India overtook China as the world's largest rice producer this year, nearly doubling exports to over 20 million metric tons. However, farmers in Punjab and Haryana face a water crisis as rice cultivation depletes groundwater reserves. Borewells that reached water at 30 feet a decade ago now require drilling 80-200 feet deep, costing farmers tens of thousands of rupees annually. Government subsidies incentivizing rice production discourage switching to water-efficient crops like millets. India produces far more rice than needed domestically while extracting 35-57% more groundwater than aquifers naturally replenish. Experts question whether the world's most water-stressed country should prioritize rice exports over sustainable agriculture. (PC: The Tribune)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over reports of alleged Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence, urging all parties to avoid actions undermining peace efforts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones at Putin's state residence in Novgorod region on December 28-29, calling it "state terrorism." All drones were reportedly intercepted. US President Donald Trump, currently negotiating peace between the nations, said he was "very angry" after learning about the incident from Putin. Ukrainian President Zelensky dismissed Moscow's allegations as "complete fabrication." Modi emphasized that diplomacy remains the only viable path to ending hostilities and achieving lasting peace. (PC: X)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia, who died on Tuesday at 80, had a complex relationship with India. Early in her career, she opposed Indian transit rights and called toll-free road access a form of “slavery”. She also criticised the Farakka Barrage and resisted renewal of a key friendship treaty. During her terms, Bangladesh deepened defence ties with China, raising concern in New Delhi. From 2012, her approach softened. After visits to Delhi, she pledged that BNP governments would act against terror groups using Bangladeshi soil to target India. She later met Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, signalling limited outreach. (PC: X)

Ranjit “Ricky” Gill, an Indian-origin adviser to US President Donald Trump, has received the National Security Council’s Distinguished Action Award for his role in talks linked to the May 10 India-Pakistan ceasefire. Gill is senior director for South and Central Asia at the NSC and special assistant to Trump. The US has not shared details of his role. India has denied any third-party mediation in the truce after Operation Sindoor. Born in New Jersey to Punjabi Sikh parents, Gill is a lawyer and Princeton graduate. He earlier served at the State Department and worked on the US embassy move to Jerusalem. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the death of former Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia. In a post on X, he said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of her passing and offered condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh. Modi recalled meeting Zia in Dhaka in 2015 and said the discussion had been warm. He added that her vision and legacy would continue to guide cooperation between the two neighbours. Modi also noted Zia’s role in strengthening India–Bangladesh relations and said her contributions would be remembered. Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, died in Dhaka after a long illness. (PC: HT)

Many Indian migrants in the United States are cutting travel as visa rules become stricter under the Trump administration, a KFF and New York Times survey shows. The study found that 27% of all immigrants avoided travel inside or outside the country to avoid contact with immigration officials. Among H-1B holders, the figure was 32%. About 15% of naturalised citizens also limited travel. Nearly two thirds of undocumented migrants avoided all travel. Reports say the TSA has begun sharing some travel data with immigration agencies. Recent changes include ending remote visa renewals, adding higher fees, and widening social media checks. Lawyers and firms have advised caution on travel. (PC: India Today)

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Dec 29, 2025 strongly dismissed Pakistan’s criticism of India over treatment of religious minorities, calling the remarks baseless and hypocritical. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected Islamabad’s claims, saying Pakistan has its own “horrific and systemic victimisation of minorities of various faiths” and that its “abysmal record speaks for itself.” India added that Pakistan’s accusations won’t change realities and urged it to focus on its internal issues rather than pointing fingers at New Delhi. The rebuttal highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions between the neighbors on human rights narratives. (PC: India Today)

Two young women from Telangana’s Mahabubabad district, Pulakhandam Meghana Rani (25) and Kadiyala Bhavana (24), were killed in a car accident in California, USA, while on a trip with friends. They had moved to the US in 2023 for higher studies, recently completed their Master’s degrees and were job hunting. The vehicle failed to navigate a curve on Alabama Hills road, veered off, and plunged into a deep gorge, killing both on the spot. Two others in the car were injured. Families are seeking help for quick repatriation of the bodies. US police are investigating the crash. 

Bangladesh has stepped up criticism of India over comments on minority violence and the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Dhaka accused New Delhi of spreading a “misleading narrative” and said some incidents were being exaggerated. It also claimed that two suspects in the Hadi murder fled to Meghalaya. Indian border forces and state police rejected the charge. They said there was no proof of any border crossing and no such persons were traced. India earlier condemned the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das and cited thousands of attacks on minorities. Both sides have lodged protests through their foreign ministries as tensions rise ahead of Bangladesh’s national elections in February.

The death of Prashant Sreekumar, an Indian-origin father of three, after an eight-hour wait in an Edmonton emergency room has renewed focus on problems in Canada’s health system. He arrived with chest pain and rising blood pressure but was given only pain relief before he collapsed and died. Reports say many patients now wait up to 16 hours in emergency rooms. Experts point to staff shortages, lack of family doctors and rising patient numbers. About one in five Canadians does not have a primary care provider. Overcrowded emergency rooms now handle many cases that clinics should treat. This has led to long waits, delayed care and growing public concern. (PC: India Today)