Moscow, Aug 07: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India is expected at the end of August, a leading news agency of the country reported on Thursday citing comments made by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval during his ongoing visit to Moscow.

“We have now established very good relations, which we value very much, a strategic partnership between our countries. We interact at a high level… We were pleased to learn about President Putin’s visit to our country, scheduled for late August,” the Interfax news agency quoted NSA Doval as saying at a meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Thursday.

Earlier, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov had confirmed that Putin is expected to visit India following an invitation from Prime Minister Modi.

The visit is being planned as part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leaders.

“Our leaders have an agreement to meet once a year. This time, it is our turn,” Ushakov had said during a press briefing.

The last visit by the Russian President to India took place on December 6, 2021, during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.

PM Modi, meanwhile, held two high-profile visits to Russia last year, attending the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and later participated in the BRICS Summit held in Kazan in October.

Citing that the political dialogue between India and Russia is “developing dynamically” and is facilitated by the fact that Moscow and New Delhi “have close or even coinciding views on the objectively emerging multipolar world order”, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had also indicated that preparations are being made for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India.

“Relations between our countries have a long history. It can be said that they have stood the test of time more than once. Today, Russia and India are developing equal cooperation based on sincere, mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests,” Lavrov told the participants of the first international conference ‘Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations’ which was also addressed by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in March, this year.

“It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of our leaders to this process. It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first bilateral foreign visit after his re-election last year to Russia. Now it is our turn. Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted the invitation of the head of the Indian government. The visit of the head of the Russian state to the Republic of India is being prepared,” he added.

In June, the Russian President sent a message of condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad.

“Please accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe,” said Putin

In May, President Putin also called Prime Minister Modi and “strongly condemned” the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, offering “full support” to India in its ongoing fight against terrorism.

A statement issued by the Kremlin said that Putin expressed sincere condolences to PM Modi over the death of Indian citizens as a result of the barbaric terrorist attack on April 22 and emphasised the need for an “uncompromising fight” against terrorism in any form.

“During the conversation, the strategic nature of Russian-Indian relations of a special privileged partnership was emphasised. These relations are not subject to external influence and continue to develop dynamically in all directions,” read the statement issued by the Russian President’s office.

“The Indian leader reiterated his invitation to the Russian President to visit India for the traditional annual bilateral summit. The invitation was accepted with gratitude,” it added.

PM Modi, who had also been invited by Putin for the participation in the Victory Day celebrations, however could not travel to Russia.

The Russian President had earlier extended his condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Srinagar, Aug 07: The full moon in August is traditionally known as the Sturgeon Moon, a name rooted in the seasonal rhythms of the Great Lakes region in North America. According to TimeandDate, the name reflects the historical abundance of sturgeon fish during this time of year, when they were most easily caught.

The lake sturgeon is a fascinating freshwater species—males can live up to 55 years, while females can reach 150 years. These ancient fish can grow over 2 meters long and weigh as much as 90 kilograms.

The Center for Native American Studies stated that it’s called the Wild Rice Moon by the Anishinaabe people. According to NASA, it is known as the Green Corn and Grain Moon elsewhere in North America.

As The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains, the name “Sturgeon Moon” comes from the giant lake sturgeon once found in large numbers in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. They were a vital food source for Native American communities during late summer. Though once plentiful, lake sturgeon are far less common today due to habitat loss and overfishing.

On August 9, Venus and Jupiter will appear close together in the eastern pre-dawn sky, creating a rare celestial event. The Moon will make a close pass to Saturn and Neptune on August 12, although only Saturn will be visible to the naked eye.

New Delhi, August 7: In a strong message against the tariffs imposed by the United State, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that farmers remain India’s top priority and that the country would never compromise their interests.

“For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know we will have to pay a heavy price for it and I am ready for it. India is ready for it,” said PM Modi.

His remarks come amid chaos over the Trump administration doubling the tariff imposition to 50 per cent on goods from India. During trade negotiations the United States was pushing for greater access to India’s agricultural market, specially corn, soybeans, and cotton.

However, India has so far resisted opening of the agricultural sector, and dairy products, due to concerns about domestic livelihoods and potential impacts on farmers. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India.

According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India’s imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions.

The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency.

Meanwhile, economists feel the US additional tariff move could dent the India’s GDP growth in FY26 by 0.4 per cent. Sonal Badhan, Economics Specialist at Bank of Baroda, told ANI, “We had initially priced in approx. 0.2 per cent impact (on GDP growth) of 25-26 per cent tariffs imposed by the US on imports from India. The additional 25 per cent hike will come into effect after 21 days. During this time or in the coming months, there is a likelihood that lower rates may be negotiated.”

She added that depending on the final trade agreement, the total impact of these tariffs on GDP growth may range between 0.2-0.4 per cent. Sectors likely to be affected include garments, precious stones, electronics, pharma, auto parts, and MSMEs.

While the executive order imposes tariffs on most Indian imports, some items have been excluded under Annex II of Executive Order 14257. These include certain mineral substances, metallurgical ores, fuels, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceutical precursors.