Morning Digest: India won’t bend to Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail, says Modi; Drones observed along IB in Jammu’s Samba, Punjab’s Jalandhar, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on May 13, 2025

Operation Sindoor is still on, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday in his first address to the nation after the operation got under way on May 7. He added that India “will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail” while acting against terror and its sponsor, Pakistan. India has established a “new normal” in dealing with terror incidents — of responding to them in a language that the terrorists understood, he said.

Drone activity was observed for a few hours late on Monday (May 13, 2025) along the International Border in Jammu’s Samba district as well as Punjab’s Jalandhar district. Meanwhile, a senior district official in Punjab’s Jalandhar said the armed forces neutralised a suspected “surveillance drone”.

India is engaging with the Chinese government to navigate export restrictions on germanium, a critical mineral that is used in manufacturing of semiconductors, fiber optic cables and solar panels. The export restrictions for the element — over half of its annual output comes from China — may have caused some friction in electronics manufacturing and other industries that require the element.

Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals will replay each other on May 24 in Jaipur as the Indian Premier League (IPL) will stage the remaining 17 matches from May 17 to June 3. The IPL was suspended last week due to the mounting tension on the border of India and Pakistan.

While consenting to continue the commitment that both sides must not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action, India and Pakistan on Monday (May 12, 2025) agreed that both sides “consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction” from the borders and forward areas, the Army said.

“The U.S. didn’t just ‘broker’ the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, it averted a ‘nuclear conflict’,” said U.S. President Donald Trump in his latest claims, adding that he had threatened to stop trade with both countries unless they agreed to end hostilities. The comments, the first statement the U.S. President has made in person at the White House on developments, were rebutted by Government sources.

The Delhi High Court closed a case after being informed that BJP MP Nishikant Dubey removed his alleged defamatory social media post against Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra. Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora disposed of Ms. Moitra’s interim plea after Mr. Dubey’s counsel said the contentious Facebook post was deleted.