PM Modi speaks to Iran President; stresses on freedom of navigation, ensuring shipping lanes open

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (March 21, 2026) conveyed Id and Nowruz greetings to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia. In his telephonic conversation with the Iranian leader, Prime Minister Modi condemned the attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains, and reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure.

Govt. allows additional 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States and UTs, raising total allocation to 50%

Amid the escalating West Asia situation, the government on Saturday (March 21, 2026) said it has allowed for a further 20% allocation of commercial LPG to States and UTs. This would now take the cumulative allocation of commercial LPG to 50%, inclusive of the 10% allocation announced earlier based on spurring transition and expansion of piped natural gas. The additional 20% would be given on priority to sectors such as hotels, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens/outlets run by State governments or local bodies, the statement said.

Israel says attacks against Iran will ‘increase significantly’ next week; Britain condemns Tehran targeting Diego Garcia air base

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened a surge in attacks against Iran on Saturday (March 21, 2026), and Britain condemned Iran for targeting a joint U.K.-U.S. base in the Indian Ocean as the war in West Asia entered its fourth week. The Iranian attack on the Diego Garcia air base — located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometres) from Iran — suggested Tehran has in its stockpile missiles that can go far further than it had previously acknowledged.

Israel attacks Tehran, Beirut as U.S. sends Marines to West Asia

The Israeli military struck ‌Iran and Beirut on Saturday (March 21, 2026) as the U.S. was sending thousands more Marines to West Asia and ​President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to help open the Strait of Hormuz. More than ⁠2,000 people have been killed since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, while Americans appear increasingly concerned at signs the war could expand further as it enters its fourth week.

Safety of Indians living in UAE is a ‘priority’: Envoy

The UAE has assured India that the safety of Indians living in the Gulf country is its “priority”, stressing that they are protected and treated like family, especially amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia which has seen the emirate facing attacks from Iran.

EC forms 19 appellate tribunals in West Bengal for appeals on electoral rolls

The Election Commission of India (EC) formed 19 Appellate Tribunals for West Bengal to hear disputed case appeals rejected by the judicial officers who are disposing of the 60 lakh under-adjudication cases in the State following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The move comes amid rising concerns over pending adjudication cases in the State, even as Assembly election is just a month away.

Sri Lanka looks to India-backed Trincomalee project amid energy crisis

Redeveloping the Second World War-era oil tank farms in Sri Lanka’s eastern Trincomalee district is the “permanent solution” to the energy crisis, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said, adding that the government was taking steps to expedite the project backed by India and the United Arab Emirates.

Don’t remove any genuine voter from electoral rolls, parliamentary committee tells EC

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has asked the Election Commission to ensure that no genuine elector is excluded from the voters’ lists or subjected to undue hardship during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which has concluded in many States and will begin in others soon.

In call with PM Modi, Iran President proposes West Asia security framework; seeks India’s role as BRICS chair to halt hostilities

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on ‌Saturday (March 21, 2026) that there needs to ​be an “immediate cessation” of ⁠what he described as U.S.-Israeli aggression to end the war and wider ‌regional conflict, Iran’s Embassy in India said ‌in an X post on ‌Saturday (March 21, 2026).

Robert Mueller, special counsel who probed but did not charge Trump, dies at 81

Robert Mueller, the no-nonsense former FBI chief who documented Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. election and its contacts with Donald Trump's campaign but opted not to bring criminal charges against a sitting President, has died at age 81, multiple news outlets reported on Saturday (March 21, 2026).

U.S. says ‘took out’ Iran base threatening blocked Strait of Hormuz oil route

The U.S. military declared on Saturday (March 21, 2026) it had taken out an Iranian bunker housing weapons threatening oil and gas shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, as thousands of Iranians marked Id al-Fitr with prayer.

State cannot put ‘arbitrary ceiling’ on disability limits when RPwD Act does not prescribe any: SC

The Supreme Court has laid down that the state cannot impose “arbitrary” upper limits of disability to exclude candidates with special needs from jobs when they are otherwise equipped to perform their official responsibilities.

Feminists, lawyers urge MPs to reject ‘unconstitutional’ amendments to transgender Act

On Saturday (March 21, 2026), over 100 members of feminist and lawyer groups wrote an open letter to MPs, appealing to them to reject the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026. They termed it “unconstitutional” as it seeks to introduce “arbitrary and inhumane requirements”, which will make access to fundamental rights and entitlements impossible for a large number of transgender persons.

Government complains about backlog, but feeds it too as the biggest litigant, says Supreme Court judge Nagarathna

Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna on Saturday (March 21, 2026) said the government raises concerns about backlog in courts while simultaneously feeding that pendency through relentless litigation.

Omar, Mehbooba slam closure of Jama Masjid on Id, Hazratbal prayer omission for Iran, Palestine

The closure of the historic Jama Masjid for Id prayers and omission of any special prayers for Iran and Palestine at Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine by the J&K Waqf Board on Saturday (March 21, 2026) drew criticism from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti.