US President-Elect Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to India saying that if it taxes American products, the US will do the same. Trump’s words came during his interaction with journalists at his Mar-a-Lago resort Since his first term, Trump has been hawkish about taxing foreign products but has not fully implemented what he has said. However, Trump’s warnings are taken seriously as markets move according to what a US president says.

“If they tax us, we tax them the same amount,” Trump told reporters.

Other than about India, Trump has been vocal about taxes imposed on American products by Brazil, Mexico and China.

“The word reciprocal is important because if somebody charges us – India, we don’t have to talk about our own – if India charges us 100 per cent, do we charge them nothing for the same? You know, they send in a bicycle, and we send them a bicycle. They charge us 100 and 200. India charges a lot,” said Trump.

“India charges a lot. Brazil charges a lot. If they want to charge us, that’s fine, but we’re going to charge them the same thing,” he added.

The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden has sounded upbeat about India-US ties. On Tuesday, Biden administration said that it was leaving India-US relations “in a very strong place”

“We continue to be very ambitious about the US-India relationship. We’ve had very high-level engagement over the course of the last several months with the QUAD summit in Delaware, and we are anticipating a high-level engagement in the last few weeks of the Biden administration,” said US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Tuesday.

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced the launch of the ‘Sanjeevani Yojana’, a scheme aimed at providing free treatment to the elderly in Delhi who are above 60 years of age.

Speaking at a public event, Kejriwal said, “In old age, one thing troubles everyone: as age increases, numerous diseases affect a person. The biggest worry is how to get treatment. I also know of people who come from good families, but their children do not take care of them. In old age, I have seen elderly people from good families suffering, as if their children had abandoned them. But you don’t have to worry; your son is still alive.”

He continued, “Today, I am going to announce the Sanjeevani Yojana for the elderly of Delhi. Our elders, above 60 years of age, will receive free treatment. We will bring this scheme after the elections and pass it.”

About The Scheme

Kejriwal further explained that the scheme will provide free treatment at both government and private hospitals. “Whether one wants to get treatment in a government or private hospital, their entire treatment will be free. There will be no limits; everyone will be treated. Whether rich or poor, everyone will be treated for free. There will be no upper limit,” he said.

The AAP leader added that registration for this scheme will begin soon, and it will be done by AAP workers at people’s doorsteps. “Registration for this will start in 2-3 days, but there is no need to go anywhere to register. Aam Aadmi Party workers will come to you, register you, and leave. They will give you a card, so keep it carefully,” he said.

Kejriwal concluded, “As soon as our government is formed after the elections, this son of yours will fulfill the responsibility of keeping you healthy in your old age.”

The assembly elections in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025. AAP won 62 out of the 70 seats in the 2020 assembly elections, while the BJP secured eight seats.

New Delhi, Dec 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a blistering attack at the Congress party, accusing it of indulging in every possible dirty trick to obliterate the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and also humiliate the SC/ST communities.

PM Modi’s tirade came on back of Congress’s demand for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, whom they accused of disrespecting Dr Ambedkar during his speech in the Rajya Sabha.

In a series of posts on X, PM Modi lambasted the Congress, claiming the party had a long history of undermining Ambedkar’s contributions.

“In Parliament, HM Amit Shah ji exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting Dr. Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST Communities. They are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics! Sadly, for them, people know the truth!”

“If the Congress and its rotten ecosystem think their malicious lies can hide their misdeeds of several years, especially their insult towards Dr. Ambedkar, they are gravely mistaken!”

PM Modi further wrote. “The people of India have seen time and again how one party, led by one dynasty, has indulged in every possible dirty trick to obliterate the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and humiliate the SC/ST communities.”

He emphasized his government’s commitment to realizing Ambedkar’s vision, citing landmark initiatives aimed at improving the lives of marginalized communities.

“It is due to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar that we are what we are! Our government has worked tirelessly over the last decade to fulfill his vision,” he said.

Shedding light on flagship programs of his govt, the Prime Minister pointed to various initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Ujjwala Yojana, highlighting their transformative impact on the poor and marginalized.

“Our Government has worked tirelessly to fulfil the vision of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar over the last decade. Take any sector – be it removing 25 crore people from poverty, strengthening the SC/ST Act, our Government’s flagship programmes like Swachh Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ujjwala Yojana and more, each of them has touched the lives of the poor and marginalised,” he said.

PM Modi also detailed steps taken by his government to honor Ambedkar’s legacy, particularly the development of Panchteerth, five key sites associated with Ambedkar’s life. Among these, he mentioned the resolution of the long-pending issue of land for Chaitya Bhoomi and the government’s acquisition of 26, Alipur Road in Delhi, where Ambedkar spent his last days.

“The house in London where Dr. Ambedkar stayed during his studies has also been acquired and preserved,” PM Modi added, underscoring the government’s efforts to enshrine Ambedkar’s memory in the national consciousness.

The Prime Minister also mentioned how Congress tried to obliterate the legacy of Dr Ambedkar.

“The list of the Congress’ sins towards Dr. Ambedkar includes: Getting him defeated in elections not once but twice. Pandit Nehru campaigning against him and making his loss a prestige issue. Denying him a Bharat Ratna. Denying his portrait a place of pride in Parliament’s Central Hall,” he said.

“Congress can try as they want but they can’t deny that the worst massacres against SC/ST Communities have happened under their regimes. For years, they sat in power but did nothing substantive to empower the SC and ST communities,” PM Modi added.

PM Modi’s sharp retort at the Congress party goes to spotlight the ‘hypocrisy’ of grand old party on the Dalit icon while positioning his government as the one which upholds and respects Ambedkar’s legacy.