US trade delegation cancels India visit

The U.S. trade delegation has canceled its planned visit to New Delhi, India, casting uncertainty over the timeline for concluding a long-anticipated bilateral trade deal between the two countries, according to Indian media reports citing unidentified sources.

The visit, scheduled to take place from August 25 to 29, was expected to lay the groundwork for a partial trade agreement previously planned to conclude in September or October, according to reports.

The cancellation has thrown the deal's timeline into doubt, with Indian media warning this could delay the next round of talks indefinitely. No new timetable has been announced.

According to Indian officials, the negotiations had been proceeding through multiple channels, including formal trade teams, ministerial-level talks, diplomatic outreach, and industry engagement.

Tensions have risen sharply since April, when U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a so-called "reciprocal tariff" policy. He expressed optimism about a speedy deal with India, but that outlook quickly faded as the two sides clashed over tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

On July 30, Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on Indian exports to the U.S. beginning August 1. A week later, on August 6, he signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff, citing India's continued import of Russian oil "directly or indirectly." The combined U.S. tariffs on Indian goods now total 50 percent, the highest rate currently applied to any U.S. trade partner.

Amid mounting pressures, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech on Friday, vowed to "never compromise on national interest." He stressed India's commitment to protecting farmers, fishermen, and workers against any harmful policies.

US trade delegation cancels India visit

US trade delegation cancels India visit

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"