National

Indian Coast Guard Begins Construction of First Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle in Goa


In a landmark move bolstering India’s maritime defence self-reliance, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officially began construction of its first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) on July 30, 2025. The ceremony, known as the Girder Laying and Commencement of Erection, was held at the Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Goa.

The ACV is based on the globally proven designs of Griffon Hoverwork (UK) and is being adapted and built using Indian expertise to serve a wide range of coastal and offshore missions. These hovercraft are specially designed to operate in shallow waters, offering rapid deployment and flexibility for missions such as coastal patrolling, interdiction, and search and rescue operations.

The ceremony was attended by ICG Inspector General Sudhir Sahni, Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), who highlighted the strategic importance of this development in India’s defence manufacturing landscape.

This construction marks the first ACV in a series of six, under a contract signed on October 24, 2024, between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company. The initiative underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s steadfast commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign equipment and bolster operational autonomy.

Once inducted, these vessels will add a powerful new dimension to India’s coastal response force, offering unmatched speed and manoeuvrability in dynamic maritime environments. The move reflects the growing synergy between public and private sector defence firms in building a self-reliant defence ecosystem.

Business

India-UK Free Trade Agreement Marks a Major Leap for ‘Make in India’, Says TVS Motor


New Delhi / London, July 24, 2025 — The recently signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK, has been met with enthusiastic support from India’s industrial sector. Among the most prominent endorsements came from TVS Motor Company, which hailed the FTA as a “pivotal moment” in India’s rise as a global manufacturing powerhouse.

The agreement is expected to double bilateral trade from the current USD 60 billion to USD 120 billion by 2030, marking a major win under the Government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’ visions.

📣 TVS Motor Responds with Optimism

Speaking on the development, Mr. Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director of TVS Motor Company, said:

“We are deeply inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat and his unwavering commitment to making India a global manufacturing and design powerhouse. The signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement is a pivotal moment — it opens new frontiers for Indian companies to take ‘Make in India’ to the world.”

“We are particularly excited given the launch of new Norton vehicles this year, which will benefit from the strengthening of trade links between India and the UK. It energises our global ambitions and strengthens our resolve to build world-class products and brands.”


🏍️ Norton Motorcycles: A Strategic Fit

TVS Motor acquired the iconic British motorcycle brand Norton in 2020, and the FTA now gives the company a clear competitive edge in the UK and European markets. With the launch of next-gen Norton models planned for later this year, TVS expects both manufacturing synergy and brand resonance in a post-FTA trade environment.


🌍 A Bigger Platform for Indian Innovation

The India-UK FTA is more than a trade agreement. It reflects a broader strategy to:

  • Encourage exports of Indian-engineered products
  • Boost bilateral investments
  • Strengthen design and R&D collaboration
  • Enhance supply chain efficiency

For companies like TVS Motor, it sets the stage for deeper integration with global markets while showcasing Indian excellence on the world stage.


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🚄 India’s Bullet Train Dream Nears Reality: Full Corridor to Be Ready by December 2029


India is gearing up for its first-ever bullet train, and the finish line is in sight.

In a significant announcement, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the entire high-speed rail corridor from Maharashtra to Sabarmati (Gujarat) is expected to be fully completed by December 2029.

This corridor is part of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, the flagship initiative under India’s modernization of transport infrastructure.


🚄 Key Highlights:

  • Route: Maharashtra to Sabarmati, Gujarat
  • Length: Approximately 508 km
  • Speed: Up to 320 km/h
  • Trains: Based on Japanese Shinkansen (bullet train) technology
  • Completion Target: December 2029

Why It Matters:

The bullet train promises to cut travel time drastically, enhance regional connectivity, reduce road and air congestion, and serve as a symbol of India’s technological progress in public transport.

The project also marks significant Indo-Japanese collaboration, with both funding and technology support playing a crucial role in the corridor’s development.


What’s Next:

With work progressing steadily — including bridges, stations, and tunneling — the bullet train is no longer a distant dream. The 2029 deadline offers a clear timeline for what could become India’s most iconic transport upgrade of the decade.

Stay tuned as India inches closer to high-speed excellence.

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Japan to Introduce E10 Shinkansen Trains in Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Corridor


India’s ambitious bullet train project just received a powerful boost. The Japanese government has officially agreed to introduce E10 series Shinkansen trains in India for the 508-km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor, signaling a major step forward in Indo-Japanese infrastructure cooperation.

The E10 Shinkansen, a state-of-the-art model built for speed, comfort, and energy efficiency, is expected to significantly cut down travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to just about 2 hours, a fraction of the current 7-8 hour journey.

This high-speed rail initiative, backed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is part of India’s larger plan to revolutionize rail transport under the Make in India initiative. While the trains will be initially manufactured in Japan, future plans include technology transfer and local production.

Key Features of the Project:

  • Distance: 508 kilometers
  • Max Speed: 320 km/h
  • Stations: 12 stations between Mumbai and Ahmedabad
  • Trains: E10 Shinkansen with advanced safety, aerodynamic design, and noise reduction tech
  • Technology Partner: Japan, with support from JICA

The decision is expected to accelerate project timelines and bring India’s first high-speed rail corridor closer to operational reality. It also strengthens diplomatic and technological ties between India and Japan, showcasing a shared commitment to next-generation mobility and green transportation solutions.

With the groundwork already underway at various project sites, this announcement brings renewed momentum and global attention to one of India’s most transformative infrastructure projects.

International

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Signs MoU with Cochin Shipyard to Strengthen Maritime Ties


New Delhi, July 3, 2025: In a significant step toward fostering strategic maritime cooperation, South Korea’s HD Hyundai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s largest shipbuilder, Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL). This strategic partnership aims to promote collaboration in advanced shipbuilding, defence manufacturing, and maritime innovation.

The agreement was signed in the presence of senior officials from both nations and marks a pivotal moment in the expanding Indo-Korean industrial relationship.

The MoU will focus on several key areas:

  • Technology transfer in commercial and defence shipbuilding
  • Joint development of eco-friendly and next-generation vessels
  • Collaboration in global maritime projects
  • Promotion of localised manufacturing under the Make in India initiative

This development aligns with India’s broader push to enhance its blue economy and maritime capabilities. Cochin Shipyard, which has emerged as a powerhouse in defence shipbuilding and maintenance, will benefit from HD Hyundai’s global expertise and innovation in marine engineering.

“This partnership is not just about ships. It’s about building capabilities, sharing knowledge, and steering the future of maritime technology together,” said a Cochin Shipyard spokesperson.

Strategic Significance

The MoU is also expected to pave the way for joint participation in global tenders, co-development of dual-use technologies, and potentially new facilities or expansion in India and South Korea.

HD Hyundai, formerly known as Hyundai Heavy Industries, is a global leader in shipbuilding and maritime technology. The company has a longstanding reputation for innovation in LNG carriers, naval ships, and eco-friendly marine solutions.

The Indo-Korean partnership comes at a time when both countries are looking to expand strategic cooperation in key sectors such as defence, blue economy, renewable energy, and industrial manufacturing.

As global shipping lanes evolve and defence requirements grow, this MoU could shape the future of maritime collaboration between two of Asia’s leading industrial powers.