By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

US President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed confidence in India-US trade ties, even as his administration moves forward with a 25% import tariff on all vehicles, effective April 2.

Calling India “one of the highest tariffing nations in the world,” Trump noted the issue remains central to trade negotiations. However, he also stressed the strength of his personal rapport with PM Modi, saying: “He is a very smart man and a great friend of mine.”

Trump added that his recent discussions with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had gone well and expressed optimism, saying: “I think it’s going to work out very well between India and our country.”

Trump, who has long criticized India’s trade practices, reiterated that the country remains one of the highest tariff-imposing nations. His declaration of “reciprocal tariffs” suggests countries like India should brace for economic pushback. “They charge us, we charge them,” Trump said recently.

But despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump’s remarks about PM Modi paint a completely different picture — one of camaraderie, not confrontation. “We had very good talks. I think it’s going to work out very well between India and our country,” he added.

The vehicle tariff, which Trump announced earlier this week, is expected to impact nearly half of all vehicles sold in the US, including those built abroad by American companies. The move is part of the administration’s broader push for “reciprocal tariffs”, with Trump asserting: “They charge us, we charge them.”

Praise, pressure, and political convenience?

Trump’s warm words for Modi come just weeks after the Indian PM visited Washington DC in February. The two leaders launched “Mission 500”, a goal to double India-US trade to $500 billion by 2030. But while the mission sounds ambitious, it’s unclear how it aligns with a 25% import duty on a key sector like automobiles.

Critics argue that Trump’s approach — praising allies while penalizing them economically — reflects a broader pattern of political double-speak. On one hand, the US demands fairer access to foreign markets. On the other, it escalates trade tensions through blanket tariffs.

Vehicle tariffs: protection or provocation?

The new tariff, set to hit half of all vehicles sold in the US — including American-made cars assembled abroad — has already raised concerns among automakers and trade analysts. If India chooses to respond, the so-called “good talks” Trump refers to could quickly turn sour.

While the White House pitches the move as pro-jobs and pro-fairness, its timing — coupled with contradictory praise — raises doubt about the coherence of US trade policy, especially toward close allies like India.

The US and India have long had friction over tariff imbalances, but the tone from both sides remains constructive, with trade fairness, national security, and job creation identified as shared goals.

Stand-up Comedian Kunal Kamra lands into fresh legal trouble over his satirical remarks on Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, with three FIRs filed against him at Mumbai’s Khar police station. The controversy has snowballed into multiple legal complaints, venue vandalism, and strong political backlash, while the comedian maintains that humour is his constitutional right.

Complaints were lodged by the Jalgaon Mayor, a Nashik hotelier, and a businessman, after Kamra allegedly referred to Shinde as a gaddar during one of his stand-up show.

Despite being summoned three times, including one for March 31, Kamra has not appeared for questioning.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court granted interim anticipatory bail till April 7, after Kamra cited threats and harassment following his performance.

Amid political outrage, Yuva Sena workers vandalised the Habitat comedy venue where the show was recorded. Kamra defended the venue, saying it cannot be blamed for his content. He further clarified that the venue is not responsible for his material and that he alone is accountable for his words.

Yuva Sena is the youth wing of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction.

In a statement and on X, Kamra slammed the media as vultures accusing them of being a miscommunication arm of the ruling party. “Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a public figure doesn’t change my right to say it,” Kamra said, defending his right to satire.

However, Kamra refuses to apologise, but says he’s ready to cooperate — just not in person, yet.

As the holy month of Ramadan enters its final stretch, anticipation is building across the globe for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, the grand festival that marks the end of fasting and spiritual reflection. But just like every year, the big question remains — when will Eid be celebrated?

The answer isn’t a fixed calendar date — it depends on something far more celestial: the sighting of the new crescent moon, which signals the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

According to Islamic tradition and astronomical calculations, Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 is expected to fall on either March 30 or 31 in Saudi Arabia, and March 31 or April 1 in India, depending on the visibility of the moon after sunset.

Why does the date vary across countries?

Islamic months are based on the lunar calendar, and the appearance of a young waxing crescent moon is essential to declare the end of Ramadan. As per Islamic Shariah, a new lunar month starts only after the moon is sighted with the naked eye under favorable weather conditions. If the moon isn’t sighted, Ramadan is extended to 30 days.

What does the science say?

This year, the astronomical conjunction — when the moon transitions from invisibility to reappearance — is expected to occur on March 29, 2025, at 16:27 IST. Using the Babylonian Criterion, which requires the crescent to be at least 24 hours old and visible for a minimum of 48 minutes after sunset, predictions have been made across various cities in the Indian subcontinent and Middle East.

Observation teams, relying on astronomy and optical science, will make the final confirmation based on local visibility — making it possible for Eid to be observed on different days in different regions, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, UK, USA, and India.

A celebration rooted in the moon and unity

Eid-ul-Fitr is much more than a holiday. It is a celebration of unity, generosity, and gratitude observed by Muslims across the world — regardless of borders or backgrounds. From bustling city streets in India to serene deserts of the Middle East, from American suburbs to London’s multicultural neighborhoods, Muslims everywhere eagerly await the crescent moon’s sighting to begin their joyous day of Eid.

So, while the dates may differ slightly, the spirit of Eid remains beautifully shared.