India news: Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike tests Modi

Skip next section India 'deeply concerned' by attacks on commercial vessels, summons Iran's deputy ambassador July 14, 2026

India 'deeply concerned' by attacks on commercial vessels, summons Iran's deputy ambassador

India's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it is "deeply concerned by the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz today."

The UAE-linked commercial vessels were carrying a combined crew of 46 people including 30 Indians. One Indian was killed and 10 others were injured, two of whom are seriously hurt, the statement said.

New Delhi lodged a "strong protest" with Tehran after summoning the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi.

"We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," the Foreign Ministry said.

"In particular, the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease in order that free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest," it said.

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Skip next section India to prioritize free maritime order and safety of seafarers: Foreign minister says at UNSC July 14, 2026

India to prioritize free maritime order and safety of seafarers: Foreign minister says at UNSC

India will ensure that issues like free, open and rule-based maritime order, including the safety of seafarers, get the "attention they deserve," Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Monday.

He said this as he was officially launching India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, hours before the UAE confirmedIran's strike on two tankers which killed an Indian sailor.

Jaishankar said India's approach to the UN is rooted in 'SHANTI' — a backronym for Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity. In Hindi, one of the several widely spoken languages in India, the word 'Shanti' translates to 'peace.'

The campaign launch is a routine but highly competitive procedure to attain one of the 10 non-permanent seats on the council along with the give permanent members. India currently does not hold a seat while its rival neighbor Pakistan does.

New Delhi has also been vying for a permanent seat at the council.

Germany fails in bid for temporary seat on UNSC

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Skip next section 1 Indian sailor killed, 6 injured aboard UAE tankers attacked in Gulf July 14, 2026

1 Indian sailor killed, 6 injured aboard UAE tankers attacked in Gulf

As Iran and the US vie for the control of the Strait of Hormuz, another Indian sailor has lost his life.

At least one Indian crew member was killed and six others were injured onbard the two tankers linked to the United Arab Emirates that were attacked by Iran's Revolutionary Guard overnight.

The tankers were hit by two cruise missiles as they transited the southern shipping lane through Omani territorial waters.

Iran insists ships use its designated shipping lane through its northern territorial waters, while the US backs using the lane closest to Omani waters.

"We condole the tragic loss of an Indian seafarer in the attacks on two vessels, Al Bahiyah and Mombasa B. We are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the local authorities to render all possible assistance to the injured and families," the Indian Embassy in UAE wrote on social media.

Meanwhile a national union of sailors expressed frustration over the continued deaths of Indians in a foreign conflict.

"Will we keep counting the deaths of our seafarers every day, or will the government finally wake up?" the Forward Seamen's Union of India wrote.

Indian nationals make up around 12% of the global merchant shipping workforce, leaving them especially exposed to the risks of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

In June, India had lodged a strong protest with Washington after three Indian sailors were killed in US Naval attacks on commercial ships passing through the strait.

Indian seafarers pay the price in US-Iran war

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Skip next section Why India's education minister is unlikely to resign July 14, 2026

Why India's education minister is unlikely to resign

For months now, India's 'Cockroach' group and opposition leaders have been calling for the education minister's resignation.

Critics of Dharmendra Pradhan have argued that while the exam scandal needs a larger system overhaul, the education minister is ultimately responsible for the leaked question papers and must take accountability.

Even as students and activist indefinitely protest at Jantar Mantar, some without having eaten in days, the minister's resignation is unlikely.

In times of previous scandals and similar demands, the Bharatiya Janata Party's ministers have told reporters that this government does not support the policy of resigning.

In 2015, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh famously said "There will be no resignation of ministers." Another minister had chimed in saying, "Our ministers don't do what UPA ministers used to do," speaking of the opposition alliance.

It seems the BJP has not softened on this stance. In the month sof protests and backlash from students and parents, the BJP has largely ignored the Cockroach party, criticized the opposition and maintained silence with students.

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Skip next section Cockroach party raises alarm over activist's deteriorating health, urges dialogue July 14, 2026

Cockroach party raises alarm over activist's deteriorating health, urges dialogue

Youth-led political pressure groupCockroach Janta Party's founder expressed grave concern on Monday night, over the deteriorating health of activist Sonam Wangchuk who is now on his 17th day of anindefinite hunger strike in New Delhi.

Wangchuk, who has lost over 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) since he started fasting, is calling for the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a leaked nation-wide enterance exam. It impacted about 2.2 million apiring medical students and led to several students committing suicide.

Wangchuk is now in a face-off of wills with a minister who sits about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) away from the protest site.

According to a statement released to the media, Wangchuk's blood sugar levels have repeatedly dropped to dangerous levels, he is experiencing constant dizziness and has visibly lost muscle mass. However, he reportedly refuses to end his fast until the government engages in dialogue with the CJP.

"Don’t ask me to end my fast. Ask the government why they won’t even have a dialogue," Wangchuk said on Tuesday morning, as quoted by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.

"What kind of government is this? Sonam Wangchuk belongs to this country. He has brought global recognition to India through his work. Today, he is fighting for the students of this country, yet the government has not even sent a single minister or delegation to speak with him. The government’s complete indifference is deeply unfortunate," Dipke said in the statement.

Meanwhile, CJP spokespersons urged "students, parents and citizens across India to join the peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on 20th July alongside Sonam Wangchuk."

India's Gen Z 'Cockroaches' protest national exams fraud

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Skip next section Welcome to our covergae July 14, 2026

Welcome to our covergae

Hello! And welcome to DW's India news blog on Tuesday.

This is Mahima Kapoor reporting from the New Delhi Bureau and I will be your guide through the news, noise and chaos of India.

The national weather agency has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of north and east India. While the country is facing a below-normal monsoon, the uneven but heavy distribution of rainfall has left several states and cities fighting proverbial fires.

In the national capital, a weeks long protest organized by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party against the education minister has come to a critical juncture. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been fasting for over two weeks in support of Indian students impacted by a medical entranceexam scandal, is losing his health.

And he refuses to end his fast until Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government engages in dialogue.

On the international front, another Indian sailor has lost his life aboard one of the two UAE fuel tankers which were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.

Stay tuned for all of this and more.

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