US President Donald Trump has backed a Senate bill that may impose 500% tariffs on India and China. The bill targets countries buying oil and energy from Russia. Senator Lindsey Graham, who supports the bill, said it aims to pressure Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. India and China buy most of Russia’s oil. In May 2025, India bought €4.2 billion worth of fossil fuels from Russia. The bill has 84 co-sponsors and may soon be voted on. The Kremlin called Graham a “Russophobe” and said the bill will not help peace efforts in Ukraine. Trump can choose to waive it. (PC: AP)

Foreign ministers of the Quad (U.S., India, Japan, Australia) issued a joint condemnation of the April 22 Baisaran Valley massacre near Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 civilians (25 Indian nationals and 1 Nepali) were killed and several injured. They expressed deep condolences and called for perpetrators, organisers, and financiers to be “brought to justice without any delay,” urging UN member‑states to cooperate under international law . India’s S. Jaishankar emphasized zero tolerance for terrorism and affirmed India’s right to defend itself . The statement renewed Quad’s commitment to counterterrorism and Indo-Pacific security cooperation. (PC: X)  

Over 20 bullets were fired at the ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, in a suspected hate crime. The attack, which took place during nighttime hours with devotees inside, caused extensive damage to the building and its carved arches. India’s Consulate in San Francisco condemned the act and urged prompt investigation. The incident follows a March desecration of a BAPS temple in California ahead of a Khalistan-linked referendum. Hindu groups, including CoHNA, have raised alarms over rising anti-Hindu hate. The Utah temple is renowned for its annual Holi Festival and holds global cultural significance. (PC: NDTV)

India and the US have hit a deadlock in trade talks just days before a July 9 deadline. India refuses to give in to US demands on the dairy sector, calling it a "red line." The dairy industry supports over 80 million small farmers. The US wants lower duties on farm and industrial goods, while India is seeking tariff cuts on exports like textiles and shrimp. Talks have stretched into a sixth day, with India’s top negotiator staying back in Washington. The deal is key to stopping 26% US tariffs from returning on Indian goods. (PC: AFP)

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said it was India—not US President Trump—that led the ceasefire with Pakistan after the April terror attack in Kashmir. In a Newsweek interview, he said, “I was in the room when Vice-President JD Vance warned Prime Minister Modi about a massive Pakistani assault.” India responded quickly on May 9, and the next day, Pakistan asked for a ceasefire. Jaishankar denied Trump’s claim that trade pressure ended the fight, saying, “We did not accept certain things, and the Prime Minister was impervious to threats.” He added, “India no longer separates terrorists from those who support them.” (PC: PTI)

UK‑based relatives of the victims deceased in the devastating June 12 Air India Flight AI 171 crash are reportedly preparing lawsuits against Air India and Boeing in British courts, seeking enhanced compensation. The London‑bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed moments after take‑off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 onboard and 34 on the ground. Families are consulting UK firm Keystone Law, with meetings set this week to finalise legal strategy. After the crash Tata announced ₹1 crore compensation per family, along with ₹25 lakh interim payments by Air India. Under the Montreal Convention, relatives can file claims in courts of victim‑linked jurisdictions. A final decision on proceedings awaits post‑meeting. (PC: The Week)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking to Newsweek in New York on July 1, directly refuted former US President Donald Trump’s claim that trade leverage forced India and Pakistan into a ceasefire after April’s Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor. Jaishankar, who was present during Prime Minister Modi’s May 9 call with US Vice‑President J.D. Vance, confirmed Pakistan launched a large assault that night prompting an immediate Indian response before US Secretary Rubio relayed Pakistan’s readiness to talk the next morning. A military‑to‑military call between the DGMOs of both nations then formalised the ceasefire. Trade and halt in hostilities, Jaishankar emphasised, evolved independently. (PC: Sputnik India)

Qari Abdul Rauf, a convicted leader of the Rochdale grooming gang has been spotted building a house in Charhoi, Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir, even as he remains free and working in Rochdale, UK. Rauf, found guilty in 2012 of trafficking and sexually abusing at least 47 underaged girls, served just 2½ years of a six‑year sentence. He claims statelessness to block deportation, while Pakistan refuses to accept him without travel documents. His UK neighbours fear for their children’s safety. Despite losing appeals in 2020 and 2022, Rauf lives off taxpayer-supported legal aid and delivers food locally. Critics warn his continued presence highlights systemic failures addressing grooming gangs. (PC: The Times)

At a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described India as a “very strategic ally” in the Indo‑Pacific, praising President Trump’s “very good” rapport with PM Modi. She confirmed that a comprehensive India‑US trade deal is in its final stage, with announcements expected “very soon.” Talks coincide with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s attendance at the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The proposed agreement may eliminate reciprocal tariffs set to begin July 9, opening wider market access. Trump has accepted Modi’s invitation to the next QUAD summit in New Delhi, reinforcing deepening strategic and economic cooperation.(PC: Instagram)

China has said the border dispute with India is “complicated” and will take time to resolve. However, it is ready to discuss border marking and peace at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The statement follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Qingdao on June 26. Singh called for a roadmap and steps to lower tensions. China’s Foreign Ministry said both countries have held 23 rounds of talks and set up systems for communication. It added that China wants to keep talking and maintain peace in border areas through dialogue and cooperation. (PC: India Today)