India has unexpectedly heightened security along its international border with Bangladesh. Specifically, the Border Security Force (BSF) has set up new floating border outposts on rivers crossing the border, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and the Sundarbans. This information was reported by the British English daily The Telegraph on Saturday, January 4. According to the report, India reinforced border security following a threat by an advisor to Bangladesh's interim government to connect India's northeastern part with Bangladesh. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs had issued a "strong protest" over this comment made in mid-December. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on December 20 that a formal protest was lodged with Dhaka regarding the issue. During a weekly press briefing in Delhi, Randhir Jaiswal reminded Bangladeshi leaders of the importance of responsible remarks, stating, "New Delhi advises all concerned to be responsible when making public statements. We have expressed our strong protest to the Bangladeshi authorities on this matter. We have learned that the mentioned post has already been removed. However, we remind everyone that all parties should be more cautious when making public comments." The Telegraph report mentioned that on Friday, the BSF established new floating border outposts on rivers crossing the border with Bangladesh, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and the Sundarbans. Amid intense protests, Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh to India on August 5, fearing violence from disgruntled protesters in the capital. She left Dhaka on a military plane. Subsequently, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Since the interim government took over, India has been alleging persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, leading to strained relations between the neighboring countries. Last month, India's Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh claimed that until December 8, there had been 2,200 attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, compared to 302 incidents the previous year. However, Dr. Muhammad Yunus's press wing dismissed these figures as exaggerated, stating that only 138 incidents had occurred up to November. In an interview with The Telegraph, Asif Mahmud, the interim government's advisor on local government, rural development, cooperatives, and youth and sports, commented, "People are angry that India has given refuge to Sheikh Hasina. Even the Indian government is providing state facilities to Hasina, who is accused of crimes against humanity. This is why Bangladeshis are angry with the Indian government's stance." However, Asif Nazrul, legal advisor, suggested to The Telegraph that India should abandon its dream of re-establishing a puppet regime. He emphasized that India must respect Bangladesh's sovereignty and the people's will. He advocated for rebuilding friendly relations with Bangladesh through the July Revolution, based on equal dignity and rights.

According to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), more Muslims, not Hindus, have illegally entered India from Bangladesh since August last year. The number of Bangladeshi nationals caught attempting to cross the border illegally between August and the third week of December has been higher among Muslims. The BSF reports that, compared to the previous two years, there has been a slight increase in the number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in 2024, though the overall increase between August and December has not been significant. Key Statistics from the BSF Report: (August to December 24, 2024) Total illegal immigrants caught: 716 Bangladeshi citizens Hindus: 301 Muslims: 415 Comparison with previous years: 2023: 203 Hindus and 449 Muslims caught 2022: 114 Hindus and 298 Muslims caught Reason for illegal immigration: Many Bangladeshis are attempting illegal entry due to visa restrictions or other needs (business, family, etc.). This information comes from the BSF’s South Bengal border division. Several BSF officers told the BBC that a small number of Hindu Bangladeshis, who were caught trying to cross illegally, stated during initial questioning that they left Bangladesh due to “persecution” and “violence” against Hindus. The statistics obtained by the BBC, though from the South Bengal border division, reflect similar trends across the entire India-Bangladesh border, according to BSF officials. Analysts were somewhat surprised by this, as for some time, Hindu nationalist organizations in India have been framing the narrative that many Hindus are fleeing Bangladesh due to alleged “persecution” and “violence.” However, the data from the South Bengal border division reveals that between August and December 24 of the past year, 716 Bangladeshi citizens were caught by Indian border guards while attempting to illegally cross. Among them, 301 were Hindus and 415 were Muslims. Officials also noted that the overall pattern of immigration did not change significantly when compared to the full-year statistics. The number of both Hindu and overall illegal immigrants has slightly increased, according to BSF sources, but the trend remains consistent across the India-Bangladesh border. From the statistics of illegal immigrants caught between August and December in the previous two years, it appears that in 2023, 203 Hindus and 449 Muslims were caught at the South Bengal border, while in 2022, 114 Hindus and 298 Muslims were detained. Since August, BSF sources report that only a very small number of Hindu illegal immigrants have cited “persecution or fear of persecution” as the reason for fleeing Bangladesh. These individuals make up only 1 to 2 percent of the detained immigrants. A senior BSF official mentioned that, “Since August, the Indian High Commission has been issuing very few visas to Bangladeshis. However, many Bangladeshis still come to India for business, family, or other purposes, and this continues legally. Due to increased visa restrictions, some people may be attempting to enter illegally and are getting caught.” The official added, “There are no gaps in our surveillance, and the number of border guards has been increased across the entire India-Bangladesh border. No additional guards have been brought in from other areas; the local battalion headquarters' guards are now being assigned to border duty.” (Source: BBC Bengali)

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasized the need for changes in the country's foreign policy to adapt to the evolving global scenario. Speaking at the launch of a new international policy journal, India's World, in Delhi on Sunday (December 15), Jaishankar said, “Our (India’s) foreign policy needs to evolve. Decisions to reform foreign policy or to build a post-Nehruvian foreign policy should not be seen as political attacks.” He explained that the world is no longer bipolar or unipolar, and India must adapt its foreign policy accordingly. A key aspect of India’s foreign policy is learning valuable lessons from Southeast Asian and East Asian nations, he added. On the future direction of India’s foreign policy, Jaishankar stated, “We need to think on a larger scale, think long-term, and think more strategically and modernly.” He reiterated that reforming foreign policy and creating a post-Nehruvian framework should not be misconstrued as political criticism. India is steadily becoming a “key player” on the global stage, and the number of Indian expatriate workers abroad is expected to increase dramatically in the coming years. “We are witnessing an explosion of mobility globally. Hence, thinking big, thinking long-term, and thinking smartly are essential elements of the foreign policy of the future,” Jaishankar concluded. (Source: Hindustan Times, NDTV)

Switzerland has revoked the “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) status previously granted to India. Analysts suggest this move could pose new challenges for India’s export sector and impact trade and economic relations between the two countries. Following this decision by the Swiss government, the withholding tax rate for Indian companies in Switzerland will revert to 10%. Previously, in 2021, this rate had been reduced to 5%. The report was published by India Today. According to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, granting MFN status to a country requires the provision of special privileges related to tariffs and trade policies. Under the MFN clause, if India and a third OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) country enjoy lower tax rates on dividends, interest, royalties, or technical service fees, these benefits must also apply between India and Switzerland. However, a ruling by India’s Supreme Court in September 2023 created a roadblock in this arrangement. The case involved the Swiss-based company Nestlé. The court ruled that, under Section 90(1) of India’s Income Tax Act, such provisions of a double taxation avoidance agreement cannot be enforced without a specific notification. Following this ruling, Switzerland’s Finance Department announced on Wednesday that the MFN status granted to India cannot be directly applied without such a notification. Consequently, Switzerland decided to suspend the unilateral application of MFN benefits starting January 1 of the coming year. During a weekly press briefing on Friday (December 13), Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed Switzerland’s decision. He stated, “I believe the matter will be revisited under the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) framework regarding the double taxation avoidance agreement. That’s one aspect. The other is the ‘Most Favored Nation’ clause. I don’t have any updates on this right now. We will provide details later.”

Vikram Misri, India's Foreign Secretary, briefed the Standing Committee on External Affairs in the Indian Parliament on his recent visit to Bangladesh. In a meeting lasting over two and a half hours on Wednesday (December 11) at the Parliament Annex building in New Delhi, Misri responded to various questions from the parliamentarians, according to a report in the Indian Express citing PTI. Speaking to reporters after the briefing, Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress leader and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, said, "We had an excellent briefing on Bangladesh. The Foreign Secretary returned from Bangladesh yesterday. He briefed us in great detail about the visit. But I cannot go into specifics. However, 21-22 parliamentarians asked the Foreign Secretary important questions about the visit. They sought information on many issues. The Foreign Secretary responded in detail and straightforwardly. But I cannot go into specifics." Citing sources, a report in the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) stated that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed the parliamentarians that the interim government in Dhaka had assured them of taking action against those involved in attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. The Indian Foreign Secretary told the parliamentarians that during the meeting in Dhaka, the Dr. Muhammad Yunus-led administration did not mention reviewing any agreements signed with Delhi. Citing multiple sources who attended the meeting, IANS reported that during the briefing, several Indian parliamentarians asked Vikram Misri about the status of Sheikh Hasina while she is in India. It may be noted that Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Dhaka on the previous Monday. This was the first visit by an Indian diplomat to Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August. On that day, he led the Indian delegation in foreign office consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. Misri met with the interim government's chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and foreign adviser Towhid Hossain, as well as Foreign Secretary Jasim Uddin." Key Points from the Brief: Purpose of the briefing: To inform Indian parliamentarians about the Foreign Secretary's visit to Bangladesh and the discussions held. Topics discussed: The situation of Hindus in Bangladesh, the interim government's stance on existing agreements with India, and the status of Sheikh Hasina. Reactions: Indian parliamentarians expressed keen interest and asked detailed questions. Significance of the visit: This was the first high-level diplomatic visit from India to Bangladesh after the change in government. Overall, the briefing highlights the importance of India-Bangladesh relations and the Indian government's keen interest in the developments in Bangladesh.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a ban on the serving and consumption of beef in public spaces, including restaurants and hotels. The ban, effective from Wednesday, December 4, was imposed across the northeastern state, according to NDTV. The report states that the Assam Cabinet decided in a meeting to amend the existing law on beef consumption to include new provisions. While eating beef is not illegal in Assam, the Assam Cattle Preservation Act 2021 regulates cattle slaughter, beef sale, beef products, and their transportation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We introduced a bill in 2021 in the state assembly for cow protection in Assam, and we succeeded. Now, we have decided that no beef will be served in any hotel or restaurant in the state. It will also not be served at public events or in public spaces." The Assam Cattle Preservation Act 2021, passed by voice vote in August 2021 despite opposition walkouts, prohibits cattle slaughter and beef sales within 5 kilometers of Hindu-majority areas, Jain and Sikh communities, temples, or "satras" (Vaishnavite monasteries). The Chief Minister added, "Earlier, the law restricted beef sales within 5 kilometers of temples, but now we have decided to extend this to other areas as well." The law stipulates penalties for violations, including 3 to 8 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from ₹300,000 to ₹500,000.

India has emerged as the leading country in spreading misinformation globally. Social media platforms and even traditional news outlets in India are inundated with false information and propaganda. This revelation comes from a recent Microsoft survey, which highlights that India spreads more fake news than any other country. According to the survey, over 60% of Indians reported encountering fake news online, compared to a global average of 57%. Furthermore, more than half of the Indian respondents admitted to falling victim to online scams, a figure exceeding the global average of 50%. About 42% of Indians reported experiences with phishing or spoofing attacks. The study analyzed various online risks, including data breaches, cyberbullying, unsolicited sexual messages, misinformation, and fake news. A notable finding was the rapid increase in online risks propagated by family and friends. By May 2018, the rate of such risks spread by close contacts in India had risen by 9 percentage points to 29%. Alarming Rise in Online Risks The survey warns of an upward trend in the dissemination of misinformation and online threats in India. The 2024 Global Risk Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) identified misinformation and disinformation as major threats to India, surpassing risks like pandemics, economic inequality, and labor shortages. During India's 2019 elections, platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were extensively used to spread fake news. These platforms were criticized for being weaponized to disseminate misleading messages. Public Perception and Misinformation Challenges A 2019 survey by Statista revealed that 88% of first-time voters in India viewed fake news as a significant problem. The prevalence of misinformation is not new in Indian politics but has become more accessible and far-reaching through print, television, and social media. A substantial portion of Indians relies on social media for news, where the accuracy of information is seldom verified. India, home to nearly 300 million WhatsApp users, leads the world in forwarded content, making it a hotspot for misinformation. Alarmingly, many Indians blindly trust messages received from family or friends and forward them without verification, accelerating the spread of false information. Fake News About Bangladesh on the Rise Indian mainstream media has also been criticized for publishing unverified and false reports about Bangladesh. Leading outlets like Hindustan Times, India Today, and Times of India have been implicated in spreading fake news, particularly after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Example of Misleading Reports On November 30, 2024, an incident involving a Shyamoli Paribahan bus from Agartala to Dhaka was misreported by Indian media as an "attack." In reality, the bus had an accident involving a delivery van due to emergency braking, and no passengers were injured. However, Indian media and Tripura’s transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury labeled it as an attack in their reports. Earlier, India Today incorrectly claimed that supporters of Donald Trump were arrested in Bangladesh for corruption and genocide allegations. This misinformation was promptly refuted by the press wing of the Chief Advisor. Another unverified claim widely circulated was that Bangladesh had banned Indian TV channels. However, fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner confirmed that Indian satellite channels remain operational in Bangladesh, dismissing the claim as baseless. Misleading Videos Indian media outlets like Zee News and RT India shared a video claiming that Muslims attacked a Hindu temple during an idol immersion ceremony. Rumor Scanner’s investigation revealed the video was from Sultanpur village in India’s East Bardhaman district, not Bangladesh. Government Efforts and Challenges Although the Indian government has initiated measures to combat fake news, these efforts have been largely ineffective. Reports by Business Insider indicate that misinformation continues to grow at an alarming rate, posing significant challenges to societal stability. India’s widespread misinformation problem underscores the urgent need for robust verification systems and greater public awareness to curb the spread of fake news.