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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh, sat side by side during the official dinner hosted by the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for the visiting Heads of States and Head of Governments on Thursday attending the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok.

The official X handle of Chief Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh posted screen grabs of both leaders sitting side by side at the dinner table as the Thai PM welcomed the BIMSTEC leaders.

Local media in Bangladesh quoted Chief Advisor’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad as saying that both leaders “met each other” during the official dinner.

The interim government has been keen on holding first-ever bilateral talks between the two leaders on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok.

The BIMSTEC chairmanship will be officially handed over to Bangladesh on Friday.

Chief Advisor’s High Representative on Rohingya and Priority Issues Khalilur Rahman said on Wednesday that the leaders of BIMSTEC member states will discuss their future works with Yunus and there is a scope to hold the meeting between Yunus and PM Narendra Modi.

“We requested India to hold this talk (between the leaders of two countries)…there is enough possibility of holding this meeting,” Rahman said, addressing a press briefing in Bangladesh ahead of the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.

Last week, PM Modi had written a letter to Yunus on the occasion of the National Day of Bangladesh, highlighting the significance of mutual sensitivity while referring to the Bangladesh Liberation War as a “shared history”.

“We remain committed to advancing this partnership, driven by our common aspirations for peace, stability, and prosperity, and based on mutual sensitivity to each other’s interests and concerns,” wrote PM Modi.

New Delhi has been worried about the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh under the current interim government. The Yunis regime has been criticised severely for acquitting extremist elements and exonerating many Islamists since the fall of the Awami League government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

“We support a stable, peaceful, inclusive and progressive Bangladesh in which all issues are resolved through democratic means and by holding inclusive and participatory elections. We remain concerned about the deteriorating law and order situation, which has further been exacerbated by the release of violent extremists who were sentenced for serious crimes,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has stated on several occasions.

As Bangladesh slid into abyss following the fall of Awami League government, the Yunus-led regime has been accused of giving a free hand to the Islamist forces in the country and also relaxing comprehensively the policy of mandatory security clearance required for Pakistani citizens seeking visas, thus facilitating easy return of many notorious terror suspects who had earlier fled to the safe havens in Pakistan.

With no end still in sight to attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, particularly on members belonging to the Hindu and Ahmadiyya communities, the MEA has repeatedly highlighted the serious issue and the interim government’s botched up investigations that have so far been just an eyewash.

“We have repeatedly underlined that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect Hindus and other minorities, as well as their properties and religious institutions. As seen so far, only 1254 out of 2374 reported incidents between August 5, 2024, and February 16, 2025, have been verified by the police. Further, 98 per cent of these 1254 incidents were deemed political in nature. We expect Bangladesh to thoroughly investigate and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson, and violence to justice without making such distinctions,” the MEA spokesperson has mentioned in the past.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, during his meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain in Muscat, conveyed that it is important that Bangladesh should not normalise terrorism.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Canada said it would impose a 25 percent tariff on some autos imported from the United States, retaliating against President Donald Trump’s levies that came into affect on Thursday. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced “25 percent tariffs on all vehicles imported from the United States that are not compliant with CUSMA,” using the Canadian acronym for an existing North America free trade agreement.

It was not immediately clear what percentage of US vehicle imports would be impacted. 

Canada was largely spared from the sweeping global tariffs Trump announced Wednesday, as Washington granted an exemption to goods compliant with the US-Canada-Mexico free trade agreement, which covers most products. 

But Canada, which is America’s largest trading partner, is still facing steel, aluminum and other products in addition to autos.

Carney said Trump’s trade war “will rupture the global economy.”

“The system of global trade anchored in the United States that Canada has relied on since the end of the Second World War… is over,” Carney said. 

“The 80 year period when the United States embraced the mantle of global economic leadership, forged alliances rooted in trust and mutual respect, championed the free and open exchange of goods and services is over,” Carney added, calling the development “a tragedy.”

Carney and Trump spoke by phone last week. They agreed Washington and Ottawa should negotiate the future of bilateral trade after Canada’s April 28 election. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Demand elasticity of Indian products in US market would determine the cushion Indian industry has.

By Sagar Shah and Ruchi Bhat
The ‘liberation’ journey that started in Mr. Donald Trump’s first stint with China trade war continued as major campaign focus for second one. So the World anticipated reciprocal tariff changes in Trump 2.0 version. 2nd April 2025 was announced as ‘Liberation Day’ by imposing extensive reciprocal tariff for identified prescribed countries and ad valorem additional 10% duties for rest imports from rest of the countries. The average tariff rates imposed by respective countries were considered and then reciprocal tariffs are planned to be introduced at a discounted rate as follows vide Executive Order issued by the President of US on 2 April 2025 (EO) –

Tariffs

Tariffs

Levy introduction, coverage and exemption
As per section 3 of EO, the implementation plan of the new rate levy has been prescribed as follows –
Additional Ad-valorem duty of 10% for all imports (irrespective of country of origin) into the US from 5 April 2025

Ad-valorem above mentioned country specific duties for all imports from respective countries into the US from 9 April 2025

Exemption from new tariff rates
Following set of products have been exempted from this EO either for granting exemption or because they have been covered under other tariff hike orders (as prescribed in Annexure II) –

While the US has issued EO to impose country wise incremental tariffs, they have also reserved right to increase/ reduce the tariff rates if respective countries retaliate with tariff hike or take necessary steps to remedy non-reciprocal trade arrangements.
Also Read | TOI Explainer: How India may gain from Trump’s tariffs
While US accounts for 18% of India’s total goods exports, it would be relevant to understand real impact of reciprocating tariff being imposed on India. Top 10 sectors of supplies from India to US (FY 23 in USD) with duty rates are as follows –

Top 10 sectors of supplies from India to US

Now, with increased duty rates the incremental duty impact basis FY 23 exports to US would be as follows –

Incremental duty impact

Demand elasticity of Indian products in US market would determine the cushion Indian industry has in spite of tariff reciprocation. The sectors like pharma, textile, telecommunication may fall in this bracket. The very reason why products like generic medicines and oil & gas items have been kept out of the reciprocal tariffs is the fact that the demand elasticity of these products is very high. However, sectors like agriculture, food, chemical may get larger hit of reciprocative tariffs, since US market may resort to other lower duty countries.
It would be interesting to see this in other sectors like Auto and textiles as well. Many auto part manufacturers moved production facilities to China and Mexico earlier and then to South East Asia amidst the first wave of tariffs in US in 2018. It would be difficult for companies to invest and ramp up production in USA again at least in the short to medium term. Another impact is the ESG approach to production and supply chain management which has left production of limited high margin and specific products being manufactured by the domestic industry in US. It is estimated that imports satisfy more than 45% of the domestic demand and basis a report by Kelly Blue Book it is estimated that average price of cars would go up anywhere between USD 3000 to 10,000 either considering increased tariffs or buying locally in US.
Also Read | Donald Trump announces 26% ‘discounted’ reciprocal tariff on India: What will be the impact and is Indian economy relatively insulated?
When it comes to the textile industry, it would be interesting to see that basis the increase in tariff to imports ratio, Indian exporters may still be in a better position as compared to two of its largest competitors:

While US has over a period reduced dependency on China by moving towards other countries, it still needs to be seen as to how it would be able to develop and sustain domestic manufacturing. Accordingly, this protectionist strategy may initially lead to increased cost due to high import duties until the US domestic manufacturing becomes independent. In line with this principle, India has been working on spreading global markets and ‘Make in India’ initiatives to become self-sufficient. This would help Indian exporters to sustain in these changing global tariff scenarios.
As a response to such reciprocity India may consider granting export linked incentives to Indian exporters or corresponding retaliative tariff hike for some of the select sectors with lesser dependency on US suppliers. The most viable option for India at this stage would be to conclude India-US trade agreement discussions and reach a consensus which would help both countries to align for respective economic growth.
(Sagar Shah and Ruchi Bhat are Tax Partners at EY India)

IPL 2025 KKR vs SRH LIVE Score© BCCI

BJD national Spokesperson, Sasmit Patra

NEW DELHI: The Biju Janata Dal changed its stance on Thursday and told its party members to exercise their conscience in the interest of justice, harmony, and the rights of all communities in Rajya Sabha while giving their votes for the Waqf Amendment Bill.
After the Lok Sabha, the bill moved to the Rajya Sabha, where the MPs are engaged in a heated discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
BJD national Spokesperson, Sasmit Patra, said that they have not issued any party whip for the discussion on the bill.
“The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Our Party, having taken these views into careful consideration, has entrusted our Hon’ble Members in the Rajya Sabha with the responsibility of exercising their conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up for voting. There is no Party Whip,” Patra said in a tweet.
This comes a day after Patra announced that the BJD will oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
BJD Rajya Sabha member said, “From our side, Rajya Sabha member Muzibulla Khan, who is representing the Muslim community, will be speaking, and all the demerits that are there in the Bill will be presented thereafter by the BJD on the floor of the House,” he added.
The controversial bill passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after a marathon 12-hour debate, securing 288 votes in favor and 232 against. The BJP received support from its allies, including the TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena, and LJP.
In the 12-hr long debate, the government countered the opposition’s charges of encroachment on constitutional and Muslim rights and attacks on federalism with a strong defence of the changes in the Act governing Islamic endowments.
The bill is expected to comfortably clear the numbers test in that as well. Although the debate in LS followed the by-now familiar ‘secular versus communal’ trajectory, the smooth passage of the bill marked an important juncture.

Hours after India was slapped with a reciprocal tax of 26% on all goods exported to the United States, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday said he had warned about the impending taxes by the Donald Trump administration, and its effects on the Indian economy.

In a post on X, Mr Chadha shared a video of his speech he delivered in the Rajya Sabha in February, when he spoke of how the US’ tariffs would have an adverse effect on the  Indian economy. 

“How will the TRUMP TARIFF wreck the Indian economy? I had forewarned about this in Parliament on February 11, 2025,” he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

On Wednesday, Mr Trump announced a 26% tariff on all goods being exported by India to the US, amidst reciprocal tariffs in the range of 10%-49% unveiled by Trump for other countries. The US has a trade deficit of $46 billion with India, according to Reuters. Nearly $14 billion worth of electronics products and over $9 billion worth of gems and jewellery are among the top sectors to be hit by the tariffs. While the 26% tariff will not apply to auto parts and aluminium products, those will still attract the 25% tariff that Mr Trump had announced earlier.

In his speech in the Upper House during the first half of the Budget Session, Mr Chadha had also said that the IT sector would be the biggest sufferer as India’s 80% of the exports are sent to the US.

The Rajya Sabha MP also explained how the tariffs would impact the textile industry in India. “Imagine a buyer in the US is buying a shirt from a manufacturer in India. Today, the shirt costs him Rs 100. But if the Trump administration imposes a tariff of 20 percent on shirts, then the item will be made available for Rs 120 to the American buyer. The buyer will prefer to buy a shirt for Rs 104, Rs 105 or Rs 108 from a manufacturer in countries like Vietnam, Philippines and Bangladesh. This is how the tariffs will work, leading to drop in exports and demand, closure of factories and loss of jobs,” he said. 

How will the TRUMP TARIFF wreck the Indian economy?

I had forewarned about this in Parliament on February 11, 2025 pic.twitter.com/BEi8zxY88H

— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 3, 2025

The Trump administration is going to impose a 15-25% tariff on textiles, Mr Chadha told the House. “The cost advantage for Indian manufacturers will be reduced. Sourcing or buying from India will reduce. Estimates suggest two millions jobs will be closed. Ludhiana has a lot of such hubs, besides Tamil Nadu and Gujarat; everyone will suffer,” he said. 

Speaking about the impact on the pharma industry, the AAP lawmaker said: “Forty percent of US’s drugs are supplied by India. Such tariffs will have a huge impact on the Indian pharma industry and will lead to revenue and job losses.” 

He also said that a 25% tariff was proposed for Indian auto companies. “A 14 billion dollar trade will be impacted. Indian manufacturers’ demands and exports would reduce and more than 10 lakh people would lose their jobs,” he said. 

Mr Chadha said those losing their jobs would be added to the existing unemployed workforce in the country.

“Another impact is that the forex reserves will go down. The rupee will weaken further and the dollar will be strengthened. India’s corporate tax collection will be affected,” he said. 

He also alleged the Indian government acts on the instructions of the US government. “The US says buy less oil from Iran, we do that. The US says buy defence equipment from us, we buy helicopters from them,” he said. 

He also alleged that several people in India, including supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), tried to ensure Mr Trump’s win in the Presidential elections last year. “But what did we get in return? Indians who had dreamt of building a life in the US were sent back in shackles,” he said, referring to deportation of illegal Indian immigrants, some of whom were shackled and restrained throughout the flight, till their arrival in India. 

Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde (R)

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday launched a blistering attack at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, accusing him of straying from Hindutva and Balasaheb Thackeray‘s ideology.
Speaking to the media, Shinde described the opposition to the bill as the “biggest crime.”
“By opposing this, UBT has revealed its true face. It has been proven that they have completely abandoned Hindutva and the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray. This is extremely unfortunate. It is a bigger crime than the betrayal in 2019 when he (Uddhav Thackeray) formed a government with Congress, forsaking Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology,” Shinde said.
He further criticised Thackeray’s leadership, calling him “confused” and suggesting it was putting the party’s future in jeopardy.
“Uddhav Thackeray is completely confused. He doesn’t even know what decisions to take. When leadership becomes like this, the future of the party is also in darkness,” he added.
Shinde defended the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, saying it aims to break the monopoly over Waqf properties and alleging that Congress seeks to keep the poor in poverty.
“The Waqf Board was in the hands of a handful of people, but now, with the bill introduced by Modi ji, their dominance will end. This will provide an opportunity for women and children to come into the mainstream. It will benefit the poor sections of the Muslim community, but Congress wants to keep Muslims poor for the sake of votes,” he claimed.
Earlier in the day, Uddhav Thackeray lashed out at the BJP-led Union government, calling it “all show, no substance.” He reaffirmed his party’s opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill, as well as what he called the BJP’s hypocrisy and its alleged plans to hand over land to business interests.
“There are some corrections (for the Waqf board) in the Waqf amendment bill, which are good. However, the experience with the BJP till now is that yanche dakhwayeche daant ani khayeche daant vegde ahe (all show, no substance). We supported them during the repeal of Article 370… But I want to ask, did the Kashmiri Pandits get their land? We not only opposed the bill but also the hypocrisy and corruption of the BJP and its plans to give land to its businessmen friends,” former Maharashtra CM Thackeray said at a press conference.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after an extended and heated debate, with INDIA bloc members opposing it while BJP and its allies backed the legislation. The session continued past midnight before Speaker Om Birla announced the results of the division vote.
“Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,” Birla said.
The revised bill, incorporating recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee, seeks to amend the 1995 Act to improve the administration of Waqf properties, enhance efficiency, streamline registration, and integrate technology into record-keeping.
Meanwhile, Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha for consideration of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Musalmaan Wakf (Repeal) Bill.

Raghav Chadha (File Photo)

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (MP) Raghav Chadha on Thursday suggested the government should use Elon Musk‘s Starlink satellite internet services as a “bargaining chip” to renegotiate with Donald Trump after the US President’s announcement of 27 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India.
“Should we not withhold the requisite approvals for Elon Musk’s Starlink who is a visible part of the US administration and use that as a bargaining chip to renegotiate the Trump tariffs?” Chadha asked in the Rajya Sabha.
Musk, the world’s richest person, is the head of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) in the Trump administration.
Chadha continued, “India rolled out the red carpet for the US, but in return, we got tariffs.”
He added, “I am severely obsessed with anything which affects India’s interest, particularly Indian economy. That is what brings me to this House. I will continue to passionately raise every issue.”
The AAP MP also sang a few lines of the Bollywood song ‘Accha sila diya tune mere pyaar ka, yaar ne hi loot liya ghar yaar ka.’
^{Last month, Indian telecom companies Jio and Bharti Airtel announced a partnership with the Musk-led SpaceX to bring Starlink to India.
Donald Trump announces reciprocal tariffs against India
Earlier, US President Trump, while announcing his “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariffs against India and other countries, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “great friend,” but added he also told the prime minister, “You (India) are not treating us (United States) right.”
“India, very, very tough. Very, very tough. The prime minister just left. He’s a great friend of mine, but I said, ‘You’re a friend of mine, but you’re not treating us right. They charge us 52%. You have to understand, we charge them almost nothing for years and years and decades, and it was only seven years ago, when I came in, that we started with China.”
A chart used by the MAGA leader at his “Make America Wealthy Again” event revealed India’s 52 per cent tariffs “including currency manipulation and trade barriers,” against which the US would now impose a “discounted reciprocal tariff” of 26 per cent.}