India, France to sign their mega deal for Rafale-Marine fighter jets
India and France will sign a Rs 63,000 crore agreement on Monday for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets, officials said. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the French Ambassador will sign the deal in Delhi; defence ministers of both nations will join virtually, according to the Firstpost.
Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security on April 9, the contract covers 22 single-seat and four twin-seat Rafale M aircraft, along with maintenance, training, logistics, and indigenous production support.
The Rafale M jets will be deployed on INS Vikrant to bolster carrier-based operations amid performance issues with the MiG-29K fleet. The acquisition is a stopgap measure until India’s indigenous carrier-borne fighter is ready, Firstpost reported.
Sources said the signing event is likeli to be held outside the Defence Ministry headquarters at South Block.The addition will expand India’s Rafale fleet to 62, enhancing its 4.5-generation fighter strength.
Amid Trump tariffs, China's trade and economy tsar steps into spotlight
At a recent business forum in Beijing, global leaders anticipated a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but many were impressed by Vice Premier He Lifeng. As Xi’s chief economic lieutenant, He has become a central figure in Sino-American trade talks, Reuters reported.
He, who oversees China’s economy and financial sector, is seen as crucial in addressing ongoing trade tensions, particularly after the US imposed 145% tariffs under President Trump.
Once viewed as a rigid Communist Party official, He has gained recognition for his growing confidence and effectiveness in negotiations, holding over 60 meetings with foreign officials since March 2023, as stated by Reuters.
China has exempted several US goods from retaliatory tariffs despite the persistent tensions, but Beijing still demands that Washington stop its "extreme pressure" strategy.
Pakistan, China influence UNSC response to Pahalgam terror attack
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which murdered 26 civilians, but sources suggest Pakistan and China colluded to weaken the official statement.
Unlike the UNSC's 2019 Pulwama statement, which called for cooperation with the "Government of India," the most recent version just mentions "all relevant authorities." According to The Times of India, Pakistan, with China's support, pushed for the softer expression to avoid India taking the lead in the inquiry.
Pakistan, a non-permanent UNSC member, also issued a separate statement expressing “concern” but stopped short of condemning the attack. Islamabad is now demanding for a "independent" investigation, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed support for a neutral investigation.
The US initially proposed a stronger draft, but tough negotiations led to a diluted final version. The move has raised fresh concerns in New Delhi as it tries to manage its uneasy ties with Beijing, The Times of India reported.
Zelensky and Trump meet at Vatican before Pope’s funeral
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump met briefly at St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral, marking their first meeting since a tense Oval Office encounter in February, BBC reported.
The 15-minute discussion was described by the White House as “very productive,” while Zelensky called it “symbolic” and potentially “historic.”
Following additional attacks on Kyiv, Trump questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin, doubting his commitment to bringing the war to a close, according to BBC.
Trump and Zelensky met in Rome for the first time since their White House meeting at the end of February, when Trump informed Zelensky that "you don't have the cards" and that he would not win against Russia.
