India protests Iran fire on two vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Key Points:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in West Bengal, criticizing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) for corruption and promising financial assistance of up to 150,000 rupees for women under a housing scheme if BJP wins the state assembly elections.
• Modi also pledged double benefits for farmers and condemned the TMC for opposing a constitutional amendment on women's reservation, calling it a betrayal of Bengal's women.
• India's Vice President CP Radhakrishnan began a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, marking the first such visit by an Indian Vice President, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and engaging with the Indian-origin Tamil community.
• In response to an incident where two Indian-flagged vessels were reportedly fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz, India summoned Iran's ambassador to express deep concern and emphasize the importance of maritime safety.
• Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in India downplayed the incident, reaffirmed strong bilateral ties, and called for peace amid ongoing US-Israeli tensions with Iran, while Iran reimposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz after briefly declaring it open for shipping.