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UN imposes tough sanctions against North Korea

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Would be devastating for North Korea’s haulage industry, says experts

Amidst it failure to convince international community on its Jerusalem move, US policy towards North Korea was supported by most countries at United Nations Security Council on Friday when it voted unanimously in favor of tough sanctions against Pyongyang.

The UN Security Council resolution was passed in response to North Korea’s last month’s launch of a ballistic missile that Pyongyang claims to be capable of reaching anywhere on the US mainland.

The sanctions will cut oil supplies, with nearly 90 percent of refined petroleum product exports to North Korea will be banned, with a cap of 500,000 barrels a year, crude oil supplies would be capped at 4 million barrels a year. North Koreans working abroad, a source of foreign currency, will be repatriated within 24 months.

Japan’s ambassador to the UN Koro Bessho said that the UN Security Council voted 15 to 0 to pass the resolution. Japan holds the presidency of the Security Council this month. Bessho has served as ambassador in Pyongyang earlier.

Under the latest resolution, the UN Security Council has authorized all countries to seize, inspect, freeze and impound ships suspected of carrying illegal cargo to and from North Korea. This is aimed to prevent Pyongyang from circumventing sanctions.

After voting at the world body, US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley said, “[The resolution] sends the unambiguous message to Pyongyang that further defiance will invite further punishments and isolation.”  US had warned Kim Jong Un last month that it would be “utterly destroyed” if war were to break out.

French Ambassador Francois Delettre said, “This resolution bites” that increases pressure on Pyongyang. He further said “Maximum firmness today is our best antidote to the risk of war.”

But on December 21, the North Korean leader had asserted that his country had “rapidly emerged as a strategic state capable of posing a substantial nuclear threat to the US”.

Earlier on November 29, North Korea said that its Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test was a “breakthrough” that puts the US mainland within range of its nuclear weapons.

But at the same time Pyongyang called for a halt to the “brutal sanctions” saying the earlier sanctions imposed on September 3 constituted genocide. Pyongyang argues that its weapons programs are necessary to counter US aggression.

On Friday North Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson called new US National Security Strategy (NSS) as the latest US policy seeking to “stifle our country and turn the entire Korean peninsula” into an outpost of US hegemony.

According to North Korea Times, Peter Ward, a columnist for NK News, a website which monitors country’s media,  has said, “If they (UN resolutions) were enforced, the cap on oil would be devastating for North Korea’s haulage industry, for North Koreans who use generators at home or for productive activities, and for (state-owned enterprises) that do the same.”

He further said that forced repatriation of Koreans working abroad would also cut of vital sources of foreign currency and investment not only for the government but for the emerging economy of the country.

China which supplies most of North Korea’s oil has supported successive rounds of UN sanctions but had resisted past US calls to cut off supplies to its neighbour. However, US President Donald Trump, during his Beijing visit last month, had once again tried to convince Chinese leadership on its North Korea policy but failed to get any commitment from his counterpart Xi Jinping.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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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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