Maria Casadei

The decision by Narendra Modi’s government to revoke a code that came into force in November to improve infrastructure safety in high-risk areas has drawn strong criticism from the scientific community, whilst builders have welcomed the reduction in costs and regulatory constraints. Several new infrastructure projects are set to be built in high-risk areas such as the Himalayas and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Two days in Israel to strengthen cooperation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. Meetings with migrants and Indian businesses, trade, and strategic agreements consolidate an increasingly close alliance between the two countries, voluntarily keeping the Palestinian question in the background. There are also ideological affinities between the BJP and the Israeli right. According to SIPRI data, India already accounts for 34% of Israeli arms exports.

On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit, welcoming world leaders from more than 20 countries and major AI industry giants. Several new investments were announced, while India is adopting new regulations governing the use of advanced technologies.

After a year of diplomatic tensions, the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Kuala Lumpur on 7 and 8 February marked a rapprochement between India and Malaysia, with the signing of 11 agreements in various sectors. Modi also emphasised the importance of ties to Indo-Malaysians who represent the country’s third-largest ethnic group. Investment and technological cooperation have been revitalised.

Overturning a previous ruling that prohibited retroactive environmental permits, the Supreme Court has opened the door to projects already underway without prior permits, weakening legal protection of territories and the precautionary principle. Environmental movements are concerned at a time when India is announcing ambitious plans for the manufacturing industry.

During the UN periodic review, the Maldivian government defended its proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 12, arguing that it is necessary to combat the recruitment of minors by gangs. UN experts and the country's human rights commission, however, expressed serious concerns about the risk of criminalising children and the child protection system’s shortcomings.

Interior Minister Amit Shah touts data on the increase in drug seizures. But the number of consumers has also grown, including among the very young: it is estimated that over 25% of minors use drugs. The issue of chemicals produced in India and destined for laboratories producing methamphetamine in Myanmar, but also in Central America and Africa

The Indian government has approved the Shanti Bill: a reform set to change the nuclear sector, which has remained under public control for decades. New Delhi is betting on private capital, technology and new reactors to strengthen energy security and green transition. The goal is 100 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2047 (compared to 8 today).

The Supreme Court has asked states and the central government to urgently identify and repeal all obsolete provisions that continue to contain discriminatory references to people with leprosy. According to the National Human Rights Commission, there are nearly 100 laws that limit the rights and access to services of even those who have been cured.

India is preparing its first entirely digital census after 15 years of delays. Caste will once again be included, as well as details on internal migration. However, in the poorest and most remote regions, millions of people are at risk of not being counted, with repercussions on federal funds and welfare programmes

At last week's summit in Johannesburg, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a six-point agenda, ranging from coordination against drug trafficking and terrorism to a new framework for critical minerals, as well as regulations on artificial intelligence. Relations with Japan, Italy, and Canada have strengthened. But while New Delhi claims a central role for emerging economies, tensions with Beijing flared up again after yet another incident related to the disputed territory of Arunachal Pradesh.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Thimphu marks a new chapter in Indo-Chinese strategic competition. New Delhi has announced a 40 billion rupee credit line and inaugurated the Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric power station, intended to strengthen energy interdependence between the two countries. India's moves come as China intensifies border negotiations with Bhutan, in a process that could redefine highly sensitive areas such as the Doklam, Pasamlung and Jakarlung plateaus.