India has lodged a formal protest with Bangladesh over a now-deleted Facebook post by Mahfuj Alam, an aide to Muhammad Yunus. Alam suggested India should acknowledge the uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina's resignation as Prime Minister. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized caution in public discourse and reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh. The protest comes amidst rising violence against minorities, with 2,200 incidents reported in Bangladesh in 2024, including attacks on Hindu temples. The MEA urged Bangladesh and Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of Hindus in their respective countries.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement has sparked heartfelt tributes, including a touching message from Washington Sundar. Seen as Ashwin's protege, Sundar expressed gratitude to his Tamil Nadu and India teammate, calling him an inspiration and mentor. In response, Ashwin lauded Sundar's two-minute retirement speech as the "best," referencing a Tamil movie dialogue. Ashwin retires with 765 international wickets and six Test centuries, cementing his legacy as one of India’s greatest. Sundar, 25, is poised to fill Ashwin's role, with support from the legend himself. India faces Australia in the Boxing Day Test, marking a new chapter for Sundar’s promising career.

Delhi Police have transferred the FIR filed by BJP against Rahul Gandhi to the Crime Branch. The case involves a scuffle between BJP and Congress MPs over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar. During the confrontation, two BJP MPs, Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput, were injured. BJP accused Gandhi of inciting violence by pushing its MPs. Congress denied the charges and claimed BJP MPs stopped their protest. The Congress also filed a complaint accusing BJP MPs of misbehaving with their leader Mallikarjun Kharge. No FIR has been filed on Congress’ complaint.

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.

US President-elect Donald Trump has urged the EU to buy more American oil and gas to reduce its trade deficit with the US. He warned of imposing tariffs on EU exports if demands are unmet. Trump’s statement on his social media platform reignited fears of a trade war. The EU relies heavily on US liquefied natural gas (LNG) after reducing Russian energy imports. However, a recent US study warns that increasing LNG exports could raise domestic gas prices by up to 30% and harm the environment. EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, see US gas as a cheaper alternative.

Kim Jong Un is personally training North Korean soldiers to support Russia in Ukraine, South Korean intelligence reports claim. At least 100 North Korean soldiers have reportedly died, with nearly 1,000 injured. Ukraine and its allies estimate 10,000-12,000 North Korean troops are deployed, mainly in Russia’s Kursk region. The US and other nations condemned North Korea’s alleged arms supply to Russia, calling it a dangerous escalation. Pyongyang denies involvement in the war, stating its alliance with Moscow is “normal” and effective. Ukrainian President Zelensky claims North Korean soldiers are fighting and alleges attempts to hide their identities after casualties.

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.