 "FirstUp: New Zealand PM to visit Mumbai, US Federal Reserve to announce interest rates… The headlines today")
It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day.
Firstly, the United States Federal Reserve is set to announce its decision on benchmark interest rates. Meanwhile, New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon will be on a visit to Mumbai as part of his India tour.
The 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus is set to take place in New Delhi while the third day of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 will commence in the national capital.
Meanwhile, comedian Samay Raina has been summoned once again in connection to the India’s Got Latent controversy. Finally, the Enforcement Directorate has summoned RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Here is all that is set to take place today.
US Federal Reserve to announce interest rates
Against a backdrop of volatility caused by President Trump’s new tariffs, the US Federal Reserve is scheduled to announce its benchmark interest rate decision on Wednesday (March 19). The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) began its two-day meeting from Tuesday (March 18).
Many experts believe that there are slim to no chances of a rate cut, reported news website Moneycontrol. Quoting a Reuters report, it further stated, “Many economists feel that US Fed Chair Jerome Powell is likely to keep the interest rate at the current level of 4.25 per cent to 4.50 per cent range.
New Zealand PM Luxon to visit Mumbai
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon will be on a visit to Mumbai as part of his India tour. Luxon is on a five-day visit to India from March 16 to March 20. He is scheduled to have interactions with Indian business leaders and representatives from various walks of life.
A press statement said that Luxon will be accompanied by a high-level delegation from various fields. “He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials, businesses, media and members of the Indian diaspora community in New Zealand,” the statement said.
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus to be held in Delhi
The 14th meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group is set to be held in the national capital today.
India and Malaysia will co-chair the ADMM-Plus meeting, which will be attended by delegations from ASEAN members, dialogue partners, Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretariat, reported news agency ANI.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh will deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony. Notably, this is the first time that India will co-chair the Experts Working Group meeting on Counter-Terrorism.
Day 3 of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 to commence
The third day and final day of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 will get going in the national capital. The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship multilateral foreign policy and geoeconomics conference.
The day will likely feature a mix of panel discussions, keynote addresses, and ministerial sessions, continuing the focus on six thematic pillars namely shifting political dynamics, environmental challenges, digital governance, trade complexities, development strategies and peace initiatives.
India, France to kick off Varuna naval exercise in Arabian Sea
India and France today will kick off their ‘Varuna’ naval exercise in the Arabian Sea. Since its inception in 2001, Varuna has evolved into a cornerstone of cooperation, showcasing the two nations’ commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy. This year’s edition promises an exhilarating array of maritime exercises and complex manoeuvres across the sub-surface, surface, and air domains. The joint participation of the aircraft carriers Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle, alongside their fighter aircraft, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, highlights the collaborative strength of both Navies.
Varuna-2025 will feature advanced air defence drills and fighter exercises, including mock air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K, designed to refine tactical and operational capabilities. Anti-submarine warfare exercises will provide rigorous training in underwater domain awareness, while surface warfare operations will demonstrate synchronised manoeuvres and engagements by the Indian and French fleets. Maritime patrol aircraft will enhance situational awareness, and replenishment-at-sea exercises will fortify logistical cooperation. This collaboration underscores the shared vision of safeguarding a free, open, and secure maritime environment.
Samay Raina summoned once again
Comic Samay Raina has been summoned by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell to appear on March 19 regarding ‘India’s Got Latent’ controversy. He failed to appear for a previous summons on Monday (March 17).
Despite Samay Raina's request to provide his statement via video-conferencing due to prior commitments in the US and Canada, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell demanded an in-person appearance.
Controversy erupted after comedian Samay Raina’s “India’s Got Latent” show’s co-host Ranveer Allahbadia posed an inappropriate question to a contestant, sparking widespread outrage and legal scrutiny.
ED summons Lalu Prasad Yadav
Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yada v for an inquiry in the land-for-jobs money laundering case on Wednesday. His wife Rabri Devi and son Tej Pratap Yadav were called to appear before the court on Tuesday (March 18).
The statements of the three are to be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reported news agency PTI. Prasad, Rabri Devi and their younger son Tejashwi Yadav have been questioned by the ED in this case earlier.
On this day…
Birth anniversary of cricketer Abbas Ali Baig.
Birth anniversary of actress Tanushree Dutta.
Birth anniversary of actor Angela D’Angelo.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932.
The Academy Awards was televised for the first time with Bob Hope as the host in 1953
India and Bangladesh signed a Friendship Treaty in 1972.
Michael Jordan went back to play for the Chicago Bulls after deciding to come out of retirement in 1995.
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