Junior Digest

Kathmandu/New Delhi, Mar 6,2026: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) appeared to be heading for a sweep in Nepal’s first elections since a Gen-Z revolt in September last year toppled the Communist-led coalition headed by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

With two of four seats declared and leads in 101 constituencies out of 165 where direct elections are held, the newbie RSP party led by former Kathmandu Mayor Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah looks set to form the government. The Nepal Congress, often called the ‘Grand old party of Nepal’ has won one seat and is leading in 11 more seats.

“The two Communist parties – Nepali Communist Party led by Prachanda Oli’s CPN (UML) – which dominated the country for more than a decade are really fighting for the third spot with 12 and 10 leads as of now,” said Kuvera Chalise, Consulting Editor of Nepalkhabar.

“This victory in Nepal is really the net result of the anger and frustration of the younger generation because of the poor governance and lack of efforts by the old guard to create employment opportunities within Nepal even as rampant corruption and its fruits became more and more visible,” added Chalise, a well-known political analyst.

The momentum suggested that the RSP’s bell symbol had resonated across the country, from major urban centres to remote mountain districts and the plains of the Terai, turning the party’s signature blue colour into the dominant feature of the electoral map, analysts said.

Interestingly, the results in Nepal were just the opposite of Bangladesh’s. “It needs to be studied why Bangladesh rejected the parties born out of the students’ movement, while Nepal supported the new party RSP,” pointed out Pinak R Chakravarty, former Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Balendra Shah had fought and is poised to win his seat in parliament from Oli in what was earlier the communist leader’s personal stronghold in the Terai region’s Jhapa-5 south-eastern Nepal. However, the charismatic Communist leader Prachanda, has also won his Rukum East seat, in northern Nepal, near the border with China.

The electoral victory by the new party RSP led by a youthful new leader, who has advocated a ‘Nepal First’ policy, marks a critical political moment for Nepal as also a question mark for powerful neighbours India and China, both of whom will have to negotiate ahead with the strategically-located Himalayan state, wedged between their borders.

While India has traditionally been an ally and has had strong relations with Nepal, China with its ideological linkages with the communist parties and its cheque book diplomacy has enjoyed considerable clout in Kathmandu.

“The students were bound to win given the pent up frustration of the youth and the demographic profile of Nepal. We have to see how our new party negotiates the way ahead,” said KC Sunil, President of Nepal India Chamber & Commerce I& Industry.

Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries, struggles with the South Asian region’s lowest per capita income and an unemployment rate approaching 13 per cent, according to official estimates. The Himalayan nation has a fairly young population with the male median age at 22 years and with 34 per cent of population still aged below 14.

The economic hardship has been compounded by deep-seated corruption and a heavy reliance on remittances from a large segment of the population who have been forced to work abroad in search of opportunities.

The emerging results appeared to reflect a deep reservoir of public frustration with the three major old parties, which many voters accuse of failing for years to generate employment, deliver meaningful development, or act in the broader national interest. The outcome also seemed to echo lingering public anger over the handling of the student protests in September last year, an episode that intensified distrust toward the political establishment.

Voters are directly electing 165 members to the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Parliament. The remaining 110 seats in the 275-member body will be allocated through a proportional representation system under which political parties nominate lawmakers based on their share of the vote.

New Delhi, March 3,2026: In a major boost to India’s maritime combat capabilities, the Ministry of Defence today signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for the acquisition of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-II (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch (VL-SRSAM) Shtil missile systems for the Indian Navy.

The contract for the procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch – Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames, valued at Rs 2,182 crore, has been signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation.

The agreements, formalised at South Block in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, are aimed at significantly enhancing surveillance reach, rapid-response capability and layered air defence preparedness across India’s maritime domain.

The contract for ALH Mk-III (MR) along with operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support, valued at Rs 2,901 crore, has been inked with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category.

These twin-engine helicopters incorporate state-of-the-art features superior to the currently operated airborne platforms and are capable of undertaking a wide spectrum of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields as well as from ships at sea. The induction will significantly enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s capability for fulfilling the duties of safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore installations, and protection of fishermen and marine environment.

The project envisages supply of equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and is expected to generate approximately 65 lakh man-hours of employment.

The contract for the procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch – Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames, valued at Rs 2,182 crore, has been signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation.

The acquisition is intended to substantially enhance the air defence capabilities of frontline warships against a wide spectrum of aerial threats.

The system will reinforce the layered air defence architecture onboard the platforms of the Indian Navy by providing rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments. The contract further underscores the longstanding and time-tested defence partnership between India and Russia, founded on mutual trust and strategic alignment, a statement from the Ministry of Defence stated.

New Delhi, Mar 3,2026: ‎Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held separate telephonic conversations with the leaders of Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, reiterating India’s strong condemnation of any violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity and underscoring the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in West Asia.

‎In posts on X, the Prime Minister said he spoke with the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, expressing firm solidarity with the Gulf nation.
He also conveyed appreciation for the Qatari leadership’s continued support and care for the Indian community residing in the country during what he described as a challenging period.

‎In a separate outreach, Prime Minister Modi spoke with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, reaffirming India’s support for Kuwait.

Tehran/New Delhi, Feb 28,2026 Shattering the fragile peace in the Persian Gulf, the United States and Israel launched massive missile strikes on several Iranian cities, including capital Tehran, early Saturday morning and Iran, in retaliation, attacked American bases in many Gulf countries, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel launched a massive, coordinated military strike against Iran, targeting multiple cities across the country, including Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj.

Israel has officially designated its campaign “Operation Lion’s Roar,” while the Pentagon is referring to the American military action as “Operation Epic Fury.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) code-named its operation “True Promise-4.’’

The US said the mission is aimed at eliminating imminent threats and ensuring Iran never possesses a nuclear weapon. The conflict has expanded into a multi-theatre confrontation, raising fears of a broader Middle Eastern war.

While the number of casualties in the attacks was not known, Israel’s Israeli broadcaster N12 said the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Pakpour, was killed in the strikes. Among the most powerful men in Iran, Pakpour was the IRGC commander for 260 days. However, there has been no official confirmation from Tehran regarding Pakpour’s death.

Iranian News Agency (IRNA) reported from Bandar Abbas that 57 girl students were killed and 60 were wounded in an Israeli strike at a girls’ school in Minab, Hormozgan Province. Minab’s provincial governor, Mohammad Radmehr, confirmed that the Shajareye Tayabeh school had been hit and several students had been killed. Radmehr also said that 53 students are still under the rubble, according to IRNA.

The IRGC said it had struck several US military bases in the region, including the American Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. In its second statement, following the launch of missile and drone strikes, the IRGC said it severely targeted the American bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as military hideouts in the heart of the occupied Palestinian lands.

The IRGC pledged that the missile and drone attacks by Iran’s armed forces will continue.

In retaliatory strikes, Iran launched a wave of drones and ballistic missiles directly targeting northern Israel and Tel Aviv.

The conflict expanded beyond Israel and Iran, threatening American assets in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain’s official news agency reported that a missile attack targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama. Reports of explosions also came from Qatar and the UAE.

The Middle East. Iran, Israel, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar have all indefinitely closed their airspace, causing massive flight diversions and groundings worldwide.

An air strike also took place near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, according to reports, the 86-year-old Khamenei was not in Tehran and has been taken to a secure location in anticipation of the attacks. Media advisor to the Presidential Office said the President is in good health, and the ‘’enemies’ assassination attempts have not been successful.’’

Iran’s news agency ‘Fars’ also reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian, former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i, and Army Commander-in-Chief Abdolrahim Mousavi Hatami are “alive and well”.

The conflict has expanded into a multi-theatre confrontation, raising fears of a broader Middle Eastern war.

IRGC said the American FP-132 radar, with a range of 5,000 kilometres and stationed in Qatar, equipped with unique technology used to intercept ballistic missiles, has been destroyed.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove ‘’threats to the State of Israel.”

The US and Israeli attacks took place even as the US and Iran had concluded three rounds of negotiations in Geneva to resolve the stalemate. Moderated by Oman, the negotiations were described as successful even as the US had positioned its two aircraft carriers in the area, ostensibly to pressure Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameini had warned that if the US attacked Iran, they (Iran) would involve the entire region.

While peace negotiations continued, US President Donald Trump said he was unhappy with the progress of talks with Iran over a potential nuclear deal. “I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. I’m not thrilled with that.’’ The US said its primary objectives are to destroy Iran’s missile industry, permanently dismantle its nuclear program, and force regime change.

New Delhi/Washington, Feb 25,2026: The US Department of Commerce has announced preliminary countervailing duties on solar panel imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos, aimed at what it describes as offsetting subsidies provided by these countries to their producers.

Preliminary duty rates have been set at 125.87 per cent for India, 104.38 per cent for Indonesia, and 80.67 per cent for Laos. U.S. Customs will begin collecting cash deposits based on these preliminary rates.

The duties follow petitions filed on July 17, 2025, by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, representing domestic solar panel producers.

The petitions claimed that imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from the three countries were being sold in the US at less than fair value (LTFV) and were causing, or threatening, material injury to the domestic solar industry.

The petitions included countervailing duty requests and were accompanied by supplementary information submitted between July 21 and August 4, 2025, records revealed.

The action follows findings by the US International Trade Commission in August 2025 that imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos had caused material injury to the domestic industry. The US Commerce department’s review used import data from India’s most recent fiscal year and 2024 calendar-year data for Indonesia and Laos.

Preliminary anti-dumping duty determinations are scheduled for April, with final combined duty rates expected in September. A final injury determination by the International Trade Commission is set for October, after which Customs will collect the final tariffs.

Shares of Indian solar equipment makers plunged on Wednesday after the United States imposed preliminary duties on imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos. Makers were hit hard in early trading, with Waaree Energies and Premier Energies tumbling around 15 per cent, while Vikram Solar fell nearly 8 per cent before partially recovering some losses.

New Delhi , February 23,22026: In a push to expand India’s parliamentary diplomacy, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with over 60 countries, aiming to deepen engagement between India’s legislature and parliaments across the world.The initiative seeks to “widen India’s inter- parliamentary engagement with the world” according to a release by the Lok Sabha secretariat.It said, the move reflects a conscious effort by the Indian Parliament to deepen dialogue and exchanges with legislatures across continents and to complement traditional diplomacy with sustained parliamentary interaction.The Friendship Groups bring together Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum. The group will be led by senior leaders, including Ravi Shankar Prasad, M Thambidurai, P Chidambaram, Ram Gopal Yadav, TR Baalu, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Gaurav Gogoi, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Manish Tiwari, Derek O’Brien, Abhishek Banerjee, Asaduddin Owaisi, Akhilesh Yadav, KC Venugopal, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Supriya Sule, Sanjay Singh, Baijayant Panda, Shashi Tharoor, Nishikant Dubey, Anurag Singh Thakur, Bhartruhari Mahtab, D. Purandeswari, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Hema Malini, Biplab Kumar Deb, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Jagdambika Pal, Sasmit Patra, Aparajita Sarangi, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, PV Midhun Reddy and Praful Patel.The countries with whom Parliamentary Friendship Groups have been constituted include Sri Lanka, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, Bhutan, Saudi, Israel, Maldives, USA, Russia, EU Parliament, South Korea, Nepal, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Italy, Oman, Australia, Greece, Singapore, Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, Iran and UAE. The idea behind the initiative is to allow lawmakers to speak directly to their counterparts abroad, share legislative experience, and build trust through regular engagement and exchange best practices to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote greater mutual understanding.Beyond parliamentary procedure, the groups are expected to facilitate conversations on trade, technology, social policy, culture, and global challenges that democracies face today. Speaker Om Birla has consistently emphasised the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening India’s global standing, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said. “By prioritising Parliament-to-Parliament and people-to-people connections, this initiative signals a more participatory approach to foreign engagement. The Friendship Groups will enable structured exchanges through dialogues, study visits, and joint discussions, helping to sustain long-term cooperation rooted in democratic values. In doing so, the Indian Parliament reinforces its role as a bridge between nations and as a living reflection of the world’s largest democracy,” it said.”While friendship groups have been constituted with more than 60 countries in the first phase, efforts are being made to constitute these groups with many more countries in the near future,” the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

Aizawl, Feb 23,2026: Mizoram is currently providing shelter to 38,059 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh, State Home Minister K. Sapdanga informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
In a written reply to a question raised by ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) legislator V.L. Zaithanzama, the Home Minister said that biometric enrolment of refugees from Myanmar is being carried out by district administrations across all 11 districts. As of February 5, 93.04 per cent of the enrolment process had been completed. He expressed hope that the exercise would be concluded shortly.

Sapdanga further informed the House that biometric registration of refugees from Bangladesh is also in progress and is expected to be completed within the next few months.

However, officials of the Home Department indicated that the pace of biometric enrolment has slowed in recent weeks. According to them, the process has remained stalled since January in six districts- Siaha, Kolasib, Mamit, Khawzawl, Saitual and Hnahthial — despite most of these districts having comparatively smaller refugee populations.

Among these, Siaha district in southern Mizoram hosts 3,195 refugees from Myanmar, making it the fourth highest in terms of refugee concentration in the state. The remaining five districts have refugee numbers running only into three digits. Officials said they were not aware of the reasons behind the lack of progress in these districts over the past nearly two months.

Data provided by the Home Department shows that there are 28,355 refugees from Myanmar currently residing in various districts of Mizoram. Of these, 26,592 individuals, or 93.78 per cent, have already undergone biometric enrolment.

The enrolment process has been fully completed in Aizawl, Lunglei, Serchhip and Champhai districts. Apart from these, only Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram recorded progress recently, with district authorities enrolling 211 refugees during the past week.

With regard to refugees from Bangladesh, Lunglei, Serchhip and Aizawl districts, which host 235, 76 and seven refugees respectively, have completed their biometric registration. In contrast, Lawngtlai district, which shelters 2,042 refugees from Bangladesh, has made little headway in initiating the enrolment process.

The government has not specified a revised timeline for completion in the districts where the exercise has slowed, but officials maintain that efforts are ongoing to bring the remaining beneficiaries under the biometric system.

Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 22,2026: Tourist visa services from Bangladeshi diplomatic missions located in India will resume on Monday, a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official stated on Sunday.The Bangladesh government had suspended tourist visa services from its diplomatic missions in India due to security reasons. However, after the Bangladesh election, the situation has improved, and the visa service will be fully resumed from Monday.”Including the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, and in various cities of India such as Guwahati, Agartala, Mumbai and Kolkata–wherever Bangladeshi diplomatic missions are located–apart from tourist visas, other visa services were mostly ongoing. However, tourist visas had generally been stopped, though they were still issued in urgent cases,” a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official said on Sunday.

“Although we did not formally announce it as stopped, we are not formally announcing it as resumed either; in fact, it was ongoing and will now be expanded widely from Monday,” the official told. Additionally, around the election held in Bangladesh on February 12, the Bangladesh government had instructed its missions in India to suspend tourist visas from January 15 to February 15. In urgent cases, visas were issued. Apart from India, due to security reasons, services were also completely stopped for countries such as Bhutan and Nepal. Now, after reviewing the overall situation, all types of visas, including tourist visas, are being fully resumed from all places from Monday.Indian visa services for Bangladeshis are still suspended–specifically tourist visa services, though some categories remain ongoing.
During the period of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, relations between India and Bangladesh had deteriorated. However, after the February 12 election, when the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office, there are signs of improvement in relations. At the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet after the election, a high-level Indian delegation led by Speaker Om Birla participated and met with the Prime Minister.

Guwahati/New Delhi, Feb 17,2026: The full bench of the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, on Tuesday held a series of meetings with recognised national and state political parties in Guwahati to review preparedness for the upcoming elections in Assam.

The meeting was also attended by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Assam and other senior officials of the Commission.

Representatives of four recognised national parties- Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Indian National Congress- participated in the discussions.

Among the recognised state parties, leaders from All India United Democratic Front, Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People’s Front and United People’s Party Liberal were present.

According to a press note issued by the poll panel, a majority of political parties urged the Commission to conduct the elections in a single phase or, at most, in two phases to ensure smoother logistics and minimise prolonged campaigning.

“Most parties were of the view that a single-phase election, or a maximum of two phases, would be preferable for administrative convenience as well as voter participation,” the EC said in its press note.

Another key demand raised during the meeting was that the poll schedule should take into account the Bihu festival, one of Assam’s most significant cultural celebrations.

“Political parties requested that election dates be announced, keeping in mind the Bihu festival so that voters can participate fully in both the democratic process and traditional festivities,” the poll panel note added.

The parties generally appreciated the recent Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls conducted in the state, terming it an important step in ensuring the accuracy and inclusiveness of voter lists.

Commission officials noted that suggestions were also put forward for ensuring the peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, including enhanced coordination between district authorities and political representatives.

During the interaction, the Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair and transparent elections in accordance with the law.

“The Commission values the constructive suggestions made by political parties and will examine them carefully while finalising the election schedule and arrangements,” the ECI said.

The visit to Guwahati is part of the Commission’s broader consultative exercise with stakeholders ahead of the announcement of the election schedule for Assam. State Assembly elections .in Assam are due around March-April.

Washington, Feb 17,2026: US President Donald Trump on Monday said he would be involved “indirectly” in high-level nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, set for Tuesday in Geneva. He also urged Iran to be “reasonable” during the discussions, reminding Tehran of the June 2025 B‑2 bomber strike on its nuclear facilities.

“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.”I hope they’re going to be more reasonable,” Trump added.

The upcoming Geneva session marks a continuation of the nuclear dialogue, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner expected to attend.

When asked about the potential for an agreement, Trump said Iran has historically taken a hard line but learned lessons from last summer’s US strikes on its nuclear sites. He suggested Tehran is now more inclined to negotiate.

Before the US strikes in June, negotiations had stalled over Washington’s insistence that Iran halt uranium enrichment that can lead toward nuclear weapons capability.

“”I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said. “It will be very important. Iran is a tough negotiator, but I would say they are bad negotiators, as we could have had a deal instead of sending out B-2s (B-2 Bombers) to knock out their nuclear potential. I hope they are going to be more reasonable. They want to make a deal… We have peace in the Middle East. You will see some flames here and there, but we essentially have peace in the Middle East. That happened because we did a B-2 attack on the nuclear potential. They would have had a nuclear weapon within one month. If that happened, it would have been a whole different deal,” Trump said, referencing the stealth bombers used in the attacks.

The talks follow the initial indirect round in Oman on February 6, during which Iran insisted on the right to enrich uranium, while the US sought broader discussions on missiles and regional proxies, including Hezbollah. Both sides described the first meeting as a “good start,” despite lingering differences.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that President Trump favors diplomatic solutions and that the administration remains focused on negotiations.

Iran conducted a military exercise on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane and oil route from Gulf nations, which have been advocating for diplomacy to ease tensions.

These remarks differ from comments he made on Friday, when he suggested regime change in Iran and criticized decades of stalled negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog in Geneva, posting on X that he was there to “achieve a fair and equitable deal.”

“What is not on the table: submission before threats,” Araqchi said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly requested clarity on Iran’s 440 kg (970 pounds) stockpile of highly enriched uranium following last year’s Israeli-U.S. strikes and has sought full access to the sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

Iran has warned it may close the Strait of Hormuz in response to any attack, which would disrupt roughly one-fifth of global oil exports and drive up crude prices.

Washington wants to discuss non-nuclear issues, such as Iran’s missile program, but Tehran insists its missile capabilities are off the table and will only discuss nuclear restrictions in return for sanctions relief.

During a visit to Hungary on Monday, Rubio described reaching a deal with Tehran as challenging.

“I think that there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement … but I don’t want to overstate it either,” Rubio said.

“It’s going to be hard. It’s been very difficult for anyone to do real deals with Iran, because we’re dealing with radical Shia clerics who are making theological decisions, not geopolitical ones. Doing a deal with Iran is not easy,” Rubio said.

Iran is run by “radical Shia clerics” who “make policy decisions on the basis of pure theology,” he added.

Still, Rubio said the U.S. remains committed to diplomacy: “We’ve always said it’s hard, but we’re going to try. That’s what the president (Donald Trump) is trying.”

“I’m certainly not going to negotiate with Iran here in front of the press and on the stage. Our negotiators are on their way there now. They’ll have meetings. We’ll see what happens,” he said.

“The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things,” Rubio added.

“I think there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement that addresses the things we’re concerned about.”

Dhaka, Feb 13,2026:In Bangladesh’s first election since the fall of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a landslide victory, winning approximately 210 seats out of 299 contested seats, according to the latest count.

However, its principal rival, an 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process. In a statement released after the results were announced, Jamaat-e-Islami said it was “not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results.”

The Islamist party claimed that candidates from its 11-party electoral alliance had lost “narrowly and suspiciously” in several constituencies. It also criticised the Election Commission’s “reluctance” to publish voter turnout figures and alleged that elements within the interim administration had shown favouritism toward a major political party.

“All of this undoubtedly raises serious questions about the integrity of the results process,” the statement said.

According to officials in Dhaka, nearly 61 per cent of the registered voters took part in the elections, and more than 65 per cent voted in the referendum.

BNP Chairman Tarique RahmanTarique, son of former President Gen. Ziaur Rahman, won Dhaka-17 with 72,699 votes, defeating his nearest rival by a margin of 4,399 votes. He was also unofficially elected from Bogra-6, securing 216,284 votes.

The elections, held on Thursday, were Bangladesh’s first national vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that led to the resignation of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to official figures, the BNP secured 210 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 73 seats, and independents claimed 8 seats. A simple majority in the 300-member parliament requires 151 seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to what he described as a “decisive victory” in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting a democratic and progressive neighbour.

‎In a message posted on X, Modi conveyed his “warm congratulations” to Rahman, saying, “This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.”

‎The Prime Minister underscored India’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic journey. “India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” he said, signaling New Delhi’s readiness to work closely with the new leadership in Dhaka.

‎Modi also expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties. “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” he added.

‎India and Bangladesh share deep historical, cultural, and economic links, with cooperation spanning trade, connectivity, energy, water resources, and security. Over the past decade, ties between the two countries have expanded significantly, particularly in cross-border infrastructure and regional connectivity initiatives.

‎The BNP, one of Bangladesh’s major political parties, has played a significant role in the country’s political landscape since the 1990s. Tarique Rahman, a senior party leader, has now emerged at the helm following the party’s electoral victory, marking a new phase in Bangladesh’s domestic politics.

‎Observers say the outcome of the parliamentary elections could shape the trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations, especially in areas such as trade integration, border management, and regional cooperation under multilateral frameworks.

The elections also included a referendum on the July National Charter, addressing limits on prime ministers’ terms, the creation of an upper house, and the restoration of the caretaker system to ensure free and fair polls.

President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on winning a landslide in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, giving them the mandate to form the next government. He also praised the people of Bangladesh for the smooth conduct of polls across 299 constituencies, with over 127 million registered voters participating.

Feb 8,2026: Voters in Japan are casting their ballots in a parliamentary election expected to deliver a resounding victory for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s conservative coalition.

The snap vote on Sunday comes as Takaichi seeks a new mandate to push through an ambitious agenda, including increased defence spending and tougher immigration measures.
The coalition of Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, could win more than 300 of the 465 seats in the lower house of parliament, according to multiple opinion polls.

The figure would mark a substantial gain from ⁠the 233 it is defending.

The opposition, despite the formation of a new centrist alliance and a rising far-right, is seen as too splintered to be a real challenger.

Takaichi, 64, is Japan’s first female prime minister and took office in October after being selected as the LDP’s leader. The ultraconservative politician has pledged to “work, work, work”, and her style – seen as both playful and tough – has resonated with younger voters.

She has said she will step down if the LDP fails to win a majority.
Rising cost of living

Voters on Sunday will select lawmakers in 289 single-seat constituencies, with the remainder decided by proportional representation votes for parties. Polls close at 8pm local time (11:00 GMT), when broadcasters are expected to issue projections based on exit polls.

The rising cost of living has taken centre stage in the election.

The issue is voters’ main concern, with prices rising while real wage growth lags behind inflation, leaving households worse off. Japan also faces longstanding problems with sluggish economic growth. The economy expanded just 1.1 percent last year and is on track to grow by only 0.7 percent in 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Takaichi has promised to suspend the 8 percent sales tax on food for two years to help households cope with rising prices.

February 3, 2026: The India-US trade agreement announced on February 3, 2026, is being viewed as a reset in bilateral economic relations, easing tariff-related uncertainty and improving visibility for exporters, manufacturers, and global investors. However, details on the extent of the commitments from India are still awaited.

The deal, which reduces US tariffs on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent, removes what businesses had described as a lingering “tariff overhang” and is expected to strengthen India’s trade competitiveness at a time of fragile global demand.

Business executives, economists, and market stakeholders say the move restores predictability for cross-border commerce and could unlock delayed investment decisions across manufacturing and supply-chain-linked sectors.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the agreement as a reaffirmation of robust bilateral ties, while US President Donald Trump highlighted commitments from India to increase purchases of American energy, technology, agricultural goods, and manufacturing inputs as part of broader efforts to address trade imbalances and strengthen economic integration.
At the center of the India-US trade agreement is a notable rollback of 2025 US tariffs on Indian exports, a step that analysts say will directly support margin stability for exporters while improving planning certainty for multinational firms operating production bases in India.
India’s Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the trade deal as a catalyst for “unprecedented opportunities” for farmers, medium-small and micro enterprises (MSMEs), entrepreneurs, and skilled workers, positioning India to export competitive products globally while attracting technology transfers that could turbo-charge domestic manufacturing and innovation.

According to Goyal’s remarks reported by PTI and other major media outlets, the agreement is expected to:

Expand market access for Indian agricultural products and processed goods.
Strengthen the Make in India and Design in India initiatives by expanding global footprints.
Facilitate technology collaboration with US partners in key sectors.
Create jobs and scale exports in manufacturing, services, and technology segments.

Beyond commercial flows, the agreement also carries geopolitical significance. Latest reports note that India has agreed to curb Russian oil purchases as part of the broader negotiations, potentially signaling a gradual shift toward deeper economic alignment with the US.

Details on the exact scale of India’s reduced Russian oil imports and any corresponding increase in US agricultural exports are still awaited, but analysts see the agreement as strengthening India’s strategic positioning within global supply chains.

Potential upside for GDP growth, markets, and manufacturing

From a macroeconomic perspective, the tariff reduction is expected to support India’s GDP growth trajectory while providing a tailwind to equity markets, particularly export-facing and manufacturing-linked stocks.

Market watchers point to possible spillover benefits across electronics, industrial goods, and downstream services, especially as firms reassess sourcing strategies amid ongoing geopolitical fragmentation.

For lenders, improved trade conditions could translate into healthier corporate balance sheets, stronger demand for working capital, and increased appetite for long-term project financing, particularly in sectors aligned with India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) programs and infrastructure expansion drive.

Though detailed lists of tariff schedules and market access commitments are still being clarified by the central government authorities, exporters, including rice, marine products, textiles, and engineering goods firms, have welcomed the relief from punitive tariff regimes and anticipate renewed demand from the US market.

Analysts see the US pact complementing India’s wider trade strategy, which also includes diversification through FTAs with other partners – most recently, New Zealand and the EU. India has also signed an economic partnership agreement with Oman to grant zero-duty access on most goods, boosting exports across engineering, leather, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

India was among the first countries to open trade discussions with the Trump administration, but negotiations progressed unevenly through 2025 amid speculation over whether a deal would materialize.

For multinational firms with India-based manufacturing or sourcing operations, the deal delivers three immediate advantages:

Reduced tariff risk, improving margin visibility on US-bound exports
Greater policy certainty, supporting medium-term capacity and location planning
Improved investor sentiment, which could lower financing costs and speed up project approvals

India-US trade deal: Sectoral impacts and industry views

While the official deal’s specifics on agricultural tariff liberalization are still emerging, US agricultural officials have highlighted the potential for increased American farm exports to India, which Washington believes will narrow the US agricultural trade deficit and inject fresh demand into rural markets.

Domestic industry bodies in India have also noted potential new openings for products like rice and marine exports, with exporters welcoming tariff relief as a competitive advantage.

Manufacturing and MSMEs

Export-oriented industries such as engineering, electronics, textiles, and leather goods are expected to benefit from reduced tariff pressure, enabling Indian producers to better compete with regional rivals like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.

Trade associations such as EEPC India have already hailed the deal as a boost to engineering exports, while MSME groups anticipate stronger integration into cross-border supply chains.
Financial markets and investment sentiment

Financial markets reacted positively to the announcement, with benchmark indices rising and risk sentiment improving as trade uncertainty eased. Macroeconomic analysts see the agreement as potentially supporting GDP growth by lifting export momentum and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into manufacturing and technology sectors.
What’s next and implementation challenges

While the tariff truce is being celebrated, parties on both sides acknowledge that the full implementation schedule, product lists, and timelines remain to be formalized through executive orders, cabinet approvals, and regulatory mechanisms.

Industry experts note the necessity for clarity on tariff phase-downs, rules of origin, and non-tariff measures to fully unlock the deal’s potential. Continued consultations between Indian trade negotiators and US counterparts are expected in the coming months to firm up operational details.
Key questions and business implications of the India-US tariff reset

The introduction of an 18 percent reciprocal tariff provides partial relief, particularly for sectors such as apparel and gems and jewelry, which were among the most affected by higher US duty rates. However, the benefit is relatively limited when viewed in a regional context. Several of India’s neighboring countries and key Asian competitors continue to enjoy preferential market access under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), typically amounting to duty concessions of around 5 percent. The US withdrew India’s GSP status in 2019 during President Trump’s first term, and Indian exporters had therefore anticipated a lower reciprocal tariff closer to 15 percent to restore competitive parity.

In a social media statement, Trump indicated that Modi had committed to significantly expanding purchases of US-origin goods, including energy, technology, agriculture, coal and other products, with the total value exceeding US$500 billion. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not confirmed whether such a commitment has been formally made. Given the magnitude of the figure, any such procurement would likely be phased over several years rather than executed as a near-term obligation.

Recent developments around Iran-related sanctions reflect regulatory tightening rather than a policy reversal by New Delhi. On February 4, 2025, the US administration issued National Security Presidential Memorandum-2 (NSPM-2), directing the US Secretary of State to modify or rescind sanctions waivers that could provide Iran with economic or financial relief, including those linked to the Chabahar port project. Subsequently, on September 16, 2025, the US State Department revoked the 2018 waiver, effective September 29, 2025.

India has invested nearly US$120 million in equipment for Chabahar, a project that has played a critical role in enabling humanitarian and emergency assistance to Afghanistan. Following representations by New Delhi, the US Department of the Treasury issued a letter on October 28, 2025, confirming that Chabahar-related activities will not be subject to US sanctions until April 26, 2026.

The Government of India remains actively engaged with the US State Department and Treasury to operationalize this arrangement. Taken together, these developments point to a more constrained and negotiated operating environment for India’s regional connectivity strategy, rather than any capitulation to US sanctions pressure.

Export-oriented sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, textiles, leather, agriculture, and marine products are likely to see the most immediate gains. Reduced tariffs improve price competitiveness in the US market, particularly against Asian peers like Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.

For global firms sourcing or manufacturing in India, the agreement reduces tariff risk on US-bound exports, improves margin visibility, and strengthens the case for expanding India-based production and supply chains.

While the tariff reduction restores near-term predictability, detailed tariff schedules, product coverage, and timelines are still awaited. Full policy certainty will depend on the finalization of operational and regulatory details.
7. How could the agreement affect India’s GDP growth and employment?

By supporting exports, manufacturing output, and investment sentiment, the deal is expected to provide a positive impulse to GDP growth and job creation, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and export-linked services.

The US deal complements India’s wider diversification strategy, which includes recent trade agreements with New Zealand, the EU, and Oman, aimed at expanding export markets and reducing dependence on any single geography.

New Delhi, Feb 1,2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the union Budget for 2026-27 in the Lok Sabha on Sunday, emphasising India’s sustained economic growth and resilience amid global uncertainties.

Highlighting a strong macroeconomic stability with a growth rate of around 7 pc, she said, “The Modi government has decisively chosen action over ambivalence, delivering reforms that have improved lives and reduced poverty.”

The Budget focuses on balancing ambition with inclusion, aiming to transform aspiration into achievement. Sitharaman noted, “This is a Yuva Shakti-driven Budget inspired by three duties: to accelerate economic growth, build resilience to global volatility, and ensure inclusive development.”

Key reforms announced include significant steps to build domestic manufacturing capacity, enhance energy security, and cut critical import dependency. The government proposes to boost manufacturing in sectors such as biopharma, semiconductors, textiles, and infrastructure, with dedicated funds like Rs 100 billion for Biopharma Shakti and an expanded Rs 400 billion outlay for electronics manufacturing.

A major thrust is on supporting MSMEs through a three-pronged approach, including a proposed Rs 100 billion SME growth fund and measures to improve liquidity and compliance via TReDS and GeM integration. Infrastructure development will be scaled up with a capital expenditure target of Rs 12.2 trillion and initiatives like 20 new waterways and coastal shipping schemes aimed at boosting trade and connectivity.

On the financial front, the Budget aims to strengthen the banking sector with a new high-level committee for banking reforms and restructuring of key public NBFCs. Tax reforms include the rollout of the new Income Tax Act from April 1, reduced TCS rates for education and medical expenses, and rationalization of prosecution under the Income Tax Act. Notably, tax holidays are extended till 2047 for cloud services from Indian data centers, and safe harbor provisions are enhanced for IT services.

Sitharaman stressed the importance of integrating India with global markets, stating, “India must continue to take confident steps to ensure long-term economic stability while fostering innovation through cutting-edge technology and AI as force multipliers.”

The fiscal deficit for FY27 is pegged at 4.3 per cent of GDP with a debt-to-GDP ratio expected to decline to 55.6 per cent, underscoring the government’s commitment to fiscal prudence. Tax devolution to states continues at 41 per cent, with Rs 1.4 trillion allocated as grants.

The Budget also prioritizes social sectors and employment generation, proposing schemes for medical tourism hubs, upgrading allied health skills, promoting sports goods manufacturing, and supporting vulnerable populations, including women entrepreneurs and the differently-abled.

Finance Minister Sitharaman reaffirmed the government’s reform momentum: “Over 350 reforms have been rolled out since August 15, and the reform express is well on its way to boosting growth, employment, and production across the country.”