The Wonk (2025)

07/05/2025

Operation Sindoor is a military operation launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 6-7, 2024. Key developments include targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, specifically targeting groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Nine terror sites were targeted, with over 90 terrorists believed to have been killed. Pakistan responded with arbitrary firing and artillery shelling along the Line of Control. The operation has sparked tensions between India and Pakistan.

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17/04/2025

Grene Robotics, a Hyderabad-based private sector firm has developed Indrajaal, an autonomous anti-drone defence dome which can protect a large area of 4000 sq. km. Indrajaal is designed to counter autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), low Radar Cross Section missiles, smart munitions, and swarm drones. Authored by Prasun Kashyap for The Geostrata

17/04/2025

U.S. Imposes 245% Tariff on Key Chinese Imports Amid Growing Trade Tensions

In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, the United States has announced a sweeping 245% tariff on select imports from China. The move targets key sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), steel, solar panels, and green technologies—industries that U.S. officials claim are being saturated by Chinese exports sold at artificially low prices.

According to U.S. trade representatives, the tariffs are intended to shield American manufacturers and workers from what they describe as unfair competition. They allege that massive Chinese state subsidies and overproduction have distorted global markets, putting U.S. industries at a disadvantage.

This latest decision marks a significant step in the Biden administration’s broader strategy to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce dependency on Chinese supply chains. It also sets the stage for potential retaliation from Beijing, raising concerns about further strain in the already tense U.S.-China trade relationship.

The impact on Chinese exporters could be substantial, with ripple effects likely to be felt across global markets as both countries brace for the next phase in their economic standoff.

04/04/2025

(YANGON) MYANMAR: India is actively pursuing agreements to enhance grid connectivity and supply petroleum products to Myanmar to address the southeast Asian nation’s chronic energy shortages, Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur said on Friday.

Speaking to PTI, Thakur outlined India’s strategic focus on energy cooperation as a key pillars of its relationship with Myanmar.

“Given that our Northeast is now developing rapidly with special efforts by the Government of India under the DoNER ( Development of North Eastern Region) department, grid connectivity to address the energy shortage in Myanmar is an important area of collaboration, “ he said.

03/04/2025

NEW YORK/ WASHINGTON / DELHI: The US has announced additional 27 per cent import duties on India saying New Delhi imposes high tariffs on American good, as the Donald Trump administration aims to reduce the trade deficit and boost manufacturing.

Though that move is expected to impact India’s exports of certain sectors to the US, experts say that India is better-placed than its competitors, including Bangladesh (37 %), China (54 %), Vietnam (46 %) and Thailand (36 %) who face increased levies.

President Trump, in a historic measure to counter higher duties on American products imposed globally, announced reciprocal tariffs on about 60 countries.

02/04/2025

JERUSALEM: In a first-of-its-kind gesture extended to welcome an incoming foreign diplomat, the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday evening screened the world premiere of The Diplomat, a film starring John Abraham, which is based on a real crisis that India’s new envoy, JP Singh, was involved in solving.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, met Singh, India’s Ambassador to Israel, before the screening in the auditorium of the Ministry, wishing him a successful tenure ahead.

He expressed regret at his inability to watch the film with a select audience due to an urgent call from the Prime Minister’s office.

28/03/2025

CARTAGENA (COLOMBIA): (Mar 28) Houseold air pollution from biomass fuels is the lowest-hanging fruit for India’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and it is already included as a sectoral priority, said Kalpana Balakrishnan, Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health.

At the World Health Organisation’s second conference on air pollution and health in Cartagena, Colombia, household air pollution has taken centre stage. Balakrishnan, one of the keynote speakers at the event, said that India is admirably placed in terms of infrastructure to address this issues.

“For a modest additional investment, we can achieve significant reductions in ambient PM 2.5 levels, in addition to reducing residential PM2.5 exposures that the rural population experience,” she said.

27/03/2025

MOSCOW: (Mar 27) Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to visit India and preparations are underway for it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

In a video address to a conference titled “Russian and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda” hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), Larav said, “Arrangements are currently being made for Putin to visit India.”

“President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the India head of government. A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared, “ the Russian foreign minister was quoted as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.

26/03/2025

NEW YORK: Indian-American scientist Jay Bhattacharya has been confirmed by the US Senate as the Director of the National Institues of health (NIH), the country’s top health research and funding institutions.

Bhattacharya, a professor of Health Policy at Stanford University, was confirmed by a 53-47 vote on Tuesday, according to the official website of the US Senate.

US President Donald Trump, then the President-elect, nominated Bhattacharya as the 18th NIH Director in November last year.

24/03/2025

BEIJING: Chutes of recovery seen in the Chinese diamond market, which is second only to the US, has sparked optimism among the Indian diamond industry, which could reshape the diamond manufacturing landscape, the Gem and Jwellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) officials said.

China’s economic slowdown coupled with plunging marriage rates in the country created a chilling effect in the Chinese diamond market valued at around USD nine billion.

Last year, China’s diamond market generated about USD 5.7 billion in revenue, and is expected to grow to USD 7.2 billion by 2030, according to market analysts.

19/03/2025

India believes in development and not in expansionism, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 17, 2025). Welcoming his counterparts from New Zealand Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister Modi said the two sides will “strengthen and institutionalise” defence and maritime cooperation and reminded that both India and New Zealand have fought global terrorism in Mumbai (26/11) and in Christchurch (15 March 2019). PM Modi further announced that the two countries will celebrate a century of sporting relationship in 2026.

“We have decided to strengthen and institutionalize our defense and security collaboration. In addition to joint exercises, training and port visits, a roadmap for bilateral defense industry collaboration will be developed. Our navies are working together in the combined Task Force- 150 for maritime security in the Indian Ocean,” said Mr. Modi following delegation-level talks at the Hyderabad House. Sources at the MEA described the MoU on defence as “a large ombibus agreement”. PM Modi further announced that the two sides have also started discussion on a “mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement”.

18/03/2025

DHAKA: The interim government of Professor Muhammad Yunus refuted US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on the alleged persecution of minority communities in Bangladesh saying her comments were “not based on any evidence or specific allegations”.

“They (Gabbard’s comments) paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush,” the chief adviser’s office said on a verified Facebook post at around midnight Monday.

It said Gabbard’s statement statement In a Indian TV channel was “misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism.”

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