Latest news with #Sikri
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Additional India tariff may be put in abeyance': Ex-diplomat signals hope after Trump-Putin talks
Former diplomat Veena Sikri has expressed optimism that the additional tariffs threatened by the United States on India may not materialise, following what she described as a positive outcome from the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025.(REUTERS) In an interview to news agency ANI, Sikri suggested that Trump may have raised the issue of tariffs on Russia's oil sales to India, China, and the European Union during his discussions with Russian counterpart. 'From President Trump's side, I think there is some kind of discussion on this, definitely with President Putin, and it seems that an understanding has been reached that tariffs on Russia's oil sales to China, India, and even the EU do not need to be imposed.' Sikri said. 'There might even be a possibility of trade between Russia and America. So, there is talk of that... President Putin talked about it, saying, 'Oh yes, we have good trade with the USA.' I think this issue of the additional tariff may not come up; maybe it will be put in abeyance for a while,' she added. Before and after Alaska meet Recalling the outlook for India tariffs before the Alaska summit, she said situation appeared bleak due to the prospect of steep duties. Sikri said, 'One of Trump's senior ministers, Mr Bessant, had even said that, if the meeting doesn't go well, then we may further increase the tariffs on India.' Sikri was referring to remarks by US treasury secretary Scott Bessent. He told Bloomberg TV, 'It's put up or shut up time… We put secondary tariffs on the Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up.' However, the former diplomat went on to say, "After the meeting, there are indications that, even the journalists have been asking President Trump, what about China? They're buying so much oil from Russia. So why aren't you telling them, putting tariffs on them? So President Trump replied that he's going to wait for a few weeks, and maybe it may not be necessary to put tariffs," she said. President Trump, who met Putin in Alaska on Saturday, said the talks "went really well." He also held follow-up discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, several European leaders, and the NATO Secretary General. The summit followed Donald Trump's announcement of a 50 per cent tariff on India, including a 25 per cent additional duty linked to its purchase of Russian oil.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan A State Sponsor Of Terrorism: Ex-Diplomat Slams Islamabad For Glorifying Terrorists On Independence Day
Former diplomat Veena Sikri on Saturday condemned Pakistani government officials for "paying homage" to top terrorists during their Independence Day celebrations, calling it further proof of Islamabad's long-standing support for terror groups. Speaking to ANI, Sikri said that Pakistan is a "terror monger of terrorism" and India must be wary of it. "We have always said that Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism. It is a matter of great concern to India. And our Prime Minister has now declared the new normal that every act of terror will be considered an act of war. So this is a big warning to Pakistan that they should not indulge in terrorist acts by any of their own army, or their own army personnel, but in addition to that, they must not support terrorism perpetrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, or Zabat-ud-Dawa, or other organisations," she said. Sikri stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a "huge warning" to Pakistan against conducting terror activities. "So I think this is a very big warning from Prime Minister Modi to the terrorists of Pakistan. So I hope they will heed that warning. What they did on their own Independence Day on 14th August just proves the point. They have always been supporting terrorism. They have always been supporting terrorist groups, giving them money," she said. She further alleged that Pakistan is diverting International Monetary Fund (IMF) funds to rebuild infrastructure destroyed during Operation Sindoor. "They are now offered to build all their buildings which were destroyed during the Operation Sindoor with government money. So all the money going from the IMF is going for this purpose. It is terrible, and the world should take note of that," she said. On Friday, in his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Modi hailed the success of Operation Sindoor and saluted the role of the armed forces who targeted terror sites in Pakistan. The operation, he said, was an expression of India's outrage at the Pahalgam terrorists' attack in which "husbands were killed in front of their wives and fathers were killed in front of their children after asking their religion." "I am very proud that from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I am getting the opportunity to salute the heroes of Operation Sindoor. Our brave jawans punished the enemy beyond its imagination," PM Modi said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'State sponsor of terrorism': Ex-diplomat slams Pakistan; says Islamabad glorifying terrorists on I-Day
Representative image NEW DELHI: Former diplomat Veena Sikri has strongly criticised Pakistan for honouring terrorists during its Independence Day events, calling it yet another example of Islamabad's deep-rooted support for terror groups. Speaking to news agency ANI, Sikri described Pakistan as a 'terror monger' state and warned that India must remain alert. 'We have always said that Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism. It is a matter of great concern to India. And our Prime Minister has now declared the new normal that every act of terror will be considered an act of war. So this is a big warning to Pakistan,' Sikri was quoted as saying by ANI. She cautioned that Islamabad must not allow its army or groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba to operate, stressing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words amount to a 'huge warning' against any further misadventure. "So I hope they will heed that warning. What they did on their own Independence Day on 14th August just proves the point. They have always been supporting terrorism. They have always been supporting terrorist groups, giving them money," she said. Sikri also alleged that Pakistan was using International Monetary Fund (IMF) funds to rebuild infrastructure destroyed during India's Operation Sindoor . 'They are now offered to build all their buildings which were destroyed during the Operation Sindoor with government money. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo So all the money going from the IMF is going for this purpose. It is terrible, and the world should take note of that,' she said. In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Modi hailed the success of Operation Sindoor and saluted the armed forces for striking terror camps in Pakistan. He recalled the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir where 'husbands were killed in front of their wives and fathers were killed in front of their children after asking their religion,' saying the operation was India's answer to such brutality. 'Our brave jawans punished the enemy beyond its imagination,' PM Modi said from the Red Fort. The Prime Minister also underlined that Operation Sindoor had inflicted 'heavy losses' on Pakistan and marked a new phase in India's fight against cross-border terrorism. Rejecting Islamabad's 'nuclear blackmail,' he reaffirmed that India would retaliate decisively against any future attacks. PM Modi further criticised the Indus Water Treaty , calling it 'unjust and one-sided,' and declared that 'blood and water cannot flow together,' promising India's farmers full rights over the country's river waters.
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Response to deliberate trade disruptions": Ex-High Commissioner Sikri on India's trade restrictions with Bangladesh
New Delhi [India], May 19 (ANI): India's decision to impose port restrictions on certain goods imported from Bangladesh is a reciprocal response to deliberate actions by Dhaka's interim regime to harm bilateral trade, said the former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri. 'Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for the last 15 years, India has granted full access to Bangladesh's commodities in India. Completely free market access except for items like tobacco and alcohol, despite the fact that we don't have a bilateral FTA or anything. But we have seen that in the last eight months, since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to leave Dhaka and the regime, which is not even a legitimate regime, it's just an interim regime led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, they have arbitrarily been restricting the movement of goods between India and Bangladesh,' Sikri told ANI on Sunday. She noted that Bangladesh's attempts to source imports from countries like Pakistan, Turkey, the USA, and China were aimed at demonstrating reduced dependence on India. 'They wanted to show that they're not dependent on India... They were trying to get imports of these goods from other countries like Pakistan. Turkey, even the USA, even China... India was patient for a little while, but when we saw that Bangladesh was doing this deliberately. In a move aimed at harming the bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh, India has now taken reciprocal measures,' Sikri added. She highlighted that global market conditions, with low demand, make it challenging for Bangladesh to find alternative markets, exacerbating the impact of India's restrictions. 'I think it's difficult at this time for Bangladesh to find other markets because of the world situation; the market demand is fairly low at this time,' says former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Veena Sikri. Sikri also raised concerns about emerging narratives in Bangladesh, stating, 'Here are many maps floating around in Bangladesh by all the Islamist parties, the Jihadis - they're talking about the greater Bangla and they're talking about including (Indian) North East... In that sense, he (Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus) is trying to say that I want to promote relations with Northeast India. This is the old BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal) that he's trying to promote, but at the same time, he's harming the exports and imports from Northeast India.' She expressed optimism that India's Northeastern states would leverage this situation to become more self-reliant and boost local manufacturing. 'I think our northeastern states will now become more Atmanirbhar and develop their manufacturing,' said the former High Commissioner. Earlier on Saturday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry imposed immediate land port restrictions on the import of several categories of goods from Bangladesh, following a directive issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India's restrictions on imports from Bangladesh via land ports will impact goods worth USD 770 million, accounting for nearly 42 per cent of total bilateral imports. The move limits the entry of products such as ready-made garments and processed foods to specific seaports, an official press release by the Ministry stated and is widely viewed as a response to Bangladesh's recent curbs on Indian yarn, rice, and other goods, along with its decision to impose a transit fee on Indian cargo, marking a shift from previously cooperative trade relations. Under the new directive, all kinds of ready-made garments from Bangladesh can now only be imported through Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports, with entry through land ports no longer permitted. (ANI)
Times of Oman
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"Northeast integral part of India...": Former Indian envoy slams "shocking" remarks by Muhammad Yunus
New Delhi: Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri, has strongly condemned the statement made by Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, claiming that Bangladesh is the "only guardian" of the Indian Ocean for the region, as the seven northeastern Indian states are "landlocked." Sikri called Yunus' comments "shocking" and emphasised that the Northeast is an integral part of India. After Yunus made these remarks during his four-day visit to China, the former Indian envoy asserted that the Nobel Laureate had "no right" to make such a statement. Speaking to ANI, Sikri said, "Very shocking statement by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. He has absolutely no right to make a statement like that. He knows that the northeast is an integral part of India, and we have had very close discussions with the Government of Bangladesh on access by Northeast India to the Bay of Bengal, and there are formal agreements on this." Sikri further warned Bangladesh that if it 'not interested' in granting connectivity rights to Northeast India, it could not expect riparian rights in return. "We must condemn the statement," she said, "I can tell Bangladesh one thing very clearly: if they are not interested in giving connectivity rights to Northeast India, then they cannot expect any rights as a riparian. So they should know this very clearly, and they should not have any illusions about this," she added. Further, Defence expert Praful Bakshi also responded to Yunus' statement, saying that India had created Bangladesh and did not take any cartographic advantage while doing so. Bakshi expressed concerns that Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan have been discussing ways to strangle India by exploiting the Siliguri Corridor, a vital connectivity route for the northeastern states. He warned that India could take similar action against Bangladesh, cutting off their sea access. "We created Bangladesh. We did not take any cartographic advantage while creating Bangladesh. Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan have, of late, been talking about the chicken's neck (Siliguri corridor) and about strangling India and taking advantage. Now Bangladesh is saying that China must help and get into the seven landlocked Indian states, which depend on the Siliguri corridor," Bakshi said. "They don't realise that we can do a similar thing on the opposite side of Bangladesh. We can cut across the sea and strangle them," he added. Bakshi also noted that Yunus is attempting to involve China in creating problems for the seven northeastern states, which is already happening. He assured that the Indian government is aware of the situation and has taken action, without elaborating further. "Yunus is thinking that he will involve China into creating problems for the seven states, which they are already doing. Not just China, but many other agencies are at work in the northeast," he said. "The Indian government will not go running to the media and create noise about it; the government has already gotten into action. Even Yunus knows what India is going to do," he added.
