Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has said that one of the biggest mistakes made by US President Donald Trump so far has been the way he handled relations with India.

Speaking in an interview with media, Abbott said he does not fully support Trump’s foreign policy approach and highlighted several steps that, in his view, unnecessarily strained ties with New Delhi.

Abbott said these included the imposition of punitive tariffs on Indian goods, claims by Trump that he had mediated tensions between India and Pakistan, and the hosting of Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir at the White House.

According to Abbott, these actions “gratuitously alienated” India, particularly given New Delhi’s longstanding concerns about terrorism originating from Pakistan.

Tariff dispute and trade deal

Tensions between the United States and India had earlier escalated after Washington imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on several Indian products. An additional 25 per cent levy was also linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

However, a trade agreement announced by Trump in February signalled a partial easing of those tensions. Under the arrangement, the US reduced tariffs on several Indian goods.

Trump said the decision followed a commitment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt purchases of oil from Russia while the war in Ukraine continued.

The agreement helped ease months of friction between the two countries over energy purchases, which Washington had argued were helping fund the ongoing conflict.

Trump has also repeatedly referred to his close personal ties with Modi, describing the Indian leader as one of his greatest friends.

Abbott comments on Middle East conflict

Abbott also spoke about the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

He said it was impossible to predict whether the situation would lead to a regime change in Tehran, noting that the current leadership still enjoys support among sections of the Iranian population.

At the same time, Abbott suggested that the weakening of Iran’s nuclear capabilities could significantly limit the country’s ability to project aggression in the future.

He also said the intensity of the conflict could gradually decline.

According to Abbott, Iranian attacks had already reduced compared to earlier phases of the conflict, while Israeli and American strikes had intensified and largely focused on regime facilities rather than civilian infrastructure.

Fresh attacks reported

In the hours following his remarks, Iran launched new missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf countries hosting US military bases.

Explosions were reported inside Israel as air defence systems intercepted incoming projectiles.

Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia also reported attacks.

Bihar may soon witness a major political transition as a leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to become the state’s chief minister, following Nitish Kumar’s decision to step down and contest the Rajya Sabha elections, according to sources.

Nitish Kumar, who has served as Bihar’s chief minister for more than two decades and held the post a record ten times, filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. His move comes only four months after he was sworn in for his tenth term as chief minister.

If the reported arrangement goes ahead, it would mark the first time that the BJP occupies the chief minister’s post in Bihar, a state where leadership has largely alternated between the Janata Dal United and the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Possible cabinet structure being discussed

Sources indicated that the proposed government structure may include one deputy chief minister. Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar is likely to be given that role, which would mark his entry into electoral politics.

The Janata Dal United is expected to receive 15 ministerial positions in the new cabinet.

Apart from the JD(U), coalition partners may also get representation. Two ministers from the Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas, and one each from the Rashtriya Lok Morcha and the Hindustani Awam Morcha are likely to be included, sources said.

The Speaker of the Bihar Assembly is expected to remain from the BJP.

Nitish Kumar has also called a meeting of all JD(U) Members of Parliament and senior party leaders to discuss the developments.

Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16

Announcing his decision to contest the Rajya Sabha elections, the 75 year old leader wrote on X that he intends to continue contributing to Bihar’s development.

“I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time. I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast,” he said.

He added that the new government would have his full cooperation and guidance.

Along with Nitish Kumar, several leaders also filed their nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections. These include BJP leader Nitin Nabin, Union minister Ram Nath Thakur from the JD(U), Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, and BJP state general secretary Shivesh Kumar.

Polling for the Rajya Sabha elections will be held on March 16 to fill 37 seats across 10 states. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place the same day at 5 pm.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented his 17th State Budget, the highest number delivered by any Karnataka chief minister, outlining a Rs 4.48 lakh crore spending plan for the financial year 2026–27.

The budget indicates that the state will continue to run a revenue deficit for the third consecutive year, even as the government focuses on welfare programmes, infrastructure development and technology investments.

According to the budget estimates, total revenue receipts are projected at Rs3,15,050 crore. This includes Rs 2,20,000 crore from the state’s own tax revenue, Rs16,000 crore from non-tax revenue, and Rs79,050 crore in transfers from the Government of India.

The government has also projected gross borrowings of Rs 1,32,000 crore and non-debt capital receipts of Rs190 crore, taking total receipts to Rs 4,47,240 crore for the fiscal year.

Meanwhile, overall expenditure is estimated at Rs 4,48,004 crore, divided into Rs 3,38,007 crore in revenue expenditure, Rs 74,682 crore in capital expenditure, and Rs 35,316 crore towards loan repayments.

The state has projected a revenue deficit of Rs 22,957 crore, while the fiscal deficit is estimated at Rs97,449 crore, which equals 2.95% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Total liabilities by the end of the year are expected to reach Rs 8,24,389 crore, accounting for 24.94% of the state’s GSDP. The government said both deficit levels remain within limits set under the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, indicating adherence to fiscal discipline.

Mekedatu project and student protection law

The government said a revised Detailed Project Report for the Mekedatu Dam Project will soon be submitted to the Centre along with a request for forest clearance. The project is intended to improve drinking water supply for Bengaluru but has faced opposition from Tamil Nadu in the past.

Another major announcement was the proposed Rohith Vemula Act, which aims to prevent caste-based discrimination and atrocities against students in government, private and deemed universities across the state.

Welfare and infrastructure focus

Under tribal welfare initiatives, the government will construct the Sri Maharshi Valmiki Administrative Soudha in Bengaluru’s Sumanahalli at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore. The building will house offices of the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department.

The budget also proposed the development of Waqf properties located in prime commercial areas through a Public-Private Partnership model, aiming to unlock their economic potential.

For urban infrastructure, Rs 1,255 crore has been allocated for ward-level road and infrastructure projects across five city corporations in Bengaluru.

The government also plans to develop 100 Miyawaki urban forests, which use dense plantations of native species to create green spaces in urban areas.

Push for technology and innovation

To encourage investment and improve ease of doing business, the state launched a unified investment portal developed with the support of Microsoft, providing more than 100 services across 30 departments for investors.

The Indian Institute of Science will host the Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone (BRAIN) under ARTPARK in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation and Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited.

Additionally, a drone testing and performance evaluation facility will be established in Chikkaballapur to support the state’s growing drone technology ecosystem.

Mysuru to be developed as second IT hub

The government also announced plans to develop Mysuru as Karnataka’s second IT hub, aiming to reduce congestion in Bengaluru while promoting technology-driven growth in other regions of the state.