Evening Check In: Maldives, Mahua Moitra And Why South India Needs A DFC

Hello, TATA!

Good evening, dear reader! 🌙

🚀 We're on a roll with mobile phone manufacturing + PLI! 🚀

Apple's contract manufacturer, Wistron, just announced they'll be sealing a deal to hand over a production unit in India to the TATA group.

This unit boasts a robust team of 10,000 workers. A promising kickoff for TATA in the mobile phones PLI realm!

There's more news + perspectives below but I thought I'd begin with the good news! Have a great evening!

🚂 South India Needs DFCs (Urgently)

Pressing Need for DFC; 📈 It's too expensive to move things around in India now.

• The National Logistics Policy says we must reduce logistics costs from 15% of GDP to 8% by 2030.

• Without dedicated corridors, logistics costs remain high due to congestion & capacity shortage.

Proposed Southern DFCs; 🌐 These corridors are strategically placed to supercharge South India's trade and industry.

1. Chennai-Ennore-Krishnapatnam to Bengaluru DFC; 🌆 Links eastern and western coasts with India's technology and manufacturing heartland.

2. Vizag-Vijayawada-Chennai-Coimbatore DFC; 🚀 Vizag's international trade capabilities + Chennai's industrial might + Vijayawada's inland connectivity + Coimbatore's textile and engineering prowess.

3. Tuticorin - Kochi - Mangaluru DFC; 🌊 Maritime advantage amplified. Encompasses major port cities like Tuticorin, Kochi, and Mangaluru, enhancing coastal trade.

Takeaway: 🌟 South India's Dedicated Freight Corridor isn't just infrastructure; it's a strategic blueprint for the region's next economic leap.

🏛️ Mahua Moitra avoids early deposition.

Ethics Committee Investigation; 📢 Mahua Moitra is accused of letting businessman Darshan Hiranandani use her parliamentary login to post direct questions in the Lok Sabha.

• BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Supreme Court lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai have levelled these allegations.

Moitra's Response; 📆 Cites pre-scheduled programmes as reason for delay.

• "Chairman, Ethics Comm announced my 31/10 summons on live TV... before official letter emailed to me."

• Agrees to depose after her constituency programmes conclude on 4th November.

The Backstory; 🔍 Accusations delve deeper than mere protocol breach.

• Moitra previously termed Dehadrai as her "jilted ex."

• Accused of taking money to raise targeted questions in parliament, allegedly to target the government and Adani Group.

• Hiranandani's filed affidavit claiming Moitra shared her Lok Sabha email for information against Adani Group and even provided login for direct posts.

• Hiranandani also mentions advice to Moitra to target PM Narendra Modi for quick national fame.

🏝️ Trouble in Maldives For India

New Leadership, New Direction; 🔄 Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu plans 'independence'.

• Wants Indian troops, stationed in Maldives, to depart.

• Criticized predecessor, Ibrahim Solih, for allowing excessive Indian influence.

• Muizzu in Bloomberg TV interview: Concerned about any foreign military presence.

Backdrop of Geopolitics; 🌍 Tug-of-war between India and China in the region.

• Muizzu's goal: No foreign troops, be it Indian, Chinese, or any other.

• Around 70 Indian military personnel currently based in Maldives.

• India assists in monitoring Maldives' exclusive economic zone.

• Muizzu asserts: No plans to replace Indian soldiers with troops from other countries.

Regional Power Play; 🔍 India and China vie for influence in the Indian Ocean.

• Both nations heavily invested in Maldives: Infrastructure, loans, and more.

• Previous administration under Solih leaned towards India.

• US, Japan, and Australia support India to counteract China's influence.

• Muizzu's aim: Address trade imbalances, ensure mutual benefits, and not side in geopolitical rivalries.

India's Response; 🇮🇳 India treads cautiously but remains supportive.

• Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs: "We look forward to constructively engaging with the incoming administration."

• Highlights: India’s aid to Maldives includes a $1.4 billion package in 2018 and $500 million in 2020 for infrastructure.

• Bagchi underscores India's humanitarian support: 500 medical evacuations in five years.