New US ambassador to India Sergio Gor said New Delhi remains an “essential partner” for Washington despite trade tensions. He said the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump is “very real”. Gor took charge on Monday and will present his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu this week. Speaking in New Delhi, he said both sides are in talks on trade and the US plans to invite India to join Pax Silica next month. His remarks come as Trump has warned of more tariffs over India’s purchase of Russian oil. India currently faces a 50 percent US tariff rate. (PC: HT)

Australia has moved India to its highest risk group for student visas and will apply stricter checks from January 8, 2026. India was shifted from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3 under the Simplified Student Visa Framework. Officials said the change is to manage “emerging integrity issues” and protect genuine students. Indian applicants will now face deeper review of bank records, extra proof of English skills, and more background checks. Visa officers may contact colleges and referees. Processing time may rise from about three weeks to as much as eight weeks. Nearly 140,000 Indian students study in Australia. (PC: Economic Times)

A 26-year-old merchant navy officer from Himachal Pradesh has been detained after US forces seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic. Rikshit Chauhan from Kangra district was among three Indian crew members on the vessel Marinera, earlier called Bella 1. The ship was intercepted on January 7 after a long chase that began in the Caribbean. Chauhan was due to return home next month for his wedding on February 19. His family said they last spoke to him hours before the seizure. His mother appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his safe return. India’s foreign ministry said it is checking details of the detained Indians. (PC: NDTV)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad today for his first bilateral visit since assuming office last May. The leaders will finalize agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, defense manufacturing, and skill development, including a Hyderabad skills center. Merz brings a 25-member CEO delegation featuring submarine manufacturers, signaling strong defense cooperation. Discussions will cover the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, Ukraine war, Trump's disruptive policies, and China's challenge. Over 2,000 German companies operate in India, with more joining Make in India initiatives. The visit precedes EU leaders attending Republic Day celebrations and French President Macron's February arrival, marking extensive India-Europe engagement promoting a multipolar world order.

Iran's ambassador to India dismissed reports claiming Indian nationals were arrested during anti-government protests in Tehran, urging reliance on credible sources. The demonstrations, triggered by economic hardship with Iran's rial collapsing to 1.4 million per dollar, have resulted in at least 544 deaths and over 10,600 detentions according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. President Trump threatened military action, stating he's considering cyberattacks and strikes, prompting Iran's parliament speaker to warn that US military bases and Israel would become "legitimate targets." Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei faces unprecedented challenges as protesters demand regime change. Internet blackouts complicate information verification, though Starlink transmitters enable some footage distribution showing widespread demonstrations across multiple Iranian cities.

Indian security forces opened fire and deployed counter-drone measures after multiple suspected Pakistani drones were spotted along the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday evening. The first drone was detected at 6:25 PM moving from Tain towards Topa in Poonch district's Mankote sector. A second drone appeared at Khabbar village in Rajouri district at 6:35 PM, while another hovered over Chak Babral village in Samba's Ramgarh sector around 7:15 PM. Following Counter-UAS deployment, the drones retreated across the border. Separately, forces launched search operations in Kanachak after intercepting suspected terrorist satellite phone communications. Nearly three dozen terrorists are believed active in the region.

A recent report says that **India reducing imports of Russian crude oil **is unlikely to significantly impact the country’s fiscal health in the near term. Despite Russia having been one of India’s largest oil suppliers with discounted crude boosting cost savings and refining margins, India has already begun diversifying its sources toward Middle Eastern and U.S. crude, reducing reliance on Russian barrels without sharp fiscal stress. Analysts note that global oil prices, narrowing Russian discounts, and alternative crude supplies make a gradual shift manageable. However, refiners may face operational and margin challenges as the transition continues. (PC: Reuters)

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami has said the India–UK free trade agreement should be seen as a “job engine” and not a symbolic deal. In an interview with London journalist Ross Kempsell, he noted that Indian firms are now the UK’s second-largest investors and have revived brands such as Norton Motorcycles. He said Indian companies support a 20,000-strong tech workforce and help “productively deploy” young people. Doraiswami listed priorities such as technology ties, access to public procurement, SME links, and new UK campuses in India. He also called huge Indian interest in Premier League football and British TV “untapped potential”. (PC: Screengrab)

A suspected Chinese national was arrested on Friday after she tried to enter India without valid travel papers from the Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh. Officials said the woman was seen around 1 pm walking through a footpath in Bairia Bazaar in the Nautanwa area of Maharajganj district. She was stopped during a routine check by security staff. The Sashastra Seema Bal detained her after finding she had no passport or visa. She was later handed to local police for arrest. Nautanwa SHO Purushottam Rao said a slip identified her as Huajia Jie of China. Police are probing her origin and motive. (PC: X)

While being questioned lately by London journalist Ross Kempsell, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami portrayed Prime Minister Modi's view of Britain as warmly pragmatic, calling the UK a "partner of choice" across trade, investment, technology, education, and politics. As proof, Doraiswami cited Modi's July visit, when he added a 21-hour detour to squeeze in a London stop purely to advance the FTA. Modi has set "practical achievable targets" for the relationship and candidly told successive British leaders India is ready to do more. The past year is described as a "banner year" for bilateral ties, with the challenge now sustaining momentum beyond the trade-deal moment. Modi's travel sacrifice demonstrates Britain's strategic importance to India's global partnerships. (PC: X)