Arvind's Newsletter

1.Modi highlights ‘unprecedented trust’ between India and US in a rare interview with Wall Street Journal
Prime Minister Modi, while advocating for diversification in supply chains, told The Wall Street Journal that India 'deserves a wider profile' within international organisations. Some excerpts:

PM Modi, who in the interview called defence cooperation between the two countries “an important pillar of partnership”, is expected to sign multiple weapons manufacturing deals including a deal for production of engines for advanced light combat aircraft.

He is also expected to sign a multi-billion dollar agreement to enhance surveillance over India’s contested borders with China and across the Indian Ocean. A deal for the purchase of high-altitude armed Predator drones from the US is also expected to materialise.

These deals are, according to The Wall Street Journal, part of Washington’s efforts to reduce India’s dependence on Russia for military supplies such as arms, ammunition, tanks, fighter jets and S-400 air defence systems. The Indian government has abstained from voting on resolutions condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the UN Security Council — over which American lawmakers have expressed their ‘disappointment’.

“India deserves a much higher, deeper and wider profile and a role”, the Prime Minister opined, while calling for the restructuring of international organisations such as the United Nations to better represent an increasingly multipolar world order. He also nodded towards India’s goal to become a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

PM Modi observed, “Look at the membership of key institutions — does it truly represent the voice of democratic values? A place like Africa — does it have a voice? India has such a huge population and is a bright spot in the global economy, but is it present?”

He further added, “There has to be an evaluation of the current membership and the world should be asked if it wants India to be there.” Read on

2.The U.S. and India reached a landmark jet engine deal ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington. 

The manufacturing of General Electric F414 military jet engines will be the first time the U.S. shares what it calls a “crown jewel” of its defense capabilities with a non-ally, the Hindustan Times reported.

Ties between Washington and New Delhi have grown tighter as their individual relations with Beijing have soured. Defense cooperation is a big part of that partnership, according to Modi.

3.India clears $2.7 billion Micron chip testing plant ahead of Modi's U.S. visit, reported Reuters.
India's cabinet has approved U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology's (MU.O) $2.7 billion plan for a new semiconductor testing and packaging unit, a senior government source said on Tuesday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the U.S.

The government agreed production-linked incentives worth 110 billion rupees ($1.34 billion) for the plant, which is set to be built in Modi's home state of Gujarat, the Indian official added.

4.Peter Attia and Outlive: The Importance of Investing in Our Health

One of the most important insights of Dr Peter Attia’s book- Outlive, is that health should be viewed as an investment that increases our ability to get the most out of life in old age.

Just as an investment in money requires a sacrifice in the present (we must spend less today) to increase spending in the future, eating well and exercising involve making a sacrifice today to remain more capable of physical activity after we retire.

It’s hard, but it is worth the investment. Definitely worth reading this review of his book in the New York Times and then the book. I have just completed reading it and is strongly recommended.

5.I am big fan of the writing of Morgan Housel. He is a great story teller and explains difficult concepts lucidly. In this article Housel drives home a simple yet powerful point – the power of compounding of ideas. Read on