The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has dismissed Constable Munir Ahmed of its 41st Battalion after he married a Pakistani national, Menal Khan, without obtaining mandatory prior approval—a move officials have termed a serious breach of conduct and a potential national security threat.

The CRPF’s action follows an internal inquiry which revealed that Ahmed solemnized his marriage with Khan on May 24, 2024, via a WhatsApp video call, even as his official request for permission to marry a foreign national was still under review. This act contravenes Rule 21(3) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which mandates prior government clearance for such marriages, especially with citizens of countries deemed sensitive from a national security standpoint.

Khan reportedly rejoined Ahmed in India recently after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court granted her temporary relief from deportation, halting proceedings at the Attari border. However, investigations found that Ahmed had not only concealed the marriage from his superiors but had also knowingly allowed Khan to overstay her visa, further aggravating the situation.

A senior CRPF official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated: “This is not just a procedural lapse. Given the operational sensitivity of CRPF personnel, especially those deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, Ahmed’s actions posed a direct risk to national security. Such breaches of discipline and trust are intolerable.”

The case comes at a time of heightened vigilance following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, triggering a series of retaliatory measures from the Indian government. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, and the freezing of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals.

Since the attack, 786 Pakistani nationals have been deported via the Attari-Wagah border, as India ramps up security protocols. Ahmed’s dismissal adds to the government’s broader crackdown and reflects increased scrutiny of cross-border affiliations, particularly those involving members of the armed forces and paramilitary services.

Authorities are now investigating the full extent of Ahmed’s conduct, including the legality and intent behind the online “nikaah” ceremony. The CRPF reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on breaches that compromise institutional integrity or national security.

India has extended a $200 million Defence Line of Credit (LOC) to Angola, marking a major boost in bilateral ties and reinforcing its role as a rising defence partner on the global stage. The announcement came during the state visit of Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, the first by an Angolan head of state in 38 years. The visit also commemorates the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Lourenco in New Delhi, highlighting the deep-rooted historical connection between the two countries, especially India’s support for Angola during its struggle for independence. “When Angola was fighting for its freedom, India stood beside it with faith and friendship,” said PM Modi in a joint statement.

The newly announced defence LOC aims to assist Angola in upgrading and modernizing its armed forces. Though specifics of the procurement have yet to be disclosed, the line is expected to cover artillery systems, military vehicles, and possibly other Indian-made defence platforms. This aligns with India’s broader push to expand its defence exports, which hit a record ₹23,622 crore (approx. $2.8 billion) in FY 2024–25. Indian defence products have recently found buyers in countries like the United States, Armenia, Morocco, and the UAE.

India’s offer to Angola is part of a larger strategy to strengthen ties with African nations through capacity-building, defence cooperation, and infrastructure support. Angola, a significant oil and gas supplier to India, stands out as a key partner in this initiative.

In addition to defence cooperation, both leaders discussed enhancing collaboration in energy, digital public infrastructure, space, agriculture, and healthcare. India expressed interest in expanding its energy imports from Angola while offering expertise in solar and green technology.

The visit underscores India’s evolving foreign policy posture—focusing not only on deepening ties with traditional partners but also on becoming a central player in the Global South’s growth and security. The Defence LOC to Angola reinforces India’s commitment to shared development and security, anchored in mutual respect and strategic partnership.

In a significant move that further strains relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has issued a directive prohibiting ships flying the Pakistani flag from docking at Indian ports. The order, which came into effect on May 2, 2025, also bars Indian vessels from visiting Pakistani ports, marking a new chapter in the escalating tensions between the two countries.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways cited national security concerns following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives and has been attributed to Pakistan-backed terrorist groups by New Delhi. As a response to this attack, India had already restricted Pakistani airlines’ use of its airspace, a decision that has been met with retaliation from Islamabad.

The new maritime ban, backed by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, is intended to safeguard India’s maritime interests and protect its national security. It not only prohibits Pakistani vessels from docking at Indian ports but also mandates that Indian ships avoid visiting Pakistani ports. Any violations of the order could lead to severe penalties, including the cancellation of Indian vessels’ registrations. Additionally, foreign vessels transporting goods or passengers to or from Pakistani ports will also be subject to the restrictions, further isolating Pakistan from India’s critical maritime routes.

The move is seen as the latest in a series of retaliatory actions between India and Pakistan. On April 30, India had already banned Pakistani airlines from using its airspace, a decision that escalated the already fraught diplomatic environment. Pakistan, denying involvement in the Pahalgam attack, responded by suspending all trade with India, including indirect trade through third countries such as the UAE. This maritime ban is likely to have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Pakistan’s economy, as much of its informal trade with India, estimated at $10 billion annually, is routed through third nations.

The ban could severely disrupt Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector, which relies heavily on Indian imports, and may also affect the local economies around India’s Integrated Check Posts (ICPs). Furthermore, trade lawyers such as Shantanu Singh predict that these disruptions will exacerbate challenges for Pakistan, especially as both nations already contend with regional economic strains.

International observers, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue. However, with both countries doubling down on retaliatory measures, including India’s suspension of its participation in the Indus River water-sharing agreement and Pakistan’s expulsion of Indian diplomats, the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.

The decision to bar Pakistani vessels underscores the increasingly divisive nature of India-Pakistan relations, with maritime routes now added to the long list of contentious issues between the two neighbors. As the diplomatic standoff continues to unfold, the Indian government has made it clear that it intends to maintain a firm stance, prioritizing national security and regional stability over immediate reconciliation.

The Government of India has announced the immediate suspension of all inbound mail and parcel exchanges with Pakistan, effective May 3, 2025. This unprecedented measure, confirmed by the Ministry of Communications through a public notice issued by the Department of Posts, halts the transportation of mail and parcels via both air and surface routes.

This decisive step follows the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 23, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national. The attack, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama incident, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. India has accused Pakistan of harboring cross-border terrorism, a claim that Pakistan continues to deny. The attack has triggered nationwide protests and calls for justice, as well as widespread condemnation from the Indian diaspora globally.

The suspension of postal services is part of a broader series of retaliatory actions by India. These include the expulsion of six Pakistani diplomatic staff members on April 30, 2025, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 24, 2025, and the downgrading of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Furthermore, Pakistan’s recent closure of its airspace to Indian airlines has led to the suspension of crucial flight routes, particularly to Central Asia, severely affecting Indian aviation. The airspace shutdown in 2019, which cost Indian airlines $82 million due to longer flight routes and increased fuel consumption, has further strained the economic ties between the two nations.

The Ministry of Communications has instructed all Heads of Circles to make the public notice widely available, signaling the Indian government’s intent to sever postal communication with Pakistan. The suspension disrupts a long-standing channel of exchange that had endured despite decades of geopolitical tensions, potentially hindering trade, personal communications, and cross-border commerce.

Analysts warn that this escalation is likely to further strain the already fraught India-Pakistan relations, which have been deteriorating since India’s abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. As diplomatic and economic pressures mount, the long-term effects on both countries remain uncertain, with concerns about potential economic and humanitarian consequences for the region.

India’s hardline stance signals a clear effort to pressure Pakistan to address longstanding concerns over terrorism, though the path ahead remains unclear.

In a significant move, India has announced a complete ban on the direct and indirect import of all goods from Pakistan, effective immediately. The decision, made public through a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on May 2, 2025, is grounded in national security and public policy concerns, following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

The new regulation prohibits the transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, with any potential exceptions requiring prior approval from the Government of India. This decision is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance security measures in the wake of persistent cross-border terrorism. Pakistan’s imports to India have been minimal, comprising just 0.0001% of India’s total imports for FY25. Major imports included fruits, nuts, medicinal plants, and organic chemicals.

Trade between the two countries had already been severely restricted in recent years. Following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, India had raised import duties on goods from Pakistan, effectively halting most trade. In retaliation, Pakistan suspended trade ties with India, further exacerbating the bilateral trade situation.

The Indian government has also taken additional steps in response to the Pahalgam attack, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, and the closure of the Attari land-transit post. Pakistan has also retaliated with a suspension of all trade to and from India, including transit through third-party countries.

The strained relationship between India and Pakistan, rooted in longstanding issues such as the Kashmir conflict and cross-border terrorism, continues to impact bilateral trade. India’s decision marks another chapter in its ongoing diplomatic actions aimed at safeguarding its national interests.