1. 🇮🇳 Jaishankar Slams Congress for “Ignoring” Indian Farmers in Indus Water Treaty
In a fiery Rajya Sabha session, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar condemned the Congress party—especially Nehru-era leaders—for failing to prioritize farmers’ interests during negotiations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan. He argued that diplomatic optics overshadowed agricultural welfare, naming this oversight a historic mistake.
The Washington Post+15Kolkata Online+15The Times of India+15The Times of India
2. 🌊 Megaquake Strikes Russia’s Far East
A staggering 8.8‑magnitude earthquake, one of the most powerful ever recorded, hit off the coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 30, 2025. The tremor triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific—from Japan to Chile and Hawaii—with waves up to 5 meters hitting Severo‑Kurilsk. While there were injuries and structural damage, no major fatalities have been confirmed.
AP News+11The Guardian+11The Washington Post+11
3. 👩⚕️ Doctors Continue Surgery Amid Quake Tremors
In a striking display of composure, Russian doctors in Kamchatka reportedly continued performing a surgical procedure even as the 8.8 earthquake rattled the operating room. Video footage shows the medical team tightly holding the gurney to keep the patient safe during the three-minute shake.
New York Post
4. ⚡ Regional Tsunami Impact & Response
Tsunami alerts extended far beyond Russia—prompting evacuations in Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Chile, Ecuador, and New Zealand. In Japan, nearly 900,000 people were advised to seek higher ground, with minor casualties reported. Hawaii issued emergency orders before later downgrading to advisories after initial waves arrived safely.
New York Post+11The Guardian+11AP News+11
5. 💧 IWT Comes Under Scrutiny as India Reassesses Treaty
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, echoing past scepticism from Atal Bihari Vajpayee, affirmed India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, prioritizing farmer welfare over historical diplomatic posture. This move underscores a growing shift in India’s approach toward river-sharing agreements.
organiser.org+1The Times of India+1
🧭 Why These Stories Matter
Domestic Politics: Jaishankar’s attack amplifies scrutiny over historical decisions impacting India’s agricultural security and exposes long-standing policy grievances.
Disaster Preparedness: The quake and tsunami episode highlight the fragility of early warning systems across the Pacific and the unpredictability of natural hazards.
Human Resilience: Stories of calm yet steadfast professional conduct—like surgeons operating during an earthquake—offer poignant examples of bravery.
Strategic Reassessment: India’s distancing from the IWT signals a broader pivot toward asserting control over water resources—one that could reshape future diplomacy.
