Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi carried a bag with «Palestine» written on it in Parliament. The bag also featured a watermelon, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. This followed Gandhi's meeting with a Palestinian diplomat. The BJP criticized the gesture as appeasement. They said it was an attempt to grab headlines after election losses.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held a joint press conference in New Delhi, emphasizing investment-led growth and connectivity as pillars of their strengthened partnership. India pledged support for infrastructure projects, including electricity grid connectivity and a petroleum pipeline, alongside educational and training initiatives. Wickremesinghe affirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to safeguarding Indian interests.

Delhi-NCR's air quality dipped sharply, triggering the implementation of GRAP stage III. Schools switched to hybrid learning for younger students, and older diesel vehicles faced stricter entry and operation restrictions within the city. These measures follow a recent relaxation of earlier pollution control restrictions.

The BJP has demanded the Congress party release letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru to Edwina Mountbatten and others, which were allegedly withdrawn from the Nehru Memorial Library in 2008 on Sonia Gandhi's orders. A library member, Rizwan Kadri, has requested Rahul Gandhi's intervention after receiving no response from Sonia Gandhi.

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away at 73 in the US on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the loss, praising Hussain's revolutionary impact on Indian classical music and his ability to connect diverse genres. Hussain's illustrious career included collaborations with renowned musicians across the globe, leaving a lasting legacy on the world music scene.

A Prime Minister's Museum member has appealed to Rahul Gandhi to retrieve letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru, including correspondence with Lady Mountbatten and Jayaprakash Narayan, allegedly removed on Sonia Gandhi's orders in 2008. The museum member, Rizwan Kadri, previously contacted Sonia Gandhi without response.

The Indian government is poised to introduce a bill for simultaneous elections, proposing a joint parliamentary committee for broader consultations. This committee will examine the 'One Nation One Election' Bill and its implications, including potential impacts on state and union territory assemblies, within a timeframe likely spanning three months.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore has raised concerns over the removal of a 1971 war photograph from Army HQ, calling it an attempt to erase history. He demands its reinstatement and an inquiry into similar incidents, emphasizing the need to preserve India's military heritage and the significance of the 1971 victory.

India celebrated Vijay Diwas on December 16, commemorating the 1971 war victory over Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah paid tribute to the soldiers' courage and sacrifice. Wreath-laying ceremonies were held in Kolkata, with Indian and Bangladeshi officers participating, honoring the historic victory and the liberation of Bangladesh.

Govt on Sunday evening dropped the two bills on one nation, one election from its revised list of business for Monday in Lok Sabha. Sources later said the two important bills will be introduced in the lower House by law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday. Sources cited the absence of home minister Amit Shah, who is on a two-day trip to Chhattisgarh, for the bills being deferred.

Several Maharashtra ministers, including deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, are under ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations for money laundering. These ministers, formerly in the opposition, joined the BJP alliance. Conversely, BJP's Girish Mahajan joined the cabinet after a CBI investigation cleared him of extortion and kidnapping charges, subsequently leading to charges against an IPS officer and others.

Congress criticized PM Modi, alleging his focus is on defaming Nehru rather than governance. They questioned Modi's reliance on Nehru as a distraction from his failures and current issues. Congress defended Nehru's first constitutional amendment, citing its necessity for addressing communal propaganda, protecting land reforms, and upholding reservations.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in India for a three-day visit, focusing on trade, investment, energy, and maritime security. He met with PM Modi and other officials to strengthen bilateral ties and address Tamil aspirations. The visit aims to bolster cooperation amidst concerns over China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean.

Maharashtra's cabinet expanded with 39 ministers sworn in by Governor PC Radhakrishnan in Nagpur. BJP secured 19 berths, Shinde's Shiv Sena 11, and Ajit Pawar's NCP 9. This Nagpur ceremony, a rare event, last occurred in 1991. Shiv Sena ministers will serve for two and a half years, then vacate their posts for others.

India's shipping ministry launched a 'scheduled service' for cargo vessels on the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers, alongside the 'Jalvahak' incentive scheme. This initiative aims to boost cargo transport via waterways, offering up to 35% cost reimbursement for long-haul shipments exceeding 300 km. The fixed schedule service connects Kolkata with Patna, Varanasi, and Pandu, promoting efficient and sustainable freight movement.

The Indian government has proposed new rules for solid waste management, effective October 1, 2025. These rules empower sanitation workers to penalize those not segregating waste and mandate waste segregation for large establishments. Gram panchayats will be responsible for preventing agricultural waste burning and filing annual reports on residue management.