Firstpost Editor's Picks: Sajjan Kumar surrenders, BSP puts pressure on Congress, Sheikh Hasina wins Bangladesh election; today's must-read stories

From putting China ties on even keel to getting crucial US waivers, Modi govt managed geopolitics with flair in 2018 India-US relations have been on a high right since the Nuclear Deal and were taken to the level of a developing strategic partnership by the Modi-Obama combine. Also, going by the extreme concerns over how low the India-China relations reached over Doklam in 2017, the energy shown in retrieving the relationship without embarrassment was a major achievement. BSP seeks withdrawal of cases filed during Bharat Bandh, threatens to withdraw support to Congress in MP, Rajasthan While asking the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to withdraw cases filed during the Bharat Bandh held earlier this year over the alleged “dilution” of SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, BSP said that if the Congress fails to do so then it would reconsider its decision to give outside support to the Congress in both states. Cop killings in UP: Yogi Adityanath’s macho posturing does little to address crisis of confidence in law and order machinery Law and order machinery in UP has always been subservient to political power and pelf, but its descent into chaos now seems complete. Adityanath has his work cut out in the New Year. Questions remain over his intent though. 1984 Anti-Sikh riots: Sajjan Kumar taken to Delhi’s Mandoli jail; former Congress leader had surrendered in Karkadooma Court Former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was brought to Mandoli jail after he surrendered before the Karkardooma court on Monday. Sheikh Hasina wins 3rd term as PM in Bangladesh: Pro-democracy icon turned iron lady, Awami League leader oversaw 10 years of economic growth To her supporters, Sheikh Hasina is Bangladesh’s “mother of humanity” for giving Rohingya refugees shelter, but to her detractors she’s a creeping autocrat who has jailed opponents and muzzled dissent.