New Zealand defeated India by seven wickets in the second One Day International at Rajkot, leveling the three-match series 1–1. Chasing 285, the visitors reached 286 for three in 47.3 overs, securing victory with 15 balls to spare. Daryl Mitchell starred with an unbeaten 131 off 117 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes, while Will Young contributed 87 runs. The win marked New Zealand’s highest successful run chase in an ODI on Indian soil.

Earlier, India posted 284 for seven after losing the toss and being sent to bat at Niranjan Shah Stadium. Lokesh Rahul remained unbeaten on 112 from 92 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and one six, while opener Shubman Gill added 56 runs. For New Zealand, bowler Clark took three wickets for 56 runs.

With this emphatic win, New Zealand ended an eight-match losing streak against India and kept the series alive ahead of the final ODI.

Reports from Assam’s Nagaon district describe repeated forced deportations of Bengali-origin Muslims to Bangladesh. A 31-year-old resident, Hasan Ali, told media outlet The Scroll that his father, 58-year-old farmer Taher Ali, was pushed across the border three times in eight months after being declared a ‘foreigner’ by Assam’s Foreigners Tribunal. The tribunal, which has stripped thousands of residents of citizenship, often issued unilateral rulings without hearing the accused. Since May last year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam has allegedly bypassed legal deportation procedures, using the 1950 law to expel declared foreigners at gunpoint during the night.

Bangladesh has refused to accept these individuals, leaving many trapped in a cycle of pushback and return. At least seven residents were reportedly forced across the border in December, only to be denied entry and later detained by Bangladeshi authorities. Legal experts and observers told The Scroll that Assam’s policy violates both constitutional and international norms. An Oxford researcher described the situation as the creation of statelessness, with people being treated like ‘tennis balls’ between two nations.

The Indian Border Security Force and Home Ministry did not respond to inquiries about the legality or nationality verification process behind these expulsions.

A new report by the Washington-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate’s India Hate Lab (IHL) shows that hate speech incidents targeting Muslims and Christians in India rose sharply in 2025. The study documented 1,318 cases across 21 states, marking a 13 percent increase from 2024 and a 97 percent rise compared with 2023. Nearly 98 percent of the hate speech targeted Muslims, while 133 incidents involved Christians. Most cases occurred in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to the report, 88 percent of all hate speech incidents—about 1,164 cases—took place in BJP-ruled or allied regions, up 25 percent from 2024. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi accounted for 65 percent of all incidents. In contrast, opposition-ruled states saw a 34 percent decline. The report linked 289 incidents to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, and 138 to the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Parishad.

The IHL classified hate speech based on UN definitions, noting that nearly half of the incidents invoked conspiracy theories such as “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and “population jihad.” Several speeches called for violence, weapon use, boycotts, or destruction of religious sites.

India’s central government has decided to reopen several abandoned World War II-era airbases in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, according to a Times of India report. The initiative aims to enhance regional connectivity in states bordering Bangladesh. The airbases to be renovated include Ambari and Panga in Jalpaiguri, Balurghat in South Dinajpur, Jhaljhalia in Malda, and Dhubri in Assam. Additionally, Rupsi in Assam and Cooch Behar are already operational. The Airports Authority of India has handed over responsibility for West Bengal’s airfields to the state government.

Analysts believe the move is primarily intended to bolster security around the Siliguri Corridor, known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” which connects India’s northeastern states with the mainland. The development comes amid reports that India-Bangladesh relations have reached a historic low. Bangladesh has recently begun reconstructing its Lalmonirhat airbase near the corridor but insists it will be used solely for national purposes.

Indian defense sources indicated that despite operational challenges, efforts are underway to make the airstrips functional, ensuring runways remain ready for use at all times.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that all communication channels between the armed forces of India and Bangladesh remain open to prevent any misunderstandings. He made the remarks on Tuesday in New Delhi during the army’s annual press conference while responding to a question about the evolving relationship between Bangladesh and Pakistan and whether it poses a threat to India.

General Dwivedi explained that it is important for India to understand what kind of government is currently in power in Bangladesh, especially if it is an interim one, and to assess whether its actions are short-term or long-term. He emphasized that all three branches of the Indian military are maintaining full communication with their Bangladeshi counterparts, including regular contact between the army chiefs and other service heads. A delegation has also visited Bangladesh for field-level discussions.

The Indian Army Chief assured that none of the current military activities by either side are directed against India and that capability development is a continuous process being pursued by all nations. He added that India is closely monitoring the situation.

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.