Latest news with #SchoolofInternationalStudies
DW
6 days ago
- Business
- DW
How can US-India ties recover from Trump's tariff threats? – DW – 08/05/2025
Donald Trump is using tariffs to pressure India to stop buying oil from Russia and Iran, as trade deal talks have stalled. With India holding firm, what is next for the traditionally friendly bilateral relationship? US President Donald Trump's pressure on India to halt its oil imports from Russia and comply with sanctions on Iran has strained ties between Washington and New Delhi, who have enjoyed a healthy strategic partnership for decades. With trade talks still stalled after several rounds of negotiations, Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian exports to the US which took effect on August 1, and on Monday threatened to "substantially" increase it. India has hit back, saying the tariffs are "unjustified and unreasonable" and that it would take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its "national interests and economic security." After calling India a "friend" last week, Trump hardened his tone on Monday, saying New Delhi authorities "don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine" and are helping fund Russia's war effort in Ukraine through their purchases of Russian oil. The tougher rhetoric is a marked shift in relations between India and the US. Ties have deteriorated in recent months, despite the display of personal warmth and symbolic friendship when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Trump earlier this year in Washington. Commodore Uday Bhaskar, a security and strategic affairs expert, believes that despite Trump's "intimidatory" approach, India "does not seek a confrontation." "However, the US has chosen to weaponize trade tariffs in a unilateral and abrasive manner. That is intimidation. And yes ... trust in Washington is low and the disappointment is high," Bhaskar told DW. Amitabh Mattoo, dean of the School of International Studies at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, said that India will not be bullied by "tariffs, tantrums, or threats." "Our ties with Russia and Iran reflect sovereign decisions, not defiance. We are not in the business of appeasement, nor of provocation. Strategic autonomy means engaging on our terms which is clear-eyed, confident, and calm. Let us not confuse noise for strategy," Mattoo told DW. The downturn between Washington and New Delhi has coincided with Trump pursuing closer ties with India's neighbor, Pakistan. The two nuclear-armed rivals recently fought a four-day conflict, which Trump said ended thanks to US mediation — a claim Modi rejected. The US and Pakistan signed a deal last month that will see Washington develop the South Asian nation's oil reserves in exchange for lower tariffs on its exports to the US. India is now the biggest buyer of Russian crude oil by volume, according to data from Finland-based think tank the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Approximately 35%-40% of Indian oil imports come from Russia, up from just 3% in 2021, the year before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the West has looked to cut ties with Moscow, India has not joined Western sanctions against Russia. Senior Indian officials and the Ministry of External Affairs have repeatedly stated that India's "steady and time-tested partnership" with Russia is not negotiable and will not be subject to outside pressure. Trump has also justified the tariffs by pointing to India's ongoing trade with Iran, which has also been hit by Western sanctions over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Shanthie Mariet D'Souza, president of Mantraya, an independent research forum, said American policy "appears to be an expression of [Trump's] frustration to solve the Ukraine war and to pressure Iran." "It also clashes directly with India's policy of strategic autonomy," she told DW. D'Souza also cast doubt on whether Trump's aggressive approach will help resolve the situation, stressing that he risks alienating a willing and trustworthy partner in India. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video D'Souza said India will have to resort to diplomacy to navigate the crisis. In the coming weeks, she said New Delhi will have to analyze whether continuing to buy cheap Russian crude oil is in line with its long-term strategic objectives. "Over the past decade, India's strategic ties with the US have grown stronger, at the expense of its relations with Russia and Iran. Making a complete U-turn may no longer be a viable idea," D'Souza added. Ajay Bisaria, a former diplomat who just returned from the US, said Trump is trying to reshape the world order by deploying two blunt instruments — tariffs and sanctions — with India facing the threat of both. Despite the downturn and harsh rhetoric, Bisaria told DW that "India should play the long game, keep calm, and negotiate. The Trump phenomenon needs to be managed, not countered at every step." India "must prioritize its national interest" with regard to Russian energy imports, Bisaria said, while also conveying to Washington that it "values its partnership" with the US — as long as the White House tones down its increasingly confrontational rhetoric and respects "India's red lines." He pointed to an upcoming visit by a US delegation later this month as a target for a trade deal to be agreed. "Trump should be cordially welcomed to sign the deal later in the year," Bisaria said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
India Today
31-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Trump's tariff plus penalty won't affect India, ties with Russia intact: Experts
From taking credit for the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor to declaring the economies of India and Russia 'dead,' US President Donald Trump has been making a series of harsh statements. His latest: a 25% tariff and penalty imposed on Indian goods. India has responded by saying it is still working with the United States to achieve a fair trade believe that despite the announcement, India will remain unshaken. While the new tariffs primarily affect the agriculture, dairy, and other industrial sectors, analysts are assessing the broader impact on India–US diplomacy and defence expert and director of a prominent think tank, Major General DC Katoch (Retd.), says Trump's remarks on India are distressing. According to him, 'As US President Donald Trump announces a 25% tariff and penalties on India, it's important to note that India cannot compromise its agriculture and dairy sectors. India is a strong nation, and we know how to handle these issues.' While Trump's statements—particularly those targeting the Indian economy—are concerning, experts do not foresee significant consequences for the India–US defence partnership. In addition to ongoing deals for MQ-9 drones, Apache helicopters, and F404 jet engines, the two nations have recently announced a decade-long defence cooperation there are delays in the delivery of F404 engines, experts say India can always explore alternative options in the long run. Partners such as France could be approached for engines, and Russia could be considered for Su-57 fighter jets if needed. According to Major General Katoch, 'India is becoming increasingly self-reliant in its defence needs and can pursue alternatives to jet engines if required.'On India's longstanding ties with Russia, he added, 'Our relationship with Russia will remain unchanged, despite US concerns over India's oil and armaments deals with Moscow. Russia has been a long-time partner, and no one can affect that relationship.'Commenting on Pakistan's reaction to the US tariff announcement, Katoch remarked that Islamabad has been celebrating its recent engagement with Washington. However, he noted, 'The US uses Pakistan as per its convenience. Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir wasn't invited—he was summoned. We don't even think about Pakistan; it's a renter state.'Dr Abhishek Srivastava, who teaches diplomacy at the School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, also weighed in on Trump's announcement.'Trade agreements frequently serve as tools for strategic alignment in international relations—promoting trust, reducing transactional friction, and enabling deeper cooperation,' he said, "The impact on defence ties is unlikely, as the current India–US trade agreement does not directly include defence components. However, it may influence the broader climate for future strategic collaboration. While this mini-trade pact focusses on goods like textiles and industrial products, defence deals operate on a separate track guided by shared security interests. In essence, while the trade deal isn't about defence, it helps build the kind of goodwill and strategic alignment that makes deeper defence collaboration between the two nations more likely and sustainable.'- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Donald Trump#Tariffs#United States of America#India-Pakistan#Russia
Barnama
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Thailand-Cambodia Border Tensions Eased: A Triumph For ASEAN Diplomacy
By Samantha Tan Chiew Tieng PUTRAJAYA, July 30 (Bernama) -- Tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been successfully defused, thanks to the spirit of regional cooperation and swift diplomatic intervention under the ASEAN framework. The immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreed upon by both sides marks a significant diplomatic victory for ASEAN. Malaysia, serving as ASEAN Chair in 2025, played a pivotal role in de-escalating a situation from spiralling into a full-scale military conflict. bootstrap slideshow Prof Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman, an expert in international relations from Universiti Utara Malaysia's School of International Studies (SoIS), hailed the development as a major diplomatic breakthrough for the region. "Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has done brilliantly and, without hesitation, put ASEAN first and influenced other member states to do the same," he told Bernama. He said Malaysia has once again demonstrated its capability to uphold and maintain peace and security - not only regionally but also as a potential player on the global stage. As ASEAN Chair, Muhammad Fuad noted that the Prime Minister acted decisively by 'invoking his good office' to defuse tensions before they could escalate into open conflict. "With the support of major powers, namely the United States and China, it is hoped that both parties will fully and unconditionally honour the ceasefire," he added. He stressed that the outcome reflects ASEAN diplomacy at its best, characterised by quiet strength, regional unity, and an unwavering commitment to peace.
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Thailand-Cambodia border tensions eased through ASEAN diplomacy
PUTRAJAYA: Tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been successfully defused, thanks to the spirit of regional cooperation and swift diplomatic intervention under the ASEAN framework. The immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreed upon by both sides marks a significant diplomatic victory for ASEAN. Malaysia, serving as ASEAN Chair in 2025, played a pivotal role in de-escalating a situation from spiralling into a full-scale military conflict. Prof Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman, an expert in international relations from Universiti Utara Malaysia's School of International Studies (SoIS), hailed the development as a major diplomatic breakthrough for the region. 'Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has done brilliantly and, without hesitation, put ASEAN first and influenced other member states to do the same,' he told Bernama. He said Malaysia has once again demonstrated its capability to uphold and maintain peace and security - not only regionally but also as a potential player on the global stage. As ASEAN Chair, Muhammad Fuad noted that the Prime Minister acted decisively by 'invoking his good office' to defuse tensions before they could escalate into open conflict. 'With the support of major powers, namely the United States and China, it is hoped that both parties will fully and unconditionally honour the ceasefire,' he added. He stressed that the outcome reflects ASEAN diplomacy at its best, characterised by quiet strength, regional unity, and an unwavering commitment to peace. 'The ASEAN region has enjoyed relative peace since the end of World War II and especially following the Cold War, laying the foundation for economic growth and long-term stability. 'ASEAN simply cannot afford internal conflicts among its members, as it risks undermining decades of progress built on mutual respect and adherence to the ASEAN Way,' he said. He said Malaysia's swift and principled response under Anwar's leadership reaffirms ASEAN's core values and sends a strong signal that ASEAN cannot and will not allow internal strife to undermine its unity. Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia's Associate Professor of the School of Social Sciences, Dr Benny Teh Cheng Guan, described the achievement as a significant and positive development for regional diplomacy. As ASEAN chair, Teh said Malaysia has 'stepped up to the plate' by extending its 'good offices' to mediate the issue. 'This is a positive step. The fact that Thailand and Cambodia chose to meet in Putrajaya and agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire reflects the respect they have for Malaysia's leadership role and their willingness to work out their differences in the spirit of ASEAN,' he said. 'I think Malaysia's relentless efforts in a way demonstrate the need to show a unified ASEAN that is capable of overcoming internal strife on its own. 'If the ceasefire holds and diplomacy prevails, it will certainly be an achievement for Malaysia's chairmanship,' he said. He added that the development also reaffirms ASEAN's capacity to uphold peace and regional stability from within. The border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia began with a brief skirmish on May 28, escalating into a direct armed conflict that erupted on July 24. As of July 26, the hostilities had claimed at least 32 lives and displaced up to 200,000 people across the affected border regions. However, sustained diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis culminated in face-to-face talks in Putrajaya yesterday, facilitated by Malaysia in its capacity as ASEAN Chair. - Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Thailand-Cambodia border tensions eased: A triumph for ASEAN diplomacy
TENSIONS along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been successfully defused, thanks to the spirit of regional cooperation and swift diplomatic intervention under the ASEAN framework. The immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreed upon by both sides marks a significant diplomatic victory for ASEAN. Malaysia, serving as ASEAN Chair in 2025, played a pivotal role in de-escalating a situation from spiralling into a full-scale military conflict. Prof Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman, an expert in international relations from Universiti Utara Malaysia's School of International Studies (SoIS), hailed the development as a major diplomatic breakthrough for the region. 'Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has done brilliantly and, without hesitation, put ASEAN first and influenced other member states to do the same,' he told Bernama. He said Malaysia has once again demonstrated its capability to uphold and maintain peace and security – not only regionally but also as a potential player on the global stage. As ASEAN Chair, Muhammad Fuad noted that the Prime Minister acted decisively by 'invoking his good office' to defuse tensions before they could escalate into open conflict. 'With the support of major powers, namely the United States and China, it is hoped that both parties will fully and unconditionally honour the ceasefire,' he added. He stressed that the outcome reflects ASEAN diplomacy at its best, characterised by quiet strength, regional unity, and an unwavering commitment to peace. 'The ASEAN region has enjoyed relative peace since the end of World War II and especially following the Cold War, laying the foundation for economic growth and long-term stability. 'ASEAN simply cannot afford internal conflicts among its members, as it risks undermining decades of progress built on mutual respect and adherence to the ASEAN Way,' he said. He said Malaysia's swift and principled response under Anwar's leadership reaffirms ASEAN's core values and sends a strong signal that ASEAN cannot and will not allow internal strife to undermine its unity. Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia's Associate Professor of the School of Social Sciences, Dr Benny Teh Cheng Guan, described the achievement as a significant and positive development for regional diplomacy. As ASEAN chair, Teh said Malaysia has 'stepped up to the plate' by extending its 'good offices' to mediate the issue. 'This is a positive step. The fact that Thailand and Cambodia chose to meet in Putrajaya and agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire reflects the respect they have for Malaysia's leadership role and their willingness to work out their differences in the spirit of ASEAN,' he said. 'I think Malaysia's relentless efforts in a way demonstrate the need to show a unified ASEAN that is capable of overcoming internal strife on its own. 'If the ceasefire holds and diplomacy prevails, it will certainly be an achievement for Malaysia's chairmanship,' he said. He added that the development also reaffirms ASEAN's capacity to uphold peace and regional stability from within. The border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia began with a brief skirmish on May 28, escalating into a direct armed conflict that erupted on July 24. As of July 26, the hostilities had claimed at least 32 lives and displaced up to 200,000 people across the affected border regions. However, sustained diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis culminated in face-to-face talks in Putrajaya yesterday, facilitated by Malaysia in its capacity as ASEAN Chair. — BERNAMA
