Trump's appointment of Mike Waltz, India Caucus head and China critic, as National Security Advisor dominated morning coverage, signaling potential shifts in US-India relations. The development gained significance against ongoing border tensions with China.
By midday, reports confirmed completion of the first India-China coordinated patrol along LAC following October's disengagement agreement, marking a tactical shift in border management. Election coverage focused on Uddhav Thackeray's bag inspection controversy, with Election Commission clarifying similar checks were conducted on BJP leaders' helicopters.
DRDO's successful test of a long-range land attack cruise missile emerged in afternoon bulletins, while Mathura refinery explosion injured eight workers. Evening coverage centered on Jharkhand's first phase elections across 43 seats, as polls opened amid ED raids on multiple locations targeting alleged Bangladeshi infiltration networks.