India and the United States have formalized an agreement aimed at enhancing collaboration in cybercrime investigations, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This pact was signed just days before the Biden administration transitioned to the Trump administration.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was executed in Washington, D.C. on January 17, 2025, by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo, according to the MEA.

The agreement facilitates increased cooperation and training between the respective agencies of both nations concerning the use of cyber threat intelligence and digital forensics in criminal investigations.

In India, the implementation of the MoU falls under the purview of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) within the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alongside its agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Cyber Crimes Center (C3) of Homeland Security Investigations, will oversee its execution.

The MoU recognizes the complex relationship between cybercrime and the common security challenges shared by India and the U.S., which include terrorism, violent extremism, terror financing, drug trafficking, organized crime, human trafficking, illegal migration, money laundering, and transportation security.

By bolstering cooperation in cybercrime investigations, this agreement is expected to further strengthen security collaboration between India and the U.S., reinforcing their comprehensive global strategic partnership.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday claimed that its convenor and former Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, was attacked while he was campaigning for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

To substantiate this allegation, AAP released a video. The party accused the BJP and its candidate for the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Parvesh Verma, of orchestrating the attack out of fear of defeat in the elections.

“The goons of BJP candidate Pravesh Verma attacked Arvind Kejriwal with bricks and stones during his campaign, attempting to harm him and disrupt his efforts. BJP, Kejriwal ji will not be intimidated by your cowardly actions; the people of Delhi will respond appropriately,” stated the party.

Shortly after AAP’s accusations, Parvesh Verma shared a video alleging that Kejriwal’s convoy ran over two individuals during the campaign in New Delhi.

“While answering questions, Arvind Kejriwal hit two young men with his car. Both were taken to Lady Harding Hospital. In the face of impending defeat, he neglected the value of people’s lives. I am heading to the hospital,” the BJP leader said.

After arriving at the hospital, Parvesh Verma addressed reporters, stating, “They are injured and receiving treatment. All allegations made by Arvind Kejriwal are unfounded… The three individuals injured are residents of this assembly constituency, and they were struck by Arvind Kejriwal’s vehicle. He is simply afraid of losing…”

In a video released by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), several individuals can be seen waving black flags near Kejriwal’s convoy.

Parvesh Verma is competing against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Sandeep Dikshit from Congress in the New Delhi assembly constituency. Both candidates have submitted their nominations and expressed confidence in their respective parties’ chances of winning.

Reliance Industries’ subsidiary Jio Platforms has entered into a strategic partnership with Polygon Labs, aiming to make a significant impact in the blockchain and Web3 spheres in India. This collaboration is set to offer Jio’s vast user base access to innovative Web3 technologies, enhancing privacy and control over their data.

The buzz around ‘Jio Coin’ has intensified following the announcement, with numerous users and industry experts like Kashif Raza, CEO of Bitinning, speculating about its potential uses, including mobile recharges and payments at Reliance gas stations. Despite the widespread excitement and discussion on social platforms like Twitter, there has yet to be an official confirmation or details from Jio about Jio Coin’s specific applications.

This partnership marks Jio Platforms’ first venture into the digital asset space, aligning with Polygon Labs, renowned for its development capabilities in blockchain solutions. Together, they plan to integrate Web3 functionalities into Jio’s existing services, potentially transforming the way Jio’s 450+ million customers interact with digital technologies.

Reliance Industries’ technology arm and Polygon Labs aim to capitalize on this technology to develop new services that could redefine user engagement in digital ecosystems. With blockchain technology, smart contracts, and digital assets increasingly supporting the Web3 framework, Jio Platforms is poised to introduce a range of next-generation services to its users.

Kiran Thomas, CEO of JPL, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the opportunity to explore the vast possibilities of Web3 technology and deliver unprecedented digital experiences to their customers. As Jio Platforms steps into the blockchain realm with Polygon Labs, it underscores its commitment to maintaining a cutting-edge position in the technology sector.