Can China Weaponise Brahmaputra Waters Against India?
After the Pahalgam terror attack, India paused the Indus Waters Treaty, demanding action from Pakistan on cross-border terror. Now, a top Chinese policy adviser has issued a veiled warning over India's control of the Brahmaputra. Could China trigger a water war? Tune in to News18 Explainers for the full breakdown.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kash Patel on Joe Rogan: FBI director reveals how India is helping America fight fentanyl crisis; take on China-backed trafficking network
FBI Director Kash Patel has claimed that the United States is working closely with Indian law enforcement agencies to dismantle what he describes as a China-backed global fentanyl trafficking network. Speaking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Patel alleged that while India is not a consumer of fentanyl, it has become an increasingly critical transit point for chemical precursors manufactured in China and passed on to Mexican drug cartels. 'They're going to places like India, and I'm also doing operations in India,' Patel said. 'They're having the Mexican cartels now make this fentanyl down in Mexico still.' Patel claimed that Chinese companies were 'getting cute' by routing fentanyl precursors through third countries, including India, to evade direct enforcement and scrutiny. 'No fentanyl deaths in India' According to Patel, one of the clearest signs of a targeted campaign lies in where fentanyl deaths are and aren't occurring. He said the drug is devastating the United States but has not created comparable crises in countries like India, Australia, or Canada. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo 'You don't hear fentanyl deaths in India. You don't really hear fentanyl deaths in England, Australia, New Zealand, or Five Eyes partners in Canada,' he said. Patel suggested that the absence of deaths in those regions indicated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was selectively deploying the fentanyl supply chain toward the United States for strategic purposes. 'The CCP have used it as a directed approach because we are their adversary,' Patel claimed. 'Why don't we go and take out generations of young men and women who might grow up to serve in the United States military, or become a cop, or become a teacher?' Read: How Kash Patel broke every Indian-American stereotype Direct engagement with India Patel said that he had personally reached out to Indian officials and that joint operations between the FBI and Indian law enforcement were now underway. 'I literally just got off the phone with the Indian government,' he said. 'I said, I need your help. This stuff's coming into your country and then they're moving it from your country because India is not consuming fentanyl.' He stated that the FBI is working on the ground in India with 'the heads of their government law enforcement authorities' to identify and shut down Indian companies involved in importing or redistributing Chinese fentanyl precursors. 'We're going to find these companies that buy it and we're going to shut them down,' Patel said. Patel also laid out a strategy that includes international legal action. 'We're going to sanction them. We're going to arrest them where we can. We're going to indict them in America if we can. We're going to indict them in India if we can.' Patel's India Connection Patel's interest in Indian cooperation is not merely geopolitical — it's personal. Born to Gujarati immigrant parents who fled East Africa, Patel grew up in a working-class immigrant household and has frequently spoken about the influence of his heritage on his national security outlook. His rise from federal public defender to Trump-era White House official and now FBI Director has often been cast by conservative media as a story of Indian-American exceptionalism — one that defies traditional liberal narratives of the diaspora. His critics, however, argue that he has used his identity to shield controversial moves inside the intelligence establishment. Claims of CCP strategy and Canadian rerouting Patel said that the fentanyl trafficking network has adapted in response to stricter enforcement at the US-Mexico border. According to him, cartels are now using Canada as a northern entry point for distribution. 'They're flying it into Vancouver,' Patel said. 'They're taking the precursors up to Canada, manufacturing it up there, and doing their global distribution routes from up there because we were being so effective down south.' He further alleged that China's economic interest in the trade is minimal and that the real motive is geopolitical sabotage. 'They're not making a ton of money off it,' Patel said. 'So it's really just for that purpose.' A broader appeal to Five Eyes allies Patel stated that fentanyl precursors have been detected in Five Eyes countries — the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — even though the drug itself has not yet been widely deployed in those regions. 'The fentanyl itself isn't being deployed into your country, but it's there being manufactured,' he said. 'The CCP just hasn't directed it at you yet, and they know that.' He said he has asked allied governments to help dismantle those production networks before they become operational threats. A global drug crisis — or a targeted assault? According to Patel, over 74,000 Americans died of synthetic opioid overdoses in 2023 alone, and the fentanyl epidemic should be viewed not only as a public health emergency but as a 'tier one national security threat.' Patel argued that India's cooperation is critical in confronting what he repeatedly characterised as a CCP-directed campaign to destabilise American society. 'India is not the problem,' he said. 'But if we don't get ahead of it, it could become one.' While none of Patel's claims have yet been independently confirmed by Indian or Chinese officials, his remarks suggest a new phase of international cooperation on drug enforcement — one that places India at the centre of a growing geopolitical storm. Note: Kash Patel's statements about India Timestamp ~00:06:00 — India as a fentanyl transit point Timestamp ~00:06:30 — No fentanyl deaths in India Timestamp ~00:12:22 — Direct outreach to Indian government Timestamp ~00:12:32 — FBI-India law enforcement collaboration Timestamp ~00:12:43 — Indictments in India Joe Rogan Experience #2334 - Kash Patel
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Trump's China gambit belies rocky road ahead on tariff deals
US President Donald Trump has come up short on striking trade deals with most nations with just one month left before his self-imposed tariff deadline, even as he took his first steps in weeks toward engaging with China. Trump secured a much-desired call with Chinese President Xi Jinping , paving the way for a new round of talks on Monday in London — yet the diplomacy was overshadowed by a blowout public fight between Trump and his billionaire onetime ally, Elon Musk. Trump's aides insisted Friday that the president was moving on and focused on his economic agenda. Still, question marks remain over the US's most consequential trade relationships, with few tangible signs of progress toward interim agreements. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo India, which the Trump administration has cited as an early deal target, has taken a tougher line in negotiations and challenged Trump's auto tariffs at the World Trade Organization . Japan held another round of talks with the US, while also signaling it wants a reprieve from duties on cars and light trucks. The legal fight over Trump's tariffs hangs over everything. A court ruling striking down the country-by-country duties imposed using emergency authorities left partners with no certainty over what Trump's powers are. The next test could come as soon as next week, when a court could rule on the administration's appeal. Live Events Trump and his team were eager to draw attention to inroads with China as proof his ways are working. Trump on Friday described talks with Beijing as 'very far advanced' and said Xi had agreed to speed shipments of critical rare-earth minerals that were at the center of recent tension. Unlocking those supplies would spell relief for major American automakers. The mixed results demonstrate the highs and lows of the president's mercurial approach to trade, in which he and aides have cast him as the ultimate decision-maker on any deals. Rather than provide a clear-cut victory, Trump's dealings with Xi also show the difficult road ahead with China. The rare-earths dispute revealed how important those supplies, which Beijing dominates, are for the US economy. 'Xi is not letting go of the rare earths. He's got leverage, he's using it,' said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank. 'They talked, that's the most important thing. I think they're really far apart.' The clock is ticking for Trump. His 90-day pause on higher tariffs for the European Union and nearly five dozen countries expires July 9 — barring an extension he could do with the flick of a pen — while China's reprieve extends until August. If deals aren't reached, Trump plans to restore tariff rates to the levels he first announced in April, or lower numbers that exceed the current 10% baseline, a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'We will have deals. It takes time. Usually it takes months and years; in this administration, it's going to take more like days,' White House trade counselor Peter Navarro said Friday on Fox Business. 'We're on task and on target.' The Office of the US Trade Representative 'looks more like a deli now,' Navarro said, with countries lining up for talks. USTR sent letters this week to trading partners reminding them of the deadline. It's unclear what all the frantic activity has yielded. Xi for months was reluctant to get on the phone with Trump and analysts speculated about what concessions the US president offered to his counterpart in exchange for the call. Trump at least appeared to give some ground on foreign students, saying it would be his 'honor' to welcome Chinese scholars even as his administration cracks down on student visas. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Washington facing demands from his nation's automakers for tariff credits for vehicles they produce in the US. But the subject barely came up during the public portion of his meeting with Trump, who spent a large chunk of time unloading on Musk. 'We'll end up hopefully with a trade deal or we'll do something — you know, we'll do the tariffs,' Trump said Thursday alongside Merz. Merz, in his US visit, emphasized the integrated trade ties between countries that are at risk — including by personally driving a BMW built in South Carolina. The German leader said Friday at an industry event the nations should agree on an 'offset rule' that would provide tariff relief for existing US production. Trump's UK deal — the lone pact so far — was undercut this week when he plowed ahead with levies on steel and aluminum. The UK said the pact included an agreement for zero tariffs on British metals, but Trump's latest order kept a 25% charge on them while negotiations continue and doubled the rate for others. Still, the upcoming Group of Seven summit of leaders from major economies could provide an opportunity for the type of in-person dealmaking Trump craves. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been discussing terms of a potential interim with Trump deal ahead of the gathering this month near Calgary. One theme is clear: Negotiations over his so-called reciprocal tariffs have grown intertwined with his separate duties on autos and metals, despite previous US signals that the administration considered them separate. 'He's entirely transactional,' Holtz-Eakin said. 'He will always deal.' Talks are ongoing with the EU, which has previously proposed an agreement with the US to mutually drop auto tariffs to zero as part of a broader trade framework, which the Trump administration rejected. The bloc subsequently suggested working toward zero-for-zero tariffs on cars, other industrial goods and some agricultural imports with tariff-rate quotas as a possible interim measure. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said this week he'd consider some type of 'export credit' on autos, the kind of carve-out sought by Germany on vehicle tariffs. And he predicted there would be a US-India deal in the 'not too distant future.' Lutnick signaled, though, Trump's push for so-called reciprocity comes with caveats. The US wouldn't agree with Vietnam to drop all tariffs, because it believes the Southeast Asian nation is a hub for so-called transshipment of Chinese goods. Talks with South Korea, where Trump spoke with newly elected president Lee Jae-myung, and Japan, which had top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa meet with Lutnick, continued this week. In yet another sign of the Trump team's frenetic approach, Nikkei reported that different — and even competing — positions among Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Lutnick had confounded Japanese counterparts.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
What more to expect from Paraguayan President's visit
A lot can happen over a maiden visit of a State leader. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña's three day long maiden visit to India from June 2- 4 presents a momentum in turning point in the ties of New Delhi and Asuncion, the capital of the landlocked, riverine nation. An economist by degree and occupation, President Peña brings a data-driven perspective to governance, viewing society through analytical metrics not just by his political ideology and preconceived principles, drawing from office. Prior to assuming the presidency, President Pena was the finance minister and once led the Central Bank of Paraguay. President Peña's maiden visit after a brief gap of any leader's visit to India occurs at an time when China has almost no naysayers in Latin America. Paraguay is the only country in South America that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Strategically, India and Paraguay share a common outlook on supporting Taiwan's autonomy. In December, Paraguay expelled Chinese envoy Xu Wei for alleged interference in its internal affairs. During his visit to New Delhi, President Peña held comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a wide range of issues. He emphasized that Paraguay produces enough food to feed ten times its own population. The nation possesses an intimate knowledge of the soil, yet remains bereft of technological acumen. Agritech and high-tech collaboration are essential between two aspiring nations. India is a perfect match in advancing its ambition for global food security through such partnerships. Interestingly, Paraguay also produces stevia, a natural sweetener permitted in India; however, Indian importers currently rely mostly on China and the US. There is clear scope for Indian players to tap into Paraguay as a new and reliable source. Paraguay's export portfolio is traditionally reserved to the periphery, with most of its trade directed to China, Brazil, and Argentina. However, it is now actively seeking to diversify its partners. As a landlocked nation with no coastline to secure, Paraguay benefits from a relatively low defence burden. It borders Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest—all trade partners, not threats. Given its strategic central location in South America, Paraguay could serve as a valuable regional hub for India to access broader Latin American markets. Both countries are eager to strengthen and expand their existing trade links under the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement. However, consensus among all five MERCOSUR member states is required to expand any talks between India and MERCOSUR. Paraguay's trade with China is about $5 billion plus whereas with India time to time differs from $130 million to $470 million. India wouldn't be in a position to reach anything near that China's export but it should rapidly increase the trade volume. India's advances in IT, digitalisation, innovation, and platforms like UPI and UIDAI have drawn interest from many South American countries, including Paraguay. Paraguay has historically maintained modest defence expenditures, but recent years have seen a shift in strategy. As India begins producing AK-203 assault rifles in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with Russia, there is growing interest in expanding defence cooperation. Paraguay may consider imports of defence and surveillance items for traditional as well as cyber threats, including Indian-manufactured small arms and police equipment. Paraguay has overcome its traumatic past marked by two wars - the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870) against Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, which resulted in the loss of a large part of its territory and left the nation devastated for decades. And the other, Chaco War against Bolivia (1932–1935). Despite being landlocked, Paraguay is crisscrossed by large rivers and generates nearly all its electricity from hydroelectric sources. The Itaipu Dam, a joint operation with Brazil, supplies about 90% of Paraguay's electricity. India's capabilities in riverine and flood data management, as well as weather prediction, could be of immense value to Paraguay's hydro-focused energy sector. Given Paraguay's extensive river systems, there may also be opportunities for India and Paraguay to exchange knowledge or develop initiatives related to riverine connectivity - benefiting from each other's experience as major riverine nations. A member of the Lima Group, Paraguay is a vocal supporter of reforming the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral institutions, including global financial systems. India, with its rich civilizational heritage and growing global influence, is well-positioned to build a deep and enduring relationship with Paraguay—one that spans not just trade, but also for a defiant advocate of multipolarity. For an economist or a social scientist, society is the largest laboratory. During his visit, President Peña has already engaged with numerous leaders and heads of institutions. He showed particular interest in the Vande Bharat trains and connectivity projects, signalling plans to explore and possibly collaborate in these areas. Paraguay, a nation of around seven million people is a vast agrarian country, with approximately 40% of its territory covered in forest. It also possesses rich mineral resources, including critical minerals such as uranium and lithium which are in demand in India. Paraguay has had its share of challenges despite being a high performer in the agriculture sector. India should come forward identifying and helping to eradicate them. With its brigade of travel influencers, India must promote the nation's civilisation-based tourism and Spanish speaking youtubers bring more visitors to India. Paraguay is dire need of applied technology especially IT. Business ties between India and Paraguay could expand beyond meat and soybean exports. Major Indian automobile companies are already present in Paraguay, but there is scope for exporting superior tech-driven mobility equipment such as two-wheelers, lifts, elevators, and goods transporters. This article is authored by Ayanangsha Maitra, journalist, Center of Geoeconomics for the Global South, UAE.
