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By Nitya Chakraborty Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic woes are mounting as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed visit to India on December 5 and 6 is approaching. US President Donald Trump is determined to ensure substantial reduction in Indian imports of Russian oil by November and this has been linked with the progress of the […]

The article Narendra Modi’s Mounting Dilemma Over President Putin’s Visit To India In December appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Alphabet’s Google will commit $10 billion to develop a 1-gigawatt data centre and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking its largest investment in India to date, state officials have confirmed. A formal MoU is to be signed today to solidify the partnership.

The data centre campus across three sites — Tarluvada, Adavivaram and Rambilli — will form a hyperscale cluster integrated with AI computing capacity, robust fibre-optic links and dedicated power supply, including renewable energy sources. The initiative is central to Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to scale its data centre capacity to 6 GW over the coming years.

Ahead of the MoU signing, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union ministers are expected to attend, reinforcing confidence in the project’s strategic significance. IT minister Nara Lokesh described data as “the new oil” underscoring the state’s drive to anchor itself in the global AI infrastructure map.

The Google investment taps into intensifying competition among global cloud and tech firms racing to establish AI infrastructure in India. Over the past months, tech majors have escalated commitments toward data centres, seeking to capitalise on surging demand for cloud and generative AI services.

Development of supportive infrastructure is underway in tandem. The state plans to enhance grid capacity, ensure uninterrupted power, and establish multiple cable landing stations to facilitate connectivity across Asia. The Hyderabad–Vizag corridor is poised to evolve as a subsea cable and data junction.

However, land acquisition hurdles pose a risk. Authorities have earmarked about 200 acres in Tarluvada, but litigation filed by claimants — some reportedly on behalf of proxy or deceased farmers — has slowed progress. The government has increased compensation to approximately ₹50 lakh per acre, and pledged jobs, shop spaces and housing plots to mitigate resistance. Chief Minister Naidu has directed efforts to fast-track resolution and suppress obstruction by alleged benami interests.

Political friction is surfacing. Local legislators from opposition parties accuse rivals of stalling the project to protect illicit land holdings. The TDP’s Palla Srinivasa Rao claimed that the ruling party is attempting to block acquisitions under the guise of safeguarding farmers’ rights, citing instances of forged or ghost claims. The government rejects these accusations and says it will uphold legitimate legal processes while pushing ahead.

Economic projections for the project are ambitious: estimates suggest the cluster could generate over 180,000 direct and indirect jobs between 2028 and 2032 and significantly boost Andhra Pradesh’s gross state domestic product. Analysts see the facility acting as a catalyst for ancillary sectors such as data-fabric supply chains, clean energy, construction and telecom.

This deal follows prior reports that Google had earlier signalled a $6 billion investment in Andhra Pradesh’s data infrastructure; that figure is now superseded by the $10 billion commitment, reflecting the expanded scale and inclusion of AI ambitions. The project’s success will depend on timely approvals, legal clearances, and seamless coordination between state, union and private stakeholders.

Visakhapatnam’s emerging status as a data centre hub is further supported by parallel developments: Sify is launching an AI edge data centre and submarine cable landing station; Meta is participating in undersea cable projects. With Google anchoring a flagship investment, Andhra Pradesh expects to draw further technology firms to its eastern corridor.

Emirates NBD is in advanced negotiations to acquire up to a 25 percent stake in Mumbai-based RBL Bank through a preferential allotment of equity and warrants, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The proposal would mark a major move by the Dubai-based lender into India’s private banking sector.

The Dubai bank is evaluating the terms of the deal, including pricing and structure, though both parties have yet to confirm the arrangement publicly. One of the sources indicated that the deal may be announced once approvals are in place.

On the Indian equities front, news of the talks propelled RBL’s shares higher: the stock climbed over 3 percent on 14 October, reaching its highest level since January 2024, and became one of the top gainers among private banks. Investor optimism stemmed from expectations that a reputable foreign investor might bolster transparency, governance and capital strength at RBL Bank.

Under Indian banking regulations, strategic foreign investors are generally restricted to a 15 percent stake, although exceptions have been made in high-profile cases. The Reserve Bank of India earlier permitted Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to hold 20 percent in Yes Bank, setting a precedent for flexibility in exceptional circumstances. Simultaneously, India is exploring adjustments to foreign ownership rules to enhance capital inflows into its banking sector.

Emirates NBD already holds regulatory approval in principle to convert its branches in India into a wholly owned subsidiary, positioning itself to operate on par with domestic Indian banks. That architecture would facilitate compliance with local regulations and provide greater autonomy to its Indian operations.

RBL Bank maintains a dispersed shareholding structure, with retail investors, mutual funds and small institutional holders driving most of its capital. It has no traditional promoter group. In June 2024, the bank had announced plans to raise ₹65 billion through a mix of institutional share issuance and debt instruments to support growth plans.

Previous media reports spanning earlier in 2025 suggested Emirates NBD’s interest in acquiring a minority stake in RBL, via a preferential allotment route, as part of its Asian expansion push. Those earlier discussions laid the groundwork for the current advanced negotiations.

The deal—if consummated—would align with Emirates NBD’s broader strategy of deepening its footprint in India, a market it already serves through branches in Mumbai, Chennai and Gurugram, and via its approved subsidiary structure. The bank has posted robust growth: in the first quarter of 2025, it exceeded profit expectations, buoyed by strong loan expansion and net interest income.

Still, multiple hurdles remain. Key among them are regulatory approvals from the RBI and possibly the finance ministry, clearances from capital markets regulators, and acceptance by RBL Bank’s board. Moreover, the valuation will be closely scrutinised, since acquiring a wedge of 25 percent may require pricing the equity at a premium to prevailing market values.

On the regulator’s side, officials have been deliberating over changes to banking ownership norms to attract foreign capital, particularly in systems where capital demand is rising rapidly. Some observers view case-by-case relaxation of limits as a likely path forward.

Institutional analysts have viewed Emirates NBD’s possible entry as a positive for RBL. One equity research note from ICICI Direct argued that the presence of a well-capitalised global investor could strengthen governance practices and investor confidence.

By Nantoo Banerjee There is little to be excited about the recent inauguration of predominantly mountainous Arunachal Pradesh’s first commercial coal mine at Namchik-Namphuk in the Changlang district jointly by Union Coal & Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu, marking the state’s first coal mine project. With an officially estimated […]

The article India Must Cut Down Coal Consumption appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty There is a big possibility of renewal of India-US bilateral ties impacting the ongoing trade talks following the proposed one on one meeting between the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the U.S. President Donald Trump during their presence in Kuala Lumpur to attend the summit of ASEAN members on October 26 […]

The article Trump-Modi Meet At ASEAN Summit In Malaysia Can Remove Irritants In Indo-US Ties appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Girish Linganna In a move that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on October 9 for an eight-day official visit that marks a watershed moment in India’s foreign policy. His meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, followed by visits to […]

The article The Price Of Pragmatism: What India Gains (And Loses) By Courting The Taliban appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

India is dispatching over 450 technology firms and startups to GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, anchoring the India Pavilion under the aegis of ESC. The pavilion will span multiple halls and spotlight more than 100 Indian enterprises across sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, IoT, smart mobility, fintech and digital infrastructure. Organisations will also engage in high-stakes networking, investor roundtables and B2B matchmaking.

GITEX Global 2025, running from 13 to 17 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, draws more than 6,800 tech companies and some 2,000 startups from about 180 countries. It is expected to be the largest edition to date, integrating themes such as physical AI, quantum computing, biomedicine and semiconductor innovation. Across the co-located Expand North Star event, over 1,200 investors managing assets exceeding US$1.1 trillion will scout opportunities among scale-ups and unicorns.

The India Pavilion marks a concerted push to convert India–UAE strategic frameworks into tangible tech commerce. With the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Local Currency Settlement System operational, cross-border ICT trade has surged. Bilateral trade crossed US$100 billion during fiscal year 2024–25, and electronics exports alone reached US$3.7 billion, positioning the UAE as a key destination for Indian hardware shipments.

At a preparatory briefing, Kamal Vachani, ESC’s regional director for Dubai, described the pavilion as more than a display — “a living showcase of India’s tech prowess and growing synergy with the UAE.” ESC’s CEO, Gurmeet Singh, noted that many participating companies are MSMEs or first-time exporters, and that the pavilion aligns with India’s ambition to emerge as a global electronics hub.

India’s strategy at GITEX goes beyond sheer numbers. Firms are bringing solutions purpose-built for global markets — from smart city platforms to blockchain-enabled supply chains. The pavilion will host curated sessions on cross-border compliance, regulatory alignment, and scalable deployment across Middle Eastern and African markets.

For the UAE, the event reinforces its vision of acting as a global nexus for innovation and capital. Major corporate names such as G42, e&, IBM, AMD, Huawei, Microsoft, Oracle and Amazon Web Services will anchor the exhibitions. New entrants including Cerebras, Tata Electronics, Qualcomm and Tenstorrent will attempt to break in. The show also emphasises future-critical infrastructure: hyperscale data centres, quantum systems, and semiconductor roadmaps are front and centre.

Globally, one of the event’s linchpin themes is the maturation of AI into domain-specific systems. The AI Semicon track will address sovereign technology imperatives in chip design, while the Quantum Expo will present fault-tolerant architectures. At the intersection of AI and healthcare, companies like Mammoth Biosciences and Paradromics will illustrate how gene-editing and neurotech are being reimagined. Robotics firms will showcase humanoid prototypes and autonomous “robocars,” underscoring the pivot to “physical AI.”

Strategic partnerships form a parallel narrative. India and the UAE are finalising memorandum exchanges via the UAE-India Business Council to deepen collaboration across fintech, logistics, digital infrastructure and state-level investment. The CEPA Start-up Series launched earlier this year in New Delhi underscores a joint intent to foster innovation-led cross-border growth.

By Nitya Chakraborty The Israel-Hamas peace deal announced by the US President Donald Trump on Wednesday night in Washington is a welcome development, however limited it be at the moment as the agreement between the two warring parties is only for the first phase of Trump sponsored deal involving the release of all hostages by […]

The article Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal Is Welcome But The Follow Up Is Crucial For Enduring Peace appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty Just forty eight hours within the external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar’s candid statement that Trump has to respect red lines drawn by India at trade talks, Indian officials joining China, Russia, Taliban government of Afghanistan and even Pakistan denouncing President Trump’s bid to take over Bagram air base in Afghanistan, is […]

The article India’s Opposition To Trump Bid To Take Over Bagram Airbase Has Special Significance appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanised Brigade has released footage claiming that a 22-year-old Indian national, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein from Morbi, Gujarat, surrendered to Ukrainian forces after fighting for Russia. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated it is investigating the matter, having not yet received formal confirmation from Ukrainian authorities.

In the video, Hussein says he travelled to Russia for university studies but was later convicted on drug charges and handed a seven-year prison sentence. He states that to avoid incarceration, he accepted a Russian military contract to fight in Ukraine. After only 16 days of training, he was deployed to the front lines on 1 October, and after three days of combat, asserted that a dispute with his commander prompted him to approach a Ukrainian trench position and surrender. “I immediately put down my rifle … I didn’t want to fight. I needed help,” he is heard saying in Russian. He further claims he never received promised financial compensation and that he would rather remain in custody in Ukraine than return to Russia.

Indian officials have neither confirmed his capture nor denied it. A spokeswoman from the MEA said New Delhi is “ascertaining the veracity of the report.” The Indian mission in Kyiv is reported to be seeking clarity from Ukrainian counterparts. The MEA noted it has not yet received an official notification.

If confirmed, this would mark the first verified case of an Indian national being held by Ukrainian forces after participating directly in combat on Russia’s side—although Indian nationals have previously been reported among Russian-aligned forces. In January, Indian authorities disclosed that 12 citizens had died fighting for Russia, while 16 others were listed as missing. New Delhi has repeatedly raised the issue with Moscow, urging the repatriation or discharge of Indians serving in the Russian military.

The broader phenomenon of third-country nationals entering the Russia-Ukraine war as combatants has drawn increasing scrutiny. Independent investigations estimate that more than 1,500 foreign fighters from over 48 nations have joined Russia’s military ranks. Some are believed to have been recruited under misleading promises, including job opportunities, visa benefits, or leniency in legal cases. In India’s case, accusations of coercion or trafficking have been made—families of slain Indian fighters have claimed their relatives were enticed with assurances but ultimately compelled into frontline service.

Analysts note that this case, if corroborated, underscores the murky legal and ethical terrain of foreign national participation in armed conflict. Under international humanitarian law, combatants captured in war zones may face prosecution, detainee protections, or diplomatic processes, depending on their status. The Indian government, maintaining a non-aligned posture regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, must balance protecting its citizens abroad with adherence to international norms and pressure from both Moscow and Kyiv.

Within India, this development is likely to intensify scrutiny over how students or migrants abroad might be exposed to recruitment schemes, particularly in countries engaged in conflict. Some previous admissions of Indians fighting for Russia suggested recruitment via third-party agents or recruitment drives run under the guise of employment for non-combat roles—later displaced into military duty. Families have, in past instances, sought intervention from Indian diplomatic missions, urging more robust preventive mechanisms.

Meanwhile, in Russia, foreign conscripts—or contracted soldiers from abroad—have been increasingly leveraged to supplement manpower. Ukrainian authorities have touted captures of foreign fighters in multiple instances, often publicising their nationality to highlight alleged exploitation or coercion. These reports frequently appear in social media or Telegram channels operated by Ukrainian units, although independent verification is sometimes challenging, given the fog of war and conflicting narratives.

The World Bank has trimmed its projection for South Asia’s economic expansion in 2026, citing elevated U. S. tariffs on Indian exports as a key drag. The region’s growth is now forecast at 5.8 percent, down from 6.6 percent this year.

The updated “South Asia Development Update” flags the U. S. trade measures as a major headwind, especially given India’s size and its integration into regional supply chains. The report sets India’s growth for fiscal year 2025–26 at 6.5 percent, up from its earlier estimate of 6.3 percent, but warns of a drop to 6.3 percent in 2026–27 as tariff pressures intensify.

The U. S. has imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on a broad swath of Indian goods—impacting sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery and seafood—affecting nearly $50 billion in exports. These are among the highest duties levied on any U. S. trading partner. The World Bank notes that these tariffs will particularly bite in 2026 as initial buffers from public spending fade.

Franziska Ohnsorge, chief economist for South Asia at the World Bank, asserted that the toll from trade restrictions reflects “a reversal of the gains” India had made in integrating into global value chains. She urged structural adjustments: lowering tariffs and signing free trade agreements to support export competitiveness.

Beyond India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka show varying trajectories. The Bank upgrades forecasts for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, citing easing fiscal strain and improving external balances. Meanwhile, Nepal and the Maldives bear the brunt of tighter global conditions, with their outlooks revised downward.

Policy responses in India are already in motion. The government launched sweeping tax cuts spanning consumer goods to automobiles, one of the largest fiscal interventions in recent years. Concurrently, infrastructure spending is being boosted to drive domestic demand and counterbalance export headwinds. The Reserve Bank of India held its repo rate at 5.50 percent in October, citing subdued inflation and leaving open room for a future cut.

Indian officials remain confident. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called the economy “resilient,” expressing faith it could absorb external shocks while targeting an ambitious 8 percent growth. The Chief Economic Adviser affirmed earlier forecasts of 6.3–6.8 percent GDP growth, downplaying long-term damage from trade friction.

International institutions have also flagged downside risks. The Asian Development Bank cut India’s FY 26 forecast to 6.5 percent from 6.7 percent, pointing to duty pressures and policy uncertainty. The IMF earlier trimmed India’s 2025-26 prediction to 6.2 percent, citing heightened global trade tensions.

The World Bank’s report emphasises that over the medium term, trade liberalisation combined with labour flexibility and investment in digital infrastructure could help South Asia reclaim momentum. Within the document, a scenario of tariff cuts and deeper trade integration is modelled to yield significant gains in productivity, employment, and output per capita.

Still, the path ahead is fraught. The report cautions that the region is vulnerable to a global slowdown, geopolitical shocks and labor market disruptions from artificial intelligence. In particular, it warns that weaker export growth from India will spill over across the region via trade, financial and migrant-worker channels.

By Sushil Kutty Rare minerals included lots of ores, this was something we were taught in school and we learned about stone age, copper age and iron age, the last of which remains to this day the most basic of minerals, out of which was born steel and the term steely strength, like in ‘Superman […]

The article Pakistan Is The Dearest To Trump In Asia As Islamabad Exports Rare Earth Minerals appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Nitya Chakraborty Indian foreign policy makers have at last showing some mature understanding of the geopolitics of the post-Trump.2 months if the external affairs minister Dr. S Jaishankar’s observations at the concluding session of Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi on Sunday, are any indication. The minister was quite candid in explaining the complexity […]

The article EAM Jaishankar Is Right: Trump Has To Respect India’s Red Lines appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By K Raveendran It was a week of contradictions for India’s image on the world stage, marked by a curious interplay of critique, affirmation, and manoeuvring. Rahul Gandhi, in his address at Columbia University, painted a picture of India that was dark and distressing, describing the country’s democratic decline in sweeping terms. At the same […]

The article A Week Marking The Worst And Best For India On Global Stage appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By K Raveendran Bill Gates’ recent revelation about how a critical recruitment drive of fifteen Indian engineers had once saved Microsoft from slipping into irrelevance comes at a time when the United States under Donald Trump is imposing restrictive visa measures that are designed to block the very talent pool that had proven indispensable for […]

The article Trump’s Visa Tariff May Be Blessing In Disguise For India’s Talent Reservoir appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

By Anjan Roy Donald Trump’s high fees for H1B visas are a serious headache for India, not just for the sake of its impact on India’s IT sector and services exports to USA. This is a huge worry for the overall security environment and strategic- diplomatic scenario for India. Among others, if China is able […]

The article China Is Making Every Effort To Attract Talent Thrown Out By America appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai, but it was the trophy presentation that has reverberated across cricketing circles. Indian players refused to accept the trophy or medals from Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board and President of the Asian Cricket Council, turning what should have been a moment of celebration into a publicly charged standoff.

Tensions ripple beyond the pitch because of this act. Through the refusal, both nations have set what analysts say is a dangerous template where political grievances eclipse sport itself. The decision to rebuff a symbolic handover, traditionally steeped in sporting civility, signals that future India-Pakistan fixtures may be shaped less by cricketing merit than by national narratives.

The refusal drew immediate attention. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, lamented that his team was denied the rightful moment of recognition. Across national media, voices questioned the boundaries between patriotism and play. In Pakistan, captain Salman Ali Agha accused India of disrespecting the spirit of cricket, while insisting that gestures made behind closed doors had been misrepresented.

For India, the refusal came after repeated snubs in the tournament — players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the team had resolved not to accept the trophy from Naqvi. The BCCI plans to lodge a formal protest at the upcoming ICC meeting.

Observers see this as the collapse of the practice known as “cricket diplomacy” — the idea that cricketing encounters might ease broader geopolitical tensions. Analysts warn that once such norms crumble, they are difficult to resurrect. The absence of handshakes, the broken presentation protocol, and accusations of politicisation all feed into a narrative that cricket is simply another front in the bilateral rivalry.

This is not the first time politics has shadowed India-Pakistan cricket, but few moments match the clarity of this rupture. Political polarisation in both countries has long influenced bilateral relations, and the 2025 military flare-ups between them have deepened fissures. Some critics argue that the match-day conduct was unavoidable given the broader climate of hostility. Others contend that the sanctity of the game deserves insulation from statecraft.

Stakeholders are now walking a tightrope. The ACC must decide whether to uphold its leadership’s neutrality or face accusations of bias. The ICC will be pressured to weigh in — either by endorsing standards that separate sport from politics or by allowing countries to redefine the conduct of play. Grassroots cricket lovers, meanwhile, worry that the spectacle of national identities may overshadow the joy of the game itself.