India faces significant export challenges as the US imposes a 50% tariff on $48.2 billion worth of Indian goods, effective Wednesday. Labour-intensive sectors like textiles and seafood are expected to be severely impacted, prompting manufacturing suspensions. The government is exploring support measures, including an Export Promotion Mission and GST restructuring, while continuing trade negotiations with the US.

US consumer confidence dipped slightly in August, fueled by persistent worries about the labor market. The Conference Board's index fell to 97.4, reflecting weakened short-term expectations for income, business conditions, and employment.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted India's robust macroeconomic fundamentals and strong post-pandemic recovery at the FIBAC conference. He noted the economy's impressive growth, contained inflation, and a healthy external sector with sufficient foreign exchange reserves. Malhotra emphasized the importance of balancing regulation with growth to navigate the global economic environment effectively.

Varanasi is developing a concrete action plan to boost the district's GDP, aligning with Uttar Pradesh's ambitious goal of becoming a one trillion-dollar economy. District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar emphasized qualitative growth across primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors, focusing on agriculture, industry registration, and accurate data reporting.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized the US President's tariff hikes on Indian imports, suggesting that some global powers are attempting to hinder India's economic progress due to jealousy over its rapid growth. Despite these challenges, Singh asserted India's unstoppable rise as a major global power, highlighting the country's increasing defence exports as a sign of resilience and strength.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and India's ambassador J.P. Singh convened to explore enhanced collaboration, emphasizing security and economic ties. This meeting occurs as both nations navigate tariffs imposed by the US, with India facing levies due to Russian oil purchases and Israel dealing with a 15% tariff on US imports.

Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on Rahul Gandhi's agreement with Donald Trump's assessment of the Indian economy. Tharoor emphasized the importance of maintaining strong economic ties with the US, highlighting India's significant exports. He urged support for negotiators to secure a fair deal for India and advocated for exploring alternative export regions.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Rahul Gandhi for echoing Donald Trump's dead economy remarks, deeming it an anti-India stance. Rijiju urged Gandhi to act with the dignity expected of an opposition leader, rather than attacking the government. Gandhi had listed reasons for India's economic decline, blaming Modi's policies and alleging favoritism towards Adani.

Shashi Tharoor contradicted Rahul Gandhi's agreement with Donald Trump's assessment of the Indian economy. While Rahul Gandhi claimed PM Modi had killed the economy, Tharoor stated that this was not the case. Trump had suggested India and Russia could ake their dead economies down together, a statement Rahul Gandhi supported.

Amidst Rahul Gandhi's endorsement of Trump's dead economy remark, Congress leaders like Rajeev Shukla and Shashi Tharoor offered differing perspectives. Shukla refuted Trump's assessment, emphasizing India's economic strength and past reforms. Tharoor viewed US tariffs as a potential bargaining tactic during ongoing trade negotiations, urging support for negotiators while acknowledging potential damage to exports if a favorable deal isn't reached.

Piyush Goyal affirmed India's trade stance after US tariffs. A special court acquitted all accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. A Chhattisgarh trafficking victim claimed Bajrang Dal coerced her statement. An SIT unearthed skeletal remains in Dharmasthala mass-burial probe. Myanmar's junta ended emergency rule and scheduled December elections amid opposition boycott. These are the key developments.

A public disagreement erupted within the Congress party after Rahul Gandhi supported Donald Trump's assertion that the Indian economy is dead. Rajeev Shukla, a fellow Congress MP, countered, affirming the economy's robustness and citing contributions from past governments. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also dismissed Trump's statement, highlighting India's position as a top-five global economy.

Rahul Gandhi, echoing Donald Trump's assessment, declared the Indian economy dead, citing the Modi administration's policies. He blamed the Adani-Modi partnership, demonetization, flawed GST, and the failure of 'Assemble in India' for the economic decline. Trump criticized India's high tariffs and suggested India and Russia could face economic downturns together.

Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, defended India's oil purchases from Russia. He cited long-standing security ties and energy needs. Doraiswami addressed concerns about a potential India-Russia-China pact. He clarified it was a past trilateral meeting format for security coordination. He emphasized India's desire for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.

A Republican-led bill, H.R. 2315, aims to eliminate the OPT programme, jeopardising post-study work rights for international studentsespecially Indians, who dominate STEM-OPT participation. Critics call it a job theft loophole, but data shows OPT fuels U.S. innovation, university funding, and tech firms. Killing it could gut Americas global talent pipelineand its competitive edge.

Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami defended India's oil imports from Russia, highlighting the nation's position as the third-largest energy consumer importing over 80% of its needs. He questioned the feasibility of halting the economy and pointed out the hypocrisy of Western nations buying other resources from countries they restrict India from trading with.

Assam's dairy sector receives a boost with a new government subsidy of Rs 5 per litre for dairy farmers, launched by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This initiative aims to encourage higher milk production, improve farmer earnings, and stimulate a rural dairy revolution.

The Department of Posts is planning to commercially develop its prime real estate holdings to boost revenue. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that the initiative aims to transform the 1.6 lakh post office network into a profit center. The department is currently assessing its properties, verifying title papers, and identifying potential development sites before engaging a developer.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted India's economic growth under Prime Minister Modi's 11-year tenure, noting its rise to the fourth-largest global economy and a doubling of per-capita income. He emphasized the shift in India's approach to terrorism, advocating for peace but asserting a strong response to threats through surgical and air strikes.