Morning Digest | Opposition parties resolve to conduct caste census; PM Modi says coalitions of ‘negativity’ never successful, and more

Morning Digest, July 19, 2023 | NDA coalition of contributions, not compulsion; INDIA to conduct caste census; govt opts for scenario-based targets for exports; India-Russia JV deal back on track; and more

Coalitions of ‘negativity’ never successful, says PM

The 25-year-old National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is a “coalition of contributions and not compulsion”, with development as its main agenda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on July 18, drawing a line between the NDA and the new Opposition alliance, INDIA, announced in Bengaluru on the same day.

Opposition parties resolve to conduct caste census

INDIA, the new Opposition alliance, have resolved to conduct a caste census, asserting that they have come together to defeat the hatred and violence being manufactured against minorities as well as rising crimes against women, Dalits, tribals and Kashmiri Pandits.

As exports shrink amid global uncertainty, no clear target for the year

With merchandise exports shrinking 15.1% in the first quarter of this year, after racking up a record $450 billion in 2022-23, the government is playing it safe on announcing a clear target for outbound shipments this year and is likely to opt for a range of scenario-based targets instead.

Derailed India-Russia Vande Bharat deal is back on track