Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India in early March, marking a significant reset in bilateral relations after tensions under predecessor Justin Trudeau. The visit will likely produce multiple agreements spanning uranium supply (a 10-year deal worth C$2.8 billion), oil and gas, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. Formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are set to begin in March, with completion anticipated within a year. This push comes as Carney prioritizes diversifying Canada's trade beyond the United States amid global uncertainty and Trump's tariff threats. India's National Security Advisor will visit Ottawa next month, while Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are expected to travel to Canada soon. (PC: X/@narendramodi)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a successful India makes the world “stable, prosperous and secure.” She made the remark during India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. She attended the parade with European Council President António Costa.   Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was a privilege to host the EU leaders. He said their visit showed the growing strength of India–EU ties.   Von der Leyen is on a three-day visit to India. Talks are expected to conclude the long-pending India–European Union free trade agreement. She earlier called it a “historic” deal at the World Economic Forum. 

Storm Chandra is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and snow across the UK on Tuesday, the Met Office said. Amber warnings have been issued for parts of southwest England and Northern Ireland. Flooding and travel disruption are likely.   Chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said the UK faces a “complex spell of weather” as the storm moves in. “Heavy rain will fall on already saturated ground, increasing the risk of flooding,” he warned.   Winds could reach 75mph along some coasts. Snow is forecast on higher ground in northern England and Scotland, with up to 20cm possible. The Met Office warned of power cuts, transport delays and communities being cut off. (PC: PA)

Israel said it has recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza. The body was identified as Master Sgt Ran Gvili, who was abducted on October 7, 2023. The military had been searching for him since the ceasefire with Hamas began in October.   Under the truce, all hostages were to be returned within 72 hours. Others were handed over earlier, but Gvili’s body had not been located. Israel had delayed further steps until he was found.   The Israel Defense Forces said Gvili died in battle on October 7. With his return, Israel said all Gaza hostages are now accounted for. The move allows talks to advance to the next phase of the peace plan proposed by Donald Trump. (PC: Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now/Handout via REUTERS)

The United Arab Emirates has backed out of a plan to operate Islamabad International Airport after its president’s surprise visit to India. Pakistani media said the UAE lost interest in the project and did not name a local partner. Talks on the deal had been underway since August 2025.   The move comes as India-UAE ties continue to grow. During the visit, the UAE president approved the release of 900 Indian prisoners. This was seen as a goodwill gesture.   India and the UAE also agreed to deepen defence cooperation. A new defence framework is now planned. Observers say the decision reflects shifting regional ties and a decline in confidence in Pakistan’s infrastructure and governance. (PC: AFP)

India and the European Union have concluded talks on their Free Trade Agreement. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the deal is balanced and forward-looking. Legal checks of the final text are now underway. The aim is to complete the process and sign the pact at an early date.   The agreement is expected to boost trade and investment between India and the EU. Officials said the deal could be signed later this year and may come into force early next year.   European leaders visited New Delhi for the Republic Day parade and the India-EU Summit. The government said this reflects growing ties between India and the EU. (PC: PMO)

The Indian Air Force released a video on Republic Day showing fighter jets carrying weapons used in the 2019 Balakot strike and Operation Sindoor. The footage was shown as India marked its 77th Republic Day. For the first time, the IAF displayed fully loaded aircraft with operational weapons. These included Meteor air-to-air missiles on Rafale and LCA Tejas jets, and the same missile configuration used by Mirage 2000 aircraft in 2019. The video also showed Astra missiles on Sukhoi-30MKI jets and upgraded Jaguars. BrahMos cruise missiles, Hammer bombs, and Rampage air-to-surface missiles were also seen. The IAF rarely releases such weapon footage. (PC: NDTV)

Indian-origin households are the wealthiest among ethnic groups in the UK, while Pakistani households remain among the poorest, according to a study by the London School of Economics. The report shows median wealth for Indian households rose by more than £93,000 over the past decade. It increased from about £113,000 in 2012–14 to nearly £206,000 in 2021–23. Pakistani households saw much lower wealth levels and weaker growth during the same period. The study also found Indian households were most likely to earn high weekly incomes above £1,000 and £2,000. Pakistani households had a higher share in low income groups. The findings are based on official UK household survey data. (PC: X)

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours for distinguished service. She became widely known during the 2025 media briefings of Operation Sindoor. Years earlier, in 2020, the Supreme Court had cited her service while ruling in favour of granting Permanent Commission to women officers. The court said her career showed women could serve in command roles alongside men. It noted her leadership of an Indian Army contingent at Exercise Force 18 in 2016 and her service in UN peacekeeping missions in Congo. Colonel Qureshi belongs to the Corps of Signals and has served in multiple operations and relief missions. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump extended Republic Day greetings to India, calling the two countries partners linked by a “historic bond” despite ongoing trade and policy disputes. In a message shared by the US embassy in New Delhi, Trump highlighted shared democratic values between the United States and India. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also marked the occasion, stressing growing cooperation in defence, energy, critical minerals and emerging technologies. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor attended the Republic Day parade in New Delhi and pointed to US-made aircraft in the flypast as a sign of close strategic ties. The messages came amid strained relations due to tariffs and stalled trade talks. (PC: India Today)