In a significant day of developments spanning geopolitics, economics, and sports, India achieved a major economic milestone while the region mourned the loss of a prominent political figure. The evening's top stories include India's rise to become the world's fourth-largest economy, the passing of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and a political spat in West Bengal.
Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia Passes Away
Begum Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away early on Tuesday. She was 80 years old. A key rival of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Zia was born in India's Jalpaiguri district. Her health had been critical for several months, and she was undergoing treatment when her condition deteriorated on Tuesday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on her demise. The leader of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, also shared his grief. Zia's passing marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics, where she served as the country's first female prime minister and was a central figure for decades.
India Surpasses Japan in Nominal GDP Ranking
In a landmark achievement, India has overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy in nominal GDP terms. This update comes from the Indian government's year-end economic review. India's GDP is now estimated at $4.18 trillion, placing it behind only the United States, China, and Germany.
The government projects that India is on track to surpass Germany and become the world's third-largest economy within the next 2.5 to 3 years. Final confirmation of this ranking is expected after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) releases its official data for 2025 in the first half of 2026. This economic leap highlights India's rapid growth trajectory on the global stage.
Political Crossfire in West Bengal and Global Reactions
On the domestic political front, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee engaged in a sharp exchange. Shah accused the Banerjee-led state government of not allotting land for border fencing along the Bangladesh frontier, which he claimed has facilitated infiltration. Mamata Banerjee, steering clear of directly addressing the allegation, countered by asserting that the people of West Bengal would prevent the BJP from coming to power in the state.
In international news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock and concern over reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence was targeted. Russian authorities claimed that Ukraine launched a drone attack on Putin's state residence located between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that 91 long-range drones were fired in the Novgorod region on December 28–29, all of which were reportedly intercepted. PM Modi urged for restraint and a renewed focus on diplomacy.
Sports Setback: Shreyas Iyer's Return Delayed
The Indian cricket team faced a setback as ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer's return to competitive cricket has been postponed. The middle-order batter did not receive the required clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE). Initially expected to be discharged on December 30, Iyer will now remain at the facility for at least another week to complete his Return to Play (RTP) protocol.
While Iyer is batting without discomfort, medical staff have identified an issue. He experienced rapid weight loss of approximately 6 kg following an abdominal injury, which has reduced his strength below optimum levels. Although he has regained some weight, the loss of muscle mass remains a primary concern that will be addressed intensively in the coming week, delaying his much-anticipated comeback.
