Fri Aug 01 00:58:38 UTC 2025: **India Faces Trade Tensions with US, Political Shifts Dominate Headlines**

**New Delhi, August 1, 2025** – A complex web of domestic and international developments unfolded in India, impacting trade relations, political landscapes, and internal policies.

**US-India Trade Relations Strain:** US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed the Trump administration’s frustration with India over trade talks, a day after President Trump announced a 25% tariff on all Indian goods, effective today. The US President also declared unspecified penalties for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil and military equipment.

**Domestic Political Scene Active:** In Maharashtra, a late-night reshuffle saw Manikrao Kokate moved from Agriculture to Sports and Youth Welfare, with Dattatrey Bharne taking over the Agriculture Ministry. The Election Commission of India (ECI) finalized the electoral college list for the Vice-Presidential election following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, with the notification expected soon.

**Elections and Electoral Rolls in Focus:** Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar assured voters in Bihar that claims and objections regarding the draft electoral rolls, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, would be accepted from August 1st to September 1st. The INDIA bloc parties are set to intensify their protests against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, both inside and outside Parliament. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav plan a two-week campaign on the issue. The ECI also declared EVMs to be “tamper-proof” after the completion of the C&V process for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election.

**Military Appointments and Leadership:** Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh has been appointed as the Vice-Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), succeeding Lt. Gen. NS Raja Subramani. Senior IPS officer S.B.K. Singh took over as Commissioner of Delhi Police.

**International Engagements:** US President Trump announced a trade deal with Pakistan, suggesting potential oil development in the country and even pondering the possibility of Pakistan selling oil to India.

**Economic Indicators and Opposition Criticism:** Data revealed the central government’s fiscal deficit stood at 17.9% of the full-year target at the end of June. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi echoed President Trump’s sentiment that India’s economy is a “dead economy,” blaming the BJP for economic mismanagement.

**Other Key Developments:**

* The ED conducted its first-ever search operation in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in connection with the Andaman Nicobar State Cooperative Bank (ANSCB) “fraud” case.
* The O. Panneerselvam-led faction of the AIADMK announced its withdrawal from the NDA alliance.
* The Labour Department issued a notice to TCS following layoff announcements and alleged forced resignations. A conciliation meeting is scheduled for August 6.
* The Rajasthan government reiterated its directive allowing Sikh students to wear articles of faith during competitive examinations.
* A portion of sacred Buddhist relics, excavated in 1898, was repatriated to India from an international auction in Hong Kong.

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