Morning Brief: Govt Pushes For US Goods Over Chinese Imports; First Exploration Licence Auctions For Critical Minerals Launched; Taliban Calls Out Pakistan Over Train Hijacking Allegations

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

Amid Trade Talks, Govt Pushes For US Goods Over Chinese Imports

The Commerce Ministry has asked industries to identify areas where American goods can replace imports from China and other countries. This comes as India braces for US reciprocal tariffs from April 2, following President Donald Trump’s criticism of high tariffs in the automobile and agricultural sectors. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal assured that the government is protecting exporters' interests while also seeking better market access. He urged exporters to move beyond a protectionist mindset and embrace new opportunities. Steel and aluminium exporters reported that $5 billion worth of goods have already been impacted by Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs on these metals.

India Begins First Exploration Licence Auctions For Critical Minerals

The Ministry of Mines has launched India’s first exploration licence auctions, offering 13 mineral blocks across 10 states. These blocks contain critical and deep-seated minerals like gold, copper, diamonds, zinc, rare earth elements, vanadium, and zirconium, essential for industries such as electronics, renewable energy, defence, and aerospace. The move comes five months after rule amendments allowed the Centre to take charge of EL auctions due to state-level delays. Increased exploration of these minerals is expected to provide investors with valuable reserve data and boost participation. So far, only 24 critical mineral blocks have been auctioned, with many bids failing due to low investor interest.

Taliban Rejects Pakistan’s Allegation Of Afghan Involvement In Train Hijacking

The Taliban government has firmly rejected Pakistan’s claims linking Afghanistan to the Balochistan train hijacking, calling them “baseless allegations” and urging Pakistan to “focus on resolving their own security and internal problems.” Since the Taliban took power, Pakistan’s long-standing strategy of securing “strategic depth”—the idea of controlling or influencing Afghanistan to ensure a fallback zone against India—has collapsed, with border tensions and diplomatic disputes escalating. The Taliban has increasingly resisted Pakistani pressure, particularly on cracking down on TTP militants, leading to growing friction between the two sides. Kabul has also accused Islamabad of using Afghan refugees as scapegoats for its internal security failures, further straining ties. The recent exchange over the train attack highlights the deepening mistrust and Pakistan’s waning influence over a regime it once saw as an ally.

Other Developments

German, US Firms Eye India For Semiconductor Expansion

German semiconductor giant Infineon and US-based Onsemi are seeking Indian partners to establish semiconductor assembly and test facilities. They join a growing list of global firms investing in India's OSAT market, which has already seen three approved units under the India Semiconductor Mission. These include Tata Group’s Rs 27,120 crore facility in Assam, CG Power’s Rs 7,584 crore unit, and Kaynes Technology’s Rs 3,307 crore project in Gujarat. Infineon is actively exploring opportunities to build an OSAT presence in India, according to sources. Recently, its Asia-Pacific arm signed a deal with Mohali-based CDIL Semiconductors to supply semiconductor wafers for assembly and packaging.

UP Surpasses Delhi, Ranks Second In New Company Registrations

Sitharaman Exposes Stalin’s Hypocrisy Over Rupee Symbol

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman exposed the DMK government’s hypocrisy in replacing the Devanagari rupee symbol with the Tamil rupee letter in the Budget logo, calling it regional chauvinism. In a post on X, she listed six arguments against the move, linking it to the ongoing language debate. She pointed out that the DMK did not object when the ‘₹’ symbol was adopted under the UPA government in 2010. Sitharaman also highlighted that the symbol was designed by D Udaya Kumar, son of a former DMK MLA, making its removal ironic. She further traced the Tamil word ‘Rupaai’ to its Sanskrit origin ‘Rupya,’ emphasizing its deep historical connection to Tamil trade and literature.

Putin Questions Ceasefire Terms Amid Ukraine Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he supported the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine but raised concerns over its implementation, questioning how it would be enforced. He responded to Ukraine’s agreement to a 30-day truce after talks with the US, stating that any ceasefire must address the root causes of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin’s remarks as "manipulative" and called for more sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, the US imposed additional sanctions on Russia’s oil, gas, and banking sectors. Putin also cited concerns over Ukraine's potential military preparations during the ceasefire and reiterated that Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region had only two options—surrender or die.

From The States

Bihar Politics Heats Up Over Sita Mata Temple Renovation

Bihar politics is heating up ahead of the Assembly polls as the BJP pushes for the renovation of the Sita temple in Sitamarhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at an event in Ahmedabad, announced plans for a grand Sita temple, urging the people of Mithila to support the project. The move has sparked political tensions, with the RJD accusing the BJP of taking undue credit and JD(U) demanding more central funds. RJD chief Lalu Prasad dismissed Shah’s call for election camps in Bihar, escalating the war of words. The temple’s restoration was initially approved in 2023 when JD(U) and RJD were allies, but JD(U) later realigned with the BJP in early 2024.

KTR Backs Stalin’s Anti-Delimitation Stand

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s anti-delimitation movement is gaining support, with BRS leader KT Rama Rao (KTR) confirming his participation in an all-party meeting in Chennai on March 22. After meeting a DMK delegation in Hyderabad, KTR criticised the Centre’s delimitation plan, arguing that it unfairly penalises southern states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka for successfully implementing family planning policies. He warned that basing parliamentary representation solely on population figures would weaken the political voice of southern states in national decision-making. Stalin and the DMK insist that delimitation should be based on the 1971 census to prevent a loss of seats for the south.

You’re all caught up—until next time.