Digest for 31 August, 2025
Indian PM and Chinese President Meet Amid Trade Tensions with US
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Tianjin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The meeting, Modi's first visit to China in seven years, is seen as crucial for stabilising economic ties and normalizing relations strained by border disputes. The discussions are set against a backdrop of new US trade tariffs affecting both nations, with leaders expected to explore ways to bolster regional economic stability in response to global volatility.
IAF Reveals Details of 'Operation Sindoor', Says Under 50 Weapons Forced Ceasefire
The Indian Air Force used fewer than 50 precision weapons to achieve "complete domination" over Pakistani military targets, compelling Islamabad to request a ceasefire by May 10, according to Vice Chief of Air Staff Narmdeshwar Tiwari. Speaking at a defence summit, he revealed that the strikes during 'Operation Sindoor' targeted key military infrastructure, including some not hit even in the 1971 war. The operation was a calibrated response to the Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrating high precision with no collateral damage.
Commerce Ministry Drafts Plan to Counter 50% US Tariffs on Indian Goods
India's Commerce Ministry is developing a multi-tiered strategy to protect exporters from new 50% US tariffs, which could affect nearly $49 billion worth of shipments. The plan includes short-term measures for liquidity relief, medium-term actions to leverage existing free trade agreements (FTAs) with partners like the EU and UAE, and a long-term goal of diversifying export markets to Latin America and Africa. The strategy aims to build supply chain resilience and reduce compliance burdens for businesses, particularly MSMEs.
US President Trump No Longer Plans to Visit India for Quad Summit, NYT Reports
US President Donald Trump has reportedly cancelled his plans to visit India for the upcoming Quad Summit, according to a New York Times report. The article claims the decision follows a souring of the relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The alleged friction stems from disagreements over US tariffs, differing accounts of America’s role in de-escalating the recent India-Pakistan military conflict, and Trump's reported suggestions that India should nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Supreme Court Bar Association Flags 'Disproportionately Low' Number of Women Judges
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a resolution expressing grave concern over the poor representation of women in the higher judiciary. The lawyers' body noted that no woman has been appointed to the Supreme Court since 2021 and that several High Courts, including Uttarakhand and Meghalaya, have no women judges. Of approximately 1,100 sanctioned High Court posts, only 103 are held by women. The SCBA has urged the Chief Justice of India and the Collegium to prioritise women's elevation.