India firmly denied Canada’s claim of Indian agents’ involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, stating no evidence was provided. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh told Parliament, “Canada has presented no evidence whatsoever in support of its serious allegations.” He added, “Persisting with such a narrative can only harm stable bilateral relations.” India called Canada’s stance part of an anti-India separatist agenda and urged action against such elements. A high-level committee is reviewing US inputs on organised crime linked to Indian security. Despite tensions, India prioritised the safety of its citizens abroad. Canada has yet to respond to India’s strong rebuttal.

India and China have agreed to take steps toward cross-border cooperation and better relations. Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first formal talks in five years in Beijing. Discussions included reopening the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, sharing data on rivers, and resuming border trade. Both sides also reviewed disengagement at Ladakh’s Demchok and Depsang, easing tensions after the 2020 standoff. India’s External Affairs Ministry said talks moved positively but stopped short of confirming China’s claim of a six-point consensus. Future meetings are expected to address border issues and trade relations further.

India has set up a high-level committee to examine US inputs on security threats linked to organised crime and terrorism. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the move is part of India’s ongoing cooperation with the US. The US has urged India to take Canada’s allegations of India’s involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder seriously. India rejected these claims as baseless, saying Canada has provided no evidence. Relations between India and Canada remain tense, with India accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of vote bank politics and ignoring separatist activities in his country.

India has lodged a strong protest with Bangladesh over remarks by Mahfuj Alam, an aide to Bangladesh’s interim government. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for responsibility in public comments and reiterated India’s commitment to fostering ties. The controversial Facebook post, now deleted, urged India to recognise protests that led to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. India also expressed concern over violence against minorities in Bangladesh, urging the interim government to ensure their safety. Relations between the two nations have been strained since the Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-led government took charge. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently discussed India’s concerns with Bangladeshi officials.

The Biden administration deported over 270,000 illegal immigrants in FY2024, the highest in 10 years. Among them were 1,529 Indians, a sharp increase from 370 in FY2023. ICE detained 2,647 Indians, ranking them fourth after Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians are on ICE’s deportation list. Deportations surged under Biden despite criticism of Trump’s immigration policies. The US has about 725,000 illegal Indian immigrants. Illegal crossings involving Indians at US-Canada and Mexico borders also increased to 43,764 in 2024. The US warned Canada and Mexico to act against illegal immigration or face trade tariffs.

India has reopened its embassy in Pyongyang after a three-year pause due to COVID-19. This marks a key step in India’s Act East policy. A team of diplomats and technical staff has been sent to North Korea. The move aims to monitor regional developments and prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Pakistan or other groups. North Korea has been strengthening ties with Russia, China, and Iran, creating challenges for India and the Quad alliance. India’s renewed presence in Pyongyang highlights its effort to stay engaged with the Korean Peninsula amid global focus on the Middle East and Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin commended India's economic growth and the 'Make in India' initiative under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at his annual press conference in Moscow, Putin highlighted India's position among the top global economies, alongside China and the US. He emphasized the strength of Russia-India ties, mentioning recent discussions with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Putin expressed Russia's interest in expanding manufacturing in India, noting the stability provided by Modi's leadership. The Russian leader also drew parallels between India's 'Make in India' program and Russia's import substitution efforts, lauding their shared focus on economic resilience and development.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a $900M plan to strengthen border security following US President-elect Donald Trump’s warning. The crackdown aims to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking along the US-Canada border. Known as the "dunki route," this path had become a preferred alternative for Indians seeking to enter the US illegally, with over 43,000 attempting crossings in 2024. Stricter measures include drones, surveillance towers, and increased patrols, making the route more perilous. Human smugglers charge $50,000-$100,000 per person for the journey, often involving dangerous conditions, fraud, and severe risks to life.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed 13 Indian business leaders to Downing Street to strengthen UK-India ties. The delegation, supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), met senior ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, to discuss boosting investments, job creation, and advancing the UK-India trade partnership. “These discussions build on the strong relationship between our nations,” Starmer said. “India is a vital partner for the UK, and we aim to unlock more opportunities together, focusing on economic growth and innovation.” The Indian delegation included leaders from Bharti Enterprises, Tata Steel, and Reliance Industries, representing over £10 billion in investments and thousands of UK jobs. Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder of Bharti Enterprises, emphasized India’s fast-growing economy and the potential of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). “The India-UK FTA negotiations present significant opportunities for mutual growth. This delegation will pave the way for numerous collaborations,” Mittal said. The visit follows Starmer’s meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit, where they agreed to enhance cooperation in technology, defence, and climate. Talks on the trade deal will resume in 2025, with a shared goal of strengthening economic ties worth £42 billion.

Indian NSA Ajit Doval met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing for the 23rd Special Representatives meeting. They discussed border peace, disengagement progress in Demchok and Depsang, and solutions for the boundary issue. Both agreed to maintain calm at the border and avoid disruptions to bilateral ties. Measures for resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, river data sharing, and border trade were discussed. They emphasized stable India-China relations for global peace. Doval invited Wang to India for the next round of talks, reinforcing their commitment to resolving tensions that began in the Western sector in 2020.