Tue Feb 04 01:06:42 UTC 2025: ## Modi to Visit U.S., Rupee Slumps Amidst Global Market Turmoil

**New Delhi/Washington D.C. – February 4, 2025** – Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to the United States starting February 12th, for talks with President Donald Trump, sources confirmed Monday. The meeting will cover a range of issues, including trade and defense. This follows a two-day visit to Paris.

The announcement comes as the Indian Rupee experienced a significant drop, falling nearly 0.6% to breach the 87 mark against the US dollar. This decline mirrors a broader downturn in Asian and European emerging markets, following President Trump’s imposition of higher tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. While the President agreed to a 30-day pause on tariff threats against Mexico and Canada, the initial market reaction was stark.

Domestically, several significant developments unfolded:

* **Manipur Chief Minister Investigation:** A private forensic analysis suggests a 93% probability that Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s voice is on leaked tapes allegedly implicating him in the state’s ethnic conflict. The Supreme Court awaits a government laboratory’s analysis.

* **Delhi Assembly Elections:** Campaigning concluded Monday for the February 5th Delhi Assembly elections, a three-way race between AAP, BJP, and Congress.

* **Parliamentary Dispute:** BJP MPs filed a breach of privilege notice against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for alleged derogatory remarks against President Droupadi Murmu.

* **Parliamentary Protests:** Opposition parties protested in Parliament over the Maha Kumbh stampede that claimed 30 lives.

* **Election Commission Law Challenge:** The Supreme Court will hear petitions challenging the legality of a new law concerning the appointment of election commissioners, which grants the central government significant influence. The hearing is scheduled for February 12th, close to the retirement date of current CEC Rajiv Kumar.

* **Guillain-Barre Syndrome:** The number of suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases in Maharashtra rose to 163, with 127 confirmed cases and five suspected deaths.

* **TikTok Potential Acquisition:** President Trump signed an executive order establishing a sovereign wealth fund, potentially to acquire TikTok.

The confluence of international trade tensions and domestic political events has created a period of heightened uncertainty in India.

Read More