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In a spectacle dripping with dominance and drama, India delivered a crushing 61-run triumph, bowling Pakistan out for 114 in a second innings that showcased relentless intensity, tactical brilliance and breathtaking athleticism, The Economic Times reported. 

Defending 176, India exploded out of the blocks like a storm, snatching four wickets inside the first five overs to seize total control and silence the chase before it could even gather momentum.

The early destruction was scripted by Hardik Pandya, who opened with a sizzling wicket maiden that instantly tilted the contest. At the other end, Jasprit Bumrah unleashed a masterclass in hostile precision — searing pace, late movement and pinpoint lines that left batters groping and guessing. Pakistan never found rhythm as India’s bowlers circled like hunters sensing victory, according to The Economic Times. 

Indian captain Suryakumar ⁠Yadav said his players ⁠are not concerned about the threat of rain for Sunday’s Twenty20 World Cup clash with Pakistan, adding that the defending champions are focused on preparing for the showdown between ⁠bitter rivals, Aljazeera reported. 

Pakistan had initially boycotted the Group A fixture in Colombo over Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament for refusing to play in India over security concerns, but reversed their decision on Monday.

But weather forecasts have warned ⁠of heavy rain between Sunday afternoon and evening, casting new doubts over the match, according to Aljazeera ​​​​​​. 

Defending champions India continued their march towards the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup with a 93-run plastering of Namibia in a group A contest at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Thursday, Reuters reported. 

Put into bat, India racked up 209-9 after opener Ishan Kishan (61) and middle-order batter Hardik Pandya (52) struck rapid half-centuries.

They returned to bundle out Namibia for 116 in 18.2 overs to register their second successive victory and top the group because of their net run-rate, which is superior to Pakistan, who also have four points from two games, according to Reuters. 

India on Thursday handed over the third tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal. 

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava presented the assistance  to Minister for Home Affairs of Nepal Om Prakash Aryal at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kathmandu. 

The latest tranche includes more than 270 vehicles and other logistical supplies, among them 50 trucks designated for the Nepal Army, in line with Kathmandu’s request to support election preparedness.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel formally received the trucks on behalf of the Nepal Army.

Speaking at the program, Home Minister Aryal thanked the Indian side for the timely and significant nature of assistance provided to Nepal. He also conveyed his appreciation for the mutually beneficial and comprehensive nature of cooperation between the two countries, which is marked by mutual trust, friendship, and a shared adherence to democratic values.

The first two tranches of such election-related assistance, comprising over 310 vehicles and other supplies from the Government of India, have already been handed over to Nepal on January 20 and 29  respectively. Some additional deliveries are expected to take place in batches in the coming days, according to the statement. 

India’s government said on Tuesday social media companies would have to take down unlawful content within three hours of being notified about it, tightening an earlier 36-hour timeline in what could be a compliance challenge for Meta, YouTube and X, Reuters reported. 

The changes amend India’s 2021 IT rules, which have already been a flashpoint between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and global technology companies.

The amended rules also relaxed an earlier proposal that would have required platforms to visibly label AI-generated content across 10 per cent of its surface area or duration, instead mandating that such content be “prominently labelled”.

The Nepal Institute of International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) hosted the Nepal-India Think Tank Forum on Regional Resilience: Strengthening Nepal-India Security Cooperation with the senior experts from major think tanks of India and Nepal. 

Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.), the Director General of the United Service Institution of India, oldest think tank of the Indian military shared that “Nepalis courage and valour have been at the forefront of Indian military strength and national security."

He also shared that “Agniveer scheme is open to Nepali citizens at par with Indians, and is akin to the earlier pre-1970s non-pensionable colour service. The scheme offers an opportunity to invest in human capital, with disciplined, motivated, empowered youth that strengthens and enriches society," reads a statement issued by NIICE. 

Ambassador Pankaj Saran, former National Security Advisor of India, praised Nepalis youth and urged youth from both countries to shape the future of Nepal–India relations.

Alok Bansal, Executive Vice President of India Foundation shared that India is a major victim of cross-border terrorism and it has a huge impact on Nepal as well.  

Similarly Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal of Jawaharlal Nehru University said that think tanks should strengthen India–Nepal ties and urged both governments to promote research.

Dr Gaurav Saini, co-founder of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, noted that while India–Nepal ties are strong, human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and counterfeit currency are the transnational threats affecting both countries. 

Maj. Gen. Binoj Basnyat, Political and Security Analyst, said that elections alone may not ensure Nepal’s stability and called for inclusive dialogue, according to the statement. 

Anurag Acharya, Director PEI discussed three major avenues including Physical connectivity, highlighted tech integration, religious and cultural tourism and sports as emerging opportunities.

Bibek Dhoj Thapa, Program Coordinator at NIICE emphasized that India–Nepal relations should focus on partnership with the rising youth population, seeing India not as a post-colonial power but as a strategic partner. 

Sumitra Karki, the Director of NIICE emphasized the need to engage academically and policy-wise in enhancing bilateral relationships. 

Pakistan will take part in this month's men's T20 World Cup - but will not play their scheduled match against tournament co-hosts India, BBC reported. 

The country had been considering boycotting the competition after Bangladesh withdrew citing safety fears over travelling to India.

Political tensions have meant Pakistan and India have not faced each other outside men's major tournaments since 2013, while India have not played in Pakistan since 2008, according to BBC. 

The trade deal between India and the European Union is as much about geopolitics as it's about intercontinental business relations, BBC reported. 

The EU is already India's largest partner with trade in goods reaching $142.3bn (£104.07bn) in 2024, amounting to 11.5% of the South Asian nation's total trade. India is the EU's ninth largest trading partner.

These are impressive numbers and reflect strong relations. And yet, trade talks were stuck for two decades, according to BBC. 

Introduction

India’s relations with countries of the Global South have deep roots in shared histories, common struggles, and mutual aspirations for development and self-reliance. Over the years India’s role has evolved from being a leader in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to becoming a pivotal player in contemporary South-South cooperation. 

India’s partnership with the Global South was propelled to a new level by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he organized the first Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) on 12-13th January, 2023 within a few weeks of India taking over the Presidency of the G20. This Summit was followed by another later during the year and a third one in 2024. 

In addition to articulating the interests, priorities and aspirations of the Global South through several VOGSSs and raising these issues at all relevant fora, India also ‘’Walks the Talk’’ and extends all possible assistance to countries of the Global South. 

Background

India’s role within the Global South is pivotal, leveraging its growing economic power, democratic framework, and strategic geopolitical positioning to advocate for equitable global governance. 

India’s development assistance programs to members of the Global South underscore its role as a partner in progress. Through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program, India has provided training, capacity building, and technical assistance to over 160 countries. This program covers a wide range of areas, including healthcare, education, agriculture, and information technology, thereby contributing to human resource development in the Global South.

The Policy of ‘’Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’’ (The World is One Family)

The spirit of ‘’Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’’ has served as the guiding philosophy of India’s foreign policy for the last more than a decade. This policy witnessed its fullest expression during India’s Chairmanship of the G20 in 2023 when it adopted the motto of ‘’One Earth, One Family, One Future’’ for its Presidency, and made sure that all decisions emanating from the deliberations fully reflected this commitment. 

Current Status

In recent years, India’s "Global South" partnership has matured into a core pillar of its foreign policy. One of the most consequential achievements of India in its G20 Presidency was the inclusion of African Union, a body comprising 54 African countries, as a full-fledged member of the G20. This issue had been hanging fire for many years and it fell to India, with its commitment to the interests of the Global South, to bring it to fruition by evolving the requisite consensus on this important subject.

India has been able to significantly enhance its engagement with the Global South because its economy has grown significantly in recent years. When PM Modi assumed power in 2014, India’s economy was the 10th largest in the world. Today it is the 4th largest with prognosis to emerge as the third largest by 2027. Today India is the fastest growing major economy with its GDP growth registering an impressive 8.2% in the last quarter. India is expected to grow from a US$4 trillion economy today to more than US$10 trillion by 2035. 

India’s increased economic strength has inter alia enhanced its capacity to play a much more active role in global affairs and lend a helping hand in times of need to those in difficulty. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India supplied medicines and vaccines, most of them gratis, to several partners, particularly from the Global South. India provided medicines to more than 150 countries, and more than 300 million vaccine doses under its Vaccine Maitri (Vaccine Friendship) initiative to more than 100 countries. Because of its economic heft, India could come to the assistance of Sri Lanka to the tune of US$4.5 billion when the latter’s coffers were empty in 2022 and to the support of Afghanistan, Maldives etc. with financial support, food supplies and medicines when these countries had their backs to the wall. This has also enabled India to emerge as the First Responder in times of need and when calamities like earthquakes, floods etc. have struck in its neighbourhood and beyond.

Key Pillars of Engagement

India’s "Global South Partnership" today is defined by four distinct areas of cooperation:

A. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) & "The India Stack"

India has moved from domestic achievements to global outreach.

● Fintech Diplomacy: UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is now operational or in pilot stages across several Global South nations, including Namibia, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia.

● Social Impact Fund: India’s $25 million commitment to a Social Impact Fund helps smaller nations build their own digital identity (Aadhaar-like) and payment systems to promote financial inclusion.

B. Health & Pharmaceutical Leadership

Reaffirming its title as the "Pharmacy of the World," India has evolved from providing medicines and vaccines in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic to building Health Resilience.

● Generic Medicines: Providing affordable, high-quality generic drugs to nations in Africa and the Caribbean.

● Regulatory Capacity: India is now actively training drug regulators in Global South countries to help them establish their own pharmaceutical safety standards.

C. The Global Development Compact

Proposed by Prime Minister Modi in late 2024, this compact focuses on:

● Trade for Development: Reducing barriers for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

● Concessional Finance: Offering project-specific grants rather than the "debt-trap" loans often associated with some other major powers.

D. Climate Justice  & Energy Transition

India champions the principle of "Common but Differentiated Responsibilities" (CBDR).

● International Solar Alliance (ISA): With 121 member countries, many of which are from the Global South, the ISA underscores India’s commitment to addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy.

● Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): India encourages a shift toward sustainable consumption, a narrative that resonates with developing nations that are not the primary cause of climate change but have to endure its worst effects.

Conclusion 

India’s geopolitical dynamics with the Global South have evolved significantly over the years, reflecting its growing economic power, strategic interests, and aspirations to be a major player on the global stage. India’s proactive engagement with the Global South underscores its commitment to a multipolar world where developing nations have a significant voice in global affairs. Through sustained efforts in diplomacy, economic cooperation, and strategic partnerships, India is poised to play a pivotal role in the evolving dynamics of the Global South.

As both a leader and a partner, India continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Global South. Through sustained cooperation, mutual respect, and shared aspirations, India and the Global South can collectively navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

India plans to slash tariffs on cars imported from the European Union to 40% from as high as 110%, sources said, in the biggest opening yet of the country's vast market as the two sides close in on a free trade pact that could come as early as Tuesday, Reuters reported. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has agreed to immediately reduce the tax on a limited number of cars from the 27-nation bloc with an import price of more than 15,000 euros ($17,739), two sources briefed on the talks told Reuters.

This will be further lowered to 10% over time, they added, easing access to the Indian market for European automakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, according to Reuters. 

European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be chief guests at India's Republic Day celebrations next Monday, BBC reported. 

Besides state banquets and the ceremonial pomp of the event, the two leaders will have a more pressing item on their agenda - advancing free trade talks with Asia's third largest economy. This comes at a particularly trying geopolitical moment for Europe, with President Donald Trump first threatening to escalate his trade war with European allies for opposing a US takeover of Greenland and then backing off.

The choice of guests also carries an important diplomatic message from India - Delhi is accelerating strategic and trade ties with the rest of the world as the impasse over Washington's 50% tariffs on India spills over into the new year, according to BBC. 

India on Tuesday handed over the first tranche of election-related assistance to Nepal during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Kathmandu.

The assistance was formally received by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. 

India’s Charge d’Affaires in Kathmandu, Dr. Rakesh Pandey, handed over more than 60 double-cab pickup vehicles along with other logistical supplies for use in preparations for Nepal’s upcoming elections, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. 

Home Minister Aryal thanked the Government of India for the support and said it reflected the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.

India has been providing election-related assistance to Nepal since 2008 at the request of the Nepali government. 

According to officials, the support has included the supply of around 2,400 vehicles to various government bodies, including the Election Commission, the statement further reads. 

For the forthcoming elections, India has committed to providing about 650 vehicles, which will be delivered in phases over the coming weeks.

Officials said the assistance is part of broader bilateral cooperation between India and Nepal.

Bangladesh will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup next month "under current conditions" and have requested their matches be moved elsewhere, the country's cricket board has said, BBC reported. 

Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League teamat the request of the Indian board amid growing tensions between the countries.

That led to an emergency meeting at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who now say they have "formally requested" the International Cricket Council (ICC) moves all Bangladesh's matches, according to BBC. 

At least seven people have died and more than 100 others have been hospitalised in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore over the past few days, allegedly after drinking contaminated water in the city’s Bhagirathpura area, the Indore mayor said on Wednesday, India Today reported. 

"Three deaths have been officially confirmed, but we have received information about four others as well," Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said, accepting responsibility and assuring that strict action would be taken against senior officials too.

India’s heaviest launch vehicle LVM-3, in its third commercial mission, placed US communication satellite Bluebird Block-2 in a precise orbit early Wednesday morning. Weighing around 6,100 kg, it was the heaviest satellite launched by an Indian rocket, The Indian Express reported. 

“This (the LVM3-M6 mission) was the ninth consecutive successful launch for LVM-3, demonstrating a 100% reliability… The satellite was placed with less than 2-km deviation from the planned orbit, which is one of the best performances among launch vehicles in the global arena… This gives us great confidence for the Gaganyaan mission,” said ISROchairperson V Narayanan after the successful launch.

A modified version of the same launch vehicle — a human-rated version with more safety — will carry Indian astronauts to space, according to The Indian Express. 

The foundation stone for the construction of a new school building at Shree Ninyukharka Secondary School in Dhurkot Rural Municipality–3 of Gulmi district with the support of the Government of India was laid on Tuesday under a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP). 

The foundation stone was jointly laid by Gitanjali Brandon, Counsellor at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, and Bhupal Pokharel, Chairman of Dhurkot Rural Municipality.

The project is being implemented with financial assistance of Rs 38 million from the Government of India. 

Under the initiative, a two-storeyed school building with classrooms and allied facilities, including furniture, will be constructed. The project is being executed through the Dhurkot Rural Municipality.

Local representatives, school management members, and other stakeholders welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation for India’s continued developmental support in the education sector.

India and Nepal share close ties as neighbouring countries and development partners, cooperating across multiple sectors. The implementation of HICDPs reflects India’s ongoing support for Nepal’s development efforts, particularly at the grassroots level.