Foreign Policy and International Relations:
India marked a significant milestone in its foreign trade relations with the formal signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the United Kingdom on July 27, 2025. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that this agreement, along with the 'India–UK Vision 2035' blueprint, signifies India's growing global standing and aims to strengthen bilateral ties across trade, defence, technology, education, and climate action. The FTA is expected to unlock new opportunities for India and is the most comprehensive free trade agreement the country has signed to date. Negotiations are also progressing for similar accords with countries like New Zealand.
In a major reset of bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives on July 27, 2025, saw discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation. PM Modi emphasized that the Maldives holds an important place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, reiterating India's support for the island nation's defence capabilities. Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Maldives have also commenced, marking a significant step towards strengthening economic partnership.
Economy and Governance:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its latest bulletin, indicating that India's economy remained stable and strong through June and July 2025, despite global uncertainties related to tariffs. Consumer price inflation (CPI) notably dropped to 2.10% in June 2025, marking the lowest level since January 2019 and staying below 4% for five consecutive months. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the critical role of infrastructure and seamless logistics management in driving India's economic growth, emphasizing its strategic importance.
In policy news, the National Cooperative Policy – 2025, unveiled recently by the Union Home and Cooperation Minister, aims to revitalize India's cooperative movement and empower rural, tribal, and marginalized communities through inclusive, tech-driven, and transparent cooperatives. Furthermore, the Election Commission of India (ECI) provided an update on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, noting high participation.
Central government employees and pensioners are anticipating the last Dearness Allowance (DA) hike under the 7th Pay Commission, which is expected to be announced soon and credited around October.
Science, Technology, and Space:
During his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat' radio broadcast on July 27, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India's achievements in space and science. He specifically mentioned the return of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from the International Space Station (ISS) and the significant growth of over 200 startups in the space sector, fostering a new wave of curiosity among children. The launch of the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite is scheduled for July 30, 2025, further enhancing ISRO's international collaborations.
Major Incident:
A tragic stampede occurred at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on July 27, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and dozens injured. Initial reports suggest that the incident was triggered by panic following the fall of a high-voltage electric wire or a rumor of an electric shock. Authorities are investigating the cause and crowd management protocols.
Important Day:
July 28, 2025, is observed globally as World Hepatitis Day, aiming to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and its impact on liver health.