UK Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy, speaking exclusively to Times Now, addressed questions about the extradition of Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, stressing that such matters are subject to independent judicial processes free from political interference. Lammy cautioned he must avoid commenting on specific cases given his dual role. He confirmed extradition, illicit finance and extremism concerns are taken "extremely seriously" in India-UK discussions. Lammy was in India for the AI Summit 2026, praising it as a great success and highlighting that 150 UK businesses are partnering with 250 Indian organisations. He also condemned anti-India extremist activities in the UK and commented on the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest, emphasising no one is above the law. (PC: Times Now)

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in an exclusive interview with India Today TV, said India and Brazil can conduct bilateral trade in their own currencies without relying on the US dollar, though cautioned the shift would take time. Lula firmly dismissed speculation about a BRICS common currency, stating no such proposal or internal discussion exists. He described BRICS as a vital voice for the Global South, representing more than half of humanity. Lula set an ambitious target of $30–40 billion in India-Brazil bilateral trade, praised India's technological ecosystem, and announced that Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer will establish a manufacturing plant in India, reducing dependence on US and Chinese supply chains. (PC: X/@Shorts91) 

Bangladesh has resumed full visa services for Indian citizens at its High Commission in New Delhi, three days after Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister, signalling a diplomatic thaw between the two neighbours. Visa services had been suspended for nearly two months following a sharp deterioration in bilateral ties in December 2025, triggered by the assassination of student leader Sharif Usman Haid and subsequent unrest targeting Hindu minorities. All visa categories, including tourist visas, are now fully operational. India has reciprocated, with senior consular official Aniruddha Das confirming New Delhi is prioritising medical and double-entry visas for Bangladeshi nationals. Diplomatic focus now turns to Rahman's first official foreign visit, with India extending a formal invitation. (PC: X)

French President Emmanuel Macron concluded his high-profile three-day India visit with a cinematic farewell, sharing a 43-second video montage on X set to "Na De Dil Pardesi Nu" from the Hindi film Dhurandhar. The clip captured highlights from his packed itinerary including his ceremonial welcome, bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, temple visits, cultural interactions, Indian cuisine experiences, a meeting with actor Manoj Bajpayee, a podcast recording with Raj Shamani, and a casual street jog in Mumbai. Macron's visit was marked by high-level engagements including attendance at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 and detailed discussions with Modi in New Delhi. "Thank you, India," Macron wrote, signing off warmly.

India has joined over 100 countries and international organisations in condemning Israel's expansion of unlawful settlements in the West Bank, reaffirming its long-standing support for a two-state solution and Palestinian rights. India initially wasn't included when Palestine's UN envoy issued the statement on Tuesday but signed on Wednesday alongside roughly 20 other nations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified India's position aligns with the India-Arab League ministerial joint statement of January 31, which called for a sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders. The development comes days before PM Modi's planned visit to Israel on February 24–25. India also attended Trump's Board of Peace meeting in Washington as an observer on February 19. (PC: Reuters)

US Ambassador Sergio Gor confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India "very soon," with the trip encompassing Quad initiatives alongside Japan and Australia. The announcement follows External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's pushback at the Munich Security Conference against perceptions of Quad losing momentum. Ambassador Gor also revealed President Trump "would love to visit India soon," noting Prime Minister Modi has already extended an invitation. On trade, Gor expressed optimism that a long-anticipated bilateral trade agreement is nearing finalisation, with tariff reductions and broader market access expected. India has also joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative on semiconductors and AI. Separately, Gor reiterated US concerns over India's continued purchases of Russian crude oil.

India's Coast Guard seized three Iran-linked, US-sanctioned oil tankers named MT Asphalt Star, MT Al Jafzia, and MT Stellar Ruby off Mumbai on February 4–5. An FIR revealed MT Asphalt Star operated suspiciously inside Pakistan's EEZ for eight days, going completely "dark" for 11 hours on January 28 by disabling AIS, VHF radio, and onboard sensors. The vessels conducted illegal ship-to-ship fuel transfers in India's EEZ using forged documents, fake insurance certificates, and AIS spoofing. Approximately 30 metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 5,473 metric tonnes of bitumen were illegally transferred. The FIR names ship masters, engineers, and a shipping firm owner for criminal conspiracy, smuggling, and document forgery. (PC: India Today)

India is working to broaden its crude oil supply sources, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, signalling negotiations on potential Venezuelan oil purchases as New Delhi seeks alternatives to Russian crude. Gor noted that India has already begun diversifying away from Russian oil, a shift Washington supports as part of broader efforts to reduce global dependence on Moscow’s energy amid geopolitical tensions. He also said an interim India-U.S. trade deal is expected to be signed soon, strengthening economic and energy ties. (PC: HT)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit India in the coming months, signalling deepening bilateral ties, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Gor also hinted that a planned meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will happen “at the right time,” though no date has been finalised. He reaffirmed that a long-anticipated India–US trade deal is nearing completion and highlighted the strategic importance of the Quad partnership amid expanding cooperation in technology and diplomacy. (PC: ANI)

A 57-year-old Sikh man, Avtar Singh, from Tracy, California, has been reported missing in a suspected abduction, officials say. Surveillance footage from February 17 shows him with three unidentified individuals near a white SUV; authorities believe he may have entered the vehicle against his will. Singh, about 5 ft 7 in tall and around 200 lbs, was last seen wearing light-coloured traditional Sikh clothing. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the case and says it appears isolated. The Sikh Coalition and local leaders are assisting with the search. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement. (PC: X)