Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will travel to India on December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Moscow. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the visit comes on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the government, the two leaders will assess ongoing bilateral cooperation, set future goals for the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, and discuss key regional and global developments of mutual concern.

President Droupadi Murmu will receive Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan and host a banquet in his honour.

Talks expected to focus on bilateral progress

PM Modi and Putin are expected to review major areas of cooperation, including trade, investments, defence ties and energy engagements. India has remained one of the key buyers of Russian oil, despite global pressure and criticism.

The visit is also significant as India continues to balance ties with both Russia and the United States. New Delhi’s continued oil imports from Moscow earlier led to punitive tariffs imposed by the US.

Background of the visit

Putin’s India trip was first indicated in August during National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visit to Moscow. The dates were finalised later.

The two leaders last met informally in September during the SCO Summit in China, where they held discussions inside the Russian president’s limousine.

Earlier this month, PM Modi conveyed his greetings to Putin when Nikolai Patrushev, a senior Russian official, met him in Delhi.

Putin’s reduced foreign travel

The Russian president has made limited overseas trips since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict due to an International Criminal Court warrant. India is not a party to the ICC, and therefore, has no obligation to act on the warrant.

Bilateral ties remain strong

India and Russia share decades-old defence and economic cooperation. Moscow remains a major defence supplier to India, while New Delhi continues as an important buyer of Russian crude.

The summit is expected to reinforce this long-standing partnership.

Three sisters of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan have alleged that they were manhandled by police outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail after they gathered to seek a meeting with the jailed leader. Their claim comes at a time when rumours about Khan’s death in prison have been circulating on social media, prompting renewed concerns over his health and the restrictions placed on his visitors.

Sisters claim denial of meeting, allege “brutal” assault

Khan’s sisters — Noreen Khan, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan — said they were not permitted to meet him for over three weeks, despite repeated attempts. According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), their supporters were also present outside the jail when police allegedly used force to disperse them.

In a letter to Punjab police chief Usman Anwar, Noreen Niazi said the group had gathered peacefully without blocking traffic or engaging in unlawful activity. She claimed that streetlights were switched off before police personnel moved in and assaulted those present.
She alleged she was dragged by her hair, thrown to the ground and injured, while other women were slapped and pulled away from the site. The sisters demanded immediate action against the officials involved.

PTI alleges isolation of the former PM in jail

Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023 in multiple cases, is currently held in isolation, the party claimed. PTI representatives said he is being denied access to books, essential items and even legal consultation. A lawyer from his legal team stated that meetings have been blocked for over a month, adding that even Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was denied permission despite several attempts.

Rumours of Khan’s death in custody, widely circulated online in recent days, have heightened concerns among supporters, prompting renewed demands for clarity on his well-being.

Firefighters in Hong Kong continued to battle a massive blaze on Thursday after a fire tore through multiple high-rise residential towers, claiming at least 44 lives and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. Police have arrested three men for allegedly allowing flammable materials to remain at the site, triggering what authorities described as a rapid, uncontrollable spread of the inferno.

Blaze engulfs high-rise complex, residents trapped

The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon across several 31-storey buildings of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which was undergoing large-scale repair work. Bamboo scaffolding around the structures caught fire first, leading to intense flames, thick smoke and falling debris.
Residents described chaotic scenes as many elderly occupants were unable to move quickly, and some flats had windows sealed due to ongoing maintenance work.

Police make arrests as probe deepens

According to officials, investigators believe maintenance-related foam packaging left on-site acted as fuel. Police said the three arrested individuals “acted with gross negligence.”
Officers searched locations in another neighbourhood, seizing documents related to the case.

Firefighters struggle to reach trapped residents

Authorities reported that extreme heat inside parts of the complex made rescue operations difficult. Some floors remained inaccessible despite repeated attempts by firefighters.

Among the victims was a 37-year-old firefighter who lost contact during operations and was later found with severe burns. Authorities also confirmed that 56 injured people were hospitalised, including many in critical or serious condition.

Hundreds missing; shelters set up

Chief Executive John Lee said early on Thursday that 279 people were initially unaccounted for, though some have since been contacted. More than 900 residents took shelter in temporary facilities overnight.

Surrounding buildings were evacuated and sections of a nearby highway were closed as the fire continued to burn.

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to the victims, including the firefighter who died in the line of duty.