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NEW DELHI – India has been taking measures to wean off dependence on China for ingredients that go into making a variety of drugs, including antibiotics.

But three years after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains from China, India is still a long way off from reducing imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) chemicals responsible for the therapeutic effect of drugs, noted industry experts.

Instead, India imported APIs and drugs worth 352.49 billion rupees (S$5.7 billion) in 2021-22, up from 285.29 billion rupees the previous year, according to government figures.

In the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, construction has started on a pharmaceutical park spread over 362 ha, while in the western state of Gujarat, work has started on a similar park spread over 809 ha.

Land for a third park is being acquired in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

The parks, which are expected to be ready in two years time, are in addition to the government giving Production Linked Incentives (PLIs) worth US$2 billion (S$2.6 billion) for manufacturing 53 APIs such as levofloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat pneumonia, for which India is heavily dependent on China.

Manufacturing has already started for about three dozen APIs like para-aminophenol, a raw material for paracetamol, but volumes have yet to reach a point where imports can be cut, noted industry experts.

The realisation of the benefit of the (PLI) scheme will take time as the incubation time is high, said Mr Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance.

Under the PLI scheme, different incentives are given for different products over a period of time. For instance, products that require fermentation, a process to create microorganisms for antibiotics and others, will get 20 per cent of the total cost to push up manufacturing between FY24-27.

On the pharmaceutical parks, Mr Jain said: India aims to create clusters for developing an ecosystem for bulk drug manufacturers. These clusters will be of great help as they facilitate faster clearance, efficiency and product development initiatives.

India is the biggest supplier of generic drugs in the world, meeting more than half of global demand for many vaccines. Still, the US$42 billion sector is heavily dependent on China for APIs.

According to a government report, India imports about 68 per cent of its APIs from China as it is a cheaper option than manufacturing them domestically.

And the dependence on China for certain life-saving antibiotics such as penicillin and azithromycin, used to treat bacterial infections such as bronchitis, is about 80 per cent to 90 per cent, according to industry data. More On This Topic India ready to export fever drugs to China amid Covid-19 surge India probes Uzbekistans claim that 18 children died after taking India-made cough syrup Mr Deepak Jotwani, assistant vice-president and sector head of corporate ratings at ICRA, an India-based credit rating agency, assessed that dependence will go down only over a four- to five-year period.

He noted that for some drugs like the entire requirement of certain fermentation-based APIs like penicillin and erythromycin are being sourced from China.

And then there are some APIs that are made only in China like Penicillin Gand 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, the key raw materials required for manufacturing cephalosporins, used for making certain antibiotics.

For real impact on reducing imports from China, industryexperts said the requirement was to get middle-level pharma firms to increase manufacturing and push innovation.

A majority of firms that have applied for incentives under the PLI scheme are major companies like Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Dr. Reddys Laboratories.

The volume drivers from the middle-tier players are still not very well engaged, said Mr Naveen Kulkarni, chief executive of biotransformation company Quantumzyme, on the PLI scheme.

One of the primary reasons could be that the high-value products requiring fermentation capabilities are received sceptically by mid-level players, who are not willing to move out of their comfort zone, he said.

He noted that the governments incentive scheme, which runs for six years, could also be a deterrent and perceived as risky by the mid-level players, who are enjoying a better bottom line with extremely low risk. More On This Topic Critical tuberculosis drug set to be cheaper after India removes J&Js patent protection India awaits WHO information on any cough syrup link to Gambia deaths Import dependence is expected to remain high in the interim because domestic demand is expected to increase, even as India is set to overtake China as the nation with the worlds largest population at 1.4 billion people

It will, however, take time for these local manufacturing capacities to develop large-scale outputs. In the meantime, rising domestic demand for drug intermediates is likely to preserve the import dependence on China, said Dr Amitendu Palit, a senior research fellow and research lead (trade and economics) at the Institute of South Asian Studies in Singapore.

Firms that have started increasing capacity include biopharmaceutical company Biocon.

Our immunosuppressant facility in Visakhapatnam and peptides facility in Bengaluru… are expected to go live in FY24, with more projects in the pipeline, said Mr Siddharth Mittal, managing director and chief executive of Biocon.

Without going into details, a spokesman for pharmaceutical firm Glenmark, said: As a beneficiary, we have enhanced our development efforts on complex products as well as towards increasing our manufacturing capacity under the (PLI) scheme.

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25% of young children and pregnant women malnourished in Gaza, charity says, as PM vows to fly critical medical cases to UK

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25% of young children and pregnant women malnourished in Gaza, charity says, as PM vows to fly critical medical cases to UK

A charity has warned 25% of young children and pregnant women in Gaza are now malnourished, with Sir Keir Starmer vowing to evacuate children who need “critical medical assistance” to the UK.

MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, said Israel’s “deliberate use of starvation as a weapon” has reached unprecedented levels – with patients and healthcare workers both fighting to survive.

It claimed that, at one of its clinics in Gaza City, rates of severe malnutrition in children under five have trebled over the past two weeks – and described the lack of food and water on the ground as “unconscionable”.

Pic: Reuters
Image:
Pic: Reuters

The charity also criticised the high number of fatalities seen at aid distribution sites, with one British surgeon accusing IDF soldiers of shooting civilians “almost like a game of target practice”.

MSF’s deputy medical coordinator in Gaza, Dr Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, said: “Those who go to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s food distributions know that they have the same chance of receiving a sack of flour as they do of leaving with a bullet in their head.”

The UN also estimates that Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 people seeking food – the majority near the militarised distribution sites of the US-backed aid distribution scheme run by the GHF.

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‘Many more deaths unless Israelis allow food in’

In a statement on Friday, the IDF had said it “categorically rejects the claims of intentional harm to civilians”, and reports of incidents at aid distribution sites were “under examination”.

The GHF has also previously disputed that these deaths were connected with its organisation’s operations, with director Johnnie Moore telling Sky News: “We just want to feed Gazans. That’s the only thing that we want to do.”

Israel says it has let enough food into Gaza and has accused the UN of failing to distribute it, in what the foreign ministry has labelled as “a deliberate ploy” to defame the country.

‘Humanitarian catastrophe must end’

In a video message posted on X late last night, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the scenes in Gaza as “appalling” and “unrelenting” – and said “the images of starvation and desperation are utterly horrifying”.

The prime minister added: “The denial of aid to children and babies is completely unjustifiable, just as the continued captivity of hostages is completely unjustifiable.

“Hundreds of civilians have been killed while seeking aid – children, killed, whilst collecting water. It is a humanitarian catastrophe, and it must end.”

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Israeli military show aid waiting inside Gaza

Sir Keir confirmed that the British government is now “accelerating efforts” to evacuate children from Gaza who need critical medical assistance, so they can be brought to the UK for specialist treatment.

Israel has now said that foreign countries will be able to airdrop aid into Gaza. While the PM says the UK will now “do everything we can” to get supplies in via this route, he said this decision has come “far too late”.

Read more:
WHO: Gaza faces ‘manmade’ starvation
UN: People in Gaza ‘walking corpses’

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Last year, the RAF dropped aid into Gaza, but humanitarian organisations warned it wasn’t enough and was potentially dangerous. In March 2024, five people were killed when an aid parachute failed and supplies fell on them.

For now, Sir Keir has rejected calls to follow French President Emmanuel Macron and recognise a Palestinian state despite more than 220 MPs signing a cross-party letter to demand he takes this step.

The prime minister is instead demanding a ceasefire and “lasting peace” – and says he will only consider an independent state as part of a negotiated peace deal.

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Technology

Tesla plans ‘friends and family’ car service in California, regulator says

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Tesla plans 'friends and family' car service in California, regulator says

A vehicle Tesla is using for robotaxi testing purposes on Oltorf Street in Austin, Texas, US, on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

Tim Goessman | Bloomberg | Getty Images

In an earnings call this week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk teased an expansion of his company’s fledgling robotaxi service to the San Francisco Bay Area and other U.S. markets.

But California regulators are making clear that Tesla is not authorized to carry passengers on public roads in autonomous vehicles and would require a human driver in control at all times.

“Tesla is not allowed to test or transport the public (paid or unpaid) in an AV with or without a driver,” the California Public Utilities Commission told CNBC in an email on Friday. “Tesla is allowed to transport the public (paid or unpaid) in a non-AV, which, of course, would have a driver.”

In other words, Tesla’s service in the state will have to be more taxi than robot.

Tesla has what’s known in California as a charter-party carrier permit, which allows it to run a private car service with human drivers, similar to limousine companies or sightseeing services.

The commission said it received a notification from Tesla on Thursday that the company plans to “extend operations” under its permit to “offer service to friends and family of employees and to select members of the public,” across much of the Bay Area.

But under Tesla’s permit, that service can only be with non-AVs, the CPUC said.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles told CNBC that Tesla has had a “drivered testing permit” since 2014, allowing the company to operate AVs with a safety driver present, but not to collect fees. The safety drivers must be Tesla employees, contractors or designees of the manufacturer under that permit, the DMV said.

In Austin, Texas, Tesla is currently testing out a robotaxi service, using its Model Y SUVs equipped with the company’s latest automated driving software and hardware. The limited service operates during daylight hours and in good weather, on roads with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour. 

Robotaxis in Austin are remotely supervised by Tesla employees, and include a human safety supervisor in the front passenger seat. The service is now limited to invited users, who agree to the terms of Tesla’s “early access program.”

EV price war is bleeding into robotaxis, intelligent driving: Expert

On Friday, Business Insider, citing an internal Tesla memo, reported that Tesla told staff it planned to expand its robotaxi service to the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend. Tesla didn’t respond to a request for comment on that report.

In a separate matter in California, the DMV has accused Tesla of misleading consumers about the capabilities of its driver assistance systems, previously marketed under the names Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (or FSD).

Tesla now calls its premium driver assistance features, “FSD Supervised.” In owners manuals, Tesla says Autopilot and FSD Supervised are “hands on” systems, requiring a driver at the wheel, ready to steer or brake at all times. 

But in user-generated videos shared by Tesla on X, the company shows customers using FSD hands-free while engaged in other tasks. The DMV is arguing that Tesla’s license to sell vehicles in California should be suspended, with arguments ongoing through Friday at the state’s Office of Administrative Hearings in Oakland.

Under California state law, autonomous taxi services are regulated at the state level. Some city and county officials said on Friday that they were out of the loop regarding a potential Tesla service in the state. 

Stephanie Moulton-Peters, a member of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, said in a phone interview that she had not heard from Tesla about its plans. She urged the company to be more transparent.

“I certainly expect they will tell us and I think it’s a good business practice to do that,” she said.

Moulton-Peters said she was undecided on robotaxis generally and wasn’t sure how Marin County, located north of San Francisco, would react to Tesla’s service.

“The news of change coming always has mixed results in the community,” she said. 

Brian Colbert, another member of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, said in an interview that he’s open to the idea of Tesla’s service being a good thing but that he was disappointed in the lack of communication. 

“They should have done a better job about informing the community about the launch,” he said. 

Alphabet’s Waymo, which is far ahead of Tesla in the robotaxi market, obtained a number of permits from the DMV and CPUC before starting its driverless ride-hailing service in the state.

Waymo was granted a CPUC driverless deployment permit in 2023, allowing it to charge for rides in the state. The company has been seeking amendments to both its DMV and CPUC driverless deployment permits as it expands its service territory in the state.

— NBC’s David Ingram reported from San Francisco.

WATCH: Waymo testing self-driving cars with human drivers in New York and Philadelphia

Waymo begins testing self-driving cars with human drivers in New York and Philadelphia

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US

‘Immigration is killing Europe’: Donald Trump issues warning to leaders as he arrives in Scotland

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'Immigration is killing Europe': Donald Trump issues warning to leaders as he arrives in Scotland

Donald Trump has landed in Scotland ahead of a four-day trip, which includes high-level meetings, praising Sir Keir Starmer as “a good man” but also calling illegal migration a “horrible invasion” that was “killing Europe”.

Crowds gathered at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire amid a major security operation for the US president’s visit.

Mr Trump told reporters: “I like your prime minister. He’s slightly more liberal than I am… but he’s a good man… he got a trade deal done. It’s a good deal for the UK.”

Trump latest: Donald Trump arrives in Scotland

The pair are expected to discuss potential changes to the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month.

Trump left Air Force One to head to Turnberry, one of his Scottish golf courses. Part of the trip will include the opening of another course in Aberdeenshire, billed as “the greatest 36 holes in golf”.

Trump supporters watch on as a plane carrying US President Donald Trump arrives at Prestwick Airport
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Trump supporters waved as Air Force One landed. Pic: PA

“There’s no place like Turnberry. It’s the best, probably the best course in the world. And I would say Aberdeen is right up there,” the US president said.

Sean Connery helped get me the [planning] permits. If it weren’t for Sean Connery, we wouldn’t have those great courses,” he added.

During the trip, President Trump will also hold discussions with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is keen to secure a trade deal with the US.

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media after he arrived at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland, Friday, July 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Donald Trump spoke to reporters after landing at Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire. Pic: AP

Mr Trump told reporters there was “a good 50-50 chance” of an agreement with the EU but added there were “maybe 20 different” sticking points.

EU diplomats say a deal could result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods and half of the 30% Trump is threatening to impose by 1 August.

A motorcade carrying U.S. President Donald Trump drives to Turnberry, in Minishant, Scotland, Britain, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble
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He travelled to Turnberry, one of his Scottish golf resorts, amid tight security. Pic: Reuters

The US president touched on illegal immigration and gave European leaders a stark warning.

“You better get your act together or you’re not going to have Europe anymore. You got to get your act together,” he said.

“But you’re allowing it to happen to your countries and you got to stop this horrible invasion that’s happening to Europe. Immigration is killing Europe,” he told reporters.

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What do Scots think of Trump visit?

He was also scathing about the installation of wind turbines across Europe.

“Stop the windmills. You’re ruining your countries,” he said. “It’s so sad. You fly over and you see these windmills all over the place, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds.”

Read more from Sky News:
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Domestically, President Trump faces the biggest political crisis of his second term in office over his administration’s handling of files linked to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019.

He faced another round of questions after stepping off Air Force One. “You’re making a big thing over something that’s not a big thing. I’m focused on making deals, not on conspiracy theories that you are,” he said.

Mr Trump added that “now’s not the time” to discuss a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s imprisoned accomplice.

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Trump in Scotland amid Epstein storm

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While the president’s visit did attract some enthusiastic flag-waving supporters at Prestwick Airport, he is also likely to trigger a number of protests, prompting Police Scotland to call in support from other forces in the UK.

The Stop Trump Scotland group has planned demonstrations on Saturday in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries.

About 70% of Scots have an unfavourable opinion of Trump, while 18% have a positive opinion, an Ipsos poll in March found.

President Trump is staying at his Turnberry property on Scotland’s west coast this weekend, before travelling to Aberdeenshire on Monday, where he will open a second 18-hole course.

He is due to return to the UK in September for a state visit hosted by the King – the first world leader in modern times to undertake two UK state visits.

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