The India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement slashes US tariffs on Indian imports from 50% to 18%, effective noon February 7, 2026, boosting exports in textiles, pharmaceuticals, gems, and machinery. It eliminates duties on generics, gems/diamonds, aircraft parts, with quotas for autos and reductions on US agri/industrial goods. An interim pact post Russian oil halt, it addresses barriers in medical devices/ICT while promoting tech/digital trade. Formal signing in March follows executive order.

Pakistan reacted with disbelief and social media meltdown after the India-US trade deal granted India an 18% tariff rate on exports, lower than Pakistan's 19%, despite Islamabad's efforts to build goodwill with Trump through Nobel nominations and cooperation offers. The deal scrapped a 25% punitive duty on India's Russian oil purchases. Trump's claims of India buying $500 billion US goods and switching to Venezuelan oil remain unconfirmed. India diversified with EU, UK, Oman pacts, highlighting Pakistan's limited leverage.

A joint statement on the India-US trade deal is anticipated within the next week, with fine print to be made public thereafter, according to sources. The agreement safeguards India's sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy, with no investment commitments involved. The first tranche is slated for signing around mid-March, following a US executive order reducing tariffs on Indian goods to 18%. Negotiations, lasting a year, faced delays over red lines but prioritize national interests. Senior US officials visit India soon to finalize details.

A woman in India booked Rapido's porter service to send a sealed cardboard box claimed as goods, but instructed the delivery boy to dump it at a garbage heap upon arrival, revealing it contained trash. Karan Nishad, the rider, recorded his shocked laughter, saying, “So this is where we’ve reached - now we’re delivering other people’s trash!” The viral video sparked mixed reactions: humor over the irony of turning delivery into "trash transport," alongside concerns about dignity of labour and courtesy toward gig workers. Discussions highlighted need for respectful usage of services.

India's Ministry of External Affairs stated the government remains open to exploring commercial merits of any new crude supply options, including Venezuela, prioritizing energy security for 1.4 billion citizens. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted Venezuela's long-standing partnership until sanctions halted imports in 2019-20, with brief resumption in 2023-24. Decisions are guided by market conditions and national interests, without confirming shifts from Russian or Iranian sources. This follows US President Trump's claims of a deal involving Venezuelan oil purchases. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez discussed deepening energy ties with PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted Trinamool Congress in Rajya Sabha, accusing them of protecting infiltrators by approaching courts, ignoring impacts on youth livelihoods, tribal land, and women's safety. He criticized ineffective governance prioritizing power over people, noting developed nations expel infiltrators while India faces pressure to save them. Modi highlighted atrocities against women continuing unabated under such protection. The remarks follow West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's court appearance on SIR issues, escalating political tensions over infiltration and security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replying to the Motion of Thanks in Rajya Sabha, emphasized the world opening up to India through major trade deals with the EU and US, boosting global confidence in stability and speed. He highlighted 'reform, perform, transform' mantra building trust, correcting past mistakes with future-ready policies. Modi attacked Opposition for arrogance, hatred, and failures like Bofors scandals under Congress/TMC/DMK/Left, while praising achievements like Sardar Sarovar dam completion. The speech positioned India as key for global welfare amid Viksit Bharat vision.

In Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, a 25-year-old man Ashish was murdered by his wife Arju alias Anjali and her lover Sanjay alias Sanju, with help from accomplices Rohit alias Rocky and Badal alias Siddharth. The trio assaulted and strangled Ashish on a secluded road before staging the scene as a road accident or robbery by taking his phone and her earrings. Initially reported as a hit-and-run, post-mortem inconsistencies prompted reclassification as homicide. All four were arrested based on technical evidence and statements, revealing a pre-planned conspiracy due to Anjali's marital dissatisfaction just three months after marriage.

IAS officer Pulkit Garg, District Magistrate of Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, enrolled his young daughter Siya in a government-run Anganwadi centre to demonstrate confidence in public welfare systems. A viral video shows Siya playing at the centre, highlighting the initiative's aim to encourage parents to utilize these facilities. Anganwadi centres under the ICDS scheme provide early education, nutrition, health monitoring, and socialization for children. Garg's personal choice addresses skepticism toward government schemes, promoting them as quality options for all socioeconomic levels. The move has resonated locally, expected to increase enrollments and improve program outcomes in the district.

Union Budget 2026 features targeted infrastructure boosts for several states, including high-speed rail corridors, dedicated freight and rare earth corridors, inland waterways, logistics hubs, and tourism initiatives. West Bengal gains freight corridor and high-speed rail links; Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Odisha share rare earth corridors with eco-tourism and agriculture support; Uttar Pradesh receives extensive projects like AI city and semiconductor park; Assam gets mental health facility and Buddhist circuits. Kerala notably excluded from high-speed rails despite neighbouring states' inclusion. The budget emphasises connectivity, manufacturing, and cultural heritage amid poll-bound state focus.