Daily Briefing: Inside the IndiGo crisis; all about Modi-Putin talks today; and more

Until then, IndiGo has sought exemption from some night operations-related changes under the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms that were recently introduced for pilots. These norms took effect in two phases this year, and IndiGo has been caught ill-prepared. But the rules were for all domestic carriers, so why has IndiGo been hit the worst? The answer may lie in its massive operations, especially the significant number of red-eye (late-night or wee-hour) flights. Sukalp Sharma explains.

🎧For more on the IndiGo crisis, tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode.

On that note, let’s get to the rest of the edition👇

🚨Big Story

After a warm reception at Delhi’s Palam Airport and a private dinner hosted at his official residence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host Russian President Vladimir Putin once again to discuss bilateral ties.

On the table: The duo are likely to unveil a roadmap for India-Russia economic cooperation until 2030, seal a labour mobility agreement, which would allow Indians to work in Russia, and team up on Arctic shipbuilding. They are also expected to discuss a free trade with the Eurasian Economic Union.

The leaders are also expected to discuss the global context, including global trade and the Ukraine war. Ahead of his visit, Putin sat down for an interview with India Today, where, when asked about tariffs slapped on India for its purchase of Russian oil, the President said: “The US itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants… why shouldn’t India have the same privilege?” However, he added that the India-Russia collaboration was not “against anyone” but aimed at their national interests.

Meanwhile, a sizeable nuclear industry contingent has accompanied Putin to India. Russian nuclear company Rosatom State Corporation is likely to make a strong pitch for deploying its small modular reactors (SMR) for targeted applications in India. Anil Sasi explains what Russia is offering and what India needs.

On the sidelines: While the leaders met up, the Russian delegation had a host of meetings with Indian ministers in various sectors:

🔴 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held discussions with his Russian counterpart, including India’s interest in procuring the S-400 air defence systems.

🔴 The Russian delegation has also shown interest in importing fishery and meat products from India.

Press play: Putin will also launch Russian state-funded television network RT’s India arm today. In its biggest overseas venture, RT has arrived in Delhi with a state-of-the-art studio and a team of over a hundred.

👉 Follow our live blog for updates on the India-Russia annual summit throughout the day.

⚡Only in Express

The Arunachal Pradesh government awarded as many as 146 work contracts worth Rs 383.74 crore in the Tawang district between 2012 and 2023 to just four companies. What’s common among them? Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Two of these firms are owned by his wife, Tsering Dolma, and one each by his brother Tashi Khandu and sister-in-law Nima Drema. This information was sought by the Supreme Court after two organisations flagged the issue last year. The Indian Express reviewed the affidavit submitted by the state government. Here’s what we found.

📰 From the Front Page

Smoke signals: Stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana has become a political hot potato in recent years, given the worrying air quality over the national capital region. Official data show a steady decline in incidents of farm fires post-2020. However, a study by an ISRO centre suggests that the fires are being undercounted. It notes that usual monitoring satellites are missing the fires as the stubble-burning time has shifted.

Meanwhile, the Centre’s air quality watchdog has decided to expand the direct on-ground scrutiny of stubble burning to the rabi season (harvesting in summer months), which may contribute to overall pollution levels.

📌 Must Read

And then there were…: The Bombay High Court has granted bail to former Delhi University associate professor Hany Babu, accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, on the ground of prolonged incarceration of over five years without trial. The case stems from alleged provocative speeches delivered at a conclave in Pune in December 2017, which triggered violence in Koregaon-Bhima. As many as 16 people were accused in the case — only a few remain behind bars.

Check point: The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has highlighted a peculiar issue in Goa: those with Portuguese passports. Portugal offers those born in Goa before December 19, 1961 and two future generations the option of registering as Portuguese citizens. Thousands have taken up the offer. The Chief Electoral Officer has now sought information on those who have acquired a foreign passport, as they cease to be Indian citizens and cannot vote.

⏳ And Finally…

Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar releases in cinemas today. Earlier, the film had run into legal trouble after the family of a highly decorated Army officer, Major Mohit Sharma, claimed it was based on his life without due acknowledgement. Read about the case here.

Also read: Sanjay Dutt will bring to life a version of the notorious Karachi cop Chaudhary Aslam Khan. Here’s the story of the “encounter specialist”.

That’s all for today, folks! Happy weekend!
Sonal Gupta