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4 DAYS AGO

Taliban in Delhi | New US Ambassador to India | Mahindra’s Big Split | A Ceasefire on Paper

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. 1. Trump’s Gaza Gamble: A Ceasefire on Paper After over a year of war, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire — brokered by Donald Trump. Hostages will be freed, troops pulled back, and prisoners exchanged. Netanyahu called it “a great day for Israel,” while Hamas urged guarantees of compliance. Talks in Egypt, with Qatar and Turkey mediating, sealed the deal. Trump may visit Israel soon, marking his first trip since moving the US embassy to Jerusalem. For now, the guns are quiet — but whether this peace holds is anyone’s guess. 2. Taliban in Delhi: India’s Risky Diplomatic Bet In a first since 2021, Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is visiting India. Meetings with S Jaishankar and Ajit Doval are on the cards, along with a symbolic stop at Darul Uloom Deoband and the Taj Mahal. India hasn’t recognized the Taliban regime but is opening channels anyway — focused on security, counter-terror, and trade. The visit needed a UN waiver, which New Delhi quietly secured. 3. America’s New Face in Delhi The US finally has a new ambassador to India — Sergio Gor, confirmed alongside Paul Kapur for the South Asia desk. Both are Trump allies. But the relationship they inherit is tricky: tariffs, Russian energy tensions, and trade friction remain sore points. Still, for New Delhi, having a point of contact again brings relief — and clarity. 4. Mumbai’s Sky Leap: The New Digital Airport PM Modi just opened Phase 1 of the ₹19,650-crore Navi Mumbai International Airport — India’s first fully digital airport. AI-driven terminals, online baggage drop, and even a water taxi link make it a tech marvel. Set to handle 90 million passengers, it’s Mumbai’s fix for chronic air congestion. 5. Mahindra’s Big Split: SUVs vs Tractors Mahindra & Mahindra may demerge its SUV, truck, and tractor divisions — and the numbers make the case. Profits have jumped sevenfold since FY21, with SUVs now driving 57% of revenue. From tractors to trailblazing SUVs, M&M’s evolution could unlock major investor value. #TrumpCeasefire #GazaPeaceDeal #TalibanIndiaVisit #USIndiaRelations #NaviMumbaiAirport #MahindraSplit #IndiaNews #GlobalPolitics #TopOfTheMorning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 days ago

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8 min
3 DAYS AGO

Putin's Apology | UK–India Missile Deal | Delhi Dials Jerusalem | UK Universities in India

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. India Fortifies Its Partnerships India and Australia signed three major defense agreements in Canberra on Thursday, covering intelligence sharing, submarine rescue cooperation, and joint military staff talks. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met Australian Deputy PM Richard Marles as part of the inaugural Defense Ministers' Dialogue, marking five years of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Singh was blunt about Pakistan: "Terror and talks cannot go together." But the real focus is the Indo-Pacific, where both nations, alongside the US and Japan through the Quad, are countering China's expanding military footprint. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai with a £350 million ($468 million) missile deal for India. The lightweight multirole systems, made in Belfast, will boost Indian Army air defenses. Britain also signed a £250 million deal for electric propulsion systems for Indian warships. Starmer announced Lancaster and Surrey universities received approval to open Indian campuses. With nine UK universities now operating in India, Britain has the biggest higher education footprint in the country. India needs 70 million university places by 2035 – it currently has 40 million students. Modi's Middle East Diplomacy Prime Minister Modi called Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on the Gaza ceasefire deal. Netanyahu paused his security cabinet meeting to take the call. Modi welcomed the hostage release and humanitarian assistance, reaffirming that "terrorism in any form is unacceptable." Putin's Apology Ten months after Russian air defense mistakenly downed an Azerbaijani passenger plane killing 38 people, Vladimir Putin pledged compensation. Meeting Ilham Aliyev in Tajikistan, Putin explicitly acknowledged Russia's role for the first time, saying missiles detonated near the December 2024 flight after Ukrainian drones entered Russian airspace. SEO Hashtags: #GlobalNews #IndiaAustralia #UKIndia #DefenseDeals #ModiNetanyahu #GazaPeace #PutinApology #AzerbaijanPlaneCrash #QuadSecurity #IndoPacific #BritishUniversities #MissileDefense #InternationalRelations #GeopoliticalNews #WorldAffairs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 days ago

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9 min
6 OCT

India Crushes Pak | S-400 Defense Deal | India–Qatar Trade Talks | Jaishankar Draws the Line

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. The week began with tragedy in the hills. Relentless rain turned Darjeeling and Kalimpong into death zones — 18 dead, thousands stranded, homes buried in landslides between 2 and 3 a.m. Roads caved in, bridges collapsed, and tourists trapped as five NDRF teams dug through debris. With NH-10 cut off and two steel bridges washed away, rescue ops stretched thin. Politics followed quickly — BJP hit out at Mamata Banerjee for staying at Kolkata’s Puja carnival; TMC shot back saying she was monitoring round the clock. Meanwhile, Modi and Shah expressed condolences as the toll rose across Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal. Then came fire on the field — India crushed Pakistan by 88 runs at the Women’s World Cup in Colombo. No handshakes. No smiles. Just fierce stares and a coin toss controversy that added fuel to the rivalry. Home Minister Amit Shah called it a “perfect strike,” while fans called it payback season. On the global front, India drew new red lines with Washington. S Jaishankar said Delhi won’t open agriculture or dairy to US markets, calling current tariffs “unfair.” The message: India will trade, but on its own terms. And in defense, Delhi’s doubling down on Russia — set to buy five more S-400 systems, with local manufacturing built in. It’s proof India’s sticking with what’s battle-tested. Finally, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal heads to Doha to push a new trade pact with Qatar — a move that could reset Gulf ties and give India a stronger foothold beyond oil. #DarjeelingFloods #IndiaPakistanRivalry #WomensWorldCup #S400 #IndiaUSRelations #PiyushGoyal #IndiaQatar #Jaishankar #MamataBanerjee #BreakingIndia #GlobalTrade #IndiaNews #TopOfTheMorning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Oct

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8 min
27/03/2023

Rajeev Thakkar on First Principles Investing

If there is one fund manager who has grabbed the attention of investors over the last 10 years, it’s Rajeev Thakkar of PPFAS Mutual Fund. Rajeev walks his own path...which often turns out to be contrarian. His decision to invest in international stocks way back when, was only one such move. Then there were numerous other moves related to stock-specific and sector bets. The key is that over time, the outcome of his investment approach, which he calls first-principles investing, has worked out super well. Talking to him was a delight. I hope you make the time and listen to the entire episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27/03/2023

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1h 37m
5 DAYS AGO

Bihar’s Battle: Modi vs Rahul | Trump-Carney Trade Talks | BP's $4B India Bet | India Greenlights ₹24.6K Crore Rail Upgrade

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. 1. Starmer’s India Pitch: Eastward Bound British PM Keir Starmer touched down in Mumbai with a 125-company strong business entourage, marking his first India visit. After clinching a landmark trade deal in July, he’s here to turn paperwork into partnership. “It’s a launchpad for growth,” he said, ahead of talks with PM Modi. With Trump’s tariffs reshaping global trade, Britain’s clearly betting on India — the world’s fastest-growing major economy — to anchor its post-Brexit growth story. 2. Bihar’s Battle Royale: Modi vs Rahul All eyes on Bihar — India’s political pressure cooker. Modi’s seventh visit this year signals a “development blitz,” launching projects worth thousands of crores. Rahul Gandhi’s counter? Social justice, unemployment, and inflation. It’s a classic clash — Modi’s record versus Rahul’s promise. And Bihar’s voters are right in the middle of it. 3. Canada vs Trump: Trade Chess in Washington Canadian PM Mark Carney’s first White House meet with Trump had both tension and intent. Trump wants tougher auto trade terms, while Carney’s dangling $1 trillion in potential investment. Tariffs are up, tempers are high — but both sides know a new deal could redefine North America’s economic playbook. 4. BP Bets Big on India’s Energy Future BP’s pouring $4 billion into India’s oil and gas sector, teaming up with Reliance and ONGC to boost local production. With India importing 85% of its energy, the move aims at fuel independence. “We need to do as much as we can,” says BP India chief Kartikeya Dube. 5. India’s ₹24,634-Crore Rail Push Four mega railway projects just got the green light — adding 894 km of track across four states by 2031. Expect smoother freight flow, cleaner energy use, and better rural connectivity for 8.5 million people. A logistical and environmental win rolled into one. #KeirStarmer #IndiaUKTrade #ModiVsRahul #CanadaUSDeal #BPIndia #IndianRailways #GlobalTrade #EnergySecurity #BiharElections #MintTopOfTheMorning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 days ago

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9 min
6 DAYS AGO

Lula Woos Trump | Jaishankar “Weaponization of Everything” | France: Three PMs, Zero Solutions | Shoe Hurled at India’s Chief Justice

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Trump, Tariffs & Turnarounds Here’s the twist: Trump and Brazil’s Lula just had a surprisingly warm 30-minute call — and Bolsonaro, the man who caused their diplomatic fallout, wasn’t even mentioned. Earlier this year, Trump hit Brazil with 50% tariffs after its courts refused to drop coup charges against Bolsonaro. But this week, Lula flipped the script — pitching trade relief and reminding Trump that Brazil actually runs a deficit with the US. The call ended with promises of a face-to-face meet. Lula called it “cordial.” Translation? Trump’s letting go of ideology for a deal, and Lula’s charm offensive just paid off. #TrumpLulaCall #BrazilTrade #Bolsonaro #Geopolitics #USBrazilRelations Courtroom Chaos in Delhi A 71-year-old lawyer hurled his shoe at Chief Justice BR Gavai during a live hearing — shouting, “India won’t tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma.” His outburst followed Gavai’s viral remark telling a petitioner to “ask the deity himself” after rejecting a temple plea. Gavai stayed calm; the lawyer’s been suspended. But the message is clear — India’s courtrooms are now ground zero for religious rage. #SupremeCourt #SanatanDharma #Judiciary #IndiaNews #BRGavai Trump’s “Tariff for Peace” Claim Trump now says he single-handedly stopped war between India and Pakistan — using tariffs. After India’s Operation Sindoor in May, he claims he told both sides: no ceasefire, no trade. India calls it nonsense. But Trump’s turning his economic policy into a peace narrative — one few outside MAGA circles buy. #Trump #IndiaPakistan #TariffWar #ForeignPolicy #PeaceClaim Jaishankar’s Warning Shot India’s foreign minister just called out the “weaponization of everything.” S Jaishankar said New Delhi won’t bow to tariff pressure — especially on farm and dairy imports — and must be the crisis anchor in South Asia. His message: India plays by its own rules, even in a volatile world order. #Jaishankar #IndiaForeignPolicy #Trade #Tariffs #SouthAsia France’s Political Freefall France just lost its third prime minister in under a year. Sébastien Lecornu quit after just 26 days — his cabinet picks enraged parliament, and Macron’s government is paralyzed. Debt’s ballooning, politics are fractured, and Marine Le Pen’s shadow looms large. France’s Fifth Republic is wobbling. #FranceCrisis #Macron #Lecornu #LePen #EuropePolitics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 days ago

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8 min
3 OCT

India–China Skies Reopen | Toxic Syrup Scare | France Erupts Again

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Putin’s Nuclear Warning At the Valdai forum, Putin warned Russia will resume nuclear tests if “any other nuclear power” does first. He mocked NATO as the real “paper tiger,” threatened escalation if the US sends Tomahawks to Ukraine, and tied confidence to Russia’s new Oreshnik missile complex. With New START treaty set to expire in February, Putin says extension is possible — but only if Washington wants it. Tensions rose further after France detained a Russian-linked tanker, which Putin blasted as “piracy.” The standoff with the West is now being likened to the Cuban Missile Crisis. India–China Flights Return After five years, direct flights resume this month. IndiGo will start Kolkata–Guangzhou on Oct 26, with Delhi routes to follow. China Eastern likely next. The move signals thawing ties after Ladakh clashes froze relations and grounded flights. For Beijing, restoring air links was top priority to boost trade with India. France’s Streets Erupt Again 195,000 protesters marched in 200+ cities, shutting the Eiffel Tower and disrupting trains, schools, and hospitals. Unions demand more public spending and reversal of pension reforms. New PM Lecornu faces pressure even before unveiling the budget. Protests echo last month’s massive half-million march — France’s unrest shows no sign of cooling. Customs Clash in Chennai Wintrack Inc quit India, alleging bribery at Chennai Customs. The department hit back with evidence of undeclared goods, misclassified items, and missing permits, calling the allegations a deflection. A central probe is underway, with the Finance Ministry to decide who’s guilty. Toxic Syrup Scare in Pune After six child deaths from contaminated cough syrup in MP and cases in Rajasthan, Pune’s FDA launched emergency inspections across 10,000+ retailers and 8,000 distributors. No central order triggered it — local regulators acted fast, warning chemists not to stock unverified products. #Putin #Russia #Nuclear #IndiaChina #Aviation #FranceProtests #Macron #ChennaiCustoms #Trade #CoughSyrup #HealthIndia #GlobalNews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Oct

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7 min
30 SEPT

Zoho’s Arattai vs WhatsApp | Gandhi Statue Defaced | India Rails Into Bhutan | RBI’s Rate Dilemma

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Trump’s Gaza Peace Gambit Trump dropped a 20-point peace plan at the White House with Netanyahu by his side. Israel accepted instantly, Hamas is silent. The plan: all Oct 7 hostages freed in 72 hrs, Israel releases 2,000+ prisoners, grim body-for-body swaps, Israeli withdrawal only after Hamas fully disarms. Gaza gets a temporary technocratic govt — no Hamas. Trump wants a global “Board of Peace” led by figures like Tony Blair. Bold but controversial: Israel keeps a security buffer inside Gaza. For Hamas, it’s not a truce, it’s political extinction. India–Bhutan Rail Links ₹4,033 crore for two new lines linking Bhutan’s Gelephu & Samtse with India’s vast network. 90 km track, 125 bridges, completion in four years. Bhutan finally gets rail access to ports, Nepal, Bangladesh. Gelephu is key — it’s becoming an autonomous economic hub. India backs it fully, countering China’s growing Himalayan footprint. Gandhi Statue Vandalized in London Days before his 155th birth anniversary, vandals defaced Gandhi’s memorial in Tavistock Square, a peace garden. India’s High Commission condemned the act as an attack on Gandhi’s legacy. The timing shows this wasn’t random — it was deliberate, and deeply symbolic. Arattai: India’s WhatsApp Challenger Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal joined Zoho’s homegrown messaging app Arattai, calling it “Swadeshi.” With encryption and data staying in India, it signals a push for digital self-reliance. The question: can it dent WhatsApp’s billion-user lead? Will RBI Follow Fed’s Cut? The US Fed cut rates by 25 bps. India’s RBI meets Oct 1. Experts are split: domestic inflation keeps RBI cautious, but Fed cuts may open a small window. For investors: if RBI cuts, banks, autos, and real estate could rally. #Trump #Gaza #MiddleEastPeace #IndiaBhutan #Geopolitics #Gandhi #London #Arattai #DigitalIndia #RBI #FederalReserve #Markets #GlobalFinance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Sept

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9 min
25 SEPT

Trump’s “Triple Sabotage” at UN | Big Boost for Medical Seats | India-Australia Organic Pact

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Ladakh Erupts in Violence What began as a hunger strike turned into Ladakh’s deadliest unrest in years. Four dead, 60+ injured, and Leh under lockdown after protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections clashed with security forces, torching buildings and vehicles. Activist Sonam Wangchuk is accused by the Home Ministry of provoking “Arab Spring-style” protests, though he denies it. Talks with Delhi are set for October 6. Private Sector Enters Stealth Race L&T and BEL are teaming up to bid for India’s stealth fighter project, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. With ₹15,000 crore sanctioned for prototypes, the IAF plans to induct 120 jets by 2035. This marks a major shift from HAL’s monopoly as private defense firms compete in India’s biggest aerospace contract. India-Australia Organic Pact A new deal recognizes each other’s organic certifications, unlocking smoother trade. India exports just $9M worth of organics to Australia today, but the pact could boost prices for farmers and open markets in cereals, spices, tea, and wine. Australia leads with 53M hectares of organic farmland; India has the most organic producers worldwide. Trump’s “Triple Sabotage” at UN Donald Trump cried foul after his UN speech was marred by an escalator stop, a dead teleprompter, and sound glitches. He called it “sabotage,” but UN officials said the mishaps were linked to his own team and budget cuts triggered by delayed US payments. Big Boost for Medical Seats The cabinet cleared ₹15,034 crore to add 5,023 MBBS and 5,000 PG seats. India has doubled capacity since 2014, yet 20 lakh aspirants still chase limited spots. The rapid expansion faces hurdles: faculty shortages and unaffordable private fees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Sept

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8 min
17/04/2023

Mohnish Pabrai on Investing in Stocks that Make “No Sense”

Popularly recognised as a disciple of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, Mohnish Pabrai has a knack for picking multibagger stocks...across the world. Based out of the US, Mohnish has had great success in buying stocks following his simple approach – buy stocks that are selling so cheap that it almost makes no sense at all. And then, hold on to them for a long period of time. In this fascinating conversation, Mohnish also talks about selling stocks...and a whole bunch of other stuff, including giving away wealth. Towards the end we talk about inheritance. Mohnish shares a fantastic personal experience. Must listen... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17/04/2023

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1h 46m

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