1. PM in Mauritius highlights: Modi meets Mauritius President; ways to boost bilateral ties discussed
2. Highways still blocked in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi as Home Ministry team begins talks with Kuki Zo groups
3. Western mercenaries who fought in Ukraine war are entering Myanmar via Mizoram to train rebels, claims CM Lalduhoma
4. US-India Trade Tensions Escalate: Tariffs and Retaliation
5. Pakistan Train Hijack: Baloch Liberation Army Seizes Train in Pakistan, Holds 214 Hostages

What Else

1. Vance to visit India for second foreign trip as VP
2. ‘Bound to face crushing blow’: Shah after MHA ban on JKIM, Awami Action committee
3. Bangladesh: Court orders to freeze 124 bank accounts of Hasina, Rehana, others
4. Bangladesh: Victorious forces of uprising running state affairs: Mahfuj Alam
5. Pakistan’s Foreign Office responds after envoy denied entry to US
6. Put US tariffs on all chips made in China: House committee chair

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PM in Mauritius highlights: Modi meets Mauritius President; ways to boost bilateral ties discussed

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to Mauritius was filled with significant events and announcements.
• Upon arrival, the Indian diaspora community welcomed him with a traditional Bihari cultural performance, Geet Gawai. Modi began his visit by planting a sapling at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden alongside Mauritian PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
• He also paid homage to the founding father of Mauritius, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, and former President and PM, Anerood Jugnauth.
• During his address to the Indian diaspora, Modi emphasized the strong bond between India and Mauritius, calling the island nation “family” and a “bridge between India and the Global South”
• He also announced the issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and his spouse Veena Ramgoolam.
• Modi was conferred with Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, making him the first Indian to receive this award
• He also gifted Gangajal from Maha Kumbh to Mauritian President Dharam Gokhool, along with other gifts.
• The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and maritime security cooperation between India and Mauritius.
• Modi will also inaugurate over 20 India-funded projects in Mauritius, including the Civil Services College building and the Area Health Centre. (more)
• PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius aims to strengthen bilateral ties and counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region.
• Mauritius is strategic for India’s SAGAR vision, and the partnership will enhance India’s presence in the region.
• India has been providing defense assistance to Mauritius, including ships and training, to bolster its maritime security. (more)

Highways still blocked in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi as Home Ministry team begins talks with Kuki Zo groups

• A team from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has initiated talks with Kuki-Zo groups in Manipur, amidst the ongoing economic blockade in the state.
• The blockade, which has been in place for over 100 days, has severely impacted the supply of essential goods and services in the region.
• The MHA team, led by Joint Secretary (North-East) is engaging with various stakeholders, including the Kuki-Zo groups, to find a resolution to the crisis.
• However, highways in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts remain blocked, highlighting the challenges in restoring normalcy in the region. (more)
• Although 2 Kuki groups, the United Peoples’ Front and Kuki National Organisation, lifted their two-month blockade on NH-2 on Mar 7, 2025, the COTU has not officially withdrawn its agitation
• The situation remains volatile, with protesters staging aggressive roadblocks and disrupting movement in Kuki-Zo-dominated districts
• Oppn-BJP squabble on missing PM & President’s Rule overshadows Manipur budget discussion in Lok Sabha: The issue of PM Modi not visiting Manipur since the ethnic violence erupted in May 2023 sparked a political row in the Lok Sabha.
• Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi questioned Modi’s absence, leading to a war of words with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Opposition MPs criticized the Centre’s handling of the situation, with many questioning the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.
• The Manipur budget for 2025-26 was also discussed, with an outlay of Rs 35,103.90 crore proposed. (more)

Western mercenaries who fought in Ukraine war are entering Myanmar via Mizoram to train rebels, claims CM Lalduhoma

• Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has revealed that foreigners are entering Myanmar through the state’s border to train rebel groups.
• This disclosure highlights the vulnerability of the India-Myanmar border and raises concerns about the potential threat to national security. Key Points:
• Foreigners’ Involvement: CM Lalduhoma stated that foreigners are crossing into Myanmar through Mizoram to provide training to rebel groups.
• Border Vulnerability: The India-Myanmar border is porous, making it easy for foreigners to enter and exit undetected.
• National Security Concerns: The presence of foreign-trained rebels in the region poses a significant threat to national security.
• State Government’s Concerns: The Mizoram government has expressed concerns about the situation and is working to strengthen border security. (more)

US-India Trade Tensions Escalate: Tariffs and Retaliation

• The White House Press Secy Karoline Leavitt has highlighted the tariffs imposed by various nations on the US, specifically mentioning India’s 150% tariff on American alcohol and 100% tariff on agricultural products.
• President Trump has emphasized the need for reciprocity and fair trade practices, criticizing Canada’s “egregious” tariffs on American cheese and butter, as well as Japan’s 700% tariff on rice. (more)
• In response to Trump’s claims of tariff cuts, India has stated that there are no commitments from the US regarding such cuts.
• This comes after Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on India and other BRICS nations if they pursued de-dollarization.
• India has maintained that it opposes de-dollarization, citing the practicality of the US dollar in global trade.
• The ongoing trade tensions between the US and India are a significant concern for both economies.
• Trump has a history of imposing tariffs on various countries, including India, which has led to retaliatory tariffs.
• India’s response to Trump’s claims suggests that the country is taking a cautious approach to trade negotiations with the US. (more)

Vance to visit India for second foreign trip as VP

• Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India later this month, accompanied by Second Lady Usha Vance.
• This trip marks Vance’s second foreign visit as vice president, following his recent debut in France and Germany.
• Notably, Usha Vance’s parents emigrated from India to the US, making this her first visit to her ancestral country as second lady. (more)
• The trip comes at a time when trade tensions between the US and India are high, with President Trump calling India a “high-tariff nation” and vowing to impose reciprocal tariffs.

‘Bound to face crushing blow’: Shah after MHA ban on JKIM, Awami Action committee

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has warned that anyone involved in activities threatening India’s peace, order, and sovereignty will face severe consequences.
• This comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs banned J&K Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) and Awami Action Committee (AAC) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, citing their involvement in supporting terrorist activities, spreading anti-India propaganda, and fueling separatism in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The MHA has imposed a five-year ban on both organizations, accusing them of posing a threat to India’s unity, integrity, and security. (more)

[neighborhood]

Pakistan Train Hijack: Baloch Liberation Army Seizes Train in Pakistan, Holds 214 Hostages

• In a daring attack, militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) seized a train in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, initially taking nearly 450 passengers hostage.
• The group later released civilian hostages but continued to hold 214 people, including military personnel, captive.
• The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 30 military personnel.
• The group, a separatist militant organization, has been waging a long-standing insurgency against Pakistan, seeking independence for the Baloch people.
• Key Demands and Grievances: The BLA’s primary demand is for the creation of a separate Baloch state, carved out of Pakistan.
• The group accuses the Pakistani govt of exploiting the region’s rich natural resources, including gas, copper, and gold, while the Baloch minority suffers in poverty.
• The BLA also alleges that the Pakistan govt has committed human rights abuses against the Baloch, including enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings.
• Regional Significance: Balochistan is a strategic region, bordering Afghanistan and Iran, and home to the deep-water port of Gwadar, a key component of China’s BRI.
• The region’s natural resources and geographic location make it a crucial hub for trade and economic activity.
• The BLA’s insurgency has significant implications for regional stability and the implementation of the BRI.
• The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation. (more)
• Baloch Separatist Movement: The recent train hijack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has brought attention to the Baloch separatist movement. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
• Who are the Baloch? The Baloch are an ethnic group native to the Balochistan region, which spans Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
• What is the Baloch separatist movement? The Baloch separatist movement seeks independence for the Baloch people from Pakistan.
• The movement has been active since the 1950s, with various groups demanding greater autonomy or independence.
• What are the BLA’s demands? The BLA demands independence for the Baloch people and an end to what they see as Pakistani exploitation of the region’s natural resources.
• How has Pakistan responded? Pakistan has launched military operations against the BLA and other separatist groups.
• The government has also accused India of supporting the BLA, a claim denied by India.
• What are the regional implications?
• The Baloch separatist movement has implications for regional stability, particularly given the region’s strategic importance and natural resources.
• China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) also passes through Balochistan, making the region crucial for regional trade and economic activity.
• Headlines:
• Over 150 Hostages Rescued From Hijacked Train In Pakistan, 27 Rebels Killed -NDTV
• Pakistan train hijack: Jaffar Express a hot target for BLA & TTP for years now -TOI
• Pakistan train hijack: BLA says 10 more Jaffar Express passengers will be eliminated; UN condemns attack-BT
• Pakistan train hijack LIVE updates: 16 terrorists killed, 104 passengers rescued-TH
• Bolan train hijack: 27 terrorists killed as forces vow to continue operation until last militant defeated-Geo News
• Troops in action after terrorists hijack train, take hostages- Tribune
• Race to rescue Jaffar Express hostages – Dawn

Victorious forces of uprising running state affairs: Mahfuj Alam

• Information and broadcast adviser Md Mahfuj Alam emphasized that Bangladesh’s interim government is not “apolitical,” but rather a political govt born from a mass uprising that defeated the Awami League.
• He stressed that this government serves all people, regardless of their beliefs, ideologies, and religions, and is committed to portraying the country accurately on the global stage
• Mahfuj Alam also highlighted the ongoing “information war” faced by the government, both from within and outside the country, including India.
• He urged the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency to prioritize the country’s image in the global arena and to maintain its standards as a government entity.
• The BSS is Bangladesh’s national news agency, established in 1972, and plays a crucial role in providing information to local media and serving as a benchmark for news dissemination. (more)

Court orders to freeze 124 bank accounts of Hasina, Rehana, others

• A court in Dhaka has ordered the freezing of 124 bank accounts belonging to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, and associates.
• The court also ordered the attachment of several immovable properties, including a Gulshan flat owned by Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Sudha Sadan, a Dhanmandi house owned by Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul, Sheikh Rehana’s six katha plot in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, and six flats with parking spaces owned by Radwan Mujib Siddiq in Gulshan and Mohakhali.
• The Anti-Corruption Commission had filed a petition, stating that the ousted prime minister and her family members were attempting to transfer or hand over these properties, hindering the investigation. (more)

Pakistan’s Foreign Office responds after envoy denied entry to US

• Pakistan’s Foreign Office has confirmed that Ambassador K K Wagan, the country’s ambassador to Turkmenistan, was denied entry into the US and deported upon arrival in Los Angeles.
• Wagan, who held a valid US visa, was traveling for personal reasons when immigration officials stopped him due to an “immigration objection”.
• The US immigration system reportedly flagged his entry over “controversial visa references,” although specific details remain unclear.
• Some sources suggest that the denial of entry might be linked to cases filed during Wagan’s previous stint in the US.
• Wagan has served in various key positions, including as deputy consul general in Los Angeles and ambassador to Oman.
• Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has launched an inquiry into the incident, and it’s expected that Wagan may be called back to Islamabad for an explanation. (more)

Put US tariffs on all chips made in China: House committee chair

• The US is set to impose significant tariffs on Chinese goods, including semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, and solar cells.
• The tariffs, which will affect around $18 billion worth of annual imports, aim to counter China’s unfair trade practices concerning technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation. Key Tariff Increases:
• Semiconductors: Tariffs will double from 25% to 50% in 2025, targeting China’s growing presence in the legacy semiconductor market ¹ ².
• Electric Vehicles: Duties on EVs imported from China will quadruple to 100% this year, while lithium-ion EV batteries will see tariffs increase from 7.5% to 25%.
• Solar Cells: Tariffs will rise to 50% starting later this year for solar cells imported from China.
• Other Goods: Tariffs will also be raised on certain steel and aluminum products, medical equipment, and specialized cranes.
• These tariff increases are part of the Biden administration’s efforts to promote domestic manufacturing and counter China’s growing influence in strategic industries. (more)