India-US trade deal stalemate continues, talks to resume in August: Sources
Talks hit a snag after India drew a red line and refused to yield to US demands on agricultural access, particularly in the dairy sector, which employs more than 80 million Indians, many of them smallholder farmers.Sources previously said that while the two countries were close to sealing a deal by the end of June, discussions fell apart before the July 9 deadline set by Trump. India's stand on protecting its dairy sector was a key reason the talks failed to cross the finish line.Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly claimed that the BTA with India is almost done deal. Yet, he has also warned of sweeping new tariffs on imports from multiple countries, including members of the Brics bloc, of which India is a member.Last week, the US President reiterated that Brics nations could face 10 per cent tariffs if they dare to go the de-dollarization way. He also warned of 100 per cent duties on Russian goods and hinted at slapping secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil. India, the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, could be majorly impacted if such measures are enforced.While at least 14 countries have received formal notices from Washington about impending tariffs ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent, India has not received such a letter. This has given hope that negotiations are still alive, albeit under growing pressure.The outcome of the August round of talks may determine whether India can avoid punishing tariffs as high as 500 per cent and secure a long-pending trade pact with Washington, one that has remained elusive despite repeated assurances from both governments.- Ends
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump to pull US out of UNESCO again, citing bias toward Palestine and China: ‘Totally out-of-step'
The United States will again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), marking another reversal of President Joe Biden's multilateral approach, according to reports citing US and European officials. The move is part of President Donald Trump's renewed campaign to distance the US from international institutions he deems hostile or unaligned with American interests. 'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO — which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,' said White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly, as quoted by The New York Post. The administration cited the agency's pro-diversity, equity and inclusion policies, and a perceived bias in favor of Palestine and China. A White House official told the news outlet that UNESCO 'has leveraged its influence to advance global standards favorable to Beijing's interests' and 'force through anti-Israel and anti-Jewish actions.' UNESCO, headquartered in Paris, is best known for designating World Heritage Sites. However, US officials have objected to some recent listings, accusing the agency of politicising heritage by designating Jewish holy sites as 'Palestinian World Heritage.' This is not the first time the US has parted ways with the agency. The country first withdrew from UNESCO in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, citing mismanagement and anti-US bias. It rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush after reforms. Trump previously pulled the US out in 2017 on similar grounds, and Biden rejoined in 2021. The latest withdrawal comes as Trump reimplements a broader disengagement from global institutions. Since returning to the White House in 2025, Trump has already decided to quit the World Health Organization (WHO) and cut funding to the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA. 'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests,' Kelly added.
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Days after Trump claimed credit, Coca-Cola announces new cane sugar Coke. But classic recipe stays
Days after US President Donald Trump claimed he had convinced Coca-Cola to swap out high-fructose corn syrup for cane sugar, the company has confirmed it will release a new version of Coke made with US cane sugar—though its flagship product will remain unchanged. As per CNN, in its quarterly earnings report Tuesday, Coca-Cola said that as 'part of its ongoing innovation agenda,' it would launch a new cane sugar version of its cola in the fall, intended to 'complement the company's strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences.' Some regional versions of Coke, such as the Mexican variant, already use cane sugar. Last week, Trump posted on Truth Social that Coca-Cola had 'agreed' to use cane sugar in its colas. However, the company's announcement clarifies that the traditional Coke recipe sold in the US will continue to include high-fructose corn syrup. The move aligns with a broader push from Trump's Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has publicly railed against high-fructose corn syrup. As per a report by CNN, in a September appearance on Dr. Jordan Peterson's podcast, Kennedy called it a 'formula for making you obese and diabetic,' as part of his ongoing campaign to eliminate artificial and ultra-processed ingredients from American foods. High-fructose corn syrup has long been used in US-made Coca-Cola because of its low cost and abundance, especially compared to cane sugar. Health experts warn, however, that neither ingredient makes soda healthy. While cane sugar may seem more 'natural,' nutritionists continue to flag sugar-sweetened beverages as major contributors to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22 minutes ago
- First Post
Mohammad Hidayatullah: The only Indian vice-president who also officiated as President and CJI
As India's second-highest office falls vacant with the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, history recalls the only man to have held the top three read more In an unprecedented development in India's constitutional history, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation, citing health-related reasons. His exit from the second-highest constitutional office marks the first time a sitting vice president has voluntarily stepped down before completing the term. The resignation has created a temporary vacancy in the Rajya Sabha chair and prompted fresh discourse on constitutional succession. The Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed the resignation under Article 67A of the Indian Constitution, with immediate effect. Following the announcement in the Rajya Sabha by BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh assumed responsibility for chairing proceedings. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This development brings to mind a moment from 1969, when India faced a similar constitutional gap and a remarkable figure—Mohammad Hidayatullah—rose to fill it. A stalwart of the Indian judiciary and polity, Hidayatullah remains the only individual in Indian history to have held the offices of Chief Justice of India (CJI), Acting President, and Vice President. A star in the Indian judiciary Hidayatullah was elevated to the position of Chief Justice of India in February 1968, under Article 124 of the Constitution. He was the first Muslim to hold the post and earned respect for his sharp constitutional insights and erudition. Assuming the presidency in a time of crisis The summer of 1969 brought a constitutional conundrum. President Zakir Husain passed away in office and Vice-President VV Giri stepped in as acting president. However, when Giri resigned to contest the presidential election, both the top posts stood vacant. Under the provisions of Article 65 and the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969, Chief Justice Hidayatullah was called upon to act as the President of India from July 20 to August 24, 1969. This was a moment of historical significance. It was the first and only time the chief justice had to act as the president due to vacancies in both the president and vice-president's offices. The Constitution, in its foresight, allowed for such an eventuality, highlighting the depth and resilience of India's legal framework. Vice-presidential tenure After retiring from the judiciary, Hidayatullah remained an influential figure in public life. In 1979, he was elected unopposed as the sixth Vice President of India, serving until 1984. His election was guided by Articles 63 to 68 of the Constitution, which regulate the post. During his tenure, he again briefly served as 'Acting President' in 1982 when President Zail Singh was abroad, reiterating his unique role in India's constitutional machinery. Landmark judgments and legal philosophy Hidayatullah's legacy as a jurist is rich with landmark cases and scholarly judgments. In the Golaknath vs State of Punjab case, he opposed Parliament's unrestrained power to amend the Constitution, especially concerning Fundamental Rights. His judgment in Ranjit D Udeshi vs State of Maharashtra also set important boundaries around freedom of expression and obscenity laws. His opinions combined legal precision with literary elegance, reflecting his vast intellectual horizon. Beyond the courtroom Hidayatullah remains a towering figure whose constitutional journey is unmatched. His ability to serve in the judiciary's highest post, temporarily hold the presidency and later serve as vice president highlights the flexibility of India's constitutional provisions and the depth of leadership they can foster. At a moment when India's vice-president's office stands vacant, reflecting on Hidayatullah's legacy provides both historical perspective and institutional reassurance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
