Morning Brief: India’s Hypersonic Glide Missile To Be Ready In 2–3 Years; Plan To Cut Reliance On China For Magnets Gains Ground; Trump Drops Claim Of Mediating India-Pak Peace

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

India’s Hypersonic Glide Missile To Be Ready In 2–3 Years

India’s hypersonic glide missile is in an advanced stage of development and could complete trials within the next two to three years, DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat has said. In an interview to NDTV, he confirmed that one development trial has already been conducted.

Dr Kamat also revealed that India has successfully demonstrated scramjet propulsion for over 1,000 seconds — a key milestone toward developing hypersonic cruise missiles. While the glide missile programme is further along, he said the scramjet-powered system may take five to seven years to reach induction, pending government approval for full-scale development.

India’s Rare Earth Magnet Scheme Gains Traction

India’s efforts to build a domestic rare earth magnet industry have picked up pace, with major companies like Jindal, Vedanta, and Sona Comstar expressing interest in a proposed Rs 2,500–3,000 crore incentive scheme. The initiative aims to counter China's dominance in rare earth processing and magnet production, and offset recent Chinese export restrictions that have disrupted supply chains, especially for Indian EV makers.

The proposed scheme, under final discussion, includes phased financial incentives, import duty exemptions, and conditions for domestic value addition. It seeks to reduce India’s manufacturing cost disadvantage, estimated at 10–12 per cent compared to China, which enjoys lower sourcing, processing, and financing costs. Companies producing at least 500 tonnes annually using local rare earth oxides would be eligible.

Trump Drops Claim Of Mediating India-Pakistan Peace

US President Donald Trump, speaking after a meeting with Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir, praised both Munir and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “very smart” leaders who chose not to pursue war following recent tensions. For the first time, Trump dropped his earlier claims of personally brokering peace, stating instead that it was a decision made by the two nuclear-armed nations’ leaders.

The Oval Office meeting, notable for being the first between a US president and Pakistan’s military chief in decades, also included discussions on Iran, with Trump hinting at potential US-Pakistan cooperation in the Persian Gulf. Trump acknowledged Modi’s call a day earlier, in which he was told that India does not accept third-party mediation.

Other Developments

RBI Eases Project Loan Norms To Boost Infra Lending

The Reserve Bank of India has relaxed its project finance guidelines, easing the regulatory burden on banks funding infrastructure and industrial projects such as roads, ports, and power plants. The revised norms, effective October 2025, reduce provisioning requirements, acknowledge sector-specific risks, and allow greater flexibility in handling delays.

Key changes include lower provisions for project delays — now 0.4 per cent to 0.6 per cent per quarter instead of a flat 2.5 per cent — and clearer definitions of credit events, focusing on concrete signs of stress like defaults or loan restructuring. For commercial real estate projects, the provision has been cut to 1.25 per cent during construction and 1 per cent once operational.

Panel Formed To Study Concerns Over Coaching Centre Boom

The committee has been tasked with reducing students’ dependency on coaching by examining misleading advertising practices, dummy schools, and weaknesses in classroom learning such as the lack of focus on critical thinking. It will also look into the limited awareness of career options and poor counselling services that push students toward a narrow set of elite institutions.

Trump Delays Decision On Iran Intervention

US President Donald Trump is expected to decide within two weeks whether the US will directly intervene in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, amid what the White House calls a “substantial chance of negotiations.” His statement has slightly lowered tensions, but Iranian officials have warned that American involvement would unleash “hell” in the region.

Meanwhile, Israel and Iran continued exchanging fire for a seventh consecutive day, as tensions escalated following a missile strike on a hospital in Beersheba that injured at least 71 people. In response, Israel’s defence minister issued a direct threat against Iran’s supreme leader, marking a sharp escalation in the conflict.

From The States

Shiv Sena Factions Face Off Ahead of BMC Polls

Marking the 59th foundation day of the Shiv Sena, both factions of the party—led by Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde—held parallel rallies in Mumbai, effectively launching their campaigns for the upcoming BMC elections. With both groups claiming to represent the true legacy of Bal Thackeray, the day saw sharp messaging aimed at energising party workers and asserting dominance in the city’s political landscape.

The rallies highlighted growing tensions between the factions, with each side accusing the other of betrayal and failure. The contest is expected to be a high-stakes one, with control of Asia’s richest municipal corporation and the loyalty of the Marathi voter base on the line. 

Congress-Ruled Karnataka Expands Minority Quota In Housing

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a 5 per cent hike in minority reservation under all government housing schemes, raising the existing quota from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. The move comes weeks after the state passed a bill to reserve 4 per cent of government civil contracts for Muslims.

The BJP sharply criticised the decision, claiming it would reduce benefits for SC, ST, and OBC communities, and warned of a possible agitation. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the party would decide its next steps soon. The Congress government defended the move, stating it followed a Union government directive highlighting a housing shortfall among minority communities.

Deal To Restore Free Movement In Manipur Likely Soon

Talks between the Centre and Kuki militant groups are reportedly close to a breakthrough that could restore free movement of people and goods across Manipur — a key step toward stabilising the state after two years of ethnic violence. Since May 2023, the Meitei and Kuki communities have been geographically separated, with movement restricted and large parts of the state becoming inaccessible to the other group.

An earlier attempt to resume transport across the Valley and hills was halted in March after a bus was fired upon. Officials say violence has subsided since President’s Rule was imposed in February, creating a more conducive atmosphere for peace. 

You’re all caught up—until next time.