The edition of India First covers significant global and domestic developments. At the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting in Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised the necessity of unimpeded maritime flows through the Strait of Hormuz and criticised unilateral sanctions. Concurrently, the US and Chinese Presidents held high-stakes talks in Beijing regarding trade and the West Asia crisis. Domestically, the Delhi High Court initiated criminal contempt proceedings against former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other political leaders for the alleged vilification of a sitting judge in the excise policy case. In West Bengal, the state government launched a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses, unauthorised toll gates, and parking facilities, while mandating the national song in schools. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to begin a five-nation tour, starting with the UAE to strengthen strategic energy partnerships. Furthermore, the central government introduced stricter regulations for duty-free gold imports, including a 100 kg cap and mandatory factory inspections to monitor foreign exchange outflows.
