From geopolitical tensions impacting India’s trade with Russia to domestic digital policy changes, India’s space ambitions, and new tax enforcement measures, recent developments underscore a dynamic landscape for the nation.
India Stands Firm on Russia Trade Amid Sanctions Warnings
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently warned countries like India, China, and Brazil about potential secondary sanctions if they continued significant trade with Russia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded assertively, highlighting that securing the energy needs of its people is an “overriding priority” and cautioning against “double standards.”
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri reiterated India’s stance, stating there was “no pressure” felt. He emphasized that India possesses diverse oil sources and ample market supply, ensuring no disruption to its oil imports.
Russia has become a crucial oil supplier for India, now accounting for approximately 40% of its total oil imports. Bilateral trade between India and Russia reached a record high of USD 68.7 billion in FY 2024-25, significantly more than pre-pandemic levels.
India maintains its policy of purchasing oil from whichever source offers the best price, provided the oil itself is not under sanctions. This approach helps India navigate international concerns, including the US-imposed price cap on Russian crude.
Sahyog Portal and Digital Intermediary Regulations
The Indian government is defending its decision to lower “safe harbour” protections for online platforms, as outlined under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act. This provision allows the government to demand content removal via the Home Ministry’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)-led Sahyog Portal.
Social media giant X (formerly Twitter) has legally challenged this, labeling Sahyog a “censorship portal.” X argues that the government’s use of Section 79 bypasses the specific safeguards available for content moderation under Section 69A of the IT Act.
The Centre counters that algorithmic curation systems on social media are fundamentally different from traditional media’s editorial processes. It points to the anonymity often present on online platforms, which it suggests can encourage more extreme speech by shielding users from accountability.
As of March 2025, 38 IT intermediaries, including major players like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Telegram, Apple, LinkedIn, and YouTube, have integrated with the Sahyog Portal. Meta Inc, owning Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has also enabled API-based integration.
Axiom-4 Mission Ushers in New Era for Indian Space Exploration
The successful return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission marks a significant moment for India’s human spaceflight ambitions. Shukla served as the pilot among the four-member crew, spending over two weeks aboard the ISS conducting scientific missions.
This mission, operated by the private US company Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, underscores the growing reliability and capability of the private sector in space transportation. It highlights the increasing accessibility of low-Earth orbit for diverse purposes, including cutting-edge research and commercial ventures.
For India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space on an indigenous vehicle, the insights from Axiom-4 are highly relevant. While ISRO’s approach is national, the global human spaceflight landscape is becoming increasingly collaborative and commercially driven.
NASA and ISRO are deepening their long-standing relationship through five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science and technology demonstrations, reflecting a shared vision for advancing scientific knowledge and expanding space collaboration.
GST Authorities Scrutinize Cash and UPI Transactions
Central and state Goods and Services Tax (GST) authorities are intensifying their scrutiny on unregistered small businesses and service providers. This comes amidst multiple instances of high UPI and cash-based transactions by entities operating outside the formal tax framework.
Authorities are reportedly reaching out to payment aggregators to obtain data on recipients of payments exceeding the annual GST registration threshold, such as Rs 20 lakh for service providers. This data will be analyzed to identify businesses that are either unregistered or reporting unrealistically low GST payments.
The move aims to integrate more informal economic activities into the GST system and expand the tax base. GST field officers have been directed to identify cash-prone sectors and specific informal markets for targeted outreach programs, encouraging local businesses to register.
US Crackdown on Transshipment Poses Hurdles for India
The United States is increasing its focus on “transshipped goods,” which it views as a backdoor route for Chinese products to bypass tariffs by being routed through other countries. This stance is likely to create hurdles for India in ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with the US.
Transshipment in trade refers to the practice of importing products from one country and then exporting them to another, typically without significant processing or value addition. US officials may invoke stringent “rules of origin” provisions in trade agreements to prevent Chinese goods from entering the US via India.
Official trade data shows a simultaneous rise in India’s imports from China and its exports to the US. This pattern, coupled with India’s significant reliance on Chinese products across various industries, could present a challenge in future trade negotiations with the US.
- India asserts its right to secure energy needs, pushing back against external pressure on its trade with Russia.
- The Sahyog Portal’s impact on digital “safe harbour” provisions is sparking a debate over content moderation and freedom of expression.
- The Axiom-4 mission offers critical lessons for India’s Gaganyaan program, highlighting the growing role of commercial spaceflight.
- GST authorities are leveraging payment data to formalize the informal economy and expand the tax base.
- US concerns over transshipment could complicate India’s trade strategy and its reliance on Chinese supply chains.
These diverse developments highlight India’s complex position in the global economic and geopolitical landscape, navigating both opportunities and challenges on various fronts.
