‘West Seeks Russophobic Belt': Russia Accuses NATO Chief Of Cold War-Style Subversion Tactics
Donald Trump claims his 50% tariff on India's Russian oil imports has delivered a 'big blow' to Moscow, saying Russia's economy is 'not doing well' due to the disruption. Trump revealed he was prepared for even tougher measures until a call from Vladimir Putin led him to pause for possible talks. But the move has triggered criticism from former Pentagon official Michael Rubin, who calls the policy misguided and hypocritical, pointing out America's own imports of Russian-linked resources. India, one of Russia's top oil buyers, has rejected US trade pressure, affirming it will not compromise its strategic autonomy or energy security. While Trump frames the tariffs as a geopolitical masterstroke to weaken Moscow amid the Ukraine conflict, Rubin insists the US is wrong to target India. The clash underscores a deep divide over how Washington should handle New Delhi, as an ally or as leverage in the global power game.#trump #india #russia #tariff #pmmodi #usindia #russianoil #trumptariffs #indiausrelation #indiarussiarelation #michaelrubin #trumpnews #worldnews #energycrisis #geopolitics #breakingnews #trending #trendingnow #toi #bharat #toibharat #indianews
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New Indian Express
6 minutes ago
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US to cooperate with Pakistan over critical minerals, hydrocarbons: Secretary of State Rubio
WASHINGTON: The US government on Wednesday stated that it is "looking forward" to strengthening its cooperation with Pakistan in areas of critical minerals and hydrocarbons, with a renewed focus on economic cooperation in other emerging sectors. Announcing its intent in a congratulatory message on Pakistan's Independence Day, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement, highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between the two nations. "On behalf of the United States, I extend our warm congratulations to the people of Pakistan as they celebrate their Independence Day on August 14," Rubio said in the statement issued by US Department of State. He also acknowledged Pakistan's engagement with the US on key fronts, particularly counterterrorism and trade. "The United States deeply appreciates Pakistan's engagement on counterterrorism and trade. We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and fostering dynamic business partnerships which will promote a prosperous future for Americans and Pakistanis," the statement further read. The message comes at a time when Washington is actively seeking to further its ties with India's terror-harbouring neighbour. Earlier in July, US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Pakistan, touting a joint initiative to develop oil reserves in the country and even floated the idea that "some day" Islamabad might sell oil to New Delhi. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the US and Pakistan are currently in the process of selecting the oil company for the partnership. "We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves. We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they'll be selling Oil to India some day!" Trump stated. Meanwhile, the Trump administration had also announced the lowest tariff rates for Pakistani goods to the US in South Asia in his new tariff plans announced earlier this month, with 19 percent imposed on Islamabad. India, on the other hand, faced a 25 percent tariff under the new plan. Trump later announced an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods to the US, bringing the total to 50 percent, due to India's continued oil purchases from Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has slammed the US's move to impose additional tariffs, calling it "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable", and further noted that New Delhi would take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests." Notably, Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir visited the US for the second time in less than two months, where he reportedly said Pakistan could use nuclear weapons to take down India and "half the world" in the event of an existential threat during an event in Florida. The trip comes after a private luncheon with Trump in June, during which the Pakistan Army Chief recommended Trump's name for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mint
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Infosys acquires majority stake in Australian IT firm for $150 million
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Ex-Diplomat Vikas Swarup says US relations with Pakistan is ‘short term, motivated by…'
Former diplomat Vikas Swarup explained on Wednesday as to why he believes that the United States' relation with Pakistan is "short-term." The former High Commissioner to Canada and author of Slumdog Millionaire, Swarup said, "We have to look at US' relationship with Pakistan in a different lens from the US' relationship with India." In an interview with news agency ANI, Swarup said he believes that "the relationship with Pakistan right now is a very tactical one and is a short-term one." He added that the US' relationship with Pakistan is 'primarily motivated by the financial gain that the [US President Donald] Trump family and [US' Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve] Witkoff family hope to make from the cryptocurrency assets in Pakistan.' Explaining his view about the US' relation with India, Vikas Swarup said, "With India, I think, the relationship is much more strategic." "It is not so transactional as it is with Pakistan. That is why I personally feel that it is a passing phase," he said. "I call it a storm, not a rupture. You just have to wait out the storms. All storms eventually pass," the ex-diplomat added. Vikas Swarup told ANI that Pakistan is reportedly positioning itself as the "Crypto King" of South Asia, possibly through its association with World Liberty Financial, which has ties to Trump's family and Steve Witkoff's family. "More importantly, I think Pakistan is now trying to position itself as the 'Crypto King' of South Asia and there, through World Liberty Financial, in which Trump's family has stakes, Steve Witkoff's family has a stake, through that I think Pakistan has managed to project an image of itself as a reliable these things have led to Trump having a softer approach towards Pakistan," said the former diplomat. When asked about Trump's 'highest tariff' on imported Indian goods, Vikas Swarup stressed that these tariffs are part of a broader strategy to exert pressure and secure favourable trade terms from India. "But that does not mean that he has given up on India or that India is now an adversary for him. I think this is part of his pressure tactics to secure a more favourable deal. India should not cave in because our strategic autonomy is non-negotiable," Swarup told ANI. In July, US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods along with an unspecified penalty. Days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, bringing the total to 50 per cent, citing India's purchase of Russian oil. Swarup said that India has not caved in to US pressure. He said, 'India should not cave in because our strategic autonomy is non-negotiable.' Attacking Trump over his huge tariffs, Swarup said, '...If you cave in to a bully then the bully will increase his demands. Then there will be even more demands.' "So, I think we have done the right thing. India is too large, too proud a country to become a camp follower of any other country. Our strategic autonomy has been the bedrock of our foreign policy right from the 1950s. I don't think that any government in Delhi can compromise on that," said former diplomat Vikas Swarup on the tariff rift between India and the US.
