WORLD

Amid recent reports of suspicious infrastructure upgrades at Myanmar's Coco Islands, a MQ-9 drone leased by the Indian Navy was seen reconnoitering the nearby areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Open-source data reviewed by a media group suggests that approximately four hours long survey around the islands by the possible 'SkyGuardian' version of the drone on 12 April came days after a recent high-profile visit by Myanmar's top military leader to the nearby Coco Islands.  

Aviation data also establishes a Myanmar Air Force Fokker-70 Aircraft landed on the island on April 9. Local reports suggest it was carrying none other than General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the 2021 military coup. 

India is now aggressively seeking a greater strategic role for itself in the Middle East along with Saudi Arabia, UAE and the US even as New Delhi is watching with “concern” the increasing influence of Beijing in that region, ABP Live has learnt. This is the reason why National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Sunday held a meeting with  Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan and US NSA Jake Sullivan.

For India, this is the second such initiative when it has sought to engage more deeply in the affairs of the Middle East. India along with the US, Israel and the UAE are also part of the I2U2 initiative that began in 2022, which came to be known as the ‘Middle East Quad’.  

The four-month-old coalition government led by Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has plunged into a fresh crisis after the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) —  the fourth largest party in the House with 21 members — decided to withdraw its support to the government.

However, the party said it would extend ‘constructive support’ to the government.

India and Russia have suspended the negotiation of bilateral trade in rupees. Citing two government officials, Reuters reported that after months of negotiations India failed to convince Russia to keep rupees in its coffers. The report said that this would be a major setback for the Indian importers of cheap oil and coal from Russia. 

However, commenting on media reports, a Russian official said, "No change in bilateral developments, wishful thinking by Western news agencies," according to ANI. The Reuters report said that Russia views Rupee accumulation as "not desirable." 

Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone strike on Kremin with an intention to assassinate President Vladimir Putin.

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a plume of smoke over Moscow's Kremlin after the purported strike.

Here's what we know so far ...

The Kremlin said two drones had been used in the alleged attack on Putin's residence in the walled Kremlin citadel, but had been disabled by electronic defences.