Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

California Tragedy Sparks National Debate:

Dashcam footage captured the terrifying moment a semi-truck slammed into stopped traffic on California’s I-10 — killing three, injuring four, and igniting a firestorm over how commercial licenses are issued. The driver, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, an undocumented immigrant allegedly high on drugs, had somehow obtained a California CDL. Federal officials are calling it a “systemic failure,” while Washington froze $40 million in funding over weak language standards for truckers. Singh faces manslaughter and DUI charges.

Trump’s High-Stakes Asia Trip:

President Trump heads to Asia for his first meeting with Xi Jinping since returning to office — and it’s make-or-break. After months of tariff threats and China’s rare-earth export curbs, Trump’s opening line to Xi will be about fentanyl. Washington blames Beijing for chemical flows fueling America’s drug crisis. The outcome could reset U.S.-China trade — or reignite tensions.

India’s Big Defense Push:

India approved ₹79,000 crore in new defense buys — missiles, warships, and AI-powered air systems — part of a wider push for self-reliance after Operation Sindoor. The move boosts combat readiness across all forces while backing Indian defense tech.

Delhi Bets on Artificial Rain:

Delhi may finally make it rain — literally. Using IIT Kanpur’s cloud seeding tech, the city plans its first artificial rainfall by October 29 to fight smog. Five trials are planned — science versus pollution.

India-Canada Thaw Begins:

After a year of diplomatic frost, India and Canada are talking again. Ottawa can now send back diplomats under a “reciprocal” staffing deal — a cautious reset after Trudeau’s explosive 2023 accusation over Hardeep Nijjar’s death.

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

Modi Skips ASEAN Summit as Trump Heads to Malaysia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ASEAN Summit virtually, skipping what’s being billed as the largest gathering of world leaders in ASEAN history. The decision, officially linked to Chhath Puja, comes as US President Donald Trump lands in Kuala Lumpur in person. Over 30 leaders, including China’s Li Qiang and Brazil’s Lula, are attending. With India-US ties strained by Trump’s steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods, Modi’s absence avoids an awkward meet without a trade breakthrough. Talks to reduce tariffs to 15–16% are ongoing, but India is treading carefully amid delicate diplomacy — balancing QUAD and BRICS ties at once. Kuala Lumpur, meanwhile, is under lockdown with 16,000 officers on duty.

Siddaramaiah’s Son Upsets Karnataka’s Succession Equation

Yathindra Siddaramaiah has thrown a curveball into Karnataka politics by backing minister Satish Jarkiholi as his father’s successor — sidelining Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. With the Congress government hitting its halfway mark, talk of a “November revolution” is gaining traction. For Shivakumar, once seen as next in line, the message is clear: the race is no longer his alone.

Indian Army Goes Tech-First

India’s Army is arming up for the future — signing a ₹2,770-crore deal with Bharat Forge and Adani’s PLR Systems for 4.25 lakh modern carbines. New drone platoons and elite commando battalions are rolling out, while US-made Javelin missiles are being added. The shift marks a major leap from manpower-heavy to AI-driven combat readiness.

Meta Cuts 600 Jobs in AI Reality Check

Meta’s AI dream just hit turbulence — 600 layoffs at its AI Superintelligence Labs. Despite a $14 billion spree to hire top AI talent, several big names have already quit. CEO Alexandr Wang says “leaner is faster,” but the move reveals internal tension between expensive new hires and a thinning support base.

Trump Slaps Russia with Oil Sanctions, Eyes India Next

President Trump has sanctioned Russia’s oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, warning Putin to end the Ukraine war. The move also turns the heat on India, with Trump insisting Modi promised to cut Russian oil imports — claims New Delhi hasn’t confirmed. The message from Washington: stop buying Russian oil or face crushing tariffs.

America education | H1B visa | ImmigrationThe Trump administration has announced new rules that will exempt foreign students, including Indians, from paying the $100,000 Visa application fee for the H-1B visa. In this podcast, we speak with Immigration Attorney Sophie Alcorn of Alcorn Immigration Law who breaks down what exactly this means. Watch!#immigration #h1bvisa #america

In this episode of South Asia Geoeconomics Adda, Dr. Harsha de Silva — economist, parliamentarian, and Chair of Sri Lanka’s Committee on Public Finance — joins Dr. Sanjay Kathuria to dissect Sri Lanka’s journey from economic collapse to cautious recovery. They discuss what went wrong after the post-war boom, the 2022 debt default, and the hard lessons from Sri Lanka’s dealings with China, India, and the IMF. Harsha reflects on India’s critical support during the crisis, the burden of bad policy choices, and why trade liberalization remains politically difficult. How can Sri Lanka cope with the high 20 percent additional “reciprocal tariffs” of the current US administration? The conversation probes whether Sri Lanka can rebuild credibility, manage debt that exceeds 100 percent of GDP, and find balance in an increasingly polarized region. A candid look at a nation walking the tightrope between reform and relapse.SAGA is hosted by Dr. Sanjay Kathuria, a pre-eminent thinker and commentator on South Asia, contemporary geoeconomic issues, economic development, and trade and globalization. He is co-founder of the Trade Sentinel and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress in New Delhi. https://www.tradesentinel.org/team The Trade Sentinel aims is to bring trade back into the development spotlight in the region, including by making the Sentinel the go-to space for geoeconomic conversations on issues that affect South Asia. https://www.tradesentinel.org/home Reading: Sanjay Kathuria: As Bangladesh Rises, Sri Lanka Finds India is Not the Only Neighbour With Deep Pockets. The Wire, June 10, 2021. https://bit.ly/3ctLBDSL Sanjay Kathuria: To fix its economy, Lanka must make tough choices. Hindustan Times, January 19, 2023 https://bit.ly/SriLankaEcoAnushka Wijeshinha. Sri Lanka’s New President Commits to Expanding Regional Trade Relationships and Pursuing Trade Reforms. Trade Sentinel, Feb 2025. https://tradesentinel.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/blogs/Sri_Lanka_Budget_Analysis_Feb_2025.html Latest IMF report on Sri Lanka: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229016360.002, July 2025 World Bank Development Update on Sri Lanka, October 2025: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099154110062538553/pdf/IDU-0573adec-4079-4966-8dff-489e8025668f.pdf South Asia Geoeconomic Adda | Episode 2 In Association with Trade Sentinel SouthAsia. SAGA. SouthAsiaGeoeconomicAdda. Adda. SriLanka. India. China. Modi. Rajapaksa. Tariffs. Trade. Reforms. PublicFinance. China. Mega projects.

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

Politics and diplomacy are both running hot today — from Gandhinagar to Washington, and beyond.

In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has hit the reset button — all 16 ministers resigned, giving him a clean slate to rebuild his cabinet. BJP insiders call it a strategic reset ahead of the 2027 polls. The new team, to be sworn in at Mahatma Mandir, could nearly double in size. Amit Shah and JP Nadda are flying in, underscoring how high the stakes are for the BJP’s strongest state.

Across the world, Donald Trump’s back in the headlines — twice over. First, he claimed PM Modi promised to stop Russian oil imports. India flatly denied it, saying its energy policy serves its own people, not foreign politics. Then, Trump revealed plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Budapest to “end the Ukraine war,” right as Zelensky lands in Washington. It’s diplomacy — Trump-style — loud, unpredictable, and headline-hungry.

Back in South Asia, India has clearly chosen sides in the Afghanistan–Pakistan border fight — and it’s not Islamabad. Delhi slammed Pakistan for “sponsoring terrorism,” backing Kabul after deadly cross-border strikes. The timing is sharp — just as a Taliban minister visits India.

And finally, a milestone worth celebrating — India’s housing mission just crossed one million approvals under PM Awas Yojana 2.0, with half reserved for women. A quiet, inclusive success amid all the noise.

In the first episode of Season 2 of 'Transforming India: the Road to 2047,' presented by Mint in partnership with JSA Advocates and Solicitors, host Alokesh Bhattacharyya delves into India's journey towards becoming a developed economy amidst global challenges. Joined by legal experts Vivek Chandy, Joint Managing Partner and Archana Tewary, Partner from JSA, the discussion covers key topics including geopolitical tensions, regulatory challenges, ESG compliance, and the impact of global trade dynamics on Indian businesses. Tune in for valuable insights on how India Inc. can navigate through complexities and capitalize on opportunities in a high-stakes global environment.00:00 Introduction to Transforming India: The Road to 204701:02 Welcome and Host Introduction02:02 Introducing the Legal Experts02:59 Recap of Season One and Current Challenges04:47 Rapid Fire Round with Legal Experts06:45 Geopolitics and Regulation11:19 Legal Risks in Multiple Jurisdictions15:39 Trade Blocks and Sanctions18:43 Global Convergence and ESG23:25 Supply Chains and Legal Advisors28:56 Final Rapid Fire and Conclusion

In this Diwali special interview, Nilesh Shah, MD at Kotak Mahindra AMC speaks to Mint about what investors should keep in mind in the upcoming Samvat 2082 new year. From which sectors to watch, to the outlook on gold & silver, to what the impact of Trump's tariffs will be on sectors, Shah tells all in this conversation. Tune in!#investing #diwali #diwalispecial

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

India’s global playbook just got a shake-up.

First, President Trump dropped a bombshell from the Oval Office—Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil. After months of U.S. pressure and hefty 50% tariffs on Indian goods, Modi reportedly told Trump the shift will happen “within a short period.” If India follows through, it could hit Moscow’s war chest hard—India’s been one of Russia’s biggest crude buyers since the Ukraine war began. Trump called Modi “a great man,” even as he hinted next on his list is China.

Next, India pitched its homegrown Akash missile system to Brazil. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met Brazilian leaders in New Delhi, offering co-development deals and training exchanges. The move underlines India’s growing defense confidence—transitioning from an importer to a serious exporter of indigenous tech.

Meanwhile, Washington was stunned when Ashley Tellis, a top U.S.-India relations expert, was arrested for allegedly leaking classified defense documents and meeting Chinese officials. Tellis, a key figure behind the landmark U.S.-India nuclear deal, now faces up to 10 years in prison.

Back home, Tamil Nadu debunked viral claims of a “Hindi ban.” The government called it “completely false,” reinforcing the DMK’s long-standing pro-Tamil stance amid renewed language politics.

And in Delhi, the Supreme Court gave a cautious nod to Diwali celebrations—allowing only green firecrackers from Oct 18–20 under strict monitoring. It’s a delicate balance between tradition and air quality.