Selective targeting on tariffs, says Jaishankar, flags Poland minister's outreach to Pakistan, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• EAM Jaishankar conveyed India's disappointment to Poland's Deputy PM Sikorski regarding the US's 25% tariffs on Indian purchase of Russian oil.
• Jaishankar cautioned Poland to maintain "zero tolerance for terrorism" and avoid fueling terror infrastructure.
• US President Trump invited India to join the Board of Peace for Gaza, a part of the Gaza peace plan.
• India is carefully considering the invitation, weighing consequences of refusal, impact on the UN's primacy, and the board's charter.

Detailed Insights:

• India is concerned about the US imposing up to 50% tariffs and the implications of refusing Trump's invitation, especially after his claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
• Delhi is assessing whether the Board of Peace challenges the UN's international framework and is wary of supporting a parallel arrangement that goes beyond Gaza.
• Major countries like Russia, UK, and Germany are yet to commit to the initiative, with France indicating it may not join, raising questions about the board's credibility.
• India is coordinating with close partners to assess the situation, especially considering Pakistan's inclusion in the board, which makes it difficult for India to stay out.
• The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also received an invitation and will discuss the plan with other EU leaders.
• Israel has stated that the formation of the committee wasn't coordinated with its government and is contrary to its policy.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.
• Terror Infrastructure: The network of resources, training camps, and support systems that enable terrorist activities.
• Multilateralism: The principle of resolving issues through cooperation among multiple countries.