In February 2025, US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 30-day pause on tariffs against Mexico and Canada brought a brief sense of relief to global markets. The decision helped prevent a potential escalation of a full-blown trade war, with US equity futures and international markets responding positively. However, concerns linger about the long-term effects of tariffs on industries such as automotive, semiconductor, consumer goods, e-commerce, and green energy.  

 In his address at the IIC-Bruegel annual seminar, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the growing importance of a strong and strategic relationship between India and the European Union, particularly in a world that is increasingly volatile and uncertain. He noted that amidst the ongoing geopolitical challenges, including global conflicts and regional instability, fostering a closer India-EU partnership could play a key role in stabilizing global dynamics. Jaishankar point

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the United States starting February 12, where he will engage in extensive talks with US President Donald Trump. The visit will take place shortly after Modi's two-day trip to Paris, marking the prime minister's first bilateral visit to the US since Trump's second term in office. The trip will provide an opportunity to strengthen ties between India and the US and discuss key issues, including trade, security,

India and China recently concluded a two-day foreign secretary-level meeting where several important decisions were made, marking a step toward stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral relations. The most significant outcome was the agreement to resume the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra during the summer, which has been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption of this sacred pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake in Tibet is expected to ease tensions and foster people-

Trump's Tariff Announcement and Border Security: President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Mexico and Canada, effective February 1, 2025, arguing that both countries are contributing to illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the US. This move, part of his broader trade policy agenda, comes after his inauguration address, where he emphasized using tariffs to strengthen the US economy. However, such tariffs could risk igniting a trade con

During a visit to SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas on Friday, Elon Musk shared his optimistic view on the growing India-US trade relationship, stating that the bilateral ties are “trending positive.” Musk, a key player in both the automotive and technology sectors, expressed his support for lowering trade barriers between the two nations to foster increased commerce and

Impact of China’s Export Restrictions on Indian Manufacturing: India’s manufacturing industry is facing significant disruptions due to China’s export restrictions, which are part of the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China. These curbs primarily affect industries in India that rely on raw materials, machinery, and components from China, such as the solar po

Afghanistan has expressed its desire to enhance diplomatic relations with India, assuring that it does not pose a threat to any nation. In a statement after the first publicly acknowledged engagement between Kabul and New Delhi since the Taliban came to power, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry highlighted its intent to strengthen ties, particularly in political and economic spheres. The meeting, held in Dubai, involved Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan M

Expansion of China's Trade-In Scheme China is extending its consumer trade-in program, originally launched in March 2024, to help stimulate demand in the struggling household sector. The scheme now includes additional home appliances such as microwave ovens, dishwashers, and rice cookers. In an effort to boost the digital goods market, subsidies are also being offered for products like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Consumers who trade in old products can receive subsidies

Republican Congressman Andy Biggs has reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives that seeks to revoke Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally. The bill stipulates that the U.S. president should not certify this status unless Pakistan continues to take significant military action against the Haqqani Network, a militant group that has long used Pakistan as a safe haven. The bill&

A significant high-level meeting took place in Dubai between senior Indian officials and the Afghan Taliban leadership. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India, while Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi attended on behalf of the Taliban government. The meeting, which is vital for fostering stronger bilateral relations, aimed to improve cooperation across various sectors, including humanitarian aid, development, trade, and security. One of the

Lisa Kudrow Remembers Matthew Perry with a Heartfelt Tribute While appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, Lisa Kudrow reflected on a touching memento from her late Friends co-star, Matthew Perry. The actress shared that she recently discovered a note Perry had left inside a cookie jar he gifted her when the sitcom concluded. “Matthew

India has strongly rejected two reports published by The Washington Post, accusing the country of involvement in two significant issues. The first report linked India to a failed plot in the Maldives to impeach President Mohamed Muizzu through bribery attempts targeting members of Parliament. The second report alleged that India’s intelligence agency, RAW, had been running covert operations in Pakistan since 2021 to eliminate specific individuals. In response to the r

In his New Year's Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his stance on Taiwan, declaring that "no one can stop the reunification" of Taiwan with mainland China. This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions, as Beijing has intensified military pressure on the island through numerous air force and naval drills in recent years. Taiwan, a democratic nation, stands in contrast to China’s communist government, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as an integral part of

India has initiated anti-dumping investigations into two Chinese products—nylon filament yarn and trimethyl dihydroquinoline (TDQ). The investigations were triggered by petitions from domestic companies, such as Century Enka Ltd., Gujarat Polyfilms Ltd., and Oriilon India Ltd., for nylon filament yarn, and NOCIL Ltd. for TDQ. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is looking into whether these cheap imports from China and Vietnam have caused material harm to local industries.

The year 2024 was dramatic for the US, with President Joe Biden abandoning his reelection bid after a poor performance in a debate against Donald Trump. Trump, who had been absent from the White House for four years, made a triumphant return after defeating Kamala Harris in the presidential race. His comeback marks the first time since Grover Cleveland that a president has been evicted from the White House and returned four years later. While the Biden administration exits, the Indi

In 2024, Bollywood's leading ladies not only dazzled on the silver screen but also enchanted us with their exquisite bridal ensembles, setting trends and inspiring brides-to-be across the globe. Aditi Rao Hydari  

In a recent post on Truth Social, Donald Trump raised concerns about the growing influence of China over the Panama Canal, warning that the US would not allow the strategic waterway to fall into "the wrong hands." His remarks were sparked by rising tariffs imposed by Panama on the use of the canal, which Trump criticized as excessive. The Panama Canal, originally constructed by the US and transferred to Panama in 1999, is a critical trade route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean

Trade and maritime ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been strengthening recently, raising concerns for India. A second cargo vessel, 'MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan,' from Karachi arrived at Chittagong port carrying essential industrial materials and consumer goods. This is part of a broader trend of increased trade between the two countries, which has coincided with a diplomatic push by Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus to improve relations with Pakistan. This s

The defence relationship between the United States and India is rapidly growing, with key developments marking an exciting period of collaboration between the two nations. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, emphasized that the US-India defence ties are progressing in significant ways, particularly in defence industrial cooperation and operational collaboration across the military services. This partnership continues to expand even as the India-China