Davos should advance strategic global engagement, not secure routine permissions from builders or serve image-driven MoU publicity.
A senior opposition leader argued that Davos should be used for substantive global engagement on innovation, investment and geopolitics, not for meeting local builders or arranging routine permissions; he urged moving beyond headline MoU announcements toward strategic dialogue that advances state and national interests while calling for transparency about official travel and use of contacts abroad.

Bangladesh tribunal hands death sentences; US imposes 25% tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases.
Bangladesh's special tribunal imposed death sentences on a former Dhaka police commissioner and two officers for actions during the 2024 protests, while the United States imposed 25% tariffs on India over purchases of Russian oil products; contemporaneous items include India-Russia USD 100 billion trade ambitions, regional diplomatic engagements, and Pakistan's central bank holding its interest rate at 10.5%.

VB GRAMG funding cut may reduce poorer areas' spending and undermine rural poverty reduction efforts, warns economist.
Reduction in the federal funding share of the VB GRAMG shifts fiscal responsibility to less able jurisdictions, likely causing poorer jurisdictions to spend less on the program and thereby weakening the scheme's poverty reduction objective. The bill's funding architecture may require revision to avoid replicating the predecessor scheme's distributional shortfall.

Delhi slum development: government allocates Rs 700 crore and approves projects for sanitation, roads, and amenities.
Delhi announced and inaugurated JJ-cluster projects totaling Rs 327 crore and allocated Rs 144 crore for further initiatives. Administrative approvals include Rs 225 crore for 476 public convenience complex works (awards of Rs 81 crore for 214 works) and Rs 102 crore for 254 cement concrete works (awards of Rs 63 crore for 172 projects). A dedicated Rs 700 crore JJ development budget is intended to fast-track improvements to drains, roads, toilets, parks, settlement development centres, housing, health, sanitation, and social welfare, supplemented by Atal Canteens and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

Ladakh development vision emphasizes inclusive governance, public-health upgrades, infrastructure projects and opportunities for youth and border communities.
The Lieutenant Governor prioritises inclusive, grassroots governance for Ladakh, directing outreach to remote areas and administrative secretaries to address local needs. Key operational measures include a public-health budget allocation of 8.76% with hospital upgrades, 322 Health and Wellness Centres, mobile medical units and e-Sanjeevani telemedicine to improve vaccination and maternal-child health. Infrastructure and livelihood initiatives comprise major tunnels and roads, helipads, 4G connectivity, digital governance and a sustainable tourism model aimed at cultural preservation and local employment, with a focus on youth, women and border communities.

India-EU free trade agreement negotiations concluded; legal scrubbing underway and signing expected this year.
India and the European Union have concluded negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement described as balanced and forward-looking; the agreement aims to enhance economic integration and promote trade and investment. Legal scrubbing of the FTA text is in progress to finalise drafting, after which completion of processes and signing of the pact are anticipated this year, with entry into effect potentially early next year.

Republic Day celebrations call to defend constitutional values, federalism and institutional autonomy across states.
Republic Day events saw leaders call for defending constitutional values, warning that centralisation and politicisation threaten institutional autonomy, state financial powers and programmes protecting marginalised groups; they urged collective vigilance and accountability to preserve justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

India-UK partnership highlighted through royal message, emphasizing climate cooperation and an imminent free trade agreement.
King Charles III reaffirmed the India UK partnership, highlighting cooperation on climate and sustainability (clean energy, climate finance, clean tech) and multilateral engagement via the Commonwealth; officials noted the India UK Free Trade Agreement is nearing implementation and India's growing international role, including hosting an AI Summit.

India-EU partnership to culminate in a Security and Defence Partnership, signalled by joint summit talks and military symbol display.
European leaders announced that their visit will culminate in the signature of a Security and Defence Partnership, reflecting expanded defence cooperation and shared security interests, while an EU military contingent and the display of EU and mission flags at India's Republic Day parade were presented as symbolic manifestations of intensifying operational and maritime collaboration.

IED attack injures security personnel; minister hauled up by courts; actor arrested for decade-long rape.
An anti insurgency operation in Chhattisgarh saw Maoist planted improvised explosive devices explode, injuring eleven security personnel. A political officeholder previously hauled up by the courts for derogatory remarks against a military officer is reported in connection with a Republic Day event, highlighting judicial scrutiny of officials. An actor has been arrested in Mumbai for allegedly raping his domestic help over an extended period on the promise of marriage, indicating ongoing criminal prosecution for sexual offences.

Republic Day in Rajasthan highlighted government recruitment claims and opposition allegations of constitutional undermining and targeting of dissent.
Officials presented competing governance narratives on Republic Day: the government touted large-scale recruitment (one lakh jobs filled, 1.54 lakh posts recruiting, calendar for one lakh more), elimination of examination paper leaks across 351 exams, economic initiatives including Tourism and Film Policies and increased Kisan Samman Nidhi, and reported declines in certain crime statistics. The Leader of the Opposition countered with allegations that the ruling party is undermining the Constitution by using investigative agencies and tax bodies to intimidate opponents and by targeting voters via a "Special Intensive Revision" of electoral rolls, while weakening rural welfare schemes.

APTRANSCO to complete 55 transmission projects adding 8,853 MVA and 1,558 circuit km to the state grid.
APTRANSCO plans to complete 55 transmission projects worth Rs 9,319.30 crore, adding 8,853 MVA of transformation capacity and about 1,558 circuit kilometres of transmission lines, including new 400/220/132 kV substations at strategic locations to enhance supply reliability and modernise the transmission network.

Maharashtra investment claims at Davos challenged as exaggerated; demand for full disclosure of MoU details.
Maharashtra's executive reported MoUs at the World Economic Forum totalling Rs 30 lakh crore and potential creation of 40 lakh jobs, asserting 83% of MoUs are foreign direct investment and 16% are technical partnerships, with a stated 75% realisation rate; a political opponent called these claims exaggerated and demanded publication of the actual investment status.

Private space industry seeks classification of space assets as critical infrastructure and guaranteed government procurement support.
Classify space assets as critical infrastructure and adopt a formal procurement mandate requiring ministries, state governments and ULBs to buy satellite imagery and geospatial data from empanelled Indian firms, thereby unlocking infrastructure grade financing, lowering cost of capital, and supporting fiscal incentives, tax rationalisation and government-backed funding to scale indigenous manufacturing, launch services and downstream commercialisation while enforcing geo tagging and access restrictions for sensitive data.

Assam immigration enforcement: District Commissioners can expel foreigners within 24 hours under the Immigration (Expulsion from Assam) Act.
The state invokes the Immigration (Expulsion from Assam) Act and Supreme Court permission to empower District Commissioners to expel identified foreigners within 24 hours without tribunal proceedings, deploying eviction and repatriation to reclaim allegedly encroached land and protect demographic and cultural identity. Parallel administrative measures include issuing land pattas to indigenous persons and granting land rights and reservations for tea garden workers to formalise tenure and address historic neglect.

Indian diplomatic missions in China marked Republic Day with cultural events and highlighted resumed tourist visas and new daily flights.
Indian missions in Beijing and Shanghai combined ceremonial Republic Day observances and cultural programmes with policy-oriented announcements. Activities included flag-hoisting, exhibitions on Vande Mataram, performances, commemorations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and a culinary festival. Officials emphasised operational advances in bilateral engagement: the start of daily flights from Shanghai to Indian cities, resumption of tourist visa services, and renewed trade, investment and economic cooperation, framing cultural diplomacy and consular outreach as complementary to facilitating travel and commerce.

Madhya Pradesh declares 2026 the Year of Agriculture with bigger budgets and programs to boost farmer incomes and agri infrastructure.
2026 has been declared the Year of Agriculture, backed by a substantially increased agriculture budget and a statewide 10 point agricultural development model covering technology transfer, income enhancement, natural farming, marketing and digital transparency. The e Mandi scheme now covers 259 markets with 40 lakh farmer registrations. Animal husbandry measures feature higher grants for cow shelters, the Kamdhenu Yojana, new milk cooperatives and increased procurement prices. The state also expands rural housing, road connectivity and public employment guarantees while pursuing conservation initiatives and regulatory deregulation to promote investment.

Left Wing Extremism addressed via combined security operations, surrender and reintegration programmes, and targeted development near camps.
The state pursues elimination of Left Wing Extremism through sustained area domination security operations, coordinated central state strategy, and programmes enabling surrender and reintegration into constitutional civic life, coupled with targeted multi departmental development projects in villages near security camps to address grievances and accelerate mainstreaming.

Republic Day parade attendance: Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and opposition leaders present among dignitaries and ministers.
Attendance at the Republic Day parade included former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar seated in the front row beside the Lok Sabha Speaker, and opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi observed in the third row. The report also lists the Vice President, the Chief Justice, multiple Union ministers, state leaders, party officials, senior bureaucrats and a large diplomatic contingent among attendees.

Odisha government: zero tolerance for crimes against women, accused arrested, enhanced women's welfare and farmer support measures.
The government asserts a zero tolerance policy for crimes against women, reporting arrests of all accused and a significant rise in conviction rates in early 2025. It couples enforcement commitments with targeted welfare measures-Subhadra Yojana coverage exceeding one crore, substantial budgetary allocation for women's services, and initiatives creating "Lakhpati Didis." Agricultural support measures include paddy procurement at Rs 3,100 per quintal, Rs 800 per quintal input assistance for Kharif and Rabi, disaster support, and schemes to boost farmer incomes through diversification and allied activities.