Eyes of the India

India faces tariff pressure from US, strategic disadvantage against China India’s energy strategy has come under fresh strain as US President Donald Trump’s secondary tariffs on Russian oil imports take effect from August 27. The additional 25 per cent duty on India’s purchases has sparked concerns in New Delhi that the country is being unfairly targeted in Washington’s attempt to squeeze Moscow’s oil revenues and force it into peace negotiations over the Ukraine war. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed surprise over the new tariff, noting that it was the United States that initially encouraged India and others to buy Russian oil to help stabilise global energy markets. Speaking in Moscow alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Jaishankar underlined India’s position that its crude imports are driven by affordability and energy security, not geopolitics. However, policy experts believe India has become a “soft target” for Washington. According to analyst Dav...

India, Brazil Strengthen Oil Trade Amid US Tariff Pressures Amid escalating trade tensions with the United States, India and Brazil are drawing closer in the energy sector, with a particular focus on crude oil trade. Both nations have been hit by 50 per cent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, who has intensified his protectionist stance by targeting major economies, including New Delhi and Brasília. Brazil’s crude oil exports to India have surged significantly in the first half of 2025, marking the fastest growth among all India’s oil suppliers, according to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI). This trend has continued into the latter half of the year, as Indian refiners accelerate efforts to diversify their supply sources in response to the increasing weaponisation of trade tariffs. “Sky-high US tariffs are prompting India and Brazil to explore opportunities to boost oil trade, as New Delhi looks for alternatives to Russian oil, while Brazil scouts for n...

India and Pakistan airspace closures enter fifth month of restrictions India has extended its airspace ban on Pakistani airlines and aircraft until the early morning of September 24, according to a fresh notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued late Friday. This reciprocal closure, which began in April, has now entered its fifth month, significantly impacting Indian aviation while causing minimal disruption to Pakistan. The ban was first imposed after the April 24 Pahalgam terror attack, when Pakistan barred Indian aircraft from overflying its airspace. India responded on April 30 with a similar measure against Pakistani carriers. Since then, both countries have been renewing these closures through monthly NOTAMs. While the restrictions apply only to each other’s airlines and military flights, the airspace remains open for carriers from other nations. For Indian aviation, the impact has been considerable. Around 800 weekly flights from Indian carriers that once relied on Pakistani airspace ...