Pioneer in Short

MEA condemns Afghan bombing

India has strongly condemned recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Paktika provinces, calling the cross-border aggression a threat to regional peace and security. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep concern over civilian casualties during a media briefing on Tuesday, offering condolences to the families of those killed and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Reaffirming New Delhi’s steadfast support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, India criticized Islamabad’s military actions. The airstrikes, executed on Monday, mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban Government. 

While Pakistan claimed the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts and eliminated 28 militants, Kabul strongly disputed the narrative. The Afghan Taliban Government reported that the bombings killed three civilians and wounded four others, dismissing Islamabad’s claims that Afghan soil is used for anti-Pakistan militant operations. Condemning the violation of its borders, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned that Kabul would issue an appropriate response to the aggression, heightening volatility along the volatile border region.

Will use tariffs to stop wars: Trump

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he will leverage sweeping new tariff authorities under a recently signed law to halt the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Trump emphasized the urgent need to end the conflict, which he noted continues to claim tens of thousands of lives monthly.

Last Friday, Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The legislation empowers the US President to slap tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five crude oil and gas importers from Moscow — including major economies like China and India — arguing that energy trade directly finances the Russian war effort. The comprehensive law also targets Russia’s leadership, energy sector, defense collaborators, and shadow fleet, while carving out specific exemptions for US purchases of Russian uranium for nuclear reactors and joint space cooperation.

 In response to the legislation, India reiterated its firm commitment to safeguarding the energy security of its 1.4 billion citizens through diversified sourcing.