Top 5 news of the day: India halts Pakistan imports; Rajnath may skip Moscow parade; PM Albanese wins Australia polls; and more | India News
Today’s top stories cover major developments in politics, defence, sports, and international relations.
India has taken a strong stance following the Pahalgam terror attack by halting imports from Pakistan, suspending mail services, and denying access to Pakistani vessels at Indian ports. Junior defence minister Sanjay Seth is set to lead India’s delegation at Russia’s Victory Day parade, a shift from the initial plan for Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to attend, amidst rising tensions with Pakistan.
In global news, Australia’s Labor Party, led by Anthony Albanese, has made history by securing a second consecutive term, defeating Peter Dutton’s conservative opposition. On the international stage, Prime Minister Modi has announced a $200 million defence credit to Angola, aiming to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, anti-terrorism, and other sectors.
Here are the top five stories of the day:
India halts imports, suspends mail services and denies port access to Pakistani vessels following Pahalgam terror attack
The move is driven by national security concerns, aiming to protect Indian assets, cargo, and infrastructure. India has banned Pakistani-flagged ships from docking at Indian ports and also prohibited Indian vessels from visiting Pakistani ports. Trade data shows limited exchange between the two countries in recent years. From April 2024 to January 2025, India imported only $2.88 million worth of goods from Pakistan. Read full story
India to send junior defence minister Sanjay Seth to Russia Victory Day parade amid rising tensions with Pakistan
Russia had first invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the event marking 80 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Later, it was decided that defence minister Rajnath Singh would go instead. But now, junior defence minister Sanjay Seth is set to lead the Indian delegation. Moscow has also extended invitations to leaders from several other friendly nations. Read full story
Anthony Albanese makes history as Labor wins second consecutive term in Australia after 21 years
The conservative opposition, led by Peter Dutton, has admitted defeat after winning only 24 seats. Australia’s lower house has 150 seats, and Labor is expected to form the next government, either as a majority or minority, depending on the final count. The six-week electoral process further garnered worldwide attention, primarily due to the significant influence of US President Trump.. Read full story
PM Modi announces $200 million defence credit to Angola and deepens ties in infrastructure and anti-terror cooperation
The leaders discussed strengthening India-Africa ties, focusing on agriculture, traditional medicine, and cultural exchange. Angolan President João Lourenço was ceremonially welcomed with a 21-gun salute and Guard of Honour. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The visit marks the 40th anniversary of India-Angola relations, and several MoUs are expected to be signed. Read full story
Virat Kohli clarifies the social media buzz after liking an Avneet Kaur fan page post
The Indian cricketer clarified on Instagram Stories that the interaction was unintentional, likely caused by an algorithm mistake, and requested that no assumptions be made. The online frenzy created many memes and viral posts, but Kohli has remained focused on his cricket, playing a key role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 with 443 runs in 10 innings. Read full story
