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Category: Government of India

  • PM Modi, UAE President discuss bilateral ties, review progress across sectors in telephonic conversation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday discussed ways to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

    In a telephonic conversation, the two leaders reviewed the progress made in bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to further deepen engagement across key sectors. They underscored the growing collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, energy, digital infrastructure, and people-to-people ties.

    Prime Minister Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed also expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of the relationship and agreed to continue working closely to expand cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.

    During the call, Sheikh Mohamed congratulated PM Modi on becoming the second longest-serving Prime Minister in India’s history and conveyed his best wishes for continued success in his leadership.

    The Prime Minister thanked the UAE President for his warm wishes and the affection expressed for the people of India.

    India and the UAE have significantly expanded their bilateral relationship in recent years, with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017, serving as a key framework for cooperation across multiple sectors.

  • Death toll rises in China’s north following extreme rain, state media says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Extreme weather killed at least eight people in the city of Chengde just outside the Chinese capital Beijing, with 18 still unaccounted for, as heavy rainfall pounded the hilly region over the past week.

    The deaths occurred in villages within the Xinglong area of Chengde in Hebei province, state-run Xinhua reported late on Wednesday citing local authorities, without specifying when or how the people died.

    Work is still underway to locate those missing, Xinhua said.

    Set against mountainous terrain, Chengde was known as a resort town for Qing dynasty emperors to escape Beijing’s heat in the summer centuries ago.

    Extreme rains that began last Wednesday have lashed Beijing and surrounding regions, pouring a year’s worth of rain in less than a week in some areas and killing at least 30 in the outskirts of the capital. Twenty eight of those deaths occurred in hilly Miyun district.

    The deaths in Chengde occurred in villages which border Miyun and sit about 25 km (16 miles) away from the Miyun reservoir, the largest in China’s north.

    The reservoir saw record-breaking inflow and outflow of water, and overall water level and capacity during this round of rainfall which devastated nearby towns.

    At its peak on Sunday, up to 6,550 cubic metres of water – about 2.5 Olympic-sized pools – flooded into the reservoir every second, pushing its capacity to a record high of 3.63 billion cubic metres since it was built in 1960.

    The villages where eight have died sit on higher elevations in a valley, upstream of the Miyun reservoir.

    In another village to the north of the reservoir, a landslide on Monday killed eight people while four remained missing.

    Extreme rainfall and severe flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, increasingly pose major challenges for Chinese policymakers, with officials partially attributing a slowdown in factory activities to heavy rains and flooding.

    (Reuters)

  • London’s Heathrow hit by more flight cancellations after air traffic failure

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At least 16 flights to and from London’s Heathrow Airport were cancelled on Thursday, a day after technical problems with Britain’s air traffic control system caused widespread disruption across the country’s airports.

    National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which provides air traffic control services for planes flying in UK airspace and the eastern part of the North Atlantic, said on Wednesday its systems were fully operational with capacity returning to normal after it switched to a back-up system.

    The second outage in as many years at NATS also affected Gatwick Airport near London, Edinburgh Airport in Scotland and other locations, resulting in 122 cancellations as of 1830 GMT on Wednesday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

    Heathrow’s website showed that at least 16 flights, including departures to Brussels and Toronto and arrivals from New York and Berlin, had been cancelled on Thursday.

    Heathrow, Britain’s largest and Europe’s busiest airport, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the latest cancellations.

    Ryanair Chief Operating Officer Neal McMahon called on NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign, saying no lessons had been learnt since the August 2023 disruption caused by a malfunctioning in the automatic processing of flight plans.

    NATS, which on Wednesday apologised to those affected by the failure, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a response to McMahon’s comments.

    Heathrow was also hit by a fire at a power sub-station in March which stranded thousands of passengers.

    (Reuters)

  • At least 60 dead in north China following extreme rain, authorities say

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Extreme weather killed at least 60 people in northern China over the past week, with 31 deaths in an elderly care home in Beijing’s hilly Miyun district in one of the deadliest floods to have hit the Chinese capital in years.

    In Beijing, 44 people were killed and nine were missing as of midday Thursday, deputy mayor of Beijing, Xia Linmao, said at a press conference.

    Heavy rains began a week ago and peaked around Beijing and surrounding provinces on Monday, with Miyun experiencing rainfall of up to 573.5 mm (22.6 inches) – levels local media described as “extremely destructive.” The average annual rainfall in Beijing is around 600 mm.

    In the nearby province of Hebei, 16 people died as a result of the intense rainfall, authorities said.

    At least eight were killed in the city of Chengde just outside Beijing, with 18 unaccounted for.

    The deaths occurred in villages within the Xinglong area of Chengde in Hebei province, state-run Xinhua reported late on Wednesday citing local authorities, without specifying when or how the people died.

    The deaths in Chengde occurred in villages which border Beijing’s Miyun about 25 km (16 miles) from the Miyun reservoir, the largest in China’s north.

    The reservoir saw record-breaking overall water levels and capacity during the rains which devastated nearby towns.

    At its peak on Sunday, up to 6,550 cubic metres of water – about 2.5 Olympic-sized pools’ worth – flooded into the reservoir every second.

    In another Hebei village north of the reservoir, a landslide on Monday killed eight people, with four missing.

    Extreme rainfall and severe flooding, which meteorologists link to climate change, pose major challenges for Chinese policymakers, with officials partially attributing a slowdown in factory activity to such events.

    (Reuters)

  • Flood threat in Rajasthan’s Dholpur as Chambal river swells; Army called in, Officials’ leave cancelled

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A flood threat looms over rural areas in Rajasthan’s Dholpur district after heavy rainfall in the Hadoti region and nearby areas led to the release of nearly 5 lakh cusecs of water into the Chambal River – from both Kota Barrage and later the Navnera Barrage.

    The Chambal’s water level surged to 141.10 metres by 10 PM on Wednesday, significantly breaching the danger mark of 131.79 metres, according to the Water Resources Department. The old Chambal bridge has submerged due to the rising water, prompting the district administration to request Army assistance. Troops are expected to reach Dholpur today.

    Floodwaters have begun entering villages in the Sarmathura and Rajakheda subdivisions, sharply increasing the risk to life and property. In response, the leave of all government officers and employees has been cancelled to ensure coordinated relief efforts.

    Despite the flooding of the old bridge, traffic on National Highway 44 remains unaffected, as vehicles are being rerouted via the new Chambal bridge.

    Dholpur SP Vikas Sangwan and District Collector Nidhi B.T. are closely monitoring the situation and conducting visits to the affected areas. Army personnel will assist in relief and rescue operations, particularly in flood-prone zones like Rajakheda.

    Meanwhile, Director of the Meteorological Center, Jaipur, Radheshyam Sharma, said that the low-pressure system, a remnant of the Bay of Bengal depression, is expected to weaken from August 2. However, due to the monsoon trough line currently passing through Bikaner and Sikar, heavy rainfall is still likely in parts of Rajasthan on Thursday. A reduction in rainfall activity is anticipated from August 1.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma conducted a detailed inspection of rain-affected areas in Jaipur, spending over two-and-a-half hours reviewing the situation.

    He visited B-2 Bypass Road, Sanganer, Sumer Nagar, Surajmal Circle, Muhana Mandi, and Chauradia Petrol Pump, issuing immediate instructions to address waterlogging, damaged roads, potholes, and drainage issues.

    The Chief Minister also inspected the Dravyavati River near B-2 Bypass Road and directed officials to prune overgrown trees and repair damaged ferro drain covers.

    At the Sanganer camp office, he reviewed the status of waterlogged areas across the city. Later, at the Muhana Mandi intersection, he gave instructions for the construction of a traffic circle and urgent road repairs at Maharaja Surajmal Circle and Kesar Nagar intersection.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Tata Motors announces euro 3.8 billion acquisition of Iveco Group

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Tata Motors Limited has announced plans to acquire Iveco Group N.V., a leading European commercial vehicle and mobility company, through an all-cash voluntary tender offer valued at approximately €3.8 billion.

    The proposed acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and the successful separation of Iveco’s defence business. The deal aims to create a powerful global player in the commercial vehicle industry, combining complementary capabilities, a broader market presence, and a shared commitment to sustainable mobility.

    Under the terms of the deal, Tata Motors will acquire all issued common shares of Iveco Group—excluding its defence division—at €14.1 per share in cash. Completion of the transaction is conditional upon the separation of the defence business, which is expected to be finalised by March 31, 2026.

    The offer represents a 22–25% premium over Iveco’s average share price in the three months ending July 17, 2025. Factoring in the estimated €5.5–€6.0 per share extraordinary dividend from the defence division’s sale, the premium could increase to 34–41%.

    The merger will combine Tata Motors’ commercial vehicle division with Iveco’s operations, bringing together annual sales of approximately 540,000 units and revenues of €22 billion (INR 2.2 lakh crore). The combined revenue base will be spread across Europe (50%), India (35%), and the Americas (15%).

    “This is a logical next step following the demerger of Tata Motors’ Commercial Vehicle business,” said Tata Motors Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran. “It will allow the combined group to compete globally with two strategic home markets in India and Europe.”

    Olof Persson, CEO of Iveco Group, said the partnership with Tata Motors would strengthen industrial capabilities, accelerate innovation in zero-emission transport, and expand the company’s presence in key global markets.

    Tata Motors has secured full financing for the acquisition through a consortium led by Morgan Stanley and MUFG Bank. Clifford Chance, PwC, and Kearney are advising Tata Motors, while Goldman Sachs and law firms De Brauw and PedersoliGattai are advising Iveco Group.

    — ANI

  • Centre constructs 16,207 km of highways, sanctions ₹69,342 crore for railway projects in Northeast

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Central Government has constructed 16,207 km of National Highways and sanctioned ₹69,342 crore for railway projects to bolster infrastructure and accelerate economic development in the Northeastern Region (NER), the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

    Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar told the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of Railways has approved 12 railway projects – including 8 new lines and 4 doubling projects – spanning a total length of 777 km, either partially or fully within the NER. Of this, 278 km have already been commissioned, and ₹41,676 crore has been expended up to March 2025.

    Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the government has sanctioned 17,637 road works covering 89,436 km and 2,398 bridges in the Northeast. Out of these, 16,469 road works (80,933 km) and 2,108 bridges have been completed, the Minister added.

    To enhance digital connectivity in remote and rural areas of the Northeast, several initiatives have been undertaken with support from the Digital Bharat Nidhi. As many as 6,355 Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready under the BharatNet project. In addition, 3,297 mobile towers have been commissioned in the region under various government-funded mobile connectivity schemes.

    The Ministry of Civil Aviation, through the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, has significantly improved regional air connectivity by operationalising 90 routes in the Northeast. These routes connect 12 airports and heliports across the region, aiming to make air travel more accessible and affordable for the masses.

    Further, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is providing financial assistance to all eight Northeastern states for developmental projects related to infrastructure, connectivity, and communication, under five Central Sector Schemes.

    A key initiative in this regard is the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE). This 100% centrally funded scheme, launched with a total outlay of ₹6,600 crore, is scheduled to run from 2022–23 to 2025–26. The scheme focuses on funding infrastructure projects in line with PM GatiShakti, supporting social development, and promoting livelihood opportunities for youth and women, while addressing developmental gaps in critical sectors.

    The DoNER Ministry is also providing financial support to boost tourism development across the eight Northeastern states through its various Central Sector Schemes.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Govt consistently increased budget allocation for science and research in last five years: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The government has consistently increased the budget allocation for science and research, with the highest allocation made in FY 2025-26 over the last five years, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh informed Parliament on Thursday.

    In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said that “more than ₹65,307 crore has been allocated to six scientific agencies for research in FY 2025-26.” In comparison, ₹41,581.96 crore was allocated for science and research in 2024-25, and ₹39,843 crore in 2023-24.

    In 2022-23, the government allocated ₹37,828 crore, while ₹37,823 crore was allocated in 2021-22.

    The six major scientific agencies/departments are the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research/Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR/CSIR), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Department of Space (DoS), the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

    “DST received the highest allocation of ₹28,508.90 crore in FY 2025-26, followed by DoS with ₹13,416.20 crore,” Singh said. These agencies have received their highest allocations this year since FY 2021-22.

    Additionally, the Minister informed that the government has been implementing several fellowships offering direct benefits to young scientists and researchers.

    Some of the key schemes include the INSPIRE Fellowship, INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)-PhD, WISE-Post Doctoral Fellowship (PDF), and the Scheme for Young Scientists and Technologists (SYST).

    To provide high-level strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the country, the government has established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) through the ANRF Act of 2023, Singh added.

    Under the Act, special provisions have been made to encourage public sector enterprises as well as private sector entities to invest in ANRF-led initiatives.

    Recently, the government launched the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme with a financial outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over five years. This DST-led scheme aims to promote private sector participation in sunrise sectors, thereby driving growth and innovation.

    Singh also informed the House about the steps taken by the government to enhance private sector participation in research and development.

    Key efforts include incentivising private sector investment to increase their share in Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD), and creating avenues for collaborative science, technology, and innovation (STI) funding through portfolio-based mechanisms such as public-private partnerships and other innovative hybrid funding models, the Minister said.

    IANS

  • IMD forecasts week-long downpour in Northeast; rainfall subsides in central India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over the Northeast and adjoining eastern India during the next seven days, with isolated extremely heavy showers expected in Assam and Meghalaya on August 2. In contrast, a significant reduction in rainfall is likely over eastern Rajasthan and western Madhya Pradesh starting August 1, while central and southern peninsular India are expected to witness subdued rainfall activity over the next six to seven days.

    According to the IMD, very heavy rainfall is expected in Rajasthan on July 31, and across Arunachal Pradesh from August 1 to 6. Similarly, heavy rainfall is anticipated in Assam and Meghalaya between July 31 and August 3, and again on August 6. Other regions likely to experience very heavy rainfall include sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim from August 2 to 4, and Bihar on August 2 and 3.

    In the past 24 hours (ending at 8:30 AM on July 31), heavy to very heavy rainfall (7–20 cm) was recorded at isolated places over eastern Rajasthan, western Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Heavy rainfall (7–11 cm) was also observed in parts of Haryana, Punjab, western Uttar Pradesh, western Rajasthan, West Bengal & Sikkim, Chhattisgarh, eastern Madhya Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Odisha, and Bihar.

    For the Delhi-NCR region, the forecast indicates generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms through August 3.

    On Thursday, the city is likely to receive one or two spells of light rain, with a possibility of moderate rain at isolated spots. Maximum temperatures will range between 30 to 32°C, below normal by 2 to 4°C. Surface winds will blow from the southeast at 5–10 kmph in the morning and afternoon, shifting to the northeast by evening.

    On August 1, the capital will see very light to light rain with thunderstorms or lightning. Maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to range between 33 to 35°C and 23 to 25°C, respectively, both remaining below normal. Winds will shift from the northeast in the morning to southwest in the afternoon at 10–15 kmph, later coming from the southeast during the evening and night.

    Rainfall will continue on August 2 and 3, with cloudy skies and light precipitation accompanied by thunderstorms. Temperatures will hover between 34 to 36°C for the maximum and 24 to 26°C for the minimum, with the latter staying below normal. Winds are expected to remain between 10–20 kmph from varying directions, predominantly from the northwest and northeast.

  • Cabinet clears ₹6,520 crore outlay for PM Kisan Sampada Yojana till FY26

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a total outlay of ₹6,520 crore for the ongoing Central Sector Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), for the period of the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). The approved amount includes an additional allocation of ₹1,920 crore to support new and existing projects under the scheme.

    Of the total outlay, ₹1,000 crore has been earmarked to set up 50 Multi-Product Food Irradiation Units under the component scheme Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI) and 100 NABL-accredited Food Testing Laboratories under the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) component. These initiatives are in alignment with announcements made in the Union Budget.

    The remaining ₹920 crore will be used to sanction projects under various other components of PMKSY during the current Finance Commission cycle. Both ICCVAI and FSQAI are demand-driven schemes, with proposals to be invited through Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from eligible entities across the country. Projects will be selected following scrutiny based on the eligibility norms outlined in the scheme guidelines.

    According to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the 50 irradiation units are expected to create additional preservation capacity ranging from 20 to 30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) per annum, depending on the types of food processed. These units will play a crucial role in extending the shelf life of agricultural produce, thereby reducing post-harvest losses.

    In parallel, the proposed 100 food testing labs in the private sector are aimed at developing advanced infrastructure for analysing food samples. The Ministry said these facilities would help strengthen food safety mechanisms and ensure the availability of safe, quality-compliant food products in the market.

    The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, launched in 2017, seeks to create modern infrastructure and efficient supply chains for the food processing sector.

  • Markets end lower amid volatility; FMCG stocks lend support

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian equity markets closed marginally lower on Thursday after a volatile trading session marked by global uncertainties. Despite the imposition of tariffs by the United States on Indian imports, domestic indices managed to avert a sharp selloff, buoyed by buying interest in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) stocks.

    The benchmark Sensex closed at 81,185.58, shedding 296.28 points or 0.36 per cent. It had opened sharply lower at 80,695.50 following weak global cues but briefly rebounded in the afternoon session, touching an intraday high of 81,803.27 before slipping again in the final hour due to the expiry of monthly derivatives.

    The Nifty 50 settled at 24,768.35, down 86.70 points or 0.35 per cent.

    Market analysts said the indices reflected the underlying strength of the Indian economy, which continues to show resilience amid global headwinds. “Investors gravitated toward domestically oriented, non-discretionary players, especially FMCG, which offered attractive valuations, demand outlook and relative insulation from tariff risks,” analysts noted.

    Hindustan Unilever led the gains on the back of encouraging quarterly results, lifting the Nifty FMCG index by 791 points or 1.44 per cent. ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Eternal were also among the gainers.

    On the downside, major drag came from heavyweight stocks like Tata Steel, Sun Pharma, NTPC, Reliance, Asian Paints, L&T, and Titan, which contributed to the day’s losses. Most sectoral indices ended in the red. Nifty Auto declined by 89 points, Nifty IT slipped 180 points, and Nifty Bank was down by 188 points.

    The broader market reflected a similar sentiment with the Nifty Midcap 100 falling 0.93 per cent and Nifty Smallcap 100 down 1.05 per cent, indicating profit booking across segments.

    Despite the subdued closing, market experts remain cautiously optimistic, citing strong domestic fundamentals and the rotation of investor interest toward sectors less exposed to global trade tensions.

    -IANS

  • India, Morocco sign agreement to boost judicial cooperation: Union Minister

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India and Morocco have signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in judicial and legal spheres. The agreements aim to reinforce institutional linkages, facilitate legal modernization, and deepen mutual understanding between the two countries.

    Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, shared this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. He said that the partnership would allow the legal communities of both nations to share knowledge, build institutional capacity, and contribute to the rule of law through structured legal engagement.

    The MLAT focuses on civil and commercial matters, enabling both countries to cooperate in the service of judicial documents, the taking of evidence through Letters of Request, and the execution of judicial judgments, decrees, settlements, and arbitral awards.

    Additionally, the MoU, signed between India’s Ministry of Law & Justice and Morocco’s Ministry of Justice, focuses on the exchange of legal expertise, training, and research. It seeks to promote capacity building by organising symposiums, joint courses, and legal training programmes.

    The MoU also encourages mutual visits and delegation exchanges to study each other’s legal systems and administrative frameworks.

    A notable feature of the MoU is technological collaboration through the development and exchange of national judicial information systems. This collaboration is expected to enhance justice delivery through digital tools and modern legal infrastructure.

    To ensure effective implementation, a joint coordination committee will be established to plan annual cooperation programmes, keeping financial viability in mind.

    —IANS

  • Cabinet approves ₹11,169-crore rail multitracking projects across six states

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday approved four key railway multitracking projects worth approximately ₹11,169 crore. These projects, spanning six states and 13 districts, are expected to expand Indian Railways’ network by 574 kilometres and are scheduled for completion by 2028-29.

    The projects span 13 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand, and will add around 574 kilometres to the existing railway network. The approved corridors include the fourth line between Itarsi and Nagpur, doubling of the Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)-Parbhani section, and the third and fourth lines on the Aluabari Road-New Jalpaiguri and Dangoaposi-Jaroli routes.

    These multitracking works are aligned with the government’s PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on multi-modal connectivity through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. The enhanced line capacity is expected to alleviate congestion, increase operational efficiency, and provide more reliable services for both freight and passenger trains.

    The proposed upgrades will benefit approximately 2,309 villages with a population of about 43.6 lakh and generate an estimated 2.29 crore person-days of direct employment during the construction phase.

    The corridors identified are vital freight routes for commodities such as coal, cement, clinker, gypsum, fly ash, containers, agricultural produce, and petroleum products. The capacity augmentation is projected to handle an additional 95.91 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic.

    Beyond economic and logistical benefits, the projects are aligned with India’s climate goals. The railways’ increased capacity is estimated to reduce oil imports by 16 crore litres annually and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 515 crore kilograms – equivalent to planting around 20 crore trees.

  • Cabinet approves ₹2,000 crore grant to NCDC to boost cooperative sector

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a move aimed at strengthening India’s cooperative sector, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday approved a Central Sector Scheme titled “Grant in Aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)” with a total outlay of ₹2,000 crore. The scheme will be implemented over a four-year period from 2025-26 to 2028-29, with an annual budgetary allocation of ₹500 crore.

    The approved grant will enable NCDC to raise ₹20,000 crore from the open market over the next four years. These funds will be utilized to provide loans to cooperatives for setting up new projects, expanding existing operations, upgrading technology, and meeting their working capital needs.

    According to the government, the initiative is expected to benefit approximately 2.9 crore members across 13,288 cooperative societies spanning various sectors, including dairy, livestock, fisheries, sugar, textiles, food processing, storage, cold storage, labour cooperatives, and women-led cooperatives.

    Implementation Strategy

    NCDC will serve as the nodal agency for the scheme. It will be responsible for the disbursement of loans, project monitoring, and recovery of funds. Loans will be extended either directly to eligible cooperatives or routed through respective state governments, as per NCDC’s funding guidelines. Direct funding will be allowed against admissible security or with a state government guarantee.

    The scheme aims to provide both long-term credit for infrastructure development and short-term loans for working capital, helping cooperatives run their businesses more efficiently and profitably.

    Economic and Employment Impact

    The Cabinet noted that the infusion of funds will facilitate the creation of income-generating assets and enhance liquidity in the cooperative sector. This, in turn, is expected to increase productivity, profitability, and job creation, especially in rural areas. The move is seen as a catalyst for socio-economic empowerment, particularly for women and marginalized communities.

    Furthermore, infrastructure development backed by these loans is likely to generate employment opportunities across various skill levels, thus contributing to India’s inclusive growth agenda.

    A Strategic Boost to Rural Economy

    India’s cooperative movement contributes significantly to the Indian economy, particularly by driving socio-economic advancement, strengthening rural infrastructure and generating employment in the rural sector. Spanning credit and banking, fertiliser distribution, sugar production, dairy, agricultural marketing, consumer retail, handlooms, handicrafts, fisheries, housing and more, cooperatives in India have their outreach across many production areas. Today, the country hosts more than 8.25 lakh registered cooperatives, enrolling over 29 crore members; remarkably, about 94 per cent of all farmers are linked to cooperatives in some form or the other.

    By offering targeted financial support, especially to under-resourced segments like dairy, poultry, fisheries, and women-led cooperatives, the scheme aims to enhance the sector’s capacity for modernization, diversification, and economic resilience.

  • US President Trump confirms India-US trade talks continue despite 25 per cent tariff threat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump has said that India and the US were still negotiating a trade deal despite his threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff, and a final decision may be known by the end of the week.

    “We’re talking to India now, we’ll see what happens,” he said on Wednesday, hours after he had threatened the 25 per cent tariffs and the 100 per cent penalty for buyers of Russian energy he had proposed. He said that India, which he asserted has one of the highest tariffs in the world, was now “willing to cut it very substantially.”

    However, he was silent on the Russian penalty when asked by a reporter and instead spoke of the 10 per cent penalty he had proposed for BRICS members.

    Since he says negotiations are continuing, the morning threat appears to be a negotiating ploy and gives both countries wiggle room to reach an accord. He has also not issued a formal letter on the tariffs.

    India had replied defiantly to the threat, saying the government “will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest.” India indicated that agriculture was likely a sticking point in the negotiations.

    The statement said, “The government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).” The US wants India to open its markets to US agriculture and dairy, which could impact its vast agriculture sector.

    Trump and his officials, like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, had spoken optimistically that India would be among the first to make a deal, but it hasn’t materialised. India was among the first countries to start trade negotiations with Washington on tariffs, and Trump had repeatedly said that an agreement was imminent, most recently last week.

    The negotiations were making fantastic progress, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said last week in a media interview in London. “I do hope we’ll be able to conclude a very consequential partnership,” he said.

    In its response, India’s Commerce Ministry said, “India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months.”

    “We remain committed to that objective,” it added. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a friend of mine,” as he usually prefaces differences on tariffs.

    He said, nonchalantly, “It doesn’t matter too much whether we have a deal or whether we charge them a certain tariff, but you’ll know at the end of this week.”

    He repeated his tirade about India’s high tariffs, saying that while the US buys a lot from India, the US doesn’t sell as much there because of the tariffs. India had the highest or one of the highest tariffs in the world, with levies going as high as 175 per cent, he said.

    When a reporter asked him about the penalty for buying Russian energy, he did not answer that and, instead, veered off into talking about BRICS and how it was “anti-United States.” “India is a member of that, if you can believe it,” he said.

    “It’s an attack on the dollar, and we’re not going to let anybody attack the dollar,” he said. So, when it comes to India, he said, “It’s partially BRICS, and it’s partially the trade.”

    In the Truth Social post, Trump had said India has “always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine.”

    “All things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25 per cent, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August first,” he wrote, capitalising parts of the post in his style. (IANS)

  • Will take all necessary steps to safeguard national interest: India responds to Trump’s statement on bilateral trade

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Government of India has taken note of a recent statement by the US President concerning bilateral trade and is currently studying its implications.

    Over the past few months, India and the United States have been engaged in negotiations aimed at concluding a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement. The government has reiterated its commitment to achieving this objective.

    Emphasizing its priorities, the government said that it attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of farmers, entrepreneurs, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    It further added that all necessary steps will be taken to secure the country’s national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements, including the recently concluded Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom.

  • Trump hits Brazil with tariffs, sanctions but key sectors excluded

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods to fight what he has called a “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro, but softened the blow by excluding sectors such as aircraft, energy and orange juice from heavier levies.

    Trump announced the tariffs, some of the steepest levied on any economy in the U.S. trade war, as his administration also unveiled sanctions on the Brazilian supreme court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaro’s trial on charges of plotting a coup.

    “Alexandre de Moraes has taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against U.S. and Brazilian citizens and companies,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

    Bessent said Moraes “is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions — including against former President Jair Bolsonaro.”

    Last week, the Brazilian justice levied search warrants and restraining orders against Bolsonaro over allegations he courted Trump‘s interference in his criminal case, in which he is accused of plotting to stop President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in 2023.

    Trump‘s final tariff order and the sanctions followed weeks of sparring with Lula, who has likened the U.S. president, a close ideological ally of Bolsonaro’s, to an unwanted “emperor.”

    On Wednesday, Lula and his government closed ranks behind Moraes, calling the U.S. sanctions “unacceptable.”

    “The Brazilian government considers the use of political arguments to defend the trade measures announced by the U.S. government against Brazilian exports to be unjustifiable,” it said in a statement.

    Lula added that Brazil was willing to negotiate trade with the U.S., but that it would not give up on the tools it had at hand to defend itself, hinting that retaliation was possible.

    Still, Trump‘s tariff order threatened that if Brazil were to retaliate, the U.S. would also up the ante.

    DIPLOMACY AT WORK

    Despite Trump‘s effort to use the tariffs to alter the trajectory of a pivotal criminal trial, the range of exemptions came as a relief for many in Brasilia, who since Trump announced the tariff earlier this month had been urging protections for major exporters caught in the crossfire.

    “We’re not facing the worst-case scenario,” Brazilian Treasury Secretary Rogerio Ceron told reporters.

    The new tariffs will go into effect on August 6, not on Friday as Trump announced originally.

    Trump‘s executive order formalizing a 50% tariff excluded dozens of key Brazilian exports to the United States, including civil aircraft, pig iron, precious metals, wood pulp, energy and fertilizers.

    Planemaker Embraer EMBR3.SA, whose chief executive has met with officials in Washington and U.S. clients in recent days to plead its case for relief, said an initial review indicated that a 10% tariff imposed by Trump in April remains in place, with the exclusion applying to the additional 40%.

    The exceptions are likely a response to concerns from U.S. companies, rather than a step back from Trump‘s efforts to influence Brazilian politics, said Rafael Favetti, a partner at political consultancy Fatto Inteligencia Politica in Brasilia.

    “This also shows that Brazilian diplomacy did its work correctly by working to raise awareness among U.S. companies,” he said.

    Brazil‘s minister of foreign affairs, Mauro Vieira, said he met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday to express the nation’s willingness to discuss tariffs after negotiations stalled in June, though he stressed Bolsonaro’s legal troubles were not up for debate.

    It remains unclear what Brazilian authorities “are bringing to the negotiating table to, for instance, open the domestic market,” Goldman Sachs said in a note to clients.

    IMPACT SMALLER THAN EXPECTED

    The effective tariff rate on Brazilian shipments to the U.S. should be around 30.8%, lower than previously expected due to the exemptions, according to Goldman.

    Oil shipments to the U.S., which had been suspended, are set to restart after being spared, lobby group IBP said. Meanwhile, mining lobby Ibram said the exemptions covered 75% of mining exports.

    However, it was still too soon to celebrate, said former Brazilian trade secretary Welber Barral, estimating that Brazil exports some 3,000 different products to the United States.

    “There will be an impact,” Barral said.

    Trump‘s tariff exemptions did not shield two of Brazil‘s key exports to the U.S., beef and coffee.

    Meatpackers expect to log $1 billion in losses in the second half of the year on the new tariffs, lobby group Abiec, which represents beef producers including JBS JBS3.SA and Marfrig MRFG3.SA, said.

    Coffee exporters will also continue to push for exemptions, they said in a statement.

    The government said it was readying measures to protect Brazil‘s businesses and workers.

    If Brazil were to retaliate against Trump‘s measures, that “would generate a larger negative impact” on activity and inflation, Goldman said.

    “The political inclination may be to retaliate, but exporters and business associations have been urging the Brazilian administration to engage, negotiate and de-escalate.”

    (Reuters)

  • Amarnath Yatra suspended due to heavy rain; no convoy to move from Jammu today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The annual Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for the day due to heavy rainfall, with no pilgrim convoy allowed to move from Jammu to the base camps in Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.

    Citing adverse weather conditions along the Yatra routes, authorities halted the movement of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. “Due to heavy rains in the Yatra area, the movement of pilgrims from the base camps has been affected. Therefore, it has been decided that no convoy movement shall be allowed towards the base camps Baltal and Nunwan from Jammu on July 31,” said Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner of Jammu.

    So far, more than 3.93 lakh pilgrims have visited the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine during this year’s pilgrimage, which began on July 3 and is scheduled to conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    Officials have also confirmed that the Yatra will resume via the Baltal route only, starting Friday, August 1. The Pahalgam axis has been temporarily closed for urgent repair and maintenance following recent rainfall. “Due to the heavy rains, necessary maintenance work is being undertaken on the Pahalgam route. The Yatra shall continue only through the Baltal axis from August 1,” said Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri.

    This is the second consecutive day of disruption, as the Yatra from both Baltal and Chandanwari/Nunwan base camps was suspended on July 30 due to weather-related concerns.

    Meanwhile, preparations continue for the annual ‘Chhari Mubarak’ procession—the holy mace of Lord Shiva—which will commence from the Amareshwar Temple in Srinagar on August 4 and reach the cave shrine on the morning of August 9.

    Located at an altitude of 3,888 metres, the Amarnath cave shrine is known for the naturally formed ice stalagmite believed by devotees to represent Lord Shiva.

    -IANS

  • Sensex, Nifty open lower amid concerns over US tariffs effective August 1

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian benchmark indices opened lower on Thursday after US President Donald Trump announced a steep 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, triggering concerns among investors.

    At 9:27 a.m., the Sensex was down 487 points or 0.60 per cent at 80,994, while the Nifty declined 140 points or 0.57 per cent to trade at 24,717.

    Broader markets also witnessed selling pressure. The Nifty Midcap 100 index fell by 457 points or 0.79 per cent to 57,484, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index was down 100 points or 0.55 per cent at 18,037.

    “From an investor’s perspective, it is important to understand that the 25 per cent tariff is likely to come down after negotiations, which are expected to begin in mid-August. The tariff imposed on India is significantly higher than the rates agreed upon in trade deals with other countries,” said Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    He termed it a typical “Trumpian strategy” aimed at negotiating better deals from India in other areas, likely culminating in a final tariff rate of around 20 per cent or lower.

    “Nifty is unlikely to fall below the support level of 24,500. Investors can consider buying on dips, with a focus on domestic consumption themes. Sectors like private sector banking, telecom, capital goods, cement, hotels, and select auto stocks that performed well in Q1 remain attractive,” he added.

    Almost all sectoral indices turned red in morning trade, with auto, energy, pharma, PSU banks, financial services, metal, realty, and public sector enterprises (PSEs) among the top laggards.

    In the Sensex pack, M&M, Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Infosys, HCL Tech, Titan, SBI, TCS, ICICI Bank, Trent, L&T, HDFC Bank, and NTPC were among the top losers. On the other hand, Power Grid, Tata Steel, ITC, and HUL emerged as the top gainers.

    In terms of institutional activity, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak for the eighth straight session on July 30, offloading equities worth ₹850 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) extended their buying spree for the 18th consecutive session, purchasing equities worth ₹1,829 crore on the same day.

    -IANS

  • WCL 2025: India Champions refuse to play Pakistan, organisers call off semifinal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The World Championship of Legends (WCL) semifinal between India Champions and Pakistan Champions was officially cancelled on Wednesday after the Indian team refused to take the field against their Pakistani counterparts, citing strong public sentiment following the Pahalgam terror attack.

    The decision comes weeks after the Indian side had already forfeited a group stage match against Pakistan, with several players including Shikhar Dhawan openly stating their unwillingness to compete against a nation they accuse of supporting terrorism.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the WCL organisers confirmed the match had been called off. “We respect the India Champions’ decision to withdraw from the semifinals, and we equally respect the Pakistan Champions’ readiness to compete. Taking all factors into consideration, the match between the India Champions and the Pakistan Champions has been called off,” the statement read.

    “As a result, Pakistan Champions will advance to the final,” it added.

    The Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions had earned their semifinal spot after a remarkable comeback win over the West Indies Champions, chasing 145 in just 13.2 overs, thanks to a blistering 21-ball half-century from Stuart Binny. The win came after a shaky start to the tournament, where India suffered three defeats in their first four games.

    However, the larger geopolitical backdrop continued to loom large over the tournament. Public anger in India following the Pahalgam terror attack—believed to have links to Pakistan—has fuelled calls to boycott sporting ties with the country. The sentiment found voice in the India Champions squad, with players like Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Yusuf Pathan standing firm alongside Dhawan.

    The organisers, while expressing disappointment over the disruption to the tournament, acknowledged the emotional undercurrent. “We have always believed in the power of sport to bring about positive change in the world. But we also realise that public sentiment must always be respected—after all, everything we do is for our audience,” the statement said.

    The cancellation of the high-voltage semifinal has cast a shadow over the final stages of the WCL, which aimed to bring former legends of the game back into the spotlight. As it stands, Pakistan Champions will now await their opponent in the summit clash, with the other semifinal proceeding as scheduled.

    IANS

  • Centre pushes semiconductor innovation with 23 new chip-design projects

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Government of India has sanctioned 23 chip-design projects under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme as part of its effort to boost the country’s semiconductor design capabilities. These projects, led by domestic companies, startups, and MSMEs, will receive financial assistance to develop chip solutions for areas such as surveillance cameras, energy meters, microprocessor IPs, and networking applications.

    The announcement was made in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada. The DLI Scheme is a component of the larger ₹76,000 crore ‘Semicon India Programme’, which aims to establish a comprehensive semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country. Of this, ₹1,000 crore has been allocated specifically to support semiconductor design through the DLI initiative.

    Recognising the challenges posed by high entry barriers and lengthy development cycles in semiconductor design and commercialization, the DLI Scheme offers a combination of design infrastructure and financial incentives. These include support for early-stage prototyping through access to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and IP cores, as well as funding for design, scaling, and production. Companies are eligible for reimbursement of up to 50 percent of project costs, with a cap of ₹15 crore per application. Additionally, incentives of 4 to 6 percent of net sales turnover over five years are offered to aid commercialization, with a ceiling of ₹30 crore per application.

    Since its launch in December 2021, the scheme has seen the participation of 278 academic institutions and 72 startups that now have access to advanced EDA tools. Among the notable achievements, 20 chip designs from 17 academic institutions have been successfully fabricated at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali. Six companies have already completed prototype tape-outs at global semiconductor foundries, and ten startups have raised venture capital funding to support the commercial scaling of their innovations.

    A total project outlay of ₹803.08 crore has been approved under the scheme, which includes the cost of EDA tools. The disbursement of funds is tied to the achievement of predefined milestones, such as prototype development and chip deployment.

    The DLI Scheme is being implemented in close consultation with industry stakeholders and participating companies. The government has indicated that it is open to making adjustments to the scheme in response to changing needs and ongoing feedback from beneficiaries.

  • Trump says US to impose 25% tariff on India from August 1

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed a 25% tariff on goods imported from India starting August 1, along with an unspecified penalty for buying Russian weapons and oil, potentially straining relations with the world’s most populous democracy.

    The U.S. decision singles out India more severely than other major trading partners, and threatens to unravel months of talks between the two countries, undermining a key strategic partner of Washington’s and a counterbalance to China.

    “While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

    “They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!”

    The White House has previously warned India about its high average applied tariffs – nearly 39% on agricultural products – with rates climbing to 45% on vegetable oils and around 50% on apples and corn.

    Russia continued to be the top oil supplier to India during the first six months of 2025, making up 35% of overall supplies.

    The U.S. currently has a $45.7 billion trade deficit with India.

    The news pushed the Indian rupee down 0.4% to around 87.80 against the U.S. dollar in the non-deliverable forwards market, from its close at 87.42 during market hours. Gift Nifty futures were trading at 24,692 points, down 0.6%.

    CONTENTIOUS ISSUES

    “Higher tariffs for India compared to countries it competes with, for exports to the U.S., are going to be challenging,” said Ranen Banerjee, a partner of economic advisory services at PwC India.

    India’s commerce ministry, which is leading the trade talks, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    U.S. and Indian negotiators had held multiple rounds of discussions to resolve contentious issues, particularly over market access into India for U.S. agricultural and dairy products.

    Despite progress in some areas, Indian officials resisted opening the domestic market to imports of wheat, corn, rice and genetically modified soybeans, citing risks to the livelihood of millions of Indian farmers.

    The U.S. had flagged concerns over India’s increasing and burdensome import-quality requirements, among its many barriers to trade, in a report released in March.

    The new tariffs are expected to impact India’s goods exports to the U.S., estimated at around $87 billion in 2024, including labour-intensive products such as garments, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, and petrochemicals.

    India now joins a growing list of countries facing higher tariffs under Trump’s “Liberation Day” trade policy, aimed at reshaping U.S. trade relations by demanding greater reciprocity.

    The setback comes despite earlier commitments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump to conclude the first phase of a trade deal by autumn 2025 and expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, from $191 billion in 2024.

    Indian officials have previously indicated that they view the U.S. as a key strategic partner, particularly in counterbalancing China. But they have emphasized the need to preserve policy space on agriculture, data governance, and state subsidies.

    HOPES FOR A DEAL

    It was not immediately clear whether the announcement was a negotiating tactic. While Trump railed against Japan in a June 30 Truth Social post and said there would likely be no deal with the North Asian nation, a deal was agreed on July 22.

    An Indian government official told Reuters that New Delhi continued to remain engaged with the United States to seal an agreement.

    Economists, too, remained hopeful.

    “While the negotiations seems to have broken down, we don’t think the trade-deal haggling between the two nations is over yet,” Madhavi Arora, an economist at Emkay Global.

    (Reuters)

  • PM Modi condoles demise of renowned economist Meghnad Desai

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Distinguished Indian-origin economist, author, and member of the UK House of Lords, Lord Meghnad Desai, passed away at the age of 85 on Tuesday, prompting an outpouring of condolences from across the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron.

    Born as Meghnad Jagdishchandra Desai in 1940 in Vadodara, the economist began his academic journey in economics at the University of Mumbai, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, following which he received a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania, completing his PhD in economics in 1963, three years after enrolling.

    Following the news of his demise, PM Modi expressed grief and recalled his valuable contributions to economic thought and India-UK relations.

    In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Anguished by the passing away of Shri Meghnad Desai Ji, a distinguished thinker, writer and economist. He always remained connected to India and Indian culture. He also played a role in deepening India-UK ties. Will fondly recall our discussions, where he shared his valuable insights. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti.”

    The British High Commissioner to India also expressed her condolences over Desai’s demise, stating, “RIP Lord Desai. Thoughts with Kishwar Desai and his wider family and friends. Such fond memories of watching the UK general election with him last year,” in a post on X.

    “So sad to learn Lord Meghnad Desai passed away in Delhi this evening. First Indian Labour Party Peer, Professor Emeritus LSE, renowned economist and author. A passionate advocate for UK-India links. Thoughts of all UK in India with his wife Lady Kishwar and their children,” said Christina Scott, Deputy High Commissioner of the UK to India in a post on X.

    The High Commission of India in London also paid tribute to Desai, noting that he had championed the strong and lasting ties between India and the UK and that his contributions would continue to inspire diplomats, academics, and thought leaders in both nations.

    “The High Commission of India in London is deeply saddened by the passing of Lord Meghnad Desai. A teacher, scholar, thought leader and great advocate of the enduring friendship between India and the UK. Lord Desai’s work will be cherished by generations of diplomats, scholars and thought leaders in both countries. His role in the installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Parliament Square in London ensures that his legacy will endure,” said the High Commission of India in London in a post on X.

    Desai was elevated to the UK House of Lords in 1991, where he served as the first Indian-origin peer from the Labour Party. He held the title of Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics (LSE) and was widely respected for his academic contributions and public policy insights.

    (ANI)

  • EU climate goals at risk as ailing forests absorb less CO2, scientists say

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Damage to European forests from increased logging, wildfires, drought and pests is reducing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, putting European Union emissions targets at risk, scientists warned on Wednesday.

    The European Union has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. The target includes the expectation that forests will suck up hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO2 emissions and store it in trees and soil, to compensate for pollution from industry.

    But that assumption is now in doubt. The average annual amount of CO2 Europe’s forests removed from the atmosphere in 2020-2022 was nearly a third lower than in the 2010-2014 period, according to a paper led by scientists from the EU’s Joint Research Centre – its independent science research service.

    In the later period, forests absorbed around 332 million net tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, said the paper, published in the journal Nature. Recent data from EU countries suggest an even steeper decline.

    “This trend, combined with the declining climate resilience of European forests, indicates that the EU’s climate targets, which rely on an increasing carbon sink, might be at risk,” the paper said.

    Today, Europe’s land and forestry sector offsets around 6% of the EU’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. That’s 2% short of the amount the EU calculates is needed to meet climate goals – with the gap expected to widen by 2030.

    Agustín Rubio Sánchez, professor of ecology and soil science at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, said it was “wishful thinking” to rely on forests to meet climate targets.

    “Forests can help, but they shouldn’t be assigned quantities to balance carbon budgets,” he told Reuters.

    The findings are a political headache for EU governments, who are negotiating a new, legally-binding 2040 climate target – which is designed to use forests to offset pollution that industries cannot eliminate.

    Already, some are warning this won’t be possible.

    “What should we do when there are factors that we, as countries, as governments, have not much ability to control – like forest fires or drought,” Sweden’s environment minister Romina Pourmokhtari said in a news conference last week.

    Over-harvesting, climate change-fuelled wildfires and droughts, and pest outbreaks are all depleting forests’ carbon storage.

    However, some of these risks can be managed – for example, by reducing intense logging, or planting more diverse tree species, which may enhance CO2 storage and help forests withstand climate extremes and pests, the paper said.

    (Reuters)

  • Can never forget painful moments of Pahalgam: HM Amit Shah vows to make Kashmir terror-free

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday lambasted the Congress party for ‘prioritising’ political motive over national interests and also recalled the poignant moments of Pahalgam terror attack, when 26 innocent tourists were gunned down by Pakistani terrorists on April 22.

    Sending a strong message to terrorists and their masters, Home Minister Shah vowed to make Jammu and Kashmir terrorism-free, saying that it is the long-standing commitment of Narendra Modi government to bring peace and stability in the region.

    Joining the debate on Operation Sindoor in Rajya Sabha, the Home Minister told the House that when the Pahalgam massacre happened, he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reached the spot on the same day to take stock of the situation and show solidarity with the affected families.

    “I can never forget those painful moments of April 22 terror attack. I met a woman, widowed just six days after her marriage and many families whose members were shot dead in front of their eyes. The agony and anguish of Pahalgam victims are still remain fresh in my mind,” he said.

    He added that there has never been an incident when innocent people were singled out and killed on the basis of religion.

    “The disturbing images of Pahalgam attack are enough to shake the conscience of everyone, including me,” Home Minister Shah added.

    He also lambasted the Opposition for questioning the timing of ‘Operation Mahadev’ and rebuked the Congress party for keeping political interests above national security.

    “Some people are asking why Pahalgam attackers were killed just when the Parliament started debating Operation Sindoor. The whole nation is watching the Congress, their focus has never been national security but scoring political points, their focus is on undermining the forces rather than lauding their valour,” he said.

    The Home Minister also informed the House about the swift action taken by the Union Cabinet, after the Pahalgam attack, for bringing the perpetrators to justice and also to penalise Pakistan for fomenting terror on the Indian territory.

    (IANS)

  • NISAR launch a landmark in Indo-US space cooperation, set to transform earth observation: Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the successful launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite on Wednesday, calling it a “global benchmark” in Earth observation and a powerful symbol of Indo-US scientific collaboration.

    Though parliamentary duties kept him in the capital, Singh joined scientists and senior officials at the CSIR Auditorium in New Delhi to witness the satellite’s flawless lift-off aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket via live telecast from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

    “NISAR is not just a satellite; it is India’s scientific handshake with the world,” Singh said, emphasising that the mission represents the growing strength of India’s space programme and its transition from utility-based goals to knowledge-driven global initiatives.

    The 2,393-kg satellite is the first in the world to carry dual-frequency synthetic aperture radars—L-band by NASA and S-band by ISRO—on a single platform. This enables high-resolution, all-weather, day-and-night imaging of Earth’s land and ice surfaces, with a revisit time of just 12 days.

    In a first for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the GSLV-F16 successfully placed the satellite into a 747-kilometre Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit, marking the vehicle’s 18th mission and its 12th flight using an indigenous cryogenic stage.

    Singh highlighted NISAR’s broad utility in areas such as disaster management, glacier tracking, agriculture monitoring, climate observation, and more. But he also stressed the mission’s extended value across sectors like aviation safety, maritime navigation, coastal management, and urban planning.

    “This satellite will be a data backbone for smarter decisions in shipping routes, air traffic systems, and infrastructure development,” he said.

    The open-access data policy of NISAR will benefit global researchers, disaster-response agencies, and developing nations, making cutting-edge Earth observation insights widely available over its five-year mission life.

    Jointly funded by NASA and ISRO, the $1.5 billion mission involved significant hardware contributions from both agencies. NASA provided the L-band radar, GPS receiver, high-rate telecom system, and 12-meter deployable antenna, while ISRO contributed the S-band radar, spacecraft bus, launch vehicle, and support systems.

    Singh concluded by attributing India’s space advancements to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “From Chandrayaan to NISAR, we are not just launching satellites—we are launching new possibilities for global science, sustainability, and shared progress.”

  • Bumrah not ruled out of fifth test, says India captain Shubman Gill

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India captain Shubman Gill has refused to rule pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah out of contention for the fifth test against England starting at the Oval on Thursday.

    Bumrah, who is the joint-leading wicket taker in the series with 14, was expected to miss the decisive clash as India’s medical staff want to manage his workload.

    But Gill said any decision would be left late.

    “We will take a decision (on Bumrah) tomorrow; the wicket looks very green. So we will see how it turns out,” Gill told a press conference at the Oval on Wednesday.

    Bumrah was scheduled to play only three of the five tests and has already featured in the opener at Headingley and the back-to-back tests at Lord’s and Old Trafford.

    India need to win the final test to level the series 2-2.

    “2-2 will be very significant for this team,” Gill said. “Every match we have played, it was difficult to decide the winner after the first four days.”

    Should Bumrah miss out, India would likely select Akash Deep or even hand a debut to Arshdeep Singh.

    “He has been asked to get ready but we will take a call on the playing eleven after looking at the pitch by this evening,” Gill said. “England haven’t gone with a frontline spinner.

    “We have Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who have done such a good job with the ball and the bat. On that front, it’s a no-brainer for us.”

    India are without wicket keeper Rishabh Pant, ruled out by a foot injury in the fourth test which ended in a draw on Sunday. Dhruv Jurel is set to stand in.

    The build-up to the series finale has been overshadowed by a spat on Tuesday between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and the ground staff at the Oval after Gambhir tried to take a close look at the square.

    Gill said the incident was “absolutely unnecessary”.

    “It’s not the first time that we were having a look at the wicket, we have been there for almost two months,” he said.

    “A coach has every right to be able to go close quarters and have a look at the wicket and I didn’t think there was anything wrong with that. I actually don’t know why the curator would not allow us to go have a look at the wicket.

    “All of us have played so much cricket, we have gone to the pitches so many times, including the coaches and captain, I don’t know what the fuss was about.”

    (Reuters)

     

  • Congress’ priority not national security, but vote bank and appeasement politics: Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday listed out several Congress-era errors, leading to the formation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and loss of vast swathes of land to enemy nations. He also tore into the grand old party’s appeasement politics for political gains.

    Speaking in Rajya Sabha on Operation Sindoor, the Home Minister held Congress’ policies responsible for multiple acts of terror in the country, while categorically stating that Hindus can never be terrorists.

    HM Shah said that the desperation of the Congress party for a certain vote bank, in all these years, emboldened the terrorists and their motives.

    Blasting the previous Congress regimes for coining ‘saffron terror’, he said that the grand old party demonised the majority community i.e. Hindus for its myopic political gains.

    Recalling the Batla House encounter, he said that the Congress party abandoned its own forces and stood with Pakistan-sponsored terrorists for appeasing a certain community.

    “When the country mourned the demise of brave cop Mohan Sharma in Batla House encounter, Sonia Gandhi wept for the Batla House shooters,” he said, questioning the absurd politicking of Congress party.

    The Home Minister also rebutted Congress’ China jab and spoke about instances when the latter’s conduct looked dubious and diabolical.

    “When our forces were engaging with enemy forces during Doklam face-off, the Congress leaders were clandestinely meeting Chinese officials. What kind of politics is this?” he questioned.

    Responding to Chidambaram’s charge that Operation Sindoor was not decisive, he asked the principal opposition party whether the 1965, 1971 battles were final and decisive and if Pakistan stopped spreading terror after being then taught a lesson.

    He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has instilled fear in the minds and hearts of terrorists across the border and whenever the terror elements will rear its head, “our Army will crush them again”.

    (IANS)

  • Gunman kills four, including police officer, in Manhattan skyscraper, then takes own life

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A gunman opened fire on Monday inside a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper housing NFL headquarters and offices of several financial firms, including Blackstone, killing four people before fatally shooting himself, New York City officials said.

    One of the four victims slain in the gun violence was a 36-year-old New York Police Department officer who had been on the force for about 3 1/2 years. The three others killed by the suspect were civilians.

    New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the gunman, who resided in Las Vegas and drove cross-country to New York in recent days, fatally shot himself in the chest at the end of his shooting spree.

    Tisch said the gunman was believed to have acted alone, and investigators had yet to determine a possible motive for the shooting.

    A photo of the suspect that CNN said was shared by police showing a gunman walking into the building carrying a rifle was published by a number of major news media outlets. Preliminary checks of the suspect’s background did not show a significant criminal history, the report added, citing officials.

    The skyscraper at 345 Park Avenue houses offices of a number of financial institutions, including Blackstone and KPMG, along with the NFL headquarters.

    A large police presence converged on the area around the tower, according to Reuters journalists near the scene.

    “I just saw a lot of commotion and cops and people screaming,” said Russ McGee, a 31-year-old sports bettor who was working out in a gym adjacent to the skyscraper, told Reuters in an interview near the scene.

    The FBI said agents from its New York field office were also responding to provide support at the scene.

    (Reuters)

  • Thailand-Cambodia border calm as military-level talks postponed

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Thailand–Cambodia border, where fighting has raged since last week, was calm on Tuesday following a ceasefire deal and military commanders from both sides are set to meet for talks later in the day, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said.

    Phumtham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met in Malaysia on Monday and agreed to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade following five days of intense fighting that killed at least 38 people, mostly civilians, and displaced over 300,000.

    The Thai army said in a statement there had been attacks by Cambodian troops in at least five locations early on Tuesday, violating the ceasefire that had come into effect from midnight, and Thailand‘s military had retaliated proportionately.

    Phumtham played down the clashes, and said he had spoken with Cambodia‘s defence minister ahead of the talks between military commanders.

    “There is no escalation,” Phumtham told reporters. “Right now things are calm.”

    Thai military officials in two areas had met with their Cambodian counterparts, but commanders along the stretch of the frontier that has seen the heaviest fighting during the conflict were yet to hold talks, Thai army spokesman Major Gen. Winthai Suvaree said in a statement.

    The parley had been scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), but it was postponed and no new time had yet been set, he added.

    Maly Socheata, a spokesperson for the Cambodian Defence Ministry, said at a briefing on Tuesday that there had been no new fighting along the border.

    Vehicular traffic and daily activity resumed in the Kantharalak district of Thailand‘s Sisaket province on Tuesday, about 30 km (20 miles) from the frontlines, where Thai and Cambodian troops remain amassed.

    Cars and motorbikes returned to the streets, which had been largely empty since the border clashes began on Thursday, with military vehicles among civilian traffic.

    Chaiya Phumjaroen, 51, said he returned to town to reopen his shop early on Tuesday, after hearing of the ceasefire deal on the news.

    “I am very happy that a ceasefire happened,” he said. “If they continue to fight, we have no opportunity to make money.”

     

    TALKS AND TRADE

    The Southeast Asian neighbours have wrangled for decades over their disputed frontier and have been on a conflict footing since the killing of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish late in May, which led to a troop buildup on both sides and a full-blown diplomatic crisis.

    Monday’s peace talks came after a sustained push by Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump, with the latter warning Thai and Cambodian leaders that trade negotiations would not progress if fighting continued.

    Thailand and Cambodia face a tariff of 36% on their goods in the U.S., their biggest export market, unless a reduction can be negotiated. After the ceasefire deal was reached, Trump said he had spoken to both leaders and had instructed his trade team to restart tariff talks.

    Pichai Chunhavajira, Thailand‘s finance minister, said on Tuesday that trade talks with Washington are expected to be concluded before August 1, and that U.S. tariffs on the country are not expected to be as high as 36%.

    (Reuters)