Easing tensions: on U.S.-Mexico trade deal
Amid rising global trade tensions, there are some signs to hope that all
is not lost. The United States and Mexico reached a breakthrough bilateral trade agreement replacing the decades-old North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) after Mexico agreed to concessions demanded by the Donald
Trump administration.
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Countering the looming
shadow of China
As the US-China ‘trade war’
continues, India should find opportunities in this impending realignment in
global trade. Now is the time to strengthen ties with the
US and to beware
of deeper economic engagement with China. Importantly, India is working to
build its industrial base, strengthen manufacturing, and develop home-grown
companies that can compete in global markets. America can be an important
long-term partner in fulfilling these objectives.
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US tariffs see
small businesses plead for mercy as trade war bites
One by one, they paraded before a panel of US administration officials
this week to plead for mercy in the escalating trade war with Beijing, at a public hearing on the $200bn in new tariffs threatened by Donald Trump against imports from China.
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Commentary: Accepting US tariff exemptions a betrayal
to countries facing a trade war
US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to protect American steelmakers
and, putatively, to reduce trade deficits, as well as other protectionist
measures now aimed at China, may not have large, immediate economic effects but
they pose a bigger and long-term threat to the entire global rules-based system. Some countries, including Australia, have received exemptions from the
US steel and aluminium tariffs. By accepting those exemptions, they have failed
their obligations to the rules-based order.
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Amid sanctions, India’s crude oil imports from Iran
jump 41 per cent in July
India’s crude oil imports from Iran jumped a whopping 41 per cent to 3.1 million tonne last month. India is among the largest
importers of Iranian oil and the jump in imports comes amid increasing US
pressure on Iran’s oil customers to cut purchases.
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Cross border power trade to double at 5
GW by 2020 in South Asia: Juster
US Ambassador to
India Kenneth Juster said cross border electricity in
South Asia is expected to be doubled to 5,000 Mw in view of rising demand.
"Presently, approximately 2,500 Mw of electricity is traded in the region,
a figure expected to double by the end of 2020," Juster said.
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US federal agency to work with Indian co
on carbon capture storage and utilization tech
Through its
partnership with MN Dastur & Co, a premier consulting firm in the metals,
mining and energy sector, the US Department of Energy and its National Carbon
Capture Center (NCCC) envisions to accelerate the participation of government
of India institutions and the Indian private and state enterprises in the development and commercialisation
of technologies to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Trade
Fears Throw Future of U.S. Natural Gas Into Question
U.S.-China trade tensions threaten
a promising area of growth in U.S. energy: natural-gas exports. While the
trade dispute hasn’t impacted near-term prices, some analysts believe it could
disrupt exports and slow new infrastructure expansions.
Dharmendra
Pradhan blames "isolated" American policies for fuel price rise
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas
Dharmendra Pradhan blamed the
"isolated" policies of the US for the "abnormally"
rising fuel prices in the international markets. He said the Centre is
concerned about the spiralling prices of petrol and diesel and is taking all
measures to check them.
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2+2 to establish India as major defence partner of
United States
The maiden India-US 2+2
Dialogue in Delhi on September 6 will see deliberations on operationalisation of India’s status as major defence partner of the US in wideranging
areas, from defence acquisition to communication arrangement to Indo-Pacific
partnership.
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India and the U.S. — it’s complicated
The first round of the
India-U.S. 2+2 talks at the level of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and their counterparts Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis is scheduled for September
6 in Delhi. It is a significant development but one that appears perfectly logical when seen against the two-decade-old trend line of
India-U.S. relations.
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India, Russia defence trade tries to beat US sanctions
amid hurdles
India and Russia are finding ways to work around US imposed financial sanctions on Moscow but
challenges remain on big defence contracts, including the `39,000 crore deal
for S-400 air defence system that is expected to be inked later this year.
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India, Japan resolve to deepen maritime
cooperation
India and Japan
decided to expand their maritime
cooperation and work
together to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which is
witnessing growing Chinese assertiveness, officials said. The two countries
also decided to hold the first-ever joint Army exercise later this year besides
deepening cooperation in co-development of military hardware and weapons.
India-Indonesia Relations and
Indo-Pacific Security
Though India
and Indonesia do have long historical and cultural linkages, strategic
partnership has been a recent development. The two share
multiple common concerns,
one of which pertains to China’s rapid rise and its intentions in the maritime
theatre.
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Opinion | Don’t strangle Indian e-commerce
E-commerce in India is
facing huge buoyancy, both in terms of the market and policy space. In terms of
the market, the majority investment in Flipkart by US retail giant Walmart, and
a substantial proposed investment by Alibaba in Reliance Retail recently made
news. Some pundits say that some of these moves may result in market
distortions. Apparently, vested interests are muddying the waters.
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BIMSTEC eyes higher profile, visibility in
Indo-Pacific region
Ahead of the fourth summit
of a regional economic grouping straddling South Asia and South-East Asia,
member nations are seeking a higher profile for the body and its revitalization through concrete steps like
a free trade pact and improved connectivity.
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H1B Is a Gamble, So We’re Coming Home: Young Indians
in America
US President Donald Trump
has been changing the H1B visa policies – instrumental for the young Indian student or
professional looking to work in America – at a rapid pace since his election,
leaving many of these dreamers with little option but to force-exit the country
and come back to their homeland.
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China is building a new Silk Road, and
this one is digital
The Silk Road calls to mind an image of the distant
past, where traders traversed the vast expanse of Eurasia in pursuit of silk,
spices and various other commodities. Today, China is attempting to revive these once forgotten routes as part of Xi Jinping’s
signature Belt and Road Initiative. | |
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