Latest news with #YudhAbhyas
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska: What it means for India as US threatens to hurt with tariff bomb
US President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday will draw global attention — from Washington and Moscow to Europe, Ukraine, and even New Delhi. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin.(AFP file) The reason: The outcome of the high-stakes summit between the powerful leaders could determine whether India faces steeper US tariffs on key imports, including Russian oil. The Donald Trump-Vladimir Putin Alaska meeting comes hours India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced tax cuts, pledged policy reform and urged the citizens to design and produce high quality goods at home, in a sweeping Independence Day 2025 speech that advocated for self reliance in a protectionist global economy. In the last few weeks, Trump hit India with a 50 per cent tariff rate — much higher than the regional peers. The tariff bonmbs could hurt exports and put nearly 1 per cent of the nation's gross domestic product at risk, analysts said. Washington has already imposed a 25% penalty on India's crude purchases from Moscow. Officials have hinted that if the talks fail to produce tangible progress on a Ukraine peace deal, the levy could be raised to 50 per cent or more, with additional duties likely on sectors such as textiles and jewellery. On Thursday, Trump claimed that India's reduced intake of Russian oil, prompted by the current tariffs, had 'probably' encouraged Russia to engage in talks. Accoring to foreign media, the comment signals Washington's intent to keep economic pressure on New Delhi as part of its strategy to influence Moscow. Any escalation could hurt India's exports to the US, particularly in labour-intensive sectors. Despite tariff tensions, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for external affairs ministry, said India's defence ties with Washington remain on track with a US delegation set to visit New Delhi this month. 'We are expecting a US Defense Policy Team to be in Delhi in mid-August,' Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday. The 21st edition of the annual joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas is expected to take place later this month in Alaska, he added. Officials in India are watching the Alaska talks closely. A breakthrough between Trimp and Putin could lead to a softer American stance, while a breakdown may harden Washington's trade position. Trump flies to a meeting in Alaska with Putin on Friday in a different public mood - impatient with the Russia's unwillingness to negotiate an end to his war in Ukraine and angry over missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. The world is waiting to see if this tougher version of Trump will show up in Anchorage or the former real estate tycoon who has sought to ingratiate himself with the wily former KGB agent in the past. The answer could have deep implications for European leaders concerned that Russia, if allowed to absorb parts of Ukraine, will be more aggressive toward NATO allies near Russia like Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. "It's a reasonable concern to think that Trump will be bamboozled by Putin and cut a terrible deal at Ukraine's expense," Reuters quoted Dan Fried, a diplomat for several US presidents who is now at the Atlantic Council, as saying. But Fried added that a different outcome is also possible. "There's a reasonable prospect that the administration will wake up to the fact that Putin is still playing them." Russia has given no indication it is prepared to make concessions amid Ukrainian worries that Trump might make a deal without their input. Zelenskiy says he would like to see a ceasefire first followed by security guarantees. (With inputs from agencies)
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
India to host two key defence engagements with US this month to expedite procurements
India and the US are set to strengthen their defence partnership through a series of high-level engagements this month, despite existing trade tensions and the US-Pakistan alliance. Discussions will focus on expediting military hardware purchases, including the long-delayed delivery of F404 engines for Tejas fighter jets and additional P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads India will host two key defence engagements with the US this month to discuss accelerating military hardware purchases. The meetings come despite the current low in bilateral ties since the unprecSindoor levy of 50% tariffs by the Trump administration and Pakistan-US military bonhomie.A high-level US defence policy team will arrive in New Delhi mid-August, followed by a working-level 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue towards this month end, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on meetings aim to advance defence cooperation and expedite pending procurement projects, it has been learnt.'The India–US defence partnership, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, is an important pillar of the bilateral relationship,' Jaiswal said. 'This robust cooperation has strengthened across all domains.'The agenda of the meetings could be on the long-delayed delivery of General Electric-made F404 engines for India's Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets and six additional Boeing P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft. However, P-81 acquisitions have been delayed by several two militaries are also expected to hold their annual Yudh Abhyas in Alaska from September 1-4. Yudh Abhyas is the name of the annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the US Army. The exercise focuses on enhancing military cooperation, interoperability, and sharing best practices in counter-terrorism operations . The 20th edition was held in Rajasthan from September 9 to 22, exercise includes tactical drills, joint planning, and field training exercises that simulate real-world counter-terrorism scenarios. The 2024 edition involved 1,200 troops from both sides, including special forces units and Green Berets. This year, the troops, drawn from a mix of all arms and services, will be led by the Madras Regiment. US troops are keen to draw lessons from India's experience in Operation Sindoor.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India to host two key defence engagements with US this month to expedite procurements
India will host two key defence engagements with the US this month to discuss accelerating military hardware purchases. The meetings come despite the current low in bilateral ties since the unprecSindoor levy of 50% tariffs by the Trump administration and Pakistan-US military bonhomie. Independence Day 2025 Op Sindoor to water cutoff: PM Modi slams Pak in I-Day speech GST reforms by Diwali to cut daily-use taxes: PM Modi Terrorism, tech, more: PM's I-Day speech highlights A high-level US defence policy team will arrive in New Delhi mid-August, followed by a working-level 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue towards this month end, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. Both meetings aim to advance defence cooperation and expedite pending procurement projects, it has been learnt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 'The India–US defence partnership, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, is an important pillar of the bilateral relationship,' Jaiswal said. 'This robust cooperation has strengthened across all domains.' The agenda of the meetings could be on the long-delayed delivery of General Electric-made F404 engines for India's Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets and six additional Boeing P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft. However, P-81 acquisitions have been delayed by several disagreements. Live Events The two militaries are also expected to hold their annual Yudh Abhyas in Alaska from September 1-4. Yudh Abhyas is the name of the annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the US Army. The exercise focuses on enhancing military cooperation, interoperability, and sharing best practices in counter-terrorism operations . The 20th edition was held in Rajasthan from September 9 to 22, 2024. The exercise includes tactical drills, joint planning, and field training exercises that simulate real-world counter-terrorism scenarios. The 2024 edition involved 1,200 troops from both sides, including special forces units and Green Berets. This year, the troops, drawn from a mix of all arms and services, will be led by the Madras Regiment. US troops are keen to draw lessons from India's experience in Operation Sindoor.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
India underlines ‘substantive agenda' to mend strained ties with US over tariffs, Russia oil
At a time when India's ties with the US are strained over tariffs and energy imports from Russia, Delhi on Thursday underlined focus on the 'substantive agenda' between the two countries — an American defence policy team in Delhi, joint military exercises in Alaska and 2+2 meeting of the defence and foreign ministry officials later this month. This is to assuage concerns that India is gravitating towards the non-western partners — External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is headed to Moscow and Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi is likely to come to India next week, and NSA Ajit Doval was in Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to Tianjin in China for the SCO leaders' summit on August 31-September 1. Responding to questions on the future of Indo-US relations on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs' official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: 'India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties.' 'This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges,' he said, alluding to the challenges posed by US President Donald Trump's imposition of 50% tariffs on India — 25% because of high tariffs and 25% for buying Russian energy. 'We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and we hope that the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests,' he said. The MEA spokesperson said, 'The India–U.S. defence partnership, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, is an important pillar of the bilateral partnership. This robust cooperation has strengthened across all domains… We are expecting a U.S. Defence Policy Team to be in Delhi in mid-August. The 21st edition of the joint military exercise — Yudh Abhyas — is also expected to take place later this month in Alaska. Both sides remain engaged to convene the 2+2 Intersessional meeting at the working-level towards the end of the month.' It is not usual to give out such details of upcoming activities, especially in the defence and strategic sectors, in advance. This announcement is significant since it gives out the message that India is not closing its doors of engagement with Washington DC. This comes at a time when preparations are underway to schedule a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in the last week of September. The MEA spokesperson, when asked, said that no decision has been taken yet on the PM's visit. Sources said that the ostensible reason is to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, but a key objective will be to meet US President Donald Trump, iron out the issues on trade and arrive at a common ground on tariffs. This will also give an opportunity for the two leaders to announce a trade deal. However, for this to fructify, a lot of moving parts and a series of things have to fall in place. There has to be movement on two fronts — the Russia-Ukraine war and the Indo-US trade deal. Negotiations are underway on both fronts and Delhi is closely following the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 to discuss a resolution to the war in Ukraine. Modi has already spoken to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the last few days. A resolution to the conflict is in India's interest, sources said, and it has been conveyed to both leaders. On the trade deal front, Indian and American negotiators had been close to sealing a deal, but the US President was not happy about the deal that was agreed between the interlocutors. So, the negotiators have to discuss the terms of the deal further, and they have to offer new terms, as red lines have been drawn. But the two sides are focused on the new goal for bilateral trade – 'Mission 500' – aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Now, to schedule the visit, as a first step, the Indian side has reached out to the UN headquarters for a speaking slot for the Prime Minister at the UN General Assembly, and, as of now, that has been scheduled on September 26 morning. Trump is slated to speak on September 23. Now, if the PM's visit takes place, it will give an opportunity to speak at the UNGA and then hold a bilateral meeting with Trump and other world leaders.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India and U.S. to hold joint military exercise in Alaska this month, says MEA
Amid trade uncertainties, India and United States will hold a joint military exercise in Alaska this month. According on Ministry of External Affairs, the India–U.S. defence partnership, underpinned by foundational defence agreements, is an important pillar of the bilateral partnership. This robust cooperation has strengthened across all domains. 'We are expecting a U.S. Defence Policy Team to be in Delhi in mid-August. The 21st edition of the joint military exercise – Yudh Abhyas is also expected to take place later this month in Alaska. Both sides remain engaged to convene the 2+2 Intersessional meeting at the working-level towards the end of the month,' said MEA. Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh postponed his visit to the United States, which was originally scheduled for the last week of August. The development comes against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to refuse trade talks with India until the tariff issue is resolved, alongside the imposition of 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods. On July 1, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a telephonic conversation with Mr. Singh — their third this year — during which he invited the Defence Minister to the United States for an in-person meeting to advance bilateral defence cooperation.
