Japan’s Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, shared a video of himself eating biryani by hand at Delhi’s Andhra Bhavan, drawing wide attention online. In the video, canteen staff guide him on how to mix and eat the dish the traditional Indian way. Smiling, the ambassador says the biryani tastes better when eaten by hand. He later compared the experience to eating sushi by hand and said it made him feel closer to his Indian friends. He also posted a short message in Telugu praising the taste. Social media users welcomed the gesture, calling it a warm moment of cultural exchange.

Seven senior Indian business leaders have been invited to a high-level reception hosted by US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump will return to the forum this week for the first time in six years and is due to deliver a keynote address on Wednesday. The invited executives include Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Bharti Enterprises founder Sunil Bharti Mittal, Wipro CEO Srini Pallia, Infosys CEO Salil S Parekh, Bajaj Finserv chairman Sanjiv Bajaj, Mahindra Group CEO Anish Shah, and Jubilant Bhartia Group co-chairman Hari S Bhartia. Their presence comes as India and the US hold talks on trade, supply chains, and investment ties. (PC: NDTV)

India has designated Bangladesh a "non-family" posting for diplomats due to escalating security concerns, ordering families of officials to return home as a precautionary measure. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka and four assistant high commissions in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet will remain operational at full strength. Officials cite threats from extremist and radical elements, and freedom given to Pakistani elements by Muhammad Yunus's interim government. This represents one of India's most stringent security measures for diplomats. Relations have deteriorated since the caretaker government took office in August 2024, with violent protests occurring outside Indian missions. Despite tensions, India recently engaged Bangladesh Nationalist Party ahead of February 12 elections. (PC: PTI) 

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.