India and New Zealand successfully concluded negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon announced on Monday (December 22, 2025) following a phone call between the leaders.

This is India’s seventh FTA in the last few years after Oman, UK, EFTA countries, UAE, Australia and Mauritius.

Government sources said that the two leaders agreed that the conclusion of the FTA in “a record time of 9 months reflects the shared ambition and political will to further deepen ties between the two countries”.

I've just spoken with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement.

The Indian Postal Department and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) celebrated its 51st Foundation Day as 'Communication Finance Accounts Day' here on Monday.

IP&TAFS has expanded its role over time

The Union Ministry of Communications stated that the conference discussed a wide range of topics, including finance, accounting, pensions, training, and digital reforms. Controller General of Communications Accounts Vandana Gupta noted that IP&TAFS has expanded its role over time, citing responsibilities such as revenue assurance, license fees, spectrum usage charges, internal audit, and pension management.

The importance of digital applications was explained

Darshan M. Dabral, Advisor (Finance) at the Department of Telecommunications, emphasized the need for introspection, noting that in the era of liberalization and digital transformation, IP&TAFS has evolved from a service provider to a regulatory and strategic financial partner. He also highlighted the importance of digital applications such as Sampann, IT 2.0, and SARAS.

While major powers slowed their push on renewable energy, India - often portrayed as a champion of fossil fuels - did the unthinkable. In 2025, it achieved a major climate milestone, with 50 per cent of its installed power generation capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement signed in December 2015.

The world's fastest-growing economy now has a total installed generation capacity of about 510 gigawatts, comprising 247 GW of fossil-fuel sources and 262 GW of non-fossil fuel sources (including 254 GW from renewable energy sources).

India added around 50 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2025, backed by investments of nearly Rs 2 trillion, taking its total non-fossil fuel capacity to about 262 GW. The government expects to sustain a similar pace of capacity addition in 2026, even as challenges related to land acquisition, right-of-way issues and delays in signing power purchase agreements continue to constrain fresh projects.

The Indian Army signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) to collaborate in the development of software and AI-based solutions for the army on Monday. According to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, students and faculty at NSUT will participate in live problem-solving projects conducted by the Indian Army.

NSUT will also facilitate capacity building through Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and tailor-made programmes for the Indian Army. In a post on X, ADGPI said, "The Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) to collaborate in the development of software and AI-based solutions for the Indian Army. Under the MoU, the students and the faculty of NSUT will participate in live problem-solving projects of Indian Army and get hands on experience. NSUT will also facilitate capacity building through Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and tailor-made programmes for Indian Army, strengthening indigenous innovation-driven defence preparedness."

In a major boost to the government’s Make in India initiative, India Optel Limited (IOL) has signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven defence systems for local manufacturing.

The agreement marks a key step in strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under the collaboration, IOL will manufacture the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System, used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.

The Indian Navy on Monday (December 22, 2025) received Anjadip, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

The delivery took place in Chennai, marking another significant step in India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.

The Navy informed that the ASW SWC project is being executed under a Public-Private Partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli. The vessels have been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), demonstrating the success of collaborative defence manufacturing in the country.

A German woman engineer on Saturday became the first wheelchair user to blast into space, taking a brief ride on a Blue Origin flight.

The space company owned by American multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos launched its New Shepard suborbital mission at 8:15 am (1415 GMT) from its site in Texas.

Michaela Benthaus, an aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency, was among the passengers to cross the Karman line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, during the approximately 10-minute flight.

Veteran Malayalam actor, screenwriter, director, and producer Sreenivasan died on Saturday, December 20, at a hospital in Thripunithura, Ernakulam. He had not been keeping well for a long time. Sreenivasan was 69. Known for his extensive contributions to Malayalam cinema, Sreenivasan's impact has been deeply felt throughout the industry and among audiences across generations.

Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran expressed grief over the loss on his Instagram story. "Adieu to one of the greatest ever writer/director/actor. Thank you for the laughs and the thoughts! Rest in peace (sic)," he wrote.

Opener Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian batter to cross 4,000 T20I runs during the first match of the five-game series against Sri Lanka at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Sunday.

Mandhana entered the game needing just 18 runs to reach the milestone, and she did so with characteristic aggression — a boundary over the covers off Chamari Athapaththu in the PowerPlay took her past the mark in only 15 balls while chasing a modest 122. Her innings ended at 25 off 25 when Inoka Ranaweera dismissed her.

At 29, Mandhana now ranks second overall on the all-time women’s T20I run-scorers list, behind New Zealand veteran Suzie Bates.

This showdown also marked India’s first international match since lifting the maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title in South Africa last month.

U.S. Central Command, with support from the Jordanian Armed Forces, carried out coordinated military strikes against ISIS targets across central Syria on December 19, following an earlier attack on U.S. and partner forces. The operation, launched at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the direction of the U.S. Commander in Chief, was designated Operation Hawkeye Strike.

According to CENTCOM, forces struck more than 70 ISIS-linked targets at multiple locations using fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and artillery, deploying over 100 precision-guided munitions. The strikes targeted known ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage sites, with Jordanian fighter aircraft providing operational support.

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the operation was aimed at preventing ISIS from planning and inspiring attacks against the United States and its partners, adding that operations against extremist elements would continue across the region.