India-US Interim Agreement cuts tariffs on soybean oil, fruits, and wine, reducing duties from 45% to 35% on soybean oil

Global Refinery Attacks Spike Sulphur Prices Above $1,000/Tonne; Threatens India's Phosphatic Fertiliser Supply

The energy crisis has shifted from crude oil supply to refined products. Attacks on refineries in Russia and West Asia have caused sulphur prices to skyrocket from $200 to $1,000/tonne, severely affecting India's ability to manufacture phosphatic fertilizers. This distinct crisis poses a long-term threat to India's food security and fertiliser imports even as the country enjoys surplus refining capacity.

Xi Jinping Visits India After 7 Years for BRICS Summit; Business Ties Still Strained by Suspicion

Xi Jinping's first India visit in seven years, around the annual BRICS summit, marks a diplomatic thaw after the 2020 border clashes. However, business ties remain constrained by visa delays, investment restrictions, and equipment hold-ups, reflecting a deep trust deficit. For exams, this is a data-rich case of geopolitical reconciliation and its economic limits.

Kerch Strait Tensions Risk Global Food Crisis as Russia-Ukraine Supply 25% of Wheat

The escalation of strikes on Black Sea ports, Kerch Strait, and Sea of Azov threatens to disrupt grain exports from Russia and Ukraine, reviving global food crisis fears similar to March 2022. With both countries accounting for over a quarter of world wheat exports and 60% of sunflower oil, the paralysis of maritime trade could spill over into food supply shortages, especially when compounded by West Asia war and extreme weather events.

SRIA Signed: Jaishankar Conveys India's Energy Concerns Over US Tariffs Up to 100% on Russian Oil

In the first official discussion after Trump signed the Russia Sanctions Bill (SRIA), External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Rubio in New York and reiterated India's economic and strategic concerns over potential tariffs up to 100% on Russian oil buyers. India, a major importer of Russian crude, stressed its energy security needs for its 1.4 billion people. The meeting came as both nations work on a bilateral trade deal.

US-Iran Talks on Strait of Hormuz Reopening: Oman-Backed Interim Deal Near, India's Energy Security at Stake

US President Trump claims an interim deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is imminent, with Oman and Qatar mediating. Any disruption here directly impacts India's crude oil imports and global energy prices, making this a key IR and energy security topic for exams.

Canada-US Trade War: 50% Tariffs Hit $28B Goods, India Seeks CEPA by Year-End 2026

On August 22, 2026, the US imposed 50% tariffs on $28 billion of Canadian goods, escalating a trade war. This creates a strategic opening for India as Canada seeks to diversify non-US exports and fast-track a CEPA with India, targeting $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

US House Amendment to Russia Sanctions Act Names India, 9 Others for 100% Tariffs

A US House amendment to the Russia sanctions bill explicitly names India among 10 countries eligible for 100% tariffs on oil imports, threatening India's energy security. The Senate has already passed the bill 86-11, and the House has only 4 working days before recess. This is a critical geopolitical development for India's foreign policy and energy strategy.

US House Advances Russia Sanctions Bill: 100% Tariffs on India, China for Buying Russian Oil

The US House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would authorize President Trump to impose 100% tariffs on India, China, and other countries for purchasing oil and gas from Russia. The bill, already passed by the Senate with an 86-11 majority, targets Russia's energy revenue and its 'shadow fleet', and is expected for a final House vote on September 16, 2026.