Morning Brief: As China Slips, India's Share In US Imports Rises; Dhankhar Caught Govt Off Guard With Last Move; Rs 12,000 Crore NASA-ISRO Radar Satellite To Launch This Month

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

As China Slips, India's Share In US Imports Rises

India’s share in US imports rose slightly to 3.1 per cent in 2025 (up to May), from 2.9 per cent a year earlier, with electronics and textiles driving the gains. While China’s overall share dropped sharply, especially in advanced technology goods, India, Taiwan, Switzerland and the EU emerged as beneficiaries. India’s share in US electronics imports more than doubled to 7.2 per cent, while in textiles it rose to 12 per cent.

However, exports of gems, jewellery and chemicals declined, and auto components were hit by a 25 per cent tariff. Officials and exporters said tariff clarity is critical to sustaining gains, especially in the highly price-sensitive US market. Apparel exports rose 13 per cent in 2024–25, but further growth hinges on a favourable trade deal with Washington.

Dhankhar Caught Govt Off Guard With Last Move In Rajya Sabha

Before his resignation late on Monday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar caught the government off guard by allowing the submission of a motion in Rajya Sabha for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, a surprise move, given the government had earlier said the Lok Sabha would initiate the process. This rare parallel action by both Houses, along with his decision to let LoP Mallikarjun Kharge speak at length on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, raised eyebrows within the ruling coalition.

Many in government circles admitted they had not anticipated the move, despite signs of restiveness in recent weeks. Coming on the opening day of a session the opposition hopes to use to pressure the government, the timing struck many as politically charged.

Rs 12,000 Crore NASA-ISRO Radar Satellite To Launch This Month

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite will launch on 30 July from Sriharikota, marking the most expensive Earth observation mission ever. Costing $1.5 billion (Rs 12,000+ crore), the satellite will scan the entire globe every 12 days, offering detailed radar images regardless of weather or daylight. It is the first satellite to use dual-frequency radars, NASA’s L-band and ISRO’s S-band, on a single platform.

NISAR will monitor changes in glaciers, vegetation, sea ice, soil moisture, and even track earthquakes and volcanoes with centimetre-level precision. Developed jointly over more than a decade, the mission is expected to dramatically improve forecasting of natural disasters and understanding of climate-driven surface changes.

Other Developments

India, US Struggle To Finalise Trade Deal Before Tariff Deadline

With the 1 August tariff deadline set by US President Trump approaching, a US trade team is now expected to visit India only in the second half of August. Talks in Washington last week reportedly made little progress, with India unwilling to open its market to American agricultural and dairy products, especially genetically modified items like maize and soybean.

India is seeking better terms in textiles, footwear, auto parts and shrimp, while concerns remain over the secrecy of US trade deals with countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh. Trump’s threat of 26 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, delayed once already, looms large, even as he continues to claim that a breakthrough with India is imminent.

Parliament Logjam Eases As Govt Sets Date For Op Sindoor Debate

Before Prime Minister Modi’s departure for the UK and Maldives, the government agreed to hold a 16-hour debate next week on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, acceding to the Opposition’s demand that the PM and Defence Minister be present. The Congress-led Opposition had insisted the discussion take place before any legislative business, leading to repeated disruptions and four adjournments in Lok Sabha on Monday.

The government wants to prioritise the Income Tax Bill, 2025, with the Business Advisory Committee allotting 12 hours for its debate. A Cabinet meeting is expected to clear amendments to the Bill on Tuesday. Meanwhile, INDIA bloc leaders will meet Tuesday morning to decide their strategy for the upcoming sittings.

China Curbs Hit Apple Supply Chain In India Again

Foxconn’s Telangana facility, which assembles Apple AirPods, is facing a rare earth shortage after China delayed approval for exporting dysprosium, a key component in the earbuds’ magnets. The move comes weeks after Beijing recalled hundreds of Chinese engineers from Indian iPhone plants, a step seen as part of broader pressure tactics to stall India’s growing role in Apple’s supply chain.

The Chinese government has tightened export controls on several critical minerals, directly affecting firms like Foxconn that rely on timely sourcing. The company has sought central assistance to clear paperwork for China’s export nod. While Foxconn says there’s no disruption yet, officials admit production slowed temporarily, underlining how China is leveraging chokepoints to blunt India’s manufacturing ambitions.

MiG-21 To Retire In September After 62 Years Of Service

India’s first supersonic fighter jet, the MiG-21, is set for a ceremonial farewell this September, ending a 62-year run that saw it dominate the skies in four wars and later become infamous for fatal crashes. The last MiG-21s, flown by the IAF’s 23 Squadron (Panthers), will be retired at the Chandigarh airbase on September 19. Its exit leaves the Air Force with only 29 combat squadrons, its lowest strength since the 1960s.

Inducted in 1963, the MiG-21 served in every Indian military operation from the 1965 war to Balakot in 2019. Nearly 600 of the over 850 jets were built by HAL. The aircraft’s retirement has been delayed for years due to delays in the LCA Tejas programme, forcing the IAF to keep the ageing jets in service far past their expected life.

Japan’s Ruling Party Loses Ground

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner suffered a setback in parliamentary elections, losing 19 of the 66 seats they contested and relinquishing control of the Upper House. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to continue in office, but the LDP is now a minority in both chambers of the Diet for the first time in decades.

The election saw strong performances by emerging political groups like the Democratic Party for the People and Sanseito, which appealed to younger voters with pledges to reduce taxes, strengthen Japan’s self-defence capabilities, and address demographic concerns. The results reflect a shifting political landscape and growing support for alternatives to the long-dominant establishment.

From The States

Mamata Calls For New ‘Bhasha Andolan’ Ahead Of 2026 Polls

In her final Martyrs’ Day rally before the 2026 state elections, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee gave a call for a renewed “Bhasha Andolan,” urging weekend protests against what she termed as attacks on the Bengali language and identity. Addressing a large crowd, Banerjee accused the BJP of targeting Bengali migrant labourers in other states, harassing Bengal residents with NRC notices, and attacking cultural practices like eating fish and meat.

She invoked Bengali pride and history, from the freedom struggle to the contributions of Rabindranath Tagore and Bankimchandra, and warned that Bengal would “take the fight to Delhi” if Bengalis continued to be targeted.

UP Thwarts Kanwar Riot Plot Linked To Pakistani Video

Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested three men for circulating a disturbing Pakistani-origin video falsely blaming Bajrang Dal for attacks on Muslims during the Kanwar Yatra. The hate video, dated April 2024 from Muzaffargarh in Pakistan, showed a man killing his family, but was shared with fake audio alleging communal violence in western UP.

Officials suspect links to Pakistani intelligence agencies and have invoked UAPA, BNS, and the IT Act. Five WhatsApp groups were used to spread the clip, including “Proud Indian Muslim” and “Khidmat Abbasi Group.” UP Police said swift monitoring by Saharanpur and Meerut units, aided by digital volunteers, helped foil what appeared to be a deliberate attempt to incite communal unrest during the sensitive religious period.

You’re all caught up—until next time.