Like Telangana, Congress will form government at Centre too: Mallikarjun Kharge
He contrasted PM Modi's leadership with that of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, saying she showed courage and resolve. 'Unlike Modi, Indira Gandhi was never afraid. Whoever came in the way, she declared that Bangladesh would be given independence - and she made it happen,' Kharge said.Reiterating the Congress party's ideological commitment to secularism and social justice, Kharge urged workers and supporters to take the 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' campaign to every household. The campaign slogan refers to Mahatma Gandhi, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, and the Indian Constitution, aiming to unite people around the values of equality, justice, and constitutional democracy.Taking on the BJP over the issue of secularism, Kharge accused the party of wanting to erase the word from the Constitution. 'They say the word secular is not in the Constitution. I challenge them - show us where the word secular was removed from the Constitution,' he said. 'If the word secular really bothers you, then remove it from your party manifesto and show us.'Kharge's remarks come amid heightened political tensions ahead of the next general election. His statements are being seen as a strategic effort to consolidate opposition voices and present the Congress as a defender of constitutional values in contrast to the BJP's majoritarian politics.- EndsMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
39 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar likens attacks on non-Marathi speakers in Mumbai to Pahalgam massacre
Maharashtra BJP minister Ashish Shelar has compared recent attacks on non-Marathi speaking migrants in Mumbai to the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir, suggesting that the victims in both cases were 'Hindus'. 'In Pahalgam, people were killed because of their religion. Here in Maharashtra, Hindus are being assaulted only because of the language they speak. What's the difference?' Shelar said at a press conference in Mumbai. The remark comes amid heightened tensions following multiple incidents in Mumbai where workers of Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) attacked shopkeepers and migrant workers allegedly for speaking Hindi instead of Marathi. The BJP leader also called the recent coming together of former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and his cousin Raj Thackeray an 'opportunistic alliance'. 'Uddhav cannot survive without power. He left the BJP when he didn't get the CM's chair and now seeks a BMC seat by any means necessary,' he alleged. Shelar said the BJP would protect the interests of both Marathi speakers and Hindus but would do so through 'development politics, not hatred'. The Pahalgam massacre claimed 26 lives on April 22.
Indian Express
44 minutes ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: India-Argentina relations, Big Beautiful Bill Act and Special Intensive Revision
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for July 6, 2025. If you missed the July 5, 2025, UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here. Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Bilateral agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests. What's the ongoing story: India and Argentina are to strengthen collaboration in critical minerals, shale gas, defence manufacturing, space, telemedicine, digital health solutions and information technology following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires Saturday night. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the history of India-Argentina relations? • What are the areas of cooperation between India and Argentina? • What is the significance of Argentina's critical mineral reserves for India's clean energy transition? • As India seeks to leverage Argentina's vast shale gas and oil reserves to diversify its energy portfolio, what are the opportunities and challenges associated with it? • How can India's partnership with Argentina shape India's mineral security strategy? • What is a preferential trade agreement? • What is Unified Payments Interface (UPI)? How many countries have adopted UPI? • As India and Argentina are working towards a Preferential Trade Agreement and UPI adoption, how can such initiatives deepen India's economic footprint in Latin America? • Map work: Location of Argentina. (Refer to the atlas.) Key Takeaways: • Modi and Milei met last November on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brazil. On Saturday, the two sides decided to work towards a preferential trade agreement and faster approval towards Indian medicines, and adoption of the UPI system after the bilateral meeting. • This is the first Indian bilateral visit to Argentina at the level of the Prime Minister in 57 years. It is Modi's second visit to the country as Prime Minister – he was there in 2018 for the G20 Summit. • Argentina has been a strategic partner of India since 2019 and the two countries celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations last year. • P Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said, 'The Prime Minister's visit to Argentina comes at a particularly significant time as Argentina is undertaking major economic reforms similar to those India went through in the past.' • Argentina holds the world's second largest shale gas reserves and the fourth largest shale oil reserves along with substantial conventional oil and gas deposits, making it a potentially important energy partner for India in the future. • Argentina's rich reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, copper and rare earth elements complement India's growing need for secure and sustainable supplies to these elements for its clean energy transition and industrial growth. India's public sector joint venture company KABIL has already won a few concessions in Argentina since 2024. • 'The visit will further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Argentina and to explore new areas of cooperation across a wide range of sectors. These particularly include trade and investment, health and pharmaceuticals, defence and security, infrastructure, mining and mineral resources, agriculture and food security, green energy, information and communication technologies, digital innovation, disaster management, science and technology, education and people to people linkages,'said P Kumaran, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs. Do You Know: • The last visit by an Indian PM to Argentina was by Indira Gandhi in 1968. As Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi visited Argentina as part of her tour of South American nations in 1968. • The first recorded visit by an Argentine to India was in 1848. According to Indologist Gustavo Canzobre, Indo-Argentinean relations date back to 1848 when the 17-year-old Argentine Lucio V. Mansilla visited India. Mansilla's writings of his travels across India and East Asia were recorded in the book Diario de viaje a Oriente (1850-51) (Travel Journal to the Orient [1850-51]). Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍PM Modi in Argentina: 3 lesser-known facts about India-Argentina relations UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (1) Consider the following statements with reference to India-Argentina relations: 1. Argentina holds the world's largest reserves of shale gas and shale oil. 2. Argentina has been a strategic partner of India since 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Salient features of the Representation of People's Act, Constitution of India — features, significant provisions and basic structure. What's the ongoing story: Citing 'lack of due process' and 'the unreasonably short timeline' for the 'Special Intensive Revision' of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Election Commission exercise by calling it unconstitutional and warning that it will 'disenfranchise lakhs of voters'. Key Points to Ponder: • What is Article 32 of the Constitution of India all about? • Know the Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326 of the Constitution of India • What are the constitutional provisions related to the Elections in India? • Read about the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Representation of the People Act, 1950. • What is the primary objective of the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of electoral rolls? • Under which provision does the ECI conduct a 'Special Intensive Revision' of electoral rolls? • What are the constitutional and legal mandates empowering the ECI to carry out SIR? • Compare the SIR measures in Bihar with Assam NRC exercise. • What are the challenges and implications of requiring birth date/place proof for different age cohorts during roll revision? • What can be the implications of shifting the onus of voter registration from the State to citizens, especially in states with high poverty and migration? • What measures should be taken to balance electoral integrity with inclusivity? Key Takeaways: • In its petition dated July 4, filed through advocate Prashant Bhushan, the ADR said, 'The present Writ Petition has been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India, seeking setting aside of Order and communication dated 24.06.2025 issued by the Respondent Election Commission of India (ECI), directing for Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar (SIR Order), as being in violation of Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326 of the Constitution of India as well as provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Rule 21A of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.' • 'The SIR order dated 24.06.2025, if not set aside, can arbitrarily and without due process disenfranchise lakhs of voters from electing their representatives, thereby disrupting free and fair elections and democracy in the country, which are part of the basic structure of the Constitution,' the plea stated. • It said 'the documentation requirements of the directive, lack of due process as well as the unreasonably short timeline for the … revision… further make this exercise bound to result in removal of names of lakhs of genuine voters from electoral rolls, leading to their disenfranchisement.' • The NGO said the EC's June 24 order 'has shifted the onus of being on the voters' list from the State to citizens. It has excluded identification documents such as Aadhaar or ration cards which further make marginalised communities and the poor more vulnerable to exclusion from voting'. • 'The declaration as required under the SIR process is violative of Article 326 in so far as it requires a voter to provide documents to prove his/her citizenship and also citizenships of his/her mother or father, failing which his/her name would not be added to the draft electoral roll and can be deleted from the same,' it stated. • Pointing out that 'Bihar is a state with high poverty and migration rates where many lack access to documents like birth certificates or parental records,' it said 'as per estimates, over 3 crore voters and more particularly from marginalised communities (such as SC, STs and migrant workers) could be excluded from voting due to the stringent requirements as mentioned in the SIR order. ' • According to ADR, Section 21(3) of the RPA, 1950 allows the ECI to direct a special revision of electoral rolls 'for reasons to be recorded' but the directive for Bihar 'lacks recorded reasons supported by any evidence or transparent methodology, rendering it arbitrary and thus liable to be struck down'. • It said the 'SIR of Bihar or any other state of country is a positive step, but the manner in which ECI has directed the conduct of SIR in a poll-bound state like Bihar has raised questions from all stakeholders, particularly the voters.' Do You Know: • The ECI is a permanent, independent, and constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the Union and the States of India. • The ECI is empowered to supervise, oversee, and manage elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President of India. Since the ECI does not oversee elections to state-level urban bodies like municipalities and panchayats, there is a separate State Election Commission. • The Constitution has the following articles (Articles 324–329) to empower the Election Commission and provide insight into the potential roles and functions of the commission. • Article 324: The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and the Legislature of every state and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President. • Article 325: No individual to be excluded from electoral rolls on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them. • Article 326: Adult suffrage shall be the basis for elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States. • Article 327: Parliament may, according to the provisions of this Constitution, from time to time enact laws with respect to all matters relating to elections to Parliament and Legislative Assemblies of States. • Article 328: A state's Legislature may from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, the elections to the House or either House of the Legislature. • Article 329: The article prohibits the courts from becoming involved in electoral matters. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Starting with Bihar, fresh electoral rolls: Proof of birth date for those not in 2003 list 📍Revision of Bihar electoral rolls: Why, how Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (2) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance, History Mains Examination: General Studies-II: India and its neighbourhood- relations What's the ongoing story: Varinder Bhatia writes- 'In the history of Tibet and Indo-China relationship, April 26, 1959, was a turning point. Having fled his homeland following China's invasion, the Dalai Lama met Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who declared that the spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhists 'should be allowed to live in peace' in India.' Key Points to Ponder: • Who is the Dalai Lama? The Dalai Lama is considered the spiritual head of which Tibetan Buddhist school? • Tibetan Buddhist school evolved from which traditions of Buddhism? • What is the history of Tibet and Indo-China relationship? • Which agreement in 1951 formally brought Tibet under Chinese sovereignty, leading to tensions that resulted in the Dalai Lama's exile? • What are the implications of China's role in the selection of the next Dalai Lama for India-Tibet relations and regional geopolitics? • What are the geopolitical and diplomatic consequences of India granting asylum to the Dalai Lama in 1959? • How did granting asylum to the Dalai Lama shape Indo-China relations? • Read about the 1962 Sino-Indian war. • What was the Panchsheel Treaty? • Map work: Khenzimane Pass in Arunachal Pradesh Key Takeaways: • 'On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama, who turns 90 on July 6, reiterated that the institution would continue and only his Gaden Phodrang Foundation would have the authority to recognise the reincarnation, ending uncertainty on whether he will have a successor or not after his death.' • The Dalai Lama, who is the 14th to hold the title, made the announcement from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, where all those decades ago he set up the Tibetan government-in-exile. At the time, following his arrival in the country, Nehru had told the public that the Tibetan spiritual leader 'had to undertake a very big and difficult journey' before meeting him. • 'The journey up to that point was long and arduous. Following China's occupation of Tibet and the violent repression that followed, the Dalai Lama and several other Tibetans left for India. The Dalai Lama, his family members, bodyguards, and fellow Tibetans were received by Indian border guards at the Khenzimane Pass in Arunachal Pradesh on March 31, 1959. On April 2, Indian government officials formally welcomed him at the Chutangmu outpost on April 2, 1959, and took him to the Tawang monastery. The following day, the Nehru government announced it had granted the Dalai Lama political asylum.' • 'The Dalai Lama eventually moved to Tezpur in Assam, where he released his first statement from Indian soil. On April 18, 1959, he criticised China for shelling the Norbulingka Palace, one of his residences in Lhasa, the month before. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Government of India and thanked the Indian public for their 'spontaneous and generous welcome'. In the same statement, the Dalai Lama mentioned he came to India 'of my own free will and not under duress'.' • 'For Nehru, too, it was not all smooth sailing when it came to granting the Dalai Lama asylum. The PM faced immense criticism, with many warning him of the consequences of 'antagonising China'.' • 'The day the Dalai Lama released the statement from Tezpur, China officially lodged its protest, accusing India of meddling in its internal affairs. Beijing insisted that the Dalai Lama 'be returned'. That laid the foundation of a future deterioration of Indo-China relations and eventually led to the 1962 Sino-Indian war.' • 'Nehru, however, cited 'moral and humanitarian' grounds to allow the Dalai Lama entry into India and also the decision to grant him political asylum.' • 'After Tezpur, the Dalai Lama lived in Mussoorie (now in Uttarakhand) for several months. In 1960, upon the invitation of the government, he moved to McLeodganj in Dharamshala and has been there since then, with the town becoming the centre for Tibetan cultural and political activities in exile.' Do You Know: • Despite effortless integration of cultures and communities, the Tibetan issue has always been a sensitive one for India, Tibet and China since the early 1950s. While then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru welcomed waves of embattled Tibetans and granted the Dalai Lama asylum in 1959, even in the face of immense criticism and fears of 'antagonising China', after the India-China war in 1962, Delhi has been cautious about its public pronouncements on the Dalai Lama. • Since then, the Indian government has adopted a more nuanced position. While maintaining that the Dalai Lama is a 'revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India' and that he has 'all the freedom to carry out his religious activities in India', Delhi doesn't officially support the Tibetan community's political activism in India. • More so now, when India and China are working towards normalising the bilateral relationship after a tense border standoff since 2020. On July 4, the Ministry of External Affairs released a carefully worded statement saying the government 'does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion. The Government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so.' • Panchsheel: The Panchsheel Agreement, formally known as The Agreement on Trade and Intercourse with Tibet Region, was signed on April 29, 1954, by N Raghavan, the Indian Ambassador to China, and Zhang Han-Fu, China's Foreign Minister. The preamble of the Panchsheel Treaty lay down five guiding principles: 1) Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty; 2) Mutual non-aggression; 3) Mutual non-interference; 4) Equality and mutual benefit; and 5) Peaceful co-existence. • The agreement aimed to enhance trade and cooperation between the two countries, establishing each country's trade centres in major cities of the other, and laid out a framework for trade. The agreement also listed important religious pilgrimages, provisions for pilgrims, and acceptable routes and passes available to them. Importantly, India for the first time recognised Tibet as the Tibet Region of China. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍India reaffirms religious neutrality after China objects to Dalai Lama remarks 📍Why the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday this week matters for Tibetans, and beyond UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (3) With reference to 'Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence', consider the following statements: 1. It is a foreign policy concept that was first articulated in an agreement betweem India and China in 1954. 2. The agreement aimed to enhance trade and cooperation between the two countries, listed important religious pilgrimages and India for the first time recognised Tibet as the Tibet Region of China. Which of the statements given above is/are are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (4) 'Belt and Road Initiative' is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (UPSC CSE 2016) (a) African Union (b) Brazil (c) European Union (d) China Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 'China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia', In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor. (UPSC CSE 2017) Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: World Geography Mains Examination: General Studies-I: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones. What's the ongoing story: Japan's government on Saturday warned of more possible strong earthquakes in waters southwest of its main islands, but urged the public not to believe unfounded manga comic-book predictions of a major disaster. Key Points to Ponder: • Read about the earthquakes. • How are earthquakes measured? • How movements of sections of the Earth's crust release the energy that we experience as earthquakes? • What are the most earthquake-prone zones of the world? (Thought process: Read about the circum-Pacific seismic belt, Alpide earthquake belt (mid Continental belt), and submerged mid-Atlantic Ridge.) • What are the effects of earthquakes? • What are the earthquake zones in India, and what measures have been taken by the government concerning the natural disaster? • Read about the Pacific Ring of Fire. Key Takeaways: • Authorities on Friday evacuated some residents from remote islands close to the epicentre of a 5.5-magnitude quake off the tip of the southernmost main island of Kyushu. • That quake on Thursday, strong enough to make standing difficult, was one of more than 1,000 tremors in the islands of Kagoshima prefecture in the past two weeks that have fuelled rumours stemming from a comic book prediction that a major disaster would befall the country this month. Do You Know: • An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth's surface. It happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another, according to USGS. This releases stored-up 'elastic strain' energy in the form of seismic waves, which spreads through the earth and cause the shaking of the ground. • The earth's outermost surface, crust, is fragmented into tectonic plates. The edges of the plates are called plate boundaries, which are made up of faults. The tectonic plates constantly move at a slow pace, sliding past one another and bumping into each other. As the edges of the plates are quite rough, they get stuck with one another while the rest of the plate keeps moving. Earthquake occurs when the plate has moved far enough and the edges unstick on one of the faults. • The location below the earth's surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre. Why is Japan prone to earthquakes and tsunamis? • That's because of its location. Japan is situated along the 'Pacific Ring of Fire', which is the most active earthquake tectonic belt in the world. The 'ring' refers to 'an imaginary horseshoe-shaped zone that follows the rim of the Pacific Ocean, where many of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur,' according to a report by Live Science. • Within the Ring of Fire, there are different tectonic belts, including the Pacific Plate, Eurasian Plate, and Indo-Australian Plate, which keep meshing and colliding with each other, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: Understanding the earthquake Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: (5) Consider the following: (UPSC CSE 2013) 1. Electromagnetic radiation 2. Geothermal energy 3. Gravitational force 4. Plate movements 5. Rotation of the earth 6. Revolution of the earth Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth? (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only (b) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only (c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies-II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. What's the ongoing story: US President Donald Trump has signed the Congress-approved 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act (OBBBA), which marks a sharp break from his predecessor Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that drove billions into clean energy investments – from solar and wind to electric vehicles (EVs). Instead, the OBBBA accelerates the phaseout of federal incentives for these clean technologies, slashes royalty rates for domestic fossil fuel drilling, and expands oil and gas leasing through new provisions. Key Points to Ponder: • What is the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act (OBBBA)? • What are the key provisions of the OBBBA? • What are the concerns associated with OBBBA? • What might be the geopolitical implications of OBBBA on the global clean energy race? • What can be the long-term economic and environmental consequences of OBBBA? • Compare the energy strategies of the United States and China. Key Takeaways: • The US House of Representatives passed the bill on July 3 without altering the Senate-approved version received earlier this week. While the final text modestly tones down the House's more aggressive cuts in support for hydrogen production and batteries, it still rolls back key benefits for solar and wind energy, as well as for both commercial and passenger EVs. • Experts warn the legislation could drive up household energy bills over the next decade, slow the deployment of clean technologies on the US power grid, and – most importantly – cement China's dominance in the global clean energy race. • The oil and gas industry – long a key backer of Trump's presidential campaigns – welcomed the OBBBA's push to expand fossil fuel production. But critics argue that US shale remains costlier than renewables, and that leaning on fossil fuels to meet rising electricity demand is both economically and practically unviable. • The final OBBBA text, while broadly scaling back clean energy support, is still less severe than the House version originally sent to the Senate. It gives clean hydrogen projects until end-2027 to qualify for tax credits – two years more than earlier proposed – and retains incentives for carbon capture, nuclear power, and clean fuels. Energy storage systems tied to solar or wind can also access full investment benefits through 2032, avoiding a sharper phaseout of benefits. • Across the Pacific, China has ramped up thermal power to meet rising industrial demand – but a steady pivot to clean technologies remains central to its energy strategy. For instance, in 2024, while it started construction to add around 100 GW of coal power capacity, it added a whopping 420 GW of solar and wind. In comparison, the US added less than 55 GW in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍This Word Means: Big, Beautiful Bill Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies- II, III: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian Economy, Effects of liberalisation on the economy What's the ongoing story: India's decision to reserve its rights to impose retaliatory duties on the US over imposition of tariffs on auto parts is a procedural move under the WTO agreement on safeguards and it will not affect ongoing negotiations on the proposed trade pact between the two countries, an official said. Key Points to Ponder: • Read about the World Trade Organisation (WTO). • What is the WTO Agreement on Safeguards? • What are 'retaliatory tariffs'? • How does India's decision to reserve retaliatory duties against the US reflect the mechanism under the Agreement on Safeguards? • What is the role of multilateral trade institutions like the WTO in addressing protectionist policies of major economies? • Analyse the effectiveness of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism in ensuring fair trade practices among member countries. • What is the history of India-US relations? • What are the areas of cooperation between India and the US? • What are the key developments in India-US relations in the various sectors? • What are the challenges and opportunities in finalising a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between India and the US? Key Takeaways: • India on Friday proposed imposing retaliatory duties under the WTO (World Trade Organisation) norms against the US over American tariffs on imports of the country's auto parts in the name of safeguard measures. • The proposed suspension of concessions or other obligations would take the form of an increase in tariffs on selected products originating in the US, according to a notification of the WTO being circulated at the request of India. • The two countries have aimed to conclude the first phase of the BTA by fall (September-October) this year. The agreement is aimed at more than doubling bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 billion. • Both India and the US are signatories to the Agreement on Safeguard at the WTO which empowers a WTO Member to suspend its tariff concessions to another member who introduces safeguard measures on its imports. • On 26 March 2025, the US announced a 25 per cent ad valorem tariff on the import of automobiles and on certain automobile parts, including, from India under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, 1974. • 'India treated it as a safeguard measure and gave a notice for consultation under the WTO agreement earlier. Now, as per the provisions of that agreement, after completion of 30 days period for consultation, as a next step, India has notified that it is reserving its right to suspend concession on equivalent US exports to India as a response to enhanced tariff of 25 per cent imposed by the US on Indian exports of auto components,' the official said. Do You Know: From Front Page- 'Amid India deal impasse, Trump signs tariff letters for 12 nations' • With no word still on whether his administration will sign an interim trade deal with India before the reciprocal tariff pause runs out July 9, President Donald Trump has said the US has begun the process of informing countries about the reciprocal tariffs they must pay, and that he has already signed 12 letters scheduled to be dispatched Monday. • Trump, however, stated that the reciprocal tariffs would come into effect August 1, indicating a potential extended window for negotiations with countries, including possibly India, which have not struck a deal with the US before the July 9 deadline. The US had originally announced a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on India. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍UPSC Issue at a Glance | From Trump's reciprocal tariffs announcement to 90-day pause: Everything in between UPSC Prelims Practice Question Covering similar theme: (6) Consider the following statements: 1. Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by a government on imported goods and services. 2. Objective of tariffs is to make foreign products more expensive compared to domestically produced goods Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
3 Ex Chief Justices Support Simultaneous Polls, But Flag Issues In Bill
New Delhi: Former chief justices of India, who have conveyed their views to a parliamentary committee on the bill proposing simultaneous polls, have endorsed the constitutionality of the 'one nation, one election' concept but have raised concerns over its various aspects, including the power given to the Election Commission, and offered suggestions. Former CJI D Y Chandrachud, in his opinion submitted to the Joint Committee of Parliament, has dismissed the opposition's criticism that the synchronisation of Lok Sabha and state assembly polls violates the Constitution's basic structure, saying the Constitution never mandated holding national and state elections separately. However, he has joined another ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi in questioning the 'sweeping powers' granted to the Election Commission in the proposed constitutional amendment law 'without laying down any guidelines for the exercise of the discretion', according to the opinion submitted to the parliamentary panel. Chandrachud and another former CJI J S Kehar are scheduled to appear before the committee headed by BJP MP P P Chaudhary on July 11 so that members can interact with them over the bill's provisions and seek their views on their queries. Questioning the vast powers the bill seeks to bestow on the EC, Chandrachud said such 'unbounded authority' could enable the poll body to curtail or extend the tenure of a state assembly beyond the constitutionally mandated five years, under the pretext that simultaneous elections with the Lok Sabha are not feasible. The Constitution must define, delineate and structure the circumstances under which the ECI may invoke this power, he added. Two former CJIs, U U Lalit and Ranjan Gogoi, had appeared before the committee in February and March, respectively. During the interaction, Gogoi agreed with the concerns of some members over the excessive power given to the EC, sources have said. Lalit had suggested that simultaneous polls should be rolled out in a staggered manner and not at one go, as he had said that cutting short the remaining terms of assemblies with substantive tenure left for the purpose of synchronising election cycles could be legally challenged. However, all three ex-CJIs have not questioned the constitutionality of the concept of simultaneous polls. Chandrachud said in his written opinion that simultaneous elections will not infringe upon the voters' right to elect their representatives and that the bill ensures that electors remain continuously represented by their duly elected MPs or MLAs. He said, 'Arguments opposing simultaneous elections are based on the premise that the Indian electorate is naive and can be easily manipulated.' He said, 'The argument that staggered elections are a part of the Constitution's basic structure (or form part of the principles of federalism or democracy) does not hold. Staggered timing of elections cannot be considered as a feature of the original Constitution, let alone an immutable feature.' However, his opinion is not without notes of caution over some of the bill's features or the likely implications if it is to be enacted. Chandrachud has appeared to share the concern that simultaneous elections could marginalise smaller or regional parties due to the dominance of better-resourced national parties, saying it is a significant policy aspect that warrants legislative attention. He said, 'To ensure a level playing field among political parties, the rules governing electoral campaigning, particularly those relating to campaign finance, must be strengthened.' While the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, impose ceilings on the amount a candidate may spend during the election campaign, there are no corresponding limits on the expenditure incurred by political parties themselves, he noted. This gap in regulation weighs in the electoral process towards parties with greater financial resources, he said. As the bill says that the term of a House elected after a midterm poll will be only for the remainder of the five year term, Chandrachud has said the ability of the government to take any meaningful project will be minimised if its tenure is only of a year or less as the Model Code of Conduct will come into force around six months before the next polls. Several MPs in the panel have also raised this point about the likely priorities and strength of a government elected for a short period.
