ModiWatch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Parliament of Guyana, emphasising shared democratic values and calling for greater exchanges in education and innovation.

PM Modi outlined seven pillars for collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), highlighting trade, technology, and small and medium enterprises (SME) cooperation.

PM Modi engaged with CARICOM leaders in Guyana, discussing bilateral cooperation in trade, healthcare, climate resilience, and digital initiatives, while securing agreements on agro-processing.

Parliamentary affairs

Government introduces five new bills in winter session: The Government has introduced five new bills in the Winter Session of Parliament, including the Coastal Shipping Bill, Indian Ports Bill, and Merchant Shipping Bill. The session will run for 19 sittings, concluding on December 20.

Draft report on Waqf Bill ready for winter session discussion: Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Jagdambika Pal, announced that the draft report is complete, with a clause-by-clause discussion set for the Winter Session of Parliament after the Ministry of Minority Affairs presented proposed amendments to the Waqf Act.

MEA rejects PM’s involvement in Nijjar plot claim

PM’s awareness of Nijjar plot denied: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected a Canadian media report claiming the PM Modi knew of an alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, labelling it as baseless and damaging to strained ties.

Sri Lankan President to visit India in December: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will make his first official foreign visit in mid-December. Several economic and development agreements are expected to be signed during the visit.

Delhi assembly elections

AAP names first candidates for Delhi election: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced 11 candidates for the February Delhi Assembly election, including former Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Veer Singh Dhingan and Anil Jha.

New CAG

Sanjay Murthy sworn in as Comptroller and Auditor General: K. Sanjay Murthy was sworn in as Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) by President Droupadi Murmu, succeeding Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday.

Adani Group hit with US fraud, bribery charges

Adani charged in US over $265m bribery scheme claims: Gautam Adani and associates face US charges of fraud and bribery, accused of using $265 million to secure solar energy contracts while misleading investors about anti-bribery compliance.

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4 states, 1 union territory tied to Adani bribery case: US prosecutors allege $265 million in bribes were paid to officials in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu and Kashmir to secure solar energy contracts for Adani Group between 2021-2023.

Former Andhra Pradesh CM accused in $200 million bribery case: The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged the Adani Group with bribing former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to secure a 7-gigawatt solar power agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), valued at ₹1,750 crore ($200 million). The YSR Congress Party has denied the allegations, stating that the agreement was approved by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission and SECI, with no direct involvement of Adani Group entities.

SECI denies allegations in Adani bribery case: SECI Chairman R.P. Gupta stated the agency was not implicated in allegations of bribery involving state governments linked to solar power tenders.

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RBI, Maldives Monetary Authority sign MoU to promote cross-border transactions in local currencies: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Maldives Monetary Authority have signed an MoU to enable cross-border transactions using Indian Rupee and Maldivian Rufiyaa, reducing transaction costs and settlement time.

RBI on inflation, rupee stability measures

Stable inflation key for growth, says RBI governor: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das stressed that stable inflation supports long-term growth and reduces uncertainty, as inflation rose to 6.2% in October, breaching the Monetary Policy Committee's tolerance band.

RBI defends forex interventions amid rupee stability: RBI stated it uses its $700 billion foreign exchange reserves to limit currency volatility, maintaining one of Asia's least volatile currencies, with the rupee declining just 1.5% against the dollar this year.

India expands defence cooperation

Progress in US defence partnership discussed at ASEAN meeting: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed operational coordination and industrial innovation under the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, including co-production of jet engines and munitions, at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Lao PDR.

Defence ties deepen with Korea, Australia, and New Zealand: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his counterparts from Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, discussing defence industry collaboration, air-to-air refuelling interoperability, and finalising a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

ISRO-ASA deal

ISRO and ASA agree on Gaganyaan support: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Australian Space Agency (ASA) have signed an agreement for collaboration on crew recovery and search operations for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

Delhi Today: Hazy.

Delhi air quality shifts to 'very poor': Delhi’s air quality improved to the ‘very poor’ level with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 379.

Centre announces staggered timings: The Union Personnel Ministry has directed central government offices in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) to operate staggered hours amid severe air pollution levels.

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