Page 18 - India

Kills us with tariffs: Trump claims New Delhi offered 'no tariff' deal

Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, which includes an extra 25% levy for Russian oil imports, a move that New Delhi slammed as 'unjustified' and harmful to its energy security

China's Xi pushes a new global order, flanked by leaders of Russia, India

Xi was hosting more than 20 leaders of non-Western countries at a summit in the Chinese port city of Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Russia studying investment needs to make Su-57 fighter jets in India

India has stated that it has a requirement for at least two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets and the Russian Su-57 along with the American F-35 is a contender for the project

₹2000 notes worth ₹5,956 crore remain in circulation in 2025: RBI

The high-value Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 5,956 crore are still in circulation, more than two years after the Reserve Bank's withdrawal of the currency notes, according to official data released on Monday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023. Rs 2000 banknotes continue to be legal tender. In a statement, the central bank said the total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, has declined to Rs 5,956 crore on August 31, 2025. "Thus, 98.33 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023, has since been returned," it said. The facility for exchange of the Rs 2000 banknotes is available at the 19 issue offices of the RBI since May 19, 2023. From October 9, 2023, RBI issue offices are also accepting Rs 2000 banknotes from individuals/entities for deposit into their bank accounts. Further, public can send

India-US joint military drill 'Yudh Abhyas 2025' begins in Alaska on Sep 1

Military contingents from India and the US will engage in a spectrum of tactical drills, including the integrated use of artillery, aviation and electronic warfare systems, as part of a bilateral exercise in Alaska, beginning September 1, officials said. The 14-day 'India-US Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025' is set to take place amid strained ties between New Delhi and Washington over US President Donald Trump's policies on trade and tariff. The drills, which will also involve heliborne operations, will be held from September 1-14. The Indian contingent, comprising personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment, will train alongside soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment 'Bobcats' of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division of the US, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement. "Over two weeks, the troops will rehearse a spectrum of tactical drills including heliborne operations, employment of surveillance resources and unmanned aerial systems,

Indian tea industry concerned over higher US tariff, exports likely to hit

The tea industry in India on Monday expressed concern over the imposition of higher tariffs by US President Donald Trump, stating that the hike in levy is likely to have an impact on exports of the beverage to that country. Leading industry body Indian Tea Association (ITA) said the US is a significant market for Indian tea. In 2024, the US had imported 17 million kilograms of tea from India, while the shipment to America stands at 6.26 million kilograms till May this year, according to the industry body. The additional 25 per cent tariff by the US on Indian products for the country's purchases of Russian oil came into effect on August 27, bringing the total amount of levy imposed on New Delhi to 50 per cent. The tea industry association said that the recent imposition of 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods would be a "limiting factor for exports of the beverage to the US". The association said that persistent decline in tea prices, influx of imports and export market volatility po

India's power consumption rises 4.4% to 150.47 bn units in August

Power consumption in the country grew 4.4 per cent year-on-year to 150.47 billion units (BU) in August. Power consumption was recorded at 144.11 BU in August 2024, according to official data. Experts said continuous rainfall in most parts of the country affected power consumption and demand in August. The highest supply in a day (peak power demand met) in August rose to 229.71 GW last month, from about 216.47 GW in August 2024. Peak power demand had touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024. The previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023. According to government estimates, peak power demand was expected to touch 277 GW in the summer of 2025. However, this summer (April onwards), the record peak power demand was 242.77 GW in June. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 743.1 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 31, about 6 per cent above the long-period average of 700.7 mm. June rainfall w

AI PCs, growth & Asus India’s big bet: Arnold Su, VP, Consumer & Gaming PCs, ASUS India

In this episode of Tech Talk, host Pranjal Sharma sits down with Arnold Su, VP of Consumer & Gaming PCs at ASUS India, to discuss the rise of AI-powered PCs, India’s growing tech opportunities, >

India committed to improving ties with China: PM Modi to Xi Jinping

PM Modi is in China for the first time in seven years to attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Magsaysay Award for 'Educate Girls' marks historic moment for India

The Ramon Magsaysay Award for 'Educate Girls' is a historic moment for India, and it places the global spotlight on a people-powered movement that began with a single girl in a remote village in the country, said the non-profit's founder, Safeena Husain, on Sunday. The Foundation to Educate Girls Globally, widely known as 'Educate Girls,' has made history as the first Indian organisation to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, a statement from the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) said. 'Educate Girls' has been named for Asia's premier prize and highest honour for "its commitment to addressing cultural stereotyping through the education of girls and young women, liberating them from the bondage of illiteracy and infusing them with skills, courage, and agency to achieve their full human potential," the RMAF statement said. Reflecting on the milestone, Husain said, "Being the first Indian non-profit to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award is a historic moment for Educate Girls and fo

India, Africa should look at doubling bilateral tarde by 2030: Goyal

India and Africa should look at doubling bilateral trade by 2030 from the current level of USD 82 billion, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. He also called for increasing cooperation in areas like critical minerals, agriculture, technology and manufacturing . The two-way trade increased from USD 56 billion in 2015-16 to USD 82 billion (India's exports stood at USD 42 billion and imports were USD 40 billion) in 2024-25. This is suboptimal trade despite huge opportunities, he said, adding "we should look at doubling the trade by 2030. It is a bold target but achievable". The numbers show that there is a huge untapped potential between the two regions. "Looking at the current situation across the world, this is an ideal opportunity for us to relook at our engagement," Goyal said at an industry chamber event. He also said that India can supply high quality milk products to Mauritius, which can help cool inflation of this commodity in the island nation. Goya

India submits official bid to host 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad

India on Friday officially submitted its proposal to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a significant step in its ambition to bring the multi-sport event back to the country after two decades. The formal bid was submitted to the Commonwealth Sport (the Commonwealth Games Federation) by a delegation with representation from the Commonwealth Games Association of India and the Government of Gujarat. The bid positions Ahmedabad as the host city for the Centenary edition of the Games, marking 100 years of the Commonwealth Games.. Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi said India's Games will be based on the ancient principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', meaning "the world is one family. offering unity and human connection. Atithi Devo Bhava, or the guest is divine, will guide the planning for all the stakeholders that will visit India for the Games. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha said, "This bid represents the aspirations of an entire nation. The Commonwealth G

LIVE news: Thai court removes Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office

Latest news updates: Catch all the news developments here

Telangana may face ₹7,000 cr annual loss from GST reform: Deputy CM

With the proposed GST rate rationalisation, Telangana is estimated to lose nearly Rs 7,000 crore annually, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said on Friday, requesting the Centre to properly compensate states for the losses expected from the new tax measure. Addressing the media in the national capital, Vikramarka said Telangana's accumulated losses since the introduction of GST are estimated to be nearly Rs 80,000 crore. "Estimates are saying that Telangana alone may lose Rs 7,000 crore annually (after the GST rate rationalisation). So when a state is estimated to lose Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 crore, it would impact welfare and developmental programmes of the respective states. However, we welcome the rate rationalisation and request the Centre to properly compensate," Vikramarka said. In order to compensate states for the losses due to rate rationalisation, the Centre should channel the revenue collected from taxes or cess on sin and luxury products to the states, he opined. H

India's GST cuts risk delay as states demand safeguards for revenue loss

Gross GST collections hit a record ₹22.1 trillion in fiscal year 2025, 9.4 per cent higher than a year earlier

Finland's President Stubb, PM Modi discuss India-EU trade and tech ties

Finland's President Alexander Stubb on Tuesday reiterated his country's support for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement in a phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A PMO statement said the two leaders also reviewed progress in the India-Finland bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to enhance partnership in emerging fields, including quantum technologies, 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and sustainability. Stubb affirmed support for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026, it added. The statement said Stubb shared his assessment with Modi on the recent meetings held between the leaders of Europe, the United States and Ukraine in Washington on the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Modi reiterated India's consistent support for the peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability, it added.

US tariffs a wake-up call for India to push bold reforms: Amitabh Kant

India should view US tariffs as a wake-up call to implement bold and once-in-a-generation reforms and diversify its export markets for long-term growth, former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Wednesday. Addressing the BN Memorial Lecture organised by IRS (C&IT) Association, Kant said, "This is India's century, irrespective of Trump's tariff, I strongly believe that Trump has given us a huge opportunity for reforms". On the US excuse of Russian oil imports for tariff hike, Kant said, "It's not about Russian oil. If it were the issue, then China buys much more Russian oil and Turkey buys as much Russian oil". The former G-20 Sherpa also talked about disruption in the global supply chain and India's need to improve administrative efficiency for the rapid expansion of production infrastructure. "Trump's tariffs must be a wake-up call for India. The irony is striking: the U.S. is actively negotiating with Russia and China, the latter being the largest buyer of Russian oil, yet ...

India-Africa trade surpassed $100 bn in 2024-25: MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh

Union minister Kirti Vardhan Singh on Wednesday said India-Africa trade has crossed USD 100 billion and New Delhi has emerged as one of the top-five investors in the continent. Addressing the inaugural session of the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave in the national capital, Singh said India has extended concessional loans worth over USD 12 billion and USD 700 million in grant assistance for projects across Africa, apart from offering 50,000 scholarships for African youth, of which more than 42,000 have already been utilised. "This year's theme is different as we have decided to move from project partnership and growth partnership to the spirit of 'Co-creating a Shared Future', which signifies the sentiment attached to this remarkable journey," the minister said. "India's bilateral trade with Africa has crossed the magical figure of USD 100 billion in 2024-25 compared to USD 56 billion in 2019-2020. With cumulative investments over USD 75 billion from 1996-2024, India is among

Fiji PM Rabuka visits UIDAI's Delhi headquarter to strengthen digital ties

Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka on Tuesday visited the head office of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in New Delhi, accompanied by a high-level delegation. The visit reflects the growing collaboration between India and Fiji in the field of digital transformation, including cooperation in development of innovative digital transformational solutions. It also underlines India's commitment to sharing its expertise in digital public infrastructure with global partners, an official release said. During the visit to UIDAI headquarters in Delhi, the Prime Minister of Fiji was briefed on India's pioneering digital identity system that forms the foundational layer of India digital public infrastructure, an official release said. He was welcomed by the Chief Executive Officer of UIDAI Bhuvnesh Kumar, and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Electronics and IT. Deputy Director General of UIDAI Vivek Chandra Verma, and ...

Why India, UK, Denmark are suspending postal shipments to the US

US President Donald Trump issued an executive order scrapping the trade exemption known as 'de minimis', which had permitted goods valued at up to $800 to enter the US without duty