India has sent 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Kabul after a powerful earthquake killed at least 1,411 people in Afghanistan. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the delivery, which included tents, blankets, medicines, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, generators, water purifiers, and wheelchairs. The 6.3 magnitude quake struck late Sunday night, with most deaths reported in Kunar province. Over 3,000 people were injured, and many remote areas remain cut off. Rescue work is difficult due to damaged roads and aftershocks. India said it will continue to monitor the situation and send more relief in the coming days. (PC: India Today)

US Congressman Ro Khanna has strongly criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian imports. He said the duties are harsher than those on China and threaten three decades of bipartisan work to strengthen US-India ties. In a post on X, Khanna claimed Trump acted out of anger because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, stating, “Trump is destroying 30 years of bipartisan work to build the US-India strategic partnership because Modi refuses to nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize." He warned the tariffs could hurt Indian exports and push India closer to China and Russia. Khanna urged Indian-Americans who supported Trump to speak out against his policies and defend the partnership. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump has criticised India’s trade policies, calling the relationship “one-sided.” Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump said, “We get along with India very well, but for many years, it was a one-sided relationship. India was charging us tremendous tariffs, about the highest in the world.” He cited Harley-Davidson as an example, saying the company faced a 200% duty on motorcycles. Trump argued that his reciprocal tariffs are helping bring companies back to the US. Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded that India will never compromise on farmers’ and small industries’ interests, despite global pressure. (PC: AP, PTI)

The Union Home Ministry has said that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India till December 31, 2024, can stay without a passport. The order, under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, gives relief to minorities who came due to religious persecution. It does not give them citizenship but allows legal stay. Earlier, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) covered only those who entered India before 2014. This new rule will help many, especially Hindus from Pakistan, who crossed after 2014 and were unsure of their future. (PC: HT)

Indian adventurer Yogesh Alekari, known online as Roaming Wheels, embarked on a solo motorcycle world tour from Mumbai on May 1, 2025, traversing over 24,000 km across 17 countries over 118 days . His adventure hit a tragic roadblock in Nottingham, England, on August 28, when his KTM 390 Adventure—along with passport, camera gear, laptop, cash, and clothing—was stolen in broad daylight at Wollaton Park . CCTV footage shows thieves riding away on mopeds . Shocked and heartbroken, Alekari pleaded for help via social media, as Nottinghamshire Police continue inquiries but have offered only a crime reference number so far. (PC: NDTV)

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for cozying up to Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during the SCO summit in Tianjin, calling it "shameful" for the leader of the world's largest democracy to embrace two authoritarian figures . Navarro accused India of funding Moscow’s war through continued purchases of discounted Russian crude and implied that Indian refiners profit heavily by exporting refined oil globally . He implored Modi to align with the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine instead, and warned that India must reconsider its strategic choices. (PC: Reuters)

Russia has offered India larger discounts on its Ural crude oil, with rates dropping $3 to $4 per barrel for September and October shipments. This comes as the US doubled tariffs on India to 50% over its continued oil trade with Moscow. Washington accused New Delhi of helping Russia fund its war by refining discounted oil and reselling it. India rejected the criticism, saying no sanctions ban such imports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently called Russia a “special” partner at the SCO summit in China. Despite pressure, Indian refiners continue to buy cheaper Russian crude. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended India’s economy after US President Donald Trump called it “dead” during rising trade tensions. Speaking at the Semicon India 2025 conference in Delhi, Modi said India’s GDP grew 7.8% in the first quarter despite global challenges. He stressed that growth was strong across manufacturing, services, agriculture, and construction, pushing India toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Modi also outlined plans for boosting semiconductor production, highlighting the India Semiconductor Mission and critical minerals programme. Over 2,500 delegates from 48 countries joined the event, which focused on chip innovation, digital infrastructure, and India’s expanding global tech role. (PC: PTI)

US President Donald Trump has proposed tariffs of up to 200% on imported medicines, citing national security and the need to boost domestic production. Experts warn the move could raise drug prices by 10–14% and cause shortages, especially for generics that make up most US prescriptions. Low-income and elderly patients may be hit hardest. India, a top supplier of affordable generics, has been excluded from immediate enforcement as its medicines are vital for US healthcare. However, analysts say future policy changes could affect India’s $25 billion pharma exports. Legal battles and industry pushback may delay the tariff plan. (PC: AP)

Russian crude oil has become cheaper for Indian refiners, with discounts widening to $3–$4 per barrel for September and October cargoes, according to a Bloomberg report. This comes as US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s rising oil imports from Moscow. Trump’s adviser Peter Navarro accused India of indirectly funding Russia’s war. India now sources nearly 40% of its oil from Russia, compared to less than 1% before 2022. New Delhi defended its trade, saying crude imports are not under sanctions. Trump called US-India trade “a one-sided disaster” and demanded lower Indian tariffs. (PC: AP)