Morning Brief: India Postpones Civil Defence Exercise After Panic In Pakistan; Yunus Sets Election Timeline Amid Mounting Pressure; Industrial Output Growth Hits Eight-Month Low

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

India Postpones Civil Defence Exercise After Panic In Pakistan

The civil defence exercise 'Operation Shield,' planned for 29 May in states bordering Pakistan, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Jammu, and Haryana, has been postponed. The mock drill, which had sparked concern and panic in Pakistan, aimed to prepare local administrations and volunteers for air raids, drone attacks, and missile strikes along the western border.

The exercise was part of a series of civil defence drills held following the 7 May nationwide exercise and the recent Operation Sindoor military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The postponement comes amid heightened border tensions.

Yunus Sets Election Timeline Amid Mounting Pressure

Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh's interim government, announced that national elections are expected between December 2025 and June 2026, contingent on the progress of electoral and governance reforms. Speaking in Tokyo during an official visit, Yunus emphasised that the timeline would not extend beyond June 2026.

The statement comes after a warning from Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who urged elections by December 2025, and protests by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Dhaka, demanding polls by the same deadline. Yunus faces accusations that he is attempting to remain in power by delaying a firm election timeline. He had recently threatened to resign over growing pressure to hold elections.

Industrial Output Growth Hits 8-Month Low

India’s industrial production growth slowed to an eight-month low of 2.7 per cent in April, mainly due to a contraction in mining output and a slowdown in electricity generation, official data showed. Manufacturing grew 3.4 per cent, supported by a strong 15.4 per cent rise in the automobile sector and a 6.4 per cent increase in consumer durables, especially electronic goods.

However, only 11 of 23 manufacturing sectors outperformed overall industrial growth, highlighting unevenness across industries. Economists pointed to unseasonal rains and weak demand as challenges that may keep factory output growth under 2 per cent in May. Despite this, capital goods and infrastructure sectors showed promising growth, signalling potential investment recovery.

Other Developments

Just Weeks After Op Sindoor, New Rules Notified To Boost Joint Command 

Weeks after Operation Sindoor showcased joint military action against cross-border terrorism, the government has notified new rules under the Inter-Services Organisations Act to enhance command and control across armed forces. These rules empower heads of Inter-Services Organisations to enforce discipline and take charge of soldiers regardless of their service branch, enabling faster and more efficient handling of disciplinary cases.

The Act, passed in 2023 and effective since May 2024, aims to strengthen operational synergy and jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Previously, commanders lacked administrative authority over soldiers from other services. The new rules also support the government’s plan to create joint theatre commands that integrate units from all three forces under unified command structures.

India Increasingly Reliant On China For Permanent Magnets

India’s dependence on China for permanent magnets—crucial components in electronics, appliances, and electric vehicles—has deepened over the past decade, mirroring a global trend, Moneycontrol has reported. In 2024, China accounted for 82.9 per cent of India’s metal-based permanent magnet imports, up from 73.5 per cent in 2013.

China produces over 80 per cent of the world’s rare earth magnets. Many countries, like the EU, US, and South Korea, are also reliant on China. In April, China restricted exports of certain rare earths in response to US tariffs, causing disruptions. The situation eased when India’s trade body issued 30 import certificates, ensuring that shipments from China would not be used for defence or re-exported to the US.

US To Revoke Visas Of Chinese Students Linked To CCP

The US has announced that it will begin revoking visas of Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party or those enrolled in sensitive academic fields, as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to tighten control over international student enrollments. This move follows a decline in the number of Chinese international students in the US, from 370,000 in 2019 to 277,000 in 2024, amid heightened scrutiny and US-China tensions.

Over the years, several Chinese students have been found spying for the Chinese Communist Party, prompting increased vetting measures. The announcement comes after a temporary block was imposed on Harvard University, barring it from enrolling international students due to the university's refusal to cooperate.

Musk Quits Trump Admin After Spending Bill Clash

Elon Musk has announced his departure from the Trump administration, bringing an end to his role as the public face of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His resignation, confirmed by the White House, came just a day after he publicly criticised President Trump’s flagship legislative proposal—a sweeping spending bill that Musk said undermines his work to curb government excess.

Musk expressed disappointment with the bill’s expansion of the federal deficit and cuts to clean energy and social programs, signalling a clear break with Trump's priorities. Though initially hailed as a reformer by MAGA circles, he is now facing attacks from some parts of the Trump base for criticising the bill.

From The States

Over 700 Deported To Bangladesh From Delhi Alone

In a major crackdown following the Pahalgam terror, Delhi Police has deported nearly 700 illegal Bangladeshi migrants and overstaying foreigners in the past six months, with around 470 deported in just the last month, the Indian Express has reported. Special flights from Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad to Agartala in Tripura and land transfers via West Bengal were used for deportation.

Investigations have also been launched into networks involved in facilitating illegal entry, settlement, and procurement of fake identity documents for these illegal Bangladeshi migrants. Of the 34,265 people reviewed by Delhi Police, documents of 33,217 were verified as genuine, while verification of 278 individuals remains pending.

Kamal Haasan Set For Rajya Sabha Entry

The DMK has set the stage for Kamal Haasan’s entry into Rajya Sabha by allotting one of its four seats in the upcoming June 19 elections to his party, fulfilling a 2024 poll promise. Alongside Haasan, the DMK has renominated P Wilson and named two new candidates — former minister S R Sivalingam and writer-activist Salma.

With its 133 MLAs and INDIA bloc support, the DMK is expected to easily secure four of the six seats. The remaining two are likely to go to the AIADMK, which is grappling with pressure from allies like the BJP and DMDK over nominations, particularly the BJP’s push to nominate former state chief K Annamalai.

You’re all caught up—until next time.