For the first time since Partition, Sanskrit is being formally taught at Pakistan's Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), with students studying Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita passages alongside the Urdu version of the iconic Mahabharat TV theme song. Professor Shahid Rasheed from Forman Christian College spearheaded the revival after overwhelming response to a three-month workshop, now evolved into a university course planned to become year-long by 2027. Rasheed emphasized Sanskrit's regional heritage, noting grammarian Panini lived in present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dr. Ali Usman Qasmi revealed Punjab University holds extensive untouched Sanskrit documents for decades. The university aims to train local scholars, potentially producing Gita and Mahabharata experts within 10-15 years. (PC: India Today) 

US President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring a new "Core Five" (C5) forum comprising America, Russia, China, India, and Japan, potentially sidelining the Europe-dominated G7. According to Politico, the proposal appeared in an unpublished National Security Strategy version, though the White House denies its existence. The C5 would prioritize major powers based on population and military-economic strength rather than wealth and democracy. The first proposed agenda item is Middle East security, specifically Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization. National security experts call it "Trumpian," noting Europe's exclusion signals Russia's recognition as a regional sphere-of-influence power. The move departs from Trump's first-term great-power-competition approach, raising concerns about legitimizing strongmen and weakening Western unity. (PC: X) 

India expressed concern over damage to the 1,100-year-old Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Thai-Cambodian border, during renewed border clashes. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the damage to conservation facilities "unfortunate," noting India's involvement in preservation efforts. The 11th-century Hindu temple, built during the Khmer Empire's golden age, suffered artillery and aerial attack damage to gateways, statues, staircases, and conservation buildings. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire, fighting resumed at over a dozen locations along the 817-km border. Thailand's PM stated operations won't stop, while Cambodia claims self-defense. UNESCO invoked international heritage protection laws, offering technical support when conditions improve.

India has expedited business visa processing for Chinese executives to four weeks by eliminating administrative vetting layers, according to Reuters. This strategic shift aims to attract Chinese investments amid warming bilateral relations and punishing 50% US tariffs on Indian exports. India-China ties, which deteriorated after the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash killing 20 Indian soldiers, have improved through diplomatic dialogues. Full disengagement from Depsang and Demchok standoff sites occurred in December 2024. Bilateral trade reached $127.7 billion in FY25, with China becoming India's second-largest trading partner after the US. Early FY26 data shows exports rising 19.97% and imports increasing 13%, signaling economic momentum despite trade imbalances. (PC: X) 

Luxury fashion house Prada has signed a landmark pact with Indian government‑linked bodies LIDCOM and LIDKAR to bring traditional Kolhapuri chappals to the global fashion stage, blending centuries‑old artisan techniques with modern design. The “Prada Made in India – Inspired by Kolhapuri Chappals” collection will be crafted in India by skilled artisans from Maharashtra and Karnataka and launched worldwide in February 2026 across Prada’s 40 retail outlets and online platforms. Supported by the Maharashtra government, the initiative aims to honour artisans, expand global recognition, and provide training, employment and new opportunities while preserving this GI‑tagged heritage craft. The collaboration follows criticism of a previous Prada collection that featured Kolhapuri‑inspired designs without proper credit, prompting the brand to work directly with local craftspeople. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a warm and engaging phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump amid ongoing India-U.S. trade negotiations, reviewing progress in their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and discussing regional and global developments. Modi stated that India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity, highlighting shared efforts to sustain momentum in trade discussions. The talks in New Delhi saw both sides aim to expand cooperation in technology, energy, defence and security. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said a deal will happen only if mutually beneficial, while U.S. officials acknowledged India’s strong offer. (PC: Reuters)

Mexico imposed tariffs of 5-50% on over 1,400 products from non-preferential trade partners including India, China, and Thailand, effective January 1, 2026. The move threatens India's $5.75 billion annual exports to Mexico, particularly $1 billion in automobile shipments from Maruti Suzuki, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and Nissan. Passenger vehicle duties rise from 20% to 50%. Engineering goods dominate India's exports at 61% ($3.5 billion), with automobiles comprising one-third. Mexico is India's third-largest car export market after South Africa and Saudi Arabia. FIEO called the timing "wrong" as exporters already struggle with 50% US tariffs. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers urged maintaining status quo in November.(PC: HT)

A new photograph shows Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra at Thailand's Phuket Immigration Control Centre, surrounded by Thai officials after being detained from their hotel room following India's extradition request. The Delhi-based restaurateurs will be transported to Bangkok tomorrow for legal formalities before being handed over to Indian authorities. The brothers are wanted in connection with a Goa nightclub fire tragedy that killed 25 people. They fled India anticipating arrest and sought anticipatory bail, arguing they weren't present during the incident. After courts refused to stay their arrest, Indian authorities suspended their passports under Section 10A of the Passport Act, creating immigration complications that led to their detention in Thailand.

UK companies expanded their Indian footprint with Rs 5,693 billion turnover and 552,902 employees, according to Grant Thornton Bharat and CII's 'Britain Meets India' 2025 report. The study identified 794 UK-owned companies operating in India, up from 667 last year, with 146 high-performers achieving 49% average growth. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed during PM Modi's July UK visit, aims to enhance the 44.1-billion-pound bilateral partnership pending British Parliament ratification. Business services lead at 19%, followed by industrial products (18%) and financial services (14%). Maharashtra and Delhi NCR host 67% of high-growth UK firms. Vedanta Limited tops UK companies with Rs 1,463 billion revenue and 97,015 employees. (PC: X) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation Thursday amid ongoing trade negotiations between both nations. Modi stated they reviewed bilateral progress and discussed regional and global developments, emphasizing continued cooperation for "global peace, stability and prosperity." The call followed US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer calling India "a difficult nut to crack" while acknowledging receipt of India's "best ever" trade proposal during two-day talks in New Delhi. Key disagreements persist over farm imports, particularly US crops like corn and soybeans, with India protecting small farmers from foreign competition. Trump recently threatened new tariffs on Indian rice over alleged dumping, adding to existing 50% tariffs, America's highest on any country.