Former Maharashtra Minister and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) leader Vinayakrao Patil has quit the party and joined the ruling Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Pics/Eknath Shinde's office

Islamabad emerged as a key diplomatic hub as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived for crucial consultations amid a fragile ceasefire with the United States. With US envoys also landing in Pakistan, the developments signal renewed but uncertain efforts to revive negotiations. PICS/AFP