North India State News

UP Demolishes 429 Illegal Religious Structures Near Nepal Border

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its demolition drive targeting unauthorized religious structures within a 10-kilometer radius of the Indo-Nepal border. As of Thursday, a total of 429 such structures have been razed. These include illegally constructed madrasas, mosques, Eidgahs, and other religious buildings found on forest or government land without approval

International

Adani Ends Celebi Partnership at Key Airports in India

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

Adani Airport Holdings has officially terminated its partnership with Turkish aviation services firm Celebi at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). The decision comes in the wake of the Indian government revoking Celebi’s security clearance on national security grounds.

International

Zelenskyy Sends Delegation for Istanbul Talks, Seeks Ceasefire

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a high-level delegation to represent Kyiv in direct peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul. The talks, which mark the first such engagement in nearly three years, are being hosted by Turkey in a bid to mediate the protracted conflict. Leading the Ukrainian delegation is Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, underscoring

International

Jaishankar Calls Taliban Minister, Snubs Pakistan Interference

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

In a significant diplomatic shift, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held his first official conversation with Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. This marks India’s first formal political contact with the Taliban-led Afghan government since its takeover in 2021. The call signals India’s calibrated outreach to Kabul and its strategic

Defence National

India Hikes Defence Budget by ₹50,000 Cr After Op Sindoor

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

Following the execution of Operation Sindoor, the Indian government has announced a substantial increase of ₹50,000 crore in its defence budget for the financial year 2025-26. This revision pushes the total defence outlay beyond ₹7 lakh crore, up from the ₹6.81 lakh crore originally announced in the Union Budget in February 2025. The move comes […]

National

Indian Firms Invest $6M in Turkiye, Azerbaijan

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

Indian companies have committed nearly $6 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Azerbaijan and Turkiye in April 2025, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India. This is part of a broader upswing in India’s outbound investments, which totaled $6.8 billion in April, compared to $3.59 billion in the same month last year. […]

Defence National

Indian Navy Tests Indigenous Mine Amid Maritime Tensions

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

The Indian Navy has successfully tested the Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM), an indigenously developed underwater weapon system designed to bolster India’s seabed warfare capabilities. Developed in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the combat firing was conducted in operational conditions, marking a significant milestone in

National

India-Pakistan Ceasefire Extended Till May 18

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

India and Pakistan have agreed to extend their current ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border till May 18, 2025. The decision follows escalating military tensions after the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor. The extension aims to create room for dialogue and reduce the chances […]

National

EAM Jaishankar: Indus Treaty Paused Until Pakistan Ends Terror

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

India has placed the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan on indefinite hold, citing Islamabad’s continued export of terrorism as the primary reason. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced that the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan takes concrete and irreversible steps to eliminate terror networks operating from its soil. Speaking at a media

International

Pakistan PM Offers Talks Amid Post-Op Sindoor Tension

By BPN News Desk May 16, 2025

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended a call for peace talks with India, urging a resolution to longstanding disputes, particularly Kashmir. Addressing personnel at the Kamra Airbase on Wednesday, Sharif said, “We are ready to talk with it (India) for peace.” This statement marks a notable softening of tone following recent hostilities. The remarks […]