Digest for 29 August, 2025
US-India Trade Tensions Escalate as Trump Aide Blames India for Ukraine War
Relations between the US and India have soured following Washington's imposition of 50% tariffs on certain Indian goods. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro intensified the friction by labelling the Ukraine conflict "Modi's war," linking it to India's purchase of discounted Russian oil. While Indian officials hope to resume trade talks, they maintain that energy imports are a matter of national interest. The tariffs are projected to significantly impact India's exports and GDP growth.
India and Canada Appoint Envoys, Signaling Thaw in Relations
India and Canada have taken a significant step toward normalizing diplomatic relations by appointing new high commissioners to each other's capitals. Senior diplomat Dinesh K. Patnaik will be India's envoy to Ottawa, while Canada has named Christopher Cooter for New Delhi. This move aims to repair ties that were severely strained following Canadian allegations in 2023 of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist, which India had strongly denied, leading to a diplomatic freeze.
High Alert in Bihar After Intelligence on Entry of Pakistani Terrorists
A statewide high-security alert has been issued in Bihar following intelligence inputs that three suspected terrorists from the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed have entered the state via its porous border with Nepal. The Bihar Police have circulated the names and photographs of the suspects—Hasnain Ali, Adil Hussain, and Mohammad Usman. Security has been heightened across the state, particularly at sensitive installations, religious sites, airports, and railway stations, with intensive search operations underway to thwart any potential threats.
India Extends Duty-Free Cotton Imports Until December 31
The Indian government has extended the exemption on import duties for cotton until December 31, 2025, a move designed to support the domestic textile industry. The decision to waive the 11% cumulative duty for three more months comes as a direct countermeasure to the steep 50% tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports. The extension aims to enhance the availability of raw cotton, stabilize domestic prices, and help Indian textile exporters maintain their competitiveness in global markets.
Cloudbursts Trigger Flash Floods in Uttarakhand; Many Feared Trapped
Cloudbursts in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts have triggered flash floods and debris flows, trapping several families. The incidents occurred in the Bareth Dungar Tok area of Rudraprayag and the Deval area of Chamoli. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing. Incessant rainfall has raised river levels to dangerous heights and caused widespread disruption, prompting authorities to close schools and urge residents near riverbanks to move to safer locations.