Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stated he was removed from office in 1999 by General Pervez Musharraf for opposing the Kargil conflict with India, saying "When I opposed the Kargil plan saying it should not happen...I was ousted (by Gen Pervez Musharraf)." Speaking on Saturday, the three-time PM questioned why he has repeatedly been prematurely ousted from the premiership despite delivering results. Sharif said he was sacked in 1993, 1999 and 2017, asking to be told the reasons. He specifically highlighted his opposition to the unauthorized Kargil infiltration into India as the trigger for Musharraf's 1999 coup. Sharif also emphasized the need for Pakistan to have good ties with India, citing his Lahore peace efforts with two Indian prime ministers during his tenures.

Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi has denied signing a parliamentary reply stating India's position on declaring Hamas a terror organization. Lekhi tweeted that she did not sign any paper with that question and answer, calling for a probe to reveal the "culprit" behind the forged response attributed to her on the Ministry of External Affairs website. The reply said India remains concerned about the Israel-Hamas conflict and called for restraint and de-escalation through dialogue. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi sought clarification from MEA on Lekhi disassociating from the reply, asking if it's a serious breach and violation of rules. Lekhi asserted she has no idea who drafted the response to that specific parliamentary question.

In calling for India's cooperation into its allegations of a potential Indian link to the killing of a Khalistani leader on its soil, Canada has not provided any "specific and relevant information" to New Delhi for it to act upon, the government informed Parliament on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in Lok Sabha that the government has conveyed to Canada its "concerns" over activities of anti-India elements in that country and requested Ottawa to take action against such elements besides denying space to them. The government has rejected the allegations of its involvement in "any act of violence" in Canada, he said replying to a question.  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked the world's most popular leader with a 76% approval rating in a recent survey by US consultancy Morning Consult. He leads Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at 66% and others on the list of 22 global leaders. Modi also has the lowest disapproval rating at 18%. He has retained the top popularity spot in previous Morning Consult surveys this year as well. The news comes as Modi's BJP party won 3 out of 4 recent state elections in India, which the party credits to his popularity and "Modi Magic". However, Canada's PM Justin Trudeau had the highest disapproval at 58%, potentially reflecting diplomatic tensions with India.

In a poignant celebration of Armed Forces Day, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi paid tribute to Indian war heroes who fought alongside the Mukti Bahini during the 1971 liberation war. Lt Gen VM Bhuvana Krishnan, Quartermaster General of the Indian Army, attended as the chief guest, stating, "It's a testament to the strong bond between our nations." Bangladesh High Commissioner Mohammed Mustafizur Rahman expressed gratitude, saying, "India played a crucial role in our liberation," and highlighted growing defense cooperation. He thanked India as a "trusted partner" in Bangladesh's development journey. Krishnan praised Bangladesh's armed forces, noting their remarkable progress.            

In a gesture promoting interfaith harmony, Pakistan has issued 104 visas to Indian pilgrims for the 315th birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi in Sindh province. The pilgrims are set to visit from December 12-23, adhering to the India-Pakistan Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. Aizaz Khan, the charge d’affaires of the Pakistani mission, extended felicitations, emphasizing the government's effort to facilitate religious visits. The reciprocal issuance of visas supports cultural and religious exchanges between the two nations amid recent bilateral challenges.            

A viral video shows Russian President Vladimir Putin applauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's robust leadership and firm stance on national security. Putin expressed genuine surprise, stating he cannot envision Modi succumbing to external pressure. The AI-generated clip, widely shared on social media, underscores the enduring ties between Russia and India. In his observations, Putin credited Modi's policies for the continuous development of relations. Social media users lauded Putin's commendation, with many expressing astonishment at his Hindi speech. The video's popularity highlights global interest in the strong rapport between the two leaders.

The Indian government discloses that 403 Indian students have died abroad since 2018 due to various causes, with Canada accounting for the highest at 91 fatalities among 34 nations. Minister V Muraleedharan assures safety as a top priority, stating missions actively monitor student well-being. The data reveals notable numbers in the United Kingdom (48), Russia (40), and the United States (36). In response to the surge in Indian students in Canada, the External Affairs Ministry emphasizes consular support, while spokesperson Arindam Bagchi notes individual incidents are addressed, involving outreach to families and collaboration with local authorities.

The Indian ambassador in Qatar was recently granted access to meet the eight former Indian navy personnel who were sentenced to death by a Qatari court in October, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday. This was the first time the ambassador was able to meet the men since they were detained. Two hearings have already been held regarding India's appeal against the death sentences, and another is expected soon, the MEA said. The eight men, who worked for a private company in Qatar, were convicted on charges of espionage in August. India has been providing them legal and consular assistance and has attached the highest importance to the case.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, alongside counterparts from India, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, and Bangladesh, convened at the 6th NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave. Doval underscored the CSC's pivotal role in ensuring regional security, emphasizing ongoing collaboration across pillars. During the Mauritius event, members collectively devised a Roadmap of Activities for 2024. The forum, initiated by India to counter China, welcomed Mauritius as its fourth member. The focus remained on addressing regional security challenges, preventing smaller nations from succumbing to China's influence.