India's Coast Guard seized three Iran-linked, US-sanctioned oil tankers named MT Asphalt Star, MT Al Jafzia, and MT Stellar Ruby off Mumbai on February 4–5. An FIR revealed MT Asphalt Star operated suspiciously inside Pakistan's EEZ for eight days, going completely "dark" for 11 hours on January 28 by disabling AIS, VHF radio, and onboard sensors. The vessels conducted illegal ship-to-ship fuel transfers in India's EEZ using forged documents, fake insurance certificates, and AIS spoofing. Approximately 30 metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 5,473 metric tonnes of bitumen were illegally transferred. The FIR names ship masters, engineers, and a shipping firm owner for criminal conspiracy, smuggling, and document forgery. (PC: India Today)

India is working to broaden its crude oil supply sources, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, signalling negotiations on potential Venezuelan oil purchases as New Delhi seeks alternatives to Russian crude. Gor noted that India has already begun diversifying away from Russian oil, a shift Washington supports as part of broader efforts to reduce global dependence on Moscow’s energy amid geopolitical tensions. He also said an interim India-U.S. trade deal is expected to be signed soon, strengthening economic and energy ties. (PC: HT)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit India in the coming months, signalling deepening bilateral ties, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Gor also hinted that a planned meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will happen “at the right time,” though no date has been finalised. He reaffirmed that a long-anticipated India–US trade deal is nearing completion and highlighted the strategic importance of the Quad partnership amid expanding cooperation in technology and diplomacy. (PC: ANI)

A 57-year-old Sikh man, Avtar Singh, from Tracy, California, has been reported missing in a suspected abduction, officials say. Surveillance footage from February 17 shows him with three unidentified individuals near a white SUV; authorities believe he may have entered the vehicle against his will. Singh, about 5 ft 7 in tall and around 200 lbs, was last seen wearing light-coloured traditional Sikh clothing. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the case and says it appears isolated. The Sikh Coalition and local leaders are assisting with the search. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement. (PC: X)

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated at a Board of Peace event that he forced an end to the 2025 India-Pakistan military clash by threatening to impose 200 % tariffs on both nations if they continued fighting, saying “nothing is like money.” He also claimed that 11 jets were shot down in the hostilities and that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited him with saving millions of lives. Trump said he personally phoned both leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to press for a ceasefire. However, India has repeatedly denied any third-party mediation in the conflict, insisting the de-escalation was achieved bilaterally between the two countries’ military commanders. (PC: ANI)

India has formally joined the US-led Pax Silica strategic alliance by signing the declaration at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, deepening cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals supply chains. The initiative aims to build a resilient global tech ecosystem, reduce dependence on adversarial nations, and secure access to key minerals essential for chipmaking and AI infrastructure. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and US Under Secretary Jacob Helberg led the signing ceremony. Washington described India’s participation as “strategic and essential,” aligning with New Delhi’s push for technology self-reliance and global leadership in advanced innovation sectors.

U.S. President Donald Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great man” and claimed his own intervention helped halt last year’s India-Pakistan hostilities following Operation Sindoor. Speaking at a peace event, Trump said he personally called both Modi and Pakistan’s leadership, threatening steep 200 % tariffs to pressure the sides into a ceasefire, asserting this averted further escalation and saved lives. He reiterated controversial claims that multiple jets were shot down and that economic leverage forced peace. India, however, has consistently rejected any third-party mediation, saying the truce was achieved through direct military-to-military dialogue. (PC: ANI)

India participated as an observer nation in the inaugural meeting of Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” convened in Washington, D.C., aimed at overseeing reconstruction and peace efforts in the Gaza Strip following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Represented by Namgya C. Khampa, Charge d’Affaires at India’s embassy, New Delhi chose not to formally join the board but attended the session at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. During the meeting, Trump announced a US $10 billion commitment to the initiative alongside pledges from other countries, while the board’s role and potential implications for global institutions such as the United Nations continue to draw discussion. (PC: AP)

India will soon restore all categories of visa services for Bangladeshi citizens, a senior Indian diplomatic official in Sylhet announced, signalling warming ties between the two neighbours after months of limited operations. Currently, only medical and double-entry visas are being issued, but steps are underway to resume travel and other visas as normal, the official said at a press event. Visa services were suspended or scaled back amid strained relations following political upheaval and anti-India protests that led to closures of Indian visa centres and reciprocal curbs by Bangladesh. Full resumption is expected to strengthen India-Bangladesh diplomatic and people-to-people connections. (PC: HT)

India on Thursday took part in the first meeting of the Gaza “Board of Peace” in Washington as an observer. Chargé d’Affaires Namgya C Khampa represented India at the US Institute of Peace.   The White House had invited 50 countries to join the group. Around 26 nations have joined as founding members. The board was launched last month on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. It aims to support stability, rebuilding and civilian governance in Gaza after the conflict.   US Army Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers said five countries have committed troops for an International Stabilization Force. Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have pledged support. Jeffers said Indonesia accepted the role of deputy commander for the force. (PC: X)