Donald Trump shared a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping from the SCO Summit in Tianjin. He wrote, “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China.” This comes after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil. The Ministry of External Affairs refused to comment on Trump’s post. Experts say Trump’s tariff actions are pushing India closer to Russia and China. Xi and Modi agreed to improve ties, marking a possible shift in India-China relations after years of hostility. (PC: India Today)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed India’s strategic decision to continue importing Russian oil, stating that energy choices are driven by national interests—including cost and logistics—rather than external pressures. She also emphasized that the newly introduced GST 2.0 reforms will significantly neutralize the impact of steep 50% U.S. tariffs, helping industries remain competitive. The revamped tax structure, featuring simplified slabs and relief for consumers and businesses, is expected to boost domestic demand, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen resilience amid global trade tensions. (PC: Money Control)    

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent India at the BRICS Leaders’ Summit hosted virtually by Brazil on September 8. Convened by President Lula da Silva, the summit aims to address punitive tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on India and Brazil. India faces a 25% tariff for purchasing Russian oil, while Brazil’s exports, including coffee, are hit with 50% duties amid political tensions over Jair Bolsonaro’s trial. The summit also seeks to reinforce multilateralism among emerging economies. This follows the SCO Summit in Tianjin, where Modi, Xi, and Putin met. Trump warned the U.S. has “lost India and Russia to China,” amid BRICS efforts to reduce dollar dependence. (PC: Brinnica)

President Trump declared America has "lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China" after the SCO summit in Tianjin, sarcastically wishing the trio a "prosperous future together." Trump's comments mark his sharpest acknowledgment of deepening ties between the three nations, all at odds with Washington on Ukraine and trade. The summit featured Modi's first China visit in seven years since the 2020 Galwan clash, signaling India's strategic autonomy over US alignment. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, targeting Russian oil imports, while criticizing India's "one-sided" trade relationship. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar countered that the US applies different standards to China and EU regarding Russian energy purchases, highlighting growing diplomatic tensions. (PC: Mint & X)

Pakistan accuses India of "weaponising water" amid catastrophic monsoon floods killing 884 people nationally, with Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal claiming deliberate dam releases caused Punjab flooding. However, water experts dismiss these allegations as "oversimplification," noting India's own severe flooding with 100+ deaths. King's College professor Daanish Mustafa explains India would flood itself before Pakistan due to geography. The crisis intensified after India withdrew from the six-decade Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack. Climate change and obsolete dam infrastructure compound the problem, with melting glaciers and intense monsoons exceeding designed capacities. Former Pakistani IWT representative Shiraz Memon calls flood accusations against India "natural phenomenon," urging focus on climate adaptation over political blame-shifting between nuclear neighbors. (PC: Al Jazeera)

India banned Austrian economist Gunther Fehlinger-Jahn's X account after he posted "dismantle India into ExIndia" with a Khalistan map, calling PM Modi "Russia's man." The Ministry of Home Affairs and Electronics & IT flagged the viral post, directing X to block Indian access. Fehlinger-Jahn serves as President of the Austrian Committee for NATO Membership and sits on Southern Balkans economic integration boards. A senior MEA source dismissed raising the matter with Vienna, calling him "a loony" with "no official position." The post sparked angry social media reactions. This follows PM Modi's historic July 2024 Austria visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations. (PC: NDTV)

President Trump questioned Apple CEO Tim Cook about US investments during a White House tech dinner, referencing Apple's India operations as Cook announced $600 billion commitment. Trump pressed other CEOs too: Zuckerberg pledged $600 billion for Meta, Pichai committed $250 billion over two years for Google, while Nadella announced $75-80 billion for Microsoft this year. The questioning follows Trump's May warning to Cook against building in India, despite Apple's plans to manufacture 25% of global iPhones there. Apple reportedly told Indian officials it won't slow expansion, planning $2.5 billion investment to boost production from 40 million to 60 million units annually. The dinner included prominent tech leaders discussing AI advancement and US manufacturing priorities. (PC: India Today & CNN)

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged calm over India-US trade tensions, asserting "no need to panic" despite Trump's punitive 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Goyal emphasized India maintains "very good relations" with Washington and expressed confidence in reaching an "equitable, fair and balanced agreement." The tariffs doubled from 25% to 50% as penalty for India's Russian oil trade. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously called India "recalcitrant" in negotiations, initially targeting October completion. However, scheduled August talks were deferred indefinitely. Goyal stressed patience in trade negotiations, noting there's "never a timeline" for such complex discussions. Multiple negotiation rounds have occurred recently as both nations seek resolution amid escalating trade disputes and geopolitical tensions. (PC: X)

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton declares the Trump-Modi friendship "gone now" amid escalating trade tensions. Bolton warns that personal relationships with Trump offer no real protection from his unpredictable policies, citing the deteriorating India-US ties as evidence. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods while Modi has been seen with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing, signaling shifting priorities. Bolton, who served as Trump's NSA from 2018-2019, criticizes Trump's tendency to view foreign policy through personal relationships rather than strategic interests. The former aide warns other leaders, including UK's Keir Starmer, that even strong personal bonds won't shield them from Trump's worst decision-making, marking the end of the much-publicized Trump-Modi "bromance". (PC: Bloomberg & The New York Times)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a joint telephone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, focusing on EU–India relations and pressing global issues. Key topics included the ongoing Ukraine war and the need for India’s role in supporting peace efforts, alongside progress on the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement, which both sides are eager to finalize by the end of 2025. They also discussed preparations for a joint strategic agenda to be formalized at the next India–EU Summit in early 2026. (PC: News 18)