India

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Delhi and NCR Endure Record Air Pollution Despite Ongoing Control Measures

Nov. 27, 2025 | Environment

Record air pollution levels have persisted across Delhi and its National Capital Region despite extensive control efforts.

**On the morning of November 26, 2025, Delhi’s air quality reached hazardous levels.**
At 7 am, the citywide Air Quality Index (AQI) averaged 337 (“very poor”), with India Gate reporting 358, Ghazipur 363, AIIMS 348 and Bawana 377. NSIT Dwarka registered an AQI of 296 (“poor”), and these readings showed only a slight improvement from the previous day’s average AQI of 363. By 9 am, PM2.5 concentrations had fallen from 278 to 232 μg/m³ and PM10 levels from 371 to 282 μg/m³, yet the overall AQI rose to 371, compared with 420 at the same hour on Tuesday. Both particulate measures remain well above the WHO’s safe limits of 15 μg/m³ for PM2.5 and 45 μg/m³ for PM10.

**Authorities have implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III across Delhi and the NCR, restricting construction, diesel generator use and non-essential vehicular movement.**
Key pollutants, however, persist at dangerous concentrations, and no rain is forecast in the next seven days to help cleanse the air.

**Government-run monitoring stations indicate that more than half of the sites recorded AQI values above 400 (“severe”), with several exceeding 450 (“hazardous”).**
Private air quality monitors confirm these findings and sometimes report even higher levels; an environmentalist’s indoor device measured an AQI of 397. Elevated fine particulate matter poses serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.

**Ash clouds from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano drifted over India’s upper atmosphere, carrying sulfur dioxide and fine glass particles.**
Traces of volcanic ash appeared in Gujarat and Rajasthan but have not noticeably affected Delhi’s surface air quality. The plume has since moved northeast toward China and may later impact the Himalayas and the Tarai lowlands.

**Urban centers surrounding Delhi also faced critical pollution.**
Gurugram recorded an AQI of 365, Noida improved to 390 from 431, and Greater Noida remained at 440, unchanged from the previous day, reflecting a widespread regional smog event.

US-Led Diplomatic Push for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Gains Momentum Amid Ongoing Conflict

Nov. 27, 2025 | Geopolitics & Defense

The United States and President Trump’s envoys are pursuing renewed diplomatic initiatives to secure a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

**US diplomatic teams convened in Geneva and Abu Dhabi in recent talks aimed at brokering a comprehensive settlement.**
In Abu Dhabi, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll discussed terms with Russian representatives, while Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—envoys appointed by former President Donald Trump—plan to meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. After Trump released his 28-point peace proposal, which initially heavily favored Russia by calling for Ukrainian concessions in the Donbas region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his advisers met with US negotiators to review and refine its terms.

**French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K.**
Prime Minister Keir Starmer have voiced cautious optimism as diplomatic teams narrow the proposal’s scope to focus on core issues. Ukrainian delegates report that participants have trimmed some of the more expansive demands, though they remain wary of making commitments before seeing a final text. Russian officials have maintained a reserved posture, awaiting that finalized version before coordinating further with European and Ukrainian counterparts.

**Donald Trump announced that he had removed the proposal’s original deadline and “fine-tuned” its points, saying US negotiators would move forward “when it’s over.” He claimed Russia had conceded on certain issues and suggested any agreement might grant Russia territorial gains, reflecting his view that Russia holds the upper hand.**
He also said he was discussing security guarantees for Ukraine with European partners and floated the possibility of convening a trilateral meeting with himself, Putin and Zelenskyy once substantive progress emerges.

**Despite these diplomatic efforts, hostilities persist on the ground.**
Russia launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against Kyiv, killing at least seven people and damaging critical infrastructure. Ukrainian forces responded with a drone strike in southern Russia, killing three and damaging residential properties. Both sides continue to incur casualties and material losses amid this fragile, volatile environment.

Monitored Intelligence for India - Nov. 28, 2025

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Report: Pakistan using terrorism as state policy against India since 1947 - A chronology

Times of India | English | News | Nov. 28, 2025 | Terrorism

A NatStrat report released in 2025 chronicles Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a state policy against India since 1947. The report outlines five phases of Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism spanning nearly eight decades, driven primarily by Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies, especially the ISI. It documents a persistent strategy of hybrid warfare by Pakistan despite India's persistent countermeasures and resilience.

The report divides this trajectory into five distinct periods: from foundational conflicts during 1947–71, including the Poonch uprising and 1971 war, through the rise of proxy warfare (1972–89) involving hijackings and support for the Khalistan movement, to an escalation of urban terrorist attacks in the 1990s marked by Lashkar-e-Taiba’s rise. The 2001–2009 phase features attacks targeting national symbols like the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai 26/11 massacre. The most recent phase, 2010–2025, sees adaptive terrorism met with stronger Indian responses, including the 2019 Pulwama attack, the 2025 Pahalgam attack, and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.

The report emphasizes that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has not deterred India’s development or unity, noting that Indian society and governance have strengthened in response. It calls state-backed terrorism a global threat requiring unified international opposition and dedicates the compilation to victims of terrorism and those combating it. NatStrat is led by former diplomat Pankaj Saran and aims to document the prolonged hybrid warfare faced by India.

At PM Modi-Putin meet, India to seek 5 more S-400 squadrons

Times of India | English | News | Nov. 28, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

India plans to request an additional five squadrons of the Russian S-400 Triumf air defence systems along with a substantial number of surface-to-air missiles to replenish stocks and build reserves during the upcoming Modi-Putin summit on December 5. The S-400 systems have proven highly effective during Operation Sindoor, reportedly intercepting at least five Pakistani high-tech fighters at long range. Russia has also assured delivery of the remaining two squadrons from the original 2018 contract by November 2026, despite delays caused by the Ukraine conflict.

India has not yet decided on acquiring two to three squadrons of the Russian fifth-generation Sukhoi-57 fighter jets, which are being promoted as alternatives to the American F-35 Lightning II. The Indian Air Force views such acquisitions as a temporary measure until the indigenous stealth AMCA aircraft becomes operational by around 2035. Meanwhile, the cabinet committee on security (CCS) is expected to approve a Rs 63,000 crore upgrade for 84 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, enhancing their radars, avionics, weapons, and sensors for another 30 years of service, with some Russian involvement in the upgrade process.

India continues to balance its longstanding defense relationship with Russia against growing ties with the United States. Recent US contracts include a $1 billion deal for 113 General Electric F404 engines for Tejas Mark-1A fighters and a Rs 7,000 crore support package for MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. On the Russian side, plans include setting up a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India for the S-400 systems, supported by a comprehensive annual maintenance contract already approved by the defense ministry.

South Korea's fourth space rocket launch successful, sends satellites into orbit

The Economic Times | English | News | Nov. 28, 2025 | UndeterminedTech Development/Adoption

South Korea successfully launched its fourth homegrown space rocket, Nuri, on Thursday, placing more than a dozen satellites into orbit. This launch marked the country’s first space mission conducted jointly with a private company, Hanwha Aerospace, which led the manufacturing and assembly using technology transferred from the government.

The rocket lifted off from the Naro Space Center at 1:13 a.m. local time, carrying one main commercial-grade satellite along with 12 cube satellites. The launchpad operations were managed by another South Korean company, HD Hyundai Heavy. Both Hanwha Aerospace and HD Hyundai Heavy saw their shares rise 1.6% in morning trading, outperforming the broader market.

South Korea started the Nuri rocket program in 2021 and plans to conduct a total of six test launches by 2027. The government’s technology transfer to Hanwha Aerospace aims to strengthen the private sector’s capabilities in space technology and improve national competitiveness in the aerospace industry.

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