
Trump says US ‘very close' to trade deal with India
Trump also highlighted the previous lack of access to key foreign markets for US businesses and credited his administration's tariff policies with opening doors: 'You have to understand, we had no access into any of these countries and now we're getting access because of what we're doing with the tariffs.'India and the US have been negotiating a limited trade pact aimed at reducing tariffs, particularly keeping them below 20 per cent on certain goods and services.- EndsTune InMust Watch

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The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
India, Nepal finalise Mutual Legal Assistance pact; discuss revised extradition treaty
India and Nepal are working on a revised extradition treaty and have finalised the text of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement on Wednesday (July 23, 2025). The deliberations took place at the Home Secretary-level talks between the two countries, held on July 22 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, while the Nepalese side was headed by Gokarna Mani Duwadee, Home Secretary, Government of Nepal. 'During the talks, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral security cooperation as well as border management and agreed to strengthen it further. Their deliberations included issues related to the repair and maintenance of boundary pillars, trans-border criminal activities, working of Border District Coordination Committees, strengthening of border infrastructure particularly Integrated Check Posts, roads and railway networks, empowerment and capacity building of various security related institutions, and ways to strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction and management,' the MHA said. The two sides welcomed the finalisation of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and agreed to work towards the early conclusion of the revised extradition treaty. It was also agreed that the next round of Home Secretary-level talks would be held in Nepal at a mutually convenient date.

The Hindu
23 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Germany seeks U.S. guarantee before sending Patriots to Ukraine
Germany needs firm U.S. assurances that it will quickly receive replacement Patriot anti-missile systems if it sends two of its own units to Ukraine, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday (July 23, 2025). In comments to Der Spiegel news magazine, Mr. Pistorius said European NATO members needed 'watertight' guarantees that any American-made Patriot air-defence systems sent to Ukraine would be replaced within about six to eight months. U.S. President Donald Trump last week announced a deal with NATO chief Mark Rutte for European alliance members to buy U.S. weaponry – particularly Patriot systems – for Kyiv to help it in its war against Russia. The move marked a pivot for Mr. Trump as his patience has worn thin with Russia's President Vladimir Putin for frustrating efforts to halt the war in Ukraine. Germany has offered to finance two of the Patriot systems, while several other NATO allies have expressed willingness to pay for three more. But concern has grown as Washington wants European allies to first send Patriot systems from their own stocks to Ukraine and then wait for replacements from the United States. Mr. Pistorius told Der Spiegel it was important that 'the countries transferring systems can continue to meet their NATO requirements and that no security gaps arise for NATO'. Countries including Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands had declared their willingness to finance Patriot systems, but Mr. Pistorius said that 'no decision has been made as to which country could supply Patriot systems to Ukraine'. Speaking later at a Berlin news conference, he said talks were ongoing on the question of 'which countries in Europe and beyond currently have Patriots, and in what quantities are they willing to hand them over?' 'There is money for these Patriots. Now we just need the Patriots,' he added. Germany formerly had 12 Patriot systems, but has sent three to Ukraine and two to Poland. Another Patriot battery is dedicated to training, leaving Germany with six active units.
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First Post
23 minutes ago
- First Post
Pakistan PM Sharif renews ‘dialogue' call, but India wary of peace rhetoric turning into betrayal
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's call for 'meaningful dialogue' with India is met with scepticism in New Delhi, given a long history of peace talk offers followed by betrayal. India remains firm: no talks without concrete action against terrorism. read more Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said his country was ready for a 'meaningful dialogue' with India to resolve all outstanding issues. However, the statement follows a familiar and recurring pattern that has left India deeply sceptical. New Delhi views such peace overtures from Islamabad as part of a well-worn script, historically been followed by betrayal and hostile actions. Sharif made the remarks during a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott in Islamabad, where the two discussed regional affairs and bilateral ties. According to an official statement, Sharif 'expressed his appreciation for the UK's role in de-escalation of tensions during the Pakistan-India standoff' and reiterated that 'Pakistan was ready for a meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The comments come in the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7 to target terror and military infrastructure in Pakistan's territories following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. However, India's position remains firm: any dialogue must centre around Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and an end to cross-border terrorism. Indian officials have consistently warned against falling into the trap of rhetoric-driven diplomacy from Pakistan that lacks sincerity and follow-through. A pattern of peace talk offers followed by betrayal Pakistan's leadership has a long history of extending olive branches publicly while permitting or orchestrating actions that sabotage the very idea of peace. 1999 Kargil War: Just months after then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lahore in a ground-breaking peace initiative with Nawaz Sharif, Pakistani troops and militants, under the guidance of General Pervez Musharraf infiltrated Indian territory in Kargil, triggering a bloody conflict that cost hundreds of lives. 2001 Agra Summit: After the Kargil betrayal, India cautiously resumed dialogue. But the summit collapsed and in December that year, terrorists from Pakistan attacked the Indian Parliament, a strike that nearly brought the two nations to the brink of war. 2008 Mumbai Attacks: Another major setback came after years of back-channel diplomacy and confidence-building measures. The 26/11 attacks, carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, left 166 people dead and shattered any remaining trust. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Post-Uri and Pulwama attacks: In more recent years, terror attacks in Uri (2016) and Pulwama (2019), again linked to Pakistan-based groups, were met with Indian military responses, surgical strikes and airstrikes in Balakot, respectively that further cementing India's view that engagement with Pakistan has repeatedly been undermined by acts of terror. India's cautious stance The Indian government has been saying unequivocally that talks cannot proceed under the shadow of terrorism. Without visible, verifiable action from Pakistan to dismantle terrorist networks operating from its soil, India remains unwilling to resume any substantive dialogue. In this context, Sharif's latest outreach is being viewed in New Delhi not as a genuine diplomatic move but as part of a familiar playbook, one where calls for peace serve as a smokescreen for strategic inaction or deception.