On January 3, 2026, the United States successfully executed Operation Absolute Resolve, a meticulously coordinated military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from a heavily fortified compound in Caracas. The operation involved over 150 aircraft, including F-22s, F-35s, and B-2 bombers, alongside elite Delta Force commandos, and was supported by extensive intelligence from US spy agencies, which tracked Maduro’s movements and communications for months. The raid utilized cyber …

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has commenced a two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aimed at enhancing bilateral military and strategic cooperation. This visit reinforces the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE, focusing on defense collaboration, joint exercises, and capability building. General Dwivedi’s discussions with senior UAE military officials will address innovations in defense and the integration of modern operational techniques. Following recent military engagements, including the upcoming joint …

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep concern over the recent military operation by the United States that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The MEA reaffirmed its support for the people of Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and peaceful resolution to ensure regional stability. Following the developments, the MEA advised Indian nationals in Venezuela to avoid non-essential travel and to exercise extreme caution, given the …

On January 3, 2026, US forces conducted Operation Absolute Resolve, executing airstrikes in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and sparking regional tensions. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed profound concern, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue to ensure the safety of all Venezuelans, including its own citizens. This unilateral intervention raises questions about international norms and could affect global energy security, especially given Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves that are crucial for …

China and Pakistan have committed to enhancing their cooperation in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, and mining, as well as expanding collaboration in trade, investment, information technology, and cybersecurity, according to a joint statement from Chinese state media. They also emphasized the need for closer ties in financial and banking sectors, supporting each other on regional and international financial platforms. Notably, both nations called for tangible actions to dismantle terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan, underscoring …

President Donald Trump clarified that U.S. national security officials have determined Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in a recent drone strike, disputing the Kremlin’s claims. This assertion comes amidst ongoing peace negotiations, with both Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy engaging in discussions over a proposed 20-point peace plan. Trump’s initial concern over the Russian accusation has shifted, as he now questions its credibility and highlights the importance of advancing diplomatic …

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar embarked on a six-day official visit to France and Luxembourg from January 4 to 9, 2026, to bolster India’s strategic partnerships with these key European nations. In Paris, he will meet French leadership, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, to review progress under the India-France Strategic Partnership—spanning defence, trade, clean energy, cybersecurity, and counterterrorism—and discuss global issues ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s anticipated trip to India for the AI Summit. …

US President Donald Trump on January 4, 2026, shared a chart on Truth Social titled “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin,” listing welfare assistance rates for immigrant households from about 120 countries, notably excluding India while including neighbors like Bangladesh at 54.8%, Pakistan at 40.2%, Nepal at 34.8%, and China at 32.9%. This omission underscores the economic prowess of Indian immigrants, who boast a median household income of USD 151,200 in 2023—surpassing the …

Pakistan has publicly endorsed China’s claim of mediation during the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict that followed Operation Sindoor, marking a significant shift in its diplomatic narrative. At a recent press briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi acknowledged that Chinese leaders were actively engaged with both Islamabad and New Delhi, asserting that these interactions contributed to de-escalating tensions. This endorsement contrasts with Pakistan’s earlier position, which credited US President Donald Trump for the pause in …

Missile debris recovered in Venezuela’s Alta Guajira region, marked with identifiers consistent with US drone-launched munitions, points to a covert MQ-9 Reaper strike aimed at a suspected drug trafficking facility. This operation underscores the effectiveness of unmanned aerial systems in counter-narcotics efforts, drawing parallels to India’s challenges with cross-border smuggling and terrorism. The incident, occurring amid heightened US military actions in the region, could have implications for global energy security and regional stability, which are …

India and Bangladesh have commenced joint water measurements on the Padma and Ganga rivers as the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty approaches its expiration in December 2026. Indian officials, led by Saurabh Kumar from the Central Water Commission, and a Bangladeshi team are collaborating to monitor water levels at designated points from January 1 to May 31, recording data every ten days. The initiative emphasizes security for the Indian contingent, reflecting the bilateral importance of water …

Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) has announced a two-year transitional plan toward independence from the north, fueling escalating tensions amid clashes with Saudi-backed forces in Hadramout province. The STC’s move follows intensified fighting, with accusations of Saudi airstrikes on their positions, resulting in casualties. Riyadh and Yemen’s recognized government have condemned the STC’s actions, claiming they threaten national unity and security. The situation reflects deeper fractures within the coalition supporting Yemen’s government, particularly concerning Emirati …

Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch has warned that China may soon deploy troops in Pakistan’s Balochistan amid escalating military cooperation with Pakistan, expressing alarm over the implications of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In an open letter to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, he emphasized the need to bolster Baloch defense forces to counter potential Chinese military presence, which he described as a direct threat to both Balochistan and India. He commended India’s Operation …

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized the enduring spirit of SAARC as South Asian leaders, including India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, gathered to pay respects at the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Yunus urged for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has been largely inactive since 2016, citing the need for collaboration among nearly two billion people in the region. His calls for revitalization …

India and Pakistan exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen on January 1, 2026, under the 2008 Consular Access Agreement, with India sharing details of 391 Pakistani nationals and 33 fishermen, while Pakistan listed 58 Indian civilians and 199 fishermen. The Ministry of External Affairs urged Islamabad to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civilians who completed sentences, grant immediate consular access to 35 believed Indians, and ensure detainee welfare amid maritime border …

Pakistani military chief Asim Munir has intensified his anti-India rhetoric following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which claimed 26 lives. In response to India’s Operation Sindoor—a series of precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure—Munir vowed a swift and severe retaliation, signaling ongoing tensions between the nuclear neighbors. The restructuring of Pakistan’s military under Munir aims to enhance operational efficiency and deterrence capabilities, amidst economic challenges and internal strife. While Munir’s statements may reflect …

Protests are poised to intensify in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) as the Joint Awami Action Committee accuses the government of failing to fulfill promises made following an October agreement. Frustration among the populace is growing, with claims of corruption and neglect reminiscent of issues in Balochistan. The committee seeks comprehensive resolutions to their demands, including addressing refugee seat issues and withdrawing legal charges against its members. Indian officials express concern that escalating discontent could spill over into …

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, U.S. special forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation in Caracas on January 3, 2026, amid reports of explosions and low-flying helicopters. The operation, described by President Donald Trump as a decisive strike against a “dictatorial regime,” involved elite units such as Navy SEALs and Delta Force, targeting Maduro’s fortified residence and key military sites. Maduro, along with his wife, was reportedly airlifted to a …

The Pakistan military has again asserted its dominance over civilian governance, particularly targeting Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party through a campaign involving arrests, trials, and restrictions on political activities. This ongoing crackdown, initiated following Khan’s ouster and mass protests in 2023, highlights the military’s historical pattern of overriding democratic processes through constitutional manipulation and intelligence-led actions. As the military seeks to portray itself as a defender of state institutions, the use of …

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently emphasized India’s right to defend itself against neighbors that harbor terrorism, asserting that such countries cannot expect cooperation, such as sharing water resources, while undermining India’s security. His remarks, made during an interaction at IIT-Madras, were implicitly directed at Pakistan, although he refrained from naming the country. In contrast, Pakistan’s Foreign Office criticized Jaishankar’s comments, claiming they serve to distract from India’s own role in regional instability and asserting …

The dramatic U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, marks a bold intervention in Latin America, reverberating far beyond the Western Hemisphere to influence global energy dynamics and great-power rivalries. For India, a major oil importer with historical ties to Venezuela, this event underscores vulnerabilities in energy security amid volatile international relations, especially as it disrupts supplies from a nation holding the world’s largest proven crude reserves. Recent explosions in Caracas …

Nine fishermen from the Tamil Nadu districts of Rameswaram and Mayiladuthurai were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line while fishing. The incidents involved the seizure of two mechanized fishing boats during separate operations by Sri Lankan naval patrols. Fishermen’s associations have expressed deep concern over these repeated arrests, which they argue threaten the livelihoods of local fishing communities and highlight the ongoing tensions in the Palk Strait. …

The BJP has condemned New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s interference in India’s internal affairs following his note in support of Umar Khalid, an activist charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged role in the February 2020 Delhi riots, which resulted in 53 deaths. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia emphasized that India will not tolerate external comments on its sovereignty and legal matters, asserting unity among Indians under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. …

UK military officials have expressed surprise at the absence of advanced Russian military technology, such as the T-14 Armata tank and Su-57 fighter jets, on the Ukrainian battlefield. Major Maguire highlighted that instead of deploying these high-profile assets, Russia has relied on older models, facing challenges in production exacerbated by international sanctions. Concerns over reputational damage and the operational readiness of advanced equipment have led to this strategic choice, while NATO forces remain confident in …

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported heightened military activity from China, detecting six naval vessels, one official ship, and two balloons in its surrounding waters, following multiple incursions of PLA aircraft and naval vessels. This escalation underscores China’s ongoing military assertiveness, with recent live-fire exercises designed to intimidate and coerce Taiwan and its allies, drawing concerns from regional partners and prompting public gratitude from Taiwan’s National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu towards the United …