Overview

• President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington, again said he halted fighting between India and Pakistan by using trade leverage and invoked Nobel Prize-worthy achievements.
• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh mocked Narendra Modi, saying Trump's 'friend in Washington DC' has 'stolen his thunder' with what he called the 42nd such claim.
• Ramesh urged Modi to address the asserted mediation claim, the steep new U.S. H-1B application fee said to hit Indian professionals, and tariffs he warned could harm farmers and workers.
• India's established position is that the May ceasefire followed direct military-to-military talks without third-party mediation.
• The Prime Minister's Office has not disclosed the topic of Modi's 5 pm national address, which comes on the eve of Navratri and alongside revised GST rates taking effect.