The 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Delhi underscores the deepening partnership between India and the 22-member Arab League. Bilateral trade currently exceeds $240 billion, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia being key partners. Energy security remains a pillar, as the region provides 60% of India's crude oil and 70% of its natural gas. The partnership has expanded into strategic areas, including defense agreements, maritime security under the SAGAR initiative, and digital infrastructure like the RuPay card launch in the UAE. Both sides are collaborating on counter-terrorism and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) to ensure regional prosperity.
- Bilateral trade between India and the Arab League stands at over $240 billion.
- The Arab League (LAS) was formally established in Cairo in 1945 with seven members.
- India receives 60% of its crude oil and 70% of its natural gas from the Arab region.
India and Saudi Arabia held their 3rd Security Working Group meeting in Riyadh to review ongoing security cooperation. The dialogue focused on counter-terrorism, including tackling extremism, radicalization, and the financing of terrorism. Both nations discussed preventing the use of technology for terrorist purposes and the nexus between transnational organized crime and terrorism. The meeting is part of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC). The dialogue is significant given the strategic importance of both nations for energy security and the presence of a large Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia.
- The 3rd India-Saudi Arabia Security Working Group focused on counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime.
- The meeting operates under the framework of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC).
- Cooperation includes preventing the use of technology for terrorist purposes and curbing terror financing.
Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria’s Kurdish regions, led by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), face new challenges. The Kurdish population established the 'Rojava' autonomous administration, but recent clashes with government forces and Turkish-backed groups led to a ceasefire agreement. The deal requires the SDF to hand over key cities like Raqqa and Deir al-Zour to the central government and integrate its administrative and military structures. The U.S. maintains a small troop presence to counter IS remnants, while Turkey continues to view the Kurdish militia as a major security threat.
- The Kurdish-led SDF controlled nearly 30% of Syrian territory before the recent regime change.
- A ceasefire agreement mediated by the interim government requires the SDF to integrate into the national military.
- Turkey opposes Kurdish autonomy, labeling the YPG militia as a terrorist organization linked to the PKK.
The United Nations recently adopted the 'Convention against Cybercrime,' the first multilateral criminal justice instrument for cyberspace in two decades. While supported by 72 countries, major players like India, the US, Japan, and Canada did not sign it. India’s reluctance stems from concerns over the lack of institutional control over its citizens' data and the erosion of gains made in earlier climate-style conventions. The convention exposes a gap between international legal principles and on-ground realities, with critics fearing its broad definitions could be used to prosecute journalists or political opponents.
- The 2001 Budapest Convention on Cybercrime was seen as non-inclusive by many developing nations, leading to the new UN initiative.
- India seeks greater sovereignty over data and was disappointed that its proposals for institutional control were not retained.
- The US and EU are concerned that the convention's broad scope could infringe on human rights and lack procedural safeguards.
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day with a grand parade on Kartavya Path, featuring EU leaders as chief guests. The event highlighted 'Operation Sindoor,' a 2025 military operation against terror infrastructure, by showcasing associated weapon systems like the BrahMos missile and Suryastra rocket launcher. President Droupadi Murmu's address emphasized the 150th anniversaries of the National Song 'Vande Mataram' and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The parade also featured the first-ever participation of an EU military contingent and showcased India's maritime journey through the Indian Navy's tableau, including INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri.
- Operation Sindoor (May 2025) was a major theme, highlighting India's self-reliance in defense and precision strikes.
- The 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram (composed in 1876) was a central cultural theme of the celebrations.
- The parade included 30 tableaux from States, UTs, and various Ministries, including India's first Water Metro.
On the eve of Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry and distinguished service awards for personnel of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force was honored with the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award. This follows his mission to the International Space Station in June 2025. The President approved a total of 301 military decorations, including Kirti Chakras, Shaurya Chakras, and various Seva Medals, recognizing acts of exceptional courage in operations like Rakshak, Snow Leopard, and Meghdoot, as well as rescue and casualty evacuation tasks.
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received the Ashok Chakra for his mission to the ISS and distinguished service.
- The awards include 1 Ashok Chakra, 3 Kirti Chakras, and 12 Shaurya Chakras.
- Military decorations also covered operations such as Rakshak, Snow Leopard, and Hifazat.
Addressing the nation on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized India's role as a messenger of peace amidst global conflicts. She highlighted the success of 'Operation Sindoor' in national security and the rise of 'Nari Shakti' as central to becoming a developed nation by 2047. The President noted significant progress in poverty alleviation through the principle of 'Antyodaya' and the achievement of making the Constitution available in all 22 Eighth Schedule languages, fostering 'constitutional nationalism'. She also celebrated India's digital leadership and the 150th anniversary of the composition of 'Vande Mataram'.
- India's defense preparedness was showcased through 'Operation Sindoor' which destroyed terror infrastructure.
- Women's empowerment is seen as a reshaper of the country, with 46% representation in Panchayati Raj institutions.
- The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is expected to take political empowerment to unprecedented heights.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a blocking order for a viral video depicting the killing of a 29-year-old man in Manipur's Churachandpur. The order was issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, following a request from the Union Home Ministry. The Manipur administration argued before the High Court that the video's circulation was likely to disturb public order in the sensitive region. Social media intermediaries like YouTube, Meta, and Google were directed to remove the content. The court has issued notices to the Union government regarding the progress of the blocking order.
- The blocking order was issued under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, to prevent the disturbance of public order.
- The Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009 were invoked.
- The Manipur High Court is monitoring the implementation of the order and has scheduled a hearing for February 18.
India and the EU are set to announce a new strategic roadmap and a Defense and Security partnership during the upcoming 16th India-EU Summit. While a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is still being negotiated, agreements on information security and mobility are expected. The mobility MoU will address the movement of skilled workers, students, and seasonal workers. Despite differences over Russia and the Zapad 2025 military exercises, both sides are committed to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and cooperation in areas like climate change and critical mineral supply chains.
- A new strategic roadmap and Defense and Security partnership are expected at the 16th India-EU Summit.
- An MoU on mobility will facilitate the movement of four categories of workers and students.
- Both sides are collaborating on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
According to the 2024-25 annual report of the DoPT, the CBI located 71 people wanted by India in foreign countries, the highest number in 12 years. During the last financial year, 27 fugitives were successfully brought back to India. The CBI's Global Operations Centre coordinates with foreign law enforcement via INTERPOL channels. India is also a party to multilateral conventions like the UN Convention against Corruption, which provides a legal framework for extraditing criminals. Over the last five years, 25 fugitives have been extradited to India.
- The CBI located 71 fugitives abroad in 2024-25 using INTERPOL notices.
- 27 fugitives were brought back to India in the last financial year.
- India has sent 137 extradition requests to foreign countries, with 125 still pending.
President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland poses a challenge to NATO’s Article 5 and European security. Greenland is strategically vital due to its location near the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage, which are becoming accessible due to melting ice. The U.S. seeks to secure access to rare earth minerals and control shipping routes to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. This move creates a rift with Denmark and other European allies who view it as a violation of sovereignty. The situation reflects a shift toward transactional diplomacy and unilateralism.
- Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and a strategic location for Arctic shipping routes.
- The Northern Sea Route connects the Atlantic and Pacific via the Russian-Norwegian frontiers.
- Russia has invested heavily in Arctic infrastructure, including a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers.
Renewed U.S. interest in Greenland has strained relations with the European Union and NATO allies. The U.S. administration's pressure, including threats of 10% to 25% tariffs on European countries that oppose the Greenland quest, has led the EU to consider a 'trade bazooka' (Anti-Coercion Instrument) of €93 billion. Greenland, while part of the Kingdom of Denmark, holds strategic importance for Arctic security and military bases. The situation highlights a growing rift in the transatlantic alliance and a shift toward transactional diplomacy that could undermine long-standing security arrangements.
- Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and is vital for NATO's northern flank.
- The EU is the U.S.'s largest trade partner, and escalating tariffs could severely damage global economic stability.
- Most Greenlanders prefer to remain part of the Danish Kingdom, according to local polls (85% support).
US President Donald Trump has criticized a deal between the UK and Mauritius to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The agreement, signed in May 2025, allows the UK to lease back Diego Garcia—home to a vital US military base—for at least 99 years. Trump described the move as an act of 'stupidity' that weakens Western security and risks interference from China and Russia. The Chagos Islands have been a point of contention since the 1960s, when the UK evicted thousands of islanders to make way for the US base.
- The UK-Mauritius deal aims to resolve a long-standing sovereignty dispute while securing the future of the Diego Garcia military base.
- The UN and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have previously urged Britain to return the islands to Mauritius.
- Critics of the deal argue that Mauritius's close ties with other global powers could jeopardize the strategic utility of the base.
US President Donald Trump's renewed interest in 'acquiring' Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has created significant friction within the NATO alliance. Trump has linked the acquisition of Greenland to US national security and its vast untapped resources, including rare earth minerals. This stance, combined with threats of tariffs on European allies and skepticism toward NATO's collective defense principle, has thrown transatlantic cooperation into disarray. Greenland's strategic location makes it vital for early warning systems against missile attacks, particularly in the context of the Arctic's growing importance.
- Greenland is a founding member territory of NATO through Denmark, making the US threat an internal challenge to the alliance.
- The US already maintains a military base at Pituffik (Thule) in Greenland with over 100 personnel.
- Trump's 'Western Hemisphere' focus and skepticism of NATO's utility are forcing European nations to reconsider their security dependency.
Retired Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) officers have filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against the Union Home Secretary. The petition alleges non-implementation of a 2025 court ruling that directed a progressive reduction in the deputation of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in CAPFs up to the rank of Inspector-General (IG). The court had previously ruled that Group A Executive Cadre officers of CAPFs are 'Organised Group A Services' (OGAS), which entitles them to specific promotional benefits and limits lateral entry from other services like the IPS.
- CAPF officers have long sought 'Organised Group A Service' status to ensure better career progression and promotional parity.
- The Supreme Court in 2025 ordered a two-year cut in IPS deputation and a comprehensive review of cadre and service rules.
- The Union Home Ministry's alleged failure to implement these changes has led to the current contempt plea.
Former National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan analyzes the 'Donroe Doctrine,' a modern iteration of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine under the Trump administration. This policy emphasizes US pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere and a willingness to use 'shock and awe' tactics, as seen in operations against Venezuela. The doctrine signals a shift away from the post-1945 international order toward a 'free for all' in global commons. For India, this presents challenges regarding trade tariffs, relations with Russia and Iran, and the growing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, requiring careful diplomatic navigation.
- The 'Donroe Doctrine' is characterized as a 21st-century version of the Monroe Doctrine, asserting US control over the Western Hemisphere.
- The US National Security Strategy (NSS) aims to reassert dominance and deny competitors the ability to position forces near US assets.
- India faces a 'crossroads' due to US pressure on trade subsidies and its 'mini-lateral' initiatives like I2U2.
The PSLV-C62 mission, launched on January 12 from Sriharikota, failed to deploy its primary payload, the EOS-N1 surveillance satellite, into the designated orbit. The rocket encountered an anomaly during the third stage (PS3), characterized by a 'roll rate disturbance' and a drop in chamber pressure. ISRO has constituted a Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) to investigate the mishap, with a report expected by mid-2025. This failure is notable as it is the first time the PSLV failed while carrying customer satellites from Indian and foreign entities. The incident raises questions about transparency, as recent FAC reports have not been made public.
- The PSLV-C62 mission failed during the third stage (PS3) due to technical anomalies in the rocket's flight path.
- The primary payload was EOS-N1, a surveillance satellite for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- A Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) is a non-standing body of experts tasked with reconstructing the failure using telemetry data.
Jyoti Vij, Director General of FICCI, has proposed several focus areas for the upcoming Union Budget 2026-27 to maintain India's economic momentum. Key recommendations include increasing the capital outlay for defense to 30%, establishing an Eastern India defense industrial corridor, and boosting the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). The proposal also emphasizes deepening corporate bond markets, resolving tax disputes through a dual-track disposal system, and calibrating customs tariffs to address inverted duty structures. These measures aim to strengthen domestic growth levers while maintaining fiscal consolidation and encouraging private investment across various sectors.
- The budget should prioritize growth-enhancing productive capital expenditure and social sector spending.
- A dedicated fund for critical minerals recovery and tailings processing is suggested under the NCMM.
- To improve export competitiveness, the allocation for the RoDTEP scheme needs to be significantly raised.
Reports suggested the Indian government was contemplating a requirement for smartphone makers to disclose their source code to third-party testing agencies for security audits. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has downplayed these reports, stating no final regulations have been framed. Tech companies and digital rights groups oppose such a move, arguing that exposing source code increases vulnerability to cyberattacks and compromises trade secrets. The debate centers on balancing national security needs with the privacy and intellectual property rights of global tech firms, with calls for transparent public consultation.
- Source code is the core repository of software and programs that drive a digital system.
- The Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) framework currently governs gear imports.
- Digital rights groups like the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) demand transparency and public disclosure of meeting minutes.
The Union government informed the Supreme Court that it has established a high-level inter-departmental committee (IDC) to tackle 'digital arrest' scams. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from citizens, particularly the elderly. The IDC, chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), includes representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, RBI, CBI, and major tech platforms like Google and WhatsApp. The committee aims to identify regulatory gaps, suggest corrective measures, and guide enforcement agencies in real-time to clear the bane affecting a large populace.
- Digital arrests have deprived citizens of crores of rupees through sophisticated psychological manipulation and impersonation.
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) plays a central role in the IDC, with its CEO as member-secretary.
- The committee will examine 'real-time issues' and implementation gaps in current rules and circulars.
Reports indicate the Indian government is considering a requirement for smartphone manufacturers to disclose their source code to third-party testing agencies for security reviews. While the government aims to mitigate cyber threats and backdoors, tech companies like Apple and Google are resistant, citing trade secrets and the risk of exposing vulnerabilities to malicious actors. The proposal falls under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) framework. Critics argue that such intrusive measures could compromise user privacy and discourage global tech investment in India, while the government maintains it is keeping an 'open mind' on the issue.
- Source code is the core repository of software; its exposure is considered a major security risk by companies.
- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and MeitY are discussing the feasibility of these regulations.
- The Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has expressed concerns over the impact on the industry.
To address the growing menace of 'digital arrests,' where scammers impersonate law enforcement to extort money, the Union government has formed a high-level Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC). Chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the committee includes representatives from the RBI, DoT, MeitY, and major tech platforms like Google and WhatsApp. The IDC aims to identify legislative gaps, suggest corrective measures, and guide enforcement agencies in real-time. This move follows Supreme Court directions to clear the 'bane' affecting a large population, particularly the elderly and vulnerable who have lost crores to these scams.
- Digital arrest scams involve fraudulent calls claiming the victim is under investigation for illegal activities to extort money.
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) plays a central role in the new committee.
- The IDC will coordinate between multiple ministries and financial institutions to block fraudulent transactions.
The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV-C62 mission, carrying the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites, failed to reach its intended trajectory on January 12, 2026. An anomaly was detected during the end of the third stage (PS3), resulting in the loss of all satellites. This marks the second consecutive failure for the PSLV, following the PSLV-C61 failure in May 2025. The EOS-N1 satellite, developed by DRDO for strategic purposes, represents a significant financial loss. Experts call for greater transparency and the release of Failure Analysis Committee (FAC) reports to restore confidence in the PSLV as a reliable commercial launch vehicle.
- The PSLV-C62 mission failed due to a 'roll rate disturbance' in the third stage, similar to the PSLV-C61 failure in May 2025.
- The primary payload was the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite, built by DRDO for strategic applications, which was not insured as per government policy.
- This is the fourth failure of the PSLV since its first mission in 1993 and the second within a single year, impacting its reputation as a 'workhorse'.
The year 2025 marked a period of 'interregnum' for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S. While the group maintained operational momentum through initiatives like the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, it failed to convene a leader-level summit. The return of Donald Trump to the White House and leadership changes in Japan have introduced new strategic variables. Despite these shifts, the Quad remains anchored in its objective of ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, serving as a crucial platform for regional stability against Chinese expansionism.
- The Quad's primary objective is establishing and sustaining a rules-based order in a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- The group was originally formed in 2004 following the Indian Ocean tsunami but was revived in 2017.
- Operational successes in 2025 include the Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission and the Ports of the Future Partnership.