Former Indian diplomat KP Fabian said US President Donald Trump is starting to realise his tough trade moves against India have failed. Trump had imposed 50% tariffs, including on oil imports from Russia, but Fabian said these “did not produce the desired outcome.” Recently, Trump praised ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling them “very special.” Modi responded warmly, saying the feeling is mutual. Fabian warned against reading too much into Trump’s softer words, calling the tariffs “Trumped-up.” He added India is a civilisational state that “wants friends and business but cannot take dictation.” Talks on a trade deal remain stalled. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump’s senior trade adviser, Peter Navarro, accused India of “profiteering” from Russian oil imports. Social media platform X fact-checked his post, saying India’s oil trade is for “energy security” and does not break sanctions. X also noted that the US itself continues to import Russian goods, exposing “a clear double standard.” Navarro reacted angrily, saying, “That crap note below is just that. Crap.” He also accused Elon Musk of allowing propaganda. Navarro has often attacked India over oil imports, but Trump and PM Modi have both stressed their “special relationship” despite ongoing tariff tensions. (PC: NDTV)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called for tougher sanctions on Russia and countries buying its oil, including India. He said more tariffs could collapse Russia’s economy and push President Vladimir Putin to peace talks with Ukraine. Bessent stressed that the US needs Europe’s support to increase pressure. India, facing 50% tariffs on many exports, has defended its Russian oil trade as a matter of national interest. The remarks come even as US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi recently showed signs of friendship. The war escalated Sunday after Russia bombed a key Ukrainian government complex. (PC: AFP)

Former Indian diplomat KP Fabian suggests Trump is softening his stance toward India after realizing aggressive trade tactics haven't worked. Trump's 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including additional 25% over Russian oil purchases, failed to produce desired outcomes. Despite calling US-India ties "very special" and affirming friendship with PM Modi, Fabian remains skeptical about ending what he calls "Triple T - Trumped-up Trump Tariff." He emphasizes India as a "civilisational state" that wants global friendship and business but "cannot take dictation." Modi reciprocated Trump's positive remarks about their "Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership." Trade talks remain stalled as India maintains red lines on US firm entry into agriculture and key sectors. Another diplomat, Jawed Ashraf, advocates India avoiding alignment with competing global power camps. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Indian-born entrepreneurs now dominate Forbes' immigrant billionaire list with 12 entries worth over $60 billion combined, surpassing Israel and Taiwan. Their influence was showcased when five Indian-origin CEOs attended Trump's White House tech dinner, representing a fifth of guests. New billionaires include Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Google's Sundar Pichai ($1.1 billion each), plus Palo Alto Networks' Nikesh Arora ($1.4 billion). Jay Chaudhry tops the Indian contingent at $17.9 billion through cloud security firm Zscaler. Investment manager Rajiv Jain made headlines with $4 billion Adani Group bets that grew to $11 billion. Of 125 immigrant billionaires worth $1.3 trillion total, two-thirds built fortunes in technology or finance, reshaping American corporate leadership. (PC: The Telegraph & The Wrap)

Jason Miller, Trump's close confidant and registered foreign agent, met President Trump at the White House amid rising US-India tariff tensions. Miller heads the lobbying firm hired by India's government in April for $1.8 million annually to represent Indian interests in Washington. He shared a White House photo describing a "fantastic week" meeting Trump and others. The timing is significant as US-India trade relations face renewed scrutiny over tariffs and economic strategies. Miller, Trump's former chief media spokesperson from 2016, was initially set for White House communications director but withdrew after personal controversies. India pays his firm $150,000 monthly for strategic counsel and government relations assistance on policy matters before US institutions and stakeholders. (PC: X)

U.S. President Donald Trump recently declared that India and the United States share a “special relationship,” calling Prime Minister Modi “a great leader” and assuring that “there’s nothing to worry about” despite rising trade tensions . In response, PM Modi tweeted that he “deeply appreciate[s] and fully reciprocate[s]” Trump’s sentiments, affirming their “forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership” . These exchanges come against the backdrop of Trump’s imposition of steep 50% tariffs—initially 25%, later doubled—on Indian goods, as a penalty for New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil, straining bilateral trade relations.

Peter Navarro, senior trade adviser to ex-President Trump, accused India of “profiteering” from Russian oil imports—claiming New Delhi purchased oil solely to bolster Russia’s war machine and harm U.S. jobs. His post on Elon Musk’s platform X was flagged with a community-driven fact-check, stating India's oil imports were meant for energy security and did not violate sanctions . Navarro reacted by dismissing Musk's community note as “crap” and accused the platform of allowing propaganda. (PC: NDTV)    

US President Donald Trump backtracked on his social media claim that America had "lost India to deepest, darkest China" after posting a photo of Modi, Putin, and Xi Jinping together. During a White House briefing, Trump softened his tone, saying he doesn't believe India is actually lost and maintains friendship with PM Modi despite disappointment over India's Russian oil purchases. Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India due to its energy ties with Moscow but emphasized the "special relationship" between the countries, stating "there's nothing to worry about." His initial remarks followed Modi and Putin's appearance together at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in China, where they displayed visible camaraderie. (PC: Hindustan Times)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed efforts to end the Ukraine war with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday. Macron briefed Modi on last week's meeting between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and the 31-country Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine against Russia. European leaders increasingly engage Modi due to his close ties with Putin, viewing India as an alternative diplomatic channel amid Trump's peace efforts. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen emphasized India's crucial role in bringing Russia to end its aggression. Putin acknowledged New Delhi's peace-promoting role at the recent SCO summit in China, where he and Modi displayed clear bonhomie, spending 45 minutes together instead of the planned 15-minute ride. (PC: India Today)