India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in areas partially falling under the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the move as an "illegal occupation" of Indian territory.

On December 27, Chinese state media reported that Xinjiang’s government announced the creation of He'an and Hekang counties, to be administered by Hotan Prefecture. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that portions of these counties lie within Indian territory and reiterated India's rejection of China's claims.

“We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area,” Jaiswal said. “The creation of new counties will not affect India’s longstanding position on sovereignty over this area, nor does it legitimize China's forcible occupation. India has lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels.”

The county seats are located in Hongliu and Xeyidula Townships, respectively, as per Chinese media. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two nations over territorial disputes in the region.

Concerns Over Brahmaputra Hydropower Project
India also raised objections to China’s construction of a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The project, reported on December 25, has sparked concerns in India as a lower riparian state with established user rights to the river’s waters.

The MEA emphasized the importance of transparency and consultation with downstream countries and urged China to ensure that India’s interests are not adversely affected. "We have conveyed our concerns through expert-level and diplomatic channels and will continue to monitor developments to safeguard our interests," Jaiswal added.

India has consistently voiced its objections to unilateral actions by China that undermine bilateral and regional stability.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Monday that India's defence exports have reached a record ?21,000 crore, a significant leap from ?2,000 crore a decade ago. Speaking at the Army War College (AWC) in the historic Mhow Cantonment, Singh highlighted the government’s vision of achieving ?50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.

He emphasized the importance of mastering frontier technologies, citing unconventional warfare methods like information warfare, AI-based warfare, space and cyber-attacks as emerging challenges. Singh lauded military training centres in Mhow for equipping soldiers to tackle such threats effectively.

The minister commended the AWC, Infantry School, and Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) for their evolving curricula, preparing personnel for multi-domain operations and leadership roles. He urged officers to explore integration in areas like AI, communication technology, and weapons training.

Addressing the officers, Singh underlined the government's commitment to strengthening jointness among the three services. He called for defence attaches to uphold India's vision of self-reliance (aatmanirbhar Bharat) and promote national interests globally.

During his two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, Singh praised the armed forces for their dual role in border security and disaster response, highlighting their dedication and adaptability in a rapidly changing global landscape. He stressed that economic prosperity and robust security are interdependent, with both essential for national growth.

Singh also laid a wreath at the Infantry Memorial, paying tribute to the nation’s martyrs. At the AWC, he was briefed by commandant Lt Gen HS Sahi on the institute’s global contributions to military diplomacy and its role in empowering leaders for modern warfare.

Reiterating the government’s resolve, Singh stated, “India is on course to become a leading economic and military power, with a secure and prosperous future."

Ajay Kumar Bhalla, former Union Home Secretary, has been appointed as the new Governor of Manipur, replacing Anusuiya Uikey. Bhalla, a seasoned 1984-batch IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, served as Home Secretary for nearly five years until 2024. His tenure is expected to help him address the volatile situation in Manipur, marked by ongoing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

The President also announced appointments for four other states. Retired Army Chief and former Union Minister VK Singh has been named Governor of Mizoram. Known for his extensive public service, Singh recently decided not to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, opting to serve the country in a new capacity.

In a swap, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan will now serve as Bihar's Governor, while Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar moves from Bihar to Kerala. Khan's tenure in Kerala saw contentious relations with the CPI(M)-led government, particularly over university appointments.

Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Mizoram’s outgoing Governor, will now serve as Odisha's Governor following the resignation of Raghubar Das.

As constitutional heads, the new governors will play pivotal roles in addressing the unique challenges of their respective states, fostering stability, and ensuring good governance.

The Winter Session of Parliament concluded today, marking four weeks of intense drama, protests, and allegations, including charges of "attempt to murder" against the Opposition.

Congress MPs, led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, protested in the Parliament complex over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on BR Ambedkar, which they deemed “insulting.” Simultaneously, BJP MPs held a counter-protest, accusing the Opposition of disrespecting Ambedkar. Earlier, the Lok Sabha sent two bills on "One Nation, One Election" to a Joint Parliamentary Committee of 39 MPs before adjourning sine die.

Frequent disruptions characterized the session. A case was filed against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi after two BJP MPs were injured during a protest at Parliament's Makar Dwar. Congress countered with a police complaint, alleging their chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, was manhandled. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal called the case against Gandhi a "badge of honour" for defending Ambedkar's legacy.

The unrest stemmed from Amit Shah's comment in the Rajya Sabha, where he said, "It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar repeatedly... If they took God’s name that much, they’d secure heaven.” The remark triggered backlash, with Opposition leaders filing a privilege motion and demanding Shah’s resignation. Shah accused rivals of distorting his words, while PM Modi condemned the Congress for spreading “malicious lies.”

Amid the uproar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla banned protests near Parliament gates, emphasizing the need for order. The Congress struggled to rally allies like the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, which distanced themselves over the Adani row and BJP’s claims linking the Congress to George Soros.

This session underscored deepening rifts between the Treasury and Opposition benches, with contentious debates overshadowing legislative progress.

The Congress on Tuesday moved a privilege motion against Home Minister Amit Shah for his controversial remarks on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha. Speaking in the House on December 17, Mr. Shah had remarked that Congress leaders would have "attained heaven" if they chanted God’s name instead of following the "fashion" of invoking Ambedkar.

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge submitted the motion under Rule 188 of the Rajya Sabha’s Rules of Procedure, accusing the Home Minister of breaching parliamentary privilege by making defamatory comments. "Casting reflections and making derogatory statements against Opposition members and Dr. Ambedkar constitute misconduct and contempt of the House," Mr. Kharge wrote.

The motion follows a similar notice from TMC MP Derek O’Brien, who also accused Mr. Shah of belittling Ambedkar’s legacy and disrespecting the Opposition’s contributions. The remarks have triggered widespread protests inside and outside Parliament. Opposition parties condemned the statement as an affront to the architect of India’s Constitution.

The uproar led to chaotic scenes in Parliament, with clashes reported between Opposition and BJP MPs. In one incident, BJP MP Pratap Sarangi was injured after allegedly being pushed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Sarangi was taken to a hospital and received stitches for a forehead injury.

Rahul Gandhi dismissed the BJP’s allegations, stating he was obstructed and threatened by ruling party MPs while trying to enter the House. "This is Parliament; we have the right to enter," he asserted.

The BJP countered by accusing Mr. Gandhi of intentionally injuring an "elderly parliamentarian." The clash has further deepened tensions between the ruling party and Opposition as the winter session continues.

The privilege motion is expected to intensify the standoff in Parliament in the coming days.

After a five-year hiatus, India and China resumed the 23rd round of Special Representatives (SR) talks on Wednesday, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi leading their respective delegations. The meeting, held in Beijing, focused on restoring peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and rebuilding bilateral relations strained by a prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

The discussions follow the October 21 agreement on disengagement and patrolling in the Demchok and Depsang regions, marking a significant step toward resolving the border standoff that began in May 2020. The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 further deepened the crisis, freezing ties between the two nations.

Speaking ahead of the talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed optimism, reiterating Beijing’s willingness to implement commitments made during the October 24 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. “China is ready to work with India to respect core interests, strengthen trust, and bring relations back on track,” Lin said.

The talks, which began at 10 a.m. local time, emphasized maintaining peace along the LAC and finding a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary dispute. This structured dialogue complements recent engagements, including meetings between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of global summits.

Established in 2003, the SR mechanism has provided a crucial platform for addressing recurring border tensions despite limited success in resolving the overarching boundary dispute. The current round of talks signals renewed efforts to mend ties, with trade as a rare continuing link between the two nations during the standoff.

Both sides hope these discussions will pave the way for lasting peace and stability in bilateral relations.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday accused the Congress party of amending the Constitution to protect its dynastic interests and criticized its economic and social policies during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India'.

Highlighting the 42nd Constitutional Amendment and the Shah Bano case, Sitharaman said Congress’s amendments lacked economic good, social intent, due process, and constitutional spirit. “The amendments weren’t to strengthen democracy but to protect those in power and the family,” she asserted.

The Finance Minister accused Congress of curbing free speech, citing instances like the imprisonment of lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni in 1949, and the banning of the film Kissa Kursi Ka for questioning Indira Gandhi’s regime.

Sitharaman also criticized Congress for failing to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, calling the party “anti-women.” She pointed out that the Rajya Sabha passed the bill in 2008, but Congress did not bring it to the Lok Sabha due to opposition from alliance partners. Referring to the Shah Bano case, she said Congress denied Muslim women alimony rights by passing the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce Act, 1986.

She contrasted this with the BJP’s commitment to women’s empowerment, citing the recent enactment of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies. “I myself am a beneficiary of this,” she added.

Sitharaman praised the Constitution for its resilience, noting it has stood firm even as over 50 nations that gained independence post-World War II completely rewrote their constitutions. She urged reaffirming commitment to the Constitution’s spirit while celebrating its legacy, saying, “Today, we are proud of the way India’s democracy is growing.”

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar highlighted the need to reassess India’s economic and foreign policy paradigms, rooted in the Nehru development model, during a virtual address at the launch of The Nehru Development Model by Arvind Panagariya. Jaishankar emphasized that the model’s impact extended across politics, bureaucracy, judiciary, media, and education, shaping India’s trajectory post-independence.

Drawing connections between economic policy and foreign relations, he argued that Nehru’s developmental choices inevitably influenced India's foreign policy. He stressed the necessity of correcting these policies abroad while reforming their domestic consequences. Jaishankar noted resistance to change stems from an ideological attachment to both aspects, calling for a holistic approach to address these intertwined legacies.

Quoting John Foster Dulles’s 1947 observation on Soviet influence in India, Jaishankar acknowledged past ideological drives toward socialism as a counter to imperialism. This approach, centered on heavy industries, shaped the "Nehru model," which he asserted failed to deliver on its promises. Despite a national consensus on its shortcomings, he lamented the reluctance to fully explore alternative paths, often resulting in incomplete reforms.

Jaishankar highlighted that while India has benefited from economic openness over the last 33 years, modern challenges necessitate a shift toward resilience, reliability, and trust. He advocated for "openness with caution," emphasizing the importance of managing exposure to global markets. Addressing Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), he clarified that it is not protectionism but a call for strategic thinking and ensuring national security.

Jaishankar acknowledged progress since 2014 in course correction but noted significant challenges remain. He concluded by urging a balanced approach to reforms, recognizing the complex interplay of economic policies and geopolitical realities in today’s interconnected world.