&w=3840&q=100)
FirstUp: Marco Rubio to host Quad counterparts, Parag Jain to take charge as new RAW chief... big headlines today
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with EAM S Jaishankar. File image/AP
It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to host foreign ministers from Australia, India and Japan today.
Meanwhile, senior IPS officer Parag Jain will take charge as the next RAW chief,
US President Donald Trump will attend the opening ceremony of the detention centre in Florida Everglades that state leaders have dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz'.
INS Tamal, a multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, will be commissioned today.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
July 1 will also mark the first anniversary of the anti-government student mass protests in Bangladesh.
Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.
Marco Rubio to host Quad counterparts
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host a Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting today bringing together foreign ministers from Australia, India and Japan. The meeting aims to bolster efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
It will be attended by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar , Japan's Takeshi Iwaya and Australia's Penelope Ying-Yen Wong in Washington DC. The ministers are expected to discuss shared Indo-Pacific challenges, including maritime and economic security, cyber threats and rising authoritarian influence, especially from China.
Previous tensions such as disagreements over Japan's defence spending demands, Australia's AUKUS submarine program and India–US disputes over Pakistan policy are likely to be addressed as well.
Rubio hosted a meeting of the China-focused Quad grouping in his first diplomatic engagement as secretary of state on January 21, the day after President Donald Trump began his second term. 'This summit builds on that momentum to advance a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,' State Department Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott told a regular news briefing. 'This is what American leadership looks like, strength, peace and prosperity.'
Parag Jain to take charge as RAW chief
Senior IPS officer Parag Jain is set to take charge as the chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) , India's external intelligence agency.
He will be taking over from outgoing RAW chief Ravi Sinha, whose term came to an end on June 30 (Monday).
Parag Jain is a 1989-batch IPS officer who was the driving force behind Operation Sindoor. File image
The 1989-batch IPS officer from the Punjab cadre will assume charge for a two-year term.
Jain has deep expertise in intelligence operations, strategic surveillance and regional geopolitics and currently holds the second senior-most position in the agency.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
He previously headed the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), a critical wing which is responsible for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.
Trump to attend opening of Alligator Alcatraz
The formal opening of a new immigration detention centre in the Florida Everglades, a facility controversially nicknamed ' Alligator Alcatraz ' by state leaders, is expected to be attended by President Donald Trump today.
The site, constructed on a disused airstrip within the Everglades National Preserve, leverages the region's dangerous wildlife including alligators, pythons, and swamps, as natural security to deter escapes.
It's funded through a mix of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state resources.
The project has taken much fire for using funds meant for disaster relief, its potential negative impact on the sensitive ecosystem of the area and costing the taxpayer around $450 million annually, reported Axios.com.
Trump's appearance, reportedly at the invitation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, aligns with his expanded immigration enforcement agenda.
INS Tamal to be commissioned
The Indian Navy is set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal , in a ceremony in Russia's Kaliningrad.
The ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, alongside other high-ranking Indian and Russian defence officials.
INS Tamal is the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates acquired from Russia over the past two decades and the second ship of the Tushil Class, which features substantial upgrades over its predecessors. Notably, this 3,900-tonne warship incorporates an impressive 26 per cent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile system which is capable of targeting both at sea and on land.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
First anniversary of Bangladesh students protest
Today (July 1) marks the first anniversary of the student protests in Dhaka that toppled Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government. The peaceful protests by students against a quota system for government jobs was what led to students challenging then-Prime Minister Sheikh and her ruling party Awami League.
People participate in a protest march against PM Sheikh Hasina, demanding justice for the victims killed in countrywide deadly clashes in Dhaka, Bangladesh. File image/AP
The demonstrations were a direct response to a Supreme Court ruling that reinstated a controversial quota, which students viewed as discriminatory and a hindrance to merit-based employment.
Initially peaceful, the protests quickly gained momentum as students blocked roads and railways across the country.
The government's response, which included the forceful suppression of demonstrators, internet blackouts, and clashes with pro-government groups, further inflamed the situation.
With inputs from agencies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Indian businesses hoping for US trade deal ahead of tariff deadline, says CII's Memani
New Delhi: Indian businesses are hoping for a breakthrough in trade negotiations with the US as the deadline for higher reciprocal tariffs approaches, said Rajiv Memani, chairman and chief executive of EY India, who has recently taken over as president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2025–26. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Memani underscored the urgency of boosting Indian competitiveness through regulatory and business reforms. 'India's economy is expected to grow at 6.4–6.7% this fiscal,' he said, in line with projections in the Economic Survey. Highlighting India's ongoing trade diplomacy, Memani said the country has been actively signing free trade agreements and that 'very good progress' has been made in negotiations with the European Union. 'I think India is dealing more with non-tariff barriers in the EU rather than tariff barriers—and how those non-tariff barriers can be simplified,' he said. On the US front, Memani pointed to the 9 July deadline for concluding a bilateral trade deal, which would avert a sharp increase in tariffs on Indian exports. 'In the case of the US, we have a date,' he said, referring to the pending imposition of a 26% reciprocal tariff that would replace the current 10% baseline if no agreement is reached. US President Donald Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs' policy—announced in April—seeks to impose higher import duties on countries that levy steeper tariffs on American goods, triggering a wave of trade renegotiations. A broad 10% baseline tariff was introduced, with higher rates applied to countries such as China and Vietnam. A temporary 90-day pause was allowed for bilateral negotiations ahead of the 9 July deadline. 'Most businesses, most CII members are very keen that an agreement or an FTA—or some tranche of an FTA—gets signed, because people are wary of a tariff being imposed. And I think there is a reasonable sense of confidence that something may happen in the not-too-distant future. Those FTA engagements are going on very well,' Memani added. Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he was expecting a deal with India, 'in which case, there will be much less tariffs.' Memani cautioned, however, that even as India expands its trade ties, competition from the Western world is intensifying. 'Tariffs will go down for a large part of the Western world, and Indian industry will be facing more intense competition,' he said. 'Therefore, the urgency to do reforms, the urgency to do business reforms, and the urgency to enhance competitiveness is very high. We are seeing much greater receptivity and openness in the government to look at ease of doing business,' Memani noted. He added that India must focus on both labour-intensive and advanced manufacturing, while also preparing for the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. 'One issue that needs attention is how AI will impact the efficiency of Indian industry—and how related challenges such as employment are dealt with,' he said. CII expects India's real GDP to grow by 6.4-6.7% in FY26. 'This projection, generated through CII's GDP growth model, reinforces India's position as the fastest-growing major economy in the world,' Memani said. To ensure India doesn't fall behind in the AI race, CII has proposed setting up a National AI Authority to coordinate policy, infrastructure, and adoption. The body would also support investments in semiconductor fabrication facilities, cloud infrastructure, and AI skilling programs, he said. Given the rise in global protectionism and trade uncertainty, Memani emphasized that domestic consumption remains India's primary growth driver. 'India is becoming increasingly reliant on it to sustain momentum,' he said.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
The curious case of iPhones: Why a small gadget in your pocket is making US & China insecure about India
TIL Creatives Representative Image As over 300 Chinese engineers prepares their bags to leave Foxconn's iPhone plants in southern India this week, Beijing is quietly watching. For China, Apple's big bet on India is more than just a factory shift, it's a direct threat to its image of being the world's factory. At the same time, from across the Pacific, earlier this year, US President Donald Trump had a 'little problem' with Apple too. 'We are treating you really good, we put up with all the plants you built in China for years,' Trump said in May. 'We are not interested in you building in India.' He wanted Apple to bring those jobs back to American economies, both far bigger than India's, now appeared to be bothered with the same worry: what happens if India really does become Apple's new favourite factory floor? The US and China both see risk in Apple's supply chain pivot. For America, it challenges efforts to bring jobs home. For China, it threatens its stronghold on global high-tech manufacturing. Earlier this year, Foxconn, Apple's long-time assembler, had pressed ahead with a $1.5 billion display module plant near Chennai. The unit was slated to make the part under an iPhone's glass screen that controls touch and display Nadu's state government had approved the plan last October. Indian officials had expect it to add about 14,000 jobs, a tidy boost for India's growing electronics behind the scenes, China is now quietly tightening the screws. Bloomberg revealed yesterday that more than 300 skilled Chinese engineers who taught Indian workers how to run precision assembly lines have been asked by Foxconn to leave India. No official reason, just a quiet exit. The impact is anything but silent. These technicians brought decades of process know-how from Shenzhen's vast factories. Without them, Foxconn expansion plans in India may not go as smooth as it would have US, too, is not exactly cheering India's gain. When Trump launched his first China trade war in 2018, companies scrambled to find new bases. India was slow to catch up then. Now, as China battles rising costs, with new tariffs being imposed every other month, India has never looked more attractive for Trump's 'America First' pitch was brought to the forefront as he sought to charge exorbitant tariffs on every nation that sought to export to Americans. He insisted that Apple must also 'make in America.' For Apple, that's far from easy. US wages are high. Large-scale electronics assembly needs armies of trained workers. Those don't appear Apple chose to stick with its India plan. In May, officials told FT that by the end of next year, Apple aims to make all 60 million iPhones sold in the US in Indian plants. In 2024, India already produced 18% of global iPhone output. Counterpoint Research expects this share to reach 32% in 2025. During March-May, Foxconn exported iPhones worth $3.2 billion from India, with an average 97% shipped to the US, Reuters reported on June 13, citing customs data. India iPhone shipments by Foxconn to the United States in May 2025 were worth nearly $1 billion, the second-highest ever after the record $1.3 billion worth of devices shipped in March, the data Beijing has more to lose than just iPhone lines. It fears losing its edge in EV batteries, solar panels and key rare earth exports. Already this year, China has delayed shipments of specialised machinery to India and Vietnam. Now, ironically, that same tariff wall has cracked China's supply dominance—and opened the door for India. US tariffs on Chinese goods run as high as 145%, while most Indian goods face only 10%. Exemptions on key electronics like iPhones give India an edge in US. For Washington, this creates a dilemma: keep punishing China, or watch supply chains drift to India instead of coming home. Former Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale summed up the mood: China sees India's manufacturing rise as 'a direct threat, not just a parallel development.' India's phone surge didn't happen by accident. Foxconn, Tata Electronics, Corning, big names are pouring billions into Indian supply lines. FT reported Corning will soon start making Apple's scratchproof glass in Tamil own officials know what's at stake. 'We are looking at building the entire value chain in India itself,' said Ekroop Caur, secretary for electronics in Karnataka. The aim: not just assemble phones, but design and supply every vital isn't just a trade story. The way screws, screens and circuit boards move around the world now shapes how countries negotiate, from trade talks to climate pacts and military knows that whoever controls the factories holds the upper hand. When COVID lockdowns froze huge parts of China's manufacturing heartland, companies from California to Berlin realised the risk of putting too many eggs in one basket. According to a Wall Street Journal analysis, the shutdowns cost global electronics makers billions in missed shipments and forced Apple to rethink its near-total dependence on push into India is one answer to that risk. But China has other tools. By restricting exports of critical raw materials, like rare earth metals used in iPhones, wind turbines and guided missiles, Beijing reminds the world that supply chains can double as economic weapons. Just last year, China tightened controls on gallium and germanium exports, minerals vital for semiconductors and defence tech, Reuters tactic isn't new. Back in 2010, China briefly cut off rare earth supplies to Japan during a territorial dispute, crippling factories until Tokyo relented. Now, with the US and Europe pushing to 'de-risk' their dependence, China's leaders are signalling they can still squeeze the tap when clamp on Foxconn's engineers in India fits the same playbook. A senior Indian official, speaking to Bloomberg, confirmed that Chinese authorities are informally blocking export of key equipment and skilled workers to India's iPhone lines. No official reason. But the signal is clear, China wants to slow any rival that could dilute its manufacturing moves ripple far beyond trade. European leaders have linked secure supply chains to climate goals, arguing that building green tech like EV batteries and solar panels depends on stable flows of materials and parts. As reported by the Indian Express, India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar summed it up in June: 'The upending of global trade has focused our own minds on the need for correcting what I would call a certain skewed nature of our openness to the global economy.'China's talent clamp is the latest warning shot. By slowing India's learning curve, Beijing hopes to buy time. But India's window is open. There is no national election for a year. Global companies want out of China's grip. US tariffs slam China far harder than the moment is now. India's share of global phone exports has jumped from $250 million a decade ago to over $22 billion today. Most of that is Apple. The next big leap is to match China's scale.A few hundred engineers leaving might not sound big. But behind those exits sits a giant question: who controls the supply chain of tomorrow? If India cracks that code, despite the hold-ups, despite the politics, it won't just make iPhones. It will make itself impossible to ignore at the trade table. And that is what big economies fear a world splitting along new lines, where supply chains double as strategic weapons, India's iPhone story shows how a gadget in your pocket can reshape who calls the shots far beyond a factory floor.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Trump to host five African leaders next week to discuss 'commercial opportunities'
Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal for a discussion and lunch at the White House on July 9, a White House official said on Wednesday read more US President Donald Trump will host leaders from five African nations in Washington next week to discuss 'commercial opportunities,' a White House official said on Wednesday. Trump will host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal for a discussion and lunch at the White House on July 9, the official said. 'President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners,' the official said, referring to the reasons why the meeting was arranged. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Africa Intelligence and Semafor reported earlier that the Trump administration would hold a summit for the five countries in Washington from July 9-11. The Trump administration has axed swaths of US foreign aid for Africa as part of a plan to curb spending it considers wasteful and not aligned with Trump's 'America First' policies. It says it wants to focus on trade and investment and to drive mutual prosperity. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was abandoning what he called a charity-based foreign aid model and will favor those nations that demonstrate 'both the ability and willingness to help themselves.' US envoys in Africa will be rated on commercial deals struck, African Affairs senior bureau official Troy Fitrel said in May, describing it as the new strategy for support on the continent.
