On the occasion of the State Formation Day of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar conveyed heartfelt greetings to the citizens of the two states. The leaders lauded the states for their significant contributions to India’s development and for preserving their unique cultural heritage.

Maharashtra and Gujarat, both carved out of the former Bombay state in 1960, are now among the country’s most industrially advanced and prosperous regions.

Maharashtra praised for resilience and heritage

In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi reflected on Maharashtra’s enduring contribution to India’s progress. “Maharashtra has always played a vital role in India’s development,” he said. He added that the state’s glorious past and the bravery of its people are a source of pride and inspiration.

Modi described Maharashtra as a pillar of national progress that remains firmly rooted in its cultural traditions. “My best wishes for the state’s progress,” he added, affirming his hopes for continued growth and development.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also recognized Maharashtra’s legacy of social reform, cultural richness, and economic influence, calling it a symbol of national pride.

Gujarat hailed for innovation and enterprise

Extending greetings to his home state, Prime Minister Modi praised Gujarat’s dynamism and spirit of enterprise. He emphasized the state’s achievements across diverse sectors and its growing reputation for innovation. “The people of Gujarat have excelled in various fields. May the state keep attaining new heights of progress,” he noted.

The vice president echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Gujarat’s association with national icons like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He noted that the state’s tradition of leadership and resilience continues to shape the nation’s path forward.

As both Maharashtra and Gujarat observe their 64th Foundation Day, the leaders’ messages serve as a reminder of the states’ enduring impact on India’s political, social, and economic landscape.

Amid heightened tensions in South Asia following the devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that killed 26 civilians, the United States has urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made separate calls to Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing the need for cooperation and regional stability.

US calls for collaborative counter-terrorism approach

Rubio expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the Pahalgam attack, labeling it as “unconscionable,” and conveyed his solidarity with India. During his conversation with Jaishankar, he reiterated Washington’s commitment to combat terrorism in partnership with New Delhi. However, he also urged India to proceed with caution, especially in light of the accusation that Pakistan-backed elements were responsible for the attack.

Jaishankar, after the call, took to social media platform X, affirming that those behind the attack—whether perpetrators, planners, or backers—must face justice.

In his dialogue with Prime Minister Sharif, the US Secretary of State asked Pakistan to publicly condemn the April 22 attack and to cooperate fully with the investigation. He urged the resumption of direct communications between the two nations to prevent further deterioration of ties.

India-Pakistan ties sour post-attack

The terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam assault. India has firmly blamed Pakistan, prompting swift diplomatic and administrative actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and revocation of Pakistani visas. The Wagah-Attari border has also been sealed.

In response, Islamabad has denied involvement and called for a neutral investigation. It also retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian carriers and engaging in border shelling. Pakistan’s defence ministry has warned of an impending Indian military operation, escalating fears of direct conflict.

Strategic ties influence US stance

While the US has expressed open support for India, including condemnations from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, it has refrained from criticising Pakistan directly. Experts note that India remains crucial to US Indo-Pacific strategy amid growing concerns over China, even as Pakistan’s relevance has declined post the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

In a significant development, a Bangladesh High Court bench, comprising Justices Atoar Rahman and Ali Reza, granted bail to Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, five months after his arrest on charges of disrespecting the national flag.

The court’s decision followed a final hearing on an earlier directive questioning why bail should not be granted, marking a turning point in a case that has stirred tensions and drawn international attention.

Das, a former ISKCON leader and spokesperson for the Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, a Hindu advocacy group, was detained on November 25, 2024, at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The charges stemmed from an October 31, 2024, case filed at Chattogram’s Kotwali police station, accusing Das and 18 others of defaming Bangladesh’s national flag. A Chattogram court rejected his initial bail plea, sending him to jail, a decision that sparked widespread protests among his supporters in Dhaka and beyond.

In Chattogram, demonstrations turned deadly when assistant government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif was killed hours after Das’ bail denial, escalating the controversy.

The case, unfolding less than three months after a student-led uprising toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, strained Bangladesh-India relations. Hasina’s flight to India and the subsequent interim government led by Muhammad Yunus intensified scrutiny.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs voiced concern on November 26, 2024, highlighting “multiple attacks on Hindus and minorities” in Bangladesh, including arson, looting, and temple desecration. “It’s unfortunate that a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful means faces charges while perpetrators of violence remain free,” the MEA stated, urging Bangladesh to protect its minority communities.

Das’ legal team, led by former Deputy Attorney General Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya and 11 Supreme Court lawyers, argued the flag disrespect charge was baseless, asserting the item in question was not a national flag.

“This case lacks legal grounding,” Bhattacharya told reporters in January. Earlier bail attempts, including a plea for an advanced hearing on December 11, 2024, were rebuffed, with the court sticking to a January 2, 2025, date. Associates claimed Das faced obstacles securing legal representation due to intimidation from a “politically motivated lawyers’ group.”

The prosecutor’s killing fueled demands to ban ISKCON, which clarified that Das had been expelled from the organization six months prior.