Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav emphasized that the upcoming India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match is primarily about cricket, not the surrounding boycott controversy. Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Colombo on February 14, 2026, he said the team was fully prepared for the February 15 clash at the Premadasa Stadium. Yadav noted that the players had focused on preparation and were ready for all group-stage matches.

He described the India-Pakistan encounter as a high-pressure and festive occasion but insisted that his team would approach it like any other game. The captain also mentioned that India does not regularly play against Pakistan due to political tensions, so the team was trying to keep things normal and execute their plans effectively on the field.

Questions about whether players would shake hands, given past incidents at the Asia Cup, remained unanswered. Yadav concluded by saying that the most important thing was that the match takes place, leaving other matters to be seen after 24 hours.

India has approved the purchase of five additional S-400 missile units from Russia under a plan valued at 10,000 crore rupees. The decision was made by the Defence Acquisition Committee led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The deal includes a total of 288 anti-ballistic missiles, according to a report by RT.

Alongside the S-400 purchase, India has also decided to acquire the Pantsir air defense system, jointly produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Russia’s state-owned arms manufacturer and exporter Rosoboronexport. Officials from India’s Ministry of Defence said the Indian Air Force had requested 288 missiles in total, comprising 120 short-range Pantsir and 168 long-range S-400 missiles.

Currently, India possesses four S-400 missile systems, with two more expected to be added soon. The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that discussions have begun between the two countries regarding the potential purchase of the upgraded S-500 Triumphator-M system.

A group of Hindu extremists attacked the Bangladesh stall at the World Cultural Festival held at MIT World Peace University in Pune, India, on Tuesday, according to multiple diplomatic sources cited by Amar Desh. The attackers, identified as members of the Bajrang Dal, destroyed the stall and set fire to the Bangladeshi national flag while chanting anti-Bangladesh slogans. The incident occurred after several individuals had earlier questioned Bangladeshi students about their legal status in India and demanded the removal of their flag.

The stall had been set up by twelve Bangladeshi students from Savitribai Phule Pune University to represent their country at the international event. Although no students were physically harmed, they reportedly fled to safety amid growing fear. The attack has caused widespread anxiety among Bangladeshi and other foreign students attending the festival.

The report also linked the incident to a broader pattern of anti-Bangladesh activities allegedly supported by the Indian government following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, including threats against Bangladeshi diplomats and actions against Bangladeshi athletes.

An interim framework for a new trade agreement between the United States and India has been released, aiming to reduce additional tariffs imposed on India during the Trump administration. The deal seeks to rebuild energy ties and expand economic cooperation, potentially reshaping global supply chains. Under Washington’s pressure, India agreed to allow entry of certain US agricultural products into its market, a move that has drawn criticism from farmers and opposition parties.

The agreement permits imports of high-protein animal feed, corn, and ethanol byproducts from the US, expected to benefit India’s $30 billion poultry industry by lowering feed costs. However, soybean and oilseed growers may suffer due to reduced demand and falling prices. The inclusion of duty-free soybean oil and cotton imports has raised further concerns, though the government says import quotas will protect domestic producers. Apple and dry fruit imports are also covered, but officials expect minimal harm since domestic supply is insufficient.

India’s major farmers’ union, Samyukt Kisan Morcha, has called for a nationwide strike on February 12 to protest the deal, citing threats to the agricultural sector.

A 17-second AI-generated video showing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shooting at images of Muslims has triggered widespread outrage in India. The video, shared last Saturday from the verified X account of the Assam unit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), appeared to incite violence against Muslims. Following public anger and criticism from opposition politicians, the Assam BJP deleted the video. Local media reported that one of the targeted images resembled a local Congress MP, and the footage ended with the slogan 'Foreign-free Assam.'

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Annie Raja has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking action against Sarma, while the Assam Congress filed a police case in Guwahati’s Dispur station. Earlier, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi lodged a complaint with Telangana police. BJP leader Ranjib Kumar Sharma declined to comment, saying only that the video had been deleted.

The incident comes ahead of Assam’s provincial elections due in March–April, with observers linking the video to the BJP’s ongoing anti-Muslim campaign. Sarma has recently made inflammatory remarks targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, accusing them of crimes and demographic changes.

In Assam, Bengali-speaking Muslims known as Miya Muslims are expressing deep anxiety over the state’s ongoing voter list revision process, fearing their names may be excluded and their citizenship questioned. Many, including Fazila Khatun and Minara Begum, were displaced after government eviction drives in forest areas such as Lutumari and Jamuna-Maudanga, where authorities reclaimed thousands of bighas of land. These families, now living in makeshift shelters, have received notices to attend hearings under the Election Commission’s special revision process, which coincides with the publication of the final voter list on February 10.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly made hostile remarks toward Miya Muslims, calling for their harassment and linking them to suspected illegal citizenship. His statements have heightened fear among the community, who question why they are being targeted despite being Indian citizens. Local officials, however, insist the revision is a legal procedure meant to update addresses and not to delete names intentionally.

District authorities in Hojai say over 1,700 families displaced by evictions have already submitted forms to update their addresses to retain their voter registration.

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.