Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar faced a violent protest by Khalistani separatists during his visit to the UK. As Jaishankar left Chatham House following a discussion with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, a protester ran toward his car and tore an Indian flag in front of police officers. Law enforcement quickly intervened, arresting the protester and several others. Analysts suggest this incident, allegedly orchestrated by the ‘Sikhs for Justice’ organization led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, highlights security lapses in Jaishankar’s protection.

India’s central government is now aiming to take control of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the country is progressing in phases. “We have already completed several steps—first, revoking Article 370; second, boosting development and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir; and third, holding legislative elections there,” he said. “Now, we are entering the fourth phase: integrating the region that is currently occupied by Pakistan into India’s map.”

The death toll in Gaza has risen to 48,450 after 30 more bodies were recovered from the rubble. According to reports, four more Palestinians were killed in Israeli shelling in the past 48 hours, while another wounded victim succumbed to injuries. The ongoing ceasefire agreement has halted the mass killings that lasted over 15 months, but search and rescue operations continue to recover bodies from destroyed areas.

The Bangladeshi government has formed 15 reform commissions to prevent further human rights violations, with six commissions already submitting their reports. These reports align with findings from the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner. Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul stated that Bangladesh will work even more closely with the UN Human Rights Office to implement these reforms. He made these remarks at the “Charting the Path Forward” event, attended by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. The event also screened the documentary Jatrabari: An Evidence to Massacre, created by journalist David Bergman.

The U.S. Trump administration is set to deport undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants, similar to nationals of other countries residing illegally. The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka recently informed the Bangladesh government about the deportation process. However, the exact number of Bangladeshi immigrants facing deportation and the timeline for the process remain unclear. An inter-ministerial meeting, chaired by Home Affairs Advisor Jahangir Alam, was held at the Secretariat on Wednesday to discuss the matter. The Bangladeshi government has agreed to take back its citizens but has requested that they not be deported in shackles, as seen in the case of Indian nationals. The U.S. has agreed to this request.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a final warning to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza. In a statement, he urged Hamas leaders to free the captives and leave Gaza, emphasizing that the people of Gaza have a chance at a better future. “A bright future awaits you, but if you keep the hostages, that won’t happen. If you take such actions, you are dead!” Trump wrote. Meanwhile, for the first time since 1997, his administration has engaged in direct talks with Hamas. On the other hand, Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza, causing severe shortages of food and humanitarian aid.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced retaliatory tariffs on India and other countries that impose what he calls unfair trade duties. The new tariffs will take effect from April 2. Citing India as an example, Trump criticized the country for imposing over 100% tariffs on U.S. automobiles. He stressed that the U.S. must counter unjust trade policies, assuring that, despite potential price increases, the move would not significantly harm the American economy. The retaliatory tariffs could impact China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union.

Representatives from the U.S.-based think tank Right to Freedom have inquired about the July massacre, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings over the past 15 years, and the tribunal’s judicial process. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam stated that they assured full cooperation in prosecuting crimes against humanity and pledged to provide necessary recommendations. The U.S. representatives emphasized that the Bangladesh government must ensure proper justice so that such crimes do not recur in the future. Additionally, the prosecutor mentioned that permission has been sought for a one-day interrogation of Akram, who was shot in Gazipur while pinned down.

The ban on sending Bangladeshi workers to Lebanon has been lifted following an improvement in the country’s security situation, the Bangladesh Embassy in Lebanon has announced. However, specific conditions apply: every recruitment demand must be verified by the Bangladesh Embassy in Beirut, and workers can only be sent to areas with suitable working conditions, excluding Lebanon’s southern regions bordering Israel. The ban was initially imposed after the embassy advised workers against traveling to Lebanon on August 8 last year. Amid the conflict, 1,246 Bangladeshis were repatriated from Lebanon on 19 flights between October 21 last year and early this year.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has convened a ministerial-level meeting in Saudi Arabia to address the brutal actions of occupying Israeli forces against Palestinians. Interim government’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain is set to depart for Jeddah on Thursday to participate in the meeting scheduled for March 7. Sources confirm that he will return to Bangladesh on March 8 after the discussions.

On Wednesday at 11 AM, former US ambassadors William B. Milam and John Danilovich visited the International Crimes Tribunal. They met with Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, with special advisor Toby Cadman also in attendance. William B. Milam served as the US ambassador to Bangladesh from 1990 to 1993, while John Danilovich was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka in 2007 and 2008.

Former US President Donald Trump revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to initiate peace talks “as soon as possible.” Reading from a letter during his first speech in Congress after securing a second term, Trump praised Zelensky’s willingness to negotiate. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed Trump’s remarks as “positive” but noted that Ukraine still has a legal ban on negotiating with Russia. Zelensky’s chief aide, Andriy Yermak, urged Russia to cease daily attacks if it truly desires peace.

The White House has opposed an Arab-led proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction, discussed in Cairo. National Security spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that the proposal does not align with the on-ground realities in Gaza, which remains uninhabitable and littered with unexploded ordnance. “Trump is committed to rebuilding Gaza without Hamas’ influence,” Hughes added, emphasizing continued dialogue for peace and prosperity. The Arab summit had earlier pledged to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians.

At the Arab Summit in Cairo, member nations adopted an alternative proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction, countering a plan previously put forward by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the summit, stating that it failed to condemn Israeli casualties and rejected the Arab-backed reconstruction initiative. The plan, endorsed by Arab representatives on Tuesday, includes a $53 billion budget for Gaza’s redevelopment, spearheaded by Egypt. Israel, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support for the U.S. proposal.

On Tuesday, the United States re-designated Yemen’s Houthi rebels as a "foreign terrorist organization." This follows former President Donald Trump’s earlier decision in January to classify the group as terrorists. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Houthis pose a significant threat to American civilians, regional partners, and maritime trade. He warned that the U.S. will not tolerate any nation engaging with groups like the Houthis under the guise of legitimate international business.