MLC Daily Current Affairs - 28 March 2025

Today in History (March 28^th,2017)

In 2017, Kimberley, Western Australia observed the world’s largest dinosaur footprint at 1.7 meters.

Summary of Today’s News

Opposition slams Centre for ‘not responding’ to U.S. tariffs

Opposition in Rajya Sabha criticizes the Central government for its silence on U.S. tariff announcements by President Donald Trump.
Rajya Sabha members question the government’s strategy to address the emerging “tariff war” affecting the global economy.
Congress MP and ex-Finance Minister P. Chidambaram demands clarity from the government on India’s stance regarding Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariffs set for April 2.
Chidambaram suggests the government should either discuss the matter in Parliament or consult with Opposition parties, noting the lack of policy statements or engagement.
Union Finance Minister (FM) responds by explaining recent cuts in basic customs duties and tariffs, emphasizing these were not prompted by Trump’s announcements.
FM highlights that lowering or eliminating customs duties supports small and medium industries by reducing costs of imported raw materials and intermediary goods used for manufacturing exports.
FM asserts that these measures boost domestic manufacturing, enhance export competitiveness, simplify tariff structures, and address duty inversion, benefiting both trade and the public.
The Finance Bill proposes eliminating seven customs tariff rates on industrial goods, reducing the total tariff rates from 21 to eight, as part of ongoing rationalization efforts since 2023.
FM rejects claims that tariff reductions are a reaction to the global “tariff war,” stating they align with India’s long-term goal to become a manufacturing hub through consistent duty reductions in successive budgets.

Trump imposes 25% tariff on imported cars; affected allies threaten retaliation

S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported vehicles on Wednesday, intensifying a global trade conflict.
The new tariffs, targeting cars and light trucks, will begin on April 3, following Trump’s planned reciprocal tariffs on April 2 aimed at nations driving the U.S. trade deficit.
These measures add to existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, and goods from Mexico, Canada, and China.
In 2024, the U.S. imported automotive products worth $474 billion, including $220 billion in passenger cars, mainly from allies like Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Germany.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized the tariffs as harmful to businesses and consumers.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the tariffs an attack on Canadian workers, hinting at possible retaliation, and vowed to protect Canadian interests in a press conference in Ottawa.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that Japan is considering all possible responses to the tariffs.
Trump justifies the tariffs as a way to generate revenue for tax cuts and boost the struggling U.S. industrial sector.
Trade experts predict higher prices and lower demand, further straining a global auto industry already unsettled by Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies.
Trump argued, “Countries have taken our jobs and wealth for years; we’ll now charge them to do business here,” claiming that allies have often been more damaging than adversaries.

Putin to visit India this year: Russian Foreign Minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India this year.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the visit during an event in New Delhi.
Both Russia and India are preparing for the upcoming visit.
Lavrov expressed appreciation for India’s “balanced” approach towards the Ukraine crisis.
He emphasized that Russia and India share a long history of relations, which have stood the test of time.
Cooperation between Russia and India is based on mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests.
Lavrov highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first foreign visit after his re-election in 2024 was to Russia, signaling the importance of bilateral ties.
Putin accepted Modi’s invitation to visit India, and preparations for the visit are underway.
The upcoming visit will be Putin’s first to India since the Ukraine crisis began in February 2022.
Putin last visited India on December 6, 2021, for the 21st India-Russia annual summit.
In December 2024, Russia confirmed that Putin received an invitation from Modi to visit India in early 2025.
Modi visited Russia in July 2024 for the 22nd India-Russia summit.
Modi also participated in the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, where he met Putin.
Lavrov praised India’s “balanced position” on the Ukrainian crisis, focusing on a solution through dialogue.
Russia fully supports this approach, emphasizing Russia’s openness to negotiations to end the conflict.

Bengal border remains unfenced as State govt. is not providing land: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha on Thursday regarding the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, which was passed by a voice vote.
Shah stated that approximately 450 km of the Bengal-Bangladesh border remains unfenced due to the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal not providing land.
He accused the Mamata Banerjee government of practicing appeasement politics to facilitate “infiltrators.”
Despite 10 letters from Shah and seven meetings between the Union Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary, the land acquisition process for fencing has been stalled by the state government.
Shah claimed that Trinamool cadres obstruct Border Security Force (BSF) fencing work through “sloganeering and force.”
He alleged that illegal Bangladeshi nationals acquire Aadhaar and voter identity cards from a specific district in West Bengal (24 Parganas) and use these documents to pose as Indian citizens in Delhi.
Shah criticized the Opposition, stating that while Rohingya previously entered via Assam under Congress rule, they now come through Bengal.
He urged the West Bengal government to stop issuing Aadhaar cards to infiltrators