Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock after a mass shooting in Canada left 10 people dead. The attack took place at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Six victims were found inside the school. Three others were rushed to hospital, where one later died. The suspect was also found dead with a self-inflicted injury.   Around 25 people were treated for injuries at a local medical centre. Police said there is no ongoing threat. Modi offered condolences to the families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He said India stands with Canada in this time of grief.

The White House unintentionally included a reference to India’s digital services tax—often dubbed the “Google tax”—in its initial fact sheet on the India-US trade framework, suggesting India would remove it as part of the deal. The levy, a 6% equalisation tax on digital advertising by foreign companies, had already been abolished by India from April 1, 2025 under the Finance Bill 2025, long before the trade pact announcement. After realising the error, the White House deleted the mention from the revised document, now saying India will instead negotiate bilateral digital trade rules, aligning the fact sheet with agreed terms. (PC: AFP)

The US White House has quietly revised its fact sheet on the recently announced India-United States interim trade deal, removing the mention of “certain pulses” from the list of American agricultural products for which India would reduce or eliminate tariffs. The earlier version also described India’s plan to buy over $500 billion in US goods as a commitment; the revised text now says India “intends” to make such purchases. Additional changes include softer language on digital trade and aligning the fact sheet more closely with the joint statement issued by both countries. The adjustments came after New Delhi flagged discrepancies. (PC: Reuters)

The White House revised its India-US trade deal fact sheet, making significant changes to language and commitments. Key modifications include: dropping "certain pulses" from agricultural products eligible for tariff elimination, softening India's purchase commitment from "has committed to buy" to "intends to buy" over $500 billion in US goods, removing "agricultural" from the product category list, and deleting mention of India removing digital services taxes and customs duty prohibitions on electronic transmissions. The changes occurred one day after the initial fact sheet release describing the interim framework as a stepping stone toward a full Bilateral Trade Agreement. The revisions soften the strength of India's procurement pledges and narrow commodity specifications. (PC: News18)

India and China reviewed bilateral ties Tuesday during the India-China Strategic Dialogue, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meeting Chinese Executive Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on the BRICS Sherpa Meeting sidelines in New Delhi. Both sides emphasized maintaining peace and tranquility along the border as critical for overall relations while addressing "sensitive issues" including bilateral trade concerns. Discussions covered expanding people-to-people exchanges, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at larger scale, finalizing an updated Air Services Agreement, and facilitating visas. China expressed support for India's successful BRICS-2026 Summit and acknowledged respecting India's UN Security Council membership aspirations. The dialogue highlighted "positive momentum" in stabilizing relations while implementing leaders' guidance on approaching issues from broader political and strategic perspectives. (PC: ANI)

As Bangladesh approaches landmark elections, anti-India sentiment dominates political discourse. With Sheikh Hasina's Awami League absent, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami alliance compete to weaponize "pro-India" accusations against opponents. Dhaka University graffiti reading "Delhi na Dhaka? Dhaka Dhaka" captures the nationalist mood, questioning whether Delhi or Dhaka should rule Bangladesh. The slogan gained prominence during July 2024's uprising that ousted Prime Minister Hasina, whose government was accused of maintaining power through Indian support. Nationalist rhetoric now serves as both political shield and sword, reshaping Bangladesh's electoral landscape. The anti-India positioning has become central to campaigning strategies as parties attempt to establish nationalist credentials. (PC: AFP & X)

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India February 17-19 at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation, the MEA announced Tuesday. The leaders will hold bilateral talks in Mumbai on February 17, discussing the Horizon-2047 roadmap marking a long-term framework adopted in 2023 steering ties through India's Independence centenary, 100 years of diplomatic relations, and 50 years of strategic partnership. They'll jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation, strengthening collaboration in AI, digital infrastructure, space, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Macron participates in New Delhi's AI Impact Summit on February 19. Discussions will cover Indo-Pacific cooperation, defence, security, and emerging technologies. France supports India's UN Security Council permanent membership bid and partners in defence modernization. (PC: X)

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer identifies India as a critical "waystation" for American companies exiting China, though emphasizing domestic manufacturing remains Washington's priority. Speaking to Fox News, Greer acknowledged India's vast workforce and growing manufacturing capacity make it vital for diversifying global production amid US-China decoupling efforts. However, he stressed reciprocity, insisting the relationship remain a "two-way street" benefiting American workers and exports. The remarks reflect Washington's "China Plus One" strategy, where India serves as a preferred secondary hub while America rebuilds its industrial base. India's "Make in India" initiative and Production Linked Incentive schemes align with US supply chain security goals, positioning India as a regulated partner in achieving economic resilience. (PC: X/@ANI)

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif delivered a scathing parliamentary address, accusing the US of exploiting Pakistan "worse than toilet paper" before discarding it. He condemned Pakistan's post-1999 realignment with Washington over Afghanistan, calling it disastrous. Asif rejected official narratives claiming religious duty drove Pakistan's Afghan involvement, asserting the anti-Soviet war served American geopolitical interests, not genuine jihad. He blamed military rulers Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf for entangling Pakistan in external conflicts whose consequences remain devastating. After 9/11, Pakistan turned against the Taliban supporting US counter-terrorism efforts, only to face continued violence, radicalization, and economic strain after Washington's withdrawal. Asif declared these "irreversible mistakes" left Pakistan bearing uncompensated losses as a discarded pawn.

US Customs and Border Protection officially notified removal of the additional 25% tariff on Indian goods effective February 7, 2026, following President Trump's executive order. The department confirmed duties eliminated for products entering consumption or withdrawn from warehouse from that date. This follows the India-US trade deal reducing tariffs from 50% to 18%. The August 2025 tariff penalty over Russian oil purchases has been lifted, though reciprocal tariffs remain. Trump's order claims India committed to stopping Russian oil purchases and increasing US energy imports, though India hasn't confirmed this. The framework includes India reducing tariffs on US industrial, food, and agricultural products. (PC: X)