India is in the final stages of negotiations to expand its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile deal with the Philippines, as deliveries under their 2022 agreement near completion. The proposed deal could involve approximately five additional missile systems and nearly 60 missiles, valued at $700 million to $800 million. This would significantly exceed the previous $375 million agreement. The Philippines is strengthening its military capabilities and coastal defences amid rising tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has expressed interest in additional missiles, while Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro confirmed that Manila shared requirements with India to customise the systems for local conditions. (PC: Money Control)

Indian-origin Naresh Bhatt, 39, has admitted in a Virginia court that he used a saw to dismember his wife, Mamta Kafle Bhatt, but denied murdering her. Testifying in his own defence, Bhatt claimed his 28-year-old wife died by suicide after apparently consuming pills and a highly poisonous insecticide. He said he found her unconscious beside their bed and attempted to resuscitate her for approximately an hour before moving her to the bathroom. He also admitted trying to separate her legs and conceal and dispose of her remains. Mamta was last seen in July 2024, and her body has never been found. Bhatt is facing trial over her disappearance. (PC: X/@fox5dc)

Abdul El-Sayed’s historic victory in the 2026 US midterm elections has sparked celebrations in Karnataka’s coastal town of Bhatkal. El-Sayed, who defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan, becomes the first Muslim to enter the US Senate. His wife, Dr Sarah Jukaku, has family roots in Bhatkal, making the victory particularly special for her relatives. Sarah’s family praised El-Sayed’s humility, honesty and commitment to public service, drawing comparisons with her grandfather, former Mysore minister Jukaku Shamsuddin. The family described the victory as a moment of immense pride and hope for inclusive leadership. (PC: NDTV)

Democrats won 84 of the 100 US congressional districts with the largest Indian-American populations in the 2026 midterm elections, according to an analysis of election results and Census data. The party also flipped six seats previously held by Republicans, whose tally fell to 15. Democratic dominance was strongest in California, where the party secured 19 of the 20 districts on the list. It also won every qualifying seat in New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, while Republicans retained nine of 13 such districts in Texas. The results broadly reflected Indian-American voters’ reported preference for Democrats, with an October survey finding 62% planned to support Democratic House candidates. (PC: AP)  

India’s LPG imports from West Asia have risen sharply over the past two months as Gulf suppliers increasingly use ship-to-ship transfers to move cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz. Imports from the UAE averaged 565,315 tonnes monthly in September-October, up 240% from March-August, while Kuwait’s supplies rose 248%. Qatar’s average monthly shipments also more than doubled. Meanwhile, US LPG imports fell 36% as Gulf deliveries recovered. However, India’s overall LPG imports remain below pre-war levels, with October volumes at 1.52 million tonnes against 2.03 million tonnes in February. Analysts warn that renewed conflict could disrupt supplies, increasing reliance on costlier imports and domestic production. (PC: X)  

The United States has imposed sanctions on Indian businessman Suniel Kumar Sharma, his wife Jaspreet Preeti Shahid and nine entities over alleged assistance to Iran in evading oil-related restrictions. The US Treasury accused the couple of operating an unauthorised maritime registration network since at least 2014, issuing fraudulent ship registrations and certifications that allowed vessels transporting Iranian petroleum to use flags without the concerned countries’ approval. Some vessels allegedly operated on behalf of Iran’s military and its proxies. The action falls under President Donald Trump’s Operation Economic Outcast, targeting Iran’s oil revenues. The sanctions freeze their assets under US jurisdiction and prohibit American entities from conducting business with them. (PC: NDTV)

The Democratic Party's victory in both chambers of the US Congress could benefit India, experts say. President Donald Trump's power to make major policy decisions may face greater checks from Congress. This could reduce sudden tariff changes and give India more room in trade talks. The proposed interim trade deal aims to cut US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. Defence ties between the two countries are also expected to remain strong, as both parties support closer cooperation. However, political deadlock could delay key agreements and create uncertainty in financial markets, affecting the Indian rupee.

Ravi Uppal, co-founder of the Mahadev online betting app, has been arrested in Dubai, officials said on Wednesday. The arrest comes days after his business partner, Sourabh Chandrakar, was extradited from Oman to India. Indian agencies have received information about Uppal’s arrest through unofficial sources. The UAE has not yet sent an official confirmation. Officials are working to speed up his extradition to India. Uppal is accused of managing the betting network’s finances and hawala operations. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in October 2023. His questioning is expected to help investigators trace the money trail.

Iran has exempted merchant vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from restrictions on navigating the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian lawmaker Amir Hayat-Moghaddam. He said the move would facilitate Indian medicine imports, while exemptions for Chinese ships aim to secure Beijing’s political support. Iran charges transit fees to Indian and Chinese vessels but allows Qatari ships to pass free. The development is significant for India, which imports nearly 90% of its crude oil, with around 30% passing through the strait. The waterway also carries 90% of India’s LPG imports and over half its LNG imports from Qatar and the UAE, alongside vital fertiliser supplies. (PC: Reuters)

The Democrats’ sweeping victory in the 2026 US midterm elections could give India greater negotiating space amid tensions with Washington over trade, Russian oil purchases and immigration. Former Indian ambassadors believe Democratic control of Congress may impose checks on President Donald Trump’s unilateral decisions, including proposed penalties on countries buying Russian crude and restrictions affecting skilled foreign workers. However, differences over energy security and defence imports are unlikely to disappear. Views differ on the India-US trade deal: one former envoy expects renewed American pressure, while another believes Washington’s focus on upcoming presidential primaries could delay negotiations. The results offer New Delhi breathing room, but not a resolution of bilateral differences. (PC: NDTV)