Tue Dec 30 01:00:36 UTC 2025: Headline: Trump Warns Iran, Modi Seeks Budget Advice, and India-Australia Trade Deal Takes Shape

New Delhi – December 30, 2025 – A wide array of events dominated headlines today, ranging from international tensions to domestic policy shifts.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, issued a stern warning to Iran against any attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, following joint US-Israeli strikes earlier this year. Trump also vowed Hamas would face severe consequences if it failed to disarm in Gaza. Simultaneously, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of drone attacks on President Putin’s Novgorod residence, stating that Moscow’s negotiating position would be reviewed as a result.

On the economic front, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that Australia would grant duty-free access to all Indian exports starting January 1, 2026, under the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). This marks the third anniversary of the deal, an “early harvest” agreement with broader negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) underway. In other economic news, India is pursuing over $30 billion in compensation from Reliance Industries and BP in an arbitration case concerning alleged underproduction of gas from offshore fields.

Domestically, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet with leading economists and sectoral experts to discuss the upcoming Union Budget for 2026-27, expected to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2025. The budget will be formulated against a backdrop of global economic uncertainties and new US tariffs.

Meanwhile, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR–120). This follows the Defence Acquisition Council’s approval of procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore, including Long Range Guided Rockets-120.

In Assam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the BJP’s commitment to removing “infiltrators” from the state, ahead of upcoming assembly elections.

Other news included protests by teachers in Chennai demanding equal pay, allegations from Bengaluru delivery executives of ID blocks after a nationwide strike, alliance by both factions of Nationalist Congress Party for two municipal corporation elections, and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal criticizing the government over the death of booth-level officers during voter roll revision.

President Zelenskyy announced that the United States is offering Ukraine security guarantees for 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan.

Finally, the ICC rated the Melbourne pitch as unsatisfactory after the 4th Ashes Test.

Read More