Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi embarked on a significant four-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka, aimed at enhancing bilateral military cooperation. In the UAE, he engaged in high-level discussions with Major General Yousef Maayouf Saeed Al Hallami, focusing on advancing joint military engagements, training convergence, and defense industrial cooperation. This visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Gulf partners amidst evolving regional dynamics, particularly in light of the UAE’s …

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit India on January 12-13, marking a significant moment in the evolving India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, technology, education, and notably, defense, with potential joint ventures in military technology aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The visit also aims to bolster business ties, particularly in sectors like automotive and digital infrastructure, and will address broader geopolitical challenges, including Indo-Pacific stability and …

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to visit India on January 12-13, marking a significant moment in the evolving India-Germany Strategic Partnership. The discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, technology, education, and notably, defense, with potential joint ventures in military technology aligned with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The visit also aims to bolster business ties, particularly in sectors like automotive and digital infrastructure, and will address broader geopolitical challenges, including Indo-Pacific stability and …

U.S. forces executed a high-profile operation on January 3, 2026, extracting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas to face narcotics-related charges in New York, leading President Trump to invoke a revived ‘Donroe Doctrine’ the following day. This doctrine emphasizes American dominance in the Western Hemisphere, citing the threat posed by Maduro’s regime through foreign adversaries and drug trafficking, while asserting control over Venezuela’s oil reserves for global energy security. Trump’s rhetoric extended …

India’s Ministry of External Affairs on 4–5 January 2026 issued a formal advisory urging Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran, citing “recent developments” and widening protests over spiralling inflation and the collapse of the Iranian rial, which has lost more than half its value in six months. The unrest, triggered in late December 2025 by shopkeepers’ strikes in Tehran, has since spread to over 20 provinces, with reports of at least ten deaths …

India has introduced a new e-Production Investment Business (e-B-4) visa for Chinese nationals, effective from 1 January 2026, allowing online applications and stays of up to six months for tightly defined production and technology-related work. The scheme, notified through an advisory by the Indian Embassy in Beijing, covers activities such as installation and commissioning of equipment, quality checks, essential maintenance, IT/ERP ramp-up, training, supply-chain development and plant set-up, with issuance typically in 45–50 days. This …

On 4 January 2026, US Senator Lindsey Graham claimed aboard Air Force One that Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra had told him during a meeting “about a month ago” that New Delhi was buying less Russian oil and wanted President Donald Trump to “relieve the 25% tariff” imposed on India over such purchases. The remarks follow Trump’s earlier move to double overall tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in 2025 and his …

Thailand’s strategic alignment with China has increasingly undermined its long-standing military ties with the United States, as reported on January 5, 2026. The country has reportedly procured over $400 million in Chinese military equipment since 2016, surpassing US supplies, further diminishing American influence in Southeast Asia. This shift poses risks to regional stability, particularly for India, as it could enhance China’s military presence in the Indo-Pacific, threaten critical maritime routes, and reduce US deterrence capabilities. …

Russia executed five missile strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, inflicting significant damage on its energy infrastructure, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. He emphasized that the attacks target essential services such as heating and water, aiming to instill fear among the populace as temperatures drop below freezing. This latest assault is part of a broader pattern of intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy systems, contributing to widespread power outages and disrupting daily life for millions. …

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a potential American takeover of Greenland would signal the end of NATO, following comments from US President Donald Trump advocating for US control over the strategically important Arctic island. Frederiksen emphasized that any military action against a NATO member state would jeopardize the alliance and its long-standing security guarantees. Her remarks were made in light of a US military operation in Venezuela that has heightened tensions in …

President Donald Trump stated that U.S. national security officials have determined Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence during a recent drone strike, contradicting claims made by the Kremlin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had accused Ukraine of launching drones at Putin’s state residence while negotiations for peace were ongoing. Although initially concerned about the allegations, Trump later posted an editorial questioning the Russian claims, emphasizing the need to focus on peace efforts. …

China and Pakistan have strengthened their bilateral ties, committing to enhance cooperation across various sectors including trade, finance, agriculture, and cybersecurity, as reported by Chinese state media. The joint statement emphasized a mutual support framework in regional and international financial platforms, aiming for more tangible actions against terrorist organizations in Afghanistan. This development signals a deepening strategic partnership between the two nations, potentially impacting regional security dynamics. For India, the growing collaboration between its neighbors …

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Vasyl Maliuk, amidst ongoing security reforms nearly four years into the Russian invasion. Maliuk, recognized for his leadership during significant operations against Russian forces, will remain within the SBU to conduct asymmetric operations aimed at inflicting damage on the enemy. This change follows a recent corruption scandal that led to the resignation of Zelensky’s chief of staff and comes as …

Recent satellite imagery reveals China’s aggressive infrastructure build-up near the Pangong Tso buffer zone, reinforcing territorial claims following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. This activity, while on China’s side of the buffer, raises concerns about the fragility of disengagement agreements and signals a need for India to expedite its own infrastructure developments to match Beijing’s rapid pace. India’s Operation Sindoor indicates a tactical shift, with troop redeployments enhancing readiness, while ongoing diplomatic talks seek to …

The recent unilateral US military operation in Venezuela has reignited discussions regarding India’s strategic posture towards Pakistan, especially in light of India’s successful Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Observers question whether India should adopt a bolder approach against Pakistan, given its longstanding support for terrorism and hostility towards India. The US’s justification for its actions, citing narco-terrorism, parallels India’s claims against Pakistan, raising critical questions about international norms and unilateral interventions. As tensions rise in …

India has expressed grave concern over the recent US military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, urging for peaceful dialogue to resolve the escalating tensions. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India’s commitment to the welfare of Venezuela’s people, while advising Indian nationals in the country to exercise caution and limit travel. As the situation unfolds, India emphasizes the importance of upholding international law, alongside criticisms …

A Hindu factory owner, Tushar Bairagi, was shot dead in broad daylight by assailants in Bangladesh, highlighting ongoing violence against minorities in the country. This incident follows a series of attacks on Hindus, raising alarms from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which cited over 2,900 incidents of violence since the interim government took power. The targeted nature of Bairagi’s killing, given his roles as a businessman and journalist, suggests potential motives linked to religious extremism …

The recent collapse of Venezuela’s partnership with China illustrates the fragility of Beijing’s influence in Latin America, which was initially bolstered by significant investments and an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership.” However, Venezuela’s economic mismanagement, compounded by U.S. sanctions and military actions, has led to a dramatic decline in oil production and increasing defaults on debts owed to China. The situation escalated when U.S. forces executed Operation Absolute Resolve, capturing key Venezuelan leaders, further weakening China’s …

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a formal letter of censure against retired Navy Captain and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for a November video urging troops to refuse unlawful orders from the Trump administration. Hegseth criticized the video as seditious and a violation of military conduct standards, which may lead to a reduction in Kelly’s rank and retirement pay. Kelly defended his stance by citing his extensive military service and accused Hegseth of political …

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is poised for a significant electoral victory as opinion polls indicate 70% support, largely fueled by the sympathy surrounding the late Khaleda Zia and the return of her son, Tarique Rahman. In contrast, the Jamaat-e-Islami’s popularity has dwindled to 19%, reflecting a public rejection of its violent tactics and alleged ties to the ISI. As political tensions rise, particularly with escalating violence against minorities, India remains vigilant, hoping for a …