India

The Economic Times | English | News | Jan. 9, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

The Indian Army is planning to acquire a family of indigenous loitering munitions capable of precise strikes deep into enemy territory, even in heavily jammed and spoofed environments. The project’s initial contract value is ₹2,000 crore, with expectations for significant expansion as the Army aims to equip multiple units with these systems for both shallow and deep cross-border strikes. The tender, to be issued soon under a fast-track procedure, will facilitate quick trials, shortlisting, and order placement within months, contrasting with the usual two-year timeline.

Two Indian companies will be selected to fulfill the order, which will be divided in a 60:40 ratio between the two lowest bidders who meet the specifications and clear trials. Major contenders with prior experience delivering similar systems include Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence, Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, and Newspace Research and Technologies. Additional likely bidders include Nibe Defence, Avision, and SMPP. This procurement aims to foster an industrial ecosystem for large-scale manufacturing of indigenous suicide drones.

The initiative aligns with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s vision announced last year to integrate drones and loitering munitions and establish specialized drone units. His "Eagle on every Arm" concept seeks to provide each soldier with drone capabilities, enhancing battlefield intelligence and strike precision.

Livemint | English | News | Jan. 9, 2026 | Communal and Religious Strife

Mithun Sarkar, a Hindu man in Bangladesh's Naogaon district, died after being chased by a mob accusing him of theft. Sarkar fled the mob and jumped into a canal, where his body was later recovered on Tuesday afternoon.

This incident is part of a broader surge in violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, throughout December 2025 and early January 2026. Recent attacks include the killing of a Hindu businessman who was also a local newspaper editor in Jessore, and the murder of a Hindu grocery shop owner in Narsingdi city. Another victim, Khokhon Chandra Das, was lynched, robbed, stabbed, and set on fire in Shariatpur district, dying while receiving medical treatment in Dhaka.

The pattern of attacks continued in December with at least two other Hindu men being killed in targeted violence. Among them were Amrit Mondal, lynched over extortion allegations in Rajbari on December 24, and Dipu Chandra Das, killed and set on fire in Mymensingh after being accused of blasphemy. The Council of Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian Unity reported 51 incidents targeting minority communities in Bangladesh in December, which included 10 murders, as well as cases of rape, arson, and looting.

These violent events are occurring in the lead-up to Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections on February 12, 2026, marking the first elections since Sheikh Hasina was ousted in 2024.

Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations | English | AcademicThink | Jan. 9, 2026 | UndeterminedEmployment

State financing is crucial for economic growth at the sub-national level in India, yet the gender inclusivity of these funds remains underemphasized. A policy brief stemming from the third roundtable of the Network on Economic Policies for Women-led Development (EPWD) highlights the need to view public finances through a gendered lens, focusing on how centre-to-state financing can better support women’s empowerment.

Key insights from the roundtable involving policymakers, academicians, and practitioners indicate that while India has made legislative and policy advances in women’s empowerment, there is significant room for improvement. Recommendations include expanding gender budgeting, increasing women’s representation in political leadership to ensure funds target women’s needs effectively, and reallocating state finances to support women’s transition from agriculture into manufacturing and service sectors.