On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to increase arms sales to India following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At a press conference in New Delhi, Trump confirmed agreements to supply advanced F-35 fighter jets and expand India’s imports of U.S. oil and gas. Modi revealed that both nations aim to elevate bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, India is expected to spend over $200 billion in the next decade to modernize its military.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to present a proposal to U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting today, including tariff reductions, new trade agreements, and collaboration on China-related matters. These efforts are aimed at garnering the support of the Trump administration, according to Reuters. Since taking office, President Trump has been exerting pressure through tariffs on both allies and adversaries alike to secure new trade agreements, investments, and enhanced cooperation on law enforcement. In the past, Trump had labeled India as a “major trade abuser” and imposed additional tariffs on the country’s steel and aluminum industries.

Amid nearly two years of unrest, President’s Rule has been imposed in the Indian state of Manipur. Recently, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his position, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to announce a successor. Amid this political deadlock, President’s Rule was enforced on Thursday. The ongoing 18-month-long violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities has claimed the lives of hundreds, and angry mobs have set fire to several lawmakers’ and the Chief Minister’s residences. Biren resigned, taking responsibility for the failure to restore normalcy.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the AI Summit in France, where an unexpected diplomatic moment caught attention. According to a report by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, French President Emmanuel Macron seemingly ignored Modi while shaking hands with other world leaders. A viral video on social media shows Modi extending his hand while seated next to JD Dance, but Macron bypassed him entirely, greeting others instead. However, earlier during the welcome, Macron had embraced Modi.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by the court over allegations of making derogatory remarks against the Indian Army during the 2023 Bharat Jodo Yatra. The case stems from his comments made on December 16, 2022, regarding the clash between Indian and Chinese troops on December 9, 2022. The complaint alleges that his remarks were defamatory and harmed the reputation of the Indian military. Previously, Rahul Gandhi was convicted in a criminal defamation case, receiving a two-year sentence, which led to his disqualification from Parliament—though he later regained his seat.

Indian Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has called on the Indian government to closely monitor the situation in Bangladesh, warning that an unfavorable government in Dhaka could pose risks to India. As Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, he stressed that India must commit to the welfare of all Bangladeshis rather than appearing biased towards any particular political party or group. Additionally, he supported the idea of granting asylum to Sheikh Hasina in India if necessary.

Indian actor and Trinamool Congress MP Dipak Adhikari, popularly known as Dev, has raised concerns in the Lok Sabha about the lack of barbed-wire fencing along large stretches of the India-Bangladesh border. According to an ABP report, Dev submitted questions about the total unfenced border area and the reasons behind it. The Indian government responded that 864.482 km of the border remains unfenced, with 174.514 km being impossible to fence due to opposition from Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB), land acquisition issues, water bodies, and landslides.

Just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit on February 12, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel products, effective this week. This move could severely impact India’s $3 billion steel exports to the U.S. and is seen as a diplomatic challenge for Modi. Previously, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and announced similar tariffs on Canada and Mexico, though the latter was temporarily postponed. Experts view this as a significant shift in U.S. trade policy.

On February 9, Indian security forces killed 31 Maoists in Chhattisgarh, while two policemen lost their lives in the operation. According to an Al Jazeera report, this was the largest operation of the year. The police and paramilitary forces conducted the mission based on intelligence inputs. However, the Maoist rebels have not yet issued any statement. Maoist insurgents have been engaged in an armed struggle against the Indian government since 1967.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha acknowledged India’s dependence on Bangladesh, stating that both nations need each other. Speaking at a press conference in Agartala, he highlighted completed but stalled projects like the Maitri Bridge and the Agartala-Akhaura rail link. Recent tensions, including attacks on Bangladesh’s consular office in Tripura, led to a diplomatic strain. However, Saha expressed hope that once conditions stabilize, these projects will resume, stressing that Bangladesh, too, cannot function without India’s support.

For the first time in 32 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears set to reclaim power in the Delhi Assembly elections. As of 1 p.m. on Saturday, NDTV’s live vote count showed BJP leading in 48 of the 70 seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was ahead in 22 seats. The Congress Party had not secured a single seat. Initial counts had shown strong momentum for Arvind Kejriwal, but the tide quickly turned in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party. In 2013, Kejriwal’s AAP won 28 seats to first take power, securing a record 67 seats in 2015 and 62 in 2020. Despite trailing in his own constituency, AAP leader Atishi remains hopeful about a turnaround.

A government official in Kolkata stabbed four colleagues in a fit of rage after his leave request was denied. He then casually walked away with the knife still in hand before being arrested. According to an NDTV report, the accused, Amit Kumar Sarkar, worked at the Technical Education Department in New Town, Kolkata. The shocking incident was caught on video, which quickly went viral. In the footage, Sarkar can be seen warning passersby not to come near him. The injured victims have been identified as Jaydeb Chakraborty, Shantanu Saha, Sarthak Lete, and Sheikh Satabul. They were rushed to the hospital, with two reported in critical condition. Authorities have confirmed Sarkar’s arrest.

The U.S. deported a group of illegal Indian immigrants on Thursday, restraining them with handcuffs and leg shackles aboard a military aircraft. The incident sparked outrage in India's parliament, with opposition members condemning it as an inhumane and humiliating act against Indian nationals. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar explained that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) follows strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for deportations. He clarified that deportations are not new, with 15,756 Indians sent back over the past 15 years. However, he assured that women and children were not subjected to shackling. Opposition leaders questioned the Indian government's response and demanded measures to protect the dignity of its citizens abroad.

On August 5, in the face of a student uprising, Sheikh Hasina, who had fled the country, gave a speech to the student wing of the Awami League. In response, enraged student protesters attacked and vandalized the house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a place full of historical significance, on the night of February 5. This week, after Advisor Sheikh Hasina remarked that India should take responsibility if she engages in politics from its soil, Sheikh Hasina went live on the Awami League page! In this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka. India clarified that it is not using Indian platforms. Subsequently, Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jayaswal expressed regret over the destruction of the historic residence of Sheikh Mujib, a symbol of bravery against occupation and oppression. The statement further emphasized that all those proud of their Bengali identity are aware of the importance of this residence.

Forbes has released its 2025 list of the world’s most powerful countries, with the United States securing the top spot, followed by China and Russia. Israel, despite its smaller economy compared to other nations, has made it to the 10th position. The rankings are based on various factors, including economic, political, military strength, and international relations. Notably, India is absent from the top 10, while the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, France, Japan, and Saudi Arabia are included. The exclusion has sparked widespread discussions and debates across India, especially regarding the Modi government’s performance.

The top 10 list includes:
#1. United States
#2. China
#3. Russia
#4. United Kingdom
#5. Germany
#6. South Korea
#7. France
#8. Japan
#9. Saudi Arabia
#10. Israel