February 5, 2026

February 2026

The Hulk toy that nearly cost a child his health: What one hospital emergency teaches parents about everyday hidden dangers |

The Hulk toy that nearly cost a child his health: What one hospital emergency teaches parents about everyday hidden dangers |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

A toddler’s life was saved after swallowing a full Hulk figurine, which was lodged in his stomach. Doctors successfully removed the toy via endoscopy, averting potential intestinal blockage. This incident underscores the critical role of parental instinct and the need for constant reassessment of toy safety as children explore their world. It began like many…

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‘Unprecedented collaboration’: Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announces withdrawal of 700 immigration agents in Minnesota

‘Unprecedented collaboration’: Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announces withdrawal of 700 immigration agents in Minnesota

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

File photo: Tom Homan (Picture credit: AP) The Trump administration will withdraw around 700 federal immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota after state and local authorities agreed to increase cooperation with federal agencies, White House border czar Tom Homan said on Wednesday. The move will reduce the federal presence in the state from roughly 3,000 officers…

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Pakistani-American businessman says denying Green Card holders govt loan bad policy: ‘As a former SBA leader…’

Pakistani-American businessman says denying Green Card holders govt loan bad policy: ‘As a former SBA leader…’

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

On March 1, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration will require 100% U.S. citizen ownership for SBA loans. Even 1% green card ownership disqualifies a business. The rule impacts SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, key funding tools for real estate, equipment, and jobs. Pakistani-American businessman Dilawar Syed, who previously served in the Small Business Administration,…

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NEW DELHI: As India is finalising the details of its trade deal with the US, a report suggested that the Narendra Modi-led government was willing to wait out US President Donald Trump’s term for the trade agreement and Washington was also informed of the same.According to a report by news outlet Bloomberg, national security adviser Ajit Doval held a meeting with US secretary of state Marco Rubio in September last year and told him that India won’t be bullied by Trump or his top aides. ‘India Will Develop Even On Autopilot’, Says NSA Ajit Doval As He Credits PM Modi’s Leadership Doval told US officials that the Modi government was willing to wait out Trump’s term, having faced other hostile US administrations in the past.Doval also told Rubio that New Delhi wanted Trump and his aides to dial down their public criticism of India so they could get relations back on track.This comes after the US President announced a trade deal with India on Monday, slashing tariffs from 50 per cent to 18 per cent.“It was an Honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi, of India, this morning. He is one of my greatest friends and, a Powerful and Respected Leader of his Country. We spoke about many things, including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine. He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela,” Trump announced in a social media post on Truth Social.Earlier on Tuesday, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said that the “much-awaited trade deal” with the US has been successfully concluded.”The much-awaited trade deal with the United States of America has been successfully concluded. This is a significant trade agreement, finalised last night under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, keeping the interests of the nation and its people in mind,” Goyal said.”It is a deal that will further strengthen India’s future. I thank Prime Minister Modi on behalf of 1.4 billion citizens and congratulate everyone, as this is a landmark achievement for the country,” he added.Goyal also said that the government has protected the sensitive sectors of India’s economy — particularly agriculture and dairy. “In the US trade deal, the sensitive sectors of India’s economy, particularly agriculture and dairy, have been protected. We have seen reports from across the country; there is widespread enthusiasm,” he said.Further, he added that both countries will shortly issue a joint statement along with the details, which we will shortly be signing between the United States of America and India.”We stand for the people of India. We stand for national interest. And today, 140 crore Indians are celebrating a trade deal which is under final stages of detailing between the negotiating teams of both countries. We will be shortly issuing a joint statement by both countries along with the details which we will be shortly inking between the United States of America and India. And as soon as the final understanding of the deal is inked and the joint statement is finalised. Technical processes are completed. Full details will be shared,” the minister said.”But I can assure the people of India. I can assure 140 crore brothers and sisters that this is a deal that will make every Indian proud. That will protect the interest of every Indian and provide huge opportunities for all the people of India and will protect the sensitive sectors,” he added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump agreed to deepen bilateral trade ties, setting a target of more than doubling trade to 0 billion by 2030.Talks began in March 2025, saw multiple rounds of negotiations and delegations on both sides, but were jolted by the imposition of import duties on Indian goods, which were escalated to 50 per cent.2025 saw several chapters of formal negotiations and multiple backchannel engagements for both the countries to come to an agreement.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital AddictionPolitical Storm Erupts As Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Bittu Clash, Cong Targets PM Modi On Epstein FilesPiyush Goyal Defends India-US Trade Deal in Lok Sabha, Says Farmers And Dairy Interests Fully Safe’Sorry Papa’: Suicide Note From Three Sisters In Ghaziabad Triggers Debate On Gaming Addiction123PhotostoriesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students10 regional potato dishes that are a must-try once in a lifetime5 OTT hits of 2026 that created a massive buzz and had everyone talkingNot just potato: 9 types of popular fillings that make samosa a true food lover’s delightGaming addiction, school dropout, isolation: Key details in Ghaziabad-Loni sisters’ death caseBengaluru plans 800-metre flyover to decongest Iblur Junction; ORR travel time to drop123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingArtemi PanarinMLB Trade RumorsAyesha CurryKayla NicoleNHL Injury UpdatePuka NacuaRussell WilsonDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsNikola JokicGold Riyadh Players Ranking

NEW DELHI: As India is finalising the details of its trade deal with the US, a report suggested that the Narendra Modi-led government was willing to wait out US President Donald Trump’s term for the trade agreement and Washington was also informed of the same.According to a report by news outlet Bloomberg, national security adviser Ajit Doval held a meeting with US secretary of state Marco Rubio in September last year and told him that India won’t be bullied by Trump or his top aides. ‘India Will Develop Even On Autopilot’, Says NSA Ajit Doval As He Credits PM Modi’s Leadership Doval told US officials that the Modi government was willing to wait out Trump’s term, having faced other hostile US administrations in the past.Doval also told Rubio that New Delhi wanted Trump and his aides to dial down their public criticism of India so they could get relations back on track.This comes after the US President announced a trade deal with India on Monday, slashing tariffs from 50 per cent to 18 per cent.“It was an Honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi, of India, this morning. He is one of my greatest friends and, a Powerful and Respected Leader of his Country. We spoke about many things, including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine. He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela,” Trump announced in a social media post on Truth Social.Earlier on Tuesday, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said that the “much-awaited trade deal” with the US has been successfully concluded.”The much-awaited trade deal with the United States of America has been successfully concluded. This is a significant trade agreement, finalised last night under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, keeping the interests of the nation and its people in mind,” Goyal said.”It is a deal that will further strengthen India’s future. I thank Prime Minister Modi on behalf of 1.4 billion citizens and congratulate everyone, as this is a landmark achievement for the country,” he added.Goyal also said that the government has protected the sensitive sectors of India’s economy — particularly agriculture and dairy. “In the US trade deal, the sensitive sectors of India’s economy, particularly agriculture and dairy, have been protected. We have seen reports from across the country; there is widespread enthusiasm,” he said.Further, he added that both countries will shortly issue a joint statement along with the details, which we will shortly be signing between the United States of America and India.”We stand for the people of India. We stand for national interest. And today, 140 crore Indians are celebrating a trade deal which is under final stages of detailing between the negotiating teams of both countries. We will be shortly issuing a joint statement by both countries along with the details which we will be shortly inking between the United States of America and India. And as soon as the final understanding of the deal is inked and the joint statement is finalised. Technical processes are completed. Full details will be shared,” the minister said.”But I can assure the people of India. I can assure 140 crore brothers and sisters that this is a deal that will make every Indian proud. That will protect the interest of every Indian and provide huge opportunities for all the people of India and will protect the sensitive sectors,” he added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump agreed to deepen bilateral trade ties, setting a target of more than doubling trade to $500 billion by 2030.Talks began in March 2025, saw multiple rounds of negotiations and delegations on both sides, but were jolted by the imposition of import duties on Indian goods, which were escalated to 50 per cent.2025 saw several chapters of formal negotiations and multiple backchannel engagements for both the countries to come to an agreement.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Agriculture, Dairy Protected’: Piyush Goyal Cheers India-US Pact; Jaishankar Meets Trump Top Aides’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital AddictionPolitical Storm Erupts As Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Bittu Clash, Cong Targets PM Modi On Epstein FilesPiyush Goyal Defends India-US Trade Deal in Lok Sabha, Says Farmers And Dairy Interests Fully Safe’Sorry Papa’: Suicide Note From Three Sisters In Ghaziabad Triggers Debate On Gaming Addiction123PhotostoriesMeryl Streep films on OTT that highlight her timeless talent5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students10 regional potato dishes that are a must-try once in a lifetime5 OTT hits of 2026 that created a massive buzz and had everyone talkingNot just potato: 9 types of popular fillings that make samosa a true food lover’s delightGaming addiction, school dropout, isolation: Key details in Ghaziabad-Loni sisters’ death caseBengaluru plans 800-metre flyover to decongest Iblur Junction; ORR travel time to drop123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingArtemi PanarinMLB Trade RumorsAyesha CurryKayla NicoleNHL Injury UpdatePuka NacuaRussell WilsonDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsNikola JokicGold Riyadh Players Ranking

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

NEW DELHI: As India is finalising the details of its trade deal with the US, a report suggested that the Narendra Modi-led government was willing to wait out US President Donald Trump’s term for the trade agreement and Washington was also informed of the same.According to a report by news outlet Bloomberg, national security adviser…

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Indians second most optimistic about economy

Indians second most optimistic about economy

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

MUMBAI: Optimism in India up 7% on stable governance, policy continuity, and easing pressure from key economic indicators. according to the latest What Worries the World survey by Ipsos.About 69% of Indians now say the country is headed in the right direction, up 7 percentage points in a month, placing India second globally alongside Malaysia…

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Harvard raises million to fund new PhD fellowships after sharp admissions cuts

Harvard raises $50 million to fund new PhD fellowships after sharp admissions cuts

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Harvard raises $50M for PhD fellowships Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) has raised $50 million from donors to create new PhD fellowships, according to a report by The Harvard Crimson. The fundraising drive comes months after the school sharply reduced doctoral admissions because of financial pressure. The initiative aims to raise a…

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‘Nellikkampoyil Night Riders’ OTT release date: When and where to watch Mathew Thomas starrer

‘Nellikkampoyil Night Riders’ OTT release date: When and where to watch Mathew Thomas starrer

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Nellikkampoyil Night Riders is now available for home viewing on ZEE5 from February 6. This film blends horror, comedy, and suspense with village culture and youth drama. Directed by Noufal Abdullah, it features Mathew and Thomas in lead roles. The story follows Shyam and his friends as they confront mysterious terror and spirits in Nellikkampoyil…

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Why parents are letting go of trendy, cute, and complicated baby names in 2025 |

Why parents are letting go of trendy, cute, and complicated baby names in 2025 |

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

In today’s naming landscape, parents are leaning towards classic and timeless baby names, steering clear of unconventional spellings and geographical inspirations. There’s a noticeable drop in names for boys that end with ‘y’ or kick off with ‘D’ and ‘K’, suggesting a shift towards names that are both elegant and easily recognisable. Every year, BabyCenter…

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What happened to India-hater MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer? Conspiracy theories abound over deleted posts on wife, kids, FBI

What happened to India-hater MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer? Conspiracy theories abound over deleted posts on wife, kids, FBI

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer threw X into a tizzy after he made several posts and then deleted some, triggering speculations that something is not right with him. Schaffer is known for his anti-India posts on X but this time, he posted something alarming about his wife and kids, only to delete them soon. Schaffer said…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump (File photo) The received wisdom in Washington circles has been that Pakistan has ‘played’ Donald Trump better than its Indian counterpart. This has included praising Donald Trump to high heavens at every turn, nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize with every breath, offering him (snake?) oil, and in general agreeing to anything including joining the Board of Peace. Perhaps, Pakistan felt it had returned to its older role of indispensable intermediary as New Delhi remained the insouciant child who refused to bow to Trump’s diktats. Overnight, the illusion shattered as Trump announced the US had reached a trade agreement with India lowering tariffs on India’s exports to 18%. While most of the details about the deal are still being worked out, that didn’t stop a full-blown meltdown on Pakistani (or South Asian) Twitter.One viral tweet summed up the mood: “Mover, shaker, and beggars.”That line became a shorthand for something deeper than trade arithmetic. The reaction in Pakistan was not about supply chains or tariff schedules. It was about hierarchy.The online reckoningThe first wave of reactions was disbelief. Then came sarcasm. Then came something closer to anger, much of it directed inward. Pakistani social media users began listing, almost ritualistically, the many ways Islamabad had publicly courted Trump. The Nobel Peace Prize nomination resurfaced again and again, often framed as a punchline. So did Pakistan’s enthusiastic endorsement of Trump’s various peace initiatives and grand visions.A widely circulated post laid it out bluntly: Pakistan did everything to please Trump, including nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, joining his “Board of Peace”, and offering cooperation on minerals. Yet India, which spent months resisting Trump’s pressure, ended up with a lower tariff rate. To make matters worse, users pointed out, India had also just secured major trade concessions with the European Union.The tone shifted quickly from disbelief to gallows humour. One viral image showed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir holding up an AI-styled magazine cover featuring Modi and Trump, both leaders pointing at the image as if presenting evidence of a reality they could not alter. The accompanying Urdu caption roughly translated to: “Asim Munir is stuck between them… the world has moved on.”Across Facebook and Instagram, memes treated the 18% versus 19% tariff gap like a scoreboard. Comment threads were filled with variations of the same lament: how did bending over backwards still lead to being sidelined? Why did obedience not translate into leverage?Even YouTube reaction videos, often noisy and incoherent, showed an unusual convergence. Commenters questioned the entire premise of Pakistan’s Trump strategy. If this was the payoff for flattery, many asked, what exactly had been achieved?Why this cut so deepPM Modi and TrumpFor months, Pakistan’s elite discourse had convinced itself that India-US relations were deteriorating while Pakistan-US ties were stabilising. Trump’s public irritation with India was misread as strategic rupture. Pakistan’s warmth was read as influence. Proximity was mistaken for power.The trade deal punctured that narrative decisively. What Pakistan’s discourse missed was that India’s apparent indifference was not neglect. It was posture.New Delhi did not merely refuse to flatter Trump; it actively declined to participate in his theatre. Reporting through last year showed that as tariff tensions escalated, India chose distance over desperation. At the height of the standoff, international media reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to take multiple phone calls from Trump, an almost unheard-of move in the choreography of great-power diplomacy. Silence, in this case, was not accidental. It was communicative.That frostiness surfaced more clearly in what would become the last direct exchange between the two leaders. According to reporting by The New York Times, a June phone call turned sour when Trump claimed credit for de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and floated the familiar Nobel Peace Prize rhetoric. New Delhi pushed back firmly, insisting that India and Pakistan had managed matters bilaterally, without US mediation. After that call, the two leaders did not speak again for months.That, in hindsight, is what makes the trade deal so destabilising for Pakistan’s narrative. India did not win by courting Trump better. It won by not courting him at all.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital AddictionPolitical Storm Erupts As Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Bittu Clash, Cong Targets PM Modi On Epstein FilesPiyush Goyal Defends India-US Trade Deal in Lok Sabha, Says Farmers And Dairy Interests Fully Safe’Sorry Papa’: Suicide Note From Three Sisters In Ghaziabad Triggers Debate On Gaming AddictionMamata Banerjee Takes SIR Battle Against Election Commission To Supreme Court, Openly Challenges BJP123Photostories5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students10 regional potato dishes that are a must-try once in a lifetime5 OTT hits of 2026 that created a massive buzz and had everyone talkingNot just potato: 9 types of popular fillings that make samosa a true food lover’s delightGaming addiction, school dropout, isolation: Key details in Ghaziabad-Loni sisters’ death caseBengaluru plans 800-metre flyover to decongest Iblur Junction; ORR travel time to dropIs your rice real? Simple home checks for “plastic rice” and 5 recipes to try123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingArtemi PanarinMLB Trade RumorsAyesha CurryKayla NicoleNHL Injury UpdatePuka NacuaRussell WilsonDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsNikola JokicGold Riyadh Players Ranking

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump (File photo) The received wisdom in Washington circles has been that Pakistan has ‘played’ Donald Trump better than its Indian counterpart. This has included praising Donald Trump to high heavens at every turn, nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize with every breath, offering him (snake?) oil, and in general agreeing to anything including joining the Board of Peace. Perhaps, Pakistan felt it had returned to its older role of indispensable intermediary as New Delhi remained the insouciant child who refused to bow to Trump’s diktats. Overnight, the illusion shattered as Trump announced the US had reached a trade agreement with India lowering tariffs on India’s exports to 18%. While most of the details about the deal are still being worked out, that didn’t stop a full-blown meltdown on Pakistani (or South Asian) Twitter.One viral tweet summed up the mood: “Mover, shaker, and beggars.”That line became a shorthand for something deeper than trade arithmetic. The reaction in Pakistan was not about supply chains or tariff schedules. It was about hierarchy.The online reckoningThe first wave of reactions was disbelief. Then came sarcasm. Then came something closer to anger, much of it directed inward. Pakistani social media users began listing, almost ritualistically, the many ways Islamabad had publicly courted Trump. The Nobel Peace Prize nomination resurfaced again and again, often framed as a punchline. So did Pakistan’s enthusiastic endorsement of Trump’s various peace initiatives and grand visions.A widely circulated post laid it out bluntly: Pakistan did everything to please Trump, including nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, joining his “Board of Peace”, and offering cooperation on minerals. Yet India, which spent months resisting Trump’s pressure, ended up with a lower tariff rate. To make matters worse, users pointed out, India had also just secured major trade concessions with the European Union.The tone shifted quickly from disbelief to gallows humour. One viral image showed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir holding up an AI-styled magazine cover featuring Modi and Trump, both leaders pointing at the image as if presenting evidence of a reality they could not alter. The accompanying Urdu caption roughly translated to: “Asim Munir is stuck between them… the world has moved on.”Across Facebook and Instagram, memes treated the 18% versus 19% tariff gap like a scoreboard. Comment threads were filled with variations of the same lament: how did bending over backwards still lead to being sidelined? Why did obedience not translate into leverage?Even YouTube reaction videos, often noisy and incoherent, showed an unusual convergence. Commenters questioned the entire premise of Pakistan’s Trump strategy. If this was the payoff for flattery, many asked, what exactly had been achieved?Why this cut so deepPM Modi and TrumpFor months, Pakistan’s elite discourse had convinced itself that India-US relations were deteriorating while Pakistan-US ties were stabilising. Trump’s public irritation with India was misread as strategic rupture. Pakistan’s warmth was read as influence. Proximity was mistaken for power.The trade deal punctured that narrative decisively. What Pakistan’s discourse missed was that India’s apparent indifference was not neglect. It was posture.New Delhi did not merely refuse to flatter Trump; it actively declined to participate in his theatre. Reporting through last year showed that as tariff tensions escalated, India chose distance over desperation. At the height of the standoff, international media reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to take multiple phone calls from Trump, an almost unheard-of move in the choreography of great-power diplomacy. Silence, in this case, was not accidental. It was communicative.That frostiness surfaced more clearly in what would become the last direct exchange between the two leaders. According to reporting by The New York Times, a June phone call turned sour when Trump claimed credit for de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and floated the familiar Nobel Peace Prize rhetoric. New Delhi pushed back firmly, insisting that India and Pakistan had managed matters bilaterally, without US mediation. After that call, the two leaders did not speak again for months.That, in hindsight, is what makes the trade deal so destabilising for Pakistan’s narrative. India did not win by courting Trump better. It won by not courting him at all.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Insulted Sikh Community’: Hardeep Puri Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Remark At Ravneet BittuRahul Gandhi Defends Naravane Memoir Quotes, Priyanka Questions Nishikant Dubey Quotes On Nehru’Justice Is Crying…’: Mamata Banerjee Takes EC Head On In Supreme Court Over SIR Row In Bengal‘Combatise Space Command…L1 Needs To Go.’: Expert Stresses Defence Reforms After Budget 2026India-US Trade Deal Vs India-EU FTA: Which Agreement Delivers Bigger Exports Jobs And GrowthKorean ‘Love Game’ Under Lens After Ghaziabad Sisters Suicide Raises Alarm On Digital AddictionPolitical Storm Erupts As Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Bittu Clash, Cong Targets PM Modi On Epstein FilesPiyush Goyal Defends India-US Trade Deal in Lok Sabha, Says Farmers And Dairy Interests Fully Safe’Sorry Papa’: Suicide Note From Three Sisters In Ghaziabad Triggers Debate On Gaming AddictionMamata Banerjee Takes SIR Battle Against Election Commission To Supreme Court, Openly Challenges BJP123Photostories5 most expensive buildings from across the world and why they cost so muchMumbai–Pune Expressway turns parking lot as vehicles remain stuck for 12 hoursThis Royal in Asia owns 7000 luxury vehicles including 500 Rolls-Royce, 450 Ferraris and 380 BentleysRosa Parks once said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up…”: 5 lessons it teaches students10 regional potato dishes that are a must-try once in a lifetime5 OTT hits of 2026 that created a massive buzz and had everyone talkingNot just potato: 9 types of popular fillings that make samosa a true food lover’s delightGaming addiction, school dropout, isolation: Key details in Ghaziabad-Loni sisters’ death caseBengaluru plans 800-metre flyover to decongest Iblur Junction; ORR travel time to dropIs your rice real? Simple home checks for “plastic rice” and 5 recipes to try123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionRelationship consentIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingArtemi PanarinMLB Trade RumorsAyesha CurryKayla NicoleNHL Injury UpdatePuka NacuaRussell WilsonDenver Nuggets vs Detroit PistonsNikola JokicGold Riyadh Players Ranking

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump (File photo) The received wisdom in Washington circles has been that Pakistan has ‘played’ Donald Trump better than its Indian counterpart. This has included praising Donald Trump to high heavens at every turn, nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize with every breath, offering him (snake?)…

Read More
US markets today: Wall street opens mixed as tech stocks weigh; gold climbs back above ,000 per ounce

US markets today: Wall street opens mixed as tech stocks weigh; gold climbs back above $5,000 per ounce

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

US equities moved in mixed territory early Wednesday, with technology stocks continuing to weigh on sentiment, while gold prices rebounded and moved back above the $5,000-per-ounce mark as investors sought safe-haven assets.The S&P 500 slipped 0.1% in early trade, coming off its fourth modest decline in the last five sessions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average…

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BSNL recruitment 2026: Registration for Senior Executive Trainee posts begins tomorrow; check details here

BSNL recruitment 2026: Registration for Senior Executive Trainee posts begins tomorrow; check details here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

BSNL recruitment 2026: Registration for Senior Executive Trainee posts begins tomorrow; check details here Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has released the notification for Senior Executive Trainee (SET) Recruitment 2026. The recruitment drive aims to fill 120 vacancies in Telecom Operations and Finance streams. Candidates with an engineering degree in relevant disciplines or professional qualifications…

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After Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, R Madhavan, Salman Khan, Vivek Oberoi moves to court for protection of personality rights

After Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, R Madhavan, Salman Khan, Vivek Oberoi moves to court for protection of personality rights

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Actor turned entrepreneur Vivek Oberoi has approached the Delhi High Court seeking legal protection of his personality rights, thus to avoid the rampant misuse of his identity across digital platforms. The suit has been filed through advocates Sana Raees Khan and Pranay Chitale.According to a report by LiveLaw, Oberoi has urged the court to restrain…

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