Yearly Archives: 2025

India’s EV Fleet Expected to Surpass 28 Million by 2030: IESA Report

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India’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet is projected to exceed 28 million units by 2030, significantly increasing demand for grid energy, according to the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA).

With cumulative EV sales surpassing 4.1 million units in FY 2023-24, the sector’s growth is fueled by rising environmental awareness, advancements in battery technology, and expanded charging infrastructure. IESA estimates that by 2030, 83% of annual EV sales will be two-wheelers, 10% four-wheelers, and 7% commercial vehicles, including buses and trucks.

Electricity consumption has surged, reaching 1,543 TWh in 2023-24 (a 7% increase from the previous year). Public EV charging demand has more than doubled, rising from 204 GWh in 2022-23 to 465 GWh from April to October 2024. Home charging remains the preferred choice for most EV users.

The Ministry of Power’s National Electricity Plan forecasts a total grid demand of 2,133 TWh by 2031-32, with EV charging accounting for approximately 3%. To support this growth, India plans to expand its total power capacity from 466 GW in 2025 to 900 GW by 2032, including 500 GW from renewable sources.

Charging infrastructure is set to scale up significantly, with approximately 100,000 charging stations expected nationwide by 2030.

Rekha Gupta Sworn In as Delhi’s First BJP CM in 27 Years

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Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi’s Chief Minister at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday, marking the BJP’s return to power in the national capital after 27 years. The event was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP Chief Ministers from various states.

Gupta becomes Delhi’s fourth woman Chief Minister after Sheila Dikshit, Sushma Swaraj, and Atishi. Her cabinet is expected to include six ministers, with key figures such as Parvesh Singh Verma, Ravinder Indraj Singh, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, and Pankaj Kumar Singh taking the oath alongside her.

Parvesh Singh Verma made headlines by defeating former Delhi CM and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal by over 3,000 votes in the recent elections.

Following her swearing-in, Gupta’s cabinet is expected to convene its first meeting at the Delhi Secretariat around 3 PM. Key policy implementations, including the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, which provides women beneficiaries with Rs 2,500 per month, and the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, are expected to be on the agenda.

South Korea Engages U.S. Over Tariff Concerns

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The South Korean government is actively engaging with the U.S. to address trade uncertainties stemming from new tariff measures, Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said Thursday.

During a meeting with top industry think tanks—including Samsung, Hyundai, POSCO, and LG—Cheong emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to navigate U.S. protectionist policies under President Trump.

The U.S. is reportedly considering tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, raising concerns among its trading partners.

“We are maintaining direct communication channels with the U.S. to mitigate risks and help domestic industries adjust to these evolving trade policies,” Cheong said, calling for stronger industry-government collaboration.

Deputy Trade Minister Park Jong-won is currently in Washington, holding discussions with U.S. officials on the potential impact of Trump’s trade agenda on South Korean industries.

Meanwhile, consumer sentiment in South Korea surged to its highest level in nearly four years, driven by expectations of political stability following recent turmoil. The Bank of Korea’s consumer sentiment index rose to 95.2 in February, marking the largest gain since June 2021.

US Semiconductor Tariffs: India Faces Limited Immediate Impact

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The U.S. decision to impose tariffs on semiconductors is unlikely to significantly impact India in the short term, as the country is not a major chip exporter to the U.S., industry experts said Thursday.

With India already imposing zero import duties on semiconductors, the country faces no immediate trade retaliation concerns, said Ashok Chandak, president of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA).

Most of India’s upcoming semiconductor manufacturing and assembly facilities cater to global brands, and its growing domestic demand will be met primarily through local production.

In the long run, Indian chipmakers are expected to remain competitive, as the U.S. tariff applies uniformly to all exporting nations, Chandak noted.

The Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs of 25% or more is expected to reshape the global semiconductor industry, affecting costs, supply chains, and innovation.

The new tariffs will significantly increase the cost of chips imported into the U.S., particularly from dominant manufacturing hubs like Taiwan, South Korea, and China. These additional costs will likely be passed on to consumers, driving up prices for smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and industrial electronics.

Tech giants such as Apple, NVIDIA, and Tesla could see rising production costs, potentially squeezing profit margins or forcing them to raise consumer prices, according to IESA.

To mitigate risks, companies may explore alternative supply chains or invest more in domestic chip production. However, semiconductor fabrication plants are among the most capital-intensive projects, requiring $10 billion to $25 billion per site.

“Companies must weigh multiple factors before making investment decisions, including workforce availability, tax policies, regulatory frameworks, and environmental considerations,” IESA stated.

Trump Admin Plans $50 Billion Pentagon Budget Shake-Up, Eyes Firings

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 — The Trump administration is moving to cut $50 billion from the Pentagon budget, reallocating funds to high-priority areas such as border security, according to media reports.

A list of generals and admirals slated for dismissal has been circulated among Republican lawmakers. Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses has instructed officials to identify cuts and shift resources to initiatives aligned with Trump’s priorities, Military Times reported.

NBC News said the Indo-Pacific region’s budget remains untouched. While earlier reports suggested an 8% reduction in overall military spending, the latest figures indicate the $849.8 billion defense budget will remain intact, with funds being redistributed rather than slashed.

NBC also reported that the targeted firings include officers linked to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, those involved in diversity and inclusion programs, and others deemed politically misaligned with Trump’s agenda. It remains unclear whether Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman CQ Brown is on the list.

Trump has already removed Coast Guard chief Admiral Linda Fagan, the highest-ranking woman in U.S. military history.

As part of a broader effort to streamline government operations, numerous Defense Department employees have received termination notices.

Besides Indo-Pacific operations, budget priorities include missile defense, autonomous weapons, and border security. Salesses emphasized Trump’s focus on bolstering missile defense, strengthening border protections, and eliminating what he called “radical and wasteful” diversity initiatives.

 

 

 

Trump Warns Zelensky: Ukraine War Could End Without Him

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NEW YORK, Feb. 20 — The war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky escalated Wednesday as Trump suggested Ukraine could be sidelined in negotiations to end the war with Russia.

“Zelensky better move fast or he’s not going to have a country left,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, claiming that only his administration could successfully broker peace with Russia.

The warning came after Zelensky criticized the U.S. and Russia for holding negotiations in Riyadh without Ukrainian representation. He insisted that Ukraine would not accept a peace deal reached without its direct involvement.

Zelensky fired back, accusing Trump of “living in a web of disinformation.” Trump, in turn, labeled Zelensky a “dictator without elections.”

With Russia occupying roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine making only minor territorial gains, a negotiated peace deal is unlikely to restore all of Ukraine’s pre-war borders.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that reverting to Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders—including Crimea—was unrealistic and ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine in any foreseeable peace agreement.

Trump previously suggested Ukraine provoked the war—despite Russia’s 2022 invasion. His “dictator” remark references Ukraine’s decision to postpone elections due to the war, extending Zelensky’s term beyond its scheduled end.

As the primary financier of Ukraine’s defense, Trump appears to believe he could unilaterally pressure Kyiv into accepting peace terms negotiated with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Riyadh for more than four hours to discuss an end to the war. Both sides reported progress, with Lavrov calling the talks “useful” and Rubio indicating Russia was open to serious negotiations.

One key development was an agreement to restore U.S. and Russian embassies to full operational status after years of reduced diplomatic presence.

Trump also lashed out at European nations for not matching U.S. financial support for Ukraine. “Zelensky talked the United States into spending $350 billion on a war that couldn’t be won,” he wrote, arguing that European nations should contribute equally.