This Week in Explainers: Does Delhi-NCR have the money to move lakhs of stray dogs to shelters?

It’s the Independence Day weekend in India, and there is a lot to cheer and take pride in. What an exhilarating 78 years. Today, India’s economy continues to be a bright spot in a bleak world. In a shifting world order, the country leads by example.

We are in the age of hectic geopolitics, and India stands its ground. Its relationship with the US is strained at the moment, as Donald Trump has slapped 50 per cent tariffs on goods exported from the country. However, New Delhi is not one to give up, as efforts are on to crack a trade deal with America.

Amid tariff threats, ties with China appear to be thawing, and those with Russia are ever-evolving. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India on August 18 (Monday) to hold border talks, and India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be travelling to Moscow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heading to China by August end and Russia’s Putin is expected in India by the end of the year.

As far as Pakistan goes, it has been ruffled by India’s growing power. Operation Sindoor taught the neighbour a lesson, yet its leaders continue to threaten India… now over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

However, none of this could hamper India’s I-Day celebrations. Sticking to tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a passionate speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, speaking about Operation Sindoor and delivering a warning message to Pakistan.

One of the other big stories from India is the Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs, ordering the removal of all canines from Delhi-NCR. It has triggered a massive debate, with animal lovers and activists opposing the judgment. Following the outcry, Chief Justice BR Gavai intervened, and the matter was heard by a new bench, which reserved the interim order.

In heartbreaking news, a massive cloudburst hit a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar, claiming more than 30 lives.

We talk about all this and more in our weekly wrap, and revisit stories about India and its independence.

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his longest yet address on India’s 79th Independence Day, speaking for 103 minutes. He spoke about Operation Sindoor and delivered a strong message to Pakistan. Atmanibhar Bharat featured often as the PM spoke of India’s growing self-reliance. He also had a wish list for India for the near future. Here are the big takeaways from the address.

Addressing the nation on Independence Day. https://t.co/rsFUG7q6eP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 15, 2025

2. Independence Day is a time to look back at history. After the freedom struggle came the Partition, which gave birth to two nations – India and Pakistan. But do you know how the borders were drawn? We revisit the chapter that changed the subcontinent.

3. India is a country of diversity… it is also one of many names. While we cheer “India, India” when our sportspersons emerge victorious, we also chant “Bharat Mata ki Jai” when gripped in patriotic fervour. Often, we refer to it as Hindustan. This is a tale of the country’s many names.

4. Stray dogs have been a big conversation in India this week. The Supreme Court, on August 11, directed the Delhi government, civic bodies, and authorities to start collecting these canines and shift them to shelters. Following the outrage, Chief Justice BR Gavai withdrew the case from the earlier bench and posted it for hearing before a three-judge special bench. It did not grant a stay on the directions issued to the municipal authorities. But why does the country’s top court want stray dogs to be rounded up from the streets? How will the Capital go about this, and how much could it cost?

5. While the Supreme Court order has sparked a big debate, one cannot ignore the menace linked to stray dogs. There has been a rise in attacks and a spike in rabies. It might be time to look elsewhere for inspiration. While Bhutan achieved full sterilisation of its strays in 2023, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to eliminate its stray dog population without resorting to mass euthanasia. Here are the success stories.

6. The coming week will be an important one for Indian diplomacy. Amid unease with Washington over the tariffs, New Delhi seems to be inching closer to Beijing and Moscow. China’s Foreign Minister will be visiting the Indian capital on Monday, soon after which External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be heading to Moscow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to China soon, and Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India later this year. Here’s why these visits matter.

7. The American dream is becoming more and more distant. A major change in the US immigration policy, which came into effect on August 15, could affect thousands of children. Those born to Green Card holders may lose their protected immigration status once they turn 21. Indians are worried about the change. We tell you why.

8. Tragedy struck a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday (14 August). A massive cloud burst in Chasoti, the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple, claimed more than 60 lives, with dozens still missing. But what’s a cloud burst, and why was the one that hit the J&K village so deadly? This story answers the questions.

That is all from us this week. If you are hooked to the news, you will find more such explainers here.