U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a new trade deal that would reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 25 percent to 18 percent. The preliminary draft of the India-U.S. trade understanding has sparked intense debate across India, with opposition parties raising concerns over its terms and potential impact.

The Indian National Congress and left-wing parties have strongly criticized the deal, arguing that it offers no real benefit to India. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera described it as a surrender to the Trump administration, warning that India could become a dumping ground for American products, harming farmers and small industries. He also objected to the inclusion of a U.S. monitoring mechanism on India’s oil imports, particularly regarding Russian crude.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh echoed these concerns, noting that the U.S. could reimpose the 25 percent tariff if India resumed direct or indirect oil imports from Russia. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also labeled the agreement as detrimental to the interests of workers, farmers, and the general public.

India and Malaysia have pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, security, and technology, with a particular focus on advancing their partnership in the semiconductor industry. During his first visit to Malaysia in more than ten years on February 8, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two leaders signed several agreements covering renewable energy, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.

Following the meeting, Modi stated that the partnership between the two countries would expand further in artificial intelligence, digital technology, semiconductors, health, and food security. Anwar Ibrahim said the discussions would make bilateral relations more strategic and robust. Official data show Malaysia ranks sixth globally in semiconductor exports, contributing about 25 percent of its GDP. India’s foreign ministry noted Malaysia’s 30–40 years of experience in the sector and expressed Indian companies’ interest in collaboration on research, production, and testing facilities.

Trade between the two nations remains significant, with India exporting goods worth $7.32 billion to Malaysia last year and importing $12.54 billion. Modi also highlighted the role of Malaysia’s 3 million people of Indian origin as a vital bridge in bilateral relations.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that the Indian government is normalizing violence against religious minorities, marginalized groups, and critics through discriminatory policies, hate speech, and politically motivated cases. The findings were published in HRW’s latest global report, which reviewed human rights conditions in more than 100 countries.

According to the report, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government spread hostility against religious minorities in 2025 and expelled hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims and Rohingya refugees by labeling them as “illegal immigrants.” HRW said these actions have led to increased human rights violations by government officials and BJP supporters. HRW’s Asia Director Elaine Pearson stated that instead of presenting India as a global voice for human rights, the government has undermined its international standing.

The 529-page World Report 2026 also includes remarks from HRW Executive Director Philippe Bolopion, who described the rise of authoritarianism worldwide as a major challenge and urged democratic nations and civil societies to form strategic alliances to protect fundamental freedoms.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi has sharply criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his alleged anti-Muslim remarks. Speaking at a public rally in Nizamabad on Friday, Owaisi accused Sarma of discriminating against 'Miya Muslims' and violating the Indian Constitution’s guarantee of equal rights for all citizens. Owaisi mocked Sarma’s earlier comments about giving lower fares to Muslim auto drivers, saying he would personally offer the chief minister two rupees, questioning whether he would accept it.

Earlier, Sarma had referred to undocumented immigrants as 'Miya Muslims' and suggested they should vote in Bangladesh rather than Assam. He also said efforts should be made to pressure them to leave the state, adding that his administration was openly opposed to them. The term 'Miya' is widely regarded as a derogatory label used in Assam for Bengali-speaking Muslims, implying they are of Bangladeshi origin.

The exchange highlights ongoing political and communal tensions in Assam over identity, migration, and citizenship issues.

India’s Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Lok Sabha on Friday that India’s relationship with Bangladesh is independent and not influenced by any third country. Responding to written questions, he said India continuously monitors areas of national interest in Bangladesh and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them. Singh also reaffirmed India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh, which has been conveyed to the country’s interim government.

He emphasized that India and Bangladesh share deep historical, geographical, cultural, linguistic, and social ties, with bilateral relations aimed at people-centric development. Regular meetings and exchanges continue under existing institutional frameworks. On the issue of minority safety in Bangladesh, Singh said India consistently raises the matter with the Bangladeshi government at the highest levels, including during meetings between senior officials.

Addressing another question on a possible Bangladesh-Pakistan-China alignment, Singh said India keeps constant watch over its security and economic interests and maintains active engagement with neighboring countries under its “Neighbourhood First” policy to ensure regional peace and prosperity.

At least 18 workers were killed and eight others seriously injured after an explosion ripped through an unauthorized coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, India, on Thursday morning, February 5. The blast occurred in the remote Thangsu area, and several workers are feared trapped inside. Police said the total number of miners present remains uncertain, and preliminary investigations suggest the explosion was triggered by dynamite used for illegal coal extraction.

Joint state and central rescue teams launched operations soon after the incident but were forced to suspend efforts Thursday evening due to difficult terrain and lack of equipment. Operations resumed Friday morning. Officials described the site as an illegal “rat-hole” mine with narrow tunnels, where toxic gas and smoke have reduced chances of survival for trapped workers. Most victims reportedly died from burns or suffocation caused by poisonous gases.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed deep sorrow and promised strict action against illegal mining. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of 200,000 rupees for each victim’s family. Despite a 2014 ban on rat-hole mining, weak enforcement has allowed such dangerous operations to continue in remote areas.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Lucky Oberoi was shot dead on Friday morning, January 6, in Jalandhar, Punjab. The attack occurred in front of a gurdwara in the city’s Model Town area when unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire as Oberoi was parking his car. He was struck by five bullets and later died at a private hospital while receiving treatment. Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing nearby CCTV footage to identify the attackers.

The killing has triggered sharp political reactions over Punjab’s law and order situation. Opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa blamed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying law and order in the state had collapsed and questioned the safety of ordinary citizens if ruling party leaders were not secure. Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal also criticized the government, alleging that Punjab was becoming a safe haven for gangsters.

Police have intensified operations to track down the culprits as fear spreads across the area following the daylight shooting.

Ticket sales for the T20 World Cup matches at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens have dropped sharply after Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament. The Bangladesh team was originally scheduled to play three group-stage matches at the iconic stadium, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board declined to play in India citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the competition.

According to Indian media reports, ticket counters at Eden Gardens have seen minimal crowds, with only a handful of fans lining up for purchases. The stadium, which can hold 65,000 spectators, has sold fewer than 21,000 tickets so far. Specific match sales remain low, including just 2,917 tickets for the West Indies–Scotland game and 348 for Scotland–Italy. Even the combined sales for the Super Eight and semifinal rounds have reached only about 9,000.

The absence of both Bangladesh and India in the group-stage fixtures at Eden Gardens is being cited as the main reason for the weak spectator turnout.

Three sisters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, reportedly jumped from the ninth floor of their apartment building after their parents banned online gaming. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, in the Bharat City residential area, according to Indian media outlet NDTV. The victims were identified as Pakhi, 12, Prachi, 14, and Vishika, 16.

Family members said the sisters were very close and did everything together, including bathing, eating, attending school, and sleeping. They reportedly became addicted to online gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic and were known to play a task-based “Korean love game.” Police stated that the girls were not attending school regularly and have begun an investigation into the case.

Authorities are continuing their inquiry to determine the circumstances leading to the deaths, which have drawn significant attention in the region.

Indian authorities have ordered two British tourists to leave the country after they allegedly placed stickers supporting Palestine in various locations in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The couple, identified as Louis Gabriel D. and his wife Anushi Emma Kristin, were staying in Pushkar on tourist visas when intelligence officials received reports on January 21 that they were distributing 'Free Palestine' stickers. Following verification through CCTV footage and local sources, police questioned the pair and determined that their actions violated visa conditions.

Officials stated that engaging in political or ideological activities while on a tourist visa constitutes a clear breach of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. As a result, the couple’s visas were canceled and a formal 'Leave India Notice' was issued. District police later removed the stickers from public areas with assistance from local authorities.

Authorities reiterated that any political, protest-related, or ideological activities are strictly prohibited for foreign nationals visiting India on tourist visas.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to halt purchases of Russian oil and instead buy from the United States and Venezuela. Trump made the statement Monday night after announcing a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods. Following a phone call with Modi, Trump said the new agreement would lower U.S. tariffs on Indian products from 25 percent to 18 percent, while India pledged to remove tariffs and non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods.

According to Trump’s post on Truth Social, the discussion also covered the Russia–Ukraine war. He said the deal would lift the additional 25 percent penalty imposed on India for buying Russian oil. As part of the agreement, India will purchase over 500 billion dollars’ worth of U.S. products, including energy, technology, agricultural goods, and coal. Trump described the deal as beneficial for both trade and global stability.

Modi expressed satisfaction on social media platform X, thanking Trump for lowering tariffs and emphasizing that cooperation between the two largest democracies benefits ordinary people. The agreement follows months of trade tension after the U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods last August.

Indian Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor has criticized the decision to exclude Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), calling it disrespectful and politically motivated. He said India bears partial responsibility for the ongoing unrest surrounding the T20 World Cup and warned against mixing politics with sports.

Tharoor described the exclusion as unfortunate and said its impact is being felt across world cricket. Mustafizur had been bought at a high price by Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later removed him, triggering the crisis. In response, Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the World Cup citing security concerns and demanded a venue change. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request, replacing Bangladesh with Scotland, prompting Pakistan to boycott its match against India in solidarity with Bangladesh.

Tharoor urged the ICC to treat the situation as a warning and create a platform for urgent dialogue, emphasizing that cricket should unite people rather than divide them.

India and several Arab countries have jointly called for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state. The appeal was made on Saturday in New Delhi during the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting, held after a ten-year gap, was attended by top Arab diplomats and the Secretary-General of the Arab League. The outcome was formalized in the 'Delhi Declaration'.

According to the declaration, the participating nations reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative. It called for a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, living peacefully alongside Israel, and expressed support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

The declaration also welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached at the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and urged all parties to adhere to its terms. It further emphasized the need to ensure adequate, sustainable, and unhindered humanitarian and relief access throughout the region.

A sudden earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale struck large parts of Jammu and Kashmir early Monday morning. According to preliminary data from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the tremor occurred at 5:35 a.m. The National Center for Seismology reported that the epicenter was located in Budgam district, about 10 kilometers below the surface, at coordinates 33.9°N and 74.76°E.

The quake was felt across several nearby areas, including Charar-i-Sharif, Pulwama, Srinagar, and Shopian. Many residents, awakened by the shaking, rushed outdoors in fear. Around the same time, a mild earthquake was also recorded in India’s Andaman region.

As of the latest reports, no casualties or property damage have been reported from the affected areas.

India’s new fiscal year budget has increased grant assistance to Bangladesh by 74 percent, allocating 600 million rupees for the 2027 financial year. According to The Hindu Business Line, citing India’s central budget documents, this marks a significant rise from the revised figure of 344.8 million rupees in the previous year. The report noted that despite domestic discussions about anti-India sentiment, New Delhi expanded its allocation to Dhaka.

The budget also shows India halting all grants to Iran’s Chabahar Port, which previously received 4 billion rupees, reportedly due to U.S. sanctions pressure. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s grant rose by 50 percent to 1.5 billion rupees, and Bhutan remains the largest recipient with a total of 22.88 billion rupees. In contrast, allocations for Nepal, the Maldives, and Mauritius were reduced, with Mauritius facing the steepest cut of about 33 percent.

Overall, India proposed 87.92 billion rupees in total foreign grants and loans, down 27 percent from the previous year’s revised figure, signaling a strategic and financial restructuring of its foreign aid program.