CBI Takes Custody Of Economic Offender Monika Kapoor In US, May Arrive In India Today
The CBI is bringing back alleged economic offender Monika Kapoor from the USA after her extradition, ending her more than 25-year-long run from the law, officials said Wednesday.
The central agency has taken Kapoor's custody in the USA and boarded an American Airlines flight to India, which is likely to land on Wednesday night, they said.
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York had cleared her extradition under the bilateral extradition treaty between India and the USA.
The secretary of state had subsequently issued a surrender warrant after rejecting Kapoor's claims that she would likely be tortured if returned to India, and that her extradition would therefore violate the United Nations Convention Against Torture as implemented by the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (FARRA).
Kapoor went to the USA in 1999 after the alleged fraud where she along with her two brothers forged documents for jewellery business. These documents were allegedly used to obtain licenses from the Indian government to import raw materials duty free.
The alleged fraud caused a loss of more than USD 679000 to Indian exchequer.
India had approached the USA seeking Kapoor's extradition in October, 2010 pursuant to the Treaty on Extradition between the two countries, the officials said.
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India.com
4 minutes ago
- India.com
What China And Global Media Are Saying About PM Modi's Visit To Maldives
New Delhi: On July 26, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives as the chief guest. His presence at the event grabbed headlines not only in India and Maldives, but across the world. The visit stood out for several reasons. Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu had built his 2023 election campaign around the slogan 'India Out'. After coming to power, he had sent strong signals distancing the country from India. He also moved swiftly to forge closer ties with China. His early months in office were marked by a decision to send back Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. This was viewed in New Delhi as a potential pivot toward Beijing. That same leader has now invited the Indian prime minister as guest of honour at the nation's biggest official event. The symbolism was unmistakable. It marked a moment that was closely tracked in foreign capitals, especially as China continues its attempts to deepen influence across the Indian Ocean region. Chinese State Media Responds Beijing's Global Times, a state-run publication, published a commentary criticising the tone of Indian media coverage surrounding the visit. According to the publication, some Indian platforms had portrayed the trip as a strategic setback for China and a diplomatic win for India. In its analysis, the Global Times accused Indian media of engaging in zero-sum thinking, suggesting that any gain for India must mean a loss for China. It cited comments from Qian Feng, director at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, who argued that the Maldives naturally prioritises relations with its neighbours but also pursues a diversified foreign policy, including engagement with China's Belt and Road Initiative. 'These approaches are not in conflict,' he said. Singapore and U.S. Media Weigh In Singapore-based Channel News Asia headlined its coverage: 'India's Modi reshapes ties with Maldives.' Their report highlighted how Modi's visit included new infrastructure partnerships, financial commitments and signs of renewed warmth between the two countries. PM Modi inaugurated a new defense ministry building and Indian-funded projects and announced economic support. According to Channel News Asia, the visit was viewed in New Delhi as reassurance that Maldives would not drift too far into China's orbit. The channel highlighted how Muizzu's early months had raised concerns after he ordered the withdrawal of Indian military personnel. The Washington Post echoed this view. In a detailed report, the paper called the two-day trip 'strategically vital' and said it pointed to India's broader goals of asserting presence across key sea routes in the Indian Ocean. It highlighted the announcement of a $565 million line of credit from India to fund development projects. The publication said the visit may mark the beginning of a shift toward restoring normalcy in bilateral ties. A Look From the UK British daily The Independent took a broader view, framing the visit in the context of recent diplomatic turbulence. The publication emphasised that tensions had risen after the Indian government promoted Lakshadweep as a tourism hub, which some in the Maldives perceived as an attempt to redirect Indian tourists away from their beaches. Celebrities in India had even called for a boycott of Maldives as a travel destination. The report added that President Muizzu chose to visit China before making a trip to India, something that had not gone unnoticed in New Delhi. Muizzu's post-China announcement about reducing dependency on India for essentials like medicines and food also drew concern. But things began to improve when Muizzu attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony earlier this year. That visit set the stage for a gradual warming of ties, culminating in the current trip. A New Phase for India-Maldives Relations Pakistan's Express Tribune said Modi's visit ended on a note of clarity and mutual affirmation. It quoted President Muizzu calling the trip 'a defining moment' in relations between the two nations. In social media posts shared at the conclusion of the visit, Muizzu acknowledged the importance of people-to-people ties and long-term cooperation across sectors. In a reciprocal message, PM Modi said India would stand by the people of Maldives in their aspirations. Germany's Deutsche Welle (DW) provided a strategic lens on the visit. It emphasised Maldives' critical location along shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. Despite its image as a tourist haven, the report described Maldives as a 'geopolitical hotspot' nestled across 1,192 islands. DW pointed out how this geography has made it a focal point in the growing rivalry between India and China. Their report argued that the region is becoming less about leisure and more about maritime strategy and political influence. What Experts Are Saying According to a commentary by Aditya Shivamurti, associate fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Maldives' policy initially leaned strongly toward China. He explained how 'India Out' had dominated discourse in 2023, and India's presence was sharply reduced. But by 2024, Shivamurti observed a shift. The domestic economic situation in Maldives worsened. Parliamentary dynamics changed. Chinese promises failed to meet expectations. These developments pushed Muizzu to reassess foreign policy. The analysis added that India responded with pragmatism. It avoided escalation and focused instead on diplomatic engagement and support. 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Indian Express
32 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India-US trade deal: Commerce Ministry advised against accepting ‘unilaterally framed obligation' on digital taxes
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Another concern raised with the government was that agreeing to such unilateral provisions could set a risky precedent for future trade negotiations, where similar demands could be made by other trading partners during talks with New Delhi, thereby complicating future negotiations. In a move to assuage US concerns about India being a high-tariff nation, the Central government in March proposed abolishing the equalisation levy on online advertisements as part of the amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025. An equalisation levy is a measure to 'equalise' the tax treatment of resident and non-resident e-commerce companies. As part of the 35 amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025, the Centre proposed removing the 6 per cent equalisation levy (EL) it charges on digital ads, effective from 1 April 2025. A query emailed to the Commerce and Industry Ministry remained unanswered till press time. 'Digital taxation is typically discussed outside the framework of a trade agreement. 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The US has also raised concerns about digital services taxes with a number of trade partners, particularly the EU. 'The disproportionate capture of US firms by the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA) is also noted as undermining US competitiveness due to increased compliance costs not borne by EU competitors,' the USTR said. Differences between India and the US assume significance as New Delhi continues to face the risk of 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs. After Indian negotiators completed another round of discussions in Washington last week, a US team led by the US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch, is expected to visit India in mid-August to continue negotiations for a trade agreement. While India and the US have agreed on a wide range of tariff lines, the negotiations — which currently only involve market access for goods — remain stuck over sensitive sectors such as agriculture and automobiles, which are key job creators in India. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tata Consultancy Services to axe 12,000 jobs, IT firm's biggest layoff ever
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"This includes strategic initiatives on multiple fronts, and while these changes are necessary for our growth and evolution, we understand the impact on our colleagues. We thank them for their service and are committed to supporting them through this transition," TCS chief executive officer K Krithivasan said in an email to employees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your New Zealand escape starts with Singapore Airlines Fly with Singapore Airlines Book Now Undo "While this is a difficult decision, it reflects our continued responsibility as an organisation to anticipate future needs and act decisively." The move, the email said, is part of TCS's broader strategy to invest in new technologies, expand into new markets, and enhance its AI capabilities. TCS emphasised that the transition was carefully planned to ensure no disruption to service delivery for its clients. The company provided appropriate benefits, outplacement services, counselling, and support to help affected employees transition to new opportunities. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The decision followed a recent revision of the bench policy, which required employees to be billed to a project for 225 business days a year or face termination. Recently, TCS deferred the onboarding of 650 lateral hires amid project delays. Speaking to TOI after the quarterly earnings, Krithivasan said: "Associates are expected to reskill and be flexible about assignments. Eventually, projects depend on client needs, not individual preferences," he stated. TCS invested heavily in upskilling and expected faster internal deployments once those capabilities were in place. W hen asked about speculations about withholding salaries for employees on the bench for extended periods, Krithivasan clarified that the company expects proactive efforts from associates to seek new roles internally, "We don't want anyone benched too long—it doesn't help them or the company." Phil Fersht, CEO of HfS Research, said the impact of AI is eating into the people-heavy services model and forcing the large service providers such as TCS to rebalance their workforces to maintain their profit margins and stay price competitive in a cutthroat market where clients are demanding 20%-30% price reductions on deals. "The fact that TCS has taken this step is a major indicator of this trend, considering its culture of being a very stable place to work. " Peter Bendor-Samuel, founder chairman of the Everest Group, said the offshore labour arbitrage industry has hit maturity with growth likely to be flat to slightly up for the foreseeable future. "On top of that, AI is creating substantial efficiencies requiring fewer people. The combination of factors is forcing TCS and other firms to shrink their labour forces. This is likely the start of a broader trend for both TCS and the rest of the industry. " The reduction is not limited to TCS. During the recent earnings calls, HCLTech CEO Vijayakumar said, "We plan to optimise underutilised facilities, mainly outside India, including those from acquisitions. Second, there will be a talent reduction, particularly in certain geographies outside India. We will share more details once we finalise the timeline and plan." stry experts believe that hiring is largely concentrated in niche areas such as AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, with ramp-ups occurring primarily through large deal wins. "Most new jobs are tied to specific projects or organisational changes, rather than large-scale hiring drives. This cautious approach reflects companies' focus on filling critical roles that drive growth and adaptability. While the job market is gradually improving, businesses are being strategic about who and when they hire. It is less about volume and more about making thoughtful hires to address key needs. For job seekers, opportunities exist, but success depends on having the right skills and flexibility to navigate the evolving market," said Neeti Sharma, chief executive officer at Teamlease Digital. While demand for AI, data, and automation talent is surging, the available talent pool in India faces a significant skill gap. For large IT companies, upskilling and internal talent transformation have become more crucial than ever. "From these factors, it is clear that India's tech talent story is being rewritten," said Sunil C, India Country Head at Adecco. "It is not just about volume anymore. The race is about building future-ready teams, rebalancing talent supply chains, and staying competitive in a landscape defined by constant change," he added. Even as upskilling and reskilling remain constant priorities, Indian IT is no longer making headlines for aggressive hiring, as headcount growth has decoupled from revenue gains. Instead, companies are increasingly turning to campus recruiting to onboard students trained in newer skill areas.
