US C-17 plane carrying illegal Indian migrants to land in Amritsar? What we know so far A US military plane is deporting migrants to India, a US official was quoted by Reuters as saying on Monday.:-livemint

 

A USAID officer watches as a US military C-17 cargo plane taxis to a stop at Kathmandu’s international airport on May 3, 2015.(AFP)

A C-17 aircraft, reportedly carrying migrants from India, departed from the United States. If reports are to be believed, the flight will likely land in Amritsar, Punjab.

"The aircraft departed from San Antonio, Texas, and is expected to reach Amritsar, India, within 24 hours," several reports, including The Logical Indian, India Today and News 18, claimed on Tuesday. There are 205 Indian migrants onboard the C-17 military aircraft, Business Standard reported.

This C-17 flight marks the first deportation of Indian nationals since US President Donald Trump took office on January 20. A visual of the same was circulated online on Tuesday.

What we know so far

Illegal Indian immigrants deported: A US military plane is deporting migrants to India, a US official was quoted by Reuters as saying on Monday, the farthest destination of the Trump administration's military transport flights for migrants.

Have immigrants from other countries deported from the US? The Pentagon has also started providing flights to deport more than 5,000 immigrants held by US authorities in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California. So far, military aircraft have flown migrants to Guatemala, Peru and Honduras, Reuters reported.

What did India say on deportation reports: There hasn't been comment by India on the recent deportation news. However, on January 24, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated that it would facilitate the return of Indian nationals "overstaying" or residing without proper documentation in the United States or “anywhere in the world.”

How many Indians are living illegally in the US? Sources told the Bloomberg that both nations have identified approximately 18,000 illegal Indian migrants for deportation, though the actual number could be significantly higher, as the total remains uncertain.

India accounts for a relatively small share of illegal migration to the US, with its citizens making up about 3 per cent of all unlawful crossings in fiscal 2024, the Times of India reported while citing US customs and border protection data.

'Not worth the risk': A US Embassy spokesperson told news agency ANI that while specific details cannot be shared, the United States is vigorously enforcing its border and immigration laws. The spokesperson emphasised that the actions taken send a “clear message that illegal migration is not worth the risk”.

"I have received a number of inquiries on the report of a deportation flight to India. I can't share any details on those inquiries, but I can share, on the record, that the United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk," a US Embassy spokesperson said.

Costly way to transport migrants: Military flights are a costly way to transport migrants. Reuters reported that a military deportation flight to Guatemala last week likely cost at least $4,675 per migrant.

Donald Trump has increasingly turned to the military to help carry out his immigration agenda, including sending additional troops to the US-Mexico border, using military aircraft to deport migrants and opening military bases to house them.

(With inputs from agencies)

US deports Indian migrants using military plane amid Trump’s crackdown: Report This marks the Trump administration’s most distant military transport of migrants yet.:-The Indian Express

 

Migrants wearing face masks and shackles on their hands and feet sit on a military aircraft at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Tx., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, awaiting their deportation to Guatemala. (Photo: AP)

A US military aircraft carrying Indian migrants has departed for India, marking the first deportation of its kind since President Donald Trump’s return to office, according to a US official who spoke to Reuters on Monday.

The official confirmed that a C-17 military aircraft had taken off with Indian migrants on board, expected to arrive in India within 24 hours, Reuters reported.

US expands military role in deportations

Under Trump’s administration, the US military has been increasingly involved in immigration enforcement, deploying additional troops to the US-Mexico border, using military facilities to accommodate migrants, and employing military planes for deportations.

According to Reuters, previous deportation flights have sent migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. However, this is the first time India has been included in the military deportation programme since Trump reassumed office.

The Pentagon has now begun arranging flights to deport over 5,000 migrants detained in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, the report added

Trump and Rubio discuss immigration with Indian leaders

President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both raised concerns over illegal immigration from India in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Speaking about his talks with Modi, Trump stated that he expects India to “do what is right” in accepting the return of undocumented Indian migrants.

The White House described the conversation between the two leaders as “productive,” highlighting discussions on ways to “expand and deepen” US-India cooperation.

Meanwhile, Rubio raised the issue of “irregular immigration” with Jaishankar, who reiterated that India does not support illegal migration. “Illegal immigration is often linked to other unlawful activities. It is neither desirable nor beneficial for our reputation. If any of our citizens are found to be in the US illegally, and we verify their citizenship, we are open to their lawful return to India,” Jaishankar stated

Deportation costs and India’s response

Military deportation flights are significantly more expensive than those operated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reuters reported that a single military deportation flight to Guatemala last week cost around $4,675 per migrant.

Modi’s Trump strategy sees quick concessions to avoid trade war :ET

 

Few countries are moving faster than India to appease US President Donald Trump in an effort to head off a potentially devastating trade war.In a matter of weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered a rapid series of concessions to the White House on issues core to Trump’s agenda, offering an early picture of how New Delhi plans to deal with the new president as he slaps tariffs on rivals and allies alike.

India’s latest accommodation came on Saturday, when Modi’s government unveiled the first-ever overhaul to its tariff regime, which included sweeping cuts to duties on imports from textiles to motorcycles. It follows New Delhi’s pledge to accept thousands of unlawful migrants from the US and maintain the US dollar as its trading currency.

Modi has been invited to meet Trump in Washington next week, a White House official said on Monday night, requesting anonymity to discuss the official visit. Trump last week said he expects India’s prime minister to visit the White House this month, making him one of the first foreign leaders to visit Washington since the US leader took office.

The quick actions, coming in the absence of any specific new threat from Trump, underscore the more conciliatory mood that has taken hold in India as Trump’s second term gets underway. The approach marks a contrast from the harder line drawn by Modi during Trump’s first term, when warm ties between the two leaders weren’t enough to overcome trade impasses that led Washington to yank trading privileges for India.

Indian officials, asking not to be identified, say they are eager to preserve deepening ties in trade, defense and technology-sharing between the two nations, as well as bolster India’s status as a destination for foreign manufacturers leaving China. New Delhi has more to gain than lose by maintaining friendly ties with Trump, they said.

‘Doing Everything’

The Ministry of External Affairs didn’t immediately respond to an email sent after office hours.

“India is quite central to the US in every way, whether it’s the Indo-Pacific strategy as well as where to tell companies to go to avoid tariffs,” said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis. “The risk of major tariffs on India is low, but it seems they’re doing everything they can to avoid tariffs.”

Governments around the world are racing to get ahead of protectionist moves by the US as Trump follows through with new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China — raising new threats to global growth and roiling global markets. Already, South Korea has said it is considering buying more US food and energy, while Japan has said it is seeking stable energy supplies from Washington.

In Australia, Trade Minister Don Farrell has reached out to his US counterpart to organize a meeting, a spokesman for the minister said. Australia is keen to move quickly given the threat of tariffs on its exports of aluminum and copper.

India in particular has much to lose in any trade war with the Washington. The nation’s overall trade deficit is $78.1 billion — driven largely by an outsize energy-import bill — and it’s cushioned by a bilateral surplus with the US worth $35.3 billion in the fiscal year that ended last March.

Tighter Ties

In recent years, India and the US have bolstered cooperation in areas including defense, technology-sharing and nuclear cooperation, as Washington looks to cultivate New Delhi as as regional bulwark against China. India has won new factories from US companies such as Apple Inc. and Micron Technology Inc.

Yet Trump has repeatedly singled out India and its high trade barriers, and has pledged reciprocal duties on the South Asian country. Modi’s decision to reduce levies on heavy-duty motorcycles targets a US export that Trump has repeatedly said gets unfair treatment: Bikes made by Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc., which for years grappled with India’s complex tariff regime.

In declaring India “not a tariff king,” Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey echoed a nickname that Trump bestowed on the country during his first term.

Sticking Points

“The changes made in tariff structure either resolve, or show the intent of resolving, issues which have been raised by Trump in India’s context,” said Amitendu Palit, an economist specializing in international trade and investment at the National University of Singapore.Other sticking points remain between the two countries. India continues to import large volumes of its crude oil from Russia, which the US has sanctioned for its invasion of Ukraine.

Separately, the US indicted an Indian government official last year on allegations of organizing a conspiracy to murder an American citizen on US soil. India has said it’s recommended legal action against an individual it believes is involved in the plot.

One risk for India in appeasing Trump is that it risks courting additional demands from the US leader, Palit said.

“Trump’s trajectory is if you agree to him once, you can’t be sure that it’s done forever, because he will he will come back asking for a higher price,” he said. “That’s a challenge.”

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Budget 2025: Over 50 stocks stand to gain as FM unveils consumption booster shot for India's growth Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news:-ET

 

Several stocks saw significant gains on Budget Day as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a series of measures aimed at boosting growth across various sectors. Analysts say the announcements made during the Budget speech, particularly those related to income tax, are designed to improve consumption.

'This budget boldly addresses the need of the hour: putting money into the hands of the middle class through meaningful tax relief. This will energize consumption and growth at a critical time for the Indian economy,' said Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO, Edelweiss MF.

Here are the stocks from various sectors that are likely to benefit from the Budget going forward:

Consumer, FMCG stocks

One of the biggest announcements made during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech is the extension of income tax exemption up to Rs 12 lakh. This, along with an additional standard deduction of Rs 75,000 for salaried employees, takes the income up to Rs 12.75 lakh out of the income tax purview.

Analysts say that with urban demand showing signs of fatigue, this move is expected to boost consumption.

'A lower tax rate is expected to boost revenue, while an increase in the Section 80C investment limit would raise disposable income. This would directly benefit FMCG companies like HUL, ITC, Dabur, Marico, and Nestle, with indirect gains for their suppliers such as Polyplex and Uflex,' said T Manish, Research Analyst at SAMCO Securities.

Auto and Consumer Durable stocks

The raising of slabs for non-taxable income up to Rs 12 lakh is also expected to shift focus onto auto stocks, which have seen muted demand, especially in the entry-level segment.

Consumer durables stocks like Dixon Technologies, Voltas, Whirlpool, Blue Star, Crompton Greaves, Havells, Titan, and V Guard Industries will also be in focus if consumption picks up following the income tax bonanza.

Insurance stocks

Sitharaman has announced an increase in the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit to 100% from the current 74% in insurance. Shares of HDFC Life, SBI Life, ICICI Prudential Life, and Star Health gained over 3% on Saturday in reaction to the news.

Fishery stocks

The government plans to strengthen the fisheries sector in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, supporting growth and sustainability. Additionally, the Finance Minister reaffirmed the continuation of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to provide short-term loans to 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers.

'Key beneficiaries of these initiatives include Godrej Agrovet, Apex Frozen Foods, and Avanti Feeds,' said Divyam Mour, Research Analyst at Samco Securities.

Healthcare stocks

The Finance Minister announced plans to promote medical tourism and the 'Heal in India' initiative in collaboration with the private sector, including streamlined visa norms to enhance accessibility and affordability.

Analysts say this will improve existing healthcare infrastructure, and hospitals will likely attract the highest number of medical tourists.

'Max Healthcare, Medanta, Apollo Hospitals (Metro & Tier 1 cities), HCG (Tier II cities), and Jeena Sikho, along with diagnostic service providers like Lal PathLabs, Metropolis, and Vijaya Diagnostics, stand to gain,' said T Manish, Research Analyst at SAMCO Securities.

Agriculture stocks

Agriculture stocks like Kaveri Seed Company, Mangalam Seed, Godrej Agrovet, and Dhanuka Agritech will be in focus after Finance Minister Sitharaman announced a slew of measures to enhance pulses production in the country. Sitharaman also announced a national mission on high-yield seeds and a dedicated Makhana Board to further boost production.

Green energy stocks

Shares of clean energy-related companies such as Waaree Energies, Suzlon Energy, Adani Green, and Inox Wind will be in focus after the Finance Minister announced plans for building a clean power technology ecosystem. The proposals aim to establish a robust ecosystem for producing solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, electrolysers, and grid-scale batteries—key components in advancing India's clean energy transition.

Textile stocks

Textile stocks, including Ambika Cotton Mill, KPR Mills, Vardhman Textiles, and Arvind, are in the limelight after Sitharaman announced a five-year mission for cotton farmers to improve productivity. Most of these stocks advanced by up to 9% in Saturday’s trade.

Water and Waste Management

The extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission presents significant opportunities for companies specializing in water and wastewater management, including Concord Enviro, Enviro Infra, VA Tech Wabag, Thermax, and EMS, according to Divyam Mour of Samco Securities.

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Budget 2025 Key Highlights: From new income tax bill to infra initiatives, here are the key takeaways The Union Budget for the financial year 2025-26 was tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier today. This was the eighth budget presented by the current FM and the first one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's third term.;-livemint

 

                                                         Budget 2025 Key Highlights(Money SHARMA / AFP))

Budget 2025 Key Highlights: The Union Budget for the financial year 2025-26 was tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier today. This was the eighth budget presented by the current FM, the first FM to do so and the first one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's third term.

The main announcement was that no Income Tax payable up to ₹12 Lakh under new regime.

Finance Minister says Budget aims at 'transformative' reforms in 6 areas including Taxation, financial sector, power sector, urban development, mining, regulatory reforms. These domains remain central to the government’s agenda, aiming to stimulate economic expansion, enhance infrastructure, improve governance, and promote sustainable development across multiple sectors.

"Together, we aim to unlock India's potential under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi," said the Finance Minister as she began her address. "This budget is dedicated to accelerating growth, driven by our aspirations for a 'Viksit Bharat.' Our economy remains the fastest growing among all major economies. The Budget 2025-26 continues our government's efforts to secure inclusive development, uplift household sentiment and enhance the power of India's middle class," she added.

Let's take a look at the key highlights of the 2025 Budget:

Capex

FY25 revised capex at ₹10.18 lakh crore

Income Tax

New Income Tax Bill will be announced next week. No Income Tax payable up to ₹12 Lakh under new regime. Tax slabs will be changed across board. Salaried class with salary over ₹24 lakh will pay 30 percent tax. Tax return filing limit will also be increased to 4 years from 2 years.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the government's decade-long efforts to implement tax reforms aimed at improving taxpayer convenience. Key initiatives include faceless assessments, a taxpayer charter, and quicker return processing, with nearly 99 percent returns now based on self-assessment. Emphasizing the tax department's approach of "trust first, scrutinize later," she reaffirmed the commitment to simplifying compliance.

• Tax threshold on interest for senior citizens increased to ₹1 lakh
• TDS on rent increased to ₹6 lakh from ₹2.4 lakh
• Remove TCS (Tax Collected at Source) on remittances for education purposes if the remittance is funded through a loan taken from a specified financial institution.
• Provision of higher TDS (Tax deducted on source) only in non-PAN cases
• Additionally, the threshold for TCS on remittances under the RBI's Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) has been increased from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

• Cess and Tariffs

  The government plans to simplify and streamline the customs tariff structure to address duty inversion and promote domestic manufacturing, value addition, and exports. This rationalization is part of a comprehensive review of the customs rate structure announced in the July 2024 Budget.

• In addition to the seven tariff rates removed in the 2023-24 Budget, seven more rates will be eliminated, leaving only eight remaining, including a zero rate. While duty incidents will largely be maintained, a few items will see marginal reductions. The government also proposes to levy no more than one cess or surcharge and will exempt the social welfare surcharge on 82 tariff lines.

  • The FM proposed full exemption of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on cobalt powder and lithium-ion battery waste, scrap, and 12 other critical minerals.
  • 37 new medicines and 13 new patient assistance programs will be included in the exemption list.
  • Six life-saving medicines will be added to a list with a concessional customs duty of 5%.
  • Fully extend BCD on wet blue leather. Exempt crust leather from 20% duty
  • Reduce BCD from 30% to 5% on frozen fish paste. Reduce BCD from 15% to 5% fish hydrolycates.
  • BCD on interactive flat panel displays from 10% to 20% and reduce the BCD on open cell and other components for LCDs and LEDs to 5%.

  • Financial Reforms

    • FDI in insurance for firms which invest entire premium in India raise from 74 percent to 100 percent.
    • The Finance Minister announced the rollout of a revamped central KYC registry, emphasizing the need for regulations to evolve in line with technological innovations and the global regulatory landscape.
    • The government will ensure faster approvals for company mergers and expand the scope of related regulations. Demonstrating its strong commitment to improving the ease of doing business, the government plans to develop a modern, people-friendly, and trust-based regulatory framework.
    • Sitharaman revealed that an Investment Friendliness Index for states will be introduced in 2025 to encourage competitive cooperative federalism. Additionally, under the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC), a mechanism will be set up to evaluate the impact of current financial regulations and subsidiary instructions, with the goal of boosting the responsiveness and growth of the financial sector.

    Infrastructure

    The Finance Minister unveiled the creation of a ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund to transform cities into growth hubs, support innovative redevelopment, and improve water and sanitation infrastructure, as highlighted in the July Budget. The fund will cover up to 25 percent of the cost for bankable projects, with a stipulation that at least 50 percent of the funding comes from bonds, bank loans, or public-private partnerships (PPPs). Each infrastructure ministry will present a three-year list of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, with a focus on three PPP proposals per ministry. An initial ₹10,000 crore has been proposed for the fiscal year 2025-26 to launch the initiative.

    Capex: Additionally, the government will provide ₹1.5 lakh crore in interest-free loans for capital expenditure and offer incentives to encourage reforms.

    Affordable Housing: Another 40,000 units to be completed in FY26, announces Finance Minister. SWAMI Fund 2 will be established of ₹15,000 crore

  • Nuclear Energy

    The Finance Minister introduced a Nuclear Energy Mission to accelerate India's shift towards clean energy, aiming to develop at least 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047. To encourage private sector involvement, amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be made. Furthermore, a dedicated ₹20,000 crore research and development initiative for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) will be launched, with the goal of having at least five indigenously developed SMRs operational by 2033.

    MSMEs

    The Finance Minister highlighted that MSMEs are the second engine of growth in India, accounting for 45 percent of the country's exports. To further support their development, the Finance Minister has introduced customized credit cards for MSMEs, a fund of funds for startups, and an expanded fund-of-funds (f-o-f) with a wider scope, all designed to improve capital access. Additionally, the government will enhance the investment and turnover limits for MSMEs, increasing them by 2.5 times and 2 times, respectively, to boost their growth and operational efficiency.

    Agriculture

    The Finance Minister highlighted agriculture as a key priority in Budget 2025, unveiling a new initiative under the Prime Minister Krishi Yojana. The Jan Dhanya Krishi Yojana initiative will focus on 100 districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit access. It aims include -- crop diversification, augmenting storage, improving irrigation, and facilitating long and short-term credit for farmers. An estimated 1.7 crore farmers are expected to benefit from these measures.

    The Finance Minister also announced that the government will launch a 6-year mission aimed at achieving self-reliance in pulses, with a special focus on tur and masoor. Makhana Board will also be established in Bihar. As part of the National Mission for Edible Oil & Seeds, the program also aims to strengthen domestic production and reduce dependence on imports.

    Kisan Credit Cards

    The Finance Minister stated that Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) will continue to support 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers with short-term credit access. Additionally, under the revised interest subvention scheme, the loan limit for KCC-backed borrowing will be raised from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000, offering enhanced financial support for agricultural activities.

  • Leather and Footwear

    The Finance Minister announced measures to enhance productivity, quality, and competitiveness in India's footwear and leather sector. A new scheme will support design, component manufacturing, and machinery for non-leather footwear, alongside leather footwear. This initiative is expected to create 22 lakh jobs, generate ₹400 crore, and boost exports to over ₹1.1 lakh crore. Additionally, the toy sector will see a new scheme aimed at establishing India as a global hub for toys, focusing on developing clusters, skills, and a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem for high-quality, innovative toys.

    Investing in people

    The Finance Minister emphasized investment as the third engine of growth, focusing on people, the economy, and innovation. As part of this, the government is prioritizing the Sashakt Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programs, providing nutritional support to over 8 crore children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and around 20 lakh adolescent girls in aspirational districts and the Northeast, with enhanced cost norms to boost their effectiveness. Additionally, infrastructure will be expanded in 5 IITs established after 2014 to accommodate 6,500 more students, and 5 National Centres of Excellence for skilling will be set up. The government also plans to issue identity cards and register gig workers on the e-Shram portal, aiming to assist 1 crore workers.

    Power

    The Finance Minister outlined significant power sector reforms focused on improving electricity distribution and transmission. The government will incentivize states to implement reforms in electricity distribution and boost intrastate transmission capacity, aiming to enhance the financial health and operational efficiency of power companies. To assist states in these efforts, an additional borrowing allowance of 0.5 percent of GSDP will be provided, based on their progress in implementing these reforms.

    Aviation

    The UDAN scheme has connected 1.5 crore middle-class people to 88 airports through 619 routes. A modified version of UDAN will be launched, expanding to 120 new destinations, with the aim of accommodating an additional 4 crore passengers. Greenfield airports will also be developed in Bihar to further enhance connectivity.

    Key Figures

    Revised fiscal deficit for FY25: 4.8%

    Fiscal deficit target for FY26: 4.4%

    For 2024-25, the revised estimate for total receipts (excluding borrowings) stands at ₹31.47 lakh crore, with net tax receipts at ₹25.57 lakh crore.

    The revised estimate for total expenditure is ₹47.16 lakh crore, including a capital expenditure of ₹10.1 lakh crore.