Digest for 22 October, 2025
US President Claims India Pledged to Reduce Russian Oil Imports
US President Donald Trump stated that he spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and received assurances that India is significantly cutting back on oil purchases from Russia. The conversation reportedly occurred during a phone call for Diwali greetings. This claim, repeated multiple times by Trump, suggests a potential shift in India's energy policy amid US pressure on Moscow over the Ukraine war. The development has stirred political debate in India, with the opposition questioning the government's transparency on foreign policy matters.
India Upgrades Diplomatic Mission in Kabul to Full Embassy
India has upgraded its 'Technical Mission' in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy, signaling a significant step in deepening engagement with Afghanistan's Taliban administration. The Ministry of External Affairs announced the move would take effect immediately, following a recent visit by the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. The decision aims to augment India's contribution to Afghanistan's development and humanitarian aid. This move positions India among a handful of countries with a robust diplomatic presence in post-takeover Afghanistan.
OpenAI Launches 'Atlas' Web Browser to Challenge Google Chrome
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has launched its own web browser named 'Atlas', entering into direct competition with Google's dominant Chrome. The new browser, initially available for Apple laptops, aims to integrate advanced AI capabilities directly into the web-browsing experience. A key feature is an 'agent mode' that can perform tasks online on the user's behalf. This move could significantly disrupt the browser market and represents a major step in OpenAI's strategy to expand its ecosystem beyond chatbots.
Delhi's Air Quality Plummets to 'Very Poor' After Diwali
Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply to the 'very poor' category the day after Diwali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) registering over 350 in many areas. The spike in pollution is attributed to a combination of extensive firecracker use, calm winds, and stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab. This has led to a political dispute, with Delhi's government blaming Punjab's administration for failing to curb farm fires, which contributed significantly to the toxic haze enveloping the national capital.
Heavy Rains Trigger Red Alert in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several districts across Tamil Nadu and Kerala due to an intensified northeast monsoon. A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a depression, bringing extremely heavy rainfall. In response, authorities in affected districts, including Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu and Idukki in Kerala, have declared holidays for schools and colleges as a precautionary measure, warning residents to avoid venturing near water bodies.