India Defends Energy And Economic Security As Trump Threatens Even Higher Tariffs; Six Years Since Article 370 'Abrogation'; And More

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Trump Threatens Tariffs, India Stands Ground On Oil Sovereignty 

The evening of 4 August saw India-U.S. relations sink further after US President Trump declared he would be raising tariffs on India for buying Russian oil and the Indian government responded within hours through a calm but strongly-worded statement, without naming the U.S. president.

In a post on social media portal Truth Social, Trump had accused India of buying “massive amounts of Russian oil” and reselling it for “big profits,” warning that he would “substantially raise the Tariff paid by India to the USA”.

The response by India’s Ministry of External Affairs didn’t name Trump directly, but was aimed at his claims.It clarified that India began importing oil from Russia only after traditional suppliers were diverted to Europe following the Ukraine war. 

Further, the MEA note also called out the current trade that US and its ally, the EU, carry out with Russia. "India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion." 

The European Union recorded €67.5 billion in goods trade with Russia in 2024, alongside 16.5 million tonnes of imported LNG, a new record. Even the US continues to import uranium for its nuclear industry and palladium for EVs, among other Russian-origin goods, India said.

It also noted that India’s purchases were publicly known and, at the time, even encouraged by the United States to help stabilise global energy markets. 

Analysts say that Trump’s statement of increasing tariffs even further could be a pressure tactic ahead of the next round of negotiations with India over a trade deal. Or, given that US trade deal talks with both China and India have not yielded the desired results for him so far, Trump may have chosen to go after what he perceives is the ‘weaker’ of the two nations to project himself as a decisive leader. 

Six Years Since Jammu and Kashmir ‘Freed’ From Article 370; Rumours Abound As Amarnath Yatra Suspended 

The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended from 3 August, nearly a week ahead of its scheduled conclusion on 9 August, due to extensive rain-related damage to both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, authorities said. The pilgrimage, which began on 3 July, saw over 4 lakh yatris visit the holy cave shrine before the early termination.

As per official orders, all officers deployed at key facilitation centres in Jammu—including Yatri Niwas Base Camp (Bhagwati Nagar), Ram Mandir, and Geeta Bhawan (Parade)—were relieved of duty and instructed to return to regular roles.

This news added to the speculations aroundJammu & Kashmir being granted statehood ahead of the sixth anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation on 5 August. Some social media users also pointed out that J&K Chief Minister had recently visited the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, and that the visit could be a signal towards the impending statehood for J&K. Moreover, what added to the rumours and kept many people awake were reports of Pakistan issuing NOTAM over some of its air bases. 

Other developments

Post-Operation Sindoor, Army To Deploy Drones At Battalion Level, Claims Report 

The Indian Army is implementing a sweeping structural overhaul following lessons from May's Operation Sindoor. Per The Indian Express, drones and counter-UAV systems will now become standard equipment at the battalion level across infantry, artillery, and armoured units, supported by dedicated personnel trained in drone operations. 

In addition, the Army is creating 30 light commando battalions (known as Bhairav units), forming all-arms Rudra Brigades, and reorganizing artillery into drone-equipped and Divyastra batteries capable of surveillance, strike, and anti-drone defence. 

Shibu Soren, JMM Patriarch and Former Jharkhand CM, Passes Away at 81

Shibu Soren, founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and a three-time Chief Minister of Jharkhand, passed away on 4 August 2025 at age 81, following a prolonged illness. He had been receiving treatment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, with kidney-related ailments and had been on life support for several days.

Jharkhand has declared three days of state mourning, and final rites will be held in his native village Nemra with full state honours.

Leaders across the political spectrum paid tributes to Soren—including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu—who hailed his lifelong commitment to uplift the marginalised.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi to pay his respects to the veteran leader. Modi met the bereaved family, including Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and was seen consoling him as he became emotional.

Supreme Court Stays Criminal Proceedings Against Rahul Gandhi Over China Border Remark But Delivers Strong Rebuke

The Supreme Court of India on 4 August granted a stay on criminal defamation proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, linked to remarks he made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022 regarding India-China border tensions.

While halting the trial, Justices Dipankar Datta and A.G. Masih sharply reprimanded Gandhi, stating: "How did you get to know that 2,000 sq km of Indian territory was occupied? Were you there? Do you have any credible proof? If you are a true Indian, you would not say all these things".

They questioned his decision to make national security-related comments on social media rather than in Parliament, asking: “Why do you have to say this in media or social media posts?”

Gandhi contends his statements were in the public interest, while senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued the defamation complaint is an attempt to stifle his voice.

The defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was filed in August 2023 by Uday Shankar Shrivastava, a retired officer of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), before a Lucknow Magistrate court, which subsequently issued summons to the Congress leader in February 2025.

Gandhi had moved the Allahabad High Court seeking to quash the summons, but his plea was rejected in May 2025, prompting him to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court.

You’re all caught up—until next time.