NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday extended greetings to President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of India’s 77th Republic Day, describing New Delhi and Beijing as “good neighbours, friends and partners.” He also said that achieving the vision of the “dragon and the elephant dancing together” is the right choice for both countries.In his message, Xi said India-China relations have continued to improve and develop, aligning with the fundamental interests of both countries and their people. He added that the relationship also carried significant implications for global peace and prosperity. According to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, he stressed that Beijing has consistently believed that being good neighbours, friends and partners who help each other succeed is the correct path for the two Asian giants.Xi also expressed hope that both sides would adhere to the consensus that China and India are “partners for cooperation and opportunities for development,” strengthen strategic communication, expand exchanges and cooperation, address each other’s concerns and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.Highlighting Xi’s message, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong shared a post on X, reiterating Beijing’s position on ties with New Delhi. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The message comes amid a gradual improvement in ties between the two countries, which had stalled following the eastern Ladakh military standoff in 2020. Relations began to revive after PM Modi and President Xi held two meetings first in Kazan in 2024, and later in Tianjin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in August last year. During their August meeting, the two leaders agreed to deepen bilateral ties, tackle pressing challenges and work towards a “fair” solution to the long-standing border issue.In recent months, India and China have taken a series of steps to normalise relations after ending the more than four-year military face-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. These include resumption of direct flights in October, agreement to restart the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and visa facilitation. India also resumed granting tourist visas to Chinese nationals in July, reversing a suspension imposed after the 2020 standoff.Earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Sun Haiyan, vice minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, to review the positive momentum in bilateral relations. The ministry of external affairs said that the discussions focused on advancing ties through enhanced people-to-people exchanges while addressing sensitive issues. Separately, a Chinese Communist Party delegation also held courtesy meetings with leaders of the RSS and the BJP as part of routine exchanges, news agency ANI reported.

In a stunning display of T20 prowess, Team India scripted history by chasing down a target with a whopping 60 balls remaining against New Zealand in Guwahati on Sunday, January 26. This feat now tops the charts for the top 4 chases of 150+ runs in T20Is with the most balls spare, underscoring India’s dominance in the shortest format.

The contest in Guwahati not only boosted India’s campaign in the ongoing five-match series but also etched their name in the record books. As T20 cricket evolves with high-scoring games, such chases highlight teams’ ability to accelerate under pressure.

Winning with most balls remaining while chasing 150+ runs

1) India’s epic 60-ball chase vs New Zealand in Guwahati, January 2026

Team India pulled off the 164-run chase against New Zealand in just 10 overs. Opting to field first, India’s bowlers restricted New Zealand to 153 for 9, setting the stage for a demolition.

Opener Abhishek Sharma, No. 3 Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav unleashed fury, racing to a 94 runs inside the powerplay. Abhishek smashed a quickfire fifty, while Ishan departed for 28 (13) after playing some elegant strokes. However, firepower from Abhishek and Suryakumar ensured the target tumbled in just 10 overs. This record chase left Kiwi bowlers shell-shocked, with the Eden Gardens-like roar in Guwahati echoing India’s supremacy in T20 internationals.

2) West Indies’ thunderous 37-ball victory over South Africa in Kingston, 2024

In a Caribbean carnival, the West Indies chased 163 runs against South Africa with 37 balls remaining, securing a famous win. South Africa’s modest total was no match for Johnson Charles and Brandon King.

Hosted at Sabina Park, this match showcased WI’s home dominance. King anchored with boundaries galore, while Charles six-hitting frenzy sealed it. This chase from the Men in Maroon highlights their power-hitting legacy in T20 cricket.

3) England’s clinical 33-ball romp against Pakistan in Lahore, 2022

England chased 170 runs against Pakistan with 33 balls to spare, powered by Phil Salt’s unbeaten 88. Salt received support from Akex Hales, Dawid Malan and Ben Duckett during his 41-ball knock.

This chase during the 7-match series exemplified England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ blueprint even in T20s. Salt’s fearless approach set the tone, making it one of the fastest T20I chases in terms of balls remaining.

Also READ: From Abhishek Sharma to Yuvraj Singh – Top 5 fastest T20I fifties against full member teams

4) South Africa’s 32-ball chase vs England in Johannesburg, 2016

South Africa stunned England with a 32-ball remaining triumph at the Wanderers in February 2016. AB de Villiers’ explosive start and Hashim Amla’s wizardry dismantled the 172-run target set by the Englishmen.

This chase is etched in Proteas lore, blending flair and precision. It set early standards for record T20I victories in terms of balls remaining.

Also READ: Who is the best batter of this decade? Ravichandran Ashwin unveils his finest choice

Days after UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to New Delhi, Abu Dhabi has reportedly abandoned its deal with Pakistan for the management and operations of Islamabad International Airport.According to a report by Pakistan daily Express Tribune, the plan was shelved after the UAE failed to identify a local partner to whom airport operations could be outsourced, despite showing initial interest.

Citing sources, the report said the deadlock between the two countries emerged due to repeated delays by the UAE, following which it eventually lost interest in the process.“The Pakistani side had sought a clear response from the UAE by sending a final call letter. In response, the UAE conveyed that it was still unable to confirm any nominated entity,” sources told Express Tribune.Although the collapse of the deal was not attributed to political reasons, it comes amid a standoff between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over support to rival groups in Yemen.Pakistan’s souring ties with UAEInterestingly, Pakistan has entered into a defence deal with Riyadh and is seeking to form what has been described as an “Islamic NATO” with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.In September 2025, Saudi Arabia signed a defence agreement with Pakistan that considers an attack on one as aggression against both.The UAE had been among Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a key source of remittances, with thousands of Pakistanis working across various sectors. However, relations between the two countries have cooled due to safety concerns, licensing controversies and ageing infrastructure in Pakistan.New Delhi–Abu Dhabi tiesMeanwhile, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed visited New Delhi earlier this month and held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Several agreements were signed during the visit in the fields of defence, space, energy, supercomputing and food safety. Prime Minister Modi and Mohamed bin Zayed also reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and agreed that the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has not only matured but is now entering a more ambitious and multidimensional phase.Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said agreements were signed in the areas of strategic defence partnership, joint initiatives on space infrastructure development and commercialisation, and the UAE’s participation in the development of a special investment region in Dholera, Gujarat.

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NEW DELHI: European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday, a successful India makes the world “more stable, prosperous and secure,” after attending India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, a day ahead of the India–EU summit.Von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa attended the Republic Day parade as chief guests, marking the first time that two top European Union leaders jointly graced India’s Republic Day celebrations.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations. A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit,” von der Leyen said in a X post after the ceremony.President Droupadi Murmu unfurled the national flag as the parade unfolded along Kartavya Path, showcasing India’s military strength, indigenous defence capabilities and cultural heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh, senior cabinet ministers, the country’s top military leadership, foreign diplomats and senior officials were among those present.From military prowess to cultural richness: India’s 77th Republic Day parade in picsA European Union military contingent, led by Colonel Frederik Simon Spruijt, also took part in the parade.Von der Leyen and Costa, on a state visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, are scheduled to hold summit level talks with PM Modi on Tuesday, with discussions expected to focus on trade, security and strategic cooperation.India traditionally invites foreign leaders as chief guests for its Republic Day celebrations. Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest last year, while French president Emmanuel Macron attended in 2024 and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in 2023. There were no chief guests in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.In recent years, the parade has also been attended by leaders including former US President Barack Obama, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries.

Workers raise a pole bearing the Indian national flag as police personnel look on during rehearsals for the Republic Day Parade, near the India Gate, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: As the country marked its 77th Republic Day, members of the sports fraternity shared messages on social media, highlighting the importance of the Constitution, unity, and national duty.International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah, former India captain Rohit Sharma, Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and several other sportspersons posted Republic Day greetings on platforms such as X and Instagram.Jay Shah shared a message on Instagram, saying, “Happy Republic Day! Let us celebrate the constitution that shapes India towards a stronger and more resilient nation.”India men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir posted on X, “We have one Constitution. We should also have just one identity – INDIAN! #HappyRepublicDay.”Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker expressed her thoughts on Instagram, writing, “Proud to represent my country today and every day. Jai Hind. Happy Republic Day.”Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan also took to X to post, “Dil se Hindustani. Happy Republic Day.”India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav marked the day on Instagram, stating, “77 years of a nation guided by its Constitution. Happy Republic Day.”The All India Football Federation (AIFF) shared a message on X that read, “Happy 77th Republic Day from the #IndianFootball family!”Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh posted a message on Instagram Story, saying, “My pride for Mother India comes from knowing what our country has given me and from reminding myself every day to give something back to our great nation. May we all carry this sense of pride forward and contribute to nation-building in our own unique ways. Jai Hind. #HappyRepublicDay.”The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also posted on X, “Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Republic Day.”Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted the occasion on X, writing, “Happy Republic Day! Let us honour our Constitution and the sacrifices of our heroes. Proud to be an Indian. Jai Hind!”Hockey India extended its wishes on X with the message, “Rooted in tradition, driven by excellence, united as one nation. Happy Republic Day to all!”Former India cricketer Suresh Raina shared his greetings on Instagram, posting, “Happy Republic Day.”India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also posted on X, “Happy Republic Day to all.”Former India opener Virender Sehwag marked the day by sharing a photo of children saluting the national flag on X. He wrote, “There is an intoxication in the pride of our Tricolour. There is a thrill in the honour of our Motherland. We will unfurl this flag everywhere with dignity, for this pride is the pride of Hindustan itself. Warm wishes to everyone on the occasion of Republic Day!”

India’s benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty have slipped more than 4% so far in January, dragged down by sustained foreign fund outflows, a weakening rupee, muted corporate earnings, geopolitical tensions and renewed tariff concerns, according to market data.The 30-share BSE Sensex has fallen 3,682.9 points, or 4.32%, during the month, while the 50-share NSE Nifty has dropped 1,080.95 points, or 4.13%, PTI reported.“Historically, similar pre-Budget trends in January have witnessed a sharp fall followed by a recovery post-Republic Day leading up to the Budget; market participants will be hoping for a similar reversal this time,” Santosh Meena, Head of Research at Swastika Investmart Ltd, said.January has traditionally been weak for equities. In January 2025, the Sensex had declined 638.44 points, or 0.81%, and the benchmark had also ended lower in January 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020.“So far in January 2026, both the Sensex and the Nifty have declined by over 4%, with geopolitical uncertainties and fresh tariff concerns exerting a cascading impact on domestic equities. The global risk-off environment has prompted aggressive selling by foreign portfolio investors during the month. This has added pressure on the rupee, which has slipped to record lows,” said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.The rupee hit a historic low of 92 against the US dollar on January 23 and has weakened by over 2% so far this month. Elevated crude oil prices and rising global bond yields have further fuelled risk aversion, keeping investors cautious amid an uncertain global macro and geopolitical backdrop, Ponmudi added.“Earnings disappointments from select heavyweight stocks across sectors, including IT, banking and consumption-linked segments, have further dampened investor optimism, leading to a disappointing start to the year,” he said.According to Axis Securities, with global uncertainty, domestic growth resilience and fiscal discipline all in play, the Union Budget 2026-27 is expected to strike a balance between growth support and macro stability. “Markets are likely to favour a Budget that sustains growth without compromising medium-term fiscal consolidation,” the report said.Last week alone, the Sensex declined 2,032.65 points, or 2.43%, while the Nifty fell 645.7 points, or 2.51%.“The decline in domestic equities can be attributed to a combination of persistent global and domestic headwinds. On the domestic front, underwhelming and cautious Q3 earnings commentary from several corporates emerged as a key trigger,” said Ravi Singh, Chief Research Officer at Master Capital Services Ltd. He added that renewed trade concerns involving the US and Europe and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have kept global markets on edge.Sudeep Shah, Head of Technical & Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, said geopolitical developments may influence near-term market moves, but earnings trends and domestic macro conditions will drive follow-through.VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Ltd, said FPIs not only continued selling in the week ended January 23 but also stepped up the pace. “Sentiments remained very weak due to sustained rupee depreciation, lack of finality on a US-India trade deal and unimpressive Q3 results so far, which are not indicating any pick-up in corporate earnings,” he said.

NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer will continue to be with India T20I team for the remaining two T20Is vs New Zealand as Tilak Varma’s return to competitive cricket has been delayed. Iyer was initially picked for only the first three games but will now continue to be with the side for the remainder of the series.TimesofIndia.com has learnt that while Tilak is pain free and on track to regain necessary clearances, the BCCI Centre of Excellence doesn’t want to take any chance with the youngster before the T20 World Cup.

“He is pain free at the moment and making very good progress but the CoE wants him to be completely ready before giving him the green signal for the World Cup. The initial plan was to have him on the park for the fourth T20I. He could still be available for the final game but could well play from the preparation games in Mumbai,” a BCCI official tells TimesofIndia.com.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Tilak was playing competitive cricket before he got injured so there is no issue in that. The selectors will only proceed when they get the RTP from CoE. There will be no chances taken for any player and that’s why there is some delay in the initial timelines,” adds the official.The team management doesn’t want to take any chances with the World Cup squad and wants to have backups ready. “India batter Tilak Varma has resumed physical training and is making steady progress with his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. However, he will require additional time to regain full match fitness and will not be available for the final two T20Is of the ongoing five-match T20I series,” BCCI said in a press release. “Tilak will link up with the squad in Mumbai once he has regained full match fitness on 3rd February, ahead of India’s warm-up match for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Men’s Selection Committee has recommended that Shreyas Iyer will continue as Tilak Varma’s replacement for the remaining matches.”Iyer didn’t play the first three games vs New Zealand and with delay in Tilak’s return, it will be interesting to see whether the right-hander will be tried in the remaining two games.

Ishan Kishan got the nod ahead of Iyer at No.3 and the left-hander repaid the management’s faith with a whirlwind knock in the second game and backed up with an attacking cameo in the third T20I in Guwahati on Sunday. Apart from Sanju Samson, India’s batting is on firing on all cylinders as captain Suryakumar Yadav too has regained form with two back-to-back half-centuries in the ongoing series.India are in red-hot form in the format and the think-tank now wants to ensure there are no injury-related headaches before getting their World Cup preps underway in Mumbai, where they play the tournament opener vs USA.

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Stock market recommendations: According to Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities, the top stock picks for the Budget week week are Hindustan Unilever, and Ashok Leyland. Here’s his view on Nifty, Bank Nifty for the Budget 2026 trading week starting January 27, 2026:Nifty View:From its all-time high, the benchmark index Nifty has undergone a sharp correction of over 5% within just 11 trading sessions, marking one of the steepest declines in recent times. While the index found interim support near the 24,900 level last Wednesday and attempted a modest pullback, the rebound lacked follow-through, and selling pressure resurfaced on Friday, pushing the index lower once again.The ongoing correction has been largely led by sustained weakness in index heavyweight stocks. On a month-to-date basis, Reliance Industries has declined nearly 12%, HDFC Bank is down 7.58%, ITC has corrected sharply by around 20%, L&T has slipped 8.32%, and Bharti Airtel has lost close to 6%, highlighting broad-based selling across frontline counters.Technically, the damage has deepened as the index slipped below its 200-day EMA for the first time since April 2025. On the weekly chart, Nifty has formed a sizeable bearish candle, reflecting strong distribution. Momentum indicators continue to signal weakness, with the weekly RSI hovering near 45—its lowest level since April 2025—and trading below its 9-week average, reinforcing the prevailing bearish bias.The correction is even more pronounced in the broader market. Both the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 have witnessed sharp declines over the past week. Notably, the Nifty Midcap 100 has broken below its 200-day EMA, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 is currently trading more than 7% below its 200-day EMA, underscoring strong bearish momentum across the broader space.Looking ahead, the 25,400–25,450 zone is expected to act as a key resistance for Nifty. As long as the index remains below 25,450, the risk of further downside cannot be ruled out. On the downside, immediate support is placed near 24,800, followed by 24,600 in the near term.Bank Nifty ViewThe banking benchmark index, Bank Nifty, which had been an outperformer over the past few weeks, witnessed notable selling pressure during the previous week. The index declined by over 2.5% and formed a large bearish candle on the weekly chart, signalling a clear shift in momentum and the emergence of supply at higher levels.From a trend perspective, Bank Nifty has slipped below its 50-day EMA for the first time since October 2025, indicating a weakening of the short-term trend. This breakdown marks a loss of leadership from the banking space, which had until recently been supporting the broader market.Momentum indicators further reinforce the bearish bias. The daily RSI has moved below the 40 mark for the first time since September 2025, reflecting rising downside momentum and deteriorating sentiment. Additionally, the –DI continues to remain well above the +DI, suggesting sellers maintain firm control. The rising ADX points to a strengthening of the prevailing negative trend rather than a mere corrective phase.Going forward, the 100-day EMA zone near 58,200–58,100 is expected to act as the immediate support area.A decisive and sustained breakdown below 58,100 could accelerate the correction toward 57,500, followed by 57,000 in the near term. On the upside, the 20-day EMA band of 59,300–59,400 is likely to act as a key resistance zone, and only a sustained move above this region would indicate a potential trend reversal or recovery.

Stock recommendations

Hindustan UnileverHindustan Unilever has been consolidating in the 2439–2341 range since 6th January, indicating a healthy pause after a strong pullback from the lows of 2245, made on 12th December. Despite the sideways action, the stock trades above its short- and long-term moving averages. The RSI is nearing the 60 level, while the MACD remains above both the signal and zero line. The ADX has started to rise steadily indicating strengthening bullish momentum. Indicator’s placement suggests that the stock is well-positioned for an upside breakout. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 2420-2410 with a stoploss of 2340. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 2585 in the short term.Ashok LeylandAshok Leyland has witnessed a breakout above its previous swing high of 192, recorded on 5th January, signalling a resumption of the uptrend. Although the stock briefly slipped below its 20-day EMA earlier in the week, it swiftly reclaimed the level and pushed higher, highlighting strong buying interest at lower levels. The stock’s ability to sustain above its short-term moving average confirms that the near-term trend remains intact. Momentum has accelerated, with the RSI surging from 54 to 68 in just three sessions, reflecting strong bullish strength. Additionally, the stock has closed above the upper Bollinger Band, suggesting continued outperformance and potential for further upside in the coming sessions. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 194-192 with a stoploss of 186. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 210 in the short term.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)