India - Partner In Growth
Greetings from the Embassy of India in Washington D.C.!
Welcome to the July 18, 2018, edition of our weekly newsletter, bringing you important policy and high-impact news about India.
I hope you find it useful.
-- Shambhu Hakki, First Secretary, Press, Information and Culture

YouTube
Facebook Twitter
KEY POLICY DECISIONS
U.S., Indian Officials Meet on Defense Cooperation

As part of the Indo-U.S. Bilateral Defense Cooperation, the 7th Defense Technology and Trade Initiative meeting was held in Delhi. The twice-yearly meetings aim to bring sustained leadership focus to the bilateral defense trade relationship and create opportunities for co-production and development of defense equipment.



FM Jaitley: India Could Climb to 5th-Largest Economy Next Year

India could soon emerge as the world's fifth largest economy if it continues to maintain its current pace of growth, according to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. India's ease of doing business has improved, Jaitley said, and now it must eliminate poverty, attract more investment and meet the aspirations of the middle class.


 
In Digital India Push, SEBI Bans Cash Payments to Stock Brokers

To help promote PM Modi's Digital India initiative, market regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned stock brokers from accepting cash payments directly into their accounts.


 
Govt. Think Tank Reveals 'Breathe India' Plan to Reduce Air Pollution

To combat rising air pollution, Government think tank NITI Aayog has developed a 15-point action plan, titled "Breathe India," for the 10 most polluted cities in India. In the proposal, electrifying last mile connectivity by 2022, including public transport, taxis and three-wheelers, has been given priority.


 
Make in India: Govt. to Give Nod to Cyber-Security Products from Domestic Firms

The Government has mandated giving preference to locally produced cyber-security products in all public procurement where intellectual property rights are owned by companies or startups incorporated in India.



 
HIGH-IMPACT NEWS
World Bank: India Beats France to Become World's 6th-Largest Economy

New World Bank figures for 2018 show that India is now the world's sixth-biggest economy, having muscled past France, which was pushed to the seventh spot. India's gross domestic product stood at $2.59 trillion at the end of 2017, compared to $2.58 trillion for France.


 
For 2nd Year, Andhra Pradesh State Tops Ease-of-Doing-Business List

For the second year in a row, the state of Andhra Pradesh outperformed 28 other states and seven union territories to be the best in India to do business in, according to new Government rankings. The ranking is based on 372 action points or reforms undertaken to ease regulation and systems.


Instagram is Changing the Way Fashion Sells in India

Earlier this month, a handful of designers and lifestyle journalists gathered at New Delhi's hip Cafe Dori in the upmarket Dhan Mill Compound for a "fashion masterclass." Their host was Sandeep Bhushan, director of Facebook for India and South Asia, who made a case for following fashion trends on Instagram.



India's Investments in Renewable Energy are Growing Faster than China's

China may be the world's renewable energy leader, but where the sector's growth is concerned, India is leaving its neighbor behind. Investments into clean energy in India rose 22 percent in the first half of 2018 compared to the same period last year, while investments by China fell 15 percent during the period, according to a Bloomberg report.



Netflix Launches "Ghoul," Its First Fright Series from India

U.S. video streaming giant Netflix will launch its first fright series made in India: "Ghoul," a chilling series about a prisoner who arrives at a remote military interrogation center and turns the tables on his interrogators.



TRANSFORMING INDIA
Innovation: Bihar State to Get World's Cheapest Drinking Water

An innovative cost-effective drinking water project in the state of Bihar will convert contaminated pond water into safe drinking water and create the world's cheapest drinking water.

 

Have a business problem with India you need fixed?
Email us at: [email protected] or  [email protected]