India

Intelligence for Better Decision Making

Escalating Air Pollution in Delhi NCR Triggers Protests and Emergency Measures

Nov. 25, 2025 | Environment

Air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region has intensified, sparking protests and prompting authorities to implement measures to mitigate its effects.

**On 23 November, protesters at India Gate in Delhi gathered to oppose the worsening air quality across the Delhi-NCR region.**
When police arrived to disperse the crowd and clear traffic, some demonstrators resisted and sprayed chilli spray at officers. Three to four personnel suffered eye injuries and were taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for treatment. The crowd breached C-hexagon barricades, ignored warnings to keep ambulance corridors clear, and sat on the road, forcing authorities to escalate their response. Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla said this was the first recorded use of chilli spray by demonstrators in a crowd-control situation, and legal proceedings have been launched against those responsible.

**Delhi and its surrounding National Capital Region have experienced hazardous air quality for eleven consecutive days, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 398 at its peak.**
Localities such as Anand Vihar, Bawana, Ashok Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Punjabi Bagh reported AQI values above 400, categorizing them as “severe.” The NCR cities of Noida and Ghaziabad also recorded severe pollution, while Greater Noida and Gurugram fell into the “very poor” range. Faridabad registered lower but still unhealthy AQI levels. As of early Monday, Delhi’s AQI stood at 396 (“very poor”); the previous day, 20 monitoring stations measured “severe” levels and 18 recorded “very poor” readings above 300. The Air Quality Early Warning System projects that conditions will remain “very poor” through at least 26 November.

**Authorities have deployed multiple measures to reduce pollution exposure.**
They optimized electricity distribution to maintain an uninterrupted power supply and cut reliance on diesel generators, intensified traffic management, and issued widespread pollution advisories. Public transportation now features additional CNG and electric buses, increased service frequency, and fare adjustments to encourage off-peak travel. Under the Graded Response Action Plan, Stage II triggers staggered work hours for government offices across Delhi and major NCR cities, while Stage III—previously reserved for the most severe pollution levels—mandates a 50 percent on-site workforce with the remainder working remotely. The Delhi government has extended that 50 percent on-site staffing requirement to private offices as well.

**Meteorological conditions are also influencing air-quality dynamics.**
Temperatures in Delhi have fallen, with minimums expected around 8 °C and maximums forecast between 24 °C and 27 °C over the coming week. The India Meteorological Department predicts moderate to shallow morning fog from 24 to 26 November under clear skies. Prevailing northwest surface winds may drive a 2–3 °C drop in minimum temperatures across northwest India over the next three days. Light rainfall could cool early mornings but is unlikely to disperse particulate matter substantially.

India and South Africa Deepen Strategic Partnership at G20 Summit

Nov. 25, 2025 | Geopolitics & Defense

India and South Africa are seeking to deepen their strategic partnership across multiple sectors following bilateral talks at the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

**On November 23, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Cyril Ramaphosa to review India–South Africa relations and identify new avenues for cooperation.**
They agreed to expand trade and investment, facilitate mutual capital flows into infrastructure, technology, innovation, mining and start-ups, and welcomed the growing presence of Indian companies in South Africa.

**The leaders mapped out joint initiatives in critical minerals and emerging technologies, including open-source, human-centric artificial intelligence and digital public goods.**
They committed to reinforcing digital public infrastructure, advancing skill development and strengthening people-to-people ties through enhanced youth exchanges alongside cooperation on food security, culture and broader technology collaboration.

**Modi thanked Ramaphosa for South Africa’s relocation of cheetahs to India and invited him to join the International Big Cat Alliance.**
They also pledged to amplify the Global South’s voice in multilateral forums and coordinate on securing critical minerals and other shared priorities.

Modi lauded South Africa’s hosting of its first G20 Summit on African soil and its African Union chairship, following India’s 2023 G20 Presidency, while Ramaphosa affirmed support for India’s upcoming BRICS chairship in 2026, emphasizing solidarity among emerging economies.

**Bilateral trade reached USD 19.25 billion in 2023–24, and Indian investments in South Africa surpassed USD 1.3 billion across pharmaceuticals, information technology, automotive, banking and mining sectors as of September 2024.**
Modi’s visit to Johannesburg from November 21–23, 2025 also included engagements with other world leaders at the summit.

Monitored Intelligence for India - Nov. 26, 2025

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Erudite Risk takes an all risks approach to intelligence reporting. We categorize key intelligence into one of 40 different risk intelligence categories.

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Centre to table major reform bills in Winter Session of Parliament — From insurance to insolvency, see what's planned

Livemint | English | News | Nov. 26, 2025 | Regulation

The Indian government plans to introduce about a dozen major bills during the Winter Session of Parliament, scheduled from December 1 to 19, 2025. These legislative proposals aim to stimulate investment and accelerate reforms, with key focus areas including atomic energy and insurance sectors.

This legislative push follows the recent implementation of four new labour codes designed to enhance job and social security benefits for Indian workers, as well as a GST overhaul in September. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is targeting improvements in ease of doing business as part of its broader vision of achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ status by 2047, which requires sustaining an annual growth rate of 8%.

However, this growth target faces challenges, including substantial US tariffs on Indian exports. The United States has imposed a 50% tariff on all Indian imports, with a 25% reciprocal rate and an additional 25% “punishment” tariff linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil. These tariffs are among the highest levied on any country by the US. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg predict India’s economy will grow by 7.3% in the third quarter of 2025, with data expected on November 28.

‘Anti-poaching policy for pilots in national interest’

The Hindu | English | News | Nov. 26, 2025 | UndeterminedPolitical Policy Resistance

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson emphasized that policies aimed at retaining pilots and preventing their poaching by foreign carriers serve the national interest, highlighting aviation’s role as a driver of economic development and a source of India’s soft power. He noted that encouraging more aircraft to be based and maintained in India would boost the country’s aviation ecosystem, increase business connectivity, and generate multiplier economic and social effects.

Industry leaders, including IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, have lobbied for an international mechanism to curb the poaching of Indian aviation personnel by foreign airlines, especially amid aggressive recruitment in regions like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. However, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rejected the proposed Working Paper, advising instead that focus remain on dialogue, retention, and stakeholder collaboration. Indian regulators had attempted to impose a six-month notice period for pilots leaving the country, but the rule was stayed by the Delhi High Court following a union challenge.

Regarding Air India’s fleet upgrade, Wilson stated that most international routes in 2026 will feature either new aircraft or fully refurbished interiors, with two legacy Boeing 787s currently undergoing interior retrofitting in California. By the end of 2026, around two-thirds of the airline’s 32 Boeing 787s will be upgraded. The retrofit of 22 older Boeing 777s for ultra long-haul flights has been delayed until late 2026. Air India plans to add six new widebody aircraft, including Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s, while returning eight others under lease agreements, including five Boeing 777s destined for freight conversion.

Wilson also revealed that Air India’s aircraft deliveries have been severely delayed, with none of the 28 expected new planes for 2025 delivered so far, impacting the airline’s expansion plans.

Indian flag desecrated, ‘kill’ slogans at Khalistan referendum in Canada

The Economic Times | English | News | Nov. 26, 2025 | Communal and Religious Strife

The unofficial “Khalistan Referendum” held in Ottawa on Sunday drew thousands of Canadian Sikhs despite harsh weather conditions. Organized by the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the non-binding vote asked participants whether they supported the creation of a separate Sikh homeland, Khalistan, and the secession of Punjab from India. Over 53,000 Sikhs from various provinces queued for hours to cast their ballots, with many families, including elderly individuals, participating.

The event became controversial as participants reportedly desecrated the Indian flag and chanted slogans calling for the killing of Indian politicians and government officials. Videos from Alberta-based Media Bezirgan showed large crowds and police liaison officers monitoring the situation. SFJ's legal counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is designated a terrorist by India, addressed voters via satellite.

The referendum coincided with a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in South Africa, where they discussed restarting negotiations for a new Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This trade deal aims to double bilateral trade to over CAD 70 billion by 2030. The referendum and related activities continue to strain India-Canada relations.

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