India

Politics

In his first public comments on the exam scandals that have fueled weeks-long demonstrations by the Cockroach Janta Party youth group, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to establish specialized courts that would bypass ordinary courts' more burdensome processes to prosecute those allegedly involved in leaking exam papers and ensure they face "swift and stringent punishment," Reuters reported on July 23.

India: Modi Pledges Low-Level Concession in First Public Comments on Student Protests

United States

Economics

On July 21, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that generic drugs imported into the United States will remain tariff-free for two years from Aug. 1, after which duties will increase to 100% for one year and then to 200%, Bloomberg reported on July 22. 

India, U.S.: U.S. To Impose Graduated Tariffs on Generic Drug Imports After Two Years

Military & Security

Addressing a parliamentary meeting of lawmakers from the country's ruling coalition, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a "foolproof" public examination system and said authorities have taken "strict steps" to prevent future exam leaks, according to the parliamentary affairs minister, The Indian Express reported on July 21.

India: Modi Calls for Testing System Reform as Protesters Pledge Further Demonstrations

Thousands of protesters linked to the Cockroach Janta Party youth group marched to India's Parliament on July 20, the opening day of its monsoon session, to demand the education minister's resignation over recent controversies surrounding school exams and to press authorities on other youth grievances, AP reported on July 20.

India: Thousands of Young 'Cockroach' Protesters March to Parliament, Drawing Crackdown

United Kingdom

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

India and the United Kingdom's Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement took effect on July 15 and eliminated British tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, benefiting sectors such as processed foods, marine products, engineering goods, textiles, leather, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and gems and jewelry, Reuters reported the same day.

India, U.K.: Trade Deal Takes Effect

New Zealand

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Auckland, New Zealand, the two countries agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and establish a comprehensive "Roadmap to 2030" encompassing cooperation across defense, maritime security, trade, agriculture, disaster management, tourism, sports, culture and science, The Hindu reported on July 12.

India, New Zealand: Governments Elevate Ties

Bangladesh

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has remained exiled in India since her August 2024 popular ouster, plans to return to Bangladesh in December alongside colleagues from her Awami League party to surrender, Reuters reported on July 10.

Bangladesh: Hasina To Return Home Alongside Party Colleagues in December

Australia

Energy

During a visit to Melbourne, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured an agreement under which Australia will sell uranium to India for civilian power generation, Bloomberg reported on July 9. 

India, Australia: Australia Signs Uranium Export Agreement With India

Snapshots

A giant Indian flag is displayed from the country's embassy in London on May 7, 2025.

While the agreement will support both countries' economic diversification efforts, U.K. regulatory standards and supply chain challenges will limit some gains for India.

What To Expect as the India-U.K. Trade Deal Enters Force

Assessments

Then-Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrives for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 5, 2019.

The former leader's pledged return from exile risks triggering violent unrest and would likely do little to bolster her party's near-term political prospects, but it could eventually help ease tensions with India.

What Sheikh Hasina's Return Would Mean for Bangladesh's Political Future

The U.S. and Indian flags adorn the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 20, 2023.

While the ban could prompt the U.S. to lower its proposed Section 301 tariff on India from 12.5% to 10%, unresolved concerns over manufacturing overcapacity will sustain the risk of broader, sector-specific tariffs.

India Imposes Forced Labor Import Ban to Reduce U.S. Tariff Exposure

Canada

Mexico

Iran

Japan

Cargo ships June 19 off the coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal in Sharjah emirate, along the Gulf of Oman.

U.S.-Iran Relations

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Japan's Takaichi Goes to India, an Unsteady U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke (center) participates in a protest in Amritsar, India, on June 13, 2026.

Social Issues

While the Cockroach Janta Party has so far struggled to convert its online popularity into large street protests, worsening economic grievances among India's youth could catalyze the movement's growth.

Can India's Viral 'Cockroach' Party Mobilize a Gen Z Uprising?

Pakistan

View of the river in the mountains of northern Pakistan.

Reduced coordination on river data and forecasting will increase uncertainty in water management, while the potential expansion of Indian upstream infrastructure could portend faster, more unstable crises with Pakistan.

What To Expect if India Starts Halting Indus Water Flows to Pakistan

China

Fiji

(From left to right) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference after their Quad meeting in New Delhi on May 26, 2026.

The meeting proved the grouping is still functional, but it faces strong constraints in turning ambitious coordination frameworks into functional maritime, infrastructure, critical minerals and energy initiatives that blunt Chinese regional influence.

Takeaways From Quad Summit: New Initiatives, Enduring Constraints and Future Uncertainty

Israel

Lebanon

Philippines

Armenia

Kazakhstan

Russia

A cargo ship anchored May 16 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. Major gaps in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program persist, and the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will remain fragile over the next week.

The Weekly Rundown: Rubio Visits India, a Fragile U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Uzbekistan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Afghanistan

Afghan protesters burn a Pakistani flag during a demonstration in Helmand Province in 2016.

Gains from the Afghan Taliban's growing regional ties will be hindered by enduring disputes, logistical constraints, infrastructure security risks, and Pakistan's possible absence from future multilateral engagements.

How the Afghan-Pakistani Conflict Is Redrawing Regional Relations

Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrate with the party flags in Kolkata, India, following state elections in West Bengal.

The ruling party's expanding control across state governments will likely gradually strengthen its position in Parliament and accelerate the implementation of citizenship and labor policies.

In India, the BJP's State Election Wins Set the Stage for National Reform

An oil products tanker at Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman. 

The Weekly Rundown: U.K. Elections, Iran War Resumption Risk

An oil tanker is seen docked in the southeastern Iranian coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, in February 2019.

Chabahar is poised to transition from an ambitious commercial venture to a symbolic strategic asset, as India seeks to maintain long-term access and regional influence until sanctions conditions become clearer.

Expired U.S. Sanctions Waiver Threatens India's Chabahar Port Project in Iran

<p>India is endowed with favorable geographic barriers. Surrounded by oceans on three sides and the formidable Himalayan Mountains to the north, what is now modern India has been free of outside interference for much of its long history. Its large geographic size and population, coupled with weaker peripheral nations on much of its boundaries, have allowed India to become the dominant force in South Asia. Home to the world&rsquo;s second-largest population, India&rsquo;s 1.3 billion people are spread out across the peninsular nation, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the tropical south. India&rsquo;s population core is settled along the Ganges river basin, a densely populated swath of fertile land that extends across the northern Himalayan border. India&rsquo;s primary geographic challenge comes from a lack of strong internal boundaries. Modern-day India struggles to rectify the ambitions of a relatively weak national government that competes with the prerogatives of strong, diverse states &mdash; a legacy of a long history of domestic infighting between various dynasties uninhibited by mountains or other defining geography. A similar lack of defining geography still plagues India&rsquo;s northwest border. Waves of Greek, Persian, and Mongols invaded, culminating in the Mughal Empire, which united much of the subcontinent prior to British conquest. The northwestern border still poses national security risks, due to ongoing disputes with Pakistan. But rising domestic consumption means India is increasingly dependent on imported goods from distant suppliers. Surrounded by water or impassable mountains, New Delhi now faces the additional task of developing naval capabilities to secure its critical supply routes, risking maritime tensions with China in the broader Indo-Pacific basin.</p>

SITUATION REPORTS

India: Modi Pledges Low-Level Concession in First Public Comments on Student Protests

India, U.S.: U.S. To Impose Graduated Tariffs on Generic Drug Imports After Two Years

India: Modi Calls for Testing System Reform as Protesters Pledge Further Demonstrations

India: Thousands of Young 'Cockroach' Protesters March to Parliament, Drawing Crackdown

India, U.K.: Trade Deal Takes Effect

India, New Zealand: Governments Elevate Ties

Bangladesh: Hasina To Return Home Alongside Party Colleagues in December

India, Australia: Australia Signs Uranium Export Agreement With India

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