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Good evening, Hope you had a productive weekend. We’ll start this Monday with an excellent story by my colleague Anand Mohan J from Bhopal. In an exclusive report, he discusses how the Indian government has been engaging with diplomatic channels over the past two years to restore its African cheetah population. It hasn’t been straightforward due to various challenges. In South Africa, a key source country, talks have stalled due to a change in government. Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority noted that Botswana, which was aimed to send four cheetahs, has yet to finalise timelines. In Kenya, negotiations seem more indefinite, emphasising long-term collaboration rather than immediate translocation. While in some cases, deadlines for the cheetahs' arrivals have expired, in others, there is uncertainty about the status of the MoUs that were supposed to be signed. Today, the cheetah population in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno stands at 26, including nine adult cheetahs (six females and three males) with 17 India-born cubs. This follows several deaths and births since the first batch of cheetahs arrived in 2022. On that note, let’s dive in 👇🏽
📝 The Debrief
Indo-Maldivian ties have come a full circle since the heady ‘India Out’ days of November 2023
Two years ago, India’s relationship with the Maldives seemed strained. The then-candidate (and now President) Mohamed Muizzu campaigned on a strongly anti-India and pro-China foreign policy platform that appeared to connect with his voters. Fast forward to last Friday, and circumstances seem entirely different, a complete turnaround, if you prefer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives upon his return from the United Kingdom and announced a Rs 4,850 crore line of credit to the island nation. He also declared India to be “the most trusted friend of the Maldives” during his two-day visit, which also included attending the country’s 60th anniversary of independence celebrations. Change of heart: Muizzu’s re-pivot has been gradual and calculated. His first state visit as President was to Beijing in January 2024, where he signed several agreements with China, including military and financial assistance. However, towards the end of the year, in October, Muizzu visited India on a four-day, extended standalone visit as President, in an attempt to reset ties. During Modi’s visit, Muizzu broke protocol and personally received the Prime Minister at the Male airport upon his arrival, and called India a “crucial partner.” Economic woes: What changed? Well, his country’s financial situation, which was dire at the time, was down to an increase in public debt, which surged to 134% of GDP in 2024, a rise from 110% in early that year, to around 123% in 2023. The country faces significant external debt repayment obligations today, which have increased from $500 million annually in 2024 and 2025 to over $1 billion, exceeding its reserves. Plunging arrivals: Declining tourism, especially from India, is also a factor. While overall tourism reached an all-time high last year, Indian arrivals in 2024 decreased by 37.5% compared to the previous year. By March 2025, the number further declined by 13%, making India the sixth-largest source, compared to its position as the first between 2021 and 2023. During Modi’s visit, Muizzu highlighted India’s importance as a “key source market” for tourism in the Maldives, while also stating that both countries have discussed the possibility of starting direct flights. Reset button: Both countries appear to be eager to leave the past behind. Fresh on the heels of signing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, the Indian government announced the start of an FTA with the Maldives, in a bid to strengthen economic ties. Modi also announced that both countries will work towards finalising a bilateral investment treaty.
✍️ From our newsroom
An ode to Washington Sundar: The all-rounder’s first Test hundred was characterised by restraint, much like the man himself. No theatrics, no celebrations – just a wave of the bat and a stoic face. But beneath that calm lies a cricketer of rare grit and value. Over the years, he has appeared in India’s most testing Test moments – from Brisbane to Birmingham, often at No. 7 or 8, quietly producing game-saving knocks. On Sunday, promoted to No. 5 due to Rishabh Pant’s injury, my colleague Sandip G writes, Sundar batted with calm authority, absorbing pressure and seizing key moments – like pulling Ben Stokes for a six to shift momentum. His technique is built for Tests: patient, assured, and economical. Despite a modest presence, he is often central to the action when it matters most. This century might just encourage more to notice a cricketer who does it all without ever making a fuss, the kind every team wants, but few truly appreciate.
🔎 Need to know
Peace time? Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet announced a ceasefire with Thailand after talks in Malaysia’s Putrajaya. Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the US and Malaysia were supporting peace efforts.
Handshake: Elon Musk’s Tesla and South Korean giant Samsung Electronics signed a $16.5 billion deal, which will see the EV giant source chips from Samsung. The deal is expected to help boost Samsung’s loss-making contract manufacturing venture. New queen: India’s Divya Deshmukh defeated compatriot Koneru Humpy in the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup. The 19-year-old Deshmukh won the final via tiebreaks and in the process, became India’s 4th woman grandmaster.
🎙️Expresso Playlist
In today’s Playlist, I’ll recommend an episode from The Allusionist, which looks at an epic 19th-century paleontological dispute over dinosaurs. Spoiler alert: a rabbit hole with bribes, spies, and destroyed fossils awaits you.
✋🏽 One last thing
I’ll leave you with this super interesting Bloomberg Businessweek read on the world’s largest zipper manufacturer—the Japan-headquartered YKK, and its Trump tariff-era challenges, given its vast and global supply chain. Read on.
Until tomorrow, Venkat Ananth |
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