India is demonstrating robust economic growth and is on track to become the world's third-largest economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Bengaluru, highlighted the country's rapid advancement, attributing it to significant strides in infrastructure, technology, and exports over the past decade. He noted the expansion of metro rail networks, increased rail electrification, growth in airports and waterways, and a surge in exports of electronics and automobiles.
In a major infrastructure push, PM Modi inaugurated the long-awaited Yellow Line of the Bengaluru Metro, connecting R.V. Road to Bommasandra, and laid the foundation stone for the Metro's Phase-3 project, worth over Rs 15,610 crore. He also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains, enhancing connectivity between Bengaluru and Belagavi, Nagpur and Pune, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Amritsar.
On the international front, India's relations with the United States are facing challenges. The US has imposed additional 25% tariffs on Indian goods, adding to an existing 25% tariff, bringing the total to 50%. This move, which comes amid India's continued import of Russian oil, has been described by some experts as a difficult moment in the bilateral relationship. The Ministry of External Affairs is expected to brief a Parliamentary Committee on August 11, 2025, asserting that these US tariffs are based on "flawed assumptions" and that India remains committed to constructive engagement despite perceiving them as "unilateral, punitive measures." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commented on India's "dashing and dynamic" economy, implicitly addressing the US tariffs. Despite these trade tensions, India continues to emphasize "strategic autonomy" and a multi-polar approach in its foreign policy.
Several key domestic policy developments are also in focus. The Indian government officially withdrew the Income Tax Bill, 2025, on August 8, 2025, to incorporate revisions and recommendations. A revised draft is scheduled for reintroduction in Parliament on August 11, 2025. Changes to Unified Payments Interface (UPI) guidelines, effective from August 1, 2025, include a 50-time daily limit for account balance checks and fixed time slots for autopay transactions, aiming to reduce system overload.
In the agricultural sector, a significant event under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is scheduled for August 11, 2025, in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will oversee the digital disbursement of crop insurance claims totaling over Rs 3,200 crore to 30 lakh farmers across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and other states. The new system includes penalties for states delaying subsidy contributions and for insurance companies delaying payments.
Other notable events include the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nepal's International Relations and Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) and India's Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) to strengthen bilateral ties, and the signing of the India-Philippines Strategic Partnership Plan of Action (2025-29) during the Philippines President's recent visit to India. Additionally, the Department of Posts (West Bengal Circle) launched the 'Binamrata' initiative to revive the art of handwritten letters among students.