India’s reaction to Russia’s Ukraine action: At an emergency meeting called by the UNSC on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, India said the immediate priority was de-escalation; The meeting came after Russia's President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine; India refused to take a stance on the issue of Russia’s disregard for Ukraine’s sovereignty itself

Crude oil prices rise: International crude oil prices hits highest since 2014 on Russia-Ukraine escalation; however, expect no increases in petrol and diesel prices until UP and other state election results are announced in March

Government rattled over democracy index rankings: After ‘downgrade’ last year, Ministry of External Affairs sent Lok Sabha Speaker’s office talking points on democracy, ‘the Indian way’, to defend its image; the move raises questions of Constitutional propriety

From gau raksha to cow menace: In the midst of elections in UP, Modi promises to solve stray cattle menace; This has become an election issue; Farmers used to sell old cattle to traders; Gau rakshaks and UP government closed this trade; Unable to afford these cattle, farmers abandoned them, leading to an explosion of stray cows on UP roads

Third vaccine for children approved: Corbevax becomes third Covid vaccine to be approved for children in India