Morning Brief: PM Modi In Ukraine, Rs 40,000 Crore Electronics Manufacturing Boost, Mamata Tries To Reclaim Narrative Amid Backlash

Dear reader, here's your morning roundup of today's most compelling stories.

1) PM Modi In Kyiv Today

After concluding his visit to Warsaw, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Kyiv on Thursday night and is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Ahead of his visit, Modi expressed "deep concern" over the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing India's willingness to extend "all possible cooperation" to restore peace through dialogue and diplomacy. Modi’s visit comes at a critical time, as Ukraine has recently launched an invasion into Russian territory, a move intended to strengthen its position in future negotiations with Russia. This has sparked speculation about whether India is playing a role in facilitating dialogue between the two countries.

2) Govt Plans ₹40k Crore Boost For Electronics Manufacturing

The government is considering allocating up to Rs 40,000 crore for a new electronics component manufacturing scheme, expected to launch later this year. The initiative aims to encourage applicants to invest around Rs 82,000 crore, with the total value of produced components projected between Rs 1.95-2 lakh crore. Of the Rs 40,000 crore, approximately Rs 19,800 crore is likely to be earmarked for operational expenditure subsidies, and about Rs 13,000 crore for capital expenditure subsidies. The remaining Rs 12,000 crore could be divided between capex and opex subsidies. 

3) Mamata Tries To Shift Focus Amid Backlash Ove Rape Case

Facing backlash over the August 9 rape-murder of a junior doctor, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is trying to shift the focus with a letter to PM Narendra Modi, proposing special fast-track courts for rape cases to be resolved within 15 days. This comes as the Supreme Court has criticized the West Bengal government for a 14-hour delay in FIR registration and issues with securing the crime scene. Meanwhile, a Kolkata special court has permitted the CBI to conduct polygraph tests on former R.G. Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh and four doctors in the case.

4) Rajnath To Begin 4-Day US Visit

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a four-day visit to the US starting today (23 August). He will meet Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, with key discussions expected on India's procurement of MQ-9B Predator drones, joint manufacturing of Stryker combat vehicles, and co-production of GE F414 engines. He will also chair a roundtable with the US defence industry.

Other Developments

1) First National Space Day

Friday will mark the first National Space Day, celebrating the anniversary of the Vikram lander's successful moon landing on August 23 last year. The theme for the day is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga,” highlighting the impact of India's space achievements. To commemorate the occasion, ISRO will release the scientific data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission, providing valuable resources for researchers to further explore and study.

2) Muslim Side Opposes ASI Survey of Gyanvapi Wazukhana

The Gyanvapi Mosque management has argued before the Allahabad High Court that an ASI survey of the Wazukhana is not permissible due to a Supreme Court order mandating the area’s preservation. The Anjuman Intezamia Committee filed a counter-affidavit opposing the survey request, noting that the Supreme Court has already issued a stay and assigned responsibility for the area’s security to the District Magistrate of Varanasi. The ASI has already conducted a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex.

3) Bangladesh Blames India For Floods

Bangladesh has accused India of an "anti-Bangladesh" policy, alleging that floods in border regions were caused by India opening the Tripura dam’s sluice gates. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has fiercely denied the claims, asserting that the floods were due to heavy rainfall, not water release from the Dumbur dam. New Delhi has warned Dhaka against fabricating "misplaced" narratives to shift blame.

From The States

1) Siddaramiah, Shivakumar In Delhi

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have been summoned to Delhi by the Congress leadership on Friday (23 August) to discuss the state's political situation. This follows Governor Gehlot's sanction to prosecute Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam. The Karnataka High Court has deferred the special court's proceedings on the matter until August 29.

2) Restoring Saint Vallalar's Legacy

The Madras High Court has ordered the identification of 27.86 acres of land missing from the 105.76 acres donated in the 19th century by followers of Saint Vallalar, founder of Samarasa Sudha Sanmarga Sathya Sangam. As colonial control and expansion started in full force in southern India, the collective Hindu spirituality and culture started creating diverse responses to this colonial onslaught. All of this would later coalesce to become the modern Hindutva movement. One such important movement was the one started by Ramalinga Swamigal (1823-1874), popularly known as Vallalar or Ramalinga Vallalar.

3) Yogi Adityanath Launches UP By-Poll Campaign

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the campaign for the UP by-polls on Thursday in Muzaffarnagar's Meerapur constituency. Amid scrutiny over the BJP’s recent Lok Sabha performance, Adityanath held a key meeting with RSS joint general secretary Arun Kumar. He is also scheduled to travel to Delhi for high-level discussions with Amit Shah and JP Nadda regarding the by-polls for 10 Assembly seats.

4) Karnataka Cabinet Approves Rs 12,690 Crore Tunnel

The Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minster Siddaramaiah, approved two major projects on Thursday: a Rs 12,690 crore twin-tube tunnel road and a Rs 500 crore sky deck in Bengaluru. The tunnel will span 18.5 kilometre from Hebbal to Hosur Road with interchanges at three locations, while the sky deck is set to become South Asia’s tallest structure, offering a panoramic view of the city. 

Stay tuned for more comprehensive updates and expert commentary on these evolving stories.