Morning Brief: After ISI Chief's Visit, Coup Rumours Swirl In Bangladesh Army; Foreign Secretary In Beijing Weeks After Doval's Trip; Akhilesh Yadav Takes Second Dip In Ganga In Two Weeks

Catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

After ISI Chief Visit, Coup Rumours Swirl In Bangladesh Army

Speculation is growing about a possible coup in the Bangladesh army amid tensions between Islamists and progressives. Lieutenant General Mohammad Faizur Rahman, known for his pro-Islamist views, is rumored to be plotting a takeover, having recently met with Pakistan's ISI chief. Although Rahman does not command troops, sources suggest he may be seeking support within the army, particularly from the DGFI, the army's intelligence wing. Current army chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman, who is ideologically centrist and pro-India, is preventing an Islamist takeover by positioning the army as vital to the country's stability. Another powerful figure in the army is Lt Gen Mohammad Shaheenul Haque, backed by pro-Awami League Major Gen Muhammad Moin Khan, who is considered a key player in Bangladesh's military politics.

Foreign Secretary In Beijing Weeks After NSA Doval's Visit

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Beijing on Sunday (26 January) to resume bilateral engagements after the recent border disengagement. On Monday, he is set to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. He has met Liu Jianchao, head of the CPC’s International Department. The visit seeks to work out a plan to repair the relations damaged by the 2020 Chinese incursions along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, which led to a prolonged military standoff. It follows high-level engagements last year, including a discussion between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in December and a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in October.

Akhilesh Yadav Takes Second Dip In Ganga In Two Weeks

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a holy dip in the Sangam at Mahakumbh on Sunday, following a similar ritual in Haridwar on Makar Sankranti. This comes just weeks after he tried to mock the sentiments of Hindus by suggesting that a Shivling existed beneath the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s residence in Lucknow and must be excavated, which sparked political uproar. Yadav's suggestion to excavate the Shivling triggered tensions amid archaeological surveys linked to temples destroyed by Muslim rulers. He also accused the BJP of using these findings to marginalise Muslims and distract from pressing issues like unemployment and the agrarian crisis.

The SP also faced criticism after a statue of its founder, Mulayam Singh Yadav, was installed at the Maha Kumbh Mela, which was opposed by seers and visitors. Mulayam Singh Yadav is seen as anti-Hindu due to his support for Muslim gangster-politicians and his role in the firing on Kar Sevaks in Ayodhya.

Other Developments

After Tata, Bharat Forge In Talks To Become Apple Supplier In India

Apple is in talks with Bharat Forge to make the Kalyani Group company one of its vendors in India, potentially involving the production of mechanical components. This move is part of Apple's strategy to diversify its supply chain, shifting manufacturing away from China and increasing local value addition. Apple has already established a strong presence in India with three iPhone assembly plants, including the largest operated by Foxconn, along with two others by Tata Group. Bharat Forge, a major Indian manufacturer, operates across industries such as automotive, energy, defense, and aerospace. Apple's Indian suppliers include Sunwoda, Foxlink, Aequs, and Amperex Technology Ltd, with some of them expanding operations in the country.

FPIs Pull Out Rs 64,156 Crore From Indian Equities In January

January 2025 saw FPIs as net sellers on all days except January 2, making it the fourth consecutive week of net selling. In the debt markets, FPIs remained net sellers at Rs 7,500 crore, while their net investments in Indian equities in 2024 were just Rs 427 crore, a significant drop from Rs 1,71,107 crore in 2023.

MSMEs Push Back Against Rising Trade Barriers

The government initiated a safeguard duty probe on steel imports in December after lobbying by the Indian Steel Association, despite pushback from MSMEs over high domestic prices. Similar concerns have emerged in the solar panel industry, where a mandate to source modules from select domestic manufacturers starting April 2024 could raise solar generation costs and benefit a few players. Meanwhile, quality control orders on polyester and viscose fibres since 2021 have restricted imports, creating supply shortages and raising costs for smaller textile firms.

Amid rising tariffs and non-tariff barriers on critical raw materials such as steel, copper, and polymers, MSMEs and bodies like FISME are urging the government to address the uncompetitive environment. NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery has also cautioned against protectionist measures that risk fostering local monopolies, advocating for balanced trade policies. The government may take steps to rationalise customs duty rates in the upcoming Budget, as signalled in the Finance Minister’s July 2024 speech.

Trump Imposes Tariff On Colombia After It Blocks Migrant Deportations

The United States and Colombia are embroiled in a trade and diplomatic standoff after US President Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Colombian goods, set to rise to 50 per cent within a week, alongside travel bans and visa revocations for Colombian officials. The measures were triggered by Colombia’s refusal to allow US military planes carrying deported Colombian migrants to land, which Trump called a violation of legal obligations. In retaliation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro raised tariffs on US goods by 25 per cent, threatening to double them if US sanctions continue. Petro criticised the deportations, stating migrants deserve humane treatment and announced the use of Colombia’s presidential aircraft for repatriating citizens.

From The States

Bihar: Nitish Kumar's Son To Take Political Plunge

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, known for his criticism of dynastic politics, may see his son Nishant Kumar enter active politics ahead of the Assembly elections. JD(U) sources indicate Nishant is likely to join after Holi, with growing demands from party workers for his involvement. While initially dismissed, Nishant's name has repeatedly surfaced within the JD(U), gaining momentum over the past year. On January 8, the 48-year-old made his first public appeal for the party while accompanying his father in Bakhtiyarpur, urging voters to support JD(U). Previously staying away from the spotlight, Nishant was last seen at a political event during Kumar’s 2015 oath-taking ceremony.

BJP Sweeps Uttarakhand Local Polls

Ahead of the rollout of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand, the BJP swept the local body polls, winning 10 out of 11 mayoral posts, including two previously held by Congress. The BJP also outperformed in 43 municipal councils and 46 nagar panchayats, securing or leading in 32 of the 89 seats. In Dehradun’s mayoral poll, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), once seen as a serious contender, received fewer votes than NOTA. Compared to the 2018 local body polls, where the BJP won six mayoral posts and Congress secured two, this result marks a major shift in favor of the BJP. This victory has strengthened the BJP’s position ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, set to be held in February 2027.

Follow along for more updates throughout the day.