India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that India would not be pressured by President Donald Trump or his aides, according to a Bloomberg report. The message was conveyed during a Washington meeting months before the India-US trade agreement was announced. Officials familiar with the talks said Doval wanted to move past tensions and restart trade negotiations. He also indicated India was ready to “wait out” Trump’s term if needed. The report said Doval asked the US side to reduce public criticism so ties could return to normal. The trade deal was later announced with lower US tariffs on Indian goods. (PC: HT)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington and discussed cooperation on critical minerals, nuclear energy, defence, trade and technology. The talks came a day after the two countries confirmed a new trade agreement that lowers US reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25 to 18 per cent. Jaishankar said on X that both sides agreed to hold early meetings of key mechanisms to move shared priorities forward. A US statement said both leaders welcomed the trade deal and stressed joint work on energy security and economic growth. They also reaffirmed cooperation through the Quad and focus on the Indo-Pacific region. (PC: NDTV)

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that India would not be “bullied” in trade talks, according to a Bloomberg report citing unnamed officials. The message was delivered during a meeting in Washington in September 2025. Doval said India wanted tensions reduced and negotiations restarted. He also conveyed that New Delhi was ready to wait out President Donald Trump’s term if needed, the report said. At that time, India faced high US tariffs and sharp public criticism. The US State Department declined to share details of private talks. India’s foreign ministry did not comment on the report. (PC: NDTV)

Bengaluru startup founder Dhananjay Yadav questioned the US visa process after his application was rejected at Delhi's US Embassy on February 3, despite having clear business purpose and international experience. Yadav, NeoSapien co-founder, was invited by investor Hari Valiyath from US-based Pyxis (raised $200M+) for investor meetings and B2B partnerships. During the interview, he stated his travel purpose clearly, but faced questions about his minimal startup founder salary, though his company sponsored the trip. Yadav emphasized he previously studied in the US, worked in Berlin, and had no overstay intentions. His social media post sparked debate about unpredictable visa screening, with entrepreneurs describing interviews as "mood-based" rather than logic-based, sharing similar frustrating experiences. (PC: NDTV)

Two Jaish-e-Mohammad commanders, identified as Mavi and Zubair, were killed in a coordinated anti-terror operation in Udhampur district's Jaffer forest area on Wednesday. Security forces comprising J&K Police, Indian Army, and CRPF discovered the terrorists inside a natural cave near Ramnagar around 4 pm Tuesday. The initial gunbattle lasted over an hour, with firing resuming at 7:30 pm when terrorists attempted escaping under darkness. Army reinforcements including paratroopers and dog squads tightened the cordon overnight. Following specific intelligence inputs under Operation Kiya, forces conducted a final assault Wednesday morning, neutralizing both terrorists. Authorities recovered an AK-47 and M4 carbine from their possession, praising the seamless inter-agency coordination and tactical precision displayed throughout the operation.

Pakistani netizens mocked their civil and military leadership after the US-India trade deal announcement, with Trump reducing tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent following PM Modi's phone conversation. Critics accused Field Marshal Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif of "kowtowing" to Trump while India secured favorable terms through economic leverage. X user Umar Ali posted AI-generated imagery depicting Munir being "treated like a mistress" by Trump. Imran Khan supporters, claiming an "illegitimate" government runs Pakistan, criticized the regime for accepting Israeli peace board forces yet receiving 19 percent tariffs versus India's 18 percent. Former PTI minister Hammad Azhar emphasized modern foreign policy requires economic strength, not "sycophancy and photo ops," citing India's recent EU and US agreements.

Rajasthan Police issued 'leave India' notices to two British tourists, Lewis Gabriel Dee, 36, and Anueshi Emma Christine, 36, for pasting "Free Palestine, Boycott Israel" posters across Pushkar's public areas. The incident, discovered January 21, occurred in locations frequented by Israeli visitors, including near a Chabad House. Additional Superintendent Rajesh Meena confirmed CID investigations revealed the tourists printed nine sheets at a local press, violating tourist visa restrictions prohibiting political activities under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Pushkar attracts 10,000-11,000 Israeli tourists annually, with approximately 2,000 currently visiting. Many Israelis travel to Pushkar, Himachal Pradesh, and Goa post-military service, drawn by affordability and spiritual atmosphere. Both tourists apologized during questioning before receiving deportation orders. (PC: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to strengthen India-US strategic ties, a day after a new trade deal was announced between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. They discussed cooperation on trade, energy, nuclear, defence, technology and critical minerals, including formalising joint efforts in exploration, mining and processing. Both leaders welcomed the tariff reduction deal and agreed on early meetings to advance shared interests. They also reaffirmed commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral collaboration, including through the Quad, to support economic opportunities and energy security. (PC: NDTV)

India's Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the theft of a 426-kg bronze Mahatma Gandhi statue from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, demanding swift action and recovery. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India raised the matter firmly with Australian authorities. The statue, gifted by India's ICCR and inaugurated by former PM Scott Morrison in 2021, was stolen by three unidentified individuals around 12:50 am on January 12. CCTV footage partially captured the theft showing a white van and balaclava-clad suspects. Victoria Police's Knox Crime Investigation Unit is investigating and has alerted scrap metal dealers. The incident has triggered concern within Melbourne's Indian-Australian community.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal defended the India-US trade deal Tuesday, stating India secured the "best possible" agreement compared to neighboring countries under PM Modi's leadership. Goyal explained the US announced tariff reductions first because they imposed reciprocal tariffs initially, which dropped from 50% to 18%. He emphasized agriculture and dairy sectors remain protected, countering Opposition claims that farmers' interests were compromised. Goyal highlighted benefits for MSMEs, textiles, IT, and leather sectors. He sharply criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for "disgraceful behaviour" during Lok Sabha disruptions, preventing government presentations. Goyal credited Modi's personal relationship with President Trump for finalizing the deal after months of negotiations between both teams.