Overview
- Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not rebutting Trump’s latest remarks, calling it the 56th such claim.
- India’s stated position remains that the May ceasefire followed a hotline conversation between the two countries’ DGMOs, not external mediation.
- Trump told audiences in South Korea and Japan that he leveraged trade to halt fighting, praised Modi as tough, and lauded Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir.
- Tariffs of up to 50% on certain Indian goods, including a 25% penalty linked to Russian oil purchases, continue to frame the talks Washington says are progressing.
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal signaled a potential commercial timeline, saying a mutually beneficial deal could be concluded in November or December.