April 7, 2026

December 2025

Palash Muchhal, Smriti Mandhana’s fiancé, makes FIRST public appearance at airport amid wedding postponement and health scare

Palash Muchhal, Smriti Mandhana’s fiancé, makes FIRST public appearance at airport amid wedding postponement and health scare

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Palash Muchhal and Smriti Mandhana’s November 23 wedding in Sangli was postponed after Smriti’s father suffered a heart attack; Palash was hospitalized for stress. On December 1, Palash made his first public airport appearance in black, nodding to paparazzi. Smriti deleted pre-wedding posts amid cheating rumors; cousin Neeti defended him. Music composer Palash Muchhal’s much…

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Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday addressed public grievances and concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow, where he met people from different parts of the district and personally listened to their issues. UP CM Yogi Adityanath addresses public grievances, concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow (Photo credit: ANI) LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday addressed public grievances and concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow, where he met people from different parts of the district and personally listened to their issues.During the public outreach event, the chief minister reviewed written applications submitted by citizens and assured them of timely assistance and resolution. He also interacted warmly with children present at the venue, addressing their concerns and encouraging them to actively participate in community development.Earlier, on Sunday and even on November 18, CM Yogi Adityanath held a ‘Janta Darshan’ at the Gorakhnath Temple premises in Gorakhpur.On November 16, CM Yogi Adityanath addressed public grievances and concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow.During the “Janta Darshan” meeting, CM Yogi met with women and children to listen to thier grievances, which were presented by the general public. He reviewed the written applications of several people and assured support and resolution.Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday participated in the Pran Pratishtha and Aathman Bhandara at Siddha Baba Palnath Ashram in Jhajjar, Haryana and emphasised the significance of Sanatan culture, highlighting its role in shaping human evolution.He highlighted the spiritual legacy of the Nath community and underscored that Sanatan culture, linking India’s spiritual heritage, from Kailash’s Shiva to Rameshwaram’s temple, showcases the country’s rich cultural tapestry.On Sunday, the chief minister also held a review meeting in Sambhal, assessing ongoing development works and the law-and-order situation. He directed government and district officials to develop Sambhal in a phased manner, emphasising that the district’s development is a key government priority, a release said.In the first phase, he instructed officials to restore ancient pilgrimage sites and traditional wells. The second phase should focus on projects such as a museum and light-and-sound facilities. He also called for swift action on the construction of the District Court, jail, and PAC unit in Sambhal.The chief minister reviewed the performance of several departments, including Revenue, Home, Justice, Charitable Works, PWD, Tourism-Culture, and Urban Development.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWinter Session Of Parliament: Bills On Atomic Energy, Excise On Agenda; Oppn Gears Up For SIRPM Modi’s ‘Drama Nahi, Delivery’ Message Sets Fiery Tone As Winter Session Begins Amid Tensions’US Benefited Immensely From Indians’, Says Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Warns US Against Scrapping H-1BAjeya Warrior-25 Wraps Up As India-UK Forces Boost Counter-Terror SynergyAt Least 11 Dead, 20 Injured in Head-On Collision Between Two Govt Buses in Tamil Nadu’s SivagangaUncertainty Over Pakistan’s Top Military Post Could Trigger Conflict: AnalystPak Handler Shahzad Bhatti Directed Gurdaspur Grenade Attack: Special Cell‘Stay Mentally Prepared’: Rajnath Singh’s Remark Fuels Talk Of Another Operation Sindoor‘4,000 Soldier Deaths, 20,000 Injured’: Pak FM Ishaq Dar Blames Taliban For Troop LossesAirbus A320 Glitch: Ex-IAF Pilot Shows How ELAC 2 Fails In Real-Time Flight Simulation123Photostories‘My Brother… Nikhil’ to ‘Phir Milenge’: Bollywood films that raised awareness about HIV/AIDS5 quotes by Shah Rukh Khan to deal with Monday bluesKangana Ranaut, Vivek Oberoi to Abhijeet Bhattacharya: Celebrities who faced instant backlash after controversial tweets7 proven study methods that help you remember everything for exams5 driest places in the world you can actually visit6 small habits of people who naturally attract good luckKnow Who is Your Healing God According To Your Birth Date5 destinations around the world with unusual names (and their stories)Films that honour family, love, courage and unforgettable sacrificeBhagavad Gita Lessons According To Your Date of Birth123Hot PicksParliament Winter SessionCyclone DitwahWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingAdin RossSunil GavaskarED SheeranDevajit SaikiaVirat Kohli RecordGisele BndchenKL RahulParliament SessionSmriti MandhanaAnthony Davis

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday addressed public grievances and concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow, where he met people from different parts of the district and personally listened to their issues. UP CM Yogi Adityanath addresses public grievances, concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow (Photo credit: ANI) LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday addressed public grievances and concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow, where he met people from different parts of the district and personally listened to their issues.During the public outreach event, the chief minister reviewed written applications submitted by citizens and assured them of timely assistance and resolution. He also interacted warmly with children present at the venue, addressing their concerns and encouraging them to actively participate in community development.Earlier, on Sunday and even on November 18, CM Yogi Adityanath held a ‘Janta Darshan’ at the Gorakhnath Temple premises in Gorakhpur.On November 16, CM Yogi Adityanath addressed public grievances and concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow.During the “Janta Darshan” meeting, CM Yogi met with women and children to listen to thier grievances, which were presented by the general public. He reviewed the written applications of several people and assured support and resolution.Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday participated in the Pran Pratishtha and Aathman Bhandara at Siddha Baba Palnath Ashram in Jhajjar, Haryana and emphasised the significance of Sanatan culture, highlighting its role in shaping human evolution.He highlighted the spiritual legacy of the Nath community and underscored that Sanatan culture, linking India’s spiritual heritage, from Kailash’s Shiva to Rameshwaram’s temple, showcases the country’s rich cultural tapestry.On Sunday, the chief minister also held a review meeting in Sambhal, assessing ongoing development works and the law-and-order situation. He directed government and district officials to develop Sambhal in a phased manner, emphasising that the district’s development is a key government priority, a release said.In the first phase, he instructed officials to restore ancient pilgrimage sites and traditional wells. The second phase should focus on projects such as a museum and light-and-sound facilities. He also called for swift action on the construction of the District Court, jail, and PAC unit in Sambhal.The chief minister reviewed the performance of several departments, including Revenue, Home, Justice, Charitable Works, PWD, Tourism-Culture, and Urban Development.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWinter Session Of Parliament: Bills On Atomic Energy, Excise On Agenda; Oppn Gears Up For SIRPM Modi’s ‘Drama Nahi, Delivery’ Message Sets Fiery Tone As Winter Session Begins Amid Tensions’US Benefited Immensely From Indians’, Says Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Warns US Against Scrapping H-1BAjeya Warrior-25 Wraps Up As India-UK Forces Boost Counter-Terror SynergyAt Least 11 Dead, 20 Injured in Head-On Collision Between Two Govt Buses in Tamil Nadu’s SivagangaUncertainty Over Pakistan’s Top Military Post Could Trigger Conflict: AnalystPak Handler Shahzad Bhatti Directed Gurdaspur Grenade Attack: Special Cell‘Stay Mentally Prepared’: Rajnath Singh’s Remark Fuels Talk Of Another Operation Sindoor‘4,000 Soldier Deaths, 20,000 Injured’: Pak FM Ishaq Dar Blames Taliban For Troop LossesAirbus A320 Glitch: Ex-IAF Pilot Shows How ELAC 2 Fails In Real-Time Flight Simulation123Photostories‘My Brother… Nikhil’ to ‘Phir Milenge’: Bollywood films that raised awareness about HIV/AIDS5 quotes by Shah Rukh Khan to deal with Monday bluesKangana Ranaut, Vivek Oberoi to Abhijeet Bhattacharya: Celebrities who faced instant backlash after controversial tweets7 proven study methods that help you remember everything for exams5 driest places in the world you can actually visit6 small habits of people who naturally attract good luckKnow Who is Your Healing God According To Your Birth Date5 destinations around the world with unusual names (and their stories)Films that honour family, love, courage and unforgettable sacrificeBhagavad Gita Lessons According To Your Date of Birth123Hot PicksParliament Winter SessionCyclone DitwahWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingAdin RossSunil GavaskarED SheeranDevajit SaikiaVirat Kohli RecordGisele BndchenKL RahulParliament SessionSmriti MandhanaAnthony Davis

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

UP CM Yogi Adityanath addresses public grievances, concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow (Photo credit: ANI) LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday addressed public grievances and concerns during ‘Janta Darshan’ in Lucknow, where he met people from different parts of the district and personally listened to their issues.During the public outreach event,…

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Dec 01, 2025, 12:54 IST

Dec 01, 2025, 12:54 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Vintage Virat Kohli didn’t just silence the chatter around his ODI future in Ranchi — he peeled back the curtain on the mental space that now drives his greatness. After hammering a stunning 135 off 120 balls to lift India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the series opener, Kohli spoke…

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JEE Main 2026 application correction window opens at jeemain.nta.nic.in: Check direct link and list of editable fields here

JEE Main 2026 application correction window opens at jeemain.nta.nic.in: Check direct link and list of editable fields here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

JEE Main 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the JEE Main 2026 application correction window today, December 1, 2025, allowing candidates a two-day period to rectify errors in their submitted forms. The correction facility will remain active until 11:50 pm on December 2, 2025 on the official portal jeemain.nta.nic.in.Only applicants who completed their…

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‘Kaantha’ OTT release: Dulquer Salmaan’s Tamil period drama set to stream soon – Report

‘Kaantha’ OTT release: Dulquer Salmaan’s Tamil period drama set to stream soon – Report

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Dulquer Salmaan’s Tamil period drama ‘Kaantha’, which had a mixed theatrical reception, is now set for an OTT release on Netflix around December 12, 2025. The film, set in 1950s Madras, explores the dynamics between a filmmaker and a rising star. Dulquer Salmaan’s Tamil period drama ‘Kaantha’ is now heading to OTT after a mixed…

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Delhi-NCR AQI hits 8-year best: Pollution levels dip sharply between January and November; only 3 ‘severe’ days recorded in 2025

Delhi-NCR AQI hits 8-year best: Pollution levels dip sharply between January and November; only 3 ‘severe’ days recorded in 2025

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Delhi-NCR breathes easier this year, achieving its best air quality in eight years NEW DELHI: Delhi-NCR has recorded consistent improvement in air quality this year, with the region registering its lowest average AQI for January to November in eight years, excluding the COVID-19 lockdown year of 2020, according to official data.Figures show that Delhi’s average…

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China-Japan tensions flare: Singer Maki Otsuki’s concert abruptly stopped in Shanghai — watch

China-Japan tensions flare: Singer Maki Otsuki’s concert abruptly stopped in Shanghai — watch

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Japanese “One Piece” singer Maki Otsuki’s concert in Shanghai was abruptly cut short on Friday night, as rising diplomatic tensions between China and Japan spilled directly onto the stage. Fans were left stunned when the lights went out mid-song and staff moved in, leading Otsuki offstage without explanation. Her management later confirmed she had been…

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As Russian President Vladimir Putin visits New Delhi, it will be his first visit to India since the Ukraine war began. As the two old partners Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin meet again, the news will be about missiles and credit cards, fighter jets, and oil flows. But the real story behind may be far more complicated. TL;DR: Driving the newsWhen Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plane lands in Delhi on December 4, it will be his first trip to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2020. The optics will be simple: two longtime partners shaking hands again after a rough few years. The reasons for those smiles are anything but simple.There are two big bets on the table. One is hard power: India wants five more S-400 Triumf air defense squadrons on top of the ones it has already ordered from Russia and tested in Operation Sindoor this year. The other is financial plumbing: A plan to connect India’s RuPay and Russia’s Mir payment networks and make the rupee-rouble systems work better so that trade can keep going even as Western sanctions get tighter around Moscow.The combination of missiles and financial pipelines highlights the primary challenge facing India’s foreign policy in 2025: How to maintain a close relationship with Russia while avoiding a rift with the West?Why the S-400 is still important to Delhi?India signed the original .5 billion S-400 deal in 2018, but it did so under a lot of pressure from the US under CAATSA, the law that punishes big defense purchases from Russia. In the end, Washington made an exception for India in 2022, quietly admitting that punishing Delhi would hurt its own Indo-Pacific strategy.Things have changed on the ground since then, but not in India’s skies. China is still upgrading its air force and missile stockpile, while Pakistan is still an unpredictable secondary front. The S-400 is one of the few systems that can lock down Indian airspace like this. It has a long range and layered radar. We all read how S-400 successfully shot down several Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor along the western front earlier this year. This only adds to the platform’s “game-changer” reputation in Delhi.That’s why the Modi government still wants five more S-400 squadrons, a new missile order, and is may also consider Moscow’s offer to co-produce the Su-57 stealth fighter, even though there has been a lot of talk about moving away from Russian equipment. For Indian planners, this isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about filling in real gaps in their capabilities faster and, in many cases, cheaper than Western vendors will let them.But for Washington and Brussels, another big S-400 deal could be a warning sign. Analysts have said that adding to the original deal could start the CAATSA debate all over again, just as the US Congress and European capitals are already upset about India’s purchases of Russian oil.Every extra S-400 battery India buys is more than just a missile system; it’s a test of how far the West is willing to go to “special treat” Delhi.Russia’s stealth sweetener, the Su-57, and India’s ‘strategic options’There are other big things in the air besides missiles. As Putin arrives, Moscow is also showing off the Su-57 stealth fighter, which is more futuristic.A recent article in the South China Morning Post says that Russian officials have said they are willing to give India unusually deep localization and technology transfer on the export version of the Su-57. They even hinted at the possibility of licensed production in India.Politics Increasingly ‘Trumps’ Economics: EAM Jaishankar’s Veiled Swipe At US Amid Trade TensionsThe message to the Kremlin is clear: even though Western partners are hesitant to share cutting-edge combat aircraft technology, Russia is still willing to open the black box. The possible Su-57 deal is another way for India to show that it has “strategic options.” It isn’t stuck in one camp, even though trade, tariffs, and Ukraine issues sometimes make relations with the US tense.There is still a question of whether the Indian Air Force really wants a lot of Su-57s. The stealth-jet offer is a political subplot to the Modi-Putin summit. It shows how Moscow is trying to keep India’s defense budget and attention from drifting too far toward American, European, and Indian systems.Rewiring the money pipes: The rupee, Mir, and RuPayPayments are the lifeblood of India-Russia ties, while S-400s are the metal spine.Since the invasion of Ukraine, trade between the two countries has grown to almost billion in 2024–25, mostly because of cheap Russian oil. But moving money from point A to point B has gotten harder and harder because US and European sanctions have hit Russian banks, oil companies, and shipping.India and Russia put together a rupee-based settlement system using Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) in Indian banks to keep trade going. This is a modern version of the old rupee-rouble trade from the 1950s. In August, the Reserve Bank of India made rules easier so that Russian companies could invest their extra rupees in Indian government bonds, stocks, and infrastructure. This way, the money isn’t just sitting in bank accounts.Still, the system is creaking. Indian exporters have said that they are having more and more trouble getting paid for goods they send to Russia because banks are worried about secondary sanctions. Some trade groups have asked Delhi to make the rupee-rouble rate and guarantee framework clearer to help people trust the system again.That’s where the idea for RuPay-Mir comes in. At the summit, negotiators want to get at least a political green light and maybe even a roadmap for both sides to agree to each other’s domestic card networks.In real life, that could mean that Indian tourists in Moscow can use a RuPay card without needing a Visa or Mastercard.Mir payments from Russian tourists in Goa or Kerala.Over time, merchants in both countries have started to settle through local currency corridors instead of dollar-clearing hubs.It’s about something bigger: a world where Western financial systems aren’t the only ones that work. That means staying alive for Russia, which is cut off from most of the Western banking system. For India, it’s a strategic insurance policy that shows it can help build alternative circuits without officially joining any “anti-dollar” bloc.New sanctions and lower oil pricesThe crude truth of oil is behind the financial engineering.Before the war in Ukraine, Russia supplied India with almost no crude oil. By the middle of 2025, it was supplying about 35–40% of India’s crude oil, making it the country’s biggest supplier and saving Delhi billions of dollars in import costs thanks to big discounts.But that deal is now running into a wall of tougher sanctions. A new US-EU-UK package aimed at Russian companies like Rosneft and Lukoil is making Indian refiners rethink how much they are exposed. According to Reuters, Indian imports of Russian crude rose to about 1.85 million barrels per day in November, a last-minute rush to stock up. In December, however, they are expected to drop to nearly 600,000-650,000 bpd, the lowest level in three years, as sanctions take effect.Reliance, India’s largest private refiner, has already stopped using Russian crude at its SEZ refinery, which is focused on exports. However, it is still processing some Russian oil for use in India.This is the other “tightrope” that Modi walks. Cheap Russian barrels helped keep India’s inflation in check and protected families from price spikes around the world. But the same flows made the West more and more angry, and now they have led to sanctions that make it harder to get money, ship things, and get insurance.Washington and Brussels will now see every move India makes to protect payments—like RuPay-Mir, changes to the rupee-rouble exchange rate, and new investment options for Russian businesses—through the lens of these energy sanctions. Are they smart hedging, or are they a way for Moscow to get away with it?Strategic independence or strategic isolation?Delhi says that nothing important has changed, at least officially. Since 2022, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that India is against the war, supports dialogue and diplomacy, and stands for the UN Charter and territorial integrity. However, India will not be told who to buy oil or weapons from.Indian strategists call this “multi-alignment” or “strategic autonomy.” It means working with the US and its allies more on technology and the Indo-Pacific while keeping strong defense and energy ties with Russia and dealing with a difficult relationship with China.But in the capitals of the West, people are less patient than they were in the first few months of the war. A recent article in Foreign Policy said that India’s style of strategic independence is starting to look “aloof,” even opportunistic, at a time when Europe and the US see Ukraine as a fight for survival.That doesn’t mean a crisis is going to happen. India is still a key part of the US plan to keep China in check in Asia. Washington has already shown that it is willing to put up with some discomfort to keep Delhi close, as seen by the 2022 CAATSA waiver and a number of defense tech projects.Still, every new action—more S-400s, deeper trade between the rupee and the rouble, and integration of the card system—adds weight to a set of scales that are already very well balanced.What the summit will really mean?A successful visit from Putin will probably be seen as proof that India can’t be pushed around. It buys what it needs from whoever it wants and makes its own financial plans. The S-400 has a special meaning: it was a system that India bought despite public warnings from the US, and it seems to have worked well in battle.People at home who don’t like the idea will have other problems. Does India’s long-term goal of diversifying and indigenizing slow down when it renews its dependence on Russia for big-ticket defense items? Are Indian banks and exporters being asked to take on too much risk as sanctions get tougher? And what if a future US government decides that waivers and quiet agreements have gone too far?The Modi government seems to think that India’s economic power and usefulness in world politics give it some freedom of action for now. That basic bet won’t change because of the 23rd annual summit. What it will do is raise the stakes even higher, with more hardware in the air and more plumbing in the financial system.When Modi and Putin meet in Delhi this week, the news will be about missiles and credit cards, fighter jets, and oil flows. The real story is below: Can India make a partnership with a sanctioned Russia without damaging its relationship with a cautious West?(With help from agencies)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWinter Session Of Parliament: Bills On Atomic Energy, Excise On Agenda; Oppn Gears Up For SIRPM Modi’s ‘Drama Nahi, Delivery’ Message Sets Fiery Tone As Winter Session Begins Amid Tensions’US Benefited Immensely From Indians’, Says Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Warns US Against Scrapping H-1BAjeya Warrior-25 Wraps Up As India-UK Forces Boost Counter-Terror SynergyAt Least 11 Dead, 20 Injured in Head-On Collision Between Two Govt Buses in Tamil Nadu’s SivagangaUncertainty Over Pakistan’s Top Military Post Could Trigger Conflict: AnalystPak Handler Shahzad Bhatti Directed Gurdaspur Grenade Attack: Special Cell‘Stay Mentally Prepared’: Rajnath Singh’s Remark Fuels Talk Of Another Operation Sindoor‘4,000 Soldier Deaths, 20,000 Injured’: Pak FM Ishaq Dar Blames Taliban For Troop LossesAirbus A320 Glitch: Ex-IAF Pilot Shows How ELAC 2 Fails In Real-Time Flight Simulation123Photostories‘My Brother… Nikhil’ to ‘Phir Milenge’: Bollywood films that raised awareness about HIV/AIDS5 quotes by Shah Rukh Khan to deal with Monday bluesKangana Ranaut, Vivek Oberoi to Abhijeet Bhattacharya: Celebrities who faced instant backlash after controversial tweets7 proven study methods that help you remember everything for exams5 driest places in the world you can actually visit6 small habits of people who naturally attract good luckKnow Who is Your Healing God According To Your Birth Date5 destinations around the world with unusual names (and their stories)Films that honour family, love, courage and unforgettable sacrificeBhagavad Gita Lessons According To Your Date of Birth123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayCyclone DitwahWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingAdin RossSunil GavaskarED SheeranDevajit SaikiaVirat Kohli RecordGisele BndchenKL RahulParliament SessionSmriti MandhanaAnthony Davis

As Russian President Vladimir Putin visits New Delhi, it will be his first visit to India since the Ukraine war began. As the two old partners Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin meet again, the news will be about missiles and credit cards, fighter jets, and oil flows. But the real story behind may be far more complicated. TL;DR: Driving the newsWhen Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plane lands in Delhi on December 4, it will be his first trip to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2020. The optics will be simple: two longtime partners shaking hands again after a rough few years. The reasons for those smiles are anything but simple.There are two big bets on the table. One is hard power: India wants five more S-400 Triumf air defense squadrons on top of the ones it has already ordered from Russia and tested in Operation Sindoor this year. The other is financial plumbing: A plan to connect India’s RuPay and Russia’s Mir payment networks and make the rupee-rouble systems work better so that trade can keep going even as Western sanctions get tighter around Moscow.The combination of missiles and financial pipelines highlights the primary challenge facing India’s foreign policy in 2025: How to maintain a close relationship with Russia while avoiding a rift with the West?Why the S-400 is still important to Delhi?India signed the original $5.5 billion S-400 deal in 2018, but it did so under a lot of pressure from the US under CAATSA, the law that punishes big defense purchases from Russia. In the end, Washington made an exception for India in 2022, quietly admitting that punishing Delhi would hurt its own Indo-Pacific strategy.Things have changed on the ground since then, but not in India’s skies. China is still upgrading its air force and missile stockpile, while Pakistan is still an unpredictable secondary front. The S-400 is one of the few systems that can lock down Indian airspace like this. It has a long range and layered radar. We all read how S-400 successfully shot down several Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor along the western front earlier this year. This only adds to the platform’s “game-changer” reputation in Delhi.That’s why the Modi government still wants five more S-400 squadrons, a new missile order, and is may also consider Moscow’s offer to co-produce the Su-57 stealth fighter, even though there has been a lot of talk about moving away from Russian equipment. For Indian planners, this isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about filling in real gaps in their capabilities faster and, in many cases, cheaper than Western vendors will let them.But for Washington and Brussels, another big S-400 deal could be a warning sign. Analysts have said that adding to the original deal could start the CAATSA debate all over again, just as the US Congress and European capitals are already upset about India’s purchases of Russian oil.Every extra S-400 battery India buys is more than just a missile system; it’s a test of how far the West is willing to go to “special treat” Delhi.Russia’s stealth sweetener, the Su-57, and India’s ‘strategic options’There are other big things in the air besides missiles. As Putin arrives, Moscow is also showing off the Su-57 stealth fighter, which is more futuristic.A recent article in the South China Morning Post says that Russian officials have said they are willing to give India unusually deep localization and technology transfer on the export version of the Su-57. They even hinted at the possibility of licensed production in India.Politics Increasingly ‘Trumps’ Economics: EAM Jaishankar’s Veiled Swipe At US Amid Trade TensionsThe message to the Kremlin is clear: even though Western partners are hesitant to share cutting-edge combat aircraft technology, Russia is still willing to open the black box. The possible Su-57 deal is another way for India to show that it has “strategic options.” It isn’t stuck in one camp, even though trade, tariffs, and Ukraine issues sometimes make relations with the US tense.There is still a question of whether the Indian Air Force really wants a lot of Su-57s. The stealth-jet offer is a political subplot to the Modi-Putin summit. It shows how Moscow is trying to keep India’s defense budget and attention from drifting too far toward American, European, and Indian systems.Rewiring the money pipes: The rupee, Mir, and RuPayPayments are the lifeblood of India-Russia ties, while S-400s are the metal spine.Since the invasion of Ukraine, trade between the two countries has grown to almost $70 billion in 2024–25, mostly because of cheap Russian oil. But moving money from point A to point B has gotten harder and harder because US and European sanctions have hit Russian banks, oil companies, and shipping.India and Russia put together a rupee-based settlement system using Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) in Indian banks to keep trade going. This is a modern version of the old rupee-rouble trade from the 1950s. In August, the Reserve Bank of India made rules easier so that Russian companies could invest their extra rupees in Indian government bonds, stocks, and infrastructure. This way, the money isn’t just sitting in bank accounts.Still, the system is creaking. Indian exporters have said that they are having more and more trouble getting paid for goods they send to Russia because banks are worried about secondary sanctions. Some trade groups have asked Delhi to make the rupee-rouble rate and guarantee framework clearer to help people trust the system again.That’s where the idea for RuPay-Mir comes in. At the summit, negotiators want to get at least a political green light and maybe even a roadmap for both sides to agree to each other’s domestic card networks.In real life, that could mean that Indian tourists in Moscow can use a RuPay card without needing a Visa or Mastercard.Mir payments from Russian tourists in Goa or Kerala.Over time, merchants in both countries have started to settle through local currency corridors instead of dollar-clearing hubs.It’s about something bigger: a world where Western financial systems aren’t the only ones that work. That means staying alive for Russia, which is cut off from most of the Western banking system. For India, it’s a strategic insurance policy that shows it can help build alternative circuits without officially joining any “anti-dollar” bloc.New sanctions and lower oil pricesThe crude truth of oil is behind the financial engineering.Before the war in Ukraine, Russia supplied India with almost no crude oil. By the middle of 2025, it was supplying about 35–40% of India’s crude oil, making it the country’s biggest supplier and saving Delhi billions of dollars in import costs thanks to big discounts.But that deal is now running into a wall of tougher sanctions. A new US-EU-UK package aimed at Russian companies like Rosneft and Lukoil is making Indian refiners rethink how much they are exposed. According to Reuters, Indian imports of Russian crude rose to about 1.85 million barrels per day in November, a last-minute rush to stock up. In December, however, they are expected to drop to nearly 600,000-650,000 bpd, the lowest level in three years, as sanctions take effect.Reliance, India’s largest private refiner, has already stopped using Russian crude at its SEZ refinery, which is focused on exports. However, it is still processing some Russian oil for use in India.This is the other “tightrope” that Modi walks. Cheap Russian barrels helped keep India’s inflation in check and protected families from price spikes around the world. But the same flows made the West more and more angry, and now they have led to sanctions that make it harder to get money, ship things, and get insurance.Washington and Brussels will now see every move India makes to protect payments—like RuPay-Mir, changes to the rupee-rouble exchange rate, and new investment options for Russian businesses—through the lens of these energy sanctions. Are they smart hedging, or are they a way for Moscow to get away with it?Strategic independence or strategic isolation?Delhi says that nothing important has changed, at least officially. Since 2022, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said that India is against the war, supports dialogue and diplomacy, and stands for the UN Charter and territorial integrity. However, India will not be told who to buy oil or weapons from.Indian strategists call this “multi-alignment” or “strategic autonomy.” It means working with the US and its allies more on technology and the Indo-Pacific while keeping strong defense and energy ties with Russia and dealing with a difficult relationship with China.But in the capitals of the West, people are less patient than they were in the first few months of the war. A recent article in Foreign Policy said that India’s style of strategic independence is starting to look “aloof,” even opportunistic, at a time when Europe and the US see Ukraine as a fight for survival.That doesn’t mean a crisis is going to happen. India is still a key part of the US plan to keep China in check in Asia. Washington has already shown that it is willing to put up with some discomfort to keep Delhi close, as seen by the 2022 CAATSA waiver and a number of defense tech projects.Still, every new action—more S-400s, deeper trade between the rupee and the rouble, and integration of the card system—adds weight to a set of scales that are already very well balanced.What the summit will really mean?A successful visit from Putin will probably be seen as proof that India can’t be pushed around. It buys what it needs from whoever it wants and makes its own financial plans. The S-400 has a special meaning: it was a system that India bought despite public warnings from the US, and it seems to have worked well in battle.People at home who don’t like the idea will have other problems. Does India’s long-term goal of diversifying and indigenizing slow down when it renews its dependence on Russia for big-ticket defense items? Are Indian banks and exporters being asked to take on too much risk as sanctions get tougher? And what if a future US government decides that waivers and quiet agreements have gone too far?The Modi government seems to think that India’s economic power and usefulness in world politics give it some freedom of action for now. That basic bet won’t change because of the 23rd annual summit. What it will do is raise the stakes even higher, with more hardware in the air and more plumbing in the financial system.When Modi and Putin meet in Delhi this week, the news will be about missiles and credit cards, fighter jets, and oil flows. The real story is below: Can India make a partnership with a sanctioned Russia without damaging its relationship with a cautious West?(With help from agencies)End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWinter Session Of Parliament: Bills On Atomic Energy, Excise On Agenda; Oppn Gears Up For SIRPM Modi’s ‘Drama Nahi, Delivery’ Message Sets Fiery Tone As Winter Session Begins Amid Tensions’US Benefited Immensely From Indians’, Says Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Warns US Against Scrapping H-1BAjeya Warrior-25 Wraps Up As India-UK Forces Boost Counter-Terror SynergyAt Least 11 Dead, 20 Injured in Head-On Collision Between Two Govt Buses in Tamil Nadu’s SivagangaUncertainty Over Pakistan’s Top Military Post Could Trigger Conflict: AnalystPak Handler Shahzad Bhatti Directed Gurdaspur Grenade Attack: Special Cell‘Stay Mentally Prepared’: Rajnath Singh’s Remark Fuels Talk Of Another Operation Sindoor‘4,000 Soldier Deaths, 20,000 Injured’: Pak FM Ishaq Dar Blames Taliban For Troop LossesAirbus A320 Glitch: Ex-IAF Pilot Shows How ELAC 2 Fails In Real-Time Flight Simulation123Photostories‘My Brother… Nikhil’ to ‘Phir Milenge’: Bollywood films that raised awareness about HIV/AIDS5 quotes by Shah Rukh Khan to deal with Monday bluesKangana Ranaut, Vivek Oberoi to Abhijeet Bhattacharya: Celebrities who faced instant backlash after controversial tweets7 proven study methods that help you remember everything for exams5 driest places in the world you can actually visit6 small habits of people who naturally attract good luckKnow Who is Your Healing God According To Your Birth Date5 destinations around the world with unusual names (and their stories)Films that honour family, love, courage and unforgettable sacrificeBhagavad Gita Lessons According To Your Date of Birth123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayCyclone DitwahWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingAdin RossSunil GavaskarED SheeranDevajit SaikiaVirat Kohli RecordGisele BndchenKL RahulParliament SessionSmriti MandhanaAnthony Davis

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TL;DR: Driving the newsWhen Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plane lands in Delhi on December 4, it will be his first trip to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2020. The optics will be simple: two longtime partners shaking hands again after a rough few years. The reasons for those smiles are anything…

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Virat Kohli celebrates his 52nd ODI hundred in Ranchi. (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn delivered one of the most emphatic endorsements yet of Virat Kohli’s ODI relevance, calling the Indian superstar “mentally young, fresh, and hungry” after his match-winning century powered India to a 17-run victory over South Africa in…

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Representative image (AI-image) NEW DELHI: The Indian rupee opened at 89.45 against the US dollar on Monday. It traded in a narrow range as gains from strong domestic equities were offset by rising crude oil prices, persistent foreign fund outflows and robust dollar demand from importers.The dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a…

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SSC JE admit card 2025: The Staff Selection Commission is preparing to begin the Junior Engineer (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) Examination 2025 (Paper I) on 3 December 2025. Paper I of the SSC JE examination will take place between 3 December and 6 December, 2025 and will be conducted in a computer-based mode. The Paper I…

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