Digest for 26 September, 2025
US to Impose 100% Tariff on Imported Branded Pharmaceuticals
US President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on all imported branded or patented pharmaceutical products, effective October 1, 2025. The measure is intended to boost domestic manufacturing. Companies will be exempt if they are actively building production facilities in the United States, defined as having broken ground. The move is expected to significantly impact global pharmaceutical companies, including many in India which is a major drug exporter to the US, leading to a drop in Indian pharma stocks.
India Conducts First-Ever Rail-Based Test of Agni-Prime Missile
India has successfully test-fired its next-generation Agni-Prime ballistic missile from a train-based mobile launcher for the first time. This capability places India in a select group of nations able to launch strategic weapons from its rail network. The system enhances the missile's mobility and survivability, as it can be moved quickly across the country with reduced visibility compared to road-based launchers, allowing for faster reaction times. The Agni-Prime missile has a range of up to 2,000 km.
Defence Ministry Signs ₹62,370 Crore Deal for 97 Tejas Mk-1A Jets
The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth ₹62,370 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 97 additional Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. This is the largest-ever order for indigenous military hardware and brings the total number of Mk-1A jets on order to 180. The deal is a significant boost for India's self-reliance ('Aatmanirbharta') initiative and is critical for replenishing the IAF's dwindling combat squadron strength as it phases out its aging MiG-21 fleet.
Pakistani PM and Army Chief Meet US President at White House
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir met with US President Donald Trump at the White House, signaling a significant warming of relations between the two countries. The meeting, which occurred on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, is the first visit by a Pakistani PM to the White House under the Trump administration. The discussions come as the two nations have reportedly reached a trade agreement, a development with notable geopolitical implications for the South Asia region, including India.
White House Directs Agencies to Draft Mass Firing Plans for Shutdown
In an escalation of a potential US government shutdown, the White House Office of Management and Budget has instructed federal agencies to prepare for mass firings, not just temporary furloughs. The memo directs agencies to plan for a 'reduction in force' for programs whose funding would lapse. This aggressive tactic raises the stakes in the ongoing budget standoff in Washington, marking a significant departure from how previous shutdowns have been handled and creating deep uncertainty for the federal workforce.