US President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for preventing nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan during May 2025's Operation Sindoor crisis. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump alleged he ended eight wars in ten months, highlighting the India-Pakistan standoff where "eight planes were shot down" and nations "were going to go nuclear." He cited Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif's praise for saving millions of lives and suggested he deserved Nobel Prizes for each resolved conflict. Trump has maintained since May 2025 that US diplomatic pressure and tariff threats forced the ceasefire. However, India firmly rejects external mediation claims, stating the truce resulted from direct India-Pakistan communication after Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure following Pahalgam's deadly April 2025 attack. 

The European Union and India are close to finalising a long-pending free trade deal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said talks have made strong progress. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, she said the deal could create a market of two billion people. It would account for nearly a quarter of global GDP. Negotiations began in 2007 and resumed in 2022. Some issues remain, including tariffs and labour mobility. Von der Leyen will visit India soon and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides hope to close the deal soon. (PC: Reuters)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said India has stopped buying Russian oil after tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. He said the Trump administration placed a 25% tariff, after which India “geared down” purchases. Bessent said the proposed Russia Sanctions Bill allows tariffs of up to 500% on countries buying Russian oil. He added the threat is mainly aimed at China. India’s External Affairs Ministry said it is aware of the bill and is closely monitoring developments. India said it prioritises affordable energy for its population. (PC: Reuters)

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)