India in July 2026: the most important developments in security
In July 2026 India's security agenda was led by a United States criminal case over the 2023 killing of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On July 7 and 8, US prosecutors charged the imprisoned gang leader Lawrence Bishnoi, the gangster Goldy Brar and dozens of others, 37 by one count, including a Punjab Police officer. The indictment alleges Bishnoi ordered the killing from prison. Indian agencies said they shared a list of names and hideouts with Washington under Operation Hardball, and the US may seek Bishnoi's extradition. A Punjab police officer wanted by the US was arrested in India on July 18.
Defence deals formed the second theme. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia on July 7, the two countries signed agreements that include the sale of BrahMos cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles to Indonesia. India approved a $6.1 billion arms purchase on July 3, announced a planned $7.85 billion upgrade of its T-72 and T-90 tanks, and tested its Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile for the first time.
Indian seafarers were caught up in attacks around the Gulf and the Black Sea. An Indian crew member was killed and six were injured on July 13 and 14 when Iranian forces struck tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. On July 16 the government asked seafarers to avoid Hormuz voyages. An LPG tanker with 28 Indian crew was attacked in Iranian waters on July 24, and all crew were reported safe. Four Indians died in an attack on a ship leaving Odesa, and another seafarer was killed in the Black Sea on July 25.
At home, protests in Delhi dominated the second half of the month. Police denied permission for a march to Parliament by the Cockroach movement, and on July 20 clashes left more than 50 officers injured and over 70 people detained. Rahul Gandhi was detained. A Delhi Police diary entry on July 28 confirmed that the Rapid Action Force fired pellet guns during the march. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. In Kashmir, a crackdown after the killing of a police officer led to between 1,200 and 2,500 detentions.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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