Morning news wrap: China ready to address trade deficit with India; Hindu leader killed in Bangladesh and more

Amid rising US-China trade tensions, Beijing has extended an olive branch to India, expressing willingness to import more high-quality Indian products and assist Indian businesses in accessing China’s vast market. The move comes as India’s trade deficit with China reportedly hit a record $99.2 billion this week.
In his first interview with Indian media since taking office, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong told The Times of India that China is open to steps that could help narrow the trade gap. He also voiced hope that India would ensure a transparent and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies operating in the country.
Meanwhile, in a tragic incident, an Indian student was shot dead in Canada’s Hamilton.
The National Testing Agency has declared the results for JEE (Main) 2025 Session 2, with 24 candidates securing a perfect 100 percentile score. However, the agency has withheld results for 110 candidates caught using unfair means, highlighting its commitment to exam integrity.
Here are the top stories for the morning news wrap:
As trade deficit mounts, China ‘ready’ to import premium goods from India
Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, in his first interview with Indian media, told The Times of India that Beijing is open to importing more premium Indian goods and helping Indian businesses access China’s vast market. His remarks come as India’s trade deficit with China hits a record $99.2 billion. He welcomed PM Modi to attend the SCO Summit and urged India to ensure a fair environment for Chinese firms. He also addressed border stability, water sharing concerns, and media exchanges, emphasising dialogue and cooperation for improved bilateral relations. Read full story
Indian student killed by stray bullet in Canada’s Ontario
A 21-year-old Indian student, Harsimrat Randhawawas tragically killed after being struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop in Hamilton, Ontario, on Wednesday evening. Randhawaa Mohawk College student, was an innocent bystander caught in crossfire during a shooting between two vehicles. Authorities confirmed she was not involved in the incident. Read full story
JEE Main result toppers list: 24 candidates score 100% across states
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the results of JEE Main 2025 Session 2, with 24 students achieving a perfect 100 percentile. However, the agency has withheld the results of 110 candidates for allegedly using unfair means like impersonation and document forgery. Another 23 results have been put on hold due to mismatches in photographs or biometric data. The NTA said strict verification is ongoing to protect exam integrity. Read full story
Hindu leader abducted, beaten to death in Bangladesh
Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a respected Hindu leader and vice-president of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad’s Biral unit, was allegedly abducted and beaten to death in Dinajpur’s Biral upazila on Thursday. According to his wife, the attackers confirmed his presence before arriving and forcibly taking him away. Eyewitnesses said that Roy was assaulted in a nearby village and later returned home unconscious. Read full story
Confirmed: Long delayed Nasa-Isro’s joint mission ‘NISAR’ to launch in June
India has confirmed the long-awaited launch of the NISAR satellite for June 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s space program. This follows a series of delays, including technical issues with its radar antenna. NISAR, a collaborative mission between Nasa and Isro, will provide detailed data on Earth’s surface changes and natural disasters. Meanwhile, India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS during the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), slated for May 2025. Read full story