Tag: Geopolitics

Indian Refiners Freeze New Russian Oil Orders as Trump Claims ‘Zero’ Imports Deal, But Loopholes Persist Amid Trade Leverage

In a stark illustration of the tightrope India walks between energy pragmatism and U.S. geopolitical pressure, major Indian refiners have halted new orders for Russian crude oil following fresh American sanctions on Moscow’s oil giants, industry officials have said. The move comes as President Donald Trump, aboard Air Force One en route to Kuala Lumpur, doubled down on claims that New Delhi has pledged to slash Russian imports to “zero” by year-end, a narrative Indian diplomats quietly dismiss as exaggeration, even as they signal willingness to diversify supplies to ease escalating trade frictions. The pause in procurement, confirmed by sources…

India-ASEAN Summit: Modi Pushes for FTA Review, Maritime Cooperation to Bolster Global Stability

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for an expedited review of the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AITIGA) and proposed 2026 as the “ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation” to deepen ties with the 11-nation Southeast Asian bloc, as both sides navigate a complex geopolitical landscape marked by rising Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Addressing the virtual India-ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia, Modi emphasised the bloc’s pivotal role in fostering global stability amid mounting uncertainties. He described the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a “robust foundation” for addressing shared challenges, including…

India’s Afghan Embassy Upgrade: A High-Stakes Balancing Act

India formally elevated its “Technical Mission” in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy on Tuesday, signaling a bold recalibration of its Afghanistan policy amid a fraught geopolitical landscape. The move, announced by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar following his October 10 meeting with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, marks New Delhi’s deepest engagement with the Taliban since their 2021 takeover. Framed as a commitment to Afghanistan’s “sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence,” the upgrade has sparked global reactions, with implications for India’s strained ties with the United States, Pakistan, and key players in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The decision,…

India-China Relations 2025: U.S. Tariffs Impact

India’s Pivot to China Signals New Asian Power Alignment Amid U.S. Tariff Storm A seismic shift is brewing in Asia’s geopolitical landscape as India, stung by U.S. tariffs and diplomatic slights, accelerates a cautious but strategic embrace of China, potentially reshaping regional power dynamics and challenging Washington’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. The flurry of India-China agreements announced this week—covering border management, trade, and cultural ties—marks a pragmatic pivot that could see New Delhi and Beijing forge a tactical alliance to counter U.S. economic coercion, with ripple effects for Russia, Pakistan, and the global order. The catalyst for this realignment is…

US Tariffs Tighten Noose as India Faces High-Stakes Trade Standoff

US Tariffs Escalate Pressure in India Trade Showdown The United States has escalated economic pressure on India by imposing sweeping tariffs that threaten to reshape one of the world’s most important bilateral relationships. With the combined tariff on Indian exports set to reach 50%, New Delhi is navigating a delicate diplomatic path — balancing the imperative of safeguarding national interests with avoiding a costly trade confrontation with its strategic partner.This trade standoff carries implications far beyond customs duties. It touches upon global geopolitics, energy security, domestic economic reform, and India’s quest for a greater role on the world stage. India’s…

US Tariff Tensions: India’s Reserve Bank Holds Repo Rate Steady Amid Uncertainty

RBI Holds Repo Rate Steady at 5.5% Amid U.S. Tariff Tensions, Signals Caution on Global Headwinds The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday kept its key interest rate unchanged at 5.5%, ending a streak of three consecutive cuts, as policymakers weighed growing uncertainty over a potential tariff showdown with the United States. The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to maintain the benchmark repo rate and continue with a neutral policy stance, signaling caution as geopolitical and trade-related risks cast a shadow over India’s near-term outlook. RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra said the decision reflects a balanced view of the…

Modi Rejects Foreign Intervention in India’s Operation Sindoor pause, Rahul dares him to tell on record Trump is ‘lying’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday firmly denied any foreign intervention in India’s halting India’s military response to the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people, asserting in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that India does not take orders from “any external power” but refrained from category reject US President Donald Trump’s repeated assertion that he prevented nuclear war between India and Pakistan asking them to “stop” and trade. Modi’s comments came in response to the Opposition demand for a clarification on the US President’s persistent claim during a special debate on the Pahalgam terror strike and…

The Shifting Tides: Maldives, India, and the Geopolitical Chessboard of Indian Ocean

The serene azure waters of the Indian Ocean, long a symbol of tranquility, now reflect the intricate dance of geopolitical power, with the Maldives at its heart. A recent, surprising diplomatic turnaround between the island nation and India, marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Malé in July 2025 and a remarkably warm reception from President Mohamed Muizzu, signals a significant recalibration. This shift comes despite Muizzu’s rise to power on an “India Out” campaign, highlighting the complex interplay of historical ties, domestic political currents, stark economic realities, and intensifying great power competition. The Maldives, strategically positioned along…

India Secures ‘Clean’ Russian Crude Amid Sanctions, Ensuring Energy Security Despite Global Pressures

Despite mounting sanctions and geopolitical challenges, India’s oil imports from Russia remain stable, with its largest oil company ensuring compliance with international regulations while securing affordable energy for the country. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) continues to purchase “clean” Russian crude oil, which complies with international sanctions, a top official of the Indian public sector unit said on Tuesday . This strategy comes as the nation has become the second-largest buyer of Russian oil since the Ukraine invasion, increasing its intake from less than 1 per cent to nearly 40 percent of total oil imports. The surge in Russian oil imports…

India extends anti-dumping duty on all imports of sodium citrate from China

NEW DELHI: A sunset review investigation by the Indian authority has recommended for continuation of the imposition of a definitive anti-dumping duty on all imports of sodium citrate from China in view of “sufficient evidence” indicating that its revocation will lead to continuation of dumping and injury to the domestic industry. In its final report of the investigation notified by the Ministry of Commerce in an official gazette on April 30, however, the Authority recommended for imposition of far lesser amount of anti-dumping duty than what was imposed by the government of India in 2015 on all imports of the…