India Weekly Issue 05

Issue 05 | November, 2025

Indian-origin candidates attain

unmatched visibility in major races

ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S election as New York’s next mayor has be

come a landmark moment for Indian Americans and South Asian

communities across the United States.

His win, along with the victories of other Indian-origin candidates, has

been received as a sign that immigrant narratives are becoming a central part

of US politics.

Mamdani, 34, began his mayoral run when Donald Trump had already

won the presidential election, and his campaign was viewed as a longshot

outside New York’s progressive circles. By November, New Yorkers voted

overwhelmingly for the democratic socialist from Queens, making him the

first Muslim and first South Asian to lead the largest city in the country, and

its youngest mayor in a century. He crossed one million votes and secured

50 per cent of ballots, defeating 67-year-old former governor Andrew Cuo

mo, who won just under 42 per cent. The victory was shaped by a citywide

ground operation that Mamdani said involved 100,000 volunteers. His team

reached voters across boroughs and communities, and the campaign leaned

heavily on an affordability message that connected with working-class and

immigrant families, young voters and long-time residents.

Indian Americans and South Asian community leaders across the country

described the moment as historic.

A victory rooted in identity and visibility

In his victory speech, Mamdani quoted Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Tryst with Des

tiny” address. He used the line, “A moment comes, but rarely in history,” to

frame the political shift unfolding in New York. As he left the stage, the song

that played was Dhoom Machale from the 2004

Continued on page 2

www.indiaweekly.biz

US-India trade deal

‘very close’

SRK’s 60th comes with

King reveal

India’s 1st Women’s

World Cup win

Delhi blast toll

No new curbs on

H-1B travel

Page - 13

Page - 18

Page - 23

Page - 09

Page - 04

POLITICAL WAVE: Zohran

Mamdani (second right) with

his wife Rama Duwaji (second

left) and his parents Mahmood

Mamdani and Mira Nair

South Asians gain

ground with

Mamdani win

AN INDIAN fighter jet taking

part in the Dubai Airshow

crashed during a flying display

on Friday, killing the pilot.

The aircraft, an Indian-made

Tejas fighter, went down after

performing a low roll before

crashing in flames about a mile

(1.6 kilometers) from the show

site, an eyewitness told AFP.

“A Tejas fighter aircraft from

India participating in today’s fly

ing display at the Dubai Airshow

has crashed, resulting in the tragic

death of the pilot,” Dubai’s state-

run media office posted on X.

Videos shared on social media

showed the jet descending rapid

ly before erupting into a fireball

on impact as spectators looked

on. A large plume of smoke rose

from the crash site while emer

gency vehicles rushed to the

scene. The crash occurred on the

final day of the Middle East’s big

gest airshow, which includes an

afternoon flying display.

Hundreds of people were

watching from the grandstand,

and aircraft and helicopters from

various countries were lined up

on static display.

Thousands of visitors, includ

ing aviation industry leaders and

military officials, have attended

the event throughout the week.

The IAF said it had ordered an

inquiry. “IAF deeply regrets the

loss of life and stands firmly with

the bereaved family in this time

of grief.” Airshow organizers said

it is believed to be the first crash

in the event’s history, which

dates back to 1986.

New York’s next mayor faces

tough policy battles ahead

CITY HALL READIES FOR A LEADERSHIP SHIFT SHAPED BY AFFORDABILITY PLEDGES

News

www.indiaweekly.biz • November, 2025

Continued from page 1

Bollywood film Dhoom. Social media reacted in

stantly, with users calling it “one of the most

iconic things to ever happen at the end of the

New York Mayor’s victory speech.”

Mamdani has been open about his background

throughout his campaign. Born in Kampala, he

moved to New York at age seven and became a

naturalized US citizen in 2018. His parents, film

maker Mira Nair and Columbia University profes

sor Mahmood Mamdani, joined him on stage

during his victory event.

In past interviews and speeches, Mamdani has

talked about Islamophobia after the 2001 attacks.

In the final stretch of his campaign, he visited taxi

drivers at LaGuardia Airport and targeted immi

grant and working communities that make up

much of the city’s labor force.

A broader shift in Indian American politics

Mamdani’s win comes alongside other notable

breakthroughs for Indian-origin candidates, mark

ing a wider shift in South Asian political represen

tation across the country.

Ghazala Hashmi won the race for lieutenant

governor of Virginia, becoming the state’s first

Muslim and South Asian American to hold the

post. She secured 54.2 per cent of the vote, de

feating Republican John Reid. Hashmi, a long-

time educator and state senator, has focused on

public education, voting rights, health care

access and housing. Her election was close

ly watched as she was among more than

30 Indian-American and South Asian can

didates running for key offices in 2025.

In Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval won a sec

ond term as mayor, defeating Cory Bow

man. Pureval first won office in 2021 and

is the city’s first Asian American mayor.

His background spans Tibetan and Punja

bi heritage, and he has become a promi

nent figure in Ohio politics. His re-election

consolidates Democratic control of the city

and adds to a series of wins for South Asian

candidates nationwide.

Indian American organisations,

including the Indian American Im

pact Fund, noted that 19 of their

endorsed candidates won

office, reflecting a broader

trend of growing South

Asian representation

in city, state and

federal

roles.

Leaders

from

these groups de

scribed the 2025

cycle as a mean

ingful moment

for the com

munity.

Preparing to govern

Mamdani is set to take office on January 1 and

will need to build a team capable of navigating

both New York City’s bureaucracy and the state-

level power structure in Albany.

He has announced five women as co-chairs of

his transition team, including Maria Torres-

Springer, who resigned as deputy mayor under

Eric Adams over his engagement with Trump.

Issues awaiting the new administration include

efforts by Adams to limit Mamdani’s ability to

freeze rents and the risk that 1.8 million New Yor

kers could lose food assistance under a federal

government shutdown.

The significance for Indian Americans

Indian Americans number more than five million

nationwide and have some of the highest house

hold incomes of any racial or ethnic group. The

community has grown rapidly in political visibility,

with representation in city governments, state leg

islatures, Congress, and national offices.

Earlier generations of Indian American candi

dates often navigated identity differently. Republi

cans Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal both distanced

themselves from their Indian origins and high

lighted their Christian faith. More recent candi

dates, including Mamdani, Hashmi and Pureval,

have embraced their heritage more openly.

For many Indian Americans, Mam

dani’s win carries symbolic im

portance. The Nehru quote he

chose and the Bollywood

track he used as he walked

off stage resonated widely

among Indian-origin vot

ers. Community leaders

said the moment offered

a sense of belonging in a

political

environment

where immigrants have of

ten struggled for represen

tation. Mamdani said in his

speech, “We will fight for

you, because we are you.” He

dedicated his victory to

those who “made this

movement

their

own,” including bodega owners, seniors, immi

grant families and young voters. He also thanked

the “next generation of New Yorkers who refused

to accept that the promise of a better future was a

relic of the past.”

Confrontation with Trump

Mamdani’s election sets up a direct political rela

tionship with president Trump, who has attacked

him repeatedly. In September, Trump increased

the fee for a visa widely used by Indian tech work

ers and has taken a harder line on immigration.

He called Mamdani “a little Communist” and said

he would cut off federal funds to New York if the

candidate won.

Trump also derided Mamdani’s name. “Man

dami, whatever the hell his name is,” he said at a

recent event.

Mamdani did not avoid the confrontation. At

his victory rally, he said, “Donald Trump, since I

know you’re watching, I have four words for you

— turn the volume up!” The White House later

confirmed Trump had watched the speech.

On November 21, Trump is scheduled to meet

Mamdani at the Oval Office. Mamdani’s spokes

person Dora Pekec confirmed the meeting, saying

the mayor-elect will discuss “public safety, eco

nomic security and the affordability agenda that

over one million New Yorkers voted for.”

Trump and Mamdani both have roots in

Queens, but their political approaches differ

sharply. Trump has focused on Wall Street and

federal enforcement policies, while Mamdani’s

agenda centers on housing affordability, child care

access, and basic services such as free bus routes

and city-run grocery stores.

Looking ahead

Mamdani will enter office at a time when the

city faces fiscal pressures, housing shortages and

debates over public safety. He has outlined an

agenda that includes freezing rent, expanding

child care access and creating new public services.

His platform will likely bring him into conflict

with federal priorities under Trump.

For Indian Americans and South Asians, the

2025 election cycle stands out for the breadth of

representation achieved — from city hall in New

York to statewide office in Virginia and mayoral

leadership in Cincinnati.

As the Indian American Impact Fund noted, the

wins show that South Asian Americans “are part

of the political future of this country.” For many in

the diaspora, Mamdani’s rise represents not only

electoral progress but a redefinition of how their

stories appear in American politics. (With inputs

from news agencies)

POLICY FRONT:

Ghazala Hashmi; and

(below) Aftab Pureval

Indian jet crashes at Dubai Airshow, pilot dies

FATAL TURN: The HAL Tejas

aircraft performs a display

flight at Al-Maktoum

International Airport during the

Dubai Airshow on November 20

THE 2025 US local elections marked a

significant moment for Indian American

political representation, as Zohran

Kwame Mamdani, Ghazala Hashmi, and

Aftab Pureval achieved major victories

across key states.

Their wins come at a time when na

tional discussions around H-1B work vi

sas, immigration reform, and rising anti-

Indian sentiment are increasingly shap

ing American political narratives. Collec

tively, their success highlights the grow

ing influence and civic engagement of In

dian American communities and signals

an expanding diversity in US leadership.

In New York City, Zohran Mamdani

made history by becoming the city’s first

Muslim, first Indian-origin, and first Afri

can-born mayor. The son of award-win

ning filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar

Mahmood Mamdani, he gained attention

for a vibrant, culturally rooted campaign

fueled by creative digital media, upbeat

campaign music, and strong neighbor

hood-based organizing.

Mamdani’s political profile rose when

he defeated former Governor Andrew

Cuomo in the Democratic primary, a vic

tory that represented a shift from estab

lishment leadership toward community-

driven representation. Born in Kampala,

Uganda, and raised in the U.S. from

childhood, he will officially assume office

on January 1.

Mamdani signaled that he is prepared

to meet president Donald Trump at the

White House to discuss the city’s afford

ability crisis and the recent cuts to SNAP

benefits. Mamdani said his team has al

ready contacted the White House and

that he is willing to travel to Washington

if it will help protect low-income New

Yorkers facing rising costs. “I will go to

make the case to the president,” he said

after volunteering at a Bronx food pantry,

criticizing the administration’s reduc

tions to federal support programs.

In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi secured

the position of Lieutenant Governor,

building on her earlier milestone in 2019

when she became the first Muslim and

first South Asian American elected to the

Virginia State Senate. Hashmi has been a

strong voice for reproductive rights, pub

lic education, and accessible healthcare.

Born in Hyderabad and raised in Geor

gia from the age of four, she holds a PhD

from Emory University. Her win under

scores the growing presence and leader

ship of Indian American women in pub

lic office. Her Senate seat will be filled

through a special election.

In Cincinnati, Aftab Pureval won a sec

ond term as mayor, defeating Cory Bow

man, the half-brother of Vice President

JD Vance. Pureval previously made histo

ry in 2021 as the city’s first Asian Ameri

can mayor. Known for his pragmatic and

steady leadership, his personal story re

flects the broader immigrant experience:

his mother is a Tibetan refugee who

spent her early years in southern India,

and his father is Punjabi. Pureval’s rise

from student leader to major urban may

or speaks to the evolving cultural identity

of American civic life.

Indian Americans score big wins in 2025 polls

NEW YORK’S mayor-elect, Indian-origin Zohran

Mamdani, has announced an all-women transition

team that will guide the formation of his administra

tion as he prepares to take office on January 1.

The 34-year-old Democratic socialist introduced the

group at a press conference held in Queens, emphasizing

that the team will build a city government that is both

“capable and compassionate.”

Elana Leopold has been appointed as executive direc

tor of the transition operation, which will work over the

next 57 days to staff key leadership positions and outline

early priorities for Mamdani’s term.

The transition team features several high-profile lead

ers from both national and city-level public service. Lina

Khan, the former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission

under President Joe Biden, will serve as a co-chair.

Khan became a well-known figure for her aggressive

stance on regulating large corporations and antitrust

enforcement, a signal that the incoming administration

may pursue bold reforms.

Joining Lina Khan as co-chairs are three prominent

leaders with deep experience in city governance and

community impact.

Maria Torres-Springer, who previously served as New

York City’s First Deputy Mayor, brings extensive knowl

edge of development and public policy. Grace Bonilla,

the President and CEO of United Way of New York City,

adds strong community-centred leadership and non

profit experience.

Melanie Hartzog, the former Deputy Mayor for Health

and Human Services, contributes her background in

overseeing crucial social support systems and public

health programs.

Together, they form a leadership group positioned to

guide the transition with both strategic insight and a

strong commitment to public service.

Speaking at the announcement, Mamdani said his

goal is to create a City Hall that reflects the values of his

campaign. “In the coming months, my team and I will

build a City Hall capable of delivering on the promises of

this campaign,” he said. “We will form an administration

that is equal parts capable and compassionate.”

Mamdani won the election against former Governor

Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. His victory

is historic; he will be New York City’s first Muslim mayor,

its first mayor of South Asian descent, the first born in

Africa, and its youngest in over 100 years.

He campaigned on a progressive platform focused on

expanding public access and easing the cost of living

in the city. His proposals included a citywide rent freeze

to address housing affordability, free public bus service

to make transportation more accessible, universal child

care to support working families, and the establishment

of city-operated grocery stores to ensure fair pricing and

access to essential goods in underserved neighborhoods.

All of these initiatives would be funded through

increased taxes on corporations and high-income

residents. The transition team is expected to begin an

nouncing deputy mayors and agency commissioners

soon. Mamdani said some appointees will be well-

known figures, while others will be newer voices, but all

will share “a commitment to solving old problems with

new solutions.”

His administration, however, may face early challeng

es, particularly from President Donald Trump, who has

repeatedly threatened to withhold federal funding from

New York City if Mamdani governs in ways that conflict

with federal policy. New York relies on billions in federal

dollars each year.

“We owe it to this city to be ready on January 1,” Mam

dani said. “We have 57 days—and those are 57 days to

prepare to do the work.”

Mamdani appoints

all-women team

INCOMING NYC ADMINISTRATION TURNS TO FEMALE EXPERTS FOR GUIDANCE

CANADA’S crackdown on inter

national student visas has dis

proportionately affected Indian

applicants, with nearly three-

quarters of applications denied

in August 2025. Government

data shows that 74 per cent of

Indian study permit requests

were rejected that month, up

from 32 per cent in August

2023, while the overall refusal

rate for all nationalities was

about 40 per cent.

Applications from India also

plunged, falling from 20,900 in

August 2023 to just 4,515 in Au

gust 2025. China, by contrast,

faced a 24 per cent rejection

rate. India has been Canada’s

top source of international stu

dents for the past decade, yet

in August 2025, it had the high

est refusal rate among coun

tries with more than 1,000 ap

provals. Immigration, Refugees,

and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

reported that international stu

dent arrivals fell by over 132,000

in the first eight months of 2025,

with only 45,380 entering in Au

gust. Officials attribute the de

cline to a cap on study permits

introduced in 2024, followed by

an additional 10 per cent re

duction in 2025. The govern

ment also made acceptance

letter verification mandatory

and raised proof-of-funds re

quirements to prevent fraud.

This crackdown follows the

discovery of nearly 1,550 stu

dent visa applications tied to

fake acceptance letters in 2023,

mostly from India. In 2024, over

14,000 potentially fraudulent

letters were flagged under en

hanced verification. “Canada

has implemented stronger veri

fication for international stu

dents and increased financial

requirements,” said an IRCC

spokesperson.

The Indian High Commission

in Ottawa emphasized that visa

decisions remain Canada’s au

thority, adding, “Indian students

are among the best globally,

and Canadian institutions ben

efit from their academic talent.”

Between January and August

2025, over 139,700 temporary

residents, including students,

became permanent residents,

reflecting Canada’s preference

for candidates with local edu

cation, work experience, and

language skills. However, IRCC

officials also reported in Octo

ber 2025 that up to 47,000 for

eign students could be living in

Canada illegally.

Key factors driving the surge

in student visa rejections in

clude a national cap on inter

national study permits, followed

by an additional 10 per cent re

duction in 2025. Authorities

have also made verification of

acceptance letters mandatory

and increased financial proof

requirements to ensure stu

dents can cover living expens

es. Ongoing scrutiny of student

visa fraud and stricter compli

ance checks on attendance

and visa conditions have fur

ther contributed to the high re

jection rates.

Canada rejects

most Indian

students

News

www.indiaweekly.biz • November, 2025

CITY SHIFT: Zohran Mamdani

(centre) with (from left) Melanie

Hartzog, Maria Torres-Springer,

Grace Bonilla and Lina Khan

NEW VOICES: Zohran Mamdani

(left), Aftab Pureval (centre) and

Ghazala Hashmi (right)

News

www.indiaweekly.biz • November 2025

THE recent setbacks for Re

publican candidates in key

state elections across New Jer

sey, New York, and Virginia

have sparked sharp internal

criticism within conservative

and MAGA-aligned circles.

Analysts, commentators and

grassroots supporters are now

openly examining how an in

creasingly hostile tone toward

Indian-Americans within por

tions of the right-wing ecosys

tem may have influenced

the outcome.

What was once considered a

steadily growing Republican

voter segment appears to have

shifted away, responding to

rhetoric that targeted Indian

identity, Hindu traditions, and

employment-linked immigra

tion programs like H-1B visas.

In these states, where Indi

an-American populations have

been politically active and civi

cally engaged, Republican can

didates suffered noticeable de

clines in support compared to

past campaign cycles.

Political observers note that

this shift was not sudden but

the outcome of months-long

commentary from high-profile

conservative figures who

framed Indian communities as

culturally incompatible or eco

nomically threatening.

This included media person

alities such as Tucker Carlson,

Candace Owens, and far-right

activist Nick Fuentes, whose

commentary frequently ques

tioned US-India relations and

portrayed Hinduism as foreign

or “un-American.”

For many Indian-Americans

who once felt aligned with the

GOP’s stance on entrepreneur

ship, national pride, and tradi

tional family values, the tone

of conversation in conservative

spaces changed dramatically.

The language moved from

debates on immigration policy

to rhetoric that appeared per

sonal, cultural, and exclusion

ary. This created discomfort

among both first-generation

immigrants and second-genera

tion Indian-Americans who

had previously leaned conser

vative, especially during Don

ald Trump’s 2024 campaign

where outreach toward Indian-

origin voters was visibly strong.

Indian-origin conservative

commentator Dinesh D’Souza

was among the loudest internal

critics of this shift. According

to him, Trump’s earlier politi

cal gains were built on a broad

coalition that included conser

vative-minded immigrants

who valued American identity

and assimilation.

D’Souza argued that sidelin

ing or attacking these very vot

ers weakens the Republican

message from within.

He pointed out that

Trump’s “America First” frame

work previously had space for

those who embraced patriotic

values regardless of their heri

tage. The recent rhetoric, he

said, signals a narrowing of

that vision.

This concern extended into

discussions about Senator JD

Vance and his wife, Usha

Vance, who is Hindu. When

some conservative commenta

tors suggested she should con

vert to Christianity, it triggered

widespread reactions among

moderate and conservative In

dian-Americans who saw the

message as a rejection of cul

tural coexistence.

GOP faces backlash over tone on Indian voters

No new curbs on H-1B travel

‘EXISTING HOLDERS CAN CONTINUE TRAVEL WITHOUT EXTRA STEPS’

THE incident comes at a time when

Hindu Americans are gaining greater

representation and visibility across

the United States, but this growth is

accompanied by renewed debates

around religious tolerance.

The latest controversy began when

the Hindu American Foundation

(HAF) criticized Texas GOP Chair

Abraham George for refusing to con

demn remarks by Republican Alex

ander Duncan regarding the con

struction of a 90-foot Hanuman stat

ue at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in

Texas, believed to be the tallest Ha

numan statue in North America.

Duncan had referred to Hindu dei

ties as “false gods” and suggested

that the US was meant to be a Chris

tian nation, comments widely viewed

as discriminatory and intolerant.

Abraham George, originally from

Kerala and raised in a Christian fam

ily before migrating to the US, stated

that while Duncan did not speak for

the Texas GOP, he personally agreed

with the sentiment from a Christian

theological standpoint.

He said that Christians “should be

concerned about idols and false

gods,” acknowledging that his stance

might be seen as politically incorrect

but showing little concern about the

criticism it might attract.

HAF responded strongly, stating

that the issue was not about person

al religious belief but the responsibili

ty of political leaders to uphold con

stitutional values. The organization

argued that dismissive or exclusion

ary rhetoric toward any faith under

mines religious freedom and can

contribute to prejudice.

It asserted that such remarks are

“un-American” and harmful to

social harmony in a religiously di

verse nation. The debate comes as

Hindu Americans increasingly partic

ipate in public life, with recent elec

toral wins such as Zohran Mamdani

in New York highlighting growing

civic engagement.

At the same time, national conver

sations around interfaith respect

continue, including reactions to Vice

President JD Vance’s comments

about his Hindu wife. For many Hindu

Americans, the controversy reflects

the ongoing need for broader ac

knowledgment and respect of their

identity in the American social and

political landscape.

Texas row revives

debate on religious bias

US AUTHORITIES and immigration experts

have reassured the public that current H-1B

visa holders are not facing any new travel re

strictions, despite confusion sparked by re

cent federal policy announcements.

Concerns grew after the president’s September

19 statement and the rollout of a new rule impos

ing a $100,000 fee on all new H-1B petitions filed

on or after September 21. Officials have empha

sized that this substantial fee applies exclusively to

new petitions and does not affect individuals who

already hold valid H-1B status.

The announcement caused widespread specula

tion across social media, with many visa holders

worrying that international travel might become

risky or that re-entry could be denied at US bor

ders. Immigration attorneys quickly stepped in to

clarify that the fee does not signal broader restric

tions on existing H-1B workers.

Immigration authorities have explained that

travel, visa stamping, and re-entry rules remain

unchanged for current H-1B holders. Anyone with

a valid H-1B visa stamp may continue to travel

abroad and return to the United States as long as

their employment remains active.

The new policy does not add paperwork re

quirements or require special approval for travel.

Immigration consultant Dmitry Litvinov confirmed

that border procedures for H-1B workers have not

changed, a point echoed by attorneys who urge

workers to rely on official government updates

rather than online speculation.

Much of the confusion stems from misunder

standings about the 60-day grace period, which

many incorrectly believe applies to time spent

outside the United States.

In reality, the 60-day grace period only becomes

relevant if employment ends through resignation or

termination. If employment continues, and the

employer has not withdrawn sponsorship, travel

ling abroad does not affect H-1B status, and the

worker remains eligible to re-enter the US as usual.

That said, Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

officers still have discretion to determine whether

a long absence suggests abandonment of employ

ment. For this reason, attorneys recommend that

travellers carry recent pay stubs, an employment

verification letter, and their H-1B approval notice

(Form I-797), especially after extended trips.

H-1B visas can still be revoked if an employer

withdraws the petition, if the worker violates visa

terms, or if fraud is suspected. But for the over

whelming majority of H-1B holders who remain

employed and compliant, international travel con

tinues without new restrictions.

As policy debates continue in Washington, ex

perts urge workers to stay updated through official

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

and Department of State announcements, as well

as qualified legal counsel. For now, the message

from authorities remains clear: current H-1B visa

holders can travel freely, and the newly announced

$100,000 fee affects only future H-1B filings.

VISA REASSURED:

The newly announced

$100,000 fee affects

only future H-1B filings

WARNING SIGNS: Debate

intensifies after remarks

about JD Vance’s Hindu wife

deepen community unease

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www.indiaweekly.biz • November 2025

A RECENT event at Rutgers Universi

ty, titled “Hindutva in America: A

Threat to Equality and Religious

Pluralism,” has sparked widespread

outrage from the Hindu community

and drawn bipartisan attention from

US lawmakers.

Organized as an academic panel,

the discussion notably lacked any

practicing Hindu voices while making

sweeping claims about Hinduism and

its adherents, prompting strong con

demnation from the Coalition of Hin

dus of North America (CoHNA).

The panel attempted to draw a dis

tinction between Hinduism and Hin

dutva, often inaccurately, while dis

missing concerns raised by practicing

Hindus in attendance. Questions from

Hindu students were reportedly shut

down, creating an atmosphere of fear

and frustration. False claims, includ

ing the denial of Hinduphobia, domi

nated the discussion, despite rising

reports of anti-Hindu incidents in the

U.S., such as the vandalism of seven

temples since December 2023 and

hate crime data from states like Cali

fornia, where anti-Hindu hate ranks

second only to antisemitism.

Another significant misrepresenta

tion involved equating the Hindu

Swastika with the Nazi Hakenkreuz,

ignoring historical evidence that Hitler

referred to the Nazi symbol as the

Hakenkreuz. Panelists also claimed

that Hindu organizations in the U.S.

received undisclosed payments from

India’s BJP-led government, implying

they acted as foreign agents—claims

dismissed by community leaders as

false and defamatory.

Despite facing potential backlash,

Hindu students organized a silent, of

ficially permitted rally outside the

event venue. Some students, however,

reported intimidation and harassment

from supporters of the panel, high

lighting the challenges minority stu

dents face when opposing those with

institutional power on campus. “Many

of my peers were afraid to join be

cause Rutgers ignored our requests for

fairness and safety,” said one student

who asked to remain anonymous.

Rutgers Hindu chaplain Hitesh

Trivedi emphasized that the concern

was not about canceling the event but

ensuring the university clearly distanc

es itself from anti-Hindu rhetoric. “We

wanted Rutgers to make it clear that its

institutional brand does not endorse

the false narratives that create fear

among Hindu students,” he said.

In response to the event, CoHNA

launched a widespread awareness

campaign, generating over 10,000

emails from students, parents, and

community members to the Rutgers

administration, more than 4,000

emails to state and federal lawmakers,

and 120 calls from policy fellows to

New Jersey officials. The campaign

culminated in a joint letter from four

U.S. Congress members—Reps. San

ford Bishop, Suhas Subramanyam,

Rich McCormick, and Shri Thane

dar—urging Rutgers to address the

misrepresentation of Hinduism and

ensure student safety.

CoHNA representatives, including

co-founder Suresh Krishnamoorthy,

attended the event to monitor wheth

er the panel would allow meaningful

dialogue. “When falsehoods are

spread about our beliefs and our orga

nizations, we cannot remain silent,”

Krishnamoorthy said. “We will always

stand up for our community, especial

ly Hindu youth.”

While reaffirming its commitment

to free speech and academic dis

course, CoHNA stressed that universi

ties have a responsibility to uphold

viewpoint diversity and protect stu

dents from discrimination.

IN AN extraordinary twist of justice, two US

courts have intervened to halt the deportation

of Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam, an Indian-ori

gin man who spent 43 years in prison for a mur

der he did not commit.

Vedam, now 64, was convicted in 1983 for the kill

ing of his friend, Thomas Kinser, in Pennsylvania—a

case that has since been discredited by newly un

earthed forensic and FBI evidence.

Born in India and brought to the US as an infant,

Vedam’s life took a tragic turn when he was arrested

in 1982 after Kinser went missing in December 1980.

Despite no witnesses and weak circumstantial evi

dence, he was sentenced to life without parole, along

with a short-term sentence for a minor drug offense.

For more than four decades, Vedam maintained

his innocence. During his incarceration, he earned

three college degrees, became a mentor to fellow

inmates, and led educational programs within the

prison system. His parents, who fought relentlessly

for his release, passed away before they could see his

name cleared.

Justice finally arrived in August 2025 when newly

discovered ballistics evidence, suppressed by prose

cutors for years, proved that Vedam could not have

committed the crime. A Pennsylvania court over

turned his conviction, calling it a “profound miscar

riage of justice.” Following his release on October 3,

however, Vedam’s ordeal continued when U.S. Im

migration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained

him in Louisiana, citing his decades-old drug convic

tion as grounds for deportation.

The move drew outrage from his legal team and

supporters, who called the detention “unconsciona

ble.” Vedam’s attorneys argue that deporting a man

who has already suffered such severe injustice would

amount to “an act of cruelty,” stressing that the mi

nor offense should not outweigh the decades he un

justly spent behind bars.

Last week, two separate courts, an immigration

court and a Pennsylvania district court—issued rul

ings to halt his deportation temporarily while the

Bureau of Immigration Appeals reviews his case. The

legal review is expected to take several months.

Vedam’s sister, who continues to lead the family’s

campaign for his freedom, said they only want him to

finally live in peace. “He has lost 43 years of his life

for something he didn’t do,” she said. “All we ask is

that he be allowed to stay in the only home he’s ever

known.” For now, his fate rests in the hands of fed

eral immigration authorities but for the first time in

decades, Subramanyam Vedam stands a chance at

true freedom.

Deportation paused as

Indian man wins rulings

Hindu groups protest Rutgers event on campus

COURTS ACT AFTER 43-YEAR WRONGFUL CONVICTION IS OVERTURNED

AN INDIAN na

tional living in

the United States

on a student visa

has been sen

tenced in federal

court in Austin to

more than eight

years in prison

for his role in a

sweeping elder

fraud and mon

ey-laundering

conspiracy.

Dhruv Rajeshb

hai Mangukiya,

21, received a

97-month prison

term and was or

dered to pay

$2,515,780 in res

titution after

pleading guilty to

conspiracy to

commit money

laundering.

Court docu

ments reveal

that Mangukiya

played a central

role in a scheme

targeting elderly

victims across

multiple states.

Conspirators

used phishing

emails and other

online tactics to

identify vulnera

ble individuals,

then contacted

them by phone

while posing as

officials from fed

eral agencies

such as the US

Treasury Depart

ment or fraud de

partments of ma

jor companies.

Victims were

falsely told they

faced financial

loss or potential

criminal charges

unless they

made urgent

payments in

cash, gold, or

other valuables.

Couriers were

then dispatched

to collect the

items either at

the victims’

homes or desig

nated public

locations. In one

Granite Shoals

case, a victim

was manipulated

into believing he

was tied to drug

cartels through

fraudulent bank

accounts opened

in his name. Un

der pressure

from the

scammers, he

made three with

drawals totalling

$180,000 and

handed the cash

to couriers.

Another victim,

an elderly wom

an in Fort Worth,

was told her So

cial Security

number had

been compro

mised and was

persuaded to

withdraw

$30,000, which

she gave to cou

rier Kishan Raje-

shkumar Patel.

Patel’s arrest

led investigators

to messages

linking him to

Mangukiya and

two other co-

conspirators

identified as

“Hunter” and

“Master.” When

agents arrested

Mangukiya in

New Jersey on

December 5,

2024, they found

cash totalling

more than

$73,000 and a

printer used to

produce fake

identification.

Mangukiya ad

mitted he re

ceived a 2 per

cent cut of the

proceeds and

had recruited

Patel into the

scheme. Patel

later pleaded

guilty and was

sentenced to 63

months in prison.

The FBI, along

with Granite

Shoals and Fort

Worth police,

conducted the

investigation.

Student sentenced

in elder scam case

TURNING POINT:

Subramanyam

Vedam

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has endorsed

Indian-origin Republican leader Vivek Ra

maswamy for governor of Ohio, calling him

“young, strong, and smart” and predicting he

would be a “great” leader for the state.

Ramaswamy, a 40-year-old entrepreneur-

turned-politician, previously ran for the Republi

can presidential nomination in 2024 before sus

pending his campaign and endorsing Trump.

Since then, he has become one of Trump’s close

allies and advisors within the Republican Party.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump

announced his endorsement, writing, “Vivek Ra

maswamy will be a GREAT Governor of Ohio, and

has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE

WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Trump praised Ramaswamy’s leadership quali

ties, saying, “I know Vivek well, competed against

him, and he is something SPECIAL. He is Young,

Strong, and Smart!”

Describing Ramaswamy as a “very good per

son” who “truly loves” the United States, Trump

added that the Ohio-born Republican shares his

vision for America’s future.

“As your next Governor, Vivek will fight tire

lessly to grow the economy, cut taxes and regula

tions, promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., champion

American energy DOMINANCE, keep our now

very secure border, SECURE, stop migrant crime,

strengthen our military and veterans, ensure LAW

AND ORDER, advance election integrity, and pro

tect our always under siege Second Amendment,”

Trump said.

Ramaswamy responded soon after, thanking

Trump for the endorsement. “Thank you, Presi

dent Trump! Let’s make Ohio greater than ever,”

he posted on X.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ramaswamy

graduated in biology from Harvard University and

later earned his law degree from Yale Law School.

After completing his studies, he founded Roivant

Sciences, a biotech company that developed five

drugs which went on to receive FDA approval.

In his earlier political run, Ramaswamy cam

paigned as a staunch conservative and champion

of “America First” values.

His presidential campaign focused heavily on

deregulation, free speech, and reducing govern

ment bureaucracy. Though he eventually sus

pended his campaign in January 2024, Ramaswa

my quickly endorsed Trump, who went on to win

the election later that year.

Following Trump’s victory, the President an

nounced in November that Ramaswamy and

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk would co-lead the De

partment of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a

new initiative aimed at cutting waste and improv

ing operations across federal agencies.

However, Ramaswamy stepped down from his

role in January, just hours after Trump took of

fice, to prepare for his run for Ohio governor.

In his campaign speeches, Ramaswamy has

positioned himself as a pro-business reformer

with an ambitious plan to transform Ohio into a

leading hub for innovation and economic growth.

He has said he wants to make Ohio “the best

state in the country to grow a business, to raise a

young family, and to ensure kids receive a world-

class education from an early age.”

Ramaswamy’s campaign has also focused on

empowering young Americans through education

and entrepreneurship. “I want Ohio to become

the leading state in the country where we give

young people the tools to be victors, not victims,

in a global economy,” he said.

He has also vowed to make Ohio a model for

economic excellence. “We will be the state where

we embrace capitalism and meritocracy, instead

of apologizing for it,” he said during a recent rally.

Ramaswamy has described his vision of Ohio as

a “State of Excellence” — one that cuts red tape,

supports innovation, and attracts businesses in

high-growth sectors such as aerospace, artificial

intelligence, and semiconductors.

“We’re going to make Ohio the bleeding edge of

innovation in America — a place where patriots

across the country pack their bags to move to,

instead of Florida or Texas,” he said.

Ramaswamy’s growing popularity in his home

state and his close ties with the White House are

expected to make him a strong contender in the

upcoming Ohio gubernatorial race.

Trump’s endorsement, political analysts say,

gives him a significant boost among conserva

tive voters in the state, where Trump remains

deeply influential.

With the 2026 gubernatorial election approach

ing, Ramaswamy’s campaign will be closely

watched as one of the key tests of Trump’s contin

ued sway over Republican politics in the Midwest.

Ramaswamy wins Trump

backing in Ohio race

SUPPORT EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN HIS CAMPAIGN AMONG CONSERVATIVE VOTERS

News

www.indiaweekly.biz • October 2025

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump

said he could visit India next

year and praised Prime Minister

Narendra Modi as a “great man”

and a “friend.”

Speaking at the Oval Office,

Trump said discussions with In

dia were “going good” and hint

ed at deepening bilateral ties

between the two nations.

“It’s great, going good,” Trump

said when asked about his talks

with Modi and ongoing trade dis

cussions with Delhi. “He (Prime

Minister Modi) stopped... largely

he stopped buying oil from Rus

sia,” Trump said.

“He’s a friend of mine, and

we speak... He wants me to go

there. We’ll figure that out. I’ll

go,” Trump continued. “I had a

great trip there with Prime Min

ister Modi. He’s a great man.

And I’ll be going.”

The President’s comments

mark the strongest indication

yet that he plans to visit India

in 2026, his first since returning

to office.

His previous trip to India in

February 2020 included a mas

sive public rally with Modi in

Ahmedabad, where the two

leaders addressed over 100,000

people. Trump also reflected

on his use of tariffs as a foreign

policy tool, calling them a key

instrument in resolving conflicts

and maintaining national securi

ty. “Of the eight wars I ended, I

would say five or six were end

ed because of tariffs,” he said.

Giving an example of India

and Pakistan, Trump said, “If

you take a look at India and

Pakistan, they started to fight.

They are two nuclear nations...

They were shooting each other.

Eight planes were shot down. It

was seven. Now it is eight, be

cause the one that was sort of

shot down is now abandoned.

Eight planes were shot down.”

He continued, “And I said,

‘Listen, if you guys are going to

fight, I’m gonna put tariffs on

you.’ And they both went — you

know, they were not happy

about that. And within 24 hours,

I settled the war. If I didn’t have

tariffs, I wouldn’t have been able

to settle that war.” Calling tariffs

a “great national defense,”

Trump said his administration

used economic pressure effec

tively to advance US interests

and maintain peace. Trump’s

comments come as the United

States and India are negotiating

a new bilateral trade deal aimed

at boosting defense, energy, and

technology cooperation.

GOP SIGNAL:

Vivek Ramaswamy

BILATERAL BEAT:

Donald Trump

Trump signals plans for India visit in 2026

A WIDENING multi-agency investigation into

the November 10 blast near the Red Fort con

tinued to gather pace as the death toll climbed

to 15 and federal agencies broadened their

probe into suspected links spanning New Del

hi, Haryana, and Indian-administered Kashmir.

Authorities said two more injured people died at

Delhi’s LNJP Hospital, raising the number of those

killed to 15 in the explosion that ripped through a

slow-moving car near the Red Fort metro station in

the early evening, injuring several others.

The blast, one of the most serious attacks to hit

the capital in recent years, triggered a large-scale

investigation led by the National Investigation

Agency (NIA). The attack occurred near one of

India’s most prominent landmarks, from where

the prime minister delivers the annual Independ

ence Day address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi

has called the explosion a “conspiracy” and has

vowed that the “perpetrators, their collaborators

and their sponsors” will be brought to justice.

The NIA said that suspect Amir Rashid Ali was

accused of having “conspired with the alleged sui

cide bomber, Umar Un Nabi, to unleash the terror

attack.” Nabi, identified as a medical professor at

a university in Haryana, allegedly drove the explo

sive-laden car that detonated on November 10. An

AFP photographer saw Ali being escorted under

heavy guard from a police truck into a New Delhi

court. Indian media reported that the court or

dered he be held in NIA custody for 10 days.

The agency also said it had arrested another

alleged accomplice from Kashmir, Jasir Bilal

Wani, who had “allegedly provided technical sup

port for carrying out terror attacks by modifying

drones and attempting to make rockets” before

the blast. The NIA has not provided further infor

mation on the motives or organizational structure

behind the suspects. All three accused are from

Indian-administered Kashmir, a region long af

fected by conflict and competing territorial claims

by India and Pakistan since 1947.

The suicide attack marked the most deadly in

cident since April 22, when 26 mainly Hindu civil

ians were killed at Pahalgam in Indian-adminis

tered Kashmir. New Delhi blamed that attack on

what it said were Islamist “terrorists” backed by

Pakistan, a claim Islamabad denied. India

launched strikes inside Pakistan in May, triggering

four days of missile, drone, and artillery exchang

es that killed at least 70 people. After a ceasefire,

Modi warned that “any attack on Indian soil will

be considered as an act of war.”

India’s army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi,

issued a pointed warning to Pakistan, calling the

May conflict “only a trailer.” He said, “I’d like to say

that the movie hasn’t even started only a trailer was

shown, and, after the trailer, it was over within 88

hours.” He added that India was “fully prepared for

the future” and ready to “provide them with a thor

ough education, on how a responsible nation

should behave with its neighbours.”

Parallel to the NIA investigation, a major finan

cial crime probe linked to the same network has

unfolded. The Enforcement Directorate secured a

13-day custodial remand of Al Falah Group chair

person Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui after arresting him

on November 19. The agency said Siddiqui was in

volved in generating more than Rs 415 crore “dis

honestly” from students studying at institutions

run by the group. The ED conducted searches

through the day at locations linked to the Faridabad-

based Al Falah University, which it described as

emerging as an “epicentre” of the investigation into

what it called a “white-collar” terror module.

One of the university’s doctors, Umar-un-Nabi,

was identified by the NIA as the alleged suicide

bomber who drove the explosive-laden car that

detonated outside the Red Fort, killing 15 people.

The ED registered its case under the anti-money

laundering law on November 14 after taking cogni

sance of two Delhi Police FIRs. It told the court

that Siddiqui had “incentives” to flee India be

cause his close family members were settled in

the Gulf, and said his arrest was necessary due to

the risk of absconding and non-cooperation.

The ED alleged that Siddiqui and the institu

tions under his trust generated at least Rs 415.10

crore in “proceeds of crime” by “dishonestly” in

ducing parents and students to pay money on the

basis of false accreditation and recognition claims.

It said Siddiqui exercised de facto control over Al

Falah University and that he had “command” over

staff involved in handling admissions, accounts,

and IT systems, giving him the ability to “destroy

or alter records.” The agency said the group had

seen a “meteoric rise” since the 1990s and that the

financials of its entities were at variance with the

assets accumulated.

Siddiqui’s lawyer told the court he was “falsely

implicated” and that the two FIRs forming the basis

of the ED’s case were “false and fabricated.” After

the hearing, which ended at 1 am at the residence

of Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary

Pradhan, the judge said all procedural require

ments under Section 19 of the PMLA had been met

and granted ED custody until December 1.

The earlier police investigation had led to the

arrest of 10 people, including three doctors, as

part of what authorities said was a larger “white-

collar” terror network extending across Kashmir,

Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Police earlier recov

ered pistols, assault rifles, and 2,900 kg of bomb-

making material from the arrested men, and al

leged that the group had ties to Pakistan-based

organizations Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar

Ghazwat-ul-Hind. India lists both groups as ter

rorist organizations. A police statement said the

accused were part of a “white collar terror ecosys

tem” involving “radicalised professionals and stu

dents in contact with foreign handlers.” Pakistan

has not responded publicly to the allegations.

As investigations continued, Delhi authorities

also responded to a separate security concern at

the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

On the afternoon of November 13, the airport

received a bomb threat that was later declared a

hoax. A Delhi Fire Services official said a call had

been received around 3:18 pm about a suspected

bomb at Terminal-3, prompting three fire tenders

to be dispatched. “After a thorough investigation

and checking, it was confirmed that the threat was

a hoax,” the official said.

The Red Fort blast has also drawn international

reaction. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netan

yahu expressed solidarity with Modi and India.

He wrote in Hindi and English on social media:

“To our dear friend @narendramodi and to the

brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people

of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the

families of the victims.

Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and

in strength in this time.” Netanyahu added,

“Terror may strike our cities, but it will never

shake our souls.”

The investigation into the November 10 explo

sion remains ongoing, with several agencies con

tinuing coordinated inquiries into the alleged

Kashmir-linked terror module and the associated

financial elements under scrutiny by the ED.

As the death toll rises and the case widens,

authorities say all angles are being probed, with

arrests continuing and intelligence efforts focused

on establishing the full scope of the network be

hind the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

India

www.indiaweekly.biz • November 2025

Agencies expand Red Fort

blast probe as toll hits 15

INVESTIGATORS UNCOVER WIDER NETWORK WITH ARRESTS SPANNING THREE STATES

AFTERMATH: Forensic experts examine the explosion site; (below

left) Narendra Modi speaks with a woman injured in the incident;

(below right) Amit Shah leaves Lok Nayak Hospital after meeting those

hurt in the blast; and forensic teams continue inspections at the scene

INDIA has begun trialing mobile software sys

tems as part of preparations for what will be the

world’s largest and first fully digital population

census, scheduled for 2027.

The upcoming census will be India’s first since

2011 and will, for the first time since indepen

dence, collect data on people’s castes — a politi

cally sensitive move last undertaken in 1931 un

der British colonial rule.

A 20-day trial started on November 10 in select

areas of the southern state of Karnataka. The pi

lot program is testing a mobile app–based data

collection system and a self-enumeration feature

that will allow citizens to record their own infor

mation digitally, replacing traditional paper-

based methods.

“The objective is to assess the functioning and

efficiency of the digital application across diverse

areas — from urban regions to those with limited

mobile network connectivity,” the Ministry of

Home Affairs said in a statement. “This trial

marks a significant step towards India’s first-ever

fully digital census, replacing traditional paper-

based schedules.”

The digital census poses a major logistical

challenge. Unlike national elections, which are

conducted in multiple phases, the census must

be carried out at one time to capture an accu

rate snapshot of the population and avoid dou

ble-counting.

The main enumeration is scheduled to begin

on March 1, 2027. However, in high-altitude Hi

malayan regions such as Himachal Pradesh,

Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and the disputed territory

of Jammu and Kashmir, counting will begin

earlier on October 1, 2026, before winter snow

fall begins.

Caste remains a deeply influential factor in In

dia’s social and political life, shaping access to

education, jobs, and resources. More than two-

thirds of India’s 1.4 billion people are believed

to belong to historically disadvantaged comm-

unities that have faced centuries of systemic

discrimination.

Prime minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya

Janata Party had earlier opposed caste-based

enumeration, warning it could deepen social di

vides. But the government gave its approval for

the new caste survey in May.

Supporters say updated caste data is vital for

designing social welfare and affirmative action

programs. Successive governments have avoided

releasing such data in the past, citing accuracy

concerns and potential social unrest.

A caste survey conducted alongside the 2011

census was never published after officials said its

findings were unreliable.

India begins trials for first fully digital census

THE streets of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace

of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak, were

cleaned and decorated with bright banners as

Pakistan welcomed thousands of Sikh pil

grims from India to celebrate the 556th anni

versary of his birth.

The city, located near Lahore, was filled with

hymns, prayers, and saffron flags as devotees ar

rived at the sacred shrine. For many, it was their

first pilgrimage across the border since deadly

clashes between India and Pakistan in May led to

the closure of the main land crossing between the

two countries.

“We were worried about what the environment

would be like on the Pakistan side and how peo

ple would treat us,” said 46-year-old Inderjit Kaur.

“But it has been lovely. We were given a warm

welcome.” Officials said around 40,000 worship

pers had gathered at the Gurdwara Janam Asthan,

the shrine built on the site where Guru Nanak was

born in 1469. Inside, marigold flowers lined the

walls as men and women prayed together, some

performing ritual dips in a pond at the complex.

“There is no fear here,” said 66-year-old Har

jinder Pal Singh, a retired banker from India. “The

way we celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday in Delhi,

it is being celebrated with the same passion here.”

Faith Over Politics

The celebrations come despite heightened ten

sions between India and Pakistan following the

May border conflict — the worst fighting between

the two nuclear-armed nations since 1999 —

which killed more than 70 people in missile,

drone, and artillery exchanges.

But at Nankana Sahib, the political divide

seemed far away. Sikhs from both sides of the

border hugged each other, exchanged small gifts,

and took photos together.

At the shrine’s entrance, young Muslims and

Hindus joined the Sikh pilgrims, dancing to the

beat of the traditional dhol drum. “There is only

a border that separates us, but there are no differ

ences in our hearts,” Harjinder said.

Reunion After 77 Years

Outside the temple gates, a 90-year-old Muslim

man named Muhammad Bashir waited with his

grandsons, searching the crowd for someone he

had never met — a Sikh named Sharda Singh.

Their fathers had been close friends before the

1947 partition of India and Pakistan but were

separated when Singh’s family fled across the new

border. When Singh finally appeared, the two el

derly men recognized each other instantly. They

rushed forward, embraced tightly, and wept.

“I thought I would die without meeting you,”

Bashir said, his voice trembling. “But at last you

are here. Now I can die in peace.”

Singh said he had dreamed of the meeting for

years. “It feels as if we have reunited after ages,”

he said. “The love we received here is beyond

words. People care for each other deeply, but it is

the governments that have differences.”

Petals, Hymns, and Langar

Inside the shrine, barefoot devotees waved saf

fron flags, sang hymns, and recited religious po

etry. Volunteers worked tirelessly in the massive

community kitchens — or langars — where wom

en chopped vegetables and men stirred huge pots

of rice, chickpeas, lentils, and sweets. The food

was served freely to everyone, regardless of faith.

As the procession moved through the narrow

streets, Muslims on rooftops showered the pil

grims with rose petals. Overhead, an aircraft cir

cled, dropping more petals that floated gently

down on the crowd.

“We are in love with the sacred soil of Paki

stan,” said Indian pilgrim Giani Kuldeep Singh.

“This is the land of our Guru. Our message is one

of peace and brotherhood.”

Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Pakistan’s Minister

for Religious Affairs, addressed the gathering and

said, “Religion is individual, but humanity is

shared.” The celebrations in Nankana Sahib will

continue through November, with additional events

planned in Kartarpur — the border town where

Guru Nanak spent his final years and was buried.

The Kartarpur Corridor, which opened in 2019

to allow Indian Sikhs visa-free access to the site,

has remained closed from the Indian side since

May due to heightened border tensions.

Still, for the pilgrims who made the journey this

week, faith and fraternity triumphed over politics.

“We hope this spirit continues,” said Inderjit

Kaur. “Our Guru teaches us that peace has no

borders.” (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Sikhs get ‘warm

welcome’ in Pakistan

PILGRIMS GATHER AT NANKANA SAHIB AS CELEBRATIONS RISE ABOVE TENSIONS

India

www.indiaweekly.biz • November 2025

FAITH JOURNEY: Sikh devotees gather around a

bus carrying the Guru Granth Sahib during a

religious procession marking the birth

anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in Nankana

Sahib, Punjab province, Pakistan, on November 5

DATA DRIVE: The

upcoming census

will be India’s first

since 2011

India

www.indiaweekly.biz • November, 2025

INDIA’S state-owned Hindustan

Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has

signed an agreement with US

firm General Electric (GE) to

buy more than 100 engines for

its domestically built Tejas

fighter jets, signaling renewed

defense cooperation between

New Delhi and Washington af

ter months of trade tensions.

The deal, announced by HAL

on social media platform X, will

see GE Aerospace supply 113

F404 engines for an advanced

version of the Tejas known as

the Mk1A. Deliveries are sched

uled between 2027 and 2032,

HAL said, without disclosing

the value of the contract.

The agreement follows a $7

billion order India placed last

month with HAL for 97 Tejas

Mk1A light combat aircraft,

part of the government’s push

to modernize its air force

and reduce dependence on for

eign suppliers.

The Tejas Mk1A fleet is

seen as crucial to replacing In

dia’s ageing fighter jets and

strengthening its air capabili

ties amid growing regional secu

rity concerns. India faces threats

from multiple fronts, particular

ly from neighboring Pakistan

and China.

The latest deal is a follow-

on order to an earlier agree

ment for 99 GE engines placed

in 2021, of which only four

have been delivered so far due

to post-pandemic supply

chain delays.

India’s relations with the

United States had cooled after

President Donald Trump dou

bled tariffs on Indian goods to

50% in August as punishment

for New Delhi’s continued pur

chases of Russian oil. However,

both sides have recently adopt

ed a more conciliatory tone.

Trump said last month that

trade talks with India were “go

ing good” and hinted he might

visit India next year.

He had earlier planned to at

tend the Quad leaders’ summit,

which includes Australia, Ja

pan, India, and the United

States. Australian Prime Minis

ter Anthony Albanese said the

meeting is now likely to take

place in early 2026.

LEADING wildlife protection experts

have urged India to suspend all im

ports of the world’s most endangered

species, echoing long-standing con

cerns by conservationists over large-

scale animal acquisitions by the me

ga-zoo Vantara.

The facility, officially known as the

Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilita

tion Centre, is located in the western

state of Gujarat and run by Anant Amba

ni, son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Am

bani. It has collected tens of thousands of

animals in recent years and was previ

ously reviewed by India’s Supreme Court,

which cleared it of any wrongdoing.

However, new findings from the secre

tariat of the Convention on International

Trade in Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora (CITES) — the world’s

top wildlife watchdog — have raised

questions over Vantara’s compliance with

international trade regulations.

In a report published ahead of CITES

meetings this month, experts said a

“large number of imports… appear to be

inconsistent” with rules governing the

trade of Appendix I species — the world’s

most endangered animals.

The report also warned that Vantara

may have imported certain species in vio

lation of CITES protections.

CITES urged India to undertake re

forms to ensure the facility does “not in

advertently become a driver of illegal

harvest of wild animals.”

Questions over animal mumbers

The CITES investigation comes amid

growing scrutiny over the zoo’s reported

animal count. Vantara says it houses

around 150,000 animals, though officials

who visited the site in September said

closer to 47,000 were recorded.

“This report raises more questions than

it answers,” said Mark Jones, head of pol

icy at the wildlife group Born Free.

“Why the discrepancies in numbers?

Why import so many animals from

so many species across the world... Who

is supplying these animals, and how

can we be sure they’re not being traded

for profit?”

‘Really, really shocking’

CITES examined a series of allegations

involving some of the planet’s most en

dangered species, including the critically

endangered Tapanuli orangutan — the

rarest great ape in the world.

AFP previously reported that Vantara

had obtained a Tapanuli orangutan from

the United Arab Emirates that originally

came from Indonesia. While CITES gen

erally bans trade in Appendix I species, it

allows exceptions for animals classified

as “captive-bred.”

The Tapanuli orangutan in Vantara,

like several other rare species acquired by

the zoo, was designated as captive-bred.

However, experts told AFP there are no

known breeding programs for the species

in Indonesia, home to all 800 surviving

Tapanuli orangutans.