ModiWatch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first person to be enrolled as an ‘active member’ of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) as he launched the party's ‘Sakriya Sadasyata Abhiyan’, an active membership initiative. 

PM Modi will travel to Haryana for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Haryana government.

No solution to the India-Canada feud

India not cooperating with Canada: The Biden administration said that India is not cooperating with the Canadian authorities in an ongoing investigation which has linked Indian diplomats to the murder of a pro-Khalistan activist in Canada.

Canadian leader targets RSS and Indian diplomats: Canadian leader Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), has called for a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an Indian right-wing organisation, and sanctions against Indian diplomats named in the investigation.

UK states cooperation with Canada as the “right step”: In an official statement the Foreign Office in London said, the government of India’s cooperation with Canada’s legal process is the right next step over the “serious developments”.

State politics

Omar Abdulla sworn in as the CM of J&K:  Omar Abdullah, vice president of the National Conference (NC) party, was sworn in as Jammu & Kashmir’s new Chief Minister (CM) and Surinder Kumar Choudhary took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Saini becomes CM of Haryana: Nayab Singh Saini will take oath today as the Chief Minister of Haryana.

Priyanka Gandhi prepares for by-poll: The Congress-led United Democratic Front has taken the initiative and launched a vigorous billboard campaign throughout the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat to support Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, sister of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Global cooperation

India-Columbia audio-visual agreement: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry announced, that India has signed an audio-visual co-production agreement with Columbia to boost cooperation in film-making.

Indian delegation discusses disaster risk reduction: A high-level Indian delegation, led by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, participated in the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024 in Manila, Philippines.

India hosts 6G symposium: During the 6G symposium, India signed various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with global collaborators for the development of 6G.

Read more:

India Set to Lead 6G and Smartphone Manufacturing

At the India Mobile Congress 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s progress towards 6G rollout following its 5G success. He highlighted India’s emergence as a smartphone manufacturing hub, with over 200 units now operating compared to just two in 2014. The Prime Minister noted that India has become a

Delhi BriefingAmal Anzari

Economy and deals

Export and import in the first half of FY 25: India’s total exports for April-September, 2024 are estimated at $393.22 billion registering a positive growth of 4.86%. Total imports during the same period are estimated at $448.05 billion registering a growth of 6.89%.

Expansion plans for state-controlled ports: State government-run ports, which handle around half of all cargo traffic in India, have presented the Centre with plans for capacity development totalling more than ₹2 lakh crore ($23.8 billion).

Inflation to align at 4% by FY 26: The Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), stated Inflation is expected to be aligned with the target of 4% on a durable basis in the coming fiscal year.

Big Q3 for the healthcare and pharma sector: According to a Grant Thorton Bharat report, the healthcare and pharma sector saw an overall 64 deals, valued at $2.8 billion in Q3 of 2024.

Indian companies bid for thermal power plant: India’s Adani Power Ltd, Jindal Power Ltd, Vedanta Group and Orissa Metaliks Pvt Ltd are among seven companies that have made a formal bid to take over the distressed 1,350 MW Sinnar Thermal Power Ltd.

Indigo to fund startups this FY: Indigo, India's largest domestic airline, will fund startups working on innovative technologies in aviation as well as consumer-focused ventures in areas like travel, lifestyle, hospitality, and transportation

Announcements by the government 

Centre increases minimum support prices for six crops: The Union Cabinet increased the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for six Rabi crops.

Approval for shipping bill: The Centre is set to approve the Coastal Shipping Bill 2024 in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

Increase in DA for government employees: The Union Cabinet has approved a 3% increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees.

Government to sell 5% stake in Cochin Shipyard: To raise ₹2,026 crore ($241.09 million), the government announced that it will sell up to a 5% stake in Cochin Shipyard through an Offer for Sale (OFS).

Centre concerned about bomb threats

Home ministry demands report for bomb threats: The Ministry of Home Affairs demanded a report from the Ministry of Civil Aviation on the series of bomb threats. 13 hoax bomb threat calls have been made to various airlines in the past two days.

Opening for Starlink

Spectrum to be allocated not auctioned: Elon Musk’s Starlink logged a win in the fight with major Indian telecom companies for India’s satellite broadband market. The Telecom Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, said the spectrum will be allocated, and not auctioned.

Rajya Sabha:  Not in session.

Lok Sabha: Not in session.

Delhi Today: Clear skies with hazy sunshine.

What we are reading:

India’s moment to shine globally has arrived. The only question is, how big?

As the West today grapples with a demographic decline, India is at the cusp of once-in-a-lifetime demographic dividend opportunity. The countrys largest population cohort is entering their 30s and the spending binge has just started. Heres why there is no stopping this economic engine now.

Economic TimesAnurag Singh