Morning Brief: Second Consecration At Ram Temple To Mark Lord Ram As King; Govt Reluctant To Ease Chinese FDI Curbs; India's Military Space Doctrine In The Works; And More

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

Second Consecration At Ram Temple To Mark Lord Ram As King

Over a year after the consecration of Ram Lalla, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is preparing for another ceremony next month, this time to formally install Lord Ram as King, the Indian Express has reported. This event, which will take place following the placement of the Ram Durbar on the temple’s first floor, is expected to be a quieter affair compared to the grand ceremony held on January 22 last year, which saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thousands of attendees.

The temple’s construction, overseen by a committee led by former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Misra, is nearing completion, with the main structure set to be ready by mid-April and the outer compound wall by the end of the year. According to Misra, about 20,000 cubic feet of stone still needs to be laid, and all statues—both inside and outside the temple walls—are expected to be installed by the end of April.

India Reluctant To Ease Chinese FDI Curbs

India is unlikely to loosen FDI rules for Chinese firms, despite rising calls from private industry and experts, citing national security concerns and geopolitical tensions. Investment restrictions were imposed in 2020 following the Ladakh border clashes and remain in place under Press Note 3, which mandates government approval for investments from neighbouring countries. Officials remain wary of Chinese companies’ opaque ownership structures, links to the Communist regime, and non-market policies that distort competition.

Although some Chinese firms are offering to reduce stakes to win approvals, the government is unconvinced. Despite pressure from India Inc, New Delhi continues to block high-profile investments like BYD’s $1 billion EV venture. This comes as Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at a global investment forum on 7 April, said China’s rise was built on actions that violated the rules of fair play.

India's Military Space Doctrine In The Works

India is set to unveil a military space doctrine and a national military space policy in the coming months, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has said. The Defence Space Agency is spearheading the effort, with parallel projects underway to launch surveillance and reconnaissance satellites in collaboration with ISRO and private firms.

India has demonstrated its space warfare capabilities by successfully testing an anti-satellite missile in 2019, becoming one of the few countries with such an arsenal. However, China remains ahead in this domain, having developed a range of non-kinetic counter-space capabilities, including directed energy weapons and co-orbital platforms.

Other Developments

Market Meltdown Wipes Out Rs 24 Lakh Crore In April

Indian equity markets have seen a massive selloff in April, erasing Rs 24 lakh crore of investor wealth. The Tata Group alone lost Rs 2.08 lakh crore in market value this month, with a total loss of Rs 5.58 lakh crore in 2025 so far. Reliance Group’s market cap fell by Rs 1.29 lakh crore in April, adding to a year-to-date loss of Rs 1.34 lakh crore.

Bucking the trend, the Bajaj Group added Rs 87,000 crore in market value this year, overtaking Adani Group to become India’s third-most valuable conglomerate. Meanwhile, the Bharti Group, which had gained till March, lost Rs 74,000 crore in April alone.

Jaishankar Speaks to US Secretary Of State Amid Looming Tariffs

Days before the 26 per cent reciprocal US tariffs on Indian goods take effect on 9 April, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing the need to finalise the Bilateral Trade Agreement. The call came after India’s hopes of being spared were dashed when the Trump administration announced the tariffs, following a 10 per cent baseline duty that began on April 5.

India faces lower tariffs compared to countries like China and Vietnam, which are more integrated with the Chinese supply chain. Meanwhile, Commerce Ministry is assessing the impact and exploring potential opportunities from the shift in US trade policy.

Apple flew five planeloads of iPhones and other products from India to the US in just three days at the end of March to beat a 10 per cent tariff imposed by the Trump administration starting April 5. This rapid stockpiling helps Apple maintain current prices temporarily, as the pre-tariff inventory shields it from immediate cost hikes.

The company is evaluating its global supply chain amid new reciprocal tariffs, including a 26 per cent levy on Indian exports starting April 9. India now offers a clear cost advantage, with tariffs on Indian goods significantly lower than the 54 per cent slapped on Chinese imports. As a result, Apple is expected to increase manufacturing in India, which already accounts for most of its $9 billion smartphone exports to the US.

Work Visa In Jeopardy For 300,000 Indian Students In US

A new bill introduced in the US Congress threatens to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows international STEM students, including over 300,000 Indians, to work in the country for up to three years after graduation. Experts say the proposal has triggered panic among F-1 and M-1 visa holders, many of whom are now rushing to secure H-1B sponsorships from major tech companies.

If passed, the bill could abruptly end OPT, forcing students to leave the US without a work transition option. The move comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration under Donald Trump’s second-term campaign promises. It comes at a time when multiple Indian students in the US are facing deportation over minor past infractions.

Trump Threatens Additional 50 Per Cent Tariff In China

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 50 per cent tariff on Chinese imports starting April 9 if Beijing doesn't roll back its latest 34 per cent hike in duties. This new threat follows earlier tariffs tied to fentanyl trafficking and has raised fears of a full-blown trade war. Trump’s announcement on Truth Social sent markets into a tailspin, with the Dow falling 1,200 points and the S&P 500 nearing bear territory.

Despite growing economic concerns and warnings from allies, Trump defended his strategy as essential to fixing “unfair” global trade practices. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that the tariffs could worsen inflation, though investors now anticipate multiple interest rate cuts in 2025.

From The States

DMK, IUML Move SC Against Waqf Law

The DMK and the IUML have filed separate writ petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, joining a growing number of legal objections to the controversial law. While the Union government has defended the amendments as necessary for improving transparency and management of waqf properties, parties dependent on Muslim vote bank argue that the law infringes on the religious autonomy of the Muslim community.

The DMK’s petition, filed by A Raja, claims the law violates the fundamental rights of millions of Muslims in Tamil Nadu and across India. Earlier, on 27 March, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the bill.

CJI Slams UP For Turning Civil Disputes into Criminal Cases

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Monday (7 April) criticised the Uttar Pradesh police for routinely converting civil disputes into criminal cases, calling it “absurd” and a sign of a complete breakdown in the rule of law. The remarks came during a hearing involving two men charged with criminal offences over a cheque bounce dispute.

The Supreme Court stayed the criminal proceedings but allowed the cheque case to continue, directing the police to explain their actions. The court also ordered the DGP and investigating officer to submit affidavits within two weeks and listed the matter for 5 May.

You’re all caught up—until next time.