India rejected US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's claim that the India-US trade deal stalled because PM Modi refused to directly call President Trump. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the characterization "not accurate," stating India and the US have held multiple negotiation rounds since February 2025, coming close to a deal several times. Jaiswal emphasized India remains committed to a mutually beneficial agreement and noted Modi and Trump spoke eight times by phone in 2025. Lutnick had claimed Modi's refusal to personally engage Trump became the stumbling block, contrasting it with UK PM Keir Starmer's approach. Trump raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50% in August, including penalties for Russian oil purchases.

Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, criticized US tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases as inconsistent and selective. During a recent interview with Guido Fawkes, he argued that if punitive duties applied uniformly to all Russian material buyers, India might accept the logic. However, European states supporting Ukraine continue purchasing Russian energy and have increased fertilizer imports, while the US buys Russian nuclear fuel. India questions why it alone faces penalties when others maintain similar or deeper economic ties with Russia. Doraiswami charged that tariffs are being used selectively and politically, undermining trust in the rules-based economic order that free-trade partners claim to uphold, exposing double standards in Western policy enforcement. (PC: NBC News & YouTube)   

The Ministry of External Affairs responded to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's handwritten note to Umar Khalid, stating "expressing personal prejudices do not behove those in office." MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said public representatives should respect judiciary independence in other democracies rather than making such comments. Mamdani's note, shared by Khalid's partner Banojyotsna Lahiri, expressed solidarity after the Supreme Court denied bail to Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The court found both had "central," "formative," and "strategic" roles in the alleged conspiracy, placing them on a "qualitatively different footing" from five co-accused who were granted bail, including Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider.

In his recent interview with Guido Fawkes, Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami has outlined India’s Operation Sindoor doctrine as “zero tolerance for terror, rapid move to de‑escalation.” He alleges Pakistan’s state and military sustain proxy conflict by arming radicalised non‑state actors for attacks India cannot accept. Following a brutal attack on tourists, India struck only terrorist infrastructure on the first evening, opened the hotline immediately and formally ruled out Pakistani military targets, setting a ceiling on escalation. After Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, India replied with “greater capacity and greater accuracy” before agreeing to a ceasefire. Doraiswami says dialogue is impossible while cross‑border terror continues, framing India’s stance as surgically focused on terror networks while keeping channels to Pakistan’s military open.  

India highlighted a "disturbing pattern" of recurring attacks on Bangladeshi minorities, demanding swift and firm action against communal incidents. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized attributing attacks to personal rivalries or political differences, stating such disregard emboldens perpetrators and deepens minority insecurity. UK MP Priti Patel wrote to British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, expressing alarm over at least six Hindus killed within 18 days. She urged the UK to use its influence for Bangladesh stability and religious freedom protection. Recent violence includes the lynching of factory worker Dipu Chandra Das, murders of grocery shop owner Sarat Chakraborty Mani and journalist Rana Pratap, and Hindu businessman Khokon Chandra Das being stabbed and burned by a mob in Shariatpur district.

While being questioned lately by London journalist Ross Kempsell, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami portrayed Prime Minister Modi's view of Britain as warmly pragmatic, calling the UK a "partner of choice" across trade, investment, technology, education, and politics. As proof, Doraiswami cited Modi's July visit, when he added a 21-hour detour to squeeze in a London stop purely to advance the FTA. Modi has set "practical achievable targets" for the relationship and candidly told successive British leaders India is ready to do more. The past year is described as a "banner year" for bilateral ties, with the challenge now sustaining momentum beyond the trade-deal moment. Modi's travel sacrifice demonstrates Britain's strategic importance to India's global partnerships. (PC: X)

Russia launched a massive overnight assault on Ukraine, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile, killing at least four people in Kyiv. This marked only the second known Oreshnik deployment since the war began. Ukrainian authorities reported apartment buildings hit, with 25 injured including emergency workers. Analysts described the attack as a warning to Ukraine's NATO allies amid progress toward post-war security guarantees under a potential US-led peace deal. Russia claimed retaliation for alleged Ukrainian drone attacks on Putin's residence. European leaders condemned the assault as "escalatory and unacceptable." The Oreshnik missile, capable of Mach 10 speeds, can carry nuclear or conventional warheads and strike targets across Europe.

During a recent interview in London, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami offered a nuanced London safety assessment, conceding that statistically and anecdotally, petty theft of phones and expensive watches is more common in London than Delhi or Mumbai, mentioning his own stolen phones. However, he distinguished sharply between property crime and violent crime. On serious personal safety, Doraiswami argued London compares favorably with major global cities, young people routinely take the Tube at midnight, walk home, and feel secure. He made it clear that he isn't ignoring the pain of individual victims, but he argues that London is still safer than many other places for violent crime. At the same time, high costs and petty crimes are hurting the city's reputation with visitors. Although the diplomat praised London's overall security despite property crime challenges. (PC: Youtube/@guidofawkes8394)  

Swiss authorities have detained Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, after a New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people and injured over 100. Prosecutors say Moretti was held due to a potential flight risk as part of a criminal probe into negligent homicide and related charges. The blaze, possibly ignited by sparklers or candles near the ceiling, spread rapidly in the crowded bar, triggering nationwide mourning. A memorial and national day of mourning were held on January 9, with leaders and families seeking accountability. Safety lapses at the venue are under intense scrutiny.

Bangladesh’s interim government announced the temporary suspension of visa services at key diplomatic missions in India, including New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala, citing security concerns as the primary reason. The move affects standard consular operations, though work and business visas remain exempt. Dhaka is also urging the United States to reverse a newly imposed visa bond requirement, a policy Bangladesh calls “unfortunate and painful” and says affects multiple countries. The tensions follow ongoing diplomatic strain between Bangladesh and India, partly tied to earlier visa restrictions and broader regional political sensitivities. (PC: The Hindu)