India took a major step in boosting its defence exports as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first batch of guided Pinaka rockets from a facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This marks a milestone for India’s defence manufacturing sector, showcasing its ability to supply advanced weapons systems globally.

The rockets are being exported to Armenia under a contract signed in September 2022, valued at roughly Rs 2,000 crore. Armenia will receive four batteries of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system along with ammunition and support equipment. This is the first international sale of the guided variant of Pinaka, which offers greater accuracy and extended range compared to previous versions.

The Pinaka system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced with industry partners including Solar Defence & Aerospace Limited (SDAL), has been enhanced with navigation and guidance technology for precision strikes. This upgrade positions India’s system competitively on the international market, drawing interest from other countries as well.

Earlier, unguided and extended-range variants of Pinaka were delivered to Armenia, with the final shipments completed by late 2024. The current guided variant export is expected to strengthen Armenia’s defence capabilities while demonstrating India’s growing expertise in advanced military technology.

At the flag-off event, Rajnath Singh highlighted that the launch of guided Pinaka rockets underscores India’s emergence as a defence exporter. He emphasised that India is no longer just an importer of military equipment but is now a trusted global supplier of modern weapons systems.

This event also highlights the increasing role of India’s private sector in defence production, reflecting government policies aimed at self-reliance and boosting exports. Analysts expect that this successful export will encourage further international orders, enhance India-Armenia defence ties, and bolster India’s position as a key player in the global defence industry.

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Mumbai Customs has foiled one of India’s biggest diesel smuggling operations, seizing over 180 tonnes of diesel hidden on a cargo barge off the Mumbai coast. The operation targeted the MV Tina 4, owned by M/s Shiny Shipping & Logistics Pvt Ltd, following specific intelligence inputs.

Customs officers discovered the fuel concealed inside the barge’s water tanks, including some tanks that were not part of the vessel’s approved design under the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). Authorities said the diesel had been sourced from foreign vessels and was meant for local distribution along the coast, bypassing customs duties.

Two key suspects were arrested: the master of the barge and the son of the vessel’s owner. Investigators indicated that further arrests may follow as they probe the extent of the smuggling network.

With an estimated 180–200 tonnes of diesel, this seizure is now the largest in Indian customs’ history. The operation was conducted by the Rummaging & Intelligence wing, showing increased vigilance against maritime smuggling along India’s western coastline.

Mumbai Customs emphasized that intelligence-driven inspections, vessel monitoring, and routine checks are key to curbing such illegal operations. Authorities are also investigating the broader network involved in fuel smuggling and working to strengthen coastal security.

Officials noted that this bust comes shortly after another recent operation in which 40 tonnes of diesel were seized during a 72-hour high-seas crackdown. These cases highlight the growing sophistication of smuggling syndicates that exploit coastal routes to evade duties, causing substantial revenue loss and economic impact.

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The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday criticised former Union Minister and animal rights advocate Maneka Gandhi for her recent public statements about the top court’s handling of stray dog cases. The bench, consisting of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and NV Anjaria, noted that Gandhi’s remarks in a podcast and other forums could amount to contempt of court. However, the bench chose not to initiate formal contempt proceedings, describing this restraint as an act of “magnanimity.”

During the hearing, the court expressed concern not just over Gandhi’s statements, but also over her tone and body language, which it described as disparaging towards the judiciary. Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, representing Gandhi, was questioned about whether he had reviewed her comments. “Your client has committed contempt. We are not taking cognisance of that. That is our magnanimity,” the court told him.

The proceedings turned pointed when Ramachandran cited his past role in defending 26/11 convict Ajmal Kasab. Justice Nath responded that Kasab had not committed contempt, highlighting the seriousness of public statements made about the judiciary. The bench also questioned Gandhi’s contributions as a former minister and animal welfare advocate, including the effectiveness of budget allocations and schemes for stray dog management.

Senior counsel Prashant Bhushan, representing petitioners, emphasised the need for sterilisation programmes to control stray dog aggression, noting their poor implementation in many cities. He added that comments suggesting accountability for dog feeders could lead to backlash, as some feeders had faced public criticism.

The court clarified that its earlier observations on dog feeder responsibility were made seriously, not sarcastically. It stressed the importance of restraint in public statements and reaffirmed that oral observations in court are part of judicial dialogue.

In previous hearings, the Supreme Court had signalled that state governments should ensure compensation for victims of serious or fatal stray dog attacks and take measures to hold authorities accountable for dog management.

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Nitin Nabin has been elected unopposed as the new national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking an important change in the party’s leadership. At 45 years of age, he becomes the youngest person to lead the BJP. He will officially take charge on 20 January 2026, replacing outgoing president J.P. Nadda.

The election took place at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi as part of the party’s internal organisational process. Nabin was the only candidate to file valid nomination papers, with 37 nominations submitted in his support. As there was no contest, he was declared elected without voting.

Senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several chief ministers and office-bearers, attended the announcement ceremony. Congratulating Nabin, Prime Minister Modi described him as a disciplined and capable leader who understands both the party organisation and the expectations of young voters.

Nitin Nabin is a five-time MLA from Bankipur in Bihar and has been associated with the BJP for several decades. Over the years, he has held key responsibilities within the party and in the Bihar government, including important ministerial roles. He has also worked in the party’s youth wing and handled organisational responsibilities in several states, giving him experience at both state and national levels.

Political observers see Nabin’s elevation as a generational shift within the BJP. With a younger leader at the helm, the party is aiming to refresh its image and strengthen its connect with first-time and young voters. The move comes at a time when the BJP is preparing for multiple state assembly elections and laying the groundwork for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

With strong backing from the senior leadership and long experience within the organisation, Nitin Nabin’s presidency is expected to play a key role in shaping the BJP’s political and organisational strategy in the coming years.

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The builder behind the abandoned Greater Noida project has been arrested following the tragic death of 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta, whose SUV plunged into a water-filled construction pit in Sector 150 last Friday. Authorities say the arrest of Abhay Kumar, owner of MZ Wiztown Planners Pvt Ltd, marks the first major accountability step in a case that has shaken the city and raised questions about construction safety.

Police allege that the pit, part of a stalled mall project, was unguarded and poorly maintained, lacking fencing, barricades, or warning lights, despite repeated warnings from residents. Yuvraj lost control of his car in dense fog and fell into the 20-foot-deep waterlogged pit. Rescue teams including the police, fire brigade, SDRF, and NDRF, worked for hours, but he drowned before help could reach him.

The arrest is based on negligence charges, and police have indicated that further action may be taken against other stakeholders, including the co-developers, Lotus Greens Construction Pvt Ltd, and officials responsible for site monitoring. Investigators are also examining whether prior complaints about the abandoned site were ignored, which may lead to additional accountability measures.

The Uttar Pradesh government has responded by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and removing the Noida Authority CEO, signaling a focus on stricter oversight of construction safety. Officials say the case underscores the urgent need for enforcing safety protocols at stalled or abandoned sites to prevent future tragedies.

Residents have acknowledged and appreciated the arrest, calling it a long-overdue step toward justice. The family of Yuvraj Mehta has expressed cautious relief, noting that while the builder’s detention does not bring him back, it may ensure stricter vigilance at similar construction sites across the region.

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The state visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India marked a major milestone in bilateral energy cooperation, as the United Arab Emirates and India signed a $2.5 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement. The deal, concluded between ADNOC Gas and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), spans ten years and is expected to deliver 500,000 tonnes of LNG annually.

The signing during the official visit underscores the strategic significance of energy ties between the two nations. Supplies under the agreement will come from ADNOC’s Das Island facility, one of the UAE’s key LNG plants. HPCL will utilize the gas to fuel its refineries and expand city gas networks, supporting industrial, residential, and commercial demand while advancing India’s transition toward cleaner fuels.

Officials highlighted that formalizing this contract converts earlier discussions into a binding, long-term agreement, positioning India as a major LNG customer for the UAE. By 2029, Indian companies are expected to account for a significant portion of ADNOC Gas’ export volumes.

The visit also provided a platform for leaders to discuss broader trade, technology, and strategic cooperation. Both nations emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties beyond energy, including potential partnerships in defense and innovation.

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Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and his wife Twinkle Khanna escaped unharmed after a vehicle in the actor’s security convoy was involved in a road accident in Juhu, Mumbai, on Monday evening. The collision, which also damaged an auto-rickshaw and several escort vehicles, left the auto driver seriously injured.

According to eyewitnesses, a Mercedes car lost control near Mukteshwar Road and first hit an auto-rickshaw. The impact pushed the rickshaw into one of the vehicles in Kumar’s convoy, causing a chain reaction that involved the actor’s SUV. Fortunately, Kumar and Khanna were traveling in a separate car and were unharmed.

Bystanders and members of the actor’s team rushed to assist those trapped in the wreckage. Videos shared on social media show people lifting parts of the damaged auto-rickshaw to rescue the driver and a passenger. Emergency services arrived promptly, taking the injured driver to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities say his condition is serious but stable.

Police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the Mercedes driver. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the chain collision occurred and whether further action is required. Traffic in the area was temporarily disrupted as authorities cleared the scene and secured the vehicles.

Representatives of Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna have not released any statements so far. While the actor couple remained safe, the incident highlights ongoing road safety challenges in busy city areas, where luxury cars, service vehicles, and local transport often share the same space.

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A US–EU tariff dispute may benefit India by pushing the EU to finalize a free trade deal faster. This could improve India’s export access and strengthen its position as a reliable trade partner amid global tensions.

India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met with US Ambassador Sergio Gor and Senator Steve Daines on Monday to discuss trade issues and ways to improve economic relations between the two countries. The talks focused on resolving trade tensions and advancing ongoing negotiations for a trade agreement.

The meeting comes after the US imposed higher import duties on several Indian goods, including a 50% tariff on some items and a 25% tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. These duties have affected trade, making discussions with US officials important for both sides.

Goyal called the meeting “productive” on social media, highlighting the friendly and cooperative relationship with the US. Ambassador Gor emphasized that both countries are working to conclude trade talks that benefit both sides.

A major topic of discussion was agricultural trade, especially pulses like peas. Senator Daines, from Montana, a key US pulse-producing state,  along with Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, urged the US administration to secure favorable terms for American farmers. India is the world’s largest consumer of pulses, and access for US producers is a key issue in trade negotiations.

The talks also covered other areas of cooperation, including technology, investment, and supply chains. Both countries expressed a commitment to continue discussions and work toward stronger economic ties.

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