Digest for 25 October, 2025
US and China Hold High-Stakes Talks to Avert Trade War Escalation
Top economic officials from the U.S. and China are meeting in Kuala Lumpur to prevent an escalation of their trade war. The talks aim to resolve disputes over China's new export controls on rare earth minerals and expanded U.S. technology blacklists. A successful outcome is seen as crucial for salvaging a planned meeting between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea, where they could potentially agree on interim tariff relief and other measures.
India Slams Pakistan at UN Security Council, Demands End to Repression in PoK
At a UN Security Council meeting, India strongly rebuked Pakistan, stating that democracy and constitutionalism are "alien concepts" to Islamabad. India's Permanent Representative, P. Harish, called on Pakistan to end grave human rights violations in the territories it illegally occupies, where he said the population is in open revolt against military repression and exploitation. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and its people exercise their rights within India's democratic framework.
IMF Projects Indian Economy to Grow at 6.6% in FY26, Outpacing China
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the Indian economy will grow at 6.6% in the 2025-26 fiscal year, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies. The upward revision is attributed to strong economic performance in the first quarter. This growth rate is set to surpass China's projected 4.8% growth. The IMF noted that strong domestic consumption is a key driver for India, while warning that global growth is expected to slow slightly in 2026.
FATF Warns Pakistan that Greylist Exit Does Not Grant Immunity from Scrutiny
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has cautioned Pakistan that its removal from the 'greylist' in 2022 does not mean it is immune from global scrutiny over terror financing and money laundering. FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo stressed that all jurisdictions, including those delisted, must remain vigilant. The warning comes amid reports of Pakistan-based terror groups using digital wallets to fund their activities, a risk highlighted in recent FATF reports and India's own national risk assessment.
National Conference Wins 3 of 4 Seats in J&K's First Rajya Sabha Polls as UT
In Jammu and Kashmir's first Rajya Sabha elections since becoming a Union Territory, the ruling National Conference (NC) won three of the four seats, while the BJP secured the fourth. The results followed expected lines based on party strength in the assembly. The BJP's victory for the fourth seat, however, prompted NC leader Omar Abdullah to allege that some independent MLAs who had pledged support to his party had cross-voted or deliberately invalidated their ballots, helping the BJP candidate.