Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani separatist and fugitive attorney, held a press briefing outside St. Lucie County Jail (Florida) to defend Harjinder Singh, a Punjab-origin truck driver accused of causing a fatal crash via an illegal U-turn on August 12. Singh, who’s been living and working illegally in the U.S., faces three counts of vehicular homicide. At the rally, Pannun expressed sympathy, calling Singh “grieving” and wishing the tragedy hadn’t occurred, while accusing critics of politicizing the incident. An online petition supporting Singh has garnered some 1.6 million signatures. India regards Pannun as a terrorist. (PC: Reuters)

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that “somebody is not very happy with you” over the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods. Rabuka added, “But then you are big enough to weather those discomforts” during a meeting in New Delhi. He noted that U.S. President Donald Trump recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods, including extra duties on Russian crude purchases. Rabuka highlighted India’s role in his 'Ocean of Peace' vision for a stable and secure Pacific region. India and Fiji agreed to boost defence, trade, health, and digital ties. (PC: The Hindu)

An Indian travel vlogger, known as Roaming with Vinu, recently went viral for offering the iconic Indian sweet rasgulla to members of Africa’s Hadzabe tribe in Tanzania for the first time. Upon tasting the syrupy dessert served in a traditional clay cup, one tribe member’s exuberant reaction—joyfully dancing and celebrating the sweetness—captivated audiences worldwide. The Instagram video of the moment accumulated over 3 million views and 185,000 likes, resonating broadly for its heartwarming cross-cultural connection. The footage showcases not just culinary discovery, but the universal language of shared joy.  

A Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) report claims U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to contact Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi four times via phone, but the calls went unanswered—highlighting growing friction between the two leaders over trade policy. FAZ suggests Modi’s silence signals both deep irritation and strategic caution, particularly in response to U.S. demands for Indian market access and Trump's aggressive tariff posture. India has not publicly commented. The gambit reflects an escalating diplomatic standoff, with India pushing back on pressure tactics and asserting its autonomy in foreign policy. (PC: Reuters)  

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated claims during a White House meeting that he personally intervened to avert a potential nuclear clash between India and Pakistan earlier this year, by warning both countries of “tariffs so high, your head’s going to spin” if hostilities persisted. He recounted pressing Prime Minister Modi and Pakistani leaders, asserting that the threat prompted a rapid ceasefire within hours. India, however, dismissed the claim, stating the de-escalation was achieved through direct military diplomatic channels. The assertion comes amid escalating U.S.–India tensions marked by fresh tariff escalations and strained diplomatic ties. (PC: NDTV)

A German newspaper has reported that US President Donald Trump tried to call Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi four times in recent weeks, but Modi refused to speak. The report said this showed both Modi’s anger and caution after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, the highest after Brazil. Washington also penalized India for buying oil from Russia. Trump earlier called India’s economy “dead,” which Modi countered by saying India was moving towards being a top 3 economy. Analysts suggest Trump’s actions may push India closer to China as ties between New Delhi and Washington face strain. (PC: India Today)

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host more than 20 world leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China for the first time in over 7 years, while Russian President Vladimir Putin will also attend. The summit is seen as a strong show of Global South unity and a challenge to US influence. Experts say India and China may announce small steps to reduce border tensions. The European-Asian security bloc now has 10 members and continues to expand its influence. (PC: NDTV)

The U.S. is set to impose a 50% tariff on certain Indian products starting August 27, 2025, but exporters can avoid this duty if specific conditions are met. Goods must have been loaded onto vessels and in transit before the deadline, and they should be entered for consumption or withdrawn from U.S. warehouses by September 17, 2025. Additionally, importers are required to certify eligibility using HTSUS code 9903.01.85 to U.S. Customs. Meeting these criteria ensures Indian exports remain tariff-free, mitigating the impact of new trade restrictions. (PC: Bloomberg)

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Experts say the summit will focus on bloc expansion and act as a message to the United States, highlighting a shift toward a multipolar world order. Analysts suggest India and China may announce troop withdrawals and ease trade restrictions. The summit is expected to project unity against US policies while also strengthening ties among member nations. (PC: India Today)

From August 27, 2025, the US will enforce steep new tariffs on Indian goods, doubling duties to 50% on several key sectors. The move, tied to Washington’s concerns over India’s surging Russian oil imports, threatens over 55% of India’s $87 billion exports to the US. Exporters warn shipments could drop 20–30% starting September, while the rupee and stock markets have already declined. New Delhi is preparing relief measures for exporters and urging diversification into China, Latin America, and the Middle East. Economists caution the tariffs could cut India’s annual GDP growth by 0.8 percentage points. (PC: Reuters)