Major initiatives planned for the first 100 days

Strengthening its defence capabilities, enhancing internal security, and increasing its global presence are some of the key issues on the agenda for the first 100 days of the new government.

Key initiatives include establishing a new defence export promotion body, implementing new criminal laws, and engaging in crucial international summits. These efforts aim to bolster national security, promote strategic autonomy, and foster international partnerships.

New Defence Export Promotion Body and Key Deals

The Defence Ministry plans to establish a new export promotion body with most of its details already finalized. They are also setting up a fund to help friendly foreign countries buy Indian arms and ammunition. Important defence deals under the Make in India initiative are in progress. This includes acquiring more K9 Vajra artillery guns and engines for fighter jets. Final talks for purchasing Rafale M fighter jets for the Navy will also occur soon.

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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will see reforms, with significant production projects being conducted in collaboration with the industry. Additionally, there will be a review of the Agnipath scheme.

Internal Security Priorities

The Ministry of Home Affairs aims to implement new criminal laws starting July 1. Another important task is holding assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir before the Supreme Court’s deadline of September 30. Resolving the ethnic conflict in Manipur will also be a high priority.

Key Appointments in the Army

The Centre needs to decide on the appointment of the next Army Chief. General Manoj Pande is on a month’s extension until the end of June. Financial Express Online has reported previously that the top contender for the position is Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, the current Vice Chief of Army Staff. Southern Army Commander Lt Gen AK Singh, who is junior to Dwivedi, is also in the running.

Prime Minister’s Global Engagements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be very active globally this month. He will attend several major summits, including the G7, SCO, and BRICS summits. Other summits on his agenda include BIMSTEC, G20, and ASEAN-East Asia. The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union, FTA with the UK is expected to be expedited. A trade pact with Oman, India’s oldest strategic partner in the Gulf, has been concluded and will be announced soon. Trade agreements with several countries in South America including with Peru, expansion of the existing agreement with Chile, with MERCOSUR and a fresh agreement with Ecuador are on the list of the government.

India will continue its policy of strategic autonomy, strengthening ties with both the US and Russia. Managing relations with China will be a significant challenge, both bilaterally and in India’s neighbourhood.

New Envoys and Foreign Secretary

Over the next six months, India will appoint new envoys to the US, France, and the United Nations. A new Foreign Secretary is expected to be in place by October. Several other ambassadorial postings are also in the pipeline.

Other Important Decisions

There is speculation about whether Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba will continue beyond August, and the same applies to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. The government also needs to decide on the future of Intelligence Bureau Chief Tapan Deka, whose term ends on June 30.