Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President JD Vance announced the Terms of Reference (TOR) for a bilateral trade agreement, aiming to commit to a results-driven agenda for a mutually beneficial partnership. The US Trade Representative's Office stated that the goals of the initiative are to drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation and achieve balance and reciprocity by opening new markets for American goods and addressing unfair practices that harm American workers.
https://www.news18.com/world/commit-to-results-driven-agenda-india-us-gear-up-for-big-trade-deal-after-finalising-terms-jd-vance-pm-modi-meeting-9308164.htmlIndia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Suhel Ajaz, discussed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Jeddah, highlighting its significance in enhancing connectivity between the two nations. The ambassador emphasized that Jeddah is a crucial location for strengthening bilateral ties with India and Saudi Arabia.
https://www.ndtv.com/video/indian-envoy-to-saudi-ahead-of-pm-s-visit-imecc-part-of-agenda-929523?hp#pfrom=home-ndtv_videoGhulam Muhammad Safi thanked the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for being a voice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been seeking self-determination for over seven decades. He blamed the United Nations' paralysis, major powers' indifference, and India's intransigence for the ongoing suffering of the Kashmiri people. Safi pointed out that it was India that first brought the Kashmir issue to the UN, expecting a favorable outcome based on an alleged instrument of accession.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1303928-conflict-resolution-workshop-oic-reiterates-commitment-to-just-cause-of-kashmiri-peopleVladimir Putin has proposed bilateral talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of US peace talks, a first for such negotiations. The move comes as the international community seeks to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
https://www.livemint.com/news/in-a-first-vladimir-putin-proposes-bilateral-talks-with-ukraines-zelensky-ahead-of-us-peace-talks-11745284706383.htmlThe Ukrainian government is concerned about the relocation of over 20,000 children to facilities in Belarus and Russia, with only 1,300 successfully returned. The US has supported Ukraine's efforts to repatriate these children, but recent budget cuts may hinder investigations into their whereabouts. Analyst Karolina Hird warns that Ukrainian teenagers forced to accept Russian citizenship may face conscription into the Russian army, violating international law.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-warrant-film-critic-war-ukraine-barabash/33392728.htmlThe US and Iran held their second round of nuclear talks in Rome on April 19, followed by technical discussions in Oman that began on Wednesday. Experts from both countries will discuss sanctions relief and its relation to Iran's nuclear program before the next high-level meeting on April 26. The talks were facilitated by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who reported a positive Iranian response after initial indirect talks between Iran's Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The discussions are seen as a continuation of the Obama-era nuclear agreement, with Iran agreeing to limits on uranium possession and enrichment, echoing Trump's 2015 demands.
https://www.news18.com/explainers/will-us-iran-revive-2015-nuclear-deal-how-russia-could-play-a-key-role-explained-9308717.htmlThe US has finalized tariffs on solar cells and panels imported from Southeast Asia, including China's Jinko Solar and Trina Solar, in a trade case brought by American manufacturers such as Korea's Hanwha Qcells and Arizona-based First Solar Inc. The Commerce Department had previously imposed preliminary duties on solar equipment from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The tariffs range from 6.1% to 271.28%, depending on the company and country, in an effort to protect US solar manufacturing investments worth billions of dollars.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3307375/us-finalises-tariffs-southeast-asian-solar-imports?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionThe US has announced new tariffs on solar imports from Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand due to unfair subsidies and dumping practices by Chinese companies in these countries. The tariffs will be as high as 35.2% for Malaysia, 39.5% for Vietnam, and 37.5% for Thailand, with Cambodia facing the highest rate of 52.1%. The move is expected to benefit American manufacturers in capturing the US renewable power market, which has been affected by political and policy changes in Washington. The investigation was launched last year after a petition from the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, representing companies including First Solar and Hanwha Q Cells.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-imposes-tariffs-up-to-3-521-on-solar-imports-from-these-asian-nations-8225285#pfrom=home-ndtv_topstoriesThe US has announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 3,521% on solar panels from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam in response to alleged Chinese subsidies and dumping in the sector. The move will be subject to ratification at an International Trade Commission meeting in June.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/04/22/world/americas-emea/us-to-impose-new-duties-on-solar-imports-from-southeast-asia/2096188