Morning Brief: Govt Clears Rs 20,000 Crore AWACS Project For IAF; Bangladesh Faces Another Crisis As Clashes Erupt; Pakistan Abuzz With Rumours Of Shake-Up; And More

Kick-start your morning with Swarajya’s Morning Brief – your news fix, curated for clarity and insight.

Govt Clears Rs 20,000 Crore Indigenous AWACS Project For IAF

The government has approved a Rs 20,000 crore project to develop six next-generation airborne early warning and control systems (AWACS India) to improve the Indian Air Force's surveillance and battle management capabilities, The Economic Times has reported. The system, to be developed by DRDO in partnership with Indian firms and Airbus, will be integrated onto Airbus A321 aircraft and feature all-round radar coverage and indigenous AESA technology.

The AWACS India project, also known as Netra MkII, will replace aging platforms and place India among a select group of nations with such indigenous capability. The aircraft, sourced from Air India, will undergo major structural modifications before being repurposed for this project. The program is expected to be completed in three years and could open future export opportunities.

Bangladesh Faces Another Political Crisis As Clashes Erupt

At least four people were killed in violent clashes in Gopalganj on Wednesday ( 16 July) during a rally organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP), triggering a major political crisis in Bangladesh. The hometown of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh’s founding father, turned into a battleground as NCP supporters and police faced off ahead of a planned student-led march, according to Prothom Alo. The Bangladesh Army imposed Section 144 and launched a crackdown to restore order.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus claimed that security forces attacked NCP members, police, and media during a peaceful protest. The ruling Awami League accused the Yunus-led regime of repression, including extrajudicial killings and attempts to erase symbols associated with Rahman from Gopalganj.

Talk Of Munir As President Gains Steam In Islamabad

A series of high-level meetings in Islamabad has reignited speculation about a possible shift in Pakistan’s political power structure, with rumours suggesting Army Chief General Asim Munir could be eyeing the presidency. The buzz follows General Munir’s visit to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, shortly before Sharif met President Asif Ali Zardari.

This marks the third wave of such speculation in July, despite Sharif publicly dismissing claims last week that Zardari would be replaced. The fresh round of intrigue, reported by The Express Tribune, highlights ongoing civil-military tensions and uncertainty within Pakistan’s leadership as the country navigates economic and political instability.

Other Developments

Trump Says US ‘Very Close’ To Trade Deal With India

US President Donald Trump has said the US is “very close” to finalising a trade deal with India that would grant American businesses greater access to Indian markets. He said 1 August would be a “very significant day” for tariff collections and trade announcements. “We have some pretty good deals to announce... maybe with India,” he said.

Trump claimed that the US had “no access” into many countries earlier, but tariffs were now forcing doors open. India and the US are currently in the fifth round of bilateral trade talks, with Trump claiming the deal would unlock “substantial money” for America.

Fuel Control Switches Cleared On Air India’s Dreamliner Fleet

Air India has completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking mechanisms across its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, with no issues detected, the airline said on Wednesday (16 July). The checks were conducted by the airline’s engineering team over the weekend as a safety measure.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had earlier ordered all Indian carriers to inspect fuel switch locks on Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft by 21 July, following findings in a recent crash report. Air India also confirmed that all its Boeing 787-8 jets have undergone scheduled Throttle Control Module replacements in line with Boeing’s maintenance guidelines.

A parliamentary committee reviewing the Income Tax Bill 2025 has recommended reinstating a key clause allowing deductions on inter-corporate dividends, potentially easing tax burdens for Indian companies. The panel, headed by Baijayant Panda, unanimously adopted its report on Wednesday, proposing over 285 changes—most of which have been accepted by the government.

The move could restore Section 80M, which helps prevent double taxation in multi-tier corporate structures and had been dropped for firms under the 22 per cent tax regime. The bill is now expected to pass swiftly in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. The panel also backed restoring earlier language on residency for workers going abroad and reinstating the provision for nil withholding tax certificates in certain cases.

Astronomers Capture First Glimpse Of Planet Birth Around Young Sun

Cape Canaveral: In a first, astronomers have directly observed rocky planet formation around a young sun-like star, HOPS-315, located 1,370 light-years away. Using NASA’s Webb Telescope and the European Southern Observatory’s ALMA array, researchers detected silicon-rich solids forming in the star’s inner gas disk, a process believed to mirror the early evolution of our own solar system.

The study, published in Nature, identifies crystalline silicates and silicon monoxide gas, key components of rocky planets, in the hot zone comparable to our asteroid belt. Scientists say the finding confirms planet formation begins earlier than previously proven, offering rare empirical evidence of “time zero” in planetary evolution. HOPS-315 is estimated to be just 100,000 years old.

From The States

PM Modi to Hold Mega Rally in Bihar on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Motihari in Bihar’s Champaran district on Friday, marking his 53rd visit to the state and what NDA leaders call a significant pre-poll push. The PM will inaugurate development projects worth Rs 7,217 crore, spanning infrastructure, housing, IT, and railways, and address a large public rally.

Senior NDA leaders, including Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and JD(U)’s Sanjay Jha, are overseeing preparations on the ground. They say the rally will showcase the Centre’s commitment to Bihar’s development ahead of assembly elections. Modi has already launched several welfare schemes across the state this year. JD(U) and BJP leaders expect massive turnout, citing Motihari as a symbolic and strategic stop in the campaign narrative.

Bihar Voter Verification Process Begins On 1 August

With over 88 per cent of voters submitting enumeration forms in Phase 1 of Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the process now enters a critical two-month verification phase beginning 1 August. This stage, led by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), will decide final voter eligibility and includes scrutiny of documents, resolution of claims and objections, and action on suspected ineligible entries.

The verification period, ending 30 September with the release of the final roll, carries high political stakes ahead of state elections. EROs can initiate suo motu inquiries against suspected foreign nationals, many of whom reportedly hold Aadhaar and ration cards. Weekly voter lists will be shared with political parties, and roll observers will conduct super checks. Appeals against deletions can be made to the district collector and CEO.

Congress vs Sarma Heats Up In Assam

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of rampant corruption, saying Sarma behaves like a “raja” and would be jailed if Congress returns to power. Speaking in Chaygaon, Gandhi alleged land scams under the guise of solar parks and resorts, and warned of voter list tampering in Assam similar to Maharashtra and Bihar.

Sarma responded on X, noting Gandhi’s remarks about jail were made in a closed-door party meeting and mocked him for being out on bail himself. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Gandhi’s criticism, calling Sarma a borrowed leader and reaffirming Assam as a traditional Congress stronghold.

You’re all caught up—until next time.