Defence Sector Sees Major Commitments and Milestones
India is poised for a substantial boost in its defence capabilities, with plans to spend approximately Rs 65,400 crore on fighter jet engines over the next decade. This significant investment aims to bolster the nation's aerospace industry and enhance self-reliance in defence manufacturing. In a related development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd's (HAL) facility in Nashik. The chief test pilot of HAL shared insights into this advanced indigenous fighter jet, marking a crucial step forward for India's air power. Further expanding its aviation capacity, IndiGo announced plans to acquire 30 more wide-body A350-900 aircraft.
Mehul Choksi Extradition Cleared by Belgian Court
In a significant victory for Indian investigative agencies, a Belgian court has cleared the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India. Choksi is wanted in India in connection with a multi-crore loan fraud case. This development brings him closer to facing legal proceedings in India, although he reportedly has the option to appeal the decision.
Political Landscape: PM Modi's Stance and State-Level Changes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at a recent event, asserted that India is "in no mood to stop" and expressed confidence that the country would soon be entirely free of Maoist terror. In other political news, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered a judicial probe into the recent violence in Leh, a move welcomed by local stakeholders. Gujarat witnessed a cabinet reshuffle, which included the surprising appointment of Rivaba Jadeja as a cabinet minister. Meanwhile, the Congress party has called for a ban on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) due to alleged incidents of violence on university campuses.
Judicial Concerns and International Relations
The Supreme Court of India has voiced "grave concern" over the increasing number of "digital arrests" scams, seeking responses from the Central government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to address this growing issue. On the international front, a diplomatic row has emerged between Delhi and Dhaka following the deaths of three Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura, with India refuting allegations from Bangladesh. Former US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that India would soon cease buying Russian oil.
Other Important Updates
Ayodhya is preparing for its grand Deepotsav 2025 celebrations, with plans to illuminate the Sarayu Ghats with an impressive 2.8 million lamps. Tragically, a boat accident off the coast of Mozambique resulted in the deaths of three Indian nationals, with five others reported missing.