Seven Indian nationals were injured in a horrific attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, where a car rammed into the crowd, killing five and injuring over 200. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack, offering assistance to injured nationals and their families. Police arrested 50-year-old Saudi national Taleb, a doctor, as the suspect. He had lived in Germany for two decades. Authorities confirmed no explosives were found in the vehicle, and Taleb's far-right and Islamophobic views surfaced on social media. The attack has raised concerns about extremism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 'Hala Modi' event during his historic two-day visit to Kuwait, marking the first Indian PM visit in 43 years. Speaking to the Indian community in Kuwait City, he called the gathering a "mini-Hindustan" and highlighted deep India-Kuwait trade ties, dating back to the 19th century. PM Modi emphasized India’s contributions to Kuwait’s growth, offering skills, technology, and innovation. He thanked Kuwait for sending liquid oxygen during the Covid-19 crisis. The visit includes meetings with Kuwait's leadership and attending the Gulf Cup opening ceremony, fostering stronger diplomatic, trade, and cultural connections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Kuwait on a two-day trip, marking the first visit by an Indian leader in 43 years. He will meet Kuwait's Amir, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister to discuss trade, investment, energy, and cultural ties. Modi will also visit a labour camp for Indian workers and attend a community event. The visit aims to strengthen India-Kuwait relations and explore new areas of cooperation. Kuwait is a key trading partner and India’s sixth-largest crude oil supplier. Discussions on a bilateral investment treaty and defence cooperation agreement are also expected during the trip.

Indians became the second-largest group to obtain US citizenship in FY24, with 49,700 Indians naturalised, accounting for 6.1% of new citizens, as per USCIS data. Mexico led with 13.1%. Naturalisation grants foreign-born individuals the same rights as native-born Americans. Most Indians reside in California, Florida, New York, and Texas. The Indian-American community now numbers 5 million, reflecting their growing influence in the US. Naturalisation primarily occurs through family sponsorship, employment-based visas, or refugee status. India is also home to the second-largest group of foreign-born US nationals, totalling 2.83 million, after Mexico’s 10.6 million.

India firmly denied Canada’s claim of Indian agents’ involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, stating no evidence was provided. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh told Parliament, “Canada has presented no evidence whatsoever in support of its serious allegations.” He added, “Persisting with such a narrative can only harm stable bilateral relations.” India called Canada’s stance part of an anti-India separatist agenda and urged action against such elements. A high-level committee is reviewing US inputs on organised crime linked to Indian security. Despite tensions, India prioritised the safety of its citizens abroad. Canada has yet to respond to India’s strong rebuttal.

India and China have agreed to take steps toward cross-border cooperation and better relations. Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first formal talks in five years in Beijing. Discussions included reopening the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, sharing data on rivers, and resuming border trade. Both sides also reviewed disengagement at Ladakh’s Demchok and Depsang, easing tensions after the 2020 standoff. India’s External Affairs Ministry said talks moved positively but stopped short of confirming China’s claim of a six-point consensus. Future meetings are expected to address border issues and trade relations further.

India has set up a high-level committee to examine US inputs on security threats linked to organised crime and terrorism. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the move is part of India’s ongoing cooperation with the US. The US has urged India to take Canada’s allegations of India’s involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder seriously. India rejected these claims as baseless, saying Canada has provided no evidence. Relations between India and Canada remain tense, with India accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of vote bank politics and ignoring separatist activities in his country.

India has lodged a strong protest with Bangladesh over remarks by Mahfuj Alam, an aide to Bangladesh’s interim government. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for responsibility in public comments and reiterated India’s commitment to fostering ties. The controversial Facebook post, now deleted, urged India to recognise protests that led to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. India also expressed concern over violence against minorities in Bangladesh, urging the interim government to ensure their safety. Relations between the two nations have been strained since the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-led government took charge. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently discussed India’s concerns with Bangladeshi officials.

The Biden administration deported over 270,000 illegal immigrants in FY2024, the highest in 10 years. Among them were 1,529 Indians, a sharp increase from 370 in FY2023. ICE detained 2,647 Indians, ranking them fourth after Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians are on ICE’s deportation list. Deportations surged under Biden despite criticism of Trump’s immigration policies. The US has about 725,000 illegal Indian immigrants. Illegal crossings involving Indians at US-Canada and Mexico borders also increased to 43,764 in 2024. The US warned Canada and Mexico to act against illegal immigration or face trade tariffs.

India has reopened its embassy in Pyongyang after a three-year pause due to COVID-19. This marks a key step in India’s Act East policy. A team of diplomats and technical staff has been sent to North Korea. The move aims to monitor regional developments and prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Pakistan or other groups. North Korea has been strengthening ties with Russia, China, and Iran, creating challenges for India and the Quad alliance. India’s renewed presence in Pyongyang highlights its effort to stay engaged with the Korean Peninsula amid global focus on the Middle East and Europe.