Daily News - Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Challenges posed by Al dominate talks at Davos (Business Standard)
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual summit in Davos, Chief Ministers and central ministers inaugurated the India Pavilion and engaged with multinational CEOs, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) challenges. The WEF’s “Blueprint for Intelligent Economies” report highlighted the need for equitable AI benefits and outlined nine strategic objectives for AI’s global development. Telangana attracted ₹40,232 crore in investments during last year’s summit and aims for more this year, while Andhra Pradesh’s CM Naidu announced the establishment of a Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness and a new economic taskforce for “Swarna Andhra by 2047”.
US withdrawal from WHO unfortunate, but it won't affect India: Health experts (Business Standard)
The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) could severely affect global health initiatives due to the loss of its significant financial contribution, which accounts for 18% of WHO’s total funding. Despite this, experts believe India is not directly impacted by the move, with Dr. K Srinath Reddy emphasizing the need for multilateral cooperation in addressing global health challenges. Former Ayushman Bharat CEO Indu Bhushan also criticized the US decision, stating that WHO’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic was commendable given the lack of information at the time, and urged reconsideration of the withdrawal.
New corridors planned for India’s bullet train network (mint)
The Indian government is expanding its high-speed rail network, aiming to create new corridors along the Golden Quadrilateral highway routes, with plans to manufacture bullet trains domestically in collaboration with Japan. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined the development of three new corridors in the North, East, and South, which may feature indigenously designed bullet trains, as India gains confidence in its technological capabilities. The projects, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, are expected to cost half of the ₹1.65 trillion for the existing Mumbai-Ahmedabad project, with savings depending on the level of indigenization in rail technology.
India to take back 18,000 illegals from the US (mint)
India is preparing to cooperate with the Trump administration to address the issue of illegal Indian migrants in the US, with both countries identifying approximately 18,000 individuals for deportation, although the actual number could be higher. This move signals India’s intent to avoid trade conflicts with the US, as the crackdown on illegal immigration is a key priority for Trump. India, which accounted for nearly 75% of the 386,000 H-1B visas granted in 2023, is working discreetly to navigate the pressures of the new administration’s immigration policies.
India may buy more oil from US: Puri (mint)
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri expressed confidence that the US under President Donald Trump would increase oil and gas supplies, with estimates suggesting an additional 1.4 to 1.5 million barrels per day in the market. Puri highlighted that global energy markets face no shortage of oil, and the US, producing around 13 million barrels per day, would boost its output in line with Trump’s “Drill, baby, drill” slogan. The minister also affirmed that increased energy supplies from the US could lead to more energy purchases between India and the US.
