Morning Brief: Pakistan's Nur Khan Airbase Hit Harder Than Initially Reported, Satellite Imagery Shows; Foreign Secretary, Deputy NSA Head To US Amid Strained Ties; And More

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New satellite images from The Intel Lab reveal that there was extensive damage to Pakistan’s Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi following India’s strikes during Operation Sindoor. An entire complex, a part of which was hit, has now been demolished, suggesting the damage to sustained was more extensive than previously thought.

The Indian Air Force’s precision strike targeted critical infrastructure, disabling two special-purpose trucks that were most likely housing a command and control facility and exposing vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defence system made up of Chinese systems.

Nur Khan, a key hub for the Pakistan Air Force, houses vital assets like Saab Erieye early warning systems, C-130 transporters, and IL-78 refuelling aircraft. The base supports drone warfare and serves as a training ground for elite pilots. Most importantly, it is only around 10 km away from the headquarters of the Pakistan Army.

Foreign Secretary, Deputy NSA Heading To US Amid Strains In Ties

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Deputy NSA Pawan Kapoor are visiting the US this week amid emerging strains in Indo-US ties over Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating India-Pakistan peace talks. India has firmly reiterated that its engagement with Pakistan remains strictly bilateral, with no room for third-party intervention.

The visit aims to advance the TRUST initiative, which follows the iCET framework under the Biden administration. Concerns have also been raised in New Delhi over Trump’s reported business dealings with Pakistan, especially in the crypto sector. Pakistan has also reportedly hired a team of lobbyists considered close to Trump.

Other Developments

RBI May Extend Crisis Lending to NBFCs and Mutual Funds

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is considering expanding its role as lender of last resort to include non-banking financial companies, mutual funds, and microfinance institutions during severe liquidity crises. This move comes amid growing financial interconnectedness and the risk of contagion, as seen during past crises like IL&FS and mutual fund scheme failures.

While no formal policy change has been announced, the central bank’s economic capital framework committee has raised the contingency risk buffer and acknowledged the potential need to lend against non-sovereign collateral. The RBI may also explore providing foreign currency liquidity to overseas branches of Indian banks during global stress periods.

Japan Joins Top Five Export Destinations For India-Made Cars

As India left Japan behind to become the fourth largest economy in the world, it also marked a breakthrough in the automotive sector with Japan entering the top five destinations for India-made cars for the first time. Vehicle exports to Japan jumped to $616 million in the first nine months of FY25 from $221 million the previous year, driven by strong demand for models like the Maruti Suzuki Jimny and Honda Elevate.

Indian subsidiaries of global automakers like Suzuki and Honda are increasingly leveraging India as a production and export hub. The trend signals India's growing status as a global car manufacturing base, with rising exports even to traditionally dominant markets like Japan. Industry leaders expect this momentum to accelerate with upcoming electric and premium vehicle exports.

IMD To Get Its New Bharat Forecast System

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will soon adopt the Bharat Forecast System (BFS), India’s first high-resolution, indigenously developed weather model, to improve accuracy in forecasting extreme weather events.

Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, the BFS offers a 6km x 6km resolution — double the precision of the current 12km x 12km model — and is expected to better detect localised weather phenomena like intense rainfall and cyclones.

The BFS has been under experimental testing at IITM since 2022 and is being fine-tuned to reach resolutions as sharp as 3km and 1km. It will be officially handed over to the IMD ion Monday (26 May) and will become operational starting this monsoon season.

Donald Trump warned that Vladimir Putin's attempt to conquer all of Ukraine could lead to Russia's "downfall," while also criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a Truth Social post on Sunday night.

Trump, who claimed a previously good relationship with Putin, expressed dismay at the Russian leader's intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities, describing him as "absolutely CRAZY" for causing widespread casualties.

The U.S. president was surprised by Putin's escalation despite efforts to broker a ceasefire, indicating openness to imposing more sanctions on Russia. Trump also criticized Zelenskyy for his rhetoric, stating that it was harming Ukraine and needed to stop. The remarks highlight Trump's frustration with both leaders amid ongoing diplomatic challenges as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine.

From The States

Yogi Highlights Project Alankaar At NDA CMs' Meet With Modi

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented Uttar Pradesh’s flagship Project Alankaar as a model of educational reform at the NDA Chief Ministers’ conclave chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Launched in October 2021, the project aims to upgrade infrastructure in 2,441 government secondary schools to meet 35 key benchmarks. Facilities like smart classrooms, labs, libraries, clean drinking water, and hygienic toilets have significantly improved learning environments.

Funded through state support, corporate social responsibility and local bodies, the initiative is closely monitored at district and state levels. According to ASER 2024, the project led to a 23 per cent rise in enrolment, 55.2 per cent surge in library usage, and a 54.4 per cent improvement in girls’ toilet access.

PM Modi To Begin Two-Day Gujarat Trip Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a two-day visit to Gujarat, his home state, starting with the launch of projects worth over Rs 77,400 crore and roadshows in Vadodra, Bhuj, and Ahmedabad. The Prime Minister will inaugurate a locomotive manufacturing plant in Dahod that produces 9,000 HP electric locomotives with energy-saving regenerative braking systems.

He will also flag off an electric locomotive and launch multiple development projects worth around Rs 24,000 crore in Dahod. Later, in Bhuj, Modi will inaugurate transmission projects supporting renewable energy evacuation from the Khavda Renewable Energy Park and an ultra-supercritical thermal power plant unit at Tapi.

Maharashtra Sees Earliest Monsoon Arrival In 35 Years

The southwest monsoon arrived in Maharashtra nearly ten days early, marking its earliest onset since 1990, according to the IMD. Typically expected around 5 June, the monsoon has already covered Goa, parts of Karnataka, and reached Maharashtra, with Mumbai bracing for its arrival within three days.

If the monsoon hits Mumbai in the next three days, it would set a new record for the city’s earliest onset, surpassing the previous record of May 29 set in 1956, 1962, and 1971. The early monsoon is driven by a depression over Madhya Maharashtra, now weakened into a low-pressure area, expected to move eastward and further weaken within 24 hours.

You’re all caught up—until next time.