New Delhi, July 14

India on Tuesday said its position on the South China Sea issue remains “clear and well-known,” stressing the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with international law.

Responding to media queries during the weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the principles of international law reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should guide the resolution of maritime disputes.

“Regarding the issue concerning the South China Sea, our position is clear and well-known. We emphasise the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea, and unimpeded commerce, in accordance with international law as reflected in UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). This has always been our consistent position,” Jaiswal said.

“Maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with UNCLOS. The ruling delivered by the Arbitral Tribunal ten years ago is a significant milestone and a basis for the peaceful resolution of disputes among the concerned parties,” he added.

The comments came on the tenth anniversary of the July 12, 2016 ruling issued by the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under Annex VII of UNCLOS in the South China Sea case.
The United States, the United Kingdom and a dozen other Western and Asian countries reasserted on Sunday that

China's expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal based on a 2016 arbitration ruling. A joint statement issued by the 14 nations said they rejected "destabilizing" actions in the disputed waters that threaten regional stability. The 27-nation European union released a separate statement, reaffirming the ruling as a "landmark decision in the peaceful settlement of disputes."

A group of 14 countries, including the United States and Japan, recently reaffirmed the 2016 arbitral award, stating that China’s broad claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis under international law.

The joint statement issued by Japan, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States reiterated support for a “free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and rules-based.”

The countries said the 2016 decision remains “final, legally binding and definitive” between China and the Philippines regarding the maritime claims and entitlements covered by the case. They also reaffirmed the tribunal’s conclusion that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims, including those based on alleged “historic rights.”

The countries called on all parties to respect the arbitral award and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms consistent with international law.

The European union also urged parties involved in the South China Sea dispute to fully implement the 2016 ruling, describing it as final and legally binding on China and the Philippines.

China, however, has consistently rejected the tribunal’s decision and refused to recognise the ruling despite repeated calls from the Philippines and other international partners.

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague issued a unanimous verdict in the case filed by the Philippines against China. It marked the first time an international tribunal ruled on the legal validity of competing maritime claims in the South China Sea.

A key aspect of the ruling involved China’s “Nine-Dash Line” claim, which covers a large portion of the South China Sea. Beijing had argued that it possessed historic rights over resources within the area.

The tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within areas covered by the Nine-Dash Line where such claims were incompatible with maritime zones established under UNCLOS.

In Beijing, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the arbitration tribunal and its ruling "seriously contravene the general practice of international arbitration" and "gravely infringe upon China's legitimate rights as a sovereign state and state party to UNCLOS and are unjust and unlawful."

"China opposes and will never accept any claim or action based on those awards," the Chinese foreign ministry said, adding that Beijing "does not accept any means of third-party dispute settlement or any solution imposed on China."

000

Belem, 18th November 2025 

India has emerged as a significant contributor to global methane emissions, primarily due to the burning of agricultural stubble, as highlighted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report. 

This practice has been a significant contributor to exacerbating air pollution nationwide, particularly in Delhi, where toxic particulate matter is prevalent. The UNEP ranks India as the world's third-largest emitter of methane, trailing only China and the United States, with current emissions estimated at around 31 million tonnes (Mt). 

The G20 nations, which include India, account for 65 per cent of the world's total emissions, as noted by UNEP experts, with global methane production reaching 360 Mt. The report raises concerns about the rising trend in global methane emissions but also expresses optimism for improvement by 2030.

India, as a leading emitter, faces significant challenges from emissions linked to livestock, including enteric fermentation and manure, as well as from rice cultivation. Notably, emissions from crop residue burning are a growing issue, increasing even as other regions see declines. 
According to the report, India is grappling with waste management issues that can further elevate methane emissions. A closer look reveals that methane emissions from waste burning in India surged from 4.5 Mt in 1995 to 7.4 Mt in 2020, a 64 per cent increase. 

This contrasts with a 43 per cent rise globally during the same period, from 56 Mt to 80 Mt. 
In 2020, India's methane emissions were about 31 Mt, making up 9 per cent of global emissions. The agricultural sector alone contributed 12 per cent of worldwide agricultural methane, marking India as one of the highest contributors globally. Further, rice-related methane emissions are projected to grow by 8 per cent from 2020 to 2030.

Interestingly, the report points out that India has not specified strategies for reducing emissions from its primary source – agriculture, in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The country is identified as a major hotspot for crop residue burning, showing an upward trend despite a global decrease. 

000 

Ever since the return of Donald Trump to the political forefront, India’s trade and diplomatic landscape has been facing unprecedented challenges. With Trump's latest move a 25% tariff hike on Indian exports, the pressure on India has mounted significantly. This fresh blow is reportedly a response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which the Trump administration sees as an affront to Western sanctions on Moscow.

With this, India now faces a total of 50% tariffs on several key export sectors, excluding only electronics, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. Trump, as ever, justifies his aggressive strategy as part of his “Art of the Deal”, a philosophy where he believes in squeezing counterparts into submission. This time, India is his target.

The administration has offered a 15-day window, positioning it as a chance for India to negotiate. But this window is less a gesture of goodwill and more a ticking clock pressuring India to abandon its energy partnership with Russia. It raises a disturbing question: Does India now need American permission to decide who it buys oil from?

The Hypocrisy of Sanctions

What makes this action particularly contentious is the glaring double standard. China, which imports more Russian oil than India, has faced no such tariffs. In fact, while India is being reprimanded, there are no new penalties against Beijing. The message is clear, America’s strategic silence is transactional, and India is being strong armed not out of principle, but out of convenience.

While the Modi government initially remained silent after the first round of tariffs, hoping diplomacy or strategic silence might yield better outcomes, it has now finally responded. Citing U.S.-Russia trade worth billions and pointing to America’s own purchases of industrial inputs from Russia, India has rightly called out Washington's hypocrisy.

Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, in a tweet post the second tariff hike, finally called this a crisis. But this crisis wasn’t born overnight. It is the result of a decade of complacency and missed opportunities. India failed to diversify exports, to build exclusive global capabilities, and to shield its economy from geopolitical blackmail.

Strategic Blind Spots and Global Vulnerability

Trump’s confidence in arm twisting India stems from a simple economic reality. The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, and India enjoys a trade surplus with America. On the other hand, China, India’s second-largest trading partner, accounts for a $100 billion trade deficit. In short, India is economically exposed from both ends.

And while key sectors like pharma and semiconductors are exempted, the remaining 55% of exports worth $40–45 billion are now under threat, with tariffs likely leading to $20–25 billion in losses. This will disproportionately hurt sectors like textiles, apparel, and leather, potentially putting 10–15 lakh jobs at risk. MSMEs in towns like Surat, Ludhiana, and Agra may face devastation.

India, unlike China, cannot retaliate meaningfully. It does not have rare earth metals or advanced technologies to pressure the U.S. If India restricts pharma, America has alternatives in Germany and Ireland. If electronics are blocked, the U.S. can turn to Vietnam or Taiwan. Simply put, India lacks leverage.

A Foreign Policy Misfire

Perhaps the most stinging consequence of this crisis is how it has exposed India's diplomatic isolation. Once a leader in the Global South, India now finds itself increasingly alone. Its bid to maintain a non-aligned stance has alienated both the West and its former allies like Russia and Iran. Meanwhile, countries like Pakistan ironically once dismissed as global pariahs are now receiving overtures from the U.S., including invitations to the White House and potential oil cooperation.

This isn’t just geopolitics, it’s humiliation. And it's a signal that India’s strategic standing has weakened. While Indian officials pose tough on social media and reels, the substance of diplomacy is lacking. The Foreign Ministry, especially under Jaishankar, has failed to effectively navigate India through these global crosscurrents.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Vietnam with lower tariffs and more competitive manufacturing bases are poised to usurp India’s textile and electronics exports. Bangladesh is already the world’s second-largest textile exporter, and Vietnam is surging ahead in electronics and leather.

The Mirage of Self-Sufficiency

For years, Indians were told they were on the verge of global dominance. Grand claims from finding lithium deposits to becoming a smart city powerhouse were widely publicized. Yet, most of these headlines proved to be overhyped or outright false. The much vaunted lithium discovery in 2023 turned out to be commercially unviable. Gold finds in Uttar Pradesh were scaled down from 3,500 tonnes to a mere fraction.

While the nation was distracted by narratives of cultural revival, temple politics, and polarizing debates, core strategic sectors were neglected. The Make in India mission faltered. The manufacturing sector stagnated. And India failed to build defensive moats in high-tech or raw material sectors that could have given it negotiation power on the global stage.

Today, as Trump imposes tariffs and threatens secondary sanctions, we are forced to confront the consequences of these years of inaction.

Where Do We Go From Here?

There is no easy fix. But the first step is accepting that mistakes were made both in economic policy and foreign diplomacy. This is not a time for diversion or denial. India must now undertake a new wave of liberalization, as it did in 1991, but tailored for today’s globalized and geopolitically charged world.

It must aggressively build indigenous manufacturing capacity, especially in defense and critical tech. It must establish stronger, diversified alliances with France, Japan, South Korea, and Israel. India must develop rare earth processingcapabilities, high-value tech, and independent energy infrastructure. Only then can it stop being vulnerable to coercion.

And most importantly, India needs mature diplomacy not self-congratulatory optics. Somewhere, Trump’s ego was hurt. Somewhere, a poor judgment call was made. And now, India is paying the price.

As the world watches, the question remains: Will India wake up to its strategic realities, or will it continue to live in the illusion of grandeur while others write the rules?

000

Officials of India and the US on Saturday concluded a round of talks on a proposed bilateral trade agreement. According to government sources, news is moving forward in a positive direction. The team of US officials in this meeting was led by Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia.

Trump's statement and the importance of trade agreements
US President Donald Trump described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a very sensible person and a good friend. He also said that tariff negotiations between the two countries would yield good results. Even before this, Donald Trump has been accusing India of imposing high tariffs on American goods. The US has announced retaliatory tariffs on several countries, which may include India.

US tariffs and impact on India
The US has imposed additional tariffs on China before. Apart from this, 25 percent duty has been imposed on steel and aluminum from March 12. At the same time, 25 percent tariff will be applicable on completely finished vehicles (CBUS) and auto parts from April 3. Along with this, it has been announced to levy a 25 percent duty on countries that buy oil from Venezuela, which may affect oil trade in India.

Target of trade agreement between the two countries
India and the US are aiming to complete the first phase of this agreement by September-October 2025. The two countries are working on a plan to increase bilateral trade to over $500 billion by 2030. America's demand is that tariffs on industrial textiles, automobiles, petrochemicals, dairy, agricultural products should be reduced. At the same time, India's priorities are to stay in the tariff for textiles and other labor-intensive industries. At the same time, Indian industries and exporters are demanding relief from American tariffs from the government. The US is India's largest trading partner, so higher tariffs could hurt Indian exporters.

Key Highlights of the Agreement:

- Targeted Completion Date: The first phase of the agreement is expected to be completed by September-October 2025.
- Bilateral Trade Goal: India and the US aim to increase bilateral trade to over $500 billion by 2030.
- Tariff Reductions: The US is pushing for reduced tariffs on industrial textiles, automobiles, petrochemicals, dairy, and agricultural products, while India prioritizes maintaining tariffs on textiles and labor-intensive industries.
- Relief from American Tariffs: Indian industries and exporters are seeking relief from American tariffs, which could negatively impact Indian exporters given the US is India's largest trading partner.

000

Delhi : Britain's Defense Minister Ben Wallace described India as a valuable defense partner. His statement came at the exact time when Admiral Tony Radkin, the acting chief of the three forces of Britain, reached Delhi on Monday. Wallace said both countries seek peace and stability for the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. India's cooperation is very important for this.

Regarding Admiral Radkin's visit, the British Ministry of Defense said that he was accompanied by India's Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pandey, Defense Secretary Giridhar Armane, and Additional Secretary Defense Production T. Natarajan. Will discuss increasing strategic cooperation. Just before arriving in Delhi, Radkin said his visit to India reflects his belief that the two countries' security concerns are intertwined. Keeping the Indo-Pacific open and free is important for both the countries. India and the UK are natural partners.

Russia: Anti-Putin leader Kara Murza jailed for 25 years
Moscow. A Russian court has sentenced Vladimir Kara-Murza, an opponent of President Putin, to 25 years in prison. He was sentenced on charges related to his criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The court found him guilty of treason, spreading false information about the Russian military, and association with an undesirable organization.

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter makes 50th flight to Mars
NASA's Ingenuity helicopter has completed its 50th flight. On April 13, Ingenuity covered a distance of 322.2 meters in 145.7 seconds. It went up to a height of 60 feet, which is also a new record. NASA has also shared the video of Ingenuity's 47th flight. It was captured on 9 March 2023 by the Mastcam-Z imager on NASA's Perseverance rover.

Rocket flight to take humans to Mars postponed
Elon Musk's company SpaceX has postponed the first launch of the world's largest rocket Starship from Starbase in Boca Chica, southern Texas. It had to be postponed due to a problem with fuel pressurization in the first stage. This rocket will take humans to Mars in the future. It is the biggest rocket in the world.

India and France ready to start Orion exercise
India and France are set to begin the Orion exercise at the Mont-de-Marsan air force base of the French Air and Space Force. French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said on Twitter, We warmly welcome the Indian contingent. Fighter aircraft of France and India are set to fly together in French skies soon. This exercise will be conducted till 05 May 2023.

000