India

by Nirmala Carvalho | INDIA

Bishop Valan Arasu reports the incident to AsiaNews. The faithful, a group of 50 tribal people, a priest and two nuns were visiting some parishes in the diocese. The extremists attacked them twice and tried to denounce the priest for ‘forced conversion’. The intervention of the agents to protect the pilgrims.


While military imports fell by 9 per cent thanks to the growth of local industry, India remains the second buyer after Ukraine with Russia as its main supplier. Now it is increasingly looking to France, Israel and the United States, and building up domestic capacity.

| 21/03/2025
| INDIAN MANDALA
by Nirmala Carvalho

With a Mass presided over by Card. Poola, the Holy Year and the long history of the complex, whose first church dates back to 1820, were celebrated. The commitment of the PIME missionaries was remembered. New areas were inaugurated, including a parish centre and the Adoration Chapel.

| 19/03/2025
| INDIA
by Nirmala Carvalho

More than 50 people have been arrested in the wake of communal violence that included several vehicles and houses vandalised. The authorities imposed a curfew imposed in some areas of the city in Maharashtra. Hindu nationalists want to remove the tomb of a Mughal ruler. Rumours that a copy of the Qur'an was burnt sparked a violent a reaction by Muslims. Archbishop Gonsalves urges respect for everyone, and warns against spreading “rumours and false news.”

| 18/03/2025
| INDIA
by Melani Manel Perera

About 10,000 people visit Kachchatheevu to honour Saint Anthony in celebrations promoted by the Diocese of Jaffna and led by the bishop of Sivagangai. The latter calls on both parties “to work together to find a lasting solution to the conflict in the sea.”

| 17/03/2025
| SRI LANKA - INDIA
by Purushottam Nayak

In Siunaguda, Odisha, a Christian family was denied the right to bury a loved one until they agreed to convert him back to Hinduism. The incident, which is part of a broader pattern of religious discrimination, has raised concern among activists and religious leaders, who slam increasing pressure on Christian minorities in India's states with large tribal communities.

| 15/03/2025
| INDIA

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an “enhanced strategic partnership” with Mauritius during a state visit to the Indian Ocean nation, with investments, maritime security agreements, and Indian support for Mauritian sovereignty over the UK-administered Chagos Islands. The visit is part of India’s competition with China for influence in the Indian Ocean.

| 14/03/2025
| INDIAN MANDALA
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”