Junior Digest

Washington/New Delhi, Feb 14,2025: India and the US announced a new initiative – the US-India COMPACT – Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology for the 21st Century – to drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation – defence, investment and trade, energy security, technology and innovation, multilateral cooperation, people to people connection.

According to the joint statement, following talks between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, the two sides firmed up a new 10-year Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in the 21st Century, which will be signed this year.

The US would expand defense sales and co-production with India to strengthen interoperability and defense industrial cooperation.

“The leaders welcomed the significant integration of US-origin defense items into India’s inventory to date, including C‑130J Super Hercules, C‑17 Globemaster III, P‑8I Poseidon aircraft; CH‑47F Chinooks, MH‑60R Seahawks, and AH‑64E Apaches; Harpoon anti-ship missiles; M777 howitzers; and MQ‑9Bs.

“The leaders determined that the U.S. would expand defense sales and co-production with India to strengthen interoperability and defense industrial cooperation. They announced plans to pursue this year new procurements and co-production arrangements for “Javelin” Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and “Stryker” Infantry Combat Vehicles in India to rapidly meet India’s defense requirements.”

India is to procure six additional P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft to enhance its maritime surveillance following agreement on sale terms.

The two sides will review their respective arms transfer regulations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), in order to streamline defense trade, technology exchange and maintenance, spare supplies and in-country repair and overhaul of U.S.-provided defense systems.

They called for opening negotiations this year for a Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreement.

They called for accelerating defense technology cooperation across space, air defense, missile, maritime and undersea technologies.

The US announced a review of its policy on releasing fifth generation fighters and undersea systems to India.

They announced a new initiative – the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) – to scale industry partnerships and production in the Indo-Pacific.

[The Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance refers to India-US cooperation in the area of underwater domain awareness technologies.

The US has offered a few co-production and co-development opportunities for UDA technologies, on commercial basis.

India is the very first country with whom US defence industry has offered to work with on these sensitive technologies.

Discussions are ongoing between concerned US companies and potential Indian partners in this regard. Some of the technologies offered are as follows:

• Sea Picket autonomous surveillance system with sonar acoustic array (produced by Thayer Mahan)

• Wave Glider unmanned surface vehicle systems (negotiations ongoing between Liquid Robotics/Boeing and Sagar Defence Engineering for co-production of 60 Wave Glider platforms in India)

• Low Frequency Active Towed Sonar (discussions ongoing with L3 Harris for co-development with Bharat Electronics)

• Multi-Static Active (MSA) sonobuoys (discussions ongoing with Ultra-Maritime for co-production with Bharat Dynamics Ltd.)

• Large Diameter Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (Dive LD) (produced by Andruil)

• Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicle (produced by Ocean Aero).

ASIA covers all these areas of co-development and co-production]

The two sides announced enhanced logistics and intelligence sharing; and security cooperation engagements.

Trade and Investment

They two sides set up a new goal for bilateral trade – “Mission 500” – aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

The first tranche of a mutually beneficial, multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) would be ready by fall of 2025.

They agreed to demonstrate mutual commitment to address bilateral trade barriers.

“The United States welcomed India’s recent measures to lower tariffs on U.S. products of interest in the areas of bourbon, motorcycles, ICT products and metals, as well as measures to enhance market access for U.S. agricultural products, like alfalfa hay and duck meat, and medical devices. India also expressed appreciation for U.S. measures taken to enhance exports of Indian mangoes and pomegranates to the United States. Both sides also pledged to collaborate to enhance bilateral trade by increasing U.S. exports of industrial goods to India and Indian exports of labor-intensive manufactured products to the United States. The two sides will also work together to increase trade in agricultural goods.”

The leaders “welcomed ongoing investments by Indian companies worth approximately $7.35 billion, such as those by Hindalco’s Novelis in finished aluminum goods at their state-of-the art facilities in Alabama and Kentucky; JSW in steel manufacturing operations at Texas and Ohio; Epsilon Advanced Materials in the manufacture of critical battery materials in North Carolina; and Jubilant Pharma in the manufacture of injectables in Washington. These investments support over 3,000 high-quality jobs for local families.”

Technology and Innovation

The two sides announced the launch of the US-India TRUST (“Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology”) initiative – which will catalyze government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote application of critical and emerging technologies in areas like defense, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space.

The two sides put forward a U.S.-India Roadmap on Accelerating AI Infrastructure by the end of the year.

They will work together to enable industry partnerships and investments in next generation data centers, cooperation on development and access to compute and processors for AI.

They announced launch of INDUS Innovation – a new innovation bridge modeled after the successful INDUS-X platform, that will advance U.S.-India industry and academic partnerships and foster investments in space, energy, and other emerging technologies.

Pharma: They announced expanding Indian manufacturing capacity, including in the U.S., for active pharmaceutical ingredients for critical medicines.

The two sides announced aunch of the Strategic Mineral Recovery initiative – a new U.S.-India cooperative program to recover and process critical minerals (including lithium, cobalt, and rare earths) from heavy industries like aluminum, coal mining and oil and gas.

An MoU was signed – for a new partnership between the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Indian Anusandhan National Research Foundation in researching critical and emerging technologies.
Energy Security

The two sides re-committed to the U.S.-India Energy Security Partnership, including in oil, gas, and civil nuclear energy

US announced its support for India to join the International Energy Agency as a full member.

They agreed to fully realize the U.S.-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement – by moving forward with plans to work together to build U.S.-designed nuclear reactors in India through large scale localization and possible technology transfer

The two sides are to unlock plans to build large U.S.-designed reactors and enable collaboration to develop, deploy and scale up nuclear power generation with advanced small modular reactors.

People to People

There was recognition that the 300,000 strong Indian student community contributes to over $8 billion annually to the U.S. economy which helped create a number of direct and indirect jobs.

They agreed to strengthen collaborations between the higher education institutions through efforts such as joint/dual degree and twinning programs, establishing joint Centres of Excellence, and setting up of offshore campuses of premier educational institutions of the U.S. in India.

They were committed to streamlining avenues for legal mobility of students and professionals, and facilitating short-term tourist and business travel, while also aggressively addressing illegal immigration and human trafficking

They agreed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation to take decisive action against organized crime syndicates, including narco-terrorists, human and arms traffickers as well as other elements who threaten public and diplomatic safety and security, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations

Multilateral Cooperation

They reaffirmed commitment to Quad and Indo – Pacific

During the Quad Leaders’ Summit in India – PM Modi would host President Trump

They agreed on a plan to convene partners from the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor and the I2U2 Group within the next six months in order to announce new initiatives within 2025.

They announced launch of the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture – new bilateral, whole-of-government forum to advance coordinated investments in economic connectivity and commerce.

Meta’s announcement of a multi-billion, multi-year investment in an undersea cable project – is to begin work this year and ultimately stretch over 50,000 km to connect five continents and strengthen global digital highways in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

They announced plans to build new plurilateral anchor partnerships in the Western Indian Ocean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific to grow relationships, commerce and cooperation across defense, technology, energy and critical minerals

The two sides condemned terrorism; called out Pakistan – to bring perpetrators of 26/11 and Pathankot to justice; and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks

The U.S. announced that the extradition to India of Tahawwur Rana has been approved.

Marseilles/New Delhi, Feb 12,2025: In a major step in civil nuclear energy cooperation, India and France agreed on establishment of partnership in Advanced Modular Reactors and Small Modular Reactors, following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron of France in Marseilles.

The two leaders also jointly inaugurated India’s Consulate in Marseille, and paid homage to the Indian soldiers who died during World War I at the Mazargues War Cemetery.

Earlier, the two leaders flew together from Paris to Marseille in the French Presidential Aircraft on Tuesday, in a special gesture reflecting the personal rapport between the two leaders.

They held discussions on the full spectrum of bilateral relations and key global and regional issues.

This was followed by delegation level talks after arrival in Marseille.

The leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to the India-France Strategic Partnership, which has steadily evolved into a multifaceted relationship over the past 25 years, a statement said.

The talks covered all aspects of the India-France strategic partnership. The two leaders reviewed cooperation in the strategic areas of Defence, Civil Nuclear Energy and Space.

They also discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in the fields of Technology and Innovation. This area of partnership assumes greater salience in the backdrop of the just concluded AI Action Summit and the upcoming India-France Year of Innovation in 2026.

The leaders also called for enhancing trade and investment ties and in this regard welcomed the report of the 14th India- France CEOs Forum.

⁠Prime Minister Modi and President Macron expressed satisfaction at the ongoing collaboration in the fields of health, culture, tourism, education and people-to-people ties. They committed to further deepen engagement in the Indo-Pacific and in global forums and initiatives.

A Joint Statement outlining the way forward for India- France ties was adopted after the talks.

Ten outcomes in the areas of Technology and Innovation, Civil Nuclear Energy, Triangular Cooperation, Environment, Culture and People to People relations were also finalized.

President Macron hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister in the coastal town of Cassis, near Marseille. Prime Minister invited President Macron to visit India.

List of Outcomes:

1. India France Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

2. Launch of the Logo for the India-France Year of Innovation 2026

3. Letter of Intent between Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA) France to establish the Indo-French Center for the Digital Sciences

4. Agreement for hosting 10 Indian Startups at the French Start-up incubator Station

5. Declaration of Intent on establishment of partnership on Advanced Modular Reactors and Small Modular Reactors (civil nuclear energy)

6. Renewal of MoU between Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India and Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives of France (CAE), France concerning cooperation with Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) (civil nuclear energy)

7. Implementing Agreement between DAE of India and CEA of France concerning cooperation between GCNEP India and Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INSTN) France (civil nuclear energy)

8. Joint Declaration of Intent on Triangular Development Cooperation (Indo-Pacific/ Sustainable Development)

9. Joint Inauguration of India’s Consulate in Marseille

10. Declaration of Intent between The Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Marine Affairs and Fisheries and The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Field of Environment.

CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Feb 15,2025: Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha (Alexander) Troufanov were freed in Gaza on Saturday and Israel began releasing some 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in exchange, after mediators helped avert a ceasefire collapse.

The three Israelis were led onto a stage with Palestinian Hamas militants armed with automatic rifles standing on each side of them at the site in Khan Younis, live footage showed, before they were taken into Israel by Israeli forces.

Shortly afterwards, the first bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees departed Israel’s Ofer jail in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, live footage showed. The bus arrived in Ramallah to a cheering crowd, some waving Palestinian flags.

The swap of the three Israelis for the 369 Palestinians eased fears that the ceasefire agreement could collapse before the end of the 42-day first stage of a ceasefire deal in effect since January 19.

In what has become known as Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, people broke into cheers and tears when they heard the Red Cross was on its way to deliver the three to Israeli military forces in the Gaza Strip.

They appeared relieved to see that the trio was in apparently better physical condition than another three freed last week who appeared emaciated and weak.

Residents of Israeli kibbutz communities near the Gaza border lined the road cheering and waving Israeli flags as the vehicles carrying the hostages out of Gaza passed by.
Some of the dozens of masked Islamist Hamas fighters deployed at the handover site carried rifles seized from the Israeli military during the October attack, Hamas sources said.

On the handover stage in Khan Younis, the hostages were made to give short statements in Hebrew and militants presented one of them, Iair Horn, with an hourglass and photo of another Israeli hostage still in Gaza and his mother, reading “time is running out (for the hostages still in Gaza)”.

Nineteen Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released so far, with 73 still in captivity, around half of whom have been declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities.
THREATS

Hamas had earlier threatened not to release more hostages after it accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire by blocking aid from entering Gaza, drawing counterthreats of a resumption of fighting from Israel, which called up reservists and placed its forces on high alert.

The emaciated appearance of the three hostages freed last week and accounts of abuse by other hostages released since January 19 when the truce took effect have set off Israeli protests demanding the government stick to the ceasefire and pursue the next stage to bring all remaining hostages home.

In an apparent effort to head off some of the criticism of hostage mistreatment, Islamic Jihad, the militant group that is allied with Hamas and held Troufanov, released a video of him on Friday, showing him eating and fishing at the Gaza beach.

Prospects for the ceasefire surviving have also been clouded by U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Palestinians to be moved permanently out of Gaza, and for the enclave to be turned over to the U.S. to be redeveloped. That call was flatly rejected by Palestinian groups, Arab states and Western allies.

Hamas agreed last month to hand over 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children and sick, wounded and older men, in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, during a six-week truce during which Israeli forces would pull back from some of their positions in Gaza.

Before Saturday, 16 of the 33 Israeli hostages had been returned, along with five Thais who were handed over in an unscheduled release. That left 76 hostages still in Gaza, only around half of whom are thought to be alive.

The truce was intended to open the way for a second phase of negotiations to return remaining hostages and complete the withdrawal of Israeli forces before a final end to the war and the rebuilding of Gaza, which now lies largely in ruins, facing shortages of food, running water and electricity.

Israel invaded the coastal enclave after the Hamas-led attack on communities in Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and taking 251 as hostages.

The Israeli military campaign that followed has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Palestinian health ministry figures, destroyed many of its buildings and left most of the population homeless.

Muscat/New Delhi, Feb 16,2025: The Indian Ocean is a global lifeline, with its production, consumption, contribution and connectivity being central to the world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today, adding that at its one end the Middle East conflict is going on and could escalate, while at its other end the Indo-Pacific is witnessing tensions, including over unilateral changes to the status quo.

Addressing the Indian Ocean Conference 2025: ‘Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership’ in Muscat, the EAM outlined 10 ways in which India is contributing by rapidly strengthening its own capabilities and forging partnerships with Indian Ocean neighbours, near and far.

“In the Middle East/West Asia, there is a serious conflict underway with the potential for further escalation and complication. At the same time, longstanding issues are being revisited, sometimes with a radically different approach. Its maritime consequence is visible in a serious disruption of global shipping, with considerable cost to our economies.

“The Indo-Pacific has been witnessing deeper tensions and sharper contestations. The scenario is intrinsically maritime in nature, involving respect for and observance of international law. There are other concerns, some related and some autonomous. Stronger assertions of interests is one issue; concern about unilateral changes to the status quo another,” the EAM said, in an oblique reference to China and its hegemonistic behaviour in the South China Sea.

“From India’s own experience, we can say that adhering to agreements and understandings is a central element to ensuring stability and predictability,” he added, in reference to the India-China LAC agreements.

The EAM said like other parts of the Global South, the Indian Ocean nations too face resource constraints and economic headwinds, with many struggling to meet their SDG targets. “In quite a few cases, debt is a serious concern. Some of that arises from stresses of the international economy, but in certain cases, from imprudent borrowing and unviable projects,” he said, in an allusion to countries falling into deep debt due to projects financed by Beijing.

He said in order to make rebuilding connectivity in the region “a truly shared endeavor, it is vital to ensure that connectivity initiatives are consultative and transparent, not unilateral and opaque”—in reference to China’s BRI connectivity projects.

Indian Ocean nations are also facing challenges to monitor their EEZ and secure their fishing interests. “Nor can they be impervious to illegal trafficking of various kinds and the spectre of terrorism. Each of these dimensions – and certainly their cumulative impact – has a strong maritime implication. Our journey to new horizons must necessarily focus on addressing these challenges,” the EAM said.

He outlined how India has been doing its bit in the Indian Ocean region.

From the time of Covid and its aftermath, India has been the source of vaccines, medicines, food, fuel and fertilizer for many countries in the region, with the biggest commitment being made to Sri Lanka – a financial package of USD 4 billion to stabilize its economy that had slid into a crisis.

He said the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the India Myanmar Thailand Trilateral Highway (IMTT) would be among the two key collaborative connectivity initiatives under consideration, as well as the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). “India is obviously the common element in all of them. IMEC and INSTC have an explicit maritime segment, while the IMTT would provide a land link between India and the Pacific.”

India has been active as a First Responder in the Indian Ocean region, ranging from the conflict in Yemen, natural disasters in Mozambique, Sri Lanka or Myanmar, earthquake in Nepal and Turkiye or a water crisis in the Maldives. Both off Mauritius and Sri Lanka, India has responded to significant oil spills.

India has been active in encouraging plurilateral cooperation, with the Quad as the most notable of the initiatives that encourages interoperability and cooperation.

The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, located outside Delhi, is a common operating platform. ”By establishing coastal surveillance radars and partnering on White Shipping agreements, maritime traffic is made safer and more secure for our collective benefit.”

For more than a year, India has been participating in coordinated responses, including through the deployment of its naval forces, in the Northern Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden, he said referring to the Houthi attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea region.

India has been participating in training and equipping other navies and coast guards as part of this, in collaboration with countries like Vietnam, Mauritius, Mozambique and Sri Lanka.

“Ensuring trusted communication in a digital era is a crucial national security objective. Participating in consortiums is therefore an inevitable outcome. Both as government and as vendor, India is contributing its fair share and more in this regard,” he added.

“The Indo–Pacific is experiencing activity of both resident and non–resident powers. Harmonizing them is a challenge that India, in particular, is well placed to address. It has the confidence of the Global South as well as the credentials to engage major powers. We strive to ensure that agendas alien to our ethos and outlook are not inserted in the region. And equally encourage respect for UNCLOS in both spirit and letter,” the EAM said, in another barb at China that does not care to abide by international laws.

India has been energetic in institution-building in the Indian Ocean region, like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) whose current Secretary General is a senior Indian diplomat; the BIMSTEC; the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), the Colombo Security Conclave; the India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the Indian Ocean Conference, the EAM outlined.

“Our voyage to new horizons is best done as a coordinated flotilla of the Indian Ocean. We are understandably a diverse group in terms of history, geography, development, politics or culture. But what unites us is a common devotion to the well-being of the Indian Ocean region. In a volatile and uncertain era, we seek stability and security as the baseline. But beyond that, there are ambitions and aspirations that we strive to achieve. They will be easier reached when we look out for each other, supplement our strengths and coordinate our policies. I can assure you all that India will be in the forefront of these endeavours,” EAM said.

New Delhi, Feb 11,2025: In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the Sikkim High Court’s decision striking down Clause of Section 65(105) of the Finance Act, 1994, as inserted by the Finance Act, 2010, declaring it unconstitutional.

The contentious clause sought to introduce “promotion, marketing, organising, or assisting in organising games of chance, including lottery” as a new category of taxable service.

The petitioners, private companies engaged in the sale of paper and online lottery tickets organized by the Government of Sikkim, had challenged the clause on the grounds that their activities did not constitute a “taxable service.” They argued that conducting lotteries falls under “betting and gambling,” which is exclusively within the competence of the State legislature under Entry 62 of List II in the Seventh Schedule.

A bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice N.K. Singh affirmed the Sikkim High Court’s findings and dismissed the Union Government’s appeal.

The Court held that the relationship between lottery distributors and the State of Sikkim is principal-to-principal, not principal-to-agent. As a result, service tax could not be levied on lottery distributors, as they were not rendering any service to the State.

“There being no agency, no service is rendered by the respondent-assessees herein as an agent to the Government of Sikkim. Service tax is not leviable on the transactions between the purchaser of the lottery tickets and the Government of Sikkim,” Justice Nagarathna stated while delivering the operative portion of the judgment.

The bench also reiterated that the activity of promotion, marketing, or organizing games of chance, including lotteries, is covered under “betting and gambling” in Entry 62 of the State List, making the State Legislature the only competent authority to levy tax on such activities.

The Supreme Court’s verdict follows the precedent set in K. Arumugham v. Union of India (2024), where it was held that the sale of lottery tickets by State Governments is an activity for revenue generation and does not constitute a service-attracting service tax liability. However, the respondents will remain liable to pay gambling tax imposed by the State under Entry 62 of List II.

The Apex Court reaffirmed the constitutional distinction between State and Parliamentary taxation powers concerning lottery operations.

New Delhi, Feb 4,2025: In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed pleas filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) seeking clarification that the Court’s 2019 ruling in Union of India v Tarsem Singh on grant of solatium and interest to aggrieved landowners should apply prospectively.

A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan stated that granting such clarification would defeat the very relief intended by Tarsem Singh. The bench emphasized that modifying the ruling would undermine the doctrine of finality in judicial decisions and delay justice for landowners.

“The ultimate outcome of Tarsem Singh relates to granting solatium and interest to aggrieved landowners whose lands were acquired between 1997 and 2015. Modifying or clarifying it would amount to evading responsibility and delaying a settled issue,” the bench observed.

In the landmark 2019 Tarsem Singh case, the Supreme Court declared Section 3J of the National Highways Act, 1956, unconstitutional to the extent it excluded solatium and interest payable under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, for land acquisitions by NHAI.

The judgment ensured that solatium and interest provisions under Sections 23(1A), 23(2), and 28 of the Land Acquisition Act applied to acquisitions under the NH Act.

NHAI later sought clarification on whether this ruling would apply prospectively to avoid reopening cases where compensation determinations had attained finality.

Rejecting NHAI’s plea, the Court underscored the need to eliminate discrimination between landowners whose properties were acquired by NHAI between 1997 and 2015 and those whose lands were acquired post-2015.

“When a provision is declared unconstitutional, disparity affecting a select group must be rectified, particularly when it strikes at the core of Article 14,” the bench noted.

The Court also dismissed concerns about the financial burden of Rs. 100 crores raised by NHAI, stating that the cost would ultimately be borne by commuters and not project proponents under the public-private partnership model.

The Court finally directed the competent authority to compute the solatium and interest payable to landowners under the Tarsem Singh case.

Kampala, Feb. 14,2025: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Thursday announced the release of additional 2 million U.S. dollars to support Uganda’s effort to fight the ongoing Ebola outbreak, bringing the total funding to 3 million dollars in three weeks.

In a post on X social media platform, Ghebreyesus said the funds would further support the East African country’s response to the outbreak. “Our teams are supporting surveillance, laboratories, logistics, infection prevention and control in hospitals, treatment centers and research,” he said.

On Jan. 30, the WHO released 1 million U.S. dollars and mobilized trial vaccines to support Uganda’s national health authorities to contain and end the new wave of Ebola outbreak.

Uganda last month declared an Ebola outbreak after a 32-year-old male nurse working at the Mulago National Referral Hospital in the capital of Kampala succumbed to the disease.

According to Uganda’s Ministry of Health, as of Wednesday, the country has registered nine laboratory-confirmed Ebola virus infections, including one death, and at least 265 contacts of the first case are being monitored.

Tel Aviv, Feb 2,2025: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travels to the United States on Sunday morning to be the first foreign leader to meet with President Donald Trump after the latter’s inauguration.

The Israeli prime minister’s office previously reported that a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu at the White House was scheduled for February 4.

Netanyahu and Trump intend to discuss the current situation in the Gaza Strip, the issue of Israeli hostages, the confrontation with all elements of the Iranian “axis of evil” and other key issues during the upcoming “historic” meeting.

Before the Israeli prime minister’s departure to the United States, it became known that Netanyahu had agreed with the US Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff to begin negotiations on the second stage of the deal with the Palestinian movement Hamas on a ceasefire in Gaza at their meeting in Washington next Monday. Thus, negotiations on the second stage of the agreement will begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the first stage of the deal, within the framework of which Israel managed to return 18 hostages from the Palestinian enclave in 2 weeks.

The negotiations will take place against the backdrop of Trump’s recent decision to lift the US ban on the deliveries of heavy 2,000-pound bombs to Israel.

Feb 9,2025: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned today to quell dissidence in the state BJP against his leadership. His government was facing the possibility of a Congress no-confidence motion and floor test. The Chief Minister handed his resignation to the Governor this evening. The Congress said the “belated” resignation was a vindication of its demand.

With the resignation of the Chief Minister, the budget session of the Manipur assembly that was to begin from today, has been cancelled, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has said.

While the BJP has the numbers despite the withdrawal of support by Conrad Sangma’s National Peoples’ Party, there was a possibility that the MLAs who sought a change in leadership, would have disregarded a party whip in case of a floor test.

To avert that possibility, the Chief Minister stepped down after conferring with the central leadership.

Mr Singh had gone to Delhi this morning where he met party chief JP Nadda and its chief strategist, Union Minister Amit Shah.

Citing the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023, around 12 MLAs have been strongly pushing for a change in leadership.

Washington/New Delhi, Feb 13,2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington on a two-day official working visit during which he will hold talks with US President Donald Trump, members of the US Cabinet and industry leaders.

In a post on X, the PM said he is looking forward to his talks with President Trump and building on the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“Landed in Washington DC a short while ago. Looking forward to meeting @POTUS Donald Trump and building upon the India-USA Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

“Our nations will keep working closely for the benefit of our people and for a better future for our planet.”

The MEA spokesperson said in a post on X:

“A new chapter in the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

“PM @narendramodi arrives on an official working visit to Washington D.C., USA.

“During the visit, PM will meet @POTUS @realDonaldTrump, members of the US Cabinet & industry leaders.”

PM Modi, who is staying at Blair House, will be the fourth foreign leader to meet US President Donald Trump since the latter’s swearing in last month – after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba and Jordan’s King Abdullah.

The PM was given a rousing welcome by large members of the Indian diaspora who gathered near Blair House after he landed in the evening on Wednesday.

February 1, 2025: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her 8th budget on Saturday. The Finance Bill is set to be tabled next week, according to the Finance Minister.

Nirmala Sitharaman, in the Budget 2025 announcement, proposed revised tax rates, which highlights that income up to ₹12 lakh will draw zero income tax rates under the new tax regime.
Capex: India’s capital expenditure (Capex) rises to ₹11.21 crore as per the budget estimates of FY2025-26, the budget estimates of FY2024-25 was at ₹11.11 lakh crore, according to the budget data.
Bihar Makhana: Budget 2025 announced India’s plans to create a Makhana Board, which will be established in Bihar to improve the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of Makhana.
Job Scheme: The Modi 3.0 government accounted its plans to generate 22 lakh jobs in the economy through this scheme. India aims to enhance the productivity, quality, and competitiveness of India’s footwear and leather sector.
UDAN Scheme: The government also plans to launch a modified version of the UDAN Scheme, which aims to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore passengers in the coming 10 years.

To boost India’s agriculture sector, FM Sitharaman announced multiple agriculture support schemes, expanded credit limit for farmers, MSMEs, and startups. There was a focus on boosting cultivation of pulses and cotton.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman included the gig economy workers to Centre’s several employment welfare schemes. Now, gig economy workers can take the benefit of identity cards and be enrolled in a national registry to ensure their inclusion in welfare schemes
India’s Nuclear Move
According to Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget announcement, the government plans to launch a Nuclear Energy Mission for research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR).
India allocated ₹20,000 crore for it to be set up and said that it will develop five SMRs, which would be operational by 2033.
Budget Speech’s hot topic ‘Bihar’
According to Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement and the Budget speech, Bihar remained the hot topic for the government this year. Sitharaman mentioned Bihar six times in her entire speech, the Finance Minister did not name any other state during the Lok Sabha and Nation address.
Proposals ranged from Makhana Board to Greenfield Airports, as per the budget announcement.

IT and Telecom allocations dropped to ₹95,298 crore for FY2025-26.
According to the Union Budget data, the IT and Telecom sector allocations dropped to ₹95,298 crore for FY2025-26, while the FY2024-25 budget estimates were at ₹1.16 lakh crore.

These were the most important numbers for the day:

1. Total receipts (excluding borrowings) – 31.47 lakh crore

2. Net tax receipts – 25.57 lakh crore

3. Total expenditure – 47.16 lakh crore

4. Capital expenditure – 10.18 lakh crore

5. Fiscal deficit – 4.8 per cent of GDP

(As per the FY25 revised estimates)

What will become cheaper?

Union Budget 2025 Highlights: According to Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025 announcement, these are the following items which are meant to become cheaper after the government’s guidance.

1. Cancer and lifesaving drugs

2. Solar PV cells and lithium-ion batteries

3. Lithium-ion batteries for EVs and mobiles

4. Telecom equipment
India’s Energy allocation rose 18% YoY as per budget estimates
According to the Union Budget data, India’s allocation to Energy increased to ₹81,174 crore as per the budget estimates of FY2025-26, compared to ₹68,769 crore as per the budget estimates of FY2024-2.
What does an increase in FDI limit mean?
According to the Budget 2025 announcement, the government of India increased the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit for the insurance sector from 74% to 100%.

This move from the government comes to attract more foreign investment into the insurance sector in the Indian market. “This enhanced limit will be available for those companies which invest the entire premium in India,” according to the Budget announcement.

India pegs Defence Budget at ₹4.91 lakh crore for FY2025-26
The Indian government pegged its Defence spending budget estimates at ₹4.91 lakh crore for FY2025-26. The government spent ₹4.56 lakh crore in the FY2024-25, as per the revised estimates.

New tax regime advantageous for younger taxpayers?

According to the new tax proposals laid out by Nirmala Sitharaman, the new tax regime aims to ensure that individuals have more disposable income to spend and invest in the manner they want.

The old tax regime makes individuals invest in tax-saving investment options like ELSS, provident funds, pension funds, life insurance among other things. It also made people buy houses with bank loans to reduce the tax outgo.

A young taxpayer is not required to make forced investments which people in the old tax regime used to make to save taxes. The new regime has brought the tax slabs down for the middle-income and low-income earners.

What is Section 87A rebate?

Union Budget 2025 Highlights: According to the Income Tax Act of 1961, eligible taxpayers get a total waiver of income tax if their total income for the year is below ₹5 lakh.

As per the proposal of the Budget 2025, Section 87A has been revised for resident individuals, the rebate limit has been increased from ₹7 lakh to ₹12 lakh and the maximum rebate from ₹25,000 to ₹60,000.

However, the rebate will not apply to income taxed at special rates if the individual stays in the default tax regime, according to the data.
The ‘dream budget’ for middle class?

Union Budget 2025 Highlights: Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2025 announcement is being termed as the “dream budget” for the middle class as the Union Finance Minister proposed no tax till the income of ₹12 lakh per year.

Key tax points you need to look out for:

1. Taxpayers with a normal income (excluding special rate income like capital gains) of up to ₹12 lakh will have no tax liability due to a rebate and reduced slab rates.

2. Those earning ₹12 lakh will receive a tax benefit of ₹80,000, which covers 100% of their tax payable under existing rates. For an income of ₹18 lakh, the benefit is ₹70,000, covering 30% of the tax payable.

3. Similarly, a person earning ₹25 lakh will get a benefit of ₹1,10,000, which accounts for 25% of their tax liability under the current rates.

Where is Govt earning from?

Union Budget 2025 Highlights: The Indian government expenditures are diversified in terms of supporting national security, public good, and economic development.

According to the budget 2025 data, the biggest share goes to the state’s taxes and duties at 22%. Interest payments that result from previous borrowings are at 20%. Central sector schemes at 16% of the total spending, 8% goes to Finance Commission transfers and other grants, are among many other costs which the nation has to expend and estimate for its budget every year.

Where does money come from?

Union Budget 2025 Highlights: The government of India earns from the collection of tax revenues and non-tax revenues.

According to the Union Budget 2025, the government earned 39% of the total receipts from income and corporate taxes compared to the previous year. The GST collection trends show a consistent consumption pattern unchanged at 18%.

The government earned 5% from union excise duties and 4% from customs duties, according to the budget data.

India to launch a modified UDAN Scheme.
The Indian government plans to launch a modified version of the UDAN Scheme, which aims to boost regional connectivity in India. The scheme aims to connect 120 new destinations and carry four crore passengers in the coming 10 years, according to the Budget announcement.

Budget proposes to lift restrictions on claiming two properties as self-occupied.

In the Budget announcement, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed that India plans to lift restrictions on claiming two properties as self-occupied to streamline the process for taxpayers.

India’s Capex target drops in FY2025-26.

India’s capital expenditure (Capex) target drops to ₹11.21 crore as per the budget estimates of FY2025-26, compared to the budget estimates of FY2024-25 at ₹11.11 lakh crore, according to the budget data.

Fiscal Deficit estimated to be 4.4% of GDP for FY2025-26.
India’s Fiscal Deficit is estimated to be 4.4 per cent of GDP at ₹15.68 lakh crore as per the budget estimates for FY2025-26.
India’s market borrowings estimates at ₹11.53 lakh crore as per the FY2025-26 budget estimates.

Union Finance Minister Sitharaman said the gross market borrowings through bonds and other dated securities are estimated to be ₹11.53 lakh crore as per the budget estimates of 2025-26, according to the budget announcement.

The gross market borrowings via bonds, as per the budget estimates of FY2024-25, were at ₹14.01 lakh crore, as per the July Budget data.

India’s capital receipts borrowings estimated to be at ₹15.68 lakh crore for FY2025-26

India’s estimate for capital receipt borrowings is ₹15.68 lakh crore for FY2025-26, according to the budget data.

According to the July Budget 2024 data, India’s borrowings and other liabilities under capital receipts for the FY2024-25 budget estimates were ₹16.13 lakh crore.

Capital receipts are money inflows that the government receives from non-recurring activities and are used to create long-term investments, pay off debts, and plan expansion.

India’s manufacturing aims
The Indian government aims to support “Clean Tech Manufacturing” to improve domestic value addition, jobs and build an ecosystem for solar PV cells, EV batteries, motors and controllers, electrolyzers, wind turbines, very high voltage transmission equipment and grid-scale batteries, according to the budget announcement.

India exempted basic customs duty on Wet Blue Leather.
The government announced that it has decided to fully exempt the basic customs duty on Wet Blue Leather. India aims to help imports for domestic value addition and employment.

Govt to launch ‘Customized Credit Card’ with ₹5 lakh limit for Micro Enterprises.

The government will launch a ‘Customized Credit Card’ with ₹5 lakh limit for Micro Enterprises, registered on the Udyam portal. According to the budget announcment, the government plans to launch 10 lakh cards in the first year.

FM Sitharaman on New Income Tax says, ‘Everyone is getting benefits…’

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that every salaried individual is getting benefits from this new system, as overall tax rates have also been brought down.

“Across the board, everyone is getting benefits, as all the groups are getting benefits,” said Sitharaman.

FM Sitharaman on the new Finance Bill.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says she hopes the upcoming Finance Bill gets past without any “difficulties.”

“I hope it gets passed without any difficulties…,” said Sitharaman.

Centre announced new Urea plant plans in Assam.

According to the Budget announcement, a new Urea plant is to be set up in Namrup, Assam. The plant is set to have an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes.

Centre will create ‘Makhana Board’ in Bihar.

Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the central government would create a “Makhana Board” in Bihar to improve the production, processing, value addition, and marketing of Makhana.

India to create 22 lakh jobs

According to the budget announcement, India aims to generate 22 lakh jobs in the economy through a newly launched “Focus Product Scheme” in the footwear and leather industry.

What will the new Income Tax bill have?

According to the Budget announcement, the New Income Tax Bill, which is set to be tabled next week, will be 50% less in text compared to the present law. With this move, the government aims to simplify the topic of taxation for taxpayers and the tax administration. They also aim to create tax certainty and reduce litigation.

Govt exempted 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines from the basic customs duty.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced the exemption of 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines from the basic customs duty (BCDs) on Saturday, February 1.

Centre hikes MSME investment and turnover limits

Budget 2025 Key Highlights: The government hiked the MSME investment and turnover limits 2.5 and 2 times, respectively, in the Union Budget 2025 announcement.

Govt’s plan to boost India’s tourism
India plans to boost tourism in the nation, as Union Finance Minister announced the plans to develop the top 50 tourist sites in partnership with the State.

The Centre announced the introduction of an intensive skill-development programme for the youth. Sitharaman announced that the government will provide MUDRA loans for homestays. They also provide performance-linked incentives to states. They also announced e-visa facilities in the Budget announcement.

Washington, Feb 3,2025: US President Donald Trump announced plans to hold “meetings and talks” with Russia and Ukraine.

“We’ve had a very busy weekend. We’re dealing with Israel, we’re dealing with Ukraine and Russia. We have meetings and talks scheduled with various parties, including Ukraine and Russia,” Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on his way to the White House.

According to Trump, “the discussions are actually going pretty well.”

Washington, Feb 13,2025: U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a phone conversation earlier in the day that Washington and Moscow will immediately engage in direct negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

“I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump said, offering his version of the content of the call in a post on Truth Social.

Trump said he and Putin agreed that “we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine.”

“We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations. We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now,” Trump said.

He said he has asked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff to lead the U.S. team in the negotiations.

Trump said he felt “strongly” that the negotiations between the United States and Russia “will be successful.”