The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), a regional security grouping, officially welcomed Bangladesh as its fifth member state on Wednesday. The announcement came during the 8th Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) level meeting, hosted virtually by Mauritius. The existing members – India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Maldives – warmly received Bangladesh into the fold, while Seychelles participated as an observer state.

The Colombo Security Conclave was established in 2020, when India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives agreed to expand the scope of their trilateral meeting on maritime cooperation. Mauritius joined the conclave at the fifth meeting of the grouping in Male in March 2022.

During Wednesday’s virtual meeting, member states reviewed the progress of activities outlined in the CSC’s Roadmap for 2023-2024. They also discussed decisions taken at previous high-level meetings, including the 7th DNSA level meeting hosted by the Maldives in July 2023 and the 6th NSA level meeting in Mauritius last December.

Marble from Ambaji, Gujarat’s prominent pilgrimage site and Shaktipeeth, has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its high-quality white stone, an official said on Friday (November 14, 2025).

The Geographical Indications Registry under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has granted the tag in the name of the Ambaji Marbles Quarry and Factory Association in Banaskantha district.

A GI tag recognises products that possess unique qualities or characteristics linked to their geographical origin.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) Friday notified the long awaited data protection rules, paving the way for India to have a functional privacy law, eight years after the Supreme Court ruled it as a fundamental right. The notification of the rules comes over two years after the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) received the President’s assent in August 2023.

While the law is now operational, only parts of it are currently in force, as some of the most important protections available to citizens under the law will take longer — between 12 to 18 months — to be implemented.

For instance, the requirement for entities to seek informed consent from users before processing their personal data, using their personal data only for specified legitimate uses, and for entities to notify data breaches to users, will all only be operationalised after 18 months.

The UAE has officially made the Digital Dirham a legal form of money, marking a major step in its push toward a fully digital financial system. A new federal law passed this week places the e-Dirham on the same level as cash, giving the Central Bank of the UAE the authority to issue and regulate it. The move is part of the country’s wider Digital Dirham Policy for 2025. To mark the launch, the government completed its first payment using the Digital Dirham, settling a cross-border transaction on the mBridge platform in less than two minutes.

Officials said the test showed clear gains in speed, cost, and security. Residents are expected to feel the impact later this year, when approved digital wallets will enable instant transfers and top-ups from bank accounts. The system is set to change how salaries, bills, and remittances are handled. Analysts say the UAE’s early adoption could strengthen its position as a regional fintech leader, with one user on X calling the development “sci-fi come to life.”

Jharkhand is today celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of its revered tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The state is also celebrating the Silver Jubilee of its Foundation Day. The state was officially carved out of the southern part of Bihar, becoming India’s 28th state on this day in 2000. The year-long celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, also culminate today.

Several events are scheduled to be held to mark the day, highlighting the legendary leader’s significant contributions to the country’s tribal heritage and freedom movement. On the occasion, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren are scheduled to visit Ulihatu in Khunti district, the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, to honor the tribal hero. Earlier, Union Minister Oram paid floral tributes to the revered tribal freedom fighter at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum in Ranchi. To promote tourism and celebrate the occasion, the state government has declared the Birsa Festival in Ulihatu as a Tourism festival.

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan today inaugurated the 30th CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The two-day event is being organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in partnership with the Government of India and the Andhra Pradesh Government.

In his address, the Vice President said India is rapidly emerging as a prosperous nation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

He noted that India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy and is growing as a major startup hub. The Vice President said digital infrastructure and e-governance are delivering faster services and helping build a technology-driven economy.

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has arrived at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France to take part in the bilateral air exercise Garuda-2025, scheduled from November 16 to 27.

The exercise comes amid a history of close military collaboration between India and France, which share a strategic partnership covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation, including defence, technology, and security. The IAF said on a social media platform that Garuda 25 will showcase the professionalism and operational capabilities of both forces.

The exercise will see Su-30 MKI jets of the IAF operating alongside Rafale fighters of the French Air and Space Force in a simulated combat environment, aimed at enhancing interoperability, exchanging best practices, and strengthening defence cooperation between the two air forces.

The 22nd All India Annual TDS Conference and Principal Chief Commissioners’ Conclave will be held on Thursday at Hotel Taj Lakefront in Bhopal.

The event is being organised by the Income Tax Department, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh Region, in collaboration with the Principal Director General of Income Tax (Administration & TPS), CBDT.

CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal will inaugurate the conference in the presence of Pankaj Mishra, Member (TPS & Revenue); G. Aparna Rao, Member (Accounts & Judicial); Sanjay Bahadur, Member (Income Tax); and Prasenjit Singh, Member, CBDT.

India batter Shafali Verma was felicitated by the Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at his official residence, recognising her stellar contribution in team’s Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph. Saini presented Shafali with a shawl, a cheque worth 1.5 crore, and a ‘Grade A’ sports gradation certificate.

According to an official statement, the 21-year-old cricketer has also been appointed brand ambassador of the Haryana State Women’s Commission.The Chief Minister praised Shafali’s hard work and commitment, saying she had brought glory not just to Haryana but to the entire nation. Saini also highlighted the state government’s continued efforts to promote sports, noting that nearly 2,000 sports nurseries have been established across Haryana to nurture young talent at the grassroots level.

India’s archers delivered a stellar performance at the 24th Asian Archery Championship 2025 in Dhaka, clinching two gold medals and one silver on a memorable day for the national contingent on Thursday.

According to updates shared by the Archery Association of India (AAI) on its official handle on X, the Compound Women’s Team comprising Deepshikha, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, and Prithika Pradeep captured gold in a thrilling final, defeating Korea 236-234. The Indian trio displayed remarkable focus and composure to edge past the formidable Korean team and secure the top podium spot.

Continuing India’s dominance in the compound category, Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha teamed up to win gold in the Compound Mixed Team event, overcoming Bangladesh 153-151 in a closely contested final. Their precise shooting and strong coordination ensured India’s second gold of the day.