ModiWatch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the leadership teams of Tata Sons and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) to discuss updates on their semiconductor manufacturing projects in India.
Tata electronics partners with PSMC to build India’s first AI-enabled fab: Tata Electronics has finalised a Definitive Agreement with Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) to establish India's first AI-enabled semiconductor manufacturing facility (fab) in Gujarat. PSMC will assist in designing and constructing the fab, licensing technologies, and providing engineering support for technology transfer. The facility will produce up to 50,000 wafers monthly, featuring next-gen automation powered by data analytics and machine learning. With a total investment of ₹91,000 crores ($11 billion), the fab will address growing domestic and global chip demand.
India becomes third-largest global packaging market: India has emerged as the third-largest packaging market globally, overtaking Japan, with the industry surpassing $86 billion. According to Prasad Balan Iyer, Director of the South Indian Education Society (SIES) School of Packaging, the global packaging market, valued at over $1 trillion, is driven by sectors such as e-commerce, pharma, and food delivery in cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. India’s packaged food sector, valued at $2.8 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to $6.4 billion by 2029, reflecting increased demand for ready-to-eat options.
Pharma exports power India’s global growth: Department of Pharmaceuticals Secretary, Arunish Chawla, said that the medi-tech and pharmaceuticals industry is a major driver of India's exports. He noted that the sector now ranks as the fourth largest merchandise export from India. He added that over 50% of the drugs and pharmaceuticals produced last year were exported.
Dassault Aviation launches MRO subsidiary in India: Dassault Aviation of France has established a new subsidiary, Dassault Aviation MRO India (DAMROI), in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, focused on Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of its military aircrafts in India. This move aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) policy and aims to strengthen the aero defence ecosystem. Meanwhile, advanced negotiations are underway with the Indian Navy for 26 Rafale-M fighters to operate on aircraft carriers.
India-Mauritius ties strengthen: In a step toward strengthening public governance ties, India and Mauritius have established a roadmap for enhanced bilateral cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.
India and Uzbekistan explore ties in fintech, renewable energy and climate action: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on fintech, renewable energy, and climate action. The meeting also focused on cooperation in digital technologies and cross-border real-time payments to benefit students, tourists, and businesses.
Jaishankar holds high-level talks with global leaders at UNGA: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, discussing bilateral cooperation and regional issues. He also met New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, with talks focusing on manufacturing, technology, and the Ukraine situation. Dr. Jaishankar held discussions with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis on shipping, energy, mobility, connectivity, and defence. Additionally, he engaged with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to strengthen the stalling India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Dr. Jaishankar met several other delegates, including foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Morocco, and Switzerland.
India-Russia collaborate on satellite-based toll collection and high-tech transport: The Russian-Indian Working Group on Roads and Intelligent Transport Systems met in Moscow to discuss collaboration in road construction technologies and mutual investment in highways. Russia proposed a “Barrier-free Toll Collection System” using satellite navigation, while India’s National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering a similar interoperable system with open global bidding, including Russian participation. Both nations expressed interest in automated transport technologies, with plans to exchange expertise on freight transport using autonomous vehicles.
Delhi unveils 21-point plan to combat winter pollution: Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced a 21-point Winter Action Plan to combat air pollution, which includes drone monitoring, artificial rain, and the formation of a special task force. Anti-dust drives, mobile anti-smog guns, and discussions with the Central government and neighbouring states have also been included in the strategy to check deterioration in air quality during winter.
Over 50 drugs fail quality test: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has flagged over 50 drug samples, including commonly used medications such as paracetamol, Pan D, calcium, and vitamin D3 supplements, as well as anti-diabetes pills, for being “not of standard quality” in its August drug alert.
Delhi Today: Considerable cloudiness and humid; occasional morning rain and a thunderstorm followed by a thunderstorm in parts of the area in the afternoon.
Delhi’s air quality improves: Delhi reported an improvement in air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 104 at noon on Thursday.
Rajya Sabha: Not in session.
Lok Sabha: Not in session.
India's green hydrogen investments:
Daanish Narayan