- INDIA MAY OFFER LOWER DUTIES ON PECANS TO PACIFY TRUMP
SUBJECT: BILATERAL
- PM Modi to hold bilateral talks with President Trump, focusing on tariffs & trade issues.
- India to offer tariff reductionson select U.S. goods, including pecan nuts, to soften Trump’s stance.
- Aims to counter U.S. claims of India being a”tariff abuser”by presenting a fact sheet on already low/zero duties on U.S. industrial goods.
- Tariff Reductions & Key Concessions
- India previously reduced pecan nut import duty from100% to 30%(2023).
- Further cuts possible on U.S. farm products not grown in India, reducing trade tensions.
- Similar past reductions on almonds showcase India’s flexibility in trade negotiations. Strategic Benefits for India
- India hopes Trump may suspend or revise tariffs on Indian exports post negotiations.
- Aims to restore Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)benefits, revoked by Trump in 2019.
- Strengthening Modi-Trump camaraderie to push for favorable trade terms. U.S. Perspective & Trump’s Trade Tactics
- Trump views tariffs as a negotiation tool(successful with Canada & Mexico).
- US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)sees potential for a win win trade deal
2. SELF RELIANCE PUSH DRIVES INDIAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SUBJECT: DEFENSE
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized domestic production & reduced imports.
- Defence Exim portal launched to facilitate exports & foreign investment.
- FDI & Defence Licenses
- 75% FDI via automatic route, 100% under government approval. Defence Exports Growth
- 31-fold increase in defence exports over the past decade. Innovation & MSME Role
- Over 500 defence start-ups working under iDEX(Innovations for Defence Excellence).
- Key Technological Focus – AI-powered warfare, drones, and autonomous weapons.
3. INDIA AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GLOBAL NORTH AND SOUTH
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Balances ties with US, EU while championing Global South concerns.
- Unlike NAM, it avoids anti-West rhetoric, preferring strategic partnerships.
- China Factor & India’s Competition
- Counters China’s BRI by investing in Africa’s development.
- India-US-EU-led Global Partnership to provide infrastructure alternatives.
- Key Areas of Focus
- Development Cooperation:Equal partnerships, not aid dependency.
- Domestic Capacity Building: MSMEs, renewable energy, food & water security.
- Institutional Reforms & Global Agenda
- Advocates G20 reforms & greater Global South inclusion.
- Calls for fairer trade policies & knowledge-sharing models
4. TRUMP PROPOSES TARIFFS ON STEEL ALUMINIUM IMPORTS
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- Trump announced a 25% tariff on steel & aluminium imports, targeting Canada, Mexico, and China.
- Justification: Trade imbalance & national security concerns.
- India’s Response & Trade Diplomacy
- India considering reducing tariffs on pecan nuts to ease tensions.
- India lowered the pecan tariff from 100% to 30% in 2023, further cuts possible.
- India highlights its low tariffs on many US industrial exports.
- Trade Balances & Diplomatic Outreach
- Modi-Trump meeting expected to focus on reviving GSP(Generalized System of Preferences) benefits for Indian exports.
- US-India Strategic Partnership Forum supports tariff negotiations.
- Challenges & Global Impact
- Potential retaliation from affected countries, disrupting global trade.
- India must balance domestic industry protection with trade diplomacy.
5. THE PROBLEM OF REGULATING LIVE-IN – RELATIONSHIPS
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- Mandatory Registration of opposite-sex live-ins.
- Unregistered Cohabitation Criminalized.
- Children from Live-ins Deemed Legitimate.
- Legal & Social Concerns
- Maintenance Rights:No support after breakup, leaving women vulnerable.
- Privacy & Autonomy Issues:State oversight, parental notification (if under 21).
- Exclusion of Same-Sex Couples:Only heterosexual live-ins recognized.
