At present, non-resident individuals must file an Indian tax return if their total income exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakh. (AI image)

India’s economic footprint extends far beyond its borders. Millions of Indians living abroad continue to hold property, investments, and financial interests back home. Foreign nationals and global investors, too, increasingly engage with Indian businesses. Yet, for all the cross-border activity, India’s tax system still places a disproportionately heavy compliance burden on those who qualify as non-residents under tax law.As Budget 2026 approaches, industry bodies, tax experts, and non-resident taxpayers are urging the government to rationalize the rules. Their central message is simple: when income is minimal, passive, or already subject to tax deducted at source (TDS), compliance should be simple and easy. Return Filing: An archaic requirementAt present, non-resident individuals must file an Indian tax return if their total income exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakh — even when every rupee of that income has already suffered TDS and there is no additional tax liability arising in India. This includes small interest earnings, or dividend income.Tax experts point out that this leads to return filings with no additional tax payable, clogging the system and adding cost and effort for taxpayers who may have no other financial connection to India.Recommendation: Perhaps Budget 2026 provisions could provide some leeway and exemption in filing a tax return, if no tax is required to be paid and the non-resident has no business income in India. Challenges relating to furnishing a Tax Residency Certificate A non-resident taxpayer can claim the benefit of a tax treaty, which often provides a lower tax rate — for instance, on dividend income from shares held in India. Under section 90(2) of the Income-tax Act, the provisions that are more favourable to the taxpayer prevail. Thus, if the treaty prescribes a lower rate than domestic law, the treaty rate applies.However, section 90(4) requires the taxpayer to furnish a Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) in order to access treaty benefits, regardless of the nature or quantum of income. When the amounts involved are very small, the requirement to obtain a TRC can create unnecessary hardship for both the non-resident recipient and the resident payer, as the process involves time and cost. Mahesh Nayak, tax partner at CNK & Associates points to several other challenges. “In addition, non-resident taxpayers must currently file Form 10F electronically on the e-filing portal to claim tax treaty relief. They are also required to provide a TRC from foreign tax authorities covering the entire financial year to establish residency in the other country. In practice, many foreign tax authorities do not issue TRCs certifying future residency. Further, in certain jurisdictions, obtaining a TRC involves incurring a significant cost to the individual taxpayer and hence, asking for multiple TRCs for recurring payments becomes a costly affair, he says.Nayak points out that submission of documents other than TRC to substantiate the tax residency of a particular jurisdiction (country) should be permitted. The objective of a TRC is only to determine that the taxpayer is a resident of a particular country and therefore, if one can substantiate the tax residency through some other document, it should suffice, as held by Tribunals. “For example, in the US, a citizen is considered as a tax resident. Therefore, in such a situation, if one can provide a copy of the passport, clearly demonstrating US citizenship, that should suffice the eligibility of the taxpayer to claim the benefit of the India – US tax treaty. Copies of the passport can also be used to help determine the number of days stay in a particular jurisdiction, which can help determine tax residency in jurisdictions which determine tax residency based on number of days stay in that particular year,” he explains. Recommendations:

Challenges relating to online furnishing of Form 10FIf the TRC provided by the tax authorities of the relevant jurisdiction does not contain all the information as required under the Indian tax rules, the non-resident is required to provide the said details in a declaration in Form 10F, which is to be furnished electronically. “There are practical challenges for a non-resident taxpayer, who does not have a PAN in India, to furnish Form 10F as at times, the OTP is not sent to the foreign mobile number of the taxpayer. This creates an unnecessary hassle for a mere filing of a declaration along with the TRC,” states Nayak. Recommendation:

Practical Pain PointsNon-residents must maintain a bank account in India to pay taxes and to receive tax refunds, even when they reside abroad and hold no other Indian assets. The final step in income-tax return filing — e-verification — is linked to Indian bank accounts, Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers, or certain digital signatures. Non-residents without Indian mobile numbers often struggle to complete filings within the stipulated deadline.Budget 2026 provides the perfect moment to modernize India’s approach — and to acknowledge that, for millions of global Indians and foreign nationals, “ease of compliance” is a reality.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Monday he was prepared to “take up arms” after US President Donald Trump threatened possible military action against the South American country.Trump warned Petro to “watch his ass” and described him as “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.” The two leaders have exchanged sharp remarks for months.

When asked directly whether the United States would carry out a military operation against Colombia, Trump replied, “It sounds good to me.”Trump’s comments followed a US operation in Venezuela days earlier, in which President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and transported to New York to face federal charges.Responding to the US President’s threats, Petro, Colombia’s first leftist leader and a former member of the M-19 guerrilla group issued a statement on X.“I swore not to touch a weapon again… but for the homeland I will take up arms again,” said Petro.After the operation, Trump had accused Petro, without providing evidence, of involvement in drug trafficking. Washington imposed financial sanctions on Petro and his family and removed Colombia from the list of countries certified as allies in the US war on drugs.In a lengthy message on X, Petro defended Colombia’s anti-narcotics strategy while warning against the dangers of excessive military force. “If you bomb even one of these groups without sufficient intelligence, you will kill many children. If you bomb peasants, thousands will turn into guerrillas in the mountains. And if you detain the president, whom a good part of my people love and respect, you will unleash the popular jaguar,” he wrote.Petro has been a vocal critic of the growing US military presence in the Caribbean. The deployment began with the bombing of alleged drug boats, later expanded to the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers, and culminated in Saturday’s raid on Caracas that led to Maduro’s detention.He also condemned the US operation in Venezuela, calling it an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America that could trigger a humanitarian crisis.The Trump administration maintains close ties with Colombia’s right-wing opposition, which is hoping to secure victories in legislative and presidential elections later this year.

As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, the global cricketing fraternity has been dissecting India‘s bold squad selection. While the return of Ishan Kishan and the shock omission of former vice-captain Shubman Gill grabbed the headlines, it is the exclusion of a veteran pace spearhead that has caught the attention of South African legend AB de Villiers. De Villiers, who shared a dressing room with many Indian stars at RCB, noted that while the squad is formidable, the absence of this ‘unlucky’ veteran highlights a significant shift in India’s tactical philosophy.

AB de Villiers calls it ‘unlucky’ for Indian pacer to miss the 15-member T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Speaking on his YouTube channel on January 5, 2026, De Villiers labeled Mohammed Siraj as one of the unluckiest players to miss out on India’s 15-member World Cup squad. Despite Siraj’s world-class performance in the recent Test series against England and a solid IPL 2025 season for the Gujarat Titans, the selectors opted for youth and batting depth in the form of Harshit Rana. De Villiers admitted that while Rana lacks international experience, his ability to ‘chip in with the bat’ gave him the edge as the third seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

“We see Siraj in the ODI squad, he is one of the unlucky guys to miss out. But that is once again down to the balance. You have got Bumrah and Arshdeep. Harshit [Rana] can hold the bat as well. So there are your three seamers. I think that is the reason why you went for Harshit because Siraj is only an outright bowler.” De Villiers said.

Also READ: 4 Australian players who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 but won’t play in 2026 edition

De Villiers explains India’s strategy for the T20 World Cup tournament

De Villiers further explained that India’s strategy for the 2026 tournament, hosted in India and Sri Lanka, has shifted away from a reliance on seam bowling. By selecting a spin-heavy unit featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar, the team management views the pacers’ role as secondary. De Villiers concluded that India has all bases covered, noting that even if a spearhead like Bumrah has a quiet night, the depth in the spin department and the presence of all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will allow India to maintain momentum.

“They do not want to focus too much on seam bowling. The focus is on the spinners. If they get wickets with the seamers upfront, they almost see it as a bonus in a way. So Siraj is unlucky but at least he is in the ODI plans moving forward for the 2027 World Cup.” De Villiers concluded.

Also READ: 8 South African players who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 but won’t play in 2026 edition

Mumbai’s captain Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav (PTI Photo)

Mumbai pulled off a tense seven-run win over Himachal Pradesh in a rain-curtailed Vijay Hazare Trophy clash at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur, with stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer and all-rounder Shivam Dube playing decisive roles. Leading the side in the absence of injured Shardul Thakur, Iyer produced a commanding 82 from 53 deliveries to rescue Mumbai from a tricky position. After early losses of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan left Mumbai at 55 for 2, Iyer steadied the innings alongside Musheer Khan. The pair added 82 runs off just 54 balls, keeping the momentum alive in the shortened 33-over contest, which was delayed due to dense fog.

Musheer’s fluent 73 off 51 balls laid a strong platform, following which Iyer combined with Suryakumar Yadav for a brisk 65-run stand off 39 balls. Iyer eventually fell in the 26th over, missing out on a century by 18 runs, having struck 10 fours and three sixes. Mumbai closed on a competitive 299 for 9. Himachal Pradesh began their chase aggressively but lost both openers for ducks, putting immediate pressure on the middle order. Pukhraj Mann counter-attacked with 64 off 41 balls, while wicketkeeper Ankush Bains added 53 from 39. Mayank Dagar’s 64 and Amanpreet Singh’s explosive 42 off 21 balls kept the contest alive, with Amit Kumar chipping in late. With 10 required from the final over, Shivam Dube held his nerve, removing the last two batters to finish with four wickets as Himachal were bowled out for 292 in 32.4 overs. Elsewhere, Hyderabad registered their first win of the season, crushing Bengal by 107 runs on the back of Aman Rao’s double hundred and Mohammed Siraj’s four-wicket haul, despite Shahbaz Ahmed’s fighting century. Punjab cruised past Goa in a chase of 212, with Harnoor Singh unbeaten on 94 and Naman Dhir contributing 68 in a decisive 131-run partnership. Karnataka dominated Rajasthan thanks to hundreds from Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal, while Gujarat dismantled Odisha by 233 runs. Kerala impressed with a successful chase led by Vishnu Vinod’s stunning 162, and Delhi sealed a comfortable win over Railways, powered by Priyansh Arya’s rapid 80.

Screenshot from video posted by Abhishek Banerjee

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday met Sunali Khatun, a day after she gave birth to her second child. She was brought back to India on the Supreme Court’s orders after being deported to Bangladesh on suspicion of being its citizen.Also Read | ‘Triumph of humanity’: Sunali, dumped in Bangladesh when pregnant, brought back to India after 6 months, gives birth to sonBanerjee said that at the woman’s request, he named the boy “Apon,” meaning “one’s own” in Bengali. Khatun is already the mother of another boy, who is eight years old and was brought back with her from Bangladesh.The Lok Sabha MP also drew parallels with the Mahabharata, saying that “Duryodhana and Dushasana”—a remark likely aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah—would face “democratic retribution” for inflicting “torture” and “humiliation” on a pregnant mother.“In the Mahabharata, the Kauravas met their downfall because of the grave sin of violating Draupadi’s dignity out of arrogance. The modern-day Duryodhana-Dushasana duo will face democratic retribution in Bengal for the unspeakable torture, insult, and humiliation inflicted upon a pregnant mother,” Banerjee posted on X, sharing a video of his meeting with Khatun in the hospital.Also Read | Kept saying we’re Indian, they didn’t listen: Sunali KhatunThe TMC leader, nephew of party supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, added that seeing the baby reminded him of the “sacred responsibility” public representatives have to defend the rights, honour, and dignity of citizens.“At Sunali’s request, I named the baby boy ‘Apon’ because no power on earth can make our own people feel like strangers. They are ours. They belong with us, among us, forever. I shall visit them again soon to ensure they receive every support they need,” he wrote.Banerjee announced on Monday that he would meet Khatun and her newborn.The woman and her elder son returned to India on December 5, nearly six months after being deported to Bangladesh on suspicion of being its national. Her husband, however, remains in the neighbouring country.The central government brought her back on “humanitarian grounds in view of her advanced pregnancy,” following the Supreme Court’s directive.

India has imported around 144 billion euros’ worth of crude oil from Russia since the start of the Ukraine war, making it the second-largest buyer after China, according to estimates by European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).According to news agency PTI, CREA said Russia has earned nearly 1 trillion euros from global fossil fuel sales since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. “As of January 2026, Russia has earned 1 trillion euros and counting from global fossil fuel sales since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” the think tank said, adding that these revenues continue to fund the war in Ukraine.China topped the list, buying fossil fuels worth 293.7 billion euros from Russia since February 2022, including 210.3 billion euros of oil, along with coal and gas. India followed as the second-largest buyer, importing fossil fuels worth 162.5 billion euros, including 143.88 billion euros of oil and 18.18 billion euros of coal, CREA said.The European Union spent 218.1 billion euros on Russian fossil fuels during the same period, including oil, coal and gas, despite sanctions imposed after the invasion. CREA noted that Russian oil has continued to flow into the EU, mainly to Hungary and Slovakia, and that products refined from Russian crude are still entering sanctioning countries.India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, sharply raised purchases of discounted Russian crude after Western nations cut back imports. Russia’s share in India’s crude basket rose from under 1 per cent before the war to nearly 40 per cent at its peak, PTI reported.However, Russia’s share has since fallen to below 25 per cent amid fresh US sanctions on major Russian oil exporters. India’s daily purchases of Russian oil from non-sanctioned entities dropped to around 72.92 million euros in early January from a peak of 189.07 million euros in July 2023, according to CREA.Reliance Industries, previously India’s biggest buyer of Russian crude, has said it does not expect to receive any Russian oil shipments in January, which could push India’s imports to a multi-year low amid tighter Western sanctions and trade-related pressures.

After one of its strongest rallies in decades, gold prices may take a breather in 2026, though the long-term outlook remains firmly bullish, analysts at ICICI Direct said on Tuesday.The report noted that US Federal Reserve rate cuts are expected in 2026, ongoing concerns over rising global debt, and questions over long-term Fed independence will continue to make gold an attractive hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty. “Concerns over Fed independence will be supportive. There are fears in the market that next Fed chair candidate would push for lower interest rate,” the report said, as per news agency ANI.ICICI Direct expects strong downside protection for the metal, with prices unlikely to fall below the $3,500-3,600 range even during a corrective phase. On the upside, gold could test $4,800-5,000 if macroeconomic risks intensify or the dollar weakens further.Gold surged over 60% in 2025, reaching record highs as US rate cuts, aggressive central bank buying, geopolitical tensions, and concerns about US fiscal stability drove investors toward safe-haven assets. The sharp rise has made the metal vulnerable to short-term profit-taking, though analysts do not expect a significant correction.“Any moderation is likely if geopolitical risks ease or global trade tensions cool. Progress toward peace between Russia and Ukraine or stabilisation in US trade policy could reduce the risk premium embedded in gold prices,” the report said.Structural support for gold remains strong, underpinned by sustained central bank purchases, which have averaged roughly 1,000 tonnes annually since 2022. Gold is now emerging as the world’s second-largest reserve asset after the US dollar. Additionally, inflation concerns, high government debt, and rising investment in ETFs are expected to continue supporting prices, along with potential weakness in the dollar.While prices may moderate in 2026, gold’s role as a hedge and safe-haven asset is expected to remain strong.

Speculation around actor Rajat Bedi being roped in as the villain of Krrish 4 had been doing the rounds since October 2025. However, the rumours have now been firmly put to rest by filmmaker Rakesh Roshan.When contacted by Hindustan Times, the veteran director dismissed the buzz, saying, “The news of Rajat Bedi acting in Krrish 4 is all false. There is no truth to any rumours.”

“There is no truth to any rumours”

The clarification comes amid renewed interest in Rajat Bedi, who made his acting comeback with The Ba***ds of Bollywood (2025). While the actor is currently in discussions with a couple of major studios for projects slated for 2026, his involvement in Krrish 4 is not on the cards, contrary to online speculation.Rajat Bedi, however, shares a long-standing association with the Roshan family. He previously played a grey-shaded role in Rakesh Roshan’s Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), the film that laid the foundation for the Krrish franchise.

“After 25 years, you are being launched as a director”

Meanwhile, Krrish 4 continues to generate buzz for a different reason. The upcoming instalment will mark Hrithik Roshan’s directorial debut. The earlier films in the superhero franchise were helmed by his father, Rakesh Roshan.Announcing the milestone in March 2025, Rakesh Roshan shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, writing, “Duggu, 25 yrs back I launched you as an actor, and today again after 25 years you are being launched as a director by two filmmakers Aditya Chopra and myself to take forward our most ambitious film #Krrish4. Wish you all the success in this new avatar with good wishes and blessings!”

Krrish 4 to go on floors in 2026

Currently in the pre-production stage, Krrish 4 is expected to go on floors in early 2026. Hrithik Roshan will reprise his iconic superhero role, while also steering the film as director for the first time, making the project one of the most anticipated releases in the franchise’s history.

Virat Kohli‘s superstardom has long transcended the boundaries of the cricket pitch, establishing him as a global icon whose reach rivals the world’s most elite athletes. While he remains a demigod in India, his influence abroad has seen a massive surge, making him one of the most followed and recognizable figures across the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.

Indian superstar Virat Kohli to join forces with Mr Beast?

This international fame was once again was on a show when on January 5, 2026, when the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber, Mr Beast (Jimmy Donaldson), made a public plea to collaborate with the Indian legend. During an exclusive interview with NDTV ahead of the global launch of Beast Games Season 2, Donaldson looked directly into the camera and said, “Hey Virat Kohli, I’m trying to film with you.”

This isn’t the first time the creator has reached out; he previously tweeted a similar request in early 2025, which went viral but remained unanswered. MrBeast highlighted that India is one of his largest and most passionate audience bases, and a crossover with Kohli, who has over 270 million Instagram followers, would likely break global viewership records. Fans are now eagerly watching to see if the ‘King’ of cricket will finally step into the world of high-stakes YouTube challenges.

MrBeast reacts to Indian fans and expresses his desire to collaborate with King Virat Kohli 🔥

pic.twitter.com/1yDXeXggfQ

— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) January 5, 2026

Mr Beast games Season 2 and the CarryMinati feature

The timing of MrBeast’s appeal coincides with his massive push into the Indian market through his Prime Video series, Beast Games. During the same interview, Donaldson officially confirmed that Indian YouTube icon CarryMinati (Ajey Nagar) will feature in the second season of the show. Set to premiere on January 7, 2026, Beast Games Season 2 will feature 200 contestants, split into 100 of the world’s strongest and 100 of the smartest minds, battling for a historic $5 million prize. By including CarryMinati, MrBeast is leveraging the localized ‘creator economy’ to ensure his show resonates with the millions of fans in the subcontinent. He noted that the new season has moved away from ‘random luck’ eliminations to more skill-based challenges, aiming to make the massive cash prize feel truly earned by the victor.

Also READ: Dwayne Bravo reveals his all-time T20 World XI; no place for Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers

Kohli’s domestic dominance and focus on New Zealand ODIs

While the digital world buzzes over a potential collaboration, Kohli’s immediate priority remains firmly on the cricket pitch as he prepares for India’s first international assignment of 2026. After a sensational stint in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi, where he silenced critics by smashing 131 against Andhra Pradesh and a quick-fire 77 against Gujarat, Kohli has opted out of the final domestic match against Railways to join the national squad. He will enter the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 in Vadodara, in red-hot form, having finished 2025 as India’s highest run-getter with 651 runs. Standing on the cusp of major career milestones, including becoming the quickest to 16,000 List A runs, Kohli appears more focused on extending his record-breaking streak than his YouTube debut.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition