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U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged warm words during a birthday call that appears to mark a shift in tone following weeks of trade tension.  File Photo: Modi-Trump bonhomie Trump, in a public message, said he had a “wonderful phone call” with Modi, wished him a happy 75th birthday, and thanked him for supporting efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Modi responded on X, expressing gratitude and reaffirming commitment to strengthening the India-U.S. strategic partnership. This was the second direct call between the two leaders in less than a week. The timing is significant, coming shortly after the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods and an additional 25% on India’s Russian oil imports, escalating trade duties to 50%.  The U.S. has cited India’s continued energy trade with Russia as justification, a move that drew sharp reactions from New Delhi. Thank you, my friend, President Trump, for your phone call and wa...

India and the European Union are approaching a decisive phase in the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement, said Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, addressing the 65th Annual Session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA). India-EU Trade Deal Almost Done. Via Piyush Goyal He described the negotiations as sincere, structured, and moving in the right direction, with strong political backing from both sides. Back in 🇮🇳 for the 3rd time this year to advance an ambitious EU-India FTA with Minister @PiyushGoyal . Maximising our efforts to wrap up in 2025. The auto sector should be at its core, boosting 2-way trade via win-win tariff liberalisation. @ACMAIndia 👉 https://t.co/nso6YUYbr6 pic.twitter.com/KY3LTASITo — Maroš Šefčovič🇪🇺 (@MarosSefcovic) September 12, 2025 Goyal underscored that the FTA must be balanced, mutually beneficial, and guided by fairness, not idealism. “A perfect deal should not become the enemy of a good one,” he said, c...

India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks in New Delhi with the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the Council of the European Union. This marked the PSC’s first visit to Asia.  The 30-member delegation, led by Committee Chair Delphine Pronk, included ambassadors of EU member states and senior officials from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS). Misri was joined by Deputy National Security Adviser Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) Sibi George, and other senior Indian officials. Trade Deal between India and EU likely by year end. Via MEAIndia The two sides discussed security cooperation across multiple sectors including defence, cyber governance, maritime security, and counter-terrorism. They welcomed the pace of recent high-level engagement and ongoing sectoral dialogue.  Both parties committed to concluding the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership and the Security of Information Agreement at the earliest. The India-EU Free T...

India has revealed one of its most ambitious aid-and-strategy packages in the Indian Ocean by pledging over USD 680 million (MUR 30 billion) ( approximately ₹56,440 crore INR)  in grants and credit support for Mauritius during the state visit of Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam . Image Source: PM NaMo Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , hosting Ramgoolam in Varanasi, announced projects that bind hard infrastructure with strategic commitments.  “This package is not assistance. It is an investment in our shared future,” Modi said in his joint press statement. Addressing the press meet with PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius. @Ramgoolam_Dr https://t.co/UC4Ly08nDY — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2025 Among the most striking decisions was India’s agreement to fund a new Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, an AYUSH Centre of Excellence, and a Veterinary School and Animal Hospital, alongside the provision of helicopters.  Together, thes...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that India and the United States are continuing negotiations to resolve trade barriers, stressing that the partnership remains “close” and “natural.” Representational Image Source: PM NaMo In a post on X, Modi said: “India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India–US partnership. Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people.” India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at the earliest. I am also looking forward… p...

Amid some friction between New Delhi and Washington over India's continued imports of Russian oil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks stating their personal rapport and the strength of the bilateral relationship. File Photo source: PM NaMo Taking to social media on Saturday, Indian Prime minister Modi said he “deeply appreciate(s) and fully reciprocate(s)” Trump’s positive sentiments, calling India and the U.S. partners in a “very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.” His comments came a day after President Trump, speaking from the White House, described India–U.S. ties as a “very special relationship,” while also voicing frustration over India's energy dealings with Russia. “I’ll always be friends with Prime Minister Modi. He’s a great Prime Minister,” Trump said. “But I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment… India and the United States have a very special relationsh...

United States President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order officially implementing the United States–Japan Trade Agreement, a sweeping accord that restructures trade between the two countries, imposes a 15% baseline tariff on most Japanese imports, and secures an unprecedented $550 billion in Japanese investment into the American economy. Image Source: Eric Daugherty The executive order follows the July 22 announcement of the agreement’s framework and marks a significant escalation in the administration’s broader push for reciprocal trade terms and reduced trade deficits.  The order invokes multiple authorities including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, linking the trade deal directly to national security interests. Under the new tariff regime, any Japanese product entering the United States with a current tariff below 15% will now be subject to additional duties to bring the total to 15%. Products already subje...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a joint telephone conversation on Wednesday with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders stated the shared commitment to conclude the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and to deepen the strategic partnership across key sectors. Image Source: Ursula von der Leyen The call comes amid intensifying geopolitical realignments and ahead of the planned India–EU Summit expected to be held in New Delhi in early 2026. Both sides agreed to work toward finalising a joint strategic agenda, with trade, technology, security, and sustainability at the core of bilateral cooperation.  “We also remain fully committed to concluding the Free Trade Agreement negotiations by the end of the year. To achieve this, progress is needed now,” von der Leyen said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Had a very good conversation with European Council President António Costa and European ...

India and Singapore unveiled an expansive roadmap for their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) on Thursday, outlining concrete plans for joint cooperation in semiconductors, defence, digital payments, maritime security, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, as both countries marked 60 years of diplomatic ties. Image Source: MEA India The announcement followed wide-ranging talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during Wong’s first official visit to India since assuming office in 2024.  “This is a partnership with purpose -- rooted in shared values, guided by mutual interests, and driven by a common vision for peace, progress, and prosperity,” Indian Prime Minister Modi said in a joint press statement. Had a productive start to my visit in New Delhi. Last evening, I joined overseas Singaporeans and friends of Singapore for a special SG60 reception. Many had travelled from different parts of India — Chennai, Mumbai, an...

India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a sweeping set of tax reforms aimed at reducing costs for consumers and simplifying the indirect tax regime.  The measures, announced after the 56th meeting of the GST Council in New Delhi, include rate cuts on essential medicines, household items, food products, vehicles, and building materials. Image Source: Screengrab PIB Broadcast Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the changes as “next-generation reforms” designed to benefit the “common man.”  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who chaired the marathon 10.5-hour session, said the reforms were consensus-driven and aimed at correcting anomalies in the current multi-tier structure. Among the most notable changes is a reduction of GST from 12% to 0% on 33 life-saving drugs, including those used for cancer and rare diseases. Spectacles and goggles will now be taxed at 5%, down from 28%. Essential agricultural equipment such as tractors, threshers, and composting ...

United States President Donald Trump has sharply defended his administration’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs, vowing to appeal a federal court decision that struck them down as unconstitutional.  The case, now heading to the U.S. Supreme Court , threatens to dismantle one of Trump’s most significant economic policy pillars and could reset the legal balance between Congress and the presidency in trade governance. Image Source: Office of the First Lady At the center of the dispute is India -- now the hardest-hit U.S. trade partner  -- and the broader geopolitical implications of what Trump called an “economic defense doctrine.” Appeals Court Strikes at Tariff Foundation The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled last week that President Trump’s reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify unilateral tariffs exceeded legal authority .  The decision temporarily suspends enforcement of the tariffs until October 14, 2025, providin...

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday slammed what he called India’s offer to reduce tariffs on American imports to “nothing,” saying New Delhi should have acted “years ago.”  His comments come as India faces a 50% tariff burden from Washington, a penalty imposed after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government refused to halt purchases of discounted Russian crude oil. Image Source: PoliticsVideoChannel In a lengthy post on social media, Trump accused India of running a “totally one-sided relationship” with the United States for decades.  He argued that while India sells “massive amounts of goods” to the American market, U.S. companies face prohibitive barriers in India.  “It has been a totally one-sided disaster,” he wrote, adding that India “buys most of its oil and military products from Russia, very little from the U.S.” Trump’s administration first imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports in early August and then added a further 25% levy targeting Rus...

A federal appeals court on Friday ruled that most of U.S. President Donald Trump’s global tariffs were imposed without legal authority, striking at the heart of his signature trade policy.  Image Source: White House The decision, delivered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, held that the statute Trump relied upon -- the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) -- does not empower the president to unilaterally impose tariffs on specific countries or across broad categories of imports. The ruling marks a major blow to Trump’s trade agenda, which during his administration introduced sweeping tariffs under the justification of addressing national security and economic emergencies.  Trump is widely expected to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.  To enable this process, the appellate court temporarily paused the effect of its ruling until October 14, granting the administration time to file its case. The White House has not yet issued...

Amid escalating global trade tensions and shifting geopolitical alignments, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Tokyo for the 15th Annual India–Japan Summit has resulted in a broad strategic realignment with Japan, positioning the bilateral relationship as a cornerstone of India’s evolving regional strategy.  Image Source: PM NaMo A series of high-level engagements, policy announcements, and joint declarations have laid out an ambitious framework for a decade-long cooperation plan across economic, technological, environmental, and security domains. The visit, which precedes Modi’s arrival in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, has drawn international attention, not only for its deliverables but also for its broader geopolitical implications.  Coming against the backdrop of rising friction between New Delhi and Washington over energy policy and tariffs, India’s focus on East Asian partnerships has intensified. Japan, long considere...

India's Ministry of External Affairs held a special press briefing in Tokyo on August 29 to outline the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan for the 15th Annual Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.  Image Source: PM NaMo Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, joined by Ambassador Sibi George and Joint Secretary (East Asia) Gourangalal Das, described the visit as “a reaffirmation of ambition and clarity” in India–Japan relations and marked by broad-based agreements aimed at shaping the next decade of bilateral engagement. Following Prime Minister Modi’s arrival in Tokyo and participation in the India–Japan Economic Forum earlier in the day, he held a series of high-level meetings, including delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Ishiba and bilateral interactions with former Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida.  The leaders witnessed the exchange of multiple agreements and jointly addressed the press, with Prime Minister Ishiba host...