International

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has responded to criticism surrounding a jewellery company’s Raksha Bandhan advertisement after the campaign sparked controversy over her outfit. The advertisement featured Sanon celebrating Raksha Bandhan a Hindu festival during which sisters traditionally tie a sacred thread, known as a rakhi, around their brothers’ wrists. In the campaign Sanon was shown wearing a top and skirt while taking part in the festival celebrations. The advertisement was removed following criticism from some sections of social media users who considered the actress’s outfit inappropriate for a traditional Hindu festival. Responding to the criticism Sanon said that culture and traditions are part of a woman’s heart rather than being determined by the neckline of her clothing. The controversy intensified on Tuesday after Bollywood actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut criticized the advertisement. Although Ranaut did not directly mention Sanon’s name in her social media post, her comments appeared to be directed at the actress and the campaign. Ranaut questioned why a woman would choose to wear what she described as a bikini while tying a rakhi to her brother when women have many different clothing options available to them. Her comments quickly attracted attention online with some social media users agreeing with her criticism of Sanon’s outfit. Several users argued that clothing choices should be more sensitive to the cultural and religious significance of traditional festivals. One social media commentator described Sanon’s top as too short and argued that there should be clear limits when portraying Hindu festivals in advertising. The debate has since expanded beyond the advertisement itself raising broader questions about women’s clothing, cultural traditions and the way religious festivals are represented in commercial campaigns. Sanon’s response has also added another dimension to the discussion with the actress emphasizing that cultural identity and traditions should not be judged solely by a woman’s clothing. The controversy highlights the growing influence of social media on advertising campaigns in India where brands can face significant public pressure over the representation of religion, culture and social values. As the debate continues the Raksha Bandhan advertisement has become a wider discussion about personal choice, cultural sensitivity and the expectations placed on women’s appearance during traditional celebrations.

Tensions along the India-China border remain a major security concern, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh despite recent efforts by both countries to improve relations and maintain peace along their disputed frontier. India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently held talks in Beijing on the long-running border dispute. The meeting marked the 25th round of discussions between the two countries special representatives on the boundary issue. Following the talks China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wang Yi emphasized the importance of stable relations between China and India. He described the two countries as important neighbours and emerging economies arguing that improved and stable bilateral relations are in the fundamental interests of both populations. According to the Chinese statement Wang called for a strategic and long-term approach to bilateral relations stronger communication and efforts to reduce differences. He also urged both sides to remove obstacles and promote cooperation as good neighbours and friendly partners. Doval also struck a conciliatory tone during the discussions. According to the Chinese statement he said India and China are ancient civilizations with large populations and important economies adding that the two countries should be viewed as partners rather than rivals. Doval reportedly said that under the guidance of the leadership of both countries India-China relations had returned to the right track. He also said overall peace had been maintained in border areas and that exchanges and cooperation in several fields were making progress. However, the disputed border remains a sensitive issue. Arunachal Pradesh is particularly important because China claims large parts of the Indian-administered territory and refers to the region as “Zangnan” or southern Tibet. India firmly rejects China’s territorial claims and considers Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of the country. The two sides have previously experienced serious confrontations along the Line of Actual Control making border management and military deployments highly sensitive. During the latest talks both sides discussed advancing negotiations on boundary demarcation strengthening border management mechanisms improving procedures and expanding cross-border cooperation. Although the latest diplomatic engagement indicates that both countries are seeking to prevent further escalation unresolved territorial claims and military activity continue to create the possibility of confrontation. The key challenge for India and China will be to maintain dialogue while managing their competing territorial claims and preventing local disputes from developing into a broader military crisis.

The Trump administration plans to revoke certain non-immigrant visas held by foreign nationals who have applied for asylum or are currently seeking asylum in the United States. The State Department said Monday that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify people who entered the country as temporary visitors but later filed asylum applications. Officials said the goal is to revoke their visitor visas. The department did not provide an estimate of how many visas could be affected. However, the Associated Press reported that the number could reach 200,000, based on State Department documents and information from two U.S. officials. If carried out at that scale it could become the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history. The reported policy would affect B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who have sought asylum. B1 visas are generally used for business travel while B2 visas cover tourism and other temporary visits. Visa cancellation would not automatically mean immediate deportation. According to the AP report many people with pending asylum cases could remain in the United States while their cases are processed but they would no longer hold their previous business or tourism visitor status. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Monday that the U.S. immigration system has been overwhelmed by what he described as frivolous asylum claims. The State Department previously announced that more than 175,000 visas had been revoked under the Trump administration. The planned visa action is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration enforcement campaign which includes visa and green-card cancellations and an expanded deportation effort. The administration says these measures are intended to strengthen national security and enforce U.S. immigration laws. Civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups have criticized the broader crackdown arguing that some government actions threaten due process and free-speech protections. They have also raised concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of minority communities. Trump campaigned in 2024 on promises to reduce illegal immigration. Since returning to office, his administration has also introduced measures affecting legal immigration, including higher costs for some employment-based visa programs. Several immigration policies have faced legal challenges in U.S. courts.

Bangladesh is preparing to begin formal discussions with China over a possible purchase of J-10CE fighter jets and attack helicopters according to a government adviser. Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Tuesday that a government committee is working on a draft agreement that could pave the way for negotiations with Beijing. The potential deal would represent one of Bangladesh’s largest defence purchases in recent years and could further strengthen the country’s military relationship with China. Beijing is already Bangladesh’s biggest supplier of defence equipment. The J-10CE fighter jet has received increased international attention since fighting between India and Pakistan in May 2025. Pakistan said its J-10CE aircraft were involved in shooting down Indian fighter jets during the clashes. India has disputed those claims. Ur Rahman said Bangladesh had observed reports about the aircraft’s performance during the conflict as it considers options to modernise its air force. Bangladesh is reportedly considering purchasing as many as 24 J-10CE fighter jets although officials have not confirmed the final number. Pakistan is currently the only confirmed foreign operator of the export version of the Chinese aircraft. The adviser did not reveal how many jets Bangladesh could ultimately purchase the expected cost of the agreement or when deliveries might begin. Those details, he said, would be decided during negotiations. The possible fighter-jet purchase comes as Bangladesh seeks to upgrade its military capabilities. The country has maintained close defence ties with China for years with Beijing supplying a wide range of military equipment. Over the past two decades, China has provided Bangladesh with warships, fighter aircraft, tanks and missile systems, making it Dhaka’s largest source of military hardware. If Bangladesh proceeds with the J-10CE acquisition, the move could further deepen defence cooperation between Dhaka and Beijing while giving Bangladesh a modern multirole fighter capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.