NewsBytes

Japan on Friday set an investment target of 10 trillion yen in India over a decade and the two sides firmed up a mega roadmap to bolster cooperation in several key areas such as critical minerals, defence and technology, in decisions that came amid economic turbulence by the Trump administration's policies on trade and tariffs. The announcements on expanding India-Japan special strategic and global partnership were made following summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba. We have set a target of 10 trillion yen investment in India from Japan in the next 10 years, Modi, flanked by Ishiba, said in his media statement. The prime minister, who landed in Tokyo this morning, said India-Japan cooperation is crucial for global peace and stability, and both sides have laid a strong foundation for a "new and golden chapter" in the partnership. We have created a 10-year roadmap for cooperation in a range of areas, including investment, innovation, and economic security, he said.  In his remarks, the prime minister said India and Japan are fully committed to a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific. Both sides also decided to further strengthen cooperation in the field of the defence industry and innovation.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh converted a hat-trick of penalty corners as India opened their Asian Cup hockey campaign with a 4–3 win over China in a Pool A match here on Friday. Besides Harmanpreet (20', 33', 47'),  Jugraj Singh (18') scored for India. Du Shihao (12'), Chen Benhai (35') and Gao Jiesheng (42') found the back of the net for China. Trailing 0-1 after the first quarter, India scored two goal in two minutes to head into the half time with a 2-1 lead. The hosts then stretched the advantage when skipper Harmanpreet connected well with his trademark drag flick and found the back of the net despite the Chinese keeper getting a hand to it. But China bounced back with Benhai converting a penalty corner as both teams headed to the final quarter on level terms. The Indian skipper was in action once again as he converted a third penalty corner to give India the lead once again.

Young pistol marksman Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu gave himself a belated birthday present by winning the 25m centre fire event, while former world champion Ankur Mittal netted the double trap gold as India made merry in non-Olympic disciplines at the Asian Shooting Championships, here on Friday. India also made a clean sweep in women's double trap with Anushka Bhati (93), Pranil Ingle (89) and Hafiz Contractor (87) finishing on the podium. The trio also cornered the team gold with an aggregate of 269. Sandhu, who turned 23 on August 13, beat back the challenge from veteran country-mate Gurpreet Singh, a Korean and an Iranian shooter to win the biggest medal of his career with a score of 583 (Precision 289, Rapid 294). This was Sandhu's first senior medal at the international level after winning a bronze and a silver in the junior world cup in 2018 and 2022 respectively.

Opposition-ruled states on Friday demanded that all states be compensated for 5 years for the likely Rs 2 lakh crore a year revenue loss due to the Centre's GST reform proposal. Ministers from eight opposition-ruled states -- Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal -- also sought a mechanism to guard against profiteering by businesses post tax rate cut to ensure the benefits reach the common man. The states suggested that an additional duty be levied on sin and luxury goods in addition to the proposed 40 per cent rate to maintain the current tax incidence. The proceeds from this levy should be distributed among states. These states will present their proposals before the GST Council, chaired by the Union finance minister and comprising all state ministers, at the September 3 and 4 meeting. The Centre has proposed that the GST be made a 2-tier tax structure of 5 and 18 per cent, as against the current 4-slab structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, plus a compensation cess.