Breaking down India's statement on Trump's tariff remarks, para by para:

Para 1:

History lesson Para 2:

National interest
"Predictable & affordable energy costs to Indian consumers"

Showing the 🪞 mirror
"Revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia"

Why Cyprus matters to India
Indian PM Modi travels to Cyprus this weekend, a visit that will further firm up age old ties. It is after over 2 decades that an Indian PM visits the Mediterranean country, the last being PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002.
Decoding 🇮🇳🇨🇾 ties History
India's 1st PM Jawaharlal Nehru & 1st Cyprus Prez Archbishop Makarios III played a key role in forging ties as leaders of newly independent states but ancient civilizations. Both were key figures of the Non-Aligned Movement. Makarios was only European leader at Bandung.

🧵on Satellite images of Pakistani military sites destroyed by India after Pakistani attack last week.
Because History should not forget, India was at the gates of Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi last week.

Jacobabad Airfield: Bholari Airfield:

🧵India🇮🇳 neutralized several Pakistani🇵🇰 Terrorist on 7th May.
All the details
1. Mudassar Khadian Khas @ Mudassar @ Abu Jundal
Affiliation: Lashkar-e-Taiba
-In-charge of Markaz Taiba, Muridke
-Received guard of honour at his funeral by the Pakistan Army
-Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Pak Army Chief and Punjab CM (Maryam Nawaz).
-His funeral prayer was held in a govt school, led by Hafiz Abdul Rauf of JuD (a designated global terrorist).
-A serving Lt. General of the Pak Army and the IG of Punjab Police attended the prayer ceremony. 2. Hafiz Muhammed Jameel
Affiliation: Jaish-e-Mohammed
-Eldest brother-in-law of Maulana Masood Azhar.
-In-charge of Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur.
-Actively involved in radical indoctrination of youth and fundraising for JeM.

🧵How world came out in support of India after Operation Sindoor (last 24 hrs)

UK:
The UK Foreign Minister said India is right to feel outrage at this terrible attack on 22 April. He called upon Pakistan to do more to tackle the terror threat within its own borders. UK MP Rishi Sunak said that no nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it

UK MP Priti Patel said that India has the right to take reasonable steps to defend itself & dismantle the vile terrorist infrastructure that threatens it.

🧵What do Kiwis want from India?
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon is coming to India from 16th-20th March. It is after 9 year yrs at that a NZ PM is coming to India, the last being PM John Key (2016, 2011). Explaining India-New Zealand ties & what to expect from Luxon's visit: Free trade Agreement
Luxon will be keen to give a political push for the long languishing India-NZ FTA during his India visit. He termed it as his "strategic priority", and it was also his election campaign promise. Comments by Luxon from 2023.
Vdo ctsy: Natl Party

🧵EU-India ties
This week, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen & her cabinet (College/Commissioners) will be traveling to India. It is very rare for Prez EC & Cabinet to travel abroad together, but shows how Brussels want to firm India ties. Detailing: Formal announcements by EU, India.
As MEA pointed to "growing convergences" bwtn India, EU, Brussels terms the visit "unprecedented', highlighting "strong momentum".

PS: This is Prez Ursula Von Der Leyen's 1st frgn visit abroad since mandate of the current European Commission started in December 2024

Donald Trump's Executive orders & India impact
On 20th January, the day Trump's 2nd non consecutive term started, Trump signed a slew of executive orders. While no mention of India in any of them, they will have an impact on India, from migration to trade etc. Detailing: IMMIGRATION
On Indians illegally entering the US via southern border, this will be an issue. I cud find 4 orders on "illegal aliens". One says "entry into the US of such aliens be suspended" & "Attorney General, shall take action to repel, repatriate, or remove alien".

Donald Trump's Executive orders & India impact
On 20th January, the day Trump's 2nd consecutive term started, Trump signed a slew of executive orders. While no mention of India in any of them, they will have an impact on India, from migration to trade etc. Detailing: IMMIGRATION
On Indians illegally entering the US via southern border, this will be an issue. I cud find 4 orders on "illegal aliens". One says "entry into the US of such aliens be suspended" & "Attorney General, shall take action to repel, repatriate, or remove alien".

India-US ties under Biden Admin
(20th Jan 2021-19th Jan 2025)
Biden era is over, & while let history judge its wider implications, here is a low down of how India US ties fared under his presidency. Some big ticket developments, but lot of irritants as well.
Pc: PMO 2020
With the Democrat winning the 2020 US elections, PM Modi congratulated Joseph Biden, Kamala Harris. On 17 Nov, 2020 PM Modi had a telephone conversation with Prez Biden as they agreed to work closely to further advance the India US.

https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1325145433828593664?lang=en

India & the Taliban:
Last week saw significant engagement of India, Taliban ties with Foreign Secy Vikram Misri, Afghan Acting FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi meeting in Dubai. Behind this upping of engagement is a history, from IC814 to silent back channel talks. Details: 1996: Rise of Taliban
After Soviet invasion ended & decades of Civil war, from Kandahar emerged the Taliban. "Talib" means the student. India backed the Ahmad Shah Massoud's Northern Alliance along with Iran, Tajiks. A road in Delhi honors him even today:

https://x.com/sidhant/status/1431353528711217153

The death of an Indian National Satnam Singh has sparked protests in Italy over Labour issues & infamous "caporalato" system. The 31-yr-old farm laborer, died after his limbs were crushed while working in a farm near Latina, South East of Rome.

His employer, Antonello Lovato drove Singh & his wife in a van & left them on the road near their home in Borgo Santa Maria, instead of seeking immediate medical help. He was later airlifted to Rome, but he could not be saved.

Pic ctsy: @davidefaraone

Bangladesh 🇧🇩 today celebrates its 53rd Independence & National Day. Ministry of External Affairs' annual reports for 1971-72 and 1972-73 bear testimony of India's crucial support for Bangladesh at the int'l stage in the face of diplomatic onslaught from West Pakistan & China. 🧵 China activity supported West Pakistan, took no notice by genocide perpetrated by it, condemned India for committing "aggression" with support of Soviet "social imperialism". Called Bangladesh govt "puppet govt".

Yoga Day Celebrations begin across the world with Indian Mission taking the lead.

Oman🇴🇲

https://twitter.com/MOS_MEA/status/1538846523055673344

Niagara Falls:

https://twitter.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1538871021717135361?t=S_J-mSK3qtW72vagS3pXag&s=19

Major attacks on minorities in Afghanistan:

5 Oct 2021: Vandalization at Karte Parwan Gurdwara, Kabul

25 March 2020: ISIS attacked Gurdwara Har Rai Sahib, Kabul; 25 dead

1 July 2018: ISIS suicide attack on Sikhs in Jalalabad; 19 dead including Sikh leader Awtar Singh Khalsa ISIS has been claiming attack on Karte Parwan Gurdwara this morning. Few days ago they said they will mount attack on the Gurdwara in response to comments by suspended BJP members. But it has been mounting attacks on Sikhs in past.

https://twitter.com/khorasandiary/status/1538041115927928832?s=21&t=XIEit9ig7VomVWOxz1n2ww

UNSC meet on Ukraine set to begin. Begins by protest by Russia against UK, the chair of UNSC for not allowing it to hold a Russian meet on same issue.