This Week in Explainers: Should a lunch between Trump and Asim Munir really worry India?

It’s been over a week since Israel and Iran have been attacking each other. There is a possibility that the US might join Israel’s war against the Islamic Republic; Donald Trump is considering his options. India has been treading cautiously; it has strategic ties with both nations. However, it is impossible not to be affected by tensions in West Asia – from oil to trade routes, there is a lot at stake. Also, there are thousands of Indians living in both countries.

New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on West Asia. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, where he shared “India’s concerns”. India also launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals caught in these conflict zones.

This week has been a busy one for PM Modi. He first stopped at Cyprus, before he headed for the G7 summit in Canada. On his way back, he visited Croatia.

The Air India plane crash continues to hold the interest of our readers. While the investigation is ongoing, it is too early to say what caused the accident. However, several theories have been doing the rounds, including one by an aviation expert about a possible cockpit error and the pilots deploying an emergency power system before the crash. Amid this speculation, the black box, which is crucial to the probe, has been recovered but is damaged .

We talk about all this and more in our weekly roundup.

1. With each passing day, the Israel-Iran conflict has been escalating. The tensions have big implications for India. What could it mean for New Delhi? From oil prices to trade routes, from student safety to aviation, there are plenty of reasons to worry. This story explains.

2. Living in Iran is hellish as Israel continues to bombard it with missiles. Stranded in the Islamic Republic are thousands of Indian students. While India has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate them, many students, still caught in the middle of the war, fear for their lives. Most of them are aspiring doctors. But why do so many pick Iran to study medicine?

3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for his diplomacy. This week, before he headed to Canada, he visited Cyprus. He is the first Indian PM to visit the country in over two decades. Was the visit a message to Turkey, with whom ties are tense after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan supported Pakistan during Operation Sindoor? Why does Cyprus matter to India? We explain .

4. Since 2023, ties between India and Canada have deteriorated. It looks like that is about to change under Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Canadian leader invited PM Modi to the G7 summit, and the two held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the gathering in Kananaskis, Alberta. They have agreed to hit reset. Here’s how .

5. More than a week after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the speculation over the cause of the tragedy continues. Many theories have emerged. Aviation expert Captain Steve wonders if the pilots may have accidentally retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear during the initial climb. Another possibility is that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) might have deployed shortly after its takeoff. Our stories try to decode all of this.

6. Air India remains under the scanner after the Ahmedabad plane crash. Questions are being raised about safety. This week, there were incidents of emergency landings and technical glitches. While one flight took a U-turn after takeoff, another asked passengers to deplane at a stopover. What’s going on?

7. The India-Pakistan water war is ongoing. After India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, the neighbouring nation is struggling with lower levels of water in its dams. Now, India is mulling another big move – a 113-km canal to redirect excess water from Jammu & Kashmir towards Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Will it deal another blow to Pakistan?

8. Talking about Pakistan, its army chief, Asim Munir, was in the US . While his invitation to Trump’s military parade was a rumour, Munir had lunch with Potus. It’s the first such instance of a sitting US president dining with the military chief of another country. Does it signal a tightening of ties? Should India be concerned?

9. The Meghalaya honeymoon murder case continues to unravel. Chilling details have emerged about how Raja Raghuvanshi was murdered. Police say that two machetes were used and three blows were struck at his body before he was dumped into a gorge in the East Khasi Hills. Find out more in this report .

10. Our last story is a heartbreaking one. Arrowhead, one of Ranthambore’s famous tigresses, died after battling bone cancer. She was the granddaughter of Machli, arguably the most photographed tigress in the world. Like Machli, Arrowhead also slayed a crocodile… two days before she breathed her last. This is her story .

These are our recommendations on stories about India that you shouldn’t miss. Happy reading. You will find more such explainers here .