What Trump's Ambassador Pick Said About India-US Trade Deal; What Fadnavis Said About Proposal To Rename Bengaluru's Shivaji Nagar Station; And More

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US-India Trade Deal Could Be Finalised Within Weeks, Says Trump's Ambassador Pick

President Trump's nominee for US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, announced that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has been invited to Washington next week for crucial trade negotiations with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Speaking at his Senate confirmation hearing, the 38-year-old Gor expressed optimism about reaching a "hopeful trade deal," stating that both nations are only negotiating minor details and a resolution could come "over the next few weeks."

This development follows Trump's recent tone shift toward India, where he described Prime Minister Modi as a "friend." Gor emphasized their "deep friendship," noting Trump consistently compliments Modi even when criticizing India's policies.

The sixth round of bilateral trade negotiations will begin soon, with both countries hoping to meet a fall deadline for the first tranche. However, challenges remain as Indian goods now face cumulative 50 per cent US tariffs—the highest among major trading partners.

If confirmed, Gor would become America's youngest ambassador to India.

Supreme Court Asserts Authority Over Constitutional Duties as Governor-State Dispute Intensifies

Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said the Supreme Court will not "sit idle" if constitutional authorities fail their duties. He made this statement on Thursday during the final day of a Presidential Reference hearing. The hearing has highlighted tensions between Opposition-ruled states and their Governors.

"Howsoever high an authority may be, he is not above the law," CJI Gavai told Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta. He emphasized the court's role as "custodian of the Constitution."

The dispute began with the court's April 8 judgment. The court imposed a three-month deadline on Governors to decide on Bills.

Mehta argued against "one-size-fits-all" solutions. He said each Bill requires context-specific consideration. He claimed that uniform time limits could prove "self-destructive." He maintained that most Bills historically receive approval within a month.

The government pleaded that courts cannot interfere in law-making. Justice Kant clarified the court can require Governors to make decisions without dictating their content.

CJI Gavai noted constitutional framers expected "harmonious existence" between states and Governors.

Other developments

Brazil Supreme Court Reaches Majority to Convict Former President Bolsonaro of Coup Plot

Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday reached the three-vote majority needed to convict former President Jair Bolsonaro of plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 election defeat.

Judge Carmen Lucia became the third of five judges to find the 70-year-old far-right leader guilty of conspiring to regain power after losing to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Bolsonaro faces over 40 years in prison if convicted on all five charges, including leading a "criminal organization" to overthrow President Lula. The conviction becomes final once the fifth judge votes.

Bolsonaro claims political persecution, while US President Trump has called the trial a "witch hunt" and imposed 50 per cent retaliatory tariffs on Brazilian imports.

Poland Vows Military Modernisation After Russian Drone Incursions

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged Thursday to advance a "great modernisation program" for the military, one day after Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace during strikes on Ukraine.

European officials called Wednesday's incursion a deliberate provocation, marking the first potential NATO airspace threat since Russia's invasion began three years ago.

Poland introduced eastern air traffic restrictions Thursday for national security reasons. Some drones reportedly came from Belarus, where Russian troops are gathering for Friday war games.

Poland is closing its Belarus border at midnight Thursday due to the military exercises.

Addressing troops in Lask, Tusk praised their response and announced Poland expects its first U.S. F-35 fighter jets next year—part of 32 aircraft due by 2030.

Adani Ports Stops Berthing US-EU Sanctioned Vessels On Its Ports

Adani Group has ceased allowing vessels sanctioned by the US, European Union, and UK to berth at its ports, issuing orders to port authorities as a precautionary measure against potential penalties related to Russian crude transportation. This was reported by a national financial daily.

India imports 40 per cent of its oil from Russia presently, and continues to import fuel from the country despite US sanctions pressure.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Thursday that trade negotiations between India-US are advancing with both sides satisfied, targeting completion of the first tranche by November 2025.

GST Reforms on Coal to Reduce Power Generation Costs, Says Government

The government announced Thursday that new GST reforms on coal will lower overall taxation and reduce power generation costs by 17-18 paise per kilowatt-hour.

The GST Council recommended removing the Rs 400 per tonne compensation cess while increasing GST rates from 5 per cent to 18 per cent. This change reduces overall tax burden on coal grades G6 to G17 by Rs 13.40 to Rs 329.61 per tonne, with average power sector savings of Rs 260 per tonne.

Previously, the flat cess rate disproportionately affected low-quality coal. G-11 non-coking coal faced 65.85 per cent tax incidence compared to 35.64 per cent for G2 coal. The reforms establish a uniform 39.81 per cent tax rate across all categories.

The changes also eliminate inverted duty structure, where coal companies paid 5 per cent GST but 18 per cent on input services, creating unutilised tax credits. This blocked liquidity will now be released, helping coal companies' financial health.

From the states

Miscreants Vandalise Decorations Ahead of PM Modi's Manipur Visit

Armed miscreants destroyed decorative structures erected to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur's Churachandpur district on Thursday evening, ahead of his September 13 visit.

Groups of men with sticks went on a rampage around 7:45 p.m. near the helipad where the Prime Minister is scheduled to land.

This marks his first visit to the state since ethnic clashes between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities erupted in May 2023.

The incidents occurred along the route PM Modi's convoy will use. Viral videos showed miscreants setting demolished structures on fire while police watched helplessly.

The vandalism happened 2 km from Peace Ground, where Modi will speak before proceeding to Imphal's Kangla Fort.

Kuki-Zo organizations welcomed the "long overdue" visit but opposed including dance programs in official functions, stating: "Our mourning is not yet over, our tears are not yet dried, our wounds are not yet healed. We cannot dance with joy."

Maharashtra CM Slams Karnataka CM's Proposal to Rename Bengaluru's Shivaji Nagar Metro Station

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday strongly condemned Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's proposal to rename Bengaluru's Shivaji Nagar Metro Station as St. Mary Station, accusing him of insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and creating communal divisions.

"What the Karnataka Congress government is trying to do is to insult Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Fadnavis said, and also cited Nehru's comments on the Chhatrapati in his Discovery of India.

Fadnavis accused Siddaramaiah of attempting to "set up an alternative religious system and draw a wedge between communities."

Shiv Sena UBT, a Congress ally, also opposed the decision. Spokesperson Anand Dubey appealed to Karnataka's CM: "History will not forgive you if you rename the station."

Siddaramaiah announced the renaming proposal during St. Mary's Basilica feast celebrations on Monday, though Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation hasn't issued an official confirmation.

You’re all caught up—until next time.