India has declined to join new hearings by a Hague-based Court of Arbitration in the Indus Waters Treaty dispute with Pakistan. Government sources said India does not recognise the court and will not respond to its notices. They described it as a “so-called illegally constituted” body. The court has asked India to submit operational logbooks of certain hydroelectric projects and scheduled hearings for February 2–3. India has not filed any documents. Sources said the treaty is “in abeyance” after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. New Delhi maintains that such technical matters should go only to a neutral expert, not to arbitration. (PC: NDTV)

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement has alarmed Bangladesh and Pakistan, threatening their preferential European market access. The deal grants Indian goods duty-free access to 93% of EU exports, potentially eroding advantages Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoyed through GSP Plus and Everything But Arms schemes. Pakistan's textiles, constituting 75.8% of EU imports, face serious competition. Bangladesh, losing LDC status in November 2025, will lose duty-free EU access in three years while India gains it. Pakistani traders compared the economic impact to Operation Sindoor, calling it an "economic front." Industry experts warn both countries must secure alternative trade agreements or face declining competitiveness as India's textile exports could grow 20-25% annually. (PC: Reuters & X)

Tibetian spiritual leader Dalai Lama won his first Grammy Award, at the age of 90, for the spoken-word album "Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama" at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. The album, which won Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording, features collaborations with sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his sons, Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash. It blends spoken wisdom with Indian classical music celebrating peace, compassion, and universal humanity. Musician Rufus Wainwright accepted the award on behalf of the Tibetan spiritual leader, who expressed gratitude, viewing the recognition as acknowledgment of shared universal responsibility rather than personal achievement. (PC: X)

India firmly rejected Pakistan's allegations linking New Delhi to deadly Balochistan attacks that killed dozens, calling them "baseless" and diversionary tactics. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Pakistan to address internal grievances instead of making "frivolous claims," highlighting Islamabad's record of suppression and human rights violations in the region. The Saturday attacks across Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki killed 17 law enforcement personnel and 31 civilians. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility under "Operation Herof," alleging 84 security personnel killed. Pakistan's military claimed killing 133 separatists over two days. Balochistan faces a decades-long insurgency by ethnic Baloch groups demanding autonomy and resource control. (PC: X/@MEAIndia)

India has slashed Bangladesh's budget allocation by 50% to Rs 60 crore in Union Budget 2026-27, down from Rs 120 crore, amid escalating diplomatic tensions. The reduction follows violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, and Bangladesh's foreign policy shift toward Pakistan after Sheikh Hasina's fall in 2024. The MEA criticized Bangladesh's interim government for attributing attacks to personal rivalries, stating it emboldens extremists. Bangladesh has strengthened Pakistan ties through visa-free diplomatic travel, revived trade commissions, and restored direct flights after 14 years. India allocated no funds for Iran's Chabahar port project due to US sanctions. Bhutan remains India's largest aid recipient at Rs 2,289 crore. (PC: X)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman targeted the Opposition over India's economic performance, citing Elon Musk's post on IMF data showing India and China's dominant role in global growth. Speaking to university students after presenting Budget 2026-27, she highlighted that China contributes 26% and India 17% to global GDP growth, together accounting for 43%. Sitharaman urged the Opposition to acknowledge India's strengthened economic position, expressing confidence in bridging the gap with China. Musk had commented that "the balance of power is changing" when sharing the IMF chart. The IMF projects global growth at 3.3% in 2026, citing technology investment and fiscal support as key drivers despite geopolitical and trade risks.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk said the global “balance of power is changing” after new data from the International Monetary Fund showed India ahead of the United States in driving global growth. IMF projections for 2026 place India among the top contributors to world GDP growth. India is expected to add 17 per cent, compared to 9.9 per cent from the United States. China and India together may account for over 40 per cent of global growth. The IMF also expects global inflation to ease, while trade tensions remain a risk. (PC: Reuters)

India has reduced its financial allocation to Bangladesh to Rs 60 crore in Union Budget 2026-27, down from Rs 120 crore last year. The cut comes as ties between the two neighbours remain under strain. The External Affairs Ministry recently told Parliament it is monitoring reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and has raised the issue with Dhaka at political and diplomatic levels. Officials have also expressed concern over explanations given for such incidents. Bangladesh’s recent outreach to Pakistan has drawn attention in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Bhutan remains the largest recipient of Indian foreign aid with a higher allocation this year. (PC: NDTV)

India has not set aside funds for the Chabahar port project in Union Budget 2026, amid rising US-Iran tensions and uncertainty over sanctions waivers. In earlier years, the government allocated about Rs 100 crore annually for the project. Chabahar port in Iran is a key connectivity route for India to reach Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan. It is also seen as a strategic counter to China-backed Gwadar port in Pakistan. The US had granted India a temporary sanctions waiver for Chabahar that is valid till April 26, 2026. Officials say India is still in talks with the US on the project framework. (PC: X)

Non-resident Indians can now invest directly in Indian shares through the Portfolio Investment Scheme, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Union Budget 2026 speech. The scheme lets overseas investors buy and sell stocks using a special RBI-approved bank account. It also defines limits and compliance rules for each transaction. The individual investment cap for persons resident outside India has been raised from 5% to 10%, while the overall company limit goes up from 10% to 24%. Investments made under this route can be repatriated. The government will also review FEMA rules for non-debt instruments to simplify overseas investment flows. (PC: NDTV)