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Notwithstanding US President Donald Trump’ climb-down on One China policy, tension brews over the Sino- USA trade and investment. It is unlikely that Trump’s assurance to follow 40 years USA’s One China policy will soothe the relation and retrieve the normal trade relation. Though the White House statement viewed Trump’s direct telephonic call to President Xi Jinping very cordial and ensuring for a substantial dialogue between Washington and Beijing to re-rail the ties, normalization of trade tension is a far cry. China is the trigger for USA’s wide trade deficit. It accounts for 48 per cent of USA‘s global trade deficit and causing a big damage to the American jobs opportunities.

It is good that India has finally waken up to the perils of its growing large trade deficits with diplomatically belligerent China and sent a strong message that the current trade imbalance can’t continue for long. On the diplomatic front, China continues to put India under pressure — refusing to support India’s nuclear suppliers group (NSG) membership and its campaign against Pakistan-based terrorists and their outfits that launched dreadful attacks in Mumbai, Pathankot, etc. China also contests India’s territorial rights over Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir and interferes with India’s relationship with Taiwan and Tibetan leader Dalai Lama. China even mocked at ISRO’s feat creating a world record by launching 104 satellites at one go saying it is hardly admirable for impoverished India. However, thanks to India’s stance to delink diplomacy with trade, China is running a massive trade surplus with India to the latter’s utmost discomfort. India now seems to be ready to take up the trade issue with China as, for the second year in a row, India’s trade deficit with China is set to top the $50-billion mark in 2016-17, the highest with any single country.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The escalating war of words between the CPI(M) and the CPI is causing concern in the Left Democratic front (LDF) circles.

PATNA: With 2019 coming closer, socialist leader and Bihar chief minister has awoken to the bitter reality that his recent political flip-flops would not help him and he has to befriend a formidable force to navigate the electoral Baitarani River. Only three months back he had extended full support, moral and physical, to Narendra Modi’s move to demonetise the high value currency notes. His support to Modi came at a time when later was facing bitter criticism from politicians and economists for his policy decision. Everyone was shocked to listen to Nitish’s argument that this step would cleanse the economy of the black money. By design Kumar has even made indiscreet hints that he could realign his politics with that of the BJP, if the situation so demanded.

It may look a little early but one has the premonition that in Punjab, Amrinder Singh is becoming the Chief Minister and in Uttar Pradesh Rahul Gandhi—Akhlesh Yadav combination is heading for a victory. In that event Akhilesh will be the chief minister for the second term. The split in the Samajwadi Party and virtual breakup of the SP has helped Akhilesh and boosted his image sky high.

Ranchi: A large number of people living around Govindpur Road railway station in predominently tribal Khunti district have submitted a signed memorandum to the Divisional Manager of South Eastern Railway demanding a morning train from Hatia /Ranchi station to Rourkela and beyond.

BHOPAL: It might have been highly embarrassing moment for RSS Chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat that during his presence in Madhya Pradesh MP cops busted a ISI spy ring operating in the state which is ruled by RSS blue eyed boy Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

It is a pity that despite being one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets in the world for almost two decades, India made no serious effort to manufacture a civilian aircraft. The only civil aircraft initiative taken in the early 90s by late Prime Minister Narasimha Rao was, ironically, given up during Rao’s protégé Manohan Singh’s regime in 2009.

LUCKNOW: During last two phase polling, Samajwadi Party and Congress appears to be emerging as frontrunner in a multi-corner contest for crucial assembly polls for Uttar Pradesh assembly.

The ongoing drama in Tamil Nadu has once again confirmed the fallacy of bourgeois democracy. The split in ruling party of the state and the manipulation for grabbing the top slot in the administration is nothing new. The Tamil Nadu episode has an added feature. The ruling party at the Centre, Bharatiya Janata Party, too has got involved in the dirty game. Though its leaders at the state level are projecting as if it has nothing to do with either of the warring faction of AIADMK, it is playing its cards safely.