Today In India's World

What happened?

The 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of India and Spain took place in New Delhi on February 6, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary of International Cooperation (India), and Brigadier General Paulino Garcia Diego, Special Advisor on Defence Diplomacy to the Secretary General of Defence Policy (Spain).

Why it matters to India:

During the JWG meeting, both sides reviewed ongoing bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and outlined plans for further collaboration, particularly in the maritime domain. Discussions focused on strengthening ties in technology and armament production. A key highlight of the talks was the C295 Project, a collaboration between Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems Limited. As the first Make-in-India initiative in the defence aircraft sector, this project has encouraged deeper cooperation between Indian and Spanish companies. Both nations are now exploring further opportunities for joint ventures in aerospace and defence manufacturing.


What happened?

On 6 February 2025, India’s National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog organised a high-level conclave titled “Towards Viksit Bharat@2047: Strengthening Economy, National Security, Global Partnerships, and Law” at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The event brought together key policymakers, including the Vice Chairman, Members, and CEO of NITI Aayog, alongside distinguished speakers such as the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India and the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence.

Why it matters to India:

The conclave addressed several crucial areas of India’s development trajectory, offering key insights into economic growth, strategic partnerships, and national security. Regarding economic growth and global competitiveness, the panel highlighted the need for regulatory reforms, infrastructure expansion, and deeper integration into global trade. Experts emphasised the importance of private sector investment in research and development, energy security, and access to critical raw materials as key drivers for sustained growth. Strengthening fiscal policies and fostering innovation were also seen as essential for long-term competitiveness. In the area of strategic partnerships for development, the panel focused on India’s diplomatic role in balancing alliances with both the Global South and North while advocating for trade liberalisation and tariff reduction. India’s leadership in renewable energy and the importance of international cooperation in securing critical minerals were also discussed. Additionally, strengthening digital infrastructure and reforming legal frameworks were identified as vital to attracting global investment and improving the ease of doing business. Lastly, in the panel on supply chain resilience and national defence, experts explored the need for a robust defence supply chain, distinguishing between civilian Just in Time and military Just in Case models. Cybersecurity was recognised as essential to safeguarding supply chain integrity. The panel also discussed how public-private partnerships could enhance defence procurement and logistics management.

What happened?

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, stated that the Indian government is engaging with the US to ensure that deportees are not mistreated. “It is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if found to be living illegally abroad,” he said. Jaishankar also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 February 2025 to brief him on the issue.

On 5 February 2025, a US military aircraft landed in Amritsar, carrying 104 deported Indian nationals. These deportations come as part of increased US immigration enforcement efforts, primarily targeting individuals who entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas. They align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s hard stance on the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.

Why it matters to India:

The Indian government has consistently maintained that it does not justify or support illegal immigration. Its cooperation with Trump’s deportation policy appears to be a strategic move to strengthen its case for the H-1B visa programme, which India argues benefits both nations. By readily accepting deported individuals, India could be attempting to counter anti-immigrant sentiment in the US while advocating for legal migration pathways for Indian professionals. India has also agreed to take back approximately 18,000 ‘irregular immigrants’ identified for deportation by the US government. This is not the first instance of India repatriating deported nationals from the US. The current India-U.S. deliberations on the issue of illegal migration should, therefore, be viewed within the broader context of India’s migration diplomacy, which prioritises legal migration over irregular and unlawful migration.

What happened?

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is “seriously considering” enacting a new law, tentatively titled the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024, which would replace the “outdated provisions” of the Emigration Act of 1983. This was stated in the fourth report of the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, presented to the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) on February 3, 2025. The move comes amid controversy surrounding the deportation of over a hundred Indian migrants by the United States, who were returned to India on a C-17 US military aircraft, bound in chains and shackles, after landing in Amritsar yesterday.

Why it matters to India:

The proposed legislation aims to create a robust framework that will ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration for overseas employment. The draft of this bill is currently being consulted with relevant ministries. Emigration is a key area of focus, as the MEA reports that there are currently 15.85 million Indians living abroad, with around 15 million employed in various jobs—both skilled and unskilled. In recent years, the government has prioritised creating mobility agreements to simplify the migration process. India has already signed labour mobility pacts with five countries, including Taiwan. These agreements include nations like Israel, Malaysia, Japan, Portugal, and Mauritius.

Additionally, India has entered into memorandums of understanding on migration and mobility with several countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Austria, Italy, and Denmark. However, the current legal framework is still based on the Emigration Act of 1983, a law that has now been in place for over 40 years.

What happened?

India’s Ministry of External Affairs, in association with the University Grants Commission (UGC) as the knowledge partner and the League of Arab States (LAS) as the co-organiser, organised the 1st India-Arab Universities’ Presidents’ Conference at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, from 5th to 6th February 2025. The conference was held under the education vertical of the Executive Program for the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between India and LAS.

Why it matters to India:

The conference served as a platform for universities from India and the Arab world to engage with one another in meaningful ways. It also brought together the collective vision of academicians for the future of higher education. The conference aimed at harnessing the potential of higher education in ways that transcended national borders and laid the groundwork for future collaboration in the field of higher education between India and the Arab world.

Four sessions of the conference were focused on Higher Education and Skill Development Cooperation between India and LAS towards Development and Prosperity; Innovative and New Areas of Academic Cooperation, including Sharing Experiences on New Approaches in Education, such as the Usage of Digital Platforms; Academic Cooperation, including the Current Status and Challenges of Mutual Recognition of Degrees; and Promoting Joint Scientific and Technological Research and Innovation, including AI, Quantum Computing, and Biotechnology.

What happened?

Greek Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis is on a four-day visit to India from February 05-08, 2025.

Why it matters to India:

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) will be a key focus during a meeting between Greece’s Foreign Minister and India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, scheduled for February 6, 2025. Greece holds significant strategic importance for India within the framework of the IMEEC due to its location in Europe, making it a vital gateway to the European market. The country’s seaports, especially Piraeus, are crucial entry points for Indian goods destined for Europe. This geographic advantage facilitates faster and more efficient movement of goods compared to traditional sea routes, potentially reducing transportation costs and transit times. India also considers that Greece could play a key role in facilitating trade negotiations and agreements between India and the European Union.

What happened?

On February 4, 2025, India-UK Consultations on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation were held in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs, while the UK delegation was led by Mr Stephen Lillie, Director for Defence and International Security at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The two sides discussed developments in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation relating to nuclear, chemical and biological domains, as well as regional non-proliferation issues, outer space security-related matters, conventional weapons, including AI in the military domain and multilateral export control regimes.

Why it matters to India:

The India-UK consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation hold significant importance for India as they build upon the strategic commitments made in April 2022 when both nations reaffirmed their desire to strengthen civil nuclear cooperation. At that time, India and the UK welcomed the UK’s renewed collaboration with the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) to jointly promote research and training in nuclear energy studies, radioactive applications, and nuclear security and safety. These consultations provide a platform to advance negotiations on a renewed and strengthened India-UK Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, bolstering India’s nuclear energy capabilities while ensuring adherence to global safety standards. Furthermore, both countries share a vested interest in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, aligning with their broader goals of global security.

What happened?

India’s finance ministry has asked its employees to avoid using AI tools, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, for official purposes, citing risks posed to the confidentiality of government documents and data, an internal department advisory showed. “It has been determined that AI tools and AI apps (such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, etc.) in the office computers and devices pose risks for the confidentiality of (government) data and documents,” said the advisory by the Indian Finance Ministry dated January 29, 2025.

Why it matters to India:

Countries like Australia and Italy have placed similar restrictions on using DeepSeek, citing data security risks. Notably, the advisory reports surfaced on social media on February 04, 2025, ahead of a scheduled visit to India by OpenAI chief Sam Altman, who is scheduled to meet India’s IT minister. OpenAI is also facing the heat in India due to a high-profile copyright infringement battle with India’s top media houses. In court filings, the company has argued that since it does not have its servers in the country and Indian courts should not hear the matter.

What happened?

At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, paid a special visit to India to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela from February 03-04, 2025.

Why it matters to India:

According to an official statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs: “India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by mutual understanding and trust. The visit of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan, an important hallmark of the special partnership.” Beyond the optics, the Bhutanese King’s visit signifies Bhutan’s deep understanding of Indian culture and the spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh. Last year, the King and Queen of Bhutan visited India in March 2024 and December 2024.

What happened?

According to a report by consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, India’s natural gas production is expected to peak in 2025, growing by 4.5% before declining at an average rate of 3.6% annually until 2030 due to ageing fields and project delays. After 2030, production could fall even faster—by 9% annually—driven by resource exhaustion and fewer new discoveries. As domestic output shrinks, India’s dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will surge, making it the world’s third-largest LNG importer after China and Japan by 2032.

Why it matters to India:

Rising import dependence threatens India’s energy security, exposing the economy to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions, especially amid geopolitical tensions. This could strain the trade balance, increasing the current account deficit. Additionally, costlier LNG imports may impact industries like fertilisers, refining, and city gas distribution, raising operational costs and consumer prices. To mitigate these risks, India must implement effective policy reforms, attract private investments, and fast-track domestic exploration projects, as outlined in the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill introduced in 2024.

In Context

The advent of NCMM is a welcome step for India and should help its mineral ecosystem get a leg-up.
India’s willingness to readily cooperate with Trump on the deportation of ‘illegal immigrants’ may be a strategic move to shore up support for the H1B
What sparked the Border Contentions between India and Bangladesh?
Biden's Final Warning: Is Big Tech Becoming Too Powerful?

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