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Hamas; Designation of Haniyeh as” terrorist” will not affect struggle

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Hamas; Designation of Haniyeh as” terrorist” will not affect struggle

Hamas to continue defending its people and land

In less than two months after announcing Jerusalem as Israeli capital, US administration has entered into another adventure in supporting Israel in the Middle East. US State Department’s Wednesday move to place Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the most popular Palestinian leader on its global “terror list” faced strong reaction.

Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group immediately rejected US move calling it a “dangerous development” in  “violation of international law, giving the Palestinian people a right to defend themselves against [Israeli] occupation, and to choose their leaders.”

The Hamas statement said, “This will not deter us from carrying out our duties towards our people and defending them, and liberating our lands and holy sites”.

It further said, “This decision demonstrates the full American bias in favour of the Israeli occupation, and provides an official cover for Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.”

Hamas, the Palestinian political resistance movement which governs Gaza Strip, also called on the US administration to “reverse” this decision and to stop its “hostile policies.

Earlier in the day, US designated Ismail Haniya, as a “global terrorist”, saying he “has close links with Hamas’ military wing” and has been a proponent of armed struggle, including against civilians.”

The US administration accused Hamas of being involved in attacks that resulted in the killing of 17 Americans since the group’s founding in 1987.

Placing Haniyeh on the “terror list” means that there will be a travel ban on him, his property in US, if any, will be frozen. Any US citizen of company will not able to undertake any business activity with him.

Ismail Haniyeh became first elected Prime Minister in Palestinian National Authority in 2006 and remained in office till June 2, 2014. However, his government was not recognised by US, Israel and their allies.

President Mahmoud Abbas, the head of Fatah group who leads his government in West Bank and considered to be a close US ally until US President Donald Trump announced to accept Jerusalem as Israel capital, dismissed Haniyeh in June 2007.

But Hamas did not acknowledge Abbas’ decree and continued to exercise prime ministerial authority in Gaza strip till June 2014. Haniyeh was elected as Chairman of Hamas Political Bureau in May 2017.

Iran, leading the anti-US/Israel political moves in the region, supports Hamas in its fight against Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. Tehran also supports Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, who fought 2006, 31 day war against Israel. The group succeeded in forcing Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon in year 2000.

Hamas; Designation of Haniyeh as” terrorist” will not affect struggle

During last few years Saudi Arabia tried to create distance between Hamas and Iranian government by moving its office to Doha, Qatari capital. However, recently Ismail Haniyeh has written a letter to Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khemenei for thanking his support.

Observers believe the designation of Ismail Haniyeh as “terrorist” raises the possibility of the US placing Haniya on trial. A Washington based journalist working for Aljazeera said, “This possibly makes it easier for the US Justice Department to try to bring him to trial for his alleged role in the deaths of these 17 Americans”.

In the State Department press release, the US also designated three other armed groups as being “terrorist groups”: Harakat al-Sabireen – a Gaza-based armed group, as well as two Egypt-based groups – Liwaa al-Thawra, and Harakat Sawa’d Misr.

A senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad  told  that the US’ decision is part of a wider campaign against Palestinians since President Donald Trump came into office.

“It is obvious that this animosity from the US administration towards the Palestinians is unprecedented – with its unconditional support of Israel and its decision surrounding Jerusalem, and cutting its funding to the UN refugee agency [UNRWA],” said Hamad.

He further said, “I think Donald Trump is mentally ill. Since he became president … the US administration has been trying to impose its misguided policies on the Middle East.”

The Palestinian official said that Haniyeh a is an “icon of resistance” and that is “something he and we are all proud of”.

Trump has made a series of decisions in recent months that have increased tensions in the region.

On December 6, US President Donald Trump had  formally recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital  and asked Department of state to start process of moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The move unleashed protests across the occupied Palestinian territories and in major cities around the world. Turkey had hosted OIC summit against Trump’s Jerusalem and several other conferences in different capitals had condemned Trump’s move.

On December 13, Palestinian resident Mehmoud Abbas had formally declared that Palestinians will no longer accept the US as mediator in the Middle East peace process.

Continuing its tough moves, on January 17, the US government decided to cut more than half of its planned funding to the UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees supporting  more than five million registered Palestinian refugees for over 70 years.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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