Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to travel to China later this month to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, a major coastal city in China’s Shandong Province. This visit, if confirmed, would mark the first ministerial-level engagement between India and China since relations began improving after the October 2024 agreement to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The SCO, which is being chaired by China this year, is a key regional grouping comprising 10 countries, including India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and several Central Asian nations. The upcoming meeting will focus on regional security cooperation, counter-terrorism, and connectivity.

Rajnath Singh last met his Chinese counterpart, Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane, Laos. That meeting followed the historic October 2024 agreement that resumed coordinated patrolling and troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh, ending a prolonged military standoff since the 2020 Galwan clash.

The visit is seen as part of a broader effort by both sides to restore normalcy in bilateral relations. The thaw began after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Since then, several confidence-building measures have been initiated, including the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, data sharing on transboundary rivers, restoration of direct air connectivity, and steps toward easing visa procedures and boosting cultural exchanges.

India has also reiterated its support for China’s SCO presidency, as emphasized during recent discussions in New Delhi between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.

In addition to this anticipated visit, other high-level interactions have been taking place. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited China in December 2024 for the 23rd Special Representatives Meeting, and the Indian Foreign Secretary visited Beijing in January 2025. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to visit India later this year for the 24th round of SR-level talks.

In a further sign of improving ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping recently extended condolences to Indian leaders following the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad.

A British F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Saturday night after experiencing a critical fuel shortage mid-flight. The jet, one of the most advanced in the Royal Air Force fleet, was reportedly en route over international airspace when it was forced to divert to the Indian airport.

Airport officials confirmed that the aircraft landed safely without incident and was guided to a secure bay. As of Sunday morning, the jet remains stationed at the airport, awaiting necessary clearance from Indian central authorities to proceed with refueling and resume its journey.

Sources at the airport indicated that standard emergency protocols were followed, and coordination between Indian civil aviation and military authorities ensured a swift response to the unplanned landing. No damage or injuries were reported.

The incident has drawn attention due to the presence of a fifth-generation fighter jet at a civilian airport, prompting heightened security measures around the site. While details about the aircraft’s mission and route remain classified, defense analysts suggest the situation underscores the challenges involved in long-distance deployment of such high-performance aircraft.

Diplomatic communication between the UK and India is ongoing, with both sides expected to resolve operational clearances promptly. The British High Commission in New Delhi has not issued a formal statement as of yet.

In a major escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Iranian ballistic missiles struck Israel’s Haifa port and an adjacent oil refinery late Saturday night, causing significant disruption to the country’s critical infrastructure. The strike is being seen as a direct response to recent Israeli attacks on Iranian interests, including an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

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Haifa port, a strategic maritime gateway that handles more than 30 percent of Israel’s imports, is majority-owned by India’s Adani Ports, which holds a 70 percent stake. The attack has raised alarms in international trade circles, particularly about potential disruptions to global shipping routes and maritime commerce.

This latest attack comes amid a sharp escalation in direct confrontations between Israel and Iran. Over the past few weeks, both nations have engaged in tit-for-tat military actions, resulting in mounting casualties. At least seven Israeli civilians have reportedly been killed and over 200 injured in recent hostilities, further inflaming public fears and regional tensions.

Security analysts warn that the targeting of Haifa could trigger broader repercussions for global energy markets, especially if the conflict disrupts maritime routes or oil supplies in the wider region. The port’s partial foreign ownership and its strategic importance to India and other international stakeholders add a global dimension to the crisis.

As the situation continues to evolve, there are increasing calls from world powers for immediate de-escalation. However, both Tehran and Tel Aviv appear to be weighing their next moves carefully, with military reinforcements and diplomatic consultations underway. The risk of a wider regional conflict remains high.

As speculation continues over India’s reported loss of a Rafale fighter jet during Operation Sindoor, Dassault Aviation CEO Éric Trappier has refuted Pakistan’s claims, calling them “inaccurate” and lacking substantiation. Trappier made these remarks in an interview with a French publication ahead of the upcoming Paris Airshow.

Pakistan had claimed it downed three Rafale jets during early May’s brief but intense aerial conflict with India. India has not officially confirmed or denied these reports, leading to widespread speculation. Trappier, however, dismissed the Pakistani version of events, stating, “The Indians did not communicate, so we do not know exactly what happened. What we already know is that the words of the Pakistanis — three destroyed Rafales — are inaccurate.”

The alleged losses have triggered debates in defense circles about the Rafale’s performance under live combat conditions. Responding to such concerns, Trappier stood by the aircraft’s capabilities and stressed the broader context of mission success. “When you operate combat aircraft, you complete a mission. The success of the mission is not having zero loss — it is having achieved your objectives,” he said. Drawing a historical parallel, he added, “During the Second World War, it was not said that the Allies had lost the war because they had lost troops.”

The Dassault chief further remarked that conclusions should be withheld until official details emerge. “We will see if there were losses or not, and if the war goals were achieved. When the truth comes out, some may have surprises,” he said, suggesting that the full operational picture remains classified for now.

Operation Sindoor marked the Indian Air Force’s first major combat engagement involving the Rafale fleet since their induction in 2020. The precision strike campaign has been credited with forcing Pakistan into an early ceasefire, and the IAF has reportedly documented the operation’s strategic success in detail.

While Islamabad’s claims have fueled headlines in Pakistan’s domestic media, defense analysts in India and abroad have expressed skepticism. Many cite a historical pattern of exaggerated claims by Pakistan and the absence of verifiable evidence to back the assertions.

Operation Sindoor is now seen not only as a milestone in India’s modern air combat capabilities but also as a test of credibility in wartime information warfare, where facts often compete with propaganda.