Digest for 18 August, 2025
US and Russia Engage in High-Stakes Diplomacy Over Ukraine War
Global diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war intensified on two fronts. In Washington, US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders to discuss a path to peace. This followed Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. In a related development, Putin telephoned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him on the talks. India reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and dialogue, highlighting its strategic position amid the negotiations.
NDA Nominates Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan for Vice President
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has named Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election. The announcement was made by BJP President J.P. Nadda following a parliamentary board meeting. Radhakrishnan, a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu with long-standing ties to the RSS and BJP, has previously served as a two-time Lok Sabha MP. The election, scheduled for September 9, was necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
EC Releases List of 65 Lakh Deleted Voters in Bihar; Opposition Threatens CEC Impeachment
Following a Supreme Court directive, the Election Commission released a list of 65 lakh voters removed from Bihar's draft electoral rolls. The EC cited reasons such as death, permanent relocation, or duplicate entries for the deletions. The move has sparked a major political firestorm, with the opposition INDIA bloc accusing the EC of failing to ensure a fair electoral system. The alliance is reportedly considering all options, including an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom they accuse of bias.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Visit India for High-Stakes Border Talks
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to begin a two-day visit to India for talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The discussions are expected to focus on the protracted border standoff in eastern Ladakh, confidence-building measures, and groundwork for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The visit is a significant diplomatic step in the ongoing efforts to normalize strained bilateral relations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives in India for Border Talks with NSA Doval
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit focused on boundary negotiations with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The visit, part of ongoing efforts to stabilize relations after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, precedes Prime Minister Modi's expected trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The talks are expected to cover new confidence-building measures to maintain peace and tranquillity along the contested border, marking a crucial step in bilateral diplomacy.
Supreme Court Takes Up Plight of Cadets Disabled During Military Training
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the difficulties faced by military cadets who are medically discharged due to disabilities sustained during training. A bench will hear the matter, prompted by reports that these cadets are not granted ex-servicemen status, depriving them of essential medical benefits and pensions available to commissioned soldiers. This judicial intervention could lead to significant policy reforms for the welfare of hundreds of such cadets discharged from institutions like the NDA and IMA.
Government Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore Scheme to Boost Job Creation
The government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), a central scheme with a ₹1 lakh crore outlay aimed at creating over 3.5 crore jobs. The program offers incentives to both employers and first-time employees to stimulate formal sector employment. Under the scheme, which runs from August 2025 to July 2027, first-time employees will receive a one-time cash incentive, while employers will be rewarded for generating additional employment, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector.
Samsung Commences Laptop Manufacturing at its Noida Plant in India
South Korean electronics giant Samsung has started manufacturing laptops in India at its facility in Greater Noida. This expansion of its Indian production portfolio, which already includes smartphones and tablets, marks a significant boost for the government's 'Make in India' initiative. The move is expected to strengthen India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem and enhance the domestic supply of devices. Samsung's Noida plant, established in 1996, is one of its largest globally, underscoring its commitment to the Indian market.
PM Chairs High-Level Meeting on 'Next-Generation' Economic Reforms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with top Union ministers, secretaries, and economists to finalize a roadmap for 'next-generation reforms'. The initiative, announced during his Independence Day address, aims to accelerate reforms across all sectors. The deliberations focused on boosting the ease of living and the ease of doing business to foster prosperity. The formation of a dedicated task force signals the government's intent to pursue a significant policy agenda in its new term.
Former CJI Flags Constitutional Concerns Over 'One Nation, One Election' Bill
Former Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, has raised concerns before a parliamentary committee about the 'one nation, one election' proposal. In his written opinion, he cautioned that while the proposal might pass a test of constitutional validity, its desirability is questionable. He specifically noted that granting the Election Commission "unfettered discretion" to postpone state elections could undermine India's federal structure and potentially lead to an indirect imposition of President's rule, challenging the Constitution's basic structure.