Month: September 2025

Former cricketer Atul Wassan was in sync with the views of skipper Suryakumar Yadav that the rivalry between India and Pakistan no longer exists, considering the vast chasm between the two sides, which became evident during the drubbing that the Men in Blue handed to their arch-rival during the Super Fours fixture at the ongoing Asia Cup in Dubai.

After being put in to bat on Sunday, Pakistan rode high on a couple of individual performances to post 171/5, the highest they have managed against India while batting first in T20Is. In reply, Abhishek Sharma (74) and vice-captain Shubman Gill (47) broke the backbone of Pakistan’s defence and cleared India’s way to a commanding six-wicket victory.

Once the dust settled, Suryakumar declared that the contest between India and Pakistan isn’t a rivalry anymore and told reporters, “I think you should stop asking questions on the rivalry because rivalry is when both sides play 15-20 matches, and one side is ahead by 8-7. It is called playing good cricket and a rivalry. 3-0, 10-1, I don’t know what the stat is, but this is not a rivalry anymore.”

Wassan agreed with the Indian skipper’s assessment and believes that even Pakistan players are now aware of it. According to the 57-year-old, Pakistan players should focus on their cricket instead of engaging in heated altercations with the opposition. His remarks were a direct reference to Gill and Abhishek’s war of words with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.

“I mean, we have said this before, and all that and who is in their right mind who would consider it as a rivalry? I mean, writing is on the wall, and the players also know that. So, I think don’t try to bring more focus on yourself by picking a fight or staring down or saying something or needling the players because on the field the results are there that you will be embarrassed. So, I think I don’t know why this hype about the everyday coverage of this match is there, because I think everybody knows that there is a huge chasm between the two teams,” Wassan told ANI.

The controversial gestures from Sahibzada Farhan and Rauf soon overshadowed India’s emphatic six-wicket success. Sahibzada Farhan pulled out a shooting gun celebration after scoring his fifty, a gesture that was labelled insensitive, considering it came in the backdrop of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, during which 26 tourists were killed on April 22.

Meanwhile, his compatriot Rauf gestured “0-6” towards the Indian spectators in response to those who teased him with chants of ‘Virat Kohli’. Farhan and Rauf’s reaction didn’t sit well with Pathan, who didn’t mince his words while lambasting them for their action.

In response to Pakistan’s action, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut lashed out at the ICC chairman Jay Shah, accusing him of allowing the match and mocking him with a sharp statement.

“Sahibzada Farhan just proved on the field how Pakistani terrorists slaughtered 26 innocents in Pahalgam–gunning them down like it was nothing. Reached his fifty and gripped the bat like an AK-47, firing boundaries! This spit in the face of BCCI & Modi govt is peak humiliation. For enabling India’s shame, Jay Shah deserves the Bharat Ratna,” Raut said on X.

Later, in another tweet, he continued to mock ICC Chief Jay Shah, “Who is responsible for this? Jai Bhai! Jai Bhai! Jai Bhai should be awarded the Bharat Ratna. For stopping the India-Pakistan war, President Trump should get the Nobel Prize, and for the insult to India’s martyrs, patriots should strongly demand Bharat Ratna for Jai Bhai!”

While reacting to Raut’s remarks, Wassan believes paying attention to Pakistan’s gestures is futile and said, “Why are you taking it seriously? You are stupid if you take their actions seriously. So, I think, don’t pay attention to them and don’t see them in this connotation.” (ANI)

Janhvi Kapoor surprised her fans on Monday as she attended the special screening of her upcoming film ‘Homebound’ in a stunning navy blue saree once worn by her late mother, legendary actress Sridevi.

The actress turned heads at the event, donning the same saree Sridevi wore at Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli’s wedding reception.

Janhvi looked elegant in the navy blue saree with golden embroidery, which she paired with a black velvet blouse. The actress completed the look with statement earrings, a choker-style necklace, and a sleek bun.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, ‘Homebound’ has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars. The Film Federation of India (FFI) chose the film as the country’s contender for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

Earlier on Monday, a press conference was held in Mumbai where Ishaan, Vishal, and Neeraj expressed their excitement over the film’s selection for the Oscars as they shared their experiences working on the project.

“This is the film I’m most proud of. Bhaut garv hai mujhe ispe… It’s an extremely important film. Neeraj bhai has made this movie with a lot of thought so that it can reach a wider audience,” Ishaan said.

Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’ follows two childhood friends from a small North Indian village as they pursue a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.

The film was previously screened at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).

It is now set to be released in Indian theatres on September 26. (ANI)

Megastar Chiranjeevi has completed nearly five decades in the film industry, celebrating 47 years of his cinematic journey.

Taking to his X handle, Chiranjeevi penned a long, heartfelt note to express gratitude towards his fans and well-wishers.

“I, known as ‘Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad,’ was introduced to you as ‘Chiranjeevi’ through the film “Pranam Khareedu,” and today marks the triumphant completion of 47 years. This film, you breathed life into me as an actor, and as your elder brother, son, family member, and megastar, you have always supported and loved me unconditionally. I will forever remain grateful to the Telugu cinema audience for this. To say that I have completed 155 films to date… the reason for this is your selfless “love,” he wrote.

He dedicated his awards and achievements to his fans and added, “They belong to all of you, bestowed upon me by you. I wish for this bond of love between us to continue forever in this way.”

Along with the post, the actor also shared the poster of his debut film, which came out in 1978.

While fans appeared the most enthusiastic, marking Chiranjeevi’s 47th anniversary in the industry, his brother, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, turned out to be the biggest cheerleader.

With a carousel of heartwarming pictures with his elder brother, Pawan Kalyan recalled that he was studying in school during the release of Chiranjeevi’s debut film.

“We went to Kanakamahal Theater, and the elation I felt that day is beyond words. In his 47-year film journey, it is truly inspiring to see how he has grown by leaps and bounds in every aspect, yet has remained humble at heart, never losing his healing and helping nature. May Durga Maa bless him with a long life filled with success, health, and prosperity. And also, we wish to continue seeing him in many more versatile roles in the years to come. For him, there is no such thing as retirement, unless he chooses it. And knowing him, he never does,” he further added.

The ‘OG’ star concluded by calling his brother a “fighter by birth.”

On the work front, Pawan Kalyan will be next seen in ‘They Call Him OG’, whereas Chiranjeevi has back-to-back projects in the pipeline, including ‘Vishwambhara’, ‘Mega 157’ and ‘Mega 158’. (ANI)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing member states at the UN Headquarters in New York, reaffirmed that “statehood for Palestinians is a right, not a reward,” as the international body reiterated its support for a two-state solution to resolve the protracted Israel-Gaza conflict.

“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been unresolved for generations. Dialogue has faltered, resolutions have been flouted,” Antonio Guterres said.

He underscored the UN’s long-standing position on the two-state framework, stating, “A two-state solution where two independent sovereign democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security within their secure and recognised borders based on the pre-1967 1967-lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states in line with international law, UN resolution and other relevant agreements.”

He further added, “Statehood for a Palestinian is a right, not a reward, and denying statehood would be a gift to extremists everywhere. Without two states, there will be no peace in the Middle East.”

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron formally announced France’s recognition of the State of Palestine, becoming the latest Western nation to do so ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The decision comes a day after Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia also announced their formal recognition of Palestine, a move widely seen as an effort to increase international pressure on Israel amid its continued military campaign in Gaza.

“The time has come. This is why, true to the historic, historic commitment of my country to the Middle East to peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. This is why I declare that today, France recognises the state of Palestine,” President Macron said during a summit on the two-state solution held in New York.

President Macron, addressing the United Nations, stated that recognising a Palestinian state is the “only solution that will allow for Israel to live in peace,” describing the decision as a “defeat for Hamas,” CNN reported.

He added, “We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.”

The French declaration follows similar announcements by Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, which declared their formal recognition of the State of Palestine on Sunday, days after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling for the implementation of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Among these nations, Canada was the first to make its announcement, followed by Australia and then the UK. The move follows through on their previous commitments by these countries to grant recognition if Tel Aviv failed to agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.

More than 140 countries have already recognised Palestine. The decisions by the UK and France are seen as significant as both are members of the G7 and the UN Security Council.

On September 12, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution reviving a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, less than 24 hours after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would never be a Palestinian state. India was among the 142 nations that voted in favour of the resolution titled ‘Endorsement of the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision of Canada, the UK and Australia to recognise the Palestinian State.

The Palestinian MFA considers it a protection of the two-state solution aimed at achieving peace.

“The Foreign Ministry welcomes the recognition of the State of Palestine by various countries and considers it a protection of the two-state solution aimed at achieving peace,” the statement said.

Notably, Israel’s response to the recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, Australia, and Canada will come after he gets back from the US next week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as per The Times of Israel.

“I have a clear message to those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7 — you are handing a huge reward to terror,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

“It will not happen,” he continues. “A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan.”

Netanyahu said that under his leadership, Israel “doubled Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria — and we will continue on this course.”

“The response to the recent attempt to force a terrorist state upon us in the heart of our land will be given after my return from the United States,” says Netanyahu. “Wait.”

Members of his coalition are pushing openly for Israel to annex parts of the West Bank, especially the Jordan Valley.

“Israel categorically rejects the recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Kingdom and some other countries”, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

Statehood must remain a final status issue and not be disconnected from peace, says the ministry, adding that the Palestinian Authority has not stopped incitement, rewarding terrorists, or fighting terror adequately. “The Palestinian Authority is part of the problem and not part of the solution,” Israel said, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

“Israel will not accept any detached and imaginary text that attempts to force it to accept indefensible borders,” promises the Foreign Ministry.

“Political gestures aimed at a domestic voting audience only harm the Middle East and are not helpful. Instead, if the countries that signed this declaration truly wish to stabilise the region, they should focus on pressuring Hamas to release the hostages and to disarm immediately,” it said. (ANI)

Two people lost their lives and twelve others sustained injuries after a three-storey building collapsed behind Premsukh Talkies on Jawahar Marg in Indore on Monday evening, officials said.

According to police officials, the incident took place around 9 PM in the Daulat Ganj area, where a three-storey building, including a basement, suddenly caved in. Initial reports suggested that 13 individuals were trapped under the debris.

District Collector Shivam Verma, who reached the site soon after the incident, confirmed that 14 people were rescued, including a child who was later pulled out safely. “13 people were suspected to be buried in the collapse. But another child has been rescued and has been taken to the hospital. He is safe. So 14 people have been rescued… Out of this, two people have died…”

“One woman is severely injured in the leg. The remaining eleven are in stable conditions,” Verma added.

Rescue operations were carried out by joint teams of the Municipal Corporation, police, district administration, State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF), and Civil Defence, with assistance from local residents. Heavy machinery, including excavators and JCBs, was deployed to clear the debris.

Among the deceased were a man identified as Faheem and a 20-year-old woman named Alifa. According to officials, the structure was reportedly weak and had been constructed without proper beams and columns. Continuous water accumulation around the building is believed to have caused the collapse.

Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh, District Collector Shivam Verma, and Municipal Commissioner Harshika Singh remained at the site overnight to oversee the rescue efforts.

Earlier, at least ten people, including two children and eight adults, were injured after a two-storey house collapsed behind Premsukh Talkies on Jawahar Marg in Indore.

Commissioner of Police Santosh Kumar Singh said that the building had commercial shops on the ground floor and residential quarters above.”It’s a two-story building. Shops are located below it, and above it appears to be a residential area. Approximately 40-45% of the building has collapsed. Some people are buried under the debris, of which 10 have been shifted to the hospital. More people may be buried. Search operation is ongoing,” he said.

Indore Collector Shivam Verma, who is overseeing the rescue operation, said, “Medical staff is overseeing the ongoing rescue operation following the collapse. The house is reported to be approximately eight years old, and we are gathering more information about this. But right now, our priority is to rescue everyone and provide them proper treatment,” the Collector stated. (ANI)

Popular singer Zubeen Garg passed away in a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore on September 19. Preparations are underway at Kamarkuchi village in Sonapur, where the last rites and cremation of Zubeen will be performed today.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday inspected the cremation site.

He wrote on X, “Ahead of the final goodbye to Zubeen, I inspected the cremation site and took stock of the preparations.”

The Assam CM on Tuesday paid a heartfelt tribute to the late popular singer Zubeen Garg, stating, “There will never be another Zubeen.”

In a post on social media platform X, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “A few hours left before #BelovedZubeen begins his final journey. A short while ago, I joined his well-wishers at Sarusajai Stadium to pay my tributes. The last 2 days symbolised the love he commands over people. There will never be another Zubeen.”

On Monday, thousands of emotional fans gathered at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to pay their last respects to the beloved music icon. Visuals from outside the venue showed long queues of devotees waiting patiently for a final glimpse of the singer, with many visibly moved and mourning the tragic loss of the cultural legend.

Speaking to ANI, one fan expressed her grief, saying, “What do I even say. I don’t have words to speak. The entire state is grieving. Ever since we heard the news, all of us have been crying. It was a shock for everyone. He was loved by all. May his soul rest in peace,” she said. Another fan was seen breaking down in tears as she grieved the singer’s passing.

“It is a sad moment. He was a good human being. We are just speechless,” one said.

The last rites of Zubeen Garg are scheduled to be conducted on Tuesday, September 23, at Kamarkuchi village, Sonapur. While addressing the media, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated, “We will carry the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg from Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at around 8 am on September 23 to the location of Kamarkuchi, where the last rites will be conducted. A state funeral will be held on September 23.”

He also spoke about Garg’s death certificate, which mentioned the cause of death as “drowning.”

“The Singapore High Commission sent the death certificate of Zubeen Garg, and they mentioned the cause of death is drowning. But this is not a post-mortem report. The post-mortem report is different, and the death certificate is different. We will send the documents to CID. The Chief Secretary of the Assam Government is contacting the Singapore Ambassador to get the post-mortem report as soon as possible,” he said.

The Chief Minister, who addressed the media on Monday, said that although a post-mortem had already been done in Singapore, people were demanding that another post-mortem be done in Guwahati. He said the decision was taken after Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita discussed the matter with Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg. The autopsy will be carried out at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital on Tuesday morning in the presence of AIIMS doctors.

Zubeen Garg was in Singapore to participate in the Northeast India Festival. His mortal remains were flown to Delhi before being transported to Assam for the final rites. (ANI)

A shocking incident unfolded at Delhi Airport when a 13-year-old boy was discovered after secretly travelling from Kabul to Delhi inside the landing gear compartment of a Kam Air flight on Sunday morning, sources confirmed.

The flight, RQ-4401, arrived from Kabul on the morning of September 21. Around 11:10 am, airline security staff spotted the boy wandering near the aircraft.

Upon questioning, it was revealed that the boy hails from Kunduz, Afghanistan, and had boarded the aircraft without a ticket by hiding inside the landing gear section.

During a thorough inspection of the aircraft, the airline’s security and engineering teams also recovered a small red audio speaker from the landing gear area.

The boy was then taken for interrogation by concerned agencies. After completing the necessary procedures, he was sent back to Kabul the same day on Kam Air’s return flight, RQ-4402. (ANI)

The launch of GST 2.0, dubbed “Bachat Utsav” (Festival of Savings) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sparked a heated debate between the Centre and the Opposition.

While the government hails it as a landmark reform, the Opposition criticises it as inadequate and a “historic blunder” being corrected after eight years.

The Goods and Services Tax reforms approved by the Union Government on September 4 came into effect on Monday. GST 2.0 features two main tax slabs – 5% and 18%, with a 40% compensation cess for luxury and sin goods.

The Centre has presented GST 2.0 as a progressive step aimed at providing significant relief of Rs 2.5 lakh crore to the common people through indirect tax cuts.

On the other hand, the opposition has termed it a “historic” blunder under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has been corrected after eight years of damage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to the Indian citizens after the GST reforms came into effect, highlighting that the ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ will boost savings and directly benefit every section of society.

“As the nation celebrates the beginning of Navaratri, I extend heartfelt wishes to you and your families. May this festival bring good health, happiness and prosperity to everyone. This year, the festive season brings an added reason to rejoice. From September 22nd, the Next Generation GST reforms have begun to make their presence felt, marking the start of a ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ or ‘GST Savings Festival’ across the country,” PM Modi wrote.

India’s Chief Economic Advisor Anantha Nageswaran, while speaking during the Network18 Reforms Reloaded 2025 summit in Delhi, noted that the combined impact of direct tax relief through income tax cuts and indirect tax relief through GST rate reductions will be over Rs 2.5 lakh crore. He, however, added that some other uncertainties may dilute the effect.

Calling the GST 2.0 a “Modi’s historic blunder”, Congress Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore lashed out at YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy over the latter’s appreciation of the Centre’s decision.

“Mr Jagan calls GST restructuring “revolutionary.” Let’s be clear — this is not a revolution. It’s just Modi’s historic GST blunder being corrected after 7 years of damage,” Tagore posted on X.

“Instead of demanding justice for Andhra, Jagan praises Modi & Nirmala. Reforms correcting Delhi’s mistakes are not revolutionary,” he added.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms have brought a wave of happiness and celebration among people and can boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country by 0.8 per cent.

“Apart from Navratri, the budget utsav has begun. There is a wave of happiness and celebration among people wherever you see… GST rates have been reduced, which will benefit all sections of society. But we are celebrating something else. These reforms can boost the GDP by 0.8%… Our path towards a Viksit Bharat goes through self-reliance. All sections of society have welcomed it,” Puri told ANI.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the NDA government and said that all the relief would come from the coffers of state governments, and the Centre did not spend a single penny.

CM Mamata Banerjee said, “There is no credit to the central government. I was the first to write a letter demanding that insurance be exempt from GST. Many life-saving medicines and small items were subject to GST. The central government has not spent a single penny on this relief; it has all come from the coffers of state governments. They take the credit, but we have borne the cost.”

Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the latter opposed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

“From 2006-2014, for eight years, only one CM opposed the GST, and that CM became the Prime Minister in 2014 and took a U-turn and emerged as a messiah of GST in 2017,” Ramesh, General Secretary incharge of communications in Congress, told ANI.

Labelling the reductions as “historic,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the GST rate cuts have been implemented on more than 390 products.

“Modi government’s gift of Next Gen GST reform to all the mothers and sisters of the country on the auspicious occasion of Navratri! Modi’s promise to the countrymen regarding GST reform has been implemented across the entire country starting today. In this GST, historic reductions have been made in taxes on more than 390 goods,” the Union Home Minister posted on X.

The reform in the Goods and Services Tax structure, which was approved during the 56th meeting of the GST Council earlier this month, is set to come into effect from September 22.

The current four-rate system will be replaced with a streamlined two-slab regime of 5% and 18%. A separate 40 per cent slab has been retained for luxury and sin goods.

This new framework is expected to ease compliance, reduce consumer prices, boost manufacturing, and support a wide range of industries, from agriculture to automobiles and from FMCG to renewable energy, and is intended to lower the cost of living, strengthen MSMEs, widen the tax base, and drive inclusive growth.

In the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and dairy sector, major brands like Amul and Mother Dairy have announced substantial price cuts, reflecting the full benefit of the GST reduction. (ANI)

Who doesn’t love a good throwback? The latest ‘Weekend Ka Vaar’ episode of ‘Bigg Boss 19’ saw Kajol and Salman Khan take fans on a walk down memory lane as the two recreated their iconic song “Odh Li Chunariya” from ‘Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya.’

However, this wasn’t just any routine; the recreation came with a twist, with a touch of Ajay Devgn’s signature style.

Kajol, who appeared on the show alongside her ‘The Trial’ co-star Jisshu Sengupta, shared some fun moments on stage with Salman.

Jisshu suggested that the two perform the iconic number, but both admitted they couldn’t remember the original steps. Salman then said, “We should think of a 2025 version and do something Ajay does.”

Kajol wasted no time joining in the fun as she mimicked her husband Ajay Devgn’s signature hook step from Son of Sardaar 2 with the words, “What? 1, 2, 3, 4.” Her playful gesture left the audience and Salman in splits.

Take a look

The actress also spoke warmly about her co-star’s dancing skills while joking about Ajay’s moves, comparing them to the exceptional performances of actors like Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor.

Kajol and Salman’s on-screen pairing has given fans some iconic films, including Karan Arjun, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Their reunion on Bigg Boss 19 delighted fans once again.

Meanwhile, Kajol is currently starring in ‘The Trial Season 2,’ where her character Noyonika Sengupta takes on more powerful challenges in the courtroom. The series, also starring Jisshu, Alyy Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, and Kubbra Sait, is streaming on Hotstar and OTTplay Premium. (ANI)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The two leaders warmly shook hands as they met on the UNGA session sidelines. 

This meeting marks their first face-to-face interaction since trade tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Indian goods over India’s purchase of Russian oil.

The meeting is part of a continuing effort to strengthen India-US ties, which had come under strain in recent months but have since shown signs of recovery.

India and the US are working towards concluding a trade agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal leading a delegation for talks in Washington. US President Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in July amid trade talks between the two countries and later imposed another 25 per cent tariff on the purchase of Russian oil.  The countries have resumed talks for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).   

According to a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, “positive discussions were held” during the September 16 visit of officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative to India, and both sides agreed to intensify efforts towards finalising a deal.

The two leaders last met in Washington in July for the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and had also held discussions earlier in January this year. However, the upcoming bilateral meeting will be their first face-to-face interaction since trade frictions flared up after President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods over the purchase of Russian oil.

Trump recently expressed confidence that they would face “no difficulty” in arriving at a deal.

There is also confusion and concern among Indians in the US on H-1B visas after Trump signed an executive order imposing a USD 1,00,000 fee on visas for skilled tech workers. The White House later clarified that the fee only applies to new applicants and not to current visa holders.

Earlier this month, during the Senate confirmation hearing for Sergio Gor, Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to India, Rubio described India as “one of the top relationships that the US has in the world today.

“Rubio, who had appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to introduce Gor, underscored the pivotal role of India in shaping the global future, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting that India was at the “core of that”.

“Sergio Gor is the nominee to India (as US Ambassador), which is one of the top relationships that the US has in the world today, in terms of the future of what the world’s going to look like. I said it earlier when I held the position as a nominee… In the 21st century, the story will be written in the Indo-Pacific. It’s so important that we have changed the name of the combatant command in the Indo-Pacific. India is at the core of that. Rubio stated. (ANI)