India

On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit, welcoming world leaders from more than 20 countries and major AI industry giants. Several new investments were announced, while India is adopting new regulations governing the use of advanced technologies.

On the first day of Lent, a health camp was organised by the Xavier Institute of Social Research together with Kurji Holy Family Hospital, the Holy Cross Sisters and the Bihar Migrant Hub. Medical check-ups, maternal and child care and free distribution of medicines were offered to about 150 families. In Bihar, one in six inhabitants is a migrant.

In a village in the district of Nabarangpur, the family was prevented from performing funeral rites for 20 hours. They were only able to bury him on their own land, but without religious symbols. The incident is linked to a dispute over a prayer hall. Local Christians are outraged, authorities try to mediate.

After a year of diplomatic tensions, the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Kuala Lumpur on 7 and 8 February marked a rapprochement between India and Malaysia, with the signing of 11 agreements in various sectors. Modi also emphasised the importance of ties to Indo-Malaysians who represent the country’s third-largest ethnic group. Investment and technological cooperation have been revitalised.

In a statement released at the end of its assembly in Bengaluru, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) expressed concern over rising inequality, polarisation, and "anxiety about identity and belonging." The bishops reiterated their trust in the Indian constitution, urging Christians to bear “mature, hopeful, and credible public witness”. The CBCI added that, “Instead of being silenced or withdrawing from our mission,” Christians should be “inspiring hope and promoting unity”.

The Dalit prelate, archbishop of Hyderabad, chosen by Pope Francis in 2022 as cardinal, has been elected to lead the CBCI, the collegial body that brings together the dioceses of the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites. Monsignor Chandra Nayak tells AsiaNews: ‘Chosen for his merits: a message from the bishops to the whole of Indian society’. During the Assembly, the new translation of the missal into Konkani, the local language of Goa, was also presented.

Just as Modi discusses tariffs and oil purchases with Trump, the Valdai Club conference between Russia and India was held in the Indian capital to take stock of relations. Putin's men are focusing on long-standing relations with Delhi, calling for alliances with BRICS countries to be prioritised today.

After two years of presidential rule, the northeastern state is governed by an elected government. The appointment of Nemcha Kipgen, an ethnic Kuki, as deputy chief minister has sparked protests and strikes in the hill areas, where demands for a separate administration remain strong, reigniting tensions with the Meitei majority.

In Cuttack’s Indoor stadium, a large interfaith gathering brought together representatives of the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, and Christian traditions to join in a call for “universal brotherhood”. For Archbishop John Barwa, “when faith communities stand together for truth, compassion, and the protection of human dignity, they become a transformative force for good.”

Islamabad authorised its national team to take part in the Men's T20 World Cup, but not to the match against India on 15 February. The International Cricket Council has criticised the South Asian country of “selective participation” while Pakistan accuses the body of favouring India. The final is also at risk of being moved to a neutral venue.

Overturning a previous ruling that prohibited retroactive environmental permits, the Supreme Court has opened the door to projects already underway without prior permits, weakening legal protection of territories and the precautionary principle. Environmental movements are concerned at a time when India is announcing ambitious plans for the manufacturing industry.

The state government wants to address an inequality affecting women living in convents, monasteries, and ashrams who lack independent income. The decision is also linked to the case of Sister Ranit, a victim of violence, but it comes on the eve of state elections and will need to be monitored for implementation. Sister Nirmalini, president of the Conference of Religious Women of India, hopes that “this is the beginning for other states to follow”.