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Friday, January 30, 2026
TopicUS State Department

Topic: US State Department

Indian govt took ‘minimal credible steps’ on human rights abuses, says US State Dept report

Transnational repression, concerns about press freedom and arbitrary detentions are mentioned in the 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

US updates travel advisory for India citing violent crimes, potential terror attacks

It also bans US govt employees from travelling to certain areas without permission, including eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana & western West Bengal due to terrorist threats.

US imposes visa restrictions on Indian travel agents ‘knowingly facilitating illegal immigration’

US officials say it is a step in the 'broader' crackdown on transnational immigration networks that undermine US laws & security, meant to 'cut off alien smuggling'.

US declares Tren de Aragua, Sinaloa and other cartels are global terrorist organizations

Some analysts have said the terrorism designations could expose asylum seekers who pay cartels to be smuggled to the possibility of prosecution or being barred from the US.

Trump’s South Asia bureau pick Paul Kapur is Pakistan critic, slammed Biden’s India policy

Paul Kapur once wrote that ‘support for Islamist militants has constituted a central pillar of Pakistan’s grand strategy’. He also served briefly in first Trump administration.

‘Attempt to destabilise India,’ BJP claims US State Dept targeting country with Adani indictment

The BJP has also accused Gandhi, the OCCRP & 92-year-old billionaire financier-philanthropist George Soros of singling out the Adani Group & its closeness to the Modi government.

India briefed us on LAC arrangement with China, says US. ‘We played no role’

In a press meet, US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller welcomes the decision to reduce tension along the border.

‘Have had conversations with India in past 24 hrs’ over Modi’s visit to Russia, says US State Dept

US state dept spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated need for peace in Ukraine & US’s hope for India to support its efforts. US will continue to engage with India on this, he added.

Bernie Sanders, 4 other US senators seek strong diplomatic response to India over Pannun ‘murder plot’

The senators, including 3 from pivotal Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have written to Antony Blinken, calling out India for ‘increasingly irresponsible efforts to silence critics’.

US knows Chabahar important, says MEA as State Dept flags ‘potential risk’ of sanctions over Iran deal

India has been using Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar to ship humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. The 10-year deal will allow India to operate the terminal at the port.

On Camera

India’s tech ambitions need private sector investment in R&D. Budget 2026 holds the key

India’s private sector remains hesitant to invest in R&D. This is understandable, as the domestic market often fails to reward differentiated technologies adequately.

India’s public debt stabilising post pandemic hike as Centre cuts burden, but states lag—Economic Survey

While Centre makes progress lowering debt from pandemic peak and cutting borrowing costs, states face slower adjustment with limited market discipline, survey finds.

‘LCA man’ Ravi Kota, key in operationalisation of IAF’s Tejas fleet, picked as next HAL CMD

Mechanical engineer & alumnus of IIM-A & IAS France, Kota was General Manager in HAL’s Light Combat Aircraft division. He was selected from a pool of eight candidates.

Non-alignment is coming back in a new avatar: Trump-peedit alliance

No nation other than China can negotiate one-on-one with Trump on an equal footing. That’s why the middle powers who so far formed the core of multilateral bodies now feel orphaned.