THE HEADLINES::

1. India and the Netherlands elevate their ties to strategic partnership, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.
2. Prime Minister Modi to reach Gothenburg today on a two-day visit to Sweden; To hold talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson.
3. Archaeological Survey of India allows Hindus unrestricted access to Bhojshala temple after Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict.
4. Government imposes curbs on import of silver; Moves it to ‘restricted’ category.
5. Delhi Government decides to reduce Value Added Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel in National Capital from 25 percent to 7 percent.
6. In Badminton, Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty to face Indonesian pair in Men’s Doubles final of Thailand Open in Bangkok today.

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India and the Netherlands agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership following wide-ranging discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague. During the talks, the two leaders reviewed cooperation across sectors including trade, defence, technology, water management, clean energy, healthcare and education. Several agreements were also signed to deepen collaboration in priority areas. Announcing the elevation of ties to a strategic partnership, Prime Minister Modi said India-Netherlands ties had witnessed “significant progress” over the last decade and described the Netherlands as one of India’s key European partners.

Highlighting cooperation in sectors such as water management, healthcare and education, Mr Modi said, democratic values, market economy and responsible behavior are part of our common approach. Calling for greater collaboration in emerging sectors, Prime Minister Modi said, India and the Netherlands should combine Dutch expertise with India’s speed and skill to expand cooperation in innovation, sustainability, investment and defence.  

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Gothenburg today on a two-day visit to Sweden, marking a historic milestone in the deepening alliance between New Delhi and Stockholm. Mr Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade as well as collaboration in green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action and people-to-people ties. The two Prime Ministers will also address the European Round Table for Industry, a leading pan-European business leaders forum, along with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

This engagement represents the third leg of the Prime Minister’s broader European tour and his first visit to the continent since the landmark India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took effect in January 2026. The visit follows a high-growth trajectory in economic engagement, with bilateral trade reaching a record 7.75 billion US Dollars in 2025 and Swedish FDI into India totalling 2.8 billion dollars between 2000 and 2025. More from our correspondent:

“Sweden, one of the world’s most innovative economies, finds a natural synergy with India’s digital talent pool. Currently, over 280 Swedish companies operate in India, while 75 Indian firms have established themselves in Sweden. A unique highlight of the visit is the joint address by the Prime Ministers to the European Round Table for Industry alongside the European Commission President.

Defense and security cooperation have evolved into a central pillar, moving toward industrial integration. This relationship is anchored in a 2009 defense cooperative agreement and a 2019 General Security Agreement. Industrial trust is exemplified by the Swedish major  establishing a fully owned production facility in Haryana under ‘Make in India.’ It may be noted Such investments drive local employment and capacity building.

Collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies provides the bedrock of this partnership. Future cooperation prioritizes AI, digitalization, and the Internet of Things. Furthermore, the two nations are collaborating on space exploration, with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics providing instruments for ISRO’s Venus Orbiter Mission.

The green energy transition is central to the bilateral agenda. A standout success is the Lead IT initiative, launched in 2019 to guide heavy industries toward a low-carbon economy. It may be noted  at COP28, the two Prime Ministers launched Lead IT 2.0 (2024-2026), emphasizing technology transfer and the Industry Transition Platform to mobilize technical support. SAKSHI SINGH, AKASHWANI,Gothenburg Sweden”

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India and Sweden share a legacy of trade and people-to-people ties spanning over a century, rooted in mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and the principle of ahimsa. This deep-rooted bond is marked by historic milestones, such as the centenary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s 1926 visit to Sweden. Today, this relationship is evolving from its cultural foundation into a robust industrial and economic partnership. In a conversation with Akashvani, Indian Ambassador to Sweden, Anurag Bhushan, emphasizes that the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit is set to further cement the ties between the two nations.

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Within days of levying high customs duties on precious metals, the Government has imposed import curbs on silver. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade in a notification said, the import policy for silver, including silver plated with gold and platinum are revised from free to restricted with immediate effect. The government on Wednesday had hiked import duty on precious metals from six per cent to 15 per cent. The Goods under restricted category needs government license for imports.

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Delhi Government has taken a significant decision to reduce the Value Added Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel in the National Capital from 25 per cent to 7 per cent. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the decision has been taken in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on strengthening connectivity and economic activity with the objective of providing relief to the aviation sector, promoting tourism and logistics activities.

The Chief Minister informed that the concessional rate will initially remain in force for a period of six months.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has granted the Hindus an unrestricted access to the monument at Bhojshala complex in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh for worship and other purposes. The ASI’s decision came a day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that Bhojshala in Dhar was a temple of Goddess Saraswati. More from our correspondent.

Quoting the ASI’s order, an official said that Bhojshala was a centre of learning and research on Sanskrit language, grammar and literature besides being a temple. The official further said that the Hindu community shall have an unrestricted access to the complex in connection with the ancient practice of learning and worship of Goddess Saraswati.

Earlier on Friday, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared that the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, and the Centre and ASI can decide on its administration and management. The High Court’s Indore bench also quashed the April 7, 2003, order of the Archaeological Survey of India that allowed Muslims to offer namaz inside the Bhojshala complex every Friday. The bench, which was hearing the case, also said the Muslim community, which called the 11th century, ASI-protected monument Kamal Maula Mosque, may approach the state government for allotment of separate land in the district for construction of a mosque. ABHINAV GOYAL AKASHWANI BHOPAL.”

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Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested another key accused from Pune in connection with the NEET paper leak case. The accused, Professor Manisha Mandhare, is a Botany teacher at a college in Pune. According to the CBI, National Testing Agency had appointed her as an expert in the examination process. Earlier, on 14th May, another accused, Manisha Waghmare, was also arrested from Pune. Both the accused were produced before a Pune court yesterday and later taken to Delhi for further investigation.

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The RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case will be heard by the division bench of Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court. Earlier this week, Justice Raja Shekhar Mantha and Justice Rai Chattopadhyay recused themselves from the case citing ‘heavy roster’. Sanjay Roy, the lone convicted in this case was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2025.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the Southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, many parts of Andaman Sea and Andaman Islands and entire Nicobar Islands. According to the IMD, Southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on the 26^th of this month.

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In Badminton, Indian pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will face Indonesian duo Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin in the Men’s Doubles final of Thailand Open in Bangkok today. This will be the Indian pair’s first final of the season and their third final appearance at the tournament, having won the title in 2019 and 2024.

Earlier, the Indian duo stormed into the men’s doubles final after defeating Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin in a thrilling semifinal clash by 19-21, 22-20, 21-16.

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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS,

1. “Pune botany professor held for NEET leak, was NTA’s subject expert,” is the top headline in The Indian Express.  She is the second member of the National Testing Agency’s paper setting committee, who allegedly disclosed botany and zoology questions at coaching classes she conducted at her Pune residence, writes Hindustan Times.
2. The Asian Age reports that the Narcotics Control Bureau has seized the first-ever consignment of Captagon, also known as “jihadi drug,” worth 182 crore rupees, on way to the Middle East.
3. In its editorial piece titled, “Plugging Leaks,” The Statesman argues that recurring examination paper leaks in India are not merely policing failures but signs of a deeply outdated and fragile exam system. It says the answer lies not in harsher punishment alone, but in a thorough redesign using secure, adaptive and carefully tested technological systems alongside stronger institutional transparency and accountability. The editorial warns that unless India reforms how competitive exams are conceived and administered, public trust in merit itself will continue to erode.
4. Dailies have prominently reported the decision of the Netherlands to return 11th century Chola-era plates to India. 
5. The Tribune, calling it ‘a moment heavy with histroy and symbolism’ writes that the Leiden University announced its decision to return the Plates after an official enquiry concluded that they were taken during the Dutch colonial rule without the consent of their rightful custodians.
6. Finally, an elephant has given birth to twin calves at the Corbett Tiger Reserve, reports Hindustan Times. Wildlife experts have described it as a rare event among elephants.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN

1. India and the Netherlands elevate their ties to strategic partnership, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.
2. Prime Minister Modi to reach Gothenburg today on a two-day visit to Sweden; To hold talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson.
3. Archaeological Survey of India allows Hindus unrestricted access to Bhojshala temple after Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict.
4. Government imposes curbs on import of silver; Moves it to ‘restricted’ category.
5. Delhi Government decides to reduce Value Added Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel in National Capital from 25 percent to 7 percent.
6. In Badminton, Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty to face Indonesian pair in Men’s Doubles final of Thailand Open in Bangkok today.
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