NATIONAL NEWS

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal Inaugurates APED’s First Bihar Office

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the first regional office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in Patna.

The office will boost Bihar’s agri-export potential and provide farmers, exporters, and entrepreneurs direct access to APEDA services, reducing dependence on the Varanasi office.

APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is responsible for promoting agricultural exports, certification, market intelligence, and infrastructure support.

The inauguration was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, Industries Minister Nitish Mishra, officials, FPOs, entrepreneurs, and farmer groups.

Bihar’s GI-tagged products include Mithila Makhana, Shahi Litchi, Jardalu Mango, and Magahi Pan, along with traditional sweets like Tilkut.

APEDA’s initiatives in Bihar over the past three years include capacity-building for farmers, training on global standards, and international buyer-seller meets.

The new office will empower farmers and FPOs, support women-led enterprises, enhance market access for high-value products, and strengthen Bihar’s role in India’s agri-export growth strategy.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Votes in Favour of United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Palestine Two-State Solution

India voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution endorsing the “New York Declaration” on the peaceful settlement of the Palestine issue through the two-state solution.

The resolution was adopted on 12 September 2025 with 142 countries supporting, 10 opposing, and 12 abstaining.

India’s support reaffirms its long-standing position, advocating the creation of a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine coexisting peacefully with a secure State of Israel.

The resolution was backed by France and Saudi Arabia to reaffirm global commitment to the two-state solution.

India’s policy emphasizes: Support for a sovereign and independent Palestine, Recognition of Israel’s right to live in peace and security, Advocacy for negotiations within recognized borders and Balanced diplomacy with both Palestine and Israel.

India Unveils $680 Million Economic Package for Mauritius Covering Health, Infrastructure and Maritime Security

India announced a $680 million Special Economic Package for Mauritius, covering health, infrastructure, and maritime security.

The package includes $215 million in direct grants for projects such as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, an AYUSH Centre of Excellence, a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital, and the supply of helicopters.

An additional $440 million (MUR 20.1 billion) will be provided through a grant-cum-Line of Credit, supporting projects like an Air Traffic Control Tower, port equipment, and M4 motorway development.

India and Mauritius will establish a 17.5 MW Floating Solar PV Project at Tamarind Falls, with NTPC Limited. team visiting to finalize agreements.

The package also provides $25 million in budgetary assistance for Mauritius in the current fiscal year.

Both nations will collaborate on the rehabilitation of Mauritius’ port and Chagos Marine Protected Area

Seven bilateral agreements were signed between India and Mauritius in education, public administration, energy, hydrography, technology, and space cooperation.

Despite strong cooperation, the trade balance favors India, with Mauritius exporting $45 million to India in 2024 while importing $746 million from India.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India’s First Government Medical College to Train on da Vinci Robotic Surgery System

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, became the first government medical college in India to offer training on the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System.

It is installed at AIIMS’ Skills, E-Learning and Telemedicine (SET) Facility, marking a major advancement in medical education and surgical innovation.

The da Vinci Surgical Robot, developed by Intuitive Surgical, allows minimally invasive surgery, 3D visualization, and faster patient recovery.

It is widely used in urology, gynecology, general surgery, oncology, and head and neck surgery.

AIIMS SET Facility also houses the Hugo Robotic Trainer (Medtronic), making AIIMS the only institution in India with two robotic systems for training.

Training is offered to medical students, residents, faculty members, nurses, and healthcare professionals using simulators and manikins.

The initiative prepares the next generation of surgeons and strengthens India’s healthcare sector.

Tata Consultancy Services And France’s CEA Partner To Jointly Develop Physical AI Solutions

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed an agreement with France’s public research body CEA to jointly develop Physical AI solutions.

Physical AI combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and intelligent systems to enable machines to interact with the physical world.

The collaboration will focus on manufacturing, logistics, and automation, deploying Physical AI-powered systems for real-world industrial applications.

TCS has been present in France since 1992, supporting 18 CAC40 companies.

TCS operates four delivery centers in Paris-Suresnes, Lille, Poitiers, and Toulouse, expanding its presence in France.

 

BANKING

Securities and Exchange Board of India permits co-investment window within AIFs

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has amended rules to permit Category I and II Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to offer Co-Investment Opportunities (CIV schemes) directly to accredited investors, in addition to the existing Portfolio Management Services (PMS) route.

Co-investment allows investors to invest alongside AIFs in unlisted securities of investee companies, giving them greater participation in fund investments.

SEBI has clarified that co-investment through the CIV scheme will be managed by the AIF manager and will remain subject to specific conditions.

CIV schemes will not be allowed to borrow funds or engage in any form of leverage.

Investors will be permitted to invest up to three times their contribution through the AIF scheme in an investee company.

World Bank Sanctions $212.64 Million Loan To Support Coastal Communities

The World Bank has approved a $212.64 million loan for coastal communities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The loan is part of the Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (SHORE) Programme.

The financing is under the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

The project will support ecosystem conservation, plastic waste reduction, and job creation.

The loan has a maturity of 23 years and a grace period of 6.5 years.

The project will help the two states implement their coastal zone management plans.

 

FINANCE

India’s External Debt Jumps Over 10% to $736.3 Billion in FY25, Fastest Growth in 7 Years

India’s external debt rose over 10% to $736.3 billion at the end of FY2024-25, marking the fastest expansion in seven years in dollar terms compared to $668.8 billion in FY2023-24.

The debt-to-GDP ratio increased to 19.1% at end-March 2025, up from 18.5% at end-March 2024, though the government termed the position “modest.”

India’s external debt sustainability is better than most Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Long-term debt formed 81.7% of total debt, while short-term debt accounted for 18.3%, with trade credits financing imports making up 96.8% of short-term debt.

Non-financial corporations were the largest borrowers with $261.7 billion outstanding external debt at end-March 2025.

Debt access came mainly from loans (34%), followed by currency & deposits (22.8%), trade credits (17.8%), and debt securities (17.7%).

Commercial lenders were the largest creditors (39.6%), followed by NRI depositors (22.4%).

In terms of currency denomination, the US Dollar was the largest component with 54.2% share, followed by the Indian Rupee (31.1%), yen (6.2%), SDR (4.6%), and euro (3.2%).

 

DEFENCE

India Joins 4th Coast Guard Global Summit in Rome

The 4th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) was held in Rome, Italy from September 11–12, 2025, with participation from 115 countries and international organizations.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) reaffirmed India’s commitment to global maritime governance and showcased its role as a partner in ensuring safer, cleaner, and secure seas.

The Indian delegation, led by Director General ICG Paramesh Sivamani, delivered a lecture titled “Guardians Against the Blaze: ICG’s Tactical Response to Fire Emergencies.”

The ICG announced its intent to bid for the Presidency of the 5th CGGS, planned to be hosted in India in 2027.

The summit was co-chaired by Italy and Japan, and it focused on Maritime Safety, Marine Environment Protection, Pollution Response, Natural Disasters, Maritime Accidents, and Maritime Security.

Key discussions included countering transnational maritime crimes, using advanced technologies, promoting capacity building, and strengthening inter-regional and international cooperation.

The CGGS was first convened in 2017 by the Japan Coast Guard and Nippon Foundation as a platform for dialogue and confidence-building.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Italy) and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (Japan, virtually) highlighted the importance of Coast Guard collaboration in Marine Pollution Response, Maritime Search and Rescue, and Law Enforcement.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sushila Karki Takes Oath as Nepal’s First Female Prime Minister

Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel has dissolved the House of Representatives on the recommendation of newly appointed interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

Fresh parliamentary elections have been scheduled for March 21, 2026.

Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice, took oath as the first woman Prime Minister of Nepal.

The oath was administered by President Paudel at the Presidential Palace in Kathmandu in the presence of Vice President Rambaran Yadav and other dignitaries.

Her appointment came after deadly violence by Gen Z demonstrators protesting against a social media ban and corruption, which led to the resignation of PM KP Sharma Oli.

Sushila Karki was chosen after intensive discussions at Sheetal Niwas, aligning with the demands of Gen Z protesters for an interim government free from corrupt leaders.

Karki is also Nepal’s first female Chief Justice, recognized for her integrity and independence.

Next Managing Director of State Bank of India

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Ravi Ranjan for the position of Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI).

Ravi Ranjan, currently Deputy Managing Director, will replace Vinay M Tonse, whose term ends on November 30, 2025.

FSIB interviewed 9 candidates on September 11, 2025, for the SBI MD position.

The final decision on the recommendation will be taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The SBI board is headed by the Chairman, assisted by four Managing Directors.