Sun Apr 20 01:31:41 UTC 2025: ## Indian Finance Minister Embarks on US, Peru Trip Amidst Domestic and International Developments
**New Delhi, April 20, 2025** – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will undertake an 11-day trip to the United States and Peru, participating in G20 meetings and IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. This comes amidst a flurry of domestic political activity and international events.
The BJP distanced itself from comments made by its MPs, Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma, criticizing the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP and RSS of a false campaign, urging peace. The Congress held a meeting to strategize following their Ahmedabad session and address the ED chargesheet against the Gandhis.
India has raised concerns with the US over visa revocations impacting a disproportionate number of Indian students, a development that precedes a high-level US delegation’s visit to Delhi. The US government denies targeting Indian students specifically.
A potential reconciliation between estranged cousins and political figures, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, is hinted at, with both suggesting willingness to overcome past differences.
On the international front, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine, following reports of Russian forces pushing Ukrainian troops back from a foothold in the Kursk region. A US commission warned of China’s growing dominance in biotechnology, raising concerns about potential weaponization. Other international news includes the discovery of twelve Maoist hideouts in Chhattisgarh and a government alert regarding online scams targeting pilgrims. Prime Minister Modi will visit Saudi Arabia next week to further expand bilateral cooperation. Finally, the Congress urged the Modi government to address targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
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