In Latest Tirade Against India, Peter Navarro Targets Brahmins; Last Date For Filing Objections To Bihar Draft SIR List; And More

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Brahmins Profiteering At Expense Of Indian People: White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro

Barely days after terming the war in Ukraine as ‘Modi’s war’, White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro escalated his rhetoric against the Indian government. In an interview with a US channel generally regarded as leaning towards the Republicans, Sunday, Navarro said: “Modi is a great leader. I don’t understand why he is getting into bed with Putin and Xi Jinping when he’s (India) the biggest democracy in the world. So I would just simply say (to) the Indian people, please understand what’s going on here. You got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. We need that to stop.” 

Navarro was referring to the recent SCO summit in China where PM Modi met with Chinese premier Xi Jinping and Russian President, Vladimir Putin. This was PM Modi’s first trip to China in seven years and it came amidst intensified rhetoric against India by Navarro and his colleagues and tariffs by their boss, US President, Donald Trump. 

Notably, the narrative that ‘Brahmins are exploiting others and have monopolised all profits’ ties in neatly with the long-standing belief of some political parties in India, especially in the south. It also aligns with the campaign plank adopted in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by current Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, when he was seen, multiple times, asking people their and their employer’s caste affiliations. 

Modi, Xi Hold Bilateral Talks in China 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, China on Sunday during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The meeting marked the first interaction between the leaders in nearly 10 months, following their previous encounter at the BRICS summit in Russia's Kazan.

Modi congratulated Xi on China's SCO chairmanship and emphasized "trust, respect and sensitivity" as fundamental to India-China relations. The Prime Minister announced that Special Representatives from both countries had reached an agreement on border management and confirmed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and direct flights between the nations.

The talks represent a significant thaw in India-China relations following tensions that began with the 2020 Galwan clashes. Modi stressed that cooperation between the two countries, representing 2.8 billion people, would benefit global welfare.

The meeting occurs as both Asian powers face US tariffs.

Prior to the meeting, Modi described stable India-China relations as crucial for regional and global peace, calling such ties essential for a multi-polar Asia.

Other developments

Modi Assures Ukraine of Peace Support Before Meeting Putin, Xi at SCO Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by telephone ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, pledging India's "full support" for peace restoration efforts in Ukraine.

The conversation, their second this month, addressed the ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns. Modi stated on X that India "extends full support to all efforts" toward peace and stability.

Zelenskyy acknowledged Modi's growing role as a diplomatic intermediary and praised his condolences for victims of recent Russian attacks. The Ukrainian leader emphasized India's influence at the SCO gathering in China, where Modi will meet Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine's readiness for direct talks with Moscow, noting India's potential to "deliver the appropriate signal to Russia and other leaders during summit meetings."

The leaders previously spoke on August 11, when Modi reaffirmed India's consistent position supporting peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Domestic Demand, Good Monsoon Could Soften Tariff Impact: Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran

In a bunch of interactions since Friday, Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran downplayed concerns over US tariffs, stating that any job losses would remain limited to units heavily dependent on American markets while domestic demand would provide offsetting support.

Nageswaran emphasized that strong domestic demand, bolstered by favorable monsoon conditions and rising rural consumption, could compensate for tariff impacts. He noted affected firms could explore alternative markets or retain workers if uncertainties prove temporary.

The Chief Economic Advisor expects tariffs to be "short-lived," with both nations in discussions for removing the 25 per cent penalty and negotiating a bilateral trade deal.

Commenting on India's robust 7.8 per cent GDP growth in Q1 2026, Nageswaran attributed the performance to manufacturing and services growth, plus government consumption benefits from favourable base effects and lower inflation.

Despite tariff challenges, India maintains its fiscal growth projections at 6.3-6.8 per cent. Nageswaran acknowledged potential near-term external sector impacts but emphasized any slowdown would be "contained, temporary, and transitory."

From the states

Bihar Electoral Roll Revision: SIR Deadline Ends Today 

With one day left for filing claims and objections in Bihar's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, over 33,000 people have applied for re-inclusion on the voter list, the Election Commission announced Sunday.

The draft electoral rolls published August 1 included 7.24 crore people, down 65 lakh names from the previous list. According to ECI data, 33,326 individuals have filed re-inclusion claims while 15,32,438 applications came from newly eligible 18-year-old voters.

The commission also received 2,07,565 objections challenging names in the draft rolls. Citizens have until Monday to submit remaining claims or objections.

The revision aims to ensure accuracy and eliminate duplicate entries from Bihar's voter database. Final electoral rolls will be published September 30, 2025.

With close to 99 per cent of electors submitting verification documents, the final electoral roll will be published September 30 ahead of November's anticipated state elections.

Karnataka: SIT Continues To Probe "Masked Man's" Activist Connections in Dharmasthala Case

The complainant in the Dharmasthala temple case has revealed connections to activists and disclosed a Delhi trip made before alleging mass rapes and murders, a private Indian news channel reported, citing source-based inputs. The Special Investigation Team working on the case conducted searches at activist T Jayanth's Bengaluru residence, with plans to visit another activist's home and travel to Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Jayanth admitted providing the masked man shelter and traveling to Delhi with other complainants to meet individuals, including a religious seer. He denied drug peddling allegations while accepting responsibility for his actions. 

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated the investigation cannot be rushed but should be expedited.

You’re all caught up—until next time.