THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly conveys to US President Donald Trump that there was no third-party mediation in cessation of recent military action with Pakistan; Tells him New Delhi will never accept third-party mediation to resolve issues with Islamabad.
- Prime Minister Modi to reach Zagreb this afternoon in a historic first-ever visit to Croatia; Significant agreements expected to be signed in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, education and culture.
- Indian Navy commissions country’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, INS Arnala in Vishakhapatnam.
- Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei issues war cry after Tehran fires Hypersonic Missiles at Israel as conflict between two countries intensifies.
- And Met Department issues orange alert for rain in Rajasthan; forecasts heavy rainfall in North west parts of country.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly told the US President Donald Trump that India never accepted third-party mediation to resolve issues with Pakistan and will never accept it. Mr. Modi held a telephonic conversation with President Trump and discussed the recent Operation Sindoor. The Prime Minister's remarks came following US President's repeated claims of taking credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said that during the 35-minute conversation, the Prime Minister clearly conveyed to Mr Trump that talks were never held at any level on India-America trade deal or on mediation by the US for cessation of the recent military action between India and Pakistan.
Mr. Misri informed that Prime Minister Modi also emphasised that New Delhi will now treat acts of terrorism not as proxy actions but as acts of war.
Mr. Modi and President Trump were scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, but Trump had to return to the US early, due to which the meeting could not take place.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Zagreb this afternoon in a historic first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia.The visit comes amid growing support from Croatia for India’s stand on terrorism and its bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. The visit, expected to deepen strategic cooperation, will feature delegation-level talks, agreements in key sectors, and cultural diplomacy. The two countries will also sign major agreements in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, education and culture. They are also expected to explore synergies in the context of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and broader connectivity corridors linking Europe, the Middle East, and India.
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Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal today embarked on a two day visit to the United Kingdom. The visit underscores India’s strategic focus on strengthening its economic and trade partnership with the UK, particularly in the backdrop of the announcement by the Prime Ministers of the two countries to conclude the India -UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In a statement, the Commerce Ministry informed that Mr. Goyal will hold a bilateral meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Mr. Jonathan Reynolds. Both leaders will review the progress made in the ongoing FTA negotiations and chart out a clear, time-bound roadmap for its finalisation and implementation.
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In Andhra Pradesh, three top Maoist leaders have been killed in an encounter between security personnel and Maoists in the Kondamodalu forest area of Alluri Sitarama Raju district today. Those killed have been identified as Aruna, a Special Zonal Maoist Committee member and Chalapathi Rao, the wife of deceased Maoist leader Gajarla Ravi alias Uday and Anju, an ACM from the AOB Special Zonal Maoist Committee. Security personnel have recovered three AK-47 rifles from the site.
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India’s naval capabilities received a strategic boost with the commissioning of INS Arnala, the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, marking a new chapter in the coastal defence and indigenous warship development. Commissioned today at Visakhapatnam, the vessel strengthens the Navy’s readiness to counter underwater threats in shallow waters. More on this from our correspondent…
The Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Arnala, its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, in a landmark ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam today. The event, which was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and senior defence officials, marked a major advancement in India’s maritime defence strategy. This induction marks the operational entry of the first of sixteen ASW-SWC class ships, enhancing the Navy’s capability to counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters. INS Arnala, developed under the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat incorporates more than 80% indigenous content. This is equipped for subsurface surveillance, search and rescue operations, and low-intensity maritime missions. The commissioning comes at a time when India is ramping up its overall defence preparedness, with special focus on maritime security in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region. Sai Sistla for Akashvani News, Visakhapatnam."
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Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station has been postponed to 22nd of this month to allow NASA to evaluate the operations on the orbital lab after the recent repairs in the Russian section. This was announced by Axiom Space.
Union Science and Technology Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh said the launch date has been indicated after assessing the key parameters. This is the fourth private mission by NASA to ISS, which will be led by NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, while ISRO's Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the mission's pilot.
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Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a warning against Israel as Tehran used hypersonic missiles against Israel in the latest round of overnight strikes. In a social media post, Khamenei said the battle has begun. He added that Iran must give a strong response to Israel, saying they will show no mercy towards it. The Iranian escalation came as the United States continues to weigh its options on the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Islamic Republic. More from our West Asia Correspondent:
"Iran has launched a fresh wave of ballistic and hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles at Israel overnight. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv, and air raid sirens rang out across northern parts of the country. In response, Israel carried out intense airstrikes on military targets in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj, including facilities linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and a university campus. The conflict has also moved into cyberspace. Iranian banking systems have reportedly suffered widespread disruption due to cyberattacks. Satellite imagery shows significant damage to Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure after five consecutive days of Israeli bombardment. The war of words has escalated alongside the military confrontation. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared, “the battle begins,” vowing “no mercy” for Israel. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has urged the UN Security Council to intervene immediately to prevent a broader regional crisis. Iran has framed its strikes as retaliation for what it calls acts of terrorism by the 'Zionist regime'. Israel issued evacuation warnings to residents of Tehran’s District 18, ahead of targeted strikes. Israeli officials claim they now have, 'very good control over the skies of Tehran'. VINOD KUMAR, AKSHVANI NEWS, DUBAI."
Earlier, Israel claimed to have killed Iran’s wartime Chief of Staff and a close adviser to Khamenei, Ali Shadmani in an airstrike on a command centre in Tehran. Shadmani had assumed the office following killing of his predecessor during Israel’s initial offensive on Friday.
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Back home, the Government will introduce a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at three thousand rupees from 15th August this year which will enable seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country. This annual Pass will be valid for one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips. This pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans. In a social media post, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made this announcement and said that this move will be a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel.
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The 11 th International Day of Yoga will be celebrated across the world on 21 June. Akashvani News brings you a special feature on yoga’s evolution from ancient Indian tradition to a global movement.
"The history of Yoga is deeply rooted in India’s ancient civilisation. It began as a spiritual practice in the early Indus-Saraswati Valley culture and gradually evolved into a disciplined path towards self-realisation. For many years, scholars believed that Yoga originated around 500 BC, during the rise of Buddhism. However, archaeological findings from the Indus-Saraswati Valley Civilisation suggest that Yoga is much older.Over time, this practice blossomed into a rich discipline. It flowed into the Vedas, the Upanishads, and later the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. From the Mahabharata’s deep references to Yoga, to the 19th and 20th-century revival by great masters like Swami Vivekananda and B.K.S. Iyengar - Yoga transformed from an ancient tradition into a universal discipline.In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the United Nations General Assembly, proposing June 21 as International Yoga Day. The proposal was adopted with overwhelming support. Since then, 21st of June has been celebrated as International Day of Yoga across the world. As we mark the 11th International Day of Yoga this week, the 2025 theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” conveys a message of unity and well-being. No matter one’s religion, race, or nationality, Yoga offers a path to a healthier, more balanced, and meaningful life. VISHNU PS, AKASHVANI NEWS, DELHI."
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate to heavy rain accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms in the national capital today. According to IMD, Meghalaya, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha will also witness extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places. Talking to Akashvani News, IMD senior scientist RK Jenamani has said that North west parts of the country is going to witness heavy rainfall. He added that an orange alert has been issued for Rajasthan for heavy rainfall.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly conveys to US President Donald Trump that there was no third-party mediation in cessation of recent military action with Pakistan; Tells him New Delhi will never accept third-party mediation to resolve issues with Islamabad.
- Prime Minister Modi to reach Zagreb this afternoon in a historic first-ever visit to Croatia; Significant agreements expected to be signed in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, education and culture.
- Indian Navy commissions country’s first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, INS Arnala in Vishakhapatnam.
- Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei issues war cry after Tehran fires Hypersonic Missiles at Israel as conflict between two countries intensifies.
- And Met Department issues orange alert for rain in Rajasthan; forecasts heavy rainfall in North west parts of country.
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