cylinders; 1 iron pipe, 1 iron poker, and 1 electronic weighing scale (accused: Jitender Sharma)

The modus operandi involved careful extraction of 1–2 kg of LPG from each cylinder, which was then transferred into empty cylinders before being sold in the market. All four accused are registered delivery personnel of an authorised Indane LPG agency, responsible for distribution in Sangam Vihar.

A case has been registered under Sections 3 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act and Section 125/3(5) BNS at the Crime Branch Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

The Delhi Police has assured that such actions will continue to ensure lawful distribution of essential commodities and prevent exploitation of residents.(Agency)

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