Diplomacy and Global Politics

By Dr. Somita Chakraborty On Monday, the US President Donald Trump announced that US is going to reduce tariff rates on Indian exports from 25% to 18%, and at the same time are going to scrap the additional 25% duty on selected items. The announcement was immediately appreciated by Prime Minister Modi. The decision of the Trump Administration is going to serve as a great relief for Indian exports to the US. Last year, the newly elected US administration suddenly changed their long-standing business approach towards India. For last few months, the Trump administration imposed high tariffs on Indian goods. During a Parliamentary discussion held on 29 th January, 2026, while answering a question, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State (MEA), stated that the US imposed reciprocal tariffs on 31 st July, 2025, and imposed additional 25% ad valorem duty selected Indian exports on 27 th August, 2025. They also imposed sector specific tariffs on different products, such as, ...

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty On 29 th January, 2026, during the Rajya Sabha Session, Shri Samik Bhattacharya raised concern regarding proposed direct commercial flights between Dhaka and Pakistan.  He asked that whether the Government of India received any request, proposal or informal communication from the Government of Bangladesh or Government of Pakistan or from any airline to use Indian airspace for the proposed direct flights between Dhaka and Pakistan. Honorable Member of Parliament also asked the present status of such request.  His question also included diverse aspects, which India should consider, such as, national security, diplomatic sensitivities etc. Answering the question Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State (MEA) said that the Government of India is well aware of the proposed launch of direct flights on the Dhaka- Karachi sector by Biman Bangladesh.  Shri Singh also said that the competent authorities of the Government of India pro...

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty Today, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Union Budget 2026-27 in the Parliament. This is the first Budget prepared in Karavya Bhawan. The budget is inspired by 3 main kartavyas, 1)       To accelerate and sustan economic growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and building resilience to volatile global dynamics. 2)       To fulfil aspirations of people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India’s path to prosperity 3)       aligned with vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, is to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities for meaningful participation. A quick glimpse of the budget 1)       Scaling up manufacturing in 7 strategic and frontier sectors, they are, Biopharma, Semiconductor, electronic...

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty Today, Prime Minister Modi received a delegation of Foreign Ministers of Arab countries, Secretary General of the League of Arab States and Heads of Arab delegations. The delegation arrived India for the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The MEA statement stated that Mr. Prime Minister highlighted the deep and historic people-to-people ties between India and the Arab world, which have continued to inspire and strengthen Indo-Arab relations over the years. While outlining his vision for the India-Arab partnership in the years ahead, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to further deepen cooperation in diverse areas, including trade and investment, energy, technology, healthcare and other priority areas, for the mutual benefit of the people. Prime Minister Modi also reiterated India’s continued support for the people of Palestine and welcomed ongoing peace efforts, including the Gaza peace plan . Prime Minister Modi ex...

                                                                               By  Dr. Somita Chakraborty On humanitarian and livelihood concern, India and Bangladesh released fishermen in a reciprocal manner. Total 128 Bangladeshi fishermen and 23 Indian fishermen, who inadvertently crossed international maritime boundary line, have been arrested by Indian and Bangladesh authorities, respectively. On 29 th  January, 2026, both the governments concluded the release and repatriation of these fishermen, along with their operable vessels. India expressed high concern towards safety and security of Indian innocent fishermen, who accidentally crossed international maritime boundary line and were arrested by Bangladeshi authority. During the period of imprisonment in Bangladesh Indian H...

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty On Sunday, 2 nd November, 2025, Indian Women Cricket team created history in Dr. Dy Patil Stadium of Navi Mumbai, by winning their first ever ICC World Cup trophy. In the final match, Indian Women team defeated South Africa Women by 52 runs. The grand win of Indian Women Cricket team, however, was not a fluke. This trophy is only a small part of a broader picture – steady march of Indian Women Cricket team to claim their rightful place in the world of Cricket. Five decades ago, Indian Women Cricket (IWC) came into being. Within few years of IWC’s beginning, the Indian Men Cricket team won Prudential Cup in 1983. The unexpected triumph of Indian Men Cricket team changed and dominated India’s cricket perspective for the last four decades. The overhyped and well promoted ups and downs of Indian Men Cricket team overshadowed the hard struggle of Indian Women Cricket team. In the last two decades, the Indian Women Cricket team continuously uplifted...