ThePrint

In the just concluded 13th national parliamentary elections, Bangladesh has given a decisive mandate to the Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The country’s largest Islamist party, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has emerged as a strong opposition, winning as many as 68 seats. A huge improvement given the fact that the party won only two seats in the last parliamentary polls it participated in in 2008. Where does that leave Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, the largest party in Bangladesh? Watch Author & ThePrint Columnist Deep Halder explain: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read: https://theprint.in/opinion/why-bnps-win-in-bangladesh-doesnt-necessarily-mark-the-end-of-awami-league/2855547/

ThePrintAM: How did Kerala localise recent outbreaks of the deadly Nipah virus? https://theprint.in/health/nipah-why-latest-outbreaks-of-the-deadly-virus-have-remained-localised/2854482/

ThePrintPod: Made co-chair of Congress’s Kerala poll campaign committee, Tharoor likely to miss maiden meeting

ThePrintPod: Haryana Police uses 'leg shots' to nab criminals in encounters, taking a leaf out of UP's playbook

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared a long-pending proposal to procure 114 Rafale jets from France. The DAC also cleared the procurement of six additional P8I aircraft, anti submarine warfare aircraft & other acquisition projects. #CutTheClutter Episode 1796 looks at what this move to upgrade India's military means. ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta also explains the significance of the DAC move, and the many challenges that still remain.----more----Read Snehesh Alex Philip's article here: https://theprint.in/defence/rafale-saga-25-yrs-of-detours-deadlocks-political-hesitation-now-iaf-getting-what-it-always-wanted/2832149/

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, under chairman Tarique Rahman, has won the 13th National Parliamentary Election. 'Now, with the BNP coming to power and the Jamaat decisively defeated, India and Bangladesh can hope to begin again and reset the Delhi-Dhaka ties', argues ThePrint Columnist & Author Deep Halder.

Pakistan's Khawaja Asif said,'US used & dumped us like toilet paper'. He was speaking about Pakistan's terror problem and the country's involvement in Afghanistan conflict. #CutTheClutter Episode 1795 looks at Pakistani Defence Minister's comments in detail, and the country's Afghanistan dilemma, in the backdrop of escalating tensions. ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta also takes you back to 2011, when he had explained why India should stay away from Afghanistan after US withdrawal, and leave it to Pakistan.

Factsheet says India intends, not pledges, to buy goods worth $500 billion from the US, Swadeshi Jagran Manch co-convener Ashwani Mahajan claims.----more----https://theprint.in/india/us-india-deal-will-benefit-farmers-traders-rss-affiliates-come-out-in-govt-support-amid-oppn-attack/2852520/

The Chief Minister said his government will increase living standards in Kerala to match that of developed nations. "It's not impossible."----more----https://theprint.in/politics/eye-on-polls-vijayan-rolls-out-rs-800-crore-infra-projects-says-his-govts-vision-is-for-nava-kerala/2852550/

The United States has dropped reference to 'certain pulses' in the factsheet on the trade deal with India. Episode 1794 of #CutTheClutter looks at data of India's pulses output and imports over the last ten years. ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta also explains how and why India is the biggest producer as well as the largest importer of pulses, and the efforts made by Modi govt to become self-reliant.----more----Read Shoba Suri's article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/pulses-economy-geopolitics/2851989/----more----Read Harish Damodaran's article here: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/how-india-has-become-relatively-atmanirbhar-in-pulses-compared-to-edible-oil-8645756/

The video post, apparently recorded by one of three bike-borne assailants who shot at group of migrant labourers in Moga, names the attackers & claims link to Bambiha gang.

https://theprint.in/politics/in-a-first-since-1987-oppn-seeks-to-remove-speaker-accuses-om-birla-of-being-blatantly-partisan/2851018/

US & India have reached a framework for an interim agreement on trade. #CutTheClutter Episode 1793 looks at India’s agriculture sector and possible effect of the trade deal on farmers. ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta also explains India’s agriculture trade data- exports, imports and surplus.

PM Modi didn’t find it safe to come to the Lok Sabha, based on Speaker Om Birla’s ‘credible information’. The Speaker must order a high-level inquiry as it concerns the PM’s security, ThePrint Political Editor DK Singh weighs in on this issue in this episode of PoliticallyCorrect----more----Read this week's Politically Correct here: https://theprint.in/opinion/politically-correct/narendra-modi-rahul-gandhi-national-security/2849708/

FirstPersonSecondDraft: Remembering General K. Sundarji & how he rewrote India’s military doctrine

What does the India-US joint statement on trade actually say, and what does it leave unsaid? In this episode of ThePrint Worldview, Consulting Editor (International & Strategic Affairs) Dr Swasti Rao speaks with Ambassador Mohan Kumar, India’s ex–lead negotiator at the WTO and GATT, to decode the fineprint of India-US trade understanding. From India’s purchases of Russian oil and the much-talked-about $500-billion trade target, to questions around agriculture market access, this conversation cuts through political noise and headline hype to explain the real implications for India-US economic ties.

NationalInterest: Dear Narendrabhai, Bangladesh polls give India space to hit reset button

https://theprint.in/diplomacy/agenda-for-modis-malaysia-visit-upi-potential-dornier-order-asean-india-trade-pact-review/2847827/

CutTheClutter: Manipur's complex politics & challenges as new govt with a Meitei CM & Kuki Deputy faces protest

Mishra has served twice as UP BJP president, and three terms as Rajya Sabha member. He was a Union minister from 2014 to 2017, and has been governor of Himachal and Rajasthan.----more----https://theprint.in/politics/kalraj-mishra-how-the-bjp-old-timer-brahmin-flag-bearer-is-stirring-the-political-pot-in-up/2847146/

Hyderabad’s International Arbitration and Mediation Centre has been mired in controversy since 2022. At centre of row is free allotment of govt land that was quashed by HC last year.----more----https://theprint.in/judiciary/not-inclined-to-interfere-sc-upholds-telangana-hc-order-junking-iamc-land-grant-all-about-the-row/2847335/

Billionaire Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos owned The Washington Post has laid off over 300 journalists, including most of its international correspondents. #CutTheClutter with ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at the significant development, the missteps leading up to sacking of almost a third of its newsroom & why it’s a tragedy for global news media. Episode 1791----more----Read David Bauder's The Washington Post article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/04/washington-post-staff-reduction-layoffs-cuts/b718ec42-01d5-11f1-ad9f-6f689ec6b060_story.html----more----Read Jeff Bezos article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/10/28/jeff-bezos-washington-post-trust/----more----Read The New York Times article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html----more----Read The Atlantic's article here: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/02/washington-post-layoffs-bezos/685872/----more----Read ThePrinr's 50 Word article here: https://theprint.in/50-word-edit/layoffs-washington-post/2846417/

Manipur has got a new Chief Minister- Y. Khemchand Singh, almost a year after N Biren Singh's resignation. In ThePrint #InstantAnalysis, Moushumi Das Gupta explains what it means for the state.

In big development, HAL is out of the AMCA prototype development plan. ThePrint's Editor - Defence and Diplomacy Snehesh Alex Philip explains the significance of this in @DefenceScope. To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/

How Yogi government has laid the groundwork to make UP a major investment destination and what’s the outcome so far, ThePrint Political Editor DK Singh elaborates in this episode of #PoliticallyCorrect

https://theprint.in/politics/rahul-quoted-from-ex-army-chief-naravanes-unpublished-memoir-in-ls-why-it-sparked-showdown-with-govt/2843754/

CutTheClutter: Surprising findings of reality check on India’s defence budget under Modi & UPA,& Naravane book row

Sitharaman in the 2026-27 Budget has shifted focus away from Amaravati and Polavaram. But TDP is confident about leveraging allocations to accelerate Andhra’s 'next phase of growth'.----more----https://theprint.in/economy/andhra-pradesh-missing-from-budget-spotlight-why-chandrababu-naidus-still-happy/2843132/

https://theprint.in/politics/high-speed-rail-coconut-push-a-kanjeevaram-nod-nirmalas-budget-pot-for-poll-bound-states/2842522/

MEA spokesperson says Islamabad should address domestic grievances, instead of blaming New Delhi.

यूनियन बजट 2026-27 की हाइलाइट्स से लेकर रक्षा बजट और राज्यों के लिए नियुक्ति तक -- दिप्रिंट के शो #ShekharSeSawaal में दिप्रिंट के एडिटर-इन-चीफ शेखर गुप्ता दे रहे हैं आपके सवालों का जवाब अपूर्वा मंधानी के साथ. 3:44 - क्या आपको लगता है कि सरकार अब अपने चुनावी समर्थन को लेकर पूरी तरह कॉन्फिडेंट है? क्या आप इस बजट की कुछ कमियों के बारे में भी बता सकते हैं? 5:48 - शेखर जी कहते रहे हैं कि भारत को अपने डिफेंस बजट खर्च का बढ़ाना चाहिए. इस बजट वृद्धि से कितना फायदा होगा? 12:18 - क्या पुरानी पेंशन स्कीम के दोबारा शुरू होने की कोई संभावना है? 14:00 - फिस्कल डेफिसिट टारगेट के अलावा, क्या आपको लेटेस्ट नेशनल बजट में फिस्कल समझदारी के लिए कोई भरोसेमंद रोडमैप दिखता है? 17:24 - क्या इस बजट से देश पर मौजूद कर्ज बढ़ेगा या घटेगा? क्या हमें अपने मौजूदा कर्ज को लेकर चिंतित होना चाहिए? 18:55 - सरकार FII की परेशानी कम करने के लिए कुछ सक्रिय कदम क्यों नहीं उठा सकती? 21:05 - भारत में R&D पर खर्च इतना कम क्यों है? 22:47 - क्या आपको लगता है कि सरकार को हर साल बजट भाषण के इस एनुअल फैन्फेयर को बंद कर देना चाहिए? Apply here for ThePrint School of Journalism : https://tinyurl.com/48hdbx9d

The Finance Minister presented the Union Budget 2026-27 today. In #CutTheClutter Ep 1789, ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta explains how, of Nirmala Sitharaman’s 9 budgets so far, this shows the least political anxiety and yet, it is a budget designed for geopolitically anxious times.

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveils her budget, ThePrint's Editor - Defence and Diplomacy Snehesh Alex Philip takes a granular look at the numbers in the #DefenceScope.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Union Budget in the Parliament. Bidisha Bhattacharya, Associate Fellow, Chintan Research Foundation, explains what the Budget really says about India's economy with 12 big takeaways.

This week, President Trump warned Iran that US warships were inching closer to the country and military action was on the table if Tehran didn’t stop its nuclear programme and the crackdown on protesters. In Asia, China executed 11 people allegedly linked to scam and criminal networks in Myanmar. And Beijing hosted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as geopolitical lines redraw to account for Trump’s turbulence. Catch this week’s World 360 with Varnika Dhawan.

ThePrintPOD: India-EU FTA & Turkey, Jamaat's rise in Bangladesh & why Iranian regime has run its course| Ep39

The crash that resulted in the tragic demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and everyone else on board the Learjet to Baramati reminds us how fragile life is. Decades from now, we will wonder how things could have been in Maharashtra but for a twist of fate. Watch this week's #ThePrint #SharpEdge with Vir Sanghvi. TO READ: https://theprint.in/opinion/sharp-edge/ajit-pawar-death-indian-politics/2839157/

ThePrintAM: What has DGCA told HC on rest hours of pilots?

The recently concluded Free Trade Agreement, or FTA, between India and the European Union is unprecedented. Few bilateral arrangements in modern trade diplomacy can match the scale or ambition of what the ‘mother of all deals’ has unlocked. Established in 1968, the EU Customs Union is a foundational pillar of European economic integration. With Turkey in the mix, India’s biggest deal with the EU suddenly looks more complicated. Watch ThePrint Consulting Editor (International & Strategic Affairs) Swasti Rao explains. To read: https://theprint.in/opinion/india-eu-fta-turkey-customs-union/2840686/?amp

#nationalinterest The key to fighting a war successfully, or even launching it, is a clear objective. That’s an entirely political call. It isn’t emotional or purely military. There is a good reason behind the oldest wisdom that war is too serious a business to be left to generals. Operation Sindoor had a limited objective, destroying nine Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba centres by the IAF and Army. This done, a truce was offered on the morning of 7 May. Because Pakistan fought on, their bases were attacked, imagery secured, and it was time to call it a day, in victory. Knowing when and how to stop fighting is as important as starting it. Watch this week’s #NationalInterest with Shekhar Gupta. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To read this week's National Interest: https://theprint.in/national-interest/operation-sindoor-ceasefire-india-pakistan/2841384/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To visit ThePrint Store: https://store.theprint.in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by: Mahira Khan

For India and the EU, the reliance on the US for security needs and on China for goods and services is associated with greater risks and vulnerability to major disruptions.

The Mings—first among the alleged kingpins of the fraud to face execution—was responsible for the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to several others from 2015 to 2023.

https://theprint.in/judiciary/new-ugc-rules-on-hold-why-supreme-court-believes-they-are-regressive-can-deepen-caste-divisions/2839882/

A recent Washington Post report has triggered intense debate across Bangladesh and the region, suggesting the United States wants a greater say in Bangladesh’s political future. The audio was first procured and investigated by Bangladeshi journalist Zulkarnain Saer, who deemed it of critical importance to public interest. Since then, he has been praised for exposing backroom diplomacy and criticized by former U.S. diplomats who question his interpretation. He speaks to ThePrint on why he went public with it, why the U.S. is reaching out to Jamaat, and whether Bangladesh’s political reality is fundamentally shifting.