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Best of BS Opinion: New Delhi balances US trade, terror response and growth
India and the United States have agreed on the terms of reference for upcoming trade talks, aiming to conclude negotiations by autumn. A more immediate issue is the expiry of the 90-day pause on US tariffs, after which Indian goods will face duties of up to 26 per cent. Indian officials are currently in Washington to speed up the process. Our first editorial notes that this is a chance for India to reassess its own trade policy, streamline regulations, and consider selective liberalisation, especially in agriculture, without waiting for pressure from the US.
The terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, is a direct blow to the region's ongoing recovery. The attack appears calculated to disrupt tourism, which has grown from 13 million visitors in 2015 to 21 million in 2023. Despite a series of earlier attacks on tourists, pilgrims and workers, there remain gaps in security and intelligence. Reports indicate victims may have been targeted by religious identity, which risks inflaming communal tensions. Our second editorial argues that the government must ensure a controlled, strategic response focused on justice and preventing further unrest.
Sonal Varma writes that the tariff-driven global slowdown could reduce India's GDP growth to around 5.8 per cent in FY26, with sectors like jewellery and IT at risk. Inflation remains under control, allowing the Reserve Bank of India space to cut rates by up to 100 basis points. Strategically, India can benefit from realigning supply chains and expanding in mid-tech sectors like electronics and textiles. But it must also develop a strategy for reducing reliance on China, particularly for key intermediate goods, and ensure strong enforcement of trade rules to prevent re-routing.
Meanwhile, Amit Kapoor argues that India's urban renewal cannot depend solely on infrastructure and technology — it requires civic responsibility. With nearly 600 million Indians projected to live in cities by 2036, the lack of citizen engagement threatens public spaces and social cohesion. Rural models of collective decision-making offer lessons, while cities like Indore have shown what civic participation can achieve.

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News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
US Reaffirms Strong Support To India In Fight Against Terrorism: State Department
Last Updated: The multi-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met the US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau last week in Washington. The US reaffirmed its strong support for India's fight against terrorism and the bilateral strategic partnership during the visit of an Indian all-party parliamentary delegation last week, the State Department said. The multi-party delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met the US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau last week in Washington. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a press briefing on Tuesday that Landau reaffirmed the US' strong support to India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries. The delegation visited the US as part of the government's global outreach efforts after Operation Sindoor. India launched the operation in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Responding to a question, Bruce said that a Pakistani parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met officials of the State Department, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, during its visit to Washington last week. Hooker reiterated the US support for the ongoing cessation of on-ground hostilities '– as you might imagine, thank God – between India and Pakistan", Bruce said, adding that they also discussed important issues about the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, including counterterrorism cooperation. 'So that meeting occurred." When asked if the US received any assurance from Pakistan that it will take action against terrorists, Bruce said she was not going to discuss the details of those conversations. In response to a question on President Donald Trump offering to 'mediate" on the issue of Kashmir, Bruce said, 'Well, I – obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war." Bruce added that it should not 'surprise" anyone that he would want to 'manage" something like that. 'So, while I can't speak to his plans, the world knows his nature, and I can't speak to any details of what he might have in that regard…But it is an exciting time that if we can get to a point in that particular conflict..," Bruce said adding that it is a 'very interesting time." India has rejected any mediation related to the dispute on Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are and will always remain an 'integral" part of the country. (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI)


Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
India's global outreach: 'Strong support' - US on fight against Pakistan-backed terrorism
The United States reaffirmed its strong support for India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries. The delegation, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor at its helm, held discussions with US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau in Washington last week. While addressing Tuesday's press briefing, state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Landau emphasised America's firm support for India's anti-terrorism initiatives against the terrorism. "Deputy Secretary Landau met with the Indian parliamentary delegation last week, and he also reaffirmed the United States strong support of India in the fight against terrorism, and strategic partnership between those two countries," Bruce said. The delegation's US visit was part of the government's worldwide diplomatic initiative following Operation Sindoor, which India initiated in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist incident that resulted in 26 casualties. Bruce noted that a Pakistani parliamentary group led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari engaged with State Department officials, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, during their Washington visit last week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like "I Had A Dad Bod - Until I Did This' Apex Labs Undo Hooker emphasised US support for the current pause in ground conflicts "– as you might imagine, thank God – between India and Pakistan", Bruce stated, noting discussions also covered key US-Pakistan bilateral matters, including anti-terrorism collaboration. "So that meeting occurred." When questioned about Pakistani assurances regarding action against terrorists, Bruce declined to elaborate on the conversation details. Although India had declined that US brokered the mediation between New Delhi and Islamabad, the United States President continued to claim that he did that. Regarding President Donald Trump's Kashmir mediation offer, Bruce stated, "Well, I – obviously, I can't speak to what's on the mind or the plans of the President. What I do know is that I think we all recognise that President Trump in each step that he takes, it's made to solve generational differences between countries, generational war." Bruce suggested it was unsurprising that he would want to "manage" such situations. "So, while I can't speak to his plans, the world knows his nature, and I can't speak to any details of what he might have in that regard. You can call the White House. I have a feeling they would have plenty to say. But it is an exciting time that if we can get to a point in that particular conflict, thank God but also thank Secretary Rubio and President Trump and the Vice President. It is – it's a very interesting time. And so it's – every day brings something new, and I hope perhaps something like that can also get resolved before the President. "


Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
New AC temperature rule in India: What is it and why government wants to limit AC cooling between 20°C and 28°C
The Indian government is planning a new rule to control the temperature range at which air conditioners can run in the country. Announcing the new provision, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said 'A new provision is being implemented soon regarding air conditioning standards. The temperature standardisation for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, which means we will not be able to cool below 20°C or heat above 28°C.' 'This is a first-of-its-kind experiment, aiming to standardize temperature settings,' Khattar added. What the new AC rule means Currently, AC temperature goes up to 18°C (16°C in a few) with a maximum of up to 30°C. Once implemented, the new AC temperature provision will restrict this temperature range to 20°C – 28°C. This means users will not be able to set their AC temperature below 20°C and above 30°C. The new rules aim to standardize how air conditioners are used across the country and reduce the high electricity use caused by setting the temperature too low. The government says that it will keep track of how the new rules are followed. However, exact detail of how this will be enforced, especially in different sectors, has not been specified yet. Why new rule for AC temperature During the event, Khattar said that the new AC temperature provision is part of a larger effort to save electricity and manage India's rising energy demand. One of the main reasons behind the move is to save electricity, especially in summer when power use is at its peak. Many people set their ACs to very low temperatures, even as low as 16°C, which puts a lot of pressure on the power supply. Pankaj Agarwal, a senior official from the power and housing ministry told Bloomberg that air conditioners use about 50 gigawatts of electricity — that's around 20% of the country's total power demand. 'Studies show that every 1°C increase in AC temperature cuts energy use by 6%. That means if everyone sets their ACs just 1 degree higher, we can save about 3 gigawatts of power during peak times,' Agarwal said. As quoted in Bloomberg report, stricter energy rules for air conditioners could help save up to 60 gigawatts of peak electricity demand by 2035, according to a study by the University of California, Berkeley. This would also avoid the need to spend ₹7.5 trillion (around $88 billion) on building new power plants and upgrading the electricity grid. Smart AC Hacks to Cut Your Electricity Bill & Make It Last Longer! AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now