Marine Drive, McKinsey, Laser Weapon

Welcome to 1947—your sharp, no-nonsense guide to India’s most important news.

It’s April 14. Today: Mumbai plans to widen Marine Drive, McKinsey on how companies can win in India, and a laser weapon test. Plus, job openings at BCG, Amazon, Amgen, and more in Who’s Hiring.

Policy, Governance & Regulation

> India, US Finalise Trade Deal Terms, Aim for Agreement in 90 Days
A government official said India and the US have finalised the terms of reference for a bilateral trade deal, with officials optimistic about striking a "win-win" agreement within the next 90 days. The talks aim to unlock a broader deal by year-end and boost bilateral trade—currently at $129 billion—to $500 billion by 2030. India holds a $45.7 billion surplus in this trade relationship, its largest globally. (Reuters)

> Mumbai Plans ₹500 Crore, 12-Lane Expansion of Marine Drive
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has approved a plan to widen Marine Drive from six to 12 lanes to prevent future traffic congestion once the Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel is completed in 2028. The project is expected to cost ₹500 crore. (Hindustan Times)

> SC Curtails Governor’s Power to Stall State Bills
The Supreme Court ruled that Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s delay in assenting to 10 state Bills was illegal, reinforcing that Governors cannot indefinitely stall legislation passed by elected Assemblies. The Court clarified that “withholding assent” under Article 200 of the Constitution isn’t a veto, and Bills once reconsidered by the legislature cannot be reserved for the President unless materially altered. (The Hindu)

> India Launches Biggest-Ever Naval Drills With African Nations
India has kicked off its largest joint naval exercise with African nations, co-hosted with Tanzania and including eight other countries such as Kenya, Madagascar, and South Africa. The six-day drills in Dar es Salaam aim to strengthen India’s maritime presence and counter China’s growing clout in the Indian Ocean. (Financial Times)

Health & Environment

> Alarming Rise in Obesity in the Country
India had 180 million overweight or obese adults in 2021—second only to China—and that number could surge to 450 million by 2050, nearly a third of the projected population, according to a new Lancet study. Abdominal obesity is a key concern: NFHS-5 data shows 40% of women and 12% of men in India already have high waist-to-hip ratios, underscoring a growing public health crisis. (BBC, Lancet)

> Electronics Giants Challenge India’s New E-Waste Policy
Several major appliance makers—including Samsung, Daikin, and Hitachi—have taken the Indian government to court over new e-waste rules that require them to pay more for recycling. The policy aims to formalise a largely informal sector that handles 80% of India’s e-waste and encourage sustainable practices. But companies warn the new mandates could raise compliance costs and disrupt operations. (Reuters)

Business

> China Offers to Ease Trade Barriers Amid $100B Deficit With India
Beijing has informally proposed increasing imports from India to help narrow the record $100 billion trade deficit, signaling a desire to ease tensions as it faces 145% US tariffs. Sources say China may remove tariff and non-tariff barriers, but India remains cautious, fearing a further flood of cheap Chinese goods without reciprocal access. (Hindustan Times)

> Amazon-Backed More Retail Plans IPO, Eyes Store Expansion
Supermarket chain More Retail, backed by Amazon, plans to go public in 2026 and double its store count over five years, according to a source. The Mumbai-based grocer currently operates 775 stores and saw gross sales rise 11% to $580 million in FY25. The move comes as more Indians embrace a mix of online and in-store grocery shopping. (Reuters)

> McKinsey: How Global Firms Can Win in India
India could gain up to $1.2 trillion from trade-flow shifts by 2030 and grow its manufacturing share of GDP to 25%, according to McKinsey. To succeed, multinationals must take a long-term view, empower local leaders, customize for Indian consumers, localize operations, and move quickly to scale. These five traits, McKinsey says, are what set winning companies apart in India’s complex but high-growth market. (McKinsey & Company)

> KPMG Sells Control of India Captive to US, UK Arms for $210M
KPMG’s US and UK firms have acquired a combined 33% stake in KPMG Global Services (KGS) from the Indian partnership for $210 million, making it the first-ever Big Four captive divestiture in India. All three firms—KPMG India, US, and UK—previously held equal 33% stakes, but management control rested with the Indian entity. (Economic Times)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> India Joins Elite Club With Laser Weapon Test
India has successfully tested a high-powered, laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), shooting down a drone in a breakthrough trial by the DRDO. The system tracked and neutralized a target using a focused energy beam, marking a major leap in India’s defense tech. DRDO chief Samir V Kamat said only the US, Russia, China, and possibly Israel have demonstrated similar capabilities—making India the fourth or fifth nation to do so. (NDTV)

> Apple Now Assembles 1 in 5 iPhones in India
Apple produced $22B worth of iPhones in India in the 12 months to March—up nearly 60% from the previous year—as it continues shifting production away from China. The tech giant now makes 20% of its iPhones in India, mostly through Foxconn and Tata Group’s manufacturing arms. The move underscores India’s growing role in global electronics supply chains. (Bloomberg)

Quick Hits

> Ambedkar Jayanti, also known as Equality Day, will be observed on April 14 to mark the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution.

> JioHotstar has crossed 200 million paying subscribers, fueled by multi-language IPL streams, making it one of the world’s largest streaming platforms.

> TCS says clients in retail, travel, and auto sectors face higher exposure to US tariffs, while banking clients remain largely unaffected.

> Hyatt plans to double its India footprint to 100 hotels in five years, banking on rising demand from weddings, concerts, and religious tourism.

> Karnataka plans to levy a differential fee on app-based platforms—charging more from high-revenue services like cabs—to fund gig worker welfare.

Worth a Look

​The Hindu has a sharp video on Chettur Sankaran Nair—the lawyer who challenged the British after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. A timely watch on the tragic incident’s 106th anniversary.

Who’s Hiring

> Amazon MGM Studios is hiring a Corporate Counsel.

> BCG is hiring a Specialist - Marketing.

> Kunal Bahl, co-founder of Snapdeal, is someone to work closely with him.

> Amgen is hiring a Regulatory Affairs Manager - Devices.

> ISV Capital is hiring a Venture Investor.

Social Spotlight

> A great LinkedIn article questions the prerequisites that people blindly assume are true in life.

> An old but still relevant article from the founder of CB Insights on running his father’s business after his death.

> Some wonderful pictures of the Malabar giant squirrel found in Central and Southern India.

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