India has proposed eliminating tariffs on a limited volume of US steel, auto components, and pharmaceuticals as part of a reciprocal “zero-for-zero” offer aimed at accelerating a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. According to sources familiar with the matter, standard import duties would still apply beyond the agreed quota of duty-free goods.

This significant trade gesture was presented by Indian trade officials during high-level discussions in Washington last month. The goal is to conclude an early trade deal by the fall, ahead of the expiration of a 90-day moratorium on retaliatory tariffs imposed during former US President Donald Trump’s administration.

As the US grapples with economic contraction, Trump recently indicated that interim trade deals with partners, including India, could be finalized imminently—potentially this week—offering relief to nations trying to avoid steeper US import duties. Other Asian countries like South Korea and Japan are also engaged in similar negotiations.

In parallel, the US has pressed India to address concerns over its Quality Control Orders (QCOs), which American officials view as opaque non-tariff barriers. These mandatory benchmarks for product standards have increased sharply in recent years—from 14 before 2014 to over 140 by 2017—prompting scrutiny from trading partners.

India has signaled willingness to review QCOs in specific sectors such as medical devices and chemicals. Moreover, it has proposed a mutual recognition agreement, allowing both countries to accept each other’s regulatory frameworks—potentially removing a major hurdle to US exports.

While it remains uncertain whether these proposals will be included in the final agreement, they mark a strong push from both sides to strengthen economic ties amid global trade tensions.

In a significant move following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Standing Committee on Technology has called upon the central government to take immediate action against social media influencers and platforms accused of inciting violence and spreading divisive content. The committee, in a formal memorandum sent to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), highlighted the growing influence of digital media in radicalizing youth and disrupting communal harmony.

The memorandum comes in the aftermath of the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, mainly Hindu tourists, were killed in an assault claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a known affiliate of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Investigations revealed that one of the attackers, Hashim Musa, was formerly part of Pakistan’s paramilitary forces, intensifying concerns over cross-border terrorism and its digital amplification.

The Standing Committee expressed alarm at the role of online influencers in fueling tensions and warned that unregulated platforms could be contributing to a cycle of radicalization and violence. It has directed MeitY and the I&B Ministry to submit actionable regulatory proposals and provide a soft copy of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, by May 8 for review.

The Pahalgam tragedy has reignited national debates over the misuse of digital platforms. Prominent political figures, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, have condemned the attack and stressed the urgency of addressing its broader implications. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have announced a ₹6 million bounty for information leading to the arrest of three suspects, two of whom are Pakistani nationals.

As the country awaits the ministries’ response, the government faces the critical challenge of upholding free speech while preventing digital spaces from becoming breeding grounds for extremism. The committee’s intervention signals a potential tightening of digital media regulations in the interest of national security.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a grave warning over the rapidly escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, declaring that the two nuclear-armed neighbors have reached a “boiling point” that could spiral into a full-scale military confrontation. Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, Guterres urged both countries to exercise maximum restraint and emphasized the urgent need for dialogue to avoid a conflict that could “spin out of control.”

The Secretary-General’s statement comes in the wake of several provocative developments that have deepened mistrust between the South Asian rivals. On May 3, Pakistan test-fired its Abdali ballistic missile—a surface-to-surface weapon with a range of 450 kilometers—claiming it was a routine exercise to test operational readiness and technological improvements. However, the test occurred just days after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 Hindu tourists were killed. India has blamed the attack on Pakistan-based militants, a charge Pakistan strongly denies.

The situation has further deteriorated with reports of “credible intelligence” received by India suggesting a possible strike by Pakistan within the next 36 hours, intensifying fears of military retaliation. The ongoing territorial dispute over Kashmir—an unresolved issue since both nations gained independence from British rule in 1947—continues to be the flashpoint for conflict. India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir, and regular skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) have become routine.

Here is the complete statement:

What sets the current crisis apart is the scale of the response from both sides. In the days following the Pahalgam attack and the missile test, both nations expelled each other’s diplomats, recalled citizens, and shut down mutual airspace. India suspended mail services and trade with Pakistan, while cross-border firing has surged, marking the most serious confrontation since the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot standoff.

Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers, with India possessing an estimated 164 warheads and Pakistan 170. Though nuclear weapons have never been used in their conflicts, the existence of such arsenals significantly raises the risks of miscalculation or escalation.

Guterres, who previously expressed concern over the rising hostilities on April 29, reiterated the UN’s readiness to mediate or facilitate dialogue, though both countries have historically resisted third-party involvement in bilateral issues. The UN chief called on the international community to support de-escalation and prevent further deterioration of the situation, warning that continued provocations could have “catastrophic regional and global consequences.”

As tensions continue to rise, observers worldwide are closely monitoring developments, hoping diplomacy will prevail over conflict in one of the world’s most volatile geopolitical rivalries.

In a significant move to enhance national security readiness, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed states and union territories to carry out comprehensive civil defense mock drills across the country on May 7. The drills are part of a broader initiative to strengthen preparedness for potential hostile attacks and ensure the safety of both civilians and critical infrastructure.

The nationwide exercise will involve the activation of air raid warning sirens—an emergency protocol rooted in India’s past during the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971. Measures will also include crash blackouts, camouflaging of key installations, and the rehearsal of mass evacuation plans.

Civilian participation is central to the initiative, with special training programs being conducted in schools and public institutions to educate people on emergency response and self-protection techniques. The drills will simulate real-life threat scenarios, assessing the readiness of local authorities, inter-agency coordination, and public response.

This step comes amid growing geopolitical tensions and renewed focus on national resilience. A 2022 report by the Ministry of Home Affairs identified 777 critical sites—ranging from economic hubs to strategic assets—as potential high-risk targets, underlining the urgent need for advanced civil defense mechanisms.

The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), operating under the Information Technology Act of 2000, continues to play a key role in securing India’s digital and physical infrastructure.

Recent mock drills in the Delhi-NCR region—triggered by hoax bomb threats targeting over 250 schools—offered a preview of the kind of scenarios that will be tested nationwide. Those operations involved airports, metro stations, and key government facilities, helping refine emergency protocols.

As India readies for the May 7 exercise, officials emphasize that civil preparedness is not just a defense priority but a national responsibility. The drills are expected to provide crucial insights and reinforce India’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to a range of conventional and emerging threats.

A high-stakes counter-terror operation in Kulgam district turned controversial after a 23-year-old local man, Imtiaz Ahmad Magray, drowned while attempting to escape security forces during an ongoing investigation. The dramatic moment, captured on drone footage by Gulistan News TV, shows Magray jumping into the fast-flowing Vishwa River, where he was later seen struggling before being swept away by the current.

Authorities confirmed that Magray, a resident of Tangimarg, had been in police custody since May 3 after allegedly confessing to providing food and logistical support to militants hiding in the nearby forest area. On May 5, while accompanying security personnel to a suspected hideout, he unexpectedly leapt into the river. His body was recovered the following day from the Adbal stream in Aharbal.

While security officials assert that Magray’s escape attempt was unprovoked and voluntary—as supported by the drone footage—the incident has drawn strong criticism from local residents and political figures. Allegations have emerged that Magray was in custody for two days, prompting suspicion about the circumstances of his death.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has demanded an impartial judicial investigation, citing a pattern of “serious allegations of foul play” in recent security operations, including a controversial encounter in Bandipora.

Here is the video:

The incident unfolds against a backdrop of intensified anti-terror measures in the region. Just two weeks earlier, on April 24, a joint operation involving the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF dismantled a terrorist hideout in the same Tangimarg area. Items recovered included gas cylinders, food supplies, bedding, and a pressure cooker filled with chicken biryani—evidence allegedly linking the site to militants involved in an attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Those attackers reportedly included three foreign militants from Pakistan and two locals from Bijbehara and Thokerpora, Kulgam.

The release of the drone footage has intensified calls for transparency and accountability in security operations. While police have launched a formal investigation into Magray’s death, public distrust remains high, with many demanding answers over whether due process was followed in his arrest, custody, and ultimate demise.

As tensions simmer in Kulgam, the case underscores growing concerns over the balance between counter-terrorism and human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.