Latest news with #China-India
CNBC
2 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
India expects 'preferential' tariffs in a trade deal with U.S., says India's commerce minister
India expects to secure "preferential" tariffs from the United States that are better than those achieved by its economic rivals, according to India's commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal. Goyal, who led the negotiations on the U.K.-India trade agreement, signaled a confident approach from New Delhi in ongoing trade talks with Washington. "India will get a preferential tariff compared to our peers and our competitors, because we were amongst the first to get into negotiations and our discussions, our engagement is truly very, very significant," Goyal told CNBC on Thursday. His comments were in response to a question about whether India could hope for better terms than the tariffs currently faced by Japan and Vietnam on some of their U.S. imports. Their exports face 15% and 20% duties, respectively. The minister said the negotiations were "progressing extremely well" towards a deal aimed at achieving the $500 billion bilateral trade target by 2030 , a goal previously set by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I have excellent relations with my good friend, [U.S.] Commerce Secretary, Mr Howard Lutnick," Goyal said. "The United States and India share a very special relationship, and I'm very confident we'll do a robust and good deal where both countries benefit and where businesses on both sides are happy." Lutnick is leading the U.S. trade negotiating team. The optimism was echoed by business leaders, who predicted that while a deal would be reached, India would negotiate from a position of strength. Keshav Murugesh, chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry UK Business Forum, told CNBC that Indian negotiators would handle talks "strictly on merits" and "India will not be a pushover." Murugesh, also the chief executive of business services firm WNS , suggested that both sides are sufficiently motivated, noting that President Trump "and his people want a good deal with India because, let's face it, India is the future." India's Goyal also said the push for a U.S. deal is part of a deliberate policy to partner with "developed nations who complement the India story," a move away from past agreements with countries seen as direct competitors. He cited India's decision to withdraw from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as an example of this, describing the pact as something that "would have otherwise been like a China-India FTA." His comments came on the day India and the United Kingdom finalized their free trade agreement. The bilateral deal, first announced in May , will see the U.K. benefit from lower tariffs on key exports such as whisky and cars, which will kick in over several years. Meanwhile, India will gain tariff-free access on 99% of imports from day one of the agreement. While expressing confidence in the U.S. talks, Goyal acknowledged sensitive issues remain. When asked if agriculture was a sticking point , he declined to comment specifically on the trade discussions but added that the sector was sensitive to India. "We are always very sensitive to the interests of our farmers, the interests of our MSMEs, and will ensure that our areas of concern are well protected," Goyal added. The issue is critical for Modi's government, as the vast agricultural sector employs a huge portion of India's population and represents a powerful political constituency. Protecting farmers from foreign competition is a long-standing government priority. Goyal added that the U.S. side understood India's position, saying, "the Trump administration, and my counterparts are equally cognizant and sensitive about our concerns." — CNBC's George Bextor contributed reporting.
The Diplomat
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
India's Dalai Lama Reincarnation Dilemma
The strategic implications of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation have been well known for years, but the changing international context has complicated India's plans. The 14th Dalai Lama announced his reincarnation plans on July 2 – and, in doing so, confronted India with the prospect of a huge crisis in its relations with China after his passing. For India such a prospect is hardly new. What is new, however, is the international context. It is this context that is likely to make New Delhi's policy choices after the Dalai Lama's reincarnation more difficult. The Dalai Lama's reincarnation plans, presented in his July 2 statement, and their strategic implications have long been expected. Despite years of public musings that he might not choose reincarnation or identify an external emanation to succeed him, there was little doubt that the Dalai Lama will be reincarnated. All other options would have undermined both the institution of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan movement he leads. His public musings about alternative plans likely sought to disorient Beijing and pressure it to negotiate. The only surprises in the Dalai Lama's announcement were its mildness, compared to his 2011 statement, and the fact that it did not say that he will be reincarnated outside China. These surprises might be part of an effort to seek a negotiated agreement with Beijing but are unlikely to change the big picture. Two claimants are likely to emerge after the passing of the current Dalai Lama: one supported by Beijing in China's Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and one supported by the Tibetan movement and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamsala, India. This prospect presents New Delhi with a huge dilemma. If two Dalai Lamas emerge, the Indian government will have to recognize one of them, either officially or in practice. And India will have to choose the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala for moral, domestic, and strategic reasons. Not only is the Dalai Lama deeply revered inside India, with many Indians feeling that their country has a moral obligation to help both him and the Tibetan movement, but New Delhi likely recognizes that the Dalai Lama represents an important lever vis-à-vis China, India's so-called 'Tibet card.' However, supporting the Dalai Lama claimant in Dharamsala will be perceived by China as a direct challenge to Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. China's retaliation is likely to be severe and might involve provocations along the disputed border, increased support for separatists in India's unstable Northeast, or shifts in Beijing's position on the Kashmir dispute. Hence, the reincarnation dilemma for India is not which Dalai Lama to choose but how to support the one in Dharamsala without provoking a huge crisis in relations with China. Behind this dilemma lurk the bigger questions about the future of the CTA and Tibetan movement in India as well as the role of the Tibet issue in China-India relations. Fortunately, India has long prepared to confront the reincarnation dilemma. New Delhi has likely drawn plans or at least carefully considered how to handle the complex politics of the reincarnation, the possibility of mass instability in Tibet after the Dalai Lama's passing, and Beijing's policy responses to these and to India's positions. Unfortunately, the changing international context has complicated India's plans. There are four ways in which the international context of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation in recent years has shifted and, hence, made New Delhi's reincarnation dilemma more difficult. First, the rivalry between China and India has greatly intensified, raising the likelihood of conflict. While even in the best of times, the Dalai Lama's passing would have produced tensions, at present it might provoke a crisis that will deliver a heavy blow to the shaky foundations of the China-India relationship. In the worst-case scenario, it might even be the straw that will turn the two sides into full-blown adversaries. Second, the territorial dispute between China and India has escalated in recent years, particularly after the deadly Galwan clash of 2020. As there has long been an intimate connection between the Tibet issue and the territorial dispute, the reincarnation dilemma might easily scupper any chance for progress on the dispute or reignite military tensions. Importantly, as Beijing has historically used the territorial dispute to pressure India on Tibet-related issues, it is likely to do so again after the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. Third, the ongoing China-U.S. Cold War has reshaped the international environment. This environment has made Beijing more sensitive to external challenges, with the reincarnation likely to be one, and more willing to respond harshly to them. As the United States has consistently been a leading supporter of Dharamsala, the reincarnation might easily turn into a flashpoint in the China-U.S. Cold War, which would reduce New Delhi's ability to manage tensions around the reincarnation. The fallout of these tensions will affect India as Beijing retaliates against New Delhi, which it will suspect of colluding with Washington. Finally, the international position of the Dalai Lama and the CTA have weakened in recent years. Internationally support for them has declined under Chinese pressure, in tandem with the weakening of the Tibetan community on Indian soil, and the strengthening of Beijing's position in Tibet. Admittedly, this has slightly reduced Beijing's great sensitivity on the issue. But it also means that New Delhi will have to play a much bigger role in sustaining the CTA and establishing the Dharamsala Dalai Lama in the difficult times after the passing of the current one. This increased Indian role will antagonize China even further and invite its response. In sum, the Dalai Lama's reincarnation presents India with an old and very consequential dilemma, put in a new context which makes it harder. This does not mean that the reincarnation will certainly produce a huge crisis in China-India relations. After all, if the two sides communicate and manage the reincarnation carefully, tensions will remain within tolerable limits. Nevertheless, it means that New Delhi's reincarnation dilemma will be more acute and its policy responses to it will have to be more skillful. A version of this piece was previously published on the website of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), National University of Singapore (NUS).
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chinese artist Yue Yu calls for India-China reconnect through civilisational bond
Renowned Chinese Buddhist painter and scholar Yue Yu , whose unique artwork was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his China visit in 2015, says India and China should rediscover their deep-rooted civilisational friendship. Yue, director, chief artist and curator of Northwest University in China's Xian, the city synonymous with the ancient Silk Road , perceives China-India relations as a tree, which requires constant nurturing with water so that the relationship should be irrigated to keep it alive and growing. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Analytics Data Science Data Science Degree PGDM Operations Management Others Finance healthcare Digital Marketing Technology MCA Project Management Cybersecurity CXO Healthcare others Product Management MBA Leadership Management Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Visualization Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning Business Intelligence & Data-Driven Decision Making Analytics Strategy & Implementation Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Applied Business Analytics Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details The relationship between the giant neighbours requires careful nurturing with their civilisational values in mind, he told PTI in an off-the-cuff interview at a roadside restaurant here. Yue's informal interview comes amid the expectations of Modi's second visit to China to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation 's (SCO) summit to be held in the Chinese city of Tianjin late next month. Yue, who has never met Modi, says he developed respect and admiration for the Indian leader, especially for his devotion to his mother and his dignified style of dress and demeanour. Live Events "When I saw Modi washing his mother's feet, I was genuinely moved. That gesture spoke volumes about his character and values - it reminded me of our own cultural roots ," he says. Modi washed his mother's feet despite being the leader of a nation, which shows that he is a good human being, Yue says. When Modi made his first visit as Prime Minister to China in 2015 amid euphoria of a thaw in the frosty Sino-India ties, Yue had a challenging task. Yue was asked to create an enduring painting, symbolising centuries of India-China relations , to be presented to PM Modi. Yue, 72, who is specialised in Buddhist art , conceived a striking theme: a bust of Buddha from the era of China's only woman emperor, Wu Zetian, who ruled around 690 CE, embossed on a sacred Bodhi leaf symbolising Chinese Buddhism origins in India with a golden background. The painting won him accolades from China and India, besides Modi himself. Besides the powerful visual effect, the painting from Yue's point of view carried a powerful one-line message: "water the friendship between India and China with Oriental wisdom." Also, his choice of theme and effects was intentional, meant to give the artwork a sense of permanence. "The painting to be presented to the Prime Minister should endure forever, untouched by the ups and downs of India-China relations," Yue says in the off-the-cuff interview at a roadside restaurant here, reflecting on the art piece he created a decade ago, with a sense of pride. He chose to mention Oriental Wisdom because "we, the eastern people, are the most intelligent and all the important religions originated from the east". His painting was presented to Modi by the Abbot of the historic Buddhist temple in Xi'an when the Prime Minister visited the temple to offer prayers. The two neighbours with immense ancient civilisational wisdom should rediscover the deep friendship rooted in their ancient ties, says Yue. He says it is time for the two countries to recall the essence of Southern Buddhism, which came to China from India, and adds, "Whosever you meet, you have to respect that person". "This will help the relations between China and India. We have to lower ourselves first and respect each other first so that we can understand each other," he adds. "Wherever you go, you must be modest and polite, " he said, quoting a Chinese idiom. "We are neighbours. If we are both modest, polite and peaceful to each other, then of course we will be friends. Be if we are nit-picking we will have a lot of conflict," he adds. When asked what role Buddhism can play to bring the two countries closer, he said, "I am just a painter, not someone who can comment on such a critical issue." He recalled how Chinese scholars Xuanzang and Faxian were treated with respect and dignity in India. "The key to the relationship is mutual respect," Yue said. The Chinese monks who visited India brought several Buddhist scriptures. "That kind of mutual respect at that time made the two counties have a good relationship. If we can bring that spirit, we can have good relations," Yue said. The way out for enduring normalisation, Yue believes, is perhaps for the two countries to deepen mutual respect and rediscover the trail of age-old friendship left by Buddhist monks and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore during his first visit to China in 1924, which left a lasting impression on the Chinese.
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP slams Rahul comments on Jaishankar's meeting with Xi
Accusing him of 'bringing shame to the nation', the BJP on Wednesday targeted Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his comments on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh said Jaishankar held the meeting with Xi to express the nation's 'concern over Pakistan-sponsored Pahalgam terrorist attack'. 'We all know how Rahul Gandhi used to hold secret meetings with the China officials for breakfast or whatever in Delhi without disclosing the agenda to the people of the nation,' said Chugh. In a post on X, Gandhi had criticised Jaishankar, saying, 'I guess the Chinese foreign minister will come and apprise Modi about recent developments in China-India ties. The EAM is now running a full blown circus aimed at destroying India's foreign policy.'
News18
16-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
‘Avoid Pak-Like Language': Kiren Rijiju's Advice To Rahul Gandhi For Parliament's Session
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Rahul Gandhi for his comments on PM Modi's foreign policy, accusing him of using "language of Pakistan" and harming the country. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday took a jibe at Lok Sabha Leader Of Opposition Rahul Gandhi ahead of the Parliament's monsoon session and suggested him not to speak 'anti-national" or anything which goes against the country. Reiterating his attack of 'speaking language of Pakistan," Rijiju questioned Gandhi's intentions behind attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over foreign policy, pointing out that 'opposition also has a role in doing good work for the country." '…Rahul Gandhi criticising the Prime Minister on the country's foreign policy won't help the nation. The Opposition also has a role to play in contributing to the nation's development. Discussions will take place in Parliament, however, there should not be two stances on foreign policy," he said as quoted by news agency PTI. VIDEO | Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) says, '…Rahul Gandhi criticising the Prime Minister on the country's foreign policy won't help the Opposition also has a role to play in contributing to the nation's development. Discussions will take place… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 16, 2025 While accusing the Lok Sabha LoP of using the language of Pakistan, the union minister said that the way Gandhi tries to mislead people on foreign policy, harms the country. 'During the Congress government, we did not attack the prime minister separately on foreign policy. The way Rahul Gandhi tries to mislead people on foreign policy by speaking the language of Pakistan, it harms the country. We will suggest to him that as the leader of the opposition, he should not say anything anti-national," he added. Rijiju's comments came a day after Gandhi attacked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over his meeting with China's Xi Jinping, claiming that he was running a 'full-blown circus" aimed at destroying India's foreign policy. Other Congress leaders also took aim at Jaishankar, pointing out how China provided iron-clad support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. 'I guess the Chinese foreign minister will come and apprise (PM) Modi about recent developments in China-India ties. The EAM is now running a full-blown circus aimed at destroying India's foreign policy," Gandhi has posted on X. The BJP soon responded to the grand-old-party leader and accused him of being a 'habitual liar and offender" when it comes to disrespecting the armed forces. BJP national spokesperson Ajay Alok took a jibe at Gandhi saying he does not now 'F of foreign policy" but keeps raising questions. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 19:54 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
