India

The Border Security Forces (BSF) on January 23 located a 150-metre long underground tunnel across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua. Reportedly, the tunnel was dug by Pakistan and is being used to "facilitate the infiltration of terrorists" in the valley. Notably, this is the second tunnel to be spotted by the BSF, after another 150-meter tunnel was located by forces in Bobiyaan Village.

As per the schedule made by the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders aged above 50 will get vaccinated in the second phase of the drive. During the discussion with Chief Ministers on January 11, PM Modi had asked politicians to not get into the line as their time to get vaccinated will come in the second phase. However, it is still unclear which vaccine will be used to inoculate the PM.

Strengthening India-Bhutan relationships, the Centre on January 20 dispatched 1.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine to Bhutan. Interestingly, Bhutan became the first foreign country to receive the vaccines developed by the Serum Institute of India. Earlier, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, India has supplied medicines, medicinal equipment and essential commodities to Bhutan. Besides, India also repatriated over 2,000 Bhutanese nationals… read-more

The inauguration of 2021's first India-funded project took place in Maldives' capital Male. Inaugurated by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the project in the Ekuveni stadium has upgraded a running track into an international standard nine-lane running track. It has also developed a cricket ground in Male. While this was the eighth India-backed project, the Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Sudhir said many more are to come in future… read-more

The United Nations' International Migration Report 2020 on January 15 revealed that India accounts for the largest diaspora in the world. With majority of them living in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the US, around 18 million Indians are spread throughout the world. The report cited labour and family reasons as the major factors to drive migration from India. Meanwhile, the US topped in the host countries' list with housing around 51 million… read-more