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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with Elon Musk about potential collaboration in "technology and innovation." Modi shared details of the conversation on X, revisiting earlier discussions from their Washington meeting, BBC reported.

The talk comes as India seeks to finalize a bilateral trade agreement with the US to counteract potential tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. It also precedes the upcoming visit of US Vice-President JD Vance to India.

Musk, associated with Trump and leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is aiming to expand his business in India. His company Starlink signed an agreement with major Indian telecom firms to deliver satellite internet and is awaiting government approval to launch services, according to BBC.

The dialogue follows Trump's announcement of a 27% tariff on Indian goods, which has since been paused, prompting ongoing trade negotiations between the two nations.

The Kremlin said on Friday that some progress had already been made in talks about a possible peace settlement to end the war in Ukraine but that contacts were rather complicated with the United States.

"Contacts are quite complicated, because, naturally, the topic is not an easy one," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Russia is committed to resolving this conflict, ensuring its own interests, and is open to dialogue. We continue to do this."

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted to achieve a peace deal quickly, but could not be involved in the search for a settlement indefinitely "if one of the two parties makes it very difficult".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking earlier in Paris after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders, said the sides had just days to show progress or Washington would abandon its efforts.

Asked if the United States could withdraw from the search for a peace settlement in Ukraine, Peskov said that was a question for Washington.

"We believe that some progress can already be noted," Peskov said, citing a temporary moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, though he said Ukraine had not adhered to it.

"Therefore, certain developments have already been achieved, but, of course, there are still many complex discussions ahead."

Peskov, when asked if the energy moratorium was over, said that it had already been a month but that no orders from the president had been received to change Russia's position.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council and a representative of Russian hawks, expressed approval for the US remarks on the X social media platform.

"American officials have said that if there is no progress on the Ukrainian case, the United States will wash its hands of it. Wisely," Medvedev wrote in English. "And the EU should do the same. Then Russia will figure it out faster."

Reuters

India has said that its decision to withdraw the transshipment facility extended to Bangladesh would not affect Bangladesh’s exports to Nepal and Bhutan. In a weekly press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson at the  Ministry of External Affairs said decisions would not affect  regional integration and trade.

We do have that in mind that regional trade needs to be promoted, he said, so that how I would look at India-Bangladesh ties.  Last week, India revoked the transshipment facility it granted to Bangladesh, meaning Bangladesh can no longer export goods to third countries through Indian ports and airports.

The European Union has announced a €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) aid package to support the Palestinian Authority and fund projects in the the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica stated that the Palestinian Authority will get more than two-thirds of the two-year investment to improve financial stability, governance, and private sector growth, Reuters reported.

The aid will be contingent on PA alterations, as part of broader measures to boost resilience and post-war recovery amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza.