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India’s Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed that Indian forces shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one additional military aircraft during the May clashes. India’s S-400 air defense systems played a key role, also targeting surveillance planes and F-16s at Pakistani airbases, according to Al Jazeera.

The conflict began after an attack killing 26 tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam in April. Pakistan denies losing aircraft and claims it shot down six Indian jets, which India rejects.

Despite a ceasefire, violence continues in Kashmir, with recent reports of casualties on both sides, Al Jazeera reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday briefed the leaders of China, India, and several allies on his recent talks with US President Donald Trump’s envoy over ending the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

The calls followed Putin’s meeting in Moscow with envoy Steve Witkoff, after which the Kremlin said a Putin–Trump summit could be held as early as next week. Trump has given Moscow a deadline to agree to peace or face new sanctions.

China’s Xi Jinping welcomed the dialogue, while India’s Narendra Modi thanked Putin for the update despite facing new US tariffs over Russian oil imports. South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa backed peace efforts, and UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed offered his country as a possible summit venue, according to Reuters.

Putin also shared the developments with Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

India has paused planned purchases of US weapons, including Stryker combat vehicles, Javelin missiles, and six Boeing P8I aircraft, after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50 percent over its imports of Russian oil, according to Reuters.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s trip to Washington to seal the deals has been cancelled. Officials say talks could resume once there’s clarity on tariffs, but no movement is expected soon.

While broader military cooperation with the US continues, the dispute has slowed India’s shift from Russian to Western arms, even as Moscow pushes new defense offers, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that China could face new tariffs similar to those recently imposed on India due to continued purchases of Russian oil. Trump recently added a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, citing its ongoing energy trade with Russia.

When asked about extending sanctions, he said, “We did it with India. We’re probably doing it with a couple of others. One of them could be China”, Reuters reported.

While China was not mentioned in the official order, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had earlier warned Beijing of potential penalties if it continued buying Russian oil.

Just hours after raising tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, US President Donald Trump warned of potential secondary sanctions on India for continuing oil trade with Russia, Firstpost reported .

When questioned about why India was being targeted while others like China also buy Russian oil, Trump said, “It’s only been eight hours. Let’s see what happens,” hinting at more sanctions to come.

The warning comes amid rising US pressure on countries to reduce economic ties with Russia over the war in Ukraine. Asked whether a future Russia-Ukraine peace deal could reverse the new tariffs, Trump said the decision would come later, according to Firstpost.

US President Donald Trump has announced a 100 percent tariff on imported computer chips and semiconductors, aiming to push global tech firms to shift production to the United States. Companies manufacturing within the US will be exempt, according to Firstpost.

The move is expected to raise prices on electronics, cars, and other tech-driven goods. It comes alongside a separate decision to double tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, in response to India’s continued oil trade with Russia.

The new tariffs will take effect in 21 days, giving time for negotiations. Trump’s approach marks a shift from subsidy-led strategies to using tariffs as economic leverage, Firstpost reported.

India has strongly criticised the United States for imposing additional tariffs on its exports, calling the move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs of India said the new tariffs—linked to India’s oil imports from Russia—undermine its efforts to secure affordable energy for its 1.4bn citizens.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the US has targeted India for actions other countries are also taking in their national interest,” the statement said.

India added it would take necessary steps to safeguard its national interests.

The Trump administration announced a 25 percent  hike on Indian goods, bringing total tariffs to 50 percent, with the new rates set to take effect by August 27.

President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff increase on Indian imports, raising the total duty to 50 percent, in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The move, set to take effect on 27 August, is aimed at pressuring countries to cut ties with Moscow over its actions in Ukraine, according to BBC.

India called the tariff “unfair and unjustified”, saying it buys Russian oil to meet its energy needs after traditional supplies were diverted. Delhi warned it will take necessary steps to protect its interests.

Experts say the hike could cut Indian exports to the US by up to 50 percent, straining trade ties between the two partners, BBC reported.

The Philippines has granted visa-free entry to Indian tourists for up to 14 days, while India will offer free e-visas to Filipino visitors. Direct flights between Delhi and Manila are also expected soon, according to Firstpost.

India’s PM Modi welcomed the move, calling it a step towards stronger ties. The MEA said the measures will boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

With the Philippines added, Indian passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to 30 countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Kenya, and Nepal. Another 28 countries, like Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, offer visa-on-arrival, Firstpost reported.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, according to CNN.

This marks his first trip to China since ties between the two countries soured following the 2020 border standoff in Ladakh, which included the deadly Galwan Valley clash. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

US President Donald Trump said he was unaware of American imports of uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has used to defend its own trade ties with Moscow, Firstpost reported.

Asked about the imports, Trump responded, “I don’t know anything about it. I have to check.”

Despite sanctions, US imports from Russia rose 23 percent between January and May this year, reaching $2.1bn, with notable increases in palladium, uranium, and fertilisers.

Though significantly down from pre-war levels, American trade with Russia has seen a partial rebound, even as Washington criticises other nations for maintaining economic ties with Moscow, according to Firstpost.

A cloudburst in northern Indian state of Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district triggered flash floods in Dharali village, leaving several people feared trapped under debris, BBC reported.

The sudden downpour around 1:30 PM (local time) swelled the Kheerganga river, sending muddy water surging through roads and buildings. The ancient Kalpkedar temple is also believed to be damaged.

Rescue teams, including the army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police, are on the ground, but ongoing rain and poor connectivity are slowing efforts, according to BBC.

Dharali, a popular tourist spot with hotels and restaurants, was hit hard. Eyewitnesses said the surge came so fast that people had no time to escape.

Russia has accused the United States of pursuing a “neocolonial” strategy through politically motivated tariffs, following President Donald Trump’s plan to raise duties on countries like India and Russia over oil trade, Firstpost reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Washington is using economic pressure to maintain global dominance and punish nations that follow independent policies. She warned such actions threaten global trade and national sovereignty.

Russia pledged to strengthen ties with BRICS and Global South partners to resist Western sanctions and promote a fairer, multipolar world order, according to Firstpost.

India has strongly objected to criticism from the United States and the European Union over its continued import of Russian oil, calling the targeting “unjustified and unreasonable.”

In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, India clarified that its energy imports from Russia are essential for ensuring stable and affordable supplies for its population. The ministry pointed out that many Western countries, including those criticizing India, continue to trade extensively with Russia in areas such as energy, chemicals, and machinery.

It also highlighted that Europe’s trade with Russia, particularly in LNG and other sectors, remains significantly higher than India’s. The US too continues to import key materials like uranium and palladium from Russia for its industries.

India reaffirmed that it will continue to act in its national interest and take necessary steps to ensure energy security, the statement reads.

Over the past few months, Nepal and India have stepped up engagement on multiple fronts, including long-overdue meetings of bilateral mechanisms. While the exact date of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to New Delhi is yet to be finalized, Indian officials confirm that preparations are underway, and the visit is likely to take place before Dashain. India has also been engaging with a wide cross-section of Nepali society in the lead-up.

Nepal-India relations faced significant turbulence, especially after 2015, which strained bilateral ties. However, in recent months, both sides appear to be moving toward a reset. Kathmandu and New Delhi have now prioritized economic and development partnerships over longstanding contentious issues.

Two key unresolved matters, the map row and the report prepared by the Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG), remain sensitive. While political parties such as the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), and various Madhes-based parties have largely shelved the EPG issue, some CPN-UML leaders continue to raise it, albeit with less intensity.

India’s renewed outreach to Kathmandu comes amid a shifting regional context: Donald Trump’s inauguration and subsequent US aid cuts to Nepal, political developments in Bangladesh, and a brief but deadly India-Pakistan conflict. In late July, New Delhi hosted an all-party delegation of Nepali members of parliament. According to the Indian readout, the discussions centered on expanding the multifaceted bilateral partnership.

On July 28 and 29, the seventh meeting of the India-Nepal Boundary Working Group (BWG) was held in New Delhi. The BWG had been inactive since 2019 due to the map dispute. Although this meeting did not address contentious territorial issues, both sides adopted updated modalities for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining boundary pillars, and agreed to expedite work in these areas. They also finalized a three-year work plan and committed to using advanced technologies for boundary-related tasks.

In the third week of July, the home secretary-level meeting between the two countries covered the full spectrum of bilateral security cooperation and border management. The two sides finalized the text of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. They also agreed to work toward the early conclusion of a revised extradition treaty, another longstanding and sensitive issue.

India also launched a collaborative initiative in partnership with the UN World Food Programme to support rice fortification and supply chain management in Nepal. The project aims to address gaps in Nepal’s fortified rice supply chain, particularly in procurement, data collection, and human resource capacity, through knowledge exchange with India’s successful public distribution system. It offers Nepali stakeholders the chance to learn from India’s experience in applying digital technologies to food logistics.

Speaking at a public event this week, foreign affairs expert Mohan Lohani, as quoted by the Press Trust of India, said that India is advancing rapidly in economic growth, development, and technological innovation. “Nepal should try to benefit from the progress made by our southern neighbor,” he said.

Another foreign policy expert, Nischal Nath Pandey, advised Prime Minister Oli to travel overland for his New Delhi visit, arguing that it would allow him to observe India’s significant progress in infrastructure, especially road transport.” During the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made remarkable progress in development and road connectivity, and Nepal should learn from the experiences gained by India,” Pandey said.

As preparations for Prime Minister Oli’s India visit continue, both sides are working to finalize a major project or agreement to be announced during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Government officials suggest that resolving issues related to the long-pending Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project could be one such announcement. According to sources, the Indian side has conveyed that when the two prime ministers meet, a substantial breakthrough should be unveiled.

Donald Trump has threatened to "substantially" raise tariffs against India over its purchase of oil from Russia, BBC reported.

"They [India] don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine," the US president wrote on his online platform, Truth Social, on Monday.

India is currently among the largest buyers of Russian oil. It has become an important export market for Moscow after several European countries cut trade when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump did not specify what the new tariff would be, but it comes just days after he unveiled a hefty 25% levy on India, according to BBC.