Submit your Article

The Indian government has said a new $100,000 (£74,000) fee for applicants seeking US skilled worker visas will have "humanitarian consequences". 

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the new fee for H-1B visa applications, which is more than 60 times the amount currently charged, to go into effect on 21 September, BBC reported.

Workers from India receive by far the most skilled visas in the programme, at just more than 70% of those issued.

Some US tech companies reportedly advised employees with H-1B visas to stay in the US or, if they were out of the country, to try to return immediately. The White House then on Saturday clarified the fee will not apply to current visas or renewal applications.

As Indian bananas enter Nepal unchecked, bananas worth billions of rupees produced by Nepali farmers are rotting in the fields. Farmers say the situation has worsened after the government reduced import taxes on Indian bananas and failed to enforce plant quarantine regulations at border customs points.

Nepali bananas typically reach markets between July and November. But this season, farmers complain they cannot sell their produce. “Instead of supporting local farmers, the government has slashed taxes on Indian bananas and ignored quarantine checks, causing our harvest to rot in the fields,” said Dipendra Tharu, president of the Banana Producers and Traders Association in Kailali. The association has demanded a ban on Indian banana imports until November, stricter quarantine procedures, and priority for Nepali bananas.

Tharu said a memorandum has already been submitted to Sudurpaschim Province Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah, urging a halt to banana imports through the Kailali and Kanchanpur customs offices.

Farmers warn of protests if the government does not intervene. “If Indian bananas are not stopped immediately, we will be forced to launch a phased protest,” said association chairperson Chaudhary. Meanwhile, farmer Kamal Rawat from Tikapur said bananas grown on seven bighas of land are rotting because wholesalers are unwilling to buy them at fair prices. “We’re being forced to sell bananas for Rs 10–15 a dozen, which doesn’t even cover production costs. We’re on the verge of collapse,” he said.

Tikapur bananas are usually supplied to markets in Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Dang, Butwal, and beyond. But this year, farmers like Rawat and Tekendra Dhami say buyers have vanished. “Last year, bananas sold for Rs 40–50 a dozen in the fields. This year they’re left to rot,” Dhami said. Farmers warn that if their demands are ignored by Sept 22, they will take to the streets.

Banana farmers across the country are preparing for a movement, saying their hard work and investment are being undermined by cheap Indian imports. The Nepal Banana Producers Federation Committee in Kathmandu has also issued a statement, demanding the government secure a market for Nepali bananas. Farmers from Kailali, Kanchanpur, Bardiya, Nawalparasi, and Chitwan have warned that unchecked imports are worsening the trade deficit and pushing local producers out of business.

Banana cultivation currently takes place in 69 districts of Nepal. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, 383,285 tons of bananas are produced annually on 23,404 hectares of land, worth around Rs 15bn. Of this, bananas worth over Rs 2bn are produced in Kailali alone, said Santosh Upadhyay, associate professor of agricultural economics at Sudurpaschim University.

Globally, India is the largest banana producer, cultivating 866,000 hectares and producing more than 30m metric tons annually—26 percent of the world’s total. China, Brazil, and Indonesia follow, while Nepal ranks 11th, with 23,000 hectares under banana cultivation.

The families of four passengers who died on an Air India jet that crashed in June have filed a lawsuit in the US against planemaker Boeing and aircraft parts maker Honeywell, accusing the companies of negligence, BBC reported.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday, and seen by the BBC, said faulty fuel switches caused the accident and accused the companies of doing "nothing" despite being aware of the risks of the aircraft's design.

Air India Flight 171 bound for London Gatwick, a Boeing 787, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.

Fuel switches have become a focus for investigators after a preliminary inquiry found that fuel to the engines was cut off moments after the plane left the ground, according to BBC.

Four Nepalis including three of the same family died in a jeep accident in Shimla, India on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Rajesh Bista (37), Dilli Bahadur Shahi (47), Ekendra Shahi (37) and Laxmi Shahi (24) of Kumakh Rural Municipality-4 of Salyan.

The incident occurred while they were heading towards the workplace. All of them died on the spot, it has been learnt.

India’s Meteorological Department on Monday issued a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai, as the city faced its second straight day of downpours.

The Colaba observatory recorded over 100 millimeters of rain between Sunday and Monday morning, leading to severe waterlogging and traffic disruptions, Xinhua reported.

Train services were also partially affected due to flooded tracks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the youth of Nepal for their role in rebuilding the country after days of violent protests. Speaking in Manipur, he said young Nepalis have been cleaning and repainting damaged streets, a gesture he described as a sign of the nation’s resilience. Modi noted that he had personally seen images of their efforts on social media, ANI reported.

From the historic Kangla Fort in Manipur, Modi also congratulated Sushila Karki on becoming Nepal’s interim Prime Minister, hailing her as the country’s first woman to hold the post. He called her appointment a milestone in women’s empowerment and expressed confidence that she would steer Nepal towards peace, stability, and prosperity.

“Nepal, in the lap of the Himalayas, is our close friend. On behalf of 1.4bn Indians, I extend my best wishes to Prime Minister Sushila Karki,” Modi said, underlining the cultural and historical ties that bind the two nations, according to ANI.

Earlier in the day, Modi also sent a message on social media reaffirming India’s commitment to Nepal’s peace and progress. The Indian government welcomed the formation of the interim government, pledging to work closely with Kathmandu for the well-being of both peoples.

Karki took charge on Friday after the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government, which collapsed under the weight of Gen-Z–led protests against corruption and restrictions on social media. Backed by the youth movement, she now faces the task of restoring order and leading Nepal toward general elections scheduled for March 2026.

US has urged its G7 and EU partners to impose tariffs on China and India, accusing them of propping up Moscow’s war in Ukraine through continued Russian oil purchases.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said only coordinated tariffs can choke off the revenues funding Russian President Putin’s invasion. The call came as G7 finance ministers agreed to speed up the use of frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv, according to Reuters.

Washington has already doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent but has so far held back on Beijing amid ongoing trade talks. Bessent is set to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Madrid next week, where trade and security issues will be high on the agenda.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India has expressed sorrow over the loss of many young lives in the recent incidents taking place in Nepal since Monday.

As the Ministry states, it is closely watching the developments in Nepal since yesterday.

In a statement issued today, the Ministry conveyed that its thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured.

As a close friend and neighbor, the Ministry expresses hope that all concerned bodies will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue.

India also takes note that authorities have imposed curfew in Kathmandu and several other cities of Nepal, the statement reads.

Similarly, Indian nationals in Nepal have been advised to exercise caution and adhere to the steps and guidelines issued by the Nepali authorities.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said relations with the United States remain “very positive” despite President Donald Trump’s comment suggesting India may be drifting closer to China.

Trump made the remark after Modi attended a regional summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while US–India trade tensions have grown over Washington’s new tariffs on Indian goods, Al Jazeera reported.

Modi stressed that the partnership with the US is forward-looking and global in scope. Trump later clarified he had not meant that America had “lost” India, adding that he values his friendship with Modi and the ties between the two countries.

US President Donald Trump warned that India and Russia appear to be slipping into China’s orbit after their leaders joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at a regional summit in Tianjin, Reuters reported.

A photograph from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting showed Xi walking hand in hand with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a display of unity that drew Trump’s sharp reaction.

He said both countries looked “lost” to the “deepest, darkest China,” highlighting Washington’s unease over shifting alliances and the deepening US–China rivalry.

India has cut Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates to spur consumption and soften the blow of steep US tariffs, BBC reported.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the tax structure has been simplified to two slabs—5 percent and 18 percent—with a 40 percent levy on cigarettes. Essentials like food, school supplies and insurance will become cheaper, while imported liquor and premium cars will cost more. The new rates take effect on 22 September, ahead of the festive season.

Markets cheered the move, with analysts saying lower taxes could lift demand, ease inflation and support corporate earnings, though states fear revenue losses of up to $6bn.

The cuts follow earlier income tax relief and coincide with lower borrowing costs. Economists believe stronger consumption could offset losses and cushion the impact of President Donald Trump’s 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, according to BBC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the reforms a promise delivered, saying they will benefit farmers, the middle class, small traders and youth while making business easier.

Trade tensions between US and India have spilled into the consumer market, with toothpaste brands at the center of the latest battle, Reuters reported.

Indian company Dabur launched an ad urging people to pick local toothpaste over foreign ones. The campaign, echoing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent “Swadeshi” call, hinted at Colgate without naming it, using red, white, and blue designs resembling the American flag.

Colgate dominates India’s toothpaste market with 43 percent share, while Dabur holds about 17 percent. The campaign highlights growing pressure on US firms as nationalism influences buying choices.

According to Reuters, other companies are also tapping into patriotic sentiment. Amul has pushed “Made in India” messages online, while Rediff promoted itself as the nation’s own email service.

At least 30 people have died and more than 354,000 have been affected by floods in Punjab, India, after days of heavy rain. All 23 districts have been declared flood-hit as rivers and reservoirs approach dangerous levels, according to BBC.

About 20,000 people have been evacuated, with relief camps providing shelter and aid. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called it the state’s worst flooding since 1988 and appealed for national support.

The disaster has submerged over 148,000 hectares of farmland, threatening the livelihoods of millions in Punjab, India’s “food basket.” Rescue efforts are underway with the help of disaster teams, the army, navy and air force.

Heavy monsoon rains, intensified by westerly disturbances, are driving the floods, which have also hit parts of northern India and Pakistan’s Punjab province, where nearly two million people are affected, BBC reported.

President Donald Trump has downplayed fears of closer ties between China, Russia and North Korea, saying Beijing “needs us more than we need them” and stressing his strong rapport with President Xi Jinping. He rejected claims the bloc is forming an alliance against the US, adding that America’s military power remains unmatched, BBC reported.

Trump voiced disappointment with Vladimir Putin after their Alaska meeting failed to secure a peace deal for Ukraine, hinting at new US steps to support Ukrainians but offering no specifics.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned of fresh Russian troop buildups along the frontline, accusing Putin of resisting peace efforts. China has faced Western criticism for buying Russian oil and supplying dual-use goods, though it denies aiding Moscow’s war.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host a massive military parade on September 3 in Beijing, marking 80 years since Japan’s World War II surrender. The event, highlighting China’s growing military capabilities, aims to project the nation’s vision for a new global order, according to Reuters

Over 20 foreign leaders, including Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, are expected, underscoring China’s ties with authoritarian states. The parade will showcase advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles and drones, while promoting China’s own historical narrative of the war.

While critics, particularly from Taiwan, decry the $5bn cost as a display of military assertiveness, the event signals China’s ambition to challenge US influence and assert itself in global politics, Reuters reported.

An Indian Army contingent has arrived at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, for the 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas with US forces, running from September 1–14. The drills focus on heliborne operations, mountain warfare, unmanned aerial systems, and joint tactical exercises to enhance multi-domain readiness and UN peacekeeping capabilities, Firstpost reported.

The exercise takes place amid US-India trade tensions following President Trump’s proposed 50 percent tariff on Indian goods. Defense officials stress that despite these disputes, the India-US strategic partnership, especially in defense cooperation, remains strong. The Indian contingent, from the Madras Regiment, is training alongside US troops from the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team.

According to Firstpost, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the collaboration on social media, emphasizing continued military preparedness.