India is experiencing huge changes across various fields, varying from government crackdowns on e-commerce websites to diplomatic relations and cultural controversies.
Crackdown on E-Commerce Platforms
Indian regulators have turned up the heat on top e-commerce players, Amazon and Flipkart. BIS recently raided Delhi warehouses and seized sub-standard products that failed quality inspections. That was similar to the action taken in Tamil Nadu, where products that were found to be sub-standard were seized. The two have pledged to assist regulators. India's online retail market is valued at $60 billion, likely to exceed $160 billion by 2028.
Diplomatic Engagements with China
India's Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said that tensions between India and China are to be anticipated but can be addressed without war. This comes after the violent confrontations in 2020 that had strained bilateral ties. In October, both countries agreed on patrolling arrangements along their contested Himalayan border, marking modest improvements. Top leaders from both sides have been optimistic following recent talks at the BRICS summit.
Cultural Controversy: Film 'Santosh' Blocked in India
The Indian release of the award-winning film Santosh has been stopped by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film, directed by British-Indian director Sandhya Suri, is about a widow-turned-policewoman who investigates the murder of a Dalit girl. Despite acclaim at Cannes and an Oscar nomination, Indian authorities deemed its portrayal of police brutality and discrimination too incendiary. The film is released in UK cinemas, and Suri is hopeful for an Indian release.
India's Space Exploration Ambitions
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has declared a string of ambitious space missions in the offing, solidifying India's emphasis on space exploration. ISRO has executed 130 spacecraft missions, 100 launch missions, and placed 433 foreign satellites in orbit thus far, with more developments on the horizon in the near future.
US Cancels 2,000 Fake Visa Appointments in India
The US Embassy in India has recently canceled 2,000 visa appointments that were fraudulently booked by bots. This is a move to make the visa application process fair. Previously, officials also discovered agents submitting forged documents for visa approval.
These incidents demonstrate the constantly changing nature of India's economic, diplomatic, cultural, and technological landscape.