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News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
Punjab Police conducted raids at 301 locations; arrests 38 drug smugglers
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], August 16 (ANI): Continuing the war against drugs 'Yudh Nashian Virudh" waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 168th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 301 locations on Saturday leading to the arrest of 38 drug smugglers after registration of 28 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 25,909 in 168 days, said an official release. The raids have resulted in the recovery of 620 grams of heroin and 1612 intoxicant tablets/capsules from the possession of arrested drug operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the CM Bhagwant Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 100 Police teams, comprising over 900 police personnel, under the supervision of 70 gazetted officers, have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 316 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy– Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)– to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of 'De-addiction' has convinced 33 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today. Earlier on Thursday, in a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive against organised crime launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) arrested two most-wanted operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from Patiala-Ambala Highway near village Shambhu and recovered an Austrian-made 9mm Glock pistol along with six live cartridges from their possession. (ANI)
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Trump tariffs could hit 70% of India's goods exports: Here's what ICRIER recommended to mitigate the impact
Around 70 per cent of India's goods exports to the US, valued at $60.85 billion, are now exposed to the 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US administration, according to an analysis by ICRIER, a economic policy think tank. This is a significant concern for key Indian sectors, although it represents just 1.56 per cent of GDP and 7.38 per cent of total exports, which is far from a catastrophe for India's $3.9 trillion economy. The report by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, titled 'Navigating Trump's Tariff Blow' outlines the specific challenges posed by these tariffs on several Indian sectors, along with recommending ways to deal with them, ANI said. The US administration, led by President Donald Trump, initially imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods. This was later increased by another 25 per cent to a total of 50 per cent, a decision reportedly linked with India's continued imports of Russian oil. In contrast to India, competitors such as Vietnam (20 per cent), Bangladesh (18 per cent), Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (19 per cent), and Japan and South Korea (15 per cent) enjoy lower rates, as per an ANI news report. The impact of the US tariff is heavily concentrated in labor-intensive and high-value sectors, which not only anchor the merchandise exports to the US but also directly affect employment generation and the livelihoods of millions of workers and farmers. These sectors include: Textiles and apparel: This sector now faces a tariff disadvantage of over 30 percentage points compared to rivals like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam, threatening its competitive position in a key export market. Gems and jewelry: With exports to the US worth $11.9 billion, this sector faces similar challenges against suppliers such as Turkey, Vietnam, and Thailand. Auto parts: Constituting 3 per cent of India's exports to the US, this sector is also vulnerable. Agricultural products: Shrimp exports will be worst hit as 50 per cent tariffs come on top of existing anti-dumping and countervailing duties that India faces, making them uncompetitive with exports from Ecuador, Indonesia, and Vietnam. "These are sectors where buyers can switch sourcing relatively quickly, which gives US importers bargaining power and weakens India's negotiating position," the report said. However, it's important to note that the new US tariff regime excludes pharmaceuticals, energy products, critical minerals, and semiconductors. To mitigate the negative effects of the tariffs, the ICRIER report proposes a three-pronged strategic response for India: Smart negotiations: Engage in logical and rational negotiations with the US to find a mutually agreed resolution. Targeted relief: Provide immediate and targeted relief support to the hard hit sectors to help them deal with the tariff related losses. Trade diversification: On high priority, it's crucial to diversify export markets to reduce dependency on the US and build long-term resilience. President Donald Trump has imposed 'reciprocal tariffs' on dozens of countries with which the US has a trade deficit. Since assuming office for his second term, Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasizing that his administration will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to "ensure fair trade". Post that, India and the US initiated talks for a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) in March this year, with an objective to complete the first stage of the Agreement by October-November 2025. Faced with tariffs, during the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in a statement that the government is examining the impact of tariffs and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the nation's interest, the ANI news report said. On India's import of crude oil from Russia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made its position clear, stating that India's imports are meant to ensure the disbursal of affordable energy to the Indian consumer. MEA also said that the targeting of India is "unjustified and unreasonable".
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit Nepal on Sunday
Synopsis Vikram Misri, India's Foreign Secretary, is set to visit Kathmandu on Sunday. The two-day official visit aims to strengthen Nepal-India partnership. Discussions will focus on connectivity and development cooperation. The visit also prepares for Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's upcoming trip to New Delhi next month. India prioritizes its relationship with Nepal under its Neighbourhood First policy. ANI Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will arrive in Kathmandu on Sunday on a two day official visit to Nepal to discuss connectivity, development cooperation and other matters of mutual interest, it was announced on Saturday. The foreign secretary of India, who is visiting Nepal at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart Amrit Bahadur Rai, is scheduled to call on high-level dignitaries in the Himalayan nation. "During Misri's visit, the two foreign secretaries will hold discussions on various aspects of Nepal-India partnership, with focus on connectivity, development cooperation and other matters of mutual interest," Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Misri will leave Kathmandu on August 18 after wrapping up his visit. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India attaches high priority to its relations with Nepal under its Neighbourhood First policy. "The foreign secretary's upcoming visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and will be an opportunity to further advance our bilateral ties," the MEA said. People familiar with the matter said the main focus of Misri's engagements in Kathmandu will be on preparing the ground for Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's trip to New Delhi next month. Oli is likely to visit India around September 16, according to diplomatic sources. However, the official announcement is yet to be made.
