China on Friday confirmed it welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the event will be “a gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results.” Modi’s trip may also include a Japan visit for a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This will be his first China visit since 2018, amid efforts to normalise ties after the 2020 Galwan clashes. Talks with President Xi Jinping could focus on LAC de-escalation, resuming flights, reopening border trade, and boosting people-to-people exchanges. (PC: HT)

India has temporarily paused its plans to procure advanced U.S. arms, including MQ-9 drones, following the Trump administration's re-imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods. The move, seen as a retaliation to protect U.S. manufacturing, has strained bilateral defense ties. Indian officials stated the pause is a strategic response, aimed at reassessing defense cooperation amid rising trade tensions. The $3 billion arms deal was expected to deepen Indo-U.S. military collaboration. Analysts believe this shift could affect future defense partnerships and reflects New Delhi's growing assertiveness in safeguarding its economic and strategic interests. (PC: Reuters)

Indian stock markets plunged to a three-month low as jitters over US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff hike on Indian goods rattled investor sentiment. The Sensex dropped 765.47 points to 79,857.79, while the Nifty fell 232.85 points to 24,363.30, marking the longest losing streak since April 2020. The sell-off wiped out ₹5 lakh crore in investor wealth in a single session. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded ₹4,997 crore worth of equities, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought ₹10,864 crore. The tariff hike, linked to India’s Russian oil imports, has heightened trade tensions. Realty, auto, and banking stocks led the decline, while NTPC, Titan, and ITC posted modest gains. (PC: BBC & Mint)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that the United States “got involved directly” to end the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan, crediting President Donald Trump for brokering peace. In an interview with EWTN’s The World Over, Rubio called Trump the “president of peace” and cited similar interventions in global conflicts including Cambodia-Thailand and DRC-Rwanda. India, however, firmly rejected the claim, stating that the ceasefire was achieved through direct military-level talks between the two nations without foreign mediation. Analysts suggest that Washington’s recent tariff hike on Indian exports may be linked to New Delhi’s refusal to endorse Trump’s narrative. India maintains its position, emphasizing sovereign decision-making in defense matters. (PC: News 18, Mint & India Today)

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has defended the 50% tariff hike on Indian goods, calling India the “maharaja of tariffs.” He cited national security concerns, accusing India of using American dollars from exports to buy Russian oil, which allegedly funds Russia’s war against Ukraine. Navarro argued that this economic loop forces American taxpayers to indirectly finance Ukraine’s defense. He emphasized that the rationale differs from reciprocal tariffs and is rooted in India’s “abject refusal” to stop Russian oil imports. When asked why China wasn’t similarly targeted, Navarro noted existing high tariffs on Chinese goods and hinted at ongoing coordination. India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the move “unjustified and unreasonable,” vowing to protect national interests. (PC: News 18 & Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to privately advise Prime Minister Narendra Modi on handling tensions with US President Donald Trump, amid a deepening trade dispute. Calling both leaders “terrific friends,” Netanyahu emphasized that the foundation of India-US relations remains “very solid” and urged both nations to resolve the tariff row amicably. Trump recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% over India’s continued import of Russian oil, prompting strong condemnation from New Delhi. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to protecting farmers and fishermen, even at personal cost. Netanyahu also expressed interest in visiting India soon and highlighted robust India-Israel defense ties, including battlefield-tested equipment used during Operation Sindoor. (PC: JNS & BBC)

Kapil Sharma’s café in Surrey, Canada, was attacked for the second time in a month, with gangster Goldy Dhillon—linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claiming responsibility via a viral Facebook post. Around 25 shots were fired at Kap’s Café early on August 7, damaging windows and walls but causing no injuries. The post warned that if Sharma doesn’t respond, the “next action” will be in Mumbai. The first attack occurred on July 10 and was claimed by Khalistani terrorist Harjit Singh Laddi. Authorities are investigating both incidents, and Mumbai Police are assessing threats to Sharma’s safety. The comedian may soon receive police protection amid rising concerns over gang-linked violence targeting public figures. (PC: Pinterest)

U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated economic pressure on India, doubling tariffs on Indian exports to 50% (up from 25%) in response to India's continued purchases of Russian oil—moves he views as enabling Putin’s war machine . The penalties, set to take effect August 27, have thrown India’s refiners into disarray and forced state oil firms to pause spot Urals cargo purchases amid uncertainty . New Delhi has denounced the tariffs as unfair and vowed to “pay a very heavy price” to protect its strategic autonomy. (PC: Bloomberg)

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, calling it economic coercion. In a post on X, Xu wrote, “Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile,” without naming Trump directly. He argued that using tariffs as a weapon violates the UN Charter and undermines WTO rules. China condemned the move as hostile and unsustainable, citing a recent exchange between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazilian advisor Celso Amorim. The statement aligns China with India and Brazil, both targeted by Trump’s tariff hike over Russian oil imports. The diplomatic backlash signals rising global resistance to unilateral US trade actions. (PC: Facebook & India Today)

US President Donald Trump has ruled out trade negotiations with India until a tariff dispute is resolved. Following India’s continued import of Russian oil, the White House issued an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising the total to 50%. The administration cited national security concerns, calling India’s oil purchases an “extraordinary threat.” The new levy will take effect in 21 days, excluding goods already in transit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded defiantly, asserting India will not compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen, and dairy producers. The standoff marks a sharp escalation in US-India trade tensions, with both sides holding firm on economic and geopolitical priorities. (PC: History.com)