American economist Richard Wolff said the United States is “shooting itself in the foot” by imposing 50% tariffs on Indian exports. Speaking to TV host Rick Sanchez, he warned that Washington’s move will only push India towards other markets and strengthen the BRICS bloc. Sanchez called the tariff decision a “world-changing” moment, saying historians will note the shift. Wolff added that India, now the world’s most populous country, is not a small player the US can pressure. He argued that shutting India out will accelerate BRICS’ rise as a powerful economic counterweight to the West. (PC: X)

Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro has criticised India over its ties with Russia and China. “India, you are getting in bed with authoritarians. China invaded Aksai Chin and all your territory. They are not your friends,” Navarro told Bloomberg TV. He also claimed the Ukraine conflict is “Modi’s war”, adding, “The road to peace runs, in part, through New Delhi.” Navarro accused India of feeding Russia’s war machine by buying discounted oil and selling it abroad. He said US tariffs on India, now at 50%, will be lifted only if New Delhi stops importing Russian crude. (PC: Reuters)

India plans to increase imports of Russian oil in September by 10–20% compared to August, traders told Reuters. Russia has cut prices after drone strikes damaged its refineries, making crude cheaper. India imported about 1.5 million barrels per day of Russian oil in the first 20 days of August. Russian crude now makes up 40% of India’s total oil needs. The US has raised tariffs on Indian exports like garments and jewellery to 50%, partly over these energy ties. Indian officials say Russian oil helps keep prices stable and will remain vital unless global trade rules change. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Japan and China from August 29. He will attend the India-Japan Annual Summit in Tokyo with Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba. This will be Modi’s eighth visit to Japan. From August 31 to September 1, Modi will be in Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Over 20 world leaders and 10 global bodies will join. Leaders include Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif. Modi is expected to hold talks with Xi and Putin on the sidelines of the summit. (PC: Reuters)

India has appointed senior diplomat Dinesh K Patnaik as the new High Commissioner to Canada, nine months after withdrawing its envoy amid tensions. Patnaik, a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently India’s Ambassador to Spain and has served in Beijing, Dhaka, Vienna, Geneva, Morocco, and Cambodia. His appointment comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney met at the G7 summit in Alberta, signaling a thaw in relations. Ties had soured following Canada’s allegations over the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, which India strongly denied. (PC: News18)

U.S. House Democrats have sharply criticized President Trump for imposing steep 50% tariffs on Indian imports over its Russian oil purchases, while sparing China, Russia’s largest energy buyer from similar penalties. The move, they argue, undermines two decades of bipartisan U.S.-India ties and “hurts Americans.” The new tariffs, which double earlier levies, are expected to impact $48.2 billion in Indian exports, risking job losses and economic slowdown. India has refused to yield, citing sovereignty. Pharmaceuticals and electronics have been exempted for now. Trade negotiations remain stalled, with the U.S. demanding greater access to India’s agriculture and dairy sectors amid rising geopolitical tensions. (PC: Responsible Statecraft)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day visit to Japan on August 29 for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with PM Shigeru Ishiba. Key agenda items include Quad cooperation, regional security, defence collaboration, and expanding bullet train projects beyond Mumbai-Ahmedabad. Modi will tour Tokyo Electron and the Tohoku Shinkansen plant, with discussions on procuring E10 bullet trains. Japan plans to invest ¥10 trillion ($68 billion) in India across eight sectors, including AI and semiconductors. An AI cooperation initiative and increased Indian tech workforce in Japan are also on the table. Modi’s visit precedes the SCO Summit in China, where he may meet Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin amid rising U.S. tariff tensions. (PC: Prime Minister’s Office Of Japan & ANI)

A tragic mass shooting unfolded at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on August 27, 2025, when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire during a morning Mass, killing two children and injuring 17 others. Armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol, Westman fired through stained-glass windows before dying by suicide in the parking lot. Authorities recovered disturbing weapons inscribed with messages like “Kill Trump” and “Nuke India,” and are investigating a manifesto and videos linked to the suspect. The FBI has classified the attack as a hate crime and act of domestic terrorism targeting Catholics. Westman, who had legally changed names and gender identity in 2020, was not previously known to law enforcement. President Trump ordered flags at half-staff nationwide in mourning. (PC: The New York Post & NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a strategic eastward tour, visiting Japan and China amid escalating U.S. tariffs. After attending the India-Japan Annual Summit with PM Shigeru Ishiba, Modi will join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, alongside leaders including Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, and China’s Xi Jinping. The visit comes as the U.S. doubles tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, citing oil trade with Russia. Modi aims to strengthen regional ties and launch initiatives to build “greater resilience.” India and China are also working to ease trade barriers and resume direct flights. A potential Modi-Putin bilateral meeting remains under discussion. (PC: Deccan Herald & Reuters)

Bihar has been placed on high alert following intelligence reports of three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists infiltrating India via Kathmandu, Nepal. The infiltration reportedly occurred on August 15, coinciding with India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations. Authorities are intensifying surveillance and security measures across the state in response to the threat. The terrorists, linked to the Pakistan-based militant group, are believed to have entered Indian territory with unknown intentions, prompting swift action from law enforcement agencies. The alert has triggered coordination between central and state security forces to prevent any potential incidents. Further details are awaited as investigations continue into the nature and scope of the infiltration. (PC: Daily Excelsior & Project Gecko)