India badly needs a ceasefire with Trump on the trade front. This ceasefire is far more critical for lndia’s economy and its millions of unemployed and partially employed. Trump seemed to have started a trade war primarily targeting China early April which resulted in the US arbitrarily imposing high import tariffs on all its major trade partners, including India. https://thewire.in/trade/modi-needs-a-trade-ceasefire-with-trump
India today faces one of the highest tariffs of 25% which Trump announced on Wednesday (July 30). Most other major trade partners of the US such as EU, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia have managed to sign reasonable deals with tariffs ranging between 15% to 20%, which gives them a clear edge over India. China too has done a reasonable deal with much lower duties than originally imposed.
So as of August 1, which is Trump’s deadline for deals with nations, India stands quite isolated with one of the highest tariffs slapped on her. There is a double whammy as Trump has said more penal tariffs could come if India continues her special relationship with Russia in regard to crude oil purchases and defence imports. India’s national interest dictates she cannot afford to dilute relationship with Russia, especially on critical co-production of high tech defence items such as Brahmos missiles etc.
M K Venu
01/08/2025
Top government sources conceded they were surprised at Trump's Wednesday announcement, especially since negotiations for a bilateral trade pact were still underway and a US team is scheduled to land in New Delhi on August 25 for the sixth round of talks. https://www.rediff.com/news/report/india-unlikely-to-retaliate-against-us/20250801.htm
However, they ruled out the prospect of any retaliatory action being initiated by New Delhi, and asserted that India would neither succumb to the Americans on issues of national security, such as its defence ties with Russia, nor cede ground on its domestic interests in the agriculture and dairy sectors.
The government has also kept a close watch on how some leaders, such as Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met during the BRICS Summit and bilateral visit to that country in the first week of July, have opted to defy Trump's threats.
Trump had threatened a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian goods, which failed to cow down Lula with the result that the US has since issued a long list of exemptions to the levies on goods from Brazil.
by By Archis Mohan
01/08/2025
Floods, Cracks & Sinkholes: Is India Ready To Fix Its Urban Future? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypnO3XTF_Ms CNN-News18
Flooded roads, mounds of garbage, potholes, traffic chaos, crippling infrastructure - Every Monsoon, Same Story. But this time, Lucknow, a city that was once known for its filth and scattered garbage is now ranked three in Swachh Survekshan. Indore, Surat, Navi Mumbai have also topped the list. Which brings us to this question - what are India's urban priorities? What went right in these cities and can other metros follow?