Tariff Reversal, Vijay Mallya, Tigers

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

It’s April 10. Today: Trump’s U-turn on tariffs, Vijay Mallya loses UK appeal, and India's tiger habitats expand. Plus, job openings at Google, Setu, PwC, and more in Who’s Hiring.

Policy, Governance & Regulation

> India Mulls Export Support as RBI Cuts Rates Amid Tariff Shock
In response to US tariff hikes and rising global uncertainty, sources say India is considering export support measures such as interest subsidies, insurance on export loans, and marketing incentives to help small exporters tap new markets in Latin America and Africa. Meanwhile, the RBI cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 6%—its second consecutive cut—citing mounting growth concerns. It signalled further easing may be on the cards. (Reuters, CNBC)

> Vijay Mallya Loses Bankruptcy Appeal in UK
Indian banks, led by SBI, have won a UK court case upholding a bankruptcy order against tycoon Vijay Mallya, linked to a ₹1,000+ crore judgment over loans to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya had argued the debt was settled, but the judge rejected the appeal, confirming the 2021 bankruptcy order will stand. (The Hindu, Reuters)

> Government Ends Cargo Transshipment for Bangladesh
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs ended a transshipment facility that allowed Bangladeshi export cargo to pass through Indian ports and airports, following remarks by Bangladesh's interim chief Muhammad Yunus during a China visit that hinted at Dhaka’s strategic leverage over India’s Northeast. The move may disrupt Bangladesh’s trade with Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar—and could benefit Indian exporters in textiles, footwear, and gems. (Indian Express, NDTV)

Health & Environment

> Trump Threatens Pharma Tariffs, India on Alert
President Trump said the US would “very shortly” announce major tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, raising alarm in India. The US is India’s largest pharma market, accounting for about $8.7 billion—or 31%—of India’s $27.9 billion pharma exports last year. Major firms like Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, and Aurobindo earn 30–50% of their revenues from the US, leaving the sector highly exposed to any trade disruptions. (New York Times, NDTV)

> Fisherfolk Protest Offshore Mining Near Kerala Coast
Fishing communities in Kerala are protesting a government plan to mine construction sand off the coast of Kollam, fearing it will further deplete fish stocks and harm coastal ecosystems. The Kollam site is one of 13 blocks selected for India’s first offshore mining auction. This is a part of a broader $1.8 billion National Critical Mineral Mission, which also seeks to mine key minerals like lithium and rare earths crucial to India’s green energy push. (Al Jazeera)

> Tiger Territory Expands by 30%—But Challenges Remain
Over the past 20 years, India’s tiger population has expanded its geographical range by 30%, adding nearly 3,000 sq km per year, according to a new study published in Nature. While tigers have thrived in prey-rich reserves, they’ve also colonized human-dominated landscapes, now sharing territory with an estimated 60 million people. Researchers caution that continued progress will require stronger habitat protections, efforts to reduce human–tiger conflict, and broader socio-political support. (Nature)

Business

> Trump Pauses Tariffs for Most Countries
US President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause on new tariffs for most countries, offering a temporary reprieve to global markets rattled by trade tensions. However, he simultaneously raised tariffs on China to 125%. Indian markets, which had plunged after last week's 26% levy announcement, are set for a rebound, with GIFT Nifty signaling a 600-point surge. The pause gives New Delhi more time to negotiate a trade deal with Washington and assess its tariff response. (NDTV, Moneycontrol)

> IndiGo Becomes World’s Second Most Valuable Airline
IndiGo briefly overtook US-based Delta Air Lines on Wednesday to become the world’s most valuable airline by market capitalisation, hitting $23.24 billion before slipping back just below Delta by market close. The rally marks a dramatic rise for IndiGo, whose valuation has tripled in six years—narrowing a gap that once saw Delta valued at nearly 5x more. (Business Standard)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> Zomato and Swiggy’s Food Brands Raise Fair Play Concerns
As Zomato and Swiggy expand their private-label food ventures—Bistro and Snacc—restaurant partners are raising concerns over marketplace neutrality and data use. The apps, originally built to connect users to eateries, now promote their own brands, potentially using insights from restaurant listings to gain a competitive edge. Both companies deny leveraging proprietary data, but industry experts remain skeptical. (Entrackr)

> Inside India’s ‘Frankenstein’ Laptop Economy
Across India’s tech markets, repair shops are assembling low-cost “Frankenstein” laptops—devices built from salvaged parts of multiple brands—to serve students, gig workers, and small businesses priced out of new machines. But this thriving grey market clashes with global tech giants, who restrict repairs through proprietary hardware and software locks. While India has begun exploring right-to-repair legislation, repair technicians still operate in a legal grey zone, sourcing parts from e-waste and informal networks. (The Verge)

Quick Hits

> The government approved a ₹63,000 crore deal to acquire 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets from France.

> The US revoked F-1 visas of dozens of Indian students over minor offenses, including traffic violations and resolved misdemeanors, ordering immediate self-deportation.

> ​IIM Ahmedabad signed an MoU with the UAE government to establish its first international campus in Dubai, offering a one-year MBA program starting September 2025.

> The RBI proposed draft rules for gold-backed loans, including tighter lending caps and stricter borrower checks.

> Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia said India’s GDP figures overstate real output and urged a rethink of work culture and productivity to compete with China.

> California- and Bengaluru-based Tessell raised $60M in Series B to grow its multi-cloud database service, with two-thirds of its 40 customers based in India.

> Bose Corporation invested $20 million in Noise, valuing the Indian wearable brand at $470 million.

> ​TCS, Accenture, and Infosys top LinkedIn's 2025 list of best workplaces in India. ​

Worth a Look

​Researchers at Azim Premji University have launched a website profiling notable Indian economists who’ve tackled the country’s most pressing economic challenges—past and present. A useful resource for students, professionals, and curious minds alike.

Who’s Hiring

> Setu, which builds modular API infrastructure for fintech products, is hiring a Legal Manager.

> Deloitte is hiring a Consultant, Customer and Commercial Strategy.

> WinZO is hiring for Product, Strategy & Growth.

> Google is hiring a Legal Specialist, Corporate.

> PwC is hiring a Senior Associate - Deals M&A Tech.

Social Spotlight

> A journalist shares a hilarious response he received to an RTI request.

> VCs in India have a new worry—a SEBI-mandated exam for fund managers.

> In a video snippet, a Chinese analyst shares how China views India’s growth story.

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