India advised families of officials stationed in Bangladesh to return home as a precautionary measure due to security concerns ahead of Bangladesh's February 12 parliamentary elections. Official sources confirmed all Indian missions and posts remain operational despite the withdrawal. The decision comes amid law and order concerns in Bangladesh, where Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus urged voters to support his administration's reform package in an upcoming referendum. The referendum, scheduled alongside general elections, proposes limits on executive power, including barring individuals from serving as prime minister for more than 10 years. The vote will significantly shape Bangladesh's political order following recent political upheaval and security challenges in the country. (PC: X)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed India stopped purchasing Russian oil following the Trump administration's 25% tariffs, while announcing potential 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. Bessent stated President Trump doesn't need Senate authority to impose such tariffs under IEPA, though Senator Lindsey Graham's Russia Sanctions Bill seeks to provide explicit authorization. The Treasury Secretary criticized Europe for continuing Russian oil purchases four years after conflict began, calling it "financing the war against themselves." He also targeted China, a major Russian oil buyer. Graham's January 8 proposal aims to pressure China, India, and Brazil into abandoning cheap Russian oil that finances "Putin's bloodbath against Ukraine," giving Trump "tremendous leverage" over these nations. (PC: Reuters)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at Davos that the EU-India free trade agreement is nearing completion, calling it "the mother of all deals" creating a 2-billion-people market representing nearly 25% of global GDP. Negotiations, stalled since 2007 and revived in 2022, aim to diversify EU's China dependence while strengthening India's manufacturing competitiveness. Bilateral goods trade reached €124 billion in 2023, with services at €60 billion. Key sticking points include EU's demands for automobile and wine tariff cuts versus India's push for skilled professional mobility. Von der Leyen's upcoming India visit aims to resolve contentious issues ahead of the India-EU leaders' meeting this month. (PC: Reuters)

The European Union and India are close to finalising a long-pending free trade agreement, officials said on Tuesday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said talks had made strong progress but still needed final work. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, she called the proposed deal historic. Narendra Modi and von der Leyen have committed to concluding negotiations by December. Talks, revived in 2022 after a long pause, aim to deepen trade, investment and supply-chain links between India and the European Union. Some differences on tariffs and mobility remain.

Indian-origin Australian resident Vikrant Thakur, 42, admitted to killing his wife Supriya Thakur, 36, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter rather than murder. Police responded to a domestic assault call at their Northfield, Adelaide home on December 21, 2025, finding Supriya unconscious. Despite CPR attempts, she couldn't be revived. Vikrant was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. During his second court appearance, he maintained innocence on murder charges while admitting manslaughter. The hearing resumes in April, pending DNA and post-mortem results. Supriya aspired to become a nurse and worked long hours. Friends established a GoFundMe for her son. Manslaughter differs from murder by lacking intent to kill. (PC: ABC)

An eight-year-old Hindu student was forced to change schools in London after allegedly facing discrimination for wearing Tilak-Chandlo, a sacred Hindu forehead symbol, at Vicar's Green Primary School. The child was reportedly questioned and intimidated by the headteacher, who closely observed him during breaks, causing isolation from classmates. Advocacy group Insight UK alleged the student was stripped of school responsibilities solely due to religious practice, potentially violating UK's Equality Act 2010. Parents' repeated attempts to explain Hindu practices' religious significance were met with dismissive responses. At least four Hindu children have withdrawn from the school, raising concerns about inclusivity and religious freedom. The incident highlights broader issues of religious accommodation in British educational institutions. (PC: News18)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar accused the West of "selective targeting" of India beyond tariffs during discussions with Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in New Delhi. India has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions on companies doing business with Russia as hypocritical, noting the US and Europe continue Moscow trade in their own interests. Jaishankar referenced previous candid conversations in New York and Paris about Ukraine, emphasizing selective targeting is "unfair and unjustified." He also expressed displeasure over Poland's October joint statement with Pakistan mentioning Kashmir, urging Warsaw to show "zero-tolerance for terrorism" and avoid fueling terrorist infrastructure in India's neighborhood. Sikorski acknowledged concerns about global trade turbulence and agreed on countering cross-border terrorism. (PC: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport during his three-hour official visit to India. The leaders strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, emphasizing no nation should harbor terrorists who finance or commit terrorist acts. They agreed to strengthen cooperation under FATF to counter terror financing. Bilateral trade reached $100 billion in FY 2024-25 under CEPA, with targets set for $200 billion by 2032. Key discussions covered regional issues including Yemen, Gaza, and Iran. Both nations committed to deepening ties in AI, space, digital infrastructure, and defense. The UAE expressed support for India's 2026 BRICS chairmanship, while India backed the UAE-hosted UN Water Conference. (PC: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to speed up defence and energy cooperation during a three-hour meeting in New Delhi. The two sides announced plans to finalise a strategic defence partnership and a 10-year LNG supply deal of 0.5 million tonnes annually. They set a target to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032. Both leaders also identified innovation, space, civil nuclear energy and small modular reactors as future focus areas. They reviewed progress under the trade pact signed in 2022 and discussed regional and global issues.

An Indian-origin man charged over his wife’s death told an Australian court that he accepts responsibility but denies murder. Vikrant Thakur appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on January 14. “I killed my wife, but it wasn’t murder,” he said, entering a plea for manslaughter on legal advice. His wife, Supriya Thakur, 36, was found unconscious at their home in Adelaide’s northern suburbs on December 21. Police attempted CPR, but she died at the scene. Prosecutors are awaiting DNA and post-mortem reports. The matter is scheduled to return to court in April.