The EU–India Summit begins in New Delhi, led by Modi and EU leaders von der Leyen and Costa.

The main goal is to announce a long-awaited EU–India free trade deal, along with agreements on security, climate, technology, and migration.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

Iran's proxy terror states in the Middle East—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen—must be dismantled.

Without doing so, there will be no regional stability, and this is our objective.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on UAE:

The UAE has now decided to leave Yemen, and I think if that indeed is the case and the UAE has completely left the issue of Yemen, then the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take responsibility.

I think that will be the building block for making sure that the relationship with the UAE continues strong and continues to serve the interest not just of both countries, but the region.

US President Donald Trump said Iran seeks a deal with Washington

READ MORE

NEW: Israel is preparing talks with the Trump administration on a new 10-year security deal to replace the current one expiring in 2028.

Instead of relying on $3.8bn a year in U.S. cash aid, Israel wants to gradually reduce “free money” and shift toward joint weapons development and defence projects.

Officials say partnership, technology cooperation, and U.S. military support (like air defences and bombers) matter more than direct financial grants.

Source: FT

READ MORE

US Ambassador to China David Perdue:

Of the seven people on that Central Military Commission, only Xi Jinping remains.

Vice-Chairman Zhang was a lifelong family friend of Xi Jinping. For this to happen is a major development in China.

I take him at his word that there’s a corruption effort underway.

On the other hand, I think he’s making sure that he has total control of his military.

NOW: EU-India trade deal agreement has been signed in New Delhi.

READ MORE

NOW: EU and India sign security and defence pact in New Delhi.

READ MORE

EU's von der Leyen on trade deal with India:

We did it. We delivered the mother of all deals.

We are creating a market of two billion people.

It will cut up to four billion euros in annual tariffs for exporters of all sizes.

READ MORE

NEW: Saudi Arabia has paused major construction on the futuristic Mukaab cube megaproject in Riyadh.

Source: Reuters

India's Modi on security and defence pact with the EU:

This will deepen our partnership in counter-terrorism, maritime, and cyber security.

The scope of our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region will further increase.

Our defense companies will realize new opportunities for co-development and co-production.

READ MORE

India's Modi on trade deal with the EU:

Today, India has concluded the largest-ever Free Trade Agreement in its history.

READ MORE

John Bolton on Iran:

One strike isn’t going to bring the regime down if he is committed to regime change, as he has now said.

You need to think in a more programmatic, strategic way.

You have to think about what multiple strikes might do to degrade the regime’s ability to cause problems in the nuclear field and the terrorism field, but also to reduce its power to repress its own people.

Starmer Heads to China Defying Trump's Tariff Threat

READ MORE

BIG: Iran’s currency has hit a new historic low, with the dollar rising to about 1.51 million rials.

Fears of possible military action and continued U.S. pressure are pushing Iranians to rush into foreign currency, despite heavy dollar sales by Iran’s central bank.

The rial has collapsed from around 800,000 per dollar last June, while Iran’s stock market has fallen for a fourth straight day.

France’s lower house has approved a bill to ban social media for children under 15, requiring real age verification instead of self-declared birthdays.

The measure, backed by Macron, now goes to the Senate and could take effect in September 2026 if passed.

US Links Security Guarantees For Ukraine To Peace Deal Ceding Donbas

READ MORE

BIG: Türkiye is preparing for a worst-case scenario in Iran and is considering establishing a buffer zone on the Iranian side of the border to prevent a new wave of refugees.

Officials briefed lawmakers that Ankara wants to prevent migrants from crossing into Türkiye and has already reinforced the border with walls, ditches, towers, drones, and surveillance systems.

Turkish officials also said recent protests in Iran left about 4,000 dead and 20,000 wounded after unrest driven by inflation and currency collapse.

Source: MEE

READ MORE

Zelensky:

When we speak of 50,000 Russian losses per month, this is the optimal level.

It is undoubtedly a difficult goal, but it is the level at which Russia will begin to question what it is doing and why it is fighting.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

Trump spoke to Prime Minister Carney; Carney very aggressively walked back some of the unfortunate remarks he made at Davos.