US President Donald Trump has suggested that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war could be approaching its conclusion. During his visit to the United Kingdom, Trump told reporters that the world would hear good news soon regarding peace efforts.
Trump said that Putin had disappointed him, noting that he had already ended seven wars but that the Russia-Ukraine conflict was proving much harder than he anticipated. He explained that he had thought it would be easy to end because of his good relationship with Putin, but that the Russian leader had really let him down.
He added that millions of people had been killed in the war, and therefore he had a responsibility to bring the conflict to an end. He repeated that good news would be heard soon, though he refrained from sharing further details. Earlier, he had claimed that if he returned to the White House, he could end the war within a single day. However, all attempts at ceasefire so far have remained unsuccessful.
India resists unilateral US tariffs, reinforces its sovereign trade stance
Alongside his comments on Ukraine, Trump touched upon India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he described as his close friend. He said that he had recently spoken to Modi to wish him on his birthday but defended his decision to impose tariffs.Trump said that he had told Modi that he had put tariffs on India.
He argued that heavy duties had been imposed on India under the pretext of Russian oil imports, and also criticised European nations that continue to purchase Russian energy despite sanctions. In the past, Trump has repeatedly said that the war in Ukraine could only be resolved if the price of Russian oil were forced down.
Under his latest announcement, India faces a 25% tariff and an additional 25% penalty, effectively amounting to a 50% duty on certain imports. Trump had hoped India would accept such conditions in exchange for a comprehensive trade agreement, similar to the deals the US concluded with Japan and South Korea. Those countries reduced tariffs significantly on American products, but India has firmly opposed any unilateral trade arrangements that undermine its economic sovereignty.
Despite the tariffs, India has maintained its strong position and resisted US pressure. The Union government’s Chief Economic Advisor, V. Ananth Nageswaran, said on Thursday that he expected the 25% punitive duty imposed by Trump to be withdrawn by November, signalling optimism about the ongoing negotiations.
He said that it was a good sign that both countries had returned to the table for trade talks, underlining New Delhi’s pragmatic approach. India has consistently insisted that trade relations must remain balanced, mutually beneficial, and not dictated by unilateral measures. This stance has strengthened India’s credibility as a confident and self-reliant economic power.
India’s equity markets remain resilient despite global volatility and short-term dips
Meanwhile, the Gift Nifty, which had posted gains for four consecutive sessions, indicated a softer opening for Indian markets today. The index slipped nearly 50 points in early trade, but analysts see this as healthy profit-booking after a strong rally. Despite the dip, India’s equity markets remain fundamentally resilient, with the Sensex and Nifty expected to stabilise on the back of positive domestic cues and strong investor confidence.
On Thursday, markets had closed on a positive note, supported by a series of favourable developments including GST exemptions, the resumption of India-US trade talks, and the US Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates. The Sensex had gained 320 points (+0.39%) to close at 83,013, while the Nifty rose by 93 points (+0.37%) to 25,423. However, analysts say some profit-taking is likely today after the recent rally. In China, Shanghai fell 0.13% and the Hong Kong index fell 0.05%.
Adani SEBI clearance and India’s market resilience amid gold fluctuations
Investor sentiment also brightened after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) cleared the Adani Group of allegations levelled by short-seller Hindenburg. SEBI clarified that the charges were unfounded, giving a major boost to one of India’s largest conglomerates. Adani Enterprises, Adani Power and other group stocks are expected to attract strong investor interest in today’s session, highlighting India’s regulatory resilience and the strength of its corporate sector.
Globally, however, uncertainty remains. Following the US Federal Reserve’s policy announcement, both the US dollar index and Treasury yields rose. As a result, gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) witnessed selling pressure. International gold prices, which had touched an all-time high of $3,704 per ounce on Thursday, fell sharply to $3,646 on Friday, a $41 drop in a single day.
India’s firm response to external trade pressures, combined with regulatory clarity at home and resilient market fundamentals, underscores its position as a confident and growing economy. While global uncertainties remain, New Delhi’s refusal to compromise national interests ensures that India enters negotiations from a position of strength.
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