India's Ministry of External Affairs clarified its energy import stance after US President Donald Trump claimed India would shift crude oil sourcing from Russia to Venezuela following their bilateral trade deal. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "Venezuela has been a longstanding partner for India," emphasizing energy security needs guide New Delhi's decisions. India imported Venezuelan oil until 2019-20, resumed in 2023-24, but stopped after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan crude. Jaiswal added India remains "open to exploring commercial merits of any crude supply, including from Venezuela," while maintaining diversified sourcing aligned with market conditions. Trump claimed India agreed to stop Russian oil purchases, helping "END THE WAR in Ukraine."

India categorically dismissed a Bloomberg report claiming National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Washington last September to meet US officials. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "There is absolutely no basis for that report. No such meeting or no such visit has taken place." Bloomberg had reported Doval met Secretary of State Marco Rubio, telling him India-US relations should move past acrimony and return to trade negotiations, while asserting India wouldn't be bullied by President Trump's administration. India-US ties deteriorated last August when Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50%, accusing India of financing Russia's war. Recently, Modi and Trump announced tariff reduction to 18% as part of a new trade deal. 

Delhi Police have arrested two men accused of writing pro-Khalistan slogans at two places in the capital ahead of Republic Day. Investigators said the men were acting on instructions linked to US-based separatist figure Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his group Sikhs For Justice. Police said a Canada-based associate arranged the plan and offered ₹2 lakh for the act. One accused works as an ambulance driver, while the other is his associate. Officials said the goal was to “create unrest” before January 26. An FIR was filed earlier after a threat video surfaced online. Police said further searches are underway. (PC: X)

India responded to US President Donald Trump’s claim that New Delhi agreed to stop buying Russian oil, saying its main focus remains national energy security. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said meeting the needs of 1.4 billion people is the “supreme priority”. He said India will diversify supplies based on market conditions and global developments. Trump earlier said India would cut Russian oil imports and buy more from the US and possibly Venezuela after the trade deal announcement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the trade deal but did not mention Russian oil. Russia said it has received no official word from India. (PC: X)

The UK aviation regulator has asked Air India to explain how a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flew from London despite a reported fuel switch fault. The UK Civil Aviation Authority said Air India must give full details within a week or face possible regulatory action. A pilot had reported a fuel control switch issue after a recent flight, and the aircraft was later grounded in Bengaluru for checks. The regulator asked for a “root-cause analysis” and a prevention plan for the fleet. Air India said reinspections found no faults. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said proper procedure was “apparently” not followed. (PC: HT)

Russia’s Kremlin responded to recent India–US trade deal reports by saying New Delhi remains sovereign in choosing oil suppliers, dismissing claims that India agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil as part of the deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized India has always diversified its energy sources and noted nothing new in that approach. Moscow also stated it has not received official communication from India about halting Russian crude imports and reaffirmed the energy trade’s benefits for both countries. Experts say fully replacing Russian oil with U.S. crude isn’t simple due to differences in quality and blending costs. 

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that India would not be pressured by President Donald Trump or his aides, according to a Bloomberg report. The message was conveyed during a Washington meeting months before the India-US trade agreement was announced. Officials familiar with the talks said Doval wanted to move past tensions and restart trade negotiations. He also indicated India was ready to “wait out” Trump’s term if needed. The report said Doval asked the US side to reduce public criticism so ties could return to normal. The trade deal was later announced with lower US tariffs on Indian goods. (PC: HT)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington and discussed cooperation on critical minerals, nuclear energy, defence, trade and technology. The talks came a day after the two countries confirmed a new trade agreement that lowers US reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25 to 18 per cent. Jaishankar said on X that both sides agreed to hold early meetings of key mechanisms to move shared priorities forward. A US statement said both leaders welcomed the trade deal and stressed joint work on energy security and economic growth. They also reaffirmed cooperation through the Quad and focus on the Indo-Pacific region. (PC: NDTV)

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that India would not be “bullied” in trade talks, according to a Bloomberg report citing unnamed officials. The message was delivered during a meeting in Washington in September 2025. Doval said India wanted tensions reduced and negotiations restarted. He also conveyed that New Delhi was ready to wait out President Donald Trump’s term if needed, the report said. At that time, India faced high US tariffs and sharp public criticism. The US State Department declined to share details of private talks. India’s foreign ministry did not comment on the report. (PC: NDTV)

Bengaluru startup founder Dhananjay Yadav questioned the US visa process after his application was rejected at Delhi's US Embassy on February 3, despite having clear business purpose and international experience. Yadav, NeoSapien co-founder, was invited by investor Hari Valiyath from US-based Pyxis (raised $200M+) for investor meetings and B2B partnerships. During the interview, he stated his travel purpose clearly, but faced questions about his minimal startup founder salary, though his company sponsored the trip. Yadav emphasized he previously studied in the US, worked in Berlin, and had no overstay intentions. His social media post sparked debate about unpredictable visa screening, with entrepreneurs describing interviews as "mood-based" rather than logic-based, sharing similar frustrating experiences. (PC: NDTV)