News behind The News – 18 August, 2025

POLITY

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day Speech

• BJP: Succession and Other Pressures

• Expert Analyses: Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Theft’ Claims

• Role of Opposition: Dissent Is Important 

• Jammu and Kashmir: Supreme Court on Restoration of J&K’s Statehood

DEFENCE

• Government Considering Increasing the Retention of ‘Agniveers’

• F-16s among Pakistan’s losses during op Sindoor? US reacts AMID Trump’s growing Friendship with Islamabad

• 127 Gallantry Awards for Operation Sindoor Brave hearts: Full list of IAF, Army, BSF Personnel Recognised

• Suspected Bat Attack near LOC: Soldier Killed during LOC Duty in URI

• India-South African Navy’s Historic Step towards Submarine Rescue: First-Ever for Friendly Foreign Navy

• No Impact of Trump Tariffs on F404 Engine Deal? 3rd Engine Delivery Soon as India-US Defence Talks

• Indigenous Minefield Marker MK-II: How it AIMS to Strengthen Indian Army’s Combat Readiness

NEIGHBOURS

• Cover Story: India - Pakistan:  Dealing with Pakistan’s Army Chief’s Threats

• Expert Analyses: India Engaged with China

• India - Afghanistan: India not to Recognise Afghanistan Yet

• An Emergent Pakistan-China-Bangladesh Axis of Cooperation

INTERNATIONAL

• Cover Story: Trump, Putin Meeting: High Stakes for India

• Cover Story: India - US:    Trump’s Narrative Could Damage Relations Long after he has Left the Stage

• India needs to be a Hub of Knowledge Creation

ECONOMY

THE S&P UPGRADES INDIA’S SOVEREIGN CREDIT

INDIA RESHAPING GLOBAL COMMERCE

STATE OF THE ECONOMY

• Inflation at a record low: positives and notes of caution

MONEY AND BANKING

• S&P Global upgrades ratings of Banks / financial institutions

TRADE

• July goods exports up 7.2%; trade gap hits 8-month high

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

• India’s push for self-sufficiency in Telecom production

SHIPPING

• Maritime Development Fund of ₹70,000 cr to spur shipbuilding

AUTOMOBILES

• Huge export opportunities for Indian auto component makers