India’s cutting-edge military capabilities were demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval revealed while addressing the 62nd convocation of IIT Madras on Friday. In a swift 23-minute operation past 1 am on May 7, Indian forces struck nine terror targets deep inside Pakistan, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

“We knew who was where—and we missed none,” Doval said, highlighting the precision of the strikes and the effectiveness of India’s indigenous military systems. He affirmed that no unintended sites were hit, and not a single pane of glass was shattered back home.

Doval also took aim at international media reports questioning the operation’s effectiveness. “They wrote what they wanted, but satellite images tell the real story—13 Pakistani airbases show what happened before and after May 10,” he said, referring to locations like Sargodha, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan.

He praised systems such as BrahMos missiles, integrated air command, and battlefield surveillance for enabling such high-accuracy strikes. “Much of it was driven by indigenous content. I am really proud,” he noted, drawing applause from the students.

Doval underscored the critical role of technology in modern warfare and commended IIT Madras and India’s private sector for developing 5G technology in just two-and-a-half years—far quicker than China’s 12-year, $300 billion effort.

“Even a screw related to security must come from a trusted source,” Doval said, stressing self-reliance in technology to protect national interests.

Padma Vibhushan awardee Padma Subrahmanyam also lauded Operation Sindoor, calling it a testament to the valour championed by the Bhagavad Gita. A total of 3,661 degrees were awarded, including 529 PhDs, marking another milestone for IIT Madras.

US President Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on copper imports and signaled a massive 200% duty on pharmaceuticals starting next year—moves that could significantly impact India, one of America’s major trade partners.

“Today we’re doing copper. I believe the tariff on copper, we’re going to make it 50 per cent,” Trump said during a cabinet meeting. The new duty, likely effective by August 1, follows previous levies on steel and aluminium, and marks an expansion of Trump's sectoral trade strategy since returning to office.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that further tariffs on pharmaceuticals are expected after a one-year transition, giving foreign manufacturers time to shift production to the US. “They’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200 per cent,” Trump warned, emphasizing the administration’s push for domestic drug production.

The impact on India could be significant. The US accounted for $360 million—or 17%—of India’s $2 billion copper exports in FY25, making it the third-largest market after Saudi Arabia and China. While the domestic sector may absorb reduced US demand, the real blow could come from the pharma tariffs.

India’s pharmaceutical exports to the US touched $9.8 billion in FY25, a 21% jump from the previous year and 40% of India’s total pharma exports. A 200% tariff could make Indian generics unaffordable in the US, disrupting supply chains and undercutting one of India’s most vital export sectors.

Trump also reiterated his threat to impose a 10% tariff on BRICS nations, which he dismissed as “not a serious grouping.”

India is racing to finalize a mini-trade deal with Washington. If signed before the August 1 tariff deadline, it could shield Indian exports from these sweeping duties.

Even as the United States rolled out a new wave of tariffs on several countries, President Donald Trump on Tuesday indicated that Washington is close to finalising a trade deal with India. Speaking at the White House, Trump noted progress in talks, saying, “We’re close to making a deal with India,” while announcing fresh tariff letters to nations including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Bangladesh, set to take effect from August 1.

The prospective US-India trade deal—originally envisioned as a broader agreement—has been scaled down to a mini pact focused on reciprocal tariff reductions. However, disagreements over agriculture and dairy remain major sticking points. The US is pushing for greater market access for genetically modified crops and American dairy products, but India is reluctant, citing food safety, environmental concerns, and the risk to rural livelihoods.

While agriculture contributes only 16% to India’s GDP, it supports nearly half the population. Cheaper US imports could undercut domestic prices, triggering political backlash and destabilising an already sensitive sector. Traditionally, India has excluded agriculture from free trade pacts and fears that concessions to the US could set a precedent for other trade partners.

Meanwhile, India is seeking tariff relief on labour-intensive exports like textiles, leather goods, and footwear—sectors critical for employment. New Delhi insists that any agreement must be balanced and include meaningful access for its own goods if the ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 is to be achieved.

According to sources, both sides are now focused on aligning tariff frameworks, with negotiators encouraged to identify mutually beneficial concessions. Despite current friction, the narrowing of the deal’s scope to targeted tariff cuts has raised hopes of a breakthrough, potentially laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive agreement in the future.

In a major political victory for President Donald Trump, House Republicans narrowly passed his sweeping $4.5 trillion tax breaks and spending cuts bill on Thursday, cementing a key second-term agenda just ahead of the July Fourth deadline. The vote, 218–214, saw two Republicans join all Democrats in opposition.

Dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the 800-plus-page legislation bundles a wide array of conservative priorities — from extending 2017 Trump-era tax cuts to imposing steep reductions in Medicaid and food stamp programs. Despite internal GOP dissent and intense overnight negotiations, Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the passage as a generational win, asserting, “We are going to make this country stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever before.”

The bill includes new tax deductions for tipped workers and older adults, alongside a $350 billion boost in defense and immigration enforcement, including funding for Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system. However, it also enacts $1.2 trillion in cuts to healthcare and nutrition assistance, requiring new work conditions for some recipients, including parents and seniors.

Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, fiercely opposed the bill. In a record-breaking 8-hour-and-44-minute speech, Jeffries decried the measure as “a crime scene,” criticizing it for stripping aid from vulnerable Americans while benefiting the wealthy. The Tax Policy Center estimates the wealthiest Americans would see nearly $11,000 in annual savings, while the lowest earners would gain just $150.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office warns the bill could increase the national deficit by $3.3 trillion and leave 11.8 million more people without health coverage over the next decade.

Despite the backlash, Trump and GOP leaders view the bill as a defining statement of their return to power and vision for reshaping American governance.

In a landmark announcement ahead of his 90th birthday, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama, confirmed that the revered institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, addressing widespread concerns among Tibetans and global followers.

Tenzin Gyatso, regarded as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, made the declaration in a video message at the opening of a religious leaders' meeting in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh—his home in exile since fleeing Tibet following the 1959 Chinese crackdown.

"For over a decade, I have received heartfelt appeals from Tibetans in exile, Buddhists across the Himalayas, Mongolia, and parts of China and Russia—especially from inside Tibet—urging that this institution should not end," he stated. "In accordance with these appeals, I affirm that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue."

The decision ends years of uncertainty. The Dalai Lama had previously indicated the lineage would continue only if there was strong public demand. Concerns about his succession had intensified with age, and fears persist that China may attempt to appoint its own successor to tighten control over Tibet.

To pre-empt interference, the Dalai Lama declared that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust—his official institution—has the authority to recognise his reincarnation. "No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," he asserted.

China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist, while the Nobel Peace laureate sees himself as a "simple Buddhist monk" advocating non-violence and cultural preservation.

Tibetan activist Chemi Lhamo welcomed the announcement, saying it reaffirmed the people's faith and sent a clear message to Beijing. "The Dalai Lama institution will continue to serve both the Tibetan cause and all humanity," she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid heartfelt tribute to former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao on his birth anniversary, acknowledging his pivotal role in steering India through a critical phase of economic transition. In a post on X, PM Modi described Rao as a statesman of remarkable intellect and vision, noting that the nation remains deeply grateful for his effective leadership.

“India is grateful to P.V. Narasimha Rao Garu for his effective leadership during a crucial phase of our development trajectory. His intellect, wisdom, and scholarly nature continue to inspire generations,” Modi wrote.

Rao, who served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, is widely credited with laying the foundation of modern India’s liberalized economy. At a time when the country was on the brink of a balance of payments crisis, Rao initiated bold structural reforms that dismantled the License Raj and opened up the Indian economy to global markets. Under his leadership, India embraced economic liberalization, which led to sustained growth and set the stage for the economic dynamism that followed.

A polyglot, scholar, and astute administrator, Rao’s legacy has gained increasing recognition over the years. In a fitting tribute to his enduring contribution, the Modi government posthumously conferred upon him the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2024.

Rao’s tenure remains a turning point in India's economic history. His decisions—seen as politically risky at the time—ushered in a wave of policy reforms that redefined India's development model. As India continues to build on that foundation, Rao’s vision and courage stand as guiding lights.

His birth anniversary serves as a reminder of the transformational power of leadership rooted in intellect, pragmatism, and a deep commitment to national progress.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed Russia as a mediator to resolve the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting that Moscow could help craft a framework allowing Tehran to maintain a peaceful nuclear program while addressing Israeli security concerns.