It signals a possible geopolitical shift, where the US increases its leverage in South Asia and indirectly targets India

President Donald Trump announced that the US has finalised a trade deal with Pakistan to collaborate on the development of Pakistan’s “massive oil reserves.”

“We have just concluded a Deal … Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves … Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling Oil to India some day!”, Trump said.

This announcement came within hours of Trump imposing a 25 per cent tariff (plus additional penalties) on Indian imports, citing Washington’s trade deficit with New Delhi and its purchase of Russian oil.

The energy agreement appears to be part of a broader US strategy to reshape trade partnerships, reduce trade deficits, and expand influence, particularly in South Asia, reports New York Post.

The deal highlights the strategic importance the US is placing on Pakistan’s energy potential.

It also signals a possible geopolitical shift, where the US increases its leverage in South Asia and indirectly targets India.

Key point

President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Pakistan to jointly explore its “massive oil reserves.”

Details about the reserves remain unclear and unverified.

Oil Partnership in Development Stage

The US and Pakistan are in the process of selecting an oil company to lead the partnership.

Trump hinted Pakistan may eventually export oil to India.

No official reaction from Pakistan yet

Islamabad has not issued any response to the announcement.

Pakistan has been seeking foreign investment to develop unexplored offshore oil deposits.

Trump imposes 25% tariff on Indian goods

A new 25% tariff on all Indian imports to the US will take effect from August 1.

Additional penalties announced for India’s defense and energy purchases from Russia.

Criticism of India’s Trade and BRICS role

Trump called India’s trade policies “strenuous and obnoxious.”

He described India’s participation in BRICS as “anti-US.”

India responds to tariff announcement

The Indian government said it has “taken note” of Trump’s comments and is assessing the impact.

It reiterated commitment to a “fair and mutually beneficial” trade agreement with the US.

Wider US trade agenda

Trump mentioned ongoing talks with South Korea and other nations on tariff reductions.

A broader report on US trade deals is expected later.With inputs from agencies

PM used armed forces to protect his image: Rahul

No answer on how Pahalgam attack took place: Priyanka

Shah must take responsibility for ‘security lapse’ at Pahalgam: Kharge in RS

NEWSPAPERS CLIPS ON OP SINDOOR DISCUSSION IN LOK SHABHA

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Dares Modi to call US President a liar over Operation Sindoor ceasefire claims

Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks during a debate in the House on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor at the monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of leveraging the armed forces to bolster his personal image rather than to serve India’s strategic interests.

Participating in the debate on Operation Sindoor, Rahul questioned the government’s intent and alleged that political optics were prioritised over military objectives.

“Yesterday, Rajnath Singh said Operation Sindoor began at 1.05 am and lasted 22 minutes. The most shocking revelation was that at 1.35 am, India called Pakistan to inform them that we had hit only non-military targets and did not wish for any escalation,” he said, quoting the Defence Minister.

Calling it an “immediate surrender of political will”, Rahul claimed that by assuring Pakistan of restraint, the government limited the Air Force’s operational scope. “The DGMO was instructed to ask for a ceasefire at 1.35 am — barely half an hour after the strike. This was not strategic clarity; it was political compromise,” he alleged.

He further cited comments reportedly made by India’s defence attaché in Indonesia, suggesting that aircraft losses occurred because of political constraints on targeting. “The Modi government sent pilots into hostile territory and asked them not to hit military assets,” he charged.

Referencing Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan’s earlier remark about tactical corrections in follow-up strikes, Rahul said: “The IAF made no tactical mistake. The only mistake was sending them in with one hand tied behind their backs.”

He went on to claim that the objective of Operation Sindoor was not national security, but shielding the PM from criticism after the Pahalgam terror attack. “The PM had the blood of the victims on his hands and used the Air Force to protect his image,” Rahul said.

He also invoked US President Donald Trump’s claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. “Trump has said 29 times that he helped stop escalation. If he’s lying, PM Modi should stand up and say so — like Indira Gandhi would have,” he challenged.

Warning against politicisation of the armed forces, the Congress leader said: “It’s dangerous for India when the PM uses the military for personal branding. You don’t leash a tiger if you want it to fight. If you want to fight, fight to win.”

He also raised concerns over Trump allegedly inviting Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir for lunch, calling it a grave insult to India’s fight against terrorism.

“Why hasn’t the PM said anything? Why didn’t he say, ‘How dare Trump invite Munir?’” Rahul asked, banging the table —prompting Speaker Om Birla to intervene.

Rahul then turned his ire towards External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, accusing him of failing India’s foreign policy while falsely claiming that India has deterred Pakistan.

“Field Marshal Munir, US General Michael Kurilla and Generals from four Central Asian countries are currently attending a conference on counter-terrorism. While we go around telling the world that Pakistan sponsors terrorism, the US is not only engaging with Munir but also discussing cooperation with him,” he said.

“What planet is the Foreign Minister on?” Rahul asked, criticising Jaishankar’s recent claim that India had successfully deterred Pakistan.

Demands accountability from the highest levels of the government

Animesh Singh Tribune News Service

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra speaks during a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor at the monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the government in Parliament, questioning how and why the Pahalgam terror attack took place and why a popular tourist destination was left unguarded. Speaking during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, she demanded accountability from the highest levels of the government.

The Defence Minister spoke for an hour. Other ruling party MPs also spoke. Everything was discussed — from Operation Sindoor to terrorism, national security and history. But one topic was conspicuously skipped. On April 22, when 26 persons were killed in front of their families, how did this attack happen, and why?” she asked.

Priyanka pointed out that the government had repeatedly claimed that terrorism had been eradicated from Kashmir and had been actively encouraging tourism in the Valley. “Why wasn’t a single soldier deployed there? Did the government not know that 1,000 to 1,500 people visit the area daily? There was no security, no first aid. These people went there ‘sarkaar bharose’ (trusting the government), and the government left them ‘bhagwan bharose’ (to God’s mercy),” she said.

She questioned whether the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, the Home Minister and the National Security Adviser (NSA) were not responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens. Citing data, she said The Resistance Front (TRF) —the terror outfit that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack — was declared a terrorist organisation three years after its formation in 2019, despite being involved in 22 terror incidents between 2020 and 2025, including the Reasi attack.

“The ruling party claims they were aware of all this, yet not a single agency got wind of the planning of this heinous attack. Isn’t that a complete failure of our security apparatus?” she said.

R

Drawing a parallel with the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Priyanka said, “They talk about 2008 and say the Manmohan Singh government did nothing. But all terrorists, except one, were neutralised that day. The one who survived was hanged in 2012. The Maharashtra Chief Minister resigned, the Home Minister resigned. That was accountability.”

“If our country is attacked, every member in this House will stand with you. We’re proud of our armed forces. But while the Prime Minister is eager to claim credit for Operation Sindoor, leadership is not just about taking credit—it is also about accepting responsibility,” she said.

Priyanka concluded her speech by solemnly reading out the names of all 26 victims killed in the Pahalgam attack.

Nadda apologises after uproar on ‘mental balance’ remark on Cong chief

During a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said Home Minister Amit Shah must take responsibility for the “security lapse” that led to the Pahalgam terror attack.

He was citing Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha remarks.

“On July 14, Sinha accepted that the Pahalgam attack was undoubtedly a security failure,” Kharge said.

Citing terror attacks in Uri, Pulwama, Pathankot and Pahalgam, Kharge said, “It is clear from all these incidents that there have been repeated lapses in the country’s security. The Home Minister is responsible for these incidents, accountability must be fixed and he should resign from his position.”

Kharge also attacked the government pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan in 2015. He said the PM was campaigning after the attack instead of reviewing national security.

“On April 24, the government had called an all-party meeting. The entire opposition was present at the meeting, but PM Modi did not attend. As soon as he returned from Saudi Arabia, he went to hold a rally in Bihar. Is this the seriousness of the PM towards national security?” he asked.

Continuing his attack on the Centre during the debate on Operation Sindoor, Kharge said the BJP has set “factories of lies”.

“There is not one Public Sector Unit that you have set up. You have only set up factories of lies. You talk about HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and other PSUs that we have created,” Kharge said.

The Congress president said the Home Minister visited Jammu and Kashmir on April 7 and 8 and added that the terror ecosystem had been crippled under their regime.

“If it was crippled, how was the Pahalgam attack carried out?” he said.

Kharge said Shah has said three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack have been killed. “But what about the others? Where are they hiding? Why haven’t you been able to find them?” he asked.

Kharge also brought up the online trolling faced by Himanshi Narwal, wife of Naval officer Lt Vinay Narwal who was killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack and foreign secretary Vikram Misri. “What actions did the BJP government take against these trolls?” he questioned.

The Upper House witnessed heated exchanges between the Opposition and treasury benches after Leader of the House JP Nadda made objectionable remarks against Kharge that he later withdrew and apologised.

After Kharge spoke for over an hour during the discussion on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack, Nadda accused him of “losing his mental balance” as he made some remarks against PM Modi.

Amid uproar by the opposition, Nadda got up to say that he had already “taken back” his words, while adding that if they hurt Kharge’s feelings, he would apologise for the same.

“We respect the LoP. I withdrew my words. I apologise if you are hurt. But you, too, were led by emotions. You went so astray that you were not mindful of even the dignity of the PM, that is sad,” he said.