JD Vance defends Trump's Iran action, touts economy

IANS | March 14, 2026 6:29 AM

Washington, March 14 (IANS) US Vice President JD Vance defended President Donald Trump’s military action against Iran and the administration’s economic policies during remarks in North Carolina, saying the government is working to keep Americans safe while strengthening the country’s economy.

US weighs fertilizer relief for farmers

IANS | March 14, 2026 6:24 AM

Washington, March 14 (IANS) The Trump administration is preparing potential measures to shield American farmers from rising fertilizer costs linked to global tensions, including developments involving Iran, US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said at the White House.

Amid geopolitical fragmentation, India maintains constructive ties across competing blocs

Sarabjeet S Parmar | March 13, 2026 9:37 PM

New Delhi: The ongoing conflict in West Asia, particularly the rising escalation involving the US, Israel, and Iran, has sucked in the Gulf states and has created one of the most volatile environments in recent decades. For India, whose economic and strategic interests are deeply tied to West Asia, the crisis presents both challenges and opportunities. New Delhi has responded with a carefully calibrated policy of strategic neutrality, emphasising restraint, dialogue, and diplomatic engagement rather than overt alignment with any side. This posture reflects India’s broader foreign policy doctrine of strategic autonomy and plurilateralism, which seeks to maintain balanced relationships with multiple actors.

Door opens for Nepal to buy extra 350 MW of power from bordering Indian states

IANS | March 13, 2026 9:34 PM

Kathmandu, March 13 (IANS) The door has opened for Nepal to import up to 350 MW of electricity from neighbouring Indian states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, after a new deal was reached between officials of the two countries during a two-day meeting of a bilateral mechanism which concluded in the western Pokhara city of Nepal on Friday.

Pakistan exploiting Interpol to silence critics abroad: Report

IANS | March 13, 2026 9:19 PM

Athens, March 13 (IANS) Pakistan's strategy to silence opposition combines domestic authoritarianism with transnational repression. As the crackdown inside the country intensifies through arrests of journalists, censorship of media, and violent dispersal of protests - the drive to target critics who evade domestic crackdown but remain vocal abroad has also escalated, a report has highlighted.