Jammu & Kashmir After Article 370: Integration, Infrastructure, And Investment

August 6, 2025

Six years after the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, J&K stands transformed – not just in its constitutional status, but in its developmental trajectory.

The decision taken on 5 August 2019, marked a watershed moment in India’s political history, ending decades of special status and ushering in a new era of integration, reform, and revitalisation for the region.

What followed was not merely administrative reconfiguration but a concerted effort to reimagine Jammu and Kashmir as a dynamic contributor to India’s growth story.

One of the most striking changes has been the expansion of physical connectivity. All-weather roads now traverse the mountainous terrain, linking remote valleys to urban centres.

Railway lines have reached Srinagar, and the Chenab Bridge, now the world’s tallest single-arch railway bridge, symbolises the region’s integration with the national grid. These infrastructural feats are more than engineering marvels; they are lifelines of commerce, mobility, and inclusion.

The economic indicators reflect this momentum. For the fiscal year 2025–26, the Union Territory’s budget allocation stands at Rs 41,000 crore, with Rs 9,325 crore dedicated to policing and security.

The Economic Survey Report for 2024–25 projects an 11.19 per cent rise in nominal Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), reaching Rs 2.65 lakh crore. Real GSDP is expected to touch Rs 1.45 lakh crore, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.89 per cent over the past decade. Per capita income is also on the rise, estimated to grow by 10.6 per cent to Rs 1,54,703 – an indicator of improving livelihoods.

Sectoral contributions to the GDP reveal a balanced economic structure; the primary sector contributes 20 per cent, the secondary 18.3 per cent, and the tertiary sector leads with 61.7 per cent.

Investment interest has surged, with over 8,500 applications proposing Rs 1.69 lakh crore in capital and employment opportunities for more than six lakh individuals. Land allotments under the Industrial Policy 2016–26 and the Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021–30 have facilitated industrial expansion, with 213 non-locals and 1,751 locals receiving plots for economic activity.

Entrepreneurship has emerged as a cornerstone of this transformation. The “Jammu Kashmir Konnect programme,” launched in January 2025, formalised a partnership between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute. The Startup Policy has already registered 988 ventures and conducted 601 awareness programmes across 20 districts, supported by incubators at IIT-Jammu, IIM-Jammu, and NIT-Srinagar.

A Rs 250 crore venture capital fund has further catalysed innovation in agri-tech, handicrafts, and digital services, a report published in The Geostrata magazine said.

Agriculture and horticulture have also seen renewed focus. The area under key horticulture crops has expanded by 10,000 hectares, and production has increased by 4.13 lakh metric tonnes. The Holistic Agriculture Development Plan envisions fruit cultivation across 50,000 hectares by 2047, aiming to boost rural incomes and diversify the agrarian economy.

Lavender farming under the Aroma Mission and integration of mandis into the electronic National Agricultural Market (e-NAM) have brought transparency and profitability to farmers. Tourism, long considered the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, has experienced a dramatic resurgence.

In 2024, tourism contributed 7 per cent to the Union Territory’s GSDP, amounting to Rs 18,550 crore in nominal terms and Rs 10,150 crore in real terms. The government has allocated Rs 390 crore for tourism capital expenditure in 2026, with non-tax revenue from the sector expected to double from Rs 50 crore in 2025 to Rs 100 crore in 2026.

The administration’s tourism policy, launched in 2020, aims to generate 50,000 jobs annually and attract Rs 2,000 crore in investment each year. In 2024, a record 2.36 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir.

Air connectivity has expanded significantly, with Indian Airlines operating 4,300 flights to Srinagar between April and June 2025 – an increase of 12 per cent over 2024 and 21 per cent over 2023. Srinagar’s recognition as a UNESCO “World Craft City” and the successful hosting of the G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting have elevated the region’s global profile.

Gulmarg remains a major attraction, with its Gondola ride drawing over 7.68 lakh visitors in 2024 and generating Rs 103 crore in revenue. The ski resort has hosted four editions of the Khelo India Winter Games, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for adventure tourism.

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden also broke records, welcoming over 6.71 lakh visitors in just 20 days after its opening in March 2025. Srinagar’s first international marathon in October 2024 added another feather to the cap, with 2,005 participants and Rs 39.26 lakh in registration fees.

Infrastructure development has been central to this transformation. The Valley is witnessing a highway renaissance, with 47 projects spanning 810 km and Rs 41,735 crore in investment reshaping its terrain. The rollout of wayside amenities, including EV charging stations and rest areas, signals a future-ready approach to mobility.

Railway expansion, including the electrification of the Baramulla–Sangaldan line and the inauguration of the Banihal–Sangaldan stretch, has further enhanced connectivity. Education and healthcare have not lagged.

The IIM Jammu campus, three IITs, and dozens of Navodaya and Kendriya Vidyalayas reflect a commitment to nurturing talent. AIIMS Jammu, operational since August 2024, and the upcoming AIIMS Awantipora promise world-class medical care within the Valley.

Under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY SEHAT, over 21 lakh golden cards have been issued, providing free health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year. Together, these developments reflect a region in transition – not just politically, but economically and socially.

The abrogation of Article 370 catalysed a shift from isolation to integration, from stagnation to growth. Jammu and Kashmir is no longer defined solely by its past; it is shaping a future rooted in opportunity, inclusion, and resilience.

From the quiet waters of Dal Lake to the heights of the Chenab Bridge, the region now stands poised – not just for development, but for dignity and lasting peace.

-IANS

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WB CM Mamata Banerjee Claims ‘SIR’ Exercise Is Backdoor Attempt To Impose NRC In State

The Commune

August 6, 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, on Tuesday, reiterated her allegation that the BJP-led Union government wants to impose the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal through Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

“A plan to slap NRC is being hatched in the name of conducting SIR. Ensure that your name is on the voter’s list. Every individual must have his name on the voter’s list. If anyone’s name is excluded, then bring it to the notice of the concerned authorities. We will stand by those people. We will not tolerate if people are sent to Bangladesh after deleting their names from voters’ list. Indian citizens shouldn’t be branded as Bangladeshis,” Banerjee said.

Speaking to media persons after visiting flood-affected areas in Ghatal of West Midnapore district, the Chief Minister also added that it was the Election Commission of India that planned the idea of the EPIC card.

“Who came up with Aadhaar cards? Crores of rupees were spent to make these cards. Why won’t these cards, along with ration cards, be considered proof of citizenship? It is a planned game by the BJP government at the Centre with the help of the ECI. We do not tolerate this,” CM Banerjee said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister once again criticised the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for releasing its water to West Bengal and vowed to erect a dam and channel the water back to Jharkhand after coming to power post the 2026 state Assembly polls.

“I come to Ghatal every time. This place witnesses floods everywhere. This time, the DVC has broken all records by releasing water. They do not dredge there. They have not dredged for 20 years. When it rains, water is released into Bengal. After the 2026 state Assembly polls, we will plan how to stop the release of water. It will cost money. But we will also build a dam and then release it somewhere else. We are fed up with taking this pain. This time we will also make a game plan,” CM Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister also hit out at the Union government for its alleged step-motherly attitude towards Bengal.

“Earlier, the Union government used to give money to prevent the erosion of the Ganges. Now we have to do everything by ourselves. I have been telling the Union government about the Ghatal Master Plan for a long time. They have not done anything. It was supposed to be done by them. But we have already made a plan worth Rs 1,500 crore. The work has started. More work will be done after the monsoon season. A committee has been formed,” she said.

She again criticised the BJP for its stance on the Bengali language and Bengali migrant workers. “Now they (BJP) are saying that Bengali is not a language. Instead, they are demanding that I (Chief Minister) be arrested under the National Security Act for raising these questions. I am speaking in Bengali again. How dare they say that there is no language called Bengali,” she said.

Earlier on Tuesday, CM Banerjee said that West Bengal has registered a 12 per cent year-on-year growth in gross GST collections for July 2025.

In a social media post, CM Banerjee said the state collected Rs 5,895 crore in GST revenue last month, up from Rs 5,257 crore in July 2024. “Glad to share that West Bengal has reported a robust 12 per cent year-on-year growth in gross GST collections for July 2025, recording a collection of Rs 5,895 crore, compared to Rs 5,257 crore in the same month last year, according to provisional figures just released by the Union government,” she said.

“Cumulative growth rate in our state’s GST revenue till July is 7.71 per cent. This marks a steady improvement in business and consumption in West Bengal, which is a sign of good economic health,” CM Banerjee added.

-IANS

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Trump’s Tariff Threats Risk Undoing 25 Years Of India-US Progress, Says Report

The Commune

August 6, 2025

trump russia ceasefire pakistan oil threat tariff

With his actions in the recent weeks, US President Donald Trump is now in the process of tanking the India-US relationship built over 25 years. His actions will affect the bilateral ties after more than 20 years of bipartisan effort to transform the relationship between India and the US, including during his own first term, US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace detailed in a report on Tuesday.

Trump has threatened to substantially raise tariffs on India and impose more for buying oil from Russia. In a post shared on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits.” “They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” he stated.

In the Carnegie report, Evan Feigenbaum stated that Trump’s decision will be considered by India as “blunt coercion, gross interference in Indian foreign policy, impractical given India’s oil import needs, and a cynical effort to ‘blame India’ for the West’s (and Trump’s own) collective failure to get Moscow to stop its war on Ukraine”.

Trump had even threatened to impose additional tariffs on India for its participation in the BRICS grouping alongside Brazil, China, Russia, South Africa, and others. Analysts reckon Trump’s this decision also as gross interference and coercive. Trump has criticised and threatened US firms that manufacture in India while encouraging them to invest in the US or face financial penalties.

His statements have sharpened the contradiction between Trump’s “America First” and Modi’s “Make in India” visions, according to the report. US President’s meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir at the White House within weeks of terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the decision to jointly explore Pakistan’s oil reserves has also set alarm bells ringing.

“Trump’s fulsome praise for Islamabad and dealmaking with Pakistan’s army and government now raise obvious concerns in New Delhi that this too has gone by the wayside. And these concerns have been amplified exponentially because Trump’s moves came within weeks of the April 22 terrorist attack that killed twenty-six Indian civilians in Pahalgam and led to a new outbreak of hostilities between the two countries,” the report detailed.

It stated that the US administration under Trump has continued to promote a new American technonationalism, wherein technology sharing with foreigners is seen with skepticism. Some around Trump want to keep American technology close to home while reducing exports and co-innovation with foreign partners, as per the report.

For the first time in 20 years, Trump’s actions, statements and coercive tone has made ties with the US a combustible domestic political issue in India, it added. The opposition, the media, and the people in India have urged government to avoid showing weakness in the face of Trump’s threats.

Issues that directly affect India are among the most partisan and explosive in the US, including H1B visas for tech workers, offshoring and overseas manufacturing by US companies, immigration and deportation and technology sharing and co-innovation with foreigners, the report said.

This seems to be a bad sign for the next 20 years of US-India ties as overcoming domestic politics and partisanship has been perhaps the achievement since the first decade of the 2000s.

-IANS

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Myth Busted: India Is Not The ‘Tariff King’ Trump Claims – Weighted Tariffs Lower Than EU And Vietnam

The Commune

August 6, 2025

While US President Donald Trump has labelled India as a “tariff king”, the claim doesn’t hold up against actual trade data and global comparisons with other nations. While India’s simple average tariff is approximately 15.98 per cent, the trade-weighted average, which better reflects the duties actually applied on traded goods, is only 4.6 per cent, as per World Bank data, much lower than what is commonly believed.

Trade-weighted average tariffs measure the actual duties paid based on trade volume. This means that most of India’s high tariffs apply to sectors with low import volumes, such as agriculture or automobiles.

In contrast, the bulk of US exports to India – pharmaceuticals, energy products, machinery, and chemicals – face much lower duties, typically 5-8 per cent, as per official data.

A significant portion of India’s imports enter duty-free, thanks to various schemes like Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In FY 2023-24, India imported over $42.2 billion worth of goods from the US.

Nearly 75 per cent of this trade came from only 100 key product categories, and most of these faced low or minimal tariffs. For example, for crude oil and LNG, the import duty of Rs. 1.1 per tonne and 2.75 per cent accounts for 18.25 per cent of US imports to India. In industrial machinery, a tariff of 7.5 per cent makes up 9.75 per cent of imports.

Coal, with a 5 per cent duty, contributes 8.8 per cent of imports, and medical equipment has duties between 5 per cent and 7.5 per cent, with a 4.6 per cent import share. Aircraft and parts carry a low tariff of 2.5 per cent, constituting 3 per cent of total imports and fertilisers with a tariff ranging from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent make up 1 per cent of imports, as per official data.

When stacked against other countries, both developed and developing, India’s tariffs are far from extreme, sources say. India’s weighted average is just 4.6 per cent, which is lower than Vietnam (5.1 per cent) and Indonesia (5.7 per cent) and is nearly equal to the European Union (5 per cent). In 1990, India’s average tariff was as high as 80.9 per cent.

Following economic reforms in the early 1990s, tariffs were gradually reduced, falling to 33 per cent by 1999. By 2023, India’s simple average tariff dropped further to 15.98 per cent, while the trade-weighted average stood at 4.6 per cent. India’s regulatory and safety standards are generally less restrictive than those of countries like the EU, Japan, or China.

On the other hand, the US itself imposes very high duties on several important products. These tariffs, many exceeding 100 per cent, are applied across a range of products, including dairy, agriculture, textiles, and autos, reflecting deep-rooted domestic concerns similar to those seen in countries like India.

-IANS

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“Are People Of Tamil Nadu So Naive?” Asks Madras High Court On Madurai Adheenam Head’s Alleged “Inflammatory” Remarks

The Commune

August 5, 2025

madurai aadheenam adheenam accident madras high court

The Madras High Court on Tuesday strongly criticised the Madurai Adheenam for making what it termed “unnecessary” and provocative remarks by claiming that a minor road accident involving his vehicle was an assassination attempt, allegedly carried out by men wearing skull caps and sporting beards, and possibly linked to Pakistan.

Hearing a petition seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) registered against the ascetic Harihara Gnanasambanda Desigar, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy questioned the inflammatory nature of the statements.

“Are the people of Tamil Nadu so naive to get provoked by ‘unnecessary’ remarks made by Madurai Adheenam who had termed a minor road accident as an alleged assassination attempt against him, suspected involvement of Pakistan and claimed that the alleged assassins were wearing skull caps and sporting beards?” the judge asked.

The petition was filed to quash an FIR registered by the cyber crime wing of Greater Chennai City Police, based on a complaint from advocate R. Rajendiran. The FIR, dated June 24, invoked multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause rioting), 196(1)(a) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief), and 353(2) (making false statements to create communal enmity).

The court viewed CCTV footage of the May 2 incident, played on a tablet by Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) R. Muniyapparaj, and noted that it was in fact the Adheenam’s vehicle that appeared to have been driven rashly.

“A major accident had been averted because of the sagacity of the other car driver who had pulled the brakes at the right moment,” the judge observed.

Continuing his sharp remarks, Justice Chakravarthy questioned the communal tone of the allegations made by the petitioner. “Merely because the occupants of the other car were Muslims, the petitioner appears to have escalated the issue. Are they not your brethren? Are they also not as much Indian as you are?” he asked the Adheenam’s counsel, Ramaswamy Meyyappan.

In defence, Meyyappan argued that the petitioner had been prompted to speak by mediapersons at a private event in Chennai and had not explicitly named any religion in his remarks. He also pointed out that the FIR was registered nearly two months after the statements were allegedly made.

However, APP Muniyapparaj contended that multiple protests had erupted across Tamil Nadu in response to the Adheenam’s remarks and that the offences committed were cognisable. He added that several private complaints had also been filed.

The judge, while not dismissing the seriousness of the allegations entirely, expressed concern about the allocation of police resources. He stated that such resources could be more effectively used to investigate serious criminal cases.

Justice Chakravarthy granted the police time until August 14 to file a counter-affidavit in response to the quash petition.

Separately, the police have reportedly urged the court to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to the Madurai Adheenam in this case.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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Protests Erupt In Tamil Nadu Against Vijay Deverakonda’s Film ‘Kingdom’ Over Alleged Anti-Tamil Content

The Commune

August 5, 2025

Protests broke out in Tamil Nadu against the recently-released Telugu film ‘Kingdom’, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and starring Vijay Deverakonda in the lead role. The film, which was released worldwide on 31 July 2025, has sparked controversy for allegedly portraying Sri Lankan Tamils in a negative light and naming the antagonist after the Tamil deity Murugan.

The film features Vijay Deverakonda alongside Bhagyashree, Satyadev, and several other actors. However, the content has triggered outrage among Tamil nationalist groups, particularly Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), who have accused the film-makers of hurting Tamil sentiments. NTK cadres have alleged that ‘Kingdom’ depicts Sri Lankan Tamils as villains and have taken strong objection to the antagonist being named after Lord Murugan, a revered deity among Tamils.

The party claims the portrayal is not only insensitive but also aimed at maligning the identity and history of the Tamil people. In response, NTK members staged protests outside various theatres across Tamil Nadu, demanding a ban on the screening of the film in the state.

In Ramanathapuram, tensions escalated when NTK cadres attempted to block the screening of the film at a local theatre. Protesters surrounded the venue, raising slogans and demanding an immediate halt to the show. The situation turned tense when police personnel intervened to disperse the crowd. A scuffle reportedly broke out between the police and NTK members, resulting in a brief standoff.

Additional forces were deployed to the area to bring the situation under control. While the police managed to restore order, the atmosphere in Ramanathapuram remains tense, with heavy deployment of security around the theatres screening the film. No reports of injuries have emerged so far, though authorities remain on high alert to prevent further escalation.

Meanwhile, Naam Tamilar Katchi has reiterated its demand for the Tamil Nadu government to ban the film, accusing it of promoting anti-Tamil narratives and disrespecting cultural sentiments. Political observers believe the controversy is likely to gain further traction unless the filmmakers or the censor board issue clarifications addressing the concerns.

-IANS

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Uttarakhand Cloudburst: 150 Army Personnel Deployed In Dharali Rescue

The Commune

August 5, 2025

A devastating cloudburst struck the Dharali area near Harsil in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday afternoon, triggering flash floods and landslides that caused widespread destruction in the region.

Following the calamity, the Indian Army mounted a prompt and large-scale rescue operation to assist the affected civilians. The landslide occurred around 1:45 PM near Dharali village, just 4 km from the Indian Army camp at Harshil.

Within ten minutes of the incident, the Army mobilised 150 personnel to the disaster site. Rescue teams immediately began evacuating trapped villagers and providing critical assistance on the ground. So far, between 15 and 20 individuals have been rescued and evacuated safely.

The injured were promptly transported to the Army’s medical facility in Harshil for urgent treatment. Army officials confirmed that search and rescue efforts are still underway, with all available resources being deployed to locate and assist any remaining stranded civilians.

In a statement, the Indian Army said, “The situation is under continuous monitoring, and the Indian Army remains fully committed to providing all possible assistance to the affected civilians.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to the social media platform X to express his concern and share updates.

“I spoke with the Uttarakhand Chief Minister regarding the flash flood in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Three nearby ITBP teams have been dispatched, and four NDRF teams are also en route to begin rescue operations.” Uttarakhand Police stated in a public advisory, said that due to the rising water levels in Kheer Gadh in Dharali, Uttarkashi, reports of damage have been received in the Dharali market area.

“Police, Fire department, SDRF and Army, along with other disaster relief and rescue teams, are engaged in relief and rescue operations at the scene,” the police said. Authorities have urged locals to maintain a safe distance from the riverbanks and ensure the safety of children and livestock.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called the situation “extremely sad and distressing” and said relief operations are underway on a war footing.

“The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing,” CM Dhami said in a post on X.

“I am in constant contact with senior officials, and the situation is being closely monitored. I pray to God for everyone’s safety,” he added. While official confirmation on casualties remains awaited, the search for the missing is ongoing.

-IANS

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MSME Boost, Women Empowerment & Skilling At Heart Of India’s Growth Plan

The Commune

August 5, 2025

India has remained the fastest-growing major economy, averaging over 7 per cent GDP growth between 2014 and 2025 (excluding the Covid years) and in a global environment marked by protectionism, sustaining 7–8 per cent growth requires a sharp focus on domestic growth drivers, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

“To this end, the Government remains committed to a strategy centred on deregulation, infrastructure investment and MSME development; enhancing female labour force participation; skilling the workforce to harness the demographic dividend; and accelerating digitalisation to boost financial inclusion and formalisation,” Minister of State for Statistics & Programme Implementation, Rao Inderjit Singh, said in the Rajya Sabha.

These efforts — reinforced by Centre–State coordination and institutional strengthening — are designed to unlock productivity, attract private investment, and drive inclusive, innovation-led, and resilient growth, he said.

The government has adopted a range of strategies to mitigate potential risks and leverage emerging opportunities, with a focus on strengthening domestic capacities, promoting exports, diversifying supply chains, exploring alternative import sources, and enhancing overall economic resilience, he explained. The minister pointed out that India’s demographic dividend, driven by a growing working-age population, presents a crucial opportunity to boost GDP growth.

The working age population is projected to rise from 735 million in 2011 to 988.5 million in 2036. The current working age population is 64.2 per cent, and for the next 10 years, the favourable demographics will remain approximately at 65 per cent.

To harness its demographic dividend, the government is strengthening education, healthcare and skill development, while prioritising employment generation in labour-intensive sectors and increasing women’s workforce participation. Programmes like Mission Shakti, Namo Drone Didi, and Lakhpati Didi aim to enhance women’s economic empowerment.

Complementing these efforts, the Make in India initiative seeks to revitalise manufacturing, generate large-scale employment, especially for semi-skilled and unskilled workers, the minister said. These key initiatives and policy measures include the Foreign Trade Policy, effective from April 1, 2023, and are designed to integrate India more effectively into the global market, improve trade competitiveness, and establish the country as a reliable and trusted trade partner.

Various tax incentives to promote labour-intensive exports, such as textiles, have also been undertaken. For the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products, there is a budget allocation of Rs 18,232.50 crore for FY 2025-26, the minister pointed out.

The District Export Hubs initiative had also been launched by identifying products with export potential in each district, addressing bottlenecks for exporting these products and supporting local exporters/manufacturers to generate employment in the district, the minister added.

-IANS

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“Sovereign Nations Must Have The Right To Choose Their Trading Partners,” Russia Defends India’s Oil Imports Amid Trump’s Tariff Threat

The Commune

August 5, 2025

India-Russia Ties So Strong That PM Modi Would Understand Me Without Translation: Putin

Russia on Tuesday backed India and while criticising US President Donald Trump over his threats to increase tariffs on New Delhi for buying oil from Moscow, saying that “sovereign nations must have the right to choose their trading partners.”

Speaking at a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Russian President’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has noted the US threats against India and does not consider them to be legitimate. He emphasised that nations should have the right to choose the trading partners based on their own interests.

“Russia notes US threats against India but does not consider such statements to be legitimate. Sovereign countries must have and have the right to choose their own trading partners, partners in trade and economic cooperation, and to choose those trade and economic cooperation regimes that are in the interests of a particular country,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Russia’s state-owned news agency TASS.

The Kremlin’s reaction came after Trump threatened to substantially raise tariffs on India for purchasing oil from Russia. “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA,” he added.

After Trump threatened to impose hefty tariffs on New Delhi, the Indian government on Monday said that the targeting of the country by the US over Russian oil purchase is unjustified and unreasonable.

A statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson said that like any major economy, “India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security”.

According to the government, India has been targetted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict.

“In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability,” the Centre emphasised.

“India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the government highlighted.

According to the Indian government, the European Union in 2024 had a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023.

“This is significantly more than India’s total trade with Russia that year or subsequently. European imports of LNG in 2024, in fact, reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, surpassing the last record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022. Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment,” said the official statement.

The government further stated that as far as the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals.

“In this background, the targetting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the MEA statement stressed.

-IANS

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China Supplied Missile Battery Components To Iran In Exchange for Oil During Israel Conflict Says Report

The Commune

August 5, 2025

China, which has for long claimed of having a “noninterference” foreign policy and not providing direct military assistance to nations engaged in conflict, reportedly supplied batteries for surface-to-air missiles to Iran in exchange for oil during the recent conflict with Israel, a new report has cited.

This comes after Beijing is already facing heat for its alleged involvement in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and backing Pakistan in its conflict with India in May following the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

“As an expert specializing in China’s grand strategy, I think it is highly possible that China would offer Iran military support while denying it publicly. Such plausible deniability would allow Beijing to assert military influence and showcase some of its hardware, while deflecting international criticism and preserving diplomatic flexibility,” Linggong Kong, a leading researcher on international relations and China’s grand strategy, wrote in ‘One World Outlook’.

“But the tactic works only so far. As indirect evidence accumulates, as many suggest it is, such covert action may gradually develop into an open secret – leading to what scholars term ‘implausible deniability’, where denial is no longer credible even if it is still officially maintained,” he added.

Shattering Beijing’s claims of not providing arms to any party involved in a war, the writer emphasised that while the Chinese Embassy in Israel has denied the reports of military connection with Tehran stating that China opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and does not export arms to countries at war, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to issue an official statement on the alleged transfer.

The report highlighted that China has quietly supported Russia during its ongoing war with Ukraine even though it claims of being neutral since the conflict began in 2022. The ‘One World Outlook’ report detailed that China has reportedly provided large quantities of dual-use goods – goods that can be used for civilian and military purposes to Russia to enhance its offensive and defensive capabilities and boost China’s military-industrial production.

China has also allegedly supplied satellite imagery to assist Russia amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. Beijing, the report mentioned, presented itself as a neutral party in the India-Pakistan conflict too and called for restraint on both sides. “But in practice, China is allied with Pakistan. And the direct military support it has provided to Lahore appears driven by China’s desire to curb India’s regional influence, counterbalance the growing US–India strategic partnership and protect the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, a massive bilateral infrastructure project,” it said.

Similarly, China and Iran signed a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement that covered trade, energy and security, showcasing the strategic value that Beijing places on Tehran.

“From Beijing’s perspective, Tehran presents a counterbalance to the influence of the US and its allies – especially Israel and Saudi Arabia – in the region and helps divert Western resources and attention away from China,” the report mentioned.

-IANS

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