Anti-government protests in Iran since late December 2025 have severely disrupted India's apple supply chain, causing shortages and price hikes. At Pune's APMC Gultekdi Market Yard, weekly Iranian apple arrivals plummeted from 8,000-10,000 crates to just 4,000-4,500 crates. Wholesale prices surged ₹150-200 per 10kg, with Iranian apples now selling at ₹1,350-1,500 per 10kg compared to Afghan apples at ₹900-1,000. November to February is typically the Iranian apple import season. Environmental factors compounded the crisis as reduced yields in Turkey and inadequate snowfall in key cultivating countries stunted harvests. Despite government reducing import duties on New Zealand apples from 50% to 25%, premium varieties remain unaffordable for most Indian consumers. (PC: The Indian Express)

US President Donald Trump launched his "Board of Peace" at Davos on Thursday, with Pakistan joining but India notably absent despite Prime Minister Modi receiving an invitation. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif sat beside Trump, exchanged handshakes, and signed the charter, a move that was especially delicate in light of worries about cross-border terrorism. Around 35 countries signed, while France, UK, China, and Germany also skipped. The board aims to promote stability, initially focusing on Gaza reconstruction. Trump repeated claims his intervention prevented India-Pakistan conflict during May 2025's Operation Sindoor escalation assertions New Delhi denies. Diplomats question whether the initiative could dilute the UN's role, as no permanent Security Council member besides the US has committed. (PC: India Today)

India strongly condemned the trespassing and vandalism of its embassy in Zagreb, Croatia, by "anti-India elements," citing Vienna Convention protections for diplomatic premises. The Ministry of External Affairs took up the matter with Croatian authorities in New Delhi and Zagreb, demanding accountability for the perpetrators. Pro-Khalistani activists reportedly removed the Indian flag and replaced it with a Khalistan flag, according to video shared by Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The incident occurred days before the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27 in New Delhi. Croatia is an EU member. Last year, Prime Minister Modi visited Zagreb, the first-ever Indian PM visit where Croatia backed India's counter-terrorism efforts.

US President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said India and the United States would reach a trade deal. Speaking to Moneycontrol at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said, “I have great respect for your Prime Minister. He’s a fantastic man and a friend of mine.” Asked about trade talks, he added, “We are going to have a good deal.” Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing negotiations to resolve trade disputes between the two countries. He has earlier warned India of higher tariffs over Russian oil purchases, saying, “We can raise tariffs on them very quickly.” India has denied giving any assurances and said its energy policy is guided by national interest. Talks are continuing. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed hope for a positive trade deal with India. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump called Modi “a fantastic man” and “a friend.”   “We are going to have a good deal,” Trump said in remarks to Indian media. His comments came despite strained trade ties and high US tariffs on Indian goods. Trump again linked trade relief to India’s purchase of Russian oil and warned of higher tariffs.   India has denied giving any assurances on oil imports and said decisions are based on national interest. Talks between the two countries are ongoing. (PC: Reuters)

India has not yet decided whether to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace. The signing ceremony is planned on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Officials said New Delhi is studying the proposal due to sensitive issues linked to its open mandate. The board is aimed at peace efforts in Gaza, but its charter does not mention Gaza directly and appears to bypass the United Nations. Several countries, including Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have accepted the invite. India supports peace and a two-state solution but remains cautious. China and Russia are also undecided. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed confidence about a strong trade deal with India and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump called Modi a “fantastic leader” and said, “We will have a great deal with India.”   His remarks come despite recent trade tensions and high US tariffs on Indian goods. Officials said both sides remain in active talks. India and the US aim to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Discussions continue on trade, energy, defence, and technology.

US President Donald Trump expressed strong confidence in India-US trade relations during an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol on Wednesday at Davos. Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him "a fantastic man and a friend of mine," and voiced optimism about reaching a favorable bilateral trade agreement. The US President said he held Modi in high esteem and described him as a trusted personal friend. Trump's comments indicate positive prospects for the proposed India-US trade deal currently under negotiation. This statement comes amid ongoing trade discussions between the two nations and follows Trump's earlier imposition of tariffs on Indian goods since August last year.

Azerbaijan hosted an international conference titled "Racism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other National Minorities in India," organized by government-affiliated Baku Initiative Group, marking a strategic move by the Azerbaijan-Pakistan-Turkey axis to globalize the Khalistan narrative. The event featured Pakistani officials, including Punjab's Human Rights Minister Ramesh Singh Arora, and Khalistani representatives from Canada and UK. It began with silence for Hardeep Singh Nijjar, killed in Canada in 2023. Participants strategized engaging the UN Human Rights Committee to investigate alleged "extrajudicial executions" in India. Azerbaijan's alignment follows India's support for Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh, with Azerbaijani media adopting Pakistan's "IOJK" terminology for Kashmir. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump again claimed that he stopped a war between India and Pakistan last year. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump said he helped end military tensions before they escalated.   He claimed to have settled eight wars since returning to office and said India and Pakistan were “going to go big”. Trump also said he played a role in ending the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.   India has repeatedly rejected any third-party role in the India-Pak ceasefire, saying the decision was taken through direct military talks. (PC: AP)