India-UK trade deal comes into force
India’s landmark free trade agreement with the United Kingdom came into force on July 15, nearly a year after it was signed.
The pact eliminates tariffs on about 90 per cent of UK goods entering India and covers almost all bilateral trade, reported The Hindu.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal hailed the agreement, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as the start of “a new era” for trade.
Stage set for first private orbital rocket launch
India is set to launch its first privately built orbital rocket, Vikram-I, developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace.
The launch from Sriharikota is expected between July 12 and Aug 4, subject to weather and approvals, reported The Straits Times.
The mission marks a major milestone for India’s private space sector as the company aims to gather crucial in-flight data during the test flight.
Data breach exposes files linked to Kudankulam nuclear plant
A ransomware group has released files allegedly linked to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, India’s largest nuclear facility, raising security concerns, Reuters reported.
Contractor Reliance Group confirmed a partial data breach involving a third-party data centre but did not specify what information was compromised.
Experts warned the incident highlights growing cybersecurity risks facing critical infrastructure in India.
US$13 billion semiconductor programme approved
The Central government has approved a semiconductor incentive package worth more than US$13 billion (S$16.7 billion) to boost domestic chip manufacturing and strengthen its electronics industry, reported AFP.
The Semicon 2.0 initiative expands an earlier scheme launched in 2021 and aims to attract global manufacturers, develop local supply chains and reduce dependence on imports amid increasing geopolitical and supply chain challenges.
India bans imports of goods made with forced labour
India has prohibited the import of goods produced using forced labour, a move that could help the country avoid additional United States trade tariffs.
Authorities will investigate suspected violations and recommend import bans where evidence exists, reported Reuters.
The new rules will take effect in 30 days as Washington reviews countries over forced labour and industrial capacity concerns.
Missing Indian sailor confirmed dead after ship attack
The body of an Indian maritime engineer missing after an attack on the Cypriot-flagged GFS Galaxy off Oman has been recovered, authorities confirmed on July 15.
Twenty-three crew members, including at least 10 Indians, were rescued, reported AFP.
The United States blamed Iran for the attack, while India has repeatedly condemned assaults on commercial shipping in the region.
India protests killing of seafarer in Strait of Hormuz
India has lodged a strong protest with Iran over the killing of an Indian seafarer during attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks left one Indian dead and 10 others injured, including two seriously, reported Reuters.
New Delhi urged an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region.
Probe continues into US national arrested at Nepal border
Indian investigators are tracing the movements of United States national Jordan Brown, who was arrested while allegedly attempting to enter Nepal illegally from Uttar Pradesh.
Mr Brown reportedly travelled from Bali to Goa before heading to the border but failed to identify key contacts or explain his purpose, reported the Hindustan Times.
Authorities are examining his digital footprint and travel history.
Stricter rules proposed for delayed birth, death registrations
The Central government has proposed tougher rules for registering births and deaths reported more than two years late.
Under the amendment, such registrations would require approval from a first-class judicial magistrate instead of district or executive magistrates.
The move aims to improve timely civil registration and prevent misuse of official records, noted The Times of India.
Air India crash investigation enters final phase
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has entered the final stages of its probe into the 2025 Air India Boeing 787 crash that killed 260 people, reported Reuters.
Investigators have completed the cockpit voice recorder transcript, conducted psychological reviews and interviewed key personnel.
Analysis of engine monitoring data and organisational factors is still underway. Source:
HP India fined over bid-rigging in government tenders
India’s Competition Commission has found HP India guilty of rigging bids for government procurement contracts by controlling prices and restricting reseller participation, reported Reuters.
The regulator ordered HP and 21 resellers to cease the practice and imposed penalties totalling US$15 million.
The case relates to tenders for computers and printer supplies between 2017 and 2020.
Four influencers booked over posts targeting Nitin Gadkari
Nagpur Cyber Police have registered a case against four social media influencers, including YouTuber Manish Kashyap, for allegedly spreading misleading claims about ethanol fuel and defaming Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, reported NDTV.
Police said the videos falsely linked Mr Gadkari to alleged irregularities in the E20 ethanol programme, calling it a coordinated smear campaign.
India’s retail inflation rises above RBI target
India’s retail inflation climbed to 4.38 per cent in June from 3.93 per cent in May, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India’s 4 per cent target for the first time in 16 months, Reuters reported.
Rising food and fuel prices drove the increase, with economists expecting inflation to average around 5 per cent during the current financial year.
