India This Week~October 17, 2025
India This Week~October 17, 2025
India This Week – October 17, 2025
Meta Title: India This Week – October 17, 2025: Postal Resumption to the US, Middle East Peace Efforts, UK-India Ties, Mongolia MoU, DRDO Solar MoU, and Tragic Bus Incident in Jaisalmer
Executive Summary
India has resumed several categories of international postal services to the United States starting mid-October, after implementing a Delivery Duty Paid framework to align with updated U.S. customs regulations. The change follows the removal of a de minimis exemption and the requirement for upfront duty collection on all incoming items. After extensive system upgrades, coordination with CBP-approved partners, and successful trials in major Indian states, the postal department established a compliant DDP mechanism that collects duties at the time of booking and remits them to U.S. authorities. This reform provides a cost advantage to exporters and underscores India Post’s role in strengthening global trade logistics, with broad bookings available from all post offices and affiliated centers. (Page 1)
In a related development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the release of hostages held by Hamas for more than two years, praising the courage of families and highlighting the progress of peace efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. India reiterated its support for Trump’s approach to achieving a durable and just peace in the Middle East. The briefing coincided with detailed reporting on the release of 20 living hostages and the return of several others, as Israeli forces and humanitarian teams coordinated the handover and medical assessments. (Page 1)
Also featured is Modi’s engagement with Sergio Gor, the Ambassador-designate of the United States to India. Modi expressed confidence that Gor’s tenure would further deepen the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, while the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi welcomed Gor and confirmed ongoing high-level engagement. The discussion during Gor’s introduction covered expanded cooperation across strategic, economic, and technological domains. (Page 1, continuation noted as Page 6 in the source issue)
Turning to bilateral ties beyond India and the U.S., United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India yielded a structured set of outcomes spanning technology, trade, education, and climate collaboration. The agenda includes launching an India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre, establishing an India-UK AI collaboration hub, advancing mineral supply chain initiatives, forming a wind-energy taskforce, and fostering joint biomedical research programs. Education was highlighted through approval for multiple UK universities to establish campuses in India, and the UK-India Free Trade Agreement was framed as a major milestone for ongoing economic cooperation. This event is described as a reset in the India-UK relationship, signaling a broader, deeper strategic partnership. (Page 2)
A separate reporting stream covers Canada’s bid to intensify its partnership with India, emphasizing public safety and trade across sectors like artificial intelligence, energy, agriculture, climate action, and people-to-people ties. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit highlighted the rollout of a joint roadmap to revitalise ties, including recommencement of ministerial dialogues and the India-Canada CEO Forum. The roadmap aims to accelerate sustainable collaboration through clean energy, infrastructure, digital innovation, and decarbonization, with a longer-term emphasis on reinforcing democratic values and multilateral cooperation. (Page 2)
India’s burgeoning AI and digital infrastructure ecosystem received a prominent booster with Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian announcing a USD 15 billion investment over five years. The Vishakhapatnam AI hub is planned to become Google’s largest AI center outside the United States, integrating a subsea cable landing station and serving as a global connectivity hub. Data sovereignty and local data storage will align with sovereign AI requirements, and the hub will support models like Gemini, Imagine, and Veo. The project will scale to gigawatt-scale capacity and leverage India’s talent pool, reinforcing Andhra Pradesh as a pivotal node in the national digital economy. (Page 3)
During supports for enhanced foreign partnerships, Canada’s delegation underscored that domestic security remains a priority, while economic cooperation in AI, energy, agriculture, climate sustainability, and people-to-people exchanges should flourish. The visit included scheduling high-level discussions with Prime Minister Modi and senior ministers, with a focus on implementing the New Roadmap for India-Canada Relations, relaunching the Canada-India CEO Forum, and expanding collaboration on clean technologies, infrastructure, and digital innovation. (Page 2)
In a humanitarian and regional security context, India dispatched Prussian Blue capsules to Indonesia to help mitigate potential Cesium-137 contamination detected in certain Indonesian food products. The MEA framed this as part of India’s regional response and emergency support efforts, aligning with broader food safety and radiological risk management measures. The incident prompted regulatory actions by the U.S. FDA on specific Indonesian imports, underscoring the global sensitivities around radiological contaminants and the importance of rapid, coordinated responses. (Page 4)
A tragic incident from Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer region claimed the lives of at least 20 people when a private bus caught fire. Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced financial relief for the victims’ families, with a PMNRF ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin and additional support for the injured. Officials described the rescue and medical treatment efforts, and authorities called for the continuation of relief measures, including DNA-based victim identification and ongoing investigations. (Page 5)
In a reflective moment, the issue features a poem titled Blessed are the Peacemakers by Rajan George, which extols the enduring value of peace and the sacrifices required to sustain harmony in society. The verse underscores the responsibility of noble individuals to champion reconciliation and to pursue the common good beyond self-interest. (Page 5)
India’s diplomatic engagements with Mongolia were also highlighted, with Prime Minister Modi announcing free e-visas for Mongolian citizens and a significant MoU linking India’s Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council with Mongolia’s Arkhangai Province. The accord is designed to strengthen people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges, and a joint program for annual youth cultural ambassadors. Modi further announced India’s financial and technical support for a major refinery project in Mongolia and signaled opportunities for cross-border tourism and business, marking 70 years of political ties and a decade of formal strategic partnership. (Page 6)
Another substantive development is DRDO’s MoU with the Solar Energy Corporation of India to develop 300 MW of solar capacity across DRDO facilities. The initiative aims to establish self-reliant, Net-Zero campuses by 2027 and includes the adoption of India’s software-defined radio standard IRSA 1.0 to ensure interoperability and portability of waveforms within military communications. The collaboration reflects a commitment to indigenous technological advancement and enhanced defense communication capabilities. (Page 6)
Overall, the issue weaves together a tapestry of India’s strategic diplomacy, technology-driven growth, humanitarian outreach, and domestic resilience. It emphasizes how postal reform supports global trade, how leadership dialogues shape geostrategic alignments, and how infrastructure and education investments are central to India’s broader modernization goals. The content also underscores India’s engagement in regional stability and disaster response, highlighting both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with heightened influence on the world stage. (Page 1–6)
