India-EU Security and Defence Partnership to deepen ties at 16th Summit
India and the European Union plan to elevate their strategic engagement through a Security and Defence Partnership announced at the 16th India-EU Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct restricted and delegation-level talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, with a parallel India-EU Business Forum. Discussions are expected to cover trade, defence and security cooperation, climate action, critical technologies, and reinforcing the rules-based order. Officials anticipate an expanded free trade agreement framework, a defence framework pact, and a refined strategic agenda, building on the virtual 2020 summit foundation.
Kalinga Lancers win Hockey India League final 3–2 at Bhubaneswar
Kalinga Lancers defeated Ranchi Royals 3–2 to lift the Hockey India League title at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar. After pressure in the closing stages, Lancers held their nerve as Alexander Hendrickx and Dilpreet Singh supplied decisive goals. Hendrickx struck twice (4th and 27th minutes) with Dilpreet’s 25th-minute effort sealing the win. Ranchi Royals pulled back goals through Araijeet Singh Hundal (9’) and captain Tom Boon (59’), but could not complete a comeback. The final delivered a high-quality contest in front of a home crowd, underscoring India’s growing prominence in domestic hockey.
Kalinga Lancers beat Ranchi Royals 3–2
Venue: Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar
Hendrickx scored twice; Dilpreet Singh scored one
Ranchi Royals netted through Hundal and Boon
High-quality, competitive final in front of home fans
Indonesia Masters 2026: Malaysia wins three titles in Jakarta
Malaysian shuttlers produced a historic treble at the Indonesia Masters 2026 in Jakarta. Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei won the mixed doubles, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin took the men’s doubles, and Pearly Tan–Thinaah won the women’s doubles, completing a three-title haul for Malaysia. Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan captured the men’s singles, while Chen Yu Fei of China won the women’s singles. The three titles marked a landmark achievement for Malaysia, reflecting strong form early in the 2026 season and heightening expectations for future World Tour events.
Malaysia completes historic three-title sweep at Indonesia Masters 2026
Indian Navy’s MAHASAGAR 1TS departs Belawan, strengthens maritime links with Indonesia
India’s MAHASAGAR First Training Squadron (1TS) departed Belawan, Indonesia, on January 23, 2026, after a three-day port call. The voyage reinforces maritime ties with Indonesia, a key IONS partner, and advances the MAHASAGAR vision. Trainees from INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi engaged in professional exchanges, training visits, and cultural and sports activities. The engagements deepened professional cooperation and people-to-people links between the two navies, underscoring continued collaborative maritime security and capacity-building efforts.
MAHASAGAR 1TS departed Belawan on Jan 23, 2026
Ships involved: INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, ICGS Sarathi
Visits included professional exchanges and sports events
Strengthens India-Indonesia maritime cooperation within IONS
Indonesia Receives Three Rafale Jets from France
Indonesia received three Rafale fighter jets from France on 26 January 2026, marking the first deliveries of a multi-billion defence deal. Jakarta, a key Dassault Aviation client, has ordered up to 42 Rafales along with frigates and submarines as it modernises its air power. The deal signals strengthened strategic ties with Paris under President Prabowo Subianto. The delivery aligns with Indonesia’s broader defence spending and regional security objectives in Southeast Asia, illustrating active diversification of defence partnerships and capabilities across the region.
Date: 26 January 2026; first Rafale deliveries to Indonesia.
Indonesia has up to 42 Rafales planned.
Deal includes frigates and submarines; produced by Dassault Aviation.
Part of broader defence modernization under President Prabowo.
Mark Tully, veteran journalist, dies at 90 in Delhi
William Mark Tully, renowned BBC correspondent and recipient of India’s Padma Bhushan, died at a private hospital in Delhi on January 25, 2026, aged 90. Born in 1935, he became a trusted voice on Indian affairs and later wrote extensively on India’s social and political evolution. Tributes poured in from leaders and peers, noting his contributions to journalism and public discourse. His legacy includes books on Indian life and politics, and a career that bridged British and Indian perspectives. The journalism community mourns the loss of a communicator who shaped contemporary understanding of India.
Mark Tully died on January 25, 2026, aged 90
Former BBC New Delhi bureau chief and Padma Bhushan recipient
Widely regarded as a chronicler of India’s modern era
Tributes from PM Modi and peers highlighted his influence
Republic Day 2026: 77th parade at Kartavya Path with EU guests
Republic Day 2026 marked India’s 77th Republic Day with a grand show of culture, economy, and military strength at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. The parade featured missiles, fighter jets, and newly raised units, including equipment associated with Operation Sindoor. President Droupadi Murmu arrived in a traditional horse-drawn buggy, greeting chief guests Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior ministers, diplomats, and senior military officers witnessed the display. The day underscored India’s development and security readiness, while signalling ongoing discussions on deeper India-EU strategic cooperation.
77th Republic Day celebrated at Kartavya Path, New Delhi
Parade showcased missiles, jets, and newly raised units
Operation Sindoor-related weaponry featured in displays
President Murmu rode a traditional horse-drawn buggy
Costa and von der Leyen attended as chief guests
India-EU strategic cooperation topics highlighted
National Voters’ Day observed; theme and awards highlighted
National Voters’ Day celebrations in New Delhi highlighted the theme ‘My India, My Vote’ and drew participation from 42 election management bodies and international representatives. President Droupadi Murmu spoke about voting as a foundational civic duty and a means for citizens to shape India’s future. Electors Photo Identity Cards were distributed to new electors, and awards recognizing Best Electoral Practices across technology, logistics, and voter awareness were announced. The event emphasized citizen empowerment, democratic participation, and the use of technology to strengthen election administration.
National Voters’ Day marked with ‘My India, My Vote’ theme
42 election management bodies participated
Electors Photo Identity Cards handed to new electors
Best Electoral Practices awards announced
President Murmu underscored voting as a civic duty
International Customs Day 2026: theme highlights vigilance and commitment
International Customs Day 2026 is observed on 26 January under the World Customs Organization’s theme: ‘Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment.’ The global focus underscores border security, trade facilitation, and public safety through modern customs tools. Authorities emphasise inter-agency cooperation, data analytics, and capacity building to counter illicit trade and protect communities. The day also invites public awareness about customs roles in health, environment, and disaster response, illustrating how customs work supports broader national and international security and prosperity.
ICD 2026 observed on 26 January
Theme: Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment
Focus on cooperation, data analytics, capacity building
Role of customs in public health, safety, and trade
Padma Awards 2026 honour nine sportspersons, led by Vijay Amritraj
India announced the Padma Awards for 2026, honouring nine sportspersons among others. Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj receives the Padma Bhushan, while Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur are named Padma Shri recipients. Other sportspersons include Praveen Kumar and Savita Punia, among others. The awards celebrate achievements across cricket, hockey, wrestling, and para-sport, reflecting India’s diverse sporting excellence. An official list details the 131 civilian honours across all Padma categories. The government emphasised lifetime contribution to sport and national pride in this prestigious civilian award round.
Padma Awards 2026 announced; nine sportspersons honoured
DDA’s Nagrik Awas Yojana 2026 sparks row over pricing
The Delhi Development Authority launched Nagrik Awas Yojana 2026, offering 1,712 flats across HIG, MIG, LIG, and EWS categories with a uniform 25% discount. The scheme prompted complaints from Karamyogi beneficiaries, who argued that their government employees’ flats under Karamyogi were priced lower. Officials explained depreciation on older Nagrik units and higher construction costs for newer flats, while emphasising affordability advantages. The controversy highlights tensions in public housing policy and the need for transparent pricing across schemes targeting different public sectors.
Nagrik Awas Yojana 2026 offers 1,712 flats at 25% discount
Older Nagrik flats vs newer Karamyogi flats explained by depreciation
Public housing policy and equity concerns raised
India as Gulfood 2026 partner country: agri-food footprint expands
India participated as the official partner country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, led by APEDA. The Indian Pavilion spanned about 1,434 square metres and hosted over 600 exhibitors from 25 states, showcasing processed foods, pulses, grains, beverages, and GI-tagged items. APEDA’s BHARATI initiative highlighted agritech startups in the Startup Zone, while the government promoted investments under CEPA and Farm to Foreign objectives. Indian participation doubled last year’s footprint, reflecting growing export potential and market access for India’s agri-food sector on a global stage.
India named Gulfood 2026 partner country; over 600 exhibitors
Pavilion area ~1,434 sqm; exhibitors from 25 states
APEDA BHARATIStartup Zone highlights agri-tech startups
CEPA and ‘Farm to Foreign’ strategy underpin participation
UGC issues 2026 equity regulations to curb caste bias
The University Grants Commission introduced the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations 2026, replacing 2012 rules. The framework defines caste-based discrimination, mandates Equal Opportunity Centres, equity committees, and time-bound grievance responses. While aiming to curb caste bias, observers question implementation speed and institutional autonomy. The regulations expand the scope to include caste, religion, gender, disability, and birthplace, and tie accountability to campus leadership, signaling a significant shift in campus governance and anti-discrimination strategy.
UGC Regulations 2026 replace 2012 rules on equity
Caste-based discrimination defined; EOC and equity committees mandated
Institutional accountability and time-bound responses emphasized
Bharat Parv 2026, the national culture and tourism festival, began at Red Fort in New Delhi. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the six-day event, designed to showcase India’s cultural heritage and regional diversity. The festival aims to strengthen public engagement with constitutional ideals and promote livelihoods through handicrafts, handlooms and cuisine. State pavilions and performances are planned to highlight different regions, while discussions on culture and history align with the broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and increased tourism potential.
Event: Bharat Parv 2026 at Red Fort, New Delhi.
Inaugurated by Om Birla and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Six-day festival showcasing culture, heritage and regional diversity.
Focus on handicrafts, handlooms and cuisine for livelihoods.
Part of a larger effort to promote tourism and constitutional values.