PM Modi holds high-level review meeting on national security amid LoC tensions
New Delhi: In the wake of rising tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to assess national preparedness and ensure coordination between ministries and departments amid ongoing security concerns.
The meeting, held in New Delhi, was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and Secretaries from key ministries including Defence, Home Affairs, External Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Power, Health, and Telecommunications.
A government press release stated that the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of seamless coordination among ministries and agencies to maintain operational continuity and institutional resilience during this sensitive time. He reviewed the plans and preparedness of ministries to handle the current situation effectively.
Ministries have been directed to carry out a thorough review of their essential functions, with special focus on emergency preparedness, internal communication systems, and overall readiness. Secretaries of various departments presented their action plans and assured the PM of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.
During the discussion, several critical areas were reviewed, including the strengthening of civil defence mechanisms, countermeasures against misinformation and fake news, and protection of critical infrastructure. Ministries were also instructed to work in close coordination with state governments and grassroots-level institutions to ensure effective implementation on the ground.
The official statement said ministries are equipped to respond to any emerging scenario and are reinforcing systems accordingly.
Prior to the high-level review, PM Modi met National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval at his residence. Sources revealed that the NSA briefed the Prime Minister about the current situation along India’s western border, particularly after Operation Sindoor, and developments in the region. The closed-door meeting lasted nearly an hour.
Following this, the Union Home Secretary also met the Prime Minister to further update him on internal security matters.
These meetings come amid heightened tension in Jammu and Kashmir, where 13 civilians were killed and 59 others injured in heavy shelling by Pakistani forces along the LoC. All fatalities were reported from the Poonch sector. The government has confirmed that these were the result of ceasefire violations.
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
