Putin accepts Modi's request to release Indian military recruits

In what will be a relief for the families of men recruited into the Russian military to serve at the war front with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's request, made at a private dinner on Monday, to discharge those wishing to return to India.

According to sources privy to the decision, Mr. Putin has given instructions to this effect upon Mr. Modi's "direct intervention". "We expect the release to take place within weeks from various places where they are serving or deployed,".

The shape of manufacturing 3.0 for Modi 3.0

The new government must redouble its efforts on economic reforms, particularly related to manufacturing. 

India's continued urbanisation will see hundreds of millions of agriculture workers relocate to cities to find formal employment in the coming decades. 

A failure to generate low-skilled employment could push staggering stress on India's governance structures. 

Success in manufacturing will not only help India's domestic trade and employment goals but also expand resources for national security - which is good for American interests, too.

What is the draft Digital Competition Bill?

In February 2023, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) constituted a Committee on Digital Competition Law (CDCL) to examine the need for a separate law on competition in digital markets.

In the case of digital markets, the CDCL has advocated for an ex-ante competition regulation. 

This means that they want the CCI's enforcement powers to be supplemented such that it allows it to preempt and prevent digital enterprises from indulging in anti-competitive conduct in the first place.

The overriding sentiment towards the draft Bill has been one of opposition. First, there is considerable scepticism on how well an ex-ante model of regulation will work. 

This stems in part from the fact that it seems to be transposed from the EU to India without taking into account differentiating factors between the two jurisdictions.

Geospatial view on maternal healthcare for the tribal population in Gujarat

A UN report in May 2023 highlighted that India accounted for over 17% of global maternal deaths in 2020, holding the highest share among the 10 countries responsible for 60% of global maternal deaths, stillbirths, and newborn deaths. 

The report emphasised the critical need to focus on maternal healthcare to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes and ensuring access to quality healthcare services (UNDP 2017).

India, Russia to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030

India and Russia agreed to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion dollars by 2030, including the use of national currencies to circumvent Western sanctions, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down for the 22nd Annual Summit here. 

The leaders agreed to a cooperation statement on projects in Russia's Far East that Mr. Putin has been focused on developing. 

A joint vision statement on trade and economic cooperation by the end of the decade looked at nine issues including the elimination of non-tariff barriers, the development of a "bilateral settlement system using national currencies", ironing out customs procedures and using new connectivity routes, including the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route and Northern Sea Route and the International North-South Transport Corridor via Iran, investments in the energy sector including nuclear energy, infrastructure development and investment promotion as "priority areas". 

In addition, India and Russia signed a number of MoUs between institutions on climate change, polar research, legal arbitration and pharmaceutical certification and other issues.

Russia offers compensation, citizenship to kin of Indians killed in war against Ukraine

As Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's request for early discharge of Indians hired as security helpers and forced to fight alongside the Russian Army against Ukraine, it has emerged that Moscow is offering a compensation package and citizenship to the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the families of those stuck in Russia are demanding a time-bound assurance on when they would be discharged as it has been more than six months that their kin have been stuck in the war zone.

PM raises Ukraine war during meet, says loss of lives is heartbreaking

As the optics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow and his embrace of Russian President Putin raised eyebrows in Washington and Kyiv, India rejected concerns about its ties with Russia. Mr. Modi raised the Ukraine war ahead of the summit at the Kremlin.

In their joint statement India and Russia highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution of the "conflict around Ukraine", the phrase reflecting Russia's claims.

"They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law and on the basis of the U.N. Charter,".

New Delhi and Moscow call for 'zero tolerance' towards terrorism

India and Russia on Tuesday called for "zero tolerance" for terrorism and pressed for an "uncompromising fight" against the international menace as they stressed the importance of increasing global cooperation without hidden agendas and double standards, in a veiled jibe at Pakistan and its all-weather ally China.

In a joint statement issued after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here, the two sides strongly condemned the dastardly terrorist attacks, including one on an Army convoy in the Kathua area of Jammu & Kashmir, and stressed that these terrorist attacks are a grim reminder for further strengthening cooperation to combat terrorism.

SFJ declared unlawful association for 5 more years

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs declared Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) an "unlawful association" under the UAPA for another five years. SFJ, a group advocating secessionist and pro-Khalistani activities in India, was first banned on July 10, 2019. 

It said that SFJ is encouraging activities for secession of a part of the Indian territory and supporting separatist groups fighting for this purpose in India and elsewhere by indulging in activities intended to disrupt the sovereignty of India.

'Note ban, GST, COVID cost ₹11.3 lakh cr. and 1.6 cr. informal jobs'

'The informal sector suffered economic loss and destruction of jobs in the wake of demonetisation, GST roll-out, pandemic'

The loss, particularly to the informal sector is estimated at 4.3% of GDP in 2022-23

Rating firm draws data from recently released official ASUSE survey

Unorganised sector contributes more than 44% to India's GVA.

Gaza children dying in Israel's 'starvation campaign': UN experts

The UN accused Israel of a "targeted starvation campaign" that has resulted in the deaths of children in Gaza. While the UN is yet to officially declare a famine on the Strip, the team of experts, including UN special rapporteur on the right to food Michael Fakhri, insisted there was no denying famine was under way.