At least 15 people, including three police officers and 12 Maoist insurgents, were killed in a violent clash between security forces and Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh, India, on December 3. The encounter occurred during a joint operation based on intelligence reports about the presence of the banned CPI (Maoist) group’s armed wing, the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), in a forested area between Dantewada and Bijapur. Security units from the state police, the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Special Task Force (STF), and the CRPF’s elite COBRA commandos participated in the operation. Authorities recovered rifles, ammunition, and explosives from the site. Despite Maoist leaders’ earlier declaration to suspend armed rebellion, security operations have intensified, with the Indian government pledging to eliminate the insurgency by March next year. So far this year, 275 people have died in similar clashes in Chhattisgarh, including several top Maoist leaders.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India on a two-day state visit starting Thursday, December 4, which the Kremlin has described as highly significant. During the visit, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss cooperation in politics, trade, economy, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian sectors. The agenda also includes key international and regional issues. Modi will first host Putin for an informal meeting at his residence, followed by an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan attended by President Droupadi Murmu. Several bilateral meetings, a state luncheon, a cultural program, and a state banquet are scheduled. Putin will also attend the Russia–India Business Forum and pay tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. Over 25 agreements and memorandums, including ten intergovernmental documents, are expected to be signed. The visit comes amid U.S. pressure on India to reduce oil imports from Russia and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war.

Russia’s parliament has approved a major military logistics agreement with India just before President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to New Delhi. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact allows both nations’ armed forces to use each other’s military facilities for logistical support, strengthening defense cooperation. Putin is visiting India at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where discussions are expected to cover defense, trade, and energy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the depth of bilateral cooperation depends on India’s willingness to engage further. The RELOS agreement, originally signed on February 18, was formally ratified by Russia’s State Duma this week, underscoring Moscow’s emphasis on its strategic partnership with New Delhi. The move highlights both countries’ intent to deepen military and strategic ties amid shifting global alliances.

Indian batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad’s centuries appear to coincide with India’s defeats. After scoring his maiden T20 century (123) against Australia in Guwahati in November 2023, India lost that match despite posting a record 222 runs. On Wednesday in Raipur, Gaikwad struck his maiden ODI century (105) as India set a formidable 358-run target against South Africa. However, the Proteas chased it down with four balls to spare, winning by four wickets and leveling the series 1–1. Both of Gaikwad’s career centuries have come in high-scoring matches that ended in Indian defeats, raising questions about India’s bowling depth and match finishing under pressure. The loss was particularly disappointing for the home crowd, who witnessed another record total go in vain.

A Muslim youth from West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, identified as Rahul Islam, was allegedly assaulted in Odisha’s Ganjam district by a group of men who forced him to chant religious slogans such as 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. The attackers reportedly accused him of being a 'Bangladeshi' and a 'Rohingya' after questioning his identity documents. Following the incident, migrant workers’ groups lodged complaints with the Odisha Police, the National Minority Commission, and the National Human Rights Commission. The Odisha government recently stated that thousands of undocumented Bangladeshis had been identified in the state, prompting intensified identity checks since the BJP came to power. Labor unions claim over 300 migrant workers have been detained in the past 10 days. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has threatened legal action against the Odisha Police. Rahul Islam sustained injuries and returned to Murshidabad out of fear. Police maintain that identity verification is ongoing and no deportations have occurred.

India’s political scene has heated up again following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s controversial comments about former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Speaking at an event in Sadli village, Gujarat, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, Singh alleged that Nehru once proposed using government funds to build the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, a move opposed by Patel. He further claimed that Nehru discouraged public fundraising for Patel’s memorial, suggesting the money be used for wells and roads instead. Singh portrayed Patel as a secular, decisive leader who could have become prime minister but withdrew in deference to Mahatma Gandhi’s wishes. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with restoring Patel’s rightful place in history through initiatives like the Statue of Unity. Singh also argued that Patel’s approach could have prevented the prolonged Kashmir issue. His remarks have triggered intense debate among historians and political parties, with analysts suggesting the comments align with the ruling party’s broader ideological narrative.

The Indian rupee has fallen to a historic low, crossing the 90 mark against the US dollar for the first time, reflecting mounting pressure on the country's currency amid global economic uncertainty. Analysts attribute the depreciation to a combination of factors including persistent foreign fund outflows, a strengthening US dollar, elevated crude oil prices, and concerns over India's widening trade deficit. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is closely monitoring the situation, though it has refrained from heavy intervention so far. A weaker rupee could make imports, especially energy and electronics, more expensive, potentially fueling inflationary pressures. However, exporters may benefit from improved competitiveness in global markets. Economists suggest that the rupee’s trajectory will depend on upcoming US Federal Reserve decisions, domestic inflation data, and capital flow trends. The government and RBI are expected to focus on maintaining macroeconomic stability while ensuring that currency volatility remains contained.

A major political controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after police uncovered a sex racket operating from a flat linked to BJP leader Shalini Yadav in Varanasi. The apartment, registered under her husband Arun Yadav’s name, was raided Monday night in the Sigra area, leading to the detention of nine women and four men. Police stated that the operation was based on prior intelligence and that the flat had been used for illegal activities under the guise of a spa center. Locals claimed suspicious movements had been ongoing for months. Opposition parties have seized on the incident, accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of failing to maintain law and order and shielding wrongdoing under political influence. The BJP has distanced itself, calling it a personal matter, but the issue has caused discomfort within the party ahead of key political periods. Police are continuing their investigation and plan to question Shalini and Arun Yadav to determine their involvement.

India has created an unusual world record by losing 20 consecutive tosses in men’s international cricket, a statistical rarity estimated to occur only once in 1,048,576 instances. The streak began during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad and has continued through bilateral and multi-nation tournaments. The latest loss came in Raipur, where South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bowl. This surpasses the previous record held by the Netherlands, who lost 11 consecutive tosses between March 2011 and August 2013. Indian captain KL Rahul humorously remarked that the toss has become the most stressful part of his job, admitting that even practice hasn’t helped. Despite the light-hearted tone, the record underscores a remarkable streak of bad luck for the Indian team, statistically almost impossible to replicate.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has announced that he will not participate in the upcoming 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, marking a significant decision in his cricketing career. The 37-year-old expressed gratitude for the opportunities and memories he gained through the IPL, where he represented four franchises — Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, and Punjab Kings. Maxwell stated that the league helped shape him both as a player and as a person. His decision follows similar moves by former South African captain Faf du Plessis and England’s Moeen Ali, who have opted to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) instead of the IPL. Both players expressed excitement about joining the PSL, describing it as a competitive platform featuring world-class talent and a chance for new experiences and growth in T20 cricket.

A man in Tamil Nadu, India, allegedly murdered his wife and posted a selfie with her body on social media. The incident occurred on Sunday in Coimbatore, where the victim, identified as Sri Priya, worked at a private firm. Her husband, Balamurugam from Tirunelveli, reportedly attacked her at a women’s hostel after suspecting her of having an extramarital affair. According to police, he hid a machete in his clothes, confronted his wife, and during a heated argument, fatally assaulted her. Following the killing, he took a selfie with the body and shared it on WhatsApp, accusing her of betrayal. The gruesome act caused panic among hostel residents. Balamurugam did not flee the scene and was arrested by police shortly afterward. The murder weapon was recovered, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the crime.

India’s Ministry of Telecommunications has directed smartphone manufacturers to preinstall a state-owned cybersecurity app called ‘Sanchar Saathi’ on all new devices within 90 days. The app, which cannot be deleted or disabled, is intended to help track and block lost or stolen phones and strengthen cyber threat prevention. However, privacy advocates and industry experts have raised concerns that the mandatory inclusion could compromise user privacy and data security. Companies such as Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi have yet to comment on the directive. Analysts suggest Apple may seek a compromise, possibly offering users an installation choice instead of a compulsory preinstall. The government maintains that the app’s purpose is purely protective, but critics argue that the inability to remove it raises surveillance and data misuse fears among users.

A wave of identical interviews with former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina across eight major Indian media outlets has sparked intense debate over journalistic ethics and political messaging. Published within 12 days before Hasina’s death sentence in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, the interviews featured nearly identical questions and answers, prompting journalist SNM Abdi to describe them as a coordinated public relations campaign rather than independent journalism. The Bangladesh government summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, accusing India of aiding a convicted fugitive, while India’s Press Club demanded an apology after being called ‘bootlickers’ by a Bangladeshi official. Analysts suggest the episode reflects deeper geopolitical tensions, with Hasina’s political fate tied to regional power dynamics involving India, China, and the United States. Abdi argues that the interviews failed to uphold journalism’s democratic role, serving instead as a vehicle for narrative management amid Bangladesh’s volatile political climate.

At least eleven people, including a child, were killed and around sixty others injured when two government-operated buses collided head-on in Kummangudi, Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, India, on Sunday evening, November 30. According to police reports cited by NDTV, the impact of the crash left the front sections of both buses completely mangled. Local residents and police rushed to the scene to rescue trapped passengers. One of the buses was traveling from Tiruppur to Karaikudi, while the other was en route from Karaikudi to Dindigul. Images and videos from the site showed severe wreckage and victims being lined up for identification. This tragic incident follows another deadly bus collision in Tamil Nadu just a week earlier that claimed six lives, raising concerns about road safety and the condition of public transport vehicles in the state.

India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series at Ranchi’s JSCA International Stadium. Batting first after losing the toss, India posted a record 349 for 8 — the highest ODI total ever at the venue — surpassing Australia’s 313 in 2019. Virat Kohli led the charge with a brilliant 135 off 120 balls, marking his 53rd ODI and 83rd international century. Rohit Sharma contributed 57, while Lokesh Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja added a quick 65-run stand late in the innings. In reply, South Africa stumbled early at 11 for 3 but fought back through Matthew Breetzke (72), Marco Jansen (70), and Corbin Bosch (68). Despite their resistance, the visitors were bowled out 17 runs short of the target, giving India a 1–0 lead in the series. The match also set a new batting benchmark for Ranchi’s ODI history.