India wraps up Kashmir pilgrimage early after violence and storm damage
The pilgrimage began on July 3 and closes officially on August 9, but organisers said that lashing rains had damaged narrow paths forcing a premature end.
Official Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said in a statement late Saturday that 415,000 pilgrims had taken part.
Many of the faithful began their trek to the Amarnath ice pillar from near Pahalgam, where gunmen on April 22 killed 26 mostly Hindu tourists in the Muslim-majority region.
New Delhi said the gunmen were backed by Pakistan, claims Islamabad rejected – triggering a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures that escalated into a four-day conflict.
It was the worst standoff by the nuclear-armed nations since 1999, with more than 70 people killed in missile, drone and artillery fire on both sides, before a May 10 ceasefire.
New Delhi last week said that three Pakistani men who carried out the Pahalgam attack were killed during a gun battle on July 28 in forests adjacent to the hills where the cave shrine is located.
A few devotees may still visit the cave, but the numbers this year fall short of the estimated half a million devotees who took part in 2024.
Officials appealed to Hindus to undertake the pilgrimage, ramping up security for the event by deploying 45,000 troops with high-tech surveillance tools overseeing the gruelling trek to the cave, dedicated to Shiva, the deity of destruction.
On Sunday, Indian forces exchanged fire with gunmen for a third day in Kulgam, far from the Amarnath pilgrimage route.
Soldiers have killed two militants, a senior police officer said.
Kashmir has been divided between the India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947, with both administering it in part and claiming in full.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Sun
Trump raises India tariffs over Russian oil imports as trade tensions escalate
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has ordered higher tariffs on Indian goods in response to New Delhi's continued imports of Russian oil. The new 25% tariff will take effect in three weeks, adding to an existing 25% duty that begins on Thursday. This brings total tariffs on many Indian products to 50%, significantly increasing trade costs for Indian exporters. Trump's order also warns of penalties for other nations that import Russian oil, a key revenue source for Moscow's war in Ukraine. Certain goods, including steel, aluminum, smartphones, and pharmaceuticals, remain exempt from the latest tariff hike. India's foreign ministry condemned the move, calling it 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.' Officials noted that India turned to Russian oil after traditional suppliers diverted shipments to Europe due to the Ukraine conflict. Trump has pressured India to reduce Russian oil purchases as part of broader efforts to isolate Moscow economically. India's national security adviser was reportedly in Moscow on Wednesday, coinciding with a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff. The latest tariff is lower than the 100% duty Trump previously threatened if Russia failed to end its war in Ukraine within 50 days. Farwa Aamer of the Asia Society Policy Institute called this a 'low point in US-India relations.' She expects domestic pressure in India to comply with US demands but predicts difficult negotiations ahead. Separately, Trump increased tariffs on Brazilian goods from 10% to 50% over political tensions involving former president Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil has initiated WTO dispute proceedings against the new US tariffs, according to government sources. On Thursday, updated 'reciprocal' tariffs targeting the EU, Japan, South Korea, and others will take effect, with rates up to 41%. Switzerland's president rushed to Washington ahead of the deadline, though it remains unclear if she will meet Trump. Mexico plans to strengthen trade ties with Canada as both nations face US tariff pressures.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Trump imposes extra 25pct tariff on Indian goods, ties hit new low
WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi's continued imports of Russian oil in a move that sharply escalated tensions between the two nations after trade talks reached a deadlock. The new import tax, effective 21 days after August 7, will raise duties on some Indian exports to as high as 50 per cent - among the highest levied on any US trading partner. Trump's executive order imposing the extra tariff did not mention China, which also imports Russian oil, but later said he could announce similar further tariffs on Chinese goods. "It may happen ... I can't tell you yet," Trump told reporters. "We did it with India. We're doing it probably with a couple of others. One of them could be China." Analysts said Trump's move marks the most serious downturn in US-India relations since his return to office in January. The tariffs threaten to disrupt India's access to its largest export market, where shipments totalled nearly US$87 billion in 2024, hitting sectors like textiles, footwear, gems and jewelry. It also marks a shift from the warm ties seen during Trump and Modi's February meeting, they said, pointing out Trump's recent remarks calling India's economy "dead", its trade barriers "obnoxious" and accusing the country of profiting from cheap Russian oil while ignoring the killings of Ukrainians in Russia's three-and-a-half-year-old invasion of its neighbour. India's external affairs ministry called the decision "extremely unfortunate," noting that many other countries are also importing Russian oil in their national economic interest. "India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests," it said, adding that purchases were driven by market factors and the energy needs of India's 1.4 billion people. The development comes as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his first visit to China in over seven years, suggesting a potential realignment in alliances as relations with Washington fray. Oil prices edged up about 1 per cent on Wednesday after falling to a five-week low in the prior session after Trump penalised India for buying Russian oil and in light of a larger-than-expected US crude storage draw last week. Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned China that continued Russian oil purchases could trigger new tariffs, as Washington prepares for the expiry of a U.S.-China tariff ceasefire on August 12. BLOW TO INDIAN EXPORTS Trade between the United States and India - the world's biggest and fifth-largest economies respectively - is worth over US$190 billion. Exporters and trade analysts warn that the tariffs - which Trump casts as a driver to reduce US trade deficits and reinvigorate domestic manufacturing - could severely disrupt Indian exports. "This is a severe setback. Nearly 55 per cent of our shipments to the US will be affected," said S.C. Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. The increased duties place Indian exporters at a 30–35 per cent disadvantage versus trade rivals in Vietnam, Bangladesh and Japan. "With such obnoxious tariff rates, trade between the two nations would be practically dead," said Madhavi Arora, economist at Emkay Global. Indian officials acknowledged pressure to return to negotiations with the Trump administration. A phased cut in Russian oil imports and diversification could be a part of the compromise. "We still have a window," said a senior Indian official, requesting anonymity. "The fact that the new tariffs take effect in 21 days signals the White House is open to talks." Another official said there were no immediate plans for Modi or senior leaders to travel to Washington, nor were any retaliatory measures being considered. Instead, the government is weighing relief for exporters, including interest subsidies and loan guarantees. A sharp drop in US-bound shipments could drag India's GDP growth below 6 per cent this year, down from the central bank's 6.5 per cent forecast, said Sakshi Gupta of HDFC Bank. India's rupee weakened in offshore non-deliverable forwards market while stock futures fell marginally after the announcement. "While markets have already started pricing in the risk of a sharp tariff hike, a near-term knee-jerk reaction is inevitable unless there's swift clarity or a breakthrough in negotiations," said Mayuresh Joshi, head of equity research for India at Willian O' Neil. Trump's move follows five rounds of inconclusive trade talks, which stalled over US demands for wider access to Indian agriculture and dairy markets. India's refusal to cut Russian oil imports - which hit a record US$52 billion last year - ultimately triggered the tariff escalation. US and Indian officials told Reuters a mix of political misjudgement, missed signals and bitterness scuttled trade deal negotiations between the world's biggest and fifth-largest economies, whose bilateral trade is worth over US$190 billion.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
US Imposes Additional 25 Per Cent Tariff on India, New Delhi Calls Move Unfair
US President Donald Trump meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, DC, February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- United States (US) President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on India in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) quoted the White House. "To deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil," the order stated. The tariffs will take effect 21 days from the date of the order. bootstrap slideshow It directs Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in coordination with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, to determine whether any other country is 'directly or indirectly' importing Russian oil. "If the Secretary of Commerce finds that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, he, consulting with other officials, shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent on imports of articles of that country," it said. Trump said Tuesday the US would 'make that determination' about sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil after talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian officials in Moscow. He accused New Delhi of profiting from the resale of Russian oil. In response to the executive order, India described the move as 'extremely unfortunate,' noting that several other countries were taking similar actions in their own national interest. The actions are 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,' the Foreign Ministry said, adding that New Delhi would take 'all actions necessary' to protect its national interests.
