The United States has deleted a social media post that showed a map of India including PoK and Aksai Chin as Indian territory. The post was shared by the US Trade Representative on February 7. It was part of an announcement on the India-US trade deal.   The map drew attention because it did not mark the regions as disputed. In the past, US maps showed these areas as disputed. Analysts said the move was unusual. Later, the post was removed without explanation.   India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Aksai Chin, are integral parts of the country.

The United States has revised its factsheet on the India-US trade deal. The updated version removes mention of tariff cuts on “certain pulses.” It also drops references to agricultural goods in a $500 billion purchase plan. The earlier document said India “committed” to buy US farm products. The new version says India “intends” to buy energy, tech and coal products.   The change came after Congress criticised the deal. India is the world’s largest producer of pulses and protects its farmers with high tariffs. The government has said farmers’ interests remain safe and no sensitive sectors were opened.

India’s foreign tourist pattern has shifted, with Gujarat and West Bengal reporting strong growth while Goa and Tamil Nadu saw steep declines. Data shared in the Lok Sabha by Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat showed Gujarat’s foreign tourist arrivals rose 281 percent between 2019 and 2024. West Bengal recorded an 88 percent rise. Goa’s numbers dropped by about 50 percent in the same period. Tamil Nadu saw an 83 percent fall. Maharashtra held the largest share of coastal foreign tourist visits at 17.69 percent during 2019–24. India recorded 20.57 million foreign tourist visits in 2024. The minister shared the figures in a written reply to Parliament. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock after a mass shooting in Canada left 10 people dead. The attack took place at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Six victims were found inside the school. Three others were rushed to hospital, where one later died. The suspect was also found dead with a self-inflicted injury.   Around 25 people were treated for injuries at a local medical centre. Police said there is no ongoing threat. Modi offered condolences to the families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He said India stands with Canada in this time of grief.

The White House unintentionally included a reference to India’s digital services tax—often dubbed the “Google tax”—in its initial fact sheet on the India-US trade framework, suggesting India would remove it as part of the deal. The levy, a 6% equalisation tax on digital advertising by foreign companies, had already been abolished by India from April 1, 2025 under the Finance Bill 2025, long before the trade pact announcement. After realising the error, the White House deleted the mention from the revised document, now saying India will instead negotiate bilateral digital trade rules, aligning the fact sheet with agreed terms. (PC: AFP)

The US White House has quietly revised its fact sheet on the recently announced India-United States interim trade deal, removing the mention of “certain pulses” from the list of American agricultural products for which India would reduce or eliminate tariffs. The earlier version also described India’s plan to buy over $500 billion in US goods as a commitment; the revised text now says India “intends” to make such purchases. Additional changes include softer language on digital trade and aligning the fact sheet more closely with the joint statement issued by both countries. The adjustments came after New Delhi flagged discrepancies. (PC: Reuters)

The White House revised its India-US trade deal fact sheet, making significant changes to language and commitments. Key modifications include: dropping "certain pulses" from agricultural products eligible for tariff elimination, softening India's purchase commitment from "has committed to buy" to "intends to buy" over $500 billion in US goods, removing "agricultural" from the product category list, and deleting mention of India removing digital services taxes and customs duty prohibitions on electronic transmissions. The changes occurred one day after the initial fact sheet release describing the interim framework as a stepping stone toward a full Bilateral Trade Agreement. The revisions soften the strength of India's procurement pledges and narrow commodity specifications. (PC: News18)

India and China reviewed bilateral ties Tuesday during the India-China Strategic Dialogue, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meeting Chinese Executive Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on the BRICS Sherpa Meeting sidelines in New Delhi. Both sides emphasized maintaining peace and tranquility along the border as critical for overall relations while addressing "sensitive issues" including bilateral trade concerns. Discussions covered expanding people-to-people exchanges, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at larger scale, finalizing an updated Air Services Agreement, and facilitating visas. China expressed support for India's successful BRICS-2026 Summit and acknowledged respecting India's UN Security Council membership aspirations. The dialogue highlighted "positive momentum" in stabilizing relations while implementing leaders' guidance on approaching issues from broader political and strategic perspectives. (PC: ANI)

As Bangladesh approaches landmark elections, anti-India sentiment dominates political discourse. With Sheikh Hasina's Awami League absent, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami alliance compete to weaponize "pro-India" accusations against opponents. Dhaka University graffiti reading "Delhi na Dhaka? Dhaka Dhaka" captures the nationalist mood, questioning whether Delhi or Dhaka should rule Bangladesh. The slogan gained prominence during July 2024's uprising that ousted Prime Minister Hasina, whose government was accused of maintaining power through Indian support. Nationalist rhetoric now serves as both political shield and sword, reshaping Bangladesh's electoral landscape. The anti-India positioning has become central to campaigning strategies as parties attempt to establish nationalist credentials. (PC: AFP & X)

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India February 17-19 at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation, the MEA announced Tuesday. The leaders will hold bilateral talks in Mumbai on February 17, discussing the Horizon-2047 roadmap marking a long-term framework adopted in 2023 steering ties through India's Independence centenary, 100 years of diplomatic relations, and 50 years of strategic partnership. They'll jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation, strengthening collaboration in AI, digital infrastructure, space, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Macron participates in New Delhi's AI Impact Summit on February 19. Discussions will cover Indo-Pacific cooperation, defence, security, and emerging technologies. France supports India's UN Security Council permanent membership bid and partners in defence modernization. (PC: X)