Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly preparing to step down as the leader of the Liberal Party, according to a report by The Globe and Mail. Citing three sources, the report suggests that Trudeau's resignation could be announced as early as Monday, ahead of a crucial national caucus meeting on Wednesday. However, no official timeline for the announcement has been confirmed.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not issued a statement on the matter, and it remains unclear whether Trudeau would vacate his position immediately or continue to serve as prime minister until a new leader is chosen.

Trudeau has led the Liberal Party since 2013, a tenure marked by both significant victories and growing challenges. Under his leadership, the Liberals reclaimed power in 2015 with a strong majority, reversing their previous decline to third-party status in the House of Commons. However, recent polling indicates waning support for the Liberals, with projections suggesting a potential defeat to the Conservatives in the next federal election, mandated by late October.

Trudeau’s resignation would leave the party in a precarious position, lacking a permanent leader at a critical juncture. Discussions have reportedly taken place between Trudeau and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc about the possibility of LeBlanc serving as interim leader and prime minister. However, this arrangement could face complications if LeBlanc decides to contest the leadership role.

The anticipated leadership vacuum is expected to ignite debates about the timing of the next federal election. Analysts predict calls for a swift election to establish a stable government capable of navigating Canada’s domestic and international challenges, particularly as the country adjusts to the implications of President-elect Donald Trump's administration.

Trudeau's departure would mark the end of an era for the Liberal Party, raising questions about its future direction and leadership amidst shifting political landscapes.

India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in areas partially falling under the Union Territory of Ladakh. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the move as an "illegal occupation" of Indian territory.

On December 27, Chinese state media reported that Xinjiang’s government announced the creation of He'an and Hekang counties, to be administered by Hotan Prefecture. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that portions of these counties lie within Indian territory and reiterated India's rejection of China's claims.

“We have never accepted the illegal Chinese occupation of Indian territory in this area,” Jaiswal said. “The creation of new counties will not affect India’s longstanding position on sovereignty over this area, nor does it legitimize China's forcible occupation. India has lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels.”

The county seats are located in Hongliu and Xeyidula Townships, respectively, as per Chinese media. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two nations over territorial disputes in the region.

Concerns Over Brahmaputra Hydropower Project
India also raised objections to China’s construction of a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The project, reported on December 25, has sparked concerns in India as a lower riparian state with established user rights to the river’s waters.

The MEA emphasized the importance of transparency and consultation with downstream countries and urged China to ensure that India’s interests are not adversely affected. "We have conveyed our concerns through expert-level and diplomatic channels and will continue to monitor developments to safeguard our interests," Jaiswal added.

India has consistently voiced its objections to unilateral actions by China that undermine bilateral and regional stability.

The Indian rupee is expected to weaken to a record low at the opening on Friday, pressured by the U.S. dollar's strength. The dollar index surged 0.7% on Thursday to 109.54, its highest in over two years, buoyed by stronger-than-expected U.S. jobless claims data.

Non-deliverable forwards indicate the rupee may open at 85.80-85.82 per U.S. dollar, breaching its previous all-time low of 85.8075 recorded last Friday. The dollar's momentum has been relentless since late 2024, driven by December's 7.7% rally following Donald Trump’s election win and the Federal Reserve's unexpected reduction in the number of anticipated rate cuts for this year.

“The dollar’s bullish trend seems unstoppable, at least until the Trump inauguration,” commented a currency trader. However, he noted surprise at the rupee's relatively modest decline, attributing it to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) robust interventions.

The RBI has actively defended the 85.80 level, selling dollars heavily twice in the past week to support the rupee. Despite this, broader pressures remain. India's widening trade deficit and slowing portfolio inflows have continued to weigh on the rupee, making the central bank's efforts critical in managing the pace of its depreciation.

China has intensified its countermeasures against the United States by announcing a second wave of sanctions targeting ten American defense companies, including subsidiaries of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and General Dynamics. This comes less than a week after sanctions were imposed on seven other US entities, including Boeing Defense’s subsidiary, Insitu.

The sanctions, announced by China’s Ministry of Commerce, add these companies to Beijing’s “Unreliable Entities List” for their involvement in arms sales to Taiwan. These firms are now barred from all import and export activities in China and prohibited from making investments in the country. Additionally, senior management of these firms faces travel bans to China.

China has also penalized 28 other US entities by placing them on its Export Control List, cutting off access to dual-use technologies. These measures, according to Beijing, are aimed at safeguarding national security and upholding non-proliferation obligations.

The growing friction stems from Taiwan’s strategic importance. Taiwan, a self-governed democracy, is claimed by Beijing as a breakaway province. While China has not ruled out the use of force to reclaim the island, Washington views Taiwan as a critical ally in Asia, emphasizing its democratic values and supplying arms worth billions. Last month, US President Joe Biden approved $571 million in defense aid for Taiwan, reaffirming the US commitment to its security.

Beijing argues that such actions by the US interfere in its internal affairs and undermine its sovereignty. The sanctions come amidst heightened tensions, with China conducting military drills near Taiwan following President Lai Ching-te’s election victory in May.

As the US and China continue their geopolitical contest, the sanctions mark a significant escalation in the rivalry, highlighting the intensifying struggle over Taiwan’s future and regional stability.

A devastating attack in New Orleans marked the start of 2025 when Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a rented truck through the crowded French Quarter, targeting New Year’s revelers. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick described Jabbar as "hell-bent on carnage." The FBI, treating the incident as terrorism, reported the discovery of an ISIS flag in his vehicle and is investigating potential links to extremist organizations. Authorities are also exploring whether Jabbar acted alone.

Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas native and former military IT and HR specialist, had a troubled personal history, including financial struggles and minor criminal offenses. His second marriage ended in 2022 amid escalating debt, which he cited in correspondence with his wife’s lawyer.

President Joe Biden condemned the violence, reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting communities. President-elect Donald Trump, however, drew connections between the attack and immigration, despite FBI statistics showing a decline in violent crime nationwide.

Eyewitnesses described the French Quarter as a scene of chaos, likened to a "war zone," with bodies thrown into the air and victims crying in shock. The incident occurred despite a heightened law enforcement presence, with additional officers deployed for the holiday and upcoming Sugar Bowl football game.

International leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed solidarity with the victims and denounced terrorism.

In a separate event, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside a Trump-owned hotel in Las Vegas, killing one and injuring seven. While authorities labeled it an isolated incident, Tesla CEO Elon Musk suggested a connection between the Las Vegas explosion and the New Orleans attack, noting both vehicles were rented via Turo.

The twin tragedies have renewed focus on national security and resilience in the face of terrorism. Investigations are ongoing.

Wishing a warm & happy new year 2025 to all the patrons, readers and staff of Opinion Express. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Monday that India's defence exports have reached a record ?21,000 crore, a significant leap from ?2,000 crore a decade ago. Speaking at the Army War College (AWC) in the historic Mhow Cantonment, Singh highlighted the government’s vision of achieving ?50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.

He emphasized the importance of mastering frontier technologies, citing unconventional warfare methods like information warfare, AI-based warfare, space and cyber-attacks as emerging challenges. Singh lauded military training centres in Mhow for equipping soldiers to tackle such threats effectively.

The minister commended the AWC, Infantry School, and Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) for their evolving curricula, preparing personnel for multi-domain operations and leadership roles. He urged officers to explore integration in areas like AI, communication technology, and weapons training.

Addressing the officers, Singh underlined the government's commitment to strengthening jointness among the three services. He called for defence attaches to uphold India's vision of self-reliance (aatmanirbhar Bharat) and promote national interests globally.

During his two-day visit to Madhya Pradesh, Singh praised the armed forces for their dual role in border security and disaster response, highlighting their dedication and adaptability in a rapidly changing global landscape. He stressed that economic prosperity and robust security are interdependent, with both essential for national growth.

Singh also laid a wreath at the Infantry Memorial, paying tribute to the nation’s martyrs. At the AWC, he was briefed by commandant Lt Gen HS Sahi on the institute’s global contributions to military diplomacy and its role in empowering leaders for modern warfare.

Reiterating the government’s resolve, Singh stated, “India is on course to become a leading economic and military power, with a secure and prosperous future."

Wearing safety gear, Raju Nishad skillfully navigates scaffolding at a construction site in Beer Yaakov, central Israel. Alongside other Indian workers, he is part of a new wave filling gaps in Israel’s building sector, left by Palestinian laborers unable to enter after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

This shift comes as Israel faces its deadliest war with Hamas, involving conflicts with other groups like Hezbollah and Iran. Despite the tensions, Nishad, 35, is undeterred. “There’s nothing to fear,” he says, recalling how air raid sirens briefly pause work before resuming.

High earnings draw workers like Nishad, who make up to three times more than in India. He’s among 16,000 Indians brought to Israel this year, with plans for thousands more. “I’m saving for my family’s future,” he shares.

India, a fast-growing economy, struggles to create sufficient jobs, prompting labor migration. Indians have long worked in Israel as caregivers and professionals, but construction is a newer field. Samir Khosla of Dynamic Staffing Services, which has sent over 500,000 workers abroad, has recently facilitated 3,500 placements in Israel’s construction sector. He anticipates increasing this number, emphasizing the strong India-Israel relations.

While Indians bolster the workforce, the numbers fall short of replacing 80,000 Palestinian workers previously in construction. Eyal Argov of the Bank of Israel highlights the impact: “Activity is 25?low pre-war levels, delaying housing supply.”

With Israel’s population growing 2% annually, such delays risk future housing shortages. Yet, for workers like Nishad and Suresh Kumar Verma, the opportunity is vital. “Earning money is crucial for my family’s future,” says Verma, from Uttar Pradesh. This labor influx marks a pivotal change, reflecting resilience amid conflict.

In a tumultuous year for global diplomacy, India ended a four-and-a-half-year border standoff with China, marking a milestone in its foreign policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to normalize relations during the BRICS Summit in Russia, with troops disengaging from the remaining friction points in Ladakh by October. Talks between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi further revived dialogue mechanisms.

However, tensions flared elsewhere. Relations with Bangladesh soured after Sheikh Hasina fled anti-government protests, seeking refuge in India. The interim government in Dhaka, led by Muhammad Yunus, strained ties by requesting her extradition while failing to curb attacks on minorities.

India-US relations faced challenges despite progress in defense and technology collaboration. The so-called "murder-for-hire" case involving Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun tested diplomatic waters. Meanwhile, ties with Canada hit rock bottom after Ottawa linked Indian diplomats to Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder, prompting reciprocal expulsions.

In the Maldives, a pro-China leadership under Mohamed Muizzu led to India withdrawing its military personnel. Nepal and Sri Lanka also saw increasing Chinese influence, adding pressure on New Delhi’s regional diplomacy.

Prime Minister Modi engaged globally, visiting Russia and Ukraine to advocate for peace in the ongoing war. His Kyiv visit was the first by an Indian PM since Ukraine's independence.

India celebrated a diplomatic victory in February when Qatar released eight former Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death. Connectivity initiatives with Central Asia and a stronger focus on the Indo-Pacific region also highlighted New Delhi’s strategic priorities.

In an eventful year, India navigated complex crises with a mix of resolve and adaptability, balancing regional and global challenges with renewed diplomatic vigor.