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President Donald Trump’s tariff hike on Indian goods took effect Wednesday, doubling duties to as much as 50 percent on products like textiles, jewelry, footwear, furniture and chemicals, Reuters reported.

The move, tied partly to India’s Russian oil purchases, puts thousands of exporters and jobs at risk, especially in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat. India’s Commerce Ministry says it will support affected businesses and encourage them to seek new markets in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

A short grace period allows goods already in transit to enter the US at lower rates until September 17.

Washington argues Indian tariffs unfairly restrict US exports, pointing to rates as high as 100 percent on autos and heavy duties on farm goods. India counters its average tariff on US imports is only 7.5 percent, according to Reuters.

India and the UK will sign a trade agreement on July 24 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, aiming to double bilateral trade to $120bn by 2030.

The deal is expected to boost Indian exports in textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods by removing duties and easing market access. It may also simplify UK approvals for Indian drugs and open new opportunities for IT and professional services, according to Firstpost.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Donald Trump that Operation Sindoor remains underway and that India will respond to Pakistan’s bullets with bombs, Hindustan Times reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump on Wednesday the decision by India and Pakistan to halt military actions in May was made directly during talks between the armies of the two sides and without any mediation by the US, pushing back against the American leader’s claims that he brokered a ceasefire.

The issue figured in a phone conversation initiated at Trump’s request after the two leaders were unable to meet on the margins of the G7 Summit in Canada because of the US president’s return to the US ahead of schedule, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said, according to Hindustan Times.

During the 35-minute conversation, Modi told Trump that “India has never accepted mediation, does not and will never do so”, Misri said, speaking in Hindi. Modi made it clear to Trump that during the entire episode of the four days of military clashes between the two countries during May 7-10, issues such as the “India-US trade deal or mediation by the US between India and Pakistan” were not discussed “at no time [or] at any level”.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and met with injured victims at the Civil Hospital on Friday.

The London-bound flight crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off on Thursday, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is recovering in hospital. The number of casualties on the ground remains unknown, according to Firstpost.

The aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, according to Air India.

Families of the victims have begun providing DNA samples to aid in the identification process.

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting in Ahmedabad with ministers and senior officials to oversee rescue operations, victim identification, and support measures for affected families, according to Firstpost.

Describing the tragedy as “beyond words,” Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

The UK and India have signed a trade agreement to reduce tariffs and boost exports. UK goods like whisky, gin, cars, food products, and medical devices will face lower duties in India, while Indian exports of clothing, footwear, jewellery, and seafood will become cheaper in the UK, according to BBC.

The deal, expected to take effect within a year, aims to increase bilateral trade by £25.5bn annually by 2040. Tariffs on UK whisky will drop from 150 percent to 75 percent, with further cuts to follow.

It also contains bilateral exemptions from double social security contributions for personnel temporarily transferred between the two nations.

Officials hailed the pact as a significant boost to commerce and jobs, while some UK politicians expressed worries about its tax implications, BBC reported.

Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday while reiterating Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, said that Pakistan as a responsible country was open to participate ‘in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation’ into Pahalgam incident.

He said contrary to it on the Eastern border, their neighbour continued a pattern of exploitation and levelling of baseless allegations and false accusations without credible investigation or verifiable evidences in the recent tragedy of Pahalgam which was ‘yet another example of this perpetual blame game which must come to a grinding halt.’

Addressing a passing out parade of Pakistan Military Academy cadets, the prime minister said that water had been a vital national interest of Pakistan and lifeline for its 240 million people and “Let there be no doubt at all that its availability would be safeguarded at all costs and circumstances.”

In an apparent reference to India’s announcement of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, the prime minister said “Any attempt to stop, reduce and divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty will be responded to with full force and might and no one should remain under any kind of false impression and confusion.

- APP

Pakistan has called for an international investigation into the deaths of 26 men in Indian-administered Kashmir, expressing a willingness to cooperate with global inspectors.

While India has accused Pakistani groups of being behind the attack, Islamabad strongly denied any participation and criticized New Delhi for using the tragedy to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and pursue domestic interests, Reuters reported.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has warned that rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors could result in regional instability and calamity.

Although the group Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility for the attack, Indian authorities allege it is linked to Pakistan-based terrorist networks, as stated by Reuters.

Minister Asif rejected these accusations, asserting that such groups are no longer active in Pakistan and that their remaining members are either under house arrest or in custody.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued a stern warning to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying India will "pursue them to the end of the Earth," Business Standard reported.

Addressing a public meeting in Bihar's Madhubani, PM Modi said, "Today, on the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world - India will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism."

"Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to make sure that justice is done. The entire nation is one in this resolve. Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us," he added, according to Business Standard.

PM Modi's remarks came after terrorists killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. The Prime Minister emphasised that the attack had not just been on unarmed tourists, but on the "faith of the country".

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation on Wednesday.

During the conversation, PM Oli expressed sadness over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Indian government for offering condolences following the incident in which a Nepali citizen also lost his life.

Informing about the telephone conversation held with Indian Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Oli through social media X said that he stands with India in the fight against such terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, according to the Firstpost.

Prior to his first visit to Jeddah, Modi declared, "India deeply values its long and historic ties with Saudi Arabia, which have acquired strategic depth and momentum in recent years." He added both the countries  are mutually dedicated in promoting regional peace, prosperity, security, and stability, Firstpost reported.

This is PM Modi’s third visit since taking over the office in 2014.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he had a productive meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Bangkok.

Taking to Twitter, he said, “India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal. We discussed different aspects of India-Nepal friendship, especially in sectors like energy, connectivity, culture and digital technology.” “We also talked about some of the key positive outcomes from this year’s BIMSTEC Summit, especially in the areas of disaster management and maritime transport."

The two Prime Ministers had a one-on-one meeting for about 45 minutes at Hotel Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, Thailand.

The meeting took place as per the schedule after the conclusion of the Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Earlier, they had met in New York on September 23, 2024 on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that he had a positive and good conversation in a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi today.

"I and Indian Prime Minister Modi-ji have had a good and positive dialogue. So much for now,” PM Oli said.

The two Prime Ministers had a one-on-one meeting for about 45 minutes at Hotel Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, Thailand.

The meeting took place as per the schedule after the conclusion of the Sixth Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Earlier, they had met in New York on September 23, 2024 on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has briefed the Parliament about his impending official visit to Thailand and his participation in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit.

On the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Oli will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other counterparts from the member-states.

Earlier, two leaders met in New York in September last year on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Addressing a meeting of the House of Representatives today, he said that Nepal’s prime minister is making an official visit to Thailand for the first time after 65 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. PM Oli is paying an official visit to Thailand from Tuesday.

Prime Minister Oli said this visit would be significant in the context of no official visit having taken place to Bangkok, which is the ‘gateway’ for Nepalis to countries other than the immediate neighbouring countries.

During the visit, PM Oli will hold meetings with the King of Thailand and his Thai counterpart. Eight MoUs will be signed—six between the non-governmental sectors of the two countries and two related to tourism and culture—in the presence of the two PMs.

PM Oli said he would hold discussions with eminent businesspeople of Thailand and address a program to be organized at the Asian Institute of Technology.

Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to address the BIMSTEC Summit on April 4. PM Oli informed that he will also hold sideline talks with the leaders of the member-states attending the summit.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is currently in New York to participate in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), leading the Nepali delegation, held a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Lotte New York Palace Hotel in the USA on Sunday.

Talking to mediapersons, PM Oli said that the meeting was positive.

According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana Deuba, who also attended the meeting, said the meeting was held in a cordial manner and also informed that Indian PM Modi would make a Nepal visit soon.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Rana, chief political advisor to the Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sewa Lamsal and representative of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN (Ambassador) Lok Bahadur Thapa on behalf of Nepal and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Secretary Vikram Misri from Indian side were present in the meeting.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is currently in New York to participate in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Sunday.

Matters related to Nepal-India bilateral interests and mutual benefits were discussed on the occasion.

The meeting was also attended by the foreign ministers of both the countries and members of the delegations.

Amid speculations about New Delhi’s response to Nepal’s new coalition government under KP Sharma Oli, a warm reception extended to Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Deuba Rana, by the Indian government in Delhi is being perceived as a positive gesture. This visit closely followed Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Nepal, signaling India’s priority in maintaining strong ties with its neighbor. High-level exchanges like these are often seen as manifestations of friendly relations and a growing understanding between the parties involved. Foreign Minister Rana’s India visit underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthening their bilateral relationship.

India’s response to Foreign Minister Rana’s visit has been interpreted differently by various observers. While some have provided subjective analyses, others have attempted to uncover the strategic implications. Regardless, diplomatic interactions like this are open to multiple interpretations. However, those who are trying to narrate a bad story aiming to destabilize bilateral relations, should be overlooked. Conspirators are everywhere, they should be condemned.   

This article aims to highlight Nepal-India relations, particularly in the context of recent high-level exchanges between the neighbors. It will focus on Kathmandu-New Delhi relations through the lens of KP Sharma Oli’s foreign policy and its approach to neighborly relations.

The importance given to Nepal’s Foreign Minister in India is a reflection of the importance given to the new government of Nepal formed under KP Sharma Oli. This gesture also honors the sentiments of the Nepali people. But the gestures should lead to some concrete action, for which we should wait for a few weeks (at least). Prime Minister Modi and his team are aware that Arzu Deuba Rana is the wife of former Prime Minister and a waiting Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. They also know that Arzu herself is a leader of the Nepali Congress. In that sense,  Delhi’s response to her might have comprised such mixed posture. But, this time as a foreign minister of Nepal, she was perceived as a representative of the government of Nepal and, by extension, Prime Minister Oli. So, there’s a need to be cautious about possible efforts to create misunderstanding within the coalition by misinterpreting the visit.  

During her meetings with Prime Minister Modi, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, and other Indian officials, Minister Rana raised several key issues. These discussions covered bilateral relations, development cooperation and economic collaboration. It is important to note that this visit was not heavily loaded with agendas but rather aimed at setting a positive tone in bilateral relations at a time when Nepal’s new ruling coalition has just taken charge. 

Minister Rana’s visit has set the tone for further discussions and future high-level visits. This diplomatic engagement also paved the way for an upcoming meeting between Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Such interactions are expected to address and resolve longstanding issues, fostering trust and understanding between the two nations. It should be remembered here that Oli and Modi have been maintaining close contact and sharing thoughts on issues of mutual interest.  

During the visit, Minister Rana formally extended an invitation from Prime Minister Oli to Prime Minister Modi to visit Nepal, to which Modi responded positively, indicating that he will visit Nepal in appropriate time. This development is significant, marking the potential for reciprocal visits between the two leaders.

In building relations, the chemistry of the leaders and approach to the issues are also important. This is where the foreign policy approach of Prime Minister Oli comes in.   

Prime Minister Oli’s foreign policy has been shaped by Nepal’s geographic location between its powerful neighbors, India and China. He has consistently prioritized maintaining a balanced and fair relationship with both countries on the basis of the principle of “sovereign equality.”  His well-known assertion that “countries may vary in size, but all countries are equal in terms of sovereignty” encapsulates a core tenet of Nepal’s foreign policy and continues to guide the nation’s diplomatic engagements. This approach, in  a way, aligns with India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and China’s “Peripheral Diplomacy,” both of which emphasize the importance of fostering good relations with neighboring countries.

Prime Minister Oli has emphasized that Nepal’s strategic location should be viewed as an opportunity for development rather than a challenge. He has also expressed appreciation for India’s leadership in global initiatives, such as campaigning of Global South, demonstrating the alignment of interests between the two nations. Throughout his previous tenures, Prime Minister Oli has remained committed to prioritizing Nepal’s national interest, navigating the complex geopolitical landscape with a focus on fairness and balance. In his fourth term as Prime Minister, Oli has, once again, openly requested both India and China to support Nepal’s development endeavors.  

In conclusion, Prime Minister Oli’s foreign policy approach, centered on the principles of “amity with all” and “enmity with none,” aims to promote peaceful and cooperative relations with all nations. From the land of Gautam Buddha, Prime Minister Oli has called on the global community to embrace peace and non-violence as solutions to global crises. Nepal, with its rich heritage of peace, stands ready to contribute to global efforts in promoting harmony and understanding.

The recent visit of Nepal’s foreign minister to India should be analyzed by considering these factors.  

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