Major Developments Across India (August 16-17, 2025)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, August 17, 2025, inaugurated two significant national highway projects in Delhi: the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II). These projects, built at an estimated cost of nearly ā¹11,000 crore, aim to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance connectivity in the national capital and its surrounding areas.
In economic news, Prime Minister Modi has urged states to cooperate in implementing proposed next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. The Centre plans to introduce a two-slab tax regime with rates of 5% and 18%, replacing the current four-slab structure, as a transitional step towards a single GST rate by 2047. Meanwhile, trade deal talks between India and the United States are likely to be postponed. This comes amidst the US imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods, with India maintaining its stance against compromising the livelihoods of its farmers and cattle rearers in sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy.
On the political front, the Election Commission of India (ECI) held a press conference to address concerns over the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR), stating that deliberate attempts are being made to spread misinformation regarding electoral rolls. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that utmost transparency is the hallmark of electoral roll preparation. Concurrently, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with other INDIA bloc leaders, launched the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar, alleging "vote theft" in the country. In another significant political announcement, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan has been named the NDA's Vice-Presidential pick.
In diplomatic engagements, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit India from August 18 to 20. During his visit, he is expected to hold the 24th round of talks between the Special Representatives of China and India on the boundary question, with discussions also anticipated on new confidence-building measures for peace along the contested border.
Tragically, parts of Jammu and Kashmir have been affected by natural calamities. Cloudbursts and landslips in Kathua and Kishtwar districts have resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, with search operations for trapped victims continuing. Separately, heavy rainfall in Mumbai led to significant waterlogging. Precautionary alerts have also been issued for villages along the Tawarja and Terna rivers in Maharashtra due to rising water levels in nearby dams.
Other notable news includes the ongoing Janmashtami celebrations across India and Nepal on August 16, and the successful "blooming" of the gigantic antenna reflector on the earth observation satellite NISAR, a joint ISRO-NASA mission. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is also set to return to India and is expected to meet with Prime Minister Modi.