India has summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, to express concern over recent threats targeting the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and inflammatory remarks made by some Bangladeshi political figures. The move follows comments by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah during Bangladesh’s 55th Victory Day celebrations, where he reportedly made statements suggesting separation of India’s northeastern states.

According to Indian media outlet NDTV, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs conveyed its expectation that Bangladesh’s interim administration will take all necessary measures to maintain internal law and order and ensure a peaceful electoral process. The diplomatic démarche underscores India’s sensitivity to cross-border political rhetoric that could strain bilateral relations.

Analysts note that the timing of the summons, amid Bangladesh’s pre-election environment, adds a layer of complexity to Dhaka–Delhi ties. Observers expect both sides to seek de-escalation through diplomatic channels to prevent disruption of ongoing cooperation in trade, connectivity, and regional security.

India’s Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed Parliament that between 2014 and 2024, Indian security forces arrested 23,926 individuals for illegal border crossings along India’s borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. Of these, more than 21,000 were detained along the Bangladesh-India frontier, making it the most active route for cross-border infiltration.

The data, presented in response to questions from two Trinamool Congress MPs, showed that 18,851 arrests occurred on the Bangladesh border, followed by 1,165 on the Myanmar border, 556 on the Pakistan border, and 234 along the Nepal-Bhutan border. No infiltration incidents were reported along the India-China border during the same period. Additionally, 3,120 more individuals were detained between January and November 2025.

The figures highlight persistent challenges in managing India’s eastern border security and migration control. Analysts note that economic disparities and porous terrain continue to drive unauthorized movement, prompting calls for enhanced surveillance and bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh.

India’s opposition parties have warned that the government’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists across nine states and three union territories threatens the country’s democratic integrity. They allege the process could disenfranchise poor and minority voters, particularly Muslims, while consolidating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political power. The issue triggered heated debate in Parliament last week, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating electoral rolls under the guise of administrative reform.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed the SIR is part of a broader plan to undermine India’s electoral continuity, likening it to the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam that left millions of Muslims stateless. The BJP, however, insists the revision aims to remove “illegal infiltrators” and protect democratic integrity. Home Minister Amit Shah defended the policy, saying it ensures that only legitimate citizens determine India’s leadership.

Analysts warn the move could deepen communal polarization and strain India’s secular framework ahead of upcoming state elections. Human rights groups have urged transparency and independent oversight of the revision process.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a record ₹9.2 crore during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held in Abu Dhabi. The left-arm seamer became the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history, surpassing former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s previous record of ₹5.45 crore. The bidding war for Mustafizur saw intense competition between Chennai Super Kings, Dubai Capitals, and KKR before the Kolkata franchise sealed the deal.

The 30-year-old bowler, who debuted in the IPL in 2016, has represented five franchises before joining KKR — Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings. Over 60 IPL matches, he has taken 65 wickets at an average of 28.44 and an economy rate of 8.13. The auction also saw Australian all-rounder Cameron Green sold to KKR for a record ₹25 crore, though under new IPL rules, foreign players can earn a maximum of ₹18 crore, with the excess going to the BCCI’s player welfare fund.

Mustafizur’s signing highlights KKR’s focus on strengthening its bowling lineup ahead of the 2025 season, with expectations high for his impact in the upcoming campaign.

West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas has offered to resign following widespread criticism over the disarray during Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata. The incident occurred at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, where fans expressed anger after Messi spent less than ten minutes on the field. Biswas submitted a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting to step down to ensure a fair investigation into the event’s mismanagement.

The controversy stems from allegations that Biswas and his family occupied privileged positions near Messi during the event, while thousands of spectators were left disappointed. Trinamool Congress state secretary Kunal Ghosh confirmed that Banerjee accepted Biswas’s resignation request. The state government has already formed an inquiry committee to examine the lapses in organization and security arrangements.

The resignation marks a significant political fallout from what was supposed to be a celebratory sporting occasion. The inquiry’s findings could influence future event management protocols in West Bengal, as public frustration over the incident remains high.

The Indian rupee fell to a record low of 90.74 against the U.S. dollar on Monday, surpassing its previous all-time low of 90.55 recorded on December 12. The decline came amid prolonged deadlock in U.S.-India trade talks and continued foreign investor withdrawals from India’s bond and equity markets. The rupee weakened by 0.3 percent as investor confidence waned following new U.S. tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods.

Foreign investors have sold over $18 billion worth of Indian equities so far in 2025, making India one of the hardest-hit emerging markets for portfolio outflows. More than $500 million in bonds were also offloaded in December. Analysts expect India’s trade deficit to narrow to $32 billion from October’s record $41 billion, though concerns over external financing remain.

Finrex Treasury Advisors’ Anil Bansali warned that the rupee may test support levels at 90.80, with risks extending toward 91–92. The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly allowing market forces to dictate pricing, intervening only to curb excessive volatility.

A major controversy erupted in India’s Bihar state after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was filmed pulling off the hijab of a female AYUSH doctor during a government appointment ceremony in Patna on December 15. The 74-year-old leader was seen gesturing for the doctor to remove her hijab before reaching out himself and uncovering her head, prompting visible discomfort from the woman and laughter from some attendees. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary reportedly tried to intervene.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across political and social platforms. The opposition Congress Party called the act “shameful and disgraceful,” demanding Kumar’s resignation and questioning women’s safety under his leadership. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also criticized the behavior, saying it exposed the ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance’s hypocrisy on women’s empowerment. Social media users have described the act as “deplorable,” with many calling for accountability.

This is not the first time Kumar has faced criticism over his behavior toward women. A similar controversy arose in November when a video showed him placing a garland on a woman during a campaign event. The latest uproar could further strain his political standing ahead of upcoming state elections.

Aditya Dhar’s new film *DhuranDhar*, released on December 5 across Indian cinemas, has ignited intense political and social debate. The three-hour spy thriller revisits major terror incidents such as the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. While audiences have praised its cinematic scale and storytelling, critics argue that the film carries hyper-nationalist overtones and religious bias, prompting bans in several Gulf countries.

Political reactions have been sharply divided. Congress MP Tariq Anwar accused the film of promoting Islamophobia, while BJP leaders defended it as a factual portrayal of terrorism. Actor Hrithik Roshan publicly expressed discomfort with the movie’s political stance. Analysts note that Dhar’s work, including his earlier *Uri: The Surgical Strike*, aligns with government narratives on national security and patriotism.

Experts suggest *DhuranDhar* reflects a broader trend of Bollywood films reinforcing state ideology since 2014. Its upcoming second part, due in March, is expected to reignite debates over religion, nationalism, and the politicization of Indian cinema.

A major road accident occurred on the Delhi-Agra Expressway near Mathura, India, on Tuesday morning due to dense fog that severely reduced visibility. According to local reports, seven buses and three cars collided in a chain reaction, leaving at least four people dead and 25 others injured. Several vehicles caught fire following the collision, causing panic among passengers and complicating rescue operations.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar confirmed that emergency teams were deployed immediately to clear the expressway and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Authorities cited poor visibility as the primary cause of the accident, which occurred during early morning hours when fog was at its thickest. Traffic movement on the expressway was temporarily halted as rescue and cleanup efforts continued.

Officials have urged motorists to exercise caution amid worsening winter fog conditions across northern India. The incident highlights recurring safety challenges on major highways during the fog season, prompting renewed calls for improved road safety measures and better fog-warning systems.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Victory Day message on December 16, 2025, drew attention after he referred to the 1971 conflict as India’s historic victory without mentioning Bangladesh. In a Facebook post, Modi honored Indian soldiers for their courage and sacrifice during the war, describing the day as a proud moment in India’s history. His remarks, however, made no reference to Bangladesh’s independence struggle or the shared nature of the victory.

The omission has prompted discussion among observers in both countries, as December 16 marks Bangladesh’s Liberation Day and India’s Vijay Diwas. Analysts note that while India played a crucial role in the final phase of the war, the day primarily symbolizes Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan. Some commentators in Dhaka viewed Modi’s message as a missed opportunity to reaffirm bilateral ties rooted in the 1971 war.

Diplomatic analysts suggest the incident may not cause lasting tension but underscores sensitivities surrounding historical narratives in South Asia. Both nations continue to commemorate the day through parallel but distinct ceremonies.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has revealed that nearly 900,000 Indian citizens have renounced their citizenship over the past five years. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh presented the data in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on December 14, noting that the government maintains detailed annual records of such cases. The figures indicate that citizenship renunciations have risen steadily since the pandemic slowdown.

According to the ministry’s data, more than 2 million Indians have given up their citizenship in the past 14 years, with a notable surge in recent years. The trend reflects a growing inclination among Indians to acquire foreign citizenship, often for better economic or educational opportunities abroad. In 2020, the number dropped to 85,256 due to COVID-19 restrictions, but rebounded sharply in subsequent years, reaching over 200,000 annually.

Analysts suggest that the continued rise may reflect both global mobility trends and domestic economic factors. The government has not indicated any policy changes in response, but the data may prompt renewed debate on migration and talent retention.

Following the November 10 car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed at least 12 people, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) launched a series of searches across Kashmir’s hospitals. Investigators reportedly raided doctors’ lockers and offices, detaining eight medical professionals, including a female doctor, as part of the probe into the suicide attack allegedly carried out by a Kashmiri doctor from Faridabad’s Al Falah Medical University.

The raids have triggered widespread fear and mental stress among Kashmiri doctors. Several physicians told BBC that the searches, while understood as security measures, have stigmatized the entire medical community. Health Minister Sakina Ito urged investigators to follow due protocols, while former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti warned that collective suspicion against Kashmiri doctors could harm national unity.

Authorities maintain the operations are standard security procedures across all district hospitals. However, concerns persist that the aggressive approach may deepen mistrust and disrupt healthcare services in the region.

India has granted citizenship to 36 Bangladeshi nationals under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), marking one of the largest such approvals since the law’s implementation in March 2024. According to officials, 35 individuals in Odisha and one in Assam received citizenship certificates during a state-organized ceremony. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the CAA as a symbol of protection and refuge for persecuted minorities.

The Hindu reported that the newly naturalized citizens are all Hindus who migrated from Bangladesh before December 31, 2014. With this, the total number of CAA beneficiaries in Odisha has risen to 51, while around 1,100 applications remain under review. In Assam, a 40-year-old Bangladeshi woman became the first to gain citizenship under the Act after marrying an Indian citizen and residing in India for over seven years.

The move underscores India’s gradual rollout of the CAA amid ongoing political debate and regional sensitivities, particularly in border states. Authorities expect further approvals as pending applications are processed in the coming months.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologized to Argentine football legend Lionel Messi after severe disorder erupted during his event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Thousands of fans who gathered to see Messi were left disappointed as the situation spiraled out of control, prompting the Chief Minister to express her deep regret over the mismanagement.

In a message on X, Banerjee said she was deeply disturbed by the chaos and extended an apology to Messi, sports enthusiasts, and fans. She announced the formation of an inquiry committee led by retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy, along with senior state officials, to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures for the future. Videos circulating online showed angry spectators breaking barricades and throwing objects onto the field.

Many attendees complained about poor arrangements and limited visibility despite paying high ticket prices. The incident has drawn criticism of event organizers and local authorities, raising questions about crowd management and VIP privileges at major public events in India.

A promotional event featuring Lionel Messi at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium turned violent on Sunday as crowd control failed amid massive attendance. Over 100,000 spectators gathered to see the Argentine football star, but poor organization and political interference near the stage led to frustration among fans. As visibility of Messi was blocked by local leaders, sections of the audience began throwing bottles and tearing banners, triggering widespread disorder.

Witnesses reported that parts of the crowd broke through fencing, with around 2,500 people storming the field. Some attempted to set fire to tents near the pitch and damaged goal nets and tunnel structures. Police resorted to defensive measures, using broken chairs as shields, while Rapid Action Force units were deployed to regain control. Clashes between police and spectators continued intermittently, leaving the stadium area under mob control for hours.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the security lapses, while event organizers face criticism for inadequate planning. The incident raises concerns over safety protocols for high-profile international events in India.