Overview

• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described India as “a bit recalcitrant” in trade talks and warned that secondary tariffs or sanctions could rise if President Trump’s Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin fails to produce favourable outcomes.
• Congress MP Shashi Tharoor took to X to argue that it is better to be defiant than submissive when faced with injustice, turning Bessent’s jibe into a point of national pride.
• President Trump has imposed reciprocal duties totalling 50% on Indian imports, including a 25% levy on New Delhi’s discounted Russian oil purchases effective August 27.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the duties as “unjustified and unreasonable” and pledged to take all necessary measures to safeguard the country’s economic security and national interests.
• A sixth round of bilateral trade talks is scheduled to begin in New Delhi on August 25, but negotiators warn that progress may depend on developments in energy ties and US–Russia diplomacy.