The Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL) observed its 4th establishment anniversary on Sunday in New Delhi, India’s efforts to promote exports of traditional systems of medicine and wellness products.

Since its formation, AYUSHEXCIL has undertaken several initiatives focused on capacity building of exporters, facilitation of export procedures and regulatory compliance, and the organisation of B2B meetings, international exhibitions, seminars, and outreach programmes in key overseas markets.

Exports of AYUSH and herbal products have registered a growth of 6.11 per cent, increasing from USD 64.92 million in 2023–24 to USD 68.89 million in 2024–25.

Following the establishment of AYUSHEXCIL, this growth has accelerated, reflecting enhanced global outreach and rising international demand for India’s traditional medicine and herbal products.

India’s traditional medicine systems (AYUSH) have also received formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements, including the India–Oman CEPA and the India–New Zealand FTA, with dedicated annexes on health-related services and traditional medicine.

AYUSHEXCIL has been entrusted with anchoring the Ayush Quality Mark programme of the Ministry of Ayush, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2nd WHO Summit on Traditional Medicine (17–19 December 2025), marking a key milestone in strengthening quality assurance and global recognition of AYUSH products.

As AYUSHEXCIL enters its fifth year, the Council aims to further strengthen international cooperation, leverage opportunities under Free Trade Agreements, promote quality and certification frameworks, and enhance global acceptance of India’s traditional systems of medicine.

The anniversary underscores India’s growing leadership in the global AYUSH and wellness economy, aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

AYUSHEXCIL was registered as a Section 8 company with the Registrar of Companies, New Delhi, on 4 January 2022, and was formally launched by Prime Minister Modi during the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 20 April 2022.

Subsequently, the Council was notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on 31 July 2023 as the nodal Export Promotion Council for the AYUSH sector.

The Council functions in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush, with support from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to oversee exports of products and services related to Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homeopathy, and other Indian traditional healthcare systems.

Despite the recent deaths linked to contaminated drinking water in Indore, the Raipur Municipal Corporation is facing sharp criticism for failing to avert a similar public health risk in the Chhattisgarh capital. In the Kachna Housing Board area and adjoining localities, residents allege that foul-smelling and visibly polluted water has been supplied through household taps for over a month, triggering widespread anxiety over a potential health crisis.

According to residents, repeated complaints to the municipal corporation, Zone No. 9 officials and engineering staff have failed to yield any concrete action. Locals attribute the problem to the severely deteriorated sewerage and drainage system in the area. Several drains and chambers remain clogged or uncovered, while drinking water pipelines reportedly pass dangerously close to open sewer lines, raising fears of sewage contamination entering the potable water supply.

The situation has led to persistent stench across the locality, with residents warning that Raipur could face an Indore-like tragedy if urgent corrective measures are not taken. “For a month, the problem has remained unchanged. Officials come, inspect and leave, but no work is done. During elections, everyone listens. After that, we are forgotten,” said Sulekha, a local resident, adding that open drainage chambers have also caused frequent accidents involving pedestrians and animals.

Attempts to contact the local ward councillor and Zone 9 chairman, Gopesh Sahu, were unsuccessful. Zone Commissioner Anshul Sharma said cleaning work was underway, and senior officers were monitoring the situation, but declined to provide further details. No senior official’s contact was shared till the filing of this report.

Mayor Meenal Choubey claimed that the issues had been resolved and clean water was being supplied. However, residents disputed this, stating that while municipal staff visited the area on Sunday morning, no substantive repair or cleaning work had begun, and the supply of contaminated water continued.

The Congress has accused the civic administration of complacency. Senior spokesperson Dhananjay Thakur said that more than 15 deaths in Indore due to polluted water should have served as a wake-up call. “Raipur has seen outbreaks of jaundice and cholera in the past. Water from taps and borewells must be tested across all wards, and accountability must be fixed instead of issuing statements,” he said.

Residents have warned that unless a comprehensive inspection of the drinking water and drainage network is carried out and strict action taken against negligent officials and contractors, the capital risks sliding into a preventable public health emergency.

Bihar’s politically influential ‘Luv-Kush’ (Kurmi-Koeri) equation was on display in Patna on Sunday when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary to congratulate the latter’s father, veteran leader Shakuni Chaudhary, on his 90th birthday.

On the occasion, Nitish Kumar reminisced about old times with Shakuni Chaudhary and praised his political contributions. He also spoke highly of Samrat Chaudhary, describing him as an energetic leader who works hard and is likely to go far in politics.

Speaking to the media, Shakuni Chaudhary referred to the ‘Luv-Kush’ political equation, stating that the social and political alliance was once formed to dislodge Lalu Yadav from power, with Nitish Kumar playing a key role in its formation.

He said that George Fernandes was at the helm during that period and that the seeds sown then are now bearing fruit. Expressing satisfaction, he noted that leaders from the Luv and Kush communities today hold the positions of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.

Formed in the mid-1990s to challenge Lalu Yadav’s perceived promotion of Yadav interests, the caste equation provided Nitish Kumar with a strong political base and an alternative to Lalu’s ‘MY’ (Muslim-Yadav) formula. Both communities have remained strongly aligned with Nitish Kumar and have played a significant role in keeping him in power over the past two decades, often voting as a bloc and influencing upper-caste representation in legislative assemblies.

However, the dynamics of the alliance have shifted in recent times, with the BJP attempting to woo these communities by projecting Samrat Chaudhary in a prominent role.

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), will visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Sri Lanka from January 5 to 8 as part of India’s continued engagement to strengthen defence cooperation and military-to-military ties with friendly foreign countries.

“The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff to the UAE and Sri Lanka reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, fostering mutual trust, and enhancing interoperability with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region and West Asia,” the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

The visit will begin with the COAS’s engagements in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to 6. On arrival, General Dwivedi will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the UAE Land Forces.

During his stay, the COAS will call on the senior leadership of the UAE Armed Forces, including the Commander of the UAE Land Forces, and receive briefings on the structure, roles, and capabilities of the UAE Army.

He will also visit key military establishments and interact with officers and troops, underscoring the growing defence partnership between India and the UAE.

As part of the visit, General Dwivedi will visit the UAE National Defence College, where he will address officers. These engagements are aimed at further enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, professional military exchanges, and strategic understanding between the two armed forces.

Following the UAE visit, the COAS will travel to Sri Lanka from January 7 to 8, 2026. On arrival, he will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Army.

During his visit, he will engage with senior military and civil leadership, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and the Defence Secretary. He will hold detailed discussions on matters of mutual interest, including training cooperation, capacity building, and regional security.

During the visit, General Dwivedi will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and interact with officers and trainees at the Army War College, Buttala, reflecting India’s strong commitment to defence education and professional military exchanges with Sri Lanka.

General Dwivedi will also pay homage at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers.

A two-day brainstorming summit of the top leadership of the Congress in Kerala began in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, on Sunday.

The two-day conclave, known as the “Lakshya Leadership Summit,” organised with the primary objective of formulating an action plan and campaign blueprint for the upcoming 2026 State Assembly elections, was inaugurated by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal.

Venugopal, in his inaugural address, claimed that the Congress-led UDF will come to power in the upcoming Assembly polls, winning more than 100 seats. He alleged that the unholy alliance between the BJP and the CPM in the local body elections will continue in the assembly elections too.

The AICC General Secretary said that no one is talking about a third Pinarayi Vijayan regime now. “Earlier, such a talk was there. It stopped when the people declared their unequivocal position.It would be better not to talk about it anymore,” KC Venugopal said. He said that the UDF’s victory in the local body polls has shattered the LDF’s hope of coming to power a third time.

Prominent Congress leaders, including AICC general secretary Deepa Dansmunshi, Leader of the Opposition VD. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, K Sudhakaran, members of the core and political affairs committees, MPs, and MLAs are participating in the camp. Poll strategist Sunil Kanugolu is also participating in the conclave.

The discussions are being held in the camp on region basis –the southern, Central and northern.The discussions in the southern region are being held under the chairmanship of PC Vishnunath, while AP Anilkumar leads the central region. Discussions in the northern region are being held under the leadership of Shafi Parambil.

The camp is expected to formulate a strategy for the Assembly elections, building on the perceived success of previous camps that planned for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and 2025 local body elections.
Party sources consider the venue “lucky” due to the positive electoral results that followed strategies devised at previous sessions held at the same location in 2023 and 2024.

In a major anti-encroachment operation on Sunday, authorities demolished two illegal mosques and a madrasa in Sambhal district.

The first action took place in Hajipur village under Asmoli police station, where villagers themselves had already demolished a mosque overnight using hammers and chisels, ahead of the administration’s arrival.

The mosque had been constructed on 1,339 square metres (approximately 1.5 bighas) of land. When the administrative team reached the site in the morning, only debris remained.

Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh commented that “God gave the villagers wisdom to remove the illegal structure themselves.” The administration cleared the rubble with bulldozers within three hours.

The second operation also took place in Hajipur, about 500 metres from the first site, where a madrasa was demolished. Announcements were made using drums, and three bulldozers were deployed to clear 1,500 square metres of land. District officials, police, and a large security contingent were present, while drone surveillance monitored the operation.

The third demolition occurred in Raya Buzurg village, approximately 11 km from the madrasa site. Two bulldozers were used to remove a mosque built on 1,500 square meters of government land. Officials noted that a demolition notice had been issued on October 2, but the mosque committee had approached the High Court. The court eventually dismissed their appeal, allowing the demolition to proceed.

District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia stated that the madrasa, constructed on 1,500 square metres of land, was being used for commercial purposes, including renting out shops. A tehsildar had issued a demolition order from the court one and a half months ago. After the High Court rejected the committee’s appeal, a 15-day notice was served, which expired on Sunday.

Tehsildar Dhirendra Pratap Singh said that in June 2018, a revenue officer had reported that Haji Shamim had illegally occupied government land to build the mosque. Based on this report, a case titled Gram Sabha vs Haji Shamim Mutawalli was filed and processed in the tehsildar’s court.

DM Rajendra Pensia and SP Krishna Kumar Vishnoi were present at the sites. Following the demolition, 20 selected beneficiaries will be allotted the land. The DM stated that the mosque had been illegally constructed 25 years ago, and despite a previous demolition order and fines totaling Rs 58 lakh (including Rs 8.78 lakh on the mosque’s mutawalli), the illegal structure had not been pulled down.

An enforcement team, including an ASP, two tehsildars, one CO, six revenue officers, and 24 patwaris, was formed to ensure the removal of illegal constructions. However, before the bulldozers could arrive on Sunday, villagers had already dismantled one of the mosques themselves.

An ultra-modern 300-bed hospital, a cancer institute and a martyrs’ memorial in memory of the deceased Karsevaks would be constructed near the Ram temple by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

A two-day meeting of the Ram Temple Construction Committee, which commenced here on Sunday, will decide on these projects, said Committee Chairman Nripendra Mishra.

Mishra stated that all construction work related to the Ram Temple will be completed by March 2026.

”The construction work being carried out by the contracting companies L&T and Tata Consultancy will be completed within the stipulated timeframe. The work of the contracting companies will also be finished by March. All construction work completed so far will be handed over to the Ram Temple Trust,” he said.

Mishra said this meeting is being held to discuss the plans of construction of hospitals. State Principal Secretary of Health, Amit Kumar Ghosh, will also be attending this meeting to finalise the details of the 300-bed hospital and a cancer institute.

He further stated that important decisions will be made at the meeting regarding the construction of a 300-bed modern hospital in Ayodhya and the cancer institute cum hospital proposed by the Tata Foundation. These projects will provide better healthcare facilities to both devotees and the citizens of Ayodhya.

Additionally, the construction of the Martyrs’ Memorial in the Ram Temple complex, built in memory of the deceased Karsevaks, and a hall for pilgrims to store luggage will also be completed soon.

The construction of the temporary temple where Lord Ramlala was previously enshrined, which served as the old memorial, will also be completed by March 2026, Mishra said.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that the world’s fastest-growing economy, India, will be driven by the resolve of the youth, as they are the ones who will lead the nation to glory.

Sinha participated in the Rashtra Katha Mahotsav held at Nandini Niketan in the Nawabganj area on Sunday. The event was organised by former MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

He said such religious deliberation will inspire the youth, especially the youth of this region. He said a period of national, spiritual, and cultural renaissance has begun across the entire country in the last few years.

Sinha said that after listening to the national narrative, the youth will consider their duties along with their rights to fulfil the resolve of a developed India.

He said that broadly speaking, the contribution of India to the world’s GDP was such that even the contributions of European countries and America did not match it.

“Due to a long period of slavery, the wealth, glory, and prosperity of this country were plundered. The nation, which was the most prosperous country in the world in the 11th century, saw its contribution to the GDP decrease significantly after independence. In the last 10-11 years, the country’s economic strength has developed considerably, and we have surpassed England, which looted 45 trillion dollars from us, to become the world’s fourth-largest economy,” Sinha said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be on a week-long official visit to France and Luxembourg from Sunday to discuss bilateral issues as well as global developments.

In Paris, he will be meeting the French leadership and holding talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean Noel Barrot. They will discuss the progress made under the India-France Strategic Partnership and matters of global importance, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The US action in Venezuela and the ongoing Ukraine conflict are expected to come up during the discussions.

Jaishankar will also address the 31st edition of the French Ambassadors’ Conference as the Guest of Honour.

The minister will also be visiting Luxembourg, where he will hold discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and with the senior leadership of Luxembourg. He will also be interacting with the members of the Indian Community in Luxembourg.

Former Jharkhand chief minister and ex-Union minister Arjun Munda on Sunday strongly criticised the Hemant Soren-led state government over the recently notified PESA Rules, alleging that they undermine the very spirit of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.

Munda said the long-standing demand for framing PESA Rules in Jharkhand had compelled the government to act, including due to pressure arising from court proceedings, but the final outcome was deeply flawed.

He alleged that the notified rules do not define the Gram Sabha in line with the provisions of the 1996 Act, terming it a serious deviation that amounts to a “cold-blooded murder” of the legislation. He said the rules were extensive in volume but empty in intent and substance.

Munda argued that tribal self-governance is rooted in traditional customs, religious practices and age-old systems that have existed since ancient times. He accused the state government of distorting these foundations and attempting to alter the inherent character and identity of tribal society through the new rules.

Referring to other states where PESA has been implemented, he said all of them have defined the Gram Sabha strictly in accordance with the central Act, unlike Jharkhand. He warned that dilution of the Act’s core spirit would lead to adverse consequences and weaken governance in Scheduled Areas.

He further alleged that the rules would allow administrative institutions to function at their own discretion, potentially leading to institutional erosion. Describing Jharkhand as a Fifth Schedule state that requires a sensitive approach, Munda accused the present government of being insensitive towards tribal interests and of betraying the tribal community.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday that in recent years, sports in Uttar Pradesh and the country have received a new vision, new resources, and new confidence.

“The emerging ‘new sports culture,’ under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has strengthened discipline, fitness, and team spirit among the youth. Now, sports are not just a hobby, but a powerful medium for personality development and nation-building,” he said.

He said that due to modern sports infrastructure, transparent selection processes, and schemes running in mission mode, opportunities for young players have increased. Competitions have been expanded from the village panchayat level to the national level. As a result, players from UP are participating in and winning many more medals in international competitions than before.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship at Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium in Sigra. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present at the venue. He also addressed the players and spectators there.

In the presence of the CM, an MoU was exchanged between the Sports Authority of India and the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate for the operation of the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE). CM Yogi welcomed all 58 teams (30 men’s and 28 women’s), players, coaches, and officials who had come to Kashi.

CM Yogi said that in the last 11-11.5 years, every Indian has witnessed the flourishing of a new sports culture in the country. “Prime Minister Modi, through the Khelo India Khelo initiative in 2014, instilled a sense of respect for sports in the hearts of every Indian. He conveyed the message that sports should be a means of holistic development in life. All dimensions of success can be achieved only through a healthy body. Through Khelo India Khelo, the Fit India Movement, the MP Sports Competition, and the development of sports infrastructure in every district, the entire country is experiencing a new sports culture,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “We have promoted sports in Uttar Pradesh through the MP-MLA Sports Competition and various rural sports competitions.”

The CM said that the Senior National Volleyball Championship is being organised in Varanasi by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation after 43 years. He said the event is a result of the inspiration, guidance, and leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He said that modern sports infrastructure has been developed in the state and the country. The state-of-the-art infrastructure visible at the Sampurnanand Sports Stadium is also a result of PM Modi’s vision. These facilities have been developed under the Smart City project. Now, under the MoU signed between the UP government and SAI (Sports Authority of India), a new platform will be available for training players under the guidance of SAI and its coaches.

CM Yogi said that in the last eight to eight-and-a-half years, efforts had been made to promote sports competitions in Uttar Pradesh. He said the construction of playgrounds in every village, stadiums in every district, mini-stadiums at the block level and open gyms had been prioritised in works undertaken by urban local bodies and gram panchayats, along with efforts to promote sports activities at every level.

He said that as a result, players from the state were participating in national, Olympic, Commonwealth and international championships and winning far more medals than before.

With the minimum temperature touching 4.4 degrees Celsius, the desert town of Churu in Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region remained the coldest place in the plains even as most parts of the state reeled under cold wave conditions and dense fog during the past 24 hours.

The trend of falling minimum temperatures at many places over the past 48 hours increased the chill during nights, and the dense fog and icy Himalayan winds kept people shivering even during the daytime, the Meteorological Office said here.

Besides, Churu, the neighbouring towns of Pilani registered the minimum temperature at 5 degree C, Sriganganagar 6 degrees C, Ajmer 5.8 degrees C, and also braved severe cold weather conditions.

On the other hand, the desert city of Jaisalmer recorded a minimum temperature of 7.8 deg C this Sunday morning, and the state capital of Jaipur faced a more or less similar winter chill at 8.8 deg C.

At Mt Abu, the only hill station in the state, tourists enjoyed their sojourn with the thrill of nature’s beauty and the fascination of the monumental tourist spots, despite the low temperature of 2.2 degrees Celsius this morning.

The foggy weather also affected the road and rail traffic. The normal schedule of more than a dozen long route trains was disrupted.

Amid fog, which caused low visibility, road accidents have so far taken the lives of 4 people (in Bikaner) and left around two dozen injured at other places.

The coldwave conditions and fog are likely to prevail during the next three days in the state, the weatherman said.

The Yogi government is continuously taking concrete and far-sighted steps to strengthen health services and medical education in Uttar Pradesh.

In this direction, large-scale recruitment will be undertaken in 2026 for teaching and technical positions in government medical colleges.

On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, recruitment will be carried out for the posts of Assistant Professor, Professor, and Lecturer (Pharmacy) in government medical colleges.

Through this initiative, around 1,200 candidates will receive government jobs. This move will not only generate employment opportunities for youth but also further strengthen the state’s medical education system.

Meanwhile, the Yogi government will soon distribute appointment letters to 1,230 nursing officers (both women and men) selected through the Public Service Commission, Prayagraj.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Amit Kumar Ghosh, said here on Sunday that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that all vacant posts in the department be filled to ensure maximum employment opportunities for the youth of the state.

Accordingly, requisitions for recruitment to the posts of Assistant Professor, Professor, and Lecturer (Pharmacy) in government medical colleges have been sent to the Public Service Commission, Prayagraj, for selection. He informed that advertisements for these posts will be issued soon.

Recruitment will be conducted for nearly 1,200 posts in government medical colleges, including 1,112 Assistant Professor posts, 44 Professor posts, and 11 Lecturer (Pharmacy) posts.

He further stated that a major step has also been taken to strengthen the nursing cadre. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will soon distribute appointment letters to 1,230 nursing officers (women and men) selected by the Public Service Commission, Prayagraj. This will significantly enhance health services in government hospitals and medical colleges across the state.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has clearly instructed that medical education in the state should not be limited merely to awarding degrees but should be linked with quality, research, and practical training.

In line with this vision, the state has witnessed a historic increase in the number of medical colleges over the past nearly nine years. Earlier, medical education was limited to a few districts, but now the goal of establishing medical colleges in almost every district has largely been achieved.

Ensuring the availability of qualified teachers and trained staff for the functioning of new colleges is a top priority of the government, and this recruitment drive is a significant step in that direction.

The appointment of Assistant Professors, Professors, and Pharmacy Lecturers in government medical colleges will provide better academic guidance to medical students, promote research activities, and help raise the standard of medical education in line with national benchmarks.

This will ultimately produce skilled doctors, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals, ensuring improved healthcare services for the general public.

The Congress party on Sunday expressed “very grave concern” over recent US actions in Venezuela, warning that unilateral measures violate international law and pose a threat to global stability.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the developments were “deeply troubling” and underscored the dangers of bypassing multilateral norms.

“The INC expresses very grave concern over US actions relating to Venezuela in the past 24 hours. Settled principles of international law cannot be violated unilaterally,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

The party emphasised that respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs are foundational pillars of the international system.

“Any action affecting a sovereign nation must be undertaken through established multilateral mechanisms and in accordance with the United Nations Charter,” Ramesh added.

The Congress’s remarks come amid heightened international tensions following US military action targeting Venezuela, which has drawn sharp reactions from several governments and political parties.

The party stressed the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy over coercion, citing India’s long-standing foreign policy principles.

“India has historically stood for the peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for sovereignty. These principles are more relevant than ever in the current global climate,” the party said, cautioning that unilateral actions by powerful nations set a dangerous precedent.

The Congress has called on the international community to work collectively to de-escalate tensions and ensure that the rights and dignity of the Venezuelan people are protected.

In its first reaction to the US action in Venezuela, India on Sunday expressed deep concern over the developments in the South American nation and called for addressing issues through dialogue and ensuring peace in the region.

Reacting cautiously, the Ministry of External Affairs said, ‘’recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation.’’

New Delhi said India reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela. ‘’We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region,’’ it added.

The MEA said the Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance.

India avoided any comment on Saturday and merely issued an advisory asking Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela in view of recent developments there.

‘’All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with Embassy of India in Caracas through their email id: cons.caracas@mea.gov.in or the emergency phone number +58-412-9584288 (also for WhatsApp calls),’’ the MEA said in a statement.

Official sources said India is still assessing all facts relating to the security situation in Venezuela arising from pre-dawn US airstrikes targeting key military installations, including the Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had conducted a “large-scale strike” and announced the ‘’capture’’ and removal of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

It is learnt that India is weighing its options against the backdrop of the strain in its ties with the US and its consistent support for a rules-based global order, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country.

The Left parties, meanwhile, issued a joint statement strongly condemning what they described as US military aggression against Venezuela and the alleged “kidnapping” of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, calling it a blatant violation of international law and an attack on the sovereignty of a nation.

In the statement, the Left parties said the actions of the United States amounted to a “direct assault on a sovereign country” and were in “clear violation of the United Nations Charter.” They alleged that recent remarks by US President Donald Trump had exposed the real motive behind the aggression.

“We strongly denounce and condemn the US aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This is an attack carried out against a sovereign nation in blatant violation of the UN Charter,” the statement said.

The joint statement was issued by CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby, CPI General Secretary D Raja, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, All India Forward Bloc General Secretary G Devarajan, and Revolutionary Socialist Party General Secretary Manoj Bhattacharya.

India’s retail inflation is likely to have edged up to 1.66% in December 2025 from 0.71% in November, driven by an unseasonal rise in food prices and a sharp increase in gold prices, even as overall inflation remained well below last year’s levels, according to projections by Union Bank of India (UBI) Research.

The uptick in headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation came despite a waning base effect and followed an unusual firming up of food prices during the winter months, when prices typically soften.

Food inflation is estimated to have remained in deflationary territory at (-)1.19% in December, compared with (-)2.78% in November, although sequential price increases were recorded across most food segments.

Vegetables, particularly tomatoes, registered the sharpest month-on-month price gains, reflecting supply disruptions caused by October rains and higher seasonal demand.

Pulses and cereals inflation also edged up sequentially, though both remained negative on a year-on-year basis. Cereals inflation is projected to have turned negative for the first time since September 2021, at (-)0.28%, the report said.

Core inflation, which excludes food and fuel, is estimated to have risen to 4.68% in December from 4.34% in November, largely due to a more than 7% month-on-month increase in gold prices.

Inflation in the personal care segment is seen hitting a new series high of 28.20%. However, core inflation excluding gold remained subdued at 2.56%, indicating limited underlying price pressures in the economy.

Union Bank of India Research expects food inflation to remain largely negative through the third quarter of FY26, though risks persist from unseasonal rains and potential supply-chain disruptions.

With December inflation tracking at 1.66%, the bank projects average CPI inflation of around 2% for FY26, in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s estimates.

Given that headline inflation has remained consistently below the 2% threshold, economists do not rule out the possibility of a final 25-basis-point cut in the policy repo rate in February or April 2026, although the timing will depend on upcoming GDP data and evolving inflation risks.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh will inaugurate the Smart Green Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute and state-of-the-art Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) Facility following the General body meeting on Monday in Hyderabad, Telangana.

“Smart Green Aquaculture Limited has established India’s first commercial-scale tropical Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)–based Rainbow Trout Aquaculture Farm and Research Institute, marking a watershed moment in the evolution of Indian aquaculture,” the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Sunday.

Situated at Kandukur Mandal in Ranga Reddy District, Telangana, conclusively demonstrates that high-value cold-water species such as Rainbow Trout can be farmed year-round in tropical climates, using precision engineering, controlled biological systems, and advanced water recirculation technologies.

This achievement overturns long-standing assumptions that premium aquaculture species are geographically constrained to specific climatic zones, and it establishes technology, not climate, as the primary determinant of aquaculture viability.

The project functions as a live training and demonstration platform, equipping youth with hands-on experience in advanced aquaculture systems, automation, and biosecurity, thereby strengthening human capital in the fisheries sector.

The Government of India has set in motion a series of transformative initiatives aimed at fostering the comprehensive development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector within the country. Over the years, there has been a significant upswing in central government investments dedicated to this sector.

From the initiation of this endeavour in 2015, the cumulative investments, totalling an impressive Rs 38,572 crore, have been approved or announced across various schemes.

Cold water fisheries are rapidly gaining momentum as a dynamic and high-potential segment within the broader fisheries sector.

Driven by rising market demand for premium cold-water species, expanding domestic and export opportunities, and increasing investments in sustainable aquaculture technologies, this subsector is emerging as a key contributor to livelihood generation and economic growth in mountainous and high-altitude regions.

Trout farming represents a high-value and strategically important segment of India’s aquaculture sector, largely concentrated in Himalayan and hill states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, of leveraging cold, well-oxygenated water resources from snow-fed streams and rivers.

The Department of Fisheries has made significant strides in harnessing these resources through the development of rainbow trout hatcheries, which have substantially increased fish production and created local employment opportunities.

With the establishment of new hatcheries and the adoption of advanced aquaculture techniques, an annual production of 14 lakh trout seeds has been achieved. Furthermore, Uttarakhand has signed an MoU with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) under the vibrant village scheme to provide trout fish.

The Government of India is decisively driving aquaculture as a strategic growth engine through focused investments, technology adoption, and institutional reforms.

By prioritising modern systems such as RAS, species diversification into high-value aquaculture, capacity building, and infrastructure creation, the Government is transitioning the sector from subsistence-led practices to a technology-driven, market-oriented ecosystem.

These interventions are strengthening productivity, enhancing farmer incomes, reducing regional constraints, and positioning Indian aquaculture to meet growing domestic demand and emerging export opportunities in a sustainable and scalable manner.

Furthermore, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has notified the development of cold water fisheries clusters in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.