Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced India will restart free trade agreement negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. This follows India's recent trade deals with the EU and US. Goyal emphasized 5,000 years of trade relations and 10 million Indians working in GCC economies. The announcement comes months after Pakistan-Saudi Arabia renewed their Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in September 2025, following India-Pakistan tensions during Operation Sindoor. Meanwhile, UAE-Pakistan ties have soured after UAE scrapped Islamabad International Airport management deal and strengthened relations with India, agreeing to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032 during President Al Nahyan's Delhi visit.

Actress Celina Jaitley has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for her brother Major Vikrant Jaitley's release, a former Special Forces officer detained in UAE since September 2024. Breaking down in an interview with India Today TV, she revealed he was taken from Mall of Emirates parking by unidentified individuals without arrest records for nine months. After Delhi High Court intervention, UAE-based law firm Khalid Almarie Partners agreed to provide pro bono legal representation. Celina said her brother has been held over 16 months at Al-Wathba Detention Centre with only vague "national security" references and no formal charges. She drew parallels with former Indian naval officers' Qatar detention, seeking high-level diplomatic intervention.

A 22-year-old US-born woman's Reddit post went viral after sharing her unexpected experience moving to India. Initially terrified by negative stereotypes, she "literally cried" when her mother announced the move and refused to go. However, she found surprising warmth through extended family relatives who showed genuine care through frequent check-ins. While acknowledging "culture shock is real" and ongoing adjustment to sensory overload and personal questions from aunties, she questioned why people criticize India without visiting. Her younger sister still struggles with the transition, but seeing their mother genuinely happy "made everything feel worth it." The post sparked diverse responses, with many sharing similar adjustment experiences and praising her maturity. (PC: NDTV)

India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav clarified that India hasn't refused to play Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, stating the denial came from the other side. "Humne manaa nahi kiya hai khelne. Unhone mana kiya hai," Suryakumar said at the captains' day event, confirming India's flights to Colombo are already booked for the February 15 match. Pakistan's government denied permission for their team to play the high-profile clash, viewed as solidarity with Bangladesh, who were ousted after refusing to play in India citing security concerns. ICC warned Pakistan Cricket Board that boycotting could invite punitive sanctions, noting it wouldn't serve cricket's broader interests. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced Thursday that the historic India-US trade deal is in final detailing stages and expected to be completed soon, marking a new phase in bilateral relations. Concluding his US visit, Jaishankar thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio for warm hospitality, stating the deal "opens up vast possibilities for the relationship." He emphasized advancing cooperation on critical minerals, strategic issues, defense, and energy, noting "a strong momentum is evident." Jaishankar participated in a high-level meeting with over 50 countries, highlighting challenges of excessive supply chain concentration and India's de-risking efforts through its National Critical Mineral Mission and rare earth corridor, while expressing support for the FORGE initiative. (PC: ANI)

At least 16 laborers were killed and several remain trapped after an explosion at a suspected illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district Thursday morning. Director General of Police I Nongrang confirmed the death toll, stating the exact number trapped is yet to be ascertained. One injured person was referred to Shillong hospital for advanced treatment. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma ordered a comprehensive inquiry, promising strict accountability and legal action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF for each deceased's kin and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya in 2014 citing environmental damage and safety risks.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expressed disappointment over Bangladesh's absence from the T20 World Cup, calling them "brothers" and thanking Bangladeshi supporters for backing Pakistan. Speaking at the pre-tournament captains' press conference in Colombo, Agha said, "It's really sad to not see them playing the World Cup," while hoping Bangladesh fans continue supporting Pakistan. Bangladesh was ejected from the tournament after ICC found no substance in their security concerns over traveling to India. The BCB had protested after BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad. Pakistan Cricket Board supported Bangladesh's concerns, but ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. Pakistan government subsequently barred their team from playing India. (PC: X)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued an apology for believing Peter Mandelson's lies and appointing him as US ambassador, addressing the scandal during a speech in East Sussex. Starmer stated that when Mandelson was questioned about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, his answers were "intentionally intended to create the impression" that he "barely knew" him. When asked if he would resist party efforts to remove him as leader, Starmer said he remains focused on changing the country for the better. The PM expressed his intention to release the Mandelson files "as quickly as possible." Political editor Chris Mason described the moment as a prime minister "scrapping for his future with his back against the wall."

India's Ministry of External Affairs clarified its energy import stance after US President Donald Trump claimed India would shift crude oil sourcing from Russia to Venezuela following their bilateral trade deal. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "Venezuela has been a longstanding partner for India," emphasizing energy security needs guide New Delhi's decisions. India imported Venezuelan oil until 2019-20, resumed in 2023-24, but stopped after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan crude. Jaiswal added India remains "open to exploring commercial merits of any crude supply, including from Venezuela," while maintaining diversified sourcing aligned with market conditions. Trump claimed India agreed to stop Russian oil purchases, helping "END THE WAR in Ukraine."

Former England captain Nasser Hussain sparked controversy on Sky Sports' cricket podcast, questioning ICC's consistency after Bangladesh's T20 World Cup ouster. He asked whether ICC would similarly penalize India for government-mandated boycotts, stating, "With power comes responsibility." Social media users criticized Hussain's hypocrisy, recalling England's 2003 World Cup boycott of Zimbabwe under his captaincy, where he said he was "proud" of the decision. ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after Bangladesh refused to play matches in India citing security concerns, following BCCI's removal of Mustafizur Rahman from IPL amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Pakistan subsequently boycotted their February 15 India match in Colombo, with PM Shehbaz Sharif declaring solidarity with Bangladesh. (PC: NDTV)