Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s endorsement of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “dead economy” jibe at India has sparked a political storm, with both allies and party colleagues distancing themselves from his statement. While Gandhi used Trump’s words to attack the Modi government, others in the Opposition and Congress highlighted India’s economic resilience.

Speaking outside Parliament, Gandhi blamed Prime Minister Modi for “killing” the economy through demonetisation, a flawed GST rollout, and failure to support MSMEs and farmers. “President Trump is right. Everyone knows the truth except the Prime Minister and Finance Minister,” Gandhi remarked.

However, senior Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Rajiv Shukla contradicted his stance. Tharoor acknowledged economic challenges but insisted India has a strong domestic market and must not cave to U.S. pressure. “We must explore other markets if America becomes unreasonable,” he said. Shukla labelled Trump’s statement “delusional,” asserting that India’s economy remains robust.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also hit out at Trump, calling the "dead economy" remark arrogant and ignorant. She stressed that while India faces challenges, it remains among the world’s top five economies. “Criticism should not distort reality,” she posted on X.

Trump, just a day after slapping 25% tariffs on Indian goods, declared that he “doesn’t care what India does with Russia,” adding, “they can take their dead economies down together.”

The BJP seized the moment to attack Gandhi. Party leader Amit Malviya said Gandhi had insulted India by aligning with Trump’s rhetoric, calling it “a new low.” BJP’s K. Annamalai mocked the Congress for its split messaging, contrasting Tharoor’s mature response with Gandhi’s “foreign propaganda.”

As political temperatures rise, the episode has further exposed rifts within the Opposition on matters of national pride and foreign policy.

War-inflicted Thailand and Cambodia indicated readiness to pursue peace talks following mediation efforts by former U.S. President Donald Trump, as deadly border clashes entered their fourth day. At least 34 people have been killed and over 168,000 displaced since the violence erupted.

American President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in Scotland, launched a scathing attack on European immigration policies, warning that unchecked migration could “destroy” the continent. “Immigration is killing Europe,” Trump said on the tarmac after arriving from Washington, adding, “You better get your act together. You’re not going to have Europe anymore.”

Calling the current influx a “horrible invasion,” Trump urged European leaders to adopt tougher measures. “Some countries have stopped it, and they’re not getting the credit they deserve,” he remarked, without naming specific nations.

Trump, whose own parents emigrated from Europe, has doubled down on anti-immigration rhetoric since returning to the White House in January. His administration has already deported thousands of undocumented migrants and is preparing what he calls the “largest migrant deportation program in US history.”

He boasted about his crackdown on the US-Mexico border. “Last month, we had nobody entering our country. We took out a lot of bad people that got there,” Trump said, without citing specific data.

According to UN estimates, Europe housed over 87 million international migrants in 2020. Trump's comments, however, have triggered backlash from human rights groups and immigrant advocacy organizations across the US and Europe.

During his European visit, Trump will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He described the UK-US trade agreement as “a great deal for both sides.”

He is staying at his Turnberry resort in Scotland and will head to his Aberdeen property on Monday to open a second golf course named in honour of his mother, who was born on Scotland’s Isle of Lewis.

A meeting with Scottish First Minister John Swinney—who supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 race—is also reportedly on the cards.

The European Union and the United Kingdom have unveiled a sweeping new set of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, intelligence services, and shadow oil fleet in response to Moscow’s continued war on Ukraine, now entering its fourth year.

Russia launched a major overnight assault on Ukraine into Saturday, deploying over 300 drones and more than 30 cruise missiles in what Ukrainian officials described as one of the most intense barrages of the war so far. The wide-scale attack killed at least one civilian and injured several others, while causing significant damage to critical infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, posting on social media platform X, confirmed the scale of the assault, which he called another example of Russia’s increasingly aggressive bombing campaign. In the southern port city of Odesa, more than 20 drones and a missile struck various targets, igniting a blaze in a residential high-rise building. One person was confirmed dead, and five others were rescued from the fire, according to Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov.

Six others, including a child, were injured in the Odesa strikes. Meanwhile, in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, critical infrastructure sustained damage, further exacerbating the country’s energy and logistics challenges amid ongoing Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy thanked international allies for their continued support, emphasizing the urgent need to implement agreements related to defense cooperation, particularly in drone production, weapons manufacturing, and the delivery of advanced air defense systems.

Russia's air offensive has grown in scale and frequency, with recent nights seeing drone numbers that surpass entire monthly totals from 2024. On July 8, Russia launched a record-breaking 700 drones in a single day.

In response, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 71 Ukrainian drones overnight. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin added that 13 drones were destroyed near the Russian capital, reflecting escalating aerial confrontations on both sides.

As hopes for a negotiated resolution fade, analysts warn that Russia’s relentless drone and missile warfare may mark a dangerous new phase in the three-year-old conflict.

US President Donald Trump’s recent remark that “five jets were shot down” during the India-Pakistan military standoff following the Pahalgam terror attack has triggered a political storm in India. While Trump did not specify whether the downed aircraft were Indian or Pakistani, his vague statement has prompted Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to demand an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Modi ji, what is the truth behind the five jets? The country has a right to know," Rahul Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing the video of Trump’s comment. His statement has reignited debate around Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory campaign launched after 26 people, including tourists, were killed in a terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.

Operation Sindoor saw India launch precision strikes on terror camps deep inside Pakistan, targeting key facilities of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Pakistan had claimed to have downed several Indian jets during the exchange, including three Rafales—claims India has consistently denied.

India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, has acknowledged some aircraft losses but dismissed Pakistan’s figures, emphasizing operational learning and the success of subsequent long-range strikes. “The good part is that we understood the tactical mistake, rectified it, and flew again to hit harder,” he said.

BJP’s Amit Malviya launched a scathing response to Gandhi, accusing him of undermining national interest. “Trump didn’t name India. Why does Rahul Gandhi assume the jets were ours? Is he more aligned with Pakistan’s narrative?” Malviya asked, branding the Congress leader’s stance as “traitor-like.”

As the political row deepens, the government has remained silent, even as the opposition and ruling party trade sharp barbs over national security and patriotism.

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.