Trump Claims India Now Offering To Cut Tariffs; Manufacturing PMI At 17-Year High; And More

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"Should Have Done So Years Ago": Trump Claims India 'Offering' To Cut Tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday claimed in a post on his Truth Social platform: "They [India] have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it's getting late. They should have done so years ago," 

Trump's comments came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China.

Trump wrote on the social media platform: “What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us. In other words, they sell us massive amounts of goods, their biggest “client,” but we sell them very little - Until now a totally one sided relationship, and it has been for many decades. The reason is that India has charged us, until now, such high Tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India. It has been a totally one sided disaster!”

Trump also criticized India for purchasing most of its oil and military equipment from Russia while buying "very little" from the United States.

The remarks, even though an apparent climbdown from the previous unyielding position taken by the US President with respect to India, contrasted with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi's earlier optimistic assessment. In a post on X, the Embassy said the relationship continued to "reach new heights," quoting Secretary of State Marco Rubio's praise for people-to-people ties as crucial for advancing bilateral relations.

SCO Condemns Pahalgam Attack In Joint Declaration

The 25th Council of Heads of State summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. 

As stated in the Tianjin Declaration, “The Member States strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the dead and the wounded. They further stated that perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of such attacks must be brought to justice”. 

The declaration also reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism and stressed “the inadmissibility of attempts to use terrorist, separatist and extremist groups for mercenary purposes.” 

This strong language echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at the summit, where he denounced the Pahalgam massacre not only as an attack on India but as an assault on humanity, urging SCO nations to reject double standards and present a unified stand against terrorism.

Bihar SIR: Supreme Court Refuses to Extend Bihar Voter Registration Deadline

The Supreme Court Monday declined to extend Bihar's 1 September deadline for voter registration claims after the Election Commission assured continued acceptance of applications until nomination filing for the Assembly election concludes. Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi recorded the Commission's commitment to consider applications "even after the deadline" until final electoral rolls are prepared.

The Court directed Bihar State Legal Services Authority to deploy para-legal volunteers assisting voters with online submissions. While 99.5 per cent of Bihar's 7.24 crore voters completed forms, only 33,326 individuals sought inclusion among 65 lakh excluded voters, contrasting with 1.34 lakh deletion objections.

RJD leaders had petitioned for a deadline extension, citing procedural concerns. The matter returns 8 September. 

Other developments

India's Manufacturing Sector Hits 17-Year High in August 2025

India's manufacturing sector recorded its fastest expansion in over 17 years during August 2025, propelled by surging new orders and production levels, according to a private survey.

The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) climbed to 59.3 in August from July's 59.1, indicating the "fastest improvement in operating conditions for 17-and-a-half years." The last comparable performance occurred in mid-2008.

"Indian manufacturing growth gained further momentum in August, with ongoing improvements in demand continuing to underpin robust increases in factory orders and production," the report stated. "Companies upped the pace at which additional materials were bought, and more jobs were created, partly reflecting positive expectations regarding the outlook."

Production growth reached its fastest pace in nearly five years, while "incoming new orders rose to broadly the same extent as in July, which was the fastest in 57 months."

However, export growth moderated due to global uncertainties. "The increase of US tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent might have contributed to the slight easing in new export orders growth," noted HSBC Chief India Economist Pranjul Bhandari.

India's UPI Transactions Cross 20 Billion Mark in August 2025

India's digital payment infrastructure achieved a milestone in August 2025, with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding 20 billion for the first time, according to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data released Sunday.

UPI transaction volumes reached 20.01 billion in August, marking a substantial 34 per cent increase from 14.9 billion recorded in August 2024. The transaction value totaled Rs 24.85 lakh crore, representing a 21 per cent year-on-year growth from Rs 20.60 lakh crore in the previous year. 

However, monthly transaction values experienced a slight decline from July's Rs 25.08 lakh crore. The peak monthly transaction value remains May 2025's Rs 25.14 lakh crore.

Daily averages demonstrated the system's robust adoption, with approximately 645 million transactions worth Rs 80,177 crore processed each day. 

From the states

Bombay High Court Orders Maratha Protesters to Clear Mumbai Streets By Today

The Bombay High Court Monday directed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil and supporters to vacate Mumbai streets by September 2, citing severe disruptions from ongoing protests. 

During a special hearing, Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad observed the agitation had exceeded designated boundaries at Azad Maidan, spreading across southern Mumbai and causing traffic gridlocks and security concerns.

The court deemed the protest "not peaceful" and violating earlier conditions. "We are giving Jarange and his supporters an opportunity to rectify the situation immediately and ensure the streets are vacated and cleaned up by Tuesday noon," the court stated, describing the situation as "grim."

The bench criticized the state government's inaction, noting Jarange-Patil's "fast till death" constituted a direct threat. Court premises were blocked, preventing judges and lawyers from entering. Videos from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus showed protesters dancing to drum beats, adding to chaos.

The court reiterated its August 27 order requiring lawful demonstrations within permitted spaces, reminding authorities of their enforcement responsibilities.

Political Row After Army Dismantles TMC Protest Stage in Kolkata's Maidan Area 

A controversy arose after the Army dismantled a Trinamool Congress protest site at Kolkata's Maidan area. The party had been protesting there against the alleged harassment of Bengali migrants. 

The Army's Eastern Command stated the Maidan falls under its jurisdiction with events permitted for only two days per Supreme Court directions. "Permission for events exceeding three days must be obtained from the Ministry of Defence. The stage had been in place for nearly a month despite multiple reminders. Following this, Kolkata police were informed, and the Army removed the structure," its statement said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of politicizing the military. "The Army is not guilty; they have been directed by the BJP. It's a dirty political game," she said, directing her party to relocate. "If atrocities against Bengalis continue, we will protest every day."

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh alleged suppression attempts. "The Chief Minister instructed us to hold the dharna. We will shift the venue, and the public will see how the Centre is acting against our government."

The BJP welcomed the Army's action, with a former MP stating the protest lacked proper permission.

You’re all caught up. Until next time.