Episodes

  • Singapore PM in India | TCS $640M Deal | Pakistan Woos Russia | Sitharaman’s Reform Push

    Singapore PM in India | TCS $640M Deal | Pakistan Woos Russia | Sitharaman’s Reform Push
    Sep 3 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. India is at the center of some big moves this week—diplomatic, economic, and corporate. In Beijing, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif tried to woo Vladimir Putin, praising Russia’s “balancing act” in South Asia and calling him a “dynamic leader.” But here’s the truth—India’s ties with Moscow run deeper, built over decades of defense and energy cooperation, far outweighing Islamabad’s fresh overtures. Meanwhile, Singapore’s new PM Lawrence Wong has chosen New Delhi for his maiden visit, underlining confidence in India’s growth story. Deals on aviation, space, finance, and digital innovation are on the table, along with a $1.3 billion PSA port project. Singapore remains India’s top investor and is doubling down with plans to put in $15 billion this year. On the energy front, Russia has offered India even bigger discounts on crude, just as the Trump administration slapped 50% tariffs on Indian exports. New Delhi isn’t backing down—its refiners find Russian oil too cost-effective to resist. PM Modi reinforced at the SCO summit that Russia remains a “special partner.” Back home, Tata Consultancy Services finally landed a mega deal after a long dry spell—a $640 million contract with Danish insurer Tryg. The win comes at a time when rivals have been snapping up billion-dollar clients and TCS faces investor concerns after weak growth and job cuts. And setting the stage for long-term reform, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new task force to cut red tape and ease compliance for small businesses, paired with GST reforms. With GDP at 7.8%, inflation at an eight-year low, and a recent S&P upgrade, India’s economic resilience is shining through. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • Rupee Record Low | SpiceJet Fined Over 14-Hour Delay | SCO Backs India After Pahalgam Attack | Afghanistan Earthquake

    Rupee Record Low | SpiceJet Fined Over 14-Hour Delay | SCO Backs India After Pahalgam Attack | Afghanistan Earthquake
    Sep 2 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Quake Flattens Afghan Villages A 6.0 earthquake has left eastern Afghanistan shattered — more than 800 killed, nearly 3,000 injured. Entire villages in Kunar province are gone, with survivors describing terrifying jolts and endless aftershocks. Helicopters are the only way in as floods and landslides block roads. Hospitals in Jalalabad are overwhelmed, and the Taliban has appealed for urgent international aid. SCO Backs India on Terror At its Tianjin summit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and backed India’s demand that “double standards” on terrorism must end. Leaders from India, China, Russia, and Pakistan signed a declaration pledging zero tolerance for terror and more cooperation against cross-border threats. The statement also condemned violence in Gaza and strikes on Iran, while urging reforms at the UN, IMF, and World Bank. India, however, refused to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Trump Targets India Again US President Donald Trump has reignited trade tensions, calling the India-US equation a “one-sided disaster.” He claimed India has offered to cut tariffs on American goods to “nothing,” but also linked Washington’s steep 50% tariffs to India’s oil trade with Russia. New Delhi has pushed back, defending farm protections and accusing the US of moving the goalposts. Rupee Sinks to 88.33 The Indian rupee has slipped to a fresh record low of 88.33 against the dollar, pressured by US tariffs, heavy importer hedging, and foreign outflows. Analysts warn it could slide toward 89–90 if the dispute drags on, though RBI may intervene. This comes even as India’s economy logged a robust 7.8% growth last quarter. SpiceJet Fined Over Delay A Mumbai consumer court has ordered SpiceJet to pay ₹55,000 to a passenger after a 14-hour Dubai–Mumbai delay where the airline served only a burger and fries. The ruling reminded carriers that technical glitches don’t excuse neglecting passengers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Modi–Xi Reset at SCO | Macron Recognizes Palestine | Tokyo Bets Big on India’s Growth Story | Trump May Skip India Visit

    Modi–Xi Reset at SCO | Macron Recognizes Palestine | Tokyo Bets Big on India’s Growth Story | Trump May Skip India Visit
    Sep 1 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Dragon & Elephant Talk Peace In Beijing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping struck a rare note of harmony at the SCO summit. After years of border tensions, both leaders stressed that India and China are “partners, not rivals,” agreeing to resume direct flights and even restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Xi said it was “vital for the dragon and elephant to walk together” in shaping a multipolar world. Macron Rekindles Two-State Push In Paris, Emmanuel Macron reignited the two-state debate by recognizing Palestine, despite protests from Israel and the US. Macron argued Gaza’s humanitarian crisis demands urgent action, while critics warned recognition could embolden militants. Several Western nations may follow France’s lead at the UN next month. India’s Next Biofuel Leap New Delhi is moving its biofuel experiment off the roads and onto construction sites. Bulldozers, cranes and heavy carriers that consume nearly 4% of India’s diesel could soon run on blended fuels. The move cuts oil imports, lowers emissions, and boosts farmer incomes by using crop-based fuels. Trump Skips India Visit US President Donald Trump may cancel his India trip and skip the Quad summit after slapping tariffs on Indian goods. Beyond trade, tensions stem from Trump’s claim that he personally brokered peace between India and Pakistan — a claim New Delhi strongly rejects. India & Japan Seal $68B Pact In Tokyo, Modi and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a 10-year roadmap, with Japan pledging $68 billion in private investment into India. Both leaders called it a “golden chapter,” combining Japanese technology and Indian talent to drive growth, while reinforcing security ties in the Indo-Pacific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • Groww Clears $1 Billion IPO | 40% Women Feel Unsafe | India Rolls Out First Chip | $200M Fighter Falls From Sky

    Groww Clears $1 Billion IPO | 40% Women Feel Unsafe | India Rolls Out First Chip | $200M Fighter Falls From Sky
    Aug 29 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. F-35 Crash: Ice Brings Down $200M Jet In Alaska, a $200 million F-35 fighter jet crashed after its pilot spent nearly an hour circling mid-air on a live call with Lockheed Martin engineers. The cause? Ice in the hydraulic lines that froze the landing gear and tricked the jet into “ground mode.” The pilot ejected safely, but the crash added to a tally of 15 F-35 accidents worldwide. Earlier this year, another F-35 was grounded in Kerala and one made an emergency landing in Japan—raising questions about the reliability of America’s most advanced fighter. India’s First Made-in-India Chip Rolls Out In Sanand, Gujarat, India celebrated a milestone as IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the country’s first packaged semiconductor chip from CG Semi’s pilot OSAT facility. The ₹600 crore G1 unit can produce half a million chips a day, with a much larger G2 plant set to follow next year. Together, they aim for 4.7 billion chips annually, serving electronics, auto, and EV sectors. Sanand is fast becoming India’s chip hub under the ₹76,000 crore Semiconductor Mission. 40% of Urban Women Feel Unsafe: NARI 2025 A new survey across 31 cities shows 40% of women in India’s urban areas feel unsafe. In 2024, 7% reported harassment—100 times higher than official crime data. Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, and Patna ranked least safe, while Mumbai and Kohima were rated safer. Only 22% reported incidents to authorities; over half were unsure if their workplaces had the legally mandated POSH policy. Groww Eyes $1B IPO Amid Investor Exodus Bengaluru-based Groww has SEBI’s approval to raise $800 million–$1 billion in an IPO. Backed by GIC, Tiger Global, and Satya Nadella, Groww heads to markets even as discount brokers lost nearly 2 million clients in 2025. Stricter SEBI rules on F&O trading have cooled retail participation. Still, Groww’s profits tripled to ₹1,819 crore, showing strength despite the turbulence. India to Be World’s No. 2 Economy by 2038: EY EY projects India’s GDP at $34.2 trillion by 2038 in purchasing power parity terms, overtaking most economies. PPP, which adjusts for cost-of-living differences, shows India’s consumer strength and competitiveness more accurately than volatile market exchange rates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    12 mins
  • India’s New War Doctrines | Modi in Japan | Indigo Stake Sale: Most Spectacular Exits In Indian Business History

    India’s New War Doctrines | Modi in Japan | Indigo Stake Sale: Most Spectacular Exits In Indian Business History
    Aug 28 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. US Tightens Visas DHS plans to scrap open-ended stays for students and visitors, capping F and J visas at four years, cutting grace periods, and limiting program changes. Officials cite security and oversight as millions enter each year. India’s New War Doctrines Three doctrines unveiled—Special Forces, airborne ops, and multi-domain warfare—aim to unify the Army, Navy, and Air Force for future conflicts across land, sea, space, and cyber. Modi in Japan PM Modi begins his first solo visit to Japan in seven years. Talks with PM Ishiba will cover semiconductors, EVs, bullet trains, and Indo-Pacific security under the Quad. Next stop: China for the SCO summit. Tariff Tensions US tariffs on Indian goods now at 50%, targeting Russian oil buys. Treasury chief Bessent says ties are “complicated” but insists Modi and Trump will “come together.” India calls the move unjustified. Gangwal’s Mega Exit IndiGo co-founder Rakesh Gangwal turns a ₹15 crore bet into ₹45,000 crore, pulling off one of the most spectacular exits in Indian business history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • US to Scrap Green Card for Gold Card? | US-Russia Energy Talks | 50% India Tariffs Is On

    US to Scrap Green Card for Gold Card? | US-Russia Energy Talks | 50% India Tariffs Is On
    Aug 27 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Trump’s 50% Tariffs on India Starting August 27, Indian exports to the US will face a steep 50% tariff. President Trump doubled duties earlier this month, punishing India for buying Russian oil—a move New Delhi calls “unfair and unreasonable.” Pharma, electronics, and key metals are exempt, but most exports will be hit. PM Modi, striking a defiant note, urged Indians to go “swadeshi” while officials brace exporters for a slowdown. US Pushes ‘Gold Card’ Visa Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the Trump administration is set to overhaul the H1-B and green card system. The proposed “Gold Card” would give residency to foreigners investing $5 million. Officials claim 250,000 people are already interested, potentially generating $1.25 trillion. H1-B visas, meanwhile, could shift from a lottery to a wage-based system, prioritising higher-paying jobs—tough news for Indian tech workers. Modi to Attend SCO in China PM Modi will travel to Tianjin next week for the SCO summit—his first China visit in seven years. Alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, leaders from across Asia will attend what Beijing hopes is a show of Global South unity. Analysts say Modi may use the moment to reset ties with China after the 2020 border clashes, while Xi will showcase a “post-American-led world.” US-Russia Explore Energy Deals Even as India is punished for trading with Russia, Washington may be cutting its own deals with Moscow. Reports suggest talks are on to let Exxon Mobil re-enter Russia’s Sakhalin-1 project, allow sales of US equipment for LNG projects, and even buy nuclear icebreakers from Russia. The timing raises eyebrows: Trump penalises India for Russian oil but explores energy ties with Putin himself. HAL Orders 113 Jet Engines HAL is set to sign a $1 billion deal with GE Aerospace for 113 GE-404 engines to power nearly 200 LCA Mk-1A fighters. These jets will replace India’s retiring MiG-21s. Delivery delays, however, have raised doubts within the Air Force. HAL is also negotiating joint production of GE-414 engines for the upcoming LCA Mk-2, a deal with 80% tech transfer—crucial to India’s defence self-reliance push. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • India’s New Tax Law SOP | Trump Spares China, Hits India | India’s MiG-21 Era Ends | Trump’s 600k Student Remark Backfires

    India’s New Tax Law SOP | Trump Spares China, Hits India | India’s MiG-21 Era Ends | Trump’s 600k Student Remark Backfires
    Aug 26 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. MiG-21 Retires After nearly 60 years in service, India’s iconic MiG-21 is flying into history. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh marked the farewell with a formation flight alongside No. 23 Squadron, led by Sqn Ldr Priya. Official retirement comes on September 26, closing a legendary chapter in IAF history. Trump Targets India From the Oval Office, Donald Trump praised China while warning India. He spared Beijing but pressed ahead with a 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing New Delhi’s sharp rise in Russian oil purchases—from under 1% before the Ukraine war to 42% after. Half the tariff is already in place; the rest lands this week. MAGA vs Trump Trump also stirred his base by saying the US would welcome 600,000 Chinese students. Supporters erupted online, calling it a betrayal of “America First.” With 277,000 Chinese students already in US universities and new visa restrictions announced earlier this year, his comment struck many as contradictory. Mail to US Halted Taiwan joined India and Europe in suspending postal services to America after Washington scrapped its duty-free exemption for imports under $800. Now, every international parcel faces customs duties, leaving families, small businesses, and e-commerce players scrambling as the US mailbox effectively shuts to the world. New Tax Rules India readies its Income Tax Act, 2025. To ease transition, CBDT will issue an SOP on digital seizures, clarifying how officials can access electronic data. Ramesh Narain Parbat stressed no new powers were added, only clearer wording. The aim: consistency, transparency, and predictability for taxpayers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Vi on the Brink | Apollo Stake Sale | Visa Freeze After Tragic Crash | India Stands Firm With Russia | Putin’s 3 Demands for Peace

    Vi on the Brink | Apollo Stake Sale | Visa Freeze After Tragic Crash | India Stands Firm With Russia | Putin’s 3 Demands for Peace
    Aug 22 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. 1. Putin's Three Demands to End the War What does Vladimir Putin actually want to end the war in Ukraine? For the first time, we have a clear picture. Sources close to the Kremlin say Putin has three core demands, reportedly discussed during his recent summit with Donald Trump. First, Ukraine must cede the entire Donbas region. Second, it must abandon its ambition to join NATO. And third, it must remain officially neutral, with no Western troops ever stationed on its soil. 2. India's Defiant Message to the U.S. India’s top diplomat just sent a very clear message to Washington—from inside Moscow. As the U.S. slapped new tariffs on Indian goods over its energy trade with Russia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Vladimir Putin. At a press conference, Jaishankar didn't hold back. "We are not the biggest purchasers of Russian oil—that is China... So why single out India?" he asked, calling the U.S. logic "very perplexing." 3. One Tragic Crash Halts All Foreign Trucker Visas in the U.S. A tragic crash in Florida has triggered a sweeping U.S. government response. Three people were killed after an undocumented Indian national, Harjinder Singh, attempted a reckless U-turn in a tractor-trailer. It was later discovered Singh had obtained a commercial driver's license from California. Now, Washington has slammed the brakes, freezing all new worker visas for foreign truck drivers, effective immediately. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins