A bilateral trade deal between India and the US is critical as it supports Donald Trump's focus on boosting American production and exports. Reducing duties across-the-board could shift goods sourcing from American factories to more competitive regions like China or Southeast Asia. Despite tariff reductions on imported bikes and bourbon, benefits to US factories have been limited.
US companies Harley-Davidson and Tesla, despite President Trump's push for lower Indian import duties, prefer manufacturing outside the US. Harley imports its bikes from Thailand, and Tesla will ship its cars from Germany due to locational advantages and economies of scale. India's recent customs duty cuts are unlikely to change these import strategies.
Five women from Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, involved in the Jal Jeevan Mission, will present their transformative stories at the UN House in New Delhi. Trained to test water quality, these women ensure access to clean drinking water in rural areas and will demonstrate their methods, highlighting the mission's impact on reducing water-borne diseases and creating employment opportunities.
Ashok Gehlot has called Mani Shankar Aiyar a frustrated and erratic individual for his remarks on Rajiv Gandhi's competency. Aiyar's critical comments have sparked significant backlash within the Congress, with leaders like Harish Rawat and Nana Patole condemning his statements and questioning his mental state.
British lawmaker Bob Blackman raised concerns in the House of Commons over an attack on India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar by Khalistani activists in London. The incident, described as an affront to democracy, led to calls for a statement from the Home Secretary on visitor safety. The UK Foreign Office condemned the attack, and the Metropolitan Police ensured Jaishankar's safety, making no arrests.
In a significant enhancement to the Indian Air Force's strategic airlift capabilities, the C-17 Globemaster-III made its first landing at Kargil airfield near the Line of Control with Pakistan. This trial run paves the way for future night landings, supplementing the existing use of C-130J aircraft, and boosting India's military logistics against China and Pakistan.
Ranveer Allahbadia and Apoorva Mukhija faced the NCW for making offensive comments on a show. The Supreme Court criticized Allahbadia's remarks, calling them vulgar and attributing them to a dirty mind, and issued temporary protection from arrest.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India aims to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to fully resolve the Kashmir issue. In response, Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah challenged the Centre, questioning why no action has been taken to reclaim PoK yet and the absence of discussion on China's controlled land.
Two Indian nationals, Muhammed Rinash Arangilottu and Muraleedharan Perumthatta Valappil, were executed in the UAE after the country's highest court upheld their death sentences for murder. Despite diplomatic efforts and mercy petitions, the sentences were carried out. The Indian Embassy provided consular and legal assistance throughout the case.
Over one lakh people in Tamil Nadu have supported the BJP's online campaign advocating the three-language policy as part of the NEP 2020. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai criticized the state's detention of BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan for hosting a public signature drive and vowed to continue their efforts despite police arrests.
Chaos ensued at Aligarh Muslim University as Akhil Bharatiya Karni Sena protested against the university's denial of a 'special' Holi event. The group alleges discrimination against Hindu students. AMU clarified that the decision aims to maintain consistency in their policies, as such events were never allowed before and Holi is typically celebrated within departments and hostels.
The Supreme Court urged high courts to avoid delaying liberty-related cases, expressing concern over a two-month delay in hearing a temporary bail plea on urgent medical grounds. The plea seeks temporary bail for a petitioner to attend to his daughter's surgery. The Supreme Court advised the high court to expedite this matter swiftly.
The Supreme Court has ordered a halt on new legal cases against Tamil Nadu minister Udaynidhi Stalin for his «eradicate Sanatan Dharma» statement unless permitted by the court. This decision comes amid multiple cases filed over his remarks comparing 'Sanatan Dharma' to diseases like coronavirus. The court has extended protection for Stalin from any coercive action related to these cases.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Uttarakhand's Mukhwa-Harsil, emphasizing the need for all-season tourism in the state. He expressed his excitement about the region's cultural significance and natural beauty, while also offering condolences to the victims of a recent avalanche. PM Modi flagged off a trek and bike rally, showcasing the government's commitment to boosting year-round tourism.
Uttarakhand has excelled in numerous rural development schemes, including DAY-NRLM, DDU-GKY, MGNREGA, PMGSY, and PMAY. The state received recognition, additional targets, and increased allocations for future projects, highlighting significant progress in skill development, employment, infrastructure, and housing initiatives. These efforts have improved living standards and encouraged further development.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar confirmed a bilateral trade agreement discussion with US Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who is in the US. This follows President Donald Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs, citing unfair high tariffs from India and other nations. Trump emphasized equivalent tariffs to level the playing field.
During his official visit to the UK, EAM S Jaishankar faced heckling by Khalistani extremists at an event in London. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the security breach and called on the UK government to meet their diplomatic obligations. The incident involved protesters tearing the Indian national flag while police officers appeared unresponsive.
The Supreme Court has ordered a halt on new legal cases against Tamil Nadu minister Udaynidhi Stalin for his «eradicate Sanatan Dharma» statement unless permitted by the court. This decision comes amid multiple cases filed over his remarks comparing 'Sanatan Dharma' to diseases like coronavirus. The court has extended protection for Stalin from any coercive action related to these cases.
The Supreme Court criticized the Uttarakhand government for misusing CAMPA funds meant for forest re-creation on non-permissible items like laptops and iPhones. The court demanded a detailed explanation from the state's chief secretary by March 19, warning of potential personal appearance in court if unsatisfactory.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin once again criticizes the BJP-led central government over its language policies in the National Education Policy 2020. Stalin accuses BJP leaders of treating Tamil Nadu as second-class citizens and questions their commitment to the Tamil language, demanding linguistic equality and the removal of Hindi imposition.
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi was suspended for the entire Maharashtra budget session over his remarks on Aurangzeb. Azmi called the decision arbitrary, expressing concerns for his family's safety. Despite willing to retract his statement, protests continued with SP's Akhilesh Yadav and Sena UBT's Uddhav Thackeray sharing strong opinions.