Natioanal

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka today to represent the Indian government at the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Jaishankar will lead the official Indian delegation, marking a significant diplomatic engagement at a time when India-Bangladesh relations are under strain. Recent incidents targeting the Hindu minority in Bangladesh and remarks from key Bangladeshi leaders critical of India have heightened sensitivities, making this visit particularly important. Khaleda Zia: A Pioneering Leader Begum Khaleda Zia passed away yesterday at the age of 80. She was Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and played a pivotal role in restoring democracy after perio...

India is forging a stronger economic and strategic partnership with Oman, a Gulf nation that maintains robust ties with both India and the United States. This relationship is increasingly being seen as more stable and mutually beneficial than India’s engagements with Qatar or Saudi Arabia. India-Oman Relations: A New Chapter Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Oman, the two nations have signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement, marking a significant milestone. Oman now joins a select group of countries having Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with both India and the U.S., offering opportunities for trade, investment, and skilled manpower exchange. Oman’s liberal policies, strategic location, and industrial expertise make it a favorable destination for ...

As India gears up to welcome 2026, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings for six states in North India. Citizens are advised to stay cautious as rain, snowfall, and dense fog could impact celebrations and travel plans. Rain and Snow Alert in Northern States On December 31, 2025, the IMD has forecasted rain and snowfall in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir. The severe weather may cause temperatures to drop by 2–3°C in affected areas. Hill stations and high-altitude regions should prepare for snowfall, while plains may experience intermittent rain showers. Delhi Weather Forecast Delhi is expected to experience chilly weather with chances of rain. Maximum temperature will hover around 20°C, while the mini...

As India prepares to welcome 2026, cities across the country have put strict security and traffic arrangements in place to ensure celebrations are safe and smooth. From Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram to Mumbai, Rajasthan, Kashi, and Mata Vaishno Devi, authorities are leaving no stone unturned. Delhi Prepares for a Grand Celebration In Connaught Place, a major hub for New Year festivities, Delhi Police has imposed a vehicle restriction from 7 PM on December 31, allowing only authorized vehicles. Pedestrian movement will be managed with strict crowd control measures. The Rajiv Chowk Metro Station exits will be closed after 9 PM, as per DMRC advisories. Key junctions such as Mandi House, Bengali Market, Patel Chowk, Gol Market, GPO, Kasturba Gandhi Marg-Feroz Shah Road, Jai Singh Road-Bangl...

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) begins strategising for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken aim at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. During a public rally, Shah referred to Abhishek as “Bhaipo”, drawing attention to the family’s political influence in the state. Political Context At the rally, Shah accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of enabling only the CM’s nephew to profit under the government, leaving ordinary citizens disadvantaged. He alleged that over the past 15 years, West Bengal has been plagued by corruption, fear, and illegal practices, and that central welfare schemes have fallen prey to local “toll syndicates.” What ‘Bhaipo’ Means In Bengali, ‘Bhaipo’ translates to nep...

In an extraordinary feat of courage and endurance, 18-year-old Kamya Karthikeyan, daughter of a naval officer, has become the youngest Indian to reach the South Pole on skis. Confronting extreme conditions with temperatures plunging from 0°C to -30°C and fierce winds, Kamya covered nearly 60 nautical miles (about 115 km) from 89° south, hauling a sled laden with her expedition gear, and reached the South Pole on 27 December 2025. The Indian Navy congratulated Kamya in a social media post, sharing videos and photographs of her grueling expedition. The Navy stated:"Kamya Karthikeyan, an 18-year-old and a former student of the Navy Children School, has made history as the youngest Indian and the world’s second-youngest female to ski to the South Pole." Mountaineer and Explorer Kamya,...

In a significant bureaucratic shake-up, the Central Government has appointed IAS officer Lav Agrawal as the new Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The reshuffle, announced on Tuesday, also saw 25 senior bureaucrats being reassigned across important ministries and departments, including the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Department of Commerce, and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Lav Agrawal Takes Charge as DGFT Lav Agrawal, a 1996 batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, was serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the order confirming that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his posting as DGFT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Key Re...

In a significant step towards strengthening India’s military capabilities and advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved two major defence procurement deals worth a combined ₹4,666 crore for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. The contracts were signed on Tuesday at South Block, New Delhi, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, marking a major upgrade in close-combat and underwater warfare capabilities of the armed forces. Over 4.25 Lakh CQB Carbines for Army and Navy Under the first agreement, the MoD has finalised a deal worth ₹2,770 crore for the procurement of over 4.25 lakh Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines. The contract has been awarded to Bharat Forge Limited and PLR Systems, a joint venture between Adani Defenc...

The Republic Day Parade 2026 is set to present a rare and striking spectacle on Kartavya Path, as the Indian Army will, for the first time, showcase double-humped Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, and specially trained anti-drone eagles. These unique assets will be part of the contingent of the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC), highlighting the Army’s reliance on indigenous animal strength in some of the harshest terrains in the world. The RVC contingent will be led by Captain Harshita, marking another milestone for women officers in the Corps. The Indian Army began inducting women officers into the RVC around three years ago, and Captain Harshita belongs to its very first batch. Bactrian Camels: Lifeline of Eastern Ladakh Two double-humped Bactrian camels will march along Kartav...

In a decisive move to counter infiltration attempts along the India–Pakistan border, the Border Security Force (BSF) is set to launch its annual winter security अभियान, ‘Operation Sard Hawa’, across sensitive sectors in Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan. The operation will be rolled out at an appropriate time next month and continue until the end of January, keeping in mind the heightened security sensitivities ahead of Republic Day. According to BSF officials, the operation is aimed at neutralising infiltration, smuggling and illegal cross-border movement that typically increase during winter due to dense fog, low visibility and harsh weather conditions, which are often exploited by hostile elements. Enhanced Surveillance and Patrolling Under Operation Sard Hawa, border surveilla...