Morning Brief: PM Modi To Meet Trump Next Week; US Begins Deporting Illegal Indian Migrants; Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier To Be A Replacement For INS Vikramaditya; And More

Catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

PM Modi To Meet Trump In US Next Week

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Washington on February 12 for his first bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump since the latter's inauguration. The official engagements are scheduled for the next two days, with the summit likely to occur on February 13. Modi will first attend an AI summit in Paris on February 10-11, co-hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, where the US will likely be represented by Vice President J.D. Vance instead of Trump. Since Trump is not attending the Paris summit, the bilateral meeting will now take place in Washington. In a phone conversation with Modi last week, Trump confirmed the visit and discussed key issues like trade and illegal immigration.

US Begins Deporting Illegal Indian Migrants

The US has begun deporting Indian migrants using military aircraft, marking President Donald Trump’s first major action against illegal Indian immigration. A C-17 plane carrying deportees has left for India and is expected to arrive within 24 hours. The Pentagon is using military flights to remove over 5,000 detained immigrants from Texas and California, with previous deportations sent to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. These operations come at a high cost, with a recent flight to Guatemala estimated at $4,675 per migrant. The Indian government is cooperating with the US to identify and repatriate its citizens, with around 18,000 Indians reportedly set for deportation.

Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier To Be A Replacement For INS Vikramaditya

The Indian Navy’s proposed second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2) will replace INS Vikramaditya rather than serve as a third carrier, a report in the Hindustan Times says. This marks a shift from earlier discussions about expanding the fleet to three carriers, ensuring that the Navy will continue to operate two carriers at a time.

At present, the Navy has two aircraft carriers—INS Vikramaditya, a Russian-origin vessel acquired second-hand, and INS Vikrant, India’s first domestically built carrier, which was commissioned in September 2022. The IAC-2 will be constructed in India, with the country’s warship-building ecosystem deemed ready to take on the project.

However, the project to build the second indigenous aircraft carrier is yet to receive formal government approval. In late 2023, the Defence Procurement Board granted “in-principle” approval for its construction, paving the way for Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to take a final call on the project.

Other Developments

PM Modi To Visit Mahakumbh On Delhi Election Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on 5 February, the same day as Delhi votes in the Assembly elections. He will take a holy dip in the Ganga at Mahakumbh Nagar. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive at 10 am and will travel via the Nishadraj Cruise to the VIP Jetty. His visit will last for about an hour, and he is not expected to participate in any other programs.

The opposition, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, has questioned the timing of the visit, as it coincides with polling in Delhi. However, the BJP has defended the timing, arguing that 5 February also marks Magh Ashtami.

BJP Mocks ‘Rahul Jinping’ For China Obsession

The BJP sharply criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he mentioned China 34 times during his 45-minute speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Parliament. Many BJP leaders mockingly referred to him as "Rahul Jinping," a jab at Chinese President Xi Jinping. Gandhi had raised concerns over China’s dominance in manufacturing, claiming China had a ten-year lead over India and was sitting on over 4,000 sq km of Indian territory. He also alleged a contradiction between the government’s claim that no land had been lost to China and the Indian Army's statements.

"If and when we fight a war with China, we will be fighting with Chinese electric motors, Chinese batteries, and Chinese optics," Gandhi said.

Tax Relief To Boost Bank Deposits By Rs 45,000 Crore

The Budget proposal to raise the income tax exemption limit to Rs 12 lakh for middle-class taxpayers and increase the TDS threshold on fixed deposit interest is expected to drive an additional Rs 40,000-45,000 crore in bank deposits next fiscal.

Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju said this surge would enhance banking system liquidity and reduce dependence on high-cost borrowings. The increased deposits would also allow banks to lend more. Nagaraju noted that bank CEOs are optimistic about higher deposit growth following these measures. With more fixed deposits, banks are anticipating greater credit growth, he added.

US Pauses Tariffs On Mexico And Canada For 30 Days

US President Donald Trump agreed to pause planned tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days, allowing both countries time to address his concerns about border security and drug trafficking. The decision follows days of uncertainty and fears of a trade war that could harm economic growth and trade relations. Trump announced the pause on social media, expressing hope for a final economic deal with Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the pause, outlining measures to combat fentanyl trafficking and organised crime in cooperation with the US. Mexico has also agreed to similar terms. The 10 per cent tariff imposed on Chinese imports remains unchanged.

From The States

Heated Campaign For Delhi Polls Ends

The Delhi Assembly election campaign ended on Monday (3 February), with the AAP, BJP, and Congress making big promises to voters. The AAP, seeking a third term, announced a hike in financial support for women from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,100 per month, free private hospital treatment for seniors, and a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 for pujaris and granthis. The BJP countered with Rs 2,500 per month for women, 50,000 government jobs, and 20 lakh employment opportunities. Both parties faced criticism for their heavy reliance on freebies to attract voters. The 70 Assembly constituencies will vote on Wednesday (5 February), with results set to be announced on 8 February.

Quarantined Jammu Village Residents Show No Illness After 17 Deaths

All residents of Baddal village in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, who had been quarantined after 17 villagers died from “unknown causes,” are reportedly showing no symptoms of illness. The deaths, which occurred over the past couple of months, baffled experts who tested samples in various labs across the country. Doctors treating other patients with similar symptoms now believe the cause of the illness is likely toxicity from organophosphate chemicals used in pesticides.

The 17 deceased individuals were from three families, with three sisters being the last to be admitted to a hospital in Jammu on January 23, showing symptoms like fever and breathing difficulties. After receiving atropine injections, typically used to treat organophosphate poisoning, the sisters recovered and were sent back to Rajouri, while their parents remain quarantined.

Manipur: SC Seeks Forensic Report On Audio Linking CM To Violence

The Supreme Court has asked for a forensic report on the authenticity of audio recordings allegedly linking the Manipur Chief Minister to the violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The court will review the report before proceeding with the case, filed by the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust. The case has been adjourned to 24 March, with the report to be submitted in a sealed cover. The petitioner’s advocate claimed that the CM allowed arms looting before the riots, but the Solicitor General questioned the petitioner’s motives, suggesting they aimed to incite unrest. During the hearing, one of the justices revealed he had attended a dinner hosted by the CM and asked if he should recuse himself, to which the petitioner had no objection.

Follow along for more updates throughout the day.