Modi has attained a 'global importance' of course ... but PM should be cautious about western snobs and their unpredictability ... Trump tantrums could be only forewarning to India

PM Narendra Modi discusses end of Russia-Ukraine war with French president Emmanuel Macron 

Point is well taken.  However, outside the 'charmed circle of the west' – the US has always preferred clients and not allies. Here comes one-liner in a London-based newspaper and it says rather acidly:

"The fact is, India isn’t rich enough or white enough or English-speaking enough to be a charter member of either the west or the anglophone world".

This may sound pessimistic, but to be careful is always good in diplomacy and strategy planning.  

We have started to believe that Donald Trump is a maverick. We also believe the Indo-US relationship is too important for both -- on two necessary fronts the economics and geopolitics. 

So the refrain -- the cold vibes may not stay long.

But there is a counter argument that Donald Trump is 'ahead of the curve' and could it be possible that what he is saying loud ... a few other western leaders are still too constrained. 

But our optimism should not be ignored either.

India has emerged as an 'alternative diplomatic' channel for the West, especially after Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged New Delhi's role in promoting peace during the recently-concluded SCO summit in China.

In fact, Ukraine president Zelenskyy also spoke to Modi the day the Indian PM had landed in China. 

Describing their discussion, Zelenskyy called it a “productive and important conversation” aimed at achieving “real peace.”

Macron's tweet was important:

"I just spoke with Prime Minister @NarendraModi. I presented him the outcome of the work we carried out with President Zelenskky and our partners of the Coalition of the Willing last Thursday in Paris. India and France share the same determination to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Building on our friendship and our strategic partnership, we will continue moving forward together to trace this path toward peace."

PM Modi in his missive said --  

"We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas. Exchanged views on international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. 

The India-France Strategic Partnership will continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability." 

Notably after his meeting with Modi in China Putin revealed, 

"There is no secret. I told him what we (Putin and Trump) talked about in Alaska."

But what's Gaza and how it can be 'lesson' by itself :  

China might have multiple issues with India. Russia too may have limitations at times. But the western lots are pure snobs and selfish put together.

Western benevolence has always been predicated on western hegemony. 

Once the climate crisis and China’s rise made it clear that the west’s supremacy wasn’t future-proofed; .... their games changed. You might have noticed how western centrists have begun to secede from the world order they had created in their pomp. 

"Gaza is the sum of this secession," argues the article in 'The Guardian'.  

BRICS - remains vital 

New Delhi has some inherent constraints.

"It can’t square up to the US, as China does, as an equal. 

Nor can it kowtow to Trump as the EU has, like a client looking for protection. India will continue to walk a tightrope, teetering this way then that, as it negotiates a hostile world under the watchful eyes of its vulnerable people," says historian Mukul Kesavan.  

Jordan Bardella is a French leader and is a new face of 'far right'.

Nigel Farage is a far right UK leader and Viktor Orbán is prime minister of Hungary. They all have two things common with Trump. They are white or are westerns and they prefer nativism and protectionism.

The coming years may not be all that 'democratic and open' in the west.  

The sum and substance of the story is India should not turn/tilt towards the west the manner it did last 20-25 years.

India’s political class began to see the US as New Delhi's natural partner. 

The US became the main destination of India’s exports and also the aspirational destination for elites. 

The Indo-US nuclear deal was a new thing. Then during Modi regime in 201 came the Quad, a grouping of the US, Japan, India and Australia. 

But these western tilts -- actually suit the US and fixed its agenda. 

New Delhi has turned sentimental for nothing. 

ends

Chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya echoed across India .... Ganesh Visarjan 2025

 Ganesh Visarjan 2025: Devotees bid farewell to Bappa with grandeur across India

As chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya echoed across the nation, devotees bid an emotional farewell to Lord Ganesha. The vibrant visarjan processions lit up streets with music, dance, and devotion.

Devotees and millions others celebrated the grand day as decorations and smoke were released on idols of lord Ganesh.

Hindus worship God Ganesh as the the deity of prosperity

The last day of the ten-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi festival ended on September 6, 2025 with the pledge to celebrate the occasion with renewed devotion and gaiety next year and beyond. 

"In September 2024 - Rio said only party which has relevance on Naga issue is NPF .... He did not mention his own party (NDPP)" --- Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienü

If we are to believe former Nagaland Minister and Phek legislator Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienü, no political party -- BJP, Congress or other outfits including NPP led by Conrad Sangma 

... have any relevance on the Naga political issue. Only exception is the Naga People's Front (NPF).

And more perplexing is the fact that Azo maintains that this was stated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sept 2, 2024 in a meeting with legislators. 

Is this going well with the theories and thesis written on the virtues of so-called 'all-party government' ??

Azo's comments - more as a set of disclosures - will be probably debated in near future too.

Addressing NPF's central executive council meeting where a clarion call was made to Rio to 'take over the leadership' of NPF and merge his party NDPP with it -- Azo said: 

"This party (NPF) belongs to him (Rio). This is his original home".

Azo revealed:

"On Sept 2, 2024 there was an important meeting of legislators.

Nineteen of us attended, we discussed many things. His (Rio's) last words were - shocking. He said - as far as Naga context is concerned, no political party has its relevance on Naga political issue except NPF. He said that ... He did not even mention his own party". 

Among all political parties, we the NPF champion the cause of Naga political issue.

If it is not for this (Naga political issue) we will be like any other political party -- useless.

"NPF cannot fade away...

even though we have one or two MLAs or we don't have even one MLA, this party will continue to live. 

The process for bringing two regional parties together have started from this day. It has happened because of divine intervention. 

Behind the divine intervention there has to be some people who have to be busy for this.

But behind all that is one person. If he does not say 'yes'. It will never happen. That's our honourable chief minister Neiphiu Rio -- who is pure regionalist." 

Azo said - NDPP issued a press release on Sept 5th and they were diplomatic.

"Today we also must be diplomatic. We should be very careful with our utterances because a slight spark may become a burning issue.... there may be ego problem. It may come to a stalemate and then it may never happen. So all party workers including me; we should be careful about our utterances. 

"We should avoid provocative statements. 

Why this (merger) is happening... It is the desire of all the Nagas. The Nagas should have one single regional party. Two regional parties cannot survive. It is very difficult.

Yesterday we saw the statement from BJP (deputy CM Y Patton). They want to go alone... they want friendly contests which is also healthy politics.

Now, the need of the hour is to strengthen the regional party. Therefore, we are in the process... but during the process, we should be extra ordinarily careful."

From today onward, all our differences  between NPF and NDPP ... sidelining of each other should be done away. Let us not recollect the bitter past.

Let us not take names... I am happy people have started taking my names.... thank you. That's wake up call for me." 

Azo also referred to some characters who behave big by becoming one time MLA ad underlined - "If you are humble, you will be elected again and again".

These are of course for intra-NPF consumption.

Not quite the right angle : Mirror image - Blogger and a Rooster  

ends 

 

This is bigger than the big !! EC to implement SIR simultaneously across India .... State Chief Electoral Officers meeting convened on Sept 10

 Just before Bihar Assembly elections, Election Commission surprises foes and friends alike.

It makes BIG announcement on SIR, says it would be implemented across the country.

The Election Commission has indicated to implement SIR simultaneously across the country, the process in Bihar will continue till September 30, the final decision will be taken in the Delhi meeting on September 10.

This is a significant announcement as the Congress and other opposition parties have vehemently opposed the intensive revision exercise in Bihar.

The EC has also announced SIR in West Bengal - a move that has irked Trinamool Congress for all obvious reasons.  

Information has been sought on a total of 10 points through a power point presentation, including the number of existing voters, date and data of the previous SIR, status of digitization. 

A report has to be submitted on rationalization of polling stations and the total number of centers. The presentation will also focus on the status of appointment and training of officers and BLOs. The process of SIR is going on in Bihar and it will be completed by September 30.

The Commission has officially But the official date for its implementation across the country has not been decided yet, but sources have indicated that SIR will be implemented simultaneously across the country. 

The final decision on the date of SIR will be taken after the meeting on 10 September.

On June 24, in its order on SIR related to Bihar, the Election Commission had mentioned about implementing SIR in the entire country. 

In the order related to Bihar, the commission had written that under section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RPA 1950) and other relevant provisions, the commission has the power to direct special intensive revision of electoral rolls, which also includes preparation of fresh voter lists.

The polls panel has now decided to initiate special intensive revision throughout the country, so that the constitutional responsibility of the integrity of the electoral rolls can be fulfilled.

It's official and no secrecy and 'no veto power' from Bara Basti ::: "NPF continues to consider Neiphiu Rio an integral part of the party"

Who can ever know how many angels danced on the head of a needle !! 

-- Well, let us break it up. Not long back in medieval era there came the famous puzzle -- of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

This was a question about the relationship of the infinite God to the finite world. The refrain was if God the creator was all-powerful, logically, he should be able to bid an infinite number of angels to dance on the head of a pin. 

Some believe it has happened. Some do not.

Politics is more often about 'angels dancing'. When and how -- is the decision of the Neta class.

But in political theory we journalists often circulate another point of view - somewhat the classic one -- the best (surest) way to destroy ideology might be unleashing too many ideologues upon it.

The era of 'honesty' in corridors of power in Nagaland died long back when Vizol was the Chief Minister. 

The era of regional politics once was run by powerful three Vizol, Vamuzo and Shurhozelie. The fourth member was a disciple - Late Chalie Kevichusa.

Chalie parted ways when NPC was split on the issue of Vamuzo becoming chief minister and heading a government with Congress MLAs in the ministry. 

Rio - playing it well - Age is just numbers 

Neiphiu Rio had a bad taste of politics around that time. First he was disqualified for defecting. K L Chishi made him Power minister but when Vamuzo became Chief Minister - Rio was left as an MLA along with Chubatemjen Ao (who was Chishi's Finance minister). 

Rio was sincere Congressman for sometime. He led 'Goodwill Ministerial Mission' to Athibung and Peren and also to Kiphire when those areas witnessed a lot of group clashes and ethnic divisions.

When Chingwang insisted for contesting a by-election; S C Jamir deputed two trusted men Neiphiu Rio and K Therie to meet AICC general secretary SushilKumar Shinde. Chingwang was denied ticket.

When Rio and Therie came out of Congress, the NPC was converted to NPF.

Rio became chief minister multiple times - 2003, 2008 and 2013. In 2014 - much against the recommendation of Shurhozelie -- Rio contested Lok Sabha polls ane became an MP. His replacement T R Zeliang turned into a betrayer. The Shurhozelie-T R Zeliang made life miserable for Rio.

He waited patiently - played his game pretty well with Ram Madhav and became Chief Minister in 2018. For 2023 polls, with Ram Madhav axed out of BJP list of decision makers - Rio cultivated Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Now the new game - NDPP's merger with NPF on cards.

The NPF central executive council in its meeting at Kohima, Sept 6th, made a unique and open offer - that Rio (now NDPP leader) should take over the affairs of NPF.

This game was mooted in 2023. But Shurhozelie cleverly used his vet power to negate it. 

The NPF meeting is actually more than about building bridges. 

It is more about building a political stage (theatre) to tell your version to the world. 

This is where Rio wins and this is where Shurhozelie lost out but did it with his typical Bara Basti grace. As long as I could - I resisted type ...

The NPF-CEC resolution reaffirmed the earlier resolution dated 12th February 2025. inviting all former comrades of the NPF to return to the party in the larger interest of the party, in particular, and the Naga people in general.

"The CEC resolved to make a formal and special appeal to the Honourable Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, to rejoin the NPF and assume leadership of the party in the greater interest of the party and the Naga people. 

Neiphiu Rio, a strong regionalist and a senior member of the NPF, joined the party in 1974 as Youth President of Kohima Division and later served as Youth Wing President during the erstwhile UDF days. 

The NPF continues to consider him an integral part of the party, and his return to the NPF-his original political platform would send a positive message to the general public."

Many say a blog is a 'declaration' of an ego .. an independent view. A view that cannot make anyone and everyone happy.

Hence we have a question for NPF bosses to tell it clearly both to the Naga people and the Govt of India -- what is the 'positive message' people should accept.

If it is about finding an early Solution -- Rio's NDPP-BJP government has been the chief proponent of the Status quo club.  

The CM, Rio's ministerial colleagues including two deputy chief ministers and others have to clarify what's their stance for Solution.

The lip-service is so much that today officials in Home and Defence ministries believe - the Solution is not coming in next two-three years.

If  that's an achievement - NPF should explain how. 

And if it is not - the present NPF president Apong Pongener and vocal legislator Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienü should explain how things will change in near future. 

Opportunism is an art. Let us not make it a virtue.

Hence - more of meta physical dramas, meetings and theatric resolutions like the one in Ungma village will continue -- as long as there is enough oxygen provided by 'extortion' and the support base of Kohima.

The phrases - like Common Draft have done vanishing act despite New Delhi insisting on the same for an early Solution pact.

Rio - 'the stone pulling guy' - 2018 

Nagas like elders elsewhere love their children. They are moved by sentimentality of youthhood. The elderly netas may envy the innocence of youths.

But are they being sincerely concerned about the youngsters?

If Solution does not come now .... who knows -- it has already reached the stage of Never.

The comfort of Ceasefire could be derailed. 

The Modi Govt has the legacy of surprising friends and foes when it comes to taking a tough stance.  With the incumbent Prime Minister - the pace of politics often accelerates quite unexpectedly.

We journalists and bloggers are supposed to focus on what is new and fresh. 

But old stories offer some critical answers. 

Let us switch back to 1924 -- when Congress was in deep depression. The Congress party almost lost it way after failure of the the non-cooperation movement. 

It was then Mahatma Gandhi became president of Indian National Congress - only time in his life. 

In his speech Mahatma Gandhi said --- 

"I consider valuable for I deem myself a servant of God. I know that we cannot get swaraj in this way. 

.... the feeling that we have already got Swaraj. It means that we put on an act of swaraj. It is like seeing someone play the part of Harishchandra who is of course not Harishchandra. 

(Harishchandra was a truthful king and sacrificed his kingdom and also his son) 

"If you feel that it is not right, that Gandhi is deceiving you, then by all means reject it, have nothing to do with it."

ends 

Law taking its course .... In a joint operation, Assam Rifles operating with Nagaland Police intercept a truck carrying illegal foreign cigarettes

They are calling it "another win" for the people.

In a joint operation, Assam Rifles operating under Spear Corps command with the Nagaland Police intercepted a truck carrying illegal foreign cigarettes worth crores in Tening region.

The area falls under Peren District in Nagaland.

"Another win for the people! Protects shopkeepers, saves revenue and keeps youth safe," an official source remarked. 

Only recently, this blog has highlighted how the 'History of Strife of Nagas'  has been marred by Parallel Fiscal Regime.

Smuggling of tobacco products is certainly one of them.

The Shadow Economy actually undermines the 'Rule of law and Governance'. 

Some years back, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the BJP-led NDA "identified operations" involving at least 299 accused persons, including 76 Chinese entities, in money laundering schemes worth Rs 455.37-Rs 500 crore.

Sources say these operations "utilize shell companies" with dummy directors and multiple bank accounts to layer transactions and conceal the origin of funds. 

The story goes this way -- All insurgent factions -- including the 'most potent' as claimed by both sides - insurgents as well as Delhi - could sustain the operations through a well-organized, large-scale system of illegal taxation. 

Within the geographical landscape of Nagaland state - there is no illicit poppy cultivation no doubt. 

But there is no hesitation to do 'drug business' as such by the courageous men and at times even women.

Over 9o-95 per cent of registered informal workers understandably earn less than Rs 10,000 monthly.

This means there are strictly "limited opportunities" in the formal economy. 

The state's unemployment rate in urban areas is 240 per 1,000 people, according to a study.

At the national level the data is quite milder -- an average of 67 per 1,000 people.

That also means the economic distress will make shadow economy participation attractive. 

ends 

92% of the ceramic workers in Gujarat were not given provident fund (PF) benefits, 93% do not get ESIC benefits

A study by the Vadodara-based People's Training and Research Centre (PTRC) found that 92% of the ceramic workers in Gujarat were not given provident fund (PF) benefits, 93% do not get ESIC benefits at all and 90% are not even given payslips.

Six decades after The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act was notified, thousands of workers in Morbi, the world's largest ceramics manufacturing hub, are still not given its mandatory benefits, reports 'Times of India'.

The study, titled "Laws in Captivity", covered 2,000 workers — 1,776 men and 224 women. Of these, 879 (44%) were local workers and 1,121 (56%) were migrants.

These 2,000 workers represented 290 industrial units, including 1,729 employed by 246 ceramic units, 156 working at 38 non-ceramic manufacturing units and 115 engaged by six service sector units.

"This is perhaps the first systematic study on the implementation of labour laws for social security in Morbi. The ESI Act was notified in Morbi in 1967, bringing most areas under ESI coverage. 

Yet, 58 years later, industrial units are not implementing the ESI Act, and the govt is not enforcing it. With no strong workers' organizations, enforcement remains weak," said Jagdish Patel, director of PTRC, a voluntary organization working on occupational health and safety.

Trump's tariffs hit ceramic industry:

American buyers have pulled back nearly all the orders since the US tariff announcements.

Traders say buyers have stopped orders, exports are down, and the bigger effects are still to come.

This is for a company that ranks among India’s top five ceramic exporters to the US.

The US is among the top three markets for the Indian ceramic industry and one that has helped build this area into an export hub over the past two decades. 

The Morbi cluster exports around ₹1,200-1,500 crore worth of ceramics to the US annually. It produces 80% of India’s ceramics, feeding a global appetite across 150 countries, reports 'Hindustan Times'.

But the tariffs that came into effect last month precipitated a crisis. Kundaria is already sketching new trade maps, hoping to pivot to Europe, West Asia, and East Asia. “Factories will function but they will have to change markets,” he said.

It’s not easy. New distribution networks must be built. Product specifications need adjustment for different regional standards. Years of relationship-building in the US must now be replicated across continents. 

It takes time, and money, all the while paying hundreds of employees.

'Cock' dream little far off !!! It's a political 'win' for Rio .... but technicalities may still prevent the NDPP's "merger" with smaller and 'losing entity' NPF

 The Tenyimia - Naga dialect - word for Cock or Rooster is -- Viidzii. 

It's a powerful word politically associated deep with the 'pride of regional politics' for Nagas. 

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio started his political career as a youth activist with the UDF in the 1970s and the party symbol was Cock. 

He moved to Congress and emerged blue-eyed boy of S C Jamir. He almost lost 1993 assembly election from his now strong bastion Northern Angami II.  He had rushed to the then Chief Electoral Office the next day of counting. 

Lalhuma was on the chair and he 'listened' to Rio's complaints against the Independent candidate R. Sopu Angami.

S C Jamir was the great ''fighter' of 1993 polls. With his Cow boy hat on, he had walked in with some political subordinates. Within minutes he was heard saying -- "I will handle all that". 

When the final results came in; - Rio polled 5,411 votes against 4,311 by Sopu.

That was a refreshing beginning for Rio. He has not looked behind since 1993. It's pretty simple story of a soft-spoken gentleman politician. Jamir - the ex Chief Minister and ex-Governor of four states (including Gujarat) is now out of electoral politics.  

Kewephape Therie, who alongside Rio, had deserted their political mentor Jamir, is also at a semi retirement stage. His last attempt was from Dimapur 1 in 2023 polls. But Rio has survived and thrived.

After Rio and Therie deserted Congress -- people say after learning all the basic tricks from 'guru' Jamir - the NPC was converted to NPF. The party chief much senior in age and in politics Shurozelie also joined the Rio cabinet. 

Rio also knows how to conduct 'political business' well. 

Since 2003 - he has been a friend of the BJP but never quite allowed its growth. BJP office bearers in Nagaland are more loyal to him (driven by factor of Love and affection of power politics) than they are loyal to Amit Shah or even PM Narendra Modi.

That may be true or may be one of those cruel jokes of politics. 

Only a handful BJP legislators have the 'guts' to take on him when necessity may come. He has support of all other 59 MLAs -- NPP of Conrad Sangma or LJP and NPC (of Pawar dynasty) do not matter. 

When troubled seemed imminent, Rio befriended Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The opposition-less political stage has created grounds for Delhi-based bloggers to play the role of a single-man opposition army.

Rio himself enjoys that. But loyalists may not appreciate all these. 

In fact, NPC MLAs have already merged with the ideology of NDPP.  

Now there are reports NDPP MLAs are chief movers for the decision to "merge" with the NPF.

Chingwang Konyak as NDPP president always takes pride in the fact that as a regional party his outfit (floated with Rio's blessings over phone from Delhi) has won two consecutive elections.

In 2024 - rather in a lighter vein, he had said : "Age is catching up with me Niren ... But I may continue to lead the party till 2008 elections". 

Two Jamirs and one Dev !!

But things are not in his hands apparently.

On Tuesday, Sept 2 - an important meeting took place and there is an agreement that the NDPP has decided to 'merge' with the NPF and take both its name and 'symbol'.

The NPF is a politically active outfit in Manipur. So the new NPF boss - post merger of NDPP - will have control over two MPs (one in Nagaland and the ouer Manipur) and some Naga legislators in Manipur.

Does it have any connection to the 'merger' move ? 

The 'merger' move was initiated in 2023 as well. But veteran Shurhozelie knew how to use the veto power. Earlier in Feb polls (2023), Shurhozelie - the doyen of regional politics along with friends and senior colleagues Late Vizol and Late Vamuzo - got a bitter taste when his son was defeated by Rio's nominee.

 

But technicalities may still require sometime for the so-called merger.

The NDPP constitution says only a 'general body meeting or convention' can take a decision about the merger, Chingwang Konyak told his party colleagues. 

Technically - three fourth of general body can decide about the dissolution of the party and two-third majority by voting can decide about a merger.

In this case - the counter argument is the NDPP MLAs "have raised hands" in support of the merger move. 

Will this suffice for the general body nod - especially in a court of law if challenged - remains to be seen. 

Moreover, a notice for general body meeting of the NDPP will be considered not valid if one month notice is not given.

Regionalist top-gun Shurhozelie 

Various other theories (and stories) are in circulation among pro merger protagonists in the NDPP.

A large section of church leaders and also those in Naga underground movement have reportedly favoured 'merger' because split in regional votes may not be good in the long run. 

Answers to some issues and questions always lay in the womb of time.

NDPP chief Chingwang Konyak 

English writers say - A hungry pigeon or even a Rooster - given food at frequent but irregular intervals - dances and with erratic head jerks - only in the hope of summoning another morsel.   

Politics need oxygen. Any takers ? 

ends 

Take this .... coming from a London newspaper ---- "To see Mr Modi, Mr Xi and Vladimir Putin smiling and joking is to watch Washington’s influence fade" ....

 The White House wanted India to bow. Instead, Narendra Modi flew to China, shook Xi Jinping’s hand and left Washington sidelined. -- 

The Guardian editorial --- It also said  ----  

"......it is in Tianjin, not Washington, where it looks as if the hinge of history is moving.

The SCO is easy to dismiss: the bloc is a bundle of contradictions. India and Pakistan remain adversaries. China and India still stare across a garrisoned Himalayan frontier .....

Russia and China vie for influence in Central Asia. 

Unlike Nato, the SCO has no binding defence commitments. 

For much of its life, it has looked like a paper tiger, sending out communiques that were all roar and no bite.

(But..... now things have changed --- blogger)  

The SCO may never fight China’s wars, but it ensures Beijing will never stand alone. 

That is the high price the west may end up paying for Mr Trump’s narcissistic delusions.

To see Mr Modi, Mr Xi and Vladimir Putin smiling and joking is to watch Washington’s influence fade -- the newspaper said.

For China, the rewards are immediate. Mr Trump has given Mr Xi a stage on which to pose as the host of an important multipolar gathering.  

For Moscow, every handshake in Tianjin underlines that sanctions have not made it a pariah. For Turkey, attendance preserves its ambiguity as a Nato member. For Iran, the SCO condemned the US-Israeli attacks it suffered this summer. 

The more this theatre normalises China and Russia as leaders of a non-western bloc, the harder it becomes for Washington, 'The Guardian' says. 

Trump has not done away with India and tariffs yet !! Says actions against India is in effect "Action" on Russia for the Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump’s administration warned in court papers that striking down tariffs on countries including India would expose the United States to trade retaliation and undercut efforts to secure peace abroad.

In an appeal to the US Supreme Court, accessed by India Today, Solicitor General John Sauer urged justices to preserve the duties, which a lower court found unlawful. “The stakes in this case could not be higher,” the filing said, calling tariffs “a crucial aspect of our push for peace” in Ukraine and a shield against economic catastrophe.

"How do you know there’s no action? " remarked Donald Trump to a pointed question from a Polish journalist.

"Would you say that putting secondary sanctions on India, the largest purchaser outside of China, they’re almost equal. Would you say there was no action? 

That cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia. You call that no action? And I haven’t done phase two yet or phase three."

He also told a Polish journalist at a special briefing.

"But when you say there’s no action, I think you ought to get yourself a new job," Trump used the rhetoric power to target the Polish scribe.  

The US slapped secondary sanctions on India for continuing to purchase Russian oil and signalled that more measures could follow.   

While speaking recently on The Scott Jennings Radio Show, Trump repeated his familiar refrain. "India was the most highly tariffed nation in the world, and you know what, they’ve offered me no tariffs in India anymore. No tariffs," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stood firm, saying domestic priorities would not be compromised under external pressure. "Pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it," Modi said.

Double dose of support and growth for India: PM praises GST reforms, jabs Congress

The government, after the 56th meeting of the GST Council, approved the rationalisation of GST rates, abolishing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent slabs. The new slab structure will come into effect from September 22, the first day of Navaratri.  

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced sweeping changes cut taxes on a wide range of consumer essentials, medicines, and automobiles, while introducing a special high tax slab for luxury and sin goods.  

The government, after the 56th meeting of the GST Council, approved the rationalisation of GST rates, abolishing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent slabs. The new slab structure will come into effect from September 22, the first day of Navaratri.  

The Council cleared a two-tier tax structure with rates of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, along with a new 40 per cent slab for sin and luxury goods. However, tobacco products and cigarettes will continue to attract 28 per cent GST, plus compensation cess, till loans are repaid.

"While the media has dubbed these reforms as GST 2.0, I say it is a double dose of growth and support. It means savings for the ordinary household on one hand, and strength for the nation's economy on the other," PM Modi said while addressing the National Awardee teachers in Delhi.  

Items like UHT milk, paneer, chenna and all kinds of Indian breads, will move from 5 per cent to nil. Spectacles will now be taxed at 5 per cent.

"Summarising the reforms done in GST, it will add Panchratnas to the Indian economy. First, the tax stream will be simpler. 

The quality of life of the citizens of India will increase, consumption and growth will increase, the ease of doing business will boost investment and employment, and cooperative federalism will become stronger for a developed India," the PM stressed.  

PM Modi further said that the reforms would benefit almost every section of society. "The GST reforms will benefit the poor, the neo middle-class, middle-class, farmers, women, students, youngsters all alike. Cutting down on the tax will benefit everyone to a great extent. 

From paneer (cottage cheese) to shampoos and soaps, everything will be very cheap now," the PM added.

As part of the restructuring, 175 broad items of mass consumption, including milk, paneer, snacks and bread, will become cheaper. Goods such as hair oil, toilet soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, tableware, and kitchenware will now fall under the 5 per cent bracket.

Around 99 per cent of items currently taxed at 12 per cent will now fall under 5 per cent, including natural menthol, fertilisers, handicrafts, and several labour-intensive sectors such as marble and granite blocks. Additionally, 33 life-saving drugs and medicines will move from 12 per cent to nil.

Nearly 90 per cent of goods currently taxed at 28 per cent will shift to 18 per cent. This includes air-conditioning machines, televisions above 32 inches - with all TVs now under 18 per cent - dishwashing machines, cement, and small cars and motorcycles below 300 cc.

 

None should 'Sugarcoat' this !! What does new found bonhomie b/w Modi and Xi signify in South Asian 'sub-plot' ?? :::: Bangladesh is at a crossroads ... Yunus may attempt "conservative political control"

Muhammad Yunus is not only an opportunist. He is a smart operator. In July-Aug 2024 he presented himself as a 'savior (Masiha in Urdu)' to the violence-hit chaotic Bangladesh.

More than a year -- quite turbulent 12 months -- and now he is eyeing bigger canvas.

His political ideology will be conservative but he would experiment a liberal economic experiment to keep himself as a much sought after 'reformist'. 

The strong impression also goes that he is a stooge of the US deep state and hence all that happened in Bangladesh since 2024 were backed by CIA.

Blogger in Dhaka : During Sheikh Hasina regime 

Looking back 2024 -- For Yunus - someone seen as Sheikh Hasina’s political adversary, the appointment marked both a personal victory and a national gamble. 

And the outcome of the gamble is still not clear !!

On the economic front, foreign investors—like a major Singaporean group has already pledged funds. This club believes Yunus can stabilize the Bangladesh economy.

On the political front, Yunus always tried to hire an help. He also believes in reliance on village-level committees and conservative networks risks hardening into ultra-nationalist tendencies. 

Yunus was sworn in as chief adviser to the interim government on August 8, 2024. Sheikh Hasina had to flee and is in India. The Yunus-led administration consists of student leaders and civil society figures.  He will not compromise with political values.

It may be also mentioned that the interim government has promised sweeping institutional changes, prioritizing the restoration of a non-partisan caretaker government.

He was to conduct polls and importantly 'depoliticize' state official institutions and overhaul the Election Commission.

'Delayed elections' has not helped improve his image.

He has postponed setting a firm election date to allow for reforms to be implemented, suggesting a timeline between late 2025 and mid-2026. 

This delay has drawn criticism and demands for earlier elections from the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- which had the entire opposition (to Awami League) space.

But now other players are coming in. 

On February 28, a large number of students gathered in front of the Parliament in Dhaka, waving the national flag, sporting bandanas and headbands in the flag’s colours, green and red, ahead of the launch of a new party Jatiyo Nagarik Party (JNP).

In English it's also called ---- National Citizen Party (NCP). Yunus is the mentor behind it but he has not joined the new outfit yet. 

The students were all supporters of the Students Against Discrimination that spearheaded a protest in 2024 demanding reservation in government jobs. Last year’s protest snowballed into a people’s insurrection and led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

On the political front, Yunus's reliance on village-level committees and conservative networks risks hardening into ultra-nationalist tendencies.  The Jamaat group is also a party to keep watch.  

In what reveals the power and confidence gained by Islamists in Bangladesh, several Islamic hardline parties in May this year (before Operation SIndoor against India) warned the Muhammed Yunus-led interim government against implementing the proposals of a women's reforms commission. 

One of the Islamist groups said the leaders wouldn't get even "five minutes to escape", an allusion to the 45 minutes that Sheikh Hasina got to leave Bangladesh.

May 1, 2025 -- Bangladesh Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman addressed a seminar against women's reforms proposals. 

 

Now, back to square one and beyond.

Political ambition has been something very close to Yunus's heart.

When Muhammad Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for pioneering microfinance through the Grameen Bank, he announced the launch of Nagarik Shakti (Citizens’ Power) - in 2007 - a political platform that promised to connect villages with the national decision-making process. 

The initiative failed to gain traction.

India Games !!

India's new import rules (in 2025) sharply limit Bangladesh's access through Northeast land ports, forcing key goods onto restricted sea routes. The move comes after Bangladesh imposed similar restrictions on Indian goods. 

Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said Bangladesh’s restrictive trade policies are not only straining bilateral ties, but also undermining its own economic interests.  

India’s decision has affected over $770 million worth of imports, roughly about 42% of all goods shipped from Bangladesh. Ready-made garments alone made up $660 million last year. Those will now only be allowed through Kolkata and Nhava Sheva ports, effectively shutting land routes via the Northeast. 

In June this year I interacted with a Hindu Awami League leader (reportedly hiding). 

To a question in responded in a choked voice - "Under the situation... the US, the global community and India can do a lot to help Bangladesh and its people ..and can do everything. 

But what India wants to do is strictly India's decision".

Of course, either Bangladeshis or Indians -- the contemporary setting and political uncertainty in Dhaka is a "serious threat" to the entire South Asia.

Post Modi-Xi Jinping renewed friendship or so -- we have to wait for a while to 'examine' what are the developments that will unfold. 

For Yunus being sworn in as interim head was a a national gamble.

Yunus entered politics not as a career politician but as an economist with a reformist image.  But he intents on reviving his long-dormant political ambition. The army chief is aware of it and so are the US, China and of course India.

Having said all these - we may also state - India and China may act this time jointly or in mutual understanding. The American 'deep state' committed to games linked to Christianity ought to be countered.

ends