Evening news wrap: Karnataka ASP quits after Siddaramaiah's 'air slap', PM Modi lauds India-Ghana ties; and more
Prime Minister Modi, while addressing Ghana's Parliament, said that a stronger India would contribute to global stability and called for urgent reforms in global governance.
Meanwhile on the trade front, India and the US are racing to finalise a deal before Trump's July 9 tariff deadline.
Here are the top 5 stories that made headline today
Officer cites public slap gesture by CM Siddaramaiah as reason for early retirement
ASP NV Baramani has applied for voluntary retirement, citing "severe mental trauma" after being publicly humiliated by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah during a rally in Belagavi.
In a detailed letter, Baramani said he was diligently performing duties when Siddaramaiah made a slap gesture on stage, which went viral. Despite initially choosing silence to avoid further embarrassment, he eventually decided to step down.
Meanwhile, BJP also demanded a public apology from the CM.
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PM Modi in Ghana: Strong India
Vital for Global Stability
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Ghana, emphasised that a strong and stable India is essential for a prosperous world.
Addressing Ghana's Parliament during his two-day visit, he also highlighted the need for credible and effective reforms in global governance, especially in light of shifting global dynamics. The PM was also awarded the "Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana" honour, which he described as a responsibility to strengthen India-Ghana ties.
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India-US trade deal talks drag as Trump's July 9 tariff deadline looms
With just days left before US's tariff on Indian goods comes into effect, India and the US are racing to finalise a trade agreement.
Despite extending talks in Washington, negotiators have hit roadblocks over unresolved issues. President Trump has indicated that extending the deadline is unlikely but expressed optimism about a possible deal that could reduce tariffs and ensure fairer competition. Without an interim trade deal agreement, Indian industries must prepare for a 26% tariff.
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Shooting incident at Chicago nightclub leaves 4 dead
A mass shooting outside Chicago's Artis Lounge left four people dead and 14 injured late Wednesday night.
The incident occurred during an album release party for rapper Mello Buckzz. Chicago police said three victims are in critical condition, and an investigation is underway. The site had previously witnessed a similar violent incident in 2022 when it was known as Hush Lounge. The recurrence of gun violence at the same location has raised concerns about public safety in the area.
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India clears Pakistan hockey team's entry for Asia Cup, Junior WC
India has granted clearance for the Pakistan men's hockey team to participate in the Asia Cup in Bihar and the FIH Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu. Approvals came from the ministries of external and home affairs, aligning with India's commitment to keeping politics separate from sports. Had India disallowed the Pakistan team's participation for the two hockey events, it would have faced sanctioned from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Pakistan's participation was uncertain after the Pahalgam terror attack and India's cross-border Operation Sindoor.
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Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India faces a Russia dilemma
India may again find itself in an uncomfortable diplomatic fix. US Senator Lindsey Graham is slated to introduce a bill that seeks to impose a 500 per cent tariff rate on American imports from countries that continue to buy products from Russia. He claims to have the support of 84 co-sponsors and the backing of the US President Donald Trump. If passed, India's diplomacy will be put to a stress test once again. It is likely to also trigger a debate around the strategic utility of India's relationship with Russia. Even if the bill fails to sail through, Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India in the coming months will probably set off similar discussions. Practitioners and strategic analysts are divided on the issue. Russophiles have argued that the India-Russia relationship is rooted in history and has stood the test of time. The genesis of this thought lies in India's experiences with the Soviet Union during the Cold War years, with the India-Pakistan war of 1971 being the watershed moment in the friendship. That event created substantial affinity towards the Soviet Union (later Russia) among the Indian public and political elite, while concurrently generating deep antipathy and cynicism towards the US-led West. The Soviet Union also supported India through the sale of arms at a time when the West (primarily the US and the UK) would openly arm Pakistan with sophisticated and advanced weapons while turning down India's requests. Further, they argue the Soviet Union was India's sole trusted partner with a veto in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), particularly when the West raked up issues pertaining to Jammu & Kashmir. As per this school of thought, the experience of history demonstrates Russia's reliability and creates an obligation for India to support it. Russia, for them, stood with India when the latter found itself isolated by the West for most of the Cold War period. This school also contends that India and Russia are natural partners as their core interests do not conflict. Thus, they argue that the Moscow-Delhi relationship transcends any upheavals in the global order and is critical to maintaining India's strategic autonomy. Finally, any effort towards distancing from Russia would further push it into China's orbit of influence. Per them, an isolated Russia that is more dependent on China presents a significant challenge for India. Lately, a second strand of thought (Russoskeptics) has argued for strategic pragmatism when it comes to India's relations with Russia. It calls for a more pragmatic approach to modern-day Russia, notwithstanding the traditional and historical relationship with the Soviet Union. They endeavour to absolve India of any moral obligation by alluding to the latter's historically ambiguous and even contrary position on matters related to Indian interests vis-à-vis China. Moreover, they highlight, and rightly so, that in the Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow is an aggressor that has violated Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty in a blatant disregard for international law. And thus, Russia does not deserve India's moral support in its unjust war. In addition, they point to the deepening strategic partnership between Russia and China as threatening India's security interests. This school also views Russia as a declining power that can do very little to augment India's comprehensive national power. On the contrary, Russia's expansionist tendencies have an adverse impact on India's relationship with the US at a time when its interests align far more closely with the West, owing to the changing geopolitical realities. This has significantly altered the cost-benefit matrix for India when it comes to its relationship with Russia. Morals and ethics aside, there are legitimate strategic reasons, grounded in realism, to argue for either side. The Russoskeptics point out that India's diplomatic capital is not infinite. And thus, it would not be prudent to spend it all to salvage the relationship with Russia, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, Russia continues to be the primary adversary of the US. And there is a possibility that proximity to Moscow may impede cooperation between New Delhi and Washington. Secondly, Russia may no longer be trusted as India's biggest defence and energy partner, given its massive dependence on China, economically, militarily and diplomatically. Notwithstanding the pragmatism and realism displayed by the Russoskeptics, they must answer two critical questions: Will making an enemy out of Russia and pushing it into a possible China-Pak-Russia nexus serve India's security interests in Asia? And would New Delhi be comfortable with the idea of Moscow selling its premium weapons to Pakistan? Moscow is already flirting with Rawalpindi and testing the waters to see if Pakistan could be its new prominent military partner. Further, while the Sino-Russian relationship stands firm, we are yet to see it adversely impact India-Russia ties in any significant way. This perhaps suggests that either the Russia-China relationship is not deep enough, or India-China relations have not strained to a point yet for Beijing to resort to coercion through Moscow. Thus, India cannot afford to downgrade its relations with Russia yet, and it must persist with its balancing act. This would require four actions on India's part. First, conveying to their American counterparts that China should continue to remain the preeminent source of their strategic convergence. Second, while diversifying arms imports from Russia makes strategic sense, it would be imprudent to seek diversification beyond a certain limit, which makes Moscow a little insecure. India needs to find that acceptable ratio. Third, India would need to engage China to ensure that the bilateral relations do not stoop to a point that Beijing feels the need to capitalise on Russia's dependence. Lastly, India must urge Russia not to close the door on themselves. If it wants to avoid slipping into China's sphere of influence and wants India to be on its side as a friendly centre of power, it has to allow India some space to work with. A good start for Moscow would be revisiting its Eurasia policy. The writer is a research analyst with Takshashila's Indo-Pacific Studies programme
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
The last Nano car: Meet the owner who pays emotional tribute to Ratan Tata's vision
The last Tata Nano, affectionately named "Lily," holds a special place in India's automotive history, not just as a car but as a symbol of a visionary promise made by the legendary industrialist . Shantanu Naidu, Ratan Tata's former assistant and currently General Manager and Head of Strategic Initiatives at , owns this final Nano. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Recently, Naidu shared an emotional post on Instagram standing beside Lily, reflecting on the car's significance beyond its physical form. To him, Lily is a 'memory keeper' and a tribute to an engineering dream that was bold, compassionate, and aimed at providing affordable, safe transportation to middle-class Indian families. This white-colored Nano, now six years old, symbolizes the fulfillment of Ratan Tata's heartfelt vision that began when he saw a family of four riding a two-wheeler in the rain and dreamed of a safer alternative. The Nano was launched in 2008 with the goal of delivering a four-wheeled vehicle priced around ₹1 lakh, a promise that resonated deeply with millions of Indians. Shantanu Naidu's Nano tribute: A heartfelt salute to Ratan Tata's vision In his heartfelt Instagram post, Naidu described Lily as more than just a vehicle. He called her a 'whisper of an engineering legacy never meant to be forgotten' and thanked the car for its loyalty despite the 'battle-scar dents' it had accumulated over the years. His tribute underscores the emotional and symbolic weight the Nano carries as a fulfilled promise by Ratan Tata to Indian families. Naidu's close association with Tata adds a personal dimension to this story, reflecting the deep respect and admiration he holds for the industrialist's vision and values. The genesis of the Tata Nano The idea for the Tata Nano originated from a poignant moment when Ratan Tata witnessed a family of four braving heavy rain on a two-wheeler. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Moved by their vulnerability, Tata envisioned an affordable car that would provide safety and dignity to millions of Indian families. This vision culminated in the launch of the Nano at the 2008 Delhi Auto Expo, marketed as the world's cheapest car. Although the Nano faced challenges such as production shifts and market perception issues, it remains a milestone in India's automotive journey. Shantanu Naidu: A trusted associate of Ratan Tata Naidu's bond with Ratan Tata goes beyond professional ties. Their friendship, rooted in shared passions such as animal welfare, was marked by mutual respect and support. Naidu has been a key figure in Tata's initiatives, including startups focused on social impact. Following Tata's passing in 2024, Naidu has publicly expressed the profound void left by his mentor, calling him his 'dear lighthouse.' His stewardship of the last Nano, Lily, is a continuation of that legacy—honoring Tata's commitment to innovation, empathy, and India's progress. In preserving the last Tata Nano, Shantanu Naidu keeps alive not only a piece of automotive history but also the spirit of a dream that sought to transform lives through affordable mobility.
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Business Standard
28 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India, Brazil to sign 4 MoUs on clean energy, counterterrorism: Ambassador
Indian Ambassador to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia on Sunday (local time) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his bilateral visit to Brazil on July 8, India will sign four MoUs with Brazil. Bhatia while speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs special media briefing said that this will be a first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years. "During the state visit, he'll be accorded the state protocol, state ceremonial welcome. Followed by a bilateral talk where both delegations led by the respective leaders will meet. And after the talks we are hoping to sign 4 agreements or MOUs between the two countries, namely on renewable energy. counterterrorism. Agricultural research cooperation between ICR, which is Indian Council for Agricultural Research and MMR of Brazil and also exchange and mutual production of confidential information. These agreements have been finalised and we are hoping to sign this on 8 July," he said. He said that PM Modi is visiting Brazil at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. "About the bilateral visit of Prime Minister Modi to Brasilia at the invitation of President Lula on 8 July. As a matter of fact, tomorrow, 7th of July, Prime Minister arrives in Brasilia and he'll be treated as a state guest. it's after 57 years that the Prime Minister of India is paying a state visit to Brazil," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed the Brics Summit Plenary session on 'Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence.' In a post on X, he said, "Addressed the Brics Summit Plenary session on 'Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence.' Focused on how to make the Brics platform even more effective in this increasingly multipolar world." Meanwhile, leaders of the Brics nations welcomed India's candidacy to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP 33) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the year 2028.
