US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, met with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Saturday to explore greater collaboration, with a focus on the technology sector. Sharing the update on social media platform X, Gor said he “very much enjoyed” the meeting and highlighted discussions on enhanced cooperation, including the adoption of advanced U.S. technology.
During his visit, Gor also met N. Chandrasekaran, Chairperson of Tata Companies. On X, he described the meeting as productive, noting Tata’s 150-year legacy and substantial presence in the United States. Gor visited the US Consulate in Mumbai, marking his first trip to the city and signaling the start of efforts to strengthen the US-India partnership. He tweeted about the visit, emphasizing his team’s work to reinforce bilateral ties.
Gor’s Mumbai trip comes shortly after he presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 14. He expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and underscored his commitment to advancing US priorities in security, trade, energy, and technology while building a strong US-India partnership for the 21st century.
In his statements, Gor described it as an honor to serve in India during a period of significant promise and opportunity, and expressed eagerness to work closely with the Indian government and people on shared goals in defense, trade, technology, and critical minerals. Rashtrapati Bhavan, in a separate post on X, confirmed that President Murmu received credentials from Mr. Chandradath Singh of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Robert Zischg of Austria, and Mr. Sergio Gor of the United States.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@USAmbIndia.
The United Nations in India announced on Saturday that Stefan Priesner has formally taken charge as the UN Resident Coordinator in India after presenting his credentials to the Government of India, according to an official statement. In his role, Priesner will head the UN Country Team in India, working to support national development priorities and advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through a coordinated and integrated UN approach.
Appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Priesner presented his credentials to Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, during a ceremony held in New Delhi on Friday. Following the event, Priesner expressed his appreciation for the opportunity, describing India as a vital partner of the United Nations and reaffirming the UN’s commitment to collaborating closely with the government and stakeholders to promote inclusive and sustainable development.
Priesner brings nearly 30 years of experience in international development, policy advisory roles, and managing complex, multi-sector programmes. Prior to this assignment, he served as UN Resident Coordinator in Iran from 2021 to 2025, and earlier in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore between 2017 and 2021. He also held the positions of Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan from 2013 to 2017.
Priesner occupied senior roles within UNDP, including Country Director in Bangladesh, Deputy Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Deputy Chief of the Sub-regional Resource Facility for South and West Asia in Nepal. He began his UN career in 1997 with UNDP in Bhutan, after working in the private sector. An Austrian national, Priesner holds a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University in the United States and a master’s degree in law from the University of Vienna.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@MEAIndia.
Intelligence agencies on Saturday issued a Republic Day alert, cautioning that banned Khalistani groups and terror outfits based in Bangladesh could attempt attacks in New Delhi and other major cities. Sources from the Intelligence Bureau said Punjab-based gangsters are increasingly being used as ground operatives by Khalistani and radical handlers operating from abroad, who are allegedly leveraging criminal networks to advance their agendas and threaten internal security.
According to the alert, these gangsters are active across Haryana, the Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and are gradually forging links with Khalistani terrorist elements. With January 26 approaching, agencies warned that these groups may try to exploit the festive period to carry out disruptive activities.
North District Police have conducted multiple mock drills at vulnerable and crowded locations ahead of the Republic Day parade to assess preparedness and response capabilities. Four such exercises were held in the first half of January 2026 at sensitive sites in North Delhi, including key installations, heritage locations, busy markets, and transport hubs.
Areas covered in the drills included the Red Fort, ISBT Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazar, and several Metro stations, all considered high-risk from a security standpoint. The exercises were aimed at strengthening anti-terror readiness and encouraging vigilance among the public and security agencies.
At least 30 tableaux are set to feature in the Republic Day Parade along Kartavya Path, showcasing India’s cultural diversity and development journey. The presentations will follow the themes “Svatantrata Ka Mantr – Vande Mataram” and “Samrddhi Ka Mantr – Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the national song “Vande Mataram.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Defence Procurement Board (DPB) has cleared a major proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation, delivering a substantial enhancement to India’s air combat strength. Approved on Friday, the move highlights the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) accelerated modernisation drive in response to shifting regional security dynamics. The proposal will now be examined by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Officials suggest the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, may grant final clearance soon, helping fast-track the deal.
The plan originates from a formal request submitted by the IAF to the Defence Ministry last year, seeking additional Rafales to reinforce its shrinking fleet. India and France are expected to conclude the agreement as early as next month, reflecting the strong pace of bilateral defence cooperation. This procurement follows a major agreement signed in April last year, under which India committed ₹63,000 crore for 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. That deal includes 22 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat trainers, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2031.
The new acquisition will be executed through an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), enabling direct government-to-government procurement from Dassault and eliminating intermediaries. This approach, used in earlier Rafale purchases, is seen as reducing delays while safeguarding technology transfer provisions.
Alongside the acquisition, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) signed four production transfer agreements in June, enabling domestic manufacturing of Rafale fuselage sections in India. This partnership is expected to deepen India’s role in the global aerospace supply chain. TASL is setting up an advanced manufacturing facility in Hyderabad to produce key structural components of the Rafale, including front, central, and rear fuselage sections. Production is expected to begin in FY2028, with the facility eventually delivering up to two complete fuselages per month.
This localisation effort supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by reducing reliance on imports while generating high-skilled employment and advanced manufacturing capabilities within India. Operationally, the Rafale—known for its multi-role versatility, advanced electronic warfare systems, and beyond-visual-range weapons—will significantly strengthen the IAF’s ability to counter platforms such as China’s J-20 and Pakistan’s J-10C.
The timing is considered critical, coming amid elevated tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and increased strategic activity in the Indian Ocean Region. With the IAF operating roughly 30 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, the addition of Rafales—on top of the existing fleet of 36—will help close key gaps in air dominance and deep-strike capabilities. France continues to be one of India’s most reliable defence partners, with cumulative defence deals crossing ₹1 lakh crore since 2016. The IGA framework also ensures offsets through local manufacturing, maintenance infrastructure, and skill development initiatives.
From an economic standpoint, the deal is expected to attract significant investment through offsets, with TASL’s Hyderabad plant alone representing a multi-billion-rupee commitment. It also positions India as a potential exporter of Rafale sub-assemblies as Dassault diversifies production beyond its facilities in France. Deliveries of the 114 aircraft are likely to be spread over several years, potentially aligning with the Navy’s Rafale-M timeline up to 2031 and complementing indigenous programmes such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The inclusion of twin-seat variants will support pilot training, especially for mastering the Rafale’s sophisticated fly-by-wire controls and AESA radar systems.
While cost concerns may arise, supporters argue that the Rafale’s proven compatibility with Indian platforms and weapons—along with its operational track record—offers advantages over competing aircraft. The DPB’s approval reflects extensive evaluation under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. In the longer term, the deal could unlock deeper Indo-French cooperation, including joint engine development involving Safran and HAL, as well as upgrades for the Su-30MKI fleet. As the DAC and CCS consider the proposal, an official announcement may follow at an upcoming defence event, reinforcing India’s growing role as both a military power and a defence manufacturing
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
China and Canada pledged on Friday to improve relations after years of tension. President Xi Jinping told visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that he is committed to strengthening ties, calling last year’s meeting a “new chapter” in bilateral relations. Carney, the first Canadian PM to visit China in eight years, said closer ties would support global governance under strain and called for cooperation in agriculture, energy, and finance. The visit comes amid trade disruptions caused by US tariffs under President Trump, which have affected both Canada and China. No new tariff agreements were announced. Canada previously imposed tariffs on Chinese EVs, steel, and aluminum, while China retaliated with duties on canola, pork, and seafood.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair and longtime adversary of Donald Trump. In an unusual turn, central bank leaders and top bankers in the U.S. resisted the Trump administration’s pressure. This week, Jonathan Freedland talks with economist Heather Boushey about why challenging Wall Street could be a battle the president may come to regret.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
A week after Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah was removed from the Adelaide Writers’ Week lineup, the festival’s organisers have issued a full and unconditional apology. The South Australian event faced turmoil after her exclusion, leading over 180 writers to withdraw in protest. With a newly appointed board, the organisers expressed regret for the damage caused and extended an invitation to Abdel-Fattah to speak in 2027. Dr. Abdel-Fattah spoke with Nour Haydar about her potential defamation case against the South Australian premier and the broader significance of this incident.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit Japan on January 13–14 for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The leaders are scheduled to meet in Nara City on January 13, followed by a dinner, where discussions are expected to cover regional and global matters, as well as economic and social issues. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Michiyo Ishida, CNA’s senior correspondent, for more details.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
On Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss daily market trends with Kingsley Jones, Chief Investment Officer at Jevons Global. They analyze US equities, precious metals, and Hong Kong markets, providing insights into current market movements, investor sentiment, and strategies for navigating volatility in global financial markets.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
