Tue Feb 03 01:38:34 UTC 2026: # US and India Ease Trade Tensions, While Political and Aviation Concerns Rise Domestically

The Story:
A series of events, as reported on February 3, 2026, paint a complex picture of India’s internal and external affairs. On the international front, a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump resulted in the U.S. agreeing to reduce tariffs on “Made in India” products to 18%, a significant drop from the previous 50% imposed in August 2025. Domestically, allegations of electoral roll manipulation in Gujarat and Rajasthan have surfaced, fueling political tensions. Additionally, an Air India flight experienced a fuel switch malfunction, raising safety concerns in the wake of a previous fatal crash involving a similar issue.

Key Points:

  • The U.S. has agreed to reduce tariffs on “Made in India” products to 18% following a conversation between Modi and Trump.
  • Allegations of mass deletion of names from electoral rolls have emerged in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
  • An Air India Boeing 787-8 experienced a fuel switch malfunction after landing in Bengaluru.
  • The 16th Finance Commission (FC) has allocated a higher share to five southern States, but Tamil Nadu’s increase is marginal.
  • Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is accused of inciting violence in Ladakh.
  • President’s Rule in Manipur may be coming to an end with the appointment of a central observer for the election of the Legislature Party leader in Manipur.
  • The Congress party has accused the Modi government of silencing Rahul Gandhi on the 2020 India-China border conflict.
  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee walked out of a meeting with the Election Commission.
  • ISRO continues to investigate PSLV failures and considers a fresh launch date in June.
  • The Justice Department continues to remove victim-identifying information from documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • SpaceX has acquired xAI, unifying Elon Musk’s AI and space ambitions.
  • Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States.
  • Pakistan may boycott T20 World Cup match against India.

Key Takeaways:

  • Indo-U.S. relations show signs of improvement after a period of trade disputes.
  • India’s democratic processes are facing challenges amid allegations of electoral fraud and political suppression.
  • Aviation safety remains a major concern following another incident involving a Boeing 787 aircraft.
  • Domestic political tensions are high, with accusations of government overreach and electoral misconduct.
  • Technological advancements continue, with significant developments in both space exploration and artificial intelligence.

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