India Roundup: Murder, elevated tariffs, rape cases, study permits

Elevated tariffs

In a detailed report, CareEdge outlines India’s potential advantages stemming from proposed U.S. tariff increases on Chinese imports by Donald Trump, which may reach up to 60%. This could catalyse a shift among U.S. companies toward alternative manufacturing locations, thereby potentially enhancing India's manufacturing capabilities and export economy. However, the report raises concerns about the broader implications of elevated tariffs, including global trade disruptions, inflationary pressures, and a possible deceleration in trade growth, which could negatively impact demand for Indian exports. Mint reports that Trump's agenda includes substantial tariffs on Mexican imports to inhibit Chinese firms from evading U.S. tariffs. India's success in leveraging these dynamics will be contingent upon substantial improvements in its industrial infrastructure and overall business landscape.

Militants murder woman

A tragic event occurred in Manipur's Bishnupur district, where a woman working in paddy fields was shot dead by suspected militants on November 9, 2024. The violent incident transpired in the Saiton area during a routine agricultural activity, igniting local tensions and fostering resentment towards central forces perceived as ineffective. This incident is part of a distressing trend of ethnic violence in Manipur that has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023, the Indian Express reports.

Seaplane demo flight operations

Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has initiated seaplane demo flight operations from Vijayawada to Srisailam, marking a pivotal moment in the state's efforts to boost tourism and create job opportunities. Naidu lauded this move as a leap forward for water-based aviation in Andhra Pradesh, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support. The Union Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, detailed that the newly introduced seaplane service will drastically cut travel time from eight hours to approximately 45-50 minutes, with comprehensive services anticipated to commence by early 2025. According to The Hindustan Times, this initiative is heralded as a transformative development for the regional economy and tourism sector, particularly following updated guidelines from the DGCA that accommodate seaplane operations in India.

Rape cases

Former MP Prajwal Revanna was denied bail by the Karnataka High Court in two rape cases, prompting him to appeal to the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear his case. Revanna, who hails from a high-profile political family, faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct linked to several women. The emergence of videos purportedly depicting these incidents just prior to an impending election spurred the establishment of a special inquiry team, according to NDTV. Following an overseas trip to Germany post-allegations, Revanna returned to India, resulting in his arrest on May 31. The fallout from these claims significantly impacted his political career, leading to a loss of over 40,000 votes in the election and subsequent suspension from the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) party.

Canadian study permits for Indian students

In a significant policy shift, Canada has announced the termination of its expedited Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme for international students, primarily due to concerns regarding programme integrity and escalating diplomatic tensions with India. Initially launched in 2018, the SDS was instrumental in expediting visa approvals, particularly for Indian students, with an impressive approval rate of nearly 95%. As of November 8, 2024, all applications for study permits will revert to standard processing channels, which may considerably lengthen waiting periods, Zee News reports. Moreover, Canada has set higher financial prerequisites for prospective study permit candidates and instituted mandatory verification of acceptance letters by educational institutions to enhance programme integrity. These alterations come at a turbulent time in Canada-India relations and could profoundly affect Indian students' desirability to study in Canada, with significant economic implications expected in the educational sector.