India’s Supreme Court has put on hold a recent high court court which said that “grabbing [the] breasts” of a girl and breaking off the drawstrings of her lower garment could not be considered an attempt to rape.

The Allahabad high court had ruled last week that the offence could only be described as “aggravated sexual assault”, which involves a lesser punishment.

The top court judges said some of the comments in the high court order depicted “a total lack of sensitivity” on the part of the judge who wrote it.

The high court ruling led to outrage in India.

On Wednesday, the two-judge Supreme Court bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine described the 17 March order as “shocking”, especially since it was not delivered “on the spur of the moment” but had been well thought through after being reserved for four months.

The top court has now sent notices to India’s federal authorities and state government in Uttar Pradesh, where the court in Allahabad (now called Prayagraj) is located.

According to the prosecution, the case involves an 11-year-old girl whose mother has alleged that the two accused offered a lift to her daughter on their motorbike, promising to drop her home.

She sent the child with the men who were from the same village and known to them.

“The accused persons stopped their motorcycle on the way to the village and started grabbing her breasts,” the high court order said, adding that one of the men dragged her beneath a culvert and “broke her pyjama [lower garment] string”.

She was rescued by some villagers who were passing by and were alerted by her cries for help, forcing her attackers to flee.

The accused have denied the allegations against them.

The high court ruling was based on the argument that “attempt to rape” was different from “preparation”, legal website Live Law reported, quoting from the high court order.

“The prosecution must establish that it had gone beyond the stage of preparation. The difference between preparation and actual attempt to commit an offence consists chiefly in the greater degree of determination,” the order said.

The controversial ruling led to outrage in the country with many describing the judgement as “atrocious”.

Senior lawyer Indira Jaising told a TV channel that what happened with the child “goes beyond preparation” and in legal terms “it is attempt to commit rape”.

“How do you prove intent? It is proved by actions that precede the actual act of rape,” she said, adding that the fact that the girl was dragged to a secluded place meant it had gone beyond preparation.

India’s Women and Child Welfare Minister Annapurna Devi told news agency Press Trust of India that “the high court ruling has no place in a civilised society and that it will have an adverse impact on society”.

Starlink is on the verge of launching its satellite broadband service in India, with regulatory approval from the government expected soon. Recently, the company has teamed up with Jio and Airtel to distribute its equipment throughout the country. In addition to India, Starlink is gearing up to expand its reach in various other nations. Currently, its broadband service operates in 125 countries and boasts over 7 million users.

However, Starlink might encounter fierce competition from Chinese satellite broadband providers like SpaceSail in the foreseeable future. The company is preparing to make its entry into markets such as Brazil, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan. 

Elon Musk’s goal for Starlink is to acquire at least 1 million new users each year, a target that could gain significant momentum following its launch in India. That said, there are concerns that the arrival of these Chinese companies could pose challenges for Starlink.

In India, Starlink will also face competition from local providers like Airtel and Jio, as well as Amazon Kuiper. The telecom regulator is poised to allocate spectrum for satellite services, with consultations from stakeholders and experts nearly complete.

Starlink has been waiting since 2022 to roll out its services in India. This high-speed internet service operates through SpaceX satellites orbiting close to the Earth. Once the necessary regulatory approval and spectrum allocation from the Government of India are secured, Starlink is set to officially begin its operations, especially now that it has partnered with Jio and Airtel, which bodes well for a timely approval.

Meanwhile, the government’s efforts to tackle cyber fraud are intensifying and show no signs of slowing down. As of February this year, authorities have blocked over 780,000 SIM cards, more than 3,000 Skype IDs, and upwards of 83,000 WhatsApp accounts.

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It highlights key opportunities and challenges for universities, policymakers, and accommodation providers as they adapt to growing demand and evolving student needs.

Also Read: Lecturer claims Indian students in UK struggle to find jobs, end up returning home

Saurabh Arora, Founder & CEO, University Living, said “Australia and New Zealand are making taking strategic steps to attract international students by introducing policies that simplify the study-abroad journey and enhance post-study career prospects.”

New Zealand’s streamlined visa processes and work-rights policies, along with the recently announced NZ$10,000 scholarships for high-achieving Indian students, reflect the government’s commitment to global talent.

Also Read: South Australian Premier leads high-profile education delegation in Delhi to discuss opportunities for Indian students

With Indian student enrolments projected to grow by 93.9% from 2025 to 2030–from 22,225 to 24,594–New Zealand is emerging as a strong alternative to traditional study destinations.

Australia, meanwhile, remains a global leader in international education, backed by world-class universities, an industry-integrated education system, and strong post-study work opportunities.

Also Read: Indian students in US must comply with local laws: MEA

The sector’s AUD 47.8 billion contribution to the economy underscores its significance, while favourable migration policies and targeted scholarships continue to position it as a top choice for Indian students.

With these progressive policy changes, international students–especially from India–are increasingly exploring study opportunities in these regions. The rising demand for student accommodation further reinforces Australia and New Zealand’s positions as leading global education hubs.”

Australia and New Zealand have introduced significant visa policy reforms to attract international students, enhancing accessibility to both countries. Australia’s extended post-study work rights and New Zealand’s streamlined visa pathways create greater opportunities for students seeking global education and career advancement.

Both nations are prioritizing industry-aligned education, creating strong career pathways in STEM, healthcare, and business, to equip international graduates with relevant skills and enhance their employability.

While the US, UK, and Canada continue to dominate as study destinations, Australia and New Zealand are rapidly gaining traction, with India, China, Nepal, Vietnam, and Indonesia emerging as key source countries.

To strengthen their positions as global education hubs, the Australian and New Zealand governments are actively investing in education infrastructure, student support services, and international collaborations, enhancing the overall study-abroad experience.

Student enrolments in Australia and New Zealand have seen a strong post-pandemic recovery, with projections indicating sustained growth through 2030.

By 2025, Australia’s Indian students’ enrolments are expected to surpass 101,552 while New Zealand is projected to host 22,225 Indian students.

Vik Singh, Trade and Investment Commissioner South Asia, Austrade, commented at the event: “Australia’s commitment to international education is evident in its world-class institutions, strong support systems, and focus on innovation.”

“The country continues to foster global partnerships, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to access high-quality education and training. With a well-integrated system that connects schooling, vocational training, higher education, and employment pathways, Australia ensures that students are well-prepared for the future. Beyond academics, Australia’s reputation as a safe, inclusive, and welcoming destination enhances the overall student experience. Its dedication to best practices in education and two-way mobility reinforces its role as a global leader in fostering knowledge exchange and cross-cultural collaboration.”

“As international education remains central to global progress, Australia is well-positioned to build stronger partnerships and expand opportunities for students worldwide.”

The diplomatic talks between India and China on Tuesday emphasised effective border management and the restarting of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, comprising trans-border rivers and the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.

It was the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on China-India border affairs, which discussed putting decisions in effect taken between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue in December of 2024.

It came two months after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing for two days and conducted discussions with his Chinese counterpart. Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), headed the Indian team, whereas Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Chinese delegation.

During a meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23, the decision included restoring the SR mechanism and other such dialogue formats.

‘Maintain and strengthen relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms’

“The two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024 and to advance effective border management. The two sides agreed to maintain and strengthen relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this end,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. Both weighed on the situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, where each side currently has nearly 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the region.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) added India and China also agreed to work jointly to make “substantial preparation” for the next SR meeting that will take place in India later this year. It mentioned that peace and tranquillity on the border are “critical” for the better development of overall relations between the two countries.

China’s ambassador on WMCC meeting

“Both sides, adopting a positive, constructive, and forward-looking approach, conducted a comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on implementing the consensus reached during the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for the China-India Boundary Question last December,” Xu Feihong, China’s ambassador to India posted on X.

He added, “The two sides agreed to take concrete and effective measures to continue maintaining peace and stability in the China-India border areas and actively prepare for the 24th meeting of Special Representatives for the China-India Boundary Question.”

Meanwhile, India has been consistent on its remark that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. After the completion of the disengagement process in Demchok and Depsang, Indian and Chinese militaries also began patrolling activities again in the two areas after a hiatus of nearly four-and-a-half years.

The paper cited an unnamed senior official saying the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) learned “Indian agents were involved in raising money and organising within the South Asian community for Mr Poilievre during the leadership race, which he won handily.”

It added the CSIS assessment “did not indicate that this effort was done in a sweeping and highly organised way” and it “did not have evidence” that Poilievre or members of his inner circle “were aware of the alleged actions of India’s agents and their proxies.”

CSIS told the foreign interference commission last year that “they had no reason to believe the impacted candidates would have been aware of the alleged support.”

In December, government-funded outlet CBC News reported Indian agents “attempted to derail” the candidacy of Patrick Brown for the Conservative Party of Canada leadership. Brown is now the Brampton mayor.

Brown refuted that report, saying, “I have no reason to believe that such interference altered the outcome of the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada leadership race.”

Poilievre was favoured to win the 2022 leadership race, which he did comfortably with nearly 68% of the ballots cast in the first round. On Tuesday, Poilievre said he won that race “fair and square.” He added he had no intention of seeking the security clearance the “Liberals want to impose on me.”

Poilievre had security clearances when he was a Cabinet minister and also as the opposition leader. Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney described Poilievre’s refusal to seek clearance to view foreign interference files as “baffling”.

Poilievre counter-attacked, saying Carney went to Beijing and held “secret talks” with the deputy governor of the Chinese central bank after the then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made him an economic advisor last year. He said two weeks later, Canadian-American company Brookfield Asset Management, which Carney chaired until he resigned in January to run for Liberal leadership, got a quarter-billion-dollar loan. “What did they talk about? What did Mr Carney, in his role as Trudeau’s economic advisor, offer China?” Poilievre asked. “Why would he be collaborating with a hostile foreign regime that we have since learned executed four Canadians and took numerous Canadians hostage for a lengthy period of time?”

The Canadian government acknowledged this month that four of its citizens were executed in China this year, for alleged drug-related crimes.

Poilievre said that Carney has “massive financial interests” in Brookfield and described him as “financially compromised” and “conflicted”.

The issue of foreign interference first surfaced in February 2023 when The Globe and Mail reported that China may have influenced the results of the 2021 federal elections in Canada in favour of the ruling Liberal Party. The paper cited intelligence reports and said they showed Beijing was determined that the Conservatives did not win. It referred to a CSIS report about an unidentified Chinese consulate official as saying, “The Liberal Party of Canada is becoming the only party that the PRC [People’s Republic of China] can support.”

China is perceived as the principal threat of potential interference in the federal election in Canada. Ottawa is also monitoring potential influence operations by countries, including India.

The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections or SITE Task Force is actively monitoring possible interference activity as the campaign for the April 28 federal election began on Sunday.

The task force’s chair and CSIS deputy director (operations), Vanessa Lloyd, said on Monday that China was highly likely to use AI-enabled tools to attempt to interfere with Canada’s democratic process in this election. She called India a potential threat. “We have also seen that the government of India has the intent and capability to interfere in Canadian communities and democratic processes.” Russia and Pakistan were the other countries named.

In January, the final report of a foreign interference inquiry alleged that India was the “second most active country engaging in electoral foreign interference in Canada”. It said that like China, India is a critical actor on the world stage. The report added that only China has a greater impact on the country’s democratic processes. Russia, Pakistan, and Iran were among the other countries named in the report.

In exchange, Washington is willing to address New Delhi’s concerns through built-in mechanisms such as quota restrictions in the proposed bilateral trade agreement to protect Indian farmers and small industries, said these people, who asked not to be named.

The US team led by assistant trade representative Brendan Lynch and the Indian team led by commerce ministry’s additional secretary Rajesh Agarwal are scheduled to begin their first three-day face-to-face interaction on Wednesday in New Delhi. The talks come amid growing pressure as President Donald Trump’s April 2 deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs approaches.

New Delhi’s approach mirrors mechanisms India has already adopted in recent free trade agreements with Australia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), they added. The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) includes quotas for imports of Australian almonds, cotton, lentils, pears, oranges and mandarins.

Similarly, the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) permits the UAE to export up to 200 metric tonnes of gold annually with a 1% tariff concession under a tariff rate quota (TRQ). TRQ is a mechanism often used for agricultural items that allows a set quantity of specific products to be imported at a concessional rate. Quantities inside a quota are charged nil or lower import duty rates compared to those outside.

“They will initially fix terms of reference, schedules and scope for negotiating a bilateral trade agreement by September 2025 as envisaged by the February 13 joint statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump,” one person said.

A second source said the US side wants negotiations broadly on sectors such as agricultural products, alcoholic beverages and automobiles, instead of specific individual items. “They want the trade deal to be comprehensive,” the official said.

The Indian side is reportedly willing to show flexibility in providing market access for US goods that are not produced by Indian manufacturers, thereby protecting the interests of domestic industry, especially medium and small-scale units, according to the second official.

India has already taken some steps to placate the US. In February, it slashed tariffs on motorcycles and bourbon (an American whiskey). More recently, it proposed to remove the 6% Google tax (Equalisation Levy on online advertisements). However, the second official noted that these moves, while “good for signalling,” are not substantial enough to avoid the April 2 deadline.

The import duty reduction on bourbon was highlighted as a win for the so-called Red states and districts in the US, which produce most of the beverage and are areas where Trump draws his support from.

Separately, news agency Reuters reported on Tuesday that India is open to cutting tariffs on more than half of US imports worth $23 billion in the first phase of the trade deal the two nations are negotiating.

“In an internal analysis, New Delhi estimated such reciprocal tariffs would hit 87% of its total exports to the United States worth $66 billion,” the Reuters report said, quoting two government officials who asked not to be named.

Under the proposed deal, India is open to reducing tariffs on 55% of US goods it imports that are currently subject to tariffs ranging from 5% to 30%, according to the report. In this category of goods, India is ready to “substantially” lower tariffs or even scrap some entirely on imported goods worth more than $23 billion from the United States, the report added.

Reuters noted that the commerce ministry, the Prime Minister’s Office and a government spokesperson did not respond to its email queries on the matter.

NEW DELHI: Parliament passed the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Tuesday with home minister Amit Shah saying there will be no centralisation of power or discrimination with states in handling disasters.
Replying to the debate on the bill in Rajya Sabha, Shah said timely reforms were essential to prevent outdated systems from collapsing. He also launched a sharp attack on Congress’s management of the PM’s Relief Fund, accusing the previous UPA regime of lacking accountability and transparency.
The bill was passed in Lok Sabha in Dec 2024.
On the need for the amendments, Shah said, “Some members asked what is the need for amendment. I want to tell them that if a building is not repaired in time, it collapses. They think that maybe, they will come and change it but nobody’s turn will come for the next 15-20 years. Whatever has to be done, we have to do it. The Disaster Management Act was implemented for the first time in 2005. Under this, NDMA, SDMA and DDMA were formed. Now, concerns are being expressed that there will be centralisation of power. If you read the entire bill carefully, then the biggest responsibility of implementation lies with the District Disaster Management Authority which is under the state govt. Therefore, there is no possibility of harming the federal structure anywhere.”
Shah emphasised that the amendment prioritised shifting from reactive disaster response to proactive risk reduction. He outlined several key measures, including real-time monitoring using AI-based systems instead of manual processes, enhanced communication strategies, moving from traditional radio announcements to digital platforms, mobile alerts and social media notifications. The reforms also aimed to expand disaster response beyond being govt-centric to a multi-dimensional, society-involved approach, he added.
He also underscored India’s significant progress in disaster management, which has earned both national and international recognition. Responding to criticism over India’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shah defended the govt’s actions, and described the country’s response as one of the most effective globally.
He also hit back at the opposition’s allegations of a lack of transparency regarding the PM-Care Fund’s management, clarifying that while the PM’s Relief Fund was created during the UPA era, the PM-Care Fund was established under the NDA govt.

MHA has set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which functions as a centralised agency to combat cybercrime in a coordinated manner.

JPC to meet and discuss key constitutional and Union Territory law amendments

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to convene at the Parliament Annexe on Tuesday. The committee will interact with two key legal experts—Justice D.N. Patel, Former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and current Chairperson of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), followed by a discussion with Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani.
The next sitting is scheduled for April 2, where the committee will engage with Justice Hemant Gupta, former Supreme Court judge, and Justice BS Chauhan, former Supreme Court judge and Chairman of the 21st Law Commission of India. These consultations are part of the committee’s review of the two proposed bills, which seek to bring significant changes to the Constitution and Union Territory laws.