Lorem ipsum is typically a corrupted version of De finibus bonorum et malorum, a 1st-century BC text by the Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero, with words altered, added, and removed to make it nonsensical and improper Latin. The first two words themselves are a truncation of dolorem ipsum
Site Navigation
Search
Latest Stories
Start your day right!
Get latest updates and insights delivered to your inbox.
Related News
More For You
Most Popular
The meeting came hours after Trump criticised India’s business environment and announced plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on US imports. (Photo: Getty Images)
Modi and Trump agree to resolve trade disputes, discuss tariff concerns
Feb 14, 2025
INDIA and the US have agreed to begin negotiations aimed at resolving trade and tariff disputes, following talks between Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump in Washington.
India has committed to increasing purchases of US oil, gas, and defence equipment, while both sides pledged to address trade barriers.
The meeting came hours after Trump criticised India’s business environment and announced plans for reciprocal tariffs on countries that impose duties on US imports.
“Prime minister Modi recently announced the reductions to India’s unfair, very strong tariffs that limit US access to the Indian market, very strongly,” Trump said. “And really it’s a big problem, I must say.”
India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri said the trade concerns could be resolved within seven months.
A joint statement released after the meeting noted that the US welcomed India’s recent steps to lower tariffs on selected US goods and expand market access for US agricultural products. Talks are set to take place to negotiate parts of a trade deal by autumn 2025.
Both leaders had differing perspectives on tariffs, but Misri said they had found a way forward. “What is more remarkable… is the fact that we have a way forward on this issue,” he said.
India has also expressed interest in expanding its defence and energy trade with the US. Trump said India could become one of Washington’s largest buyers of oil and gas and increase defence purchases “by billions of dollars.” Modi said India aims to double bilateral trade by 2030.
The leaders also discussed nuclear energy cooperation, though legal challenges remain.
Trump said the US is working to provide India with F-35 stealth fighters, but Misri later clarified that discussions were still at the proposal stage, with no formal process underway.
The White House did not comment on the potential deal.
Tariff concerns remain
Trump, who had a strong relationship with Modi during his first term, reiterated his concerns over India’s tariffs, calling them “very high.” He said the US would impose reciprocal tariffs.
“We are being reciprocal with India,” Trump said. “Whatever India charges, we charge them.”
Modi, in response, said he would prioritise India’s interests.
“One thing that I deeply appreciate, and I learn from president Trump, is that he keeps the national interest supreme,” Modi said. “Like him, I also keep the national interest of India at the top of everything else.”
Both leaders also agreed to strengthen security ties in the Indo-Pacific region and collaborate on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Before the talks, a source described India’s recent tariff reductions as a goodwill gesture aimed at easing tensions. A US official said Trump sees increased defence and energy sales to India as a way to reduce the trade deficit.
India’s energy purchases from the US could rise to £19.8 billion from £11.9 bn last year, Misri said, adding that this could help narrow the trade deficit. The US currently has a £36.2 bn trade deficit with India.
Richard Rossow, head of the India programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said tariffs would remain a contentious issue.
“It’s going to be a boxing match,” he said. “India is willing to take a few hits, but there’s a limit.”
Cooperation on immigration and China strategy
The US and India have also agreed to strengthen cooperation on illegal immigration and human trafficking. India is a significant source of immigrants to the US, including skilled workers on visas and individuals living in the country without legal status.
The agreement is seen as part of Trump’s broader strategy to counter China. India shares concerns over China’s growing military presence and economic influence.
Modi also expressed concerns about a potential US-China trade deal that could sideline India, according to Mukesh Aghi, president of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.
India has continued to maintain ties with Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. While Western countries have reduced their reliance on Russian energy, India remains a major buyer.
“The world had this thinking that India somehow is a neutral country in this whole process,” Modi said. “But this is not true. India has a side, and that side is of peace.”
US approves extradition of Tahawwur Rana
The US has also approved the extradition of a suspect in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai in which over 160 people were killed, Trump said on Thursday in a press conference.
Trump did not name the individual in the press conference but a joint statement from the two sides later identified the man as Pakistani-origin Chicago businessman and Canadian citizen Tahawwur Rana.
The three-day attacks on hotels, a train station and a Jewish centre in which 166 people were killed began on November 26, 2008. India says Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba orchestrated the attacks. Pakistan's government denies being involved.
(With inputs from agencies)
Keep ReadingShow less
Polls show most Britons back assisted dying, with supporters calling for the law to reflect public opinion.
Assisted dying bill: Judge approval scrapped for expert panel safeguard
Eastern Eye
Feb 13, 2025
THE proposed new assisted dying law for terminally ill people will be amended to remove the requirement that a high court judge sign off on each case, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater said on Tuesday (11).
Opponents of assisted dying said the change would weaken the safeguards around protecting vulnerable people from being coerced or pressured into taking their own lives.
In a historic vote three months ago, MPs backed the bill to allow assisted dying, paving the way for Britain to follow Australia, Canada and some US states in launching what would be one of its biggest social reforms in a generation. The “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)” bill, proposed by Leadbeater, passed that first hurdle with 330 MPs voting in favour and 275 against.
Under the proposals, mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or fewer left to live would be given the right to choose to end their lives with medical help after approval by two doctors and a judge.
With the process of political scrutiny underway, Leadbeater said she wanted to scrap the need for authorisation by a high court judge, with each case instead considered by a panel of experts, including a senior legal figure, psychiatrists and social workers.
A review by the high court could follow, if necessary. Leadbeater said the change strengthened the bill because it brought in experts from different professions, giving “an extra layer of scrutiny”. She told BBC Radio, “It’s absolutely a change for the better.”
Polls show that a majority of Britons back assisted dying and supporters said the law needs to catch up with public opinion. But the bill could still be voted down as it makes its way through both the Commons and the House of Lords.
Last month, Chris Whitty, the government’s chief medical officer, warned that setting up an assisted dying service for terminally ill people should not be rushed.
He was the first witness to appear before a parliamentary committee scrutinising the bill.
“My view is this is something which is best not done at speed if we can avoid it,” Whitty told MPs.
He added the process for choosing assisted dying should be straightforward, stressing that someone with six months to live should not be “stuck in a bureaucratic thicket”. Whitty said, “My view is the best safeguards are simple safeguards.”
The proposed legislation will still have to pass further debates and votes in the Commons and the Lords before becoming law.
Meanwhile, supporters of the proposed law said changing the rules would give dying people greater dignity and protection at the end of life.
Assisted suicide currently carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A separate attempt to change the law in Scotland, where helping someone die is not a specific criminal offence, but can leave a person open to other charges, is under way at the devolved Scottish parliament.
Keep ReadingShow less
A general view shows the London's financial district from an office window in Canary Wharf. (Photo: Getty Images)
Economy grows 0.1 per cent in fourth quarter, defying expectations
Feb 13, 2025
THE UK economy expanded by 0.1 per cent in the final quarter of 2024, contrary to forecasts of a contraction, according to official data released on Thursday.
The growth, supported by a stronger-than-expected 0.4 per cent rise in December, offers some relief to chancellor Rachel Reeves as she navigates broader economic challenges.
Economists polled by Reuters had predicted a 0.1 per cent contraction in the quarter. Over the full year, GDP grew by 0.9 per cent, up from 0.4 per cent in 2023. However, when adjusted for population growth, output per capita declined by 0.1 per cent, reflecting continued pressure on living standards and public finances.
Sterling rose by as much as a third of a cent against the US dollar following the release of the data.
"A pleasant surprise, but we're not out of the woods yet. Beneath the surface of these latest figures, domestic demand via consumption and business investment was weaker than expected," said Scott Gardner, an investment strategist at Nutmeg, a wealth manager owned by JP Morgan.
December’s growth was driven by the services sector, including wholesalers, film distributors, pubs, and bars, along with machinery and pharmaceutical manufacturers, the Office for National Statistics said.
However, the data also showed that growth relied on government spending and stockpiling by businesses, while business investment fell sharply by 3.2 per cent and household spending remained flat.
The drop in investment was largely due to a decline in transport equipment, a volatile component that had been strong in the previous quarter.Economic outlook
Last week, the Bank of England cut its 2025 growth forecast to 0.75 per cent, while the National Institute of Economic and Social Research predicted a higher growth rate of 1.5 per cent.
The economy recorded moderate growth in the first half of 2024 as it emerged from a shallow recession in late 2023. However, growth stalled in the second half, with the third quarter showing no expansion.
Businesses have raised concerns about a £25 billion increase in employment taxes introduced in Labour’s first budget on 30 October, warning of potential job cuts and price hikes.
Other economic pressures include weak demand in Europe, higher energy costs, and potential disruptions to global trade due to US tariffs under president Donald Trump.
Reeves and prime minister Keir Starmer have pledged to reduce planning delays and regulatory barriers to support investment.
After the latest data release, Reeves reiterated the government’s commitment to economic growth.
"We are taking on the blockers to get Britain building again, investing in our roads, rail, and energy infrastructure, and removing the barriers that get in the way of businesses who want to expand," she said.
The Conservative opposition highlighted the fall in GDP per capita, arguing that Reeves was overseeing a decline in living standards, even if the economy avoided a technical recession.
With borrowing costs rising and economic growth subdued, Reeves may face pressure to announce spending cuts next month to stay within her fiscal targets when government forecasters update their projections.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Keep ReadingShow less
Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
Modi looks to rebuild ties with Trump on US visit
Feb 12, 2025
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States this week, aiming to reconnect with president Donald Trump as he moves to smooth trade ties by offering quick tariff concessions.
Modi, who had cultivated a close relationship with Trump during his first term, is looking to avoid trade tensions with the second-term president.
India has already taken steps in this direction, including reducing tariffs on high-end motorcycles, a move seen as a boost to Harley-Davidson, the American company that previously caught Trump's attention.
For nearly three decades, successive US presidents have sought to strengthen ties with India, viewing it as a key partner in countering China's influence.
However, Trump has frequently criticised India over trade, once calling it the "biggest tariff abuser." Since returning to office last month, he has continued to use tariffs as a tool in foreign relations.
India has "done its groundwork and has already taken positive steps to set a good tone" with Trump, said Lisa Curtis, the National Security Council director on South Asia during Trump's first term.
Modi has also responded to one of Trump's key priorities—deporting undocumented immigrants. While Latin American migrants have been the main focus, India ranks third as a source of undocumented immigrants in the US after Mexico and El Salvador.
A recent deportation of around 100 Indian migrants, who were reportedly shackled during the journey, led to protests in New Delhi, where activists burned an effigy of Trump.
The opposition Congress party called the treatment of Indian citizens an "insult" and criticised Modi for not standing up to Trump.
However, Modi’s government, which has taken a strong stance against undocumented migrants from Bangladesh, has assured cooperation on the issue.
'Recreate their bonhomie'
Modi arrives in Washington on Wednesday after attending an artificial intelligence summit in Paris and will meet Trump on Thursday.
He will be the fourth world leader to visit Trump at the White House since his return, following the leaders of Israel, Japan, and Jordan.
During Trump’s first term, Modi sought to build a strong relationship with him. Both leaders share similarities in their political approach, emphasising majority interests and challenging long-standing democratic norms.
In February 2020, Modi hosted Trump in Gujarat before a crowd of over 100,000 at the inauguration of the world’s largest cricket stadium, which was later renamed after Modi himself. It was Trump’s last overseas visit as president before the Covid-19 pandemic halted travel.
"Prime minister Modi and his advisors hope that he and president Trump are able to recreate their bonhomie of the past and use that to ensure India avoids any negative trade-related actions or sanctions," said Aparna Pande, a fellow at the Hudson Institute.
India, she added, "remains one of the few countries that retains bipartisan support across the aisle in the US."
Under president Joe Biden, US-India ties remained strong, including the elevation of the Quad—a grouping of the US, India, Japan, and Australia—which China views as an attempt to contain its influence.
India is set to host a Quad summit this year, which could bring Trump back for another visit.
The Biden administration occasionally raised concerns about Modi’s record on minority rights, though Trump is unlikely to focus on the issue.
The US had also privately warned India after an alleged plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist in New York came to light.
Curtis said she believed India had "learned a lesson" from Biden’s warning and that the matter was now closed.
"I think that the Trump administration is hoping to move on from this issue," she said.
(With inputs from AFP)
Keep ReadingShow less
Load More
© Copyright 2025 Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd & Asian Media Group USA Inc