Trump administration making a big mistake with India, warns ex-US Commerce Secretary (The Economic Times)
Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo criticized the Trump administration’s “America Alone” trade strategy, warning that alienating allies like India, Europe, and Japan weakens America’s global influence and economic partnerships. Her remarks coincide with progress in India–U.S. trade talks, as both nations near a bilateral trade agreement despite lingering issues over the steep 50 percent tariffs imposed by Washington. While negotiations are reportedly positive and converging on most points, uncertainty over tariff relief and non-tariff barriers continues to cloud the deal’s finalization.
Washington's push to put US corn in Indian cars to face tough road ahead (Business Standard)
Washington’s effort to push U.S. corn-based ethanol into India’s fuel market faces major resistance, as New Delhi seeks to shield its domestic biofuel program that sustains millions of farmers and generates ₹1.18 trillion in income from crops like sugarcane, corn, and crop residue. While India is willing to make concessions such as duty-free imports of U.S. liquefied petroleum gas to secure tariff relief, opening its bioenergy sector to American corn ethanol would undermine rural livelihoods, anger motorists already struggling with high ethanol blends, and risk triggering large-scale farmer protests. With elections approaching in key agricultural states and farmers being Modi’s only strong political opposition, the government is unlikely to jeopardize its rural base, making Washington’s goal of putting “U.S. corn in Indian cars” a politically fraught and economically difficult pursuit.
Indian engineers' median pay drops 40% in 2025, US salaries rise (Business Standard)
Median pay for engineering and data professionals in India plunged by 40 percent to $22,000 in 2025, even as U.S. counterparts saw salaries soar to $150,000, highlighting a widening global tech pay divide. Despite this, India recorded one of the world’s narrowest gender pay gaps, with near parity in sales and smaller disparities in technical roles, signalling gradual progress in workplace equality. Meanwhile, equity-based compensation and backend engineering roles are driving new growth trends, particularly in emerging tech hubs outside major Indian cities, where skilled professionals increasingly command higher pay packages.
India boosts US crude oil imports to 540,000 bpd, highest since 2022 (Business Standard)
India’s crude oil imports from the United States surged to 540,000 barrels per day in October 2025 — the highest since 2022 — as refiners capitalized on favorable price differentials and weaker Chinese demand. The sharp rise, driven by economic factors like the wider Brent-WTI spread, also reflects New Delhi’s effort to ease trade tensions with Washington following Trump’s new 50 percent tariff on Indian goods linked to Russian oil imports. However, analysts caution that the uptick is temporary, as higher freight costs, longer shipping times, and WTI’s lighter composition limit the long-term viability of large-scale U.S. crude imports.
