Daily News - Tuesday, 9 September 2025

⁠'Won't end well' for India: White House trade advisor Navarro on trade negotiations (The Hindu)

⁠In a blunt and heated statement, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro criticized India for its high tariffs and importing Russian oil, warning that continued alignment with Russia and China could harm India’s future, and urging it to work more closely with the U.S. like other major trading partners who recognise the need for fairer trade practices. He went further, calling India’s tariff stance profiteering and accusing the BRICS alliance of being unstable and driven by mutual distrust, exploiting the U.S. like “vampires.” Navarro wrapped up with sharp remarks about China’s role in regional tensions, suggesting that India must carefully navigate these relationships to avoid long-term damage while trusting American leadership.

⁠India-New Zealand hold wide-ranging discussions on defence, trade during Foreign Office Consultations (The Economic Times)

⁠India and New Zealand recently held Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, where they discussed strengthening their partnership across defence, trade, education, sports, and people-to-people ties, while reaffirming their commitment to keep up the momentum of high-level exchanges. The two countries are also working on advancing their Free Trade Agreement, with India-New Zealand trade already reaching USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024-25 — a sharp 48.6% increase — and further negotiations planned to boost investment, supply chains, and business environments. With shared values like democratic governance and historical ties through the Commonwealth and common law systems, both nations are looking to deepen their friendship and economic cooperation for long-term growth and prosperity. 

⁠India plans to put large infra projects in fast lane (The Economic Times)

⁠India is gearing up for a major infrastructure drive under its Vision 2047 plan, fast-tracking large projects like bullet train corridors, ports, shipyards, and access-controlled highways to boost long-term growth amid global uncertainties and trade pressures. The government is bundling projects for quicker approvals and encouraging public-private partnerships, with a record ₹11.21 lakh crore earmarked for infrastructure in the 2025-26 budget, aiming to raise investment levels from 33.5% to 40% of GDP by 2035. Ministries are aligning their plans with the 2047 goals, with committees revisiting targets, while the road, shipping, and railway sectors are focusing on building world-class infrastructure—like 50,000 km of highways and mega shipbuilding hubs—to transform India’s growth trajectory.

⁠India & China should firmly oppose any form of tariff and trade wars, Xu Feihong calls 50% tariff 'unfair' (The Economic Times)

China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, urged both nations to reject tariffs and trade wars, uphold the multilateral trading system, and work together to promote peace, inclusive globalization, and the interests of developing countries in today’s uncertain global environment. He criticized the U.S. for imposing “unfair” tariffs on India, while emphasizing that India and China, as major powers, should strengthen cooperation, build on their historical friendship, and jointly contribute to global governance and development. Highlighting improved India-China ties—like growing trade worth $88 billion, high-level visits, and resumption of visas and pilgrimages—Feihong expressed optimism that both countries will continue fostering friendly relations amid global turbulence.

⁠Trump’s tariffs could reduce India's GDP by 0.5%, says CEA Anantha Nageswaran (The Economic Times)

India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran warned that Trump’s 50% tariffs could shave off up to 0.5–0.6% of India’s GDP this year, and if the uncertainty stretches into the next fiscal year, it could pose a much bigger risk—though he remains confident the economy will grow between 6.3% and 6.8%, supported by strong consumption, tax cuts, and low inflation. Despite Trump’s recent softer remarks calling Modi a “great prime minister” and affirming a “special relationship,” deep divisions remain, especially over issues like India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, with both sides cautious and defensive even as public comments hint at goodwill. While officials in India view Trump’s comments positively, they are proceeding carefully, aware that trade disputes and geopolitical tensions—especially involving Russia and China—continue to complicate ties, with key issues unresolved despite ongoing negotiations.