WHO GOT WHAT: For Putin, the summit marked a symbolic return to global legitimacy—an escape from diplomatic isolation - a great leap forward, standing on his head. He even floated proposals for joint US–Russia ventures, signaling a bold pivot toward normalization. (Where have the sanctions gone!)

For Trump, the meeting served to boost his self-styled image as a master dealmaker, inching him closer to what some insiders describe as his “obsessive” pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize. Whether this ambition compromises national interest is a question critics are now asking aloud. Ironically, the original Alaska agenda was left untouched—overshadowed by optics, ambition, and the choreography of power.)

(Aside: Let’s put the Ukraine issue simply. Imagine India is obsessed with national security. It decides to invade and own not the bordering Pakistan or Bangladesh but Sri Lanka or the Maldives—not across a land border, but across the sea—because it perceives growing Chinese influence in the ocean as a threat. Now apply that logic to Russia. Putin wants to annex Ukrainian territory across the strategic Black Sea—not just for land, but to control the strategic sea route itself. Same style, a decade ago it annexed Crimea. So he invaded Ukraine again for more. It is not a war but is an invasion. It’s not just about borders. It’s about expansion and dominance. Now let the common man take the explanation forward! Let us not be confused! Ukraine is not at war! There is no war!)

WASHINGTON, Aug 16: In a surprise move that could temporarily ease tensions between Washington and New Delhi, President Donald the New Trump said on Friday soon after the Alaska summit that imposition of the 25% penalty tariff on Indian goods for Delhi violating sanctions against purchase of Russian oil that was set to take effect on August 27 will be postponed by two-three weeks.

The surprise penalty tariff was announced by Trump on August 6, singling out India, even as trade negotiations were going on. That 25% was over and above the 25% reciprocal tariff imposed on July 30 alongwith around 70 countries, but at varying smaller rates. However, when he announced the reciprocal tariff he had indicated that the total tariffs for India would be “plus a penalty” which came so soon without notice.

Immediately after the Alaska summit with Putin, in a televised interview and subsequent posts on Truth Social, Trump claimed that India has “essentially stopped buying Russian crude” following the tariff announcement. “Russia lost an oil client, which is India,” he said, suggesting that the move had geopolitical ripple effects, including prompting Moscow to seek direct talks with Washington.

However, Indian officials have firmly denied any suspension of Russian oil imports. The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Chairman AS Sahney clarified that purchases remain “purely based on economic considerations,” and the Ministry of External Affairs called Trump’s claims “unfounded and speculative”.

Tariff timeline and trade impact

The delay in the penalty tariff offers a temporary reprieve for Indian exporters. According to the White House, shipments arriving in the US before or on September 17 will not be subject to the additional 25% duty, provided they were dispatched before August 27, according to the earlier schedule. A new schedule is yet to be released. Meanwhile, the initial 25% tariff, implemented on August 7, remains in force.

The combined 50% tariff targets approximately $40 billion worth of Indian exports, including textiles, leather goods, seafood, and gems. Trade bodies such as the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) have warned that the measure could severely disrupt supply chains and pricing strategies.

India has emerged as one of Russia’s largest crude oil buyers since 2022, accounting for roughly 35–40% of its seaborne exports. While Trump has framed the tariff as a punitive measure to pressure India into compliance with Western sanctions, Indian officials maintain that their energy decisions are guided by national interest and global market stability.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that its oil purchases are legitimate under international norms, noting that Russian crude is not formally sanctioned but subject to a G7/EU price-cap mechanism. “India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the ministry stated.

Geopolitical undercurrents

Trump’s assertion that India has halted Russian oil imports—despite official denials—adds a layer of ambiguity to the unfolding trade dispute.

While no formal agreement emerged from the Trump–Putin talks, both leaders expressed cautious optimism. Trump hinted that further secondary tariffs on countries like China could be considered in the coming weeks, depending on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

For now, Indian exporters and policymakers face a narrow window to recalibrate, as Washington’s tariff diplomacy continues to reshape global trade and energy alliance

Alaska summit

The summit, described by Trump as the 'feel-out' session, was held at Elmendorf-Richardson, the largest military base in the biggest city of Anchorage in the US State of Alaska, nicknamed the Last Frontier, closer to Russia. The two met around 11 am (Alaska time) on Friday (IST 12:30 am on Saturday). All facilities and the protocol were equal on both sides, matching.

The meeting concluded without a formal agreement but delivered significant geopolitical optics and strategic signals. Despite high expectations, the talks failed to produce a ceasefire or concrete roadmap for ending Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. Both leaders described the meeting as “productive,” yet Trump conceded, “We haven’t quite got there,” and reiterated, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal”.

Putin, meanwhile, praised the “friendly” tone and emphasized Russia’s national interests, while subtly warning Ukraine and European allies against disrupting what he called “nascent progress”.

Advantage Putin

Symbolically, the summit was a diplomatic win for Putin. His red-carpet welcome on US soil, joint press appearance with Trump, and confident demeanor projected a return to global legitimacy despite his continued isolation by Western powers.

The meeting allowed him to float proposals for joint US–Russia ventures, including Arctic resource development, and to push for sanctions relief without making major concessions.

Analysts noted that the optics—Putin riding with Trump in the presidential limousine, dominating the press conference, and hinting at future meetings—reinforced his image as a global player rather than a pariah.

For Trump, the summit served as a “listening exercise” and a test of his deal-making persona. While no breakthrough emerged, he hinted at a possible trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and left the door open for future negotiations. However, critics warned that the summit risked “neutralizing” US involvement in Ukraine and sidelining European allies, who fear any settlement that legitimizes Russian territorial gains. The lack of Ukrainian representation and the absence of enforceable outcomes left many in Kyiv dismayed, viewing the summit as a setback for their cause.

• The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla line provides Kashmir with all-weather connectivity and integrates the Valley with the rest of India.
• The saying 'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' is now a dream come true.
• The Chenab bridge on the line, an engineering marvel, is the world's highest railway bridge, taller than the Eiffel Tower. (Video: File)

A comment on social media on Kanimozhi's answer on the question of national language read: "Daughter of Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi. Delivered the Birthday Present to her Father!!" (Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924) (Today's headlines )

Trump said, "Elon is not really leaving" and will be "back and forth" to the White House because DOGE is his "baby." "I think he’s going to be doing a lot of things.”

Musk wrote: "My scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end... The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government." Now on it will be on auto-pilot.

PROGNOSIS: DOGE was prematurely born to protect the country by aborting an impending socio-economic disaster which very few people could see coming.

Although its immediate job was to save American taxpayers billions by slashing waste, eliminating fraud, cutting Government bloat and ensuring utmost efficiency in administration for the good of the people. (Today's headlines )

"Coming from a system like in England, empowering," she says she never had an idea of this sort of experience... being asked to “socialise with middle-aged men” who financed the event...humiliating...

Originally from Junagadh, Gujarat, Pataudi was relocated to Etawah Lion Safari in September 2019 before being transferred to Gorakhpur Zoo in 2021. Recently it was receiving treatment for pancreatic and liver infections. After tigress Shakti died in the zoo on May 7 due to bird flu, Pataudi was shifted to Kanpur. Some birds are also reported to have died mysteriously around Gorakhpur. All zoos in UP are closed for fear of a bird flu outbreak.

Three other animals too had died - a tiger, a leopardess and a female wolf. Wolf Bhairavi died last Saturday, leopardess Mona died the Thursday before that and tiger Kesari died on March 30. Some of them had Shakti's symptoms but the cause of death has not been confirmed yet.

As tourist inflow is an indicator of normalcy returning to an erstwhile terrorist infested Valley, the Government has been trying hard to make everything travel-friendly, launching lot many projects and bringing Kashmir on the national rail map that physically completes the process of Kashmir's integration with the rest of India. And that defeats the designs of Pakistan eyeing Kashmir and simply explains a recrudescence of terrorism in J&K.

The committee headed by justice Kurian Joseph will study Centre-State relations and make proposals to ensure foolproof separation of powers.

"It's a big victory not just for Tamil Nadu but for all Indian States. DMK will continue to struggle for and win State autonomy and Federal polity," Chief Minister MK Stalin said.

Of 2.08 km in length, it features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift span that rises up to a height of 17 metres, facilitating smooth movement of ships while ensuring seamless train services to the holy town of Rameswaram on Pamban island.

ANALYSIS: There is a lot of hue and cry around the world over Trump's tariffs. But tariff, simply put, is a tax. But unlike tax, it affects the exporting country too. Domestic prices will go up for some time. Nothing more will happen, good or bad!

What motivated Trump's newfound policy, apart from being a stunt to justify his existence in the White House, is a false realisation that increased tariff will make foreign goods prohibitive, thereby boosting local production, and create more jobs, and more prosperity will ring in! If that is true, India would have been shining by now: Producing own Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail and Scotch Whiskies! And what about coconut and palm oil by America! (Today's headlines )

PROGNOSIS: It looks a Real New Trump is emerging - courageous, balanced, powerful and disinterested. Determined to save his country from the cliff, he has done quite a few draconian things that will reduce the burden of debts of the Federal entity, like the golden handshake, stopping senseless funding, pulling out of a worthless WHO. Shutting the Education Department is another. On the other hand, running it is also not the Centre's job either (We will convincingly elaborate it in the next chapter).

In India the scene is just the opposite. Centralisation is the core agenda and identity of the ruling dispensation without which it has no existence, or in other words, it exists for that set of schemes only. A realisation of this never dawned upon any Opposition party in 2014 or any time thereafter, what to talk of being able to see it coming 70 years ago! The consequence of all this violation of basic natural law of the universe we cannot predict.

THE AMERICAN CONUNDRUM: Political venom has migrated to top echelons in the US. It was reported last year NASA has become politicised, vitiated. But NASA refuted the charge. How Boeing developed a glitch but its unmanned return was smooth. When Suni-Wilmore were stranded last June, why the return was set for February? Because that comes only after January 20! SpaceX called the shots, for itself and for Trump. Then the mission was manipulated for March for a better bargain! In between, what made Elon Musk 'predict' during campaign if Kamala Harris wins he would be in jail. In politics, it is said, "the only rule is there are no rules." Difficult times for Americans too.

The terminations are part of a large-scale exercise going on all across Fed departments and organisations to reduce wasteful Government expenditure as decided by a Trump in a mess gone berserk, and improve administrative efficiency following the whims of billionaire and his associate Elon MusK and his DOGE. It has not been shared how terminations are going to raise the efficiency bar! It looks like Trump has stolen some of the prescriptions meant for India. But the American problems are quite different.

Suddenly these colonial clerks feel this effortless, little rule will tremendously enhance security and convenience for the railway passengers manifold. More stations will be covered in the next 77 years! (Also See: New Delhi station stampede... What went wrong?)

ANALYSIS: "The standard operating procedure for deportations by aircraft used by ICE that is effective from 2012 provides for the use of restraints," says the Government. That means, it is taken for granted the US will set the standard for deportations. For another, the Government is more interested in comparing with what happened in 2012 under a different Government to justify its own compliance! No surprise, others are trampling upon us. (How we conduct ourselves inside decides, inherently, how we are treated outside) Thirdly, the Government blamed the gangs doing the business of human trafficking for the illegal migration. For all the crimes taking place in the country, let us blame the criminals! Funny! We will never move an inch forward! The mindset defines what we are.

Meanwhile, a UN-returned Congress leader Shashi Tharoor sounded like a layman when he said, "If they are citizens of India we have an obligation to take them back." Who said 'No'?. He should know that is not the issue now. Who will identify an undocumented person, and how?

The function was held indoors from 12 pm (10:30 pm IST) at the rotunda of the US Capitol building because of unusually intense cold and snow. Delivering his inaugural address, Trump remarked, “The golden age of America begins right now," and just hours later signed a slew of executive orders to redeem the election pledges.

The issue: Trump says he is open to 'economic force' to acquire Canada as its '51st State' if it does not stop the flow of illegal migrants and drugs into the US and secure its border.

Trudeau gets ready for the battle: Trudeau under Trump's onslaught had appeared quiet as a lamb because he was facing serious internal problems and now the situation has changed. He has resigned and has enough space for a single-minded counter-attack as acting PM. And that is what he is doing to Canada's advantage. He will prapare Canada to take the 'bull' by the horns (literally) when he takes office on January 20.

There is more to it: On the same page now, Conservative Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has also outlined his plan to deal with the US President-elect's threats. Both will stand united against the common enemy, and take on him adequately when he assumes office.

And the latest: The counter-attack begins. In a CNN interview, Trudeau strategically addresses the Americans, tells them a ghostly 25% tariff will create a recession in Canada but will be equally devastating for the US economy. And he has a point.

• A President-elect at the instance of 'sensible' aides has declared, “A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America.” A Trump statement said he will chop off the bureaucratic flab, or in his own words, “drain the swamp” in Washington. This contrasts with India where millions and millions of clerks rule the roost with the blessings of petty vote bank politicians, who badly needed them, all these 77 years.
• The South African migrant who will benefit more than Trump himself from the election victory has climbed to the helm - Elon Musk will be the monarch of all he surveys in Washington!
• Musk will lead a 'Department of Government Efficiency' with Vivek Ramaswamy, the eccentric dreamer.
• They will slash bureaucracy and Government spending and restructure Federal agencies. (But no mention of what next and how!)
• The irony lies here: Musk will also be the boss of all Federal agencies, including those currently investigating business frauds in his own companies like Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, which receive Government funding, inter alia making him the richest man on earth.