The early weeks of 2026 have witnessed a seismic shift in the geopolitical and economic landscape as the United States and India finalised a landmark trade deal. Following a year of escalating tensions, punitive tariffs, and complex diplomatic manoeuvring, the agreement announced on February 2nd, 2026, by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi marks a significant "reset" in the relationship between the world’s two largest democracies. This deal is not merely a technical adjustment of customs duties; it is a strategic alignment aimed at decoupling supply chains from shared adversaries, securing energy independence, and cementing a high-tech partnership that could define the mid-21st century. Below are the key features and pillars of this monumental agreement. 1. The Great Tariff Reduction: From 50% to 18% The most immediate and visible feature of the 2026 deal is the drastic reduction in U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. In August 2025, the U.S. administ...
Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025: A New Era in Rural Employment
Introduction In December 2025, India witnessed a landmark legislative transformation with the passage of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, commonly known as VB–G RAM G (or "Viksit Bharat – G RAM G"). Introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 16, 2025, and passed by Parliament on December 18, 2025, this legislation represents a decisive shift in the nation's rural employment policy. The Act replaces the nearly two-decade-old Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, reframing India's approach to rural livelihoods in alignment with the ambitious Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. The Evolution from MGNREGA to VB–G RAM G India's journey toward structured rural employment began in the post-independence era with schemes like the Rural Manpower Programme and later evolved through the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana and Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana. MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, was a watershed moment as t...