&w=3840&q=100)
Trump dangles penalty sword to wean India away from Russia
New Delhi
Listen to This Article
The United States (US) president Donald Trump yesterday announced a 'penalty' on India's defence and energy imports from Russia, along with a blanket 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, to be in effect from August 1. While the penalty might be seen as a measure to rein in the Kremlin's revenues from its crude oil and arms sale and force Russia to end the Ukraine war, the constant tariff threats surrounding India may be used by the US as a bargaining chip in the ongoing India-US trade deal negotiations.
The Western bloc has imposed sanctions on

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
UK steps up anti-visa fraud drive in Punjab, Haryana with chatbot
The British High Commission has expanded its 'Visa Fraud Ton Bacho' campaign across Punjab and Haryana, launching a Punjabi-language WhatsApp chatbot and partnering with local authorities to raise awareness about visa scams and promote legal routes to the UK. The campaign, which began earlier this year in key areas of Punjab, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Chandigarh, uses social media, posters, and direct community engagement to warn people about common scam tactics. Recognising its early success, the British High Commission plans to deepen collaboration with Indian authorities and grassroots stakeholders over the coming months. Unveiling a new QR code that connects users to its WhatsApp chatbot, the UK government aims to make official guidance on identifying and avoiding visa fraud more accessible. The chatbot provides information in both Punjabi and English and can be reached via +91 70652 51380. 'We are pleased to be continuing our 'Visa Fraud Ton Bacho' campaign in Punjab, making it more accessible with the launch of our WhatsApp chatbot QR code,' said Daniel Sherry, political counsellor at the British High Commission. 'Working with partners in Chandigarh and Punjab, and with the Government of India, we will continue to protect those vulnerable to visa fraud.' Amandeep Grewal, deputy head of mission in Chandigarh, added, 'Our mission is clear — to protect innocent people from visa fraud. As we expand this campaign across Punjab and Haryana, we will continue raising awareness and promoting safe, legal travel to the UK.' To engage the public directly, the British High Commission has organised photo exhibitions at Elante Mall (August 6, 2:30–5:00 pm) and Sector 17 Underpass (August 7, 4:30–7:00 pm). These events aim to highlight the emotional and financial costs of irregular migration and inform visitors about legal alternatives. As part of the ongoing campaign, UK teams have held village-level meetings, particularly in rural Punjab, involving elders and women to spread awareness. Discussions cover the UK visa application process, associated costs, and how to identify fraudulent practices. According to British High Commission data, Indian nationals now receive nearly a quarter of all UK visas globally, making India one of the largest visa applicant pools.


Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Agriculture a stumbling block in talks, but India-US trade in sector sees surge
Even as agriculture, along with purchase of Russian oil, has emerged as a key sticking point in the trade talks between India and the United States, here's an interesting fact: Trade in farm produce between the two countries is actually booming and poised to touch a new record this year. During January-June 2025, India's imports of agricultural products from the US were, at $1,693.2 million, a whopping 49.1% more than the $1,135.8 million for the same six months of the last calendar year. India's agricultural exports to the US, too, were up 24.1%, from $2,798.9 million in January-June 2024 to $3,472.7 million in January-June 2025 (see chart). With US President Donald Trump doubling the tariff on import of goods from India to 50 per cent on Wednesday, the impact remains to be seen, but the trends so far suggest two-way farm trade at least surpassing previous highs. If the current growth rates hold, India's agricultural exports to the US could top $7.7 billion, and that of the US to India could be over $3.5 billion in 2025. The US's exports to India have been led by tree nuts — mainly almonds and pistachios — which were valued at $1.1 billion-plus in 2024, and registering further 42.8% annual growth during the first six months of this year. The other three big-ticket items are ethanol, soyabean oil and cotton. Ethanol exports from the US to India, worth over $420 million last year, are basically for manufacturing alcohol-based chemicals, medicines and other industrial uses. The US wants India to open up imports of ethanol also for fuel use, i.e. blending with petrol and diesel. India has been resisting that, just as much as it is not allowing imports of genetically modified (GM) maize and soyabean. US farmers mostly grow only GM maize (corn) and soyabean. India currently permits imports of non-fuel ethanol and oil, produced from GM corn and soyabean respectively, but not the whole grain and oilseed as such. Although the trade negotiations between the two sides are stuck due to India not yielding on GM crops, US exports of both corn-derived ethanol and soyabean oil to India have posted strong growth. The huge jump in soyabean oil exports from the US this year is likely to be sustained by India's move, on May 31, to slash its import duty from 27.5% to 16.5%. Cotton exports from the US have also been growing on the back of India turning into a net importer of the natural fibre. India's agricultural exports to the US are somewhat more diversified. While seafood (primarily frozen shrimp) has been the top item, there are others as well — from spices and essential oils to basmati rice, processed fruits & vegetables and baked foods — that have been doing well, with annual shipment value exceeding $200 million each. It's not clear how much of all these exports would be affected, especially with the new Trump tariff. Take seafood, where India's exports of $2,483.8 million in 2024 was just behind Canada ($3,956.9 million) and Chile ($3,030.1 million), and ahead of Indonesia ($1,907.9 million), Vietnam ($1,790.4 million) and Ecuador ($1,616.4 million). As of now, the 50% tariff on India is above that of all these competitors: Chile (10%), Ecuador (15%), Indonesia (19%), Vietnam (20%) and Canada (35%). While seafood exports from India have remained buoyant, growing by 32.5% year-on-year in January-June, sustaining that may not be easy as the tariff differentials bite. But the fact that agriculture trade per se between India and the US is booming should be some consolation in the present situation where talks are at a standstill.


Deccan Herald
23 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
In Gaza, hunger as a weapon of war
The genocide and famine engineered by Israel in Gaza have raised new questions to a world that has continued to fail with answers. A humanitarian crisis of unimaginable proportions has unfolded in Gaza after the Israeli government imposed a near-total siege and prevented all aid from reaching the strip, while continuing military action. The situation may be political and diplomatic, but at its core is a deeply moral issue. During the Holocaust, the world did not have knowledge of the full extent of the atrocities. But the genocide in Gaza is taking place in full view of the world – a section of the international community is complicit by supporting Israel, while others are unable to stop it for various reasons. Evidence has emerged on widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease causing a spike in hunger-related deaths. Malnutrition levels among children under five have reached 16.5%..Israel has violated all tenets of morality and international law. The International Court of Justice has passed strictures against the regime and acknowledged the risk of genocide in Gaza. The United Nations and major international humanitarian bodies such as Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders have expressed serious concern over the situation in Gaza. More than at any time in history, hunger is being used as a weapon of war. Access to water is restricted and there are severe curbs on supply of fuel and other commodities. Not even basic medical facilities are available and offers of medical aid and assistance are turned away. As much as 92% of the houses in Gaza have been destroyed and forced displacement orders have been issued in about 86% of the territory. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, set up by Israel and the US, is a cruel joke, running just four distribution centres against the 400 that the UN and the other agencies had the failure of the indirect ceasefire and hostage release talks in Doha, there are reports of Israel planning a bigger offensive for the 'conquest of Gaza'. The talks had aimed at a 60-day truce, inflow of aid, and exchange of half of the Israeli hostages with jailed Palestinians in Israel. There is opposition in Israel to the extension of war, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sounded determined and US President Donald Trump supportive. The UN Conference on Palestine has proposed a two-state solution and some of the major countries, including France and the UK, have decided to recognise a Palestinian state. More than 145 countries have recognised Palestine. The question the world must answer is why it has failed to recognise and act on the basic human responsibility to the people of Palestine.