Author: Bhakti Narayanan

In the fiscal year 2022-23, international cruise liners made 60 port calls in Indian cities, followed by an additional 29 calls until October 31, 2023. A comprehensive set of incentives has been put in place to attract and support these visits. These include berthing priority, rationalized cruise tariffs, waiver of ousting charges, extended visa facilities, a unified e-Landing Card for streamlined entry, cabotage relaxation, and conditional Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) exemption. In addition to these incentives, dedicated sessions at the Global Maritime India Summit and successful terminal upgrades in key locations like New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Mormugao, and…

In a significant achievement under the “Make in India” initiative, Apple Inc. has successfully assembled iPhones with a Freight-on-Board (FOB) value surpassing US$ 7.19 billion in the initial seven months of the fiscal year 2023-24. This accomplishment constitutes 81% of the aggregated target of Rs. 74,000 crore (US$ 8.87 billion) set for the year by its three manufacturing partners under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile devices. Notably, a substantial 70% of this value is attributed to iPhones manufactured in India that are intended for export. Three major vendors—Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (now Tatas-owned)—have reported the assembly of iPhones…

Key Indian defense firms, such as Kalyani Strategic Systems, Larsen and Toubro Ltd, and Hindustan Aeronautics, are actively exploring avenues to promote their military platforms in the Philippines. This initiative coincides with the Philippines’ military restructuring amid regional security concerns, especially heightened tensions with China. Notably, the recent acquisition of BrahMos cruise missiles from India illustrates collaborative defense efforts, with a 2022 agreement involving the supply of three BrahMos batteries to the Philippines. Sources reveal that Indian defense entities are proposing a wide range of offerings, spanning protective gear to advanced fighter jets, indicating potential collaborations between the two nations.…

In response to a query, Minister of State in the PMO, Mr. Jitendra Singh, disclosed ISRO’s ambitious plans for 2024. These include six PSLV missions, focusing on deploying space science, Earth observation satellites, technology demonstrations, and commercial missions facilitated by NSIL. The GSLV launches will encompass missions dedicated to meteorology, navigation, and a joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite. Notably, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) is set for a commercial mission by NSIL. Furthermore, the agenda incorporates two unmanned Gaganyaan missions, targeting the validation of the human-rated launch vehicle and orbital module. Sub-orbital missions are also in the plan to…

In a session at the Rajya Sabha on December 7, 2023, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, underscored India’s remarkable economic performance in the second quarter, affirming its global leadership as the fastest-growing economy. During the three-day economic debate, she highlighted the robust GDP growth from July to September, asserting that India has consistently maintained its status as the fastest-growing major economy. Ms. Sitharaman further declared India as the world’s second most sought-after manufacturing hub, citing a notable 21.82% increase in direct tax collections this year. Monthly GST collections, stabilizing at Rs. 1.6 lakh crore (US$…

The National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU), operating within the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), has successfully identified and recommended the blocking of more than 100 websites associated with organized investment and part-time job frauds. Acting under the authority granted by the Information Technology Act of 2000, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has implemented blocks on these websites. These platforms were implicated in facilitating organized illegal activities related to investment frauds and part-time job scams. Notably, they were operated by foreign entities employing digital advertisements, chat messengers, and mule or rented accounts. The Ministry’s decisive action aims…

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has introduced “Gram Manchitra”, a Geographic Information System (GIS) application that serves as a unified planning platform for Gram Panchayats. Utilizing geo-spatial technology, this application acts as a comprehensive decision support system for the formulation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP). It provides a visual representation of developmental projects across various sectors, enhancing planning capabilities at the local level. In addition to “Gram Manchitra”, the ministry has unveiled “mActionSoft,” a mobile-based solution designed for capturing project photos with Geo-Tags (GPS Coordinates). This process occurs at different stages of the project, including before commencement, during the…

India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, virtually reviewed the India-US CEO Forum. Goyal highlighted the growing convergence of perspectives and strategic interests between the two nations, emphasizing the role of initiatives like QUAD and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). He encouraged collaboration through platforms such as the Semiconductor Supply Chain, Innovation Handshake, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and Global Biofuels Alliance. Key topics discussed included supply chain cooperation in pharma, semiconductors, critical minerals, and energy. The conversation also delved into collaborative opportunities in green tech, scaling up manufacturing for clean tech,…

Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, and Railways, announced India’s global standing as the second-largest mobile phone producer. An impressive 99.2% of mobile phones in the country are now “made in India,” surpassing 2 billion units shipped between 2014 and 2022. Mobile phones constitute a significant 43% of all electronics produced in the fiscal year 2021-22, contributing to India’s decline in mobile phone imports by nearly 60% from 2017-18 to 2021-22. Consequently, India has transitioned into a net exporter in the global mobile phone industry. Despite this success, electronic component imports have surged, crossing US$ 25…

On November 30, 2023, India’s Vice-President, Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar, emphasized India’s prominent position among “Front leagues of nations” in land, sky, sea, and space domains. He highlighted indigenous defence systems’ development and the INS-Vikrant launch as pivotal achievements. Speaking at the 49th Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) in Delhi, Dhankhar traced India’s transformation from the “Fragile Five” to the “Big Five.” He projected India’s economy, currently the fifth largest globally, to rise to the third position by 2030. Dhankhar underscored the importance of “decision making” for the country’s progress, praising the “Men in Uniform” for their exceptional performance,…