1. PM Modi holds talks with Princess Astrid of Belgium, appreciates leading 300-member Economic Mission
2. EAM Meets UK PM Amid Trump-Zelenskyy Heated Showdown
3. Trump’s Remarks on Pakistan and India: Terrorism and Trade
4. India-Bangladesh ties in ‘good shape’ despite ‘misunderstandings’: Bangladesh chief adviser
5. Rupee rises 9 paise to 87.10 against US dollar in early trade

What Else

1. Dhananjay Munde resigned from Devendra Fadnavis cabinet
2. World’s top turret-making company to manufacture in India. Signs joint venture for light tanks’ turrets
3. Cow Vigilantes Beat Truck Conductor to Death in Haryana, 5 Arrested
4. Pakistan: Deadly attack rocks Pakistan military base
5. Hasina to face trial in-person or in absentia, Yunus tells Sky News

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PM Modi holds talks with Princess Astrid of Belgium, appreciates leading 300-member Economic Mission

• PM Modi met with Princess Astrid of Belgium, who’s leading a 300-member Belgian Economic Mission to India from Mar 1-8, 2025.
• Modi appreciated her initiative and looked forward to unlocking opportunities for partnerships in trade, technology, defense, agriculture, and more.
• The economic mission aims to strengthen Belgium’s image as an attractive partner and gateway to the European market.
• The delegation will visit New Delhi and Mumbai, focusing on priority sectors like climate and renewable energy, water and waste management, defense, construction, and astronomy and astrophysics.
• PM Modi and Princess Astrid discussed various areas, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, clean energy, infrastructure, agriculture, skilling, academic exchanges, and cultural and people-to-people ties. (more)

EAM Meets UK PM Amid Trump-Zelenskyy Heated Showdown

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street to discuss various aspects of India-UK cooperation.
• Jaishankar conveyed “warm greetings” from PM Modi and explored ways to enhance bilateral and economic cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
• The meeting took place amidst the UK’s active diplomatic stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, with Starmer recently hosting an emergency summit to express support for Ukraine.
• Jaishankar and Starmer also discussed the UK’s perspective on the Ukraine conflict.
• In addition to his meeting with Starmer, Jaishankar held talks with other top UK ministers, including Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, to review progress on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• The two countries aim to boost their annual bilateral trade, which currently stands at GBP 41 billion.
• Jaishankar’s visit to the UK also includes meetings with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other dignitaries to discuss foreign policy and security issues.
• He will also inaugurate new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester, and attend a diaspora event on International Women’s Day to highlight the contributions of Indian women in the UK.(more)
• Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is to visit Moscow on 7th March for regular foreign office consultations while later this month Ukraine’s Foreign minister is expected to be in Delhi.

Trump’s Remarks on Pakistan and India: Terrorism and Trade

• US President Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for extraditing a wanted terrorist responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan in 2021, which killed 13 American service members. Trump praised Pakistan’s cooperation, stating that the US is “standing strong against the forces of radical Islamic terrorism”.
• This development is significant, given the complex history of India-Pakistan relations. The two nations have had a tumultuous relationship since their independence in 1947, with ongoing disputes over Kashmir, terrorism, and other issues.
• In a separate development, Trump announced that the US will implement reciprocal tariffs on multiple nations, including India, starting Apr 2.
• This move aims to address trade imbalances, with Trump stating that countries like India, China, Brazil, and Canada have imposed high tariffs on US goods.
• The reciprocal tariffs may impact Indian exports to the US, making them less competitive due to higher import duties.

India-Bangladesh ties in ‘good shape’ despite ‘misunderstandings’: Bangladesh chief adviser

• Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus stated that relations with India “remain positive” despite challenges and propaganda.
• He emphasized the deep historical, political, and economic ties between the two nations, allowing them to maintain good relations.
• Yunus acknowledged some conflicts and misunderstandings but assured that they are working to overcome the issues.
• India has previously expressed concerns about targeted attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, but Yunus denied these allegations.
• The future of bilateral ties remains to be seen, with New Delhi yet to respond to Yunus’ statement. (more)

Rupee  rises 9 paise to 87.10 against US dollar in early trade

• The key updates on the Indian rupee as of Mar 5, 2025:
• The Indian rupee opened at 82.23 against the US dollar.
• The rupee is expected to trade in a narrow range due to a lack of major economic data releases.
• The dollar index, which measures the US currency’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, is trading at 104.85.
• Crude oil prices are trading lower, which could support the rupee.
• The Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy decision is due later this month, which could impact the rupee’s movement.
• Please note that currency markets are highly volatile, and exchange rates can fluctuate rapidly. (more)

Dhananjay Munde resigned from Devendra Fadnavis cabinet

• Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde resigned after being linked to the torture and murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
• Munde’s aide, Walmik Karad, was booked in connection with the crime.
• Deshmukh was abducted and murdered after resisting extortion attempts.
• 9 people, including Karad, have been arrested.
• Munde quit on grounds of conscience and health reasons.
• The opposition demanded his arrest, and the case has taken on casteist hues, with Munde and Karad belonging to the powerful Vanjari community. (more)

World’s top turret-making company to manufacture in India. Signs joint venture for light tanks’ turrets

• Belgium-based John Cockerill Defense has partnered with India’s Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (India) Pvt Ltd to manufacture turrets for the Indian Army’s Project Zorawar, a light tank program.
• This 60:40 joint venture will establish a manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, marking John Cockerill’s first turret production outside Belgium.
• The Indian Army plans to procure 59 light tanks, with the potential for larger orders.
• The initial demand is around 350 tanks to counter Chinese forces in mountainous borders.
• The joint venture aims to explore other Indian Army programs, such as the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle and the Future Ready Combat Vehicle.
• The first India-made turret is expected to roll out in 2027. The joint venture also plans to export turrets, leveraging John Cockerill’s existing sales to nearly half a dozen countries.
• This partnership supports India’s defense manufacturing capabilities and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. (more)

Cow Vigilantes Beat Truck Conductor to Death in Haryana, 5 Arrested

• A tragic incident occurred in Haryana’s Bhiwani district, where a truck conductor was brutally beaten to death by cow vigilantes.
• The incident took place on the night of March 3, when the victim, a resident of Rajasthan, was transporting cattle in a truck.
• According to reports, the vigilantes stopped the truck and accused the conductor of transporting cows for slaughter.
• Despite the conductor’s pleas that the cattle were being transported for breeding purposes, the vigilantes brutally assaulted him, resulting in his death.
• The police have arrested five individuals in connection with the incident, and an investigation is underway.
• The incident highlights the ongoing issue of cow vigilantism in India, which has led to numerous incidents of violence and harassment against individuals.
• The Haryana govt has faced criticism for its handling of such incidents, with many accusing the authorities of failing to take adequate action against cow vigilantes. (more)

[Neighborhood]

Pakistan: Deadly attack rocks Pakistan military base

• Two suicide bombings breached a wall at a military base in northwestern Pakistan before other attackers stormed the compound and were repelled in violence that killed at least 12 people and wounded 30 others, according to officials and a local hospital.
• The attack took place on Tue evening, just after Iftar during Ramadan, and was carried out by the terrorist group Jaish ul Furser, which has ties to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
• The attackers used 2 simultaneous suicide car bombs as a diversion, followed by a coordinated assault by 5-6 terrorists.
• This incident comes after another attack on Feb 28, where a suicide bomber killed a top pro-Taliban cleric and 4 worshippers during Fri prayers at a seminary in KP.
• The attack, which was carried out by the terrorist group Jaish ul Fursan, is believed to have been facilitated by the group’s ties to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
• Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, has been accused of providing support to terrorist groups, including the Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
• The country’s military has also been implicated in supporting terrorist groups, with former President Musharraf admitting that Pakistan trained and supported militant groups in the 1990s. (more)

Hasina to face trial in-person or in absentia, Yunus tells Sky News

• Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh is set to face trial for crimes against humanity, according to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
• Hasina is accused of overseeing enforced disappearances, mass killings of protesters, and running secret detention centers where opponents were tortured and killed.
• Yunus stated that the trial will proceed, whether Hasina is present in Bangladesh or tried in absentia in India, where she is currently in exile.
• Bangladesh has issued two arrest warrants for Hasina, but India has not responded to formal requests for her extradition.
• The allegations against Hasina include:
• Enforced disappearances: Hasina is accused of overseeing a system of enforced disappearances during her time in office.
• Mass killings: She is accused of being responsible for the mass killing of protesters in July and August of the previous year.
• Secret detention centers: Hasina is accused of running secret detention centers where opponents were interrogated, tortured, and killed.
• Yunus acknowledged that the investigation is ongoing and that it may take time to bring all those responsible to justice.

The case against Hasina’s niece, British Labour MP Tulip Siddiq, who is being investigated for alleged corruption, is also being taken seriously, according to Yunus. (more)