Morning Brief: Indian And Chinese Warships Dock At Colombo At Same Time, Amazon Gears Up For Quick Commerce Launch In India, Bengal Bandh Today

Dear Reader, here’s your morning scoop with today’s top news and key insights!

Indian, Chinese Warships Dock In Colombo At Same Time

On August 27, India’s guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai docked at Colombo, coinciding with the arrival of three Chinese warships. The Chinese flotilla, comprising around 1,500 personnel, arrived in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for an extended stay. The docking of these warships at the same time has raised concerns about the growing Chinese naval presence in the region. Both the Indian and Chinese warships are scheduled to conduct separate "passage exercises" with Sri Lankan naval vessels before departing on August 29.

Amazon Gears Up For Quick Commerce Launch In India By Q1 2025

Amazon is set to enter the quick commerce market in India in the first quarter of 2025, according to a report by the Economic Times. The company is crafting a strategy to tap into this fast-growing sector, which competitor Flipkart has already entered with its 'Minutes' service. Amazon is also in discussions to acquire a stake in Swiggy, particularly focusing on the food delivery giant's quick service platform, Instamart. The rise of Blinkit and Zepto has made quick commerce impossible for consumer-facing online firms to ignore. With Tata’s BigBasket, Flipkart, and now Amazon India vying for a share, the competition in this rapidly expanding market is heating up.

India Orders 73,000 More SiG Sauer Assault Rifles From US

India has signed a new contract to import 73,000 assault rifles from the US, adding to the 72,400 rifles acquired earlier for frontline Army troops amid ongoing tensions with China in eastern Ladakh. These SiG-716 rifles, with a 500-meter effective range, are intended for infantry units along the borders with China and Pakistan. The deal, valued at Rs 837 crore, follows delays in the production of Russian AK-203 rifles in India. The Defence Acquisitions Council approved the purchase last December. Additionally, the Army is procuring 40,949 light machine guns, approved in August 2023.

Kolkata Rape Case: BJP Calls Bandh, Junior Doctors To Hold Protest Rally

The BJP has called for a 12-hour Bangla bandh on August 28 in West Bengal to protest police action during the Nabanna Abhijan march in Kolkata. Concurrently, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum will hold a rally demanding justice for the doctor who was raped and murdered. The forum did not participate in Tuesday’s protest. While the Kolkata Police cracked down on protesters, CM Mamata Banerjee expressed solidarity with the victim’s family by dedicating the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad’s foundation day to her and adding "sorry" at the end of her social media post in Bengali.

Other Developments

NDA Touches Majority Mark In Rajya Sabha

The ruling NDA achieved a majority in the Rajya Sabha after nine BJP members and two allies were elected unopposed in the recent by-polls. This boosts the BJP’s strength to 96 and the NDA's total to 112 in the 245-member house. The ruling alliance also includes support from six nominated and one independent member. With the current house strength of 237, the majority mark is 119.

Indian Students Protest In Canada Over Deportation Fears

Hundreds of Indian student graduates are protesting in Canada against a new federal policy that threatens their residency status. The policy, which reduces permanent residency nominations by 25 per cent and limits study permits, affects over 70,000 students. Demonstrations have been held in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. This policy shift comes amid Canada's significant population growth driven largely by immigration.

From The States

Telangana: BRS Leader K Kavitha Released After 5 Months In Jail

BRS leader K Kavitha was released from Tihar Jail after five months, following a Supreme Court bail in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam. Welcomed by party members and family, she condemned her arrest as politically motivated and vowed to continue the fight both legally and politically. Kavitha declared that the BRS and KCR team remains "unbreakable."

Karnataka: Court Approves Darshan’s Transfer To Ballari Prison

A local court has granted the Bengaluru City Police permission to transfer Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa to Ballari prison. This decision follows a viral photo and video showing Darshan, currently in judicial custody in the Renukaswamy murder case, appearing relaxed in the jail’s lawns. The court also approved the transfer of other co-accused to different prisons across the state.

Assam Tables New Bill For Muslim Marriage, Divorce Registration

A new bill for the registration of Muslim marriages and divorces was introduced in the Assam legislative Assembly on Tuesday, aiming to replace the 1935 Act. This move follows the Assam government’s decision to repeal the old Act due to concerns over child marriages and other issues. Minister Jogen Mohan presented the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, which seeks to prevent child marriages, ensure consent, and strengthen women’s rights. Both the new Bill and the Repealing Bill will be debated later this week.

Haryana: JJP Ties Up With Bhim Army

The Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) has formed an alliance with Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party (ASP) to target the 21 per cent Dalit vote bank in Haryana. This marks Azad’s first political move into Haryana following his win from the Nagina Lok Sabha seat. Under the agreement, JJP will contest 70 of the 90 Assembly seats, while ASP will contest 20. The leaders, Dushyant Chautala and Chandrashekhar Azad, pledged a long-term alliance focused on uplifting the downtrodden and farmers in the state.

A Ground Report From UP's Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur is undergoing a dramatic shift as Yogi Adityanath implements bold, and at times controversial, measures to drive progress.

Swarajya’s Abhishek Kumar brings an in-depth ground report on the evolving social landscape amidst a sweeping infrastructure push.

Read the full report here.

Stay with us—there’s much more unfolding throughout the day!