The Indian government has imposed a two-month ban on virtual private network (VPN) use in Indian-administered Kashmir, citing national security concerns. The order, issued on December 29, described VPNs as a threat to national security and alleged that they were being misused to incite unrest. Following the ban, police have intensified searches, stopping pedestrians and vehicles to check mobile phones, and have taken action against more than 100 individuals accused of violating the order.

The decision has caused significant anxiety among professionals and residents who rely on VPNs for secure communication and data protection. Basit Bande, an IT professional from Pulwama working in Pune, told Al Jazeera that the government’s order was issued without adequate consideration for professionals whose work depends on VPN access. He fears losing his job or being forced to relocate permanently to Pune as many corporate systems, including email, require VPN connections.

According to cybersecurity firm Surfshark, about 20 percent of India’s 800 million internet users use VPNs, making the country one of the largest VPN markets globally. The ban has sparked renewed debate about digital rights and online security in India.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced plans to make Mumbai free of alleged illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants. The declaration came as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance released its manifesto for the upcoming Mumbai municipal elections. Fadnavis stated that with assistance from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), an artificial intelligence tool will be developed to identify Bangladeshi migrants.

The source notes that there is no concrete data showing any negative economic or social impact from such alleged infiltration. In recent years, the issue of so-called illegal Bangladeshis has become a recurring political theme in India, raised by the ruling BJP and its allies during various state and local elections, including in Bihar and West Bengal.

According to the report, several Indian migrant workers have been beaten to death on suspicion of being Bangladeshis in states such as Kerala, Odisha, and Bihar. Analysts believe that reckless political rhetoric has endangered the lives of poor and migrant communities, particularly Muslims and Bengali-speaking citizens.

The Indian government has sharply criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his letter to jailed Indian student leader Umar Khalid surfaced online. The Ministry of External Affairs advised Mamdani to focus on his own affairs, following the letter’s circulation on social media platforms such as X and Instagram. Mamdani had written the letter after meeting Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States in December last year.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that elected representatives should respect the independence of other democracies’ judiciaries and avoid expressing personal biases. Khalid has been imprisoned without trial since September 2020, accused of involvement in the February 2020 Delhi riots. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has described him as persecuted for protesting in defense of religious freedom.

On January 5, 2026, India’s Supreme Court rejected the bail petitions of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, extending Khalid’s continued detention.

A severe communal clash erupted in Unakoti district of India’s northeastern state of Tripura, reportedly triggered by a dispute over a donation demand for a local festival. The incident occurred in Kumarghat area under Fatikroy police station, where refusal to pay the donation allegedly led one community to set fire to several establishments, including a timber shop, and vandalize a place of worship. At least five to six people were injured, and several houses and shops were burned. Authorities imposed an internet shutdown and took strict measures to restore order.

Security forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Tripura State Rifles (TSR), were deployed across Kumarghat subdivision and nearby areas. Mobile internet services were suspended for 48 hours, and police used mild baton charges and drone surveillance to maintain control. Eight people were detained in connection with the violence, and special monitoring continues under Section 163 to prevent further unrest.

Officials said the situation is now calm and fully under control. The administration remains vigilant ahead of the upcoming Bhairab Mela to ensure communal peace and prevent renewed tensions.

A report by Amar Desh alleges that Wikipedia, which presents itself as a free and neutral encyclopedia, has been used to distort history and promote communal hatred, particularly against Muslims, in its Bengali-language articles. According to several experienced contributors, since 2014 Hindu nationalist groups have systematically influenced Wikipedia’s content, inserting anti-Muslim narratives and exaggerated historical claims. Articles on events such as the Noakhali riots, Calcutta riots, and the Chuknagar massacre reportedly contain false or politically biased information portraying Muslims as aggressors and Hindus as victims.

The investigation claims that after Hindu nationalist groups gained political power in India in 2014, they began attempting to control Wikipedia’s editorial space. Contributors who try to correct or challenge these narratives allegedly face account suspensions or blocks, discouraging neutral editing. Some editors cited examples where historical figures like Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy were misrepresented, and verified historical data replaced with inflated or fabricated numbers.

The report further states that repeated complaints to Wikipedia administrators have gone unanswered, and that the platform’s Bengali administrators are accused of religious and political bias, violating Wikipedia’s neutrality policy.

The Indian Navy has initiated plans to set up a new naval base in Haldia, West Bengal, to reinforce its military presence in the northern Bay of Bengal. According to Indian media reports citing defense sources, the facility will operate as a naval detachment rather than a full command, focusing on deploying small, high-speed warships. The Navy intends to use existing port infrastructure to expedite operations, with initial construction including a separate jetty and essential coastal facilities to minimize costs.

The proposed base will host Fast Interceptor Crafts and New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts weighing around 300 tons, capable of speeds between 40 and 45 knots. These vessels will be equipped with CRN-91 guns, and surveillance or strike drones such as Nagastra may be used to enhance monitoring and response capabilities. Experts link the move to growing Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean, concerns over illegal maritime intrusions, and the strategic value of shallow coastal waters near India and Bangladesh.

Officials view the Haldia project as part of India’s broader naval expansion plan aimed at strengthening maritime security and safeguarding sea routes.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confronting mounting diplomatic pressure at the start of 2026 as U.S. President Donald Trump issued two major warnings to India. The first came amid Washington’s aggressive actions in Venezuela, which many nations, including Denmark, viewed with alarm. The second was a direct demand that India stop importing crude oil from Russia or face higher U.S. tariffs. Despite India reducing Russian oil purchases to a three-year low, Trump remained dissatisfied, maintaining steep duties on Indian exports.

Analysts cited in the report described Trump’s approach as part of a broader imperial-style strategy to expand U.S. control and influence. For India, the challenge lies in balancing its economic dependence on the U.S.—its largest export market—with its longstanding ties to Russia and cautious engagement with China. The situation underscores a shifting global order in which Washington’s assertive policies are reshaping international alignments.

At the same time, India’s domestic landscape is transforming rapidly, with a surge in new billionaires driven by a booming stock market and record IPO activity. This dual reality of external pressure and internal wealth creation will shape India’s economic and geopolitical trajectory in the coming years.

The Indian Navy is setting up a new naval base at Haldia port in West Bengal’s Medinipur district, according to a report by India Today citing defense sources. The facility, described as a naval detachment, will deploy small, modern warships to strengthen India’s strategic position amid rising Chinese naval activity in the northern Bay of Bengal and growing defense cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Construction of a special jetty and administrative building is already underway, utilizing existing port infrastructure for rapid operational readiness.

Experts cited in the report say the base will help India monitor the movements of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy and prevent infiltration through Bangladesh. The base will host high-speed vessels and 300-ton fast-attack craft equipped with CRN-91 guns and Nagastra precision drones, designed for coastal patrols and anti-infiltration missions. Initially, around 100 officers and sailors will be stationed there under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.

Defense analysts view the move as part of India’s effort to assert itself as the primary security provider in the Bay of Bengal region.

On January 3, 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract, citing unspecified “developments all around.” The move, widely linked to escalating India-Bangladesh tensions following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s exile in New Delhi, ended Rahman’s IPL season before it began. Within days, he joined the Pakistan Super League, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) condemned the decision as “discriminatory and insulting.” Dhaka banned IPL broadcasts and asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate its T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns.

The ICC assured Bangladesh of full participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup and pledged to coordinate on safety planning, though matches remain scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. Indian political figures were divided: a BJP leader opposed Bangladeshi participation in Indian events, while Congress’s Shashi Tharoor warned against politicising sport. Analysts said the episode reflected India’s growing use of cricket as a geopolitical tool, leveraging its financial dominance in the game to influence regional relations.

Observers noted that cricket, once a bridge for diplomacy, is increasingly becoming a stage for political confrontation in South Asia.

The United States has approved the 'Russian Sanctions Bill', which proposes tariffs of up to 500% on countries importing oil from Russia. Although the bill has not yet been voted on, it signals potential pressure on nations such as India and China to halt purchases of discounted Russian crude. The move comes amid an unfinished US-India trade agreement, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggesting delays were linked to a lack of direct communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.

India, a major buyer of Russian oil, has already reduced imports following earlier US tariff threats. Experts warn that if the bill passes, India could face severe export losses, with $87.4 billion in trade with the US at risk. Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative said the bill’s passage is unlikely but urged India to clarify its oil policy. Former trade secretary Ajay Dua described the measure as weaponizing trade.

Analysts note the bill could primarily target India while sparing China, potentially straining India-US relations further. The US has also withdrawn from the India-led International Solar Alliance, adding to diplomatic friction.

Five cricket boards from the United States, Canada, Italy, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates have lodged complaints with the International Cricket Council (ICC) after their players of Pakistani origin were denied Indian visas ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to Geo Sports, these boards have also sent copies of their letters to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), but neither the BCCI nor the ICC has responded so far. The tournament is scheduled to begin in about a month, yet India has not provided any indication of relaxing its visa policy.

The issue has created a new challenge for the ICC, which is already facing complications as Bangladesh has refused to travel to India for the tournament, citing security concerns and expressing a preference to play in Sri Lanka instead. The visa dispute marks the first time that countries beyond Pakistan have encountered such difficulties due to players’ Pakistani heritage.

The five affected boards are reportedly preparing to send another joint letter to both the ICC and BCCI if the matter remains unresolved.

A doctor from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi has been arrested for allegedly removing kidneys from at least 15 to 16 individuals under the pretext of surgery. According to a report by the Indian Express on July 9, Delhi Police detained Dr. Vijaya Kumar, a 50-year-old female physician, on charges of involvement in a kidney trafficking network operating between Bangladesh and India.

The report states that Dr. Kumar, who served as a visiting consultant and surgeon at Yatharth Hospital in Noida, performed the alleged operations between 2021 and 2023. Most of the victims were Bangladeshi citizens brought to India by intermediaries who lured them with promises of money. Delhi Police said the trafficking ring targeted poor Bangladeshis and arranged for their kidneys to be removed in hospitals around New Delhi.

Authorities previously arrested three Bangladeshi nationals linked to similar kidney trafficking networks. Organ sales for money are illegal in India, though voluntary donations remain lawful under specific conditions.

A commentary published on January 9, 2026, in the Bangladeshi outlet ‘Amar Desh’ criticizes India’s decision to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The article argues that India’s move was unjust, politically motivated, and influenced by extremist pressure rather than cricketing reasons. It claims that both Bangladeshi authorities and some Indian politicians and players have condemned the decision as unfair.

The piece describes how Mustafizur was initially a highly sought-after player in the IPL auction, eventually signed by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he was later dropped without credible explanation. The author alleges that religious and national identity, not performance, drove the exclusion, and that India’s cricket board bowed to extremist nationalist demands. The commentary also criticizes the targeting of team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for his Muslim identity while ignoring other owners.

According to the article, India’s handling of the issue exposes double standards in its cricket administration and damages its global image. It concludes that the episode reveals India’s surrender of cricketing integrity to political and religious extremism.

Authorities in Delhi recently demolished several structures adjacent to the century-old Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque near Turkman Gate, including a pilgrims’ lodging room, a house, a private diagnostic center, part of a road, a sidewalk, and a parking area. The operation, carried out early Wednesday, led to clashes between police and locals from Tuesday night until dawn, resulting in baton charges, tear gas use, and at least five arrests. The Delhi High Court had earlier issued notices to the municipal corporation and related agencies following a petition by the mosque’s management committee.

The committee stated that the land had long been under its use and that rent was regularly paid to the Delhi Waqf Board. The demolition is viewed as part of a continuing pattern of evictions targeting Muslim communities across India. Similar operations in 2025 destroyed long-standing Muslim settlements in South Delhi’s Jungpura and Govindpuri, displacing hundreds without proper notice or rehabilitation.

Reports note that such demolitions have frequently affected Muslim-majority areas, Dalit neighborhoods, and protest-linked communities, reflecting a broader trend of state-backed displacement in recent years.

West Indies cricketer Jason Holder has come under fire after commenting on India and Pakistan’s tense cricket rivalry. Speaking on the popular podcast ‘Game With Grace,’ Holder criticized India’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy despite winning the tournament. He said the rivalry had gone beyond cricket and called the move excessive, urging both nations to show unity and mutual respect as symbols of sportsmanship and peace.

Following his remarks, Indian social media users reacted sharply, with many calling for a boycott of Holder and even demanding his exclusion from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The backlash mirrors a recent incident in which Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was reportedly dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders following similar public pressure.

The controversy highlights how cricket continues to reflect broader political and emotional tensions between India and Pakistan, with players’ statements often sparking intense public reactions across both nations.