Delhi-based restaurateurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, wanted in connection with the Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives, have been detained in Thailand. Images circulating online show the brothers with their hands tied, holding their passports, as they stand beside Thai police officials.

Brothers held in Phuket as India seeks deportation

The Luthra brothers, who run the Romeo Lane chain across multiple cities and countries, left for Phuket just hours after a massive blaze gutted their ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in north Goa’s Arpora. They are facing charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence. Indian agencies are now preparing to push for their deportation so they can be tried in Goa.

Deadly fire triggered by flammable decor and safety lapses

The late-night blaze erupted during a musical event attended by around 100 people, most of them tourists. The use of electric firecrackers during a performance is suspected to have triggered the fire. The venue’s heavy use of flammable décor and absence of functional fire extinguishers or alarms turned it into a death trap.

A narrow access road further delayed fire engines, forcing responders to park nearly 400 metres away, significantly hindering rescue operations. By the time the blaze was doused, 25 people — including five tourists and 20 staff members — had died, most due to toxic smoke inhalation in the basement.

Police pursuit and legal battle

Following the incident, four staff members were arrested and a search began for the Luthras. Investigators from Goa and Delhi discovered the brothers had booked their tickets soon after the fire and left the country within hours. Their business partner, Ajay Gupta, has already been arrested in Delhi.

The brothers have moved a Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail, arguing they were licensees, not owners, of the building. They claimed they were not present at the nightclub when the fire occurred and said their travel to Thailand was for a business meeting, not to evade investigation. Their plea seeks four weeks of protection from arrest upon their return to India.

US President Donald Trump has signalled the possibility of fresh tariffs on agricultural imports from India, raising concerns over rice shipments that he says are hurting American farmers. His remarks came during a White House meeting where he unveiled a multi-billion-dollar relief package for domestic growers, while criticising imports from India and other Asian suppliers.

India cited during discussion on US rice market pressures

Trump referred directly to India after a Louisiana producer described imported rice as damaging to southern farmers. When informed that Indian companies owned two major retail rice brands in the US, Trump responded that tariffs could “solve the problem in two minutes,” reiterating his belief that some countries were “dumping” products unfairly.

He argued that such measures were necessary to stabilise America’s farm economy, stating that domestic growers were facing pressure from low commodity prices and inflation. The President said the administration’s farm assistance plan — worth USD 12 billion — would be funded by tariff revenues collected from trading partners.

Possible action on Canadian fertiliser imports

Along with India, Trump also indicated tariff action could extend to fertiliser imports from Canada, suggesting such steps would boost local production.

India–US farm trade continues to expand

India exports basmati rice, other rice varieties, spices and marine products to the US, while importing almonds, cotton and pulses. However, issues around subsidies, market access and WTO disputes — particularly those involving rice and sugar — have periodically strained trade negotiations.

African American singer and long-time India admirer Mary Millben has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “most influential and most important leader in geopolitics”, while urging the United States to recalibrate its approach towards India. Her remarks came during an interview where she also praised the outcomes of the recent Modi-Putin summit in New Delhi.

Millben praises PM Modi’s strategic diplomacy

Millben said the Prime Minister handled his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin with “strategic discipline”, particularly on sensitive areas such as defence and energy. She contrasted Modi’s diplomatic tone with Putin’s more direct focus on oil and defence cooperation.

According to her, the meeting reflected a “deep alliance” between India and Russia, one that should be understood within India’s growing global influence.

She emphasised that Modi’s decisions remain rooted in national interest:
“At the end of the day, the Prime Minister is going to do what is best for India.”

Calls out US approach, urges reset

Millben, who is closely connected with former US President Donald Trump’s team, criticised Washington’s recent approach to India on trade, calling it “too aggressive” and at times resembling “a bullying approach.”

She argued that such missteps have contributed to India deepening engagements with major global powers, including Russia and China.

Millben urged the US to view the Modi-Putin summit as a moment for introspection:
“Invite the Prime Minister to the United States, sit down, break bread, apologise, and repair the relationship.”

She suggested that rebuilding ties would also strengthen US interests, including efforts toward resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, adding that Modi is “the only leader who can really be a mediator.”

Modi’s global stature highlighted

Millben reiterated that PM Modi currently stands at the centre of global political dynamics:
“The Prime Minister… is to date the most influential and the most important leader in geopolitics. That’s irrefutable.”

She said Modi’s leadership and diplomatic outreach—on display during the recent summit—have “solidified his legitimacy and global confidence.”

US elections on global radar

The singer also noted that global leaders are watching the US election timeline closely, acknowledging that upcoming political developments in Washington could shape diplomatic strategies worldwide.

Millben expressed confidence in both Trump and Modi, saying their long-standing friendship could help repair ties if approached with sincerity.