United States of America

This edition of India First examines recent social media posts by US President Donald Trump stating that nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran should sign the Abraham Accords moving forward.

The big focus of this episode of India First is on the big delimitation showdown.

Addressing the United States delegation during President Donald Trump's visit to China. President Xi Jinping said achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand.

In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, discussed Tehran's response to US President Donald Trump's threats. He detailed the history of Tehran's diplomatic engagement with Washington, highlighting the US withdrawal from the JCPOA and the assassination of IRGC Commander Qassem Soleimani. He explained Iran's recent proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which the US rejected. Baghaei stated, "Blockade itself is a declaration of an act of war," attributing the current international maritime and energy crises, including those affecting India, to actions by the US and Israel. He also questioned why the disarmament of Israel's nuclear weapons is not part of global demands, noting Iran's compliance with the NPT. Addressing the possibility of a ground invasion by the US, Baghaei affirmed Iran's military readiness, warning, "We have no other choice other than fighting back ferociously." He emphasised that Iran is defending its homeland and international law against aggression.

This broadcast examines escalating geopolitical tensions across the Middle East and South Asia. Iranian officials have rejected mediation efforts by Pakistan, alleging a bias toward the United States.

The big talking point of this episode of 5 Live is the political confrontation regarding the Women's Reservation Bill ahead of a special Parliament session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a forty-minute phone conversation regarding the West Asia crisis and the necessity of a ceasefire.

Iran has confirmed that talks are underway with the United States of America, but clarified that these are not direct negotiations. According to Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai, discussions are happening through intermediaries who are conveying messages between the two sides.

In a moment that sounded less like restraint and more like raw power, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth credited President Donald Trump for allowing the military to strike Iran “as viciously as possible”. “The air campaign we’ve conducted was one for the history books,” Hegseth said on Wednesday, adding, “we have a president who when he sends his warfighters out to fight, he unties their hands to actually go out and destroy the enemy as viciously as possible from moment one.” It was praise, unmistakably. It was also a clear window into how this war has been fought. Hegseth did not attempt to soften the doctrine. “We negotiate with bombs,” he said, doubling down on a line that now defines Washington’s approach to the conflict. The comment comes even as talks with Iran continue in parallel, a combination of diplomacy and destruction that has become the hallmark of the current strategy. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the Secretary of Homeland Security, Hegseth painted a picture of overwhelming force. “Never in history has a modern military… been so rapidly and historically obliterated, defeated, from day one with overwhelming firepower,” he said. “You have a choice, as we loiter over the top of Tehran, about your future.” He added that Trump had made the objective clear: Iran would not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. “The President has made it clear that you will not have a nuclear weapon. The war department agrees, our job is to ensure that.” Hegseth signalled there would be no let-up just yet. “We are keeping our hand on that throttle as long and as hard as is necessary to ensure that the interests of the United States of America are achieved on that battlefield,” he said. “He has been very clear with us about what we need to accomplish… creating the conditions for them never to have a nuclear capability, and that is exactly what we are doing in a historic fashion.”

This news report focuses on the massive winter storm currently sweeping across much of the United States of America. The severe weather conditions have led to significant disruptions in power supplies and air travel, prompting several states to declare emergencies. According to the report, 'Washington, D.C. was blanketed with over 20 centimeters of snow in nearly 20 hours of snowfall' as the region grapples with the intense winter system. The capital is expected to remain snowbound for an extended period as temperatures are projected to plunge to minus 10 degrees Celsius. The visuals highlight the scale of the snowfall and the resulting impact on infrastructure and daily life across the country. The bulletin emphasizes the severity of the plummeting temperatures and the ongoing challenges faced by residents in the affected regions as the storm continues to impact the United States.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the high-profile interaction between top Indian business leaders and US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The delegation of prominent Indian corporate leaders, including Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekhar and Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, is set to discuss policy priorities and economic direction. A key point of concern remains the potential impact of US tariffs on India's service and software sectors. Geeta Mohan, Foreign Affairs Editor at India Today, notes that the message from Indian representatives will be that 'this harsh position of it is adversely impacting not just business but in the long run could impact the long-running businesses in the United States of America'. The programme highlights India's growing influence at the forum, marked by a unified 'India House' representing various states and a significant ministerial presence, as global leaders navigate a complex economic landscape defined by trade tensions.

On this edition of India Today Global, host Geeta Mohan reports on the escalating diplomatic tensions as US President Donald Trump threatens to impose tariffs on nations that oppose his goal of acquiring Greenland. Highlighting the strategic importance of the territory for national security and natural resources, Trump stated, 'I may put a tariff on countries if they don't go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security.' The report details the deployment of symbolic European troops to Nuuk by allies including Denmark and France to demonstrate NATO commitment to Arctic security. Former Trump advisor Dr. Waleed Phares joins the discussion to explore potential solutions, such as a long-term lease agreement. Additionally, the program covers the UN Security Council's emergency meeting on Iran protests, where US Ambassador Mike Walz affirmed that 'President Donald J. Trump and the United States of America stands by the brave people of Iran.' The bulletin also addresses India's engagement with the US over the Chabahar port sanctions waiver.

On this Special Report, Dr Ian Bremmer, President of the Eurasia Group, analyzes the global implications of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces. Speaking to India Today, Dr Bremmer characterizes the event as a symptom of a 'G-Zero world', where the United States is 'walking away from its own previous global order' in favour of 'America first policies'. He asserts that the US is 'embracing the law of the jungle' where it acts as the 'military apex predator'. While acknowledging Maduro's lack of democratic legitimacy, Dr Bremmer warns that such unilateral actions, including the newly announced 'Don Roe doctrine', may cause 'a lot of damage to America's role in the world' long-term. He argues that while this is a 'short term tactical win for Trump', it undermines the multilateral institutions like the UN and NATO. The interview also covers how these developments impact the strategic postures of Russia and China concerning Ukraine and Taiwan.

On this broadcast, the focus is on the reported US airstrikes on Venezuela and the extraction of Nicolas Maduro. The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement condemning the operation and demanding the release of Maduro and his wife. The programme explores the geopolitical implications, with speakers debating the balance between the US adherence to the rule of law and its actions abroad. One view suggests the US may have broken international law to enforce domestic statutes, while another argues the US acts in its supreme national interest within its sphere of influence, citing the Monroe Doctrine.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating, 'If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters... the United States of America will come to their rescue.'

Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy strongly condemned racist attacks against Second Lady Usha Vance during his speech at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest. Addressing the conservative movement, Ramaswamy denounced online commentator Nick Fuentes for using the derogatory term ‘jeet’ against the Vice President's wife. He stated, ‘If you call Usha Vance, the second lady of the United States of America, a jeet, you have no place in the future of the conservative movement.’ Ramaswamy also drew a red line against extremism, asserting that those who admire figures like Hitler have no place in the party. The bulletin notes that Vice President J.D. Vance also addressed the issue in an interview with UnHerd.

This special report covers the deportation of one of India's most wanted gangsters, Anmol Bishnoi, from the United States. Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is accused in several high-profile cases, including the murders of singer Sidhu Moosewala and NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, and the firing outside actor Salman Khan's residence. Speaking exclusively to India Today, Baba Siddiqui's son and former MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui stated, 'as of today, 18th November 2025. The federal government has removed the offender Anmol Vishnoy from the United States of America.' Zeeshan Siddiqui expressed hope that the deportation will lead to justice for his family and urged the government to interrogate Bishnoi to uncover the masterminds behind his father's murder.

This special report covers the deportation of one of India's most wanted gangsters, Anmol Bishnoi, from the United States. Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is a key operative in a transnational crime syndicate and is accused in several high-profile cases, including the murders of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui and singer Sidhu Moosewala, and a firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's residence. Speaking to India Today, Baba Siddiqui's son and former MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui stated, 'as of today, 18th November 2025, The federal government has removed the offender Anmol Vishnoy from the United States of America.' Zeeshan Siddiqui expressed hope for justice and urged the Indian government to ensure Bishnoi is extradited to face interrogation.

This special report focuses on the global concerns surrounding the United States' nuclear testing policy following a directive from President Donald Trump to resume testing on par with rival nations. In a significant clarification, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated, 'There are no plans for a nuclear explosion in the United States of America.' The US administration has elaborated that the upcoming trials are 'non-critical' or 'subcritical' experiments, designed to verify weapon systems and components without triggering a nuclear chain reaction. This bulletin examines President Trump's justification that nations like China, Russia, and Pakistan are conducting tests covertly, and questions whether this move could ignite a new and dangerous global nuclear arms race.

This special report focuses on the critical meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, analyzing the intense negotiations over trade tariffs, technology, and global influence. The discussion centres on US demands for curbs on fentanyl precursor chemicals, stable access to rare earth minerals, and the rules governing the export of advanced semiconductors like NVIDIA's Blackwell chip. According to commentator Gaurav Sawant, ‘China now sees itself as an equal world superpower, so, China would not want to appear to be weak in front of the United States of America and this is something that the world is watching very closely’. The programme explores whether the two leaders can find common ground on a potential tariff reduction deal or if the geopolitical rivalry will lead to further escalation, with the global economy hanging in the balance. The report also touches upon Trump's transactional approach to the issue of Taiwan.