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Friday, February 20, 2026
TopicModi-Trump

Topic: Modi-Trump

Trump announces India-US trade deal soon after ‘call with Modi’, tariffs lowered from 25% to 18%

US President further wrote, in a lengthy Truth Social post, that he would reduce reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 18 percent, in a lengthy Truth Social post. India is yet to react.

Iran’s Chabahar exposes the gap between India’s standing and Modi’s grandstanding

India is making its decisions on the basis of a third party's interests, for all the election-time braggadocio of the Prime Minister. 'Desh nahi jhukne doonga', anyone remember?

Good progress achieved in trade negotiations, says Modi after his second call with Trump in a month

This is 2nd call between 2 leaders within month; they had not spoken between June & September. Earlier this week, Senate confirmed Sergio Gor as new Ambassador to India.

‘No easy choices’ for Modi in managing US ties & climate change impact on Indian monsoon behaviour

Former RBI governor Duvvuri Subbarao writes in FT about how southern states may face political & economic consequences of their successful population control.

China won’t change course. Modi’s PR events with stage-managed applause have never worked

If Indira Gandhi had based her foreign policy on “good vibes” with world leaders, Bangladesh would still be East Pakistan.

‘Pragmatic reset’ in India-China ties, the Trump factor, and the India-Russia ‘oil mathematics’

Global media looks at the India-Pakistan ‘flagpole war’ and why China stands to benefit from the Modi-Trump fallout.

Munir-Trump ties ‘blossom’ as Modi-Trump ‘bromance ends’ & ‘chaotic scenes’ at voter fraud protest

Global media also discusses Mukesh Ambani's alleged large share of Russian oil imports and India's underdeveloped cow-milk industry.

Seed funding cancelled & the ghost of ‘Howdy Trump’

The best cartoons of the day, chosen by the editors at ThePrint.

India and China’s gruelling civil services exam systems & why Modi’s G7 visit did not ‘go as planned’

Global media also examines role of AI in call centres, enabling employees to focus on more complex responsibilities, and India’s ongoing deportation of illegal immigrants to Bangladesh.

‘Never discussed trade or mediation over Pakistan issue during Op Sindoor’—Modi to Trump

Trump’s invite to Modi for a US stop-over after G7 was declined by the PM due to his scheduled Croatia visit. Their Canada meet was cancelled as Trump left early over West Asia crisis.

On Camera

India must govern AI with confidence. Use guardrails, not handcuffs

The good news is that India is not starting from zero. It knows how to innovate privately while also empowering innovation publicly.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

US military commander, envoy Sergio Gor visit Indian Army Western Command, Bengaluru next

At the Western Army Command, the American delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the formation, past operations and the path ahead.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.